GAYSACRAMENTO.ORG
An Interactive GLBT ResourceArchive for November, 2008
Gay marriage advocates rally at Calif. capitol
Source: KMPH.com
Thousands of gay rights supporters waved rainbow flags and homemade signs outside California’s capitol Saturday to protest a voter-approved ban on gay marriage. The protest in Sacramento was the latest of several demonstrations held around the country since Californians adopted Proposition 8. The Nov. 4 ballot item amended the California Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. The initiative overturned a state Supreme Court ruling in May that briefly gave same-sex couples the right to marry. The court is now hearing challenges. Many in the crowd held signs calling for equality and separation of church from state. Several banners targeted the Mormon Church whose members helped defeat the measure. Speakers at the rally included comedian Margaret Cho, couples who have sued to overturn gay marriage bans and local church leaders.
Prop 8 Rally: Take it to Sacramento 11/22
Source: Yelp.com
With the unfortunate outcome of the recent passage of Proposition 8, the GLBT community has united in a presence that we have not seen since the early 1980’s and the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is with great respect that California Outreach, in partnership with Equality Action Now, humbly asks you to join GLBT individuals and organizations, PFLAG and our straight brothers and sisters at a peaceful outreach on the steps of the California State Capitol Building at 2:00pm on November 22nd. Please join us as we reach out to all the citizens of California to demonstrate that we will not tolerate discrimination being written into our State Constitution. Who: Anyone and everyone. Where: California State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA, When: 11/22/08 2:00PM, Why: Equal Rights are inalienable and CANNOT be taken away.
In 1987 the largest rally for gay rights in Sacramento took place, counting 15,000 strong. We need to stand together and make a statement that we will not stand idly by and let the rights of our sons, daughters, parents, and friends be taken away. Twenty one years later — 30,000 strong. Are YOU ready to make history? The success of this event depends upon getting the word out. Invite your friends! And for those who have asked, the rally will for sure be over by 6pm (including the post-rally march).
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS Margaret Cho & Selene Luna, comediennes, Senator Darryl Steinberg, CA 6th District, John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, accomplished Marriage Equality USA speakers & plaintiffs In re: Marriage Cases, Michael Wood, Editor In Chief of Brad Wright, Brad Wright, PFLAG Board Member, Currently in talks with Governor Schwarzenegger, Gloria Allred, Gavin Newsom (Mayor of San Francisco), and John Duran (Mayor of West Hollywood).
Sacramento Transgender Day of Rememberence Event Today
Transgender Day of Remembrance in Sacramento
Source: lgbtsacto.com
A Church For All will host an annual interfaith candlelight vigil in observance of the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. Sat November 22, 2008, 6:30-8pm at A Church For All, 721 North B Street, Sacramento. All are welcome. Among our speakers will be: Rev. Dr. Rosario Vargas, Minister, Rev. Doretha Flournoy, Pastor, A Church For All, and, Ben Hudson co-founder of Sacramento Transgender Coalition. This year’s vigil will be specially dedicated to the memory of Ruby Molina, whose recent tragic death has shaken the Sacramento community. Refreshments will be served after the memorial. See also: transgenderdor.org
Mormons step up security after anti-Prop. 8 vandalism
Source: engagetwincities.com
For the past two weeks, Sacramento leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been on high alert. They are hiring extra security to watch over the Folsom temple, and asking members to drive by church buildings late at night. Mormons in law enforcement are keeping track of Internet chatter to find out where protests will be held. “Our members in law enforcement know where to look for this kind of stuff,” said Lisa West, spokeswoman for the church in the Sacramento region. She added that they are doing this on their own time. “There’s a lot of volatility in the air, so we’re asking people to keep their eyes and ears open.” Mormon leaders have been staying vigilant since the Nov. 4 election and passage of Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage. The Mormon church’s ability to generate active support of its membership and dominate fundraising is credited with ensuring Proposition 8’s passage. Church members reportedly contributed nearly half of the $40 million raised to pass the initiative.
Jet Blue Confirms it Did Not Give Money To Yes on Prop. 8
Source: Queer California Yahoo Groups
A member of the Queer California Yahoo Group received an email from Sebastian White of JetBlue Airways stating, “I’m happy to take the opportunity to dispel the rumor and confirm that JetBlue was in no way involved in the Prop 8 campaign. That said, I do not presume to speak for any individual within the ranks of our over 11,000 crewmember population who may have contributed to this campaign as an individual. But again, JetBlue was not involved in Prop 8. Even our founder, who is a member of the LDS Church (but who is no longer with JetBlue as he is launching an airline in Brazil) did not contribute to Prop 8.”
Prop 8 Rally: Take it to Sacramento 11/22
Source: Yelp.com
With the unfortunate outcome of the recent passage of Proposition 8, the GLBT community has united in a presence that we have not seen since the early 1980’s and the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is with great respect that California Outreach, in partnership with Equality Action Now, humbly asks you to join GLBT individuals and organizations, PFLAG and our straight brothers and sisters at a peaceful outreach on the steps of the California State Capitol Building at 2:00pm on November 22nd. Please join us as we reach out to all the citizens of California to demonstrate that we will not tolerate discrimination being written into our State Constitution. Who: Anyone and everyone. Where: California State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA, When: 11/22/08 2:00PM, Why: Equal Rights are inalienable and CANNOT be taken away.
In 1987 the largest rally for gay rights in Sacramento took place, counting 15,000 strong. We need to stand together and make a statement that we will not stand idly by and let the rights of our sons, daughters, parents, and friends be taken away. Twenty one years later — 30,000 strong. Are YOU ready to make history? The success of this event depends upon getting the word out. Invite your friends! And for those who have asked, the rally will for sure be over by 6pm (including the post-rally march).
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS Margaret Cho & Selene Luna, comediennes, Senator Darryl Steinberg, CA 6th District, John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, accomplished Marriage Equality USA speakers & plaintiffs In re: Marriage Cases, Michael Wood, Editor In Chief of Brad Wright, Brad Wright, PFLAG Board Member, Currently in talks with Governor Schwarzenegger, Gloria Allred, Gavin Newsom (Mayor of San Francisco), and John Duran (Mayor of West Hollywood).
Boycott Calls Against Cold Stone Under Question
Source: editor@mgwnews.com
Sacramento activists have called for boycotts of Cinemark Theaters and Cold Stone Creamery stores asking that the LGBT community and their supporters not spend their money to support businesses that made substantial donations to the Yes on Prop. 8 campaign. Recently Leatherby’s Family Ice Creamery in Sacramento was added to this list after it was discovered that owners allegedly donated $20,000.
However, Cold Stone Creamery Spokesman Jami Clark, Director of Brand Public Relations, denies Cold Stone or its affiliates made any donations or gave support to the Yes on Prop 8 Campaign. He believes the source of the rumor may stem from an alledged donation made by the original owners of Cold Stone Creamery to the Arizona Antigay initiative which also passed on Nov. 4.
In an interview with MGW Newsmagazine Editorial Director Matthew Burlingame, Clark stated, “The Sutherlands founded Cold Stone Creamery in 1988. In May 2007, Cold Stone Creamery was acquired by Kahala, and since that time, the Sutherlands have not been store owners, shareholders, employees or otherwise involved in the management of the business. As the founders of a well-known ice cream concept, they are naturally called upon from time to time by the media and others, but never paid by Kahala, to tell the brand’s history.”
Clark went on to assure that, “While Kahala and Cold Stone Creamery believe each individual has the right to get involved in causes they feel passionate about, the company does not endorse ballot initiatives or contribute to political causes. The personal beliefs of the Sutherlands as well as those of past and present franchisees, crew members and employees are not representative of the company. Cold Stone Creamery welcomes all ice cream lovers into our stores.
Burlingame also obtained a copy of the company’s Diversity Commitment which he says does include sexual orientation. The full story will be released in MGW Newsmagazine’s 30th Anniversary issue due out Dec. 1.
In the meantime, the boycott against Cinemark theaters is still ongoing. Cinemark’s Sacramento locations are Century Stadium 14, Century Downtown Plaza 7, Century 16 Greenback Ln; Elk Grove: Century Laguna 16; Folsom: Century Folsom 14; Roseville: Century Roseville 14, San Francisco: Century Centre 9, CinéArts @ Empire.
Transgender Day of Remembrance Event
Transgender Day of Remembrance in Sacramento
Source: lgbtsacto.com
A Church For All will host an annual interfaith candlelight vigil in observance of the International Transgender Day of Remembrance. Sat November 22, 2008, 6:30-8pm at A Church For All, 721 North B Street, Sacramento. All are welcome. Among our speakers will be: Rev. Dr. Rosario Vargas, Minister, Rev. Doretha Flournoy, Pastor, A Church For All, and, Ben Hudson co-founder of Sacramento Transgender Coalition. This year’s vigil will be specially dedicated to the memory of Ruby Molina, whose recent tragic death has shaken the Sacramento community. Refreshments will be served after the memorial. See also: transgenderdor.org
Calif. High Court To Hear Prop. 8 Lawsuits
Source: KCRA.com
Court Refuses To Resume Gay Weddings Until It Rules On Measure’s Validity Same-sex marriages still can’t take place in California, the state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. However, the court has agreed to hear legal challenges against a same-sex marriage ban passed by voters on Nov. 4. The California Supreme Court on Wednesday accepted three lawsuits seeking to overturn Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment which passed with 52 percent of the vote. As is its custom when it takes up cases, the court did not elaborate on its decision. All three cases claim Prop. 8 abridges the civil rights of a vulnerable minority group and therefore voters alone did not have the authority to enact such a significant constitutional change.
The court also said it is refusing to allow gay couples to resume marrying until it rules on the measure’s validity. In backing Prop. 8, California voters supported a constitutional amendment overturning a state Supreme Court decision that gave gay couples the right to wed. Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Children and Families, expressed his displeasure on the ruling Wednesday in a statement, and said that voiding the measure would cause a “voter revolt.” “It’s unfortunate that the judges are giving time to the mushy, subjective arguments of homosexual activists who reject the clear reading of the constitution and the clear reading of Proposition 8. If the court disobeys the constitution by voiding Prop. 8, it will ignite a voter revolt. It will also threaten the validity of all future constitutional amendments.
Last Weekend For Lambda Players’ Show
Source: Lambdaplayers.com
Written by Tennesse Williams, Directed by Steve Buri, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof first heated up Broadway in 1955 with its gothic American story of brothers vying for their dying father’s inheritance amid a whirlwind of sexuality, untethered in the person of Maggie the Cat. The play also daringly showcased the burden of sexuality repressed in the agony of her husband, Brick Pollitt. In spite of the public controversy Cat on a Hot Tin Roof stirred up, it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and the Drama Critics Circle Award for that year. Williams, as he so often did with his plays, rewrote Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for many years; the present version was originally produced at the American Shakespeare Festival in 1974 with all the changes that made Williams finally declare the text to be definitive, and was most recently produced on Broadway in the 2003-2004 season. Tickets now on sale at lambdaplayers.com
