We've Lost 230,754 Pounds!
Obama Commits to 80% Carbon Reduction by 2050
Same-Sex Advocacy Film Available
Challenges to Proposition 8
UUs for Marriage Equality - Photo Gallery
Blaming Black Voters for Prop 8 Loss is Wrong
Video: To Have and to Hold
CA Supreme Court Affirms Freedom to Marry

We've Lost 230,754 Pounds!

The numbers are beginning to come in from the UU Low Carbon Challenge! Five churches have turned in their data so far. Some contributed very large reductions, others smaller, but every pound lost is significant. We're almost a quarter of the way to our goal of one million pounds of carbon emissions reductions by Earth Day 2009!

If your UU community has completed one or more "Carbon Rings," but you haven't sent us your numbers - please send them in. We'd love to list you on our web page and update our carbon scale!

If you haven't taken the UU Low Carbon Challenge yet - please consider doing it! We are fast becoming a national prototype of what can happen when determined people come together to heal our planet and curb climate change.

More on the Low Carbon Diet
Davis Enterprise - by John Mott-Smith

President Elect Obama Commits to
80% Carbon Reduction by 2050

In a short but powerful video address, President Elect Barack Obama stated his support for Climate Change action, including a commitment to the goal of an 80% carbon emissions reduction by 2050.

As our congregations show films, engage our youth, and take the UU Low Carbon Challenge, we will have the power of the Executive Branch to support this historic low carbon transition.

"Few challenges facing America -- and the world -- are more urgent than combating climate change," he said. "Many of you are working to confront this challenge....but too often, Washington has failed to show the same kind of leadership. That will change when I take office." - Change.gov

Obama Video Address: "New Chapter on Climate Change"

Obama's video message energizes climate conference
Los Angeles Times, By Margot Roosevelt
November 19, 2008

Same-Sex Advocacy Film Available

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Los Gatos (uuflg.org) is making available the film “The Year of Paper.” This engaging 91-minute movie dramatically portrays the normalness of same-sex marriage. UUFLG has purchase the film rights for public showing from the distributor and will ship it to organizations who are continuing with the "No on 8" campaign.

This narrative documentary shows the first year of legal marriage for a lesbian, gay, and straight couple in 2004 San Francisco. This film answers the question, “What is the difference between a gay and straight marriage?” The ending is powerful. The celebration for their first year of marriage is bittersweet.

When the lesbian and gay couples commemorate their first year of marriage (paper), the celebration is bittersweet. Their marriage licenses have been revoked but their love for each other remains strong. They try not to feel discounted by society through their tears of sadness and joy. On the other hand, the celebration for the straight couple is all elation. It is heart breaking to watch.

In addition, many experts present the history of marriage that overcomes the notion of “traditional” marriage. The conservative viewpoint of anti-same-sex marriage is represented and seems unwise in light of history. Released in 2007, the information is current. The commentary and personal stories inspire reflection and conversation. At the UUFLG showing, the film was followed by a diverse panel and lively dialogue.

To acquire this documentary (at no charge) for your organization, please contact Connie Springer, Co-Chair of the Social Action Committee, UUFLG.

Challenges to Proposition 8

“We are heartened by the outpouring of support from across the country. We trust that ultimately Love will prevail over fear.”
- Rev. Lindi Ramsden

November 4, 2008, the California electorate voted for a proposition titled "Eliminates Right..." by a 4% margin. Proposition 8 selectively removes the right to marry from gay and lesbian citizens.

As the intent and historic direction of our Constitution is "equal protection under the law," challenges to this constitutional amendment are being brought forth from a broad array of concerned citizens, faith coalitions, and public officials.

Religious Leaders, Faith Organizations File Lawsuite to Invalidate Proposition 8

Statement about Lawsuite to Challenging Proposition 8
Writ Petition Challenging Proposition 8

The UU Legislative Ministry Action Network is one of the faith organizations working to protect constitutional rights and invalidate Proposition 8.

County of Santa Clara Joins San Francisco and Los Angeles in Case to Oppose Proposition 8

News Release - November 5, 2008

“One of the great traditions of our country is that the Constitution guarantees individuals equal protection under the law,” said County of Santa Clara County Counsel Ann Ravel. “Constitutional rights cannot be taken away by either a majority vote on an initiative or by a vote of the legislature.”

UUs have lost 230,754 lbs of CO2 emissions so far!

Completed the
UU Low Carbon Challenge:

UU Church of Davis
UU Church of Fresno
UUs of Santa Clarita
UU Fellowship Santa Cruz Cn
UU Fellowship of North Bay

People of Faith Come Together for Marriage Equality
Organizing on the side of love

In the 2008 election, people of many different faith communities came together to speak out against regressive Proposition 8. The UUs were at the forefront of this historic effort.

See our photo gallery of Unitarian Universalists in solidarity with loving couples everywhere.

UUs of Santa Rosa

Blaming Black Voters for Prop 8 Loss is Wrong and Destructive

A November 7th letter from Kathryn Kolbert, President, People For the American Way Foundation.

"As a mother who has raised two children in a 30-year relationship with another woman, I fully understand the depth of hurt and anger at voters’ rejection of our families’ equality. But responding to that hurt by lashing out at African Americans is deeply wrong and offensive – not to mention destructive to the goal of advancing equality."

Read the complete letter.

Video: To Have and to Hold Faith Leaders for the Freedom to Marry

Presented by:
California Faith for Equality
(Of which the UULM is an Affiliate.)

Supreme Court Affirms Freedom to Marry

" Prayers of thanksgiving and praise will be offered in houses of worship across California in gratitude for today’s watershed state Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex couples to get legally married. While no clergy person, nor faith organization, will ever be forced to marry a couple that does not fit their religious requirements, today’s ruling means that no longer will faith communities who do offer the religious rites of marriage to same-sex couples be required to treat them differently.

The Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, whose organization sponsored the Interfaith Brief, stated 'Today’s court’s decision answers the prayers of people from many faiths. How beautiful that the commitment and courage of California’s same-sex couples can finally be recognized and protected, and that all Californians will now be able to marry the person they love. Today the court affirmed that the religious views of some cannot be used to restrict the rights of those with differing religious beliefs.' ”

Read Complete Press Release

CA Supreme Court May 15, 2008 Opinion on Marriage Cases (172 pg)

Amicus Brief supporting same-sex marriage

Compelling Oral Arguments were heard on March 4th. The hearing has been archived, both video and audio- only, and you can watch it (or just listen) on the Supreme Court website.

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