Many lawyers watching the California Supreme Court say they fear members of the Court have lost their courage. They say that on the Proposition 8 case the members of the court may well rule against California’s gay and lesbian citizens and their families. They may rule that a simple vote of the people can strip the right of families and couples to marry and dedicate their lives to one another. And they would be making that ruling after they so beautifully outlined the legal and moral principles that make this “separate but equal” system of relationship recognition a travesty.

If that is indeed their ruling, then, in that one moment, one of America’s brightest lights for justice will grow dim. And those who love justice, fairness and equality will stand in disbelief yet again at the unthinkable nightmare unfolding: the equality clause of the constitution means nothing for gay and lesbian families.

There is a reason America has been loath to put the basic and fundamental rights of its citizens on the ballot. Our framers understood that the passions and prejudices of the “majority mob” are easily manipulated into votes. And the fight for equal treatment of any minority always involves the passions and prejudices of the majority.

We have lost this ballot fight in more than 30 states. A very slim majority of people still believe we are not equal and do not have the right to equal treatment under the law. Those few still believe they are “more equal,” their marriages more sacred, their love more worthy. And the mere thought of teaching children that all families should be treated with equal respect is enough to terrorize them into a reprehensible vote.

Twelve short months ago, the California Supreme Court issued a clarion call for justice, proclaiming that no Californian, regardless of sexual orientation, should ever be made a second-class citizen by his or her government; no family should be subject to enshrined government discrimination. Now it may reverse itself, reinforcing the very thing our framers feared most: the manipulated majority vote on basic rights.

Ignoring their own clear logic and words, the justices would have to announce to the world that in California and in America all it takes to strip away fundamental rights is a few television ads designed to terrify us and summon our own worst selves. That would truly be one of America’s saddest moments. And in the aching silence of disbelief, all of those who love justice would weep.

Then we’d get up off the ground again and find a way through to the better world we know can be won.

Join The San Diego LGBT Community Center, Thursday, April 2, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at a Town Hall meeting to focus on the next steps in the ongoing fight for marriage equality. Partnering with Equality California, GLBT Centers across California are offering a series of Town Hall meetings on the future of the marriage movement.

The San Diego meeting will offer a public forum for discussion of the future of marriage, as well as updates on Proposition 8.

Kate Kendell of the National Center for Lesbian Rights will give the legal update, Geoff Kors of Equality California will give an overview of what other GLBT equality legislation is moving forward in California this year and Marc Solomon of Equality California will discuss what the GLBT community might do next based upon how the court rules on Proposition 8. Additional speakers include Fernando Lopez of Marriage Equality USA, Sarah Beth Brooks of San Diego Equality Campaign and Zikiya Khabir of San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality.

Members of the community are invited to join discussions about organizing in California, strategies for securing equal recognition at the federal level, finding ways to keep community members and allies actively involved and other issues of concern.

This event is co-sponsored by the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, Bienestar, Bridges for Pride, Equality California, Human Rights Campaign, Marriage Equality USA, National Center for Lesbian Rights, North County LGBT Coalition, Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties, Pride at Work, San Diego Democratic Club, San Diego Equality Campaign, San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, and SEIU 221.

For more information on the San Diego Town Hall meeting, contact Caroline Dessert at 619-497-2920, ext. 103, or cdessert@thecentersd.org.