What had started out uncertain ended with a bang. It was a rainy night and my drive over there was making me doubt that anyone would show up under the rainy conditions. BOY was I wrong. There were about a dozen of us (and yes, we wore our rainbow flag name tags for all to see). If you think that the economy is going down hill; try getting through the line at that place on a Friday night at dinner hour, rain or no rain. A female couple even found us by the name tags a few minutes late. We had a couple of tables in the “Cabin Fever” room. With our name tags showing and the conversations being discussed, I thought for sure we’d be challenged but everyone around us minded their own business. We had jokes, several laughs, ate heartily, and had a good time. Then you know what comes next!!!!! DESSERT!!!!!! Everyone had something different and all pigged out. But that was ok, cause then the fun part for working it off was coming up after. Everyone was in the game room and we mingled with everyone else in the room, parents, teens, employees, and everyone was delightful. Not once through the entire night was there any opposition, ore derogatory remarks made. Everyone had fun trying to win tickets to see who can get the most out of one game. I even got wrapped up in a pile of tickets with Monique, (caught on camera). So, what ever the reason that you couldn’t join us that night either rain, or money, we wished you could have joined us. It was a lot of fun and I’d do it again with the group. Catch us next time for March’s event; it could be more fun than this.

"Fidelity": Watch the video viewed by over 1 million people on Vimeo and YouTube, then sign our letter Join over 300,000 people who have signed this letter telling the state Supreme Court to invalidate Prop 8, reject Ken Starr's case, and let loving, committed couples marry. DEADLINE EXTENDED: March 2

Click HERE to sign the letter BEFORE MARCH 2ND...

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo

We are very pleased to announce our brand new advice column "Diva Say What?".  Hosted by none other than Diva X.  Please enjoy our first installment and be sure to post your question for Diva.  She's here to help!

Videos from the 81st Academy Awards featuring Sean Penn's Best Actor acceptance speech, as well as a Q&A backstage where he discusses gay rights, and Dustin Lance Black's acceptance speech for Best Original Screenplay

Let California Ring has started the "I DO" Campaign, offering a range of merchandise to help us all show our support publically for the cause of equal gay rights, and to spark conversations with those around us. Proceeds go toward marriage education. Click HERE to see a video by Wanda and to check out the merchandise available.

Following is a message from Wanda Sykes...

I do. I do believe in equality for all and I do want to make a difference.

When Prop 8 passed, I was heartbroken. As a black lesbian, I already knew there was a lot of ignorance and misunderstanding out there (trust me), but Prop 8 still stung me deeper than I ever thought it would. 

I knew I had to do something. So I came out thinking maybe I could get a few more people talking about what gay is and how discrimination hurts. And if I could start a conversation, then maybe a few of those folks would start to open their minds and we’d all move a little closer to equality for all.

 

The following is in response to the proclamation signed by Mayor Swearengin:

Mayor Ashley Swearengin
City of Fresno
2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA  93721

February 13, 2009

Dear Madam Mayor:

As both a concerned citizen of Fresno and an open lesbian in a married-committed 11-year relationship, it was with mixed emotions that I learned of the City of Fresno's Proclamation making this week "Celebrate Marriage Week."  While I wholeheartedly embrace the concept of marriage and celebrate this institution as it strengthens our families, our communities and protects our children.  I question the spirit of this celebration as long as marriage is a right not granted equally to all of Fresno's citizens.

For now, this proclamation unfortunately serves two purposes:  1)  For many, the purpose for which it was intended, a celebration of marriage, which I whole-heartedly support your public endorsement to strengthen and value ALL marriages and 2) For others, a reminder of that which we have not yet been able to secure, equal treatment under the law.  This proclamation is a celebration thrown by the City of Fresno, where the invitation is conditional for area LGBT couples who were not able to get married before November 4^th.

Since 1992, the last time Mayor Karen Humphrey signed a proclamation to celebrate pride day in the city of Fresno, I have eagerly awaited a Mayor who would again celebrate the value of ALL Fresno’s citizens.  I truly hope the intent of signing the “Celebrate Marriage Week” proclamation was simply done as an effort to strengthen ALL relationships for the betterment of Fresno and that we are not realizing only a few weeks in to your position that we have a Mayor who will creating divisions and offering much of the same to our community.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this email, the proclamation created mixed emotions for me, and I believe strongly that many others feel the same.  I sincerely hope that your expressed willingness in the past to work with and for all citizens of Fresno includes me, my wife and family, and other gays and lesbians and their families as well.  In that spirit I thought it was important to make sure that you were aware of the sensitivities and concerns brought about when you signed this proclamation.  I would value a response to the intent of your signing such a proclamation.

With Thoughtfully Positive Intent,

Robin McGehee

What will it take to repeal Prop 8?

A grassroots army of activists empowered with the tools and skills necessary to effectively organize their own communities -- especially in communities like Fresno. 

That's what propelled Barack Obama into the White House and that's what it will take to restore marriage equality to California.

That's why we are bringing our "Camp Courage" training program to Fresno on March 7-8. Inspired by "Camp Obama," Camp Courage uses community organizing methods that have developed leaders and nurtured progressive social movements for decades.

Our first Camp Courage in Los Angeles received phenomenal reviews from participants, with evaluations averaging 9.36 on a scale of 1 to 10. We chose Fresno as the next Camp Courage location because we believe Central Valley activists are at ground zero in California's marriage equality movement.

Fresno's intensive two-day training will teach participants about community organizing, empowerment, team building, leadership development, voter persuasion and more. With these tools, participants will be primed to organize their own communities, door-to-door, neighbor-to-neighbor across all 58 counties of California.

We want you to be at Camp Courage in Fresno on March 7-8. But first, we need you to fill out a short application. Space is limited, so please apply now before the event is full:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/ApplyCampCourage

I spoke today with world renown fashion designer, Andrew Christian about his clothing line and how he started his business after growing up in Fresno...

Andrew Christian is a former Fresno native who decided to do whatever was necessary to live his dream of being a fashion designer. At the tender age of 19, just out of high school, he knew he had to be in the big city.  "At the time I felt like I couldn't do what I wanted to do in Fresno."

With just $500 he packed up and moved to Los Angeles, where he started working for others in the industry in order to learn the trade.

"Now, I would have never done it," he says, "But when you're that young you don't really think about everything that can go wrong. I just always sort of landed on my feet. I met the right people and almost immediately started working."

He immersed himself in the fashion world and made connections that forged his future. "Every job I got working for other people was basically through networking, this person knows that person, and being around the fashion scene."

In 1997 he started his own company and started producing the Andrew Christian clothing line. Initially focusing on outerwear and accessories, in recent years it's Andrew's underwear line which has taken off and become his calling card.  

 

Video by Sarah Welch of County Clerk Action on Thursday, February 12th, 2009...

Ah, love, sweet love.  And look!  It's Valentine's Week!  That week of hearts, roses and cheesy Valentines.   This is the week to sneak that little candy heart to that special person that says "Will U B Mine?"

This is also the week to get married.  How romantic would that be!  The Fresno Mayor has just declared this Celebrate Marriage Week.  How perfect!  A week to celebrate that union of love and togetherness; that sacrament called marriage.

You know, I'm not sure how much more snark I can pull off without my head exploding.  Because today four same-sex couples went before the Fresno County Clerk and asked for marriage licenses and they were denied.  So, this week?  Not so much with the celebration.  No, it was more of a "we can't believe you people are still trying to make us sit in the back of the bus didn't we resolve the civil rights issue forty years ago" kind of party.  Except without the party part.

 

Fresno Bee Raw Video From Event

VIDEO LINK - KSEE Local 24 "Fresno Gay & Lesbian Community Take Stand"

Local CBS News 47 Video (below) of local Freedom To Marry Action at the County Clerk's Office on Thursday, February 12th, 2009, courtesy of 

After the painful loss on November 4th, many members of the LGBT+ community were calling for answers (among other things) from the individuals and organizations who ran the No on 8 campaign.  Including the lack of support for the central valley, etc. etc.  Cathy Brooks asked questions posed by the community with the intent of looking at the lessons from the campaign, taking those lessons and moving forward.
"Easily a third of them (unanswered questions) are from the Central Valley" Cathy Brooks

Part 1 of the video:

(Move to 24:30 minutes for discussion of central valley issues)

Left to Right: Geoff Kors of Equality California, Kate Kendell of NCLR, and Tawal Panyacosit of API Equality

(If video does not load, please click here)

Click Read More to see part 2

The following photos are from the January 31st LGBTQQI & Supportive Allies Town Hall Meeting
If you've written about the event, we'd love to publish it right here!  Write us.

Yesterday, members of the LGBT+ community were alerted to the fact that during this morning's Fresno City Council meeting several proclamations were going to be presented, one of which was to declare the Valentine's Holiday Week "Celebrate Marriage Week".

Given that LGBT couples have been denied our equal civil rights by the passing of Proposition 8, some members felt that this was a direct insult to our community, particularly given that the California Supreme Court will soon be considering whether Prop 8 should be overturned.

Text of speeches read today: Beverly Senkowski, Jay Matthew, Michael Esswein, Vickye Ashton

Video from today's proceeding.

(Forward to 13:30 for proclamation reading and presentation. Forward to 51 minutes for community response)

The last time Cleve Jones came to Fresno to talk about gay rights, the Ku Klux Klan showed up in the Free Speech Area—in full hooded attire.

Jeff Robinson remembers it well; he was there at Fresno State on that President[s'] Day weekend in 1989, when the Western States Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgendered United Students Conference was held on campus.

“The Klansmen had to be escorted off the premises by campus police,” said the Gay Straight Alliance [Network]’s “Expression Not Suppression” [co-]organizer. “So when I asked Cleve to come speak at our conference this year, the first thing he said was, ‘Is the Klan going to be there to greet me?’”

Jones, founder of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and historical consultant for Gus Van Sant’s film “Milk,” was in Fresno’s Tower District Saturday for the conference to talk about issues affecting the gay community and about the film.

“Milk” chronicles the life of Jones’ close friend and mentor former San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk and the assassination of him and mayor George Mascone.

The Collegian got the chance to sit down with Jones and ask him about the film.

Collegian: What did you think of the movie?

Jones: I loved it. It was very well done, and I’m extremely proud to have been a part of it.

C: Was there anything left out that you feel should have been included?

J: Well, there were many things that had to be left out. [Screenwriter] Dustin Lance Black chose to focus on the last year of Harvey’s life.

C: How did it feel seeing someone portray you on screen?

J: It was pretty bizarre, but quite lovely. I think Emile Hirsch is a very fine actor. Cute as a button, too.

C: How did San Francisco change after Harvey’s death?

J: People were very sad, and then they got very angry. There was a big riot after his death, and then a year and a half later, the AIDS epidemic hit.

C: Do you think Harvey would have tackled the AIDS issue head-on?

J: Most certainly. I’ve thought about that often over the years.

C: You campaigned for Harvey in the ‘70s, started the [N.A.M.E.S. Project] AIDS [Memorial] Quilt in 1987 and wrote a book about it, “Stitching a Revolution.” What are you doing now?

J: I work for United Here, a labor union that represents hotel workers. Right now I’m working on a campaign called Hotel Workers Rising.

C: What kind of a person was Harvey Milk?

J: Harvey was the most empathetic person I’ve ever met. He went out of his way to make connections with people, and to find a common ground.

URL: http://collegian.csufresno.edu/2009/02/09/reflecting-on-%e2%80%9cmilk%e2%80%9d/

When voters passed Proposition 8 and abolished same-sex marriage in California, a lot of young people in the gay community may have felt discouraged. On Saturday, a star of the gay rights movement gave them a pep talk.

Cleve Jones -- longtime friend and supporter of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in the state -- was the keynote speaker at the Expression Not Suppression conference at First Congregational Church in Fresno. Jones tried to inspire the 275 people in attendance to continue their fight for equal treatment.

"When I came out of the closet, it was a felony for two people of the same sex to have sex," said Jones, 54. "Don't ever believe progress doesn't happen. Change does happen ... but only if you do the work."

Read the rest of the story HERE

Help designer Andrew Christian, a native of Fresno, be the next one chosen for a new reality series on Bravo, titled "The Fashion Show".

From Bravo..."Bravo's newest creative competition series, The Fashion Show, is looking to cast its final contestant and is putting the designer's fate in your hands. What is the The Fashion Show you ask? The show will follow professional designers as they strive to make their mark in the dog-eat-dog world of fashion and compete for a chance to have their designs sold for the mass retail market. You can vote for one final designer to join the competition. Vote as often as you want between now and February 13."

To place your vote for Fresno's own, Andrew Christian, click HERE

Come Wearing White, Leave Seeing Red!

Location: State Capitol, Sacramento, CA / Time: 12pm-3pm

Description:

Love and Marriage will be a statewide rally where people from all over the state will join us on the steps of the Capitol to show our solidarity for the rights of 18,000 same-sex couples who were married and look forward to the day when those rights are available again, this time for everyone. Speakers, entertainment and thousands of like-minded people – in one spot – join us to put a FACE on the issue of true equality.

 Wanda Sykes - "Black & Gay Like Me"

Reported from NPR...On Monday, the Justice Department undid a small part of the damage that top officials caused in a scandal of politicized hiring and firing during the Bush administration. The department rehired an attorney who was improperly removed from her job because she was rumored to be a lesbian.

NPR first broke the story of Leslie Hagen's dismissal last April, and the Justice Department's inspector general later corroborated the report. Now, Hagen has returned to her post at the department's Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys.

Read the story HERE

It's easy to think we know who we're fighting in the battle for gay rights. Easy to believe we couldn't be fooled. Easy to think we can spot our foes from a mile away. Again, know who we're fighting. Know that when someone seems to support gay rights, it doesn't always mean they do. This idea that such people as "progressive Christians" or "educated people", "artists", etc. would never have donated money to the passage of Prop 8 is absurd.

Take for example, a New York artist, Maureen Mullarkey (interesting last name for a hypocrite), who's known for painting colorful pieces of art depicting drag queens and pride parades. She donated $1,000 to help Prop 8 pass, while at the same time stating that pride parades are "marvelous spectacles" and "assertions of solidarity". Know who we're fighting, read the story HERE

(02-03) 15:09 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- The state Supreme Court will hear arguments March 5 on the validity of Proposition 8, the ban on same-sex marriage that California voters approved in November.

The court said today that it would hold a three-hour hearing, from 9 a.m. to noon, at its chambers in San Francisco. The proceedings will also be televised statewide on the California Channel, the court said. A ruling is due within 90 days of the hearing. Read the story HERE

Dear Ted,

I saw this movie tonight(The Trials of Ted Haggard). I have to say, I am looking at you in a different way. Before, I was very angry and disgusted with you. You preached that being homosexual was wrong and that people who lived a gay life were sinners. Personally, that was enough for me to be angry with you. Some of my best friends and family are gay and I am Mama Bear where they are concerned. Don't mess with my gays. I will tear you up.

But, then to hear that you are gay. That you went to a gay prostitute and had sex. Now, I felt two ways about this. One, I was very angry that you were so hypocritical in your life. Hypocrites bother me. You know that being gay is not a choice, firsthand, yet you kept trying to "fix" gay people. But two, I felt very strongly that the church that you looked up to, forced you into this mess.

Now, I mostly feel the second way.

It reads like a movie script, this column by Lisa Neff at 365Gay.com. It tracks the big money behind all kinds of anti-gay legislation, both in California and around the country.

To anyone believing the passing of Prop 8 was a fluke, a "setback", or some blip on the radar, read this article. The organization and connections outlined here may read like a bad episode of "Dynasty", but it's happening in very real time. Time to pay attention to who we're really fighting.

Read the article here: Follow The Money - The Network Behind Anti-Gay Funding

You can also click HERE to search the California Government's database for those who contributed to Prop 8.

RuPaul has a new CD coming out called "Champion", and tonight, premiered her new series, "Drag Race", on the LOGO network.

"Nine contestants must re-invent their glam drag looks using thrift store clothing and tchotchkes from the 99-cent store. Guest judge Bob Mackie stops by to help RuPaul weed out the drag queen with the least style."

I love RuPaul.  I don't have LOGO. I was pissed. Then, as so often has happened before, the internet saved the day.

Watch the first episode of RuPaul's new LOGO series, "Drag Race" by visiting the LOGO WEBSITE or RuPaul's Official Website 

And check out LOGO Online to see the multitude of free video clips that are now available. Clips such as the UK performance,  Joan Rivers "An Audience With..." or Walk Like A Man, about "the struggle between the San Francisco Fog and Sydney Convicts for the ultimate prize in the World Cup of gay rugby", or Equality U where "equality hits the road visiting religious colleges",  as well as Kate Clinton - The 25th Anniversary Tour,  NewNowNext Music Videos and clips from Rick & Steve - The Happiest Gay Couple In The World. The list goes on. Check out what you can watch on LOGO for free...

Adam & Steve  Rated: R  Written & Directed: Craig Chester

Starring: Craig Chester – Malcom Gets - Parker Posey – Chris Kattan

Reviewed By: Leon Velasco - Rating: 2 Thumbs up

I had the privilege of reading the book before seeing the movie. Both are funny and romantic. The movie followed right along as the book. All the characters played their parts as humorous and effective as the book. It makes for a great date movie for those cold, wet nights in. I love the fact that it shows that although we have different views of each other all can come out best if love, trust and hope are their to accompany any given situation.

 

By Shane Goldmacher | Sacramento Bee

The Mormon church has revealed in a campaign filing that the church spent nearly $190,000 to help pass Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that banned gay marriage in California.

The disclosure comes amid an investigation by the state's campaign watchdog agency into whether the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints violated state laws by not fully disclosing its involvement during the campaign.

Read the rest of this story HERE

On January 20^th the CCA held their Ninth annual Talent Show at Roger Rocka’s Music Hall in Fresno’s Tower District (1226 N. Wishon Ave). The CCA, or Central California Alliance, has been around since 1993. With goals and objectives that are quite clear, their aim is to support the LGBTQ community in any way they can. One of the ways they help out many of the organizations here in town is to hold fund raisers, the one we are going to talk about today was quite fun and well worth the money.

The night started off with a spectacular dinner buffet, which is customary at Roger Rocka’s, that appealed to everyone.  The dinner featured Roast Beef, Baked Tilapia Au Gratin, and a delicious Cherry Coke Glazed Chicken. There were many side items to choose from, some of which were Mixed Vegetables/Fruit, Soups, Rice, Salad, and they also had a full bar in the back. The staff was very friendly, and quite happy to host the event. “Gay people are the nicest people,” commented one of the employees when I asked him about what he thought about the crowd.

After the dinner there was a span of time for people to bid on the silent auction. Some of the items included things such as a one hundred dollar VISA gift certificate + 6 movie tickets, Lock Smith services by Aloha Rainbow Lock and Safe (Give them a call, (559) 447-KEYS), and various wine gift sets, with all proceeds going to the LGBTQ groups in town.

The show itself was definitely the main course, with a full line up of singers, (I must admit I was a bit nervous about that) each with at least two songs to perform. Let me just say, I was blown away by how amazing the performances were. One of the best shows of the night came from Lilly Dale Murray, when she gave it her all and belted out “At Last,” an Etta James Classic.  We all know that is a hard song for anyone to sing, even Etta, but she nailed it. It was definitely a show stealer, but good thing the show was not over.

There was also a really fun performance from Teri Robinson, a local Transgender woman, and her songs got everyone involved, even howling like monkeys. You had to have been there. The last performers  of the of the night, Noa Kristi, of Aloha Rainbow Lock & Safe, and Bear Murray, gave a well received performance of the old country classic, Cow Patty.

So around this time next year when you are looking for something fun to do, why not be charitable at the same time?  Make a donation to a great cause, enjoy a free dinner, and watch a great show, which benefits the community we are so much a part of. You never know, you may just have the best time you have had in a while. I know I did.