Task Force Action Fund Deeply Disappointed in Passage of California's Proposition 8

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund is deeply
saddened and disappointed by the passage of California's Proposition 8,
which will amend the state Constitution to eliminate the right to marry
for same-sex couples.

Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund

"This close vote is heartbreaking. Opponents of Prop. 8 - the
Equality for All coalition - built an impressive and unprecedented
campaign to defeat the measure. In the end, the scare tactics and lies
of the other side won out this time. Because of this unjust and
disappointing outcome, tens of thousands of loving, committed couples
and their families will now have to wait longer to be treated fairly
under the law. Eliminating fundamental rights is profoundly wrong,
plain and simple.

"With so many other bright spots and celebrations coming out of this
election - especially the history-changing election of President-elect
Barack Obama, which promises to be the most LGBT-friendly
administration ever - it is particularly painful to have this and the
other ballot measure losses in Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, and the
anti-LGBT measure in Hamtramck, Mich. The anger of many in our
community is intense and palpable but somehow we will all need to dig
deep and channel our anger and sadness into fulfilling the promise of
marriage equality across the country. We will get there.

"Despite this setback in California, we have seen an unprecedented
positive shift in public attitudes toward the freedom to marry in
California - from 38 percent in our favor during the 2000 vote to 48
percent this election. Public opinion is steadily moving in our favor,
and in time, with continued work and renewed investment, fairness and
equality will ultimately prevail.

"Indeed, millions of Californians voted against Prop. 8 and tens of
thousands of volunteers gave up their evenings and weekends to canvass
their communities or participate in No on 8 phone banks. From
grandparents to college students to everyone in-between, Californians
worked passionately and tirelessly for fairness. Prop. 8 passed as one
of the ugliest anti-gay campaigns in our nation's history. This era of
divisiveness must end. But the progress being made cannot be disputed,
and one day, in the not-too-distant future, we know that fairness will
win out.

"We are proud to have been part of Equality for All and salute all
of our partners for the incredible efforts and we thank the millions of
Californians who did stand for fairness and voted against Prop. 8."

Unprecedented campaign launched

In the effort to defeat Prop. 8, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) community came together like never before to build
an unprecedented campaign that changed hearts and minds of California
voters. In foreseeing this attack, Equality for All was launched almost
four years ago to defeat any possible anti-LGBT ballot measure against
the freedom to marry. Today, the organizational members of Equality for
All include the Task Force, Equality California, National Center for
Lesbian Rights, L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center, Human Rights Campaign, the
ACLU of Northern California, ACLU Gay and Lesbian Rights Project,
GLAAD, San Diego LGBT Community Center, Bienestar, the Office of David
Bohnett, API Equality and Planned Parenthood of California. Together,
the campaign has built the most robust volunteer-driven operation ever
in an LGBT initiative fight.

The field operation alone, under the leadership of Task Force staff,
had more than 85 organizers employed statewide, enlisted more than
49,500 volunteers and identified more than 130,000 new supporters of
the freedom to marry - which will benefit the ongoing fight for the
freedom to marry in California. This, combined with the millions of
Californians who cast their votes against eliminating the freedom to
marry, will prove invaluable as we continue to pursue the freedom to
marry in California.