Does Rudy's Strength Signal A Shift In GOP Power

The strength of self-appointed Christian leaders within the Republican party may be on the wane. Read Rudy, the Values Slayer by New York Times op-ed columnist Frank Rich.

Obama Teams Up With Ex-gay Minister In SC

The marriage of Barack Obama and Donnie McClurkin involves a leap of political hope, and a good measure of audacity, but certainly not the 'audacity of hope.' Senator Barack Obama has enrolled a trio of notorious anti-gay bigots to campaign for him in the South - and when a blogosphere firestorm erupted over the move, Obama compounded his betrayal of the gay community by refusing to dump the homohaters.

Obama's presidential campaign announced a three-day, gospel music campaign tour through South Carolina it billed as "Embrace the Courage" featuring four singers - Reverend Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary (a sister act duo), and Reverend Hezekiah Walker, all prominent in the gospel world. The tour was designed to mark the final days of Obama's "40 Days of Faith and Family" campaign in South Carolina, a critical early primary state.

McClurkin, an evangelical minister and a Grammy Award-winner, has told the Washington Post that he's in "a war" against what he calls "the curse of homosexuality." Moreover, McClurkin is the poster boy for the African-American "ex-gay" movement. He claims that he became homosexual after having been molested by relatives when he was eight and 13, but was "cured" by religion.

Read the full article at Gay City News.

The Washington Blade reports that senior members of Obama's campaign talked with a handful of the Illinois senator's prominent gay donors but that meeting - and HRC's protest - failed to persuade Obama to drop Rev. Donnie McClurkin from the weekend gospel tour event in South Carolina.

Obama, who recently has fallen further behind Democratic frontrunner Sen. Hillary Clinton in polls, instead noted he does not share McClurkin's views on gay issues. "I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights," Obama said in a statement. "And so I strongly disagree with Rev. McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as president of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

Freshman Dems Kill ENDA Trans Amendment

House Education and Labor panel Chairman George Miller (D-CA) said Rep. Tammy Baldwin's transgender amendment would not come up for a vote; freshman Democrats said it would expose them to political attacks. Reps. Tim Walz (MN) and Ron Klein (FL), leaders of the class of freshman Democrats, carried a message to Speaker Nancy Pelosi that their fellow first-term lawmakers did not want to vote on an amendment extending civil rights to transgender employees.

House Education and Labor panel Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.), whose committee passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, said he told the freshman lawmakers at that the amendment did not have the votes to pass and would not be brought to the House floor. In addition, Miller told the freshmen he recognized that the amendment exposed the first-term lawmakers to political attacks from conservatives and liberals alike.

Read the full article at The Hill.

According to a Washington Blade article, the offices of Nancy Pelosi and Tammy Baldwin declined to comment on a the report.

ECCO Watch List Sacramento 2007

The following is a list of bills on the ECCO Watch List for the 2007 session in Sacramento.

First is the bill's name, a brief description, then the status and how our local representatives voted. In some cases, there may not be any locals on a particular committee.

Of the eight bills that ECCO watched in this legislative session in Sacramento, seven were passed and approved by Governor Schwarzenegger, and only one (Marriage Equality) was vetoed!

AB 14 — Civil Rights Act of 2007
Introduced by Assemblymember Laird: Adds prohibition of discrimination based on disability, medical condition, marital status or sexual orientation.

Approved By Governor Schwarzenegger.

Passed Assembly Floor Concurrence 47-29
• 'Yes' Votes: Karnette, Mendoza, Solorio, Soto
• 'No' Votes: DeVore, Duvall, Garcia, Huff, Silva, Spitzer, Tran, Walters

Passed Senate Floor 23-13
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Correa, Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza, Vincent
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Battin, Harman, Wyland

Passed Senate Judiciary 3-2
• 'No' Votes: Ackerman, Harman

Passed Assembly Floor 46-29
• 'Yes' Votes: Karnette, Mendoza, Richardson, Solorio
• 'No' Votes: DeVore, Duvall, Huff, Silva, Spitzer, Tran, Walters
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Garcia, Soto

Passed Assembly Appropriations 11-5
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Solorio
• ‘No’ Vote: Walters

Passed Assembly Judiciary 7-3
• ‘No’ Vote: Tran


AB 43 — Gender Neutral Marriage
Introduced by Assemblymember Leno: Gives marriage equality to same-sex couples.

Vetoed By Governor Schwarzenegger. Click here to read the veto message.

Passed Senate Floor 22-15
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza, Vincent
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Harman, Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Battin, Correa

Passed Senate Appropriations 9-8
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Oropeza
• ‘No’ Votes: Battin, Wyland

Passed Senate Judiciary 3-2
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Harman

Passed Assembly Floor 42-34
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Mendoza, Richardson, Solorio
• ‘No’ Votes: DeVore, Duvall, Garcia, Huff, Silva, Spitzer, Tran, Walters
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Soto

Passed Assembly Appropriations 12-5
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Solorio
• ‘No’ Vote: Walters

Passed Assembly Judiciary 7-3
• ‘No’ Vote: Tran


AB 102 — Name Selection
Introduced by Assemblymember Ma: Gives domestic partners the right to select a surname.

Approved By Governor Schwarzenegger.

Passed Assembly Floor Concurrence 46-26
• 'Yes' Votes: Karnette, Mendoza, Solorio, Soto
• 'No' Votes: DeVore, Duvall, Huff, Silva, Spitzer, Tran, Walters
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Garcia

Passed Senate Floor 24-15
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Correa, Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Battin, Harman, Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Vincent

Passed Senate Appropriations 9-8
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Oropeza
• ‘No’ Votes: Battin, Wyland

Passed Senate Judiciary 3-2
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Harman

Passed Assembly Floor 46-26
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Mendoza, Richardson, Solorio
• ‘No’ Votes: DeVore, Duvall, Huff, Silva, Spitzer, Tran, Walters
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Garcia, Soto

Passed Assembly Appropriations 11-5
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Solorio
• ‘No’ Vote: Walters

Passed Assembly Judiciary 8-2
• ‘No’ Vote: Tran


AB 394 — Safe Place To Learn Act
Introduced by Assemblymember Levine: Would protect all California students from harassment and bullying at school regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Approved By Governor Schwarzenegger.

Passed Assembly Floor Concurrence 48-29
• 'Yes' Votes: Huff, Karnette, Mendoza, Solorio, Soto
• 'No' Votes: DeVore, Duvall, Garcia, Silva, Spitzer, Tran, Walters

Passed Senate Floor 24-13
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Correa, Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza, Vincent
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Battin, Harman, Wyland

Passed Senate Appropriations 9-7
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Oropeza
• ‘No’ Votes: Battin, Wyland

Passed Senate Education 7-2
• ‘No’ Vote: Wyland

Passed Assembly Floor 47-31
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Mendoza, Richardson, Solorio
• ‘No’ Votes: DeVore, Duvall, Garcia, Huff, Silva, Tran, Walters
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Soto, Spitzer

Passed Assembly Appropriations 12-5
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Solorio
• ‘No’ Vote: Walters

Passed Assembly Education 7-3
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Solorio
• ‘No’ Vote: Huff


SB 105 — Simplify Domestic Partner Income Tax Filing
Resolves issues relating to the CA Domestic Partner law regarding income tax filing requirements.

Approved By Governor Schwarzenegger.

Passed Senate Floor Concurrence 35-4
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Ackerman, Battin, Correa, Harman, Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza, Vincent
• ‘No’ Votes: Wyland

Passed Assembly Floor 47-31
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Mendoza, Solorio, Soto
• ‘No’ Votes: DeVore, Duvall, Garcia, Huff, Silva, Spitzer, Tran, Walters

Passed Assembly Appropriations 12-5
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Solorio
• ‘No’ Vote: Walters

Passed Assembly Revenue and Taxation 6-2
• ‘No’ Votes: DeVore, Spitzer

Passed Senate Floor 37-2
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Ackerman, Battin, Correa, Harman, Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Vincent, Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Oropeza

Passed Senate Revenue and Taxation 7-0
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Harman, Oropeza


SB 518 — Juvenile Justice Safety And Protection Act
Protects LGBT youth in the juvenile justice system.

Approved By Governor Schwarzenegger.

Passed Senate Floor Concurrence 22-12
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Correa, Harman
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Battin, Vincent, Wyland

Passed Assembly Floor 47-31
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Mendoza, Solorio, Soto
• ‘No’ Votes: DeVore, Duvall, Garcia, Huff, Silva, Spitzer, Tran, Walters

Passed Assembly Appropriations 12-5
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Solorio
• ‘No’ Vote: Walters

Passed Assembly Public Safety 4-2
• ‘Yes’ Vote: Solorio

Passed Senate Floor 23-13
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Correa, Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza, Vincent
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Harman, Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Battin

Passed Senate Appropriations 10-6
• ‘Yes’ Vote: Oropeza
• ‘No’ Vote: Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Battin

Passed Senate Public Safety 3-2


SB 559 — Property Taxation Exclusion
Introduced by Senator Kehoe: Ensures that all same-sex couples registered with the state benefit from a 2006 law about property reassessments upon the death of a partner.

Approved By Governor Schwarzenegger.

Passed Senate Floor Concurrence 22-14
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Battin, Harman, Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Correa, Vincent

Passed Assembly Floor 47-29
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Mendoza, Solorio, Soto
• ‘No’ Votes: DeVore, Duvall, Huff, Silva, Spitzer, Tran, Walters
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Garcia, Richardson

Passed Assembly Revenue and Taxation 6-3
• ‘No’ Votes: DeVore, Spitzer

Passed Senate Floor 24-13
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Correa, Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza, Vincent
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Harman, Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Battin

Passed Senate Appropriations 10-6
• ‘Yes’ Vote: Oropeza
• ‘No’ Vote: Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Battin

Passed Senate Revenue and Taxation 5-3
• ‘Yes’ Vote: Oropeza
• ‘No’ Vote: Harman


SB 777 — Education Non-discrimination
Introduced by Senator Keuhl: Creates uniform non-discrimination standards within the state education code so students, teachers, and school administrators clearly understand the protections that are provided within CA’s publicly-funded schools and programs.

Approved By Governor Schwarzenegger.

Passed Senate Floor Concurrence 22-14
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Lowenthal, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Battin, Harman, Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Correa, Vincent

Passed Assembly Appropriations 12-5
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Solorio
• ‘No’ Vote: Walters

Passed Assembly Education 7-3
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Karnette, Solorio
• ‘No’ Vote: Huff

Passed Assembly Judiciary 7-3
• ‘No’ Vote: Tran

Passed Senate Floor 23-13
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Correa, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza, Vincent
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting: Battin, Harman, Lowenthal

Passed Senate Judiciary 3-2
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Harman


SJR 6 — Repeal DADT Resolution
Resolution urges the Congress and President to repeal the military’s.

This resolution did not go to the Governor for approval.

Passed Assembly Floor 43-30
• ‘Yes’ Vote: Mendoza, Solorio, Soto
• ‘No’ Vote: DeVore, Duvall, Garcia, Huff, Spitzer, Tran, Walters
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting’: Karnette, Richardson

Passed Assembly Judiciary 7-3

Passed Senate Floor 23-13
• ‘Yes’ Votes: Correa, Negrete-McLeod, Oropeza, Vincent
• ‘No’ Votes: Ackerman, Wyland
• Absent/Abstain/Not Voting’: Battin, Harman, Lowenthal

Passed Senate Judiciary 3-2
• ‘No Votes: Ackerman, Harman

Christ Chapel Of Laguna Announced ONE Conference

Rev. Lillian Lobb, Pastor of OC Federation member Christ Chapel of Laguna announced that "It's About Time" will be the theme of this year's ONE Conference.  The conference is intended to help provide a forum for the LGBT community to explore one's priorities, simplify busy lives, help achieve goals, and live a more fulfilling life. Registration begins Saturday, November 10th at 9:30 AM and the conference will begin at 10:00 AM and will end late Saturday afternoon.

The conference will address topics and issues of interest to the LGBT community, as well as provide seminars for those who are seeking spiritual guidance. Among the seminars offered will be one on the Legalities of Domestic Partnership, Homophobia and Biblical interpretations about homosexuality, Developing Healthy Relationships, Addictions, and Prayer.

Open and affirming churches to the LGBT community from Southern California are joining together for the ONE Conference at Christ Chapel of Laguna, located in Lake Forest. The sponsoring churches do not endorse, condone, or promote any type of "change" ministry that is directed at condemning homosexuality and converting the individual to a heterosexual lifestyle. They adhere to the belief that a gay or lesbian sexual orientation is not a sin. The conference is open to everyone: gay or straight, Christian or non-Christian. Space is limited and registration will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore you are encouraged to register early.

For more information, and to request a registration packet, call Christ Chapel of Laguna at (949) 376-2099 or stop in at their new location at 22722 Lambert Street, Suite 1712, Lake Forest CA 92630. You can also download information on the conference from their website. There are scholarships available for clients of ASF and Laguna Shanti. If you want a scholarship please contact Rev. Lillian Lobb by Nov. 3. Space is limited and registration will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore you are encouraged to register early. Suggested donation: $30.00 for advanced registration and $40.00 at the door.

Reminder: 2007 Awards Dinner Tonight!

When
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Registration and Silent Auction 6 p.m.; Dinner and Program 7 p.m.

Where
Disneyland Hotel, Marina Ballroom

Speakers and Awardees
• Keynote Speaker: Assemblymember John Laird, Chair of the LGBT Legislative Caucus
• Special Guest: Susan Eggman, Stockton City Councilmember

• Joe Dunn Political Leadership Award: Alicia Berhow
• Corporate Leadership Award: Lighthouse at Southern California Edison
• Civil Rights & Education Award: California Teachers Association
• Community Service Award: Peg Corley
• Life Achievement Award: Ivy Bottini

Tickets are $175. Black tie suggested.

Contact ECCO ASAP to reserve your seat(s) or advertising space in the program book!

ECCOdinner@yahoo.com

Governor Schwarzenegger Vetoes AB 43 Marriage Equality Bill

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (AB 43).

The Governor's statement:

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 43 without my signature.

As I stated in vetoing similar legislation in 2005, I am proud California is a leader in recognizing and respecting domestic
partnerships. I believe that all Californians are entitled to full protection under the law and should not be discriminated against based upon their sexual orientation. I support current domestic partnership rights and will continue to vigorously defend and enforce these rights.

In 2000, the voters approved Proposition 22, a challenge to which is currently pending before the California Supreme Court. I
maintain my position that the appropriate resolution to this issue is to allow the Court to rule on Proposition 22. The people of
California should then determine what, if any, statutory changes are needed in response to the Court’s ruling.

Sincerely,

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Same-sex couples in California continues to be denied the dignity, benefits and responsibilities of marriage with the Governor's veto that would have given all committed couples the option to marry.

EQCA Coordinates Marriage Equality Television Campaign

Frustrated in efforts to legalize same-sex marriage through legislation or litigation, proponents will launch a multimillion- dollar advertising campaign this week to "open hearts and minds" in Sacramento and other major cities. The 60-second ads will run in the capital, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Palm Springs as part of a monthslong campaign to prod families to openly discuss same-sex marriage.

Supplementing the TV campaign, thousands of volunteers are expected to participate in the multifaceted promotional push — called "Let California Ring" — by conducting house parties, knocking on voters' doors, giving speeches or assisting in e-mail or Web activities.

Legislation to permit same-sex marriage sits on the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has vowed to veto it as he did a similar measure two years ago. Schwarzenegger, in his previous veto message, cited a ballot initiative passed by voters in 2000 to limit marriage to a man and a woman.

The constitutionality of California's ban on same-sex marriage is being challenged in the state Supreme Court. Same-sex couples who register as domestic partners are entitled to virtually every right and responsibility granted by the state to spouses. But California's domestic partnerships are not necessarily recognized in other states, nor do they qualify for Social Security, veterans and other federal spousal benefits.

Financial backers include the David Bohnett Foundation, Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Proteus Fund, Columbia Foundation, Gill Foundation and the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program, according to the campaign's Web site.

Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight

Read the article in the New York Times.

Donna Rose Resigns From HRC Board Over ENDA

Donna Rose, the first and only openly transgender member of the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Campaign, has announced her resignation over HRC's position on ENDA.

Read her statement here.

Register To Vote Deadline Is 10/22/07

The California deadline to register to vote for the upcoming November 6th elections is October 22nd, 2007.

Lesbian Garden Grove High School Student Loses Lawsuit

From KNBC:

A lesbian high school student [and 2005 ECCO Courage Award recipient — Editor] lost her federal lawsuit against an Orange County school district and her principal for telling her mother she was gay.

A federal judge ruled Charlene Nguon was treated no differently from straight students and her rights weren't violated. Nguon had also claimed she was singled out and punished by Santiago High School officials for hugging and kissing her girlfriend on campus. The suit noted heterosexual couples engaging in similar behavior weren't disciplined.

But the Santa Ana federal judge says her sexual orientation had nothing to do with her punishment.

Garden Grove Unified School District attorney Dennis Walsh said the district will now seek nearly $400,000 in legal fees.