Gay Marriage Vigils Planned Tonight Across the Country

On the eve of the California Supreme Court hearing that will ultimately determine the fate of not only Proposition 8, but protection of minority rights from the majority in California, gays, lesbians and marriage quality supporters from across the nation plan to spend this evening raising awareness through candelight vigils. From New York to Miami, from Oklahoma to Tucson, and throughout the Golden State, tonight is a night for you to make your voice heard, to show your neighbors you stand for equality and to raise awareness that tomorrow, the Supreme Court of the nation’s most populous state, will hear a case that will effect not just gays and lesbians, but all Americans.

Find your nearest vigil after the jump. We hope to see you there.

Chico, CA: Come to Chico’s Downtown Plaza on Wednesday evening at 6:00pm for a candle light vigil and peaceful demonstration to overturn Prop 8. Please bring signs, candles, friends and family to share in this special evening. If you have any questions email Rob at [email protected]

Costa Mesa, CA: Vigil will be held from 5:30 to 7 at the Fairview Community Church, 2525 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. You can find out more by heading to the Orange County Facebook Event

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Delano, CA: Gather at the South End of Cecil Avenue Park on Cecil Avenue [map] from 4-6 pm For more information on these and other events near Bakersfield, contact [email protected]

Fort Bragg, TX: Meet at Town Hall on Main St. from 4-6pm.

Fresno, CA: Gather outside of the Fresno County Clerk’s Office at 2221 Kern Street, Fresno, CA 93721 [map] at 6pm for vigil program, recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence. To join the event go to Fresno Facebook Event or the Fresno mySpace Event

Kernville, CA: Gather at Circle Park at 5pm. For more information on these and other events near Bakersfield, contact [email protected]

Long Beach, CA: Rally – In front of Long Beach City Hall [map] , 6pm-9pm. No politics, just life! Tell your story. Open mic on marriage and what it means to you! Come repeat your vows and learn about all the benefits married couples get that should be your right too. Also, Special performances by Sirena Serpentina and others. THEN, Candlelight Vigil – At the First Congregational Church 3rd/Cedar [map] 9pm-9am Join the LGBT community the morning the California Supreme Court begins to hear oral arguments about invalidating Prop H8! Counter act traditional homophobic all-night vigils of the Yes on 8 supporters. Let our faces be front and center in the morning news and the minds of the California Supreme Court justices. Come out to show your support for LGBTQ rights! Free parking at meters, 9pm-9am everyday.

Los Angeles, CA: Wednesday, March 4th – 5:30pm – 7:00pm, Olvera Street, Downtown LA, (South of Cesar Chavez Ave, between N. Main St and N Alameda St) [map], 2 blocks West of Union Station, providing easy Metro access from Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, East LA and Long Beach. To join the event go to Los Angeles Facebook Event

Mariposa, CA: In the spirit of the Courage Campaign’s “Don’t Divorce…” video campaign (http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/divorce ) – We are holding a “Don’t Divorce…” rally in Mariposa, on Thursday, March 5th, from 5 pm to 6 pm (or so). Bring a sign saying “Don’t Divorce” – Us, My Friends, My Moms, My Dads, or whatever is relevant; also bring flashlights or candles in case it gets dark before we’re done. We’ll meet at the corner of highway 140 and 49 N (the corner with the Visitor’s Center) [map]. (Note: Most communities are gathering on the 4th, but there is a scheduling conflict with the Peace Vigil in Mariposa, so we are meeting on the 5th).

Miami, FL: Join us 6:30pm – 8:30pm at 8300 South Dixie Highway, Miami, FL [map] for a candlelight vigil at as we walk from the Dadeland North Metrorail station to the University Metrorail station along US1.

Modesto, CA: Gather at 1010 10th Street in Downtown Modesto [map] at 7pm to walk to the CourtHouse for a short vigil program, recommittment ceremony and moment of silence at 7:30 p.m.[map] For more information contact Beth Holden, Marriage Equality USA at [email protected]. To join the event go to Modesto Facebook Event

Napa, CA: We are gathering at 5:30PM and will begin the vigil at 6PM at the United Methodist Church, 625 Randolph Street, Napa, CA. [map]. The Methodist church will have candlelight and open sanctuary for anyone who wants to stay and meditate before or after the vigil and there will be refreshments in the fellowship hall. It is of course, a non denominational event and they are simply donating the space and showing the support of our collective communities of faith. For more information, contact [email protected].

New York, NY: Join us for a candlelight vigil for justice and equality. Gather at 7:15pm on 13th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue, at the NYC LGBT Center [map] , for a candlelight vigil starting at 7:25 and ending at 7:35pm. This vigil will take place at the end of MENY’s General Meeting and before Join the Impact’s General Meeting. BYOC- Bring your own candle (with a dixie cup to block the wind) and dress warmly!

Palm Springs, CA: Palm Springs Courthouse, 3255 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA [map], 4-6pm, brings signs and candles. To join the event go to Palm Springs Facebook Event.

Palo Alto, CA: If you can’t travel to SF or SJ, – On the SF Peninsula – Gather in Palo Alto and show your visible sign of support for justice – Bring your own candle or get one at the gathering. Bring a sign or just light a candle. Remember – always be respectful and compassionate towards those who do not support marriage equality. Listen carefully and ask questions to help those who voted yes to understand the justice of marriage equality. Its even ok if they feel uncomfortable but not disrespected. Corner of Embarcadero & El Camino Real [map] – 6:00pm-7:30pm – JOIN Larry Lanoue, ([email protected] ) Peninsula Marriage Equality Coalition.

Phoenix, Arizona: Marriage Equality AZ will be sponsoring a candlelight vigil on March 4th in Phoenix from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. We will gather at Camelback and Central in Phoenix, AZ [map] . For more information contact [email protected]

Riverside, CA: Meet at Riverside City Hall [map] at 7pm. Equality Inland Empire (EQIE) is a coaltion of GLBT and ally organizations in the Inland Empire. EQIE’s intent is to increase visibility and support local GLBT and ally organizations. EQIE is involved in the local, statewide and national GLBT civil rights and marriage equality movement. For more information contact [email protected].

Roseville, CA: Gather at the Roseville Galleria Mall, 1151 Galleria Blvd. from 6-7:30pm for a peaceful candlelight vigil Meet outside the mall entrance between the Cheesecake Factory (next to JC Penney) and Nordstroms.

Sacramento, CA: Gather at West Steps of Capitol from 5-6pm for pre-march rally. Step off at 6pm. Arrive at CA Supreme Court (914 Capitol Matt) at 6:30pm for short program. To join the event go to Sacramento Facebook Event. For more information contact Tina Reynolds or Jade Baranski at [email protected]

San Diego, CA: San Diego will have a community rally with speakers and singing converging on the Hall of Justice at 330 W Broadway, San Diego CA 92101 from 4-6pm . A candle light vigil will then line the streets of Downtown San Diego Starting at 6pm. To join the event go to San Diego Facebook Event

San Francisco, CA: Gather at Market and Castro from 5-6pm for pre-march rally in Harvey Milk Plaza, March steps off at 6pm down Market St to the CA Supreme Court (Civic Center) at 6:45pm for vigil program, recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence. [map] For more information contact [email protected]. To join the event go to San Francisco Facebook Event

San Jose, CA: Gather at the intersection of Winchester Boulevard and Stevens Creek Boulevard, [map] at Santana Row and Valley Fair shopping centers from 6:30 to 8:00 pm for vigil program, recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence. For more information, please email us at [email protected]

San Luis Obispo, CA: Gather at the San Luis Obispo Downtown Center – 888 Marsh St. San Luis Obispo [map] at 5:30pm for vigil program, recommitment ceremony, speakers and moment of silence. For more information contact David Kilburn, Marriage Equality USA at [email protected]

San Mateo, CA: Corner of Hillsdale Blvd & El Camino Real [map] from 6:00pm-7:30pm – JOIN Alan Canas, ([email protected] ) Peninsula Equality Network & Peninsula Marriage Equality Coalition

Santa Barbara, CA: Pacific Pride Foundation serves the LGBTQ community of Santa Barbara County. Our contact # is 805-963-3636. SAME is the Strategic Alliance for Marriage Equality and is a sub group of volunteers working to overturn Prop 8 on a local and state level. our extension is 121. www.pacificpridefoundation.org. Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens, corner of Anapamu and Anacapa Streets [map]. 5:30-7pm March 4. Bring candles and friends!

Santa Cruz, CA: From 6:30pm – 8:00pm join us at the Santa Cruz Town Clock on Water Street. Please contact Labris Willendorf with questions, or to help, at [email protected]. Sign up for the event on Facebook

Santa Maria, CA: Pacific Pride Foundation serves the LGBTQ community of Santa Barbara County. Our contact # is 805-963-3636. SAME is the Strategic Alliance for Marriage Equality and is a sub group of volunteers working to overturn Prop 8 on a local and state level. our extension is 121. www.pacificpridefoundation.org. North-East corner of Main & Broadway [map] . 5:30-7pm March 4. Bring candles and friends!

Stockton, CA: Gather at the First Unitarian Universalist Church , 2737 Pacific Ave Stockton, CA 95204 [map] at 6pm for a short vigil program, recommittment ceremony and moment of silence. [map] For more information contact Martina Virrey, Marriage Equality USA at [email protected]

Thousand Oaks, CA: Join us for a candlelight vigil on corner of Lynn and Hillcrest [map] 6 to 7pm.

Tulsa, Oklahoma: Oklahomans for Equality in Tulsa, OK. will host a candlelight vigil for marriage equality on March 4, 2009. The vigil will take place at the Dennis R Neill Equality Center? located at 621 E. 4th St. (the corner of Kenosha and 4th) Tulsa, OK. 74120 [map] . On March 5th we will wear white in solidarity.

Tucson, Arizona: Marriage Equality AZ in cooperation with Rainbow Foot Soldiers will be sponsoring a candlelight vigil on March 4th in Tucson from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. We will gather at United Church of Christ of the Painted Hills, 3295 W. Speedway Boulevard, Tucson, AZ [map] . For more information contact [email protected]

Tuolumne, CA : Meet 6:00 pm at B of A on Stockton Street and march to Courthouse Park for a Candlelight vigil with local ministers hosting prayers.

Ukiah, CA : Gathering in Ukiah at Alex Thomas Plaza at 6:00 PM for one half hour.

Ventura, CA: Gather at corner of Victoria and Telephone in front of the Government Center at 6pm. Bring candles and signs. This is being organized by Equality Ventura County a program of Ventura County Rainbow Alliance. For more information contact: [email protected]

Visalia, CA: Gather at 221 S. Mooney Blvd, Visalia, CA (on Courthouse lawn) [map] from 5:30 – 7:30pm for a vigil, recommitment ceremony and moment of silence. For more information contact Jamie Garza, Marriage Equality USA at [email protected]