Current Actions

Stand with Senator Barbara Boxer for women's health

Earlier this month, the House passed the Stupak Amendment to their health care reform bill, which would be one of the biggest setbacks to women’s health in recent decades — unless we stand together and stop it. Join us by signing the petition and help build pressure to remove the discriminatory, extreme, anti-choice Stupak Amendment from the final health care reform bill!

Tell Dianne Feinstein to open up the public option to everyone

Clear majorities of Americans want the choice of a public health insurance option. There’s just one catch: you might not be able to choose it for yourself. Please sign our letter asking Senator Feinstein to support legislation to let anyone buy into the public option.

Tell Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid to end abusive practices by health insurance companies

Every day, thousands of Americans do battle against health insurance companies that mislead and mistreat their customers. Congress has the power to stop this abuse. Please sign our letter demanding that Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Harry Reid use all of their resources and power to deliver strong health care reform legislation for President Obama to sign.

Thank Sen. Boxer and Sen. Feinstein for their support of the public option.

The battle for health care reform and the public option is about to reach a decisive stage. We must ensure that Senators Boxer and Feinstein continue their support of a strong public option. Sign the letter from the Courage Campaign urging them to take leadership in the Senate.

Camp Courage: Sign-up for the Sacramento training November 7-8

Inspired by the “Camp Obama” trainings that powered neighbor-to-neighbor organizing across America in 2008, Camp Courage is an intensive two-day training designed to teach the principles and skills of community organizing to activists working to restore marriage equality to California. Sign-up for the Sacramento training, November 7-8.

Listen to our Courage Campaign Conversation with Rev. Eric Lee

On Thursday, October 8, at 6 p.m. PT, the Courage Campaign will hosted Rev. Eric for a unique discussion about his struggle, his new book about Prop 8 and what it will take to overturn it. For those not able to participate in this call, you can now listen to the audio recording.

Invest in victory: Contribute to the Courage Campaign and help us repeal Prop 8

From our Camp Courage program that has trained more than 1,000 activists in grassroots organizing, to our new intensive Deputy Field Organizer program, to our 44 Equality Teams, we are building the foundation for victory. Invest in this victory today by making a contribution to support Courage.

Say No to Manchester: Join the Boycott

Doug Manchester, owner of the second-largest Hyatt hotel in the country — and the man who donated $125,000 in crucial early seed money to the Prop 8 campaign — has launched a cynical public relations campaign to divide the marriage equality and labor movements. That’s why the Courage Campaign and Equality California are teaming up to reject Manchester’s attempt to divide Californians. Will you join us?

Texbooks4Change: Support marriage equality by buying textbooks

After Prop 8 passed, a small group of amazing students decided to help build the movement for marriage equality one textbook at a time. So they launched “Textbooks4Change” to support the Courage Campaign’s Equality Program, giving students the opportunity to directly donate 6% of every textbook purchase to marriage equality. At no extra cost.

Urge your Congressmember to co-sponsor the Respect Marriage Act

Ask your Representative to co-sponsor the Respect Marriage Act, which would repeal DOMA as an important first step towards full equality. Remind them that we won’t stop until we reach full equality for all Americans.

Get lobbyists and legislators out of bed

Michael Duvall’s inappropriate sexual relationship with a lobbyist was enabled by a lack of accountability in Sacramento. We need to fix a broken and sick culture in the capital to ensure that our legislators represent us, and not get in bed with corporate lobbyists. Sign the petition from Courage Campaign and Common Cause demanding the legislature produce real lobbying reform.

Watch MoveOn and R.E.M.'s "We Can't Afford to Wait" and then tell your friends

Email this powerful video to your friends and share it on Facebook and Twitter. With the news that some in the White House are considering a “trigger“—a delay tactic designed to kill the public option—it’s more important than ever to get the word out that we simply can’t afford to wait for real reform. Send the video to your friends today.

Watch "Heat" and then sign the petition to save farmworkers' lives

Please watch “Heat” now and then sign our petition asking Jerry Brown, Tom Campbell, Gavin Newsom, Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman to promise to protect farmworkers’ lives and sign the California Employee Free Choice Act if they win the 2010 gubernatorial election.

Apply to be a Courage Campaign Deputy Field Organizer

We building a new program, Deputy Field Organizers, in our ongoing campaign to support the movement to repeal Prop 8 and restore marriage equality to California. Deputy Field Organizers should be prepared to volunteer 20 hours a week to the program, supporting existing Courage Campaign Equality Teams and acting as a representative for the Courage Campaign in their neighborhoods, when appropriate. If you are interested in this program, please apply now.

Go public, Sen. Feinstein: Urge her to carry on Sen. Kennedy's legacy on health care reform

The most significant tribute to Sen. Kennedy’s life will be the passage of universal health care reform, including a strong public option. Now is the time for Sen. Feinstein to make a strong public statement in favor of the public option. Sign the letter to Senator Feinstein asking her to publicly declare her support for the public option.

Story of Now: Courage Campaign Family Potlucks

Watch “Fearless” — a compelling video about our Equality Teams and then RSVP for a potluck near you. Join your local neighborhood Equality Teams and the Courage Campaign Equality Program staff at the “Story of Now: Courage Family Potluck” in your community.

Watch "Insurance Jive" and share it with your friends -- then call your Congressmember

It’s crucial that we keep up momentum for health care reform including a strong public option. “Insurance Jive” shows why it is the insurance companies who actually operate “death panels” — and shows why we must stand strong in support of the public option. Send this video to your friends and help spread a progressive message that shows why reform is so desperately needed.

You did it! We raised $135,998 to repeal Prop 8. Now donate to Maine's "No on 1" campaign

Courage Campaign members raised $77,905 in one day, beating our deadline by two days. You read that right — $77,905 in just 24 hours, for a grand total of $135,998 that we will immediately invest in research, polling and focus groups to repeal Prop 8. Now it’s time to keep this marriage equality momentum going — and to support our friends fighting the same battle for marriage rights across the country.

Stop Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's new line-item veto budget cuts

Contact Speaker Karen Bass and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and urge them to call legislators back into session to override the cuts.

Watch "California Closed" and then help stop the budget deal that prioritizes oil company profits over children's lives

The budget isn’t a done deal yet — the legislature has pledged to vote on the deal on Thursday. That means we have less than 48 hours to fix it by telling our legislators to pass a budget that protects children and the disabled by making oil companies pay their fair share in taxes. Tell California legislators to save lives and tax oil companies.

Listen to our Courage Campaign Conversation with Mayor Gavin Newsom

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom joined hundreds of Courage Campaign members for a unique discussion about the challenges that face California and how we can solve them. For those not able to participate in this call, you can now listen to the audio recording.

"Up in Smoke": Watch our new video and then call Governor Schwarzenegger

Tell Arnold not to balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable. Call Governor Schwarzenegger and tell him that while he may be fine, millions of Californians are not. He needs to be leading, not kicking back with a stogie in his jacuzzi.

Don't Hide: Help the Courage Campaign and Knights Out continue our work to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

To build a strong campaign to ensure nobody ever again faces a trial because of who they love, we need your support. Please consider making a contribution, of whatever amount you can afford, to the Courage Campaign and Knights Out so that we can continue to fight to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and allow soldiers like Lt. Choi to continue to serve their country.

Help Lt. Dan Choi keep fighting by signing this letter to Speaker Pelosi asking her to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Lt. Dan Choi is being fired from the military for refusing to lie about who he loves. Dan is not giving up and needs your help to keep on fighting. Please join Lt. Choi, the Courage Campaign, Knights Out and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in signing this letter to Speaker Pelosi.

Caught on camera: The absurdity of Arnoldbucks

As California’s economic crisis worsens, the last thing this state needs are IOUs instead of real economic stimulus and a budget. That’s why we decided to try something a bit unorthodox — raise awareness by using humor to highlight the absurdity of these IOU’s, or what we are calling “Arnoldbucks.” Watch the video, download your own Arnoldbucks, then tell us your ideas.

Sign our letter urging Senator Feinstein to stop underming President Obama and the "public option"

Why is Senator Feinstein undermining health care reform? Sign our letter urging her to support President Obama and the “public option”. Call on Senator Feinstein to support patients over profits and advocate for a strong “public option” — similar to Medicare — that will cover millions of Americans.

Tim Gunn: "Make it work" ... and have some fun restoring marriage equality to California

Watch this special message from Tim Gunn and then RSVP for a “Make it work!” event near you. Join local activists for fun events, potlucks, canvasses, phone banking and more.

Save lives. Stop the cuts. Call your legislators

It’s time to take a stand against the devastating cuts being proposed to California’s state budget — and call for the closure of $2.5 billion in corporate tax breaks negotiated into recent budget deals. Call your State Legislators right now and urge them to close these corporate tax loopholes, bring in new revenue and save our state’s social safety net.

We are fired up and ready to go back to the ballot. Are you? Make a monthly donation.

Are you fired up and ready to go? Now it’s time to build this movement so we can organize across every county in California. If you are in this for the long haul, please sign-up to make a recurring monthly donation to power the repeal of Prop 8 and support the Courage Campaign’s people-powered grassroots organizing work.

1 Million for Marriage Equality: Watch our new "Fidelity" TV ad and sign the pledge!

The California Supreme Court’s decision is extremely disappointing, but we don’t have time to mourn the court’s failure to restore marriage equality to California. It’s time to go on offense. To be fearless in our fight for equality. Starting right now. Please sign the pledge and forward “Fidelity” to your friends!

PROP 8 UPHELD: Be fearless in response -- Contribute now to air our new "Fidelity" TV ad across California

It’s time to go on offense. To be fearless in our fight for equality. Starting right now. In response to the decision, the Courage Campaign will hit the California airwaves with a 60-second TV ad version of “Fidelity”. Watch it now and — if you want more people to see it — make a contribution to put it on the air in Bakersfield, Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento and San Francisco.

Declaration of Democracy for a Majority Vote Budget: Are you with us?

The special election resolved nothing. California still faces a massive budget deficit. And, try as they might, our state legislators will likely fail to close the gap because the system in which they operate is inherently dysfunctional. Sign your name to support restoring democracy to California’s government.

President Obama: Don't Fire Lt. Dan Choi

Lt. Dan Choi, from Orange County, was discharged as a result of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The Courage Campaign and CREDO Mobile are joining his effort to secure equality in our armed forces. Click here to watch the video of Lt. Choi on Rachel Maddow’s show and sign our petition to President Obama to help Lt. Choi stay in the military and ensure that this discriminatory policy is finally ended.

Equality Star Search: RSVP and join an Equality Team near you

In the coming weeks, Courage Campaign Equality Teams throughout California will be competing in what we’re calling “Equality Star Search” — a statewide volunteer recruitment contest to find the stars in your community who will lead the next marriage equality campaign to victory. RSVP now for an “Equality Star Search” kickoff meeting and join an Equality Team in your local area.

Tell California House Judiciary Committee members to investigate Judge Bybee

The House Judiciary Committee is where an investigation into Judge Jay Bybee, author of one of President Bush’s notorious torture memos must begin. Six California Democrats are on that committee — they must take the lead in starting an official investigation into Judge Bybee. Please call the committee members right now and tell them to support an investigation into Judge Bybee.

Watch the "Gathering Storm" TV ad, then turn fear into hope

The “National Organization for Marriage” is responding to the amazing marriage equality victories in Iowa and Vermont with this national TV ad filled with fear about a same-sex marriage “storm” gathering across the country. It’s time to fight back right now against this deplorable ad.

The Courage Campaign community blew away the $25,000 matching grant from the Dolby Family. Now, let’s raise $100,000 so we can turn fear into hope by expanding our Camp Courage grassroots training events across California.

Tell Senator Feinstein to co-sponsor the Employee Free Choice Act

Senator Feinstein has refused to take a position on the bill — even though she co-sponsored it and voted for it in 2007. As large corporations and conservatives mount a campaign of misinformation and lies to discredit the Employee Free Choice Act, we need Senator Feinstein to declare whose side she is on – the side of working Americans facing economic peril and wanting to organize unions to rebuild the middle class, or the corporate bosses that want to exploit them? Please sign this letter to Senator Feinstein as soon as possible

Listen to our Courage Campaign Conversation with Attorney General Jerry Brown

Attorney General Jerry Brown joined hundreds of Courage Campaign members for a wide-ranging discussion of Prop 8 and the Supreme Court case. For those not able to participate in this call, you can now listen to the audio recording.

Keep your promise, President Obama: Allow same-sex partners of federal employees to receive health benefits

President Obama now has the opportunity to keep his promise and allow the federal government to provide health benefits to all same-sex partners and spouses of federal employees. Please sign on to this letter to President Obama as soon as possible.

Stop the insanity: Restore democracy to California

Watch the Rachel Maddow video and sign the pledge to repeal the 2/3rds rule to pass a budget. California is in crisis – and Republicans are using it as an opportunity to advance their radical right-wing agenda. The only way this madness will end is if we eliminate the 2/3rds rule.

The Phenomenon of "Fidelity": 1,000,000 views and 300,000 signers -- Will you help us reach 350,000 signers?

Opportunities to change the hearts and minds of Americans on same-sex marriage don’t come along very often. Based on the unprecedented reaction to “Fidelity,” we think this video is one of them. So far, between Vimeo and YouTube, “Fidelity” has over 1 million views and over 300,000 people have signed the letter to the state Supreme Court. Fuel the phenomenon of “Fidelity”: Watch the video. Sign the letter. Spread the word.

"Fidelity": Watch the video and sign our letter to the state Supreme Court

Regina Spektor’s song, in concert with your pictures, shines a beautiful light on the 18,000 couples that Ken Starr wants to forcibly divorce. Tell the Supreme Court to invalidate Prop 8, reject Ken Starr’s case, and let loving, committed couples marry. DEADLINE EXTENDED: March 2.

Camp Courage: Watch the videos, check out the pictures and sign up to attend a training in your community

We’re building a grassroots army for marriage equality. Camp Courage kicked it off in Los Angeles on January 25, attracting 221 participants to our first training in California. Click here to check out the local FOX TV news report of the event, a powerful speech given by Cleve Jones at the reception the night before, and a photo slideshow of both the reception and training. Then, let us know if you can attend the next Camp Courage in your area.

Camp Courage: Vote today for your California community

Because of the Courage Campaign community’s incredible financial support, we want you to help us decide where to schedule at least 3-5 more Camp Courage trainings across California, as we work to give thousands of activists the tools they need to repeal Prop 8. To make Camp Courage as member-driven and people-powered as possible, we want you to choose where you think we should train marriage equality activists in California.

The "Camp Courage" Challenge: Help us make the $25,000 match

Help us expand our grassroots trainings across California. We need your financial support to schedule Camp Courage trainings across California. Please donate $25, $250, $2,500 — or whatever you can afford — and Dr. Resnick and Dr. Cordell will match your contribution today, thus doubling your donation. DEADLINE: January 16.

Never Again: Demand civilian oversight of BART police

Assemblymember Tom Ammiano and Senator Leland Yee promised to introduce legislation requiring BART to create a civilian oversight board — like the boards that have improved accountability and police conduct in other communities. While this is a significant step in the right direction, we must ensure that the legislature passes a strong bill. Will you sign our letter thanking Ammiano and Yee for their legislation and demanding that the bill provide the strongest civilian oversight possible?

"Please don't divorce..." Courage Campaign Community Photo Project

It’s time to put a face to the “Yes on 8” campaign’s shameful legal proceedings. To put a face to the 18,000 couples facing forcible divorce. To put a face to marriage equality.

Please click through the photos in the slideshows and then submit your own photo, as an individual, a couple or in a group (perhaps with your family over the holidays).

Sign the invitation to Rick Warren to debate Prop 8 and same-sex marriage

While President-elect Obama has chosen to ignore the troubling beliefs of the man who will spiritually usher in his presidency, Californians can not ignore Rick Warren.

We’re asking you to give Pastor Warren a new invitation — a Courage Campaign invitation to a public debate on same-sex marriage with Reverend Eric Lee, President SCLC of Greater Los Angeles.

300,000 people and counting: Sign the pledge to repeal Prop 8 and restore marriage equality to California

This is our moment to stand strong together — gay and straight — and say that we refuse to accept a California where discrimination is enshrined in our state constitution. Please show your support by joining over 300,000 people who have pledged to support our campaign to repeal Prop 8 and restore marriage equality to California. Then forward the pledge on to your friends.

Sign the pledge to repeal the 2/3rds rule to pass a budget

This is our moment to stand up and demand a better California. Only we the people can provide the change Californians demand. Let’s fix our government and restore democracy to California. Please join your fellow Courage Campaign members in signing the pledge to repeal the 2/3rds rule. Then forward this link to your friends.

CPR for California - Rank Your Priorities

California’s government is broken. The legislature cannot properly budget the state’s finances. The initiative process has failed. The influence of a wealthy few trumps the voice of the average voter. Before we can tackle the economic and environmental problems that bedevil our state, we must fix the broken politics that produced those problems. Rank your three highest priorities to fix California’s government

Power the Repeal of Prop 8: Contribute now to help us launch a people-powered campaign

Will you put your financial power behind the repeal of Prop 8 today? President-elect Obama’s campaign empowered millions of Americans to engage their friends, family and neighbors in meaningful discussions about the future of our country, in every state in America. And, with your support, that’s exactly what we want to do for marriage equality in every county in California.

Listen to our Courage Campaign Conversation with Mark Leno and Eric Garcetti

On November 6, 2008, State Senator-elect Mark Leno and Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti joined hundreds of Courage Campaign members for a wide-ranging discussion in the aftermath of the election. For those not able to participate in this call, you can now listen to the audio recording.

Help lay the groundwork to repeal the 2/3rds budget voting requirement

Eliminating the 2/3rds requirement is a fundamental reform in any progressive campaign for changing California and we need to start working right now to lay the groundwork to repeal it. Can you use our tool to send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper right now and call for a return to a lower threshold for budget passage?

Stop Hurricane Grover. Terminate the 2/3rds requirement.

An economic hurricane slammed into California, brought to you by the California Republican Party. Everyone could see this Category 3 disaster looming, as our state’s budget gridlock intensified. Especially Grover Norquist, the man whose Washington power base and “No Tax Pledge” has drowned state governments in bathtubs across America. Enough is enough. It’s time to go on offense.

Listen to the Courage Campaign Conversation with Markos Moulitsas

Markos Moulitsas joined hundreds of Courage Campaign members for a wide-ranging discussion centered around his book “Taking on the System: Rules for Radical Change in a Digital Era”, as part of the Courage Campaign Conversation series. For those not able to participate in this call, you can now listen to the audio recording.

Listen to the Courage Campaign/CREDO Mobile Conversation with Chiang, Solis and Walker

Controller John Chiang, Rep. Hilda Solis and SEIU Local 1000 President Yvonne Walker joined the Courage Campaign and CREDO Mobile for a special conference call on August 5th about the Governor’s appalling wage cuts. For those not able to participate in this call, you can now listen to the audio recording.

Listen to our Courage Campaign Conversation with Jeremy Scahill

Author Jeremy Scahill joined Courage Campaign members on a conference call June 12 to discuss the base of operations Blackwater just opened up in San Diego and other issues relating to Blackwater. For those not able to participate in this call, you can now listen to the audio recording of the call.

Sign the letter to Terry McAuliffe asking him not appear at the AHIP convention

We were quite surprised when we learned that Terry McAuliffe was going to appear — with former Bush spokesperson Dan Bartlett — at a major convention of health insurance corporations in San Francisco on June 19. Ask Terry McAuliffe not to appear at — or take a speaking fee from — the AHIP convention.

Listen to our Courage Campaign Conversation with Senator Steinberg and Speaker Bass

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and soon-to-be Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg joined our members for a Courage Campaign Conversation conference call on May 27. For those not able to participate in this lively call, you can now listen to the audio recording of the call.

Respond to Al Gore's video on California's education budget cuts

Al Gore recorded a video for the Courage Campaign regarding the potentially devastating budget cuts to education in California. Please watch the video and record a webcam response or write your own text response to Al Gore.

Listen to our "Courage Campaign Conversation" with Arianna Huffington

Arianna Huffington joined our community for a Courage Campaign Conversation on May 14 to discuss her new book, “Right is Wrong”. For those who were not able to participate, the audio from the call is now available for streaming.