EQCA 2011 Report

Recognizing the tough economic times, in 2011 we evaluated priorities and refocused our efforts and staffing to best support long-term movement initiatives to achieve equality, while at the same time focusing on the work ahead in California in the upcoming election year. We began by revisiting and recommitting to our mission and our role in the LGBT equality movement: legislative reform. Equality ...

Equality California • Jan 12, 2012

Oppose SB 5: Say No to 'Yes on 8'

Far right-wing California Senator Tom Harman, a cohort of the Yes on 8 campaign, has introduced a bill that would automatically give the groups behind Yes on 8 the power to defend Prop. 8 in court. They are afraid that the courts will rule that they do not have standing, so they are trying to do an end-run around the courts. SB 5 will be heard by committee just a few days from now. Help us stop th...

Equality California • Apr 28, 2011

Equality California, NCLR, ACLU-NC, and Lambda Legal File Amicus Brief in Federal Challenge to Proposition 8 Asking Court to Lift Stay

Today, Equality California, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, and Lambda Legal jointly filed an amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals asking the court to lift the temporary stay in the federal court challenge to Proposition 8. U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that Prop 8 was unconstitutional in August 2010. However, ...

Equality California • Mar 2, 2011

Equality California Launches National Search for Executive Director

The Board of Directors for Equality California and Equality California Institute has retained executive search firm Morris & Berger, which specializes in the nonprofit sector, to assist in its national search for an executive director to succeed Executive Director Geoff Kors. Kors will step down from his position later this year. Joint Statement from Clarissa Filgioun, Board President for Equalit...

Equality California • Jan 13, 2011

Equality California Hails Court's Decision Denying Standing to Imperial County in Prop. 8 Federal Challenge

Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied Imperial County's attempt to intervene in the Proposition 8 federal challenge, and the court will now ask the California Supreme Court to consider whether the groups that placed Proposition 8 on the ballot have legal standing to appeal Judge Walker's decision to overturn Prop. 8 on the grounds that the measure is unconstitutional. Equality Califo...

Equality California • Jan 5, 2011

Breaking News in the Prop. 8 Case

The Ninth Circuit Court has just released its opinion on the Proposition 8 case. The Court has asked the California Supreme Court to consider whether Protect Marriage -- the campaign that put Prop. 8 on the ballot -- has standing to appeal. The Court also ruled that Imperial County, which had tried to intervene in the case, does not have standing to appeal. Equality California's amicus briefs hel...

Equality California • Jan 5, 2011

State Senate Passes EQCA Bill Strengthening Religious Freedoms

The California Senate today passed the Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act (SB 906) in a 23-11 vote. The bill protects clergy from performing any civil marriage that is contrary to the tenets of his or her faith and provides clear distinctions between civil and religious marriage in state law. Introduced by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and co-sponsored by Equality California and California...

Equality California • May 27, 2010

Equality California Issues Statement on Appeal in Proposition 8 Trial

Today Equality California, having secured a key ruling, will turn over internal strategy emails and campaign materials relating to the effort to defeat Proposition 8....

Equality California • Apr 27, 2010

Equality California: Groundbreaking legislation announced

Equality California has put together our most ambitious bill package ever, with 13 pieces of legislation designed to ensure equality for LGBT Californians. At a time when all we hear about is gridlock in Washington, D.C., EQCA is aggressively pushing an agenda to continue advancing equality in California. Here are a few highlights of our legislative package:...

Equality California • Mar 9, 2010

Petition to President Obama

The Obama administration was absent in yet another critical fight for the soul of our nation. His failure to speak out forcibly against Question 1 in Maine is unacceptable. Sign our petition. Then, ask everyone you know to do the same....

Equality California • Nov 4, 2009

California Senate Officially Calls for End to 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

The California Senate officially endorsed a resolution calling for the repeal of the discriminatory federal policy known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and introduced by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), the resolution calls on the United States Congress to pass and President Barack Obama to immediately sign the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009, ...

Equality California • Aug 25, 2009

Equality California's Online Town Hall

Find out more about EQCA's analysis and plan to build a state of equality and win marriage back. Please join us for our online town hall to discuss our position, outlined in Winning Back Marriage Equality in California: Analysis and Plan. We'll present our ideas for a few minutes and then open up both a web chat and a phone line for people to ask questions....

Equality California • Aug 12, 2009

Equality California Vows to Restore Marriage at Ballot Box in Wake of Prop. 8 Ruling

Despite today's setback, Equality California is committed to restoring the freedom to marry. We believe, as do the majority of our members, that 2010 is the best time to return to the ballot to repeal Prop. 8. We must take full advantage of the momentum and commitment people now have to do the work required on the ground. However, we will make the final decision on when to return in collaboration...

Equality California • May 26, 2009