Prop 8 Trial Coverage Day 11 and 12: Defendant's Last Witness Not Cooperative and Not Knowledgeable; Testimony Concludes

The Prop 8 trial witness testimony ended today with defendant's last "expert" witness David Blankenhorn, the founder and president of the Institute for American Values, a conservative group committed to the "renewal of marriage." On Tuesday plaintiff's attorney David Boies immediately went after his so-called expert status, almost disqualifying Blankenhorn from being a witness at all...

Unite the Fight • Jan 28, 2010

VIDEO: Prop 8 Trial Reenactment Preview Posted

Last week, I posted on filmmaker John Ireland's project to produce reenactments of the Prop 8 trial. Today, he and fellow filmmaker John Ainsworth have posted a trailer....

Unite the Fight • Jan 22, 2010

Courage Campaign Founder Rick Jacobs Responds to UTF With Answers Surrounding Marriage Equality Research

We will not release the findings of this first round to the press because it would be equivalent, as you point out, to handing over hundreds of thousands of dollars of research to the opposition. Interestingly, the Yes on 8 crew is in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals right now trying to prevent handing over their internal communications because they believe those communications have some value a...

Unite the Fight • Dec 3, 2009

Courage Campaign Not to Release Marriage Equality Research - Information Behind Project Could Help Mend Broken Trust

I would ask of CC that they release some of the non-sensitive information, such as how much research was done? How extensive? Who did the analysis and how much of that was done? How much was spent and in what way? How much if any is left over? How big the sample base, what regions of California, etc?...

Unite the Fight • Dec 2, 2009

Oral Arguments To Commence Tuesday in Ninth Circuit Court Over Prop 8 Campaign Documents

Tomorrow in Pasadena, CA, both sides on the federal challenge to Proposition 8 will present oral arguments to the Ninth Circuit Court panel on whether Defendants, who are defending Proposition 8, should hand over internal campaign documents....

Unite the Fight • Nov 30, 2009

Prop 8 Proponents Get Out of Handing Over Campaign Documents . . . For Now

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeal granted a stay on Judge Walker's orders of discovery and gave the defendants until 5pm today, November 23, to file briefs on the merits of their appeal. There's got to be something good in these documents. Prop 8 proponents are doing everything in their power and taking all avenues to avoid having to turn these documents over....

Unite the Fight • Nov 23, 2009

Extreme Right Wing Group Denied Intervention in Federal Challenge to Prop 8

The Campaign for California Families (CCF) is the rival to the Yes on 8 folks, but they're even more extreme in their beliefs, not only believing that same-sex marriage should be illegal but also any sort of recognition of gay relationships whatsoever. CCF attempted to intervene on Strauss vs. Horton, which the Yes on 8 folks opposed, and they were denied. Then on August 19 they tried to interven...

Unite the Fight • Nov 21, 2009

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders to Testify in Proposition 8 Trial

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera made it known today that Mayor Sanders will testify in the first marriage trial ever - the federal challenge to Proposition 8 helmed by the Olson/Boies team....

Unite the Fight • Nov 20, 2009

Proposition 8 2010 Repeal Supporters, Not Swayed by Criticism, Explain Strategy Behind the Five Initiatives Submitted

After the devastating defeat in Maine, the fundamentalist pundits claimed that it was a sign Americans were not ready for legalized same-sex marriage, despite the many advances in Iowa and New England. Unfortunately, contrary to what the politicians say, legislators in both New York and New Jersey appear to have taken a cue from what happened in Maine and are dragging their heels on voting for pro...

Unite the Fight • Nov 18, 2009

Website Launched for Volunteer-Based Signature Gathering Campaign for 2010 Prop 8 Repeal

Love Honor Cherish (LHC) the grassroots group leading the charge for a 2010 initiative to restore marriage equality in California, has today launched SignForEquality.com, a social site that will be the hub for the volunteer-based signature gathering campaign to put the Prop 8 repeal on the 2010 ballot....

Unite the Fight • Nov 17, 2009

VIDEO: Amazing New Marriage Equality Ads Launched in New Jersey

Last night, New Jersey voted pro-marriage equality governor John Corzine out of the office and replaced him with anti-LGBT Chris Christie. So what? Garden State Equality (GSE) has launched two new marriage equality ads today. The New Jersey legislature is poised to pass a marriage equality bill that Corzine has promised to sign during his lame duck session, and GSE is prepared....

Unite the Fight • Nov 4, 2009

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: EQCA's Marc Solomon Talks About Relaunching 'Let California Ring', 2010 and 2012 T

"We want to raise at least 15 million over the next three years," Marc said. "The primary focus of this work is going to be to move POC communities on the issue of marriage." By partnering with organizations represented in the LCR's Executive Committee, as well as faith organizations, such as California Faith For Equality, Marc informed they plan "to do message testing development across the boar...

Unite the Fight • Oct 15, 2009

Judge Walker Rules Prop 8 Trial Will Proceed, Hammers Prop 8 Proponents

Though we already knew this, Cooper and Prop 8 proponents will do anything to avoid going to trial because 1) They obviously don't know how to defend Prop 8 by strict scrutiny and 2) They really don't want to hand over internal campaign documents, which they've been ordered to do and are appealing. Must be some good stuff in those docs. Walker is deciding whether or not to let cameras roll during...

Unite the Fight • Oct 15, 2009

Obama's HRC Dinner Speech - We Don't Need a Cheerleader, We Need a President

President Obama needed to convince me of a lot in his speech at the HRC dinner tonight. I needed to be convinced that he had a plan, that he truly understood what was at stake for all of us in the LGBT population, and that he was aware that there possibly isn't as much time left to get actions accomplished as he may think. What I heard convinced me, again, that President Obama sure knows how to d...

Unite the Fight • Oct 11, 2009

Poll: Marriage Equality Trailing in Maine; Don't Let Another Prop 8 Happen!

Results from a Research 2000/Daily Kos poll indicates that if Mainers voted on the new marriage equality law today, they would vote to overturn it, repeating what happened in California with Proposition 8....

Unite the Fight • Sep 20, 2009

Rep. Barney Frank Won't Co-Sponsor DOMA Partial Repeal; Bill Author Rep. Nadler Responds

Openly gay Rep. Barney Frank has declined to co-sponsor Rep. Jerry Nadler's partial Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) repeal because he doesn't believe in the strategy and feels different issues are more pressing for the LGBT population. "It's not anything that's achievable in the near term," Frank told the Washington Blade. "I think getting [the Employment Non-Discrimination Act], a repeal of 'Don'...

Unite the Fight • Sep 14, 2009

Defense of Marriage Act Repeal Bill to Circulate U.S. House in Weeks

Politico reports that U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler, who announced in July he would be working on a partial repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), will be ready to circulate his bill to his colleagues to garner support in a matter of weeks, putting the Obama Administration on the spot. Politico believes it will garner dozens of co-sponsors....

Unite the Fight • Sep 5, 2009

Want an Active Role in a Marriage Equality Campaign? Learn How at OUT West's Campaign Boot Camp!

OUT West Campaign Boot Camp will train activists in fundamental campaign skills and offer them a campaign manager's view of how a solid campaign is run. Committed activists will gather for two days of training at USC in Los Angeles, CA that will prepare them to be leaders in the next campaign for marriage equality....

Unite the Fight • Aug 28, 2009

BREAKING NEWS: Federal Prop 8 Case Goes to Public Trial January 11, 2010; City of San Francisco Joins Plaintiffs

For federal timelines, this is breakneck speed, giving very little time for both parties to prepare for a full blown trial, including witnesses and expert accounts. However, a trial will a establish a solid record for appeals courts, where everyone expects this case to be headed. Unlike for the LGBT legal organizations, Judge Walker ruled that the City of San Francisco can join the case as City I...

Unite the Fight • Aug 19, 2009

California Legislature Advances Three Resolutions on Federal Policy Affecting the LGBT Population

Good news comes from the California state capitol today, where the Assembly Judiciary Committee passed three resolutions concerning federal laws affecting LGBT people by a margin of 6-3: a resolution urging the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA (AJR 19), a resolution in support of the Uniting American Families Act (AJR 15), and a resolution calling for the FDA to repeal the U.S. Blood ...

Unite the Fight • Aug 19, 2009

EQCA Announces Matching Dollar Donation Challenge to Support Maine's NO on 1 Campaign

In an email sent out to its members today, EQCA's Executive Director Geoff Kors announced a matching-dollar fundraising drive to support the NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign....

Unite the Fight • Aug 17, 2009

UTF EXCLUSIVE: EQCA's Marc Solomon Talks About Juggling Plans for 2012 While Working With 2010 Supporters

"I don't view this as the end of discussion and conversation," Marc said about the announcement right off the bat. "We promised the LGBT community that we would let them know what we think the wisest course of action is. It's our responsibility. That's why we put something out today. But we're not saying that it's our way or the highway. We certainly can't force anyone to adopt our position."...

Unite the Fight • Aug 14, 2009

Courage Campaign States 60 Hours Are Left for a 2010 Fundraising Benchmark - Over Half of Goal Raised

If 1,000 more people can raise $41,967 by August 13, we will meet the time-sensitive $100,000 goal we set for the Courage Campaign community -- and half of the $200,000 needed to launch this mission-critical research as soon as possible. We have less than 60 hours to raise $41,967 from Courage members. Will you help us get over the top by donating whatever amount you can afford -- $25, $50, $100,...

Unite the Fight • Aug 11, 2009

NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality's Opposition Issues Condescending Response to Their Call for a Fair Campaign

The NO on 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign has been organizing way in advance of the opposition because they knew very well the potential for the new marriage equality law would be threatened by a "People's Veto" and they were right. They know their state well and will fight hard to protect the rights of LGBT to marry. But they will need our help. Be sure to visit the NO on 1/Protect Maine Equal...

Unite the Fight • Aug 9, 2009

Live Streaming of the Next Steps Working Meeting

We know that it is not practical for everyone across the state to come in person to this meeting, but we do want everyone to have the opportunity to discuss, plan, join, and work on the next steps we need to take to gather the signatures this fall. Therefore, we are looking for 3 locations that we can stream to. Activists who attend these streaming sessions can view the proceedings in L.A. and th...

Unite the Fight • Aug 9, 2009

Courage Campaign Gives Deadline for 2010 Fundraising Benchmark, Marriage Equality USA Accepts the Challenge

It will be interesting to see what other organizations join in on this tangible challenge. And now that there is a deadline, how quickly they and the community will hop on board with this goal....

Unite the Fight • Aug 8, 2009

Agenda for Next Steps Summit Released

The logistics team for the August 9th Next Steps Summit, a working meeting in Los Angeles that will tackle actual next steps for an upcoming ballot initiative to undo Proposition 8, has released an agenda in advance. It is subject to change....

Unite the Fight • Aug 8, 2009

ACTION: Defend the Law Campaign Urges Connecticut Attorney General to Sue Government Over DOMA

Recently, Massachusetts AG Martha Coakley announced that her state would be filing a lawsuit in federal courts, challenging the U.S. government over the Defense of Marriage Act. Defend the Law has taken its cue from Coakely and is now setting its sights on Connecticut's AG Richard Blumenthal, whose state became the second to legalize marriage equality last year....

Unite the Fight • Aug 6, 2009

Courage Campaign Gives the Community a Challenging Fundraising Benchmark for a 2010 Ballot Initiative - You Game?

Now this is something tangible that the community can get behind. Part of the sound and valid objections to returning to the ballot in 2010 is that the economy will make fundraising extremely difficult and that donations will dry up. If the community can meet the goal of raising $100,000 through Courage Campaign, and $200,000 as a whole, then this could be a sign that the unity and commitment tha...

Unite the Fight • Aug 6, 2009

Marriage Equality USA Calls on Community to Open Hearts, Strengthen Ties and Forgive as Key to Future Campaign

"In the words of esteemed Christian theologian and marriage equality supporter, Lewis Smedes, 'When we forgive, we set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner we set free is us,'" said McKay. "We must forgive and release the past in order to create a new future. We need to learn from past mistakes, but more importantly we must create and foster an environment of trust between our allied org...

Unite the Fight • Aug 4, 2009

Returning to the Ballot: It's Not About When Anymore, It's About Uniting. And Other Points of View

I will support either date, or a later date, because now, it doesn't matter to me when. (And yes, I want to marry my partner. It's devastating not to be able to NOW.) What matters to me most is that we have a united front working together to WIN....

Unite the Fight • Jul 29, 2009

Unite the Fight: CA Marriage Equality Leadership Summit an Utter Failure - Shame On All of Us

Our community has splintered into factions lead by no one, going in all different directions with various agendas, some with good intentions, but many motivated by egos in attempt to out maneuver the other, causing us to fight each other instead of those who have taken away our rights. And why? Because our leadership once failed us in a disastrous campaign which ended not with rights being denied ...

Unite the Fight • Jul 28, 2009

Unite the Fight to Provide Live Stream of Tomorrow's CA Leadership Summit on Marriage Equality

Unite the Fight will provide a live stream of tomorrow's Leadership Summit in San Bernardino, CA. The summit will be a large gathering of California LGBT organizations' leaders, individual activists, community organizers and allies. Many items will be discussed, but most prominently, next steps towards winning marriage equality back in California. (I will provide an agenda once it becomes availabl...

Unite the Fight • Jul 25, 2009

Speaking to the Experts: Courage Campaign's Sarah Callahan Takes on 2010 and 2012 and Beyond

In a combination of emails and phone calls, Unite the Fight was able to get from Sarah a broad glimpse of the campaign to come, who characterized its complexity as "threading a needle" by being "super, super targeted" or by "micro-targeting", which she described as ID'ing the voters and where they stand on marriage equality, finding out what messages resonate with them, breaking that information d...

Unite the Fight • Jul 24, 2009

CA Grassroots Organization "Love Honor Cherish" Releases Blueprint for Successful 2010 Campaign to Repeal Prop 8

Love Honor Cherish, a California LGBT grassroots organization known for its strong support for a 2010 campaign to repeal Prop 8, has released a 21-page outline of a future campaign entitled "Blueprint for Equality: How We Will Restore the Right to Marry in 2010." The Blueprint shows how activists can gather the 1 million signatures needed to place a new ballot measure on the November 2010 ballot ...

Unite the Fight • Jul 24, 2009

Yes on 8 Organization Canvassing Same Areas as LGBT Organizations, Actively Countering Our Efforts

Protect Marriage, the group behind Proposition 8, have been out canvassing in the same areas that many LGBT organizations have begun going door-to-door, holding conversations with those who voted in favor of Prop 8. They will be focusing their teams in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and the Central Valley....

Unite the Fight • Jul 22, 2009

MUST-READ: Seven Out of Seven Political Consultants Advise Against a 2010 Initiative to Repeal Prop 8, But David Mixner Says Don't Wait

On Monday, Marc posted the consultants' responses to the 2010 vs. 2012 question, and even addressed concerns about using consultants at all (and directly responded to Unite the Fight under our comments section) saying, "I understand, following the No on 8 loss, the skepticism that many people have about [consultants]. I get it. At the same time, it can be helpful to at least consider the thinking ...

Unite the Fight • Jul 21, 2009

2010 vs. 2012: The Brewing Debate In California Over When to Go Back to the Ballot Boils Over

But something smells bad here. Though many of the points in the "Prepare to Prevail" statement are extremely essential and must be discussed and met, the statement's timing and how it was released couldn't be more divisive and is being seen as attempt by the major LGBT organizations to wrestle back control of a movement moving beyond them....

Unite the Fight • Jul 14, 2009

The National Education Association Passes Resolution Supporting LGBT Equality

One of the major reasons Prop 8 passed here in California was the lie that the Yes on 8 campaign told in that children would be taught about same-sex marriage in schools, even worse, without any say from the parents. This was the turning point in the campaign which led to Prop 8 passing. Do you think the NEA's resolution could backfire on us by giving more fodder for opponents to twist and lie ab...

Unite the Fight • Jul 8, 2009

View Live Feed of Meet in the Middle Here on Unite the Fight!

If you can't make it because of kids, work or you live far away, be sure to come back to this post and watch it LIVE right here on Unite the Fight! We will also have one-on-one video interviews with the speakers!...

Unite the Fight • May 26, 2009

Live Broadcast of CA Supreme Court Ruling on Prop 8 at 10am PST

YOU CAN WATCH RULING LIVE HERE!...

Unite the Fight • May 26, 2009

MUST WATCH! LGBT Folk From All Over the World Proclaim, "I'm Proud to Be Gay!"

Some of these people took real risks to be a part of this project. One that popped out to me was the Iraqi man who risks his life going on tape, admitting that he's gay. That's just one. We should all be proud....

Unite the Fight • May 18, 2009

Anti-Gays Hold Much Larger Rally Than Marriage Equality Supporters in NYC

WE HAVE TO ACT NOW TO HELP THE PASSAGE OF THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL! Six weeks is all that is left before the senate session adjourns for the year. If it's not brought up to a vote, it will most likely die. Contact the New York Senators and urge them to vote yes for the bill....

Unite the Fight • May 18, 2009