Sacramento-based Equality Action NOW is coordinating with several other organizations to hold several community events around the imminent Supreme Court decision on Proposition 8, the recently passed measure that banned gay marriage in California.

Those other organizations include the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center, Sacramento Regional Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Intersex Leadership Coalition, Marriage Equality USA and Yes On Equality.

The court will announce the decision on whether or to uphold Prop. 8 on either Thursday, May 21, Tuesday, May 26, Thursday, May 28, or Monday, June 1, but no matter what the outcome of the decision, the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center will open at 9 a.m. on these days. Staff will be offering sign-making activities, a first aid station and on-site counseling and counseling referrals through its LGBT Counseling Program.

On decision day, a news conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the center, where legal experts, elected officials, religious and civil rights leaders and more will discuss the court decision and how to move forward. Among others, Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), assembly member John Perez (D-Los Angeles) and Professor Lawrence Levine of the McGeorge School of Law have been invited to speak.

Also on the day of the decision, the Gay and Lesbian Center will host a rally from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on its steps, with entertainment and speeches from community leaders. Twentieth Street will be closed between K and L Streets where speakers and a stage will be set up. The street will remain closed until the crowd disperses.

If Prop. 8 is upheld, Equality Action NOW will lead a march from the Center to the Captiol's west steps, where another rally with entertainment and an open mic for speakers will be held. If the crowd remains engaged, there will be an all-night youth rally led by Enrique Manjarrez, Youth Program Coordinator of the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center.

If Prop. 8 is overturned, following the rally at the center, the crowd will move slightly south of the intersection of 20th and K, where a stage will feature music and entertainment for the evening. This celebration will last until the crowd disperses.

According to Equality Action NOW's press release, the following community events are also planned:

An Interfaith Gathering in Strength & Hope – Led by Rev. Brian Baker & Rev. Lindi Ramsden – Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday on the Eve of CA Supreme Court Ruling on Prop 8 – At Headhunters Patio, 1930 K Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 – 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Co-hosted by CA Faith for Equality, Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, CA Council of Churches, Catholics for Marriage Equality, Marriage Equality USA, PFLAG, and Equality Action NOW. CONTACT: (916) 708-3390 or email mhdoherty@comcast.net.

Meet Me In The Middle – On the Saturday following Decision Day, [people from around] the entire state will be converging on Fresno, CA. A bus and caravan will be leaving the Sacramento Gay and Lesbian Center at 7:30 a.m. for a group trek to the Fresno City Hall building. Media is invited to interview participants and send a crew on the bus if interested. For more information on “Meet Me in the Middle” and reserve a seat on the bus contactevents@equalityactionnow.org or call (916) 446-1082. Fresno event contact: Robin McGehee atcvgsanetwork@gmail.com.