John Perez Says Hi! EQCA Told Me To Tell You The 2010 Repeal Prop 8 Effort Is Dead
In his very first press conference with LGBT publications and outlets California’s new speaker openly gay John Perez stated that on no uncertain terms the 2010 effort to repeal Prop 8 is dead as a doornail. According to the Bay Area Reporter, Perez said that there’s no practical way to repeal the state’s anti-same-sex marriage ban this year.
“I know people don’t want to hear that, but it is absolute reality,” says Perez. “The money is not there and the signatures are not there to get it on the ballot in 2010. I don’t think the best environment to put it on the ballot is in 2010.”
We know this is harsh news for folks like Lester Aponte, one of the most vocal local backers of the signature gathering required to get the initiative on the 2010 ballot. He and other folks we know worked really hard trying to get the sigs and drum up support. But we knew the last nail in the coffin was with Rick Jacobs announcement that Courage Campaign was pulling out. An effort that big takes some serious institutional backing. Without it, we saw the campaigns days as numbered. And we were right.
Gotta hand it to them, EQCA worked hard in blocking the success of a 2010 initiative. Not that we have anything against Perez, but this announcement doesn’t surprise us coming from an openly gay California politician. EQCA had the lockdown on gay lawmakers aka Mark Leno and crew long before this whole deal even started. Not to mention the fact that EQCA has had the backing of most local LGBT Latino orgs for some time now concerning when to go back to the ballot with Prop 8. Stands to reason Perez would echo their sentiments. He’d be foolish not to.
For more details on this story go to this link: Perez calls 2010 Prop 8 repeal effort DOA
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4 March, 2010 at 8:37 am
I have a lot of respect and affection for John Perez. But I find it hurtful that he would express this view when hundreds of people all over the state are right now busting their asses in this effort. We fight because it is right. Out of respect for these volunteers, whom he is counting on when the Democrats run in November and every time after that, he could have told us this is what he thinks privately instead. Is he asking us to quit? Sorry, no can do. I will quit when they pry the clipboard from my cold dead hands. And then I'll get up and start again.
4 March, 2010 at 8:41 am
Well alrighty. As Lenny Kravitz says, "It ain't over til it's over!"
6 March, 2010 at 4:34 am
For Immediate Release
March 5, 2010
Contact:
Sean Bohac, State Advisory Panel Chair
PHONE: 619-218-3192, email: sean.bohac@restoreequality2010.com
Ian Hart, Communications
PHONE: 510-847-1981, email: ian.hart@restoreequality2010.com
Speaker Perez's Marriage Equality Assessment "Greatly Exaggerated"
Endorsements Keep Window Open to 2010 Proposition 8 Repeal
Los Angeles, Calif. Mar. 5, 2010 – Restore Equality 2010, the campaign working to repeal California Proposition 8 via the ballot box this year, is calling on new California Assembly Speaker John A. Perez to wait until April 13 for a final assessment of the effort to win back marriage equality. Perez, the first openly gay speaker of the California State Assembly and a 2012 repeal supporter, told reporters this week, "There is no practical way to get it on the ballot in 2010." Citing recent party endorsements throughout the state, Restore Equality 2010 maintains that the window for a repeal effort is very much open.
"With apologies to Paul McCartney, rumors of Restore Equality 2010's death have been greatly exaggerated," said Sean Bohac, Chair of Restore Equality 2010's State Advisory Panel. "Our deadline is still more than five weeks away, and the support for our campaign continues to grow."
Passed by a slim majority in 2008, California's Proposition 8 eliminated the state constitution-guaranteed right to marriage for the state's same sex couples. Restore Equality 2010 has led an effort to repeal the proposition this year. The campaign cites recent opinion polls, changing attitudes, and historical precedent as evidence that such a repeal is winnable. Several parties and individuals have endorsed Restore Equality 2010's efforts in recent weeks, including the Fresno County Democratic Party, the Southbay Democratic Club, Green Party chapters, and various LGBT and civil rights organizations. On Wednesday, the San Diego chapter of Democracy for America announced its endorsement of the repeal effort.
Restore Equality 2010, aided by its cross-party allies, has until April 12 to collect just under 700,000 signatures to qualify the repeal for the November ballot.
"We urge Assemblyman Perez to allow California voters time to be heard," said Bohac. "If the Speaker wants to wait until 2012 to fight for marriage equality, certainly he can wait until April 13, 2010 to let all California voters have their say."
Restore Equality 2010 is a grassroots campaign dedicated to passing a constitutional amendment in 2010 that guarantees marriage equality for all Californians. It envisions a California where all people can marry the person of their choice, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.It works to find common ground and build coalitions among California's diverse communities. More information is available at http://www.restoreequality2010.com.