FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 15, 2005

Contact:  Steve Hansen, Associate Director for Legislative Affairs
Phone:  (916)  501-0525     Email:  steve@eqca.org

RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE IN SACRAMENTO TO SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY

Sacramento, CA – Equality California, the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, will be hosting a news conference at the steps of the Library and Courts Building in Sacramento on Monday, April 18 at 10:30 A.M.  Clergy and faith leaders from various denominations will be present to discuss the importance of equal marriage rights for LGBT families. 

The day will also offer an opportunity for religious leaders to discuss and meet with elected officials to support equal marriage rights for LGBT Californians.  Equality California-sponsored Assembly Bill 19: the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, authored by Assemblymember Mark Leno, will be heard on Tuesday, April 26, and this news conference is an opportunity to break the stereotype that people of faith are opposed to equality rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Californians.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHEN:    Monday, April 18, 2005 at 10:30 A.M.

WHERE:   915 Capitol Mall, Steps of the Library and Courts Building, Sacramento, California

WHAT:     Religious leaders convene to discuss equal marriage rights for LGBT families

Founded in 1998, Equality California is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots-based, statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to ensure the dignity, safety, equality and civil rights of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians. Equality California is one of the largest and fastest growing statewide LGBT organizations in the country. We can be contacted through our website at www.eqca.org.