Celebrating the recent victories of Iowa and Vermont!
The election is over, but the battle for Marriage Equality is not!!!
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
 I'm adding a new section to
the website so that ongoing important things can continue to be listed
at the top so people see them and not get buried.
Project Classifieds (aka Project Equality Wanted)
Help Same-Sex Marriage Take Over Newspapers
this Sunday May 3rd
Want to get the same-sex marriage issue back in the media in a positive way?
Want to make a memorable statement in a way that’s never been done before?
Join us in taking over statewide newspapers on Sunday, May 3rd!
WHO:
The LGBT community and their allies
WHAT:
Taking over statewide classifieds in the CA newspapers
WHEN:
The ads will need to be in the May 3rd paper,
so make sure you submit yours with enough time to meet the deadline.
Make sure your ad is not printed early!
WHERE:
All publications in CA that have classifieds
HOW:
We need as many people as possible to submit marriage equality classified or personal ads to publications in CA. Be as creative as you can, but make sure it is obvious you are talking about marriage equality. If you can submit multiple ads or hit numerous publications, please do so. We want to make sure no one will miss our ads, so the more that are submitted the better. If you want to submit half page or full page adds, please do that as well. If you can write in a foreign language, please consider submitting ads in newspapers that are published in different languages. Be creative, witty, sarcastic, and/or humorous; however please do not attack or point fingers at any group.
WHY:
Classifieds are read by numerous people across the state. This is our chance to reach out to people in a humorous, non-confrontational way that will be remembered. While protests are great, they can’t be the only way we fight back. In order to keep our issue in the media, we will need to be more creative.
Here are some examples of the types of ads you can submit to the newspaper of your choice:
WANTED
The right to marry the person I love. If anyone has a right to marry that they are not using, please let me know. This right must be non-revocable and available to all people regardless of their sexual orientation. Please call ASAP if you can help me secure equality for all.
TEMPORARY HOME NEEDED
My right to marry the person I love needs a good home since I am temporarily displaced from my Constitutional Protections. If you know of a place where I can protect my dream to marry him/her until I can get my rights back, please contact me.
PERSONALS
Seeking responsible committed right to visit my spouse in the hospital when I travel out of state, ability to give my social security benefits to my spouse and seeking the 1,138 other federal rights denied my spouse at present . No flakes or substitutes need apply!
LOST AND FOUND
Lost - my right to marry the person I love. Last seen on November 4th, 2008. If seen, please return to law abiding, taxpaying citizen. It is dearly missed.
FOR SALE
My Rights
FOR SALE
Equal rights for minorities.
Sunday in the Park with OCEC
and a small film crew
Attention Orange County folk: Got a last minute addition for this week. And it's an important one too.
We're hoping to gather AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE for a potluck
THIS COMING SUNDAY May 3rd, 2009 at Heritage Park in Irvine (Yale & Walnut) from 11:00am-3:00pm.
A local videographer is making a series of PSA videos for a pro-marriage-equality contest being put on by the LAGLC. He has agreed to partner with OCEC and share the prize money if he wins!
The concept is Family and Community: the videos will demonstrate that LGBT families are just like other families and that we value our communities.
Bring your own families and other families you may know of (gay or straight), with kids of any age.
We will have a potluck style lunch in the park, enjoying each others company and we'll be filmed. Folks will have the opportunity to be interviewed on camera, but do not have to if they don't want to.
Bring some sort of food dish to share, and (nonalcoholic) beverages for your family.
If you have any games, frisbees, or extra potato sacks hanging around, bring them - maybe we can have sack races!
Please RSVP so we can keep a head count. If you have any questions at all don't hesitate to contact Beth Payne, Research and Education Chair, OCEC
squinttees@gmail.com
Thank you in advance! Please share this with other people you know who would be interested in attending.
Here is a website for the park:http://www.ci.irvine.ca.us/depts/cs/commparks/cparks/cparks_heritage.asp
If you would like to check out the director's work visit: www.ninjagoldfish.com
The rent counter protest was a HUGE success. Thank you to all the people that showed up! In the next few days I will be redoing the gallery section and update with new pics, including ones from this protest. In the meantime, tickets for Rent are still on sale, but going fast! So act quickly and help support these hard working students!!!
UPDATE: Tickets are now SOLD OUT for all performances of Rent. However, we did talk to the student office today (4/29) and were told that it may still be possible to see the show by coming down and heading to Will Call as they sometimes have left over tickets unclaimed I guess.
Here's some background and info for those that don't know the story:
While not strictly related to Prop 8, or the marriage equality movement, there is an important event coming up that warrants a mention here. You see, there is this school, Corona del Mar High which is located behind the Orange Curtain in Newport Beach. When the drama department and students decided to put Rent on as a result of the Prop 8 election, they were at first denied. After complaints and the threat of lawsuits, planning for the play went forward. However, it was not without controversy. A conservative church has entertained the idea of grabbing all the tickets so that no one can see the play. And now, word has come out that the disgusting "godhatesfags" group will be here from Kansas protesting the play on April 24th. We simply cannot sit idly by and allow the forces of hate to rain on these students parade. I encourage EACH and EVERY person reading this locally to attend this play (which runs for two weeks) and support the students. Even better, plan to be out front for the counter protest on April 24th too!!
Tickets for Rent are now sold out. You may be able to get tickets by visiting Will Call before each performance however there is no guarantee that you will get in.
Previously you could have purchased by visiting the schools ASB office. Details here:
Or reserved online at this site:
Friday, April 24 @ 2:00pm through 7:00pm, Newport Beach, CdM High School, 2101 Eastbluff Drive (see map, below): Major, Non-violent, Quiet Protest Rally to support ALL youth who suffer from homophobic bullying. (Organized by the OCEC and another organization)
Please bring positive signs only, like “We Love Rent!” “We love our gay children!”
This is a major rally and will have several news outlets covering the event.
At Corona del Mar High School, the musical Rent was scheduled to be performed by the students, then abruptly cancelled, apparently because of its gay content. After major protests from alumni and the community, it was reinstated, and performances are now scheduled to begin on Thursday evening (tonight, sold out). Nonetheless, the investigation of its cancellation and the publicity it generated brought to light a terribly homophobic environment at the high school. In fact, the ACLU filed a lawsuit focusing on a threat by three CdM football players who threatened to rape and kill a female classmate, and used slurs to describe homosexuals, as well as cancellation of the play. The lawsuit states that "School and district officials, through their action and inaction, have not only failed to take steps to address this hostile environment, but they have contributed to it and given sanction to it."
To make it crazier, on Friday afternoon, so-called Reverend Fred Phelps and his “God Hates Fags” Westboro Baptist Church (!)” family and friends have announced they will be at the high school to picket the play and support the homophobic environment. According to their website (www.godhatesfags.com/schedule.htm): “Jews Killed Jesus, love fags! …WBC to picket this High School, and the goofy Jewish bastards who pretend they have a cause against the Lord and against His anointed.” This is the same group that tried to disrupt the funerals of returning military service personnel.
Please come show your support for the CdM students who, gay, lesbian and straight, are also taking a stand for what is right.
2:15pm-3:15pm is when the Phelps folks are scheduled to stage their picket, according to their website; but there is no guarantee they will adhere to that.
6:30pm-7:00pm is when the Phelps folks are scheduled to picket according to their flier.
2:45pm the students get out of school.
6:30pm the cast and crew for the play, “Rent,” arrive.
Tickets are being tightly controlled. They can be obtained at the CdM ASB office (open 7:30am to 4pm): 949-515-6006. The cost is $15 per seat. Access to the ASB office requires obtaining a visitor’s pass and parking sticker.
Regular performances are:
Thursday, April 23rd, sold out
Friday, April 24th sold out
Saturday, April 25th
Wednesday, April 29th
Thursday, April 30th
Friday, May 1st
Saturday, May 2nd almost sold out
All performances start at 7:30pm, with seating at 7pm
Link to LA Times story, today:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-rent23-2009apr23,0,2018823.story
Link to Westboro Baptist Church’s flier:
http://www.godhatesfags.com/written/fliers/20090411_fag-play-rent.pdf
Link to LA Times article of 3/19/2009: “ACLU sues Corona del Mar High School for cultivating 'homophobic' environment”
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-aclu-school-suit19-2009mar19,0,192169.story
Day of Decision Events:
PLANNING MEETING FOR THE OC DAY OF DECISION
We had our first meeting this past Saturday and will be having a training meeting soon, probably next weekend. More info as it becomes available.
We also discussed Orange County's travel plans
for the Meet in the Middle event. This is shaping up to be a fantastic event with famous speakers and a terrific chance to network. We definitely want to have a presence in Fresno.
Here's the facebook event links for the above listed events:
And a website devoted to just this one day in all cities across the nation:
Another event is now planned for the first Saturday AFTER the verdict:
Meet in the middle of the state (Fresno to be exact) on the first Saturday after the Supreme Court Verdict.
http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com/
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.
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.
Yay! Today (Monday 4/27 as I write this) Iowa started officially marrying same sex couples.
Here's a link to the story:
And the Des Moines Register is keeping track of what counties in their state register same sex marriages so we are finally counting on a polling map somewhere. It's about time!!!
UPCOMING EVENTS: APRIL 2009
Upcoming EQCA Town Hall Meetings - Spring 2009
As the California Supreme Court considers legal arguments for overturning Prop 8, LGBT community centers, in partnership with Equality California and allied organizations throughout the state, are joining together to host a series of Town Hall meetings in early April. The meetings will include updates from Prop 8 legal experts and open discussion on the future of the movement.
More specific information regarding the time, address and speakers for each Town Hall will be distributed by each community center co-hosting a meeting and will also be available at: www.eqca.org/townhall.
Check http://www.eqca.org for updates.
April 23, 7pm - Long Beach - The Art Theatre, 2025 Fourth Street (map)
April 27, 6-8pm - Palm Springs - Desert Pride Community Center, 611 South Palm Canyon Drive #101 (map)
April 29, 6-8pm - Santa Barbara - Louise Lowry Davis Center, 1232 De La Vina Street (map)
May 7, time TBA - Orange County - The Center OC, 12752 Garden Grove Boulevard (map)
FRIDAY - April 24th
Counter Protest Godhatesfags group at Corona Del Mar High School production of RENT. See top of page for info.
SATURDAY APRIL 25th
For some reason it's a BIG day and there are a lot of events going on, so to help, here's a list of all that is going on that day:
The next Walk for Equality Event will be Saturday April 25th
This time, the focus will be on Huntington Beach/Costa Mesa areas
Team Courage OC Canvass for Equality in Huntington Beach (Equality Team Event)
We're ready to hit the pavement to talk to our neighbors, share our stories, and win the hearts and minds that are crucial to winning back our rights! For this walk we'll be targeting West/North County. Specifically we'll be working in Huntington Beach, where we lost by a surprisingly narrow margin last November, as well as Sunset Beach and parts of Costa Mesa, areas where we narrowly won and can do even better.
In order to win statewide we must do better in Orange County, so please join us to make a difference... And have a good time while doing it. Please call or email to RSVP for the location at 949-813-2131 or by email at atdnextATgmailDOTcom. (replace the at with the @ and the DOT with the actual ".")
Time: Saturday, April 25 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Host: Andrew Davey
Contact Phone: 949-813-2131
Location:
Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach, CA)
Address Provided Upon RSVP
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
About County Equality Teams: Organized by volunteers county-by-county, Courage Campaign County Equality Teams are creating infrastructure to enable your community to engage in important long-term work -- recruiting an army of marriage equality activists, identifying undecided voters, organizing in your communities, and taking part in coordinated statewide events.
Equality Teams have begun to canvass neighborhoods across California and the results are fantastic -- we've recruited scores of volunteers all over the state, mobilized supporters to sign our pledge, and conducted important preliminary conversations with undecided voters.
These personal, face-to-face conversations are the best way to change the hearts and minds of Californians, so join our Equality Team for a canvass in this neighborhood! If you're a first-time canvasser, this method is made for you. Courage Campaign volunteers will prepare you, show you a training video, give you all the tips you need, and pair you with a partner for your first walk.
Two Orange County Equality Coalition (OCEC) meetings will be taking place
Saturday April 25th as well.
- 2:00pm - Planning for the May 9th Drag Show Fundraiser which will be supporting OC AIDS Walk
- 5:00pm - Planning for the Day of Decision and Meet in the Middle events (see sticky note section @ top of page)
Both meetings will be held at
Irvine United Congregational Church 4915 Alton Pkwy, Irvine
And finally, we have the Queers of Color Conference
which will be reaching out to the latino community which was sorely neglected in the Prop 8
campaign. It's planned to be an all day event with lots of activities from Drag shows to dancing
to educational seminars. I'll post more details when I get the schedule line-up.
But for now, here is the address:
310 W. 5TH Street.
Santa Ana 92701
All ages, races, genders and sexualities welcome.
APRIL 29th- Orange, CA
Pride Week - Candlelight Vigil/Walk @ Chapman University
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots with the Queer Straight Alliance, Chapman Outlaw and Safe Space
From Stonewall to Prop 8, United We Stand!
For more information, please email chapmanqsa@gmail.com
Directions:http://www.chapman.edu/map/drivingDirections.asp
UPCOMING EVENTS: MAY 2009
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! :)
Attempt to reverse Iowa marriage equality blocked. Same Sex marriage stands.
An attempt was made by the minority party leader to reverse the just won marriage equality in Iowa. It was blocked by Mike Gronstal, the Senate majority leader.
Video follows below.
Attempt to reverse Iowa ruling blocked
Transcript
One of my daughters was in the workplace one day, and her particular workplace at that moment in time, there were a whole bunch of conservative, older men. And those guys were talking about gay marriage. They were talking about discussions going on across the country.
Any my daughter Kate, after listening for about 20 minutes, said to them: You guys dont understand. Youve already lost. My generation doesnt care.
I think I learned something from my daughter that day, when she said that. And Ive talked with other people about it and thats what I see, Senator McKinley. I see a bunch of people that merely want to profess their love for each other, and want state law to recognize that.
Is that so wrong? I dont think thats so wrong. As a matter of fact, last Friday night, I hugged my wife. You know Ive been married for 37 years. I hugged my wife. I felt like our love was just a little more meaningful last Friday night because thousands of other Iowa citizens could hug each other and have the state recognize their love for each other.
No, Senator McKinley, I will not co-sponsor a leadership bill with you.
VERMONT JOINS IN TOO!!!
(And it came down to one vote!)
Tuesday April 7th 2009 will be the day that goes down as a close one. As expected, the Governor vetoed the bill sent to him and it came down to literally just one vote when the house voted 100-49 to override the veto. 100 was the exact number needed at a minimum to do so. So Vermont is now currently the 4th State making same sex marriages legal....until California wakes up and restores it back.
While being the 4th (or 5th if you count California's earlier marriages) Vermont does have a "first" distinction. It is the first state to make same sex marriage legal not through a court order, but rather through the legislature instead.
And in addition to that, the District of Columbia also announced Tuesday that it will recognize same sex marriages performed in other states though it still does not perform ones of it's own. But it does have civil unions. So while not all the way, it's definitely a step in the right direction.
Supreme Court has decided....in Iowa that is.
Another state Supreme Court has ruled in favor of full marriage equality bringing the total to 3 plus the existing marriages in California. You can read the story here:
and read the full Iowa Supreme Court decision here:
April 2009 Archives:
With the bit of slowdown in events at the end of March, I've been taking some time to improve some things around here. Once again the site has had some graphical improvements. In addition to that, I archived all the older stuff so that this home page should load MUCH faster. Who knew what was to only be a 3 week project would turn into all of this?!!!
Events continue to come in and despite waiting for the court decision we need to keep visible and keep planning because whatever way the court decides, we have got a LONG ways to go to educate the people of California on why this is important. In addition, we need to reach out to other states and help them in their efforts too. In other words, there is MUCH work to be done and now is not the time to sit on our hands and do nothing. In fact, right now is probably the most critical time of all. So get out there and STAY ACTIVE!!!!
Marriage Town Halls
Join us at community meetings across the state to decide how we will work together to secure the freedom to marry.
Hear from legal experts about the Prop 8 legal challenge
Voice your opinion
Wednesday, April 1 - Los Angeles (L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center)
Thursday, April 2 - San Diego (San Diego LGBT Community Center)
Thursday, April 9 - Santa Barbara (Pacific Pride Foundation)
Monday, April 13 - San Francisco (San Francisco LGBT Community Center)
Thursday, April 16 - Fresno (ErasetheH8, Fresno City College Diversity Club)
Tuesday, April 21 - Sacramento (Curtis Hall, Sierra 2)
Thursday, May 7 - Orange County (The Center OC)
TBD - Long Beach (LGBT Center of Long Beach)
Why settle for a boring old tax day when you can have a same sex kiss day right?
Meet at ANY Starbucks NATIONWIDE at any of these times on Tax Day:
7:15 AM
12:15 PM
5:15 PM
8:15 PM
Give your lover, friend or crush a smooch for equality. We may not be able to file taxes jointly, but we can lock lips to show the world our love is just the same. And it's not just for gay people either!
Straight allies encouraged and needed! Show up and give your husband or wife some love to show your support for LGBT rights.
Facebook event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=66738984576
Equal Taxes/Equal Rights
April 15th Post Office Rallies Nationwide
LGBT Day of Silence Protest - Nationwide, Friday-Saturday 04/17-04/18
Want
to help support gay rights? Sometimes in order to be heard, you have to
be silent. All you have to do to be a part of this event is be silent
for a day.
That's it. You can print out a silence card from
the pictures shown below to explain to your teachers or coworkers without
words why you can't talk. February 12th marks the first anniversary of
the school shooting that claimed the life of openly gay, gender
nonconforming eighth-grader Lawrence King at E.O. Green Junior High
School in Oxnard, CA last year. By taking action, you can transform
your schools and prevent further tragedies like the murder of Lawrence
King.
Right click on the picture below and save to your computer and print it out to explain why you are silent:
|
I'm adding a new section to
the website so that ongoing important things can continue to be listed
at the top so people see them and not get buried. 
