Boycott Manchester Grand Hyatt, and the Grand Del Mar in California

"Same-sex marriage advocates urged travelers Thursday to boycott two hotels owned by a San Diego County businessman who gave $125,000 to a group backing a California ballot initiative to ban gay marriage.

Doug Manchester, who owns the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego and the Grand Del Mar golf resort near La Jolla, donated the money to the National Organization for Marriage in January"

Email the top management at these hotels!

H/T to Blog Active for the story.

Live Long and Marry (Auction for Equality)

What is this?
Live Long And Marry is a fandom auction to benefit marriage equality. Bidding begins on July 1, 12:01 AM one minute after midnight Pacific Time, 2008, and closes on July 15, 12:01 AM one minute after midnight Pacific Time, 2008. Please do not bid until bidding opens.

What's the cause?
The auction will raise money for the fight against the California initiative which will legally destroy existing same-sex marriages and ban any further ones. If the initiative passes, it will write discrimination into the state constitution, annull existing marriages, and make Mr. Sulu cry.

How can I help?
You can bid on fanfic, original fic, vids, cookies, memorabilia, critique/betas, and much more! Or you can offer your skills and services as a writer, vidder, baker, knitter, or whatever else you'd like.

BIDDING OPENS ON JULY 1, 12:01 AM ONE MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME, AND CLOSES JULY 15, 12:01 AM ONE MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT PACIFIC TIME.

http://community.livejournal.com/livelongnmarry/

For more info on what this is about, how to bid, and get your prize go here

Donate to the HRC California Marriage PAC

“Backers of Proposition 8, a November ballot initiative that would amend California’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage, had, as of last week, raised nearly $2.3 million while foes had raised about $1.3 million. Fund-raising for the campaigns is only now beginning in earnest, and consultants predict that by the time voters go to the polls, each side will have raised as much as $15 million.”(Boston Globe)

"GLBT couples in California can now legally marry – giving affirmation to their love and full validation to their relationships for the first time. Meanwhile, our right-wing opponents are building a $10 million war chest for a constitutional amendment to ban marriage for gay and lesbian couples in California.

HRC has set up a special fund – the HRC California Marriage PAC – to direct 100% of your contribution today to the fight against the anti-marriage ballot initiative in California. HRC is a member of Equality for All, the coalition working to defeat the marriage ban, and these funds will support the coalition's efforts."

Click Here to Make a Financial Contribution to the HRC California Marriage PAC

Counter the Lies & Myths Regarding Marriage Equality in California

Our opponents are preparing to get their voter referendum passed this election day which will effectively reverse the court ruling and write the "marriage is between one man and one woman" into the California state constitution. They are spreading a campaign of lies and misinformation about marriage equality.

It's important to correct these misrepresentations and be equipped with the knowledge of the facts...

"MYTH #1: Churches in California will be forced to perform same-sex marriages, even if they don't want to.

FACT: No church will ever have to perform any marriage it disapproves of. That's protected in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and will never change.

MYTH #2: County clerks can pick and choose which marriages they officiate.

FACT: Unlike religious leaders, county clerks are civic officials who are required to administer the law without discriminating. A civil marriage isn't a religious ceremony -- it's a legal contract. County clerks need to perform an official government duties.

MYTH #3: The Supreme Court shouldn't have done this!

FACT: The state Constitution requires equality under the law for all Californians, and the justices on the Court had an obligation to stand up for that principle. Throughout American history, courts have stood up for those who couldn't defend their rights any other way. Those decisions were often unpopular, but now we look back on them proudly.

MYTH #4: This is bad for marriage.

FACT: This is great for marriage! When two people love each other and want to make a lifelong commitment to care for and be responsible for each other, they should be able to get married. Starting today, marriage will be stronger, not weaker. Stopping some people from getting married doesn't help anyone's marriage -- it only hurts those who are discriminated against and their families.

As Election Day draws closer, no doubt we'll see more misrepresentations and half-truths from anti-gay organizations. We'll be working with our allies to be sure the truth is told."

Thanks to Alternet for the fact check.

Marriage Begins Today in California!

Just a few more hours, 5PM to be exact and California will officially begin issuing licenses to same-sex couples. Congratulations to the LGBT community in California and to all the couples! We stand proudly with you!

Below a beautiful video of some of the California couples when decision was announced by the Supreme Court by 2015 Place

Counter the "Westboro Baptist Church" Anti-Gay Demo

The Westboro Baptist Church AKA "God Hates Fags" hate group is planning a demonstration to oppose same-sex marriage on June 17 when same-sex couples will begin being issued marriage licenses.

Tuesday, June 17, at
7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Contra Costa County Clerk’s office
555 Escobar St., Martinez, CA.

Anyone interested in a counter-demonstration? Show up and speak your mind.

Urge MoveOn.org to Take a Stand on Marriage Equality

MoveOn.Org a large "California" based progressive organization has yet to take a stand on the marriage amendment slated for the upcoming election. I personally have unsubscribed from MoveOn's email list months ago because I never see them take any actions on LGBT issues and I find that disturbing.

MoveOn.org is now taking feedback on where their focus should be going fwd, please let them know LGBT issues are important to you, as well as defeating the anti-gay marriage amendment in California.

MoveOn.org E-Contact Form

Broadcast YOUR Message of Marriage Equality

Hat tip to Lavender Liberal for this wonderful idea in order to defeat the anti-marriage initiative in California.

The Marriage Equality Youtube group is looking for LGBT folks & allies to upload short videos onto the net to speak out about why marriage equality is so important to you. Whether you are coupled, single, married, or just believe in equal rights please put out the message and broadcast it to thousands of people on the net. The founder of the group will collect snippets from the various videos to make one long compelling film about why Same-Sex Marriage must be secured for Californians and all citizens of the world.

So get those video cameras out and make your case for Same-Sex Marriage! Together our videos can reach tens of thousands of people and get people to vote against the anti-SSM amendment. We can change hearts and minds through our stories.

http://www.youtube.com/group/marriageequality

Take Action: Voice Support for California Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking feedback on the "hot button" issue of the California Supreme Court Ruling favoring same-sex marriage.

It's a simple, easy automated call, you don't need to speak to anyone.

To vote in support of the Supreme Court's decision on LGBT marriage:

1. Call the Governor at 1-916-445-2841
2. Press 1, 5, 1, 1

Email form:
http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email(Click email tab and select "Supreme Court decision on Same Sex Marriage". On the next screen you must click PRO).

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Frequently Asked Questions about Same-Sex Marriage in California

I came across this great informative article on Lesbian Life:

"Answers to Your Questions About California and Gay Marriage

Now that the highest court in California has deemed that the state must allow gay marriages, you probably have a lot of questions about what that means. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about California's gay marriage law.

I was married in San Francisco in in 2004. Is my marriage legal now?
No. Those marriages were nullified in 2004.

When can gays and lesbians get married in California?
The California Supreme Court ruled that banning gay and lesbian couples from marrying is unconstitutional on May 15, 2008. The court gave 30 days for the state to begin marrying same-sex couples, so by June 16, 2008, gays and lesbians will be able to marry in California.

We have a California Domestic Partnership, do we need to dissolve that before we can be married?
No.

What's the difference between a California Domestic Partnership and Marriage?
You can be married to the same person you have a domestic partnership with. (Not someone else.) Having both can't hurt.

I live in another state, can I be married in California?
Yes. There is no residency requirement to get married in California

Will my California marriage be recognized in my home state?
Most likely not. Most states have bans on gay marriage. Your California marriage will probably be recognized in states that recognize gay marriage, which as of this writing is Massachusetts and New York.

Will the federal government recognize California same-sex marriages?
No. Because of the federal Defense of Marriage Act only marriages between a man and a woman are recognized by the federal government. This means married gay couples cannot not file joint federal tax returns, sponsor their spouse for immigration purposes or receive federal benefits such as Social Security.

Can the ruling be overturned?
The only way the ruling can be overturned is by an amendment to California's constitution. Anti-gay groups have all ready been collecting signatures to try and put a measure on the November 2008 ballot that would amend the state constitution.

What will happen to the married couples if that measure passes?
The California attorney general's office says the issue is unclear. What will probably happen is the issue will be fought out in the legal system."

California Legalizes Gay Marriage!

The California Supreme Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny gays and lesbians equal marriage rights. Gay.com Breaking News Headline!

This is a huge landmark for Queer civil rights in America and throughout the world! California courts are highly respected and set a national gold standard.

The battle still continues as this will now energize anti-gay activists to amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage, equality activists will have to battle these efforts. But, let us rejoice for now and let the party begin!