Dedicating Ourselves to Equality Through Community

EQUALITY CALIFORNIA

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Weekend, 2006

Dear Karen,

Your involvement last summer with Equality California's 12 Days of Equality campaign, in which tens of thousands of Californians took action in support of EQCA's marriage equality bill (AB 849, Leno, D-San Francisco), has encouraged us to launch the 12 Months of Equality campaign.

Each month in 2006, Equality California will highlight a value and ask you to join us in taking action that will help our efforts to add to our rights and protections.

Our focus for January is on COMMUNITY: the connections that unite us in our quest for full equality. These connections have resulted in accomplishments that would be nearly impossible if we each were working separately as individuals. And EQCA is committed to achieving results that benefit our entire community.

Take action in January by visiting http://www.eqca.org/chapters and joining your local chapter. Check out the activities in your community and help us create change at the grassroots level.

We also ask you to take a moment to read Field Director Molly McKay's essay "Our Tragic Loss" (to read the article, visit http://www.eqca.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=9oINKWMCF&b=40337&ct=1788859) about the recent death of Nathan Christoffersen, our young chapter leader from Madera County. Please make a contribution to a fund created in Nathan's name to help our efforts in that community. To help hire a field organizer in the central valley, please go to http://www.eqca.org/nathanfund.

As always, thank you for your continued support. We couldn't do this work without the many wonderful people from all the communities in our great state.

Warmly,

Geoffrey Kors
Executive Director
Equality California

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EQCA mourns the passing of
Nathan Christoffersen
1977-2005

Under tragic and disturbing circumstances, Nathan Christoffersen, a 28-year-old volunteer who ran EQCA's Madera County chapter, was found dead on December 15. For more about Nathan, and why his passing is so painful to so many people, please go to http://www.eqca.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=9oINKWMCF&b=40337&ct=1788859.

In his honor, Equality California has established a fund to create a field organizer position in the Central Valley. EQCA hopes to generate $15,000 in donations so that we can hire a staff person to continue the work so desperately needed in the Central Valley.

Please Make a Donation to the Nathan Christoffersen Memorial Fund Today. Go to http://www.eqca.org/nathanfund.


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Latest political news from eqca.org

BILLS SEEKING TO MAKE SCHOOLS SAFER FOR LEARNING, SUPPORT PRINCIPLES OF EQUALITY MOVE FORWARD
1-12-2006

Legislation Promotes a Healthier Learning Environment in California Schools; the Pete Knight Act, Named for a Foe of Equality, Fails in Committee Hearing

Sacramento, CA -- Two bills that would promote a safer and healthier environment in California schools advanced in the State Assembly on Wednesday, demonstrating a commitment by legislators in California to the principles of equality and fairness.

more... http://www.eqca.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=9oINKWMCF&b=40337&ct=1787297


ASSEMBLY PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE PASSES LEGISLATION TO REDUCE USE OF SO-CALLED "PANIC" STRATEGIES
1-11-2006

Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act, Named in Memory of a Slain Hate Crime Victim, Would Limit Tactic Based on Bias

Sacramento, CA -- The Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act (Lieber, D-San Jose) passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee by a 4-2 vote on Tuesday. This bill, sponsored by Equality California, would amend jury instructions to state that the use of societal bias, including so-called "panic strategies," to influence the proceedings of a criminal trial is inconsistent with the public policy of the State of California.

more... http://www.eqca.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=9oINKWMCF&b=40337&ct=1778073


BILL TO PROTECT LGBT PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA AGAINST NEGATIVE TACTICS IN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS PASSES ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE
1-10-2006

Yee Bill, Sponsored by Equality California, Was Vetoed by Governor in 2005

Sacramento -- A bill that seeks to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the voluntary pledge that candidates sign today passed the Assembly Elections and Reapportionment Committee by a 5-2 vote. Assembly Bill 1207 was introduced for a third time in the state Assembly by Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City) and sponsoring organization, Equality California.

more... http://www.eqca.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=9oINKWMCF&b=40337&ct=1778071

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Equality California http://www.eqca.org
Contributions to Equality California support EQCA's political work and are not tax deductible as charitable contributions under IRS-162(e).