Posts Tagged ‘Arnold Schwarzenegger’

Bill Moyers and the Prop 8 trial

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Bill Moyers Journal (video: MarriageTrial at YouTube)

Attorneys Ted Olson and David Boies discussed the ongoing Prop 8 trial, Perry v Schwarzenegger, with PBS’s Bill Moyers. Embedding the video is not allowed, but you can kick back and watch it Chez Moyers.

Moyers sets the stage:

It’s true. Ted Olson, a conservative, and David Boies, a liberal, are in the middle of a case that, win or lose, they expect, will wind up at the Supreme Court, just like Bush v. Gore. The former adversaries have united in support of core American values: diversity, equality and tolerance. They’re key players in one of the most important civil rights trials of the last decade. It’s a pivotal legal action that could change our society, but which has escaped the attention of much of the country.

Oh! And, as a bonus, PBS viewers get to relive the paranoid insanity of the National Organization for Marriage’s craptastic Gathering Storm commerical — the much-parodied ad issued right before NOM’s Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown got their hooks into christianist porn princess Carrie Prejean.

(emphasis: mine)

(tip: Andy Towle, Towleroad)

Urge the Governor to fully fund ADAP

Friday, November 20th, 2009

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation has set up a page that allows visitors to send a message to Governor Schwarzenegger urging the Governor to not diminish funding levels for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Please take a few minutes and add your voice in support of this life-saving program.

Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to fully fund ADAP

The San Francisco AIDS Foundation is insisting on full funding of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Indications are that Governor Schwarzenegger is preparing to cut ADAP substantially across our state.

ADAP provides access to lifesaving treatment for more than 34,000 Californians–low-income and uninsured individuals who otherwise cannot afford costly medications to maintain their health. Because we are committed to guaranteed access to medical care, including HIV treatment, for every Californian living with HIV and AIDS, support for ADAP is critical.

People on antiretroviral treatment have significantly lower levels of virus in their blood so they are less likely to transmit HIV to others, leading to reduced numbers of new infections. Each new HIV infection averted saves the state an estimated $600,000 in treatment costs over a lifetime.

Last year, our state sustained cuts to HIV/AIDS programs of $85 million, impairing our capacity to prevent, treat and serve the estimated 160,000 Californians living with HIV/AIDS. Future cuts to ADAP will leave some living with HIV without access to lifesaving drugs and undermine our ability to prevent new infections.

Please contact Governor Schwarzenegger and let him know that ADAP must remain in the budget at the funding level required to maintain the health of Californians living with HIV/AIDS.

(emphasis: from the original)

Reactions to Harvey Milk Day

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Journalist Dan Aiello, writing at California Progress Report, has a great piece with some notable reactions to the signing, by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, of a bill honoring Harvey Milk with a “special day of significance” in California:

The governor’s endorsement comes just one year after Schwarzenegger vetoed similar legislation intended to create “a special day of significance” for the slain civil rights leader. Schwarzenegger’s veto message then: Milk should be honored, but locally, not statewide.

[ ... ]

Openly gay State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) authored the Harvey Milk Day legislation both years.

“It is certainly appropriate the first openly gay elected official in our State, someone who literally gave his life in service to his community, should be recognized in this way,” Senator Leno told the California Progress Report.

“We’re just really thrilled that this day has come,” said Alice Kessler, chief lobbyist for Equality California which sponsored the legislation.

“This is historic. It’s the first time in our country’s history that a member of the LGBT community has been honored like this,” said Kessler. “And to have a Republican governor signing this bill shows us that equality is not just a partisan issue.”

Aiello interviewed Harvey Milk’s nephew Stuart Milk:

Stuart Milk echoed Kessler’s praise for the Governor, while also praising all of those involved with SB 572’s passage, including Senator Leno and Kessler. “The first person I called was Alice Kessler. Alice has really been, along with Mark Leno and all of the legislative folks, Alice really has been kind of the Shepard of this bill. It was Alice who kept the train on the tracks when others lost faith and I’m really thankful for her.”

Milk had even more profound praise for Senator Leno. Calling the Senator “incredibly modest, like Harvey,” Milk told CPR, “He deserves tremendous credit. This and so many things that have occurred in support of LGBT causes happen because of Mark. Senator Leno is very much a politician in the style of my uncle,” said Milk.

“So often our stories have been left out of the history books,” Geoff Kors, Executive Director of Equality California told the BAR. “This bill will ensure we remember and honor Harvey Milk the way we honor Martin Luther King and Caeser Chavez.”

In the piece, Stuart Milk pays homage to San Francisco Mayor George Moscone who was also gunned down by Dan White, and both Leno and Milk speculate about what Harvey Milk would have made of this historic development. Read their thoughts and more — including the bitter reactions of certain fundamentalist, conservative religious leaders — at Dan Aiello’s article. Check it out.

Out & About San Diego

Monday, October 12th, 2009

hillcrest_scooter_425

Scooter, Hillcrest (photo: Mike Tidmus)

The week kicks off with a bittersweet Monday. We were cheered, this morning, to learn that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had signed several pieces of GLBT-positive legislation — including the Harvey Milk Day bill — into California law, but tonight we’ll gather to remember the life and tragic loss of gay college student Matthew Shepard.

On deck, later this week, San Diego will peacefully but firmly let anti-gay, anti-you-name-it Baptist preacher Fred Phelps, his charming family, and Jamaican hate-singer Buju Banton know that, as far as we’re concerned, all of San Diego is a Hate Free Zone and they’re not welcome in our town.

Lot’s to do in October, and wait until you get a load of November! Here’s what’s coming up in sunny but it-might-just-be-time-to-think-about-breaking-out-a-flannel-shirt San Diego:

Monday, 12 October:

San Diego Matthew Shepard Remembrance & Vigil

Eleven years after the brutal hate-based murder of Matthew Shepard, it is apparent that hate is still alive. Since Shepard’s death, numerous hate crimes have happened locally and worldwide. We must never forget Matthew Shepard and continue to stand up against all forms of hate.

On October 12, 2009, in commemoration of Shepard’s life and death, we will hold a remembrance and vigil at The Ruby Kitchen in Hillcrest.

Gather at 7 p.m. in front of The Ruby Kitchen for a vigil and procession down University Avenue to the John Wear Memorial Hate Crimes Plaque (outside of Obelisk Bookstore). Afterwards, starting at 8 p.m., there will be an open mic and mixer at The Ruby Kitchen.

Please join us on October 12, 2009 to remember all who have been victimized by hate violence.

Time: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: The Ruby Kitchen
Street: 1271 University Avenue
City: San Diego, CA

Tuesday, 13 October:

San Diego Alliance for Marriage meeting

The San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality (SAME) is a grass roots, democratically-run organization committed to fighting for LGBT rights including marriage equality. SAME meetings are open to the public. For more information please visit the SAME website.

As the movement continues we encourage everyone with an idea, a hope, a voice, to join us in this struggle. in numbers there is strength, in unity there is hope, and together we WILL realize our goal: equality.

We want to invite LGBTQIQAA activists to become NEW members and NEW organizations to join us in coalition at this SAME membership meeting. Please join our membership meetings the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month. SAME meetings are open to the public. For more info visit SAME online.

Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: At a Residential Building on the SE Corner of 4th & Walnut (street parking after 6pm is FREE.) Signs at the gate will guide you to the meeting space which is UPSTAIRS on the 2nd floor. If you need directions contact Cecile: 858 335 6615.

+++++++

Hillcrest Town Council Meeting

Join us for the monthly meeting of the Hillcrest Town Council. The HTC exists to provide a voice & enhance the quality of life for Hillcrest renters and homeowners while supporting actions that benefit our neighborhood. Neighborhood residents are encouraged to attend monthly meetings of the Hillcrest Town Council which feature political leaders, candidate forums and committee updates on area crime, litter, graffiti and development.

Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Location: Joyce Beers Community Center
Street: 3900 Vermont Street (across from Trader Joe’s)
City: San Diego
Map

Wednesday, 14 October

Social Media Workshop at The Center

Are you interested in online social networking but not sure how to navigate Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and more? In this series of workshops you’ll be introduced to some of the freely available social media on the web. Each session will involve a presentation of one or two media, discussion and hands-on practice. These workshops are open to everyone – no prior experience is necessary. Bring a laptop with web access to an email account and we’ll show you how it all works. Workshops will be held Oct. 14, Nov. 18 and Dec. 9 at 7pm at The Center. For more information, contact Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or aschwartz [at sign] thecentersd [dot] org.

+++++++

Town Hall on City Finances
How to solve the city’s $180 Million deficit

Recently the City disclosed a budget deficit of $180 million – confirming our concerns that the city’s financial problems are worsening.

Some city leaders are suggesting massive tax increases and severe service cuts as the only solutions.

I disagree. I believe there is another option: reforming how the city spends our tax dollars–improving efficiency, reducing waste, and renegotiating unsustainable pension benefits.

I believe it is imperative that we educate and engage the public on the city’s financial problems – and seek their ideas on solutions. That’s why I’m convening a Town Hall discussion to give the public a full and candid briefing on the reality of the city’s finances and what options exist for reforming city government finances.

-City Debt: What financial liabilities face the city?

-Budget Deficit: How big is this year’s budget deficit? What will be the impact on city services?

-Reform Options: What can be done to bring spending in city government back down to sustainable levels?

I hope you can attend the Town Hall as we take the “fiscal reality show” on the road! It’s you’re money and I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas for reform.

Councilmember Carl DeMaio

Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Location: Scripps Ranch Library
Street: 10301 Scripps Lake Drive
City: San Diego, CA

Friday, 16 October:

Westboro Baptist Church/Fred Phelps Counter-Protest for Equal Rights at San Diego High School

There will be a Nonviolent, Peaceful, political Counter-Protest for Equal Rights at San Diego High School on Friday, October 16th from 2:00 – 3:00PM. Organized counter demonstrations will overshadow this hate group’s message with a message of respect, freedom and equality for all people.

Please register at: http://nohate.sdgln.com. Other WBC protest sites are listed when you register for the San Diego High School counter-protest.

Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Location: San Diego High School
City: San Diego, CA

+++++++

Quarterly LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast

Concerned about the city’s growing budget deficit? Any ideas about how the city can reduce it? Join us on Friday, October 16, 7:30am at The Center as Councilmember Todd Gloria explains how we got here and solicits your input on where to go next. Coffee is free, breakfast is $10.00 at the door. For more information, contact Carlos Marquez at (619) 692-2077, ext. 103, or cmarquez [at sign] thecentersd [dot] org.

+++++++

No More War in Afghanistan – Troops Out Now!

Join with the San Diego Coalition for Peace and Justice and others around the country to oppose the war and occupation in Afghanistan meet at the Federal Building, Front St. and Broadway, Downtown San Diego. The SDCPJ is calling for- End the Occupations: Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine, Healthcare, Jobs and Education, No to War and Occupation. We urge all groups and individuals opposed to the war in Afghanistan (soon entering its ninth year) to join us. If your group would like to endorse the demonstration, please let us know by contacting the SDCPJ at: aka0001 [at sign] thotmail [dot] com. Decide on your own slogans. Bring your own signs and banners. Bring your friends, fellow students, and coworkers. San Diego Coalition for Peace and Justice.

Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: The Federal Building
City: San Diego, CA

Saturday, 17 October:

Protest Buju Banton at the Belly Up Tavern

Jamaican hate singer Buju Banton, who, in his music, advocates the murder of gay and lesbian people, is scheduled to appear at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. If the performance is not cancelled (check back for updates), the San Diego GBLT community and our friends and allies will peacefully and positively protest the singer’s presence with an informational picket and distribution of leaflets.

Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Belly Up Tavern
Address: 143 S. Cedros Ave
City: Solana Beach, CA 92075
Directions: Take Hwy 5, exit Lomas Sante Fe Drive in Solana Beach (next exit north of Via de la Valle at Del Mar Racetrack) Go west a short mile to S Cedros Ave. (Street has large metal arches, 1 blk east of Hwy 101) Go south about one city block, the Belly Up Tavern will be on the right.

+++++++

U*NI*TY in DIVERSITY

Come join us for U*NI*TY!

EQUALITY FUNDRAISER: % of proceeds go to Marriage of the Minds Building to help house organizations like: Marriage Equality USA, Equality California, Californians Against Hate, San Diego Equality Campaign, and San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality.

U*NI*TY is the ONLY monthly event that brings the LGBTQ community & their allies together through Art+Music+Fashion+Dj’s+Dance Crews+Live Performances. It is a monthly party that occurs Every 3rd SATURDAY @ the Flame. U*NI*TY is for all communities: Artists, Musicians, Dj’s, Dancers, & everyone in between willing to create UNITY.

See the Facebook page for additional information.

Time: 9:00pm – 2:00am
Location: The Flame
Street: 3780 Park Blvd.
City: San Diego, CA

+++++++

Immigrant Rights San Diego Regional Conference

From the Facebook page: It’s time for immigrant’s rights activists to come together and raise our voices in unison to make sure the will of the majority is heard. It’s time for us to strategize and develop a plan of action to make sure a progressive and pro-immigrant voice shapes the outcome of the looming showdown over immigration reform.

Join the Si Se Puede Immigrant Rights Organization, Border Angels, Migrant Rights Awareness, International Socialist Organization, San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality, Anakbayan, San Diego Coalition for Peace and Justice, Asociacion de Servicios Integrales a la Comunidad, City College Chicano Studies Department, St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Gente Unida, Latino Anti-Defamation League, Friends of Friendship Park Coalition, and a growing list of organizations in planning and organizing a San Diego Regional Conference on October 17th at San Diego City College to develop a plan of action for the passage of just, humane, and progressive immigration reform.

Time: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Location: San Diego City College, Room A-213
Street: 1313 Park Blvd
City: San Diego, CA
Email: tianormalita [at sign] hotmail [dot] com

+++++++

MEUSA-SD Canvass OUT-Reach for Equality!

Project OUT-Reach – is a campaign by Marriage Equality USA -San Diego where we are going into neighborhoods around San Diego County talking to voters, asking them how they feel about marriage equality, educating the community about what’s happening around the issue, and getting them involved in the next steps towards equality. Even by starting right now we still need to open 300,000 Californian hearts and minds by using earned media, demonstrations, public outreach and education.

To be successful we cannot just organize in areas that are supportive. We must also reach out to communities that have not traditionally been our allies in this fight to bridge the gap in understanding. We will have conversations with people, both at their doors and in busy public spaces to raise consciousness about the issue as well as funds for the cause. We will keep our community energized and engaged as activists, fighting to win back our fundamental right to marry.

Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Lips Restaurant
Street: 3036 El Cajon Blvd
City: San Diego, CA
Email: volunteer [at sign] marriageequalitysd [dot] org

Saturday, 24 October:

Family Matters Halloween Party & Costume Contest

Don’t miss the fun at this spooktacular Halloween party for families. Join us at The Center on Saturday, Oct. 24, 4-7 pm for board games, dinner, Halloween arts & crafts, a spooky den for kids 9 and up to hang out and watch a Halloween movie, and much more! For more information, contact Jane Schmoll at families [at sign] thecentersd [dot] org

Saturday, 31 October:

Nightmare on Normal Street

Nightmare on Normal Street, Hillcrest’s big Halloween block party, will be held on Saturday, October 31 from 6-10pm on Normal Street between Lincoln and Blaine. The Outrageous Nicole returns as emcee this year for the fabulous costume contest. Tickets are only $5 and are available only at the event. Come join us for the biggest Halloween party in Hillcrest and support The Center! This is a 21+ event and ID is required, website.

Additions and/or corrections to calendar items are welcomed. Drop me an email or add a comment below.

(event descriptions are provided by the event’s organizers)

Harvey Milk Day bill signed into law

Monday, October 12th, 2009

arnold_milk_at_last

Arnold gets milk … at last (graphic: Mike Tidmus)

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed the Harvery Milk Day bill and a bill requiring California to recognize marriages performed in other states where same sex marriage is legal into law. Is that the sound of anti-gay heads I hear exploding? Dan Smith, at The Sacramento Bee, has the story:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed two gay rights bills, one honoring late activist Harvey Milk and another recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states.

In the last of hundreds of bill actions taken before midnight Sunday, Schwarzenegger approved the two bills by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.

The governor last year vetoed the measure declaring May 22 a state day of recognition for Milk, suggesting that the former San Francisco supervisor be honored locally. But he subsequently named him to the California Hall of Fame.

Leno’s SB 54, meanwhile, requires California to recognize marriages performed in other states where same sex marriage is legal.

Find additional details at The Sacramento Bee.

I, for one, think a two-fold show of appreciation is in order.

Drop the Governor a thank you email or tweet him @Schwarzenegger .

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841

And, please do not forget to thank Equality California for their diligence in ushering both of these bills through the legislature and onto the Governor’s desk — bearing in mind of course that even small donations speak louder than emails, and, at the moment, EQCA is aggressively aiding the defense of marriage equality in Maine.

+++++++

UPDATE (12 November 9:34 am): We here in California frequently forget how good, despite that whole Prop 8 kerfuffle, we have it. Sheesh! In 29 states you can still be fired simply for being of the homosexual persuasion. We lead the nation in just about every civil rights category, except marriage equality and we’re working on that one. We have an amazing activist community, our LGBT rights organizations perform magic on shoestring budgets, and we have some of the brightest gay and lesbian elected representatives in the country. On top of all that, we have terrific support from our friends, families and allies up and down the state.

I just received this press release from Equality California, and, given the incredible work they do to make these kinds of things happen, your assignment is to read the entire e-blast, and, note, there will be a pop quiz after recess:

Governor Signs Harvey Milk Day and Marriage Recognition Bills

Sacramento – Today Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law two historic LGBT rights bills – recognizing the contributions of slain civil rights leader Harvey Milk and a bill that underscores that same-sex couples married before the passage of Proposition 8 are entitled to full recognition as married spouses in California, regardless of whether they married in California or out of state. Both bills were sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and were introduced by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). The bills were the top priority of EQCA, the state’s leading LGBT rights organization and were targeted by right wing anti-gay groups who worked to defeat the bills first in the legislature and then by urging the Governor to veto the measures.

“We are grateful to the Governor for signing these critical and groundbreaking measures into law and rising above partisan politics to improve the lives of LGBT Californians,” said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors.

The Harvey Milk Day bill marks the first time in the nation’s history that a state will officially recognize and celebrate the contributions of an openly LGBT person with an annual “day of special significance.”

“Californians will now learn about Harvey’s amazing contributions to the advancement of civil rights for decades to come,” Kors said. “He is a role model to millions, and this legislation will help ensure his legacy lives on forever.”

The Marriage Recognition and Family Protection Act, also signed today, holds that same-sex couples married before the passage of Proposition 8 must be recognized as married spouses in California, regardless of whether they married in California or in another state or nation. In addition, the new statute also confirms that same-sex couples married outside of California after November 5, 2008, must be given all of the rights, protections and responsibilities of married spouses under California law, with the sole exception of the designation of “marriage.”

“We are grateful that the Governor has signed this critical bill, which provides much needed protections for same-sex couples who have legally married out of state, or will in the future, and who deserve to be treated like any other married couple,” Kors said. “This bill will allow same-sex couples to get married in other states and countries and ensure they are treated equally under the law when they return to California. Ultimately, however, restoring the freedom to marry is the only way to ensure that all Californians receive the dignity and respect that comes with marriage.”

“When California offered marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2008, spouses who were already married in another state or country were prohibited from re-marrying in California,” said Senator Leno. “Now those couples and their families are in limbo because their rights and protections under law are not clear. This new law will ensure that same-sex couples are protected by existing California law that recognizes all marriages equally, regardless of where they are performed.”

The Governor also signed EQCA-sponsored legislation by Assemblymember John A. Pérez to help leverage funding for same-sex domestic violence services and vetoed two bills on the grounds that existing law and policy already provided the protections the bills sought to put into statute: the Equal ID Act, allowing transgender people to obtain new birth certificates and the LGBT Prisoner Safety Act, considering sexual orientation and gender identity to safely house prisoners.

“While we believe it is important to have these protections in statute rather than just as policy or court precedent and are disappointed by the vetoes, the Governor’s reaffirmation of these policies will hopefully help ensure they are enforced,” Kors said.

For more information about EQCA’s legislation, visit http://www.eqca.org/legislation.

Equality California (EQCA) is the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender-rights advocacy organization in California. In the past decade, EQCA has strategically moved California from a state with extremely limited legal protections for LGBT individuals to a state with some of the most comprehensive civil-rights protections in the nation. EQCA has passed over 60 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org