What's Next from EQCA and MECA

EQUALITY CALIFORNIA/MARRIAGE EQUALITY CALIFORNIA
Unprecedented Unified Statewide Actions Taken in Response to CA Supreme Court
Decision -Thank You and What's Next.

EQCA/MECA CONGRATULATES CALIFORNIA'S LOVE WARRIORS:

In an unprecedented show of solidarity, commitment and support, Equality California
and Marriage Equality California, in partnership with allied organizations across
the state, held demonstrations in over 20 COUNTIES across California in response to
the California Supreme Court ruling which invalidated the marriage licenses of over
4,000 same-sex couples. For a list and description of those actions and the local
heroes that organized them go
to(http://http://www.eqca.org/atf/cf/{687DF34F-6480-4BCD-9C2B-1F33FD8E1294}/Supreme%20COurt%20Action%20thank%20yous%20and%20actions%20(1).doc).
For the photo gallery of the actions go
to(http://marriageequalityca.org/events/2004/ca-supreme-court-decision/index.php).

Through the heroic act of Mayor Gavin Newsom, the enthusiasm of both County Recorder
Mabel Teng and County Clerk Nancy Alfaro and the dedication of San Francisco city
employees and volunteers, 4,037 couples experienced a taste of equality. They
experienced what it is like to be treated as full citizens. For a one month period,
the City of San Francisco brimmed over with love and random acts of kindness from
non-gay allies who were thrilled to be a part of the celebrations. We were united
as a community in a way we have never been before and the world watched as loving,
long-term couples and their children celebrated this long-overdue opportunity to
share in civil marriage - the gateway to hundreds of state rights and 1,138 federal
rights - - the civil contract that has been denied gay and lesbian couples.

On Thursday, August 12, 2004, exactly 6-months to the day when the licenses began to
be issued, there were literally thousands of people across California taking to the
streets in towns, big and small, North and South, all standing united in support for
marriage equality in California. The actions made international, national and very
local news. To see the newspaper stories covering the actions go to
(http://marriageequalityca.org/info/press/index.php).

Now, with that status ripped away, there is a new found hunger for equality, a
burning desire to see this wrong righted immediately. The second-class treatment of
same-sex couples in our country has grown intolerable to gay and non-gay people
alike. It is a stain on the Constitutional promise of full equality, freedom and
dignity for all citizens. The CA Supreme court decision is being heard as a call to
arms for love warriors everywhere.

What's Next? - The "Get Engaged" Campaign !

What to do when the California Supreme Court decides to divorce us without our
consent? Get Re-Engaged! This civil rights struggle will be the most romantic in
history - President Bush and his allies have falsely accused us of hiding Weapons of
Marriage Destruction - in fact, we stand to breathe new life and vitality into that
civil institution that is regarded so casually by those you can afford to take this
right for granted.

5 Steps You Can Take to Support Marriage Equality Today.

1. Make Every Moment a Marriage Equality Moment.

Supervisor Harvey Milk called for us all to "come out, come out where ever you are."
His sage advice from 25 years ago calls us into action again today. The most
powerful thing we can do to win marriage equality is to use our voices, share our
stories and ask for the support from our non-gay allies. Consider yourselves
advocates in the court of public opinion. Educate yourself on the tangible rights
that are denied same-sex couples because they cannot marry and then educate others.
For the list of civil marriage rights and how domestic partnerships and civil
unions are woefully inadequate go to
(http://www.lambdalegal.org/cgi-bin/iowa/documents/record?record=873)

Continue to use the words spouse, wife, and husband when describing your life
partner or your friend's life partner - work those words into casual conversation at
the grocery store, with co-workers and to total strangers on the street. If you are
comfortable using those terms your non-gay community will be too.

2. Join your local EQCA/MECA Chapter.
If you have any time, talents or skills to devote to the movement - get into action
and offer them! To join your local team of marriage activists in your community go
to (http://www.marriageequalityca.org/chapters/index.php) - join with a friend, or
two, or ten and attend the next meeting to learn how you can be of service to the
fight for marriage equality. If there is not a chapter in your county, contact
molly [at] eqca.org and start one yourself.

3. Support the Marriage Equality California Caravan and National Rally in
Washington D.C.

From October 4-11, 2004, marriage activists will leave San Francisco and cross the
country to Washington D.C. on the Marriage Equality Express, making 14 stops to
network with local marriage activists and spread the fire for marriage equality
nation-wide. EQCA and MECA will post daily blogs from the riders. Consider going
to Washington D.C. for the National Marriage Equality Rally on National Coming Out
Day in the Upper Senate Park - hear Barney Frank, Mabel Teng, marriage plaintiffs,
civil rights advocates, Tuck and Patti and more. To learn more about supporting
the marriage caravan and rally go to
(http://www.marriageequalityca.org/events/2004/national-rally/index.php).

4. Register Absentee to Vote

Statistics show that registered voters are five times more likely to actually vote,
when they vote by mail. To register to vote absentee go
to(http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm).

5. Educate Your Local City Councils and County Board of Supervisors About Marriage
Equality.

Many communities are already passed resolutions supporting marriage equality and/or
opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment. To see the resolutions passed to date go to
(http://www.eqca.org/site/pp.aspc=9oINKWMCF&b=40383#resolutions). If a resolution
is not possible, consider speaking up for marriage equality at the next public
comment portion of your local city council - let's show the state that indeed we are
everywhere.

Send this email out to 10 friends and get them to Get Engaged with you on this fight
for full marriage equality. Together, we are changing the world for the better.
Let's just keep at it!