Policy Talks@Google: Guerriero, Kendell, & Smith

Patrick Guerriero, Kate Kendell, and Steve Smith visit Google's Mountain View, CA headquarters to discuss gay marriage in California. This event took place on September 10, 2008, as part of the Policy Talks@Google series. The talk was hosted by the Public Policy team at Google, and moderated by Ross LaJeunesse, Google's Head of State Policy, Western US.

This November, California voters will decide if the California state constitution will be amended to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. Many states have debated whether to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples, but in California, the question before voters is whether to repeal that right. Polling shows the margin between passage and failure is razor-thin, and this is sure to be among the most intense and vitriolic campaigns in California history.

Same-sex marriage has been a key issue in election after election during the past decade. Now that California has joined Massachusetts in legalizing same-sex marriage, both progressive and socially conservative groups nationally are focused on this critical California vote. What voters in California decide this fall will shape the landscape for same-sex marriage rights nationally for years to come.

Join three experts fighting the proposed same-sex marriage ban for a lively, frank and open conversation!

* Patrick Guerriero, Executive Director, Gill Action. A former elected official from Massachusetts, Patrick Guerriero now leads one of the most influential advocacy organizations in the nation as it works toward equal rights for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression. Patrick provides a perspective on the national political ramifications of the California vote.

* Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). Kate Kendell leads one of the nation's most effective advocacy organizations for LGBT Americans. NCLR has been a leader in bringing same-sex marriage equality to California. Kate provides context and history for how California has ended up at such a critical crossroads.

* Steve Smith, Chief Strategist, No on Prop 8. Steve Smith is a principal at Dewey Square Group and specializes in California Ballot Initiatives. He will provide information on strategy, and what it will take for the "No on 8" side to win in November.

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