A public outcry led AEG Live and Live Nation to cancel scheduled concerts by 'murder music' singer Buju Banton.

This murder musician has had his shows around the country canceled – he is unrepentant and unapologetic for glorifying the murder of LGBT through his music! We must send a message to his supporters that we will not tolerate this kind of hatred! “Not In My Backyard, Not Anywhere!”

• Location: Cabana Club, 1439 Ivar Ave in Hollywood. Just south of Sunset and Amoeba music. (map)
• Time: 8:30 p.m.
• Bring your signs and show your solidarity with activists around the world – especially in Jamaica, where prominent LGBT activists have been murdered – against musicians who glorify the murder of LGBT people.

To read Los Angeles G&L Center CEO Lorri L. Jean’s letter to Banton’s manager, visit the Center’s website.

Several Equality Network team members handed out stickers and fliers at the Dyke Day festival in Silverlake.

The Equality Network team celebrated Los Angeles Gay Pride by participating in several events throughout the weekend, including the Dyke March in WeHo on Friday night, Dyke Day at Barnsdall Art Park in Silver Lake and the following march, and the Gay Pride Parade on Sunday.

The Dyke March in West Hollywood on Friday night started off at  Santa Monica and San Vicente boulevards, and headed to West Hollywood Park. The free event featured guest speakers, women on motorcycles, and the presentation of the annual Etheridge Award. Around 300 women joined in the march and pre and post gatherings.

Saturday, the Pride festival was in full swing in West Hollywood with special performances by Fantasia, Deborah Cox, Expose, Blake Edwards and Equlity Network supporters Citizen Savant. Over in Silver Lake was the Dyke Day celebration, featuring performances by JenRO, That’s what She Said, Fanatix and EZ Tiger, as well as guest Djs. The cozy gathering of around 300 then marched from Barnsdall Art Park to Edgecliff Dr.

The highlight of the weekend was the Gay Pride Parade, which began at 11 a.m. on Sunday in West Hollywood and went from Crescent Heights Boulevard west to Robertson Boulevard, with more than 125 entries, including floats, bands, marching community advocacy groups and convertibles with honored guests, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, both possible Democratic gubernatorial nominees in 2010.

The Parade even had a small contingent from the social awareness group Anonymous, who donned Guy Fawkes masks while holding signs and handing out fliers asking people to boycot Rockstar Energy Drink due to its alleged association with Michael Savage, an aggressive opponent of same-sex marriage who has spread hateful messages to the extent that he has been barred entry into the UK.

Organizations United Together West (OUT West), a coalition of over 40 grass roots organizations including Equality Network, was named as community grand marshal in recognition of its ability to unite and support communities on a grassroots level.

Equality Network had the greatest representation in the OUT West parade group, with a fourth of the marchers coming from EN. The group collectively got the crowds chanting as they marched along, and held signs about the HIV budget cuts, DOMA, and marriage equality.

The Equality Network recruitment team did tabling both Saturday and Sunday at the West Hollywood Pride festival, while other participants took the opportunity to hand out stickers and fliers at both Dyke March events.

The fliers helped advertise the weekly Equality Network meetings, where the group decides together on what actions to take toward the fight for equal rights for the LGBTQ community. To see when and where the next meeting is, check out our calendar page!

Equality Network marched with other equality groups that are a part of OUT West.

What is “Decision Day”?
Decision Day is when the California Supreme Court will rule on the cases regarding the Constitutionality of Proposition 8, the ballot measure which was approved in the November, 2008 election that stopped gay marriage in the state of California. We now know that this Decision Day will occur on Tuesday, May 26th.

What’s going to happen?
We don’t yet have any idea how the court will rule. After oral arguments were completed on the case, it was speculated that the court would likely uphold the legality of the marriages already completed in 2008, but would ultimately uphold Proposition 8. However, with the passage of marriage rights in a number of other states since oral arguments concluded, it is possible that the court may be adjusting their decision in our favor.

It is important to note that the judges in California are subject to recall, which means that potentially they could be voted out of office by a ballot initiative. If they strike-down Proposition 8, it’s possible that conservatives may attempt to have the judges thrown out of office via the recall initiative. This may affect the judge’s decision, considering that Proposition 8 was a voter initiative.

What events will be taking place?

• On Tuesday, Decision Day
• Rally, win or lose!: 7pm-11pm, march starting at Santa Monica Boulevard & San Vicente Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA. More info.
• On Wednesday
• Ask Obama for full equal rights!: 6pm-8pm, rally starting at Beverly Hills Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA. More information.
• On Saturday
• Meet in the Middle for Equality: 1pm, rally starting at Fresno City Hall. Transportation available! More information.

Chants & Talking points for Decision Day

• Day of Decision Chant Sheet
• Day of Decision Talking Points

The annihilation of our people, ordered by religious decree in a nation where our troops have sacrificed their lives to restore religious freedom, is appalling. In San Francisco, activists have protested. Here in Los Angeles, we cannot remain silent while this happens.

On Wednesday, May 13, the Los Angeles City Council will consider a resolution, sponsored by Councilman Bill Rosendahl, putting the City of Los Angeles on record condemning this atrocity. A representative of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission will be on hand to testify.

I invite and urge you to attend and to speak out. A large crowd of members of the LGBT community and human rights supporters will help us draw media attention to these crimes.

The council meeting will be held at 10 a.m., May 13, in the John Ferraro Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, Los Angeles, 90012 (map).

Please help spread the word by inviting others, RSVP’ing on the Facebook page, and “Sharing” it on your profile.