tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37360820583509041332024-03-12T16:24:47.992-07:00Ringsidethe Let California Ring blogLetCaliforniaRinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12492723501053507910noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-24651136022248481872008-03-11T16:43:00.000-07:002008-03-11T16:49:03.911-07:00It’s Personal<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">Check out this touching and informative article in the Los Angeles Times:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-marriage6mar06,0,3775829.story">Same-sex union -- it's personal</a><br /> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">As the high court considers the legality, couples who wed in the Bay Area savor the joy of the institution.</span></i><b style=""><u><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">By Mary Engel<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">March 6<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">When Jackie Goldberg and Sharon Stricker headed to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">San Francisco</st1:place></st1:City> to get married four years ago, they saw their wedding as a political statement. It surprised them both when, halfway through the ceremony on the steps of the City Hall rotunda, the usually stalwart Goldberg burst into tears.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">"It felt much different than I expected," Goldberg said Wednesday, a few days shy of the March 8 anniversary. "I thought I was going to be proud and pleased and happy. But I didn't expect to be emotionally moved."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-marriage6mar06,0,3775829.story">Read the entire article…</a><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-45516136879292407242008-03-05T12:42:00.000-08:002008-03-05T12:44:35.739-08:00our day in court<strong style="color: rgb(204, 108, 51); font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong style="color: rgb(204, 108, 51);">Y</strong></span>esterday, we witnessed a moment in history.</strong><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Hundreds of supporters gathered at the California Supreme Court and thousands more tuned in to the oral arguments over whether same-sex couples should continue to face exclusion from marriage with all the security, protections, responsibilities and respect it brings them and their kids and loved ones.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> A telling exchange came when the justices asked whether the concept of equality evolves, and, if so, why this is the time to accord same-sex couples their freedom to marry.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> In response Therese Stewart, San Francisco Chief Deputy City Attorney, cited the Court's own historic 1948 decision striking down a ban on interracial marriage, the first such ruling in America, which declared that "the essence of the right to marry is freedom to join in marriage with the person of one's choice." </span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> She added,”…just because society doesn't see something as unequal until a given time, that doesn't mean it wasn't always unequal or unjust, it just means we were blind to it." </span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> My friend Shannon Minter, Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, added: </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;">“People want to marry the one person who to them is irreplaceable. We demean ourselves as a society… if we do not give individuals that freedom to choose whether to marry and whom to marry.”</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Sometime in the next 90 days, the Court will decide whether to end the denial of the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. </span><strong style="font-family: verdana;">We must use these precious days to create the climate that enables the judges to do what is right -- through conversations, organizing, and engagement. Based on what I saw at oral arguments yesterday, there is every reason to think that if we do our part, the judges can do theirs.</strong><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> The Let California Ring team will keep you posted in the coming weeks. Thanks for all you’ve done on behalf of this movement.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /></span> <p style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;" align="left"> </p><table style="width: 343px; font-family: verdana;" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="343"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"></span> </span><p style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Evan Wolfson <br /> Executive Director and Founder<br /> Freedom to Marry</span></p> </td> <td><img alt="" src="https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account7346/images/_7706175241100.gif" align="right" border="1" height="140" width="100" /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> P.S. If you missed the live broadcast of oral arguments, </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=dqLNITNzHiIPK8J&s=7fJIKUPsGaLQJ0NxHnH&m=gfIRJVOrGgL0G" target="_blank"><strong><u><span style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><strong><u>click here to watch an archived version.<br /> </u></strong></span></u></strong></a><strong><u><span style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><strong><u><br /> </u></strong></span></u></strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-70349442414050612552008-03-03T09:23:00.000-08:002008-03-03T11:44:34.264-08:00March Forth for the Freedom to Marry!<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;">It's Time to Make History.<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p><br />Be There, tomorrow!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;"><o:p></o:p>After four long years, the legal battle for the freedom to marry has reached the California Supreme Court.<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><a href="http://letcaliforniaring.blogspot.com/2008/02/oral-arguments-live-viewing-information.html"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;">TUNE IN</span></u></b></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;"> to watch the oral arguments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;"><o:p></o:p></span><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;">Tuesday, March 4<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;">9 a.m. to 12 noon<o:p></o:p></span><br /><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:state st="on"></st1:state><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"></st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;"><o:p></o:p>Watch the Live Webcast on:<o:p></o:p></span><br /><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;"><a href="http://www.calchannel.com/">http://www.calchannel.com/</a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in"><br /><b><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-37599582962742856852008-03-03T09:21:00.000-08:002008-03-03T09:23:19.861-08:00The Freedom to Marry @ the Oscars<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >Support for the freedom to marry has hit <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Hollywood</st1:place></st1:city>!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.freeheld.com/"><u><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >Freeheld</span></u></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >, a documentary about a woman struggling to secure benefits for her partner as she dies of cancer, won an Academy Award, bringing acclaim and visibility to this important issue.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><u style="font-weight: bold;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/nyregion/25equality.html?ex=1204693200&en=1bb613e8b426e2a5&ei=5070&emc=eta1">Read about it in the New York Times…</a></span></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><br /><b style=""><u><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-62830120914654692242008-02-29T16:43:00.000-08:002008-03-03T11:39:35.860-08:00Oral Arguments Live Viewing Information<span style="font-family:verdana;">Wherever you are, make sure you tune in at <strong>9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4</strong>, as California makes history.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Seating at the courthouse is restricted, but you can watch this historic event on TV, via the Internet or at one of many viewing events being planned across the state.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Watch oral arguments live on the California Channel cable network (televised statewide). For a list of local stations, visit </span><a href="http://www.calchannel.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.calchannel.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">View the live webcast at </span><a href="http://www.calchannel.com/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">www.calchannel.com</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Community viewings (9 a.m. to 12 noon, unless otherwise noted):<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LOS ANGELES<br /></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a href="http://www.weho.org/">West Hollywood City Hall</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span>Community Conference Room, First Floor<br />8300 Santa Monica Boulevard</blockquote><span style="font-family:verdana;"><strong><br /><br />SAN FRANCISCO</strong></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></span><br /><blockquote><a href="http://www.sfcenter.org/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">San Francisco LGBT Community Center</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Three Dollar Bill Cafe</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1800 Market Street (at Octavia)<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.uchastings.edu/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">UC Hastings College<br />of the Law</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Louis B. Mayer Auditorium</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">198 McAllister Street</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">(Panel discussion about the cases will follow at 12:30<br />p.m.)<br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">California Supreme Court</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Overflow Auditorium3</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">59 McAllister Street<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Milton Marks Conference Center</span></span><strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Hiram J. Smith State Office Building</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Lower Level</span></span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">455 Golden Gate Avenue<br /><br /></span><br /><br /></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-1802386944237151982008-02-27T11:37:00.000-08:002008-02-27T11:43:57.192-08:00Sometimes all it takes is sharing a story<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">Sharing your story is the easiest and often most moving thing you can do to help open hearts and minds about the freedom to marry. When we share our stories with family and friends, it puts a personal face on marriage. That’s what the <a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3389649/k.A504/Personal_Stories/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp"><b style=""><u>Personal Stories</u></b></a> of our website is all about, sharing our stories. More and more people keep sending us their stories, telling us why they support the freedom to marry for everyone. <a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3357921/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3357921&en=hsKJKVOGIjIOJUOEJhINIXNOLkJPK8NJJcLQJ8NUKwH"><b style=""><u>Do you have a story to share?</u></b></a><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">We’ve just added some more to the site, <b style=""><u><a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3389649/k.A504/Personal_Stories/apps/nl/newsletter2.asp">so check them out!</a><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><u><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3389649&ct=5008195">Read Liam’s story:</a><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">This movement has never been about the freedom to marry for me. I can marry the woman I love someday. I am, however, part of the queer community — my Mom and her partner Nellie have been my model for a healthy, committed relationship for 25 of my 26 years on this planet... <u><a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3389649&ct=5008195">read more…</a><o:p></o:p></u></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style=""><u><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3389649&ct=5054375">Read Samantha’s Story:</a><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">… What many people who know this family don't realize until they are told is the amount of extra thought, effort, work, and cost that have gone into protecting this family... <u><a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3389649&ct=5054375">read more…</a><o:p></o:p></u></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">If we all share our stories with the people in our lives, more and more Californians will realize that love is love, and that we all deserve the freedom to marry, and the honor, security and protection that come with it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-38684027489671869062008-02-27T11:33:00.000-08:002008-03-07T09:35:30.213-08:00An Important Partner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R9F8zytJrHI/AAAAAAAAAF4/KdBueOVmT2o/s1600-h/PPF+ColorLogo.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R9F8zytJrHI/AAAAAAAAAF4/KdBueOVmT2o/s400/PPF+ColorLogo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175054676051733618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >We’d like to highlight a key coalition partner for its hard work in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:place></st1:city>: the <a href="http://www.pacificpridefoundation.org/"><b style=""><u>Pacific Pride Foundation</u></b></a>!<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p>The Pacific Pride Foundation proudly provides services to the HIV/AIDS and LGBT communities of <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Lately they’ve been doing a lot of great work for Let California Ring, too!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p>Thanks to them, the <a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3414739/k.B94C/Blog/apps/s/link.asp"><b style=""><u>February 5 Day of Action</u></b></a> was a huge success, and they are continuing to help host events and house parties in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:city></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p>Here’s what Executive Director, David Selberg has to say:<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >The Let <st1:state st="on">California</st1:state> Ring movement in our state is doing wonderful work locally to open hearts and minds about the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples. Yes, this could actually happen in <st1:state st="on">California</st1:state>, just as it did in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Massachusetts</st1:place></st1:state>. Many of you have connected with Ted, who is working in our offices to help Pacific Pride Foundation organize this educational campaign. We need help identifying <span style=""> </span>supporters throughout <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place> in the next three months to show grassroots support for marriage. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p>If you live in the <st1:city st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:city> or <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Ventura</st1:city></st1:place> area and want to get involved in the campaign, give Ted a call.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p>Ted Jackson<o:p></o:p><br />(805) 617-9239 <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Mobile</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p><br />(805) 963-3636, x106 Office<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >Thanks, <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Pacific</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Pride</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-77637718741362644532008-02-27T11:31:00.000-08:002008-02-27T11:33:37.584-08:00The Freedom to Marry in California<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">March 4 is when it all happens.</span> The California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about the freedom to marry for all couple. The San Francisco Chronicle covers the historic court case:<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">The justices will hear a variety of defenses of the marriage law. Attorney General Jerry Brown's office argues that the domestic partner laws satisfy <st1:state st="on">California</st1:State>'s constitutional requirement of equal treatment for gays and lesbians. Schwarzenegger's office will present its view that discrimination based on sexual orientation should be judged less strictly than bias based on race or sex. Two advocacy groups will ask the court to uphold the law on the grounds that opposite-sex couples make better parents.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style=""><u><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/07/BAULUT8TP.DTL">Read the whole article.</a><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">Our Just Say It campaign is an effort to convince the governor to express support for the freedom to marry as a defendant in the case.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3826825/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3826825&en=doIBJJOqHfLGIIOoGdKFKLMyEgIJISNqGgKNJWNEJsE"><b style=""><u>Sign the open letter.</u></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-62865358503822611642008-02-20T17:29:00.000-08:002008-02-20T17:34:19.171-08:00Let California Ring Event in Ventura<strong style="font-family: verdana;">Love is a Drag!</strong><br /> <br /> <strong style="font-family: verdana;">Friday, February 22</strong><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> 8 p.m.</span><br /> <br /> <strong style="font-family: verdana;">Paddy’s</strong><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> 2 W. Main Street</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Ventura</span><br /> <br /> <em style="font-family: verdana;">Cover $10 with a complimentary cocktail!<br />A fundraiser for Let California Ring.<br /></em><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> This hilarious fur covered drag show is shamefully presented by Bears Ventura at the only bar with the balls enough to allow it, Paddy’s in Ventura!</span><br /> <br /> <a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.paddysventura.com/">http://www.paddysventura.com/</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-53594612482100084152008-02-19T17:15:00.000-08:002008-02-19T17:17:11.429-08:00Why we say “freedom to marry”<st1:personname st="on"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">Evan Wolfson</span></span></st1:PersonName><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">, <span style="color:black;"><span style="color: black;">e</span></span>xecutive <span style="color:black;"><span style="color: black;">d</span></span>irector of <span style="color:black;"><span style="color: black;">coalition partner </span></span>Freedom to Marry <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">USA</st1:country-region></st1:place>, </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evan-wolfson/today-is-freedom-to-marry_b_86282.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">this</span></a> to say about Freedom to Marry Week: <o:p></o:p></span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-family: Verdana;">Much as we want people to understand that the words gay and marriage do belong together, we don't want "gay marriage." It's the freedom to marry that matters - for all of us - and the way to secure it is by talking to others. And it's the personal ask - each one of us raising our voice and not just assuming that those around us are there, or can't get there - that makes all the difference. Turn to the people in your life now, and say, "Happy Freedom to Marry Week!"<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/evan-wolfson/today-is-freedom-to-marry_b_86282.html"><b><u><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">Read the whole post</span></span></u></b></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-67535715244104818892008-02-13T14:19:00.001-08:002008-02-13T14:19:15.881-08:00<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><strong style="font-size: 18pt; color: rgb(152, 142, 0);">T</strong></span>OMORROW…</strong>Your phone rings in an elevator. It's the wedding march. Someone asks, "Why do you have the wedding march on your phone?" You answer, "To remind me and everyone around me that LGBT people still don't have the freedom to marry."<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=9nJKLSMlF7JHIZK&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=9nJKLSMlF7JHIZK&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><strong>But wait, do you have the ringtone on your phone?</strong></u></a></span><a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=cgLQI1NxHaIOK9J&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=cgLQI1NxHaIOK9J&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><u><br /></u></a><br />To increase our visibility tomorrow—Valentine's Day—and every day throughout the year, we’re offering a free wedding march ringtone to Let California Ring members and calling on you to use it as a conversation-starter every time your phone rings. <span style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ftIWIaPJJdKVIjI&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ftIWIaPJJdKVIjI&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><strong>Click here to get yours now.</strong></u></a><strong><br /></strong></span><br />Yes, tomorrow is the big moment—Valentine’s Day! Are you ready for it? You’ve got <a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=imK2JjMVIgJ2JtL&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=imK2JjMVIgJ2JtL&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><strong>your sign</strong></u></a>, you’ve <a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=bpIOKYNtG9IPL9K&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=bpIOKYNtG9IPL9K&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><strong>signed our letter to the governor</strong></u></a>, and you’re planning to <a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=guLYIdPNIfJRJfL&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=guLYIdPNIfJRJfL&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><strong>attend one of the many freedom to marry events</strong></u></a> across California. We’re so happy to count you as a face for the freedom to marry.</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=aeIMJVMpG9IGLYJ&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=aeIMJVMpG9IGLYJ&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><strong>Once you’ve downloaded your ring tone</strong></u></a>, use it as a tool to engage someone every time your phone rings. Use it to keep the conversation going with friends, family members, co-workers or people you meet on the bus, street, store or the elevator. Use it tomorrow, the day after and every day—until we all have the freedom to marry the person we love.<br /><br />Thanks for all that you’ve done to make this campaign a success. We’ve come such a long way, and thanks to your dedication, we can now count thousands of Californians as new supporters for the freedom to marry. Change is just around the corner, my friends. Can you feel it?<br /><br />It starts with us today. And it continues with us tomorrow. I hope you’ll attend one of the many <a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=drKSJ4OBIcLNI8I&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=drKSJ4OBIcLNI8I&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><strong>freedom to marry events</strong></u></a> this week. And don’t forget to bring your phone!<br /><br />Sincerely,</p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><img alt="" src="https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account7346/images/gk_signature_gd.gif" src_cetemp="https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account7346/images/gk_signature_gd.gif" border="0" /></p> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong>Geoff Kors</strong><br />Let California Ring<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-18475748737607523242008-02-13T11:37:00.000-08:002008-02-13T11:39:21.601-08:00Don’t Miss...<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Year of Paper</span><br /><br />Last night, the documentary The Year of Paper had its Los Angeles Premier at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center’s Reinberg Theater and doubled as a fundraiser for Let California Ring. Filmmaker Kelley Rouse<span style=""> </span>talks about why putting a human face on marriage is so important. <o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">Our documentary, The Year of Paper, advocates marriage equality as we follow three couples--gay, heterosexual and lesbian--through their newlywed year.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">Along with putting human faces on a contentious issue, the film educates about the practical side of all those legal rights and obligations that come with a marriage license.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">Ultimately, <i style="">The Year of Paper</i> and the Let California Ring campaign share the core belief that love is love.<span style=""> </span>If you can connect to folks on that core level and open their eyes to those basic truths, then you have a chance to get past any bigotry or fear..<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">We're proud to be part of the coalition and to make our <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Los Angeles</st1:City></st1:place> premiere a fundraiser for this important campaign.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p> </o:p>--Kelly Rouse & Nikki Parker, Co-directors, The Year of Paper<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p>If you missed the film last night, check it out in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">San Francisco</st1:place></st1:City> tomorrow night as part of Freedom to Marry Week<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">Thursday, February 14<o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">7:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">San Francisco</span></b></st1:PlaceName><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"> <st1:placename st="on">LGBT</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Community Center</st1:PlaceType></span></b></st1:place><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br /><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">1800 Market St</span></st1:address></st1:Street><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">San Francisco</span></st1:place></st1:City><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">Presented by Frameline, Let <st1:state st="on">California</st1:State> Ring and the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">National</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> for Lesbian Rights.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">$10 suggested donation. All proceeds benefit the Let California Ring (www.LetCaliforniaRing.org) campaign, groundbreaking effort to open hearts and minds and build public support for marriage in <st1:state st="on">California</st1:State>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">A reception will follow the screening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-43965717590477335062008-02-13T11:08:00.000-08:002008-02-13T11:37:01.097-08:00From the field...<b style=""><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >February 5 Day of Action<o:p></o:p></span></b> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >February 5 may seem like an eon ago, but photos and stories are just coming in from last week’s Let California Ring Day of Action.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >Volunteers in <st1:city st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city>, <st1:city st="on">Santa Barbara</st1:city> and <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Sacramento</st1:place></st1:city> stood outside 15 locations from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and talked to people about the freedom to marry. The thought of talking with strangers can be intimidating, but we know talking about the issue is what’s going to make the difference in this state.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><span style=""> </span>Many of the over 100 volunteers were first-timers and pretty nervous. Once they started having conversations though, people realized the power of talking. They realized how good it feels to have conversations with people about marriage. They realized the difference just one person can make and <span style=""> </span>the huge impact 100 people can make. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >Many people we talked with shared that they themselves are gay or have a gay friend or family member.<span style=""> </span>Time and time again the volunteers were thanked for coming out and talking about such an important issue. We found some people who are against us too, but that didn’t stop us.<span style=""> </span>Rather it motivated us to talk to more and more people.<span style=""> </span>By the end of the day, we reached out to 2,596 people.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >Tuesday was a super day, but it was only one day of the many days ahead.<span style=""> </span>We have to keep talking every day about the freedom to marry.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >--Hannah, Let California Ring Field Organizer</span></i></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R7NFA1kFoVI/AAAAAAAAAFA/BugqJx0LWDg/s1600-h/nancy3farmersmarketfeb9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R7NFA1kFoVI/AAAAAAAAAFA/BugqJx0LWDg/s400/nancy3farmersmarketfeb9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166549078204850514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R7NFhVkFoWI/AAAAAAAAAFI/jcl8XiBwunI/s1600-h/pledgesignfarmersmarketfeb9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R7NFhVkFoWI/AAAAAAAAAFI/jcl8XiBwunI/s400/pledgesignfarmersmarketfeb9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166549636550599010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R7NGjVkFoXI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/vZauvQ5qR4Y/s1600-h/Saidi+Ted.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R7NGjVkFoXI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/vZauvQ5qR4Y/s400/Saidi+Ted.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166550770421965170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R7NGvFkFoYI/AAAAAAAAAFY/mmkEERo4DEs/s1600-h/tedatArtwalksiteIDonbeachFeb10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R7NGvFkFoYI/AAAAAAAAAFY/mmkEERo4DEs/s400/tedatArtwalksiteIDonbeachFeb10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166550972285428098" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-55315044291449868192008-02-12T18:19:00.001-08:002008-02-12T18:20:18.278-08:00You've got to be there<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="color: rgb(204, 108, 51);"><span style="font-size:18;"><strong style="color: rgb(204, 108, 51);">W</strong></span>e’re only five days away from our big day</strong>—Valentine's Day—and five days away from the largest statewide visibility push ever conducted for the freedom to marry. </p> <p><a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=dhKQI6OHLeITKeJ&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" target="_blank" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=dhKQI6OHLeITKeJ&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><strong><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);">You’re invited to some of the biggest, boldest events celebrating the freedom to marry</u></strong></a> throughout the week of February 14. During Freedom to Marry Week, we will gather to recognize a dream realized four years ago—when thousands of LGBT couples gathered at San Francisco City Hall to have their love recognized in an equal and dignified way.</p> <p>Four years later, as these dreams remain contested, we have not forgotten our shared vision—that all people deserve to marry the person they love. In fact, we stand stronger, with millions of like-minded Californians, ready for change.</p> <p>Freedom to Marry Week 2008 will be an important moment for supporters of the freedom to marry. Make sure you are present and counted at one of the many happenings across our state. <a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=gkIWJfPTKhL0IoI&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" target="_blank" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=gkIWJfPTKhL0IoI&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><strong><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);">Click here to check out the full list of events</u></strong></a> or read more below.</p> <ul><li>February 12: <a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=cgLOI3NDLeIKK3J&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" target="_blank" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=cgLOI3NDLeIKK3J&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><strong><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);">Los Angeles Premier of The Year of Paper</u></strong></a>, 7:30 p.m. at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center at the Village. </li><li>February 13: <a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ftIUIcPPJhKRIdI&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" target="_blank" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ftIUIcPPJhKRIdI&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><strong style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><u>AT&T showing of Pursuit of Equality</u></strong></a>, 7:30 p.m. Herbst Theatre. </li><li>February 14: <a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=imK0JlM1IkJYJnL&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" target="_blank" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=imK0JlM1IkJYJnL&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><strong><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);">Valentine’s Day Marriage Counter Events</u></strong></a>, read the locations and times for events happening across the state. </li><li>February 14: <a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=bpIMK0NzGdILL3K&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" target="_blank" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=bpIMK0NzGdILL3K&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><strong><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);">Frameline screening of The Year of Paper</u></strong></a>, 7:30 p.m. at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center. </li></ul> <p>In addition to attending these events, you can help make Valentine’s Day 2008 a day to remember by: </p> <ul><li><a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=drKQI2OJLpIRK7J&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" target="_blank" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=drKQI2OJLpIRK7J&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><strong><u style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);">Spreading the word</u></strong></a> to your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues about the freedom to marry and Valentine’s Day 2008.<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=esJSK9OLIgLSJdJ&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" target="_blank" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=esJSK9OLIgLSJdJ&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><span style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><strong><u>Making your support seen</u></strong></span></a> by being a face for the freedom to marry! Download one of our “I Said It” posters and add your face to the hundreds of others making their support visible through our online gallery.<br /></li><li> <a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hvLYLiMXLjKZLnI&s=%5B%5Ben_supporter_id%5D%5D&m=%5B%5Ben_MailID2%5D%5D" target="_blank" href_cetemp="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hvLYLiMXLjKZLnI&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]"><span style="color: rgb(152, 142, 0);"><u><strong>Hanging your “I Just Said It” sign</strong></u></span></a> in your window or cubicle (or anywhere where people are likely to see it and ask what you said!) to show your support throughout Freedom to Marry Week. </li></ul> <p>Thanks for all that you do.<br /><br />Sincerely,</p> <p><img alt="" src="https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account7346/images/gk_signature_gd.gif" src_cetemp="https://www.kintera.com/accounttempfiles/account7346/images/gk_signature_gd.gif" border="0" /><br />Geoff Kors<br />Let California Ring<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-29155378036439561242008-02-06T10:47:00.000-08:002008-02-06T11:08:26.909-08:00What we already knew…<a href="http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=11432"> </a> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=11432">Same-sex couples just as committed as straight couples</a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><o:p style="font-family: verdana;"></o:p><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">SDSU co-authored study finds equal level of commitment and relationship satisfaction </span><o:p style="font-family: verdana;"></o:p><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">By Randy Hope</span><o:p style="font-family: verdana;"></o:p><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Gay and Lesbian Times</span><o:p style="font-family: verdana;"></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">Here at Let California Ring, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=11432">this study</a> came as no surprise to us.<o:p></o:p><br />However it’s still nice to hear that:<o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;"><p class="MsoNormal">“Same-sex couples are as committed and happy in their romantic relationships as heterosexual couples, according to two studies in the January issue of the journal Developmental Psychology. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The authors of the studies – researchers from San Diego State University, University of Urbana-Champaign, the University of Washington, and the University of Vermont – say their findings challenge the stereotype that same-sex relationships aren’t as healthy or secure as heterosexual pairings and are therefore not as psychologically healthy.”</p></blockquote><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="MsoNormal">That’s why everyone deserves the freedom to marry, and the honor, dignity and respect that come along with it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"></span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:blue;" ><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;color:blue;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-78694478361179159702008-02-05T14:29:00.000-08:002008-02-05T14:31:58.331-08:00LAST CHANCE!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R6jj0jV6mjI/AAAAAAAAAEw/PZ3GW4bcKgU/s1600-h/LCR_t-shirt-125.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_0b9Ihzs8eZM/R6jj0jV6mjI/AAAAAAAAAEw/PZ3GW4bcKgU/s400/LCR_t-shirt-125.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163627464760138290" border="0" /></a><br /><b style=""><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;color:black;" ><o:p> </o:p>…To get your t-shirt before the Day of Visibility.<o:p></o:p></span></b> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;color:black;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwczovL3d3dy5raW50ZXJhLm9yZy9zaXRlL2FwcHMva2EvcmcvZWNyZWcuYXNwP2M9bHRKVEo2TVFJdUUmYj0zMzUxNTExJmVuPTVlS3pISU5qRjRLSUxTTm1HM0xGSlBOeEZvSk1JUFB4SGZKTkpWTXJGOExISVpOSUg=">Get a t-shirt</a> at a special $20 rate and wear it with pride on Valentine’s Day. February 6th is your last chance to get one before the big day!</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-88889155046897340572008-02-05T14:27:00.000-08:002008-02-08T15:22:17.198-08:00Let California Ring Day of Visibility<strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;color:black;"></span></strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:black;"><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;">February 14</span></strong><br /><br />Love. It’s what Valentine’s Day is all about.<br /><br />Every day, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Californians are denied the freedom to marry the person they love. Let California Ring is a coalition effort to open hearts and minds, engage millions of Californians in conversations about the freedom to marry, and increase support for marriage for gay and lesbian couples.<br /><br />This groundbreaking campaign is educating people in a whole new way about fairness, freedom, and the principle that all people—lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and non-LGBT—should have the freedom to realize their hopes and dreams.<br /><br />Let California Ring has found the perfect messenger—you! Wear your Let California Ring t-shirt or ring during Freedom to Marry week to start conversations with the people in your life about why you support the freedom to marry.<br /><br />Don’t know what to say? Download handy <a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/conversations" target="_blank">conversation starters</a> at <a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/conversations">http://www.LetCaliforniaRing.org/conversations</a> <b><br /></b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-45988465441461241922008-02-05T14:19:00.000-08:002008-02-05T14:27:49.814-08:00February 5 Day of Action<p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">February 5 Day of Action<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana;">If you live in <a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3411555/apps/cd/content.asp?event_id=%7BD1E3A6C9-F707-477A-82D3-0460D8CFE2CD%7D&content_id=%7B385848AC-9557-49F9-82E7-67AAB373ADC7%7D&seid="><st1:city st="on"><u>Santa Barbara</u></st1:City></a> or <a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3411555/apps/cd/content.asp?event_id=%7B16AF465A-7505-4B8F-AF13-FCD8D2CA51D7%7D&content_id=%7B11B45993-4F33-4121-8BCC-75637180DFED%7D&seid="><st1:city st="on"><u>Los Angeles</u></st1:City></a>, here’s a great way for you to get involved with Let <st1:state st="on">California</st1:State> Ring:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;">Join us at the polls on Election Day! We will be out in small groups talking to people about the freedom to marry and asking them to sign a pledge of support. Small teams will be made when you arrive – so come alone or come with friends! Polling place assignments will be given out at the training.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Santa Barbara Training</span><br /><o:p> </o:p><br />Saturday, February 2<o:p></o:p><br />1 p.m. to 3 p.m.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Los Angeles Training</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;"><o:p></o:p>Monday, February 4<o:p></o:p><br />7 p.m. to 9 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p><br />OR<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p><br />Saturday, February 2<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;">2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;"><o:p> </o:p><br />*Note: all volunteers must attend one training.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <b style=""><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p></span></b><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;color:black;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-53624316666644563582008-02-01T10:30:00.000-08:002008-02-01T10:35:26.482-08:00Freedom to Marry Sizzles at The Flame in San Diego!<span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>Commentary by Kristi Shaw from the San Diego LGBT Community Center.</em></span><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_DgZITOAcT_0/R6Nl7avOnhI/AAAAAAAAAGU/PvjW8NOGIYE/s1600-h/Miz+Liberty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162081669360819730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_DgZITOAcT_0/R6Nl7avOnhI/AAAAAAAAAGU/PvjW8NOGIYE/s320/Miz+Liberty.jpg" border="0" /></a>I have never heard a nightclub so quiet.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">On Saturday, January 19 the San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Marriage Equality and Education Project presented a special Freedom to Marry program during “Milk,” San Diego’s premiere lesbian night, at one of the biggest LBGT clubs in town, The Flame.<br /><br />Vixen from LA-based Pin Up Girls started the night off with an upbeat performance. She was joined by local hip hop artist and rapper Miz Liberty, who regularly performs at Milk. Miz Liberty added her funky, upbeat style to the issue, performing some crowd favorites as well as a special song that captured her strong feelings about why the freedom to marry is so important.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I took the stage next and said a few words about Let California Ring and encouraged people to sign up, donate and get involved. This was followed by the Let CA Ring video showcased on all screens and over the loudspeaker.The hush that fell over the crowd was unforgettable and several people came up to me afterwards, with tears in their eyes, saying the video and its message was one of the most moving things they have ever seen.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">All in all it was a hugely successful night for the freedom to marry movement down here in San Diego! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Over 100 people signed the petition and we raised a significant amount of money for Let California Ring. The visibility the campaign received was also amazing and we have similar events planned at two other nightclubs in the coming months!If this event was any indication, I think 2008 is going to be great!</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><em>- Kristi Shaw, San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Marriage Equality and Education Project Coordinator</em></span></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.thecentersd.org/ftm/"><span style="font-family:verdana;">http://www.thecentersd.org/ftm/</span></a></div><br /><div><a href="mailto:kshaw@thecentersd.org"><span style="font-family:verdana;">kshaw@thecentersd.org</span></a></div>Shumwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15719759115176675676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-4281159708906672422008-01-31T13:41:00.000-08:002008-02-01T11:24:12.830-08:00We're Just Two Weeks Away<p><a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3826825/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3826825&en=9sIHJUNzE8KQL4OCI7KML6OTKkLRJ4OGLkIVJ8OUJwF"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161759966866439298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ZG48gepfRHA/R6JBV3jn_II/AAAAAAAAAH4/DZejHS2Wo1k/s400/just-say-it-for-email.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">Two weeks away from the day we celebrate love - Valentine's Day - and two weeks away from the largest state-wide visibility push ever conducted for the freedom to marry.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=drKOJWOyEfLUIdI&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]">Take the first step: add your name to our letter to Governor Schwarzenegger</a> that has already garnered over 8,700 signatures. Ask him to tell the California Supreme Court that the current law banning marriage for lesbian and gay couples is unconstitutional and that all loving couples deserve the freedom to marry. We're delivering it on February 14th, and we want your name on it.<br /><br /><strong>On our day of visibility – Valentine’s Day -- it’s also vital that we make ourselves <em>seen</em>.</strong> That means wearing your Let California Ring t-shirt and displaying your ring wherever it can be seen (on your finger, bag or your keychain) to prompt a conversation about what the freedom to marry means to you.<br /><br />If you’ve already ordered a ring, you should get it by Valentine’s Day. Order a t-shirt at a special rate of just $20 between now and February 6th to get yours by February 14th!<br /><br />Help us make Valentine’s Day a milestone to remember for the LGBT community by making yourself seen and heard today: </span><br /></p><ul><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=guIUK5PKLiK1KnL&s=[[en_supporter_id]]&m=[[en_MailID2]]">Sign our open letter to Governor Schwarzenegger</a>. Show him that you’re one of the many Californians – his constituents! – who support the freedom to marry for all people.<br /></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="https://www.kintera.org/site/apps/ka/rg/ecreg.asp?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3351511&en=5eJzFIPjE4JIISOmE3LFKPMxHoIMLPPwEjJLJLPpE9LBITPIF">Get a t-shirt at</a> a special $20 rate and wear it with pride on Valentine’s Day. February 6th is your last chance to get one before the big day!<br /></span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/atf/cf/%7B7a706b3a-165f-4950-9144-2fc92fe4d8d1%7D/LETCARING_JUST_SAY_IT_DOWNLOAD_2.PDF">Print your sign and hang it up!</a> Download one of our “I Said It” posters and hang it in your window or cubicle (or anywhere where people are likely to see it and ask what you said!). You can also <a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/justsayit/photos">take a photo of yourself with your sign</a> and add your face to the hundreds of others who are making their support visible in our gallery. </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">I hope that Valentine’s Day 2008 will be a big moment in our shared history – for LGBT people in California and people in every state. Our state will be the tipping point, and the momentum for change, the kind that has the power resonate across the country, and it starts now with you.<br /><br />Thanks for reading. And I hope you’ll join us!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Geoff Kors<br />Let California Ring </span></p>LetCaliforniaRinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12492723501053507910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-33761893640593247212008-01-30T14:01:00.000-08:002008-01-30T14:04:46.765-08:00New Facebook Application!<span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">Show your support for the freedom to marry on <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/letcaring/?ref=ts"><b><u><span style="font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span></u></b></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;"><o:p></o:p>Add our <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/letcaring/?ref=ts"><b><u><span style="font-weight: bold;">ring of support</span></u></b></a> to your profile and show your commitment to the freedom to marry!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Verdana;">We hope you’ll display our <a href="http://apps.facebook.com/letcaring/?ref=ts"><b><u><span style="font-weight: bold;">ring</span></u></b></a> until the day that everyone has the freedom to marry the person they love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-74052529740639558612008-01-25T11:38:00.000-08:002008-01-25T11:40:52.762-08:00Six Organizations: One Event<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_DgZITOAcT_0/R5o7LKvOneI/AAAAAAAAAGA/bU5Tzj7Vx6I/s1600-h/8_Orgs_oneevent_ED_photo.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159501386153369058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_DgZITOAcT_0/R5o7LKvOneI/AAAAAAAAAGA/bU5Tzj7Vx6I/s400/8_Orgs_oneevent_ED_photo.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">What issue can get key LGBT leaders from national, statewide and local organizations in one room? Marriage in California.<br /><br />Over 150 people braved the rain in Los Angeles last night to get insight and raise money for Let California Ring. It was truly unprecedented to have the leading LGBT organizations in the city, state and country on one stage. It is such a crucial time in California right now and to see so much support for the campaign was inspiring.<br /><br />On the stage: (l to r) Geoff Kors (Equality California Institute), Patrick Sammon (Log Cabin Republicans), Joe Solmonese (Human Rights Campaign), Matt Forman (The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force), Jody Huckaby (PFLAG), and Lorri Jean (L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center).</span> </span>Shumwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15719759115176675676noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-10567672158017607332008-01-23T17:45:00.000-08:002008-01-25T12:40:08.478-08:00If Al Gore can say it...<span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">Al Gore said he supports the freedom to marry for LGBT couples. Everyone's listening. And when you say you support the freedom to marry, people who love you listen too.<br /><br />Just say it by signing our open letter to Governor Schwarzenegger at </span><a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/justsayit"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;">www.LetCaliforniaRing.org/justsayit</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;"> and ask your friends and family to do the same.<br /><br /><br /><object height="400" width="400" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"><param name="_cx" value="10583"><param name="_cy" value="10583"><param name="FlashVars" value=""><param name="Movie" value="http://current.com/e/88817757"><param name="Src" value="http://current.com/e/88817757"><param name="WMode" value="Transparent"><param name="Play" value="-1"><param name="Loop" value="-1"><param name="Quality" value="High"><param name="SAlign" value=""><param name="Menu" value="-1"><param name="Base" value=""><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value=""><param name="Scale" value="ShowAll"><param name="DeviceFont" value="0"><param name="EmbedMovie" value="0"><param name="BGColor" value=""><param name="SWRemote" value=""><param name="MovieData" value=""><param name="SeamlessTabbing" value="1"><param name="Profile" value="0"><param name="ProfileAddress" value=""><param name="ProfilePort" value="0"><param name="AllowNetworking" value="all"><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="false"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://current.com/e/88817757" width="400" height="400" wmode="transparent"></embed></object><br /><br /></span>Shumwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15719759115176675676noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-53436219876146168382008-01-22T15:23:00.000-08:002008-01-22T15:36:15.116-08:00Sign an open letter to the Governor on marriage<span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><o:p></o:p></span> <span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Opportunities</span> like this don't come along very often.<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/justsayit">Sign our open letter asking the Governor to tell the California Supreme Court that the current law is unconstitutional and that all loving couples deserve the freedom to marry.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" >With the Court expected to rule on the legal right for gay and lesbian couples to marry in 2008, right now is the time for your voice to be heard: heard by Governor Schwarzenegger by February 14.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" >As a defendant in the case, the Governor's voice is critical -- he can change history. That's why we want him to tell the Court that all LGBT Californians should be able to marry the person they love. But your voice can be equally powerful, so I want you to just say it too. <o:p></o:p><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Just say it: "Everyone should be able to marry the person they love. I support the freedom to marry."</span> Say it out loud, to the person next to you on the bus or at dinner. And then, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/justsayit">ask Governor Schwarzenegger to tell the Court that the current law is unconstitutional.</a><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" >Let California Ring is all about everyday people coming together to amplify their collective voice of support for the freedom to marry. For people like you and me, that starts with the most basic action: "just say it" -- to our friends, family members, and neighbors. <o:p></o:p><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" >We need to generate conversations and get every Californian -- from Supreme Court Justices to our elected leaders to your colleagues at the water cooler -- thinking about what the freedom to marry means for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people between now and February 14 -- the day we celebrate love. So just say it, right now. <o:p></o:p><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" >With the Court's ruling on the legal right for gay and lesbian couples to marry expected this year, showing that Californians support that basic freedom for everyone is critical right now. Here's how you can help:<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <ul><li><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/justsayit">Sign the open letter</a> to Governor Schwarzenegger <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul> <ul><li><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://letcaliforniaring.kintera.org/justsayit/taf">Just say it</a>. Tell all your friends, family members and colleagues and ask them to join you in signing the open letter to the Governor.</span><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" >Now is the time to double your impact: sign the letter to the Governor and then just say it: make your support for the freedom to marry seen and heard between now and February 14.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" >Thanks for all that you do -- every action you take makes a difference and fills me with determination.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" >Sincerely,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Geoff Kors</span> <o:p></o:p><br />Let <st1:state st="on">California</st1:state> Ring<o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3736082058350904133.post-91071409878626386822008-01-15T16:07:00.000-08:002008-01-15T16:16:24.333-08:00Behind the Scenes: Volunteer Night!<span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >If you live in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Los Angeles</st1:place></st1:city>, we have an easy and fun way for you to get involved.<span style=""> </span>Hannah blogs about Volunteer Nights:<o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" ><o:p></o:p>We have <a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3357949/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3357949&en=jjKNLXMNKkJMI3NQKcJKK6PPInIXJ4ORLiLOJ9NWItI9H"><b style=""><u>volunteer night</u></b> </a>a couple times a week here at Let California Ring.<span style=""> </span>On <b style="">Monday nights</b> we gather from <b style="">7-10pm</b> for Data Entry Night. We crowd around the table in our conference room; you can barely see the table underneath the piles of data we are entering, pizza, and the many lap tops in use.<span style=""> </span>Although we get a lot of work done at Data Entry Nights it hardly feels like work.<span style=""> </span>As we type we talk about anything from what’s been going on in our lives since the Monday before to current events to our love lives. We spend a lot of time laughing. The hardest part about Data Entry Night is deciphering the handwriting of the data we are entering; we all squint at the most troublesome handwriting and everyone takes a guess at we think it says. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >We also have <a href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3357949/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3357949&en=jjKNLXMNKkJMI3NQKcJKK6PPInIXJ4ORLiLOJ9NWItI9H"><b style=""><u>Phone Bank Night</u></b></a> every <b style="">Thursday from 6:30 to 9:30</b>.<span style=""> </span>On Phone Bank Nights we call people who have told us they want to volunteer with us and sign them up for a specific activity. We each ding a bell when we get someone signed up for a shift, it’s a lot of fun to hear dings coming from all over the office and shout, “Way to go!!” down the hall. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3357949/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=ltJTJ6MQIuE&b=3357949&en=jjKNLXMNKkJMI3NQKcJKK6PPInIXJ4ORLiLOJ9NWItI9H"><u><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >Volunteer nights</span></u></a><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" > are what help keep things running here at Let California Ring.<span style=""> </span>Without them we couldn’t get our data entered and we couldn’t sign up enough volunteers to keep building our team. I feel fortunate to get to work with so many great volunteers, and have so much fun along the way!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:11;" >--Hannah, Field Organizer<o:p></o:p></span></p>LetCaliforniaRinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12492723501053507910noreply@blogger.com1