California Secretary of State Debra Bowen - 2009 Click HERE for a PDF of this document 2009 PRIDE CELEBRATIONS Greetings to everyone who supports Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Pride throughout California! I know this has been a tumultuous time for many LGBT families in California. Thousands of people exchanged rings and heartfelt vows. A few months later, a narrow majority of California voters restricted marriage rights again. As your Secretary of State, I am proud to manage the California Domestic Partners Registry that has enabled more than 52,000 couples to benefit from many of the legal rights and responsibilities of marriage until true equality is resorted in California. Of course, domestic partnership is not marriage, either legally or emotionally. But it can be a key way for committed same-sex partners to protect themselves and their rights. Until that day when all Californians can enjoy the constitutional right to marry, this year's Pride events remind us of the phenomenal progress California has already made toward acceptance, love, and equality. I thank you all for your continued dedication to civil rights and I send my best wishes for this year's Pride celebrations. Sincerely, s/ Debra Bowen e-mail Webmaster
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