"We initially said we believe 2010 was the right time to go back to the ballot," said Marc Solomon, marriage director for Equality California, one of the state's biggest gay-rights groups. But he added: "We've also made it very clear we will only move forward if we have a clear road map to victory. . . . The last thing we want to do is go back to the ballot and lose."
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Gay-rights coalition urges measured pace on same-sex marriage amendment
Organizations say pushing for a California ballot measure in 2010 would be 'rushed and risky.' Some also fear the effort may divert critical funding from social-service programs.
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He said his group has sought advice from political consultants and polling experts and would present it publicly later this month.
Ron Buckmire, president of the Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition, one of the groups that signed the statement issued Monday, said the need for more time was made clear to him this weekend when his group went door to door to talk to voters about same-sex marriage in South Los Angeles.
"It was a huge success. We had 70 volunteers, working for five hours, knocked on 1,200 doors," he said. After all that, they identified only 50 voters who moved in their direction.
"We have to move 300,000 voters," he said. "Do the math."
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jessica.garrison@latimes.com
