The origins of the Employment Non Discrimination Act, a bill which would protect LGBT Americans from discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation, go back more than 30 years. New ENDA bills are currently moving through Congress, and with an LGBT community far more visible and vocal, along with a Democratic majority in Congress, the prospects are better than they’ve ever been. One major hurdle has occurred, however, with the addition of gender identity. Opposition based on that has resulted in a plan to introduce 2 separate bills , the first without gender identity and a second that addresses it. Read Barney Frank’s account of the battle, an insider’s look at the years long struggle to bring about protection in employment for all LGBT Americans. Barney Frank - Our Fight For Anti-Discrimination Laws 

                Reel Pride is undeniably more than just a film festival. This is a venue where films that wouldn't be shown anywhere else in Fresno are seen, but Reel Pride also offers people a chance to meet and enjoy the company of other members of the LGBT community in a healthy, proactive, inclusive environment. What is even more distinctive about this four day film event is that it is not overtly political, yet it succeeds at supporting LBGT people and changing their image in the eyes of those outside the community in a quieter, but no less impacting way.  For some, it can be a life changing experience.

Conservatives, the Media and Catholics, oh my! A poster for Folsom Street Fair has fallen under the infantile microscope of the media, with FOX News, while not alone, leading the pack. The poster is a parody of the Last Supper, leather bound for all to see. Even CNN pushed the issue today, calling the picture out for being offensive to all Christians. Of course this is only happening because gay people are involved. And of course the media, as dim as they are, should have seen the obvious hypocrisy in it, but failed to. To prove it I searched the internet for only a short time to come up with a sample of what’s out there, none of which the media or the Catholic church, who is also up in arms, are complaining about. Also, check out this Dan Savage Column (scroll down the page to see it) which is hilarious, as usual. (Read More to see pics)

Almost exactly two years to the day (September 26, 2005) that the local gay club the North Tower Circle was destroyed at the hands of an an arsonist, the landmark Fresno nightclub was struck again.

Around 4:30AM on Tuesday, September 25^th, 2007, an arsonist set a motor home, parked in the back lot of the club, on fire. The blaze completely destroyed the motor home and then spread into the adjacent club. Witnesses reported seeing someone in the parking lot just prior to the fire and notified the authorities. With quick response from the Fresno Fire Department, damage to the building was isolated to back rooms in the rear of the club. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Fresno authorities. We’ll provide updates as they are available.

ABC 30 Local Coverage

CBS 47 Local News Video

The San Diego City Council recently voted 5-3 to join other California cities in supporting an overturning of the state’s ban on same sex marriage, a matter currently pending in the state Supreme Court. The case resulted from court decisions to invalidate marriage licenses issued in 2004 in San Francisco with the approval of  Mayor Gavin Newsome.

The Mayor of San Diego, Jerry Sanders, a Republican, has reversed his earlier position, which was to veto the City Council decision. The following link accesses a video of the Mayor’s public statement regarding the reversal of his stand on the issue. The video is stunning as Sanders shows the integrity and honesty we rarely see from  politicians. He’s emotional and moved to tears as he explains his change of heart. This is something the gay community has been waiting for a very long time. I urge everyone, but especially those in the LGBT community, to watch this video. While we are continually degraded and denied day after day in this country, this brief moment is a gift that we all very much deserve and should be thankful for.

San Diego Mayor Endorses Gay Marriage

Cathy DeBuono is one of the stars of "Out At The Wedding" , directed by Lee Friedlander, and one of the films being showcased at this year’s Reel Pride here in Fresno. Cathy, a west coast transplant from New York, started her adult life as a much sought after athlete before stepping into acting with a variety of television and film roles. Another shift in her life led her to earn a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and open her own practice before being courted by the entertainment industry to return. She’s now made acting her focus, and besides “Out At The Wedding” she also has a role on the upcoming LOGO series, “Exe’s & Oh’s” as well as film projects in the works. I sat down to speak to her about her career.

(Cathy’s website is at http://www.cathydebuono.com. She also welcomes contact on her MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/cathydebuono )

Recently I watched the documentary Inside Deep Throat, currently showing on HBO. It explores the making and release of Deep Throat , an X-Rated film released in 1972, the first pornographic film to cross over to the mainstream. Only two pornographic films had been released in mainstream theaters prior to Deep Throat, which is easily the most famous pornographic film ever made. The real intrigue behind the film, however, lies behind the scenes, in the political and legal worlds of America. Controversy over the film resulted in changes to obscenity laws in this country, as well as the attempted prosecution of the filmmaker and one of the stars.  

In conjunction with gatherings held all over the state of California on Tuesday, September 18, to bring about awareness of pending same sex marriage legislation, Fresno participated with a rally at the corner of Blackstone & Shaw Tuesday evening. Holding signs declaring that “We All Deserve The Freedom To Marry”, the group engaged the community and interviewed with the media, including KMPH. Response at the rally was generally positive.

The New York City Health Department has issued the following, concerning the rise of HIV rates among young men in NYC.

HIV infection is on the rise among young men who have sex with men (MSM) in New York City , according to preliminary data from the Health Department. New HIV diagnoses among MSM under age 30 have increased by 33% during the past six years, the agency reported today, from 374 in 2001 to almost 500 in 2006. New diagnoses have doubled among MSM ages 13 to19, while declining by 22% among older MSM. The under-30 group now accounts for 44% of all new diagnoses among MSM in New York City , up from 31% in 2001.  

High School Musical has become a monster in the entertainment industry. Is it possible, however, that there’s a danger for kids watching? Is it possible this flamboyant musical wonderland is a gateway to becoming gay? Follow the link… High School Musical 

California State University, Fresno will be hosting a panel discussion on September 17^th on the subjects of Gay Rights & The Constitution as well as Urban Music. Discussions are open to the public. Details below:
Constitution Day California State University, Fresno: September 17, 2007 Satellite Student Union
Panel Discussion:  Gay Rights and the Constitution 10:00 - 11:30am
Panelists: Dr. Yishaiya Abosch, Political Science Department, Dr. Thomas Holyoke, Political Science Department, Dr. Erin Rand, Communication Department, Dr. David Schecter, Political Science Department, Moderator: Dr. Jeff Cummins, Political Science Dept
Panel Discussion: Urban Music: A Form of Expression or Hate Speech 1:00 – 3:00pm
Panelists: Dr. Julius Bailey, Africana and American Indian Studies Program, Dr. Michael Becker, Political Science Department, Dan Payne, Member, Fresno County Republican Committee, Michael Risher, Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Moderator: Dr. Kenneth Hansen, Political Science Department

LGBT history has been made once more, as the CA legislature passed a bill on September 7, 2007, that grants same sex couples the right to marry. California’s governor must sign the bill by October 14^th for it to become law, and Schwarzenegger has indicated a possible veto. He vetoed a bill with virtually the same language that passed the state legislature in 2005. This comes on the heels of a court judgment in Iowa stating that not allowing same sex couples to marry violates the state constitution. Of course, that decision has become a matter of contention and may eventually end up in front of the Iowa Supreme Court. The following is a press release from EQCA regarding the California decision.

YOU CAN TAKE ACTION NOW BY SIGNING A PETITION TO URGE GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER TO SUPPORT THIS SAME SEX MARRIAGE LEGISLATION... Sign The Petition Now

The BULLDOG PRIDE SCHOLARSHIP FUND (BPF) at Fresno State is accepting applications for a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded to a student in the 2008-09 academic year. The BPF scholarship criteria is that a Fresno State incoming or returning student with good academic standing that has demonstrated pride in the community be selected as its recipient.

The BPF will also bestow the newly-established GSA NETWORK AWARD of $1,000 to a student affiliated with the GSA NETWORK in the 2008-09 academic year. For the 2008-09 academic year, the “priority window” deadline to apply for all scholarships at Fresno State, including the Bulldog Pride Scholarship Fund, is from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2007
Details online: http://www.bulldogpride.org

Watching Republicans must be what it feels like when the first stages of insanity start to set in. You realize you’re still in the same world, your feet are on the ground, yet things don’t make sense like they used to. Other Americans see the same things which astound you, yet they’re not only comfortable with it, they’ll actively defend it. It’s like the cartoons when someone gets hit on the head with a hammer and those annoying, noisy birds circle your head, with visible trails and stars in between, while your eyes roll around in their sockets.