Memba Dis?
LATINO, BLACK, ASIAN LGBT GROUPS AND PRO-MARRIAGE SUPPORTERS ISSUE CALL FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN TO REGAIN MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN CALIFORNIA
Joint Statement Urges More Time to Build Campaign Infrastructure and Broaden Public Education Over an Immediate Return to the Ballot Box in 2010 to repeal Proposition 8.
July 13, 2009, Los Angeles, CA. – In a statement released today, three leading lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) groups from diverse racial and ethnic communities cite education and campaign goals they said must first be accomplished before rushing to the ballot to repeal Proposition 8 next year. Other LGBT and marriage equality allies including civil rights and labor groups join in endorsing the statement.
Called “Prepare to Prevail,” the statement marks the first widely supported public call by LGBT community groups and supporters to forego a rush to the ballot box in 2010 to repeal Proposition 8.
Proposition 8 was a constitutional amendment passed by California voters in November 2008 by a margin of about 4 percentage points, 52.3% to 47.7%. By restricting marriage to different-sex couples, it eliminated the fundamental right of gays and lesbians to marry a committed same-sex partner in California. Proposition 8 passed less than six months after a landmark decision by the state’s Supreme Court recognized that right. The same court upheld Proposition 8 in May 2009, sparking a debate about when and how to return to the ballot with a measure to remove the sexual-orientation limitation from the constitution.
“We want to win. And winning a political campaign requires ample preparation,” says Luis López, President of HONOR PAC. “The renewed energy and collaboration in our community will, with time and direction, become the fuel of a well-oiled campaign machine. For now, though, with little movement among voters on this issue and key components not yet in place for 2010, we need to take stock and focus on building our capacity.”
Ron Buckmire, President of the Barbara Jordan / Bayard Rustin Coalition, cites resource constraints. “We’ve got massive economic challenges in California right now. And our own LGBT service organizations are struggling. We are all being forced to make difficult decisions. Investing in a robust, coordinated public education campaign about marriage is a wiser investment than choosing to wage another very expensive electoral battle at this time.”
Proposition 8 was the most expensive ballot initiative over a social issue in California history with more than $82 million in contributions raised by backers and foes.
Doreena Wong, Co-Chair of API Equality-LA, says, “From the 2008 campaign, we know that all communities in California need to be engaged for us to win – including communities of color. And from our intensive work over the past four years, we know it takes time to build the trusting relationships and strong coalitions that make education campaigns effective. LGBT people exist in every community and have the same need as heterosexuals for respectful inclusion in marriage because marriage and family are core concepts for everyone —regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.”
The “Prepare to Prevail” statement is posted on each of the Websites referenced below.
About API Equality-LA
API Equality-LA is a coalition of organizations and individuals who are committed to working in the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities in Greater Los Angeles for equal marriage rights and fair treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families through community education and advocacy. www.apiequalityla.org
About HONOR PAC
HONOR PAC advocates for the political empowerment of Latina/o LGBT communities. HONOR PAC supports candidates and ballot propositions that advance progressive policies and serve the unique needs and interests of Latina/o LGBT communities. www.honorpac.org
About Barbara Jordan / Bayard Rustin Coalition
Jordan Rustin Coalition was created in response to the lack of outreach to African Americans in the campaign against Proposition 22, the anti-gay marriage initiative in 2000, and the realization in 2005 that another such initiative was imminent. The mission of JRC is to empower Black same-gender loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and families in Greater Los Angeles, to promote equal marriage rights and to advocate for fair treatment of everyone without regard to race, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. www.jordanrustincoalition.org
You can read the rest of the whole miserable sorry thing here.
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