Equality Network » gay

Still room for Camp Courage, Santa Barbara!

Jordan — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:59:06 +0000

Camp Courage is designed primarily for new activists or those who have never engaged with the broader community about marriage equality as well as veteran LGBT activists and allies. A background in community organizing or an organizational affiliation is not a requirement to attend Camp Courage. The only requirements are energy, commitment, and a desire to broaden your leadership abilities.

Drawing on techniques honed for decades by progressive social movements, Camp Courage teaches basic community and political organizing skills, including:

Finding your voice by telling your “story of self”
Leadership development
Principles of successful organizing
Developing collaboration and building effective teams
Techniques of voter persuasion
Organizing a phonebank
Canvassing
Tabling
Throwing house parties
Online organizing

When
January 30-31, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Where
Santa Barbara (location provided once registration is confirmed)

Register now!
Simply head to the Camp Courage website and sign-up!

Holiday shopping for a cause!

Jordan — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:42:43 +0000

People lately have been telling us how excited they are to get out on the streets and just “do something!” As opinion leaders like David Mixner have begun calling for civil disobedience and direct action, Equality Network has been forming a plan to launch a National Equality Action Campaign to remind the people of the United States that equal rights are not a convenience, they’re a requirement.

The time is now, and you can help us to launch our effort by joining us for a night of fun and fund-raising, on Tuesday, December 8th at 8pm! We’ve assembled a star-studded list of entertainers for our second “Family Values: Babes in Toyland” event, at Eleven Nightclub & Restaurant in West Hollywood (map), including: Selene Luna (The Chow Show), The Bouffant Sisters, Ongina (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Frangela (I’m a Celebrity… Get Me out of Here!), Ian Harvie (Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed on ABC), Nadya Ginsburg (Comedienne), Tammie Brown (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Barbie Q, Detox, and special guest appearances by your favorite celebrities!

But that’s not all! We’re holding the season’s best silent auction for holiday shoppers in Los Angeles! Check out all these items!

Talent Agent Consultation at TalentWorks
Photography session for head-shots, family photos, pet photography
Four Saturday Boot Camp Sessions
Three-days, two-nights in a Palm Springs Condo, summer 2010, incl. pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts
Three-days, two-nights at down-town lofts
Private wine tasting party incl. 8 bottles of fine wine for up to 12 Guests
Celebration Theater VIP Package
Shepard Fairey Obama “Hope” Poster, signed by celebs
Poliform Italian wet bar sink
Altman’s toilet, sink, and faucet (pictured)
Tickets to Universal Studios
Talent Management Consultation at Precision Entertainment
Dinner for Four at West Hollywood restaurant
Margaret Cho autographed gift basket
Selene Luna DVD and autographed headshot basket
The Boofant Sisters concert tickets
Curves Gym for Women, three month gift certificate
Belly Dancing lessons
Hand-painted Mural on stone (pictured)
Cupcake Party for your home or office
Graphic Design services
Peruvian Alpaca scarves
Egyptian Theater and Aero Theater one year membership
And much more!

Items in our silent auction at our first Family Values event sometimes went for as low as $25!

Entry to the event is just $8 if you buy your tickets online before arriving, or $12 donation at the door. Arrive with an unwrapped present for a child with HIV/AIDS, and you’ll receive free entry!

Sponsors include:

“A Wedding for All“
Altman’s
American Apparel
American Cinematheque

Ann Sachs
Artist, Julie Foat
Artist, Kate Parr
Artist, Sham Ibrahim
Artist, Walker Zanger
Baldwin Rocks Training
Brandy Gold, Talent Management
Brian Raisbeck Photography
Cakified.com
Curves Gym for Women
DharmaVisions Photography
Dr. Carlos O. Cortez, Ph.D.
Dr. David Comfort, D.Phil
Dr. Kate Edwards, Ph.D.
DSC Craftsmen
Eleven Nightclub
FOX Diversity
French Marketplace Café
Gay Mens Chorus of Los Angeles
Hollyway Cleaners
Hugo’s Restaurant
Kings & Queens Unisex Grooming Salon
Inside Out, by Barbara Benjamin Marcus
Jacques Michel Salon
J. Beverly Hills Salon of Pasadena
Margaret Cho
Mobile SprayTans LA
Mr. A. Lee Walkup
Mr. Brody Brown
Mr. Christopher Touchton
Mr. Chuck Wallau
Mr. David John Fleck
Mr. Don Rich
Mr. Douglas Carlson
Mr. Jordan Krueger
Mr. Michael McKeon
Mr. NiK Casey
Mr. Rick Watts
Mr. Robert Zabb
Mr. Tim Meepegama
Ms. Alana DiMaria
Ms. AM Williams
Ms. Amanda Touchton
Ms. Angi Bryscki
Ms. Erica Heathman
Ms. Judith Estanislao
Ms. Laura Gluver
Ms. Livonia Speaks
Ms. Neely Ward
Ms. Renee Warren
Ms. Sarah Tarlow
Ms. Selene Luna
Ms. Tammie Brown
Obar Restaurant
Odyssey Magazine
Polin
Poliform
Precision Entertainment
PRP Wine International
Rental Connections, Palm Springs
Roclord Studio
Santa Monica Car Wash
Santee Court Lofts-Most Amazing Lofts in Downtown LA
Sassy (Here Lounge Monday Nights)
Skulltastic
St. Felix
TalentWorks
The Bouffant Sisters
The Gold Coast
The Pleasure Chest
TOPCO Sales
WehoParty.com
WhiteKnot.org
YADA (Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts)
Z. Hovak, Fashion Designer

Marriage equality trailing in polls in Maine – act TODAY!

Jordan — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:00:43 +0000

If you, like many others, have avoided the battle for Marriage Equality in Maine, where our LGBT brothers and sisters are under attack from the same people who won Proposition 8 here in California, today is the day to get involved! Sunday is National Day of Action for Maine, and you should start your commitment by DONATING TODAY.

Per a recent poll, the anti-gay Yes on 1 campaign is winning the fight to end the country’s first legislative Marriage Equality victory. This is bad news for Mainers, beyond the fact that the pro-gay No on 1 campaign is being outspent 3-to-1!

A win in Maine will be a huge step in the fight for Marriage Equality here in California, so you should donate today, and tell others to do the same.

Yes, I will donate NOW for Marriage Equality in Maine!

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Go to the Facebook page for the National Day of Action to Save Gay Marriage in Maine, and say you’re attending. THEN, click HERE to sign up for 2.5 hours of phone-banking this Sunday. You don’t even have to leave your house. No more excuses – if you believe in the dignity of equality for all, YOU CAN DO THIS!
Thinking of taking a vacation? Take a vacation in Maine and volunteer as well! Check out the Volunteer-Vacation program through the campaign.
Live in Los Angeles? Equality California is hosting phone banking sessions throughout the next month. Click here, find which date works for you and sign up! (Don’t worry – they’ll train you.)

Dan Choi to attend Camp Courage this weekend!

Jordan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 04:00:29 +0000

If you haven’t yet attended a Camp Courage event, you’re missing out on an amazing, powerful, and useful experience!

Inspired by the “Camp Obama” trainings that powered neighbor-to-neighbor organizing across America in 2008, Camp Courage is an intensive two-day training designed to teach the principles and skills of community organizing to activists working to restore marriage equality to California. Drawing on techniques honed for decades by progressive social movements, Camp Courage teaches empowerment, team building, leadership development, and grassroots organizing skills. The event is geared toward activists or those who have never engaged with the broader community about marriage equality as well as veteran LGBT activists and allies.

WHEN: Saturday, August 1st (8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.) AND Sunday, August 2nd (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
WHERE: East Los Angeles (location provided once registration is confirmed)
Sign up today at the Camp Courage website!

Camp Courage is sponsored by Courage Campaign, and is organized by Torie Osborn, Mike Bonin, and Lisa Powell. Osborn is a senior advisor to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the United Way, and former executive director of the Liberty Hill Foundation and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Bonin is a former regional field organizer for Obama for America, a veteran campaign staffer, and a community activist. Powell is an attorney, longtime trainer, community leader, and co-founder of United Lesbians of African Heritage.

In addition, Dan Choi, a native of California and Army Lieutenant facing discharge under the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, will be attending to participate!

Sign up today at the Camp Courage website!

Week of Equality news and information

Jordan — Tue, 26 May 2009 01:32:44 +0000

Hey folks! Here’s all the information you need about Decision Day!

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

Teach-in seats are limited! Have you registered yet?

Jordan — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:55:40 +0000

We just want to make sure that, if you’re planning on attending our Teach-in for Equality, that you’ve registered for your seat! Be sure to head now to the ticket website and register your ticket!

Just as a reminder, we’ve assembled some of the greatest influences on our modern history, including the following:

Walter L. Williams: professor at USC, specializing in GLBT history;
Cleve Jones: friend and advisor to Harvey Milk (portrayed by Emile Hirsch in Milk), founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt;
Torie Osborn: former Executive Director of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force;
Jennifer C. Pizer: Senior Counsel and Marriage Project Director for Lambda Legal;
Sheila Kuehl: first gay or lesbian person elected to the state assembly of California;
Waiyde Palmer: former West coast organizer of ACT UP!;
John A. Pérez: assemblymember of the 49th district of California, in Los Angeles;
Marc Solomon: former Executive Director of Mass Equality, Marriage Equality Director of Equality California;
Surina Khan: Vice President of Programs for the Women’s Foundation of California, former executive director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission;
Roland Palencia: Director of Community Benefits at L.A. Care Health Plan, former Chief of Operations and Vice-President of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation;
Talia Mae Bettcher: Director of the Center for the Study of Genders and Sexualities at California State University in Los Angeles, author;
Jacob Hale: professor in the Department of Philosophy at California State University, Northridge;
Rick Jacobs: founder the Courage Campaign, former Senior Advisor to Democracy for America, co-founder of Brave New Films, a director of the Liberty Hill Foundation;
Chris Freeman: lecturer at University of Southern California in 20th century gay and lesbian studies, author;
Julius Nam: associate professor of religion at Loma Linda University School of Religion in California, commissioned minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

If you’re interested in meeting some of these speakers face-to-face and picking their brain for a while, we encourage you to sign up for the Breakfast with History event!

Poll: April 21st movie screening

Jordan — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:14:10 +0000

While we’re working on other things, we still want to get geared up for our next movie screening, taking place on April 21st. Because turn-out has been a little “hit-or-miss,” we want to take your pulse and see if there’s one movie or another that you’d rather see. We’ve got five movies on our poll, which we picked from a pool of movies we’ve got in our stable. We chose these movies because they cover a range of subjects. Have no fear, we have plenty more for our next screenings.

Here are the list of movies we’ve chosen from this round:

On the Downlow
‘On The Downlow’ is the explosive story of the relationship between Isaac and Angel, two young Latinos involved in a Southside Chicago gang. The decisions these men make and the paths they each take create a trap for them in a community where rules can’t be broken and secrets won’t be tolerated. With characters that defy stereotyping and a surprising tenderness, ‘On The Downlow’ is an unconventional look at life in the hood.

No Secret Anymore: The Times of Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon
San Francisco icons, Del and Phyllis are known as the founders of the modern lesbian civil rights movement. With incisive interviews, rare archival images and warmhearted humor, No Secret Anymore reveals their inspiring public work, as well as their charming private relationship. It is a delightful way to meet these legendary lesbians, known as the founders of the modern lesbian civil rights movement. When they courageously launched the Daughters of Bilitis in 1955, it became the first public organization for lesbians in America. No Secret Anymore follows them through six decades, tracing the emergence of lesbians from the fear of discovery to the expectation of equality.

Synopsis

The Celluloid Closet
Various men and women connected to the Hollywood industry comment on film clips and their own personal experiences with the treatment of LGBT characters in film. From the sissy characters, to the censorship of the Hollywood Production Code, the coded gay characters and cruel stereotypes to the progress made in the early 1990s. Vito Russo wanted his book to be transformed into a documentary film and helped out on the project until he died in 1990. Some critics of the documentary noted that it was less political than the book and ended on a more positive note. However, Russo had wanted the documentary to be entertaining and to reflect the positive changes that had occurred up to 1990.

The Laramie Project
Moisés Kaufman and members of New York’s Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, Wyoming after the murder of Matthew Shepard. This is a film version of the play they wrote based on more than 200 interviews they conducted in Laramie. It follows and in some cases re-enacts the chronology of Shepherd’s visit to a local bar, his kidnap and beating, the discovery of him tied to a fence, the vigil at the hospital, his death and funeral, and the trial of his killers. It mixes real news reports with actors portraying friends, family, cops, killers, and other Laramie residents in their own words. It concludes with a Laramie staging of “Angels in America” a year after Shephard’s death.

Soldier’s Girl
The true story of a young soldier beaten to death for falling in love with a transgendered nightclub performer.

Poll closed – The Laramie Project was chosen!