Equal Benefits Ordinance

The Center Advocacy Project Issues PAC is a non-partisan, 501 C4 organization, donations to which are NOT tax deductible. Committee ID# 1305388, ML Associates,Treasurer Please call or email to thank the members of the Rules, Open Government and Intergovernmental Relations Committee of the City Council who today, on a motion from Councilmember Tony Young and a second by Councilmember Donna Frye, unanimously supported Councilmember Todd Gloria's Equal Benefits Ordinance proposal. The members of the committee include Councilmembers Gloria, Young, Faulconer, Frye and Council President Hueso. And, of course, thank Councilmember Todd Gloria for his leadership! There to register support (in addition to The San Diego LGBT Community Center, Center Advocacy Project) were EQCA, ACLU, HRC, CPI (Center on Policy Initatives), San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, SDDC (San Diego Democratic Club), the San Diego County Democratic Party and a variety of others. Please thank them all when you see them! The Equal Benefits Ordinance ensures that those organizations and businesses that contract with the City of San Diego who offer benefits to their married employees, also offer the same benefits to the employees who are domestic partners. Information regarding the EBO can be found at http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd3/pdf/100610.pdf. Please also consider emailing or calling Councilmembers Emerald, Lightner and DeMaio (if you live in their districts) to urge their support of the Equal Benefits Ordinance, as it moves to be considered by the full City Council. If you aren't certain which City Council member represents you, use this link and simply enter your zip code for the answer: http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil. District 2 Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer E-mail: kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov District 3 Councilmember Todd Gloria E-mail: toddgloria@sandiego.gov District 4 Councilmember Tony Young E-mail: anthonyyoung@sandiego.gov District 6 Councilmember Donna Frye E-mail: donnafrye@sandiego.gov District 8 Council President Ben Hueso E-mail: benhueso@sandiego.gov District 1 Councilmember Sherri Lightner E-mail: sherrilightner@sandiego.gov District 5 Councilmember Carl DeMaio E-mail: carldemaio@sandiego.gov District 7 Councilmember Marti Emerald E-mail: martiemerald@sandiego.gov Thank you! Dr. Delores A. Jacobs djacobs@thecentersd.org About Us Center Advocacy Project Issues PAC is a non-partisan, 501 C4 organization, donations to which are not deductible for income tax purposes. Committee ID#: 1305388, ML Associates, Treasurer. Checks should be made payable to The Center Advocacy Project Issues PAC or can be paid on-line at www.centeradvocacy.org. For more info contact us at info@centeradvocacy.org.

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Celebration Event -- 2010 July 10

California Men's Gatherings presents... LBGT Library Celebration Event - San Diego Saturday July 10, 2010 Warm up your Pride a little early in a place we don't usually...the Library!  This is a landmark event for SD City Libraries and it should be fun AND interesting! DATE:  July 10, 2010 TIME:  12pm - 3pm LOCATION: Lemon Grove branch of the San Diego Public Library:  8073 Broadway, Lemon Grove, CA 91945 RSVP:  Not required, but if you know you're coming, it'd be good to know!  Email sdEvents@TheCMG.com if you think you'll be there! EVENT COST: This is a free event. DESCRIPTION:    When openly gay librarian Jennifer T. suggested a "Pride" program at her Lemon Grove library to celebrate gay writing and authors, she was met with a very cautious okay.  So far, response has mostly been from those opposed to the event and she is really hoping for turnout from the community to show that we value our libraries and their role in sharing our world through books and other media.  This sounds like a great chance to enjoy a valuable program AND let the public know we do support our own in education.  And we just learned that the city library systems is watching Lemon Grove as a test of whether to implement this citywide next year!  So Jennifer has really put it on the line for our community. Once upon a not-too-long ago, books by Oscar Wilde and Quentin Crisp would have been unfindable…novels like "Tales of the City" and "Dancer from the Dance" would have been banned…movies like "Milk", "Go Fish", and "The Celluloid Closet" could not have been checked out.  Open-minded librarians and administration are the salvation of young people craving a connection to the gay world and help the straight world learn about who we really are. Here's Jennifer's description of the event: A Pride Celebration: A Festival of Literature, Music & More!!! Music by Lisa Sanders, Mary Dolan & The Gay Men's Chorus Ensemble! Speakers Sally Hall & Toni Duran! Six Authors! Henna Tattoos Gay/Lesbian Themed Storytime! The hip-hop themed Kruciaal Element Dancers! Emcee for the day: Former SD Pride Director Ron deHarte!!!  Even health screenings! The first 100 after 12pm to check out 15 library items will receive a pair of Padres Tickets. At 3pm the first 20 folks that check out 50 items will receive a 1 day pass to the sold out Comic Con!!!   Spread the word... Please post on your FB Wall and tell lots of supportive folks! Come together for an interested afternoon of focus on the books that shaped our community, the men and women who dared to write them, and today's gay authors, some of whom will be featured and present. Note:  CMG will probably be able to staff a table at the event at no cost to us!  Still working out those details but please let us know at sdEvents@TheCMG.com if you would be willing to greet people at that table on behalf of CMG. By all means, invite any friends of the community regardless of gender or orientation to lend our mutual support and learn together. Afterward, if the mood strikes some of us, we may go out for a bite to eat together in the area. What to Bring: Nothing special, but if you happen to own a CMG T-shirt or sweatshirt, please wear it to help us find each other...especially newcomers to the group! Parking: There is free parking at the library and at the church across the street, though car pooling is  encouraged. All CMG events are drug free. This event is also alcohol free. Sponsored by the CMG Local Events Committee in San Diego. All men, local or visiting, are welcome. Please feel free to bring along a friend (or 2!) you would like to introduce to the CMG.   _____________________________________________________________ The California Men's Gatherings (CMG) is a statewide community of thousands of men who get together for a wide range of local events -- from the healing to the hilarious, and the sacred to the silly -- from personal growth workshops to pool parties to theater outings and our very own trademark Puppy Piles.  Plus we host three annual Gatherings and two annual Weekends that some call "Summer Camp for Men."    Since 1978 , CMG has been a place where all men -- gay, bi, trans and straight, from 18-80+ can find a different way to connect -- more openly...more honestly...with less fear... and a lot more fun, with some truly unique and supportive men.   If you have never been to a CMG Gathering, Weekend or Local Event, this is a great way to find out about the California Men's Gatherings and the many wonderful men who attend our three annual Gatherings, two annual Weekends and our many Local Events. (Click here for more details on CMG).   The men who attend our Gatherings, Weekends and Local Events are a diverse group of men of varying ages, beliefs, religious traditions, and spiritual practices.   We have differently-abled men and men from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds.   While CMG attendees are predominately gay and bisexual, all men 18 years or older are welcome, including those who are transgender or straight.   _____________________________________________________________ To the CMG Website | Events Page

A Father's love for his gay son

Jim Batty thought he was out for a nice dinner with his wife, Sheila, when the world as he knew it changed forever. It was the fall of 1992 and they had a table by the window at Caffe Bellissimo on Kirkwood Highway. They hadn't gotten far in their meal when Sheila took a sledgehammer and hit him in the gut.

Well, not exactly. But the four words she said had a similar impact, he says now.

"Your son is gay." 

This was their Jim she was talking about? Their only child? The one who would carry the Batty name to the next generation and present his parents with grandchildren? No, that couldn't be true. They had dreams for their son and nothing about that word -- "gay" -- had ever been on the radar screen.

Jim couldn't control what happened next. He started to cry. And he couldn't stop.

"We left our table," Sheila said.

Looking back, Jim says his reaction was purely selfish. All he thought about then, he says, were the things he wanted and the way this news about his namesake made him feel. They never considered rejecting their son. But Sheila says they both had to deal with powerful feelings. She was most concerned about her son's safety. Would he be able to get a job or find a place to live? Would somebody beat him up? Both of them grieved -- the gut-wrenching kind of grief encountered after the death of a loved one. But this was the death of a dream -- not the death of their son.

"It was a death and a rebirth," Sheila said. "And when push comes to shove, you want your children to be happy and be themselves. This is your only child and the way we are, we want the best for him."

Just as he is.

Now, almost 20 years later, few can believe Jim Batty ever had such struggles. He has devoted himself to changing the future for his son and all those who are gay, lesbian, transgendered or bisexual. For the past 17 years, he has presided overDelaware's chapter of PFLAG -- Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays, an organization with 350 chapters nationwide -- and encountered many others who are either struggling with the news that a loved one is gay or want to support them.

Many show up mad at the world, mad at God, mad at everybody," he said. "Why did you do this to me? And that's part of what you go through. Some don't get past that, but many do. ... We're not going to shove anything down your throat. But it helps to have a place where you know you can express that out loud."

Sheila helped get the chapter established, attended meetings for a while and still serves as education chair. But, she says, Jim has been the engine of the group since it started in 1993. He steers each monthly meeting, organizes speakers and special events and maintains an e-mail list to distribute news in the state and nationally.

For his tireless work on behalf of members of the gay community and their loved ones, Batty is among The News Journal's 25 Who Matter, a biweekly series that explores the stories of people who have made a significant difference in the community.

"Jim is the glue that holds this group together," said Anne Gross, an adjunct music professor at the University of Delaware who has a gay son and volunteers with PFLAG. "Rehoboth has tried to start a group, Dover has tried to start a group -- but it needs somebody who is so tenacious, a person who won't let it die."

A person like Jim Batty.

To continue reading, click here.

Sister Gramick in San Diego Monday

Subject: Speaker on Catholic Outreach to Gay Community

A Roman Catholic nun will discuss her journey of faith and her decades-long outreach to the gay community from 7-9 p.m. Monday (June 28) at the LGBT Center, 3909 Centre St., in Hillcrest.

Sister Jeannine Gramick, a pioneer in Catholic pastoral outreach to the gay community, began her ministry in 1971 and, in 1977, co-founded New Ways Ministry, a Catholic social justice center working for the reconciliation of lesbian/gay people and the Roman Catholic Church.

Two of her books were the subject of an exhaustive investigation by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, formerly known as the Holy Office of the Inquisition, that culminated with a 1999 Vatican Order directing her to cease pastoral work with lesbian or gay individuals.  

Sister Jeannine, in good conscience, continues her ministry of education and advocacy on behalf of GLBT persons.

Admission is free.  Voluntary donations may be made at the door.

Her talk and its subsequent question-and-answer session are sponsored by Call to Action, Dignity and Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community.

For more information, contact Patti Boman at (619) 227-6092 or pboman@pflag.com 

No mcDonalds for us

In light of this weekend being Gay Pride Weekend in Baltimore and many of us just walked in an amazing parade and then I got home to this in my email box:

http://current.com/news/92496601_mcdonalds-chief-im-christian-no-gay-ads-for-usa.htm?xid=320

I am suggesting we vote with our purchases. I suggest we shop for our fast food at some other restaurant.

Some Christians still don't get that some Christians are LGBTQ and some LGBTQs are Christian.

Apparently this is something we still need to work on.

Fwd: Rally & Town Hall on the Day of Decision in the Prop 8 Trial!!!

Subject: Rally & Town Hall on the Day of Decision in the Prop 8 Trial!!!

Please promote and forward widely!!!

This event was planned together by members of the LGBT Center, SAME, EQCA, ME USA, HRC, the ACLU, SDDC, SYD, the ISO, CA Faith for Equality, and others.  These are the community's plans for the day the decision is delivered from Judge Walker in the Prop 8 trial, which you can make sure you are notified of by joining this facebook link, or checking your email daily in the days to come, since the decision can be released at any time, as early as Monday next week: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Day-of-Decision-San-Diego-Prop-8-on-Trial/128037640562140?v=wall

Day of Decision Action Plan:

6:00PM:  Win or lose, we RALLY at 6th & University to respond to Judge Walker's decision.

6:30PM:  We MARCH down University to the LGBT Center

7:00PM:  TOWN HALL at the LGBT Center with the following lineup:

              1.  Welcome from the LGBT Center
              2.  Honoring Mayor Jerry Sanders for his testimony for the plaintiffs in the trial
              3.  Next steps from Marriage Equality USA
              4.  Next steps from Equality California
              5.  Next steps from San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality
              6.  Legal debrief from Kevin Keenan of the ACLU
              7.  Audience Q&A

(Flyer attached.)

openly gay in public school

---

Constance McMillan wanted what lots of high school seniors want... A prom. 
But because she's gay, her school canceled her prom.  
What's changed, what hasn't... Openly gay in public school.  Next Talk of the Nation from NPR News.

There are  various stations around the country, for example WCPN in Cleveland, KQED in San Francisco, that will be playing this story today.   You can access their live stream at www.wcpn.org and www.kqed.org  The broadcast begins at 3pm..  You can also join the conversation online. Go to www.npr.org and click on programs and Talk of the Nation.

 

 

Article about biblical interpretation of Leviticus

The civil unions bill awaiting action by Gov. Lingle will extend to partners in such a union the same rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities that come as a matter of course to spouses in a marriage. Yet the bill itself clearly states that a civil union is not marriage.

Why then is this a religious issue at all? In many ways it is not. Civil unions create a legal reality, not a religious one. Clergy will not be obligated to participate in a civil union ceremony any more than they would be required to bless a legal contract.

Those who object to the bill on religious grounds tend to be literalists who justify their view by pointing to Leviticus 18. The problem is that by reading this text so literally, they completely remove this Scripture from an ancient social context that could not envision the possibility or appreciate the reality of loving same-sex relationships.

Such negative judgments regarding gays and lesbians cannot go unchallenged. The thrust of this verse cannot legitimately override an overarching biblical ethos that teaches us that God loves and affirms the full humanity of each human being.

It's important to note that Judaism does not base its religious teachings on the Protestant doctrine of Scripture alone. Judaism asserts that moral truths emerge out of an interpretive process that calls upon Jews to acknowledge that God has called on the Jewish people to serve as covenantal partners, and this obligation is fulfilled through an ongoing interpretation of the written text.

In 1996 the Central Conference of American Rabbis representing Reform Judaism, the largest movement in American Judaism, considered a committee's scholarly analysis that included just such an interpretation. Among the many insights were the following:

While the text of Leviticus does indeed refer to homosexual sexual activity as a "to evah," abomination, the meaning of that term has become ambiguous. They note that the Torah labels three categories of actions as abominations: idolatry, the eating of forbidden animal species and the sexual prohibitions of Leviticus 18 and 20. What these sins share in common is not the fact that they violate the "moral law." Instead, they violate the biblical boundaries of holiness that are meant to distinguish Israel from the other nations.

The problems with this concept in the modern era now become obvious. Although many Jews observe the kosher laws, even the most traditional among us do not say that those who do not adhere to these rules are committing an abomination.

Similarly, even if we do not share the beliefs or practices of other faith communities, we do not label their religious traditions as idolatry. Our attitude toward our neighbors' religions is one of tolerance, not abhorrence.

The Reform conference committee suggested that, given our contemporary understanding of the nature of human sexual orientation, it no longer makes sense to classify homosexual behavior as a sin, much less a "to evah," and that the biblical and rabbinic proscriptions of homosexual behavior do not speak to the situation as we know it today.

In 1996 the assembled membership of the Central Conference of American Rabbis affirmed in a resolution that stated, "Consistent with our Jewish commitment to the fundamental principle that we are all created in the divine image ... (we) support the right of gay and lesbian couples to share fully and equally in the rights of civil marriage."

Rabbi David Ellenson, president of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, writes, "In Dickens' 'Oliver Twist,' when young Oliver approaches the wardens of the orphanage where he was housed and, after a scant meal, asks for 'more,' the wardens are scandalized.

Yet, as one commentator upon this passage has pointed out, Oliver said 'more' when what he really meant was this: 'Will you just give me that normal portion which is necessary for a boy my age to live?'"

Ellenson said, "As a religious Jew, I assert that the gay community today seeks nothing more than Oliver Twist - the 'normal portion' required to live a life of dignity and equality. Our society should be ashamed that gays and lesbians are subjected daily to indignity and prejudice in legal as well as social arenas, and religious persons must declare that position loud and clear in order to influence public opinion on this matter."

Patti Boman

Be the change that you want to see in the world.

Ghandi

Los Angeles Outfest

LOS ANGELES OUTFEST Sunday July 11 12:00 PM Laemmle Sunset 5 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood Preceded by I'M JUST ANNEKE Followed by Q&A with filmmakers and  Copresenter PFLAG-LA

 

Out in the silence movie premiere

You are cordially invited to the California premieres of   Please join us to show your support!

SAN FRANCISCO FRAMELINE Friday June 25 7:00 PM Roxie Theater 3117 16th Street, San Francisco Preceded by PUT THIS ON THE (MAP) Followed by Q&A with filmmakers and special guest Copresenters Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Network  &  outLoud Radio & Groundspark & Outbeat Youth

 

Ex Gay movement conference in Orange County this Saturday

Dear friends of justice and equality for all people: 

 Two important events in the next two weeks in Orange County.  I am concerned enough to let you know about two conferences that are happening in Orange County.  Please read and forward the information that is pertinent in this email to any supportive and interested parties.  Thanks in advance! 

EXODUS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN IRVINE, JUNE 23RD THROUGH 26TH 

As you probably are aware by now, the Exodus International "Freedom" conference will be held this year again at Concordia University in Irvine, California, June 23rd through 26th.  Exodus International professes to offer freedom from homosexuality, which they label as Same Sex Attraction or SSA.  The organization has close ties to the Religious Right. 

For more information on the Exodus International "ex-gay" conference, you can go to the Exodus International website at the following links: 

http://www.exodusinternational.org/ 
http://www.ExodusInternational.org/content/view/1049/37/ 
http://exodusfreedom.org/ 

To see the PSA of Exodus International about this year's conference, go to this link and take note of the red "Don't Walk" sign throughout the video: 

http://vimeo.com/11588721 

The theme of this year's Exodus International conference is "Moving Forward."  I am not sure what that means, given the ties that the organization has with right-wing organizations, but it gives me cause for concern.   

This year's conference will be the 35th for the organization, which started in Anaheim, California, as the EXIT Ministry of Melodyland Christian Center.  For long-term Southern Californians you may recall that Melodyland used to be located across from Disneyland. 

In light of the anniversary, Orange County has been chosen once again to host an Exodus conference.  This may seem innocent on the surface, given the anniversary and the location of the organization's founding, but I do not think it is that simple.  Exodus International strategically hosts its conferences in target locations where they believe that they can sway a sizable percentage of people to support their cause. 

LBGT AFFIRMING RESPONSE TO THE EXODUS "FREEDOM" CONFERENCE - PROCLAIMING TRUE FREEDOM! 

When Exodus International had their last conference in Irvine at Concordia University in June 2007, Irvine United Congregational Church (IUCC) hosted an affirming response to the ex-gay "Freedom" conference.  In 2007, the very successful Ex-Gay Survivors Conference brought healing for many people who had gone through ex-gay ministries.  This year, once again, IUCC is hosting a conference that offers a hopeful response to Exodus International's message of "Freedom From Homosexuality."  This year's LGBT-affirming, one-day conference will be held this Saturday, June 19th. 

For more information and to register for the "Orange County LGBT Affirmation Conference - Orange County's Response to the Exodus International Ex-Gay Conference," please check out the following: 

http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2010/06/9082/ 
http://www.iucc.org/ 
http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/ 

MORE INFORMATION ON EXODUS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES AND ON THE ORGANIZATION 

For more information on Exodus International's past "Freedom" conferences, you may want to check outhttp://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/tag/exodus-freedom-conference. 

An excellent report on the ex-gay movement can be found at 
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2007/winter/straight-like-me. 

As most of you know, I spent more than eight years in the ex-gay movement and led an ex-gay ministry for about three of those years.  My experience is anecdotal, at best, but it is not only my experience.  Many others share similar stories.  When I was involved with Exodus International and various ex-gay ministries in the 1980s to early 1990s, Exodus International was not widely accepted within the evangelical Christian church.  That all began to change when Focus on the Family and other right-of-center organizations seized upon the opportunity to promote "family values" in the 1990s.  Soon Exodus International began a public policy wing and grew from a fledgling, mostly volunteer organization to a well-funded, "family values" right-of-center organization.   

While I can point to some positive aspects of my years of experience in the ex-gay movement, I also feel that I experienced what amounted to a type of brainwashing.  I had to struggle for many years to find my faith again and it took me years to break free from depression that could be very problematic at times.  In short, despite whatever constructive elements of my ex-gay experience there may have been, in the end I felt that my involvement posed more problems than it resolved. 

If you wish to read more about my experience with Exodus International, you can check out the following links: 

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2007/winter/coming-out 

My clarifications on the above interview appear at http://www.queerty.com/ex-gay-comes-clean-on-exorcism-20071211/and http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2007/12/former-ex-gay-minister-recounts-spiritual-rape-by-living-watersdesert-stream/. 

http://www.post-gazette.com/forum/20001011edclarke4.asp 

 

Fwd: 8:THE MORMON PROPOSITION

Subject: 8:THE MORMON PROPOSITION

We are writing to you as the distributors of the film 8: The Mormon Proposition.  The film will open this Friday, June 18, at the Gaslamp 15 and is also available simultaneously through "Movies On Demand" in many homes.  It will also be released on dvd on July 13. 

If you have not heard of the film or seen the trailer yet, it is definitely worth a look.  You can access it on our website – www.mormonproposition.com – as well as find information on how to access the movie On Demand.

This is our first movie - and it takes a village, so if there's anything you can do to help us get the word out – like an email blast to your chapter members, posting on your Facebook page and/or Twitter account, or just plain emailing all your friends – we would be very grateful! 

Sincerely,
Paul Federbush and Laura Kim, Red Flag Releasing

Below, we have included a few short paragraphs that you can cut and paste into your outgoing emails if that is helpful:

This coming Friday, June 18, the thought provoking film "8: THE MORMON PROPOSITION" will be released in select theaters and available simultaneously through "Movies On Demand" in many homes nationwide.  The film exposes the significant involvement of the Mormon Church in the California Proposition 8 battle against gay marriage and their decades-long campaign against gay rights. 

The release of this informative film is very timely.  The closing arguments in the US 9^th District Court challenge to Proposition 8, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, are set for June 16, 2010.  Perry v. Schwarzenegger is widely regarded as a landmark case that will reach the US Supreme Court.  Furthermore, just last week the California Fair Practices Commission found the Mormon Church guilty of 13 counts of campaign finance violations related to Prop 8. 

Click on the movie poster below to go to the website – www.mormonproposition.com  - and watch the trailer as well as find out more information about the film!

 

 

The people's post

The People's Post gives san Diegans a way to share their unique personal stories with the entire community. Record your LGBT Story for free with a community videographer to be posted on the Peoples Post website.  You may obtain info on how to do it atinfo@thepeoplespost.org or phone the SD County Library at (858) 495 5037.  You simply make an appointment, prepare what you want to say, perhaps take a few exhibits, and show up on time.  This affords an excellent opportunity for our LGBT and PFLAG personal stories to be told and put on the web for the entire community to see.  Its free, done professionally, and peoples post wants to give an opportunity for all of us to share our personal stories.  Knowing PFLAG and its history, we have lots of interesting, informative, or emotional stories to share. Any one of your stories could enlighten a total stranger who may have a desperate need to learn from your experiences.  Post your stories!  Perhaps include a note in your newsletter regarding The Peoples Post.  

Sincerely, 

Jim Ziegler, PFLAG Member

Oceanside Freedom parade July 3 2010

Volunteers Needed to for LGBT to March in the Ocenaside Freedom Parade OCEANSIDE FREEDOM PARADE JULY 3rd- Join us
This is an effort to educate the public about the much needed repeal of DADT. For the first time ever LGBT will be marching in this parade in front of both military brass and military families. This is a very military area. It is our intent to create a pro LGBT positive image. MCAS Camp Pendleton is an important community to effect a change of attitude about LGBT in. Consistently the Marine Corps Joint Chief representatives have always pushed for DADT support; so this is our chance to change hearts and minds. Now while we are working on the Repeal of DADT it is very important that we get LGBT and ally volunteers to march with us. We will have 2 LGBT contingents and will split the volunteers equally. Where equality and pro repeal DADT t shirts. We have plenty of banners that we had to get permission to have in the parade. No signs, because this is a celebration not a protest. If you have drums that can be played while we march; most awesome. You can
RSVP via this website, but must sign on first if you are not already a member (free). http://dodfedglobe.ning.com/events/educate-the-public-the For any questions please contact me. Please share this with others of like mind. Please share via social networking a e-blasts V/R, Lisa Kove Executive Director DOD FED GLOBE

Patti Boman

Be the change that you want to see in the world.
Ghandi

Fwd: Huge breakthrough for California hospitals

Dear Patti, A new policy could end the horror stories of hospital discrimination. But until all hospitals adopt the new rules, the injustices could continue. Tell the hospital association in California to promote implementation of this policy NOW! This is big. Sweeping new changes will soon dramatically transform healthcare in the U.S. for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The Joint Commission – the largest organization that accredits hospitals nationwide – has announced that, in the future, all hospitals in America will need to have a non-discrimination policy for LGBT patients on their books. Once the new rules are in place, the horror stories we've all heard of loved ones being met with hostility at the worst of times, of already heart-wrenching decisions made even harder, of people being denied care, will be a thing of the past – in California and every state in the nation. But it will be years before every hospital is on board. To ensure these new protections are implemented in California hospitals as soon as possible, we need your help. The California hospital association will play a crucial role in communicating the new rules, and we need to ensure that new policies are put in place as soon as possible. Tell the hospital association in California: families shouldn't be at risk of discrimination a single day longer. We need to implement these new rules immediately! You might not have known it, but as an HRC supporter you've played an important role in the Joint Commission's new accreditation standards. They credited HRC as one of the organizations whose work for healthcare equality helped expose why these new rules were so sorely needed. And it comes not a minute too soon. Just today, HRC released a new report showing that among 200 of the nation's largest hospitals, 93 percent do NOT have fully-inclusive non-discrimination policies that protect all LGBT people, and almost half don't include sexual orientation in their "Patients' Bill of Rights" or non-discrimination policy. Read HRC's Healthcare Equality Index 2010. Though the Joint Commission's announcement came just before an important memorandum from President Obama on hospital visitation, far too many same-sex couples are still paying the price for healthcare inequality. From the unfair taxation of employer-provided domestic partner health benefits, to the fact that most health insurance plans do not offer domestic partner benefits or healthcare benefits for transgender Americans – the need for further progress remains urgent. We can start by making sure the Joint Commission's new protections are implemented in California as soon possible, so that not one more family needlessly suffers. Write your letter to the hospital association in California today! Thank you for standing with us in the ongoing fight for healthcare equality. Warmly, Joe Solmonese President, HRC  Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter

© 2010 The Human Rights Campaign. All rights reserved. Human Rights Campaign | http://www.hrc.org/ 1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-3278

Fwd: Dance, Sing, March - Celebrate San Francisco PRIDE with MEUSA!

SING, DANCE, MARCH OR PERFORM with Marriage Equality USA at SF Pride

 

Marriage Equality USA is offering FUN opportunities for you to get engaged with us at SF Pride.

 

1. DANCE with a FLASH MOB

2. SING with the Joy Choir and Full Heart Band on the Main Stage

3. Lead the MARCH with Marriage Equality USA in the parade

4. PERFORM and Get ENGAGED at the Marriage Pavilion.

 

Get your Pride on early by jumping in on rehearsals and making this Pride, one you will always remember.

 

1. DANCE with a FLASH MOB

 

A Flash Mob is a form of direct action that spontaneously engages an unsuspecting crowd in a choreographed dance.  We are teaming up with a terrific group of Love Warriors to put together a Flash Mob at SF Pride on Sunday, June 27 around noon and in the Civic Center - if I say much more in advance - I am a spoil sport - so hopefully that is enough information for you to check your calendars and bring your honey or come alone and meet others committed to raising visibilty and fun in support of the cause.  Go to the Facebook Page to RSVP and for details.  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113877281987841

-You must be available June 27th. (We'll give more details at rehearsals.)
-Please try to make a few rehearsals in June:
All rehearsals (except Sunday, June 20) will take place at Studio Gracia: 19 Heron Street, SF 94103

Here is the rehearsal schedule:
Thursday, June 10: 9:00 pm - 10:30pm
Sunday, June 13: 10:00 am - 12pm
Thursday, June 17: 9:00 pm - 10:30pm
Sunday, June 20: 11am - 1pm*** Rehearsal is at ODC, 351 Shotwell Street, Studio B, SF 94110 (very close to 16th Street BART Station)
Thursday, June 24: 9:00 pm - 10:30pm*** Mandatory rehearsal.

Video of the dance steps will be available, but PLEASE try to make a few rehearsals.

*ALL races, genders, ages, shapes and sizes encouraged!*
Contact sfprideflash@gmail.com or go to http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113877281987841.

 

2.  SING with the JOY CHOIR and the FULL HEART BAND on the Main Stage

 

Marriage Equality USA is partnering with the Oakland Center for Spiritual Living's Joy Choir and the Full Heart Band for this year's marriage equality event on the main stage on Sunday, June 27th at 12:30pm.  The contemporary gospel choir and live musicians are performing inspirational songs with an uplifting message in support of the work we have done and continue to do at Marriage Equality USA.  If you love to sing and want to join us and can make rehearsals in Oakland on the two Wednesdays before Pride from 7:30-9:30pm contact Molly McKay at molly@marriageequality.org and she'll send you the details.

 

3. Lead the MARCH in the SF Pride Parade.

Everyone is welcome to just show up on Sunday, June 27th at 9am and march with Marriage Equality USA's Pride contingent.  We'll have couples in wedding garb driving convertibles and hearts on sticks for you to write your names, years together and where you are from or your supportive message when you arrive - as well as Marriage Equality signs or make your own.  We will post exactly where to meet at 9am when we get our exact space assignment from SF Pride - but it will be right off the Embarcedero BART/MUNI station one-two blocks South of Market.

 

If you can attend a Parade Monitor training for Marriage Equality USA - you will be helping us a lot, getting into the Pride spirit, learning and helping Pride ensure everyone is aware of safety rules and we will give you a FREE Marriage Equality USA t-shirt.  Check the schedule below and simply show up for one and sign in as "Marriage Equality USA"  volunteer - we'd love to know you can do this for us in advance - so please shoot us an email at ca-sanfrancisco@marriageequality.org and let us know you'll be attending and where.

 

F PRIDE 2010 - TRAINING SCHEDULE
Type	Date	Time	Size	Location Name	Address
Contingent Only	Tuesday June 8, 2010	8:30pm - 9:30pm	150	Head over Heals (Cheer SF)	470 Doyle Street Bld. F, Emeryville (Enter at Spur Alley off 45th Street)
Contingent & Safety	Wednesday June 9, 2010	3pm-5pm	120	The Center Ceremonial Room	1800 Market Street, SF
Contingent & Safety	Saturday June 12, 2010	3pm-5pm	120	The Center Ceremonial Room	1800 Market Street, SF
Contingent & Safety	Monday June 14, 2010	7pm-9pm	120	The Center Ceremonial Room	1800 Market Street, SF
Contingent & Safety	Wednesday June 16, 2010	7pm-9pm	250	The Center Rainbow Room	1800 Market Street, SF
Contingent & Safety	Saturday June 19, 2010	3pm-5pm	250	The Center Rainbow Room	1800 Market Street, SF
Contingent & Safety	Sunday June 20, 2010	11am-1pm	200	Virgin America HQ	555 Airport Blvd Burlingame
Contingent & Safety	Monday June 21, 2010	7pm-9pm	250	The Center Rainbow Room	1800 Market Street, SF
Contingent & Safety	Wednesday June 23, 2010	7pm-9pm	250	The Center Rainbow Room	1800 Market Street, SF
Contingent & Safety	Friday June 25, 2010	7pm-9pm	500	Bill Graham Larkin Hall	99 Grove Street, SF

 

4.  PERFORM and GET ENGAGED at the Marriage Pavililion

Once again, Marriage Equality USA is partnering with SF Pride to house all the orgs doing marriage equality work together under one tent to ensure a "One Stop Shopping Experience" for people to 'get engaged.' If you would be willing to volunteer to work the Marriage Equality USA information and swag booth or would like to perform or participate in the Dating Game, Newlywed Game, Photo Booth and or Public Wedding Committment Ceremonies programming on the Marriage Equality stage - please email Michael Cressner at mcressner@marriageequality.org and let him know  what 2 hour time block you can volunteer with us on Saturday and/or Sunday from 11am to 6pm and./or your interest in participating on the little marriage stage nearby.

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN ENGAGING AND EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT WAYS TO HELP SECURE MARRIAGE EQUALITY FOR ALL !! 

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