Friday, May 22, 2009

California State Supreme Court will file its decision regarding Proposition 8 on May 26

ATTENTION MARIN COUNTY: Regardless of which way the decision goes, there will be a gathering in the outdoor patio at Panama Hotel, 4 Bayview Street, San Rafael on Tuesday night, 5:30 - 7:00 PM. If you're not heading in to the City, stop on by and join us. No-host bar and food.

Regardless of the decision, a series of actions will be occurring throughout the state (as well as the country) on Monday night and all day Tuesday. The following information was taken from the San Francisco Community Center's action email. For details on other actions throughout the state and country, visit www.dayofdecision.com.

Events and Actions

EVE of Decision Day
Prayer Service: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Grace Cathedral
100 California Street San Francisco

The night before the announcement of the California Supreme Court’s decision, the Bay Area community is invited to attend an evening of songs and meditation that will center our hearts on peace, healing and understanding. Sponsored by The Bay Area Coalition for Welcoming Congregations, California Faith for Equality, and Equality California*.

Day of Decision
Service/Blessing on Decision Day: 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
St. Francis Lutheran Church
152 Church St. San Francisco, across from Castro Safeway

The morning of the decision, Bay Area community members are invited to hear encouraging music and words from community leaders, testimonies from married couples and blessings for those who will be participating in protests or rallies. There will be a march from the church, stopping at the Center and continuing onto Civic Center Plaza. Sponsored by The Bay Area Coalition for Welcoming Congregations, California Faith for Equality, and Equality California*.

March to Civic Center Plaza: 9:15 a.m.

Meet at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center
1800 Market Street @ Octavia
www.sfcenter.org
415.865.5649

On the day of the decision, join fellow Bay Area community members at the Center to march to Civic Center Plaza in unity and preparation for the verdict.

Alternatively, prior to 10:00 a.m., on the Court’s steps (350 McAllister St) you are invited to stand in unity to receive the ruling.

Press Conference covering the California Supreme Court’s Decision

10:30 a.m.
South Light Court, San Francisco City Hall
http://www.nclrights.org/ and http://www.sfgov.org/

Attorneys, joined by religious and civil rights leaders, will discuss the impact of the court’s decision and the next steps moving forward.

Representatives Include:
  • S.F. City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Therese Stewart, San Francisco Chief Deputy City Attorney
  • Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights and Shannon Minter, Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
  • Elizabeth Gill, Staff Attorney, ACLU LGBT & AIDS Project
  • Eva Paterson, President, Equal Justice Society, AMICI
  • Raymond C. Marshall of Bingham McCutchen on behalf of civil rights groups the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, the California State Conference of the NAACP, Equal Justice Society, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc., amici
  • Geoff Kors, Executive Director and Andrea Shorter, Coalition Coordinator, Equality California
  • Tawal Panyacosit, Director, API Equality
  • Rev. Rick Schlosser, Executive Director, California Council of Churches, amici
  • Same-sex couples
Alternatively at 10:30 a.m., (if the marriage ban is upheld): Circle of Care at Civic Center Plaza, a group of Bay Area clergy and congregants, will engage in nonviolent civil disobedience immediately after receiving the ruling. Visit http://www.onestruggleonefight.org/ for more information.

Evening Rally, March and Gathering
Across the nation several communities will hold gatherings on the day of the decision for us to peacefully share our emotions with one another, show our continuing support for marriage equality and prepare to take the necessary steps to move forward. Emceed by Stuart Gaffney, John Lewis, Lawrence Ellis, Molly McKay and Davina Kotulski.

Rally:
Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location: San Francisco City Hall

March:
Time: 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM
Location: City Hall to End at MLK memorial in Yerba Buena Gardens

Community Gathering:
6:45 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: MLK memorial in Yerba Buena Gardens

Saturday May 30th
Meet in the Middle 4 Equality: 1:00 p.m., Fresno

Meet in the Middle 4 Equality calls for an effort to knit a community that cries for FULL Access, Equality & Justice 4 ALL. Regardless of the decision meet on the steps of City Hall in downtown Fresno at 1pm. Busses leave from the San Francisco LGBT Community Center to Fresno at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. To RSVP for a seat on the bus, and for more information, visit http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com/.


Sunday May 31st
The weekend following the court decision, clergy and worship leaders are encouraged to address the theological, social and emotional effects of the court decision during their worship service. A liturgy will be provided for congregations to use during their worship time. Sponsored by The Bay Area Coalition for Welcoming Congregations, California Faith for Equality, and Equality California*


*The coalition of co-sponsors also includes Jewish Mosaic, California Council of Churches, Progressive Jewish Alliance, Freedom in Christ Church of San Francisco, Metropolitan Community Church, The Fellowship, Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California, Glide Memorial Church, Marriage Equality USA, and the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies at the Pacific School of Religion.