It could happen three weeks from now or it could happen three days from now. It could begin quietly or with great fanfare. It may come as a shock or as an immense relief, but sometime within the next three weeks the moment we’ve all been waiting for will arrive. You’ll turn on the television, and on the news a headline will scroll across the screen: California Supreme Court hands down ruling on marriage …

What will the rest of the headline read on that historic day? How will you respond? Win or lose, it will be an emotional day for every one of us and a memorable day for all Californians.

As much as we have anticipated it, the ruling is not the end of the fight. Regardless of the outcome, our opponents will be unrelenting in their pursuit to deny us the freedom to marry. They have likely qualified a ballot measure to amend our state constitution so that we cannot be allowed to marry. They are trying with all their might to ensure that we will never be able to marry, that we will never be able to turn to the courts for help and say, “Where is the justice in this?” But if our response remains dignified and thoughtful, if we offer a vision of the California we want to live in – a California in which every person has a fair chance to pursue his or her dreams – we can rise above their attacks.

Here are some critical action steps you can take before and after the California Supreme Court hands down its ruling on the freedom to marry:

Tell your story

Write thoughtful letters – one in case of a victory, one in case of a loss – to local papers, including The San Diego Union-Tribune, to share your story about what the freedom to marry means to you and how the court’s decision will impact your life. If you represent a GLBT organization, consider preparing a response from the organization that includes how many members you represent. You’ll find tips to get started at www.nclrights.org.

Rally your friends

Have a conversation with neighbors, coworkers and family members regarding why we all deserve the freedom to marry. Visit www.letcaliforniaring.org for 10 conversation starters.

Share a powerful video

Watch the video that has everyone talking about the freedom to marry, then forward it to five friends. The video, “Garden Wedding,” is a great conversation starter with non-GLBT friends and family. See the video at www.letcaliforniaring.org.

Hear the response

Visit www.nclrights.org for a response from GLBT leaders across the state and the most up-to-date analysis of what the court’s ruling, beyond the headlines, means for our community

Join the conversation right away

Whether you get your news at www.nytimes.com, www.advocate.com, www.signonsandiego.com or www.gaylesbiantimes.com, take a moment to post thoughtful comments about the ruling at the bottom of Internet news stories.

Don’t forget your letter

Send that letter to the editor. (Win or lose, be sure to send the right one!) Even if your letter isn’t published, editors make their selections based on the views of the letters they receive – so the more they hear from our community, the better.

Stay tuned

Watch for details about a community gathering at The Center the day of the decision or the day after, and make sure once that date/time is set all your friends know.

Get involved. Sign up for The Center Advocacy Project’s updates at www.centeradvocacy.org. Visit www.equalityforall.com and www.eqca.org for more ideas on how to help win this fight.

Contact Caroline Dessert at (619) 692-2077, ext. 111, or cdessert@thecentersd.org for information on what’s happening locally.

Remember, in many ways this is the fight of our lives. Whether you wish to marry or not, the decision should be yours. It should not be left to a relatively small but powerful group of right-wing conservatives who are trying to ensure that we – an entire community – will never have the rights and protections of marriage, that we will never be able to participate in a fundamental rite of passage, and that we will never be able to adequately protect our families.

Thank you for your continued support in our fight for justice.