Five Gay and Lesbian Los Angeles Area Rabbis to Speak on Jewish Journal Panel
February 25, 2010
Zachary Shapiro (Temple Akiba) and Denise Eger (Kol Ami)
Dr. J.B. Sacks (Faculty, Academy for Jewish Religion)
On Tuesday, March 2, five gay and lesbian rabbis from the Los Angeles area will speak out during a panel sponsored by the Jewish Journal at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, Calif., at 7:30 p.m. PST. Jewish leaders are increasingly progressive when it comes to LGBT inclusion. Reform, Conservative and Reconstruction Jewish traditions are on record for full inclusion of LGBT persons. As gay and lesbian rabbis in California, they know that the court challenge to Proposition 8 is just one of many efforts to let Californians and the country know that full and legal equality is the only fair and acceptable outcome.
Lisa Edwards (Beth Chayim Chadashim) and Jocee Hudson (Temple Israel of Hollywood)
With polls showing increasing support among diverse religious groups, it is clear that hearts and minds everywhere will be persuaded more quickly if progressive faith leaders speak out. To watch and listen through a live stream go to http://www.jewishjournal.com/live_broadcast.
Related Posts:Historians Testify In Favor of Marriage Equality in Prop. 8 Case, Media Takes Notice
January 13, 2010
Two historians appeared in federal court on Tuesday in the Proposition 8 case which challenges a voter sanctioned ban on marriage for same-sex couples in California.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Wednesday that Harvard history professor Nancy Cott spoke to the court about the history of marriage and the evolution of matrimony in America:
Those who supported prohibitions on weddings across racial lines, bans dating from colonial days that the Supreme Court abolished only in 1967, often argued that “the institution would be degraded, their own marriages would be devalued” if such unions were allowed, Nancy Cott testified in San Francisco on the second day of the U.S. District Court trial of a suit challenging Prop. 8.
Similarly, she said, 19th century laws in most states that required women to surrender their property, earnings and legal status to their husbands were viewed by their supporters as “absolutely essential to what marriage was.” It took a series of Supreme Court rulings in the 1970s, Cott said, to stamp out the remnants of sex discrimination in marriage laws.
George Chauncey, a Yale historian specializing in 20th century LGBT studies, also testified on Tuesday, The Associated Press reported:
After viewing several television commercials produced by Proposition 8’s sponsors, Chauncey said images and language suggesting the ballot initiative was needed to “protect children” were reminiscent of earlier efforts to “demonize” gays, ranging from police raids on gay bars during the 1950s to campaigns to rid public schools of gay teachers in the 1970s.
“You have a pretty strong echo of this idea that simple exposure to gay people and their relationships is somehow going to lead a whole generation of young kids to become gay,” Chauncey said. “The underlying message here is something about the undesirability of homosexuals, that we don’t want our children to become this way.”
The case is drawing a great deal of national media attention. MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow interviewed attorneys David Boies and Ted Olson, the lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the case, on last nights program and discussed the landmark case as well as Ted Olson’s recent Newsweek editorial titled, “The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage.”
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Media are also focusing attention on Wednesday’s expected decision about whether or not to broadcast the trial online via YouTube. The Huffington Post published an article on Wednesday titled, “Let the Prop 8 Trial Be Broadcast,” that calls on the Supreme Court to lift a temporary stay on broadcasting the proceedings. U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who is presiding over the case, noted on Monday that he had received over 138,000 signatures in favor of a broadcast and just 32 opposed. A final decision is expected later today.
GLAAD will continue to follow the media’s coverage of the Prop. 8 case. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:Media Spotlights Couples’ Compelling Stories in Prop. 8 Case
January 12, 2010
The federal lawsuit challenging California’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples opened yesterday with testimony from the four plaintiffs.
Numerous local and national media outlets covered the case, including, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, the Associated Press, PBS’s The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle and a host of others. Many of the reports focused closely on the love and commitment of the two couples at the heart of the case.
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Jeffrey J. Zarillo was the first to be called to the stand, The Los Angeles Times reported late yesterday:
Zarrillo, 36, a manager in the entertainment industry, testified tearfully about being denied the right to marry Paul T. Katami, his partner of nearly nine years and a co-plaintiff.
“He is the love of my life,” Zarrillo said.
Later, Kristin M. Perry, a 45-year-old child services professional, testified about her relationship with her partner of 10 years, Sandra B. Stier. In an article published on Tuesday, The New York Times recounted Perry’s statements:
“I remember thinking that she was the sparkliest person I’d ever met,” Ms. Perry is quoted as saying in the New York Times, which drew giggles from the packed courtroom. “When she told Ms. Stier of her feelings, she said, ‘she told me she loved me, too.’ Ms. Perry proposed marriage in 2003, although same-sex marriage was illegal then in California and every other state.”
The Associated Press also published a portion of Perry’s testimony late Monday:
“I’ve been in love with a woman for 10 years, and I don’t have access to a word for it,” said Kristin Perry… “You chose them over everybody else, and you want to feel that it is going to stick and that you are going to have the protection and support and inclusion that comes from letting people know you feel that way.”
Numerous blogs, advocates and LGBT groups are also keeping a close eye on the case via twitter and on their respective sites. And, Shannon Minter, Legal Director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights is providing his legal expertise on Pam’s House Blend. As we reported Monday, The United States Supreme Court put a temporary block on a YouTube broadcast of the federal case. The Supreme Court said the block would allow for “further consideration” about the webcast. A final decision is expected Wednesday.
GLAAD will continue to keep our attention on mainstream media coverage of Perry v. Schwarzenegger. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:Supreme Court Blocks Internet Broadcast of Prop. 8 Trial
January 11, 2010
The Supreme Court on Monday put a temporary block on a YouTube broadcast of the federal case challenging California’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples.
That trial begins today in San Francisco.
The Supreme Court said the block would allow for “further consideration” about the webcast, The Washington Post reported today.
The lawsuit was filed by two California couples who argue that California’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples, known as Proposition 8, is unconstitutional. (To read more about the case, click here)
National media outlets are devoting significant coverage to the trial. The Associated Press, The New York Times, and ABC have covered the story extensively, among others.
Newsweek published an editorial in its Jan. 18 issue authored by Theodore B. Olson, the conservative attorney who will argue to overturn the ban. The lengthy article, titled “The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage,” argues that “same-sex unions promote the values conservatives prize.”
Similarly, a CNN.com article published on Monday titled “Courtroom Showdown Set to Begin over Same-Sex Marriage,” touched on the historic significance of the case:
It is expected to set legal precedents that will shape society for years to come and result in a landmark court decision that settles whether Americans can marry people of the same sex.
Meanwhile, many people are taking to Twitter for the most up-to-date news on the trial. Others will have to wait until the Supreme Court decides whether or not to proceed with the YouTube broadcast. That decision is expected to come down on Wednesday.
GLAAD will continue to follow the media’s coverage of the Prop. 8 trial. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org.
Related Posts:Federal Suit Challenging Prop. 8 Begins Monday
January 8, 2010
A federal lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of a ban on marriage for same-sex couples will begin Monday in what is a landmark case for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, The Associated Press reports.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker will preside over the case filed by Kristin Perry and her partner of 10 years, Sandra Stier, after their marriage was revoked by the state. Perry and Stier were one of approximately 4,000 California couples who exchanged nuptials in San Francisco in 2004 when Mayor Gavin Newsom ordered city officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Those licenses were later invalidated.
Paul Katami & Jeff Zarrillo are joint plaintiffs in the case.
Star attorneys Theodore Olson and David Boies will argue that California’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples, known as Proposition 8, does not serve a legitimate public purpose and was prompted by legally inadmissible religious beliefs. Olson and Boies are best known for their head-to-head match in the “hanging chad” debacle during the 2000 presidential election.
“Proposition 8 violates the federal guarantees of equal protection and due process,” the Olson-Boies brief states. “Proposition 8 denies same-sex couples the right to marry in a unique historical context in which the denial can only be deemed a declaration of inequality.”
The case will be recorded and broadcast online via YouTube with a delay.
The plaintiffs, Perry, Stier, Katami & Zarrillo released the following statement about the case:
We and our relationships should be treated equally under the law. Our goal is to advance the cause of equality for all Americans, which is the promise that makes this nation so great.
GLAAD will continue to follow the media’s coverage of this landmark case. Updates can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:Maine Education Officials Dispute Claim that Marriage for Same-Sex Couples will be Taught in Schools
September 25, 2009
The Maine-based newspaper Sun Journal reported on Wednesday that the anti-LGBT ‘Stand for Marriage’ organization has come under fire for misleading voters about marriage for same-sex couples.
In a television advertisement that began airing this week, ‘Stand for Marriage’ alleges that extending marriage protections to Maine’s same-sex couples “has everything to do with schools.” The ad features a Massachusetts couple who tells the story of how their 7 year-old son’s teacher read a book to the class about one prince marrying another prince.
Maine’s Department of Education spokesperson David Connerty-Marin, however, disputes the claim that providing marriage protections for same-sex couples would make any difference to the state’s education policies:
Seeing as there is nothing in Maine education law or rule that even mentions marriage, I think it’s quite unlikely that changing the rules about marriage would encourage anyone to change what they are teaching in the classroom.
Connerty-Marin goes on to point out that there is nothing that prohibits Maine’s teachers from addressing the issue of same-sex couples in the classroom today:
There is nothing that would prohibit a teacher – two years ago, 10 years ago or a year from now – from reading a book to your child that you don’t like. Your recourse would be to talk to your child’s teacher, principal, superintendent or school board and ultimately work to change policies or change the people who sit on that school board if you don’t agree with those.
Jesse Connolly, campaign manager for the No on 1/ Protect Marriage Equality campaign also weighed in on the issue in the Sun Journal article:
To say that gay marriage is going to be taught in school is totally, 100 percent false in my opinion. There are gay and lesbian families in Maine that have kids in public schools, so if you’re asking if those families are already acknowledged in the classroom by teachers, then I would say yes. But that has nothing to do with this campaign or bill.
AMERICAblog author John Aravosis notes that the ad’s scare tactic is not only similar to the fear based approach used in California’s Proposition 8 battle, it is exactly the same. Aravosis points out that the ad reuses the exact footage of the Massachusetts couple featured in the anti-LGBT ‘Yes on 8’ campaign last fall.
These are extreme views in any context and we believe that Maine voters will see through this cast of characters and focus on the real issue of treating all Maine families with dignity and respect… The fact that the ‘Yes on 1’ campaign would literally repackage the same ad their California consultants used in California is a testament to the national outsiders pushing their agenda on the voters of Maine. This is nothing more than a tired national playbook concocted by California political consultants and the national groups that pay their way.
GLAAD will continue to monitor the media’s coverage of Maine’s fight for marriage equality. Updates can be found on glaadBLOG.org
Related Posts:Utah Paper Continues to Refuse Gay Couple’s Announcement
August 14, 2009
As we noted here yesterday, the Spectrum, in St. George, Utah received – and refused – a paid wedding announcement from Spencer Jones and Tyler Barrick. The couple was married last June, in California, but they are having a wedding reception and celebration in Southern Utah with their family on August 22, 2009. They wanted to share this moment with their family, friends and community by publishing their announcement in the “Celebrations” section of the Spectrum.
Barrick and Jones
After the publisher, Donnie Welch, refused this announcement, Jones called on GLAAD for help. We reported yesterday that we had reached out to the paper, and encouraged you to reach out to Mr. Welch and ask him to reconsider his position. We would ask you to continue to reach out to Mr. Welch, and respectfully ask him to print Spencer and Tyler’s announcement.
A report last night on Utah’s KUTV evening news broadcast indicated that Mr. Welch had heard from many people, and is reconsidering the paper’s policy and might publish this announcement. Please continue to encourage him to do so:
Donnie Welch
President/Publisher, Spectrum
435-674-6222
GLAAD also reached out to Gannett Co., the owners of the Spectrum. Robin Pence the Vice President of Communications at Gannett reported to us that policies like this exclusionary one at the Spectrum, are, “up to the local publisher.” Most Gannett Co. newspapers are accepting of advertisements from gay couples. It’s time for Gannett to ensure that none of their newspapers have exclusionary policies. We hope you’ll reach out to Gannett and encourage them to reconsider their hands-off approach:
Robin Pence
Vice President of Communications
Gannett Co.
703-854-6049
GLAAD pitched this story and yesterday’s GLAADblog entry to several reporters, and saw widespread media coverage of the story, including in the Spectrum itself:
- The Associated Press – “Paper rejects same-sex wedding announcement”
- The Salt Lake Tribune – “Newspaper rejects same-sex wedding notice”
- KUTV – “Spectrum Wedding Announcement Controversy”
- City Weekly! – “Spectrum doesn’t like gay marriage”
- Spectrum – “Paper refuses same-sex notice”
Yesterday, GLAAD contacted 14 major corporations that advertise with the Spectrum, that also have non-discrimination policies covering sexual orientation (and about half also cover gender identity). We asked those companies to pull their advertising dollars from the paper because of this exclusionary policy.
We will update this blog with any additional information about this story.
Related Posts:Godcasts and Radio: LGBT People of Faith Explore Spirituality on Airwaves
July 29, 2009
From radio to ‘Godcasts,’ religious themed podcasts, LGBT people are reclaiming their voice within religious and faith communities. Hitting the digital airwaves is a rapidly growing trend and here are a few shows that deserve attention:
Tony Sweet
As the host of one of the top LA Talk Radio shows, Tony Sweet, a gay Christian musician, engages LGBT people of faith in Los Angeles and across the country. Reaching more than 50,000 listeners per show, On Air with Tony Sweet hosts people of all faiths to empower and strengthen his audience through music and on-air conversations with individuals from both the religious and entertainment world. A Gospel singer, Tony sang at a major rally against Prop 8 and was also in the cast of a YouTube video response to NOM’s “Gathering Storm” called “Weathering the Storm.”
Alicia Ross
Inspired by her own spiritual journey, Alicia Ross set out to help LGBT people who were trying to reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation. She charted new territory at LOGO with the video webcast, Oh God I’m Gay, which quickly became one of LOGO’s most popular webcasts. Ross now hosts One Gay Under God and invites faith leaders from many faiths and backgrounds to explore religious and social issues affecting the LGBT community that are often not covered by mainstream media.
Candace Chellew-Hodge
Fighting to claim a place for LGBT Christians in the Bible Belt is Whosoever, an online magazine for LGBT Christians founded in 1996 by Candace Chellew-Hodge. Whosoever regularly features podcasts on its website with the goal of providing LGBT Christians a space and the necessary resources to rekindle their faith and build welcoming communities by reaching out to both LGBT people and their straight allies. Whosoever won the first 2009 Pride Choice Award for best gay and lesbian focused nonprofit in the Southeast. Candace is currently promoting her book, Bulletproof Faith.
Justin Lee
Over at the Gay Christian Network (GCN) Radio, a weekly podcast on issues pertaining to LGBT Christians, Justin Lee and co-host Brian Eckstein cover a wide range of topics from the Catholic transgender experience to helping people recover from so-called “ex-gay” ministries. Lee, the Executive Director of GCN, founded the nonprofit ministry in 2001 to provide resources and support to help individuals reconcile their faith and sexuality. GCN builds networks of supportive Christian communities and works with families, friends, and churches to create respectful dialogue on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Related Posts:American Apparel Not Deterred by Anti-LGBT Vandals
July 24, 2009
A Washington D.C. area American Apparel store had its window shattered by vandals on Tuesday, allegedly in a protest of the store’s ‘Legalize Gay’ t-shirt display.
American Apparel has been a longtime outspoken advocate in support of LGBT equality and began printing ‘Legalize Gay’ on its trademark, multicolored plain tees in November 2008 in response to California’s passage of Prop. 8 – a bill that repealed marriage protections for same-sex couples in that state.
Although American Apparel does not donate all proceeds from the shirt’s sales to LGBT organizations, the company notes on its website that:
Scores of our employees were on the frontlines of [Prop. 8] protests in Los Angeles, handing out hundreds of Legalize Gay t-shirts to supporters, and we have donated over $17,000 worth of these shirts to protestors, Harvey Milk High School in New York City and local gay-interest businesses. We plan on donating at least 1,000 more to organizations that support marriage equality, and are currently discussing potential projects with GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco.
The Washington Blade reported yesterday that Kassandra Powell came to work on Tuesday to find that her Silver Springs, MD store had its front display window broken. The ‘Legalize Gay’ t-shirt display still stood among the broken glass. Powell, who manages the store, later reported that nothing had been stolen.
Just one day later, a Georgetown store received a phone call from an anonymous male who threatened to break that store’s window unless store management agreed to remove the ‘Legalize Gay’ tees from its windows. The caller said that he “found the shirts offensive.”
American Apparel responded to the threat in a statement on Wednesday that let would-be vandals know the company will not be intimidated:
Not only are [vandals] not going to prevent us from speaking out on [marriage for same sex couples], an issue that is important to this company and our employees, but we’ll continue to run Legalize Gay advertisements in papers across the DC- Metro area. We’ll also send Legalize Gay t-shirts to any group in Washington DC that is fighting for gay rights and will help support any protest or rally for the cause. We don’t find this kind of thing funny and we definitely don’t find it intimidating.
GLAAD applauds American Apparel for standing its ground in a commitment to fairness and equality and will continue to monitor any developments related to this issue.
Related Posts:More Media Coverage of Prop 8 Decision, Marriage Equality Rallies
May 27, 2009
Below you will find more coverage of yesterday’s decision by the California Supreme Court to uphold Proposition 8, the anti-gay ballot initiative that eliminated the ability of same-sex couples to marry in California as well as coverage of the marriage equality rallies last night.
Click here to read our original post from yesterday, with GLAAD’s statement, media coverage, as well as responses from various organization. Also, our post from this morning has even more coverage.
Video Coverage
- ABC: Good Morning America – Saying ‘I do’ to gay marriage?
- CNN: CNN The Situation Room – Gay marriage ban upheld
- Fox News: Glenn Beck – Douglas Kmiec on Prop. 8
- CNN: Campbell Brown – California same-sex marriage ruling
- CNN: Larry King Live – Gay marriage fight
- Fox News: The O’Reilly Factor – Gay marriage ruling
- MSNBC: The Rachel Maddow Show – Sen. Boxer on Prop. 8
- MSNBC: The Rachel Maddow Show – We are gathered here today
- Fox News: Sean Hannity – CA Supreme Court upholds Prop. 8 Ban
- CNN: Anderson Cooper 360 – Same-sex marriage battle
- Joe My God – NYC Marriage Rally May 26th, 2009
- Associated Press – Big protests following Calif. gay marriage ban
- Soulforce Colorado – Day of Decision Prop 8 direct action
- MTV.com – Thousands Protest California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8
- ABC 7 – D.C. activists protest California gay marriage ban
- MyFoxDC.com – Gay marriage ruling sparks DC protest
- ABC 7 San Francisco – Analysis of Prop 8 ruling. Click here for video.
- ABC 7 San Francisco -175 Prop 8 protesters arrested. Click here for video.
- ABC 7 San Francisco – Prop 8 march underway across downtown. Click here for video.
- ABC 7 San Francisco – Prop 8 protest turns into a new movement. Click here for video
- KTLA.com – George Takei and Rev. Lou Sheldon square off in Prop. 8 debate. Click here for video.
GLAAD Supporters Rally
Palm Springs Rally. Image courtesy of H. L. Cherryholmes
Comedian Kathy Griffin.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speaking at the event in West Hollywood.
Setting up for Prop. 8 Protest Rally. Lansing MI. Image courtesy of Adam Taylor.
Local Rallies
Chicago
Windy City Times
Washington, D.C.
MyFoxDC.com
NBC Washington
WUSA 9
Indianapolis
The Bilerico Project
Los Angeles
Los Angeles Times
New York City
Gay City News
Boy in Bushwick
Joe My God
San Francisco
ABC 7 San Francisco
Print Coverage
Examiner
Los Angeles Times
- Gay marriage battle relaunches today as Prop. 8 is challenged in court
- New Prop 8 court challenge brings former rivals together
- Gay marriage interactive map: History of rights for gay couples
The Sacramento Bee
- From San Francisco to midtown Sacramento, reaction is deep
- Proposition 8 challenged in federal court
CBS News
NPR
The Huffington Post
The San Francisco Chronicle
MSNBC
Bay City News Service
AP
- Rallying cry in San Francisco to overturn gay marriage ban
- Gay marriage to return to Calif. ballot
- Gay groups call federal marriage suit premature
MTV.com
Blog Coverage
Pam’s House Blend
- Did California Supreme Court actually help the cause of equal marriage rights?
- (In)famous legal odd couple unites to launch federal challenge to Prop 8
- Black and gay — and reclaiming ‘civil rights’
The Bilerico Project
- Proposition hate redux
- Civil disobedience: Trying to stop the moving train
- Reactions to Prop 8 court decision
- We lost…for now
- Equality California says to go back to the ballot in 2010
- California’s Prop 8: limited edition married gays, still separate and not equal
Joe My God
Greta Christina’s Blog
Michigan Messenger
- Same-sex marriage advocates call for 2012 equality push
- Family group says activists’ call for repeal of marriage amendment by 2012 ‘delusional’
Additional Media Coverage of Prop 8 Decision
May 27, 2009
Below you will find additional coverage of yesterday’s decision by the California Supreme Court to uphold Proposition 8, the anti-gay ballot initiative that eliminated the ability of same-sex couples to marry in California.
Click here to read our original post from yesterday, with GLAAD’s statement, media coverage, as well as responses from various organization. We will be posting more coverage of the decision and of last night’s rallies as the day progresses. If you have pictures, video, or media coverage you’d like to share, feel free to email digital@glaad.org.
Video Coverage
- CNN Newsroom – California Upholds Gay Marriage Ban
- MSNBC News Live – CA Supreme Court Rules on Legality of Same-Sex Marriage
- CNN Newsroom – Battle Over Gay Rights
- ACLU responds to Prop 8 loss
- KCRA Channel 3 Sacramento News – Protesters decry Court’s Prop 8 ruling
Print Coverage
Los Angeles Times
- Prop. 8: Assembly speaker says ‘tide of history’ will undo gay marriage ban
- Prop. 8: Sacramento lawmakers denounce decision
The Huffington Post
- California Supreme Court thinks Prop. 8 was no big deal
- The avoidable tragedy of California’s Prop 8
- Prop 8 decision: we won’t back down
CBS News
The Star Ledger
MSNBC
U.S. News and World Report
Blog Coverage
Pam’s House Blend
- Link farm: reactions to Prop 8 ruling
- Robert Gibbs on Prop 8 ruling – he hasn’t talked to the president about it
The Bilerico Project
Joe My God
- The complete Prop 8 ruling
- Governator urges calm
- SD Pride calls for civil disobedience
- Arrests begin in San Francisco
Organizations Respond
- National Center for Lesbian Rights – Advocacy groups vow to return to polls to restore marriage for same-sex couples
- Equality California - Equality California vows to restore marriage at ballot box in wake of Prop. 8 ruling
- National Organization for Women – NOW denounces California Supreme Court ruling upholding Prop. 8: same-sex couples’ constitutional right to marriage denied
- Americans United for Separation of Church and State - Americans United criticizes California Supreme Court ruling allowing ban on same-sex marriage to stand
GLAAD’s Statement on Prop 8 Decision
May 26, 2009
*NOTE: For information on how to participate in a local rally tonight, please visit: http://www.dayofdecision.com*
GLAAD just released this statement by President Neil G. Giuliano on today’s decision by the California Supreme Court to uphold Proposition 8, the anti-gay ballot initiative that eliminated the ability of same-sex couples to marry in California:
Today, we express our deepest disappointment in the California Supreme Court’s decision, which continues to deprive an entire class of Californians the fundamental freedom to marry.
Thankfully, the court has protected the marriages of the more than 18,000 gay and lesbian couples who married before Nov. 5, 2008. It is vital that media outlets not only share these couples’ stories, but also those of the many gay people and couples in California who have again been denied the fundamental right to marry.
It is wrong to stand in the way of giving committed couples the legal protections they need to take care of and be responsible for each other and their families. We thank the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the City of San Francisco and the other counsel and plaintiff couples for their steadfast advocacy and commitment to fairness and opportunity for all Californians.
glaadBLOG will be monitoring and posting media coverage of the decision in the next few hours and days.
*UPDATE – Media Coverage of the decision is below:
Video Coverage
- MSNBC New Live – California Upholds Prop. 8
- Fox News: CA Supreme Court Upholds Gay Marriage Ban Known as Prop. 8
- CNN: CNN Newsroom – Same-Sex Marriage Battle
Print Coverage
Los Angeles Times
ABC
News 10 (ABC)
The San Francisco Examiner
The San Francisco Chronicle
Gay City News
New York Daily News
Windy City Times
Blog Coverage
Pam’s House Blend
Joe my God
The Bilerico Project
Organizations Respond
- GLAAD – GLAAD expresses deepest disappointment in prop 8 decision, GLAAD expresa su más sincera desilusión sobre la decisión emitida para mantener en efecto la proposición 8
- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force – Task Force profoundly disappointed in California decision upholding Proposition 8
- Lambda Legal – Court upholds Prop 8; State continues to recognize 18,000 marriages
- National Center for Lesbian Rights – United we mourn, united we stand
- Integrity USA – Integrity appalled by California Supreme Court ruling
- Courage Campaign – Courage Campaign disappointed by Supreme Court ruling to uphold Prop. 8
- Human Rights Campaign – California Supreme Court takes a step back from equality
- Family Equality Council – Family Equality Council turns to the future after disappointing Prop 8 ruling
- Freedom to Marry – California Supreme Court fails to overturn Proposition 8
- PFLAG – As California Court upholds Proposition 8, parents and allies vow to continue to work for marriage equality
Amor, Dulce Amor: Retratos de Parejas y Familias LGBT/Love Sweet Love: Portraits of LGBT Couples & Families
May 13, 2009
Photo credit: Gideon Mendel / Foto tomada por: Gideon Mendel
If you haven’t already done so, please visit a website called 13lovestories.com that offers a wide selection of moving, well-shot portraits of LGBT couples and families, many of them Latino/a.
You can also visit the exhibit at one of many locations, below, and check out this story in the Los Angeles Times.
Si ya no lo has hecho, por favor visita un sitio del Internet llamado 13lovestories.com, en el cual se encuentran videos emocionantes y muy bien contadas de parejas y familias LGBT, muchos de ellas/as Latinas.
Tambien puedes ver la exhibición de fotos que es parte del proyecto y leer esta historia en el Los Angeles Times.
Upcoming screenings:
- Santa Monica College May 20 (1900 Pico Blvd Santa Monica, 90405)
- The Abbey May 26 (692 N Robertson West Hollywood 90069)
- 13LoveStories.com Exhibition Sites/Sitios de Exhibición de 13LoveStories.com
- Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk May 14
- Santa Monica College May 18 (1900 Pico Blvd Santa Monica, 90405)
- LA Pride June 12-14 (San Vicente between Santa Monica and Melrose)
- Meet in the Middle (Fresno) This is a statewide action taking place the Saturday after the California Supreme Court announces its decision on overturning Proposition 8.
20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Hold Final Event in San Francisco
April 30, 2009
The 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards season will come to a close on Saturday, May 9 at the Hilton San Francisco in California. The always hysterical comedian Chelsea Handler will be on hand to host the show and announce winners!
Chelsea Handler
After a fantastic line-up of celebrities and special guests joined GLAAD to show their support for LGBT-inclusive media images, in New York City on March 28 and Los Angeles on April 18, we have more famous faces that will help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of the culture-changing Awards.
You can be part of this extraordinary night by purchasing your tickets to the silent auction, Awards dinner, and after party. And this year, we’ve announced special $100 show only tickets!
Special guests and presenters scheduled to attend, include:
Calpernia Addams
Megan Cavanagh
Gabrielle Christian
Michelle Clunie
Laverne Cox
Wilson Cruz
Robert Gant
Dan Jinks
Jason Lewis
Mandy Musgrave
Suze Orman
Simon Rex
Eduardo Xol
Judge David Young
Awards will be presented onstage in the following categories: Outstanding Television Movie, Outstanding Reality Program and Outstanding TV Journalism – Newsmagazine.
Chad Allen
Actor and producer Chad Allen will receive the Davidson/Valentini Award, which is named after Craig Davidson, GLAAD’s first executive director, and his partner Michael Valentini. The award is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for our community. Through his acting roles and film projects, Allen has amplified the voices of LGBT community.
Just in 2008, in addition to appearing as openly gay detective Donald Strachey in here! Networks’ The Donald Strachey Mystery Series, Allen served as a producer on the film Save Me, which offered audiences a look into the world of so-called “ex gay ministries.” The Donald Strachey Mystery Series is nominated for Outstanding Television Movie this year and Save Me is a nominee for Outstanding Film – Limited Release.
Not only is Chad Allen an advocate as an actor and producer but he has been a vocal supporter for marriage equality in interviews with news outlets including CNN’s Larry King Live.
Dustin Lance Black
Dustin Lance Black will receive a Special Recognition Award for his work to raise visibility of our community as a screenwriter on the films Milk and Pedro. And who could forget his moving acceptance speech calling for marriage equality at the Academy Awards this year while wearing a white knot.
Geoff Callan & Mike Shaw, the filmmakers responsible for the documentary Pursuit of Equality will take home the San Francisco Local Hero Award. The film is an emotionally charged documentary that puts a face on American citizens who strive for marriage equality and gives viewers an inside look at Mayor Gavin Newsom’s decision to allow the first same-sex couple to exchange their vows. This past year, Callan and Shaw took the film across California to fight the anti-gay Proposition 8.
The San Francisco Awards will also include two very special performances by out pop music phenomenon Matt Alber and extraordinary violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg with the New Century Chamber Orchestra.
The GLAAD Media Awards wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of our corporate partners. More than 100 corporate sponsors are showing their support, including National Presenting Partner IBM and Local Presenting Partners ABSOLUT® VODKA and Prudential. GLAAD is also grateful to the event’s Platinum Underwriters Comcast, TimeWarner and University of Phoenix. Allstate Insurance Company, American Airlines, Barefoot Wine, Disney/ABC Television Group, HMS Media, Herb Ritts Foundation, New York City Marriott & Renaissance Hotels, Renaissance New York Hotel, MillerCoors, NBC Universal, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Southwest Airlines, The Terry Watanabe Charitable Trust and Wyndham Hotel Group support the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards as Underwriter Partners.
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GLAAD Issues Statement on Media Coverage of Miss USA Controversy
April 21, 2009
Earlier today, Neil G. Giuliano, president of GLAAD, responded to media coverage of the controversy surrounding the current Miss California, Carrie Prejean, and her response to a question during the Miss USA Competition on Sunday.
You can click here to read details and the full press release:
Much of the media’s coverage of this story seems to be missing the main point, which is that what Prejean said is simply inaccurate. Contrary to Prejean’s claim that people can choose who they want to marry, loving, committed gay and lesbian couples are in fact denied that choice in all but a few states, and all such couples are also denied the federal security and protections that come with marriage.
America should in fact be a place where all people – gay and straight – can choose to marry the person they love, but that choice continues to be denied to loving, committed gay couples. GLAAD urges media covering the controversy to focus attention on real gay and lesbian couples who, because they continue to be excluded from marriage, are prevented from being able to take care of and be responsible for each other.
