Please Thank the Six Assembly Judiciary Committee Members Who Supported Equal Marriage Rights and Support Equality California!

Dear Supporter,

Just hours ago in a historic follow-up to the legislative hearings last year on the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry, the Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 6-3 in support of the Equality California-sponsored Assembly Bill 19 -- the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez(D-Los Angeles), and supported by 28 other co-authors.

Momentum and history are on our side as we continue to build support and stand together alongside our friends. Let us not allow anti-gay extremists to attack them, which they have done for the last several weeks
and are doing at this very moment. We need your help now. Please Thank the six Legislators who Voted Today for AB 19!

With your help, we packed the room today with 100 supporters! If you weren't able to attend, you will soon be able to watch the archived hearing online with Windows Media Player at http://www.calchannel.com/webcast.htm.

Throughout the past year, we have all learned that the LGBT community is not alone. Past friends and new friends have come to stand beside us for equality and fairness for all Californians. Today, we heard first hand
from friends who support us.

And now I am asking for your support. While today's vote is an important and a historic victory, our work is far from over. EQCA needs your help to move AB 19 to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. We can't do it
without you. AB 19 is just one of the many bills in our 2005 legislative package now moving through the legislature. We've had an unprecedented string of legislative victories over the past five years, mainly due to
the support of people like you: people who care about equality and who are willing to take action. That's why I am urging you to JOIN EQUALITY CALIFORNIA or RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT today and help us win more rights for all Californians. Please give as generously as you can. YOUR PLEDGE TODAY makes all the difference. I need your support.

Please add your voice to this growing chorus of support -- now.

If you have more time, please also consider calling members of the Judiciary Committee to thank them for supporting AB 19. They are: Assemblymember Dave Jones (Sacramento) 916-319-2009 Assemblymember Noreen Evans (Santa Rosa) 916-319-2007 Assemblymember John Laird (Santa Cruz) 916-319-2027 Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (San Fernando Valley) 916-319-2040 Assemblymember Sally Lieber (Mountain View) 916-319-2022 Assemblymember Cindy Montanez (San Fernando) 916-319-2039

You should also call to encourage your legislator to support this historic bill. You can find your legislator's contact information by clicking here or visiting http://www.legislature.ca.gov/.

Thank you!

Geoffrey Kors
Executive Director
Equality California