Written by:
Jaime Roca
» Order
this Issue of Curve:
Vol. 17#1
Still dreaming of the day you both could have a recognized marriage? Why not let everyone know on February 14? Nationally recognized LGBT civil rights activist Marina Gatto has organized a political rally to bring together a number of non-profit organizations, community members, and public officials at the San Mateo County Office Building. The 18-year-old activist hopes that the rally will encourage the California Assembly and Senate to once again pass the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, according to nonprofit Equality California.
This year’s National Freedom to Marry Day and Marriage Equality Day events include statewide counter-demonstrations, which asks gay couples to request a marriage license. When, inevitably, they are turned down, couples are to demand equal rights of their county clerk. Counter-demonstrations are planned at over 20 county clerk offices, in addition to statewide educational forums, benefits, and celebrations to support same-sex marriage.
The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, or AB 43, if passed, would make same-sex marriage legal in California. Authored by assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, AB 43 will need assembly and senate vote. If successful, the bill then will need Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s approval. AB 43 is expected to arrive to the Assembly Appropriations Committee in March.
“Marriage is the universally recognized term for two people in relationships,” Geoff Kors, executive director of EQCA says. “When you’re married, your relationship is recognized. People in domestic partnerships and civil unions, they’re only recognized in the state, where marriage is recognized everywhere.”
There are “over 1000 rights and benefits that they can’t receive,” adds Kors, about the issues that arise when same-sex couples are denied marriage.
Kors says that same-sex couples under domestic partnerships and civil unions do not receive SSI benefits, which matter when a spouse dies, partners are taxed for insurance, and for bi-national couples, one partner can’t sponsor the other for immigration.
Molly McKay, spokesperson for Marriage Equality USA, a non-profit organization, says about the critical timing of marriage equality in California. “We are almost at the tipping point. [We’re] showing that it is not just in a big city, it’s in the smallest towns. It’s an opportunity to tell their stories.”
San Mateo County Valentines Rally
9 – 10 am
County Office Building, Redwood City
For more information on National Freedom to Marry Day and Marriage Equality Day demonstrations and events, visit www.ecqa.org, www.marriageequality.org and www.freedomtomarry.org
Alameda County Noon-1:00 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 1221 Oak Street, Room 249, Oakland, CA 94612
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact persons: Moe Perez and Ryan James : ca-alameda@marriageequality.org or 510-387-9398.
Contra Costa County 2:00-3:00 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 823 Marina Vista, Martinez, CA 94553
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact persons: Pamela Brown and Shauna Rajkowski at ca-policy@marriageequality.org or 510-384-3655.
Fresno County 2:30-3:30 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 2221 Kern Street, Fresno, CA 93722
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to ca-fresno@marriageequality.org or contact chapter leader Jason Scott at 559-307-0807.
Humboldt County 12:00 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 825 5th Street, Room 108, Eureka, CA 95501
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to MEUSA leaders Jamila Tharp and Michele Hastings at ca-humboldt@marriageequality.org or 707-445-3435.
Lake County 12:00 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 220 South Lassen Street, Susanville, CA 96130
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leaders Laura Lamonico ca-lake@marriageequality.org or (707)367-1557.
Los Angeles County 10:00 – 11:00 am
Beverly Hills Courthouse, 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Join Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, the Los Angeles lead couple in the upcoming CA Supreme Court Marriage Case, and their attorney, Gloria Allred. Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Robin Tyler at robintyler@aol.com or (818)893-4075.
Marin County 8:45-9:45 am
County Clerk’s Office, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 247, San Rafael, CA 94913
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Spectrum LGBT Center and Love Savers member Paula Pilecki at pilecki@spectrummaring.org or 415-457-1115 ext 209.
Mendocino County 12:00 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 501 Low Gap Road, Ukiah, CA 95482
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leaders Theresa and Jennifer Sookne-Mizell at ca-mendocino@marriageequality.org or 707-354-4219.
Nevada County 2:15 pm
The Rood Center, 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City, CA 95959
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leader Christine Allen at nevada@marriageequalityca.org or (530)575-6195.
Orange County 10:00 am
County Clerk’s Office, 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Room 201, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Stephanie Wells at slwells2@verizon.net or 562-481-2140.
Sacramento County 12:00 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 600 8th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leaders Lisa Twardosz and Kinna Patel Crocker at casacramento@marriageequality.org or 916-284-3680 or 916-284-3680.
San Diego County 10:00-11:00 am
County Clerk’s Office, 1600 Pacific Highway #103, San Diego, CA 92101
Couples asking for licenses include Jamie Leno Zimron, Assemblymember Mark Leno’s sister and her fiancée Jennifer Schumaker. Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact person: Fernando Lopez at fzljr@cox.net or 619-861-7939.
San Francisco County 10:30 am
County Clerk-Office, City Hall, Suite 168, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local MEUSA leaders Stuart Gaffney and John Lewis at stuartjohn@marriageequality.org or 415-386-6710.
San Joaquin County 3:30-4:30 pm
Pacific State Bank Building, 6 South El Dorado Street, Second Floor, Stockton, CA 95202
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leaders Judy Deane, Stormie Filpula, & Martina Virrey at ca-sanjoaquin@marriageequality.org or (209)518-9102.
San Luis Obispo County 12:00 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 1144 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact person: David Kilburn at dkilburn@charter.net or (805)440-6487.
San Mateo County 9:00-10:00 am
County Clerk’s Office, 555 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063
Description: Bay Area kick-off rally with Marina Gatto, Senator Leland Yee, County Clerk Warren Slocum and other elected officials. Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact persons: Marina and Ramona Gatto and Arzu Akus at marina@marriageequality.org or 650-740-1475.
Santa Clara County 6:30-8:00 pm
Santa Clara County Government Building, 70 West Hedding, San Jose
Attendees and their guests will enjoy a welcoming reception, a multi-faith commitment ceremony, marriage equality update and optional domestic partnership registration with a licensed notory, photographer and a celebratory cake. The Purpose of this symbolic event is to draw attention to the many same-sex couples in the Silicon Valley who would like to have their relationships equally recognized by the state and federal government.
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to Billy deFrank Center’s Executive Director Aejaie Sellers at ed@defrank.org or call (408) 293-2429.
Cruz County Noon-1:00 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 701 Ocean Street, Room 230, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to MEUSA Youth Director Matt Palm ca-youth@marriageequality.org or (858)472-5439.
Solano County 3:30-4:00 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 675 Texas Street, Suite 1900, Fairfield, CA 94533
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leaders Jeff and David Janis-Kitzmiller at ca-solano@marriageequality.org or 707-428-6684.
Stanislaus County Noon-1:00 pm
County Clerk’s Office, 1021 I Street, Suite 101, Modesto, CA 95354
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to chapter leaders Beth Holden and Cynthia Soto at ca-stanislaus@marriageequality.org or (209) 575-2771.
Yolo County Noon-1:00 pm
County Clerk-Recorder, 625 Court Street, Room 105, Woodland, CA 95695
Please direct all questions and press inquiries to local contact persons: Ellen Pontac at ep@dcn.org and Shelly Bailes at shelly@dcn.org or 530-753-8283.
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