From: Astacaan@aol.com Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 20:12:21 -0400 (EDT) Subject: CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS - URGENT ACTION ALERT! PLEASE POST/DISTRIBUTE! L.A GAY & LESBIAN CENTER URGENT ACTION ALERT! California Legislations Our sincerest appreciation to all of you who have been responding to the various action alerts we have sent out. Your letters, e-mails, and phone calls had a great impact in getting most of the legislations through the various committees as well as defeating a few anti-gay ones. Below you will find the latest legislative update. Marriage: The two bills introduced this year, Senate Bill (SB) 911 and Assembl y Bill (AB) 800, failed to pass out of their respective Judiciary Committees. These bills would have prohibited California from recognizing same-gender marriages performed legally from other states, in anticipation of the pending Hawai'i case. In other matters, the following bills will be voted on by the full California State Assembly in the next two weeks. Please send LETTERS OF SUPPORT to your Assemblymember. Adoption: AB 53, introduced by Assemblymember Kevin Murray, would allow unmarried couples, including gay and lesbian couples, to adopt children. Domestic Partnership: AB 54, introduced by Assemblymember Kevin Murray, would create a statewide domestic partnership registry and would provide hospital visitation, conservatorship and inheritance rights. Equal Protection in Public Schools/Colleges/Universities: AB 101, introduced by Assemblymember Sheila Kuehl, would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in public schools, community colleges, CSU and UC system. Employment and Housing Nondiscrimination: AB 257, introduced by Assemblymember Antonio Villaraigosa, would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment and housing accommodations. Domestic Partnership Health Care Benefits: AB 1059, introduced by Assemblymember Carole Migden, would require health care insurers, i.e., HIPC, to offer employers purchasing group insurance, coverage for domestic partners at the same price as for married couples. Short, personal handwritten letters should be sent to: The Honorable (Your Assemblymember's Name ) California State Assembly Sacramento, CA 95814 To find out your assemblymember, please call your local county clerk's office or visit the Assembly's Internet website at http://ais.assembly.ca.gov. If possible, please send us a copy of your letter. Thank you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------- L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Policy & Public Affairs Dept. 406 McDonald/Wright Bldg. 1625 N. Schrader Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028-6213 Phone: 213-860-7350 Fax: 213-860-7369 E-Mail: Gaylesbla@aol.com