Tag: CALIFORNIA

Hate Group Leader Visits CA Coastal Community Under Protection of Republican Women’s Group

September 17, 2015

1AngryOldLesbian.org puts spotlight on Brad Dacus and Pacific Justice Institute Update: Event photos below An otherwise idyllic year-round vacation spot became host today to a fear mongering, falsehood generating, anti-LGBT hate group—The Pacific Justice Institute and its President, Brad Dacus—speaking at the Estero Bay Republican Women Federated luncheon at the Morro Bay Golf Course, the … More Hate Group Leader Visits CA Coastal Community Under Protection of Republican Women’s Group

EQCA Call to Action Tell California Governor Brown to Support AB 959

September 15, 2015

LGBT Disparities Reduction Act Posted by Melanie Nathan, September, 15, 2015. This call to action to urge California Governor Jerry Brown to support the LGBT Disparities Reduction Act, AB 959, has been sent tout by EQCA – please participate and pass around: As LGBT people in California, we are invisible. We’re invisible because the state … More EQCA Call to Action Tell California Governor Brown to Support AB 959

Transgender Bills By State Senator Leno Pass California Assembly

September 2, 2015

Leno Bills Ensuring Equal Benefits for Transgender Employees, | Protections for Transgender Foster Youth Pass Assembly Posted by Melanie Nathan, September 02, 2015. SACRAMENTO – The Assembly today passed two bills authored by Senator Mark Leno that provide protections and equal benefits to transgender Californians. The first bill, SB 703, prohibits state agencies from doing … More Transgender Bills By State Senator Leno Pass California Assembly

CA Attorney General Goes to Court to stop Murderous Anti-Gay Ballot Initiative

March 25, 2015

Seeking declaratory Relief before Title and Summary is Issued By Melanie Nathan, March 25, 2015 An intense backlash has developed against Huntington Beach lawyer Matt McLaughlin, who wants to qualify a Ballot initiative calling for the murder of gays for the statewide ballot in November 2016. California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris today issued the … More CA Attorney General Goes to Court to stop Murderous Anti-Gay Ballot Initiative

San Francisco Catholic Church Installs Doorway Water Showers to Drench Sleeping Homeless

March 18, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 18, 2015. I recall protesting the installation of viciously anti-LGBTI Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone at the Archdiocese in San Francisco. Now it seems that it is not only gays that the Catholic Church in San Francisco has under attack and wants to keep from its opulent doorway. The venom has now spewed … More San Francisco Catholic Church Installs Doorway Water Showers to Drench Sleeping Homeless

Legislation to Give Homeless Youth Access to High School Equivalency Exams

March 13, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, March 13, 2015. Homeless youth across California would have greater access to the high school proficiency and equivalency exams under new legislation introduced by Senator Mark Leno. Senate Bill 252 would prohibit the Department of Education or testing companies from charging an exam fee to young people who are homeless. “Exam fees, … More Legislation to Give Homeless Youth Access to High School Equivalency Exams

Announcing Legislation for Homeless Youth

March 12, 2015

SAN FRANCISCO – California State Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, will join homeless youth advocates and other elected officials in San Francisco on Friday to announce important new legislation that gives homeless youth greater access to high school proficiency and equivalency exams. SB 252 would prohibit the Department of Education or testing companies from charging … More Announcing Legislation for Homeless Youth

California Governor Signs Landmark Leno Bill Addressing Smartphone Theft

August 25, 2014

Gov. Jerry Brown signed landmark legislation today addressing the growing epidemic of smartphone theft in California. SB 962, authored by Senator Mark Leno and sponsored by San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón, requires all smartphones sold in California to come pre-equipped with theft-deterring technological solutions to render the devices useless if stolen.

… More California Governor Signs Landmark Leno Bill Addressing Smartphone Theft

The Ninth Circuit confirms the end of conversion therapy in California

August 29, 2013

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled on two cases involving California’s law banning so-called LGBT ‘conversion therapy’. The appeals court has reversed a grant of a preliminary injunction in one challenge, and it has affirmed denial of a preliminary injunction in another. This means the law will be in effect during the proceedings. … More The Ninth Circuit confirms the end of conversion therapy in California

California Leno Resolution Condemning Russian Anti-Gay Laws Clears Committee

August 26, 2013

The Noise we are making is working – Keep up the advocacy and activism as SR 18 Urges CalPERS and CalSTRS to End Future Investments in Russia and | Asks International Events, Including the Miss Universe Pageant, to Relocate  By Melanie Nathan, August 26, 2013. SACRAMENTO – A resolution introduced by Senator Mark Leno that … More California Leno Resolution Condemning Russian Anti-Gay Laws Clears Committee

Senator Mark Leno takes a stand against Russian Anti-gay laws with California investment resolution

August 9, 2013

Following Anti-Gay Crackdown, Leno to Introduce Resolution Urging CalPERS and CalSTRS Not to Make Future Investments in Russia By Melanie Nathan, August 09, 2013. SAN FRANCISCO – Senator Mark Leno, joined by Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Senator Ricardo Lara and bill sponsor Equality California, will introduce a Senate Resolution on Monday urging CalPERS … More Senator Mark Leno takes a stand against Russian Anti-gay laws with California investment resolution

One brave teen comes OUT in the face of Porterville’s homophobia

July 20, 2013

One brave teen comes OUT in the face of Porterville’s homophobia Three arrested in act of civil disobedience protesting shameful rescission of Pride proclamation SEE ARREST VIDEO Melanie Nathan, July 19, 2913 On June 04, 201, Mayor Virginia Gurolla of Porterville, issued proclamation recognizing the month of June as Pride Month in Porterville.  A month later … More One brave teen comes OUT in the face of Porterville’s homophobia

Chaos erupts as Gays arrested when Porterville votes to rescind pride proclamation

July 16, 2013

Council chamber is in chaos as vote to rescind LGBT proclamation causes chamber to erupt in protest, with LGBT protesters arrested, and led out by Police. Mayor in tears.  By Melanie Nathan, July 16, 2013. Tonight a coalition of LGBT groups and allies attended the Porterville City Council meeting, to oppose the efforts of the … More Chaos erupts as Gays arrested when Porterville votes to rescind pride proclamation

Help Call for California Governor Jerry Brown to Sign Transgender Law

July 8, 2013

Help California Action Alert for Transgender Youth Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 08, 2013. On July 3, 2013, The California State Senate passed the School Success and Opportunity Act (Assembly Bill 1266), sending the bill that ensures transgender students have the opportunity to succeed in school to Governor Jerry Brown for his signature. Authored by … More Help Call for California Governor Jerry Brown to Sign Transgender Law

Happy 4th of July | Gays Celebrate Independence in a More Equal America

July 4, 2013

See Video – And a Gay Tenor sings his way into the hearts of America By Melanie Nathan, July 04, 2013. The weeks leading up to this 4th of July have been historic for America – the horrendously discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)  came crashing down after decades of hell for many Americans and … More Happy 4th of July | Gays Celebrate Independence in a More Equal America

Porterville Spews More Hate by threatening to rescind LGBT Proclamation

June 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, June 14, 2013. Porterville City Council, the only city council in all of California to declare its support for the anti-gay Proposition 8 in 2008, is now threatening to rescind a proclamation signed by its Mayor, who had declared June to be LGBT Pride Month in Porterville. On June 04, despite heated … More Porterville Spews More Hate by threatening to rescind LGBT Proclamation

Gay immigration detainee reunited with fiancé after detention ordeal

June 12, 2013

A young gay man who was detained in San Diego by immigration authorities — whose story was documented by San Diego Gay & Lesbian News and OBLOGDEE — has been reunited with his fiancé in New York City. Here is the follow up article after his release by our friends at SDGLN:- A happy ending? … More Gay immigration detainee reunited with fiancé after detention ordeal

California Mayor Issues LGBT Proclamation despite Hateful City and Council Outburst

June 4, 2013

Porterville’s LGBT Community encounters City gay haters in venomous outburst By Melanie Nathan, June 04, 2013. It has been a long dirty battle between the LGBTQ community and some choice government officials and residents of the town of Porterville, California, culminating in tonight’s City Hall showdown, where Mayor Virginia Gurolla issued a proclamation recognizing the … More California Mayor Issues LGBT Proclamation despite Hateful City and Council Outburst

A story from the steps of SCOTUS | Hoping the Justices consider the children hurt by Prop 8

April 4, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, April 04, 2013. There was no keeping me away from Washington D.C., on Tuesday 26th, the day that The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) would be hearing the Prop 8. arguments.  I was there ‘wearing many hats; activist, blogger, co-producer of Gay U.S.A. the Movie, and the most important of … More A story from the steps of SCOTUS | Hoping the Justices consider the children hurt by Prop 8

Photo-blog of the Prop8 the day of the SCOTUS hearings

March 26, 2013

Photo impressions from the first day’s activities.. I sure hope NOM comes back tomorrow, they were fun! By Cathy Kristofferson, March 26, 2013 This blog piece should really be titled ‘O-Blog-Dee goes to Washington, too busy to blog…’!  Both Melanie and I are here in Washington D.C. trying to keep up with all that’s going … More Photo-blog of the Prop8 the day of the SCOTUS hearings

Marriage Equality USA reports from SCOTUS on Prop 8 arguments

March 26, 2013

MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA HOPEFUL FOR RULING IN FAVOR OF THE  | FREEDOM TO MARRY AFTER UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ARGUMENTS After oral arguments at the United States Supreme Court today, Marriage Equality USA is hopeful that the Court will rule in favor of the freedom to marry later this year.  MEUSA was heartened by many … More Marriage Equality USA reports from SCOTUS on Prop 8 arguments

Historic Marriage Equality events underway across the United States

March 24, 2013

172 events start in all 50 states, with all eyes on Washington, D.C., as people start record breaking queue outside SCOTUS By Melanie Nathan & Cathy Kristofferson, March 24, 2013. 3/25 UPDATE:  over 2500 people have gathered at events ranging from Casper, Wyoming, to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to Cleveland, Ohio already.  And tonight is the big “night … More Historic Marriage Equality events underway across the United States

Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

March 23, 2013

Civil rights,  religious,  Republican, military leaders and families to speak at historic event By Cathy Kristofferson,  March 23, 2013 Supporters of marriage equality will gather at 8:30am Tuesday morning on the steps of the Supreme Court before the first of two marriage equality hearings. The speakers will include an impressive collection of civil rights activists, … More Headline Speakers Announced for Tuesday, March 26 Marriage Equality Gathering at Supreme Court

Obama Administration’s Historic Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court Opposing Proposition 8

February 28, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, February 28, 2013. Marriage Equality USA© (MEUSA™) and GAY U.S.A. the Movie, as well as other LGBTI activists are hailing the Obama Administration’s historic amicus brief which will be filed later today with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging the Court to end Proposition 8’s exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. Prominent Republicans … More Obama Administration’s Historic Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court Opposing Proposition 8

California Prop 8 basics and Lists of Amicus briefs filed with SCOTUS

February 25, 2013

Proposition 8 was a California ballot proposition and a state constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections. The measure added a new provision, Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights, to the California Constitution, which provides that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” By restricting … More California Prop 8 basics and Lists of Amicus briefs filed with SCOTUS

Conversion Therapy Ban Bill filed in Massachusetts

January 18, 2013

Massachusetts seeks to become the next state to ban conversion therapy for minors By Cathy Kristofferson, January 18, 2013. Today, Massachusetts joined California in the fight against harmful ex-gay conversion/reparative therapy for minors under the age of 18.  Representative Carl Sciortino (D – 34th Middlesex District) filed “An Act Relative to Abusive Practices to Change … More Conversion Therapy Ban Bill filed in Massachusetts

Defending the Gay Family at Installtion of San Francisco Archbishop Cordileone

October 6, 2012

Anti-gay Catholic Archbishop Cordileone Installed amidst noisy protests By Melanie Nathan, Oct 05,2012. Oakland Bishop Salvatore Cordileone was one of the major voices in the campaign to pass the discriminatory Proposition 8 in California. He is the head of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for the Defense of Marriage, whose purpose has … More Defending the Gay Family at Installtion of San Francisco Archbishop Cordileone

Occupy Oakland Protests South African Mine Massacre

August 26, 2012

PETITION: Tell Lonmin to meet workers demands for higher wages and better living conditions! See below to link. Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 24, 2012. PFA Evening News Anchor Cameron Jones:Yesterday evening, in Oakland’s Oscar Grant Plaza, the gathering place of Occupy Oakland, several hundred people rallied in solidarity with South African miners, more than … More Occupy Oakland Protests South African Mine Massacre