Equality Network » prop 8

Over 140 letters sent to Judge Walker in Prop 8 case!

Jordan — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:45:29 +0000

On Tuesday, we put a call out to sign a letter to Judge Walker, in the Perry v. Schwarzenegger case, which seeks to over-turn Proposition 8 on the basis of it being unconstitutional. The presiding Judge (Walker) had asked for comment on whether the case should be televised or not, based on high public interest. Although Judge Walker had given until this morning for comments to be submitted, he made a public statement on Wednesday stating that he would allow the case to be recorded for delayed viewing on YouTube. Despite this fact, the comment period remains open until this morning.

We put up a form on our site, allowing people to digitally sign the letter. Over 140 people responded, which is pretty amazing for lil’ ol’ EQN! Yesterday, we mail-merged the respondents information onto physical, printed versions of the letters, and sent them to both Judge Walker, and Judge Hamilton. We are happy to state that both have received their letters! (To verify, head to the FedEx website and input the following two tracking numbers: 870546780077, 870546780066.)

We’ll keep you informed of what the final decision is, when we hear it!

Tell Judge Walker to televise the Prop 8 case!

Jordan — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:30:35 +0000

On January 11, for the first time in history, a federal judge will hear a challenge to the principle that states can ban the marriage of same-sex couples. The case will argue that any such ban is in violation of the 14th amendment of the United States Constitution.

As the case goes to court, the judge is asking whether it should be televised due to high public interest. Of course, the people who designed and carried-out the passage of Proposition 8 (banning same-sex marriage in California), want no cameras – bigots love to hide – and boy have they turned up the heat! They’re flooding the judge’s offices with requests not to televise! Our lawyers, Theodore Olson and David Boies, are rightfully arguing that the proceeding should be transparent to the public.

Answer Judge Walker’s call for public comment by simply clicking the link below to pop-up a form. Enter your info, and we’ll deliver a letter, with your information, to Judge Walker and Hon. Phyllis Hamilton! BUT ACT NOW, because we need you fill-out the form by Thursday afternoon! (DEADLINE: Thursday, January 7th, 4pm Pacific.)

Click HERE to sign the letter to Judge Walker!

The text of the letters available, after the jump:
Letter to Hon. Walker:
Televise the Prop 8 Trial! – letter to Hon. Walker

Letter to Hon. Hamilton:
Televise the Prop 8 Trial! – letter to Hon. Hamilton

L.A. Diaper Bank launching Sunday at “A Wedding for All”!

Jordan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:11:46 +0000

This Sunday, starting at 5pm, at the Hollywood Lutheran Church (map), Arts for Equality will be holding a benefit for Equality Network, to help raise money for the repeal of Proposition 8. Called “A Wedding for All,” this music variety show will infuse world beats with local artists and a little comedy flavor. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at aweddingforall.com.

Tickets pre-sale or at the door are $10, but if you bring a package of baby diapers (any size), you’ll receive free entry to the show!

That’s because the Equality Network is launching the Equality Network Foundation, the first project of which is the Los Angeles Diaper Bank.

Did you know that children’s diapers are not covered under any government relief programs, and that babies and toddlers, if changed regularly, can go through over $100 worth of diapers a month? For families living in poverty, this is an unbearable burden, and some children are forced to live in soiled diapers for days a time, leaving them at risk for not only deadly infections, but also abuse from constant crying.

This is a huge problem in poverty-stricken households, and one that has almost no attention. Equality Network Foundation is taking a stand to remind everyone that All Families Matter – from gay to straight, poor to wealthy, we all deserve the dignity of marriage, and the most basic of all needs covered.

Please join us for wedding cake, a champagne toast, and an evening of music and charity.

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

UPDATED: Weekly meeting, Wednesday the 18th!

Jordan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:59:51 +0000

Our weekly meeting is tomorrow: Wednesday, November 18th, starting at 7pm (sharp!). ~~Location is 1010 N. Havenhurst (map).~~

LOCATION IS NOW Java Detour, 8948 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA (map).

Agenda topics include:

Sunday’s memorial for teen murdered in Puerto Rico
Family Values II fundraiser
National Day of Action in January
Signature gathering efforts for the repeal of Prop 8 in 2010

Everyone is welcome – please join us!

Save the Date! “A Wedding for All” variety show

Jordan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:59:55 +0000

Please join Arts for Equality on Sunday, December 13th at 5pm, at the Hollywood Lutheran Church (map) for a variety show and fundraiser for Equality Network! Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at aweddingforall.com.

Rally TONIGHT to protest Maine results and Bury Prop 8!

Jordan — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:53:28 +0000

Join us TODAY, starting at the Vermont & Santa Monica Red Line Metro Station at 7pm! Our No on 1 initiative in Maine has been defeated, and civil marriage has been voted down. We’ll have a New Orleans-style funeral, full of jazz and charisma, leading us to “The Black Cat”/Le BarCito, where WE FOUGHT BACK against police raids even before Stonewall, where we will express our righteous anger against the constant bigotry we face.

Speakers will include:

Marquita Thomas
John Perez
Father Geoff Farrow
Eugene Hedlund (Truth & Hope)
John Henning

Prop 8 – one year later! March & rally on Wed., Nov. 4th!

Jordan — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:38:30 +0000

Join us for a night rally on Wednesday, November 4th, starting at the Vermont & Santa Monica Red Line Metro Station at 7pm! We will know the results of Maine’s “No on 1″ ballot proposition, which will dictate whether we celebrate or protest! A New Orleans-style funeral, full of jazz and charisma, will lead us around the march route until we finish in front of “The Black Cat”/Le BarCito, where WE FOUGHT BACK against police raids even before Stonewall!

Speakers will include:

Marquita Thomas
John Perez
Father Geoff Farrow
Eugene Hedlund (Truth & Hope)
John Henning

Final campaign kick-off planning meeting & CGSH fund-raiser today!

Jordan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:15:43 +0000

Please join us at Fubar (before it opens – we have the whole space to ourselves!), starting at 7pm sharp as we complete our planning for the November 4th rally to kick-off the signature gathering campaign for the 2010 repeal of Proposition 8 and celebrate the results of Maine’s No on 1 campaign. We’re just a week away from this huge event, and we’re excited to say that we’re down the last few items in planning!

We’ll also be discussing this weekend’s Halloween, where we’ll be tabling to spread the word about November 4th. If you’re interested in helping us recruit, please show up tonight!

Show up to attend the Equality Network meeting, before 8pm, and get a wrist-band for 50% off drinks until midnight! Bring an unwrapped new toy, to benefit the holiday toy drive for the AIDS Service Center in Pasadena, and get a free shot!

Immediately following our meeting is “Family Feud,” fund-raiser, from 9p to 2a at Fubar, hosted by Ms. Barbie Q!

Door: $2-$5 suggested donation
Show Time: 11:00 PM
Beats: DJ Phyllis Navidad!
Also: Cash and gift prizes, photo booth!

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

French Marketplace Café
Living In, Living Out by Barbara Benjamin Marcus
Odyssey Magazine
St. Felix
The Pleasure Chest
WehoParty.com
White Knot
Z. Hovac, Fashion Designer

We are eager to enlist the support of sponsors and donors for both causes. Please contact us if you wish to promote social justice for all!

We also need contestants and celebrity panelists each week, so please contact us if interested.

Campaign kick-off planning meeting & fund-raiser today

Jordan — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:39:06 +0000

Please join us at Fubar (before it opens – we have the whole space to ourselves!), starting at 7pm sharp as we continue our planning for the November 4th rally to kick-off the signature gathering campaign for the 2010 repeal of Proposition 8 and celebrate the results of Maine’s No on 1 campaign.

Immediately following our meeting is “The Gong Show,” fund-raiser, from 9p to 2a at Fubar, hosted by Detox! Hottest new party event of the fall season!

Door: $2-$5 suggested donation
Show Time: 11:00 PM
Beats: DJ Phyllis Navidad!
Also: Cash and gift prizes, photo booth!

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

French Marketplace Café
Living In, Living Out by Barbara Benjamin Marcus
Odyssey Magazine
St. Felix
The Pleasure Chest
WehoParty.com
White Knot
Z. Hovac, Fashion Designer

We are eager to enlist the support of sponsors and donors for both causes. Please contact us if you wish to promote social justice for all!

We also need contestants and celebrity panelists each week, so please contact us if interested.