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Becoming a Citizen

Merelin, Los Angeles

After waiting 20 long years, and going through a difficult process, I am finally a U.S. Citizen. It's a huge accomplishment in my family since I'm only the second to become a U.S. citizen. My parents immigrated to this country to give me the opportunity of two things; a college education and protection under the legal rights of citizenship status. So I am truly grateful for being able to fulfill that American dream that most of us immigrants strive for and that few succeed achieving.

As non-citizens, we tend to live in fear and we are limited to certain rights and self-expression just like our LGBT community. So I am excited to finally be able to have that freedom to realize my own hopes and dreams. I look forward to the day when our LGBT community can share that same equal choice of realizing their own hopes and dreams.

We can create change and build a powerful community when we stand together.

Merelin Giron
Straight ally, Let California Ring Field Organizer

Who needs a gift when you can give the gift of equality?

Toby, Sacramento

Happy Birthday to ME! OK, I admit, opening presents is cool. But when I thought about it, I realized that once the guests had gone home, and the cake was just a memory, that presents wouldn't mean anything compared to the love and support of all my friends and family who came to my party. And if I really thought about what I wanted more than anything, it was to have the freedom to marry the person I love! So I decided that this year I would have a "Let California Ring BIRTHDAY House Party"!

I've been so inspired by the Let California Ring Campaign. If you haven't seen the video, it's a must. It still makes me cry (well, almost) every time I see it. I knew if my friends and family who came to my birthday party could see it, they would understand why all I wanted them to bring to the party was their love and support and willingness to hear this message. Not a gift, or a bag of chips, but a checkbook. Tomorrow is my party, and I can't wait! Dozens of people are coming, and I bet every one of them will agree to help the campaign in some way: as a volunteer, as a donor, or by hosting a house party of their own. I'll let you know how it goes!

Let California Ring hits MySpace!

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What do a married straight woman from Los Angeles and a single gay man from San Francisco have in common?

More than you might think.

We are both proud members of Let California Ring, and we're committed to securing the freedom to marry for all our gay and lesbian family and friends. But we need your help to do it.

Thalia: As a straight couple considering marriage, Mike and I felt how unfair it would be for us to take advantage of a right that was denied to so many of our gay and lesbian friends. So during our wedding, we pledged to do all we can, as straight allies, to help change the laws that prohibit the freedom to marry. Let California Ring gives us easy tools to carry out that pledge.

Seth: When I came out to my parents years ago, they expressed deep sadness that I would not be able to marry and have a family like my straight sister. While they still love me unconditionally, I have the power with this campaign to create a world where every parent can feel that all their children will have the same opportunities to realize their hopes and dreams. What happens in California has a ripple effect across the country.

We both remember February 12, 2004: the day when many people descended upon San Francisco's City Hall with the belief that they could finally marry the person they love. We were heartbroken when these hopes were shattered.

Today, nearly four years later, there are more Californians than ever who support the freedom to marry -- yet there are millions of Californians who still haven't voiced support for the freedom of gay and lesbian people to marry.

That's where supporters like us come in. We are the change-makers; we are the people with the power to bring about a tipping point in California. And to make a difference, all is takes is a few moments of our time to share the things that bond us together as fellow human beings -- a desire to love, to be loved, and to have our love recognized in an equal and dignified way.

Don't we owe this to our friends, to our family and to ourselves?

We haven't a moment to lose. If you haven't already, please add your name to the state-wide effort that's building support for the freedom to marry and pledge to reach out to the people in your life. You can also download talking points to help get these important conversations started.

Individually, we have a lot of power -- more power than you might think.

Thanks for reading,

Seth Kilbourn and Thalia Zepatos
Let California Ring Executive Committee

We're Well on Our Way

A few months ago we—you and I and countless other allies—launched the largest visibility campaign ever attempted to open hearts and minds about the freedom to marry in California. We started with a simple goal: for supporters like you to have conversations with the people you know.

Having these face-to-face conversations can be the most powerful way to reach the millions of people who still haven’t stood up for the freedom of gay and lesbian couples to marry—simply because they haven't heard from the people behind our fight. That’s why we are committed to making it as easy as possible for people like you to have these history-making conversations.

•Thousands of supporters have bought a Let California Ring “ring of support” to wear on their finger, necklace, or key chain to use as a conversation starter. Get yours here.

•We’re running a television ad that puts viewers in the shoes of so many gay and lesbian couples who are prevented from marrying the person they love. Watch it here.

•Our campaign video, “Let California Ring,” has opened thousands of hearts and minds by sharing the personal stories, heartfelt reflections and inspiring perspectives of LGBT couples, their families, and their friends. Watch it now and send it to your friends.

In a few short months, over 26,000 Californians have pledged their support for the freedom to marry. And though we have a long way to go toward reaching our goal —a California that supports every gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual person’s freedom to marry the person they love—we’re well on our way.

Together, we can keep the momentum going. The first step: if you haven’t already, sign the pledge and say “I do” to having conversations with your friends and family. You can also host a house party or join the MyOneHundred challenge programand commit to having conversations with one hundred people in your personal network. Remember, these conversations are the lynchpin for our campaign, so for those of you already having them, keep it up!

Thanks for all that you’re doing. Each action you take brings us one step closer to a California where everyone is treated with honor, dignity and respect. I feel privileged to be involved with all of you—fighting so fiercely—to give gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry the person they love. Thanks for reading,

Geoff Kors
Equality California Institute

26,000

They’re everywhere. The people who support the freedom to marry are your friends, your neighbors, colleagues and loved ones. We're pleased to announce that as of today, Let California Ring officially has 26,000 supporters for the freedom to marry.

In the coming months we hope to add thousands more names to our list of supporters, but we couldn’t do it without the support of fair-minded Californians (like you). Thank you for helping us reach this amazing milestone.

We’ll keep you posted of our joint successes here, so please check in again soon.