From: Laftmc@aol.com Date: Sat, 8 Jun 1996 23:36:46 -0400 Subject: Letter Writing Campaign to Defeat Anti Same-Gender Marriage Bills! FM: L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the L.A. Freedom to Marry Coalition DATE: 6/8/96 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------- PLEASE CROSS-POST AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN TO DEFEAT ANTI SAME-GENDER MARRIAGE BILLS DON'T LET THE RADICAL RIGHT TURN THE TIDE IN CALIFORNIA While much of the right-wing's extremist agenda was turned back in Sacramento this session, AB 1982, the anti-gay marriage bill still looms on the horizon, with a hearing likely in mid-June. California has historically said "No" to anti-gay bigotry. Official state policy now guarantees gay and lesbian Californians protection from unfair discrimination in housing and employment, and permits lesbian and gay adoptions. But never missing an opportunity to press their anti-lesbian and gay agenda, right-wing extremists have set their sights on passing an unprecedented, unconstitutional anti-marriage law. If they have their way, for the first time ever in California our state would deny recognition to valid out-of-state marriages -- if the loving couple is lesbian or gay. This is the opening salvo of their campaign to turn back the progress we have made and instead to re-criminalize sodomy, suppress AIDS education, and impose their reactionary personal and religious views on the rest of us. Lou Sheldon, Focus on the Family, and other anti-gay and lesbian forces have made AB 1982 their top priority! Here's What Must Be Done Right Now to Defeat Them! CALL AND SEND LETTERS OPPOSING AB 1982 TO THE FOLLOWING: Sen. Jack O'Connell (D-Ventura), Rm. 2187, (916) 327-8315 (E-Mail: Senator.OConnell@sen.ca.gov) Sen. Charles Calderon (D-Whittier), Rm.4039, (916) 327-8315 Sen. Hilda Solis (D-Los Angeles), Rm. 4090, (916) 445-1418 Sen. Nicholas Petris (D-Oakland), Rm. 5080, (916) 445-6577 Senator ______________ State Capitol, Rm.______ Sacramento, CA 95814 Short, personal handwritten letters are the most effective. ****************************************************************************** ** UNPRECEDENTED FEDERAL ATTACK ON GAY AND LESBIAN AMERICANS!! In a malicious act of political pandering, Senator Dole and others have taken the unprecedented and unconstitutional step of introducing federal anti-same gender marriage legislation with bills H.R. 3396 and S. 1740. Though the Hawaiian Supreme Court is not expected to rule on same-gender marriage rights for at least a year, these legislators have dispensed with the Constitution and the most basic principles of our democracy in order to score election-year points with political religious extremists. Our country's history and Constitution make clear that marriage is and always has been a quintessential state right. This legislation is a radical federal intrusion on a fundamental state issue. It sacrifices the rights of gay and lesbian Americans and the federal-state balance crucial to American democracy -- all for a few cheap votes. These bills are unconstitutional; their sponsors, unconscionable. WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMEMBER AND SENATORS EXPRESSING YOUR STRONG OPPOSITION TO H.R. 3396 AND S.1740! URGE THEM TO TAKE LEADERSHIP IN DEFEATING THIS MEAN-SPIRITED, DIVISIVE, AND UNPRECEDENTED FEDERAL LEGISLATION!!! In California: The Honorable Dianne Feinstein U.S.Senate Washington, DC 20510 E-Mail: senator@feinstein.senate.gov The Honorable Barbara Boxer U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 E-Mail: senator:boxer.senate.gov For your congressmember's address, call your county clerk's office. In L.A, the County Clerk's Office: (310) 462-2748 (Alternatively, you can use and abuse the right wing's 800 toll free line to reach our federal legislators. The toll free number is: (800) 972-3524 When you call, just say you want to reach your representative (Congressmember or Senator), give their name and they will connect you.) For more information, please call the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Public Policy Dept. at (213) 860-7350 .