Local News

Before Election Day:

• Remind your friends to vote with a little help from HRC!
  
• Volunteer!
  Candidates who see you working for them will know that they need to work for you; just head over to the campaign office of a candidate you support. Whether you have a day, an afternoon, or an hour, it will make all the difference in the world. Don't forget to wear your HRC gear so they know their LGBT consitiuents are behind them.

• Pledge to vote!

 

On November 4th, Election Day:

 

• VOTE!
  
• Then make sure your friends, family, and co-workers do the same. Offer to take them with you if they need a ride.
• Learn about voting in CA!
• Find your local polling place.
• Read more about the candidates and issues that HRC supports.

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As you know, election day is just over 2 months away. HRC is proud to be part of the No on Prop 8 campaign, fighting to make sure all couples continue to have the right to marry in California. Some quick updates below-please also click here for more information on the campaign. Read More »

• Thanks to the generous and enthusiastic support of HRC members and allies, the HRC California Marriage PAC has raised over $2 million for the campaign to defeat Proposition 8 at the ballot box. This $2 million figure includes the inspiring $1 million contribution from HRC Board of Directors member Bruce Bastian, and an additional $1 million worth of donations, many of which were made by HRC members and supporters at the HRC California Marriage PAC website.

• Pro-equality company needs your support! In July, Pacific Gas & Electric made a $250,000 contribution to No On Prop 8 (PG&E is also a founding member of the No On Prop 8 Business Council). PG&E is being barraged by opponents of equality with messages criticizing their support for fairness and equality. Please email your thanks for their support to Peter Darbee and Nancy McFadden.

• No On Prop 8 will be out in force at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week.

• On June 17th, the first full day of legal marriage for gay and lesbian couples in the state, HRC sent seven staffers to various locations in California to ensure our side was fairly represented to the media. Since then, HRC has opened up its Action Center Store in San Francisco to be the home base for Equality for All canvassing operations in the city.

An op-ed in the August 8 LA Times urges voters to reject Proposition 8, which seeks to rescind the equal right to marry guaranteed by the California Supreme Court's historic ruling last May. The op-ed presents a ringing and well-articulated argument for equality, noting that the proposed constitutional amendment would actually strip existing rights (unlike Proposition 22 in 2000, which was voted on at a time when lesbian and gay couples could not marry in the state).

The Times points out that denying lesbian and gay couples the continued right to marry would relegate them to second class status-separate and unequal. In an apt rejoinder to tired attacks against "activist judges", the Times correctly observed that it is, in fact, the court's duty to strike down unconstitutional laws, as it did with Proposition 22 when it declared that marriage equality is a fundamental right, and as it did 60 years ago when it struck down a ban on interracial marriage. Read More »

We are kindly asking all Federal Club members to consider co-hosting the Garden Party. This donation assists with underwriting event costs and raises additional funds for HRC to support this important political year in California. By co-hosting at either level you earn an invitation to a private VIP reception at the Garden Party, receive two event tickets (a $90 value) and
special recognition. Read More »