GOVERNOR VETOED MARRIAGE BILL: COMMUNITY RESPONSE TOMORROW

EQUALITY CALIFORNIA

BREAKING NEWS!GOVERNOR VETOES MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL: COMMUNITY RESPONDS ACROSS
CALIFORNIA

A MESSAGE FROM EQCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GEOFFREY KORS

September 29, 2005

Today, I regret to tell you that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed Equality
California-sponsored Assembly Bill 849, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage
Protection Act, by Assemblyman Mark Leno.

When called upon to take a position on the civil rights issue of the day, Governor
Schwarzenegger decided to block the doorway to equality.

As a result of his veto, hundreds of thousands of lesbian, gay bisexual and
transgender Californians and their families will continue to live without equal
protection of the law. However, the veto cannot take away the incredible progress
that was achieved when the majority of California's elected Legislature passed this
legislation. History has shown time and time again that the path to equality,
justice and fairness can be blocked, but ultimately, the door will be opened.

In addition to being extremely disappointed with the Governor's decision to veto the
marriage equality legislation, we are troubled by the Governor's continued failure
to make an unequivocal statement opposing the various constitutional initiatives
proposed for the June 2006 election. These proposed initiatives would not only
prohibit the courts or Legislature from ending discrimination in the marriage laws,
they would also eliminate existing legal protections currently provided by law to
domestic partners, including rights enacted with the Governor's signature last year.

The Governor did sign four remaining EQCA-sponsored bills.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1400, the Civil Rights Act of 2005 (Laird, D-Santa Cruz), builds
upon the Unruh Civil Rights Act and related provisions to clarify and reinforce that
all businesses that provide services, goods or accommodations to the public cannot
discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status; Senate
Bill (SB) 973 (Kuehl, D-Santa Monica), allows domestic partners of public employees
who retired prior to January 1, 2005, to receive death benefits if the retiree dies
before their partner; SB 565 (Migden, D-San Francisco), ensures legally recognized
domestic partners are treated the same as spouses under California's property tax
laws; and AB 1586 (Koretz, D-West Hollywood), adds gender and gender identity to
existing anti-discrimination provisions in California laws regulating insurance
companies and health care service plans.

While we are certainly grateful he signed our remaining legislation today, denying
us marriage equality prevents us from truly enjoying equal rights and protections
guaranteed to everyone else.

We shall push forward with our quest for marriage equality for same-sex couples and
their children in California, join us as we gather around the state to respond to
the Governor's actions to deny the basic rights and protections of civil marriage to
LGBT citizens.

Join me and other fair-minded Californians around the state as proud, peaceful LGBT
people, families and allies. Together, we will speak the truth of our lives and
stand up for our dignity.

Please join us!

Local Community Actions Planned FOR TOMORROW (FRIDAY, SEPT 30)

The following Equality California chapters and allied organizations are hosting
community gatherings in response to the Governor's action on AB 849 TOMORROW,
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30(except San Diego, which is gathering tonight).

* Bakersfield (Kern County): Gather at 5 p.m. at the Liberty Bell at corner of
Truxtun and Chester. Contact Whitney at kern [at] eqca.org or call (661) 204-3180.

* Los Angeles: Gather at 7 p.m. at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Village at
Ed Gould Plaza at 1125 N. McCadden Place. People will march down to Arnold
Schwarzenegger's Star on Hollywood Boulevard. Contact the L.A. Gay & Lesbian
Center at (323) 993-7617 or visit http://www.lagaycenter.org.

* Modesto: Meet at 10th Street place, downtown across from Brendon Theater from
5 to 7 p.m. Contact Jeff at (209) 480-3622 or email stanislaus [at] eqca.org.

* Sacramento and Yolo: Meet at the State Capitol at 11th and L Street at 5:30
p.m. Contact Kinna Patel at (916) 284-3680 or email
sacramento [at] marriageequalityca.org.

* San Diego: Gather TONIGHT at the County Administration Building at 1600
Pacific Highway at 6 p.m. Contact Fernando Lopez at (619) 861-7939 or email
sandiego [at] eqca.org or contact Eddie at (619) 692-2077 ext 111.

* San Francisco: Meet at 5 p.m. at Harvey Milk Plaza (corner of Castro and
Market) and then march to the LGBT Center (corner of Market and Octavia). Contact
John Lewis at (415) 377 7924 or email sf [at] eqca.org.

* San Luis Obispo: Gather at 5:30 p.m. in front of City Hall. Contact David at
(805) 440-6487 or email slo [at] eqca.org.

* Santa Cruz: Gather at 5:30 p.m. at the Town Clock. Contact Merrie at (831)
335-3568 or email santacruz [at] eqca.org.

* Santa Rosa: Gather at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of City Hall at the corner of
2nd and Mendocino. Contact Chari at 707-793-2178 or email sonoma [at] eqca.org.

* Solano: Gather at 5:30 p.m. where Fairfield Linear Park borders Travis
Boulevard (intersection of Solano Mall Road and Travis Boulevard) across from
Starbucks. Please contact Jeff and David at (707) 208-0284 or email
solano [at] eqca.org.

* Ukiah: Gather at 5 p.m. in front of the Court House in Ukiah. Contact
Jennifer at (707) 490-6319 or email mendoinland [at] eqca.org .


Stay tuned. More local community events will be announced
as they are organized!


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