http://www.rootsofequality.org Activism for equality in Downtown Los Angeles and beyond. Sat, 22 May 2010 19:41:02 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The last time us gays marched on Washington was the semi-disastrous march in 2000 organized by the HRC. Before that was the 1993 march when I was 12. This year and this march was our time; the newly dubbed "prop 8" generation. This year's march was not without controversy ... http://www.rootsofequality.org/?p=848 Title: Legendary BingoLocation: Hamburger Mary's - 8288 Santa Monica Blvd, West HollywoodDescription: Join us for a night of Bingo, prizes, and drag queens at Hamburger Mary's! The night is dedicated to raising funds for Stonewall Young Democrats http://www.stonewallyoungdems.org/ and Roots of Equality's upcoming project Lavender Los Angeles: http://www.rootsofequality.org/?page_id=566 Also... IT'S MELISSA'S BIRTHDAY! Start Time: ... http://www.rootsofequality.org/?p=679 Judy Chu, our favorite and only Chinese American congresswoman, was given the Equality Advocate Award this past weekend by EQCA at their Los Angeles Equality Awards. Thanks to Matt at Equal Roots, Diem and I had the pleasure of attending the event and witnessing Chu's award speech. Chu has been ... http://www.rootsofequality.org/?p=602 If you’re a gay democrat like me, you may be a little conflicted about the recent actions and/or inactions of Obama and his administration concerning LGBT rights. The LGBT community has been increasing the pressure as of late to start working on his promises to us. It began ... http://www.rootsofequality.org/?p=564 Yesterday, the California Budget Conference Committee voted to reduce the proposed $80 million dollar cut to HIV/AIDS funding to $8 million. An $80 million dollar cut would have meant loss of funds for prevention and care like ADAP (AIDs Drug Assistance Program) which would have led to a loss ... http://www.rootsofequality.org/?p=561 This year’s LA Pride Parade was the best I have attended.  Large crowds lined the route for the entire 1.2 mile stretch.  Roots of Equality participated in the parade, with Teresa marching as part of the OUTWest contingent, and Melissa and myself (Tom) walking with the Gay and Lesbian Elder ... http://www.rootsofequality.org/?p=554 One of the greatest injustices dealt to gay and lesbian couples because of the lack of marriage rights, is their inability to sponsor their would-be spouses for citizenship. The Uniting American Families Act would change that allowing "permanent partners" of permanent residents to be sponsored for permanent residency. First introduced ... http://www.rootsofequality.org/?p=549 So after our "loving witness" of the anti-marriage rally, we headed back to Bertha, the van we borrowed from Melissa's mom. Bertha was out and proud on her support for equality, and Bertha suffered the consequences. Bertha got keyed. The punks keyed "yes 8" on the door and then ... http://www.rootsofequality.org/?p=544 Equality week was insaaaane! The decision came down Tuesday morning, and though it wasn’t a surprise, we were pissed. First stop, the Latino Equality Alliance rally in East LA. Hundreds of people showed up in the middle of their work day to express their anger and disappointment. Next stop: the night rally ... http://www.rootsofequality.org/?p=539 Though my wife can be a terror at times, I still like keeping her around as my spouse. This is also despite the fact that Andy Pugno of “Yes on 8” fully expects us to divorce: “if California goes as Massachusetts did after legalizing gay marriage, a substantial portion ... http://www.rootsofequality.org/?p=537