Fight Discrimination & Support Marriage Equality in California

From Out & Equal Workplace Advocates...

Equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people is under attack in this year’s election. Your support is urgently needed to win the most important equal rights battle of our generation.

Please make a gift today to the campaign to protect marriage equality in California!

You can make a difference, no matter where you live.

In California, opponents of equality are surging ahead in their efforts to pass Proposition 8, the ballot measure that would eliminate the constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry. The most recent polls show that if the election were held today, marriage equality would lose. Prop 8 supporters have raised millions of dollars more than equality supporters – in fact, twice as many people have given money to support Prop 8 as the number of equality supporters who have given money to defeat it.

But we can still win this election – IF we raise the money to get our ads on television. Research shows that when voters see ads on both sides of this issue, they overwhelmingly decide to support marriage equality by voting No on Prop 8.

Unfortunately, when voters only see ads in support of Prop 8, they overwhelmingly decide to vote for Prop 8 and against equality.

A loss in California would have devastating effects across the country – not only for our fight for marriage equality, but also for our efforts to pass nondiscrimination laws and safe school laws. A victory will be hugely significant – if we can defeat discrimination at the ballot in the most populous state, we will gain momentum and support for LGBT equality in every state.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate Generously. Every dollar counts and every dollar makes a difference. If we lose this fight, it will be because we did not raise enough money. Even if you don’t usually give to campaigns, even if you have already given – this is a historic moment that requires everyone to stand up and give as much as possible. You can make a secure online gift at: https://secure.ga4.org/01/equalityforall

2. Ask Your Friends to Give. Please forward this email to all of your friends and family – or better yet, write a personal message to everyone you know telling them why equality is so important to you and ask them to stand with you by supporting the California campaign. Urge them to visit http://www.noonprop8.com for more information and to make a gift to the campaign.

3. Ask Your Employer to Publicly Oppose Prop 8. Discrimination is not good for business! Ask your company to join leading corporations like Google, Levi Strauss and PG&E in publicly opposing this discriminatory measure. Review the business case below, “Equality is Good for Business,” then click here for an endorsement form:
http://www.noonprop8.com/about/who-opposes-prop-8. Urge your employer to back up their endorsement with a gift to the campaign, as well.

4. Volunteer Your Time. Help convince undecided voters to support equality! If you are in California, sign up for one of hundreds of phone banks happening daily across the state. If you are not in California, you can still organize your own phone bank or make calls from your own living room. Click here for more information:
http://www.noonprop8.com/action/phone-bank.

This is a defining moment in the struggle for equal rights for LGBT people. If we win in California, we will abolish many of the obstacles to achieving equality and justice for ALL – in every state.

This is our moment. This is your chance to be part of history. Please defend equality in California today.

Yours for equality and justice,

Selisse Berry

P.S. While California is the most critical 2008 fight for equality, we also face anti-LGBT ballot measures in Florida, Arizona and Arkansas. Donations and volunteers are needed in all these states – you can visit Equality Federation for more information on ways to get involved.


Equality is Good for Business

Let’s get straight to the heart of the matter – LGBT people are our employees and colleagues, our clients and customers, our teachers, firefighters and police officers. They are our friends, our mentors and our neighbors – most importantly, they are Californians who want to enter into loving and committed relationships just like everyone else. Proposition 8 would eliminate the fundamental right to marriage by amending our state’s Constitution. But here in California, we let people decide for themselves what is best for them, make their own choices, live their own lives – without government interference.
And we don’t eliminate people’s fundamental rights. As business leaders, we need to actively promote civil rights in the workplace. California’s businesses directly benefit from our diverse and brilliant workforce. Attracting the best and the brightest means standing with your employees to preserve equality for all – and joining the fight against Proposition 8.


Prop 8: Bad for Business
As business leaders, we have an important role to play in ensuring that California is a welcoming place to work, live and raise a family. Proposition 8 would eliminate the constitutional right for same-sex couples to enter into a loving and committed relationship – couples who are our employees, colleagues, customers, family and friends.

The Best and the Brightest
Marriage equality has a positive impact on both attracting and retaining the best employees and encouraging creativity in the workplace. Forward thinking companies which stand for justice on social issues are often rewarded with higher customer loyalty and better shareholder value. California has long been at the forefront of civil rights issues, and we need to ensure that our state continues to provide a welcoming place to work and live, for all our residents.

In Good Company
Business leaders are joining civil rights groups, religious leaders and elected officials from throughout California – and beyond – to oppose Proposition 8. A diverse, bi-partisan coalition has formed to oppose the initiative, including Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Presidential Nominee Barack Obama, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. Business leaders and organizations who have taken a public stand against Proposition 8 include PG&E, Levi Strauss & Co., Google, Sweet, Morgan Hotel Group, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, California Black Chamber of Commerce, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, Valley Industry and Commerce Association, and the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

Public Support
Recent polls have revealed growing support among California voters for marriage equality.
According to a Public Policy Institute of California poll, 55% of Californians plan to vote “No” on Proposition 8. These voters are your employees and customers – and standing with them on this issue is an important declaration of your commitment to equal rights. We need to act now to ensure that the rights of all Californians are protected. Business leaders in California have always played a key role in affecting social change, and this election is no different. Joining the Equality Business Advisory Council is one way to show your commitment to equality. You can help by endorsing the campaign to defeat Proposition 8, raising your voice with others to speak out against eliminating the right of committed same-sex couples to marry, and by making a financial contribution to No on Proposition 8.

Join us in defeating Proposition 8 by voting NO and protecting civil rights for all Californians – become a member of the Equality Business Advisory Council today. Click here for an endorsement form: http://www.noonprop8.com/about/who-opposes-prop-8.

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, does not support nor endorses political candidates. However, on the important issue of LGBT equality, Out & Equal reserves the right to support issue-based initiatives. We believe that marriage equality is at the center of the LGBT workplace equality movement.