Misleading NYT ad on Prop 8 - fight back!

from the Human Rights Campaign

I opened The New York Times last Friday to find a full-page ad that is the ultimate demonstration of what our community is going to face moving forward.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty purchased the ad to blame supporters of equality for "violence and intimidation" directed towards the Mormon Church and its members in the aftermath of Prop. 8's passage. We all know these claims are, at the very least, exaggerations, and at worst, outright falsehoods.

We're going to see this as we work toward marriage equality and fight to enact federal hate crimes legislation: the other side can only win by telling lies about us.

It's time for us to stand up for the truth. Join members of the HRC Religion Council in forcefully responding to this despicable ad.

HRC has gathered the voices of clergy members from all faiths to respond to the false suggestion that there is an organized attempt to foment mob intimidation and violence toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in response to their support for Prop. 8.

When did the LDS Church become the victim?

This is the same church that conducted a national broadcast to every temple, calling on members to organize and write checks to the Prop. 8 campaign. The same church whose members donated more than half of the $40 million behind Prop. 8, even though California Mormons represent just 2 percent of the state's population. The same church that continues to spend exorbitant sums to mislead the public and attempt to transform its image. Yes, it's the same church.

Anti-LGBT groups have spread mistruths to defeat us and it's what they are going to keep doing. And I think we've all had enough of it.

Send your message to The New York Times – we'll also forward a copy to the Becket Fund to make sure they know we're fighting back against their lies.

We need look no further than the key victories we achieved during the elections to know that when we band together, we can win.

Next Steps: Fighting Prop 8

from Human Rights Campaign

Marriage Equality Fight Continues

The California Supreme Court announced that it would take up the lawsuit to overturn California's discriminatory Prop. 8. While we are awaiting the outcome of that lawsuit, HRC is addressing the root causes of the Election Day loss by making the case for equality with people of all faiths and backgrounds. That work includes:

• Participating in a broad gathering of faith leaders in LA next week to formulate a plan moving forward.


• Encouraging our California members to help organize or and participate in townhall meetings across the state in the coming months. Contact meeting organizers near you »


• Organizing LGBT people of faith to come out in their religious communities. Find out how you can participate »


• Getting our message out to living rooms across America with HRC President Joe Solmonese's appearance on "Dr. Phil" tomorrow. Get details on the show »


• Building on our Election Day successes, which have opened up new doors for marriage equality in key states, especially the Northeast.

Fight for Marriage Equality

The passage of discriminatory initiatives in California, Arizona and Florida has ignited the passion of thousands. You and thousands of others have already pledged to keep your anger and passion alive. Now ask everyone you know to join you in working for justice until equality is the law of the land.

take action »

URGENT: Marriage equality losing in CA

From Human Rights Campaign:

Marriage equality in California is now losing by 5 points, according to the latest poll numbers.

Until that poll, we were leading in California. What happened? Anti-LGBT groups are winning the fundraising battle by more than $10 million – and their vicious, untrue ads are everywhere.

Our lead has slipped, but victory is still within reach. We need to get on the air quickly to counter their lies and we need your help to do it.

Generous donors Tom Bombardier and John Fowler, along with the Human Rights Campaign, will double every online contribution TODAY, up to $120,000.

Donate now to the HRC California Marriage PAC – No on Proposition 8 and your gift for marriage equality will be DOUBLED.

Can you imagine a loving, committed, married couple watching their marriage rights evaporate against their will? I don't think there's any precedent for that in modern civilization.

Well, that's what could happen across California if Proposition 8 passes and the decision of the state Supreme Court is reversed.

Anti-LGBT forces are organizing and mobilizing furiously, raising money hand over fist, ginning up fear and resentment. Groups like Focus on the Family, members of the Mormon Church, and even the national Knights of Columbus have provided significant funding. And it appears their tactics are working – the recent polls show that California voters now favor the Amendment to ban marriage equality, 47 to 42 percent.

It's up to us to make sure the truth gets out, but we can only do that if we raise more money. Right now, their war chest is $10 million deeper than ours – and that gap is growing.

The Human Rights Campaign has been on the ground in California from the beginning of this fight, contributing time and resources, and we're not ready to give up now. In fact, we have already contributed more than $2 million to this fight. I'm guessing you aren't ready to give up either, NR.

For those of us deeply committed to equality and dignity for LGBT Americans, the time is now – especially now that generous donors Tom Bombardier and John Fowler and HRC will double your gift and make it go twice as far.

Will you stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us today? Every dollar you give right now will be DOUBLED and sent straight to California.

Wake up on November 5th knowing you did everything you could. We have equality, basic human decency and the truth on our side. Now we need you.