ECCOPAC

Previous Award Winners

2010-10-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our ECCOPAC Award winners! At each dinner, we're reminded of what a great community we have and that a special thanks is always owed to all of our attendees and volunteers for making the night such a success!

2010

JOE DUNN AWARD for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Hon. John Perez, Speaker of the Assembly

ECCOPAC ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT HERO AWARD

Crystal Chappell, star of NBC-TV’s "Days of Our Lives" and star, co-creator and co-writer of the web series, “Venice”, and Kim Turrisi, co-creator and co-writer of the web series "Venice"

ECCOPAC LEADERSHIP HERO AWARD

Hon. Gerrie Schipske, Long Beach City Council Member and
Executive Director, Democratic Party of Orange County

ECCOPAC LIFETIME HERO AWARD

Dr. Max Schneider and Ron Smelt, LGBT Community Activists

ECCOPAC EDUCATIONAL HERO AWARD

Stephen Jimenez, Project 10 Specialist, Office of General Council, Los
Angeles Unified School District

ECCOPAC SCHNEIDER-SMELT COMMUNITY HERO AWARD

Irvine United Congregational Church, Rev Paul Tellstrom. Minister &
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, Rev Dr Karen Stoyanoff,
Minister

2009

JOE DUNN AWARD for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Hon. Jose Solorio, CA Assemblymember, 69th Assembly District

LGBTQ COMMUNITY VISIONARY

Eric Bauman, CA Democratic Party Vice-Chair

POLITICAL COURAGE

Lt. Dan Choi, West Point Graduate & Iraq War Veteran

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Rev. Wilfredo Benitez, Founder St. Anslem of Canterbury (Garden Grove)

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Rev. Lillian Lobb, Founder Christ Chapel of Laguna (Laguna Beach)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Marc Solomon, EQCA Marriage Director (former MassEquality Political Director)

2008

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND JOE DUNN AWARD for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Gavin Newsom — Mayor of San Francisco

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Shannon Minter — NCLR Lead Counsel in the California Marriage Equality decision

CIVIL RIGHTS AWARD

Sal Rosselli — President of SEIU (United Healthcare Workers — West)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Michel Martenay — Developer of the Laguna Beach AIDS Memorial Garden of Peace and Love

2007

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Assemblymember John Laird, Chair of the LGBT Legislative Caucus

SPECIAL GUEST AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Susan Eggman, Stockton City Councilmember

JOE DUNN AWARD for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Alicia Berhow

CORPORATE LEADERSHIP AWARD

Lighthouse at Southern California Edison

CIVIL RIGHTS & EDUCATION AWARD

California Teachers Association

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Peg Corley

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Ivy Bottini

2006

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND 1st ANNUAL JOE DUNN AWARD for POLITICAL LEADERSHIP

Hon. Joe Dunn, California State Senator

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Greg Willenborg — Willenborg Productions

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

Rev. Kristin Hawkins — Namaste Church of Long Beach

TRAILBLAZER AWARD

Hon. John Duran, West Hollywood City Councilmember

MARRIAGE EQUALITY AWARD

Jenny Pizer — Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund

2005

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Phil Angelides, California State Treasurer

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Fred Provencher — Huntington Beach Human Relations Task Force, Former ECCO Chair

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Nikki Yocham — The Center OC

HEALTH SERVICE AWARD

National Diversity Council — Kaiser Permanente

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Religion and Faith Program — Human Rights Campaign

LEADERSHIP AWARD

Assemblymember Tom Umberg

COURAGE AWARD

Charlene Nguon and Trang Nguyeni

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Gene Littlefield — Orange County Community Activist, PFLAG (Posthumous)

2004

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Assemblymember Mark Leno

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

David Bohnett Foundation

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Tim Hanlon — Wells Fargo Foundation

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Pam Woody — PFLAG

HEALTHCARE AWARD

Laguna Beach Community Clinic

HEALTHCARE AWARD

Korey Jorgensen, M.D.

2003

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Michael Adams — Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund

BUSINESS SERVICE AWARD

American Airlines

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Orange County Sheriff Mike Corona

HEALTH SERVICES AWARD

Sister Mary Elizabeth — AEGIS

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Brad Brafford

2002

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Sharon Davis, First Lady of California

BUSINESS SERVICE AWARD

Joe Hodulik — Framer's Workshop

BUSINESS SERVICE AWARD

Mark DePalma, Alford Harrison, Dan Ketelaars — Woody's at the Beach

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Paul DeGeorge — The Center OC

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Bob Tucker — Pride at Work, ERDC

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Sandra Hartness — Human Rights Campaign

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Jean Harris — CAPE

EDUCATION AWARD

Kevin Jennings — GLSEN

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Pearl Jemison-Smith

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Max Schneider, M.D.

2001

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Russ Vollmer

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Disneyland Resort

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

ocdm Marketing

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Brad White — Human Rights Campaign

2000

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Assemblymember Antonio Villaraigosa

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Steve May

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Jon W. Davidson

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

H.E.R.E Union, Local 681

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Althea Ingram

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Pat Walsh

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Richard Leyva — ERDC

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Rick Silver

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Craig Sannum

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Morris Kight

1999

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Urvashi Vaid

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Audrey Prosser

HEALTH SERVICE AWARD

Woman's Health Alliance

MEDIA SERVICE AWARD

Bill LaPointe — Orange County/Long Beach Blade

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Eric Bauman

1998

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congressman Barney Frank

HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AWARD

Jorge Rodriguez, M.D.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Rebecca Chadwick

1997

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Senator John Vasconcellos

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Meg Robinson

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Howard Hay

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Del Martin

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Phyllis Lyon

1996

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Chris Bull

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

John Gallagher

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Janice Barrett

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Julie Tanit

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

John Good

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Walter Carnwright

HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AWARD

Jim Lacy

1995

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AWARD

ECCO Moments, presented by Libby Cowan Robert Rios, Pearl Jemison-Smith

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Bonnie Castry

CORPORATE AWARD

PacifiCare Health Systems

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Scott Westerfield

1994

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Sheila James Kuehl

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Neil Purcell

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Manny Ortega

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Jeordan Legon

ELIZABETH CATY STANTON AWARD

Gloria Kapp

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Gene White

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Jeff LeTourneau

DONALD G. HAGEN AWARD

Robert Gentry

1993

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Representative Neil Abercrombie

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Representative Tom Campbell

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

David B. Mixner

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Elizabeth Ann Cowan

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Valerie Gold-Neil

EDUCATION AWARD

Del Weber

1992

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Secretary of State March Fong Eu

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Barbara Jackson

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Michael Losquadro

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Dana Parsons — Los Angeles Times

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Dianne Klein — Los Angeles Times

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Dr. Penny Weismuller

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Gene White

DONALD G. HAGEN AWARD

Supervisor Tom Riley

DONALD G. HAGEN AWARD

Supervisor Harriett Wieder

1991

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congressman Gerry Studds

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

John J. Duran, Esq.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

John Flake

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Lily Badalamenti

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

K. Bradley Hudson — Spectrum News

1990

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Joseph C. Steffan

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Pat Callahan

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

George Raab

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Joseph Bell — Los Angeles Times

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Reverend Fred Plummer

AWARD OF SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Rick Heckenliable (posthumous)

1989

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Arlene Sontag

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Richard Reinsch

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Barbara Muirhead

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Orange County Human Relations Commission

1988

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congressman John Miller

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congresswoman Pat Schroeder

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

The City of Laguna Beach

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

The City of Irvine

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Carroll Leslie

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Barbara Strauss

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Ed Miskevich

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Robert Walden and the cast of Brothers

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Charles A. Robertson, M.D.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

PFLAG Speakers Bureau

1987

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congressman John Miller

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Congresswoman Barbara Boxer

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Don G. Hagan, M.D.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Alex Wentzel

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD

Devron Kelly Huber (posthumous)

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Pearl Jemison-Smith, R.N.

ELIZABETH CADY STANTON AWARD

Gloria Allred

1986

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Lt. Governor Leo McCarthy

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Lisa Kaye

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Tim Miller

INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Ivy Bottini

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

AIDS Services Foundation

MEDIA AWARD

Bob Emmers, The Orange County Register

1985

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Senator Art Torres

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Assemblymember William Filante

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Assemblymember Maxine Waters

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

M. Dan Wooldridge

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Georgia Garrett-Norris, Esq.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Mel Lewis, M.D.

HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Randy Pesqueira

1984

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Senator Ed Davis

KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

State Assemblymember Art Agnos

POLITICAL SERVICE AWARD

Bob Gentry

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Pat Paddock

MEDIA AWARD

Jim Boone

ECCOPAC 2010 Endorsements

2010-09-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

As part of ECCOPAC's 27th Annual HERO Awards Dinner, ECCOPAC released it's Endorsement Slate for the 2010 California General Election. Working with community members and activists, ECCOPAC continues a long tradition of endorsing progressive issues and candidates that encourage and support the advancement of LGBTQ Civil Rights. ECCOPAC thanks all of the participants in this year's endorsement process - candidates for seeking our endorsement, and community members for giving us input during the process.

ECCOPAC 2010 California Proposition Endorsements
Click image to enlarge

ECCOPAC 2010 Complete Endorsement Slate
Click image to enlarge

ECCOPAC 27th Annual HERO Awards

2010-09-12T14:59:00.000-07:00

ECCOPAC, one of California’s oldest LGBT Political Action Committees, invites you to join us for our 27th Annual Community HERO Awards Dinner at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa.

This event, attended by 300+ of Southern California’s most active LGBT community members, suporters and activists, is an opportunity for us to honor our community HEROs from politics, community advocates, arts & entertainment, education, and businesses.

This year ECCOPAC honors:

Crystal Chappell, star of NBC-TV’s "Days of Our Lives" and star, co-creator and co-writer of the web series, “Venice”, and Kim Turrisi, co-creator and co-writer of the web series "Venice"
ECCOPAC Arts & Entertainment HERO Award
The Honorable John Perez, Speaker of the California Assembly
Joe Dunn Award for Political Leadership
The Honorable Gerrie Schipske, Long Beach City Council Member and Executive Director, Democratic Party of Orange County
ECCOPAC Leadership HERO Award

Dr. Max Schneider and Ron Smelt, LGBT Community Activists
ECCOPAC Lifetime HERO Award

Stephen Jimenez, Project 10 Specialist, Office of General Council, Los Angeles Unified School District
ECCOPAC Educational HERO Award
Irvine United Congregational Church, Rev Paul Tellstrom. Minister & Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, Rev Dr Karen Stoyanoff, Minister
ECCOPAC Schneider-Smelt Community HERO Award

Each of this year's recipients has demonstrated integrity, leadership, and has distinguished themselves in their life and profession. We proudly salute each of these HEROES.

This year's dinner is being held on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Hilton Hotel Orange County/Costa Mesa. Rooms are available for $99/night using the discount code CAT.

Our VIP Reception and silent auction, with and open bar and hors d'oeuvres, begins at 5:30pm. The standard reception and silent auction begins at 6:00pm. Dinner will begin at 7pm.

Space is available in our full-sized Dinner program. Ad rates:
Inside front or back cover = $700
Full page = $400
Half page = $250
Quarter page = $125
Business card = $65

For advertising, please call 1.949.498.8771 or email Denise Penn.

We look forward to sharing this evening with you.

Tickets prices are:
$150 (Reception and Dinner)
$200 (VIP Reception and Dinner)

Judge rules California's ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional

2010-08-04T14:55:00.000-07:00

(CNN) -- A federal judge in California on Wednesday overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage, saying the voter-approved rule violated the constitutional rights of gays and lesbians.

The decision, issued by Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco, is an initial step in what will likely be a lengthy legal fight over California's Proposition 8, which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

At stake in the trial was whether California's ban on same-sex marriage violated the constitutional rights to equal protection and due process of two gay couples that want to marry.

The case was watched closely by both supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage, as many say it is likely to wind its way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. If it does, the case could end in a landmark decision on whether people in the United States are allowed to marry people of the same sex."We are thrilled with today's ruling, which affirms that the protections enshrined in our U.S. Constitution apply to all Americans and that our dream of equality and freedom deserves protection," said Geoff Kors, executive director for Equality California, shortly after the decision.

Kristin Perry and Sandy Stier, along with Jeffrey Zarrillo and Paul Katami, are the two couples at the heart of the case, which if appealed would go next to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals before possibly heading to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Outside a San Francisco courthouse, a small group of same-sex marriage supporters waited for the decision. They waved flags and carried signs that read: "We all deserve the freedom to marry." Rallies were planned for later in the day Proposition 8 is part of a long line of seesaw rulings, court cases, debates and protests in California over the hotly debated issue of same-sex marriage. It passed with some 52 percent of the vote in November 2008.

Prior to Wednesday's decision, Rick Jacobs, founder of the Campaign Courage, which supports same-sex marriage, said he was hopeful about the possibility of victory, but prepared for a long legal battle.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal in five U.S. states and in the District of Colombia. Civil unions are permitted in New Jersey.

"The significance of the case is earth-shattering," said Jacobs.

ECCOPAC 2010 Califonia Primary Voter Guide

2010-06-03T09:14:00.000-07:00

Subscribe to ECCOPAC updates & endorsements and receive our voter guide as an email as soon as it is published.

Gay rights group demands apology from Newsweek

2010-05-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

AP – FILE - In this Jan. 17, 2010 file photo, 'Glee' creator Ryan Murphy arrivse at the InStyle/Warner Bros. …
By SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen, Ap Entertainment Writer – Wed May 12, 10:12 pm ET

LOS ANGELES – A gay rights group is demanding an apology from Newsweek magazine for a recent story that the group says suggested gay actors can't play straight characters.

"An actor's personal life should not be a factor in their believability in a role," said Jarrett Barrios, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. "That would be tantamount to audiences not buying Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl as lovers in their upcoming film 'Killers' because the two are happily married to different people in real life."

GLAAD spokesman Rich Ferraro said the magazine has not offered the apology sought by the group, but that the topic was discussed with Barrios and Dustin Lance Black, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of "Milk," during a Q&A with Newsweek on Wednesday. He said he believed that discussion would be published in the next issue.

Some Hollywood stars blasted the magazine and writer Ramin Setoodeh for an April 26 story that said it was OK for straight actors to play gay roles, but "it's rare for someone to pull off the trick in reverse."

In the story, Setoodeh criticized Sean Hayes' latest leading-man performance on Broadway, writing that the openly gay actor "comes off as wooden and insincere, like he's trying to hide something, which of course he is."

Ryan Murphy, creator of the hit Fox series "Glee," called for a boycott of the magazine until it apologizes to its gay readers, Hayes and "and other brave out actors who were cruelly singled out in this damaging, needlessly cruel and mind-blowingly bigoted piece."

Kristin Chenoweth, who stars opposite Hayes in "Promises, Promises" on Broadway, defended her co-star and denounced the Newsweek article in a letter to the editor.

"No one needs to see a bigoted, factually inaccurate article that tells people who deviate from heterosexual norms that they can't be open about who they are and still achieve their dreams," she wrote.

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, however, defended the magazine and its writer in an essay published Wednesday by The Huffington Post website.

Sorkin blamed the tabloid-fueled drive to know every detail about performers' personal lives and the institutionalized homophobia found in the American military, and national marriage and adoption laws.

Newsweek did not respond to a call and e-mail seeking comment Wednesday.
___
Online:
Newsweek, http://www.newsweek.com

ECCOPAC announces candidate endorsements

2009-10-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

~ ECCOPAC is PROUD ~

~ to endorse the following candidates for public office ~

We invite you to join with us and vote for

these candidates who support our community!

Phu Nguyen for 68th California Assembly District

Dave Jones for California Insurance Commissioner

Jordan Brandman for Trustee, Anaheim Union High School District

2009-10-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

ELECTION OF DELEGATES FOR 2010 CAMPAIGN

OCTOBER 2009

Orange County Town Hall / Regional Representative Election

October 6, 2009

6:30 PM

Teamsters Hall

140 S. Marks Way

Orange, CA 92868

Help elect YOUR representatives to the statewide Grassroots Council. At the Town Hall you will elect YOUR Orange County Regional Representatives (or perhaps be elected!) to the Statewide Advisory Panel of 'Restore Equality 2010.' It is vital that all of us get involved to make our voices heard.

This will also be an informational meeting on the plan and progress to date of the 2010 ballot effort.

Rules:

Every attendee has the right to vote.
Orange County has been divided into 3 regions from which we will elect our 3 Regional Representatives.
A candidate may run for only one Regional Representative position.
The candidate must have community ties to the area and must either live or work in the region.
The candidate may not be part of the IAG Responsibilities of elected Regional Representatives

Responsibilities of elected Regional Representatives

The elected Regional Representative will be the district field organizer for all the local signature hubs created in their district.
The Regional Representative will be the primary contact for their local hubs.

OC has been allotted 3 Regional Representative positions, dividing the county into 3 regions;

Region 1 - North OC: West of the 55,5 and 57 freeways;
Region 2 - Central OC: East of the 55,5, and 57 and West of 133, 241 and 91 freeways;
Region 3 - South OC: East of the 133, 241, and 91 freeways Maps will be posted to the group page shortly.

If you are interested in being a delegate or hosting a hub, it is recommended that you read the Davis Plan

http://www.restoreequality2010.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/The_Davis_Plan.pdf

If you are going to run for a delegate position, it is recommended that you post your info to the facebook group page and share a little bit about why you believe you will make a good rep for Orange County.

Please come out and support this effort, find out why it these groups are going back to the ballot in 2010, learn how you can help, and/or run for a regional representative position.

To see more details and click RSVP or follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/n/event.php&eid=290074080602&mid=12bd1c1G4c9a077cGee4807G7

26th Annual ECCO Awards Dinner

2009-09-21T22:45:00.000-07:00

Join ECCO as we honor our community's finest!
ECCO's 26th Annual Awards Dinner
TICKET PRE-SALE EXTENDED TO OCT 1, 2009

ECCO is proud to announce that this year's honorees* include:

Joe Dunn Political Leadership Award: Hon. Jose Solorio, CA State Assemblyman
GLBT Community Visionary Award: Eric Bauman, CA Democratic Party Vice-Chair
Political Courage Award: Lt. Dan Choi, West Point graduate and Iraq veteran
Social Justice Award: Reverend Wilfredo Benitez, Rector of Saint Anselm
Community Spirit Award: Reverend Lillian Lobb, Founder of Christ Chapel of Laguna
Lifetime Achievement: Marc Solomon, EQCA Marriage Director and former MassEquality Political Director

In addition, we are privledged and fortunate to have as our keynote speaker Torie Osborn, author, longtime activist, Durfee Foundation Stanton Fellow, Former Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Washington DC, former Executive Director of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, former senior advisor to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and current Chief Civic Engagement Officer for United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

Event Details:

Saturday, October 3rd from 6-10 p.m.
Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa CA 92626.
Ticket prices are $175 - but act now and you can get your tickets at the pre-sale price of $150.
Tickets are available for purchase direct from ECCO or by either using the PayPal or ActBlue

RSVP to 949-975-0866 or eccodinner@yahoo.com

*Nomination for an ECCO award does not necessarily constitute endorsement of ECCO

2009-09-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

ECCO
Announces New Organizational Structure,
Seeks New Board Members

Santa Ana, CA - September 21, 2009 - As ECCO prepares for its annual awards dinner and fundraiser, the organization elected its leadership structure for 2009-2010, and announces it is seeking applicants to fill existing vacancies.

2009-2010 Board of Directors:

Chair - Jim Rogers
Eugene Hedlund - Vice-Chair
Scott Miller - Treasurer
Secretary - Marisa Thomas
Bryan Choate - Development Director
Eric Dills - Donor Relations Director
Misha Houser - Public Affairs Director

A new Political Director will be announced at the October 3rd "Don't Stop Believing" Community Awards Dinner on October 3rd. Assemblyman Jose Solorio, Lt. Dan Choi, California Democratic Party Vice Chair, Eric Bauman, Equality California Marriage Director Marc Solomon, Rev. Wilfredo Benitez, and Rev. Lillian Lobb will be honored.

The dinner will be held at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 92626, 6-10 pm. Tickets may be purchased through the ECCO ActBlue webpage or PayPal [links also available at www.eccopac.org] or sent directly ECCO at:

ECCO
2321 E 4th Street, #C438
Santa Ana, CA 92705

ECCO Chair Jim Rogers commented, "We're excited at ECCO about what the future holds. We're preparing for what we hope will be our most successful Annual Dinner ever! This reorganization better reflects the strengths and interests of the Board Members and the future direction of ECCO. We are dedicated to increasing ECCO's influence and impact while serving our diverse communities."

ECCO is already gearing up for the next election cycle, the issues we will confront, and the candidates who will be seeking our support and endorsement.

About ECCO:

ECCO is California's oldest and ONLY Federal and State LGBTQ Political Action Committee whose mission is to locate and educate local politicians and candidates on issues of importance to the LGBTQ community, including Civil and Human Rights, HIV/AIDS, as well as Women's, Progressive and Labor issues.

ECCO's Statement of Principles:

ECCO's Board practices principles of transparency and good governance. We meet regularly to discuss and deliberate issues and candidates that affect our community. Decisions are made only after a through vetting of the issue and candidate's support and knowledge of our core issues. Board members having personal or financial interest or perception of a conflict of interest, are precluded from deliberations on those issues or candidates in which they may have a stake.

2009-08-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

FROM CALIFORNIANS AGAINST HATE

August 13, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Fred Karger @ 619-592-2008

Letter Sent to Maine Election Officials
Warning of Money Laundering by National Organization for Marriage (NOM) & Others

LOS ANGELES, CA / AUGUSTA , ME – Californians Against Hate founder Fred Karger sent a letter today warning top Maine election officials of possible money laundering by opponents of same-sex marriage.

The organization trying to overturn Maine ’s same-sex marriage law, Stand for Marriage PAC recently turned in 100,000 signatures to place the question on the November ballot. These gay marriage foes hope to repeal LD 1020 -- the law passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor allowing same-sex marriage in Maine .

Of the $343,689.50 raised to pay the Brighton, Michigan based National Petition Management, Inc. to collect the signatures, only $400, or a mere .001 of that total came from individuals. The remaining $343,289.50 was given by various religious organizations and James Dobson’s Focus on the Family. The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) gave nearly half of that total, $160,000. The remainder came from Catholic organizations ($150,000) and James Dobson’s Focus on the Family ($31,000).

“It sure looks like they are trying to hide the donors in their latest effort to strip away marriage equality,” said Fred Karger. “ There is no way these organizations like NOM and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland had all this money sitting in their treasuries (except for possibly Focus on the Family). They went out and raised it expressly for this campaign. It’s very expensive to hire these signature gathering firms to collect 100,000 signatures in a short period of time.”

Let the Money Laundering Begin

NOM is a Mormon Front Group

There is an ongoing investigation into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC Case #08/735). The FPPC is looking into both the Church’s lack of reporting its non-monetary contributions to Prop 8, and also whether NOM was, in fact, established as a front group by the Salt Lake City based Mormon Church. The Mormon Church has used this tactic in several states beginning in Hawaii in 1996.

Warning Maine Officials

In a letter to Jonathan Wayne, Executive Director of the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices (letter copy below), Karger warned of suspected money laundering by the major donors to Stand for Marriage PAC.

It begs the question; are they directing all contributions to their existing organizations, who in turn then give the money to Stand for Marriage PAC?,” Karger asked in today’s letter. “We are very familiar with how this coalition operates, and we want to warn the political leadership and the residents of Maine to beware.

The coalition has also hired the highly regarded Schubert, Flint Campaign Management firm of Sacramento , California .

Who are the Victims Here?

These major backers of Stand for Marriage PAC will do their best to play the poor victim. They like to say that their contributors are being targeted simply because they give money to “preserve marriage.” That’s what they did in California after running a very nasty campaign and spending $40 million to take away marriage equality from millions of Californians.

Let’s be clear. They are NOT the victims here. The Mormon Church and its coalition have qualified and passed Constitutional Amendments in 30 states to yank away civil rights from gay and lesbian Americans.

The Mormons began this fight in 1988. They have been destroying lives, intimidating people and demonizing an entire class to solidify their base and raise millions and millions of dollars.

After two decades of assaulting the LGBT Community, we are now fighting back with our talent, our numbers, our friends, our money and our purchasing power. They are not the victims in this equation, and even the best PR by all of their consultants cannot rewrite history.

Our hope is that as young people discover that they are LGB or T, they do not feel any less of a person because Maggie Gallagher (NOM $160,000 to the Maine campaign), Bishop Richard Malone (Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, ME $100,000 to the Maine campaign) Knights of Columbus (Catholic Church’s Political Arm $50,000 to the Maine campaign) or James Dobson (Focus on the Family $31,000 to the Maine campaign) gave so very much money to bully them and take away their rights.

Copy of Letter To Maine Election Officials

August 13, 2009

Mr. Jonathan Wayne
Executive Director
Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and
Elections Practices
135 State House Station
Augusta , Maine 04333

Re: Money Laundering -- Stand for Marriage PAC

Dear Mr. Wayne:

We have reviewed the very first finance report which was recently filed by Stand for Marriage PAC, the group trying to repeal Maine ’s same-sex marriage law.

It appears that there are already questionable activities.

Stand for Marriage PAC reported raising $343,689.50 during the period April 1 to July 5, 2009. We found it very suspicious that of that total, only $400 was given by individuals. The balance of $343,289.50 was contributed by various religious organizations and James Dobson’s Focus on the Family.

That means that individual contributions to repeal gay marriage in Maine are only .001% of the total raised.

Are the proponents trying to hide the identities of those contributing to their campaign? Are they directing all contributions to existing organizations, who then gave the money to Stand for Marriage PAC? This appears to be the case.

If this is true, would it not be considered money laundering?

We have been very active and have closely tracked all the money that was raised to pass Proposition 8 in California last year. Californians Against Hate was the first to uncover the vast involvement in the election by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church). Our extensive research revealed that the Mormon Church had its members in California and around the country give approximately 75% of the $40 million that was raised to pass Prop 8.

On November 13, 2008, just nine days after the election, we filled a complaint with, the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), your counterpart in California . Our complaint alleged that the Mormon Church had spent a tremendous amount of money in non-monetary contributions that they never reported, which is required under California election law.

We submitted evidence supporting our claim that the Mormon Church ran out of state phone banks, produced 27 slick commercials (that ranged from 30 seconds to 8 minutes long) and put them on their elaborate web site Preserving Marraige.org for all to see. We also asked the Commission to investigate the Mormon Church for bussing people from Utah to California for precinct walking, sending out extensive direct mail and numerous other activities.

Eight days later, the FPPC announced that they were launching an unprecedented investigation into the Mormon Church (Case # 08/735) as a result of our complaint.

On March 19, 2009, we filed a supplemental complaint with the FPPC. We received hundreds of secret Mormon documents that show exactly how involved the Mormon Church has been throughout the country in fighting same-sex marriage. The documents reveal how the Church established front groups to wage their battles, and shield the Church from any negative publicity

We believe that the Mormon Church established the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) in May of 2007 for the express purpose of qualifying Proposition 8 for the California ballot. This was done in conjunction with leading Catholic organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and James Dobson’s Focus on the Family.

It is no coincidence that these are the exact same groups that are funding and leading the effort to repeal Maine ’s recently passed same-sex marriage law.

We believe that only Focus on the Family had money in its treasury. The other groups raised money expressly for the campaign to hire the professional signature gathering firm to qualify the referendum.

They are trying to hide the true identities of those contributing to the campaign.

It certainly sounds like money laundering to us. We hope that your office will investigate the genuine sources of the funds contributed to Stand for Marriage PAC.

The Mormon Church appears to be using the National Organization for Marriage to fight same-sex marriage all over the Northeast.

They admitted as much in a Washington Post story on May 29, 2009. A spokeswoman in Salt Lake City declined to say whether the church is involved in debates going on in the Northeast except to say, “…that leaders remain intent on preserving the divine institution of marriage between man and woman. The faith holds that traditional marriage transcends this world and is necessary for the fullness of joy in the next life."

It sure sounds like the Mormon Church is involved to us.

On our web site Mormongate.com, we describe the formation of NOM. This was done at the very highest level of the Mormon Church – the President and the 12 Apostles.

You can see exactly how they operated in Hawaii in order to skirt state election laws there. They funneled money through Hawaii ’s Future Today, which they established to fund that state’s campaign to ban same-sex marriage.

In the near future, we will be releasing other official Mormon documents that explain how this happened in other states.

If we can be of any assistance in your efforts to monitor Stand for Marriage PAC, please to not hesitate to call upon us.

Best regards,

Fred Karger
Founder
Californians Against Hate
www.CaliforniansAgainsthate.com
619-592-2008

cc: Attorney General Janet Mills

Central Valley City Shifts On Marriage Equality

2009-08-06T15:47:00.000-07:00

After leading the charge in support of Prop 8, Porterville's City Council voted 3-2 to reject a resolution in opposition to SB 54, Equality California’s out-of-state marriages bill, authored by Sen. Mark Leno.

Porterville, California, a city of approximately 50,000 located deep in the heart of the rural Central Valley, has made itself into the symbol of the anti-same sex marriage crusades, but now the tides may be starting to turn.

During the 2008 campaign for Prop 8, Porterville’s City Council voted unanimously 5-0 in a resolution to urge its citizens to vote to remove existing civil rights from some Californians. It was the only Council in all of California to vote in favor of supporting Prop 8. Porterville citizens responded to the Council’s call, voting over 75% in favor of the measure.

Advocates for civil rights have been active and present at every public meeting since the California Supreme Court ruled Prop 8 as a valid amendment, and at most meetings prior to that dating back to September 2008.

Read the full story here.

Three Killed In LGBT Center Attack In Tel Aviv

2009-08-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of police officers scoured the streets of Tel Aviv in a manhunt for a gunman who shot and killed three people at a youth club in the worst ever attack on homosexuals in Israel. The Tel Aviv shooting shocked the Mediterranean city, which prides itself on its live-and-let-live attitude and boasts a thriving gay community. The brazen attack drew condemnations from the city's mayor, from Cabinet ministers, the country's chief rabbis and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A masked man entered the center for gay teens in downtown Tel Aviv late Saturday night, pulled out a pistol and opened fire. The shooter then concealed his weapon and fled the scene on foot into the busy streets outside the center, Rosenfeld said.

New HIV Strain Found In Cameroon

2009-08-04T07:39:00.000-07:00

A new strain of the virus that causes AIDS has been discovered in a woman from the African nation of Cameroon. It differs from the three known strains of human immunodeficiency virus and appears to be closely related to a form of simian virus recently discovered in wild gorillas, researchers report in the journal Nature Medicine. The three previously known HIV strains are related to the simian virus that occurs in chimpanzees.

The 62-year-old patient tested positive for HIV in 2004, shortly after moving to Paris from Cameroon, according to the researchers. She had lived near Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, but said she had no contact with apes or bush meat, a name often given to meat from wild animals in tropical countries. The woman currently shows no signs of AIDS and remains untreated, though she still carries the virus.

U of Hawaii Coach Fined For F-Bomb

2009-08-04T07:37:00.000-07:00

University of Hawaii football coach Greg McMackin was given a month's suspension without pay and a 7% salary cut as punishment for using the word "faggot" several times during a press conference. Some of the money saved will pay for a student intern for the university’s gay student union office. McMackin offered up yet another apology for the incident at a press conference, saying, "I just want to say that I made a big mistake. I want to apologize to anyone and everyone that I offended."

AIDS Funding Slashed In Budget Cuts

2009-07-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the US’ largest AIDS organization as well as the operator of California’s largest alternative HIV testing program, condemned Governor Schwarzenegger’s gutting of California’s lifesaving HIV/AIDS programs as he approves a budget plan that includes millions of dollars worth of cuts to the state’s HIV/AIDS education, prevention, counseling & testing, housing and treatment services.

The cuts to HIV/AIDS programs include: an 80% reduction in funding for Education & Prevention, a 70% cut in HIV Counseling and Testing, a 50% cut for Early Intervention (that provides primary medical care), a 100% cut in Therapeutic Monitoring Program (the program that monitors the effectiveness of HIV/AIDS drugs administered through the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program), a 20% cut in Housing and more than a 50% cut in funding for Home and Community-Based Care.

According to Michael Weinstein, President of AHF, “The Governor’s heartless act is not only deadly, but guaranteed to cost California taxpayers millions more in the future. With HIV testing programs sidelined and the state’s ability to prevent new infections stymied, new infections in California will increase—each new infection can mean up to $600,000 dollars in lifetime health care costs. A 100% cut to the Therapeutic Monitoring Program is the definition of penny-wise and pound-foolish—with the ability to monitor the effectiveness of lifesaving AIDS drugs hampered, the state’s already cash-strapped AIDS Drug Assistance Program will only end up spending more for drugs.”

Orange County LGBT Pride Event

2009-07-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Orange County LGBT Pride is coming!

WHEN: Sat. August 15, 2009, noon-4:00pm

WHERE: William R. Mason Regional Park, Shelter 6, 18712 University Drive, Irvine

HOW MUCH? FREE Admission!

Family friendly, dogs are welcome. Bring a picnic (Food & Beverage available for purchase - no alcohol please)

Chris Matthews Takes On OC Congressman Campbell On Hardball

2009-07-28T08:46:00.000-07:00

NY Senator Gillibrand Fights For Suspension Of DADT

2009-07-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

NY Senator Gillibrand’s fast-track proposal for halting DADT, an amendment to the Military Reauthorization Act that would have ordered the Defense secretary to stop investigating gay service members, was never introduced. Even with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expressing his support, the senator determined there weren't 60 votes available for a vote of cloture on the amendment to overcome a filibuster.

Gillibrand is working with senators "to continue to highlight the issue and move forward on the issue." She has obtained a commitment that the Senate Armed Services Committee will hold hearings on the issue this fall.

Sen. Ted Kennedy is slated to introduce a bill for full repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the Senate. In the House, Rep. Patrick Murphy took over as lead sponsor of repeal legislation. Murphy's bill has close to the 218 votes needed to pass.

GLAAD Ranks HBO #1

2009-07-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

In GLAAD's third annual Network Responsibility Index, which evaluated the five major networks and 10 cable outlets, HBO scored the highest rating and a grade of "Good," with 42% of its programming featuring LGBT content. Showtime placed second. "This year programming was not only inclusive of LGBT people, but networks like HBO are beginning to reflect the broad diversity within our community," Rashad Robinson, GLAAD's senior director of media programs. In all, GLAAD evaluated 4,901 hours of prime-time broadcast programming and 1,213 hours from cable, from June 2008 through May 2009.

Also ranking "Good" was ABC, the best-performing of the Big 5. The CW followed with 20%. Among the networks graded "Adequate," Fox (11%) rose from its year-ago last-place finish, though GLAAD said that some of its LGBT-inclusive hours included "problematic content." Namely, a pair of Family Guy episodes and So You Think You Can Dance.

"Failing" grades went to NBC (8%), CBS (5%) and cable's A&E, Syfy and TBS. CBS' annual ranking dropped from third among broadcast networks to last.

Congressman Nadler To Introduces Marriage Equality Legislation

2009-07-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

From the Bay Area Reporter:

Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) ruled out including anything other than legally recognized marriages in the legislation he plans to introduce either this week or once Congress returns from its August recess. "No, it will not include domestic partnerships or civil unions. It is going to be just marriage," said Nadler, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and therefore, will be the lead sponsor of legislation aimed at repealing the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Under DOMA's Section 3 the federal government is forbidden from recognizing LGBT couples married in the six states where same-sex marriage is legal. Section 2 of the law says those states that outlaw same-sex marriages do not have to recognize legal same-sex marriages from other states. Nadler said his bill would repeal both sections of DOMA.

Nadler is also the author of legislation that would grant equal status to married U.S. citizens and foreign nationals where same-sex marriages are recognized.

City Of El Paso Takes On Chico's Tacos

2009-07-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

The El Paso, TX city council has unanimously approved a resolution reaffirming the city's dedication to "acceptance, tolerance, and diversity."

The resolution was necessary after a confrontation between five gay men and security guards at a Chico's Tacos restaurant June 29. Police were called, and an officer initially tried to charge the gay men with "homosexual conduct," using an outdated law that had been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. "In 40 years, we'll look back on this that this is the right thing to do," said Steve Ortega, who sponsored the resolution. "This is the civil-rights issue of our time." City Manager Joyce Wilson told the council that the Police Department has made a commitment to provide more training to its officers so they can respond better to situations like the one at Chico's. Ortega said it's important for elected officials to respond to discrimination and to voice their support for accepting different people and lifestyles.

Senate Set To Pass Hate Crimes Legislation

2009-07-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Senate approved their final version of defense appropriations bill to which the Matthew Shepard Act is attached. Staffers from the House and Senate will meet in a conference committee to reconcile the two versions.

President Obama had threatened to veto the bill if it included funding for the F-22 fighter jet. That funding has been stripped from the bill which should clear the way for it to be passed and signed.

Arrest In Murder Of Navy Sailor Provost

2009-07-25T08:31:00.000-07:00

Navy Petty Officer Jonathan Campos, a 32-year-old gas system technician, has been charged with murder, arson, unlawful entry, unlawful possession of a firearm and a host of other charges in connection with last month's fatal shooting of a seaman at Camp Pendelton. Campos is being held at the brig at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and is cooperating with investigators, who reiterated that there is no indication the killing of 29-year-old August Provost III on June 30 was a hate crime. Provost was gay. Officials repeatedly have rejected assertions that Provost was killed because he was gay, as some members of his family have suggested.

Massachusetts Sues The Feds Over DOMA

2009-07-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

Massachusetts is suing the federal government over a law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. State Attorney General Martha Coakley filed the lawsuit in federal court in Boston. It says the federal Defense of Marriage Act interferes with the right of Massachusetts to define marriage as it sees fit.

The 1996 federal law denies federal recognition of gay marriage. Massachusetts was the first state to allow the practice. The Boston-based Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders has already sued over the federal law. It says it discriminates against gay couples and is unconstitutional because it denies them access to federal benefits that other married couples receive.

New Delhi Court Decriminalizes Homosexuality

2009-07-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

Although legal pundits are divided on this, the law laid down by a 2004 SC judgment implies that homosexuals across the country may rest assured that they too are entitled to the benefits of the historic Delhi high court decision on Section 377 IPC. In Kusum Ingots vs Union of India, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court had ruled: “An order passed on writ petition questioning the constitutionality of a Parliamentary Act, whether interim or final, will have effect throughout the territory of India subject of course to the applicability of the Act.”

Though under pressure from religious groups of all hues to appeal against the Delhi High Court order legalising gay sex, the Manmohan Singh government is unlikely to move the Supreme Court on its own. The opinion in the government on the fraught issue is far from settled and the Delhi HC may have spared it the tough task of coalescing divergent views into a position. In fact, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi indicated as much when he said that "the verdict has rendered legislative intervention meaningless".

Openly Gay Pendleton Marine Provost Found Dead

2009-07-06T07:42:00.000-07:00

The body of an openly gay sailor was found in a guard shack outside of Camp Pendleton, a USMC base just outside San Diego. The case may be investigated as a hate crime. The body of Seaman August Provost of Houston, Texas, was discovered about 3:30 a.m. on the western edge of the base. The family was told that he was shot three times, had his hands and feet bound, his mouth gagged, and body burned. A “person of interest” was being held in the Navy brig at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

The victim's boyfriend said that Provost had been out to trusted friends in the Navy. Provost III, had complained a year before about being harassed for being gay and was advised to report and document the incidents, but the military did little to help.

Investigators have called the sailor’s death a random act unrelated to the his sexuality.

D.C. Set To Recognize Same-sex Marriages

2009-07-06T07:40:00.000-07:00

The decision from Judge Judith Retchin to deny a preliminary injunction and grant the city’s motion to dismiss means there will be no referendum on the recognition statute, which will likely become law July 6 after a congressional review of the law is completed.

Congress is not expected to undo the legislation. Retchin determined that the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics ruled properly that the proposed referendum, sought by a coalition of area clergy, was an improper subject for a ballot question because it would violate the city’s Human Rights Act. The act, she said, makes it “unlawful for the government to deny services or benefits based on membership in a protected category,” and there are some 200 rights and responsibilities conferred to married couples that are not given to legally recognized same sex couples.

San Diego Police Raid Lesbian Fundraiser

2009-07-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

Congressional candidate Francine Busby was being hosted at the home of a lesbian couple in San Diego, where they and 30 guests raised funds for her campaign. A neighbor of the couple began shouting homophobic slurs over his backyard fence and then apparently called the police to complain about the noise. Cops responded with eight police cruisers and a helicopter, arresting the hosts and pepper spraying the guests.

Busby is seeking to fill the House seat vacated by GOP Rep. Duke Cunningham, who is in federal prison after being found guilty of corruption. She is demanding that San Diego police explain their actions at her event. Commenters at the Sign On San Diego story are calling for the firings of the involved police.

Ft. Worth Police Raid Gay Bar

2009-07-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

Witnesses say that police arrived at the nightclub about 1 a.m. Sunday and arrested seven people and that one of those arrested suffered a fractured skull during the takedown and is at a Fort Worth hospital. About 75 people showed up Sunday afternoon at the Rainbow Lounge to make signs for the rally. Some of the signs read: "Give us Answers Now" and "We Have Rights Too."

Fort Worth police released a statement saying that the Rainbow Lounge was not the only bar targeted by six Fort Worth police officers and two agents from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and a supervisor. The group first went to the Rosedale Saloon and Cowboy Palace on Rosedale Street. Nine people were arrested, police report. The investigators then went to the Rainbow Lounge, where seven arrests were made, the police statement said.

Rainbow Lounge patron Chad Gibson, who suffered a head injury during what witnesses described as an unnecessarily rough arrest, is scheduled to be released from the hospital today.

Fort Worth Police Chief Jeff Halstead has ordered multicultural training for his officers.

March On Washington Set For October

2009-06-23T11:26:00.001-07:00

Longtime gay activist Cleve Jones said that he has received approval for the "Equality Across America" march and rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for Sunday, October 11, which is National Coming Out Day.

Same-sex Marriages Will Count In '10

2009-06-23T11:23:00.001-07:00

Married same-sex couples will be counted as such in the 2010 census, Census Bureau officials said, reversing a decision of the Bush administration.

Spokesman For Chastity Bono Confirms FTM Transition

2009-06-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Chastity Bono began undergoing a sex change shortly after her 40th birthday on March 4.

Bono's spokesman, Howard Bragman, told TMZ, "He is proud of his decision and grateful for the support and respect that has already been shown by his loved ones. It is Chaz's hope that his choice to transition will open the hearts and minds of the public regarding this issue, just as his 'coming out' did nearly 20 years ago."

New Hampshire Becomes Sixth State To Approve Marriage Equality

2009-06-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

Traditionally conservative New Hampshire became the sixth state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage, after a bill was enacted by both the state House and Senate and then signed by Governor John Lynch.

Lynch said it was a New Hampshire tradition "to come down on the side of individual liberties and protections and that tradition continues today."

Betty Bowers On Traditional Marriage

2009-06-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

Dick Cheney Supports Marriage Equality — By State Not Federal

2009-06-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

Speaking at the National Press Club for the Gerald R. Ford Foundation journalism awards, Dick Cheney says that he supports gay marriage as long as it is deemed legal by state and not federal government.

"I think that freedom means freedom for everyone," replied the former V.P. "As many of you know, one of my daughters is gay and it is something we have lived with for a long time in our family. I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish. Any kind of arrangement they wish. The question of whether or not there ought to be a federal statute to protect this, I don't support. I do believe that the historically the way marriage has been regulated is at the state level. It has always been a state issue and I think that is the way it ought to be handled, on a state-by-state basis. ... But I don't have any problem with that. People ought to get a shot at that."

Nevada Legislature Overrides Gov. Veto And Approves Domestic Partners

2009-06-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

From an article in the Las Vegas Sun.

The Nevada Assembly overrode the veto of Gov. Jim Gibbons on a bill giving legal rights to domestic partners, making Nevada the 17th state to recognize the relationships of gay and lesbian couples under state law. The law takes effect Oct. 1.

The vote Sunday night was 28-14, the bare minimum needed to overturn the decision of the governor. It follows the 14-7 vote in the Senate Saturday and puts the bill into law.

Senate Bill 283 provides domestic partners the same rights in such things as community property responsibility for debt to third parties and the right to seek financial support if they split up. The bill specifically states that a domestic partnership is not a marriage as outlined in the 2002 constitutional amendment that says a marriage can only be between a man and a woman.

The governor, in his veto message, said the voters in 2002 felt “the right of marriage should apply only to married couples, only the voters should determine whether those rights should equally apply to domestic partners.”

President Obama Issues LGBT Pride Proclamation

2009-06-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

"The License" — Great Marriage Equality Spoof

2009-05-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

"The Defenders" — Great Marriage Equality Spoof

2009-05-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

(Via Pam's House Blend)

"Meet In The Middle For Equality" Rally In Fresno This Saturday!

2009-05-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

Organizers of Meet In The Middle 4 Equality are coordinating Prop 8 demonstrations and activities in Fresno, CA on Saturday 5/30.

Why Fresno? It is in the center of the state and a very conservative part of California. It is here that we must change hearts and minds.

View Larger Map

Bush v. Gore Lawyers Take Marriage Ban Federal

2009-05-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

Two lawyers who squared off in the legal case that determined the 2000 U.S. presidential election joined forces on Wednesday to ask a federal court to halt California's same-sex marriage ban, despite warnings from gay rights advocates not to mount a federal challenge.

Ted Olson and David Boies, who opposed each other in the Bush v. Gore Supreme Court case, said that gays and lesbians were made into second-class citizens by California's voter-approved ban, known as Proposition 8.

(Via Yahoo! News)

Obama Will Face Protests At Beverly Hilton

2009-05-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

President Obama, the alleged "fierce advocate" for LGBT rights, is scheduled to attend a Democratic Party fundraiser at the Beverly Hilton tonight, one day after White House spokesman Robert Gibbs refused to offer any official response to the Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8 in California.

(Via Towleroad)

ECCO And Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats Issue Joint Prop 8 Press Release

2009-05-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Today the California Supreme Court declared that Proposition 8, approved by the voters in November, is a valid amendment as was presented to the voters, but chose to uphold the marriages of the estimated 18,000 LGBT couples in California. This contradiction is bound to wreak havoc in the courts until it is challenged once again at the ballot box. In short, they’ve done nothing.

The leaders of Orange County’s two oldest LGBT political groups the Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats-OC (Milk OC) and the Elections Committee of the County of Orange (ECCO) have released the following statement:

Orange County, CA - The Supreme Court of the State of California has shown that it does not have the courage of its convictions. Last year, the court acted honorably when it ruled that the California state constitution guarantees equal marriage rights for the LGBT community under the law. Today, acting out of fear of political retribution by the anti-gay lobby, they have repudiated their own ruling and have come to an unacceptable compromise.

By declaring Proposition 8 valid yet allowing those gay couples that are already married to remain married the court disenfranchises those in the LGBT community who were not ready or able to rush to City Halls across the state and participate in the civil ceremony their tax dollars help support when it was legal. Everyone in the LGBT community should have the opportunity to pursue happiness.

ECCO Chair, Jim Rogers commented, “Today is a sad day for Equality. The California Supreme Court has shown that the State of California is not a place where “All men (and women) are created equal.” The court has upheld the marriages of those couples married before the Prop. 8 vote, but has created an unequal society by not allowing all couples to enjoy the right of marriage. Everyone deserves the right to marry the person they love. California now takes a step back in the area of equality. Hopefully, the people of this state will understand soon, as have other states in our nation, that equality is a natural right everyone deserves!”

“Our setback today is just a stumbling block in the long and inevitable march toward full LGBT marriage equality. The tide is turning in our favor more and more every day. Iowa, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut now confer same-sex couples with all of the same rights and responsibilities of marriage as their heterosexual neighbors. These victories give us hope that, very soon, Californians will have the same opportunity,” declared Harvey Milk Stonewall President, John Santoianni.

“Today marks the continuation of inequality in California. Same-sex couples are only protected under the law if they are already married. This is a major step, however it created yet more inequality within our state. Children of same-sex couples, and gay parents in general, may or may not be protected should something happen to one of their parents. We must continue to fight for equal protection under the law for all people,” added Rogers.

Organizations supporting marriage equality including the Orange County Equality Coalition, The Center Orange County, Elections Committee of the County of Orange, Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats - OC and the Democratic Party of Orange County have organized a rally that will take place near the Old County Courthouse on Tuesday, May 26th at 6:00 pm on Sycamore Street, the street that is adjacent to and forms the eastern boundary of the Courthouse property.

The rally will bring together friends, supporters, community-based organizations and others who are interested in marriage equality, including public officials and faith leaders. Following a few brief remarks at the Sycamore Street location, the group will proceed west on West Santa Ana Boulevard and north on North Ross Street to the Plaza of the Flags, located in the Civic Center Plaza.

Street parking is available in the immediate vicinity in addition to nearby parking structures. Handicap access is available on the Courthouse property and along the route to the Plaza of the Flags.

The Harvey Milk Stonewall Democrats of Orange County is a chapter of the National Stonewall Democrats and is committed to securing equal rights for LGBT Americans both in California and nationwide.

Founded in 1982, the Elections Committee of the County of Orange (ECCO) is an all volunteer, non-partisan political organization, serving Orange County and Long Beach, California, championing LGBT, HIV/AIDS, and Women’s causes through political advocacy. ECCO, the only combined federal and state LGBT PAC in California, strives to educate political leaders and candidates about issues that face our community.

Orange County, Long Beach & Palm Springs Prop 8 Decision Day Rallies Today!

2009-05-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

ORANGE COUNTY
Please join ECCO and its coalition partners for a Decision Day Rally on Tuesday.

Background
The CA Supreme Court has announced it will publish the Prop 8 ruling regarding Marriage Equality Tuesday (5/26) at 10 a.m. PDT.

Event
Peaceful Rally, Tuesday, May 26 @ 6 p.m. in front of the Old Orange County Courthouse, 211 W. Santa Ana Boulevard (between N. Broadway and N. Sycamore) Santa Ana, CA 92701

Details
This event is being planned and sponsored by a coalition of Democracy for America, OCEC, ECCO, Laguna Beach Democratic Club, The Center OC, HRC, and the Harvey Milk Democratic Club.

We will gather in front of the Old Orange County Courthouse at 6 p.m., and, after a brief presentation, march to the Plaza of the Flags to continue our rally.

March Route
We are marching from the Old Courthouse on Broadway, North to Civic Center Drive; then West to Ross; then South to the walkway leading (Westerly) to the Plaza of the Flags (an internal plaza not bounded by a city street). Here we will listen to some speakers.

View Larger Map

After our rally we will continue South on Ross to 4th Street; then East to Broadway, returning to the Old Courthouse from where we will disperse.

LONG BEACH
Please join members of ECCO and The Center Long Beach as we take part in the Decision Day Rally in Long Beach on Tuesday — organized by Long Beach Equality.

Background
The CA Supreme Court has announced it will publish the Prop 8 ruling regarding Marriage Equality Tuesday (5/26) at 10 a.m. PDT.

Event
Peaceful Rally, Tuesday, May 26 @ 7 p.m. at the corner of Broadway and Alamitos and march to Bixby Park Bandshell (Junipero/Second) for a rally.

View Larger Map

PALM SPRINGS
Please join members of ECCO as we take part in the Decision Day Rally in Palm Springs on Tuesday — organized by Coachella Valley Marriage Equality Coalition.

Background
The CA Supreme Court has announced it will publish the Prop 8 ruling regarding Marriage Equality Tuesday (5/26) at 10 a.m. PDT.

Event
Peaceful Rally, Tuesday, May 26 @ 7 p.m. at the County Courthouse, 3255 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way in Palm Springs (across from Palm Springs City Hall).

View Larger Map

Voter Recommendations For May 19, 2009

2009-05-19T06:43:00.000-07:00

ECCO recommends a "Yes" vote on Propositions 1A through 1F.

Join ECCO For Outrage This Friday 5/22

2009-05-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Location and show time of Outrage TBD.

9-Year-Old Activist Ethan Speaks At Denver Marriage Equality Rally

2009-05-18T06:51:00.000-07:00

Ethan McNAmee, a third-grader at Montclair Elementary School in Denver, organized a rally for marriage equality and delivered a speech at the Colorado State Capitol on Saturday:

"He was concerned about the issue after hearing about anti-gay remarks on the playground and then learning about a same sex couple in his neighborhood that couldn't get married. 'Everybody is different in a good way,' he said. Ethan believes that if two people love each other that is the only issue to be considered. Ethan took it upon himself to arrange the rally and line up the guest speakers. He admitted it was more work then he thought it would be, but adds it was fun."

McNamee's permit was filed under the name of his school teacher Kyle Kimmal, because he's too young to apply for one himself.

According to Denver's ABC7, the conservatives are already on the attack, accusing adults of manipulation.

(Via Towleroad)

Maine Moves Ahead With Marriage Equality

2009-05-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

Democratic Gov. John Baldacci signed into law a bill allowing gay marriage, making Maine the fifth state to allow people of the same sex to wed. The governor's signature came barely an hour after the measure won final approval from the Maine Senate, which voted 21-13, with one absent, to pass the law.

The law's passage also sets up a likely referendum campaign, as opponents pledged to launch a petition drive to overturn the law at the statewide ballot box.

The vote moved New England closer to allowing same-sex marriage throughout the region.

The Maine bill authorizes marriage between any two people rather than between one man and one woman, as state law currently allows.

Exposing The Traditional Values Coalition

2009-04-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

Siena Poll Shows Majority Of NYers Support Marriage Equality

2009-04-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

Siena’s latest poll numbers establish a clear trend of increasing support, year after year, every time Siena asks about this issue. In the past three years, Siena polling has shown support for marriage equality growing from 43% in 2007 to 46% last year to 53% this year and opposition dropping from 47% in 2007 to 40% last year to just 39% now.

Iowa Senate Leader Mike Gronstal Explains His Position On Marriage Equality

2009-04-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

Vermont Overrides Veto And Approves Marriage Equality

2009-04-07T08:37:00.000-07:00

From Yahoo! News:

Vermont has become the fourth state to legalize gay marriage — and the first to do so with a legislature's vote. The Legislature voted to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto of a bill allowing gays and lesbians to marry. The vote was 23-5 to override in the state Senate and 100-49 to override in the House. Under Vermont law, two-thirds of each chamber had to vote for override.

The vote came nine years after Vermont adopted its first-in-the-nation civil unions law. It's now the fourth state to permit same-sex marriage. Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa are the others.

Boycott Jamaica

2009-03-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

There is an official movement to Boycott Jamaica by the GLBT community. Choose a safe and affirming vacation destination.

(h/t Pam's House Blend)

Proposition 8 Town Hall Meetings

2009-03-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

As we all wait for the California Supreme Court to rule in the historic legal challenges seeking to overturn Prop 8, the work of fighting for equal relationship recognition, including the freedom to marry, continues across the state and the nation.

Over the next 6 weeks, a series of Town Hall meetings at LGBT Centers across California will provide opportunities to gather in person and share information. Hear what the experts think may happen with the Prop 8 cases and learn about some of the organizing that is happening in our state. And everyone will have the opportunity to weigh in on next steps.

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center will host the first Town Hall meeting
• Wednesday, April 1 from 7-9:30 p.m.
• Village at Ed Gould Plaza
• Two of the Southern California plaintiffs, Robin Tyler and Diane Wilson, will reflect on their experience
• Kate Kendall, the executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, will discuss the legal challenges to Prop 8

Go and let your voice be heard!

Gainesville, FL Residents Reject Repeal Of Discrimination Protections

2009-03-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

Gainesville, FL voters decisively defeated Gainesville Charter Amendment 1 by a vote of 58% to 42%. If passed, Charter Amendment 1 would have repealed existing civil rights protections for Gainesville's gay and transgender community.

For over a year, backers of the amendment have waged a fear-based campaign filled with outright lies and media campaigns that dehumanized gay and transgender people. Specifically, these extremists drew a target on the backs of transgender people with bigoted messages intended to instill fear in the hearts of Gainesville citizens.

Vermont Governor Threatens Marriage Equality Veto

2009-03-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas says he will veto a bill to legalize gay marriage if it passes the Legislature. A bill passed the Senate that would replace the state's first-in-the-nation civil unions law with one that allows gay and lesbian couples to marry. The House is now considering similar legislation.

Hawaii Senate Defeats Civil Unions

2009-03-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

An effort to force a vote on same-sex civil unions has failed in the Hawaii Senate, essentially killing the measure. Only six senators supported the legislative maneuver, short of the nine votes required for a full Senate vote. Even though about 18 senators have indicated they support civil unions, they lacked the political willpower to go against Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, who opposed the effort.

Hanabusa has supported civil unions but said she didn't want to override the normal lawmaking process by lifting the bill from its committee, where it had stalled following a 3-3 vote.

Drumbeat Continues For Marriage Equality In New York State

2009-03-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants to call upon the NY legislature to enact marriage equality.

Barney Frank Clarifies His Statement On Justice Scalia

2009-03-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

In an article on Huffington Post, U.S. Congressman Barney Frank explains why he called U.S. Supreme Court Justice Scalia a homophobe.

Obama Administration To Sign U.N. Gay Rights Declaration

2009-03-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

The Obama administration will endorse a U.N. declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality that then-President George W. Bush had refused to sign, The Associated Press has learned.

U.S. officials said Tuesday they had notified the declaration's French sponsors that the administration wants to be added as a supporter. The Bush administration was criticized in December when it was the only western government that refused to sign on.

The move was made after an interagency review of the Bush administration's position on the nonbinding document, which was signed by all 27 European Union members as well as Japan, Australia, Mexico and three dozen other countries, the officials said.

The official added that the United States was concerned about "violence and human rights abuses against gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual individuals" and was also "troubled by the criminalization of sexual orientation in many countries."

"In the words of the United States Supreme Court, the right to be free from criminalization on the basis of sexual orientation 'has been accepted as an integral part of human freedom'," the official said.

According to negotiators, the Bush team had concerns that those parts could commit the federal government on matters that fall under state jurisdiction. In some states, landlords and private employers are allowed to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation; on the federal level, gays are not allowed to serve openly in the military.

It was not immediately clear on Tuesday how the Obama administration had come to a different conclusion.

When it was voted on in December, 66 of the U.N.'s 192 member countries signed the declaration _ which backers called a historic step to push the General Assembly to deal more forthrightly with anti-gay discrimination.

But 70 U.N. members outlaw homosexuality _ and in several, homosexual acts can be punished by execution. More than 50 nations, including members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, opposed the declaration.

Some Islamic countries said at the time that protecting sexual orientation could lead to "the social normalization and possibly the legalization of deplorable acts" such as pedophilia and incest. The declaration was also opposed by the Vatican.

Webster Redefines Marriage

2009-03-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

(h/t Joe.My.God.)

Scotland Could Be Next To Pass Marriage Rights

2009-03-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

The Scottish Parliament has accepted a petition to review the current marriage law. The petition, brought by Nick Henderson of the LGBT Network, calls for an amendment to the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 to allow gay and lesbian couples to legally marry. It also calls on the law to be changed to allow a same sex marriage to be performed by a faith group, if the religious institution consents.

Currently, civil partnerships can only be conducted by a civil registrar. A number of MSPs have spoken out in favour of the move, with some calling for Scotland to lead the way on same-sex marriage in Europe. Labour's Marlyn Glen said the call was part of "ongoing progress in society" when it came before Parliament's Petitions Committee. John Wilson, of the Scottish Nationalist Party, said he strongly felt that the marriage legislation should “encompass the whole of society”.

New Hampshire Committee Tied On Marriage Vote & Trans Rights

2009-03-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

A New Hampshire House panel has deadlocked on whether to support gay marriage. The House Judiciary Committee voted 10-10 on a bill that would make the state the third one to allow same-sex couples to marry. The split decision means that the bill goes to the whole House next week for a debate and vote without any recommendation from the committee.

The Legislature passed a civil unions bill for same-sex couples two years ago and the state began issuing civil unions last year.

The committee also deadlocked on an anti-discrimination bill that would extend legal protections to transsexuals. Opponents called it the "bathroom bill" based on their argument it will open all bathrooms to both men and women.

Pope Down On Condom Use

2009-03-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

Pope Benedict XVI said on his way to Africa that condoms were not the answer in the continent's fight against HIV, his first explicit statement on an issue that has divided even clergy working with AIDS patients. Benedict had never directly addressed condom use.

He has said that the Roman Catholic Church is in the forefront of the battle against AIDS. The Vatican encourages sexual abstinence to fight the spread of the disease. "You can't resolve it with the distribution of condoms," the pope told reporters aboard the Alitalia plane headed to Yaounde, Cameroon, where he will begin a seven-day pilgrimage on the continent. "On the contrary, it increases the problem."

California's Eve Of Justice

2009-03-05T05:18:00.000-08:00

Last night, candlelight vigils were held across California on the eve of today's arguments in front of the CA Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8.

More than 400 members of the gay community and supporters gathered for a candlelight vigil here on the eve of a California Supreme Court hearing on three lawsuits seeking to overturn Proposition 8, the ballot measure to alter the state constitution to reinstate the ban on same-sex marriage that the court threw out last year.

In a standing-room-only Fairview Community Church this evening, same-sex marriage advocates gathered in what organizers dubbed an "Eve of Justice" event in Orange County and across the state, saying they were recommitting themselves to marriage equality and looking to the state's high court to restore gay unions.

Read Vik Jolly complete article at The Orange County Register
(Photo Credit: Kevin Sullivan/The Orange County Register)

Additional coverage:
The Desert Sun
The Los Angeles Times
The Sacramento Bee
San Diego Union-Tribune
San Francisco Chronicle

Proposition 8 Decision Could Be Revealed On Thursday

2009-03-04T07:49:00.000-08:00

From the Los Angeles Times:

The California Supreme Court may reveal Thursday whether it intends to uphold Proposition 8, and if so, whether an estimated 18,000 same-sex marriages will remain valid, during a high-stakes televised session that has sparked plans for demonstrations throughout the state.

By now, the court already has drafted a decision on the case, with an author and at least three other justices willing to sign it. Oral arguments sometimes result in changes to the draft, but rarely do they change the majority position. The ruling is due in 90 days.

Let's hope for a great result!

EQCA Launches New Television Ad

2009-03-04T05:31:00.000-08:00

Equality California has launched a new television ad campaign:

Eve Of Justice: Lighting The Way For The Supreme Court

2009-03-04T05:10:00.000-08:00

From Eve Of Justice:

Wednesday, March 4 is the day before the California Supreme Court hears oral arguments on the validity of Prop 8. That evening, we’ll stand together and send a unified message to our fellow Californians, including the Supreme Court Justices, that individual liberties like the right to marry are guaranteed by the Constitution to everyone and cannot be stripped away at the ballot box by a bare majority. Just as important, we will give our love and support to all the families headed by same-sex couples who are threatened by the recent electoral outcome, as well as same-sex couples whose hopes and dreams of marriage and family have been frustrated by enactment of Prop 8.

Orange County
• March 4th from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Fairview Community Church, 2525 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Long Beach
• Rally — In front of Long Beach City Hall, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
• Special performances by Sirena Serpentina and others.
• Candlelight Vigil — At the First Congregational Church 3rd/Cedar 9 p.m.-9 a.m.

Palm Springs
• March 4th from 4-6 p.m.
• Palm Springs Courthouse, 3255 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA
• Brings signs and candles

Los Angeles
• March 4th 5:30–7 p.m.
• Olvera Street, Downtown LA (South of Cesar Chavez Ave, between N. Main St and N Alameda St — 2 blocks West of Union Station, providing easy Metro access)
• Jenny Pizer of Lambda Legal who will give an update on the case before flying to San Francisco to argue before the Supreme Court in the morning.
• A recommitment ceremony officiated by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. All married couples and couples wanting to get married are welcome to join in. This includes same sex and opposite sex couples.
• Musical entertainment by Tony Sweet, Nita Whittaker and Mandy Steckelberg.
• A Candlelight pledge to promote love, tolerance and equality in the future and the promise we will not stop until we our work is finished. The event will finish with a candlelight march to the Supreme Court building.

Additional information also available on Facebook. Search "Eve of Justice".

California Legislature On Record Against Prop 8

2009-03-04T05:07:00.000-08:00

The California Senate and Assembly have passed resolutions that take a formal position against Proposition 8.

GLAD Files Suit To Overturn DOMA

2009-03-04T05:05:00.000-08:00

GLAD, the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Boston on behalf of eight married couples and three surviving spouses from Massachusetts who have been denied federal legal protections available to spouses. Two of these couples will be filing suit after receiving rejections of their amended tax returns from the IRS. Each plaintiff is currently eligible for a particular program or benefit, applied for it, and was denied that legal protection because of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”).

DOMA was enacted in 1996 before any state began issuing marriage licenses to qualified same-sex couples. It has two substantive parts. Section 2 authorizes states to establish policies with respect to marriages of same-sex couples. Section 3 deals with federal discrimination and is the only portion of DOMA challenged in GLAD’s lawsuit. (Section 1 merely names the act.)

Section 3 of DOMA applies to the federal government only. It overrides a state’s determination that a same-sex couple is married and says that they are not married for purposes of all federal laws and programs, even though the federal government has always deferred to state determinations of marital status. Under this law, “the word ‘marriage’ means only the legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife, and the word ‘spouse’ refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.” This law requires all federal departments and agencies to disrespect the valid state-licensed marriages of same-sex couples but not other married couples. As a result, only married same-sex couples are denied all rights, protections and responsibilities associated with marriage at the federal level.

Rent Back On At Corona del Mar High School

2009-02-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

Corona del Mar High School's production of Rent, whose cancelation triggered complaints of discrimination and homophobia, will be allowed to proceed. Drama instructor Ron Martin two weeks ago accused his principal of killing the production because of its "homosexual content" – the play features gay characters and a drag queen. Principal Fal Asrani denied that charge, saying she merely wanted to review the script for objectionable material, but that Martin said there was not time, even though the play wasn't premiering until late April.

Martin ultimately obtained a rush copy of the script, presented it to Asrani and asked for a written thumbs-up or thumbs-down to settle the matter and remove any doubts about her position.

Martin could not immediately be reached for comment. While "Rent," winner of a Pulitzer Prize and a Tony, is considered controversial because of its frank portrayals of sexual struggles, drug use and AIDS infections, the play Martin plans to stage is a toned-down "high-school edition" of the drama.

Read the full story at the Orange County Register online.

Prop 8 Vigils Set For March 4th

2009-02-28T13:05:00.000-08:00

Same-sex couples and their supporters will hold candlelight vigils in at least 15 cities across California the night before the state Supreme Court hears oral arguments challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8. The March 4 vigils are being hosted by Marriage Equality, Equality California and local LGBT rights groups.

Openly Gay Man Crowley To Head AIDS Policy

2009-02-28T13:01:00.001-08:00

President Barrack Obama named openly gay Jeffrey S. Crowley, Senior Research Scholar at Georgetown University’s Health Policy Institute, to be director of the Office of National AIDS Policy.

Read the full story at 365Gay.com.

Domestic Partner Registry Bill Fails In New Mexico Senate

2009-02-28T12:57:00.000-08:00

With less than an hour of debate in the New Mexico Senate, legislation that would have created a statewide domestic partnership registry for both same and opposite-sex couples is dead. A similar bill is currently working its way through the House, but even if it passes it is unlikely it would be taken up by the Senate this year.

Read the full story at 365Gay.com.

Dobson Resigns From Focus On The Family

2009-02-28T12:54:00.000-08:00

Conservative evangelical leader James Dobson has resigned as chairman of Focus on the Family but will continue to play a prominent role at the organization he founded more than three decades ago. Dobson notified the board of his decision Wednesday, and the 950 employees of the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based ministry were informed Friday morning at a monthly worship service, said Jim Daly, the group’s president and chief executive officer.

Read the full AP story at 365Gay.com.

Milk Does Very Well At The Oscars

2009-02-23T07:14:00.000-08:00

Milk didn't take top honors, but it did received two of the major awards. Best of all were the acceptance speeches:

Dustin Lance Black won for Best Screenplay.

And Sean Penn won Best Actor.

Sacramento Lobby Day

2009-02-12T17:35:00.000-08:00

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Californians and their allies will descend on the State Capitol in Sacramento for a rally and lobby day to send a message about equal justice under the law to California legislators.

Love and Marriage Rally
• Monday, February 16
• Pre-rally begins at noon; Program from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
• California State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814
• Special guests include Gloria Allred, Margaret Cho, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Sen. Mark Leno, Wanda Sykes, George Takei, and many more!

Marriage Lobby Day 2009 (Click here to RSVP!)
• Tuesday, February 17
• Day begins at 9:30am
• California State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814

If you’re unable to attend the lobby day (or even if you’ll be there!) act now and send your legislators a message to support marriage equality and sign onto SR7 or HR5 as a co-author. Let them know that you or someone you know is one of thousands of LGBT Californians who deserve their support and equal treatment under the law.

AFA Pushing Silencing Christians Video

2009-02-12T16:44:00.000-08:00

The American Family Association has produced an hour long program, titled Silencing Christians, that lays out their case regarding "the radical homosexual agenda." It is hosted by Janet Parshall who once called gay adoption "state-sanctioned child abuse" and suggested on CNN in 2006 that Matthew Shephard's lifestyle is what caused his murder.

It's no coincidence then that just as Hate Crimes legislation is about to be filed in Washington the AFA tried to buy air time on WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, MI. After a barrage of protests spearheaded by HRC, WOOD canceled the program. For more on this story, check out Pam's House Blend.

This is the beginning of the fight. The AFA is planning to air it nationally so we must remain vigilant.

Wyoming Anti-Same-Sex Marriage Amendment Fails In Legislature

2009-02-11T12:35:00.000-08:00

Legislation to amend the Wyoming constitution to ban same-sex marriage was defeated in the state legislature. The House voted 35-25 against it, despite massive lobbying by socially conservative groups. The vote ensures the measure will not appear on the ballot in 2010. The measure needed a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature and to then be signed by the governor in order to make it onto the ballot.

The proposed amendment would have defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman and would block the state recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states or countries where they are legal.

Wyoming already has a law limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples, but state Sen. Curt Meier (R), the amendment’s main sponsor, said the law is not sufficient. Meier said the law could be overturned by the courts. A constitutional amendment would block that.

Fred Davie Named To Obama's Faith-Based Policy Council

2009-02-09T10:02:00.000-08:00

Fred Davie, the openly gay president of Public/Private Ventures, has been named to serve on President Barack Obama’s Policy Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Davie will work to provide objective, nonpartisan advice to the president on a variety of public policy matters, including strategies to increase the effectiveness of social services delivered by community and faith-based organizations.

Public/Private Ventures is an organization that creates and strengthens programs to improve the lives of residents in low-income communities. P/PV is composed of research, policy and program development experts who specialize in education, employment, prisoner reentry, juvenile justice, public health, youth development and more.

New York Senate Lacks Marriage Equality Votes

2009-02-08T15:46:00.001-08:00

Malcolm Smith, Majority Leader of the newly-Democratic New York State Senate, said he lacks enough votes to legalize gay marriage this year but he's committed to passing a bill soon. Speaking at an HRC event in NYC, he stated that he strongly supports equal marital rights for gay and lesbian couples.

For the first time in over 40 years, the NY Senate is Democratic with a 32-30 majority. However, the gang of three Senators are blocking the measure. First is Ruben Diaz, a minister from the Bronx. Second is Carl Kruger from Brooklyn. Third is Pedro Espada, also from the Bronx.

Date Set For CA Supreme Court Prop 8 Arguments

2009-02-03T16:10:00.000-08:00

The California Supreme Court announced today that it will hear oral arguments on Thursday, March 5, 2009 in the Proposition 8 legal challenge. The National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and the ACLU—with support from civil rights groups, religious organizations, labor unions, and legal scholars—argue that Proposition 8 is invalid because the people of California have established strict safeguards that prohibit the underlying principles of the California Constitution from being changed by a simple majority vote. By taking away a right only from one group, Proposition 8 violates the most basic principle of our government: that all people are entitled to equal treatment under the law.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown is also asking the Court to invalidate Proposition 8 on the ground that certain fundamental rights, including the right to marry, are inalienable and can not be put up for a popular vote.

On November 10, 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated that he hoped the Court would overturn Proposition 8. On CNN, he said of Proposition 8’s passage, “It’s unfortunate, obviously, but it’s not the end, I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area.”

DOJ Attorney Fired On Lesbian Rumor Now Rehired

2009-02-03T14:07:00.000-08:00

On Monday, the Justice Department undid a small part of the damage that top officials caused in a scandal of politicized hiring and firing during the Bush administration. The department rehired attorney Leslie Hagen who was improperly removed from her job because she was rumored to be a lesbian.

In 2006, Hagen was the liaison between the main Justice Department and the U.S. Attorneys' committee on Native American affairs. The chairman of that committee, Tom Heffelfinger, described Hagen to NPR last year as "the best qualified person in the nation to fill that job." Hagen's performance evaluations had the highest possible ratings — "outstanding" in each of five categories.

As NPR reported in April, a top aide to the attorney general had heard a rumor that Hagen was a lesbian. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is against Justice Department rules. But Monica Goodling, senior counsel to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, had Hagen removed from her job anyway.

It is not a perfectly happy ending for Hagen. Nobody official from the department ever apologized to her for what happened. She still owes thousands of dollars in attorney fees, and the Justice Department has refused to pay those bills.

What A Bunch Of Mullarkey

2009-02-03T13:37:00.000-08:00

From the New York Daily News:

A New York artist known for her colorful canvases of drag queens and gay pride parades gave $1,000 to help pass California's ban on same-sex marriage. Maureen Mullarkey, 66, made her sizable contribution to the National Organization for Marriage's "Yes on 8" fund in June, a Daily News review of campaign records found.

The Westchester County woman was one of tens of thousands who poured a total of more than $83 million into the coffers of Proposition 8 support groups - money that helped convince California voters to overturn an earlier court decision granting gays the right to marry in the Golden State.

Questioned outside her home in tony Chappaqua - the same town where Bill and Hillary Clinton live - she refused to discuss her donation last night. When asked how she could have donated money to fight gay marriage after making money from her depictions of gays, she just said, "So?" "If you write that story, I'll sue you," she said.

Massachusetts DMV Eases Rules For Trans

2009-02-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has amended its policy to enable transgendered individuals to more easily change the gender designation on their licenses and identity cards. Under this new policy, it is no longer necessary to submit medical proof of sex reassignment surgery. The agency understands that this requirement is often very difficult, if not impossible, for many individuals to satisfy. Under the new policy, an individual who wishes to change the gender marker will submit an updated application together with a Gender Designation Change Form, signed by him or her and a medical provider attesting to the gender that the individual considers himself or herself to be.

In addition, the Registry of Motor Vehicles will no longer require an individual to provide an amended birth certificate in support of the new gender designation marker. I believe these changes are fair, reasonable and sensible. The next edition of the Registry of Motor Vehicles Driver's Manual will reflect the agency's policy amendments. If you have any questions about these changes, please feel free to contact me.

First MA Lesbian Couple Now Divorcing

2009-02-03T13:32:00.000-08:00

From the New York Blade:

The gay couple whose court battle led to the legalization of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts has filed for divorce. Hillary and Julie Goodridge, who share custody of their 12-year-old daughter, filed divorce papers in Suffolk Probate Court last week.

The Goodridges’ landmark lawsuit led to a state Supreme Judicial Court ruling that made Massachusetts the first state to recognize same-sex marriage in 2003. The Goodridges were the lead plaintiffs in the case against the state, which argued for equal marriage rights regardless of sexual orientation.

In a 4-3 decision, the court ruled that it was unconstitutional to allow only heterosexual couples to marry. The couple married in May 2004, on the day the Supreme Court’s ruling took effect.

Neither Hillary Goodridge, 52, nor Julie Goodridge, 51, responded to requests for comment.

LDS Church Reports More Prop 8 Funding

2009-02-03T13:22:00.000-08:00

From the San Jose Mercury News:

Mormon church officials say they spent $190,000 more supporting the Proposition 8 gay marriage ban than they previously reported. They previously listed just $2,078 to support the ban.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being investigated by the state Fair Political Practices Commission. The report filed with the secretary of state lists church leaders' travel expenses; $20,575 to use facilities and equipment at the church's Salt Lake City headquarters; and $96,849 to pay employees who worked for the ban.

Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate says the disclosures show the church previously failed to properly report spending. His group, which opposed Proposition 8, filed the complaint with campaign watchdogs in November.

Church officials aren't immediately commenting.

According to the blog by Eric Ethington:

It is now coming to light that several prominent Mormon figures were actually reimbursed for their efforts and participation on the Yes On 8 campaign.

Below is a list of several of them, brought to my attention by my good friend Reed Cowen (many thanks to him for this).

• Lawrence Research (Gary Lawrence, Mormon pollster and Meridian contributor): $528,877.35
• Eagle Foundation (a Mormon PAC set up by Bart Marcois and David Parker): $135,912.76
• Glen Greener (former Salt Lake City Police Commissioner, Meridian contributor, and now a GOP operative and sometime Cali property developer): $50,236.42
• Sonja Brown (Protectmarriage.com communications director): $41,844.00
• Zion Multimedia Corp.: $2,000.00
• Rob Wirthlin: $768.18

So what does this all mean for the LDS church? Well it’s still unclear, and the list of those who were reimbursed may be getting longer as more is unearthed. But until then, you can count on more and more outcries against this “loving and tolerant” religion.

Stay tuned. Where there's smoke, there's fire.

Open Lesbian Running For Mayor Of Houston, TX

2009-02-03T13:15:00.000-08:00

Two years ago, former Dallas City Councilman Ed Oakley nearly became the first openly LGBT person elected mayor of a top 10 U.S. city. Now, Annise Parker will try to accomplish the fete a few hundred miles down Interstate 45 in Houston.

Parker, 52, a former city councilwoman who currently serves as city controller — Houston’s elected fiscal watchdog — formally announced her candidacy for mayor on Monday, Feb. 2. The election is Nov. 3. Parker is considered one of the early frontrunners to replace Houston Mayor Bill White, who’s term limited and plans to run as a Democrat for U.S. Senate in 2010.

Parker, a past president of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, already is among the top openly LGBT city officials in the nation, representing 2.2 million people. Houston is the fourth-most-populous city in the U.S., while Dallas is ninth. Currently, the largest city with an openly gay mayor is Portland, Ore., which ranks 30th in population.

Find out more about Parker here.

Marriage Lobby Day — Sacramento 2009

2009-02-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, February 17, join activists from across the state for Equality California's MARRIAGE LOBBY DAY at the California State Capitol. Be there to urge your legislators to support SR 7 (Leno) and HR 5 (Ammiano), companion resolutions calling for the repeal of Proposition 8. Join us and tell your stories about the importance of marriage equality in your lives.

The event is free and open to all. The day starts at 8:30am with registration and lobby training, have a noontime rally to hear from legislative champions, and do lobby visits and other activities in the afternoon. Come participate! Make your voice heard and make a difference! Register now at www.eqca.org/2009lobbyDay/ or contact Laurie McBride at LobbyDayEQCA@ comcast.net.

Giuliano Resigns From GLAAD

2009-01-28T14:49:00.000-08:00

Neil Giuliano, the president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), announced his resignation to pursue personal interests while completing his forthcoming book about his public and political life. Giuliano has served as president since September 1, 2005 and will continue as president until a date to be announced later this year. Prior to GLAAD, he served for ten years as the mayor of Tempe, Arizona and had retired from a 25-year career as a university administrator and faculty associate at Arizona State University.

Lesbian To Be Next Prime Minister Of Iceland

2009-01-28T14:09:00.000-08:00

Iceland's next leader will be an openly gay former flight attendant who parlayed her experience as a union organizer into a decades-long political career. Both parties forming Iceland's new coalition government support the appointment of Johanna Sigurdardottir, the island nation's 66-year-old social affairs minister, as Iceland's interim prime minister.

Sigurdardottir will lead until new elections are held, likely in May. But analysts say she's unlikely to remain in office — chiefly because her center-left Social Democratic Alliance isn't expected to rank among the major parties after the election.
In opinion polls, it trails the Left-Green movement, a junior partner in the new coalition. Iceland's previous conservative-led government failed Monday after the country's banks collapsed last fall under the weight of huge debts amassed during years of rapid economic growth. The country's currency has since plummeted, while inflation and unemployment are soaring.

Polling company Capacent Gallup said Sigurdardottir was Iceland's most popular politician in November, with an approval rating of 73 percent.

Mel White To Appear On The Amazing Race

2009-01-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

Longtime gay rights activist Mel White and his bisexual son will compete on the upcoming season of The Amazing Race. At 68, Mel White is the season's oldest contestant. The former speechwriter for Pat Robertson and Billy Graham is teamed up with his 38-year-old son Mike.

KABC Channel 7 Refuses To Air Pro-LGBT Family Ads

2009-01-21T13:56:00.000-08:00

Claiming the clips were too controversial to run during inauguration coverage, KABC-TV in Los Angeles refused to air public service announcements from Get To Know Us First, a group that promotes acceptance of LGBT families. From their press release:

Non-profit organization GetToKnowUsFirst.org produced five 30-second commercials featuring gay and lesbian families, with the message "Marriage promotes families. Support marriage equality." The ads, while not tied to any current election, are the result of California's passage of Proposition 8 in November. The group aired the spots in 42 of the states' 58 counties -- everywhere the initiative passed by 50% or more -- during Tuesday's coverage of the Presidential Inauguration. KABC is the only station that refused to sell the ad space. The rejected ad profiles two African American men raising five children ages 6 through 25. Ironically, the family lives in Los Angeles.

The media buy was attempted by the organization's ad agency, New and Improved Media. Its CEO, Keith Fisher, was surprised that KABC rejected the group's money. Fisher said, "We usually only see this with risque content, as in a trailer for a movie." He added, "If KABC thinks they have to protect the public from this family, something's obviously very wrong over there." Chris Yokogawa, the ad agency's media buyer, worked with the station, attempting to ease any concerns they might have. He said, "We went back and forth a couple of times. I explained that this family is far from controversial. They were firm in their rejection. They said it was too controversial to air during the Inauguration, since 'many families will be watching.'"

The ad aired across California on Tuesday -- before, during and after the Presidential Inauguration on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Despierta America (Univision) and Levantate (Telemundo) broadcasts, as well as on a wide range of regional news stations, CNN and FoxNews during evening coverage of the day's events. Project Coordinator John Ireland expressed astonishment at KABC's rejection. He said, "This ad is about families. I challenge anyone to watch the commercials at www.GetToKnowUsFirst.org and articulate what is inappropriate about airing it at any time of day."

Update 1/23/2009 — From a Get To Know Us First press release:

Los Angeles television station KABC announced today, following a meeting with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and
GetToKnowUsFirst.org, that it would begin to air ads from GetToKnowUsFirst.org in primetime as early as Sunday, Jan. 25. The ABC-owned television station came under fire for refusing to air the ad during Tuesday’s inaugural celebration, for what a KABC station ad exec cited at the time as “a very controversial topic” to air during “programming that will include large
family audiences.”

[SNIP]

“The point of airing the ad on KABC during the inauguration was to reach the broadest, most diverse audience possible, and that moment has sadly passed and cannot be re-created,” he said. “We are grateful that KABC has taken our concerns seriously and further clarified their initial decision. Mr. Kleiner has assured us that he will find high-profile positions to air the ad during the coming weeks.” KABC will air the ad during Sunday’s episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which regularly ranks among the top 10 series on television.

New White House Website Spells Out LGBT Goals

2009-01-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

Within minutes of President Obama taking the oath of office, the White House website was reposted to reflect the change. Here's a sample from the Civil Rights page:

Support for the LGBT Community

"While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It's about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect."
— Barack Obama, June 1, 2007

Expand Hate Crimes Statutes: In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. President Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical disability. As a state senator, President Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.

Fight Workplace Discrimination: President Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees' domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. The President also sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples: President Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples legal rights and privileges equal to those of married couples. Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions. These rights and benefits include the right to assist a loved one in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits, and property rights.

Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: President Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples.

Repeal Don't Ask-Don't Tell: President Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. The President will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.

Expand Adoption Rights: President Obama believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. He thinks that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not.

Promote AIDS Prevention: In the first year of his presidency, President Obama will develop and begin to implement a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategy that includes all federal agencies. The strategy will be designed to reduce HIV infections, increase access to care and reduce HIV-related health disparities. The President will support common sense approaches including age-appropriate sex education that includes information about contraception, combating infection within our prison population through education and contraception, and distributing contraceptives through our public health system. The President also supports lifting the federal ban on needle exchange, which could dramatically reduce rates of infection among drug users. President Obama has also been willing to confront the stigma -- too often tied to homophobia -- that continues to surround HIV/AIDS.

Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS: In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. President Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.

List Of Obama LGBT Appointees

2009-01-15T15:14:00.000-08:00

In the order of when their appointment was unveiled, with the most recent at the top, the Obama administration has appointed the following LGBT people:

Karine Jean-Pierre: White House liaison to the Department of Labor
Dave Noble: White House’s liaison to NASA
David Medina: Deputy Chief of Staff for Michelle Obama.
John Berry: Director of the Office of Personnel Management
Mark Dybul: A Bush appointee who will stay on as the global AIDS ambassador
Fred Hochberg: Head of the Export-Import Bank of the United States
Brian Bond: Deputy Director of the White House Office of the Public Liaison
Brad Kiley: Director of the Office of Management and Administration
Nancy Sutley: Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

Protest At Saddleback Church On Sunday 1/18 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

2009-01-14T14:09:00.000-08:00

Organized by All Or Not At All.

A peaceful protest will be held at Saddleback Church on Sunday, Jan 18. It is not to focus on President-Elect Obama’s selection of Pastor Rick Warren to perform the Inaugural Invocation; rather to protest Rick Warren’s public statement that he thinks same-sex marriage is equivalent to incest, pederasty and polygamy, his strong support for Prop 8, and his other anti-gay activity.

The timing is to achieve maximum exposure before his trip to D.C. It is to pressure Rick Warren to retract his horribly demeaning statements about same-sex relationships, and to teach him and his congregation that same-sex relationships are the equal of opposite-sex relationships in their value to the individuals involved, to family life, to raising children, and to society, and must be accorded equal rights according to our Federal and State Constitutions.

Although Obama announced that “out” Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson will be delivering the kick-off invocation on Sunday, 1/18, at the Lincoln Memorial, that is a considerably more secondary role compared to the swearing-in ceremony that Rick Warren will participate in, and the meaning it conveys by someone who is opposed to equal rights for gays and lesbians.

Just to be clear, this is not a protest against all Evangelicals at all. This is a protest in front of one man's congregation to let him know that his views and his pulpit are causing great harm to his fellow humans.

Save The Date: The Center OC Gala 2009

2009-01-14T14:05:00.000-08:00

The Center OC will hold their Gala 2009, Celebrating 40 Years of Stonewall, on April 25. Visit The Center OC for details.

Obama To Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

2009-01-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

Go to 4:17 mark for in coming White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' answer to a question on change.gov:

Diverse Cast Debuts On MTV's Real World: Brooklyn

2009-01-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

The current incarnation of MTV's venerable Real World is its most LGBT inclusive to date. This season, the show was set in Brooklyn and the house was opened to eight cast members, including the first ever transgender (post op MTF) cast member, Katelynn.

This time around the cast members got to individually pursue their own goals. Three of them - openly gay JD, Sarah, and Katelynn - all decided to work as interns at New York’s LGBT Community Center.

Here's an interview with Katelynn: