Margaret Cho at CA State Capitol 11/22

How lucky are we? Not only do Californians get an opportunity to protest again this weekend on the heels of the California Supreme Court decision to hear arguments related to the passage of Prop 8, we get to have fun doing it! Margaret Cho will be emceeing the ginormous protest being held at the State Capitol on Saturday, 11/22, from 2 pm to 5 pm.

If you are headed into Sacramento - and I hope you are, if you can manage it, be sure to plan to walk as parking is always problematic downtown. Nearby public garages are located at 15 & K, 11th & I, 10th & L, 6th & L, 6th & J, 7th & K, and 14th & H.

The train, a cheap and easy alternative for Bay Area dwellers, let's off at 5th & I and the Capitol is located starting at 10th & L.

Bring your best sign and some walkin' shoes, baby!

CA Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Lawsuit Arguments in Prop 8 Fight

From the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center: "Earlier today, the California Supreme Court agreed to hear several lawsuits filed against Proposition 8 by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, several cities and counties and a Los Angeles private attorney.

The court denied our side’s request for a stay that would have allowed county clerks to continue performing same-sex marriages until the court made a final ruling on Prop 8.

The lawsuits that will be heard by the Supreme Court argue that:

* Prop 8 is invalid because it constitutes a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution.
* Prop 8 violates the separation of powers doctrine under the California Constitution.
* If Prop 8 is NOT unconstitutional, the marriages performed BEFORE Prop 8 passed should still be valid.

The court gave the state of California until December 19 to respond to the lawsuits and gave our side until January 5 to respond to the state. Amicus briefs must be filed by January 15, and responses to those by January 21. Oral argument could be held as early as March 2009. State Attorney General Jerry Brown earlier had urged the court to issue a prompt ruling, stating in his filing, “Review by this court is necessary to ensure uniformity of decision, finality and certainty for the citizens of California.”

While it is a positive development for our side, the court’s decision to hear the lawsuits does not necessarily mean it will rule to overturn Prop 8. In the past 100 years, “the California Supreme Court has heard nine cases challenging either legislative enactments or initiatives as invalid revisions of the California Constitution."

Thought We Were Done, Did Ya'

After last weekend’s passionate protests throughout our wonderful country, I figured things would die down - but NO! Indeed not - and this weekend promises to be even bigger. Go check out the details at California Outreach.

“TAKE IT TO SACRAMENTO ON NOVEMBER 22ND!

With the unfortunate outcome of the recent passage of Proposition 8, the GLBT community has united in a presence that we have not seen since the early 1980’s and the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

It is with great respect that California Outreach, in partnership with Equality Action Now, humbly asks you to join GLBT individuals and organizations, PFLAG and our straight brothers and sisters at a peaceful outreach on the steps of the California State Capitol Building at 2:00pm on November 22nd.

Please join us as we reach out to all the citizens of California to demonstrate that we will not tolerate discrimination to be written into our State Constitution.

Who: Anyone and everyone.
Where: California State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA
When: 11/22/08 2:00PM
Why: Equal Rights are inalienable and CANNOT be taken away.

In 1987 the largest rally for gay rights in Sacramento took place, counting 15,000 strong. We need to stand together and make a statement that we will not stand idly by and let the rights of our sons, daughters, parents, and friends be taken away. Twenty one years later — 30,000 strong. Are YOU ready to make history?

The success of this event depends upon getting the word out. Invite your friends!”