Opinions

Fighting to preserve the freedom to marry in California

By Dan Hawes, Director, Organizing & Training
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund

These are truly historic times. Who would have thought that just over a month ago we would be seeing images of loving, committed, gay and lesbian couples getting married in California? It marks a true equality milestone that LGBT people are now able to marry in the Golden State.

But the right wing is poised to deny LGBT people this fundamental freedom. They successfully qualified an anti-LGBT initiative known as Proposition 8 for the November ballot. If it passes, it would change the constitution to deny the freedom to marry.

We know our opposition is well-organized and financed; they raised and spent nearly $2 million alone just to qualify Prop. 8 for the ballot. Meanwhile, a series of recent polls conducted by a variety of outside public opinion firms show that the election is too close to call.

The good news is that most Californians are fair-minded and feel that the freedom to marry is fundamental. Many are uncomfortable with the prospect of singling out gay and lesbian couples and treating them differently by denying the freedom to marry. But with just three-and-a-half months remaining before Election Day, more Californians still need to hear from us to vote decisively against Prop. 8.

The statewide campaign to defeat the initiative — No on 8, Equality for All — has already begun intensively reaching out to voters via the media and even through good old-fashioned person-to-person contact.

The Task Force has been playing a vital role in building a robust field program within Equality for All. Currently six Task Force organizers are working full time with the campaign, and Task Force Project Director Sarah Reece is serving as statewide field director.

Field’s focus is to organize volunteers to talk with and convince thousands of Californians to vote No on 8. We know from experience that having actual supporters talk with real voters person to person can be one of the most persuasive means to move the electorate.

Just look at the experience one of our organizers had when talking with a voter about Prop. 8: ’I talked with a woman who identified as conservative; she was both surprised and increasingly engaged as I moved forward in the conversation. She agreed with me every step of the way, but seemed surprised at herself more than anything. I could almost hear the wheels turning in her head over the phone line. At the end, she couldn’t give money but she signed up to volunteer,” says Task Force Senior Field Organizer Moof Mayeda.

In a state as big as California with 18 million registered voters, it will take a big team of supporters — bigger than has ever come out to volunteer for LGBT political causes — to make the difference. Some will be long time community veterans who’ve volunteered repeatedly, but most will be trying this work for the first time.

Says Task Force Senior Field Organizer Francesca de la Rosa, who was especially heartened with the response she received while recruiting volunteers at Dyke Day: ’I was nearing the end of my shift. I was hot and exhausted and I didn’t feel I could do one more ask. But as I was heading to join the rest of the team I saw an older woman sitting by the entrance under a huge umbrella. I took a deep breath and decided to go and talk to her. When I told her who I was and why I was talking to her the first thing she said was, ‘No one has ever asked me to get involved in anything before. No one has ever thought I could be a leader in anything.’ We had a 5-minute conversation. She signed up for a phone bank the following Tuesday. She is now a regular every Tuesday night. She brings her big umbrella every Tuesday, too.”

Task Force Senior Field Organizer Kathleen Campisano adds that many will also be volunteering despite their initial reluctance to talk with strangers about LGBT issues.

’At the Indigo girls concert we were recruiting volunteers. A woman and her partner wanted to help but were afraid to talk with people about this issue. I watched them talk each other into trying phone banks because they cared so much. It was an amazing commitment in their personal life to become political and out,” she says.

Luckily, there is strength in numbers. For every new volunteer that’s nervous to talk with a voter, there’s an experienced volunteer ready to give them the courage to try. And behind these volunteers is the coalition of national, state and local LGBT and allied groups that comprise Equality for All.

It’s a recognition that this historic moment is far bigger than any one person or organization — it will take all of us working together to win. That’s why you can make a difference right now by supporting the Task Force California Committee — No on 8 — sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force/Action Fund. Click here to find out how.