Press Conferences to be Held on Gay Marriage Bill

Focus on the Family
Friday, 11 January 2002

Focus on the Family & Capitol Resource Institute Speak up for Traditional Marriage

Focus on the Family and Capitol Resource Institute, a pro-family organization based in Sacramento, will hold press conferences this week, asking Assembly Members to respect the will and values of California voters. AB 1338 will create civil unions, equal to traditional marriage, and according to the bill's author, will affect 1,500 state laws that currently apply only to heterosexual marriage. The Assembly plans to vote on the bill this month. In March of 2000, 61% of California voters supported Proposition 22, declaring that marriage should be exclusively between a man and a woman.

Saturday, January 12
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Outside Assemblyman Dean Florez's Office
1800 30th St., Bakersfield

Monday, January 14
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Outside Assemblyman Juan Vargas' Office
678 3rd Ave., Chula Vista

Tuesday, January 15
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Outside Assemblyman Lou Correa's Office
2323 N. Broadway, Santa Ana

Wednesday, January 16
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Outside Assemblywoman Gloria Negrete McLeod's Office
4959 Palo Verde St., Montclair

Thursday, January 17
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Outside Assemblyman Dario Frommer's Office
111 E. Broadway, Glendale

Friday, January 18
12:00-12:30 p.m.
Salazar Park, Whittier Blvd., one block east of Indiana

"We are outraged that the Legislature has so easily dismissed our deeply held convictions," said Karen Holgate, Director of Policy for Capitol Resource Institute. "Just two years ago, almost every county in California voted to define marriage as between one man and one woman and yet, they have ignored our choice in order to push their own agenda."

"Pro-gay demands have gone far beyond the 'live and let live' mantra," said Holgate. "Californians are now being asked to legally recognize that which they clearly have rejected. Moreover, this bill offers no authentic religious exemptions and every church, synagogue and religious organization will be forced to offer homosexual couples all of the same benefits that they currently extend to married couples."

Polls show that California's Hispanic population is especially opposed to this legislation. "The State Legislature is ready to override the wishes of 70% of California's Hispanic voters," said James Oviedo, Director of Enfoque a la Familia, Focus on the Family's Hispanic outreach. "What arrogance to ignore the will and values of Hispanics that these lawmakers claim to represent! We are holding press conferences to give the Hispanic community an opportunity to send a message to their Assembly Members, asking them to protect Hispanics' vote and values."

Holgate added, "We call on our elected officials to vote against this egregious measure and get back to the job of representing and serving the people of California. What happens here in California will set a precedent, influencing the definition of marriage in other states across the nation. Every American who cares about his or her religious freedom and the sacred institution of marriage ought to be concerned."

For more information, or to contact Focus on the Family, see their website at: www.family.org