Press

Statewide Rallies/Protests Planned

MEDIA CONTACT:
Roberta Sklar, Director of Communications
media@theTaskForce.org
646.358.1465

Today the California Supreme Court ruled that the City of San Francisco did not have the authority to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples earlier this year and invalidated the marriage licenses issued to more than 4,000 same-sex couples. The court specifically stated that it was not ruling on the "the substantive question of the constitutional validity of California's statutory provisions limiting marriage to a union between a man and a woman."

Statement by Matt Foreman
Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

"This is an extremely sad day for the more than 4,000 same sex couples who were married in San Francisco earlier this year. For a few short months, those couples experienced the euphoria and dignity of their love and commitment being recognized as equal to other married couples.

At the same time - and contrary to the claims of those opposed to marriage equality - this decision has nothing whatsoever to do with the constitutionality of California's law that prohibits same sex marriage. Instead, it is all about a municipality's authority to determine, on its own, the constitutionality of state laws. That's all.

As usual, our opponents are deliberately misstating what this decision is about to energize their constituents and to try to demoralize those committed to full equality under the law. Fortunately for us, the truth is that time is our side. We - through the extraordinary work of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, Gay and Lesbian Rights Project of the ACLU, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders and many other incredible groups and organizations -- will prevail, not only in California but in other states across the country."

More information on pending marriage equality cases can be found on the Lambda Legal site at http://www.lambdalegal.org.

More information on the struggle for marriage equality can be found at http://www.thetaskforce.org/marriagecenter.

Statewide Rallies/Protests:

San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Contra Costa Counties:
Meet at Harvey Milk Plaza at the corner of Castro and Market from 5:00pm to 6:15pm for a march to San Francisco City Hall and a further rally at 7:00pm. All couples are encouraged to be in some form of wedding garb or marriage equality t-shirts and everyone please bring signs supporting the Mayor and Mabel Teng and their decision to take a stand for full marriage equality. For further details contact sanfrancisco@marriageequalityca.orgor call Kelly 252-1647 or Lisa 335-5764.

Bakersfield/Kern County:
Meet at the Liberty Bell at the Courthouse, Corner of Truxtun and Chester When: The day of the decision 4:30 - 5:30pm
What: Bring signs thanking Mayor Newsom and supportive of Marriage Equality, rainbow flags
Why: We will continue to promote a positive message of equality for all through marriage rights
For further details contact bakersfield@marriageequalityca.org or call Whitney at 661-835-3545.

Los Angeles County:
Congregate at 7 p.m. at West Hollywood Park on San Vicente and Santa Monica Blvd. If the group is large enough, we will shut down city streets for a rally and march. Action is being planned by a coalition of groups including L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, Equality California, the Black AIDS Institute, the City of West Hollywood, Vote for Equality, MECA, California Freedom to Marry Coalition, Metropolitan Community Church, Congregation Kol Ami, the Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Human Rights Campaign, the National Black Justice Coalition and Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. For further details email LJ Carusone at ljc@civilmarriage.org or call 310-392-5223.

Mendocino County
We on the Coast will line Highway One from Westport to Gualala, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. the day of the decision. Planned locations are Fort Bragg Town Hall, SW corner of Little Lake and Highway One in Mendocino, the post office at Little River, the west side of Highway One in Albion, Elk outside of Queenie's, and wherever else someone cares to vigil. The following day, if you are able to make it to the courthouse in Ukiah at Noon, we will be asking the county clerk for marriage licenses. The more, the merrier! If you are unable to make it to Ukiah, we will be setting up tables in front of Town Hall in Fort Bragg, and the post offices in Mendocino, Little River, Elk. For more information contact Mendocino@marriageequalityca.orgor call Eileen/Sallie at 707-937-2028.

Inner Mendocino, Lake Counties:
NO MATTER WHAT THE DECISION IS - we will rally PEACEFULLY at the Courthouses in Ukiah and Lakeport at 6:00PM on decision day. Bring your family and friends. We will have signs, or you can make your own. Bring copies of your licenses (those who married in San Francisco in February and March). If you have wedding veils, etc. - wear them. For further details contact lake@marriageequalityca.org. or call Jennifer at (707)456-0213.

Orange County:
Meet at The Center OC 12800 Garden Grove Blvd Suite S in Garden Grove from 1pm to 5pm to sign a community card in support of local married couples. Bring copies of your marriage licenses and signs. Contact Tricia Aynes, Director of Communications & Administration (714) 534-0862 x 107 or John at orange@marriageequalityca.org.

Napa County:
Meet at Veteran's Park on Main Street in Napa for a rally/vigil at 7pm. For more information contact napa@marriageequalityca.orgor call Deb at 707-738-4836.

Riverside/Palm Springs:
Meet at Palm Springs City Hall, 3200 E. Taquitz Canyon Way at 7pm for a rally. Bring copies of your marriage licenses and signs. Contact Loren/Alex at info@equal-protection.org or call 760-251-9600.

Sacramento/Yolo Counties:
Meet at Lambda Center at 20th and L at 7pm for press conference then candlelight walk to California Supreme Court building. Contact sacramento@marriageequalityca.orgor call Steve at 916-554-7681

San Diego County:
Press Conference at LGBT Center at 7pm followed by a candlelight walk Assembly member Chris Kehoe's office with copy of Marriage License Non-Discrimation Act in hand urging need for legislation to end marriage discrimination in CA. For more information contact sandiego@Marriageequalityca.orgor call Jeffrey at 619-619-692-2077 X211 or Nadine at 619-220-8119.

San Joaquin County:
Meet at Stockton City Hall, 425 N. El Dorado St at 7pm for a rally. Bring your marriage license and signs. For more information contact sanjoaquin@marriageequalityca.org or call Archbishop Danette Dean 209-430-2500.

Santa Cruz County:
Meet at the Town Clock in Santa Cruz at 6:00 pm on that day (where Pacific Ave and Front St meets). Please bring signs and copies of your marriage license, if you were married. Contact santacruz@marriageequalityca.orgor call Merrie at 831-335-3568.

Sonoma County:
Meet at Santa Rosa City Hall for a 7pm rally and candlelight vigil. Show up and wear MECA/EQCA t-shirts and wedding garb. Contact Sonoma@marriageequalityca.org or call Anne at 707-523-2663.

Stanislaus County:
Meet at the county clerk's office to ask for marriage licenses on Friday at 2pm with us. For more information contact Kathe at mkwelch@yahoo.com or call 209-485-5693.

Placer County:
NO MATTER WHAT THE DECISION IS - we will rally PEACEFULLY at the Courthouse in Auburn at 6:00PM on decision day. Bring your family and friends. Bring signs. Bring copies of your licenses. Wear wedding garb. For further details contact placer@marriageequalityca.org. or call Toby at 530-863-7153.The following day when the courthouse opens we will attempt to apply for a marriage license.

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The mission of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is to build the political power of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community from the ground up. We do this by training activists, organizing broad-based campaigns to defeat anti-LGBT referenda and advance pro-LGBT legislation, and by building the organizational capacity of our movement. Our Policy Institute, the movement’s premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality and to counter right-wing lies. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a nation that respects the diversity of human expression and identity and creates opportunity for all. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Cambridge.