(San Francisco, California) While the California Supreme Court considers a ruling in the constitutional challenge to Proposition 8, LGBT rights groups are not waiting for a favorable decision.

Equality California, the state’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, has hired Marc Solomon to lead its marriage equality division.  Solomon was the founder of MassEquality and successfully fought two attempts to put a same-sex marriage ban in the Massachusetts constitution.

The group also announced the appointment of Andrea Shorter to help build bridges between gays and people of color and faith.  Shorter is a co-founder and director of And Marriage For All.

The announcements come as a new poll says that Californians are still divided over gay marriage.

“We are thrilled to have such extraordinary, accomplished leaders join our team as we continue our efforts to achieve full equality for LGBT people and to keep doing the long-term work of changing hearts and minds,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California.

Meanwhile, the Washington DC-based Human Rights Campaign announced it is sponsoring “Camp Courage,” an intensive two-day training institute organized by the California-focused Courage Campaign.  The training program will provide grassroots activists the practical, hands-on skills to organize in their communities on marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Gay rights groups were harshly criticized following the passage of Prop 8 with accusations of poor organization and a lack of effective outreach to African-Americans and Hispanics.

Last week, the state Supreme Court heard arguments challenging the legality of the way Prop 8 was placed on the ballot. Some legal analysts have called the case “a long shot.”

Should the court uphold Prop 8, the only way of rescinding it would be through another ballot measure, likely in 2010.

Solomon has worked full-time on efforts to protect marriage equality since February2004, just after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the Massachusetts Constitution guaranteed the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Then-Gov. Mitt Romney (R) and religious conservatives called for an amendment to the Commonwealth constitution to overturn the court ruling and bar gay marriage. Solomon led the largest and most successful grassroots campaign in Massachusetts history to defeat the plan.

“Our work in Massachusetts centered on engaging hearts and minds around the stories of same-sex couples and their families,” said Solomon. “As Californians hear more from LGBT families in their own communities, I am sure that many more will come around to support the freedom to marry.”

Current Gov. Deval Patrick (D) has high praise for Solomon’s efforts.

“Marc Solomon has been a true leader and tremendous partner in our work to protect the right of same-sex couples to marry in Massachusetts,” said Patrick in a statement released by EQCA. “His ability to lead a grassroots campaign for social change is second to none.”

Shorter also has a long track record of success in the fight for LGBT equality and other social justice issues.

She is the co-founder and chair of the Bayard Rustin LGBT Coalition, the largest African-American LGBT political organization in the Bay Area.

“Andrea Shorter has a proven record of leadership and effectiveness,” said San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty. “She will bring a needed infusion of grassroots organizing and her commitment to working in diverse communities to our cause.”

The Courage Campaign’s “Camp Courage” will be held in San Diego and San Francisco.

“While we await the ruling of the California Supreme Court on Proposition 8, the critical work of organizing and training activists to educate their communities on marriage equality continues,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

“No matter what the outcome of the Court, we know that our fight for marriage equality is rooted in both justice and fairness.  We need to continue the important work of changing hearts and minds one conversation at a time.”

“We are building a progressive movement by empowering the new leaders and tens of thousands of grassroots activists who have emerged since the passage of Prop. 8 and the Obama victory,” said Rick Jacobs, founder and chair of the Courage Campaign which boasts more than 600,000 members .

“As part of our long-term strategy to promote progressive change in California, we plan to train not only our members, but the grassroots activists and organizers who have emerged all over the state since the election. Camp Courage provides the tools and training to translate their raw enthusiasm into real results.”