This year’s march was not without controversy with internal naysayers and questioners all the way to the top including Barney Frank. I’ll admit that I was not quite sold on the event but bought my ticket to DC regardless because I believed in the people organizing it. Though I understood the concerns and some of the criticism, I did not appreciate the outright trash talk this march endured. Barney Frank and others did not have to endorse the event much less attend, but there is no reason to cut down the efforts of others working for the same goals. The ugliness preceding this march was a case study in the virulent self-sabotage this movement has put itself through for decades.

The organizers pressed on despite the negativity as the word spread and the momentum snowballed. The weekend was packed full of activities other than the march ranging from youth activities, to faith gatherings, and just plain parties. I volunteered my time at Camp Courage on Saturday so I missed most of the events that day. The photos from the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier looked very moving and poignant featuring Lieutenant Daniel Choi.

Camp Courage took a risk putting together a four hour mini-camp in less than six weeks for the first time outside of California. About 200 participants from across the country including Alaska showed up learning the basic skills of telling your story in order to change hearts and minds.

After camp on the way to our hotel, we drove by the convention center where the HRC dinner was happening about an hour before the president’s address. First we drove by the lovely Westboro Church bigots followed by a mass of rainbow flags that were either protesting or rallying or both. The gays of the city stopped Saturday night to gather around C-SPAN to watch the president’s address. Reactions immediately following the speech seemed to split being either, “that’s not good enough” or “that was great.”

Personally, I believe his words are of course not good enough, but I have faith in his promises. It’s our work as activists to continue to push him, our legislator, and their constituents to make progress on LGBT issues. Though I am impatient, I’m not dumb enough to think that I know more than seasoned politicians including Obama on the right timing on enacting these changes. I want my equality, but I’m not willing to risk the healthcare of this country for it. At this point I can do nothing more than continue working and pushing for change, believing in Obama’s promises, and staying vigilant in case he shows signs of not coming through.

Coming soon, a report on the National Equality March and rally.

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: 19:00
Date: 2009-09-20
End Time: 22:00

Chu has been a longtime advocate for LGBT rights and dignities most notably with her bill earlier this decade protecting LGBT foster kids from discrimination.

Her acceptance speech was touching as usual and highlighted why the LGBT struggle is so important to her. Citing the tragedy of slain Taiwanese American Kenny Chiu by white supremacists in 2001, Chu said, “I cannot fight for the civil rights of one group without fighting for the civil rights of the other. Things will not change until people stand up and say strongly and unflinchingly that we will not tolerate making anybody in this state a second class citizen.”

We’re lucky to have such a staunch advocate for LGBT rights in Congress and in the 32nd district.

From there, Obama commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots by declaring June “LGBT Pride Month.” Our community was pleased with the recognition but would not be appeased. The promises of this administration are in the forefront of our minds and I am painfully aware of the administration’s dodging of the issues. Despite the disappointments, I am prone to trust the judgment of Obama and trusted that he was aiming for the right timing and strategy to repeal DADT and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and it was our job to make sure the promises were not forgotten.

Then, we were hit with the recent Department of Justice defense of DOMA. Not only did they defend DOMA, they used some inflammatory language including incest and child rape. They went further to say that DOMA is constitutional and even saves the country money. Why did the language go so far? Because one of the writers was W. Scott Simpson, a conservative Mormon who worked under Bush’s administration. The bigger question is: Why is Obama and his administration ok with this? It’s arguable on whether or not the DOJ had to defend existing law (DOMA) but there has been precedent of former presidents who have filed briefs opposing existing federal law as unconstitutional.

This is where Obama crossed the line with many of us gays including me. This is where I began to seriously question whether or not he really had our interests in mind. In response to the uproar, the DOJ spokesperson released the following statement.

As it generally does with existing statutes, the Justice Department is defending the law on the books in court. The president has said he wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act because it prevents LGBT couples from being granted equal rights and benefits. However, until Congress passes legislation repealing the law, the administration will continue to defend the statute when it is challenged in the justice system.

Though it was nice to hear that he remembered that he wants to see a repeal of DOMA, the damage was done. The uproar prompted a boycott of the LGBT Leadership Council’s DNC fundraiser by some rich and influential gays including David Mixner.

With acknowledgment that the timing had something to do with pissing off the gays, Obama pushed ahead his move to sign an executive order to extend same-sex partner benefits to federal employees. Yay right? Not quite. The benefits that same-sex partners would receive include long-term insurance, allow employees to use sick leave to take care of ailing partners, and would let partners of diplomats to use the medical facilities at foreign posts. Noticeably missing is healthcare benefits (which is what I think of when I hear “benefits”). DOMA (the very same DOMA Obama’s DOJ defended) prevents the extension of those benefits.

So where are we now? Well I can only speak for myself when I say that I am highly disappointed by Obama’s inaction when it comes to DADT, action when it comes to DOMA, and his baby steps when it comes to LGBT month and the extension of benefits. I am waiting and will be pushing for a significant step towards keeping his promise to us.

The $8 million dollar cuts will reduce the budget of such programs as prevention, housing, home care, research, state operations, and education. Funds in ADAP will be moved around but should have no client impact.

Though we can breath a sigh of relief, the programs are not in the clear yet. The committee’s proposal must still be voted on by the legislature and the governor can still veto it. Do your part by calling your legislator. It takes just two minutes and makes a huge difference in making HIV/AIDS funding a priority for legislators.

This year’s parade was a snapshot of our amazing history in this city.  Los Angeles hosted the first LGBT Pride parade in the nation’s history.  In the summer of 1970, a few big cities held events to commemorate the Stonewall Riots of 1969 in NYC.  New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles all held events.  But Los Angeles was the only city to host a parade, which prevailed despite opposition and intimidation by the LAPD.  Locals bravely marched down Hollywood Blvd., beginning a tradition that now takes place across the nation and this was the 39^th year that LA celebrated our Pride in the parade.

Our participation with GLEH was even more moving.  Melissa and I marched down the street carrying banners to promote the new film, On These Shoulders We Stand, which will premier at Outfest this July 11 and 18.  This film is a touching and eye-opening documentary about the early days of the LGBT movement in the US, much of which started right here in LA.  History tends to forget LA’s role in just about everything that isn’t “Hollywood”, but if there is a single place that played a more significant role than others in the formation of the LGBT movement, Los Angeles is that place.  And the elders who we marched with at LA Pride can tell you that.  They cheered from the bus “we started it” and “we’re your grandparents” statements that are too true and too often forgotten.  On These Shoulders We Stand tells these stories and everyone who cares about the LGBT movement or LA should watch this film at Outfest.

This fall, we hope our LGBT History Exhibit will shed light on the role LA played in the LGBT movement.  Keep posted to our website for more details on the most colorful history lesson you’ll probably ever experience.

On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony regarding the UAFA including the above moving testimony from Shirley Tan. The bill currently has 105 house cosponsors and 19 senate cosponsors and many believe that this time around is the best shot for the UAFA.

The punks keyed “yes 8″ on the door and then went up and down the side of the van keying it. The rage was ameliorated by the offer of Pastor Rudy Rena from Cornerstone Church who organized the stupid “Still Standing in the Middle for Marriage” rally. He offered to pay for the damages. He may think we don’t deserve the rights and dignity of civil marriage, but at least he’ll pay for one of his stupid follower’s damages.

Bertha’s three damaged panels are in the shop right now being completely repainted so we can return her to Melissa’s mom in the same condition we got her. Her paint may be restored, but her soul will never be the same.

Sidenote: when making the police report, the police officer looked completely clueless when we asked that this be filed as a hate crime. He then said that if we want a copy of the police report, we’d have to drive back up to Fresno because apparently the city hasn’t discovered fax machines or emails.

Another sidenote: Bertha may have been vandalized, but it in no way matches this violation. Fuckin Fresno

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 starting in West Hollywood. Speakers included the amazing Dan Choi, Reverend Eric Lee, Drew Barrymore, and Kathy Griffin. Celebrities, gays, and straights marched together down Santa Monica and stopped at the Matthew Shepard square for a moving tribute to the victims of hate crimes. Marchers stopped in their tracks and went silent as they examined the faces of the victims of homophobia and took the time to lay down white flowers in front of the memorial.

Thousands of us marched from there all the way to Hollywood and Highland stopping traffic along the way. We took some time to sit-in and grabbed some chalk and wrote out our messages and feelings about prop 8 and made our way back to West Hollywood.

On Wednesday, Obama was in town. We rallied across the Beverly Hilton where he was speaking at a democratic party fundraiser. We told Obama we’re still here, and we want our rights now.

Saturday was the day we had all been waiting for as people actually looked forward to traveling to Fresno. The morning began with a symbolic march from Selma as hundreds marched the 16 miles from Selma all the way to Fresno including Reverend Eric Lee.

The marchers came just in time for the start of the rally and were met by a deafening roar of support from the awaiting rallyers. The crowd of 5,000 were honored with speeches by the leaders of this movement and was capped off by an emotional and motivating speech by Meet in the Middle organizer Robin McGehee followed by Cleve Jones.

Sunday morning’s Leadership Summit provided some informative and helpful polling information to use in the fight ahead. The room was packed with over 250 leaders.

Sunday evening, the “Still Standing in the Middle for Marriage” group had their counter-rally at city hall. We headed there for a “loving witness”. I took pictures since I can’t pretend to love them and I didn’t want to go off on the fuckers. Our people held signs like, “I love my gay parents” and “Straight Christian for Equality” and “God Bless You”. We killed them with kindness and bubbles and had some very meaningful conversations. Though we didn’t expect to change any minds, we were visible and sent a certain message that we’re not going to disrespect you (because we’re better people than you) but we’re not going away.

Unfortunately there were a group of rogue reactionaries who ran around screaming “bigot” and being disruptive thus undermining our message. Poor form. Then our car got keyed with “Yes 8”. More on that to come.

All-in-all, we came together and expressed ourselves and fueled up on each other’s energy for the fight again. Viva la revolucion!

No, I want don’t want a divorce; I want to return my marriage license. I’m now an owner of a document and a part of a system that specifically excludes a segment of the population, specifically my queer brethren. I’m ashamed to be a part of the California marriage system, and I want nothing to do with it until this discrepancy is fixed.

You see, my wife and I got illegally married back in 2006, and for all intents and purposes, that is our wedding date. When the California Supreme Court in all their wisdom opened their door to same-sex marriage, we of course jumped at the opportunity to claim the equal rights, responsibilities, and recognition that had been due to us.

Us and our legal paperwork.

We were proud to be two of the 18,000 gay married folks that made it before the election. After the election, we were naturally devastated and out for justice. It has never been just about our individual marriage, it was always about the larger ideals involved. So when the decision came down Tuesday morning that upheld inequality yet left our marriage intact, I was still disgusted. I remain disgusted and find no solace in the “well at least you’re still married” comments.

I want out, and I want out now. I will not be a part of a system that separates me from others because of identity and I will certainly not be a part of a system that makes me one of the lucky few just because I filed my paperwork before the election.

We’re sending my marriage license back to the state with “Return to sender. Broken system. Please send back when fixed.”

(This is done with the permission of my terror of a wife Melissa.)