The Courage Campaign demands Nike to Drop Manny Pacquiao

The Courage Campaign is coming for Manny Pacquiao. They are calling for Nike to drop him.

This is what they have on their website:

In an interview published Tuesday, May 15th with the conservative Examiner newspaper, the world-famous boxer and Los Angeles resident quoted Leviticus, saying:

"If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."

Kids all over the world look up to Pacquiao as a role model. Nike earned a 100% rating in the 2012 Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index as a pro-LGBT company. Will they live up to it?

 To sign the petition, go here

The Stop SB 48 Campaign caught Again

More mess from the Stop 48 Campaign. They are really trying to gather enough signatures to put SB 48 (LGBT Education Bill) on the ballot. So, instead of doing it the right way, they're doing it the Christian way... Lying.

Again, mess!

Courage Campaign files a Formal Complaint against the Stop SB 48 Campaign's Mess

Once this video got out, LGBT activists got to working. Now the Courage Campaign is going full fledged against Stop SB 48 and their broke ass tactics.

Courage Campaign filed a formal complaint with the California Attorney General, District Attorney, and the Oceanside City Attorney on behalf of Max Disposti, who witnessed the events, requesting an investigation (and possible prosecution) into signature-gathering tactics used by Stop SB 48 volunteers. Alleging that SB 48 could expose children to sexual predators is simply unacceptable, and Stop SB 48 campaign and their volunteers should be held accountable. We’ll keep you informed as this proceeds.

Here more on the code:

California Elections Code, Section 18600:

Every person is guilty of a misdemeanor who:
(a) Circulating, as principal or agent, or having charge or control of the circulation of, or obtaining signatures to, any state or local initiative, referendum or recall petition, intentionally misrepresents or intentionally makes any false statement concerning the contents, purport or effect of the petition to any person who signs, or who desires to sign, or who is requested to sign, or who makes inquiries with reference to it, or to whom it is presented for his or her signature.

(b) Willfully and knowingly circulates, publishes, or exhibits any false statement or misrepresentation concerning the contents, purport or effect of any state or local initiative, referendum, or recall petition for the purpose of obtaining any signature to, or persuading or influencing any person to sign, that petition.

More to come of this issue. Also click "source" to sign the complaint.

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Brian Brown vs Rick Jacobs

WATCH Wonder Kid, Will Phillips speak at the "Big Commit" Rally in D.C.

NOM’s Brian Brown threatened to have a Courage Campaign videographer Arrested

WATCH Equality on Trial

Please watch Equality on Trial, a project launched by the Courage Campaign.

These are reenactments of the Prop 8 trial with celebs




More info is here

Day 2 of the Trial of the Century

Here's an update from the Courage Campaign

Well, that’s it for day two. The pattern looks pretty clear. Our side is saying that gays and lesbians have been harmed for a really long time, that there has been institutional discrimination, that they are a suspect class (meaning they should be covered by the equal protection clause). Our side is also showing that marriage will be strengthened by permitting loving same-sex couples access it, that society will be more stable with same-sex marriage and that there is no harm done at all by opening marriage to same-sex couples.

The Prop. 8 side wants to show that marriage has always (in the US) been a Christian institution between a man and a woman, that heterosexual marriage is really good for kids and that in fact homosexual marriage will “hurt” kids and will degrade the institution. Ultimately, they are trying to show that it will lead to less stability as people abandon the institution of marriage.

They are having a hard time with that because so far the evidence shows that by seeking access to marriage, groups previously excluded, such as slaves, interracial couples, certain classes of “foreigners” and in some cases women, have actually strengthened the institution by obtaining access.

Also check out the Today Show appearance of Paul T. Katami and his partner, Jeffrey J. Zarrillo.


More to come

Courage Campaign believes 2012 is the Right Time

The Courage Campaign has decided not to seek a 2010 overturn of Prop 8.

They, like so many, believe more support and research are needed to make this a successful campaign.

Here's the press release:

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Courage Campaign today called for more research and time to change hearts and minds before returning to the ballot to restore marriage for gay and lesbian couples in California. At least one initiative to restore same-sex marriage is currently circulating that, if it qualifies, would appear on the November, 2010 ballot.

The Courage Campaign, in partnership with Lambda Legal, has recently concluded the first phase of extensive and groundbreaking research about public beliefs and concerns about marriage and homosexuality.

It confirmed that attitudes are shifting steadily toward equal treatment of same-sex couples, and that conversations among family members and other close relationships inevitably speed the process.

The statement released today is concurrent with a Lambda Legal statement. “For months, we have laid out the criteria for moving forward. Like the Obama Campaign, we understand that we need a combination of powerful and clear research that informs an expertly run campaign, an unstoppable movement that harnesses the new energy we have seen since the passage of Prop. 8 and the connections through personal stories and outreach in order to win at the ballot box,” said Rick Jacobs, the Courage Campaign founder and Chair.

“We are taking the lessons learned from last year’s Prop. 8 campaign, the campaigns in Maine and other states to understand the fundamental work that must be done before moving forward in California. We also must come together as a community to create a broad coalition and governance structure, put in place a strong manager and secure the resources to win. Right now, the pieces are not all in place to do so confidently.”

The recently concluded research validated the lasting effect of the work already being done in the successful Camp Courage training program and by 44 Courage Equality Teams organizing across the state in 23 counties. These grassroots efforts are building support for marriage equality by training Californians to tap into their community’s resources to start a conversation and connect the movement for equality to their own lives and their own experiences, along with the broader progressive agenda.

Jacobs hailed the work being done in the field by grassroots activists, saying, “We must build our ultimate victory from the lessons of our recent disappointments,” continued Jacobs. “We know that we can change hearts and minds through real conversations with our friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. This takes time and has to be built to scale — so we can’t delay. When we go back to the ballot, we must be strong, clear and embracing.”

Last week, the Courage Campaign launched Courageous Conversations, a national effort to encourage the dialogue necessary to change hearts and minds. For more information and a map of pledged Courageous Conversations to date, click here: http://www.couragecampaign.org/CourageousConversations

I believe this is for the best. Polls show that folks want to wait until we are truly ready. However, Love, Honor and Cherish will still try to repeal Prop 8 by collecting a million signatures by the 3-4 month deadline... odds are not in their favor.

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WTF? What's REALLY going on with repeal of Prop 8

Great Hera!

The quest for Marriage Equality in Cali is... all over the place.

Should we wait 2 years? Should we do it now? It's not cute to be honest, and today just makes me completely lost on the issue.

Courage Campaign asks:

2010: Are you ready to commit?

To put marriage equality on the ballot next year, help us raise $100,000 by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 13

The only way we can get an initiative on the ballot to repeal Prop 8 in 2010 is if the marriage equality movement raises $200,000 as soon as possible.

That's how much money it will take to determine -- through research, polling and focus groups -- the most effective initiative language and messages that will move voters to support marriage equality.

We don't have much time. To meet the late September deadline recommended by the Secretary of State for filing an initiative for 2010, we have to raise it now. Or else we'll have to wait until 2012 at the earliest.

We are ready to do our part but we can't do it alone. That's why we are asking the Courage Campaign community to raise $100,000 by August 13. And we are challenging our partners in the marriage equality movement to raise the remaining $100,000 as soon as possible.

The power is in your hands. If you support going to the ballot in 2010, please contribute before Thursday at 11:59 p.m.:

That's a lot of money on a short notice. I need more details on this, because this rush sounds like Jimmy Swaggart begging for money to save him from Satan.

This just seems a little disorganized. Are we ready for a 2010 fight or do we need to gather a strong force on this for 2012?

Goddess, this is not cute at all!