Powerful New Allies Join Equality California and Equality California Institute Boards

Posted on December 9, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized

New board members include UFW Co-founder Dolores Huerta, Actress Wanda Sykes and former Assembly member Lloyd Levine; leaders represent important allies from labor, faith communities, entertainment industry and electoral politics

San Francisco – Powerful new allies have joined the fight for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in California. United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta, Actress Wanda Sykes and former Assemblymember Lloyd Levine are among the newest members of Equality California (EQCA) and the Equality California Institute (EQCAI) boards of directors.

“From grassroots activists to actors to stay-at-home moms, more people than ever before are joining the cause for equality in California. Our two boards have added important new leaders – including many straight allies – from organized labor, faith communities, the entertainment industry and electoral politics,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of both Equality California and the Equality California Institute.

Kors added, “With their voices, we’ll be able to build even greater support for equality and fairness.”

In addition to Huerta, another labor giant has joined the board. Sal Rosselli, president of SEIU United Healthcare Workers, the largest and fastest growing healthcare union in the Western United States, was also elected to the Equality California board.

The Equality California board includes two new faith leaders: Rabbi Steven Jacobs of Los Angeles and the Rev. Abel Lopez of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. Former Assemblymember Lloyd Levine who represented the 40th Assembly District in Southern California from December 2002 to November 2008 has also joined the EQCA board as well as Kathy Spillar, the executive editor of Ms. Magazine and executive vice president of the Feminist Majority Foundation.

“We have many new straight allies on our board. They joined the board because they want to live in a state where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and fairness. These are not people who sit on the sidelines. When they see inequality, they are moved to do something about it,” said Cary Davidson, the new president of the Equality California Board of Directors. Equality California is a 501(c)4 advocacy organization.

The Equality California Institute also elected new members to their board of directors. Among those joining the board, popular actress and comedienne Wanda Sykes, a long-time supporter of LGBT equality. EQCAI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization focused on public education.
“We know that when we tell our stories that we are able to change hearts and minds and build broader support for equality and fairness. This new board – in all of its great diversity – will help us succeed in reaching more Californians to share the truth about the lives of LGBT people,” said Gary D. Soto, board president for EQCAI.

The Equality California Board of Directors:

Cary Davidson (Los Angeles), President
Deb Kinney (San Francisco), Vice President
Xavier Barrera (San Francisco), Secretary
Tim Hohmeier (Palm Springs), Treasurer

Jim Abbott (San Diego)
Brandon Brawner (Los Angeles)
Betsy Butler (Los Angeles)
Larry Colton (San Francisco)
Joe Guardarrama* (Los Angeles)
Susan Guinn (San Diego)
Jeff Haber (Los Angeles)
Mariah Hansen (Palm Springs)
Dolores Huerta* (Bakersfield)
Rabbi Steven Jacobs* (Los Angeles)
Roslyn Jones (Riverside)
Lloyd Levine* (Los Angeles)
Rev. Abel Lopez* (Los Angeles)
Tom Maddox (San Diego)
Jimmy Nguyen (Los Angeles)
Jeff Orr (San Francisco)
Thom Rollerson* (Santa Barbara)
Sal Rosselli* (San Francisco)
Rick Saputo (Palm Springs)
Linda Scaparotti (San Francisco)
Kathy Spillar (Los Angeles)
Alan Uphold (Los Angeles)

Jacques Whitfield* (Sacramento)

The Equality California Institute Board of Directors:

Gary D. Soto (Palm Springs), President
Cathy Schwamberger (Sacramento), Vice President
Michael Martinez (Sacramento), Secretary
Randy Clark (San Diego), Treasurer

Gwyneth Borden (San Francisco)
Chris Carnes (San Francisco)
Jose Cisneros (San Francisco)
Jody Cole (Mendocino)
Troup Coronado (Los Angeles)
Ellen Evans* (Los Angeles)
Carrie Farrell (San Francisco)
Kelly Ferrero (Palm Springs)
Clarissa Filgioun* (Los Angeles)
Andrae Gonzalo* (Los Angeles)
Christopher Heritage* (Palm Springs)
Ben Patrick Johnson (Los Angeles)
Leslie Katz (San Francisco)
Martin Mendelson* (Orange County)
Shannon Minter (San Francisco)
Dennis Rasor (Orange County)
Stacy Smithers (Los Angeles)
Laura Spanjian (San Francisco)
Doug Spearman (Los Angeles)
Wanda Sykes* (Los Angeles)
Phil Ting (San Francisco)

*New Directors

EQCA works to achieve equality and secure legal protections for LGBT people. To improve the lives of LGBT Californians, EQCA sponsors legislation and coordinates efforts to ensure its passage, lobbies legislators and other policy makers, builds coalitions, develops community strength and empowers individuals