Fortunately, time is on our side – for example: 

• In 1883, the US Supreme Court upheld an Alabama ban on interracial marriage
• In 1948, the California Supreme Court overturned a similar California ban
• On August 4, 1961, President Elect Barack Obama was born to a white mother and a black father
• In 1967, the US Supreme Court overturned a Virginia ban and obliterated anti-miscegenation legislation in the US
• In 2000, the Alabama constitutional amendment banning interracial marriage was overturned with a mere 60% majority
• In 2008 The US elected a President who is interracial

So, we recognize it could take a while.  Its OK.  We, as a people, have time.  We, as citizens of California, have time.  We, as citizens of the United States, have time.  We, as citizens of the world, have time.  Even though we, as individuals, may not see the fruits of our effort.

In the meantime,

• Same sex couples where one partner is without US citizenship will continue to be unable to live permanently in the US and, in some cases, will have no country where they may reside together
• Same sex couples will be required to refer to their husbands or wives as partners and may need to interject “life” to communicate, though imperfectly, some sense of their mutual commitment
• Children of same sex couples will continue to wonder why their parents are discriminated against and what it is that society has against them that their legitimacy cannot be recognized
• Same sex couples who have married, in some cases for the 2^nd or 3^rd time to the same person, each time hoping that the temporary status of the legality of their relationship may be permanent, will wonder about their rights as a couple
• Persons discriminating against lesbians and gays will take heart and be emboldened by the knowledge there is one class of Californians still remaining who it is OK to discriminate against for, as of today, the most fundamental law of California has been altered to identify a unique and superior status reserved only to heterosexuals; literally, homosexuals need not apply for a marriage license.

AND, time is on our side.  Plan on a continued struggle:

• If you are gay or lesbian or bisexual or transgender, open your hearts and minds to show everyone who you are so that those who would discriminate may not fear you and may recognize exactly whom their discrimination hurts
• If you are a straight ally, be aware that you, too, are a minority in California and be vigilant for opportunities to educate the tyrannous majority
• Every day continue to educate and recruit people to support the repeal of Prop 8
• At every opportunity seek out those who discriminate and educate them regarding the damage they do
• Begin today to support the next ballot measure to repeal Prop 8 and, if necessary, the next ballot measure after that until it is repealed.

For the record, I remain confident that Californians will overturn this amendment to the state constitution when a majority has understood the entire the truth about it.  It is now our duty to seek those who do not understand the truth and bring the truth to them.

For, regardless of how you feel about marriage, it is wrong to eliminate the fundamental right of same sex couples to marry just because they are gay or lesbian.  Let us recognize the election of Barack Obama as President as a symbol of the hope for change that we need.  Take from that symbol the energy to right this wrong that has been written into our state constitution.

Thanks to all of you for taking action and doing all you could do to overcome what remains as the greatest civil rights obstacle in this great country. 

REPEAL PROP 8!

It is time to step up the volume.  The latest polls show us behind, but you can change that.

We need you to pick up the phone and start talking to voters. And we’ve made it simple, fun and effective.

3 ways to call voters:

• Go to a Local Phone Bank
  • ***See Below for Peninsula Phone Banks***
• Organize Your Own Phone Team
• Phone From Home

Click on the following link to get started: http://eqfed.org/ct/f1wPIs515RJa/

The fact is defeating Prop 8 may come down to the number of voters you did or did not call. It’s that simple. And it’s that important. It’s the difference between winning and losing.

So whether you join us at your local phone bank or make calls from the comfort of your home, we need you to pick up the phone today!

http://www.NoOnProp8.com/wecallvoters

Let’s start and finish the conversation once and for all!

PENINSULA PHONE BANKS
Spread the word!  Bring a friend!  All are welcome!
Training provided ~ Bring your cell phone & charger.
Be sure to RSVP in advance ~ you’ll get a confirmation call!
Call Martha (408) 453-4592 to sign up!

San Mateo Phone Banks: 
UU Church of San Mateo
300 E. Santa Inez, corner of Ellsworth, San Mateo 94401
Every Sunday in October & Nov. 2    5-9 PM
Thursday October 23 and 30      6:30-9:30 PM

UCC/Congregational Church of San Mateo
225 Tilton Avenue (between San Mateo Drive and Ellsworth)
San Mateo 94401
Tuesday, October 14   6:30-9:30 PM

Palo Alto Phone Banks:

First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto
1140 Cowper St., Palo Alto 94301
Every Tuesday 6:30-9:30 PM

First United Methodist Church
625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto
Every Wednesday   6:30-9:30 PM

Stanford University
Every Tuesday  6:00-9:00 PM
Every Saturday  1:00-4:00 PM
Call (408) 453-4592 to sign up & for weekly room location
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SOUTH BAY PHONE BANKS

No On 8 San Jose Office
43 E Gish Rd, San Jose, CA 95112 (near N. First)
Multiple shifts daily
Call Chris for details: (248) 819-1449

Billy DeFrank Center        http://www.defrank.org/
938 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95128
Every Tuesday    6:30-9:30 PM        
Contact Gloria to sign up or for more info:
(408) 293-2429 x 117 or gloria.defrank@gmail.com

First Unitarian Church of San Jose
160 North Third Street, San Jose 95112
Every Thursday night  6:30-9:30 PM
In the classrooms – go around to the downstairs doors
on the right side of the church.
*RSVP* to (408) 292-3858 x27 or socialjustice@sanjoseuu.org

 Don’t Give Up….No On 8! 

Watch the awesome first No On 8 TV ad! 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6dBUCi32c8
Help keep the video on the air:

https://secure.ga4.org/01/equalityforall

House Parties

No On 8 House Party    Monday, Oct. 6    5:30-7:00 PM
at the home of San Mateo County Supervisor Rich Gordon
570 Menlo Oaks Drive
Menlo Park, CA 94025
To RSVP or be added as a host (bring 5+ people), 

email Daniel Yost by October 1st:  danielkyost@gmail.com

Can’t make it but want to contribute? You may do so right

here: https://secure.ga4.org/01/equalityforall

No On 8 Party – Monday Oct. 13 – 6:30-8:00pm

WHERE:  Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Redwood City, 2124 Brewster Ave. (corner of Lowell)

WHAT:  Learn more about the No on 8 campaign, celebrate newlywed couples, and find out how you can get involved in protecting civil rights and fairness for all people!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP WITH THE EVENT: please email Emily Lehr-Anning at elehranning@gmail.com

PHONE BANKS
Spread the word!  Bring a friend!  All are welcome!
Great training provided! Bring your cell phone & charger.

New dates are being added now that the election is getting close ~ old dates may be changed.

RSVP in advance – you’ll get a confirmation call!

*RSVP* to Chris (248) 819-1449 

San Mateo Phone Banks – Sunday Sept. 28 5-9 PM
UU Church of San Mateo
300 E. Santa Inez, corner of Ellsworth, San Mateo 94401
More dates:
Monday, Sept. 29   6:30-9:30 PM
Every Sunday in October   5-9 PM
Monday, Oct. 13, 20 and 27 6:30-9:30 PM
Tuesday, Oct. 14 & 28    6:30-9:30 PM
Thursday, Oct. 9, 23 & 30 6:30-9:30 PM

Palo Alto Phone Banks:

UU Church of Palo Alto
505 E. Charleston Road, Palo Alto 94306
Most Saturdays in October, 10 AM-2 PM, lunch included!
Wednesday, Oct. 22 & 29   6:30 – 9:30 PMFirst Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto
1140 Cowper St., Palo Alto 94301
Every Tuesday 6:30-9:30 PM 

First United Methodist Church
625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto
Every Wednesday through Oct. 27  6:30-9:30 PM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EQUALITY FOR ALL   www.NoOnProp8.com  (Events)

It is positioned to use to broach the subject in order to get friends and family on board.

prop-8-friends-and-family-letter

PENINSULA No On 8 COALITION

No On 8 PARTY FOR EQUALITY
Palo Alto, Thursday, Sept. 18, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Hear an update on the campaign, celebrate newlywed couples,
learn how you can help.

RSVP to Don Diltz: don@noon8.info (late rsvp ok)

He will send you the complete address when you rsvp.

PHONE BANKS
Spread the word!  Bring a friend!  All are welcome!
Great training provided! Bring your cell phone & charger.

San Mateo Phone Bank – next Thursday, Sept 25   6:30 – 9:30 PM
UU Church of San Mateo
300 E. Santa Inez, corner of Ellsworth, San Mateo 94401
Additional dates:
Sunday, Sept. 21 and 28
Monday, Sept. 22 and 29
Tuesday, Sept. 23
(more dates to follow in October)
*RSVP* to No On Prop 8 to confirm that you can come: (415-252-8132

Menlo Park Phone Banks:

Tuesday, Sept. 30 and Oct. 28    6:30-9:30 PM

Coldwell Banker, 800 EL Camino Real, SUite 300

*RSVP* to Don Diltz:  ddiltz@noon8.info

Palo Alto Phone Banks:

UU Church of Palo Alto
505 E. Charleston Road, Palo Alto 94306
Saturday, Sept. 27 and most Saturdays in October
10 AM – 2 PM, lunch included!
All Wednesday evenings in October, 6:30 – 9:30 PM
*RSVP* to Jack: jack@owicki.com

 
First Presbyterian Church, Palo Alto
1140 Cowper St., Palo Alto 94301
TBD

No On 8 Campaign staff in attendance included Bay Area Field Director Hannah Johnson, Bay Area Deputy Field Director Trina Olsen, and Northern California Political Director Julie Davis. They presented a campaign overview, updates, and information on activities and resources planned for the Peninsula.

Julie Davis identified 4 primary goals:

§         Endorsements

§         Identification of potential speakers and places to speak – the Campaign will provide training. They will visit churches.

§         House parties for volunteer recruitment and fund raising – the Campaign will  provide speakers and training

§         Phone banks and volunteer recruitment – the Campaign will provide training. A team of 9,000 trained volunteers is needed in Northern California.

The September 18^th Fund Raiser House Party in Palo Alto was discussed.  This will be a great opportunity for guests to make history, hear an update on the campaign, and learn how we can help to defeat Prop 8.

ACTION ITEMS:

Those who volunteered their churches for phone banks please give potential dates to Don Diltz at ddiltz@noon8.info

An Endorsements Committee was formed.  Julie Davis will provide an Endorsement Toolkit with talking points early next week.  Fax endorsements to Don Diltz: (877) 225-6859.

Check www.NoOnProp8.com website for sample Letters to the editor.

The No On 8 house party scheduled for September 18 needs more hosts: those who will recruit 10 people to come. Contact Don ddiltz@noon8.info to become a host.

The No On 8 Campaign staff will help us to get speakers.

Position Paper Plus Endorsement Forms

Individual Endorsement Form

Organizational Endorsement Form

We had a fine turn out for our first phone bank today, August 14, 2008. 

Held in Menlo Park at the Coldwell Banker El Camino office, we had 11 top rate phone volunteers, a staff organizer (Chris Riley) a trainer volunteer (Debra) and me.  I worked on facilitating the facilty.  For 10 of the 11 volunteers, it was their first time phone banking for No On 8.  The surprising part was that they all reported it was a great experience.  This is testimony to the training which is a fruit of the high level of professionalism in the organization of this campaign.  Some of the volunteers had had recent experience with presidential primary candidate campaigns and reported that the training made this experience much more rewarding. 

Come on in and give it a try!

Please join us for the next phone bank, August 26.  Or face to face events on the 22nd and 23rd.  I’ll get these events detailed in the events pages tomorrow.

Don’t forget our next Peninsula Coalition meeting – August 19th.

11 Phone Volunteers - Start of with terrific training.

Great training provided by Chris Riley and Debra

At work in the telephone bank.

Always complete the work with debriefing to share the stories and see how we can do it better.