EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors: “Prop. 8 destroys the fundamental principle of equal protection”
“By taking away a fundamental right from one group, Prop. 8 destroys the fundamental principle of equal protection – a principle codified in our Constitution and intended to protect minority groups from the oppression of the majority. Without the right to equal protection, every Californian risks discrimination at the ballot box.
“Equality California has sued on behalf of our members to invalidate Prop. 8. Today, our team of attorneys, led by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and the ACLU, argued that Prop. 8 usurps the guarantee of equal protection and bypasses our legal safeguards. More than 300 leading civil rights organizations, legal scholars, and faith leaders submitted amicus briefs to the court, indicating their support of our argument. And this week, the state Assembly and state Senate passed resolutions stating their belief that Prop. 8 is an invalid revision to the Constitution.
“But victory in the courts is far from certain and no matter the outcome, the work to achieve acceptance and understanding must continue. Prop. 8 showed how much work there is left to be done and invalidating that discriminatory, unconstitutional amendment is just the beginning.
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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 50 pieces of legislation and continues to advance equality through legislative advocacy, public education and community empowerment. www.eqca.org
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/eqca-executiv…
More than 50 other California labor organizations Oppose Prop 8
The California Federation of Labor and more than 50 other California labor organizations filed friend–of–the–court briefs in support of Lambda Legal’s position that Prop 8 is invalid. Joining them through other briefs were civil rights and community groups, California municipalities, leading legal scholars and nearly a thousand religious organizations and faith leaders. National Marriage Project Director Jenny Pizer says the labor brief is “putting a special emphasis on how high the stakes are here for everybody in California.” Read the Contra Costa Times article and more in Lambda Legal’s “In the News.”
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-than-50-…
Stand in and march by candlelight to overturn Proposition 8
To find an event near you, visit www.eveofjustice.com or www.marriageequality.org.
Many of these events feature faith leaders and are organized by people of faith. Join CA Faith for Equality, Marriage Equality USA, Equality California and other statewide and local cosponsors to share your voice and shine your light.
Statewide, March 4th, Candlelight Events and Marches. For information about locations and times in your area, visit www.eveofjustice.com or www.marriageequality.org.
Statewide, March 5th, 9am-12:30pm, CA Supreme Court hears oral arguments about overturning Proposition 8. Many supporters are traveling to San Francisco, others are gathering for viewing parties. If you are traveling to San Francisco, visit the CA Supreme Court website to know your viewing options. The California Channel will provide a live TV broadcast and online webcast.
Fresno, March 7-8th, Camp Courage. Brought to you by the Courage Campaign, this training offers us the opportunity to learn and sharpen our organizing tools and methods. For more information, please contact Lilia at lilia@couragecampaign.org.
Orange County, March 5th, 4-6pm Marriage Equality Rally hosted by Church of the Foothills. Join the Church of the Foothills to rally for marriage equality in pro-Prop 8 Orange County. 19211 Dodge Ave., (at Newport Blvd.), Santa Ana, 92705. For more information, contact Kergan at proud2bdad@yahoo.com
Pasadena, March 7th and 14th, 10am-2:30pm, Vote for Equality Canvasses. Talk to our neighbors about marriage equality. Training provided. Neighborhood Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., 91103. To RSVP or for more information, contact Laura Gardiner at 323-770-3188 or lgardiner@lagaycenter.org.
Los Angeles, March 11th, Jordan/Rustin Coalition Faith Committee Meeting. 7-8:30pm. Dinner from 6:30-7pm. At the first inaugural meeting of the faith committee, a joint project of the Jordan/Rustin Coalition and CA Faith for Equality, we will discuss and plan relationship building with African-American faith communities in the Los Angeles area. Contact Anne-Marie for more information: williams@jordanrustin.org.
Call for events!! If there are events in your area appropriate for folks interested in LGBT faith-rooted organizing, please email Kerry with details at kerry@cafaithforequality.org two weeks prior to the event. We will do our best to publicize them in our e-blasts.
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/03/stand-in-and-…
Equality California to Bring Over 2,000 Californians to Sacramento for Lobby Day to Support the Invalidation of Prop 8
Equality California is sponsoring Lobby Day where a diverse group of volunteers and activists will urge legislators to support Equality California-sponsored companion resolutions SR 7 (Leno) and HR 5 (Ammiano), in the State Senate and Assembly. The resolutions would put the legislature on record as opposing Prop 8 as an invalid revision to the California Constitution. More than 2,000 volunteers have already registered to participate.
When: Tuesday, February 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
10:30 a.m.: Assembly judiciary committee hearing on HR 5
12:15 p.m. Rally
12:30 p.m. Senate Judiciary hearing on SR 7
1-4 p.m.: lobby visits
Where: California State Capitol, 10th Street and Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814
Who: Lobby day will bring together diverse civil rights and faith leaders, community members and allies from across the state and a number of elected officials, including Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), Senator Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), State Assemblymember John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), and Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal (D-Long Beach).
Lobby Day will follow a series of coordinated actions supporting marriage for same-sex couples over President’s Day weekend. On Monday, February 16, EQCA will also co-sponsor a rally with Equality Action NOW, Marriage Equality USA, and California Outreach at the Capitol.
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 and other organizations to engage in the political process. www.eqca.org
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/equality-cali…
EQCA Sponsors Lobby Day Urging Invalidation of Proposition 8
Equality California will sponsor a lobby day where participants will urge legislators to support companion resolutions, SR 7 (Leno) and HR 5 (Ammiano), in the State Senate and Assembly that would put the legislature on record as opposing Proposition 8 as an invalid revision to the California Constitution. More than 1,000 people have already registered to participate. The day is set for Tuesday, February 17. Rally at 12:15 p.m. and lobby visits from 1 to 4 p.m. at the California State Capitol.
Lobby day will bring together diverse civil rights and faith leaders, community members and allies from across the state and a number of elected officials, including Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), Senator Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles), State Assemblymember John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), and Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal (D-Long Beach).
Lobby Day will follow a series of coordinated actions supporting marriage for same-sex couples over President’s Day weekend. On Monday, February 16, EQCA will also co-sponsor a rally with Equality Action NOW, Marriage Equality USA, and California Outreach at the Capitol.
The lobby day is free and open to all who support equality. Each participant will receive lobbying training, advocacy materials and will be assigned to an experienced team leader before heading off to meetings at the Capitol. Participants can register online at: http://www.eqca.org/2009lobbyday.
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 and other organizations to engage in the political process. www.eqca.org
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/eqca-sponsors…
Groundswell of Support in California
On January 21, Lambda Legal and our sister legal organizations filed our answer to roughly 20 friend–of–the–court briefs submitted to the California Supreme Court by far-right legal and religious groups supporting Prop 8. Filed on behalf of petitioners, our brief debunks the arguments supporting Prop 8 and highlights the new consensus that Prop 8 was not valid and, if upheld, would threaten legal protections for all minorities. More than 40 amicus briefs support our position and speak for nearly a thousand religious organizations and faith leaders, scores of civil rights and community groups, many California municipalities and leading legal scholars. Also included were more than 50 California labor organizations — representing nearly 6 million working men and women, two current and former California legislators, 66 bar associations and many others. California businesses — including Google, Levi Strauss & Co. and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce — representing thousands of businesses employing millions of workers, also submitted a brief. They argue that allowing minority groups to be targeted using a simple majority vote is bad for business.
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2009/02/groundswell-o…
Faith leaders meet for trans rights
Faith leaders meet for trans rights
Powerful New Allies Join Equality California and Equality California Institute Boards
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.
“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.
Deb Kinney (San Francisco), Vice President
Xavier Barrera (San Francisco), Secretary
Tim Hohmeier (Palm Springs), Treasurer
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)
Cathy Schwamberger (Sacramento), Vice President
Michael Martinez (Sacramento), Secretary
Randy Clark (San Diego), Treasurer
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)
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Original source : http://gay_blog.blogspot.com/2008/12/powerful-new-…
