Marriage Equality California
Encyclopedia
Marriage Equality California (Marriage Equality CA, or MECA) is the now defunct California chapter of Marriage Equality USA.Founded in 1998, MECA was the grassroots organization fighting to secure the legal recognition of same-sex marriage
through education and outreach in California
. Its mission statement is to secure the freedom and the right of same-sex couples to enter into legally recognized civil marriage, having all the federal and state benefits and responsibilities which that entails. Marriage Equality California merged with it coalition organization Equality California
in 2004. Most of the work performed by Marriage Equality California is now performed as a local project of its original parent organization Marriage Equality USA.
, Davina Kotulski
, Brian Davis and Sean Conklin, the Marriage Equality California Chapter was created. Between 1998 - 2002, Marriage Equality California was the primary advocate for marriage equality in California, and was an advocate California Assembly bill 1338 providing the option for same sex-couples in California to enter into a civil union. On February 12, 2001, the New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles Chapters went to the county clerk's offices and asked for marriage licenses, a tradition that continued every February and spread throughout the 58 counties of California. Notably Marriage Equality California was entirely volunteer driven with no paid staff, and educated Californians through rallies & demonstrations, educational programs, outreach, and media representation.
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
through education and outreach in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Its mission statement is to secure the freedom and the right of same-sex couples to enter into legally recognized civil marriage, having all the federal and state benefits and responsibilities which that entails. Marriage Equality California merged with it coalition organization Equality California
Equality California
Equality California or EQCA is a non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBT people in California.-Early history:...
in 2004. Most of the work performed by Marriage Equality California is now performed as a local project of its original parent organization Marriage Equality USA.
History
Under the leadership of L.J. Carusone, Michael Thurber, Jim DeLaHunt, Molly McKayMolly McKay
Molly B. McKay, born September 9, 1970, is an attorney and a civil rights activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals. McKay was the former Co-Executive Director of Marriage Equality California and the former Media Director for Marriage Equality USA...
, Davina Kotulski
Davina Kotulski
Davina Kotulski, Ph.D., born on January 22, 1970, is a well-known, long-time marriage equality activist and leader in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equal Rights movement. Kotulski began publicly advocating for marriage equality in 1999...
, Brian Davis and Sean Conklin, the Marriage Equality California Chapter was created. Between 1998 - 2002, Marriage Equality California was the primary advocate for marriage equality in California, and was an advocate California Assembly bill 1338 providing the option for same sex-couples in California to enter into a civil union. On February 12, 2001, the New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles Chapters went to the county clerk's offices and asked for marriage licenses, a tradition that continued every February and spread throughout the 58 counties of California. Notably Marriage Equality California was entirely volunteer driven with no paid staff, and educated Californians through rallies & demonstrations, educational programs, outreach, and media representation.