Same-sex couples in California continue to be denied the dignity, benefits and responsibilities of marriage with the governor's veto on Friday of legislation that would have given all committed couples the option to marry. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday vetoed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (AB 43), authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, and sponsored by Equality California.

Once again, the Governor has gone against the decision of the California legislature and the opportunity to provide Californians with marriage equality through his veto.

Marriage Equality USA is hosting a series of rallies across the state on Monday evening to express community disappointment in his decision, to provide some civil rights education and to show our courage and continued determination in winning the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. Below are the currently planned rallies, if you and/or your organization can participate in one of these events...please contact the local leader if you are willing to publicly speak out as someone with an LGBT parent and as a member of COLAGE.

Definitely let COLAGE know if you want support in developing a speech or send us photos after the event. Children, youth and adults with LGBT parents will continue to speak out against politicians like the Governor who do not agree that our families deserve equal validation and rights under state law.

SCHEDULED RALLIES FOR TONIGHT:
Bakersfield: Rally at 5pm at The Liberty Bell (corner of Truxton and Chester).
Contact Whitney Weddell, MEUSA Kern County Chapter Leader, 661-204-3180 or
ca-kern@marriageequality.org.

Downtown Modesto: Rally at 4pm at the corner of 10th and J Street.
Contact Beth Holden, MEUSA Stan islaus County Co-Chapter Leader, 209-576-5207 or
ca-stanislaus@marriagequality.org.

Porterville: Rally at 5:30pm on the corner of Henderson and Porter (in front of the Save Mart shopping center).
Contact Jamie at glasshouse@clearwire.net

Lakeport: Rally at 4pm at the corner of Main and Third Street.
Contact Laurie Billig, MEUSA Lake County Chapter Leader, 707-891-3385 or
ca-lake@marriageequality.org

Sacramento: Rally at 5:30pm at the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center, 1927 L Street.
Contact Kinna Crocker, MEUSA Sacramento County Co-Chapter Leader, 916-736-1868 or
ca-sacramento@marriageequality.org

San Francisco: Rally at 5:30pm at Harvey Milk Plaza (corner of Market and Castro).
Contact Pamela Brown, MEUSA Policy Director, 510-384-3655 or
policydirector@marriageequality.org

Stockton: Rally at 6pm on the East side of Caldwell Park, 3215 Pacific Avenue, behind S-Mart on the corner of Alpine.
Contact Martina Virrey, MEUSA San Joaquin County Co-Chapter Leader, 209-518-9102 or
ca-sanjoaquin@marriageequality.org

Ukiah: Rally at 5:30pm in front of the courthouse at Perkins and State Street.
Contact Jody Johnston, MEUSA Mendocino County Co-Chapter Leader, 707-489-6082 or
ca-mendocino@marriageequality.org