please keep pray for this issue !!!!


December 10, 2008

Dear Friend,

On behalf of Prop 8's Official Proponents, and the entire ProtectMarriage.com-Yes on 8 campaign, please accept our greatest appreciation for your strong support for Prop 8!

Because of your hard work and financial sacrifice, the "Yes on 8" campaign was a huge success. We overcame the $40 million flood of attack ads against Prop 8, the opposition of virtually every statewide politician, and the "political machine" of gay activist campaign workers that came from all across the nation to defeat Prop 8.

But most importantly, Prop 8 accomplished what many others believed was impossible --- the people exercised their constitutional right to overturn the decision of the four justices of the State Supreme Court who imposed same-sex marriage on California.

But the battle is not over yet. Within just a few hours after Prop 8 passed, the ACLU, San Francisco's City Attorney, and the other "No on 8" opponents filed multiple lawsuits to have Prop 8 thrown out! Once again, this shows just how determined they are to impose gay marriage on California.

That is why we established the Proposition 8 Legal Defense Fund to protect our Election Day victory against these lawsuits.

Right away our team of attorneys began the legal research and drafting needed to provide for Prop 8's legal defense. And after just a few days, we have already obtained three good results:

First, we filed a request with the Supreme Court to "fast-track" the lawsuits and render a final decision as soon as possible. The reason for this was to avoid many years of litigation through the lower courts where a cloud of uncertainty would hang over Prop 8 for a long time, only to end up back in front of the Supreme Court once again. We deserve to know the outcome of the vote on Prop 8 as soon as possible. Thankfully, the Court granted our request and set an expedited schedule that will bring a final ruling in just a few months.

Second, we fought against the other side's attempt to suspend Prop 8 while the lawsuits are pending, which would have allowed gay marriage to continue even after the election! Nothing would have been more insulting to the voters than to assume the people's vote did not count and throw out the election results before the cases are even heard! Again, our arguments prevailed and the Court ruled in our favor so that Prop 8 remains in full force and effect while the cases are pending.

Third, since Prop 8's Official Proponents and the "Yes on 8" campaign had been entirely excluded from these lawsuits, we had to file an extensive motion asking the Court to include us as full parties in the defense of Prop 8. Otherwise, the entire legal defense of Prop 8 would have been entrusted only to Attorney General Jerry Brown and Governor Schwarzenegger, both of whom were ardent opponents of Prop 8! Being official parties means having an opportunity to provide a complete legal defense for Prop 8 and argue the case directly before the Supreme Court. Again, we achieved our goal when the Court granted us full legal status as official parties in the cases!

As a result, the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund's attorneys will have an awesome responsibility. While the state's lawyers prepare what will likely be a lackluster defense of Prop 8 (if any), the entire burden of providing an aggressive defense of Prop 8 will fall squarely on our shoulders.

In fact, the Court has already directed us to prepare and submit our first round of written arguments just before Christmas. We are working fervently to assemble the best legal minds and resources for the best possible legal defense. But to do this, we need your help.

Legal battles are expensive. To protect the people's vote for Prop 8, the expenses of this litigation will likely exceed $350,000. With so much already invested in the campaign for Prop 8, it is equally important that we now protect that victory with a fully-funded legal defense.

Will you make a contribution today to help provide the resources needed for this major legal battle? Just as in the Prop 8 campaign, your decision to donate will determine whether or not we have the resources needed to win.

Please note: Your privacy will be protected. Since this is not a political campaign, donations to the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund are not publicly reported. Also, your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Donations can be made by securely online, or by mailing a personal or corporate check (no form needed) payable to:

Proposition 8 Legal Defense Fund
P.O. Box 162849
Sacramento, CA 95816-2849

A receipt will be mailed to you for your tax records.


As the Prop 8 Defense Fund's general counsel, I assure you that we will do everything within our power to uphold Prop 8 in the courts. I hope you will join us in this effort with a financial contribution toward the legal expenses.

Thank you so much for your attention and support.

Very truly yours,

ANDREW P. PUGNO
General Counsel
Prop. 8 Legal Defense Fund



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