Now it's time to empower and inspire Californians to win these rights back.

We would like to share this special message from Gavin Newsom as well as share some exciting news that we just got a few minutes ago.

Lt. Dan Choi, who is facing trial today under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, is coming to Camp Courage Sacramento on July 11-12. Lt. Choi would like to meet some of the folks who added their name to our letter of support, signed by 158,118 people.

If you would like to meet Lt. Choi, please RSVP here now:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/CampSacramento

Rick Jacobs
Chair, Courage Campaign

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Dear Daniel --

For many Californians, November's celebration of the election of Barack Obama as our next president was tempered by sadness and anger at the passage of Proposition 8.

That night, we became the first state in the nation to use our constitution to strip rights away from our fellow citizens. Our lesbian and gay friends, family members and neighbors woke up the morning after the election with fewer rights than they had enjoyed the night before.

Now it's time to empower and inspire Californians to win these rights back.

That's exactly what my friends at the Courage Campaign are doing. Since that historic setback eight months ago, the Courage Campaign has worked with groups and activists across the progressive political spectrum to help build a people-powered movement to restore marriage equality to California.

The heart of the Courage Campaign's commitment to equality is Camp Courage -- a transformative two-day training event for marriage equality activists of all kinds, experienced or new to the movement. Modeled after "Camp Obama," Camp Courage has received amazing reviews from participants -- most rating it a 9 (on a scale of 1 to 10) -- following recent trainings in Los Angeles, Fresno, San Diego and Oakland.

Now, on the weekend of July 11-12 in Sacramento, you have an opportunity to go to Camp Courage. If you want to experience this inspiring event, time is running out to register. Sign up now to reserve your spot:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/CampSacramento

I haven't seen this much energy in the marriage equality movement since the "Winter of Love" in 2004, when Del Martin, Phyllis Lyon and more than 4,000 other couples said "I Do" following our announcement that the City of San Francisco would begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

This country took a significant step toward securing equality for every American five years ago in San Francisco. While some feel that what we did was too much, too fast, too soon, we stand firm in the belief that our actions were not only just, but legal and constitutional.

Now we need to take a stand and secure these fundamental rights for all Californians. For good.

On July 11-12, "Camp Courage Sacramento" will be ground zero in the marriage equality movement. You don't want to miss it. Please register now before time runs out:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/CampSacramento

Thanks for helping the Courage Campaign bring full equality to California and our country.

Gavin Newsom
Mayor of San Francisco