Winning Because of Faith

-Samuel Chu, Interim Executive Director, California Faith for Equality

California Faith for Equality is excited to partner with Let California Ring to build support for the freedom to marry in California. In the past, the equality movement has identified faith as a "problem,” or as an obstacle toward full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. With more research and experience during and after the Proposition 8 campaign, our movement is recognizing that progressive people of faith are powerful spokespeople, tenacious organizers and spiritual anchors in our struggle.

In partnership with Let California Ring, California Faith for Equality will build on our own organizing campaign, activating 8 regional clusters throughout the state. CFE and LCR will develop and implement cutting-edge tools and strategies to win the hearts and minds of Californians. CFE staff and leaders will perform a vital, active and integrated role on major LCR committees: message development, field programs, families and the executive committee. With our partners in the LCR coalition, we will identify key regions and demographics to prioritize the resources and expertise of each partner organization. Through our regional clusters across the state and through our participation in the LCR structure, CFE will continue to contribute our unique expertise and resources to the broader movement.

CFE embraces the challenge to broaden and deepen the support of California’s diverse and numerous faith communities. We are especially committed to reach out to networks of constituencies among people of color, and to identify winning messages and methods to change hearts and minds. We are reclaiming the prophetic role of faith communities, so that when we do win equality back in California, we will win because of faith, not in spite of it. 

California Faith for Equality (CFE) is a statewide network of over 6000 clergy, lay-leaders, congregations and faith-based organizations educating and organizing for equality. www.cafaithforequality.org