Rapid-response teams forming to track anit-LGBT petition drive

February 23, 2008
Urgent UU Call to Action
Stop Petition to Amend CA Constitution to Exclude Same-Sex Couples From Marriage

The UU Legislative Ministry-Action Network is working in partnership with the Equality for All campaign and we need your help NOW.

Well-funded anti-LGBT organizations are paying people to gather signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the November 2008 ballot that would prohibit marriage for gay and lesbian couples. In response to this very serious threat, the Equality for All campaign is launching a statewide effort to encourage Californians not to sign this discriminatory petition. We need everyone who cares about marriage and LGBT equality to help. Here’s how:

Join Our Rapid Response Team
We’re looking for dedicated individuals and teams from congregations to join our “Rapid Response” team and help us talk to Californians in your area. Working with other Rapid Responders near you, our professional team leaders will call you and train you on how you can help. Whether you can volunteer full-time, or just a few hours a week, you can Join the Rapid Response Team now. For help getting a team from your congregation involved, please contact UULM staff Rev. Lindi Ramsden (lramsden@uulmca.org)in Northern California or Vivien Hao (vhao@uulmca.org) in Southern California, and we can help to connect you with other UUs who want to put our faith into action.

Help Us Track the Petitions
In order to track their activities and assess the size/funding of the proponents of this discriminatory amendment, we need you to be on the lookout for people gathering signatures and report back to the Equality for All Tip Line. (tips@equalityforall.com)

Here is what you can do:
1. Please ask what petitions people have when you see them. In many instances, the signature gatherers will have more than one. It is ok to ask them, “What petitions do you have?”
2. Please ask them if they are paid or volunteer- that’s also ok to ask.
3. Take samples of any literature they are offering.
4. Do not engage in debate! If the conversation feels tense, move on. If the petitioner is being aggressive towards you, move on. This information is helpful, but it’s not worth your safety.
5. Please report back. When you encounter signature gatherers, please email the date, time, location and paid/volunteer information to .

Donate to UULM Action Network
We need your financial support to help us put more volunteers in the field. Your generous contribution to UULM Action Network will enable us to organize a strong UU presence during this historic campaign. Whether or not you can show up in person, you can become a partner in the campaign if you donate now!

Oral Arguments at CA Supreme Court
UUs are on the forefront of faith communities championing freedom to marry in California. UULM-CA took the lead on the interfaith amicus brief on the same-sex marriage cases, scheduled for oral arguments March 4, 2008 at the State Supreme Court. We expect a decision from the high court 90 days later, in early June. If the the right to same-sex marriage is legally affirmed, it would be tragic for opponents to be able to overturn it in November by enshrining discrimination in our CA constitution.

UUs are joining a large and diverse coalition of groups in California, including communities of color, choice, faith and labor organizations to oppose this anti-LGBT constitutional amendment. Please join us in standing on the side of love. Please visit www.equalityforall.com for more information and volunteer today.

Thanks so much for your support!
Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Executive DirectorUULM Action Network