Subject: Letter Writing Campaign to Defeat Anti Same-Gender Marriage Bills!
From: [email-masked]
Date: Sat, 8 Jun 1996 23:36:46 -0400

FM:  L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the L.A. Freedom to Marry Coalition
DATE:  6/8/96
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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:  [email-masked])
     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.

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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:  [email-masked]                   

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 .