The No on Prop 8 Events website has
MOVED!!!!
Please come visit the
ALL NEW 2.0 Website in it's new location:
Thanks!!!!
Celebrating the recent victories of Iowa and Vermont!
AND NOW MAINE TOO!!!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone!
Let's hope we have a good week in California with the Prop8 verdict too!
The rallies, vigils, protest, marches, boycotts and kiss-ins continue into 2009!! We must remain dedicated, visible, active, and continue to make our voices heard until full marriage equality is restored to the state of California!
This main page list news and important action items below. It's a place that you will want to refer to often as that's where to find the latest news!
Then, to find an event or rally being held in your area, please click on the links from the EVENT CALENDAR at the left hand side of the page. This site is being updated DAILY with new information as it becomes available so check back often as sometimes these rallies and events pop up with very little notice. And if you know of an event that is not listed, please email me from the link at left so I can add it to the event calendar.
Thank you!!
Greg
The Supreme Court verdict IS COMING TUESDAY MAY 26!
All calendars have been updated!!! Plan on going to an event or rally THIS COMING TUESDAY!
All rallies will be held WIN OR LOSE.
EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU should be out there too!!! Most of the events are evening based, but there are some daytimes ones too, so NO EXCUSES. Get out there. If not now, then when???
These are the things you should be doing NOW to prepare for it:
1. Watch/listen to the news on Tuesday for the verdict or sign up for text messaging alerts
(Info posted below on how to sign up)
2. Start making your signs.
You can make ones for both a winning and losing verdict or just make something generic that would apply to either situation.
3. Get time off!!
The decision will be THIS Tuesday May 26th. You should plan on being free at 6pm for the local rallies held all over the state the SAME DAY the decision is announced but there are daytime events being held as well.
and then also leave yourself free on the SATURDAY afterwards if you want to head to Fresno and "Meet in the Middle".
4. RSVP for Meet in the Middle!!!
If you plan on heading to the Meet in the Middle event, please RSVP to let them know you are coming so they can plan the size of event properly!
You can do so here: http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com
5. Going to Meet in the middle??? Get or give a ride!!!
There are Carpools, Buses, Trains, etc. being formed to take you to Fresno from all over the state!!! You can catch a ride in Bakersfield, San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and elsewhere.
You can also offer a ride to people as well. More info on rides (and lodging too if you'd like), is available here:
Day of Decision Events:
Here's the event links for some of the larger events planned in the Southern California area. Most of them are around 6 or 7pm so plan accordingly!
OC/Santa Ana http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=70959248224
Los Angeles/Weho: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=58312918863
Inland Empire/Rancho Cucamonga: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=70455734208
Palm Springs: www.desertnoh8.ning.com
But the list has grown to 100's of events ALL over the state and even nation. For a complete list, visit the location and choose the city you want from:
http://dayofdecision.wetpaint.com/
Another event for the first Saturday (May 30th) AFTER the verdict:
Meet in the middle of the state (Fresno to be exact) on the first Saturday after the Supreme Court Verdict.
Planning is still ongoing, so to be in on the latest info which could change with a moments notice, you should join this facebook group : http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=67768456248 and visit this webpage for all the details:
For you Orange County folk....
A group carpool is planned leaving from Orange County (Tustin/Irvine Marketplace) for anyone that is interested in marking the run up to Fresno for what is sure to be a fantastic event. This will be a turn around day trip so you do not have to worry about the expense of lodging, etc. unless you want to stay longer with someone. Please email me from the link at left side of page if you need a ride.
Lt. Dan Choi to be a speaker at May 30th OCEC meeting.
Due to the timing of the Supreme Court verdict and the subsequent Meet in the Middle event, this event is now pushed back one day later to SUNDAY May 31st.
Please join OCEC in welcoming OC native and OCEC member Lt. Dan Choi as our special guest speaker. Lt. Choi has been making headlines as he fights against DADT and for his job and those of other lesbians and gays in the military. When you meet Lt. Choi and hear him speak you will know immediately why the entire nation is embracing him and this cause: the repeal of DADT and equal rights for all. Aaron Belkin of the Huffington Post fittingly said "I spent a day with Dan Choi last month, and he is not someone we want to fire from the military." I will add that I have gotten to know Dan Choi and he also someone you would want to bring home to your mom!
Info on this event is posted in the calendar or you can click on the OCEC link at left
Beth Krom announces run for Congress against Rep. John Campbell
Beth Krom, Irvine City Councilmember and former mayor announced that she is going to run as the Democratic candidate for congressmember against the Biblicist John Campbell representing the 48th congressional district. I had a run-in with John Campbell at his “coffee shop meeting” in 2001, when, in response to my question, he said that I shouldn’t be able to marry my partner of then five years, Aaron, because “The Bible says……..” and something else about “2000 years.” I’m not aware he’s ever done anything for Orange County, although you’ll probably hear from him more now that he’s got competition.
Beth is an avid progressive who is a strong supporter of LGBT rights, and inherits the legacy of the Irvine City Council team who, in 1988, voted to add sexual-orientation to its non-discrimination ordinance, one of the first cities in California to do so. She also was a FANTASTIC guest speaker at one of the first Orange County Equality Coalition meetings and was quite frank on the needs of gay and lesbians to have full equality. She would make an OUTSTANDING candidate for congress and I hope you will all support her.
Go to http://www.bethkrom.com/ and make a donation to help her meet her fundraising goals.
Might California be the 6th state for Marriage Equality instead now???
In a stunning surprise the NH House changed their votes on a re-vote after the Governor kicked the measure back to them under a threatened veto. It's back in committee now but this is where bills usually die so it doesn't look good.
Interview with Gavin Newsom before start of
2009 Long Beach Pride Parade
9-Year-Old Activist Ethan Speaks At Denver Marriage Equality Rally
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.
"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.
And then there were FIVE!!!
Wednesday May 6th 2009, Maine became the fifth state to legalize same sex marriage. I had thought last week that New Hampshire would be number five since their legislature got to the issue first, but Maine's Governor signed almost immediately even though he previously had been against the idea. That's real progress when we are changing the minds of people that were against same sex marriage into being proponents of it!! Especially in this case when they are in a position to do something about it and have a real effect on people's lives! This is terrific news. Now we need to have NH come on board too!
Here's some good quotes by the Governor on his thoughts. It's very interesting:
Miss California, Carrie Prejean officially joins the anti-gay
"National Organization for Marriage" group.
(The same ones that brought us that wonderful "Gathering Storm" ad)
“I was attacked for giving my own opinion on the stage of the Miss USA contest.
And I’m going to do whatever it takes to protect marriage.
It’s something that is very dear to my heart,”
Prejean told TODAY’s Matt Lauer Thursday in an exclusive interview from Washington, D.C.
Oh, it was also reported that the self-righteous beauty queen also has had a boob job that was paid for by the pageant. Guess it's okay to wave God and the bible around when attacking gays, but God's work wasn't good enough for her when it came to her boobs. Nice. Typical conservative hypocrite.
IS THIS STATE NEXT???
On Wed. 4/29 the New hampshire Senate passed a gay marriage bill (after amendments against polygamy and marriage by family members (sorry Westboro Baptist Church!) were thrown in) Gee, I'm surprised they didn't put in a Dog amendment too!
Now it's all in the hands of the state's Governor and if he will Veto it or not.
Here's the story: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30481498/from/ET/
UPCOMING EVENTS: MAY 2009
May 1st
Get your ad in for Project Classified.
(See sticky note section at top of page for more info)
May 3rd
OCEC Film shoot/Picnic in the Park
Heritage Park Irvine
May 7th
Town hall Meeting
May 7, time TBA - Orange County - The Center OC, 12752 Garden Grove Boulevard (map)
May 9th
Orange County Equality Coalition presents:
"Potato Skins & Platform Shoes" - a Drag affair / OC AIDS Walk Fundraiser
7-10pm - at Durty Nelly's - throw on your heels and join the fun!
May 9th also happens to be Jeff's and my anniversary!!!
So cards, letters, faxes, gifts (just kidding), and any well wishes you want to send our way are all appreciated! :)