MassResistance leading the fight in California to stop outrageous counseling ban in State Legislature.

As the session deadline nears, we've been taking it directly to the legislators!

August 30, 2018

Local MassResistance activists inside the offices of California State Senator Ed Hernendez with some strong opinions on Bill AB 2943!

Over the last month, probably the most intense push in MassResistance history has been going on in California. The goal is to stop AB 2943, one of the most destructive anti-family bills ever introduced. Arthur Schaper, director of California MassResistance and our national Organization Director, has led the effort orchestrating a flood of constituent phone calls and emails to every legislator, plus personal visits and meetings with key legislators.

This bill is more onerous than anything ever seen before. As the Alliance Defending Freedom describes:

California AB 2943 makes it unlawful for any person to sell books, counseling services, or anything else that helps someone overcome unwanted same-sex attraction or gender identity confusion. As a result, it could be a violation if a pastor encourages a congregant to visit the church book store to purchase books that help people address sexual issues, perhaps including the Bible itself.

The outrage against this bill has swept across California. Many pro-family groups are encouraging people to contact legislators. But California MassResistance is going further — working non-stop organizing on the ground and making sure the lobbying pressure happens.

Taking it directly to the legislators

It’s one thing for legislators to get some emails on a bill. But the rubber meets the road when they get people coming to their office to make the point in person. Then legislators (and their staff) understand the arguments and the emotions against it. And at the very least, it starts to unravel their knee-jerk support.

As part of that effort, we have provided a powerful handout for legislators describing what they need to know about this bill, along with talking points for volunteers, and we have posted other useful information.

Here are a few examples of MassResistance activism over the last several days:

State Senator Anthony Portantino
Glendale office

VIDEO: Educating a California Legislator's office on Bill AB 2943!

This was probably the first time Portantino's people had heard the "other side" of this argument directly from people.

Outside the office.

State Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio
West Covina office

Getting educated: Rubio's staffer reads the MassResistance handout on Bill AB 2943.

He also hears some first-hand testimony from this lady on why reparative therapy is vitally necessary for some people.

State Senator Ed Hernandez
West Covina office

Another thorough education session!

State Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi
Townhall meeting in Redondo Beach

Maratsuchi is a hardcore liberal, but these constituents were not intimidated.

When he insisted on repeating the falsehoods about this bill, he got an appropriate reaction!

The momentum against this bill has really been spreading. Even the Orange County Register published a fairly scathing opinion piece against AB 2943. And shockingly, when the Assembly passed an almost identical version of this bill last spring, the far-left Los Angeles Times said they went too far! It is so blatantly unconstitutional that the Pacific Justice Institute has already announced they will file a lawsuit if it becomes law.

Just one more day left in the legislative session!

The California State Legislature’s session ends at midnight this Friday, August 31. The bill passed the Senate on August 16. But it has been stalled for several days in the Assembly, clearly a result of the intense pro-family lobbying. But at this point it could be voted on at any time.

We'll be keeping the pressure up until the end!