(San Francisco, CA, July 29, 2008)—The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) today announced the launch of a new political action committee (PAC) to defeat Proposition 8, the marriage ban appearing on California’s November ballot. Through the No on 8 / NCLR Social Justice Fund, NCLR pledges to contribute significant dollars to the campaign to defeat Proposition 8.
“Proposition 8 seeks to deny LGBTQ couples the right to marry, but the stakes go far beyond that critical issue. If the initiative passes, it could be devastating—for every issue affecting the lives of LGBTQ people in California and the rest of the nation,” said NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell. “If our opposition succeeds in their efforts, they will not stop there. As they have done before, they will be back again and again, chipping away at the basic protections for LGBTQ people in this country that we have fought long and hard to win. With a win they will be revitalized and emboldened. That is why we are doing absolutely everything we can to defeat this initiative.”
Proponents of Proposition 8 are receiving substantial out-of-state support. To date, the Mississippi-based American Family Association has invested $500,000, and the Colorado Springs-headquartered Focus on the Family has contributed more than $400,000 to the campaign. The Knights of Columbus donated $250,000 into the campaign.
NCLR is a key member of the No on 8: Equality for All Campaign, which consists of more than 50 national and local organizations, including LGBTQ organizations, civil rights organizations, labor representatives, religious leaders, business leaders, and elected officials working to defeat Prop 8.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.