With at least two conservative ballot measures threatening to turn back the clock for rights in California, we are facing a real fight in November to get out the vote and keep our state moving forward.

The first threat is the recently qualified initiative to amend the State Constitution so that only marriages between a man and a woman would be recognized in California. Read the full text of the propsed amendment here.

This initiative would negate the recent ruling by the California Supreme Court that has finally made marriage equality a reality for loving same-sex couples across the state. Thankfully, the State Supreme Court has denied a request to postpone the effect of the decision. The decision becomes final on June 16 at 5 p.m., meaning that same-sex couples can be legally married starting the following day.

Unfortunately, no one yet knows what the fate of those couples will be if the ballot measure against marriage equality passes this November. They may end up in a legal grey area, since their marriages will be legal when they are performed, but could be declared null and void later. California NOW is working in conjunction with Equality California and the Let California Ring coalition to defeat this reactionary and harmful ballot measure.

In another move from conservatives, Parental Notification supporters just won't listen to the will of California voters, who spoke loudly and clearly TWO TIMES before when they rejected Prop. 73 in 2005 and Prop. 85 in 2006. Parental Notification is back on the ballot this November. Read the full text of the initiative here. Parents – and voters – have said that what they care most about is keeping our teenagers safe. That means always safe, even when teens can’t talk to their parents about an unplanned pregnancy.

Of course parents want to be involved in their teenager’s lives, but in the real world, initiatives like this force scared, pregnant teens into seeking unsafe, illegal abortions, or even considering suicide.  The real answer to teen pregnancy is strong caring families that foster real communication – not new laws that put our teens at risk.  Think about it: no law can force family communication.

And this new law is unnecessary and dangerous. Doctors and counselors say most teenagers do talk to their parents when facing an unintended pregnancy. But the danger lays in the experience of other states that have implemented similar laws:  They have seen an increase in the number of second trimester abortions because teens delay being seen or cross state borders to seek proper care.  Some, teens may turn to illegal back alley abortions.  Laws like this really do put our teens at risk.

California NOW will be working to ensure that the most at-risk teens are not placed in further jeopardy by this measure.

Vision
Who We Are

The California National Organization for Women (CA NOW) is dedicated to making positive change for women and girls at every level.

We are the largest state organization of feminists, both women and men, in the United States. CA NOW is made up of 35 chapters throughout the state, representing over 75,000 members and supporters. It began in 1969 and held its first statewide conference on women's issues in Sacramento in May 1972.

CA NOW maintains a lobbyist specifically focused on feminist issues in California.

We work towards achieving true social, political and economic equality for women and girls.