Find a local team near you by zooming in and clicking on a bear, which represents a local Equality Team. It will pop-up contact information and a link to join the group.
Lorrene and Michael Ritchie are a straight couple with three children Jenna, 17; Kyle, 14; and Nathan, 12. “We have always taught our children that ‘people are people’ no matter their sexual orientation, race, or religion,” says Michael. So last November the family enthusiastically placed a “No on 8” banner on their lawn, made a contribution to the campaign, and encouraged friends and family to do the same. When 8 passed it was a horrible shock. “How could have this happened?” Lorrene remembers thinking. “How can a state that is supposed to be “leading the nation” make a law that is discriminatory?”
The shock turned to anger and has prompted the Ritchie family to take action. Lorrene and Michael are now core committee members of the Alameda County Equality Team with full support from the Ritchie kids. “Our entire family attended the “Meet in the Middle” event (photo).” says Michael. “Working with our fellow team members – gay and straight – we are building the foundation of a grass roots campaign that will return equality of marriage rights to all citizens of California.” Just this past weekend, the Ritchie’s spent Saturday at a Union City festival asking folks to support marriage equality. Over 150 folks pledged to support a repeal of Proposition 8 and 22 people committed to work on the campaign!
“We were too young to fight the civil rights battle of the 60s, but we were inspired by that effort,” says Lorrene. “We shall overcome – one pledge at a time and encourage others in our fold of family and friends, neighbors and beyond to have the courage to do the same.”
Organized by volunteers county-by-county, Courage Campaign County Equality Teams are creating infrastructure to enable your community to engage in important long-term work -- recruiting an army of marriage equality activists, identifying undecided voters, organizing in your communities, and taking part in coordinated statewide events.
Young Democrats Meeting
Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 at 8:00pm
Individualized team t-shirts available in a range of styles and colors. All proceeds go to support your local team.
