Fresno businesses and large contributors who supported Proposition 8

Fresno's Offical Boycott List!  Please print a copy and keep it with you at all times.  Spend your money at businesses that do not use your purchases to discriminate against you.

View the list sorted by: Donor, Amount or Business Name

        Lately there have been some things that have been bothering me concerning the Prop 8 movement.  I’ve been hearing so many people criticizing everything that everyone is doing and it is really beginning to take a toll on all of us involved in the activism movement.  If we constantly have to fight not only our opponents, but our supporters as well, then nothing is going to get done.  People won’t show up to events that require a large amount of people to make a difference, people won’t talk to certain members of other gay organizational groups, and people have flat-out stopped caring because they don’t like what the people who are actually out there speaking up are trying to say.

Gus Van Sant's latest film, "Milk", the story of Harvey Milk, a revolutionary gay politician murdered in San Francisco is slated to open in Fresno on December 5th. Here are some interesting links surrounding the film and it's subject...

The New York Times ran a piece on how Gay Rights groups plan to use "Milk" as piece in the ongoing movement. NYT - Activists Seek To Tie "Milk" To Campaign For Gay Rights

The following link has access to several clips from the film... Watch Clips From "Milk"

Here you can find background on Harvey Milk as well as other resources...NYT - Harvey Milk Resources

A group has been formed calling for a boycott of Cinemark theaters, which will be showing "Milk". The CEO of this company donated almost $10,000 to the Yes On 8 Campaign. Click on the following link...  No Milk For Cinemark

Related: Hundreds Protest Theater's Support Of Prop 8

Maureen Dowd has a conversation with Senator Dianne Feinstein about Harvey Milk and the new film. Senator Feinstein was on the Board Of Supervisors with Harvey Milk, and she is the one who found his body after the shooting.  Maureen Dowd - Marriage On The Rocks

Tanene Allison writes on Huffington Post about her experience watching the film and the implications for the LGBT movement...Tanene Allison - MILK - Hope On The Screen And In The Streets

Matt Budd writes on Huffington Post about the new film as well as our current movement for marriage rights. At the bottom of this piece is a fascinating short film by Jenni Olsen, shot on the set of the film and using an audio recording of Harvey Milk himself as the narrative...Matt Budd - "Milk" - We Need Him Now More Than Ever

Click here for the official website for the film...Focus Features Official "Milk" Website

The Fresno LGBTQ Social Group is gathering people to meet and watch the film on Friday, December 12th at Edwards Stadium 21 Theaters. Click HERE for information...or call 559-862-4559. "His life changed history. His courage changed lives. Let's get a HUGE turnout to opening night! Be sure to forward this event along to friends. The theatre has not released the times yet, so keep your evening free and we'll post more details and email it out ASAP."   

Bill McEwen, a columnist for the Fresno Bee is upset. He's upset with all those who've been marching and protesting in the streets since November 4th and the passing of Prop 8. According to him we can't form complete sentences, we're embarrassing ourselves, we're not acting like "responsible adults" and in order to be granted our equal rights as American citizens, we shouldn't use up court time, we should "win over" religious Americans.  Oh, and he thinks it's just an "idea" that marriage is a "civil right".  How does someone who admits that the arguments the Yes On 8 people used were mere fabrication not understand that marriage is a civil right? Read the article by clicking on the following link, but get ready to get angry, then use the next link to write a letter to the Bee.   

Bill McEwen - Prop 8 Protestors Need To Act Responsibly

Fresno Bee - Submit A Letter To The Editor

My observations on the happenings that took place at various local churches this past Sunday. In response to the whole Proposition 8 deal, local protests and activism events took place at a few churches this past Sunday. The largest took place downtown at the Cornerstone Church (1545 Fulton St.). There were about 20 people present who were handing out flowers with the message, “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.” A simple message, right? Some of the people handing out the flowers expressed that the flowers were symbols of God’s love for all. A number of people entering the church took the flowers with them as they walked in. But that’s where things got a little… interesting.

I’ve always been one to celebrate the excitement of Christmas.  I know that doesn’t make me unique.  But, as I am almost 30 years old (don’t laugh) I find the holiday to be even more important than ever to me.  The economy is in the toilet; we learned today that unemployment is at a 16 year high, the stock market is down again and, the most important one of all, the bitter loss with Proposition 8 passing earlier this month.  All combined to drag me out earlier than ever to hang up hundreds of beautifully colored Christmas lights.  It is a way to put November and also the world as we know it behind me for just a few weeks to be thankful for what I have and of course for awesome gifts!  So, if you’re with me, get out there and put up your decorations before it gets too darn cold!

Jason Scott

BREAKING NEWS... (San Francisco, CA, November 19, 2008)—Today the California Supreme Court granted review in the legal challenges to Proposition 8, which passed by a narrow margin of 52 percent on November 4. In an order issued today, the Court agreed to hear the case and set an expedited briefing schedule. The Court also denied an immediate stay.

Read the full story HERE 

 Hola que tal a todos.

Noticias:

Aqui esta la lista de los contribuidores en la campana  SI EN LA 8

Como pueden ver son bastantes, solo pido que no gasten o compren en estas companias.

Otros nombres de personas que tambien ayudaron los pueden encrontrar en esta pagina

antigayblacklist.com

Es demasiado vergonzoso como estas companias desperisiaron tanto dinero, con tal de que las parejas del mismo sexo no nos podramos casar legalmente. Piensen ese dinero se habria podido uilizar para otras cosas que tal para combatir el cancer o el sida, solo por mencionar entre unas, pero sabemos que hay demasiada necesidad y poca ayuda.

Boycotiar estos lugares no estaria mal no lo creen? 

Sin mas rodeos aqui esta:

ABC Local News - Sunday Protests

Prince is against gay marriage. Let me say that again. PRINCE, the artist formerly self named a symbol, is against gay marriage. He’s also now a Jehovah’s Witness, even goes knocking on doors. I could go on and on about his eccentricities, but we’re aware.  But to find out this man, who’s music I deeply respect and enjoy, at age 50, is a Jehovah’s Witness (a recent "realization") and against gay marriage is a bit of a shock. It further reveals the unreasoned opposition we’re up against as a group of Americans fighting for equal rights.

Read the story here…Soup With Prince by Claire Hoffman 

UPDATE:  Prince’s camp released a statement saying he was misquoted .

VIDEO of the Fresno Rally & March held at Fresno City Hall on Saturday, November 15th 2008. Video By Mike Rhodes.

Saturday, November 15th was a National Day Of Protest against the passage of Prop 8, organized by Join The Impact. Cities all across the nation participated on the same day at the same time. Fresno's rally was held in front of City Hall, and was attended by a group of both members of Fresno's LGBT community and our straight allies.

VIEW PHOTOS by Mike Rhodes of the November 15^th Rally by clicking here: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/11/15/18551377.php

ABC 30 & KMPH 26 have reported on the repercussions of standing up for the defeat of Prop 8 for a local family. Robin McGehee, locally active in the campaign to defeat Prop 8, has removed her son from Saint Helen's, the Catholic school he attended, due to the forcible removal of her position as President in the Parent Teacher Organization, due solely to her work in the No On 8 campaign.

Also, an update from ABC 30 regarding recent Prop 8 protests and discussion with a local lawyer on what the next steps might by for Prop 8 in the court system. Click on the corresponding links below to view the stories.

ABC 30 - Prop 8 Repercussion

ABC 30 - Prop 8 Showdown

Video from Refuse To Hate 

I came across this fascinating debate on the website FiveThirtyEight.com. The site breaks election results and exit poll information down for analysis. The following link takes you to a discussion on Prop 8 from a variety of angles, but specifically meant to discuss the theory that black and Hispanic voters provided the tipping point for the passage of Prop 8. It’s an interesting mix of thoughts and statistics which leads to discussion of other major factors in the voting statistics, including age and religion.

The debate also delves into the various legal avenues which may be used to overturn Prop 8 and the constitutional principal behind both sides of the argument. Reading through the comments, it seems that the battle ahead of us may be a lot more complicated than we think.   FiveThirtyEight - CA Prop 8

(click on images to enlarge) Photo galleries from the Candlelight Vigil For Justice on November 6th, and the City Hall Rally on November 10th.

The Courage Campaign, dedicated to progressive politics, has a petition available to collect signatures to repeal Prop 8. Click on the following link:  Courage Campaign - Repeal CA Prop 8

To see a verified list of only local businesses and large supporters, please see this article.

In late October, Protect Marriage, the umbrella group behind CA Prop 8, issued threats to California businesses who contributed to the No On 8 campaign . The group contacted companies who had donated to the No On 8 campaign in a letter, stating “Give us money or we’ll publicly identify you as opponents of traditional unions.”

So while Gay Fresno has no intention of sending threatening letters to those who supported this prejudiced, anti-American proposition, we do feel it’s entirely appropriate to post THE LIST of all those who contributed to support the bill, as well as the brave who contributed to defeat it. Since the list is massive, we offer it here in two ways. The first is an Excel Spreadsheet which lists those in Fresno, Clovis, Fowler and Madera. The second is a link to a search engine in which you can search for contributors by County name.

I would not have argued it this way. Not because Olbermann is wrong, but because the issue of Prop 8 is an issue of equal rights and civil liberties, not of love. Regardless, Olbermann moved me enormously with this piece. There’s no doubt this man knows this issue is about the constitution, equality and American freedom, but he addresses it on a human level, he addresses it as all humans can understand it. The equal rights of gay Americans is now a legal fight, a fight we ultimately will win, but Olbermann brings it back to our principals, to our hearts, and no one and argue with this…

A National Protest against the passage of CA Proposition 8 is happening on Saturday, November 15^th. Read the details here:  Join The Impact - Protest On November 15th

Check out this article from Huffington Post's Gay Marriage Page, about the movement to revoke the tax exempt status of the Mormon Church:  Gays Hit Back At Mormons by Mario Ruiz

A petition has been put together to gather signatures in support of denying the Mormon Church their tax exempt status due to their actions and financial support of CA Prop 8. Sign The Petition Here

Send a letter to the IRS to complain about the actions of the Mormon Church, which violate their tax exempt status:  Revoke LDS Church 501(c)(3) Status

The history of same sex marriage in California, including post election updates and figures:  Wikipedia - Same Sex Marriage In California

The nuts and bolts of CA Prop 8, including updates occurring after the election:   Wikipedia - CA Proposition 8

Loving v. Virginia is useful in its direct comparison to CA Prop 8. Loving v. Virginia was a landmark civil rights case in which the United State Supreme Court declared Virginia’s anti-miscegenation statute, the “Racial Integrity Act Of 1924”, unconstitutional, thereby overturning Pace v. Alabama (1883) and ending all race-based legal restrictions on marriage in the United States. Read about it here:  Wikipedia - Loving v Virginia

Cathy DeBuono , who’s been regularly featured on Gay Fresno in the past, has found a new home at SheWired.com where she is once again featuring her witty video interview/chat series,   What's Your Problem?  . Check out her lineup here: Cathy DeBuono on She Wired then take a look at her latest postings related to the protest and marches against Prop 8 in the Los Angeles area:  Taking To The Streets With Pride To Protest  &  Is Gay The New Black?

Cathy DeBuono Fan Forum    Cathy DeBuono on MySpace    Cathy DeBuono Website

Harvey hits the nail on the head with his blog...

“While we dance in the streets and pat ourselves on the back for being a nation great enough to reach beyond racial divides to elect our first African-American president let us not forget that we remain a nation still proudly practicing prejudice.”

Read the full article by clicking on the following link…Harvey Fierstein - Historic For Some, Same Old Sh*t For The Rest Of Us

I agree with Melissa Etheridge. All gay people in California should NOT PAY their state taxes until we are once again recognized as equal. As she notes, we should stop paying federal taxes as well, since we’re less equal there…

“Okay, so I am taking that to mean I do not have to pay my state taxes because I am not a full citizen. I mean that would just be wrong, to make someone pay taxes and not give them the same rights, sounds sort of like that taxation without representation thing from the history books.”

Read the full blog by clicking on the following link: Melissa Etheridge - You Can Forget My Taxes

In June it was estimated that legal same sex marriage would add 63 million to the state’s economy. With Prop 8 passed, however, California businesses are already seeing the economic results. The New York Times summarizes in the following article.

“Even as opponents of the measure officially conceded defeat on Thursday, California business owners — particularly those in the marriage business — were trying to determine how many wedding cakes would now go unsold and how many tuxedos unrented.

Arturo Cobos, a manager at Kard Zone in the city’s traditionally gay Castro neighborhood, said he had done “big sales” of same-sex wedding cards and other trinkets since marriages began in June, but had recently stopped stocking new goods.

“We were afraid that they would pass Proposition 8,” Mr. Cobos said, “and that’s exactly what happened.”

Read the full article by clicking on the following link…Demise Of Same Sex Weddings Disheartens Businesses

The ACLU, Lambda Legal and the National Center For Lesbian Rights filed a writ petition before the California Supreme Court on Wednesday to invalidate Proposition 8, stating,

“The California Constitution itself sets out two ways to alter the document that sets the most basic rules about how state government works. Through the initiative process, voters can make relatively small changes to the constitution. But any measure that would change the underlying principles of the constitution must first be approved by the legislature before being submitted to the voters. That didn't happen with Proposition 8, and that's why it's invalid.”

Read the complete article by clicking here: ACLU Lawsuit Against Prop 8

Sign a petition that hundreds of thousands have already signed to send a message to the Governor of California about the passage of Proposition 8. Click on the following link.

http://www.petitiononline.com/seg5130/petition.html

Check out these videos posted on YouTube by people from Fresno. There are videos of recent demonstrations and rallies, including the entire speech given by Christina Chavez at the rally on November 2nd, which was brilliant and moving, as well as the closing speech by the very brave Father Geoffrey Farrow. Click on the links to access the videos. (The YouTube user names follow each video name in the links)

The Journey To Defeat Prop 8 In Fresno (sadstorygirl)

No On Prop 8 Fresno (mamasails2)

No on Prop 8 - Cesar Chavez's Granddaughter @ Fresno Rally (marcs501tim)

BIG No On 8 Rally In Fresno (mikerhodes93705)

One thing I’ve always said regarding the battle for LGBT equal rights, was that the movement is far too passive, even “respectful” of those who legislate against us, as they have now done again.

I’m not condemning  any of the incredible efforts made by LGBT camps in our fight against Proposition 8. On occasion after occasion I was very moved by the rallies, the crowds, and especially the younger people, of all degrees of sexuality, who energetically participated in the campaign. But as someone in his forties, who’s been watching this battle unfold much longer than many of those volunteers have been alive, my conception of how the battle should be fought was, and is, much more  aggressive than what was carried out.

I found an excellent article today on Huffington Post by Shaun Jacob Halper regarding the passing of Prop 8. It starts…

“This past Election Tuesday, Californians turned out in droves to recognize the rights of caged-chickens while denying the rights of gays and lesbians to marry. Passing Prop 2 and Prop 8, Californians secured a chicken's right to "extend its wings, lie down, stand up, and turn around" in confinement, while revoking basic democratic rights from gays; rights like equal protection under the law, the ability to pursue happiness, and the freedom to worship religion without state interference.”

Read the rest of this article HERE

I spoke to Marsha Allen, Supervisor Of Clerk Services, at the Fresno County Clerk's Office today, after Gay Fresno was contacted by The Fresno Bee and informed that same sex marriage services through the County Clerk's Office had been suspended this afternoon. Marsha verified that they have suspended such services, after being notified by the Sonoma County office that it might be wise to do so. While Proposition 8 may still have votes to be counted, it's looking likely that it will pass, and as such, Marsha relayed to me that the normal procedure would be to cease same sex services immediately. She also referenced the Secretery of State's website as stating the propostion will pass. While the County Clerk's office is not certain of the outcome, as no one is at this point, they have suspended the services as well as turned the matter over to the County Counsel, from whom they are currently awaiting a response as to how to proceed. Gay Fresno has also been made aware that the legality of this decision is being investigated by LGBT sources.

California’s Proposition 8, banning same sex marriage, likely will pass. 95% of the votes are in, and while there are still outstanding ballots to be counted, it seems likely the proposition will succeed. Read the story HERE . Our next move will be back in the courts as at least three lawsuits are already being prepared. 

UPDATE: Latest numbers show 98% of the votes are in with 52% Yes and 48% No. Fresno County shows 100% of votes in with 69% Yes and 31% No.

GET THE LATEST RESULTS PLUS SPECIFIC PROP 8 RESULTS BY CALIFORNIA COUNTY AT THE FOLLOWING LINKS:

Latest Ballot Measure Numbers

Prop 8 Results By County 

OTHER PROPOSITION & AMENDMENT RESULTS:

ARKANSAS INITIATIVE  1 (BANNING GAY COUPLES FROM ADOPTING) PASSED, ARIZONA PROP 102 (BANNING GAY MARRIAGE) PASSED, CALIFORNIA PROP 4 (PARENTAL NOTIFICATION FOR ABORTION) FAILED,  COLORADO AMENDMENT 48 (HUMAN LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION) FAILED, FLORIDA AMENDMENT 2 (BANNING  GAY MARRIAGE) PASSED, MICHIGAN PROP 1 (MEDICAL MARIJUANA) PASSED, MICHIGAN PROP 2 (ALLOW STEM CELL RESEARCH) PASSED, SOUTH DAKOTA INITIATIVE 11 (ABORTION LIMITS) FAILED, WASHINGTON INITITIVE 1000 (ALLOW ASSISTED SUICIDE) PASSED.

You may have noticed the Fresno Bee decided to not cover last Sundays No on Prop 8 rally, although every other media outlet did.  The Bee did a front page spread on the "Yes on 8" rally that happened the week prior in the exact same location.  This strikes as unfair and purely partisan on their part.  But, don't let us be the ones to tell you, take less than a minute and give them a call!  The following was submitted by Sara Martinez:

I know a lot of people are upset that The Fresno Bee did not cover our No on 8 Rally on Sunday. Even after the Yes on 8 rally had front page coverage last Monday.  If you are going to cover one such event, equal coverage should be given to the other. So now is our time to let our voices be heard.  Please call or email Betsy Lumvy at 441-6207 or blumbye@fresnobee.com.  Please respectfully let her know that you are disappointed that the Bee did not cover our rally, equal in size to that of the Yes on 8 rally.  However, it is also important that we remember that the Fresno Bee did not endorse Prop 8, and we must thank them for that.  Please call Jim Boren at 441-6307 for voicing opposition to Prop 8.  We need to both let them know we are disappointed, but also let them know that their opposition to Prop 8 is appreciated!!!

Sara Martinez
CCA Vice-President

The No On 8 Rally held on Sunday, November 2nd at Fresno's City Hall was a huge success, with hundreds of people showing up in support. There were several speakers, including Father Geoffrey Farrow. The rally was dynamic, well organized and energy levels were high, with a boisterous, vocal crowd and uplifting speeches. After the rally, we marched in unison to the Fresno County Clerk's Office where we gathered together to sing "We Shall Overcome". It was truly an inspiring day. VIEW PHOTOS by Mike Rhodes of the November 2^nd Rally by clicking here:  http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/11/02/18548585.php

Touch Of Pink   Written and Directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid / Rated R / Starring: Jimi Mistry, Kyle Maclachlan, with Suleka Mathew, Kristen Holden-Reid, Veena Sood and Brian George

Review by: Leon Velasco  Rating: Thumbs up

I, and anyone else who has to overcome a cultural barrier for being yourself and having to mask your true self, will be able to fully relate with it. The constant changing of; he/she, or vice versa, is a constant battle to remember. Not only must we conform to the outside world but to our heavily judgmental ancestral-cultural ways of the norm. The present social conformity is more lenient, however some relatives aren’t. Not only does it touch base with that but what of the “mixed” couples? Some factors are slightly looked at as well. This is a good movie about how in front of “Family” we are different when they don’t have a clue.

This article takes a look at the financial and legal issues that all same-sex couples should know. It does a great job of breaking down the financial aspect of the inequalities that same-sex couples face. Click Here to read more.