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Dear Friend,
This has been an incredibly difficult week for Californians who
are disappointed in the passage of Proposition 8, which takes
away the right to marry for same-sex couples in our state. We
feel a profound sense of disappointment in this defeat, but know
that in order to move forward we must continue to stand together
as one community in order to secure full equality in
California.
In working to defeat Prop 8, a profound coalition banded
together to fight for equality. Faith leaders, labor, teachers,
civil rights leaders and communities of color, Republicans,
Democrats, and Independents, public officials, local school
boards and city councils, parents, corporate law firms and bar
associations, businesses, and people from all walks of life
joined together to stand up against discrimination. We must
build on this coalition in order to achieve equal rights for all
Californians.
We achieve nothing if we isolate the people who did not stand
with us in this fight. We only further divide our state if we
attempt to blame people of faith, African American voters, rural
communities and others for this loss. We know people of all
faiths, races and backgrounds stand with us in our fight to end
discrimination, and will continue to do so. Now more than ever
it is critical that we work together and respect our differences
that make us a diverse and unique society. Only with that
understanding will we achieve justice and equality for all.

Dr. Delores A. Jacobs
CEO
Center Advocacy Project |

Lorri L. Jean
CEO
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center |
 Kate Kendell
Executive Director
National Center for Lesbian Rights |
 Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California |
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