Recently Congress held hearings on whether the military policy of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (which allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they don't disclose their sexuality) should be struck down in order to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. It's astounding to witness the tired, ignorant and cliche arguments that are put forth by those endorsing keeping this policy in place, just as it is astounding to watch members of congress challenge this simple minded, prejudiced rhetoric. Click on the following link to watch one video of hearings, and check the menu on the right for "Related Videos" to access more videos of the same topic...  Video - Don't Ask Don't Tell Congressional Hearings

Get involved in-order to battle the current movement to forever ban the LGBT community from achieving marriage equality by amending the California State constitution.

Vow to Vote NO on Proposition 8!

We all work hard to treat other fairly because each of us deserves the same. Be careful if approached to vote on a proposition that will “Protect Marriage”, – it's really an effort to give government more say in our private lives.  This petition is actually about amending the state constitution to exclude same-sex couples from ever marrying in California.

Help STOP this unfair proposition. Vote NO on Proposition 8!
Every Californian deserves fairness under the law.  Our government should not be in the business of telling people who they can or cannot marry.
Support fairness. Please Vote NO on Proposition 8!

Two people in a committed, loving, trusted relationship deserved the honor and support that comes with marriage.  Equality for All is a large and diverse coalition of civil rights, faith, choice, labor and community-of-color organizations working to stop and defeat any ballot measure that would deny gay and lesbian couples the right to marry in California.

Please visit http://www.equalityforall.com for more information.
Call 559-593-6766 or email to sparklesinc@gmail.com for questions or to get involved in Fresno.

If you are interested in getting involved with this campaign in Fresno, come to our community meeting on Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 6:00 pm!  The meeting will be held at the GSA Network Central Valley location at 928 N. Van Ness Ave., Fresno, Ca 93728!  We look forward to seeing you there and bring a friend!

The Stonewall Democrats sent out a report today detailing some recent comments by John McCain concerning the rights of LGBT Americans.

Yesterday, on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, John McCain had this to say about adoption by same-sex couples: "I want to help with family values."
In an interview with The New York Times last week, John McCain this is what he said on the same subject:
Question: President Bush believes that gay couples should not be permitted to adopt children. Do you agree with that?
Mr. McCain: I think that we've proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no I don't believe in gay adoption.
Question: Even if the alternative is the kid staying in an orphanage, or not having parents.
Mr. McCain: I encourage adoption and I encourage the opportunities for people to adopt children I encourage the process being less complicated so they can adopt as quickly as possible. And Cindy and I are proud of being adoptive parents.
Question: But your concern would be that the couple should a traditional couple
Mr. McCain: Yes. Click on Read More for more...

Election officials in California have made a change to the language of Proposition 8. Some activists think the language change, which spells out the removal of the right for same-sex couples to marry, could help add support to defeat the amendment. Read the story here

JAMIE BARNETT: Our duty to our gay defenders in military 07/24/08 THE FRESNO BEE

Did you know that your safety and security depend on gay men and lesbians? An estimated 65,000 gay men and lesbians serve in the U.S. armed forces, though, by law, they cannot be open about their sexuality. As we fight two wars, our military is stretched thin. Those gay and lesbian soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and members of the Coast Guard are essential.

Without them, we would stretch to a dangerous point the length of time troops must spend in Iraq and Afghanistan. Without them, we would lose crucial military leadership, expertise and skills. Without them, we would have a hard time meeting our military commitments worldwide. Click on Read More to see the rest of this story…

The House of Representatives voted 303 to 115 late Thursday to approve a sweeping global AIDS relief bill that includes language repealing a 1993 U.S. immigration law that prohibits HIV-positive visitors from entering the country and bars most foreigners with HIV from obtaining legal immigrant status. Read the full story here: House Approves Repeal Of HIV Travel Ban