Rally for Marriage Equality

Whether or not you are personally interested in getting married, the right to marry is not just about a legal recognized ceremony, but an equal right to the many legal protections given to couples that are married. Benefits for married couples range from tax relief to medical decision-making. AB 43, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act that would grant same-sex couples the ability to marry in California.

For the second time in two years, the California Legislature has passed legislation that would grant same-sex couples the ability to marry. With a 22-15 vote, the Senate on September 7 approved AB 43, authored by Assembly member Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and sponsored by Equality California. The governor is expected to have the bill on his desk as early as next week and must take action on it by October 14.

Help us send a message to Governor Schwarzenegger "to rise above right-wing ideology, as he has on many other issues, by signing this bill," as EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors puts it. "The governor should keep up with the will of the people and show the kind of leadership that will define his place in history."

Local Community Actions
Tuesday, September 18

The following organizations are hosting community gatherings on Tuesday, September 18 urging the governor to sign AB 43.

• Bakersfield (Kern County)
  Gather at 5 p.m. at the Liberty Bell at corner of Truxtun and Chester. Contact Whitney at wlwedd@aol.com or 661.204.3180.


• Fresno
  Meet at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Blackstone and Shaw Ave. Contact Jason at ca-fresno@marriageequality.org or 559.862.4559.


• Humboldt
  Meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Humboldt County Courthouse at 825 5th Street, Eureka. Contact Justin Pabalate at ca-humboldt@marriageequality.org or 707.845.7080.


• Lakeport
  Gather at 6 p.m. at the corner of Main St and Third. Contact Laurie at ca-lake@marriageequality.org or 707.367.1557.


• Los Angeles
  Gather at 7 p.m. at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s McDonald/Wright Building at 1625 N. Schrader Boulevard for a march to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s star on Hollywood Blvd. Contact Jim Key at jkey@lagaycenter.org or 323.993.7623.


• Marin
  Gather at the corner of Third and Irwin Streets from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Contact Dolores at zahwa1@aol.com or 415.456.9010.


• Modesto
  Gather at the corner of 10th & J Streets from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Contact Beth at ca-stanislaus@marriageequality.org or 209.576.5207.


• Oakland
  Gather at 5:30 p.m. at 14th and Broadway, by the BART station. Contact Kristen Montan at krmontan@earthlink.net or 510.333.8241.


• Sacramento (And Yolo County)
  Meet at the West Steps of the State Capitol at 11th and L Streets from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Public parking garage is located at 10th Street, off L Street. Contact Christine Allen at 916.455.4256 or Lysa Twardosz at ca-sacramento@marriageequality.org.


• San Diego (2 Events)
  City Council Meeting: Tuesday, September 18, 2 p.m.
  12th Floor Council Chambers, 202 C Street, downtown
  
  Community Rally: Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m.
  San Diego State University
  Gather at 6 p.m. at Montezuma Road and College Ave. Contact Matt Palm at youth@marriageequality.org or 858.472.5439.


• San Francisco Bay Area
  Meet at 5:30 p.m. at the LGBT Center (corner of Market and Octavia) for a press conference with Assemblymember Mark Leno then march to Harvey Milk Plaza (corner of Castro and Market). Contact Pam at pamela@marriageequality.org or 510.384.3655.


• Silicon Valley
  Gather at 6 p.m. at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Center. Contact Aejaie at aejaie@defrank.org or 408.293.3040 x103.


• San Luis Obispo
  Gather at 5 p.m. at the front of the new San Luis Obispo Government Building at 1055 Monterey. Contact David at slo@eqca.org or 805.440.6487.


• Santa Rosa
  Gather at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of City Hall at the corner of 2nd and Mendocino. Contact Chari at chari_d@hotmail.com or 707.579.1922.


• Stockton
  Gather at 5:30 p.m. at the San Joaquin Pride Center at 4410 North Pershing Ave., Suite C-22. Contact Martina at ca-sanjoaquin@marriageequality.org or 209.518.9102.


• Ukiah
  Gather at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Courthouse at Perkins and State Streets. Contact Jody at ca-mendocino@marriageequality.org or 707.489.6082.

Take Action
Call or fax the governor's office today and urge him to vote for AB 43.
Tel: 916.445.2841
Fax: 916.445.4633

Sign EQCA’s online marriage petition at www.eqca.org/10000formarriage