(full disclosure: I work for the Courage Campaign)

For a while, the fight to keep equal marriage rights in California seemed to be humming along just fine. The polls were looking good, the other side had a ridiculous field strategy (knocking on doors without lists) and they were so incompetent that their big day of action had to be canceled, because their million lawn signs never arrived from their outsourcer in China.

But things have changed. The two most recent polls taken after "Yes on 8" TV ads hit the airwaves show us behind and them surging. And here is the really bad news: their TV ads are working and we don't have the cash to match their ad buys. EdgeBoston:

Earlier polls had shown Proposition 8, which would eradicate the right for same-sex couples to marry in California, trailing by about 5 percentage points. This week, a Lake Research poll paid for by the campaign of 1,051 likely voters showed the proposition winning, with 47 percent saying they supported the measure and 43 percent saying no. The polling period was Sept. 29-Oct. 2. That finding is reinforced by a SurveyUSA poll of 670 likely voters showing the proposition winning 47 percent to 42 percent. That poll was taken Saturday and Sunday.

They have simply seen an unprecedented surge in donations, mostly from Mormons. LAT:

Steve Smith, campaign manager for No on 8, said he wanted to be able to "match [opponents] dollar for dollar. If we don't get there, voters won't hear our messages."

Smith also said his forces are being outspent in part because of a surge in contributions from Mormon Church members.

"I don't think we have ever seen a single religion in the state . . . so significantly participate in one political campaign," Smith said.

Right now we are down anywhere between $7-10 million dollars to the Mormons and others. They are out-raising us and it is hurting us in the polls.

Here is the deal: we need donations, volunteers and help spreading the word to vote No on Prop 8.

If you have money you can contribute, please give to the campaign. If you can volunteer, contact the campaign or show up at an office and they will put you to work talking to voters.

The one thing just about everyone can do is talk to their friends and family members that live in California about voting No on Prop 8. To that end, the Courage Campaign has created the above video called "Gender Auditors". It's a "keep the government out of your pants" message, a libertarian argument, if you will, for voting "No on Prop 8".

Pass around the link. Use it as an icebreaker to make sure your friends and family know to vote No on Prop. 8.

We can win this race, but we need everyone's help.