What are we up against?
Right-wing extremists have launched a multi-million-dollar campaign against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in California. Their intent is to pass Proposition 8, a constitutional initiative on the November 2008 ballot that would change the California Constitution to prohibit marriage for gay and lesbian couples. These same groups failed in 2004 and 2006 to qualify a measure for the ballot, in part because through the Equality for All campaign, fair-minded people out-organized them. But now they’re back.
An initiative intending to alter California’s constitution to ban marriage for gay and lesbian couples is headed for the November 2008 ballot. The summary that would appear before voters reads:
This initiative amends the California Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. The measure would have no fiscal effect on state or local governments. This is because there would be no change to the manner in which marriages are currently recognized by the state.
Who’s behind these measures?
The initiative is being pushed by ProtectMarriage.com and is backed by the widow of former state senator Pete Knight and a coalition that includes the National Marriage and Focus on the Family, one of the largest and most well-funded anti-LGBT organizations in the country.
What does the initiative do?
The initiative, if passed, attempts to place in the California Constitution a ban on marriage for gay and lesbian couples and intends to nullify the California Supreme Court decision granting gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. Constitutional initiatives take precedence over legislation and limit the authority of courts.
If an initiative like this were to pass, could the legislature enact a marriage equality bill?
No. Because this measure attempts to change the state constitution, the legislature, which in 2005 and 2007 passed a marriage equality bill, would be prohibited from doing so again in the future.
What is Equality for All?
Over three years ago, the LGBT community and our allies joined together to form Equality for All. The Equality for All campaign is a large and diverse coalition of civil rights, faith, choice, labor and community of color organizations working to stop and defeat any ballot measure that tries to allow discrimination against LGBT Californians and deny gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.
Can we win?
Yes. When our opponents failed to qualify their discriminatory measure in 2006, Equality for All didn’t go away. We’ve continued the fight to preserve domestic partnership rights and secure the right to marry. Unfortunately, we knew the extremists would not give up on trying to hurt and exclude gay and lesbian couples and their families. We knew they’d be back and we’re ready for them!
Over the last seven years there’s been a major shift in public opinion in California. The passage 2005 and 2007 of marriage equality bills by the legislature were watershed events, showing how deep the support is.
Legislators’ progress on the issue of marriage echoes the progress of their constituents — Californians have changed their minds. A September 2006 poll by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) showed that public opinion has moved significantly since 2000, the last time an anti-marriage measure was on the ballot. The PPIC poll showed that roughly as many California likely voters support the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples as oppose it. A September 2007 poll showed similar results.
The campaign will require an unprecedented amount of money and grassroots organizing. If everyone who cares about freedom, opportunity and fairness joins our campaign and contributes enough time and money, we can win!
How much will this campaign cost?
What is fair simply does not matter to the right wing extremists who want to deny equality to gay and lesbian couples and all LGBT Californians. They have already poured $2 million dollars into placing the constitutional initiative on the ballot. They are talking about spending $10 million more to pass it in November.
We have to at least match our opponents dollar for dollar. But the reality is that campaigns with the most money nearly always win. So we need to raise millions to fight back and take our message directly to the voters. Gay and lesbiancouples just won the right to marry. Don’t let the right wing take it away. Contribute now to Equality For All!
What’s happening now with the campaign?
For more than three years we’ve been building the strongest coalition we have ever had. Equality For All has hired a campaign team with unprecedented experience working on ballot campaigns — our campaign team has never lost a campaign to defeat a ballot measure. Every day new supporters come to the campaign, and new activities go live. Get involved today to keep apprised of the news, activities and ways you can help!
