A "campaign" to collect endorsements of the Marriage Declaration focusing on non-gay, mid-level civic leaders (doctors, lawyers, educators, clergy, union organizers, etc.) throughout California.
WHEN IS "GET ENGAGED"?
National Freedom to Marry Day, February 12, 2002 and throughout the year.
WHY "GET ENGAGED"?
To begin educating the public on the issues of marriage as they relate to LGBT couples.
To show that the marriage fight did not end with the passage of proposition 22.
To build a broad coalition of non-gay individuals and groups who support the freedom to marry for gays and lesbians, and to document that support.
To organize MECA and its chapters as well as other groups who are fighting for the freedom to marry in a common goal.
To engage our supporters in a specific, attainable, time-dependent goal.
To change public opinion.
WHO SHOULD "GET ENGAGED"?
Designed to both educate the public and organize MECA chapters, the "Get Engaged" campaign is open to anyone who is willing to go to work to end marriage discrimination.
By educating yourself about the marriage issue. Materials have been produced by MECA and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund and will be available by the start of the drive. This educational package contains the history of the marriage movement, its current status, talking points and arguments that will be useful to those who "Get Engaged."
Get a copy of the "Get Engaged" Action materials. Download in MS Word format or Adobe Acrobat™ format
The Marriage Declaration was created by MECA, Lambda, and other organizations as an important tool in the fight to end marriage discrimination. By opening a dialogue and educating community members about the freedom to marry, and by encouraging non-gay individuals and organizations to endorse the Marriage Declaration we create a powerful coalition of support. The Marriage Declaration states:
"Because marriage is a basic human right and an individual personal choice; Resolved, the state should not interfere with same-gender couples who choose to marry and share fully and equally in the rights, responsibilities, and commitment of civil marriage."
The Declaration has been signed by thousands of groups and individuals, including Coretta Scott King, Representative John Lewis, Dr. Joycelyn Elders, Madonna, the California Council of Churches, the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, the city council of Los Angeles, CA, National Organization for Women, and many others. For a complete list of signatories, please visit the endorsements section of our website.
Key Points to Remember:
The Declaration should be used to engage potential (especially non-gay) allies about the freedom to marry. This is an opportunity to tell people about the life experiences of same-sex couples and their families, and why they need access to the protections of civil marriage.
People you engage may not agree to sign on at first, but will have at least learned something. Approach them again after they've had some time to think about it, and they'll be much more likely to sign on. Many more people and organizations will be willing to offer their support than you may initially think - they're just waiting for you to ask.
Building a Plan for Community Education with the Marriage Declaration
Having gathered your chapter together, identify the organizations and individuals you will ask for endorsements.
Brainstorm about local community leaders, clergy, businesses, professional and community organizations (local Bar Association, Doctors, lodges, Democratic clubs, etc.,) labor activists, educators, and opinion leaders to approach - pick 20.
Identify who in your chapter is most suited to begin the process of coordinating the approach to each person or organization on your list.
Set a timeline. "We'll approach and secure endorsements from these 20 organizations in the next 4 weeks." Remember, we are trying to achieve a goal of 2500 endorsements statewide by May 15.
Do your homework to define the best approach. If you are approaching an organization or business, identify who within the organization is the appropriate person to talk to, and what is the best way to make contact. Is there an "LGBT concerns committee?" Have the organizations or individuals previously expressed support for LGBT equality? If so, how? What is the organization's policy on non-discrimination? Does it include sexual orientation? If you approach a non-profit organization or company does it have benefits for the same-sex partners of its employees?
Decide what you're going to say. Practice questions and answers, see "talking points" and other educational material in the packet and use other resources from MECA and Lambda Legal. Your best offense is knowledge. Be prepared to answer every possible question.
Meet with (or write to) the appropriate organizational representative. Consider the following: Applaud the organization (or individual) for any positive things it may have already done (non-discrimination policy including sexual orientation, for example).
Explain the importance of the freedom to marry, and all of the protections that civil marriage provides.
Tell personal stories - talk about how denial of access to these protections has harmed local families (or use examples from Lambda's "The Freedom to Marry is for Families" on the website). Give examples of other similar organizations that have endorsed the Marriage Declaration.
Formally ASK the organization or individual to endorse the Marriage Declaration - or to adopt a statement that includes the one-sentence Marriage Declaration. Request written confirmation.
Follow up by writing a letter reiterating your key talking points, thanking them for the meeting and, when appropriate, for their endorsement.
Maintain your list of endorsements so that you can call upon people later to express their support.
Report the results of your endorsements. Let us know about your progress. MECA will keep a running tally of endorsements on the website. Check the progress of your chapter and other chapters around the state.
A "campaign" to collect 