On Thursday, Nov. 6, the No on Proposition 8 Campaign conceded that Proposition 8 had passed, stripping same-sex couples of their constitutional right to marry in the state of California. Please visit the campaign Website at http://www.noonprop8.com/ for the complete statement and other information. The campaign also has a MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/vowtovoteno.

On Sunday, Nov. 9, an estimated 5,000 people gathered at the West Steps of the California State Capitol for a rally and protest march, organized by an East Bay-based group, Californians Against Hate. Public officials including Sen. Mark Leno, Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, county Board of Education member Gretchen Bender and community leaders including former Assemblymember Dennis Mangers, Molly McKay of Equality California and Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center board member Alex Gonzalez participated. Christina Chavez, granddaughter of civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, led the march, which circled the Capitol grounds and later continued to the Tower Bridge.

Thank you to everyone who participated for your passion and determination and for your positive representation of the LGBT community as the eyes of the media--and the world--were upon us.

On the night following the election--Wednesday evening, Nov. 5--an estimated 1,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies gathered at the Center for a candlelight vigil and march in protest of the passage of this unfair and damaging measure.

Additional rallies and demonstrations, most organized by grassroots activists in local communities, have continued daily in Sacramento, throughouth California and the U.S. in opposition to Prop 8 and in support of equality for LGBT people. Please visit our Community Calendar for more information.

Center staff and campaign leadership urge all of you to consider the following guidelines for exercising your right to protest in a safe, lawful and effective manner.

•  Do not engage in or respond to hostile confrontations with Proposition 8 proponents. Just walk away. Please remember that in the perception of the larger community, you are the face of the LGBT civil rights movement. We know we are on the side of right in this endeavor. Don't tarnish the image of our community by violent actions or profanity. And, remember, cameras and/or the media are everywhere.
• Comply fully with the instructions of law enforcement officials and demonstration organizers. Their goal is to avoid injury, property damage or arrests of our demonstrators.
• Never walk alone, nor allow your friends to do so, when approaching or leaving a demonstration. (Or when leaving a bar or party late at night.) Be alert to your surroundings at all times, and use the buddy system to avoid becoming a target. Emotions are running high among our opponents as they are among our own. Please don't become a hate crime statistic.

Despite our shared sorrow, our community and our supporters waged a tremendously effective and unified campaign in which we can take great pride. The fight is not over, and the day is not far off when LGBT people will have full equality under the law.