AB 19 Update: ASSEMBLY FLOOR VOTE CONTINUES Today

EQUALITY CALIFORNIA

LIVE UPDATE: TODAY IS THE DAY TO PASS AB 19

Sacramento Capitol Building June 2, 2005
9:30 A.M. PST

First, I have to thank those of you who made calls yesterday to Assemblymembers that
are on the fence about AB 19. Many of them reported how your kind encouragement has
helped them, especially as anti-gay people call with threats and anger. Because of
your calls yesterday, many of these undecided legislators are now leaning towards
us. We NEED you to continue this positive support.

This battle has proven the commitment and leadership of Assemblymember Leno and
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez to stand with us, and Equality California's staff and
friends worked late into the night leaving no stones unturned. This is the team you
are part of; we couldn't do this without you.

We can win today, but only if you remain engaged in this fight. This vote will come
down to whether our friends in the legislature believe we care about being treated
with the same dignity and respect

This debate comes down to what legislators believe:

Assemblymember Dennis Mountjoy said yesterday, "They [LGBT people] want to be told,
they want our children to be told, that homosexuality is OK, that it's natural...I'm
here to tell you it's not OK, it's not natural, and I don't want our children taught
that."

While...

Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg said, "Unless you are willing to look me in the face
and say I am not a human being, just as you are, you have no right to deny me access
to marriage in this state or anywhere else."

Today is another day and another opportunity for our elected officials to do what is
right. Help us open their hearts to vote for equality!

Please contact the following legislators and encourage them to stand with Jackie
Goldberg, Mark Leno, and John Laird...three openly gay Assemblymembers who work
beside them everyday. We need these friends to stand up for us more than ever
before! This list is prioritized with the most important at the top.

Assemblymember Rudy Bermudez (D-Norwalk)
Told EQCA on a Candidate Questionnaire He Would Support Legislation to Allow
Same-Sex Couples to Marry in California
Call: 916-319-2056 capitol office/ 562-866-3391 district office

Assemblymember Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana)
Won his 2004 Primary by 400 votes with the strong backing of the LGBT Community
Call: 916-319-2069 capitol office/ 714-939-8469 district office

Assemblymember Gloria Negrete-McLeod (D-Ontario)
Has always voted for equality until now
Call: 916-319-2061 capitol office / 909-621-2783 district office

Assemblymember Jerome Horton (D-Inglewood)
Was the key vote in passing AB 25 which gave domestic partners key rights
Call: 916-319-2051 capitol office / 310-412-6400 district office

Assemblymember Ed Chavez (D-La Puente)
Understands the importance of equality, but is afraid we will not stand by him if he
supports us
Call: 916-319-2057 capitol office /626-961-8492 district office

Assemblymember Simon Salinas (D-Salinas)
Has been a strong friend of the LGBT community despite representing a tough district
Call: 916-319-2028 capitol office/ 831-759-8676 district office

As always, we will keep you updated throughout the day today.

Yours,
Steve Hansen
Associate Director of Legislative Affairs
Equality California

"Update from last night- obviously tomorrow refers to today"

...


And,
even more obviously,
it would be better to use definite words
like "Thursday"
or "Wednesday"
or "Friday" ---

instead of
relative terms
like Today
or Tomorrow;
which soon become obsolete.