Prop 8 overturn trial continues, week 2

Joe.My.God provides a good overview of what's happening in the courtroom today in the trial to overturn Prop 8 in federal court:

• Jerry Sanders, the current Republican Mayor and former Police Chief of the City of San Diego who is the father of a lesbian daughter. He will testify about his decision, as Mayor, to support the City of San Diego's participation in an amicus brief advocating against the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage and why he concluded supporting marriage equality was and is in the best interest of the local government and community. City Attorney Dennis Herrera will conduct the direct examination of Mayor Sanders.
• M.V. Lee Badgett, Ph.D., a professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, who will testify about the private harms caused by Prop. 8 and the impact of same-sex marriage on the marriages of different-sex couples
• Ryan Kendall, a gay man who will testify about the "conversation therapy" he underwent in his youth and how he has been affected by discrimination

You can also follow the trial via the Courage Campaign's trial tracker.

Prop 8 overturn trial will not be televised (or YouTubed); use Courage Campaign's TrialTracker to follow case

The final ruling, to see if the Supreme Court would re-allow the video recording (and broadcast) of the Proposition 8 overturn trial, has come in and the United States Supreme Court has decided to not allow broadcasting or video recording of the proceedings, and thus would not force Prop 8 supporters to visibly explain their bigotry:

The high court's five conservatives formed the majority. They said federal judge Vaughan Walker didn't follow court rules when he ordered proceedings broadcast by closed circuit to federal courthouses in several cities. The Supreme Court's four liberals joined a dissent written by Justice Stephen Breyer. The main issue in the case is whether a 2008 voter initiative called Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution by creating a law that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. Defenders of Proposition 8 say it validly defined marriage in traditional terms by restricting marriage to people who could have children naturally. The proposition's defenders said broadcasting the proceedings could expose witnesses favoring the gay-marriage ban to harassment and ridicule. The Supreme Court majority backed that view, saying Proposition 8 supporters would likely suffer "irreparable harm" if the proceedings were shown through the closed-circuit feed. [WSJ via Joe.My.God]

The CourageCampaign has been following the trial daily, including live blogging witnesses, testimony and other proceedings.

Prop 8 overturn trial tracker; "Perry v Schwarzenegger" day 2

Via Joe.My.God, "Sean Chapin sends us his montage of the beginning of the day outside the federal courthouse in San Francisco yesterday."

Today, Tuesday, January 12, is day 2 of what is expected to be an 8 day trial to overturn Proposition 8. It is almost surely going to be appealed to the Supreme Court however this trial turns out.

Including live blogging of courtroom testimony, comments, questions, turns of events and other news relating to the trial, the Courage Campaign has set up a "Prop 8 Trial Tracker" so we can follow the case.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, the United States Supreme Court issues its ruling on whether or not cameras will again be allowed (after they temporarily re-banned cameras on Monday morning). Click here for Rachel Maddow's quick coverage of the camera situation.

Judge okays televising Prop 8 trial (via YouTube); begins Mon, Jan 11

Wednesday, the judge overseeing the Prop 8 overturn trial, which begins Monday, January 11, signaled he would allow the filming and limited broadcast of the proceedings:

Chief Judge Vaughn Walker made it clear Wednesday that he will forge ahead with televising the federal challenge to Prop 8...But he also signaled he doesn't want to be the next Lance Ito.

The trial, which begins on Monday, will be filmed by court personnel, Walker ruled, but it will not be broadcast live. Instead, the recording will be posted on a YouTube page at some point after the close of the day's proceedings. Walker declined an offer from In Session (formerly Court TV) to broadcast live, with its own crew..."I think in view of the nature of this proceeding, it is important for this process to be completely under the court's control," he said.

Lawyers representing the Yes on 8 campaign objected to any broadcast beyond an overflow room in the San Francisco federal building, arguing that witnesses would be intimidated, or change their testimony. But Walker was skeptical, pointing out that depositions have been widely videotaped for years. [Law.com]

Many of us got an email blast in the last few days from the Courage Campaign asking us to tell the courts televise the upcoming trial to overturn Prop 8; I'm not sure how YouTube is television or if broadcast networks are allowed to stream the YouTube version, but at least it won't be closed proceedings:

U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker -- who will be overseeing a federal court challenge to Prop 8 starting this Monday (January 11) -- is considering whether or not to open the court room to TV cameras.

The court just announced that it is seeking public comment on the proposal to televise the trial -- and that all comments must be submitted to the court by a Friday deadline.

The interest in this case is unprecedented. And not surprisingly, supporters of Prop 8 -- who eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry -- do NOT want the trial to be televised.

Opponents of Prop 8 -- led by attorneys David Boies and Ted Olson -- are seeking to televise the case in the interests of full transparency. They want this historic trial to be watched by as many Americans as possible. And, of course, we agree.

A recent decision in the 9th Circuit of Federal Court recently opened up the possibility of cameras in non-criminal trials. The Prop 8 trial will be its first test-run if Judge Walker's decisions stays.

The Courage Campaign, in expectation of large resistance from the Yes on 8 side, is still asking for us to fill the petition in support of the broadcast if we have not already signed it. I have always been in favor of us telling our real stories in order to change hearts and minds. Perhaps this trial will include that in addition to all the regular court room drama.

I'll post links, clips, etc. as soon as I find them on Monday.

Mexico City legalizes same-sex marriage and adoptions

Add this to your reasons to celebrate reason spreading around the world (got word of this when I was out caroling last night; joyful news indeed!):

Mexico City, one of Latin America's largest metropolises, on Monday legalized same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples.

By a vote of 39 to 20, the city's legislative assembly approved revisions to the civil code to permit same-sex marriages. Five legislators abstained. [CNN]

Mexico is the second major latin-american city, after Buenos Aires, to legalize same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage legalized in Washington, D.C.: BREAKING NEWS

After the New York Senate voted two weeks ago against same-sex marriage in that state, it's nice to have some good gay-marriage news:

This morning, the Washington, D.C. City Council voted in favor of same-sex marriage, legalizing it in the District:

Mayor Adrian Fenty has promised to sign the bill, which passed 11-2, and gay couples could begin marrying as early as March. Congress, which has final say over Washington[, D.C.]'s laws, could reject it, but Democratic leaders have suggested they are reluctant to do so. [MSNBC]

Congratulations to our Nation's capital and to our community on this victory!

"Straightlaced" screening comes to Santa Rosa this Thurs, Nov 19

This Thursday the Rialto theater is hosting a benefit for the Face to Face Sonoma County AIDS Network, a screening of the film "Straightlaced: How Gender's Got Us All Tied Up", an award winning documentary that "unearths how popular pressures around gender and sexuality are confining American teens":

From girls confronting media messages about culture and body image to boys who are sexually active just to prove they aren’t gay, this fascinating array of students opens up with brave, intimate honesty about the toll that deeply held stereotypes and rigid gender policing have on all our lives.

WHEN:
Thursday, November 19, 2009
7:15-9:00pm

WHERE:
Rialto Cinemas Lakeside
551 Summerfield Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95405

TICKETS:
$10 for adults, $7 for seniors/students
Please call Rialto Cinemas at 707-525-4840 or visit Rialto Cinema's website.

Here's the trailer.

Same-sex marriage repealed in Maine: BREAKING NEWS

With 95% of the vote in, Maine's Question 1 decision seems to have been made, for now. 52.9% voted Yes on 1 and 47.1% voted No. In devastatingly similar circumstances to Proposition 8 in California one year ago, the right of equality and marriage for same-sex couples will be repealed by a vote of the people--because, you know, we should vote on taking away other people's rights. My heart goes out to the queer community and especially to Mainers who fought hard to preserve equality.

A message from No on 1 campaign leader (and straight ally), Jesse Connolly:

"Tonight, hundreds of thousands of Maine voters stood for equality, but in the end, it wasn't enough. I am proud of the thousands of Mainers who knocked on doors, made phone calls and talked to their family, friends and neighbors about the basic premise of treating all Maine families equally. And I'm proud of this campaign because the stories we told and the images we shared were of real Mainers -- parents who stood up for their children, and couples who simply wanted to marry the person they love."

"We're in this for the long haul. For next week, and next month, and next year -- until all Maine families are treated equally. Because in the end, this has always been about love and family and that will always be something worth fighting for." from Joe.My.God. that via Rex Wockner.

The New York Times has a good summary of the campaign, the results and what it might mean. Other reactions include "wear black if yes passes" on facebook, and a horrible story about the celebration by the "yes on 1" camp.

Same-sex election results: Maine, Washington, others: BREAKING NEWS

Today was the big day, votes in at least two states on major same-sex issues. The results are not in yet, but with the East Coast three hours ahead, information is starting to come in. I'll keep you posted as I get the information:

Question 1 in Maine: would repeal same-sex marriage that is already legal there

• As of 10:40p CA time, Associated Press declares the same-sex marriage repeal the winner, with 53% of the vote. Others still say it's too close to count.
  
• As of 9:45p CA time, the ban on same-sex marriage is winning, 52.6% to 47.4% (with 84% precincts reporting and 25,374 votes giving the lead)
  
• 
• At 9p CA time, Chicago's Windy City Times calls Maine vote "Too close to call"
  
• As of 7:38p CA time, it is tied, with 15 more votes going towards taking away same-sex marriage
  
• As of 7:01p CA time, it is losing, 52% to 48% meaning same-sex marriage would stay legal
  [find up-to-the-minute results here]

Referendum 71 in Washington State: would protect the state's recently expanded domestic partnerships law that allows for all the same state rights and privileges as marriage but not the word marriage

• Correction: As of 9:45p CA time, the "everything but the word marriage" law is looking like it will stay in law, 51.13% to 48.87%
  
• As of 6:52p CA time, polls are still open until 8p, results will come then
  [find up-to-the-minute results here]
  

Ordinance 1856 in Kalamazoo: would add protections for gay and transgender people to the city's nondiscrimination ordinance

• As of 6:52p California time, 65% of voters have approved the ordinance and the Yes on 1856/One Kalamazoo campaign has declared a victory!
  [find details here]

[Thanks to Rick T for clarifying some detail issues w/ my Washington State bullets] Am I missing any important LGBT votes that you'd like to get updates on? Use the comments section!

Donate to Napa Valley AIDS Walk if you can't join us

Good foggy morning, Napa Valley!

If you can't make it to the AIDS Walk this morning and/or you're feeling generous for a great cause, please chip-in! Click to donate:

Freedom to Marry interfaith service in Vallejo this Mon, Nov 2

Our friends Rick/Paul wanted me to share this special opportunity with you. I also got info about this event from the Courage Campaign, with the intriguing tidbit, "The best predictor of whether someone voted for or against Prop 8 was how frequently a voter attended a place of worship."

Paul also shared his personal invitation:

As we move forward in the effort to gain full equality for the LGBT community, it is time to recommit ourselves to the struggle. It is highly probable that there will be a “Repeal Prop 8” initiative on the 2010 ballot and we must continue to build relationships to change the hearts and minds of those who are not yet with us.

Toward that effort, the interfaith communities of Napa and Solano counties are coming together for a service in Vallejo .

Although Napa voters narrowly supported the freedom to marry, the two-county tally nearly matches the statewide results of 52% opposing us – and a big part of that opposition was from people of faith. We hope that our Napa/Solano collaboration and the visibility of a service in Vallejo can help turn that opposition around.

We hope you can support our efforts by joining us or by forwarding the attached announcement to your networks.

Thank you so much!

Paul Boisvert, Interfaith Organizer
California Faith for Equality
707.738.5077 (mobile)

And here's the details on the interfaith event:

An Interfaith Day of Remembrance and Recommitment
November 2, 2009 @ 7PM
1st Christian Church
1035 Indiana Street
Vallejo, CA

CA Faith for Equality, Marriage Equality USA, the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of CA, Equality California, the Bay Area Coalition of Welcoming Congregations, Courage Campaign, Progressive Jewish Alliance, and a number of other organizations are coming together to “Keep the Faith” for equality.

At the one year anniversary of the passage of Proposition 8, we will stand together, not looking back, but moving forward. We will celebrate the progress that has been made in the past year, both in the secular and religious communities. We will renew our support for our friends who are once again denied recognition of their committed relationships.

Through interfaith prayer, song, and reflection, we are “Keeping the Faith” for equality for all people.

Trans-inclusive hate crimes "Matthew Shephard" bill passes, goes to Obama

Did you know that there are still twenty states in the United States that do not have hate crime laws that include crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity? And that even in states with sexual orientation-based hate crimes laws, only 12 states and Washington, D.C., include transgender persons in those laws?

More than 77,000 hate-crime incidents were reported by the FBI between 1998 and 2007, or "nearly one hate crime for every hour of every day over the span of a decade," [U.S. Attorney General] Holder told the Senate Judiciary Committee in June...The FBI, Holder added, reported 7,624 hate-crime incidents in 2007, the most current year with complete data.

Well after an eleven year political fight, the "Matthew Shephard" act was passed by both the Congress and the Senate and now heads to Obama for his signature--which he has promised to give.

That means that all across the United States, hate crimes laws now include crimes based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. LGB and T!

Critics--especially religious critics--are claiming this law will be used against religious speech, although Attorney General Holder explains to the contrary, "that any federal hate-crimes law would be used only to prosecute violent acts based on bias, as opposed to the prosecution of speech based on controversial racial or religious beliefs." [CNN]

Your thoughts on hate-crime enhancements and protections? Have you or anyone you know been a victim? Will this law make a difference?

Jon Stewart's on news coverage of National Equality March

Where were the news outlets for last weekend's National Equality March? Jon Stewart wants to know the same thing. Full video clip embedded on the site:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Queer and Loathing in D.C.
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Ron Paul Interview

Full video of Obama's HRC speech on LGBT suport and issues, Oct 10, 2009

Embedded above is video from President Obama's powerful speech on LGBT rights, activism and advances, delivered last night, October 10, at the Human Rights Campaign's, 13th annual dinner. As usual, he spoke amazingly well, but many follow-up reviews of his speech are demanding the action to back up his words. Still, it was unprecedented and historic to hear the current president speak so strongly on his support for the LGBT community.

National Equality March this weekend in Washington, D.C.: Who's going?

[Update, 3:30pm: CSPAN will air Obama's HRC speech live beginning at 4:55pm Pacific Time, details at Joe.My.God. Additionally, there are travel advisories and updates to tomorrow's parade route in Washington.]

Just curious: is anyone from Napa or the North Bay going to the National Equality March in Washington, D.C., this weekend, October 10-11, 2009?

Thoughts on the march? The events? Obama's speech at the HRC event tonight?

Someone desperately needs to hear your story: National Coming Out Day is Oct 11

Even if you've never commented on here before, please take a moment to send me your story. Lesbian, gay, bi, trans or questioning, there's a reader of this blog who desperately needs to hear your story.

October 11 is National Coming Out day, and this year's theme is "Conversations From the Heart". It's my belief that "conversations from the heart" are really what change the world...and it's hard work! One person at a time, for sure.

Please, PLEASE! Send in your coming out stories to this blog (via email is fine). I want to share them on the blog throughout the beginning of October and especially for National Coming Out Day. If you read this blog, please take a moment to talk about how it was to come out or how it is to be out in this community. And, if you're not yet out, please write in about how the process of coming out to yourself was/is.

I grew up in Napa and (didn't know it yet but) was yearned for positive examples of what it might mean to be a part of Napa and to not be straight. My coming out process was only possible because of courageous people who shared their story with me as I was older.

And a note: I'm a big believer in keeping this blog and community a safe place. I won't out anyone without permission and I won't share your name or email unless you tell me to. But please share your story.

Protecting traditional marriage: gays can quote the Bible, too!

Looks like conservative Christian fundamentalists aren't the only ones who can use the Bible to protect traditional marriage:

"A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed." Deuteronomy 22:13-21

via thehighdefinite

Ben & Jerry's celebrates Vermont's marriage equality, same-sex weddings start today

As we celebrated in April, the State of Vermont became the first to approve of same-sex marriage through a vote and decision by their legislature (meaning the courts didn't force them to do it, they chose it for their people!).

Today's the day that the new law goes into effect.

Ben & Jerry's, a Vermont-based company, is celebrating by changing the packaging and temporarily renaming one of their flavors and giving it away for free in trucks across Vermont:

Ben & Jerry’s, which has long backed liberal causes, plans to rebrand “Chubby Hubby” as “Hubby Hubby” for 30 days to show support for Vermont’s new law. The move is mostly symbolic, as Burlington-based Ben & Jerry’s isn’t changing labels on “Chubby Hubby” pints sold in stores...

In the meantime, a wedding-themed Ben & Jerry’s truck will hand out free “Hubby Hubby” across Vermont today. Scheduled stops include the Vermont Capitol, where lawmakers passed a gay-marriage law that takes effect today.

Ben & Jerry’s six Vermont ice cream parlors also plan to sell special “Hubby Hubby” sundaes during September. Gay-marriage backers see Ben & Jerry’s move as sweet sign of support.

Get Engaged Tour, Napa, July 15: "Are We Ready for 2010?!", Napa organizers ask

Local LGBT equality organizers are working to make sure we keep marriage equality on our radars. Next up is a forum on Wednesday, July 15 in Napa at Kennedy Park:

A Forum to explore strategies to return California to an “equality” state

A broad statewide coalition of LGBT marriage equality activists and our straight allies are gathering across California to help make that decision.

The “Get Engaged Tour” is an opportunity for local communities to…

• Learn the most recent polling data on public opinion related to marriage equality
• Determine the opportunities and challenges of returning to the polls in 2010 or 2012
• Understand what is happening legislatively at the Federal level and what can be done locally to support those efforts
• Measure our commitment to a ”Repeal Prop 8” initiative
• Provide local input on what Napa Valley would like to see and needs in a campaign
• Begin to organize, strategize and take action

Attend the Get Engaged Meeting in Napa!

Wednesday, July 15th – 7 to 9pm
Pelusi Building – J. F. Kennedy Park
2296 Streblow Drive, Napa

Current polling data shows that we need everyone to “Get Engaged” today to win marriage equality tomorrow. The Get Engaged Tour is our first step. If we empower our grassroots community with the necessary support to do the work that needs to be done…we can win.

Time is crucial and it is short! To properly conduct an initiative campaign in 2010, the decision to move forward must be made by the end of July! The Get Engage Tour community feedback needs to be submitted prior to a Statewide Leadership Summit tentatively scheduled for Saturday July 25th to take place in the Inland Empire.

Some of the sponsors of the Get Engaged Tour…

Marriage Equality USA, Human Rights Campaign, Courage Campaign,

Equality California, Napa Valley Equality Coalition, Napa Valley Unity League

A more complete list of coalition partners is available at www.getengagedtour.org

For more information about the Napa Valley event, contact Paul Boisvert: pboisvert1@yahoo.com or Renee Fannin: rfannin907@aol.com – 858-353-2422

Napa LGBTQ & allies in 4th of July parade, Saturday: come join us!

photo by dbking

Napa's queer organizers are at it again, in a very good way...and looks like our home-town Fourth of July Parade might finally get some brighter color in it!

I just got invited via Facebook, and thought I'd include all the friends of The Fruit, too:

COME MARCH WITH US AT NAPA'S FOURTH OF JULY PARADE THIS SATURDAY!

The Parade Theme this year is "LET FREEDOM RING"

OUR CONTINGENT WILL PROUDLY MARCH WITH THE THEME OF “FREEDOM FOR EVERYONE”

Participating Organizations are Napa Valley Unity League, Napa Valley Equality Coalition, PFLAG, LGBT Youth & their supportive friends and others

WHEN: SATURDAY, JULY 4TH

IF YOU WANT TO MARCH, JOIN US at 10:00 AM - at 3rd Street and Wilson in front of the Register Building. We're contingent number 30a.

WEAR your favorite colorful t-shirt with a gay-positive message on it and/or bring a sign to carry with a message appropriate for the event.

THE PARADE WILL BEGIN at 11:30 AM and is estimated to last 1.5 hours

The parade goes all the way down 5th to Coombs, Right on Coombs, then a LEFT on 4th and disbands at 4th and Randolph. So you can have a great view along 5th, or Coombs or 4th Street. The parade is estimated to last 1.5 hours – prepare yourself for a hot day (bring water and sunscreen)

If you have any questions please contact Renee rfannin907@aol.com

For the full invite or to RSVP online, visit the invite's Facebook page. Thoughts on the theme of our contingent? Napa's parades in general? Your participation (or non-participation)? Plans for the 4th?

rainbow umbrella marcher photo by thaths