Although it’s only one of 50 states, California is commanding the attention of the nation as it anxiously waits to hear the fate of Proposition 8. By now, everyone knows that tomorrow is the “Day of Decision” (termed “D-day”) for Proposition 8. The California Supreme Court will announce their ruling on Tuesday, May 26th with one of the following three possible outcomes:

• Repeal Proposition 8 and legalize same-sex marriage in the state of California
• Uphold Proposition 8 while still upholding the 18,000 same-sex marriages that have already been performed.
• Uphold Proposition 8 and invalidate the 18,000 same-sex marriages that have already been performed.

Clearly we are only interested in one of those three options… and it’s not either of the last two!

Organizations on both sides of the fight have been mobilizing since the announcement came that Tuesday is to be the big day. Many protests/celebrations have been planned around the US and Canada, ready for the decision to go either way, and there’s a good chance there’s a rally in your area. Check out the link below to find information:

Day of Decision City Event Links

Regardless of the decision… I urge you to show your support. No matter who you are or where you’re from- this is an important issue and showing our solidarity as a community is what will show the world that we demand equality. The world needs to know that we stand together and with those who support us. Especially in California where opponents of gay marriage are threatening to initiate a statewide effort to recall any state Supreme Court justices who vote to overturn Proposition 8. The ACRU (American Civil Responsibilities Union) is being organized by Howard Garber of Orange County and is quoted saying:

“We believe homosexuality in all its manifestations is an unfortunate abnormality, however, we wish it understood that we fully support alternative civil unions between like sexes. As registered `domestic partnerships,’ they should have all the state rights and responsibilities that are assumed in traditional marriages.”

“It is again time to remind such biased, dictatorial, appointed justices who ignore the will of the people, here and nationally, that we citizens maintain our right to remove them from office if necessary via the recall.”

It’s sad to see people resorting to those kinds of tactics, though somewhat unsurprising. We need to show those who support us- gay or straight, and in positions of power or not, that we are there for them and support them in exactly the same way. Come out and show your support!

Soulforce has issued a national call for civil disobedience following the ruling. Soulforce is collaborating with individual organizers and groups, including Join the Impact. The call to action reads:

We are tired of defeat, token change, defending ourselves against charges of moral inferiority, and being told to “wait” in the land we love while liberation occurs in other countries. Martin Luther King, Jr. acknowledged that real change takes time; yet he also warned against the “tranquilizing drug of gradualism” and instructed the oppressed to demand equality now – not on the convenient time schedule of those doing the oppressing. The nonviolent legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Audre Lorde, Barbara Deming, Bayard Rustin, Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Oscar Romero and countless others is deeply rooted in United States and world history. It continues to play a vital role in undermining the power of repressive political regimes.