Reported today by the San Francisco Chronicle...

Proposition 8 proponents' complaint that a California campaign-finance disclosure law has led to harassment of same-sex marriage opponents failed to sway a federal judge, who refused Thursday to throw out the law or shield donors' names.

"If there ever needs to be sunshine on a particular issue, it's a ballot measure," U.S. District Judge Morrison England said after a one-hour hearing in his Sacramento courtroom.

A lawyer for the Prop. 8 campaign said it would ask an appeals court to modify or overturn the law, which requires disclosure of all contributors of $100 or more.

Ted Haggard, he just keeps on giving...check out this story by Kirk Johnson at The New York Times...

DENVER — The New Life Church, a nationally known evangelical institution that fired its founding pastor, Ted Haggard, in 2006 over accusations that he had had sex with a male prostitute, made payments starting in 2007 to a young male church member who had a relationship with Mr. Haggard before the dismissal, the church’s pastor told worshipers on Sunday.

The payments — part of a confidential legal settlement in 2007 that included money for counseling and college expenses — came from insurance money, not donations from members, the senior pastor of New Life, Brady Boyd, said in his sermon at the church in Colorado Springs.

Read the rest of this story HERE

So, I was wondering, where was everyone on the 20th?  You know the DOMA protest on January 20^th?  I get that some people had to work, but come on, everyone?  There were only about 25-30 people there and it was a very disheartening.  It’s hard to be united against inequality, when so few show up? 

As awards season heats up, Sean Penn has emerged as an early front-runner to win an Oscar after taking home top honors at Sunday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards.

"As actors, we don't play gay, straight. We don't play any of these kinds of people. We play human beings, and this movie is something that we're, all of us involved, are so proud of," he said. "This is a story about equal rights for all human beings."

Read the rest of this article HERE. Read about other winners at the SAG awards HERE

I recently visited Hulu (www.hulu.com), which is a free website where you can watch movies and television shows, as well as clips, sports, political news, the Presidential Inauguration, etc. The list of videos available is expanding each day. Having recently seen the theatrical film, MILK, starring Sean Penn, (if you haven't, you should) about the life and times of Harvey Milk, I was pleased to see that Hulu is offering the documentary film, The Times Of Harvey Milk, free for viewing on their website.

Click Here To Watch Film

Déjà vu is being forced to change the club’s name due to a United States Trademark that we were not aware of. We received notice from a company called Déjà vu Consulting, which owns a nationwide chain of adult strip clubs called Déjà vu Showgirls, and they are claiming exclusive rights to the name “Déjà vu”.

We are really disappointed that we are losing our name, but this is what can happen in the real world of business.

Our location at 708 N. Blackstone holds a significant historical value to the LGBT community in Fresno, and keeping that in mind Steve, myself and club management have decided to give the club the name it had throughout the 80’s and the 90’s and that is “The Express”. We ask your patience as we transition from Déjà vu to the Express and we will be quickly updating our Website and our My Space site. Even though we are changing our name, the community will continue to receive the same great service from the same great staff, actually nothing changes except our name.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Community again for their support all these years, we will be celebrating our sixth anniversary this coming March, watch for details.

Thank You - Lee, Steve, Malibu and the entire staff.

    This is a place that has just opened and anyone who has the heart of a child needs to stop for a little visit. This place is extremely well thought out place for indoor mini golf. The theme is Glow in the Dark, and all the holes are specific places on the several continents. I was surprised to see many individuals come out to join us in a fun filled night. People of all ages; it was great. Along with the clubs and balls we were given glow in the dark bracelets, colors varied and we had our choice.

    I will not give away all the details of the scenery, but I can tell you this. You will be astounded and the imagination of the person/s that put this place together. I will say this one thing, be careful where you step. Although they take precautions in the different levels where you may step wrong but in the height of having fun; you still may step wrong and twist your ankle like my daughter. Or like me; slip off the borders and look like an idiot as I stumbled.

    After we had our round of golf my daughter and I enjoyed a few of their arcade games, especially the air hockey, and the dance arcade. The next day I found sore muscles I never knew I had in places.

    There are several pictures taken by many individuals there; including Monique, Jason, Leah, and myself. I hope you enjoy them enough to pay, Maxximum Putt Putt, a little visit.

Several weeks ago in her vlog What's Your Problem? Cathy DeBuono posed the question "Is Gay the New Black?" Her question, inspired by Prop. 8's passage and the media frenzy that surrounded it, spurred the most comments SheWired has ever received on a story / vlog.

Moved by all of your input and the thoughtful discussion, now that some time has passed, Cathy is back with her guests, Dee & Leslie for the conclusion of their controversial discussion on "IS GAY THE NEW BLACK"

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

GayFresno is seeking information on Gay Owned & Gay Friendly businesses in the Central Valley. While we've made an effort to post the names of businesses and individuals who financially supported the passage of CA Prop 8, we now want to focus a section of our website on those businesses who support the LGBT community, places we can feel good about patronizing. 

We are looking for your help in compiling such a list. We will create listings for these businesses on our site for reference. So if you know of a great mechanic, or health food store, tax preparer, etc, please let us know. We will be posting a form in the near future, but for now feel free to contact us through our ABOUT US page. Thank you for your help...

On January 19th, the last night of George Bush's reign and just before the swearing in of our 44th President, Barack Obama, Comedian Kate Clinton held a ceremony at Dupont Circle in Washington DC, to "clear out the bad air" and "bring in the good air"... (the video is dark, but the audio is clear)

Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal Bishop, giving the opening Invocation at the Sunday, January 18th, Presidential Inauguration kick off, for our 44th President, Barack Obama...(this was not televised)

Finally, things have changed. Not only changed, but monumentally changed....President Barack Obama's Inauguration speech, parts 1 & 2...

For the first time, a gay marching band will play for the commander-in-chief at the Inaugural Parade. The Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps joins the 177-member band from around the country.

Published 01/08/2009  by Matthew S. Bajko  m.bajko@ebar.com

San Francisco health officials have traced several cases of tuberculosis to patrons of Castro gay bars, with one of the people infected a bartender in the area. The discovery has prompted them to ask 140 employees of businesses in the gay neighborhood who may have been exposed to an active case of TB to get screened for the potentially deadly disease.

To handle the large number of people being asked to cooperate with the request, the health department has set up a special screening site at Magnet, the gay men's community health center in the Castro, that will be open over the first two weeks of January. Those screened will be given an advanced blood test for TB, and people who are HIV-positive, and particularly at risk for TB, will also be given a chest X-ray.

The screenings are meant to identify anyone who is at risk for developing TB and provide them with follow up treatment necessary to control the disease. More than 50 people have reportedly already been tested.

Saturday, January 10, 2009 was a great day for same-sex couples and their supporters all around Fresno and across the country.  Tens of thousands of people gathered across America to remind President-Elect Barack Obama of his promise in an open letter to the LGBT Community to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 (DOMA) and the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.  It was truly a great day in Fresno to have suck speakers as Robin McGehee and Patsy Montgomery as well as several others from around our community.  Fresno saw about 70 people sign the petition to stop DOMA that day and hundreds of others in Fresno signed as well.  These signatures will join the hundreds of thousands of others that will be presented to President-Elect Obama when he is sworn into office on January 20th to serve as a reminder of the seriousness of our community to repeal laws like this and others that have written discrimination into our law books for years.  Thank you to everyone that joined us that day and to everyone who helped put the protest together.  And thank you to all of our great speakers, your words are truly inspirational.

Gay-Straight Alliance Network partnered with Community Link present…

Expression Not Suppression

ENS is a FREE conference for LGBTQQI youth activists and their allies who are dedicated to defeating homophobia and transphobia and creating safe and supportive schools for everyone. The target audience is high school & middle school students. Teachers & GSA advisors are welcome.

This FREE event will be held on Saturday, February 7th  from 12pm-9:30pm

Workshops include:

• Same-Sex Marriage – Why youth and STR8’s need to be involved
• Feel Yourself:  Tips to creating a more Positive You
• KickBUTT:  LGBT youth and the tobacco industry
• Organizing 101:  Activism After High School
• Your Role in Changing the Political Climate
• Queer Literature:  an exercise in expression
• Organizing a Powerful Day of Silence
• Fight the Power:  Know Your Rights
• Coming out: Tips and Strategies
• Gender, Gender Everywhere
• Queers and Spirituality
• How to Do Drag

Cash Prize to the Best YOUTH DRAG performance before Dance

• How to Have a Kick-Ass GSA – GSA Leaders meeting
• Resources, Tools and Networks for Safe Schools Advocates – Adviser Training
• Safer Sex

Get down & dance with everyone you've just met at a special, youth-only Freedom to Marry Valentine’s Dance

The location of the event is 2131 N Van Ness Blvd, Fresno, 93704

If you'd like more info or would like to help with planning, 559-268-2780 or robin@gsanetwork.org

All interested youth should register at www.gsanetwork.org/ens - after 1/16/09

The Proposition 8 campaign has filed a federal suit challenging the constitutionality of California's campaign finance laws that compel disclosure of personal information by campaign donors who they said have been threatened and harassed.

Read the story HERE

If you were not at the December 13th, Central Valley Progressive Political Action Committee event, you missed the powerful speech given by Beverly Senkowski, President of the Central California Alliance (CCA).  She spoke about Proposition 8, the next steps for the LGBT community and the civil rights movement in general.  But, you can read the speech in full by clicking "Read More".

Question:
So I like older men. I just recently came out to a handful of people and am waiting to get out of this town and be my own person. After breaking the sexuality barrier down, I had to make it clear to them that the men I like are nearly twice my age. None of them really understand and I don't know who to talk to. I've been 'talking' to a couple older guys from the internet who seem interested in me, but I don't know how safe this is. What I'd like to know is how should I go about this whole ordeal. I want to make prudent choices and play it safe, but also want follow my desires and be taken advantage of as little as possible. Is it common for young guys to be attracted to older men in their 30s and 40s?
J

Answer:


Sincerely,
Katrina Marie

Apply for a 2009-10 Bulldog Pride Fund Scholarship!

The Bulldog Pride Fund is accepting applications for three $2,000 scholarships ($6,000 total) to be awarded in 2009-10. One scholarship is the GSA NETWORK AWARD.

The Bulldog Pride Fund awards scholarships to incoming or returning, undergraduateor graduate students in good academic standing who have demonstrated pride in the community.

For 2009-10, the deadline to apply for all scholarships at Fresno State, including the Bulldog Pride Fund, is Feb. 28, 2009.

Details online @ www.bulldogpride.org.

Marriage Equality has just released a report detailing the results of their post Prop 8 studies, forums and survey results. Visit the website here: Marriage Equality Media Center  Click HERE for a direct link to the report.

Bob Barr, the original author of DOMA, the Defense Of Marriage Act, now states he thinks it should be repealed. Don't be fooled that it's out of empathy for LGBT Americans, it's just more politics...Read the article by clicking on the following link: LA Times: No Defending The Defense Of Marriage Act

R U Invited??

Beauty isn’t only skin deep / Non Rated / Written and Directed by: Israel Luna / Starring: Oscar Contreras-John De Los Santos-JR Ramírez Christopher Jones-David Matherly

Review By: Leon Velasco / Rating: Two Thumbs Up

This movie hopefully comes out on Logo Channel. It is amateur but oh so cute. In some places I found myself just laughing out loud. It was very well written and gives some insight to a group of friends and how there can be view points that clash and others that harmonize unexpectedly; but yet their bond of friendship doesn’t break. It also gives you the notion that a monogamous relationship can turn disastrous with the wrong choices couples may make, and that one can find comfort in a person you barely know.  It really made me reminisce about my past group of friends and although we are no longer in contact; I can feel the close bond we held for each other and still laugh at the ridiculous things we did. The actors did a great job at really capturing you to feel what each character is going through.

LGBTQ (and allies) Town Hall Meeting - January 31st 2009
12pm-3pm at 1343 East Barstow Avenue, Fresno (Wesley UMC in John Wesley Hall)

This is not a religiously affiliated event, the location is hosted by Wesley United Methodist Church, an open and affirming congregation for the inclusive participation of LGBT people since 1984 - so, please know ALL ARE WELCOME.

We will use this time to discuss recent events in the Marriage Equality movement in Fresno and beyond, local organizing efforts for the LGBT community, discuss future organizing efforts/needs - the major goal is to create a Fresno plan of action to help create a sustainable community that can change the social climate towards the LGBT community in the Central Valley and beyond.  The agenda for the day will be emailed  and this page updated, after the Jan 10th event.

If you are a local organization that works with, for, around, etc., the LGBT community in Fresno and would like to have space to offer information about the services you provide to our community - please, email or call.  The organizers of this event are Jason Scott, Robin McGehee, Sara Martinez and Anthony Dietrich. 

If you have any questions, please email cvgsanetwork@gmail.com, or cvgsaintern@gmail.com or call (559) 287-9670 or (559) 862-4559

The following is written by Seth Hemmelgarn, from the Bay Area Reporter...

Three bills that were signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger go into effect Thursday, January 1 and will give new legal protections to California's foster youth and the state's LGBTs.

"We begin the new year knowing that all LGBT people, including youth and seniors, have better protections and rights than ever before," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California, a sponsor of the legislation. "The new laws provide important protections for members of our community and reinforce our state's commitment to treat all people with respect and dignity under the law, regardless of their differences."

    What is the job of a pastor?  Why do people turn to them for guidance, and why do so many pastors lie to the ones who come to them for truth and understanding of this crazy world we live in? Pastor Jim Franklin of Fresno's Cornerstone church (1455 Fulton St.—Downtown Fresno) has a duty to the people of his church to teach them the word of god and guide them on their journeys to becoming spiritually closer to the Lord. He is supposed to be doing this by interpreting the bible in such a way that the people of his congregation can understand it better, and to tell the truth at all times. Well, I’m going to show you that not only is he lying to the members of his congregation, and to the people of the community, but that is he is interpreting the bible in such a way as to push his own political agenda.