California Faith for Equality News Blog

CFE's Press Release on Appellate Court Stay on Same Sex Marriages

2010-08-17T10:03:00.000-07:00

"Once again, 'justice delayed is justice denied', "said Samuel M. Chu, Executive Director of California Faith for Equality. “CFE faith leaders are saddened by today's decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that same-sex couples can not marry in California while the court considers the constitutionality of the state's gay marriage ban. While we are deeply disappointed, we will continue to work hard, making sure religious support is heard at every step of the court's proceedings including filing an amicus brief to the appellate court this fall.

"We are very confident that the appellate court will uphold Justice Walker's decision.The Supreme Court has affirmed in Loving v. Virginia in 1967 that marriage is a basic civil right. Justice Walker, in his own decision on August 4, 2010 said that California has no interest in discriminating against same gender couples, yet today's stay is a stay on justice.

" As faith leaders caring for members of our communities," said Chu, "we know these court proceedings have real-life consequences to and impact on thousands of couples and families and we will continue to advocate for equality for all. Our faith traditions teach that we must respect the dignity of every human being and to reduce loving gay and lesbian couples to a second class status is wrong. It is just a matter of time until our faith leaders will put their faith into action and marry loving, committed couples who echo the strong family values of their religious communities.

In the meantime, CFE will also continue to organize our faith leaders and secular partners to continue to bring our communities together to support all marriages and to value all families. We are and remain committed to 'Let freedom and wedding bells ring!' for as long as it takes "

Samuel M. Chu is available for comment: 310-988-5548

M E D I A CONTACT:
Louise Brooks, Media Coordinator ■ 626.993.4605 ■ louise@cafaithforequality.org

California Faith for Equality is a statewide network of clergy and lay leaders from a diversity of faith traditions who are committed to equality.

Rabbi Denise Eger's Press Release on Jduge Walker's Stay

2010-08-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE
AUGUST 12, 2010
For More information
Call (323) 606-0996

Rabbi Denise L. Eger: “Let the weddings begin!”

(West Hollywood, CA) – Today Judge Vaughn Walker lifted the stay on marriages for gay men and lesbians effective Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 5 pm. Next week gay and lesbian couples will be able to legally wed unless proponents of Proposition 8 are able to seek a stay from the U.S. Appeals Court. There is a question of who has standing to file an appeal.

Rabbi Denise L. Eger, spiritual leader of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood is ready for the weddings to resume. Rabbi Eger officiated at the first wedding on June 16, 2008 at 5:01 pm for Robin Tyler and Diane Olsen on the steps of the Beverly Hills Courthouse. During the 2008 “Summer of Love” Eger officiated at 60 weddings until they were shut down by the November 2008 passage of Proposition 8

.
Rabbi Eger, also President of the Southern California Board of Rabbis, is looking forward to the stay being lifted next week. “Let the weddings begin!” she said when she heard the news. “This is a matter of justice and equality,” said Eger. “We thank Judge Vaughn for his courage in recognizing that all citizens ought to be able to protect their families under the law. Marriage is a civil right. As long as you have to go to the county courthouse and take out a license then this must be afforded to all citizens.” Judge Walker found that gay and lesbian couples are also protected by the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution.

Rabbi Eger was disappointed that it will take another week for the stay to be lifted. “My faith teaches me that all loving couples ought to be able to protect their families with the rights and responsibilities that come with marriage. Reform Jewish tradition has long supported gay and lesbian civil rights. When Proposition 8 passed it kept me from practicing my faith tradition.”

Eger is the founding Rabbi of Kol Ami and was last month named by the Jewish Daily Forward as one of the 50 most influential women rabbis in America. In 2008 she was named by the Forward as one of the 50 most influential Jews in America for her work on gay and lesbian civil rights.

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CALIFORNIA FAITH FOR EQUALITY (CFE) HAILS JUDGE'S DECISION TO LIFT STAY ON SAME SEX MARRIAGES

2010-08-12T15:23:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Los Angeles - August 12, 2010

"Today justice won out, said Samuel M. Chu, Executive Director of California Faith for Equality. “Today's decision by US District Court Judge Vaughn Walker to overturn Prop 8 and lift the stay on same gender marriages in the state of California on August 18th is a giant step toward equality.

" The Supreme Court has affirmed that marriage is a fundamental right. Justice Walker, Perry v. Schwarzenegger, last week said that California has no interest in discriminating against same gender couples. On August 18, 2010 discrimination will end and equality will become a reality.

"CFE is committed to let freedom and wedding bells ring! Our membership of over 6000 clergy are poised to perform marriages for loving gay and lesbian couples throughout the state. As people of faith. we believe these are blessed and holy relationships and we are thrilled that they can now be legally recognized marriages in the state of California.

While we realize that today's decision could be overturned by a higher court and we strongly oppose any stay on equal protection for all persons, CFE will continue to organize our faith leaders and secular partners to continue to support all marriages and to value all families.

Samuel M. Chu is available for comment: 310-988-5548

California Faith for Equality is a statewide network of clergy and lay leaders from a diversity of faith traditions who are committed to equality.

CALIFORNIA FAITH FOR EQUALITY (CFE) OPPOSES STAY ON LANDMARK PROP 8 DECISION

2010-08-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles, California - August 11, 2010

For immediate release:

California Faith for Equality (CFE) is delighted to learn that Judge Vaughan Williams will rule tomorrow on whether marriage equality will return to California while his landmark decision in the case makes its way to an appeals court.

"CFE strongly opposes any stay on the too-long delayed guarantee of equal protection to gay and lesbian couples" said Samuel M. Chu, Executive Director of CFE. "Justice delayed is justice denied and we have advised our statewide network to prepare for a lift of the ban on marriage equality."

It is our deepest hope that tomorrow will be the day that our 6,000 clergy across the state of California will once again be able to offer both equal blessings and equal protection to the couples coming to them to celebrate the sanctity of their marriages. We know that the opponents of marriage equality will try everything to prevent this landmark ruling from taking effect but we stand ready as well -- ready to work with our allies committed to marriage equality and to perserve until liberty and justice for all really means all.

We will be ready tomorrow -- or whenever the stay is lifted -- because we know that we are on the right side of history and we are privileged to be part of this struggle.

Samuel Chu is available for comment: 310-988-5548

For more informationconatct:
Louise Brooks
Media Coordinator
CFE
626-993-4605
tvprod@earthlink.net

CFE's Rabbi Denise Eger Hails Prop 8 Ruling

2010-08-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

From the Los Angeles Times
August 4, 2010 3:05 pm

Upon hearing of federal Judge Vaughn R. Walker's ruling on Proposition 8, 85-year-old Phyllis Lyon uttered a quiet, “Bless his heart.”

She and her lifelong partner Del Martin were the first to be married in San Francisco’s City Hall in February 2004, in a private ceremony that opened the floodgates to thousands more weddings and multiple court battles.

Martin died in 2008, 56 years after she and Lyon joined together in a lasting lovers’ union. Lyon on Wednesday called Walker’s ruling “a wonderful statement” and said she planned to stick around until this battle was ultimately won nationwide.

She and her partner, and then wife, were initially opposed to the institution of marriage as early feminists. But it became clear to them in recent years that the prohibition against such marriages made gays and lesbians second-class citizens, she said.

“It’s a step toward making people understand that we’re human beings like everybody else and we deserve the same kinds of privileges that everyone else has,” she said, “with the same names.”

Jeanne Rizzo waited outside the federal courthouse in San Francisco for Walker's ruling. She and her partner of 21 years, Pali Cooper, have been fighting from the trenches since the courts blocked the 2004 marriages and San Francisco officials closed the door right in front of them as they waited in line for a marriage license.

They became plaintiffs in the California Supreme Court case that briefly legalized the unions and wed, then began a new wave of activism to counter Prop. 8.

“I’m just so proud of us,” she said as she greeted well-wishers in the crowd. “It’s as it should be. It just proves that you really should not be leaving this to a popular vote. ... My heart is full.”

Cooper, a chiropractor, was seeing patients Wednesday but Rizzo said, “I want to go home to my wife…I can’t wait to go home and hug her.”

In Los Angeles, Rabbi Denise Eger, president of the Southern California Board of Rabbis, hailed the ruling but was waiting to hear whether it would be stayed.

“I don’t think anybody’s quite clear yet on whether it means that weddings can happen,” she said a short time after the ruling was handed down. “That’s the big question, whether I as a rabbi can start officiating.”

Eger, who is married to a woman, is rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood, which has a large gay and lesbian membership.

“Here’s my advice to those who have theological trouble with gay and lesbians getting married,” she said. “In our country, marriage is very much a civil right, and yet we also ensure freedom of religion -- and freedom from religion.

"And so while there are those who are more theologically to the right wing, theologically conservative, who would not support marriage for gay people from their theological perspective, the answer is: They don’t have to do them," she continued. "They have their freedom of religion in our country not to officiate. … For those of us who are theologically progressive, we also have the freedom of our religion to practice our values.”

“So it’s a very joyous day,” she said. “And I know there were many couples who wanted to get married who … are ready and I look forward to standing under the chuppah with them,” referring to the canopy used in Jewish weddings.

She added that the Board of Rabbis opposed Prop. 8, despite some dissent from its more theologically conservative members.

-- Lee Romney in San Francisco and Mitchell Landsberg in Los Angeles

CFE CALLS FOR RELIGIOUS RESPONSE TO NOM SPREADING HOMOPHOBIA & SPIRITUAL VIOLENCE

2010-07-29T14:47:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2010

"CFE calls for good people of all faiths to speak out against the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) for allowing a supporter to carry a sign painted with two nooses implying that LGBT people should 'be put to death' and quoting the Book of Leviticus from the Bible or a pastor to compare gays and lesbians to pedophiles, adulterers and alcoholics, " said Samuel M. Chu, Executive Director of California Faith for Equality (CFE). "We can no longer tolerate the spread of organized homophobia and spiritual violence perpetuated under the guise of 'protecting marriage'. It must be stopped."

The Rev. Canon Susan Russell, an Episcopal priest, said, "We cannot allow the Bible to be used as a weapon of mass discrimination and disinformation. Good people of faith are outraged at watching their scriptures exploited to condemn the holy relationships of gay and lesbian couples that are blessed by God. As a member of CFE, I join thousands of clergy, lay leaders and congregations who support these couples, who celebrate their love, bless their relationships and lobby for their equality."

"Recent polls reveal that 51% of Californians support marriage equality," said Chu. "CFE will continue to organize a faith based response to organizations such a NOM which spew hatred and fear rather than love and acceptance. It is only a matter of time for marriage equality to become a reality. We represent more than 6000 California clergy and faith leaders committed to equality and we will continue to raise those voices up until there is liberty and justice for all."

Samuel Chu is available for comment: 310-988-5548

The Rev. Susan Russell is available for comment: 714-356-5718

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CFE STATEMENT ON PRR POLL

2010-07-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

CALIFORNIA FAITH FOR EQUALITY (CFE) HERALDS NEW POLL FINDING RELIGIOUS BELIEFS HELP SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY

June 21st, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES, CA –"A new poll out today found that many Californians believe the Golden Rule supports allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry," said CFE Executive Director Samuel M. Chu. "This research validates the work California Faith for Equality has been doing to promote those religious voices that support marriage equality. We now have data supporting our conviction that religion can be a positive force for marriage equality. This poll found that if a vote on marriage equality were held today, 51% of Californians would support it."

Chu continued, "CFE has a membership of over 6000 statewide clergy and lay leaders who have been organizing to make religious communities a force in winning full equality, especially since the passage of Prop 8 in 2008. Most recently, we co-sponsored and supported the Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act, SB 906, introduced in Sacramento by Senator Mark Leno. SB 906 reaffirms that no clergy member can be required to solemnize a civil marriage contrary to his or her beliefs and that churches will not lose tax-exempt status for refusing to solemnize any marriages. This new research reports that such a bill increases the support for marriage equality from 42% to 54%. We are definitely on the right track."

Chu went on to say, "We applaud the work of the Public Religion Research Institute. Their poll reveals that most Californians believe that Prop 8 was bad for California – only 1 in 5 Californians believe Prop 8 was a “good thing” for our state. CFE plans to widely distribute these compelling poll results as well as continue to organize congregations come out for marriage equality.

"We have gained tremendous ground during the last year. We see the evidences of Californians moving toward full equality for all people and CFE will continue to work to educate as well as change hearts and minds so that the Golden Rule becomes a lived reality in our state."

The entire poll can be found at: http://www.publicreligion.org

Samuel Chu is available for comment

To reach him call: 310-988-5548

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Congrats to Rev. Neil Thomas!

2010-06-10T13:20:00.000-07:00

California Faith for Equality is celebrating Rev. Neil Thomas, Board Chairperson, as he receives the Harvey Milk Award from Christopher Street West/LA Pride. The award is presented by Rodney Scott, President of CSW/LA Pride, on CSW's 40th anniversary.

Congrats Neil!

The Kameyas: A Story of Faith and Family

2010-06-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

California Faith for Equality volunteers Harold and Ellen Kameya share their story about faith and their family:

Twenty-two years ago, our then 20-year old daughter Valerie told us she was gay. As Sansei from Hawaii, raised in a socially conservative Japanese American culture, Valerie’s announcement devastated us. At that time, we were woefully ignorant on issues of sexual orientation, including that being gay is not a choice. As part of that ignorance, we were saddened that we would never see our daughter get married or have a family.
. . .
In 1990, we were asked to share our experiences with a group of gay Asian Americans. That meeting was a turning point for us. After we spoke, we were moved by the tears on the faces of the audience.

CFE Supporters Help Pass DADT

2010-05-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

Last night, we made history.

Less than 24 hours ago, the House voted 234-194 to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell."

Thanks in part to CA Faith for Equality's supporters from Representative Costa's district, Costa, who was leaning to vote No, voted Yes to repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell."

Didn't get a chance to call your representative before the vote? You can still be a part of history.

Call and thank those who voted YES because it's important they know that they made decisions both morally upright and representative of their constituents.

Call out those who voted NO because they must be reminded of their moral obligations to support human rights, especially for soldiers who are willing to die for our and their freedom.

Here's how you can call your representatives to thank them or to call them out:
Look up your representative's recorded vote.

Dial 202-224-3121, the House switchboard, to thank or to call out your representative.

Leave a message or tell the person you speak with that you are a member of that district, and that you're happy or disappointed in your representative's vote.

Email CA Faith for Equality to tell who us you called. Email Kerry at kerry@cafaithforequality.org.

Together, we won tonight, and together we will continue to win.

Your call to your representative makes all the difference.

Together,
Samuel Chu
Executive Director

California Faith for Equality Action Fund is part of the California Faith for Equality family of organizations.

CFE Organizers Meet Ugandan Bishop Christopher Senyonjo

2010-05-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

From the Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong:

In a country that is trying to pass a law that would make homosexuality punishable by the death penalty, few voices speak out in favor of justice and human rights as courageously as Retired Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo from West Buganda, Uganda.

On Thursday, May 20, 2010, Bishop Ssenyonjo spoke out about his country's draconian measure as not only an affront to the United Nation's Declaration of Human Rights or his own country's system of extended families, but also challenges the basic Christian teaching of love and inclusion. He suggests that education is key to stemming the homophobic tide that has a grip on his country right now.

Kerry Chaplin and I represented California Faith for Equality at a lunchtime conversation hosted by Irvine United Congregational Church (UCC) in Orange County along with 30 other people. All the participants favored the concept of showing compassion in the midst of a hostile political and religious environment.

Comparisons and connections were drawn between the passage of Prop 8 here in California, support from the conservative Rick Warren and his Saddleback Church in Riverside, CA. for "ex-gay ministries," and the breakaway groups such as St. James Episcopal Church in Newport Beach, CA., to the current homophobic environment in Uganda. Bishop Senyonjo encouraged supporters of equality to be vigilant about keeping the pressure on the Ugandan government, as well as working locally to affect international law.

CFE urges all persons of faith to join Bishop Christopher in his call to end homophobia and stop the spread of hatred and discrimination in Uganda and around the world.

A Prayer for Harvey Milk Day, Every May 22nd

2010-05-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Created by Rabbi Lisa Edwards

Beth Chayim Chadashim

Los Angeles

Eternal One, You created us b’tzelem Elohim, in Your image, filling us – as You are filled --- with hope, hope that we might yet bring to fruition Your vision of cooperation and harmony, of wholeness and peace. You imagined such a world, Holy One, and then instilled within us the ability to imagine it too. You hope even now for such a world, Holy One, knowing You created us with the desire to give each other hope like Yours, hope that tomorrow will find us finally ready, finally able, to bring Your imagined world into being. Blessed are You, Hopeful One, creator of hope and of those who bring it to the world.

Faith Leaders to Remember Harvey Milk in Sunday Services

2010-05-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

Faith Leaders will join secular leaders across the state of California to remember Harvey Milk in their services this weekend. May 22, 2010 is the first official Harvey Milk Day in the state of California and there will be many events honoring him throughout the state.

"We have asked congregations to join in the celebration of the life and work of Harvey Milk , the first openly gay elected official in the nation. He was a visionary and a man of great courage who took action to fight for equality for all people, " said Samuel M. Chu, Executive Director of California Faith for Equality. "Likewise, we have called for faith leaders to put their faith into action by following Harvey Milk's example of speaking out for all who suffer from oppression and inequality."

"I will be telling my parishioners that like Harvey Milk, I am here to recruit them to stand up for justice and equality for all, " said the Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles. Thomas is the 2010 recipient of the CSW Pride LA Harvey Milk Award.

Some of the other churches and synagogues who have committed to honor Milk in their services are: Kehilla Community Synagogue in the Oakland, Piedmont, Berkeley areas; St. Victor's Catholic Community Church in Vallejo; First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin Park; First Congregational Riverside; Unity Fellowship Church, Riverside; and Dignity – San Diego.

CFE BOARD PRESIDENT HONORED BY CSW LA PRIDE

2010-05-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CFE BOARD PRESIDENT REVEREND DR. NEIL G. THOMAS HONORED WITH HARVEY MILK AWARD BY CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST for the 40th LA PRIDE CELEBRATION.

California Faith for Equality (CFE) is proud to announce that its President and one of its founding members, Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, has been named the 2010 recipient of the coveted Harvey Milk Award.

In honoring Neil, here's what CSW LA Pride said in their press release: Reverend Neil, as he is known, is the Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles. He has helped create feeding programs for the homeless, night and day shelters for those in need, safer sex initiatives for the vulnerable, worked on better relations between law enforcement and the LGBT community, and launched a drop in center for LGBT youth. As the President of California Faith for Equality, Reverend Dr. Thomas works with an interfaith coalition to build a collective voice that will help bring about Marriage Equality in California. He is also the President of the Los Angeles LGBTQI Clergy Council. Reverend Neil believes "that God is calling us all to make a difference and to reach the world, one life at a time."

(Samuel Chu & Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas)

"This award couldn't go to a more deserving person", said Samuel M. Chu, Executive Director of CFE. Reverend Neil is a man of deep faith who leads by the example of putting his faith into action. Like Harvey Milk, he has worked tirelessly for equality and human rights for all persons. Neil has followed Milk's marching orders that 'hope must never be silent.' We are very proud and congratulate him on this honor.

"CFE vows to continue to spread the vision and example of both Harvey Milk and Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas to continue to make a difference and champion equality for all."

California Faith For Equality is a network of over 6000 clergy and lay leaders committed to equality for all.

For more information contact:
Louise Brooks
CFE Media Relations
626-993-4605

CFE Board President Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas named recipient of HARVEY MILK Award for 2010 CSW Pride Festival

2010-05-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOS ANGELES (May 13, 2010) Christopher Street West Proudly presents the 2010 Honorees for the 40th LA PRIDE celebration June 11 - June 13, 2010.

Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas - Harvey Milk Award

Reverend Neil, as he is known, is the Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles. He has helped create feeding programs for the homeless, night and day shelters for those in need, safer sex initiatives for the vulnerable, worked on better relations between law enforcement and the LGBT community, and launched a drop in center for LGBT youth. As the President of California Faith for Equality, Reverend Dr. Thomas works with an interfaith coalition to build a collective voice that will help bring about Marriage Equality in California. He is also the President of the Los Angeles LGBTQI Clergy Council. Reverend Neil believes "that God is calling us all to make a difference and to reach the world, one life at a time."

Other honorees are:

Jane Velez-Mitchell - Person of the Year Award.

Christopher Street West proudly names Jane Velez-Mitchell as the 2010 Person of the Year for her activism, her honesty in sharing her journey overcoming addiction, and for being an out lesbian working in national media. Velez-Mitchell currently hosts HLN's "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell." She is a veteran television news journalist and Emmy Award winner who spent more than a decade anchoring and reporting for KCAL-TV in Los Angeles.

Velez-Mitchell is a published author whose autobiography, "I Want: My Journey from Addiction and Overconsumption to a Simpler, Honest Life" became a New York Times bestseller. In her book, Velez-Mitchell reveals that she strives "to experience the ultimate joy and freedom that lies in compassion and being of service to other people and other living beings." In addition, Velez-Mitchell is a strong animal rights activist advocating for the humane treatment of animals.

Nadia Sutton - Morris Kight Lifetime Achievement Award

Nadia Sutton is an activist, volunteer, and inspiration to all in the LGBT community and beyond. In 1989, Nadia founded PAWS/LA (Pets Are Wonderful Support), a non-profit organization helping those affected by HIV/AIDS who had difficulty caring for their pets. Nadia is passionate about the fight for equality. She is among the first to mobilize teams of people to show up at a protest march or demonstration. Nadia is also a tireless advocate for many organizations that rely on her skill to move their mission forward. Nadia serves on the West Hollywood Lesbian & Gay Advisory Board, the West Hollywood Women's Mastermind Group, Friends of the Center for Sex and Gender Research at CSUN and the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

Best in Drag Show - CSW Special Community Award

Best in Drag Show is a labor of love by a group of friends who donate their time and remarkable talents to produce a unique and entertaining event benefiting those living with HIV/AIDS. Originally called the Battle for the Tiara, the Best in Drag Show is a spoof on the Miss America Pageant. It began production in 1989, the brainchild of Patrick Rush and Alexis Pittman and has since generated over $1 million in donations. Rush has said, "We wanted to raise money for an organization that had actually helped people we knew." Celebrity judges have included Jane Lynch, John C. Reilly, Charlie Sheen, Niecy Nash, Kathy Griffin and many more.

HONOR PAC - CSW Special Community Award

Made up of a dedicated group of individuals, HONOR PAC is a voluntary, non-partisan committee whose mission is to advocate for the political empowerment of the Latina/o LGBT community. HONOR PAC supports candidates and ballot propositions that advance progressive policies that serve the unique needs and interests of those communities. HONOR PAC promotes education of LGBT issues, supports education programs for immigrant students and helps Latino LGBT youth by advancing anti-bullying legislation. HONOR PAC strives to provide access to health care and support for HIV/AIDS funding. In addition to fighting for marriage equality, it works to achieve equal protection for transgender individuals.

Guy Baldwin - Berman/Schaffer Award

Guy Baldwin is a pioneer, an educator, and an advocate in the LGBT BDSM, D/S, and Leather communities and has made a noticeable and positive impression on the lives of many. Guy was the first gay man to join the Society of Janus, an education and support organization devoted to safe and consensual BDSM. He quickly helped educate and expand the group. In 1976, while attending UCLA, he began insisting that 'taboo' erotic practices had been misunderstood by mental health-care providers. He worked to change the view and recognition among professional metal health practitioners concerning alternative or kinky sexuality. He also helped create the Kink-Aware-Professionals List, a global resource of kink-friendly medical, dental, and legal professionals.

Bamby Salcedo - Connie Norman Award

Bamby Salcedo is a transgender woman who works to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Bamby is the project coordinator for the transgender youth program at Children's Hospital LA. She previously worked as the program manager for the Transgeneros Unidas with Bienestar. Ms. Salcedo is a strong advocate and activist on issues regarding HIV prevention and economic and professional development for Latina transgender women. She has presented at many national health and HIV prevention conferences and serves in various planning committees statewide including the California HIV Planning Group (CHPG), in which she chairs the transgender working group. Ms. Salcedo is also a member of the Transgender Service Provider Network in Los Angeles. She is also the creator of the Angels of Change Calendar which provides positive and assuring images to transgender youth.

Ari Ruiz - Outstanding Youth Leader Award

Christopher Street West recognizes Ari Ruiz as an Outstanding Youth Leader. In August 2009, Ari Ruiz was appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to the Commission for Children, Youth and their Families. He was the youngest individual to be elected Political Vice President for the Stonewall Young Democrats. Ari worked to improve education in East Los Angeles with InnerCity Struggle. He also worked in the community of El Serano as the Outreach Coordinator for Barrio Action, which ensures that community members participate in after-school tutoring, ESL and basic computer skill building. Ari actively participates with the LAUSD as a member of Project 10.

Sheryl Lee Ralph - George Moscone Award

Christopher Street West proudly honors longtime community ally, Sheryl Lee Ralph, with the 2010 George Moscone Award. Sheryl Lee Ralph is an acclaimed actress, activist and creator. In 1990, she established the Diva Foundation (Divinely Inspired Victoriously Anointed) and created DIVAS Simply Singing!, a star-studded, fundraising extravaganza, produced by Ms. Ralph and co-starring a host of committed Divas. The annual event has helped raise millions for organizations such as AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Black Pride Institute and Project Angel Food. Past Diva's have included Chaka Khan, Fergie, Nancy Wilson, Loretta Devine, Melissa Manchester and Raven Symone. "Women's voices have been silent for too long in the struggle against HIV/AIDS," Sheryl says, "and their stories need to be told. Their health and well-being matter too."

West Coast Singers - Pat Parker Arts Award

Created in 1983, the West Coast Singers is the third oldest mixed-voiced chorus of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender singers in the nation. Upon its inception the organization's primary purpose was to provide a safe environment for gays and lesbians to come together and sing. The West Coast Singers have performed at many community events including: the California AIDS Lifecycle closing ceremonies, the Gay & Lesbian Center's 25th anniversary, PFLAG's 20th anniversary dinner, the GLAAD Tidings annual holiday party, the Imperial Court of Los Angeles and the Names Project presentation of the Aids Memorial Quilt at UCLA.

D.I.V.A. - Torie Osborn / Dick Michaels Media Award

D.I.V.A.: Diverse and Inclusive Visionary Artists is a grassroots, non-profit organization comprised of 2,000+ industry members dedicated to promoting the creative endeavor and maximum visibility of multi-ethnic and/or LGBT artists and professionals in the media. In 2003, Nelson Melegrito recognized the need to provide a forum for multi-ethnic LGBT artists with an alternative niche to network. In addition, D.I.V.A. events have helped raise funds and awareness for many local and national non-profit organizations

.

M·A·C Cosmetics - The Sheldon Andelson Award

M·A·C AIDS Fund, the heart and soul of M·A·C cosmetics, was established in 1994 and is a pioneer in HIV/AIDS funding, providing financial support to organizations working with under-served populations. As the largest corporate non-pharmaceutical giver in the arena, MAF has raised over $150 Million exclusively through the sale of M·A·C's VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass, donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS.

For more detailed information and images of the 2010 Honorees, please visit LAPRIDE.org.The Christopher Street West Board of Directors and Nominating Committee congratulate all of this year's Honorees and thank those that took the time to nominate this outstanding slate of committed individuals and organizations that live our vision of PRIDE 365: Power. Passion. Purpose.

MORAL COMPASS TO JUSTICE HATE CRIMES FORUM RECEIVES HONOR FROM STATE ASSEMBLY

2010-05-12T16:58:00.000-07:00

The newly formed Moral Compass to Justice Group held it's first town hall forum called: Stop The Hate: A Forum on Hate Speech & Violence on May 11th at the Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

The forum was moderated by Rev. Eric Lee, President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The Moral Compass to Justice group is a newly formed group of faith and lay leaders who are committed to human rights. California Faith for Equality members have been active in the formation of this group which hopes to bring together all those in the community who suffer injustice and inequality to support justice for all.

The program was opened by songs of peace and justice and equality written by Ani Zonneveld, Co-Founder of Muslims for Progressive Values

The panelists from left to right were:

Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Founder, Progressive faith Foundation; Adrian Dove, CORE, Anjelica Solas, Executive Director, CHIRLA and Commander david Doan, Chief of Detectives, LAPD.

All the panelists committed to stand together for human rights and to stand beside one another in their struggles for justice.

At the close of the forum, The Moral Compass Group was honored by the California State Assembly for their work

R to L :
Rabbi Jonathan Klein, Executive Director of CLUE, Rev. Ryan Bell, Hollywood Seventh Day Adventist, the Rev. Susan Russell, All saints Church Pasadena, Sharon Groves, Human Rights Campaign, Rabbi Steven Jacobs and Rev. Eric Lee.

CFE Supports Transgender Equality - Join Us

2010-05-10T13:53:00.000-07:00

Marriage equality is not our only call to justice.

With Harvey Milk Day approaching, we honor his legacy of fighting for the us'es - those of us pushed to the margins.

We are called to serve and to advocate for all of the us'es, and especially for transgender equality.

In order to fully support Transgender Lobby Day on Monday, May 17th, we are postponing California Faith for Equality’s Lobby Day, formerly on May 11th, to later this year (date TBA).

Register to participate in Transgender Lobby Day on Monday May 17th in Sacramento, then email California Faith for Equality at kerry@cafaithforequality.org to let us know you'll be there.

By participating in Lobby Day, you'll put your faith into action. You'll use the your experience as a faith leader and the knowledge you've gained from California Faith for Equality to be an effective advocate for transequality.

Together, we will pursue justice for all of the us'es.

Yours in the Struggle,
Samuel Chu
Executive Director

California Faith for Equality educates, supports and mobilizes California's communities of faith to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in California and to safeguard religious freedom.
For more information visit www.cafaithforequality.org or call (310) 598-5866.

CFE's Rev. Canon Susan Russell takes on Tea Party Tantrums

2010-04-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

April 15, 2010
Pasadena, CA.

Brenda Gazzar, Staff Writer
for the Pasadena Star News interviews the Rev. Canon Susan Russell, CFE and "A Moral Compass to Justice"spokesperson at press conference.

From the article in Pasadena Star News, April 16, 2010

The competing faith-based group [A moral Compass to Justice], which included Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders opposing the tea party movement, gathered at All Saints Church earlier in the day and decried racism and discrimination. They also called for an end to "violent speech and actions" they say are fostered by the tea party movement.

"We want to model American values that don't have anything to do with polarization and marginalization but have to do with liberty and justice for all," said Rev. Susan Russell, a senior associate at All Saint's Church, at a press conference Thursday.

The new interfaith initiative expects to tackle a number of key social issues, including hate crimes, poverty, education, prison reform and marriage equality, Russell said.

The group's speakers launched a scathing attack on the tea party movement, accusing at least some of its supporters of an unwillingness to accept the country's diverse range of faiths, ethnicities and cultures.

"The rhetoric of hatred, racism and discrimination being espoused by the current Tea Party Movement and the silence of many elected officials, is sadly reminiscent of an era of American history that is a blemish as it pertains to justice, that is a wound as it pertains to respect and equality," said Rev. Eric P. Lee, the California President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, during Thursday's press conference.

Last month, reports surfaced that some tea party activists outside Capitol Hill rally had shouted racial slurs at members of the Congressional Black Caucus during protests over the proposed health care bill,and that one of them, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo) has been spat on by a protestor.

Another representative, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who is openly gay, was reportedly called a derogatory term that referenced his sexual orientation.

An organizer of the tea party rally condemned the racial slurs as "disgraceful", telling Fox News that it was an isolated incident. They were also condemned by Republican National Chairman Michael Steele.

But leaders of the new interfaith initiative say more needs to be done.

"If you really are opposed to racism, then end it with your followers," Russell said of the tea party leadership. "Challenge those signs in your audience. Speak truth to your followers and bring them around to the values you say you are in favor of."

CFE Executive Director Samuel Chu Helps Launch of "A Moral Compass to Justice"

2010-04-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

Pasadena - April 15th, 2010

Samuel Chu, Executive Director of CFE helps launch "A Moral Compass to Justice", a group of prominent interfaith leaders and organizers who have banned together to counter the rhetoric and racism of the Tea Party Movement.

Chu, one of the founders of this new group, and others began meeting a few months ago to see how their separate organizations could come together to support all the interlocking oppressions. At the center of all the groups is a strong sense of social justice and putting faith into action.

Their press release today stated "A Moral Compass to Justice" is a collaborative of justice-minded faith leaders calling for a faith based alternative to the environment of racism, homophobia, discrimination, and violence generated by the current Tea Party movement.

"A Moral Compass to Justice" claims social justice as a core value of all religions and faith. The new group calls for a return to the faith and values that have guided America through the social transformations that challenged discrimination and resulted in greater equality, freedom, respect and dignity for all of Americans.They urge elected officials and the American people to join them in the sacred work of setting a moral compass for justice so that there will be a more just world for all of us."

Other members of the Group Include:

Rev. Eric P. Lee, is CA State President/CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the organization co-founded by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He is author of , “Marriage Equality: Proposition 8, The California Divide”, and co-producer of a 90 minute documentary on the failure of public education as it pertains to African American and Latino children titled, “Who Is Accountable?” As a civil rights activist, Rev. Lee recently took a stand against California Ballot Initiative Proposition 8 in support of marriage equality and LBGT Rights, believing that anytime one group of people is denied the same rights and privileges of others in society; it is fundamentally a denial of their civil rights. Rev. Lee is a founding member of the Stand For Security Coalition, which organized African American Security Officers into a union; Diversity Task Force member, working to reintegrate African Americans into the hotel and restaurant industries; founding member of the Alliance for Equal Opportunity in Education, a collaboration of organizations that forced UCLA to change their admissions policies proven to be discriminatory and racist. Rev. Lee is also a board member of Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (IJUCP) elee@sclcla.org

Dr. Sharon Groves, Deputy Director of the Religion and Faith Program at the Human Rights Campaign. At HRC Sharon has overseen the creation of numerous new resources, including a weekly preaching resource, a guide to living openly in your place of worship, a curriculum that follows the movie For the Bible Tells Me So and another that helps congregations wrestle with issues of gender identity within their faith communities. She has published a number of articles on such topics and religion and marriage equality, the importance of religious advocacy within the LGBT movement and the struggle for equality within world religions. She is a lay leader at All Souls Church, Unitarian.sharon.groves@hrc.org

Rabbi Denise Eger, President of the Southern California Board of Rabbis, is the founding rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami, West Hollywood's Reform Synagogue and is a long time Human rights activist. She holds a B.A. in Religion from the University of Southern California and a Masters Degree from Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion. She was ordained in 1988. She is a founder of California Faith for Equality and for Jews for Marriage Equality. She is also a member of the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion Council. rabbi@kol-ami.org

Ani Zonneveld is the Co-Founder and President of Muslims for Progressive Values. She is a strong advocate for human rights including LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights and established MPV as one of the first Muslim organization to support such a cause. Ani has partnered up with CA Faith for Equality against Prop.8 and has been a consistent supporter for federal and state-level protection of LGBT rights. MPV is a national organization based in Los Angeles with affiliates in NY, D.C. and Ottawa.

The Rev. Canon Susan Russell, priest at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, CA and former President of Integrity, USA - an LGBT advocacy organization within the Episcopal Church. She has advocated for the ordination of gay bishops, lead the charge for the blessing of same sex unions and now a powerful spokesperson for marriage equality in CA. She is a member of the Human Rights Campaign's Religion Council and has been named of the 50 Most Influential Anglicans Worldwide by the London Sunday Telegraph. Russell has made numerous appearances on network news programs defending Marriage equality. Her blog: http://www.inchatatime.blogspot.com/. srussell@allsaints-pas.org

Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs is Rabbi Emeritus at Temple Kol Tikvah in Los Angeles, Cal. Among his many social justice contributions, Jacobs served as part of the interfaith delegation to Yugoslavia with Rev. Jesse Jackson and helped to bring about the release of the captured American soldiers; he actively participated with service union workers for wage reform; and during the post-election 2000 uncertainty, Jacobs emerged as the prime force in the renewal of the Black-Jewish Coalition. For these and other activities throughout his life, Jacobs received the 2001 Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award.

Rev. Ryan Bell, Pastor at Hollywood Seventh-Day Adventist Church where he has served since June 2005. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan and is now completing a Doctor of Ministry in Missional Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Since 2005, he and his congregation have been active in the Hollywood community and the city of Los Angeles bearing witness to God’s reign by, in part, working for solutions to some of the most intractable social problems including homelessness, affordable housing and human trafficking through advocacy and faith-based community organizing. He has written numerous articles and contributed to several books, including The Peacemaking Remnant. He blogs at http://www.ryanjbell.net/.

Rev. Arthur “Art” Lawrence Cribbs Jr., is pastor of the San Marino Congregational Church, United Church of Christ (UCC) in San Marino, CA. Rev. Cribbs’ first career was as a newscaster. In the mid-1990s, he was employed by KPIX-TV in San Francisco, where he was appointed bureau chief for the East Bay and was a special commentator during the O.J. Simpson trial. He also founded a weekly spiritual support group for non-traditional church persons and produced a weekly focus piece on persons “Making a Difference.” Rev. Cribbs began his ministerial career at age 13 as assistant pastor in his father’s church. Once the Supreme Court upheld Prop 8, Cribbs refused to conduct any marriages.

Vincent Jones, Senior Program Officer, Liberty Hill. "I led the keep-the-peace effort at my high school during the civil unrest following the Rodney King trial. I’ve been organizing people to overcome challenges or achieve shared goals ever since." Vincent staffed several political campaigns and was an aide to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and New York City Councilmember David Yassky. He was executive director of Center for Health Justice, currently serves as board co-chair of the National Teen Leadership Program and is a Camp Courage trainer. He has a B. A. in History from Swarthmore College where he was a Eugene M. Lang Scholar for Social Action and a Public Policy & International Affairs Fellow.

Rabbi Jonathan Klein serves as the Executive Director at CLUE-LA. Prior to his ordination in 1997 from Hebrew Union College, Jonathan served congregations in Flagstaff, Arizona and Rye, New York. Upon receiving his rabbinical degree, he served three years directing the Reform Jewish Movement's college program, eight years as the Allen and Ruth Ziegler Rabbinic Director of USC Hillel in Los Angeles, and a year as a Campaign Organizer and then Development Director for the Progressive Jewish Alliance. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, on the executive boards of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, Jews Against the War, and the Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace (ICUJP).

Eddie Martinez is the Associate Director of The Wall Las Memorias Project, a non profit HIV/AIDS organization located in Los Angeles. The Wall - Las Memorias Project is dedicated to promoting wellness and preventing illness among Latino populations affected by HIV/AIDS. Martinez is a native Angelino and the child of Mexican immigrants. Martinez was a community organizer during the Prop 8 campaign. Martinez was recognized in June of 2009 by Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl as one of the “Faces of the New LGBT Movement”. This recognition is in honor the new leaders and the growing diversity of the LGBT civil rights movement. Mr. Eddie Martinez is currently sitting on the County of Los Angeles Crystal Meth Work Group and State of Califonia Office of AIDS Latino Advisory Board. He is also the chair of the Greater East Los Angeles Meth Task Force. emartinez@thewalllasmemorias.org

Louise Brooks is CEO of LEB Media, a media consulting and messaging strategy firm in Los Angeles. Her clients include authors, celebrities, politicians and faith based non-profits. Prior to forming LEB Media she was an Emmy nominated television producer and executive. Brooks is a longtime civil rights activist for gay rights and has created successful media strategies for the election of gay bishops in the church. Brooks also did crisis management for All Saints Church during its investigation by the IRS.

"A Moral Compass to Justice" -- CFE Faith Leaders Take on the Tea Party Movement on Tax Day

2010-04-13T20:11:00.000-07:00

"A Moral Compass to Justice" is a collaborative of justice-minded faith leaders calling for a faith based alternative to the environment of racism, homophobia, discrimination, and violence generated by the current Tea Party movement.

"A Moral Compass to Justice" claims social justice as a core value of all religions and faith. The new group calls for a return to the faith and values that have guided America through the social transformations that challenged discrimination and resulted in greater equality, freedom, respect and dignity for all of Americans.

They urge elected officials and the American people to join them in the sacred work of setting a moral compass for justice so that there will be a more just world for all of us."

WHEN: 10.00AM - Thursday, APRIL 15th to counter Tea Party protests
WHERE: All Saints Church, 132 N Euclid Avenue, Pasadena 91101
WHO: (Speakers at Tuesday's Press Conference)

Rev. Canon Susan Russell, All Saints Episcopal Church-Pasadena
Rev. Eric P. Lee, CA President, Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Rabbi Denise Eger, President, Southern California Board of Rabbis
Eddie Martinez, Associate Director of The Wall Las Memorias Project
Ani Zonneveld, Co-Founder/President, Muslims for Progressive Values

MORAL COMPASS MEMBERS INCLUDE:
Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Rabbi Emeritus, Temple Kol Tikvah
Dr. Sharon Groves, Asst. Dir. of Religion and Faiths Program, Human Rights Campaign
Rev. Ryan Bell, Pastor, Hollywood Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Vincent Jones, Senior Program Officer, Liberty Hill Foundation
Rev. Samuel Chu, Executive Director, CA Faith for Equality
Rabbi Jonathan Klein, Executive Director, CLUE-LA
Rev. Art Cribbs, Pastor, San Marino UCC

CONTACT: Louise Brooks, Media Coordinator ■ 626.993.4605 ■ lebrooks@earthlink.net

CFE seeks Operations Manager

2010-04-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

Operations Manager
Salary: $40,000-45,000 (depending on experience) plus benefits package

Education: Bachelor (BA, BS, etc.)
Location: Los Angeles, California, 90069, United States

Job Category: Accounting & Finance, Administration, Employment & Human resources , Event planning, Fundraising & Development, Grants administration,
Management Sector: Nonprofit
Last day to apply: April 14, 2010
Type: Full time
Language(s): English
Area of Focus: Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Trans Issues, Human Rights and Civil Liberties, Network of Nonprofit Organizations, Religion, Spiritual, and Metaphysical Issues, Voting, Democracy, and Civic Engagement
Location: 8714 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90069, United States
Website: http://www.cafaithforequality.org
Sector: Nonprofit
Phone: (310) 598-5866
Contact person: Kerry Chaplin Fax: (310) 854-9119

AN INVITATION FROM CFE's NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2010-04-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

Dear L.A. Area Faith Leaders,

California Faith for Equality is launching a new organizing training designed for clergy and lay leaders from congregations and organizations to maximize your capacity to work effectively at the intersection of LGBT equality and religion.

"Putting Faith into Action" was jointly developed by California Faith for Equality, Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation at Hebrew Union College-JIR, and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a comprehensive training which:

Offers concrete examples of how clergy, faith leaders and congregations can make use of organizing methods that will make marriage equality and LGBT equality a routine and evolving part of the entire congregation's ministry

Helps faith leaders develop a specific strategy suited for the unique cultural, theological, political makeup and mission of their given congregation or community
Offers extensive resources and exercises on how to assess what motivates a congregation and what may hold a leader or congregation back in working for LGBT equality
Provides space and technical assistance for you and your team so that you will leave the training with an actual plan of action, and to network and collaborate with other California Faith for Equality congregations and organizations in your area

We strongly encourage you to invite other leaders from your congregation and participate as a team.

One of the greatest strengths people of faith bring to the fight for equality is the deep trust and long standing relationships we have within our networks. The "Putting Faith into Action" training was created to tap into this potential power and turn it into a force for good. If we are to win full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people - to make it a moral and social mandate pervasive in all aspects of our lives - it will no doubt require the very best of what the people of faith have to offer.

Training Details:
DATE: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
TIME: 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. - (Lunch will be provided*)
LOCATION: First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
540 South Commonwealth Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90020-1298
(Parking is free)

Please let us know ASAP whether or not you will be able to attend the training by responding to Kerry Chaplin at kerry@cafaithforequality.org.

* Also, please note any dietary restrictions so we can accommodate you.

Best regards,

Samuel

SAMUEL M. CHU NAMED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF

2010-04-07T15:27:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Los Angeles- April 7, 2010

The Board of California Faith for Equality (CFE) is delighted to name Samuel M. Chu as its full-time Executive Director. The announcement, made by the Reverend Neil Thomas, President of the CFE Board and Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) in Los Angeles, followed an extensive search process and the selection of Chu from a slate of highly qualified candidates.

"Samuel will join us permanently after serving CFE well as our Interim Executive Director," said Thomas. "Under his leadership, CFE has grown to a statewide network of congregations, faith-based organizations, and faith leaders committed to equality. As we move forward, CFE will continue to educate, support and mobilize California's communities of faith to promote equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and to safeguard religious freedom for all Californians."

Chu, a first generation immigrant from Hong Kong, China, has served in the Presbyterian Church and is a fellow at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. He currently chairs One LA-Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) -- one of the nation's largest networks committed to developing leadership and power for social and economic change. In addition to serving as CFE Executive Director, Chu will also oversee the CFE Action Fund.

He offered the following comments following his appointment:

"People of faith have always worked powerfully and provocatively at the intersections of various struggles for justice and equality. I am honored to be part of CFE's commitment to continuing that tradition as we work for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in California. We know that commitment will require the very best of what people of faith have to offer and contribute -- and we look forward to partnering with our secular allies as we work together toward our common goal of equality for LGBT Californians."

"It has been my deep belief that faith should always be a force for good -- not to be used to harm or to deny a person's humanity. I am honored to continue to lead California Faith for Equality at this critical moment when we must reclaim this powerful force -- not just for those on the religious left or the religious right - but for all people."

For more information contact:

Louise Brooks

louise@cafaithforequality.org

Catholics for Marriage Equality are speaking out

2010-03-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

From their website:

Catholics for Marriage Equality [C4ME] encompasses faithful Roman Catholics throughout the United States who through prayerful discernment are supporting civil marriage for same-sex couples. Our consciences are informed by our Catholic social justice tradition based in Hebrew and Christian scriptures.

C4ME's justice focus is same-sex marriage equality. C4ME can denote any Catholic individual or group that affirms the C4ME purpose: (1) to give hope to those who are hurt and angry by our bishops' determination to block civil marriage for same-sex couples and (2) to disseminate truthful information respectfully stating why civil marriage equality is a matter of civil rights and social justice that Catholics can support as a matter of informed conscience and political opinion.

If you are a practicing Catholic desiring further information before committing yourself to support civil marriage equality, we hope this site will be helpful in your deciding to include gay and lesbian families in the rights granted heterosexual families through civil marriage. C4ME honors the Church's theology of sacramental marriage and affirms the right of every religious body to determine who it marries and what marriages it recognizes.

C4ME's Declaration of Conscience is adapted from ones used in the Massachusetts and Maine challenges to same-sex marriage. C4ME's goal is to obtain signatures of Catholics throughout the U.S. When a bishop denounces same-sex marriage and seeks to sway public officials, our signatures will attest that the bishop does not speak for all faithful Catholics.

For more information:

info@catholicsformarriageequality.net

In Africa, a step backward on human rights

2010-03-16T12:24:00.000-07:00

From the Washington Post
By Desmond Tutu
Friday, March 12, 2010

Hate has no place in the house of God. No one should be excluded from our love, our compassion or our concern because of race or gender, faith or ethnicity -- or because of their sexual orientation. Nor should anyone be excluded from health care on any of these grounds. In my country of South Africa, we struggled for years against the evil system of apartheid that divided human beings, children of the same God, by racial classification and then denied many of them fundamental human rights. We knew this was wrong. Thankfully, the world supported us in our struggle for freedom and dignity.

It is time to stand up against another wrong.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people are part of so many families. They are part of the human family. They are part of God's family. And of course they are part of the African family. But a wave of hate is spreading across my beloved continent. People are again being denied their fundamental rights and freedoms. Men have been falsely charged and imprisoned in Senegal, and health services for these men and their community have suffered. In Malawi, men have been jailed and humiliated for expressing their partnerships with other men. Just this month, mobs in Mtwapa Township, Kenya, attacked men they suspected of being gay. Kenyan religious leaders, I am ashamed to say, threatened an HIV clinic there for providing counseling services to all members of that community, because the clerics wanted gay men excluded.

Uganda's parliament is debating legislation that would make homosexuality punishable by life imprisonment, and more discriminatory legislation has been debated in Rwanda and Burundi.

These are terrible backward steps for human rights in Africa.

Our lesbian and gay brothers and sisters across Africa are living in fear.

And they are living in hiding -- away from care, away from the protection the state should offer to every citizen and away from health care in the AIDS era, when all of us, especially Africans, need access to essential HIV services. That this pandering to intolerance is being done by politicians looking for scapegoats for their failures is not surprising. But it is a great wrong. An even larger offense is that it is being done in the name of God. Show me where Christ said "Love thy fellow man, except for the gay ones." Gay people, too, are made in my God's image. I would never worship a homophobic God.

"But they are sinners," I can hear the preachers and politicians say. "They are choosing a life of sin for which they must be punished." My scientist and medical friends have shared with me a reality that so many gay people have confirmed, I now know it in my heart to be true. No one chooses to be gay. Sexual orientation, like skin color, is another feature of our diversity as a human family. Isn't it amazing that we are all made in God's image, and yet there is so much diversity among his people? Does God love his dark- or his light-skinned children less? The brave more than the timid? And does any of us know the mind of God so well that we can decide for him who is included, and who is excluded, from the circle of his love?

The wave of hate must stop. Politicians who profit from exploiting this hate, from fanning it, must not be tempted by this easy way to profit from fear and misunderstanding. And my fellow clerics, of all faiths, must stand up for the principles of universal dignity and fellowship. Exclusion is never the way forward on our shared paths to freedom and justice.

The writer is archbishop emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984.

Lutheran bishops prepare to welcome gay clergy

2010-03-16T12:22:00.000-07:00

March 11, 2010
by Daniel Burke
Religion News Service

(RNS) Bishops in the nation's largest Lutheran denomination have approved preliminary steps to welcome a group of openly gay and lesbian ministers as official clergy with new liturgical rites.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Conference of Bishops approved a draft proposal on Monday (March 8) for the new rites, which include prayers and the laying on of hands by the local bishop, according to the denomination's news service.

The proposal only applies to 17 pastors who had followed normal ELCA procedures for education and ordination, but remained barred from the denomination's official clergy roster because of their sexuality. The clergy are all members of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, a group devoted to gay rights in the ELCA.

Last summer, the ELCA, which has about 4.6 million members, voted to change its longtime policy barring noncelibate gays and lesbians from the pulpit. The church's executive council is expected to vote on the proposed rites at its meeting in Chicago next month, when it is also expected to draw up new rules for other gay and lesbian clergy candidates.

Since the ELCA's decision to allow noncelibate gay and lesbian clergy, 62 congregations have taken the two necessary votes to leave the denomination. An additional 197 have passed one of the votes, according to the ELCA, which has 10,230 congregations in all.

In addition, financial support for the denomination hit an all-time low of about $60 million in 2009, the church announced. ELCA Treasurer Christina Jackson-Skelton said the economic recession and "disagreements within congregations" about the decision on gay clergy had contributed to the decline.

Supreme Court Refuses To Block Same Sex Marriage in DC

2010-03-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

From the Huffington Post March 2, 2010

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to block the District of Columbia's gay marriage law, freeing the city to issue its first marriage licenses to same-sex couples the following day.

Opponents of gay marriage in the nation's capital had asked Chief Justice John Roberts to stop the city from issuing the licenses on Wednesday while they appealed. They argued that D.C. voters should have been allowed to vote on the issue. Local courts have rejected the opponents' arguments.

"It has been the practice of the court to defer to the decisions of the courts of the District of Columbia on matters of exclusively local concern," said Roberts, writing for the court.

He also pointed out that Congress could have voted to stop the city government from putting the law into effect and didn't.

Opponents have also asked city courts to allow a voter referendum on gay marriage, and they "will have the right to challenge any adverse decision ... in this court at the appropriate time," Roberts said.

The city has said Wednesday probably will be the first day same-sex couples can apply for marriage licenses. Couples still will have to wait three full business days for their licenses before exchanging vows.

Same-sex marriages are also legal in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut and Vermont.

JUST LOVE: A Statewide Challenge to the Ex-Gay Movement

2010-03-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego California

Saturday, March 6 2010
9 a.m. – 5p.m.

Program

8.30 a.m. Registration

9 a.m. Welcome and opening remarks: Rev. Canon Albert Ogle (Vice President for National and International Affairs, Integrity USA and serves as a Director of the California Council of Churches Impact Board)

The Very Rev. Scott Richardson (Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral)

9.15 a.m.-12.30 p.m. A PANEL OF EXPERTS

A personal testimony: Joshua’s Story

Joshua Romero is the HRC Religious Liaison in San Diego. He was raised in Baptist, Assembly of God, Nazarene, and non-denominational churches. A few months after coming out to his family during his senior year at Point Loma Nazarene University, he attended a Love Won Out conference in St. Louis with his family, where he witnessed first-hand the emotional and psychological damage of the ex-gay movement on LGBT persons and their parents. His friends' stories and faith challenges have inspired him to the create Solace, a peer support group for people of faith during the coming out process.

The history and methods of the ex-gay movement

Michael Bussee, after co-founding Exodus International in 1979, left
the group and became an outspoken critic of the organization. Today
Bussee is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist, a father, an evangelical Christian, and a proud gay man.

Links to Exodus International, the ex gay movement in the USA and Uganda.

Wayne Besen, Founder of Truth Wins Out, a non-profit organization that defends the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community against anti-gay misinformation, counters the so-called “ex-gay” industry and educates America about the lives of LGBT people, and author of Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth and Bashing Back: Wayne Besen on GLBT People, Politics, and Culture.

Dr. Amity Pierce Buxton, author of The Other Side of the Closet: The Coming-Out Crisis for Straight Spouses and Families, founded the Straight Spouse Network (SSN) to support straight spouses whose partners came out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender partners and mixed-orientation or trans/nontrans couples.

Jim Burroway, writer and Editor of Box Turtle Bulletin. Jim was the first to sound the alarm on the intensifying anti-LGBT climate in Uganda that has led to a bill before the Ugandan Parliament that has sparked international outrage.

Panel Questions and Answers

12.30-1.30 p.m. LUNCH (on your own)

1.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m. AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS

A. WINNING HEARTS AND MINDS –THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDIA

This intensive Media Training is designed to help anyone interested in improving their media skills and utilizing the media more effectively to get their messages across. How do you “stay on message” or deal with difficult or awkward questions?

Louise Brooks is a former Television Producer and is a consultant with California Faith for Equality and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Louise is also the Secretary to Integrity USA and coordinated the successful media campaign at the 2009 General Convention where the Episcopal Church passed legislation to open all employment and membership opportunities to LGBT people. Louise is also the media consultant for Rev. Mary Glasspool who was recently elected ad the first openly lesbian bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles.

B. COMMUNITY ACTIVISM - the hard work of “changing hearts and
minds”. How can religious people on one side, address the issues
raised by religious people on the other side? Chaired by Fernando Lopez, Marriage Equality USA

We are inviting EQCA. CFE, MEUSA, PFLAG, SAME and local GSA’s to
share helpful strategies from their wealth of experience here in San Diego. This workshop is designed to equip volunteers to engage deeper issues on a personal and conversational level. These tools and talking points can be used for door to door or everyday conversations with our opponents who have a particularly religious perspective that needs to be challenged effectively.

Andrea Shorter is the Deputy Director Marriage Equality, Equality California. She is a coalition building strategist for marriage equality and long term civil and human rights movement work. Andrea’s occupations have included Director, And Marriage For All; and Deputy Executive Director, Names Project Foundation/AIDS Memorial Quilt. She studied abroad in Denmark and traveled extensively 'round the world through Europe, Holland, Russia, Israel, Palestine, and South Africa. Andrea has been a proud Castro resident for nearly 20 years and is immersed in the fight for marriage equality, particularly with faith and minority communities.

The Rev. Dr. Paul Egertson, is Senior Lecturer in Religion at California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA. From 1995 through 2001 he served as Bishop of the Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
He is on the Board of Directors of Soulforce, Inc., and a member of the Covenant Circle for Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries. He has received a number of awards for over 25 years of activism within the Lutheran churches on behalf of equality for LGBTQ people and resigned one month before his term of office was completed following controversy over ordaining the first openly lesbian pastor in the Lutheran Church. He and his wife Shirley have been married for 54 years and are the parents of six sons (one gay, five straight). They enjoy over a dozen grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“Activism in Religious Settings” “I will briefly discuss the Biblical issues that Judeo/Christian groups struggle with. Then describe the four various views held by Christians in regard to gay/lesbian people. Finally, I'd describe the activist process by which the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was led last August to change its denominational position from a closed to a more open one. The point of all three sections would be to provide assistance to those present as they seek to activate changes of attitude among religious people”.

C. STRATEGIES FOR RECOVERY from ex-gay theology and propaganda. What can the community provide?

Carlos Marquez is Director of Public Programs and Community Affairs at the San Diego LGBT Center

D. ARE THE ACTIVITIES AND CLAIMS OF THE EX GAY MOVEMENT ILLEGAL? – Legal/Ethical Issues and strategies

Susan Guinn is the lead partner in the Law Offices of Susan Guinn in San Diego and served on the Board of Directors of Equality California. She is married to Denice Feldhaus and they have two children, Gavin and Max.

The focus of this discussion will be on how to end the misinformation that has fueled everything from personal crises in thousands of undocumented cases of teenagers, men and women trying to use ex gay therapy to the influencing of legislation in Uganda. This is a workshop for attorneys and other interested people in monitoring the damage and misinformation from a legal and strategic point of view.

This workshop and discussion will be led by Susan Guinn from the Law Offices of Susan Guinn in San Diego

Want To Converse On Religion? CONTACT ARIANNA and HuffPost Religion

2010-02-24T19:57:00.000-08:00

Arianna Huffington February 24, 2010 03:18 PM

I've always been fascinated by religion.

Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of my family's summer holidays on the island of Corfu. August 15 is when all of Greece pays homage to the Virgin Mary. I remember going to church on that day every year, and sitting quietly among widows in black kerchiefs and younger women smelling of summer wool and candle smoke. I would watch, enthralled, as deep faith and memories moved them to tears of grief and hope. And, in my childish way, I shared their love for her.

I believe that we are all hardwired for the sacred, that the instinct for spirituality is part of our collective DNA. I wrote about this instinct 15 years ago, and called it the fourth instinct, the one beyond survival, sex, and power. It propels us to find meaning and transcend our everyday preoccupations.

For some, it involves organized religion. For others, it's a personal spiritual quest. Seventy percent of Americans belong to a religious organization and 40 percent attend services once a week.

Yet, despite the central role religion plays in American life, all too often, when talking about it, we end up talking at each other instead of with each other. This is a shame -- especially at a time like this, when the economic struggle in so many people's lives has led to a deeper questioning of our values and priorities. Whether you are a believer or not, this is an essential conversation to have...which is why I'm delighted to announce that we are launching HuffPost Religion -- a section featuring a wide-ranging discussion about religion, spirituality, and the ways they influence our lives.

Like all our sections, HuffPost Religion will bring you the latest news -- in this case about all things religion-related -- served up in the HuffPost style. It will also be home to an open and fearless dialogue about all the ways religion affects both our personal and our public lives. And it will do so in a way that moves beyond the pigeonhole depictions of both the faithful and the agnostic we see so frequently -- and also beyond the tired assumption that God is a card-carrying member of one political party or another.

HuffPost Religion is being edited by Paul Raushenbush, an Associate Dean of Religious Life at Princeton University and an ordained Baptist minister. As a passionate and brilliant religious thinker, pastor, writer and college dean, Paul is ideally suited to the challenge of presenting multiple viewpoints and insights, as well as the real-world implications of religion for American life.

So, among other things, you can expect discussions about the relationship between religion and science; the role religion can play in overcoming personal obstacles and attaining a sense of well-being; the ways religion is portrayed in pop culture; how religious commitments influence politicians and key domestic policy debates; and the effect of religion on foreign policy issues and international relations.

The bloggers who will be posting on HuffPost Religion will be a great mix of religious heavyweights and up-and-coming voices in the field. Today's thought-provoking lineup includes Rev. Jim Wallis on the spiritual crisis of the recession; Deepak Chopra on the continued importance of spirituality; Eboo Patel on the crucial importance of interfaith relations; Sister Joan Chittister on the future of the Roman Catholic Church; Rabbi Or Rose on the role of religion when it comes to the environment; Dr. Eddie Glaude on the declining power of the Black Church; Sharon Salzberg on Buddhism's "middle way"; Brian McLaren on 'new Evangelicals'; and Steven Barrie Anthony on technology and spirituality.

"Ask your soul!" pleads Herman Hesse in My Belief. "Your soul will not blame you for having cared too little about politics, for having exerted yourself too little, hated your enemies too little, or too little fortified your frontiers. But she will perhaps blame you for so often having feared and fled from her demands, for never having had time to give her..."

So give a little time over to explore these questions and concerns that are at the heart of HuffPost Religion. And let us know what you think. The conversation starts now

NOT AGAIN! BEAUTY QUEEN OPPOSES MARRIAGE EQUALITY

2010-02-24T11:16:00.000-08:00

Attn: CFE members and supporters. It's happening again. A beauty queen speaking out -- this time quoting her intrepretation the Bible -- against Marriage Equality. Now is the time for us to take back the Bible. Speak out loudly and as often as you can to counter her message.

From Hollie McKay - FOXNews.com - February 23, 2010

Miss Beverly Hills Lauren Ashley Opposes Same Sex Marriage

Former Miss California Carrie Prejean isn't the only beauty queen open to expressing her objection to same-sex marriage. Miss Beverly Hills 2010 Lauren Ashley is also speaking out in support of traditional nuptials.

Carrie Prejean isn't the only beauty queen open to expressing her objection to same-sex marriage.

Miss Beverly Hills 2010 Lauren Ashley is also speaking out in support of traditional nuptials.

"The Bible says that marriage is between a man and a woman. In Leviticus it says, 'If man lies with mankind as he would lie with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death and their blood shall be upon them.' The Bible is pretty black and white," Ashley told Pop Tarts.

"I feel like God himself created mankind and he loves everyone, and he has the best for everyone. If he says that having sex with someone of your same gender is going to bring death upon you, that's a pretty stern warning, and he knows more than we do about life."

Ashley, 23, will be representing Beverly Hills in the Miss California pageant in November. Her statements mirror former Miss California Carrie Prejean's answer to a question about same-sex marriage in last year's Miss USA pageant. At the time, Prejean said her answer opposing same sex marriage cost her the title.

SLIDESHOW: Former Miss California Carrie Prejean.

But with the Miss California Pageant still months away, and Ashley already echoing the views that got Prejean in trouble last year, is she concerned that she may ruin her chances of taking home the tiara?

"That isn't really the issue. I have a lot of friends that are gay, and ... I have a lot of friends who have different views, and we share our views together," she said. "There's no hate between me and anyone."

And according to the Miss California's state director, Keith Lewis, a contestant's personal opinion should have no bearing on the result.

"The Miss California USA system has always had a place for an individual's thoughts and opinions when it comes to all sides of political issues," Lewis told Pop Tarts. "It is an organization which empowers women, and everyone is entitled to their own beliefs."

And while Ashley has yet to meet Carrie Prejean, she is certainly a big fan.

"She is definitely a beautiful person and I love that she stood up for what she believes in. I think that's gorgeous," Ashley said. "Perez Hilton definitely overreacted a little bit. He took it personally, and I'm sure that she loves him just as much as she loves everyone else."

Ashley owns her own personal training company in Beverly Hills. And even though she parties with Paris Hilton, she tries to steer clear of doing anything too naughty. She said she plans to remain a virgin until her wedding night.

"I don't drink alcohol and I don't smoke weed or cigarettes. My definition of partying is a little different," she said. "I feel like my body is the Temple of God and it's my temple so it's really good to treat it well. I also feel like sex was made for marriage. You really show your future husband or wife respect and you build a lot of trust before you get married. You don't have sex with other people, so that should definitely build trust, because you waited."

Pop Tarts has also exclusively learned that Lewis, who was pitted against Prejean in last year's gay marriage brouhaha, is writing a tell-all book under the working title "The Man Behind the Tiara."

"It is a gay man's journey through overcoming his own homophobia," Lewis said. "I was from a Southern Baptist upbringing, I was from Carrie's camp. This whole thing made me realize that I had a deep-seated guilt about who I was. Strangely enough, Carrie Prejean made me comfortable with being gay."

Latino LGBT Community Forum

2010-02-22T20:14:00.000-08:00

Free, Saturday, February 27th, 10 am

Highland Park Cultural Center
104 N. Ave. 56, Los Angeles 90042

The Latino Equality Alliance, an alliance of LGBT Latino community organizations, is partnering with the U. S. Census Bureau, MALDEF, and other Latino ally organizations in hosting the Latino LGBT Community Forum. The bilingual community forum will provide an opportunity for LGBT individuals, friends and family members to discuss the recent developments of the LGBT civil rights movement, what's happened since Prop. 8 passed, and what we can do now to further our movement.

We will also learn more about the new Census Bureau policy to officially count married and unmarried LGBT couples. This is in response to a recent policy change by the Obama Administration. The Census designates Latinos, and now LGBT Latinos, as “hard to count” populations. As such, we are working to assure the most accurate count possible by disseminating information about the new LGBT policy, how the Census form should be filled out to assure that LGBT couples are counted and encourage participation.

Your input is important as we develop our action plans to overcome homophobia, misconceptions and myths about the LGBT community. Please join us for this special event. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided at no charge. We will also offer free "Snapshot of America" Census campaign photos for Latina/o LGBT couples and families.

Please RSVP by email to: LatinoEqualityAlliance@gmail.com

60 Members of Congress Call for LGBT-Inclusive Immigration Reform

2010-02-09T16:57:00.000-08:00

Sixty Members of Congress, led by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), have issued a letter calling on President Obama and Congressional leaders to pass legislation which would end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) immigrant families. The statement, which comes from members of the LGBT Equality Caucus, urges passage of the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) and for inclusion of “LGBT binational families in comprehensive immigration reform.” Under current immigration law, lesbian and gay Americans are unable to sponsor their partners for residency in the United States, resulting in many such families living separately, or facing imminent separation, from their loved ones.

“No one,” the letter insists, “should be forced to choose between the person they love and the country they call home. It is time that our immigration laws kept families together instead of tearing them apart.”

“Passage of immigration reform will require every family standing with their neighbors and loved ones to work for change,” said Rachel B. Tiven, Executive Director of Immigration Equality, a national organization that works to end discrimination in U.S. immigration law. “The LGBT Equality Caucus’s letter signals that our champions in Congress, and the LGBT community, are ready to work for passage of reform that includes all families, including LGBT families. There are more than 36,000 lesbian and gay binational families counting on us to get this work done. “

The letter – spearheaded by Congresswoman Baldwin and Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Jared Polis (D-CO), Mike Honda (D-CA) and Mike Quigley (D-IL) – comes as Congress is expected to turn its attention to comprehensive immigration reform legislation in the near future. According to an analysis of U.S. census data, more than 36,000 lesbian and gay binational couples would benefit from an LGBT-inclusive immigration reform bill. Nearly half of those families, data show, are raising young children who face the possibility of being separated from one of their parents.

“Recognizing how important familes have been to our national development, the central mission of our immigration system has always been to reunify families.,” said Thomas Saenz, president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). “In order to be true to that core value, comprehensive immigration reform must fix our system to include LGBT families. Failure to do so would leave us with a flawed system that continues to tear apart families, contrary to our legal and constitutional traditions.”

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the lead House sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act, which would also end discrimination against LGBT binational families, agreed.

“We must take the government out of the business of singling out LGBT families for discriminatory treatment and live up to our democratic ideal of equality under the law,” Nadler said. “I join my colleagues in calling on Congress and the White House to include the Uniting American Families Act, which I have introduced in every Congress since 2000, in any immigration reform legislation, and end discrimination against binational LGBT families.”

“There is simply no place for discrimination in America,” Congresswoman Baldwin added. “As we tackle comprehensive immigration reform, it’s imperative that we end discriminatory laws that hurt couples, their children and extended families, and their communities and employers.”

Immigration Equality has also significantly increased its legislative work on the issue, recently announcing the formation of a 501(c)4 Action Fund, to significant increase its lobbying work, and an expanded Washington, D.C. office.

“This is the moment,” Tiven said. “Introduction of comprehensive immigration reform legislation provides a unique opportunity to win a critical victory for LGBT families, and all families. We will work, non-stop, with our allies in the LGBT Equality Caucus, and the immigration rights movement, to do just that.”

Have Faith in Love

2010-02-08T10:47:00.000-08:00

February 8, 2010
Op-Ed Contributor
New York Times
By ERIC LAX

Beverly Hills, Calif.

THE election, two months ago, of the Rev. Mary Glasspool, a priest who has been in a committed relationship with another woman for more than 20 years, as a suffragan (assistant) bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, has brought added turmoil to the Episcopal Church in the United States and to the worldwide Anglican Communion. There has been sporadic schism since the regular ordination of women as priests in 1977 and especially since the election of the Rev. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003. He is the first openly gay bishop in the history of those Christian bishops — Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Greek and Russian Orthodox among them — who trace their succession back to the apostles.

In protest, several dozen parishes have aligned themselves with conservative Anglican bishops in Africa, and the Roman Catholic Church has offered to take in disaffected Episcopalians. In 2008, the leadership of the Anglican Communion, to which the American church belongs, tried to keep things together by urging the Americans not to elect other openly gay people as bishops until the Communion could establish more common ground. The Los Angeles electors’ choice of a gay woman as bishop has pushed the denominational envelope to the point of tearing.
The Glasspool election and its ensuing uproar make me realize how much has changed since 1976, when my father, who came to the Los Angeles diocese as a priest in 1947, died. About the biggest controversy within the church during most of his ministry was over proposed revisions to the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.

At that time, marriage was strictly Adam and Eve. Gays were closeted, whether they were in the congregation or the male-only priesthood. Until 1971, when women were first ordained as deacons, the highest post a woman could attain was member of the vestry, the elected group that manages parish business. But even that was uncommon; usually the highest ranking woman in the parish was the leader of the altar guild, which arranges the flowers in the church, sets up the Eucharistic vessels and washes and irons the linens used in the service. Women could not be priests because — according to the reasoning that had held for two millenniums — none of the apostles was a woman. This made as much sense as saying that, as none of the apostles was a scholar, scholars could not be priests, or that because all the apostles were Jews, only Jews could be ordained.

In 1977, I interviewed one of the controversial new priests, the Rev. Carol Anderson, for an Esquire article, and thought she was simply marvelous. Twelve years later, as either coincidence or a wave of the hand of God, she arrived as the new rector of my now nominal parish, All Saints’ in Beverly Hills, and we have become great friends. Oh, and now the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church is a woman, Katharine Jefferts Schori.

These changes did not come until I was in my 30s. I had always been deeply devout, an altar boy from age 6, a regular at church camp and then on its summer staff, and the vice president and then the president of our diocese’s Episcopal Young Churchmen. I attended Hobart College, in Geneva, N.Y., which is affiliated with the Episcopal Church, my tuition paid in part by a clergy scholarship. Until well into my 20s, I gave regular consideration to becoming a priest myself.

I had a good model in my father, a man of immense humor who understood the frailties of humanity and who annually challenged his faith by reading agnostics from Thomas Huxley to George Bernard Shaw. He was a solid defender of Anglican orthodoxy and the guidance of the New Testament, but he also believed that every bit of Christian teaching could be summed up in three words: God is love. “The miracles,” he once told me, “are window dressing.”

Love. Treat others as you would have them treat you. If you feel you are a child of God, then honor your common and equal status with others as children of God. Except (and there are always exceptions with sibling rivalry) if they are women and therefore not qualified to perform the holiest sacraments of the church. Except if two members of the same sex engage in long, committed and faithful love; God may be love, but this love is ungodly.

Just look, some vigilant Christians say, at the “clear teaching” in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (“Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers — none of these will inherit the kingdom of God.”); in 1 Timothy 1:9-11 (“The law is laid down ... for the unholy and profane ... for murderers, fornicators, sodomites, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God.”); and especially in Romans 1:26b-27 (“Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons the due penalty for their error.”)

I know that this will offend some Christians, but the notion that Scripture is perfectly clear is wishful thinking, as a recent white paper prepared by the All Saints’ clergy demonstrates. The writers of the four Gospels don’t agree on even so simple a thing as which people were present at Christ’s empty tomb. Considering that, over the centuries, the Bible has been translated into and out of multiple languages, it only makes sense to consider the context of what’s written rather than believe that every word is literal divine revelation. In rebuttal to the notion of a clear teaching of Scripture, the evangelical author and speaker Tony Campolo has said that “sodomites” is a word of dubious translation. “Nobody knows what the word means,” he said. “Interestingly enough, up until the 14th century it was translated as masturbation.”

Timothy’s reference to sodomites, for its part, is in the context of boys who were castrated to maintain their feminine and childlike characteristics and then exploited for sex — a far cry from two consenting adults of the same sex consummating their committed love.

Today, there is much reference to the supposed Christian teaching that marriage is a sacrament between one man and one woman, but it was not until the 12th century that marriage became a sacrament in the Western church.

Sex, though, has always been a particularly Christian problem. Orthodox Jews are commanded to marry, but the early Christians found celibacy a high calling. St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 7 that he wished all Christians could stay single and celibate, as he had. He knew, however, that not everyone could and so he adds, “But if they are not practicing self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.”

Less quoted than Paul’s advice that it is better to marry than to be engulfed by desire is what he says earlier in the passage: “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.” One having one kind of gift and another a different kind is a pretty good definition of humanity in all our variety, and to me this passage expands the heart of what it means when two people, gay or straight, commit themselves to each other in the sight of a God who understands human differences.

A central tenet of Christianity is that all of us are born into sin. Then, as we grow older, we decide that some of our equals sin more than others, and in far worse ways than we do ourselves. We divine the word of God to mean that the acts we don’t like of others — what they eat, how they pray, whom they fall in love with — are an abomination in his sight, as if we can presume to decide in our own way what pleases God, and therefore what acts should be excluded and whom we can judge and damn in his name.

Exclusion always seems to become part of some people’s faith, though often over time what was excluded becomes accepted, only to be replaced by another ban: People of one denomination can’t marry those in another; people of one color cannot marry those of another.

Among my father’s parishioners in the 1950s were two men in their late 40s who came every Sunday to the 7:30 a.m. communion service and who shared a house. My parents referred to them as “confirmed bachelors,” code words for the love that dare not speak its name. They were kind and gentle men, who to even a 10-year-old obviously had some sort of special and personal bond. I am certain that they were in a loving and committed relationship that the church would then not recognize or bless, but as long as the fiction of their just being two people who happened to live together was maintained, they would continue to be accepted and valued members of the congregation. Which, of course, was well meaning but also hypocritical. Now, a multitude of parishes across the country would openly welcome the couple.

My own faith has eroded over the years, though my father’s belief in the supremacy of love still guides me. And so I can’t help but wonder, how can Christians not recognize and honor love that binds two people, any two people, together unto themselves? And if a priest has fulfilled her sacred duties with the distinction that persuades those to whom she would minister to elect her their bishop, and has led an open life of committed love that honors the essence of their God, why should her choice of a partner matter?

Eric Lax is the author of the forthcoming “Faith, Interrupted: A Spiritual Journey.”

CFE PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL AMERICAN PRAYER HOUR

2010-02-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

AMERICAN PRAYER HOUR

Thursday, February 4, 2010 10:30 a.m.

GLENDALE CITY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

California Faith for Equality was a sponsor of the American Prayer Hour Interfaith gathering In Glendale, California- part of national movement - one of 17 gatherings across the country. The Glendale event was organized by Dave Ferguson, Church Relations Director of Seventh-day Adventist Kinship and Leif Lind, Church Administrator of Glendale City Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Glendale City Seventh-day Adventist Church is an open and affirming congregation.

[Rev. Sandie Richards; Rev. Keith Banwart, Jr.; Rev. Art Cribbs; Dave Ferguson; Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater; Lief Lind]

CFE spokesperson, the Rev. Dr. Art Cribbs delivered the homily. Cribbs called for "justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." He challenged all to live into our "ubuntu" selves, the "I am in you and you in me" so that we are all one.

The service was both interfaith and multicultural, with prayers offered in five languages including intercessor. Pictured below is Vivan Varela from All Saints Church in Pasadena, who added a Spanish prayer to those in Portuguese, French and Hebrew.

Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater delivered the blessing.

The service included the following litany -- written for the American Prayer Hour by the Reverend Lesley Brogan, Atlanta GA.

THE LITANY

God of all places, of this room and the other rooms across the country where we gather to pray this morning, inspire us. When we hear of the hatred for sisters and brothers in Uganda, we also feel hatred; we become hateful ourselves. When we hear of the devastation of lives of sisters and brothers because of wars, especially in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan, we lose our trust. When we hear of the suffering of sisters and brothers in Darfur, we lose our faith. We know that we have become a culture of “us versus them,” spending our hours and energies naming and blaming. In places of hatred where walls are built to separate us one from another, guide us so that we might turn toward each other and not turn away.
ALL: Guide us to a new place where our faith builds bridges and creates places for healing.

God of all time and this morning, stir us up, we pray. In this time when voices are silenced and agendas are created behind closed doors, open our hearts and minds so that more seats are placed at the tables of change and transformation. In places where lines are drawn in the sand dividing neighborhoods and countries, awaken us in a new way.
ALL: Awaken us to a time of hope and openness of heart.

God of all people and of your sons and daughters here this morning, gather us in, we pray. Where there is great suffering from hunger and thirst, come. Where sisters and brothers have no place to lay their heads, come. Where jobs have been lost and dreams have vanished, come. Be present, God, in Haiti, in the United States of America, in Uganda. In places of violence, addiction, illness and injury, come God of us all, come.
ALL: Come and re-shape your children to love so that we might live into your image.

Holy One, renew us. During this season of shortened hours of daylight, we are sometimes tempted to hibernate. Remind us that although the night may seem long, your light is ever again preparing to burst onto our horizons emboldening us and giving us strength for your service. Guide us. Awaken us, O God. Re-shape us so that we might live into your restoration, your justice, your shalom.
All: God of faith, hope and love we hunger for you – this is the place, this is the time, fill us with Your courage, peace, and love. Use us, we pray. Amen.

California Faith for Equality was proud to have participated in this memorable and important service.

AMERICAN PRAYER HOUR

2010-01-30T16:45:00.000-08:00

“Oh God, of Many Names and Faiths, Guide us to a new place where our faith builds bridges and creates places for healing. Amen” — Rev Lesley Brogan

We see our faiths as a means to heal those who suffer, as an affirmation of the common human dignity of all of God’s people, and as a strong rebuttal of cruelty and derision attributed to God.

In this spirit, we have come together to form the American Prayer Hour, a time to pray in communion with our brothers and sisters in faith. We pray for an end to the spiritual violence continually suffered at the hands of the wrathful.

Join us at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2010 for the Los Angeles Prayer Hour hosted by the Glendale City Seventh-day Adventist Church,
610 E. California Avenue, Glendale, CA 91206

There is much work to do: every February, politicians and religious leaders flock to the National Prayer Breakfast. Long a tradition in the Capitol city, the National Prayer Breakfast is organized by the Fellowship Foundation, a fundamentalist Christian organization, scrutinized for their involvement in the Ugandan government’s draconian proposal to criminalize homosexuality—punishable by life imprisonment or death.

We cannot be silent or complacent at such an egregious violation of basic human rights and decency. The American Prayer Hour offers an alternative to the collusion in prayer with those who would inflict and support such unspeakable cruelty on another child of God.

Join us this Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Visit us online at www.americanprayerhour.org for more information and to support the Prayer Hour.

Anchored in four key cities—Washington, DC, Dallas, Chicago and Berkeley, CA—the American Prayer Hour sees to show that hatred and extremism are contrary to the faithful, and an affront to loving religious traditions worldwide. We invite you to participate in this powerful event and encourage you to invite your friends, neighbors, congregations and families.

American Prayer Hour services are currently planned for the following cities:
Anchorage, AK (Church of Life Alaska); Berkeley-Pacific School of Religion (The Chapel); Boynton Beach, FL (Church of our Savior, MCC); Buffalo, NY(The Episcopal Diocese of Western New York-Bishop’s Chapel): Chicago, IL (Chicago Theological Seminary-The Chapel); Dallas, TX (Creating Change, Sheraton Dallas, Ballroom A); Minneapolis, MN (Plymouth Congregational , NY (The New Seminary); Washington, DC (Calvary Baptist Church, Chapel).

The Defense Rests..........

2010-01-28T10:17:00.000-08:00

The defense rested today in the Perry v Schwarzenegger Prop 8 Trial in San Francisco federal court. Judge Walker announced he'd be taking 30 days to "digest" the two weeks of testimony and set February 26th as the date he'll be ready to decide on a closing argument schedule.

So here's a foretaste of the NOT-so-heavenly banquet of Prop8 Trial post-mortem by the "Protect (our-but-not-your) Marriage" folks. I spied it yesterday on General Counsel Andy Pugno's blog which began:"Once again, religion was on trial this morning ..." No. In point of fact, what was on trial in Federal Court over these last two weeks was the abuse of religion as a weapon of mass disinformation in the 2008 Proposition 8 Campaign.

What was on trial was the use of money, resources and influence to fuel animus based bigotry by those hiding behind "freedom of religion" while attempting to inflict their view of religion on the rest of us.

What was on trial was a campaign to take rights away from gay and lesbian families based on the belief that since God does not equally bless the "lifestyle" of same sex couples then the Constitution should not equally protect them.

What was on trial was a homophobic attack on the foundational values of our constitutional democracy.

And while the defense may have rested today, in point of fact there IS no defense for allowing bigotry to trump the constitutionally protected rights of all Americans. None.

So let the "spin" begin. But remember at the end of the day it is the truth that will set us free.And what the truth can set us free to do is to stop fighting and fundraising and politicizing and demonizing in order to keep some Californians from being married and focus instead on supporting ALL Californians as we work to build stronger marriages. Stronger families. A stronger California and a stronger America.

For the truth is that families are not undermined by gay marriage. Families are undermined by poverty, joblessness, lack of health care, racism, discrimination, failing education systems and the deteriorating infrastructure of a state that should be pouring all its energy into supporting families -- not discriminating against gay and lesbian families.I rest my case.

The Rev. Canon Susan Russell is a Senior Associate at All Saints Church in Pasadena, CA., a member of the Sponsoring Committee of CFE and a frequent CFE spokesperson.

2010-01-27T16:15:00.000-08:00

January 27, 2010

CALIFORNIA FAITH FOR EQUALITY APPLAUDS AND URGES SUPPORT FOR NEW MARRIAGE BILL INTRODUCED BY STATE SENATOR MARK LENO

Democratic Senator Mark Leno of San Francisco introduced a bill Monday to amend California's family code to "reaffirm" the separation of church and state. This bill declares that no clergy person is required to solemnize a civil marriage that is contrary to his or her faith. Leno says this bill should put to rest fears from religious groups that say they'll be forced to perform same sex marriages one day in California. Leno's bill, SB 906, is called the Civil Marriage Religious Freedom Act. The proposal also assures churches they won't lose tax-exempt status if they refuse to perform marriages contrary to beliefs.

"While there has never been any real possibility that anyone would be forced to marry same sex couples against their will, we believe this bill will take away that false argument in an upcoming political campaign." said Pastor Samuel M. Chu, interim Executive Director of California Faith for Equality. "This bill will further define the separation bewteen church and state."

Leno said, "While we know that religious freedom is protected under our Constitution, this legislation eliminates any confusion or doubt under state law, reaffirming that no member of clergy or church will be penalized for refusing to solemnize marriages that violate their religious tenets."

"We are confident that one day, same sex couple will be able to marry in California and we urge our clergy, faith leaders and all those who support equality for all to support this bill and contact their state representative to enlist their support, said Chu.

For more information contact:
Samuel M.Chu

Interim ExecutiveDirector

California Faith for Equality

samuel@cafaithforequality.org

213.500.1084

California Faith for Equality is a statewide network of clergy and lay leaders from a diversity of faith traditions who are committed to equality

THEOLOGY AFTER GOOGLE

2010-01-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

Claremont School of Theology to offer conference on 'Theology After Google'"Theology After Google: How to Use the New Technologies for More Effective Ministry ... While Recognizing Their Limitations" will be the topic of a conference to be held at the Claremont School of Theology May 10 - 12.Keynote speeches and a wide range of hands-on workshops will be offered by some of the leading Christian figures in the online world, including Spencer Burke, John Franke, Adam Walker Cleveland, Bob Cornwall, Tony Jones, Jon Irvine, Dwight Friesen, and Bruce Epperly, among others. Workshops will cover the effective use of blogs, podcasts, online videos, and social networking, as well as the many resources for pastors and denominational leaders that are now available online."Theology After Google" will offer concrete ways to use the web and the new networking technologies to publicize your church, ministry, or theology work; and a deeper understanding of what theology -- Christian reflection -- is becoming and must become if it is to be effective in the age of the internet. Inexpensive rooms will be available at the nearby Hotel Claremont. A three-day registration (includes opening-night reception) is $99; Gold Star Registration $149, which includes an opening reception, lunches with the speakers, and access to the "Theo-Pub" sessions each evening for follow-up discussion with speakers and participants. (After February 10, registration will be $129, $179 for the Gold Star.)A registration form and further details may be found here. The Episcopal Theological School at Claremont (Bloy House) is an affiliated program of the Claremont School of Theology.

Sunrise Vigil for Hope and Marriage Equality

2010-01-10T07:17:00.000-08:00

From CFE Interim Executive Director Pastor Samuel M. Chu :

Monday, January 11, 2010
Time: 6:30am - 8:30am
Federal Court, San Francisco
450 Golden Gate Ave.
San Francisco, CA

Join us in a vigil for equality on the morning the federal courtbegins hearing the challenge against Prop 8. Together we will sharethe spirit of courage, hope and strength that will herald in the lighton this important next chapter of our civil rights movement.

There will be LOTS of strong coffee provided to those willing to getup that early and join us. Couples are encouraged to bring copies oftheir marriage licenses, photos from their weddings or anything thatmight help illustrate the importance of marriage equality and/or ourexperiences of getting married.

Perry v Schwarzenegger, the federal trial challenging Prop 8, isscheduled to begin on Monday January 11, 2010 at 8:30am in Courtroom 6on the 17th floor of the Phillip Burton Federal Building at 450 GoldenGate Ave. in SF. There will be very limited seating available in thecourtroom. There will be an overflow room on the 19th floorbroadcasting the proceedings.

If you can't attend, there will be a camera in the courtroom and the proceedings will be uploaded to YouTube for delayed viewing.

The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage

2010-01-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

Why same-sex marriage is an American value.
By Theodore B. Olson NEWSWEEK

Legalizing same-sex marriage would also be a recognition of basic American principles, and would represent the culmination of our nation's commitment to equal rights. It is, some have said, the last major civil-rights milestone yet to be surpassed in our two-century struggle to attain the goals we set for this nation at its formation.

This bedrock American principle of equality is central to the political and legal convictions of Republicans, Democrats, liberals, and conservatives alike. The dream that became America began with the revolutionary concept expressed in the Declaration of Independence in words that are among the most noble and elegant ever written: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Sadly, our nation has taken a long time to live up to the promise of equality. In 1857, the Supreme Court held that an African-American could not be a citizen. During the ensuing Civil War, Abraham Lincoln eloquently reminded the nation of its found-ing principle: "our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

Read the entire article here.

New Jersey Senate Defeats Gay Marriage Bill

2010-01-08T10:42:00.000-08:00

NYTimes
January 8, 2010
By DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI

TRENTON — The State Senate on Thursday rejected a proposal that would have made New Jersey the sixth state in the nation to allow marriages involving same-sex couples. The vote was the latest in a succession of setbacks for advocates of gay marriage across the country.

After months of intense lobbying and hours of emotional debate, lawmakers voted 20 to 14 against the bill, bringing tears from some advocates who packed the Senate chambers and rousing applause from opponents of the measure, who also came out in force. The vote ends the effort to win legislative approval of the measure, and sets the stage for a new battle before the New Jersey Supreme Court.

“We applaud the senators for upholding a time-tested institution: marriage,” said Len Deo, president of the New Jersey Family Policy Council, which has argued that gay marriage would weaken the social fabric by redefining one of society’s bedrock institutions.

Supporters of gay marriage had hoped to win approval for the measure before Jan. 19, when Gov. Jon S. Corzine, who promised to sign it, will be replaced by Gov.-elect Christopher J. Christie, who opposes it.

With the effort to win legislative approval now dead, supporters of same-sex marriage vowed to focus their efforts on the state’s highest court, which in 2006 ordered lawmakers to give same-sex couples the same rights as others whether or not they called such unions marriages. The Legislature responded by enacting a civil unions law, but gay-rights leaders say that the measure still leaves them subject to discrimination when applying for health insurance or trying to visit partners in hospitals, and that they will ask the court to grant them equal treatment.

“Even our opponents in the Legislature acknowledge that the civil-union law has not provided equal protection,” said Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality, who has led the lobbying for the past six years and wept as the bill’s sponsor, Senator Loretta Weinberg of Teaneck, introduced it.

The defeat in New Jersey, which has widely been viewed as one of the nation’s most socially tolerant states, was a significant setback for advocates of gay marriage. Last month, a similar measure was defeated in New York’s Legislature, and in November voters in Maine repealed a gay-marriage law in a referendum.

But leaders of Lambda Legal Defense Fund, which has helped coordinate gay rights causes in New Jersey and elsewhere, said they said they were confident that the court would prove more receptive than the Legislature.

“We are upset, we are disappointed, but we aren’t done fighting,” said Leslie Gabel-Brett, Lambda’s director of education and public affairs.

Opponents of gay marriage said that they, too, were prepared for a legal fight. Jon Tomicki, a leader of the New Jersey Coalition to Preserve and Protect Marriage, said that legislators had already complied with the court order by enacting civil unions, and urged lawmakers to let the public cast its verdict on gay marriage in a referendum.

“In 30 other states, voters have gotten the chance to decide,” Mr. Tomicki said. “There’s no reason why New Jerseyans shouldn’t have the same right.” In nearly every instance in which gay marriage has been put up for a referendum, it has been defeated.

But supporters of gay marriage view their cause as a matter of civil rights which should be settled by the courts and Legislature, and point out that in 1915, New Jersey voters in a referendum rejected giving women the right to vote. Five years later, the 19th Amendment granted women voting rights.

Although it was not a major issue in the governor’s race, the effort to win legislative approval of same-sex marriage is widely viewed as a casualty of Mr. Corzine’s defeat in November. Some Democrats who had been receptive to the issue, and took financial and organizational support from gay activists, grew squeamish.

Senator Stephen M. Sweeney, who is scheduled to become Senate president this month, said he thought voters would look unkindly on the Legislature if it pushed for a social issue at a time of economic suffering. Senator Sweeney did not cast a vote on the measure on Thursday. In all, five senators did not vote and one was too ill to attend.

Senator Gerald Cardinale, a Republican from Cresskill, said during the debate on the Senate floor on Thursday that the results of the governor’s race were a clear indication that voters opposed gay marriage. Senator Cardinale said that although the civil unions statute was flawed, the state would be doing “violence” to the institution of marriage by changing its current definition as a union between one man and one woman.

“There are many who believe that this bill will change our entire culture,” he said, shortly before casting his “no” vote.

But Senate President Richard J. Codey, a Democrat from Essex, said that the furor surrounding gay marriage was based on the same type of unfounded fear of the unknown that was used to justify discrimination against women and racial minorities.

“One day people will look back and say, ‘What were they thinking?’ ” Senator Codey said, and, “ ‘What were they so afraid of?’ ”

After the vote, hundreds of supporters of the bill gathered in front of the State House to exchange tearful hugs and plot the next move in their effort. Among them was Christi Sturmont, who said she and her partner were dejected, but not despondent.

“We were holding out hope that we’d be able to get married and have full citizenship,” she said. “But now we’ll have to settle for second-class citizenship. For now. We’re not done fighting.”

Vigil Supporting Federal Case Challenging Prop 8 on Monday, Jan. 11th in San Francisco

2010-01-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

Federal Court Case Challenging Prop 8
Monday January 11, 2010
Morning Vigil for Hope and Marriage Equality
6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Phillip Burton Federal Building Plaza 450 Golden Gate Ave in San Francisco

Join Marriage Equality USA leaders Molly McKay & Davina Kotulski and Stuart Gaffney & John Lewis, Courage Campaign leader Ksuzanne Massey, PFLAG parents Sam & Julia Thoron and Helen Laird, NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Lambda Marriage Project Director Jenny Pizer, couples who joyfully married, couples who want to marry, clergy leaders, musical performances by Veronica Klaus, Diane Larsen, local choirs and many many more!

Together we will share the spirit of courage, hope and strength that will herald in the light on this important next chapter of our civil rights movement.

There will be LOTS of strong coffee provided to those willing to get up that early and join us. Couples are encouraged to bring copies of their marriage licenses, photos from their weddings or anything that might help illustrate the importance of marriage equality and/or our experiences of getting married.

Perry v Schwarzenegger, the federal trial challenging Prop 8, is scheduled to begin on Monday January 11, 2010 at 8:30am in Courtroom 6 on the 17th floor of the Phillip Burton Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate Ave. in SF. There will be very limited seating available in the courtroom. There will be an overflow room on the 19th floor broadcasting the proceedings and it appears likely that the court will upload the trial daily to youtube - we'll do our best to keep you in the loop.

For more information and updates the vigil and court case go to www.marriageequality.org. People who are married and those who want to marry are asked to RSVP to media@marriageequality.org for further information and briefings.

NOTE: The judge has ruled that the arguments will be videotaped and uploaded to YouTube after the hearing.

DC MAYOR SIGNS GAY MARRIAGE BILL

2009-12-18T16:31:00.000-08:00

(AP) –WASHINGTON — The mayor of Washington has signed a bill legalizing gay marriage in the nation's capital, but it won't go into effect just yet.

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed the bill Friday in a public ceremony.

The city council passed the measure Tuesday to legalize same-sex marriage in the city. Congress has final say over D.C.'s laws, however, so the mayor's signature doesn't mean the bill immediately becomes law.
The bill must pass a 30-day period of Congressional review.

Supporters expect Congress won't touch the law and that gay couples may be able to wed in the district as early as March. Opponents, however, plan to fight the bill.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Gay rights activist who protested Honduras coup killed

2009-12-18T09:47:00.000-08:00

A priest speaks over the coffin of Walter Trochez during his funeral in Tegucigalpa, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009. Trochez, a human rights activist who was active in the gay community, was killed Sunday in Central Park. Supporters of Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya blame security forces for his death, while police officials deny that claim. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

By FREDDY CUEVAS (AP)
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Honduran police promised to thoroughly investigate the killing of a gay rights activist who joined in protests against the June coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

The anti-coup National Resistance Front said gunmen in a car shot Walter Trochez on Sunday as he walked in downtown Tegucigalpa. Friends rushed him to a hospital, where he died.

"Trochez was an active militant in the resistance and an example of the fight against the dictatorship," the group said in a statement released on the day the victim was buried.

The front, which until recently staged daily protests to demand Zelaya's restoration to the presidency, blamed the attack "on the repressive forces that the oligarchy uses to stop the demands of the Honduran people for liberty and democracy."

Police spokesman Orlin Cerrato said Tuesday that the case was "being exhaustively investigated." He named no suspects but dismissed the possibility that police were involved.

The front claimed that Trochez, 27, was often harassed and threatened by police and soldiers because of his activism on behalf of homosexuals.

A Honduran rights group said Trochez was briefly kidnapped Dec. 4 by four masked men who beat him. The assailants threatened to kill Trochez because of his participation in the anti-coup movement, the International Observatory on the Human Rights Situation said.

International rights groups have denounced widespread repression under the government of interim President Roberto Micheletti, the former congressional leader who took power after soldiers ousted Zelaya on June 28. The coup came after the president continued a campaign to change the constitution despite the Supreme Court ruling his effort illegal.

Several anti-coup activists have been killed during protests, while security forces have raided the offices of groups opposed to the Micheletti government. Police say the raids are part of investigations into homemade bombs that have periodically exploded in the Central American country since the coup.

There also have been a string of killings of government security officials and relatives of politicians, including a nephew of Micheletti, but there is no indication those slayings related the coup. Political assassinations are not uncommon in Honduras, which has one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America, much of it related to the drug trade.

Months of international pressure failed to restore Zelaya to finish his four-year term, which ends Jan. 27. Diplomats are now focused on producing a deal that would allow Zelaya to leave Honduras without being arrested on treason and abuse of power charges.

On Monday, the United States and Brazil urged Micheletti to step down, saying his resignation would allow Zelaya safe passage out of Honduras.
Micheletti dismissed that idea Tuesday. He told HRN radio he planned to stay in power until the new president-elect, Porfirio Lobo, takes office next month. Lobo, a wealthy conservative rancher, won the Nov. 27 presidential election, which had been scheduled before the coup.
Zelaya, who is holed up in the Brazilian Embassy, vowed in a statement not to renounce his claim to the presidency.

Last week Micheletti's government stopped two attempts by Zelaya to leave Honduras because the ousted leader refused to concede he is no longer president.

Late Tuesday, the Micheletti government said it would seek Honduras' withdrawal from a Venezuela-led trade bloc known as ALBA. The government will introduce a motion in Congress on Wednesday to have Honduras drop out of the bloc, said chief Cabinet minister Rafael Pineda.
Honduras joined ALBA in August 2008 as Zelaya sought closer relations with leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez — an alliance that alienated the Honduran business community and most of Zelaya's own political party.

Chavez stopped oil shipments to Honduras to protest Zelaya's ouster.
"The decision was made because some presidents who belong to ALBA. have been disrespectful and offensive against a friendly country like Honduras," Pineda said.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

CFE BOARD PRESIDENT NEIL THOMAS VOWS RENEWED COMMITTMENT FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY IN LIGHT OF NY DEFEAT

2009-12-02T15:30:00.000-08:00

California Faith For Equality (CFE) joins all supporters of Marriage Equality who are disappointed because once again equal protection has denied to same sex couples. "Today is another blow for equality, justice and freedom for all, said the Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, President of CFE and Senior Pastor at the Metropolitian Community Church in Los Angeles.

"This vote in New York once again demonstrates that the arm of justice runs long and while today we suffer another set-back, we will one day prevail and marriage "equality will be a reality, not only in New York but throughout the world.

California Faith for Equality, along with people of faith and good conscience throughout this country are joining with the lesbian and gay community today with a renewed commitment to full equality. While our Constitution declares, "justice and liberty for all" that is what it must be - All and not just some!"

WORLD AIDS DAY DEC 1st

2009-11-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Wall Las Memorias Project

November 19, 2009

Keith Malone, (323) 514-3282

Eastside World AIDS Day Observance

Honors the Memory of AIDS Activist & MTV’s

The Real World’ Star Pedro Zamora

With Zamora’s sister and niece in attendance, organizers of the event will launch a

campaign to ask the U.S. Postal Service to honor Zamora’s legacy with a stamp.

WHAT The late Pedro Zamora, AIDS activist and star in the third season of

MTV’s “The Real World: San Francisco” series will be posthumously

honored and his name will be etched on the granite panels of the AIDS

monument at Lincoln Park on the eastside of Los Angeles.

As part of the evening’s ceremony, attendees will be asked to launch a

petition drive to honor Zamora’s legacy with a stamp.

His name will be unveiled along with other names that have been

added recently. They join more than 400 names that already grace the

granite panels of Las Memorias, a 9,000 square-foot monument.

More than 500 individuals, including partners and spouses, parents,

children and others who lost loved ones to AIDS will attend the

evening’s ceremonies which include a mix of spirituality and faith,

education and prevention, and advocacy.

WHO Attending:

Pedro Zamora’s sister, Mily Zamora and her daughter

California State Senator Gilbert Cedillo

Jonathan Murray, creator of “The Real World” (MTV)

Anticipated: Members of the cast of “Pedro,” a biopic of Zamora’s life

which aired April 1 on MTV, MTV Tr3s, mtvU and Logo.

Richard Zaldivar, founder and executive director, The Wall Las

Memorias.

WHEN Tuesday, December 1, 2008, beginning at 7 p.m.

WHERE Lincoln Park at 3540 Mission Road in Lincoln Heights. The monument

is located directly across from the DMV offices and next to Plaza de la

Raza.

ETC. The Wall Las Memorias Project (www.thewalllasmemoriasproject.org)

is dedicated to promoting wellness and preventing illness among

Latino populations affected by HIV/AIDS by using the inspiration of

The AIDS Monument as a catalyst for social change.

# # #

CFE CO-SPONSORS AN EVENING WITH REV. TROY PERRY

2009-11-19T16:05:00.000-08:00

November 20, 2009

According to the cliché, those who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it. LAvander Los Angeles seeks to educate the queer community on its own history so we can learn from past mistakes and continue to build on the successes of our pioneers in order to secure a brighter tomorrow. One of the great heroes of the movement on whose shoulders many of us stand is the Rev. Troy Perry, founder of Metropolitan Community Church.

On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, California Faith for Equality and Roots of Equality co-hosted "A Night with Rev. Troy Perry." 25 people gathered to hear the legendary hero who married his first gay couple in 1969 and tried to sue the state of California for its recognition -- only to be laughed at and dismissed by the courts back then. No one is laughing now. Rev. Troy Perry also fasted to raise money to help defeat the Briggs Initiative -- and won! As one of the co-founders of Christopher Street West Gay Pride Parade, Troy wanted to make sure LGBT people were visible and once and for all assert that closets are for clothes! Now retired, Troy still finds time to be grand marshal at Pride parades and continues the struggle for equality and social justice.

Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, ordained with the Metropolitan Community Church and Interfaith Organizer for California Faith for Equality, asked Troy what advise he would give young people today. He responded by saying, "Young people need to stick with the movement and not just give up after one or two losses." Indeed, after Prop 8 in California and Question 1 in Maine (as well as 31 states total with discriminatory marriage/family policies), it would be easy to feel discouraged and leave the movement, but Troy, having founded MCC 41 years ago (a year before the Stonewall Riots in New York), is a living testament to the power of faith and patience. He also encouraged the LGBT community to make sure people of faith are on the forefront of this movement. This is the work that California Faith for Equality continues to embark in.

REFLECTIONS TO MARK THE ONE YEAR PASSAGE OF PROP 8 IN CA.

2009-11-09T10:13:00.000-08:00

From the Rev. Canon Albert Ogle

November 3rd 2009

This week, I attended two of the California Faith for Equality statewide demonstrations for equal rights in California. Orange County’s service had about 80 people present and San Diego had about 50 people for a lunchtime “60 Minutes for Equality” service. North San Diego County had over 100 people meeting on Monday evening, one of the largest gatherings in the region. I commend California Faith for Equality and her partners for this demonstration of clergy and lay opposition to the current status quo. Like it or not, clergy continue to be the gatekeepers of marriage in California, Maine and every other state in the union. The LGBT community and those who advocate for equal rights, if they have not realized this fact by now, may see the defeat of equal rights in Maine as a wake up call to engage more deeply with the religious dimensions to marriage. Until recently, the religious dimension has been strategically avoided by the equality camp. Maine has changed that.

One of the marks of a healthy marriage is tenacity and good communication. This past year has been difficult for us in California where a slim majority of the electorate stripped the constitutional rights of LGBT citizens and to limited future state sanctioned marriages between a man and a woman. In spite of this blow, the LGBT community and our allies have shown remarkable tenacity in continuing to engage voters who disagree with us. Tenacity and good communication! Equality California, one of the leading statewide movements for LGBT rights has for example continued to have over 600,0000 conversations this year and hired twenty full time field managers. They in turn train thousands of volunteers to go door by door to “Yes on 8” voters to present another story and to show the disparity in rights. This process is to be commended, as it is about engaging in deeper conversations where we are discovering meaning and community in this new engagement with one another. Much of the experience we gained in California last year was utilized in Maine and Washington, where the rights of fellow Americans are being stripped away yet again by the Roman Catholic Church’s leadership and funding. Not only are the constitutional rights of fellow Americans under threat, but the freedom of religious leaders to respond pastorally and liturgically to same gender couples continues to be compromised. 6,000 clergy in California are, (from our interpretation of scripture, from a pastoral and justice perspective), unable to function fully as pastors to all members of our congregations, even when the vast majority of our membership are willing to celebrate sacramental marriages with same gender couples. Some of us feel torn between our official role as agents of the state in officiating at weddings and being pastors to all our people, including the LGBT community. To discriminate, as enforced by the Department of Public Health’s current policy not to grant marriage licenses to same gender couples, runs contrary to many of our religious convictions of serving an inclusive faith community where all God’s children are welcomed and where the sacraments are open, (as in my Episcopal tradition), to all the baptized.

Some of us are now refusing to sign any state marriage licenses until we can sign licenses for all whom we discern to be called by God into a sacramental marriage. Others are continuing to bless and celebrate marriages of couples who come to us. Where the California electorate is almost evenly divided on this issue, the religious community cannot be forced to follow the edicts of a state department that is advocating the theological and political views of the slim majority. Either civil marriage is open to all couples, (as is the case in some states, in most European countries, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa) or there needs to be a religious exemption clause that will allow the 6,000 clergy here in California to respond to the call of God and define marriage as our faith communities allow. Historically, the church defined and controlled marriage until the civil role of registering marriages was taken over by the state. Throughout this state control, the Roman Catholic Church for centuries has delineated civil and sacramental marriage. When the state dissolves a marriage in divorce, there is a portion of that contract that the Roman Catholic Church claims the state has no jurisdiction over. Hence there is a need for a process of annulment to dissolve the marriage. The Roman Catholic Church has set a precedent, and 6,000 clergy representing mainstream churches, the Jewish community and other faith traditions should learn from this tradition and apply it to our current dilemma. Historically, there is a part of the sacrament of marriage that the state does not control, that is claimed by the authority of the faith community and God alone.

Roman Catholics tenaciously hold the right to use this privilege for their own interpretation of marriage, but will they allow clergy and congregations who might share some of the similar views of what makes a sacramental marriage to do the same? In other words, can we continue to bless and sanctify same gender marriages within our faith traditions even thought they are not recognized by the Department of Heath? Can a state employee who has not professional theological or religious credential tell 6,000 clergy in California their marriages are not “sacramentally” valid?

I recently married a couple who were legally married in California but did not have a religious ceremony. They told me they did not feel “married”. They wanted a ceremony where they could demonstrate their love and commitment in front of friends and family and they wanted a religious leader there to perform the ceremony. We planned a sacramental marriage, and even though it was not a legal service (no state forms to sign), for everyone present. This was an actual marriage and in the eyes of the community present, Aaron and Rusty moved from being a partnered couple to being married.

One of the ways forward and avoid the 50/50 popular vote “standoff” that we will soon find ourselves in may be for the religious and state communities to come to terms with the complexity of this issue and to develop an agreed simple solution. The constitution should allow for all responsible adult citizens to marry the person they love and want to spend the rest of their lives with. The state will remain responsible for the registration of all marriages through the existing licensing process. The religious community should also be allowed to define marriage as they understand it and not be forced to do something which is contrary to that understanding. Even though the larger Christian church has no agreed definition of marriage (or divorce), there is agreement that the state should not use its civil authority to impose the theological and political views of a slim majority upon everyone.

Shannon Minter, the attorney who argued the case for same gender marriages before the Supreme Court would invite us all to appeal to our consciences and to invite those couples who are currently denied their full civil rights to indeed live as if we were married. More and more couples in California and other states, as a common act of conscience and in defiance of a great social injustice, (often portrayed with a religious mask of orthodoxy) will come to us seeking God’s blessing and the blessing of the friends and community. We cannot be totally defined by a department of state, or by the will of the slim majority. Freedom of conscience and freedom of religion is core values in our democracy and the pillars of church and state must always stand apart.

Dr. Margaret Farley, a Roman Catholic ethicist from Yale in her book “Just Love” gives us some insights into what a new and inclusive ethic for marriage might look like. She creates a 21st century model of what it means to live in and to bless a “sacramental marriage” that is built upon her Roman Catholic background and broader Christian experience. Her model applies to heterosexuals principally, but is inclusive of same gender couples.

Principle 1: Self determination –is an affirmation by each partner of what it means to be a person rather than “scooping you into my agenda”. This demands the ethic of mutual respect for persons as ends in themselves and not to harm them “unjustly”) Farley has worked in difficult contexts like Africa where gender inequality is one of the major reasons for the increase of HIV infection in women. Her context is compelling as she notes this principle has been dangerously absent in many heterosexual relationships.

Principle 2: Respect for the autonomy of the other –ensuring the free consent of sexual partners. This should include truth telling and promise keeping.

Principle 3: Equality of Power which ensures the protection of the vulnerability of the other to allow for possibilities of growth.

Principle 4: Commitment –an enduring love in which each person can learn to be faithful and hope-full.

Principle 5: Fruitfulness, which in traditional Roman Catholic teaching was focused solely on reproduction of children. Farley expands this model to talk about both the creation of children and the possibility of being called in a “fruitful” sacramental relationship the care of other people’s children. How do we create institutions that create safety and security for future generations? For Farley, non procreative relationships for heterosexual and same gender couples can be fruitful and therefore sacramental.

Farley is one ethicist who is struggling with traditional church teaching and the possibilities a new ethic for sacramental marriage. Her emerging framework is both challenging to heterosexuals who seek to live out sacramental marriages and to same gender couples who may be called to the same holy lives. Dare the state or the church tell us that we should not affirm and bless them on their journeys? She also challenges us to think more deeply about what makes a marriage successful, like tenacity and good communication as I addressed earlier. Love can help a married coupled but it is often not enough to sustain the challenges faced by two human beings. She challenges us to inject the concept of justice into our ethic of marriage as a more stable and helpful concept. Equality in marriage is not only something we should wish for the LGBT community, but equality may be an essential antidote to breaking the contemporary pattern of one in two American marriages failing. Most clergy see our work to connect all people with one another and to affirm our inclusion in a mysterious creation, that we believe has meaning purpose and we experience that more clearly in deep loving relationships. The struggle for marriage equality for LGBT people is connected to this larger search for meaning and love and to discover helpful ethical frameworks that hold people and families together. To attempt to exclude us or prevent us from fulfilling this vocation with, LGBT couples, our faith communities, families and allies, I believe is to do a great disservice to this higher calling.

______________________________

Rev. Canon Albert Ogle is Vice President for National Affairs with Integrity and serves on the California Council of Churches Impact Board. He serves as clergy in St. Paul’s Cathedral San Diego and works for Equality California.

"KEEPING THE FAITH" EVENT IN ORANGE COUNTY

2009-11-09T10:06:00.001-08:00

A report from CFE's Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong:

Between 80-100 people gathered at Church of the Foothills Disciples of
Christ/United Church of Christ for a time of prayer/reflection/and
inspiration to keep the faith for equality. Religious leaders and secular
activists and organizers came together for an evening of support and sharing
of incredible stories of courage and overcoming discrimination and pain.

Beth Severson and the Unison Interfaith Choir of Orange County made a debut
performance, singing "For Good" from Wicked, The Musical, and "One Power--"
a song reminding us of our common humanity. There was also a point when
Misha Houser shared a moving Gaelic song, encouraging us to draw from the
light of the candles and chalice into our hearts to warm our spirit and
illuminate our path.

Some of the comments from the evening include:
"I know one day soon we are going to have marriage equality and look back on
events like tonight and remember how they brought our community together."

"It was a joy to come out singing for marriage equality, something very dear
to my heart!"

"It was a beautiful service."

Two interesting quotes on the same sex marriage vote in Maine

2009-11-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

“ Lets get the government OUT of marriage. Civil unions for all, and marriages as defined by your religious organization. Who would have thought that trying to keep the government in something would be such a "Conservative" ideal. ”

“ People voting on the issue of gay marriage are not voting against homosexuality, they are voting in favor of time-in-memorial tradition that falls into the most basic category of preservation of the species (reproduction). ”

MAINE: Bishop 'grieved' over defeat of same-gender marriage law

2009-11-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

FROM EPISCOPAL NEWS SERVICE

By Mary Frances Schjonberg, November 04, 2009

Episcopal Diocese of Maine Bishop Stephen T. Lane said Nov. 3 that he joins the "many Episcopalians [who] are deeply grieved" by Maine voters' rejection of that state's same-gender marriage law.
At 1 a.m. Nov. 4, with 87 percent of the state's precincts reporting, 52.8 percent of Mainers had voted to repeal the law, versus 47.2 percent who voted to keep it, according to the Portland, Maine, Press Herald newspaper.

In a statement posted on the diocese's website, Lane said that many faithful Episcopalians "had hoped that they and their families might enjoy the recognition and protections afforded heterosexual couples."

"The rejection of the law also feels like rejection of them as persons. I join in their grief that the right of same-gender couples to enter into a lifelong, monogamous marriage has been denied," he continued. "At the same time I know there are other faithful Episcopalians who are thankful about the election results. I understand that this matter has been a matter of conscience for them."

In April, Lane had submitted testimony in favor of the then-proposed law during a legislative hearing. Maine Governor John Baldacci signed the law in May, but it never took effect because of a petition drive that succeeded in placing the question on the fall general election ballot.

Lane said in his statement that after the governor signed the law he began work on a set of guidelines for clergy to use with legal same-gender marriage. "These guidelines will not be distributed," he said. "However, I will continue to work with a small group to consider the ways we may support the faithful, monogamous relationships of faithful gay and lesbian Episcopalians."

During the Episcopal church's July 8-17 General Convention in Anaheim, California, deputies and bishops passed Resolution C056 calling for the development of theological and liturgical resources for the blessing of same gender relationships to be considered at the next meeting of convention in 2015. Meanwhile, the resolution said, "bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this church."

In Anaheim, Lane had sponsored Resolution B012 which asked for that permission. That resolution was melded with others and the original C056.

The Episcopal Church in Maine will continue to welcome to all people, Lane said in his statement, and "we will continue to strive for justice and peace among all people."

"Whether you are saddened or thankful, please know that you remain in my prayers," he added.

CFE's Rev. Susan Russell on KNBC-4

2009-11-04T20:32:00.000-08:00

The Reverend Canon Susan Russell, a member of California Faith for Equality's Sponsoring Committee, was featured on the KNBC-4 5:00 news hour, responding to the marriage equality vote in Maine.

CFE PRESS RELEASE ON MAINE SAME SEX MARRIAGE VOTE

2009-11-04T10:25:00.000-08:00

For immediate release - November 4th, 2009

CALIFORNIA RELIGIOUS LEADERS CALL MAINE VOTE TO REPEAL SAME SEX MARRIAGE A TRAVESTY & TRAGEDY

"Today we share the sadness of the people of Maine who narrowly lost a chance to affirm equality for all, by taking away the right to marry from same sex couples. We condemn the use of lies and fear tactics used to manipulate the true issues of this race. Maine is the 31st state to block same sex marriage through a public referendum. It is tragic when Americans vote to take away the rights of their fellow Americans. We need to recalibrate our moral compass to reflect the true American values of liberty and justice for all, not just some,” said Samuel M. Chu, a Presbyterian pastor and Interim Executive Director of California Faith for Equality.

“Yesterday the forces of fear and hatred won in Maine. The religious right wing has once again written their theology into the state constitution,” said, Rabbi Denise Eger, President of the Southern California Board of Rabbis and founding board member of California Faith for Equality (CFE). “As a rabbi, I speak out against their manipulation of our civic rights and responsibilities. As a rabbi whose faith demands inclusion, I will not allow their Christian right wing theology to affect my ability to practice my faith. This is a travesty for Maine and for our country. "

The Reverend Dr. Neil Thomas, Sr. Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church, Los Angeles and President of the Board of CFE echoed, “Today I grieve with the same sex couples in Maine that voters succumbed to the lies and the rhetoric that, once again used faith language to deny equal rights to all of God's people. It is a sad reality that fundamentalism, specifically fundamentalist Christianity, has distorted the values and life of Jesus who, in his ministry sided with the poor, the disenfranchised and those who were a minority. While we know that today is a sad day for justice and full equality in Maine, our country and the world, CFE will continue to raise its religious voice in support of those on the margins and follow the precepts of all faith systems that preach justice, love, hope and equality.”

The Reverend Canon Susan Russell, a priest at All Saints Church, Pasadena and immediate past President of Integrity USA, a gay advocacy group in the Episcopal Church, said, "I'm surprised I can still be disappointed by those who are willing to legislate away the civil rights of other Americans. Thank God we didn't have referendums in 1954 or Brown v Board of Education would have been toast."

Pastor Chu concluded, "We are reminded today that change is always hard fought and incremental. We have lots of work to do. We must learn to embrace and engage people who are different. We must embrace the teaching of our faith traditions and love our neighbors as ourselves. We must not take away the same rights we hold dear, from other minority groups because they are different than we are. We must embrace ‘the other’, ‘the stranger at the gate’. It is truly time for love and compassion to overcome fear and hatred. We will not rest until all families, all children, all human beings have theopportunity to be recognized as equal."

California Faith for Equality is a network of over 6000 faith and religious clergy and lay leaders who support equality.

IS IT TIME TO RETHINK 2010?

2009-11-04T08:37:00.000-08:00

From the New York Times................

November 5, 2009
News Analysis
Loss in Maine Sets Back Gay-Marriage Drive
By ABBY GOODNOUGH
They had far more money, ground troops and political support, and geography was on their side, given that New England has been more accepting of same-sex marriage than any other region of the country. Yet gay-rights advocates suffered a crushing loss in Maine when voters decided Tuesday to repeal the state’s new law allowing gays and lesbians to wed, setting back a movement that had made remarkable progress nationally this year.

Maine became the 31st state to block same-sex marriage through a public referendum, a result that will force supporters to rethink their national strategy at a crucial time for the movement. With 84 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday, the repeal proposal had 53 percent of the vote, even though polls had indicated the race was a dead heat.

This year three other states — Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont — joined Massachusetts and Connecticut in allowing same-sex marriage, but only through court rulings and legislative action. Maine, with its libertarian leanings, had seemed to offer an excellent chance of reversing the long national trend of voters rejecting marriage equality at the ballot box.

Some said the loss was a sign that the state-by-state approach favored by the largest gay-rights groups had failed and that the focus should move to reversing the federal ban on same-sex marriage, which Congress can reverse without voter approval. Others argued that the defeat only reinforced the need to keep winning grassroots support.

Evan Wolfson, executive director of the national gay-rights group Freedom to Marry, said the loss in Maine underscores "the fact that we need to continue those conversations and make ourselves visible as families in communities."

He added, "It shows we have just not done it long enough and deep enough, even in a place like Maine.”

But Maggie Gallagher, president of the National Organization for Marriage, the conservative Christian group that is leading the charge against same-sex marriage around the country, read the outcome differently.

"It interrupts the story line that is being manufactured, that suggests the culture has shifted on gay marriage and the fight is over,” she said. “Maine is one of the most secular states in the nation, it’s socially liberal, they had a three-year head start to build their organization and they outspent us two to one. If they can’t win there, it really does tell you the majority of Americans are not on board with this gay marriage thing."

The next battlefields are New Jersey and New York, whose Democratic governors were pressing lawmakers to pass same-sex marriage bills by the end of the year, and California, where voters approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage last November. Gay-rights groups there will likely seek a ballot measure reversing the ban by 2012; a federal lawsuit challenging the prohibition is scheduled to go to trial in January, and is expected to make its way to the Supreme Court.

Richard Socarides, who advised President Bill Clinton on gay issues, said such federal litigation was the best hope for advancing same-sex marriage at this point.

"The state-by-state strategy that looked clever a few years ago has run its course," he said. "The states that were easy to get have been gotten."

In New Jersey, Gov. Jon Corzine’s loss on Tuesday to Christopher Christie, a Republican who opposes same-sex marriage, dealt another potential blow to the movement. Mr. Christie has vowed to veto any same-sex marriage bill that reaches his desk; however, Mr. Corzine could still sign a same-sex marriage bill into law if the legislature approves it before January.

The city council in Washington, D.C., also appears poised to pass a same-sex marriage law, although opponents are seeking a referendum that would ask voters to ban it.
A more long-term, complex question is whether gay-rights supporters can reverse the constitutional bans on same-sex marriage in some 30 states that have enacted them since 2000. The outcome in Maine reinforces voters’ reluctance to endorse it, which national polls echo, too, though the gap is narrowing. And supporters acknowledge they would much rather avoid ballot questions.

"They tend to marginalize the group that is being targeted and inflame people’s passions in a way that is at best divisive and at worst terribly cruel," said Jennifer C. Pizer, marriage project director for Lambda Legal, an advocacy group based in Los Angeles. "Our founders did not intend to allow a majority to take basic rights from a minority."

Still, a group in Oregon announced Monday that it would seek a repeal of that state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, perhaps as soon as 2012. Oregon voters approved the ban in 2004, and gay-rights groups have been quietly building support for a repeal.
But in general, supporters are more likely to focus on states with statutory bans on gay marriage, which legislatures can reverse without voter approval. One such state is Washington, where preliminary returns in this year’s election showed voters approving an expansion of a domestic partnership law that would give gay couples more of the state-granted rights that married couples get. "The effort there has been a steady building of support in the legislature," Ms. Pizer said. "It’s unclear when they will ascertain there’s enough public support to change the marriage law, but it’s been a gradual process that will continue."

Opponents of same-sex marriage, led by the National Organization for Marriage, which contributed more than $1 million to the Maine repeal effort, said the outcome there should make lawmakers in other states nervous about endorsing same-sex marriage.

"We’re already hearing in both New York and New Jersey that they are noticing what’s happening here," Ms. Gallagher said. "Do other politicians really want to enter this particular culture war given all the stuff they are going to have to defend in the next election?"
The National Organization for Marriage is seeking to recruit two million opponents of same-sex marriage to "deploy wherever is necessary," Ms. Gallagher said, and provide a steady stream of donations. After New York and New Jersey, she said, the organization will look for other states in which to push constitutional bans.

A state ethics commission in Maine is investigating whether Ms. Gallagher’s group violated the state’s campaign finance laws by failing to disclose its donors, and Ms. Pizer, of Lambda Legal, said that if the commission finds a violation occurred, gay-rights groups will use it as ammunition in the national same-sex marriage movement.

She said gay-rights supporters would also have to hone their strategy for fighting the claim that legalizing same-sex marriage would lead to children learning about it at school. Leaders of the repeal effort in Maine used that claim successfully, as did those in California last year.
"Sadly and unsurprisingly there’s a consistent theme that somehow gay people are a threat to children," Ms. Pizer said. "And it’s hard to prove one’s nonthreatening, honest humanity with a soundbite. You prove it through relationships, and relationships take time."

Unite the Fight Highlights Mormon Marriage Supporter

2009-11-03T16:06:00.000-08:00

At Keeping the Faith - Los Angeles yesterday evening, Mormon marriage supporter Douglas Hunter reflected on the year since the passage of Prop 8:

It has been a year of hope in that for the first time many in the Mormon community who support marriage equality have expressed their views and begun to develop a community. Even if many are fearful of speaking publicly, let it be known today that there are thousands of Mormons in California who do support marriage equality.

For the full text of Douglas's speech, visit Unite the Fight.

Keeping the Faith Kicks Off in North San Diego County

2009-11-02T14:48:00.000-08:00

SONG AND PRAYER FOR VICTORY

To Maine, Washington State and Kalamazoo,

With Love,

Keeping the Faith North San Diego County.

Six Tests for Equality and Fairness

2009-11-02T10:53:00.000-08:00

November 2, 2009

Editorial from the NY Times

Political battles this fall in six different parts of the country could have a profound impact on whether the United States will extend the promise of equal rights to those who are not allowed to marry simply because they are the same sex as their partner.

Three jurisdictions — New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia — seem tantalizingly close to securing legislative approval for measures ending the hurtful and unjustifiable exclusion of same-sex couples from civil marriage. But in Maine, Washington State and Kalamazoo, Mich., voters are being asked on Tuesday to strip away vital rights and protections.

The dominant Election Day battleground is Maine. Last fall, forces of the religious right backed a successful ballot measure that overruled California’s top court by banning same-sex marriage. Now those forces are trying for another mean-spirited victory with Maine’s Question 1, which, if approved, would block the legalization of same-sex marriage passed by the State Legislature and signed by Gov. John Baldacci in May. With the outcome likely to be close, a heavy turnout by voters committed to tolerance and justice is crucial.

Washington State has yet to approve same-sex marriage. But it took a positive step last May when Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a bill that granted gay and lesbian couples the state-provided benefits that married heterosexual couples have, like the right to use sick leave to care for a partner. Voters should affirm this progress by voting yes on Referendum 71.

A third initiative, in Kalamazoo, has the potential to overturn a measure unanimously approved by the City Commission barring discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in housing, employment and public accommodations. Fair-minded voters should respond by voting yes to uphold the antidiscrimination law.

Following the election, attention will shift to New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia, which stand a realistic chance of joining the jurisdictions where same-sex marriages are allowed.

The New York situation is particularly frustrating. Gov. David Paterson strongly supports granting same-sex couples the freedom to marry, and the State Assembly has twice passed a bill to do so. But the overdue measure has been in limbo because the Democrats who control the State Senate’s calendar keep dawdling over scheduling a recorded vote on the floor.

We do not have a precise head count. But we suspect that once the bill got to the floor, a majority of the Senate’s 62 members would recognize that same-sex marriage is a fundamental civil right. Continuing to delay a vote shows disrespect for New York citizens injured by the status quo. The time for a vote is right now.

In New Jersey, support has been building for a measure allowing same-sex marriages. Legislators should pass it during the upcoming lame-duck session. Gov. Jon Corzine has said he would sign the law.

In the District of Columbia, the City Council seems ready to approve a local law legalizing same-sex marriage in the shadow of the Capitol dome. That might prompt a Congressional attempt to tamper with home rule. But the fact that Congress has let stand a recent D.C. law recognizing same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere gives hope that such meddling can be avoided.

FAITH LEADERS & SECULAR ACTIVISTS SUPPORTING MARRIAGE EQUALITY TO GATHER ACROSS THE STATE TO “KEEP THE FAITH” & MOVE FORWARD AS ANNIVERSARY OF PROP 8

2009-10-31T12:52:00.000-07:00

PRESS ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WHO: Pastor Samuel M. Chu, Interim Executive Director, CA Faith for equality
Mark Solomon, Equality California
Rick Jacobs, Courage Campaign
The Rev. Dr. Eric Lee – Southern Christian Leadership Conference -LA
The Rev. Neil Thomas, Sr. Pastor, MCC-LA
Rabbi Denise Eger, Congregation Kol-Ami
The Rev. Susan Russell, All Saints Church, Pasadena
Rev. William Briones, Nishi Hongwangi Temple
Rabbi Allen Freehling, Exec. Director, LA Human Rights Commission
Douglas Hunter, Mormon Filmmaker
Father Geoffrey Farrow, Catholic Priest
Karin Wang, Asian Pacific Islanders (API) Equality LA
Jenny Pfizer, Lawyer, Lambda Legal
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
Sara Poloaro – Equal Roots
Tony Sweet – Radio Host & Gospel Singer
Alia Albarakah – Muslima Activist
Anne Hines – Emerson UU, Canoga Park
Pastor Jim Boline, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Santa Monica
Jim & Frank Reifsnyder-Smith and family

WHERE: Immanuel Presbyterian Church
3300 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA. 90010

WHEN 7:30 – 9pm Monday, November 2, 2009

WHY: Services and gatherings will take place across the state of California on and about the one year anniversary of the passage of Prop 8. These gatherings will celebrate progress made in the past year, both in the secular and religious communities. They will also renew support for Marriage Equality in Maine and Washington State as those states face ballot measures which would strip same-sex couples of relationship protections
For more information, go to the website: www.keepingthefaithforequality.org.

LA SPONSORS: California Faith for Equality, Equal Roots, API Equality - Los Angeles,Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, Beth Chayim Chadashim, Congregation Kol Ami, Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles, National Black Justice Coalition, California Council of Churches, Progressive Jewish Alliance, Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation at HUC-IJR, National Council of Jewish Women - Los Angeles, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church, Marriage Equality USA, Courage Campaign, Equality California, More Light Presbyterians, Jews for Marriage Equality, Tikkun, and many more.

SPEAKERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT BEFORE & AFTER EVENT

A Lesson from Faith: How to Sustain a Movement

2009-10-29T23:11:00.000-07:00

Check out Interfaith Organizing Director Kerry Chaplin's post Wise Words from the Reverend featured on Calitics:

Faith traditions are powerful examples of movements surviving and persevering over time, sometimes in the face of persecution. They survive because they ask the big questions and because they know the sustaining value of gathering in community. Across denominations, the core value in faith communities is relationship - relationship with one another, with their particular tradition and with something greater than themselves. It has sustained faith communities for thousands of years.

Our Equality Movement must embrace this lesson of perseverance, sustenance and survival taught by faith communities in order to thrive beyond campaign politics.
As we mark the passage of Prop 8, we implement the core practice of this lesson by gathering in community and relationship:

On November 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, Keeping the Faith for Equality events throughout California give us this opportunity for relationship. One year later, CA Faith for Equality, Courage Campaign, Equality California, Marriage Equality USA, and many, many other organizations and faith communities are gathering not to dwell on our loss a year ago, but to embrace the lessons we learned from that loss. Visit www.keepingthefaithforequality.org to find an event in your area.

We hope to see you there.

CFE's PRESS RELEASE ON SIGNING OF HATE CRIMES BILL

2009-10-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

FAITH LEADERS CHEER PRESIDENT OBAMA’S SIGNING OF MATHEW SHEPARD HATE CRIMES BILL

California Faith for Equality (CFE) celebrates the signing of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes bill into law today, eleven years after the 21 year old gay man was brutally murdered. "Many of us take for granted that when we leave home in the morning, we will come home safely at the end of the day, said Pastor Samuel M. Chu, Interim Executive Director of CFE. “ But, we have also been confronted by the realities of hatred and violence lurking around us. The signing of this comprehensive hate crimes bill represents a giant step toward equal rights and protection for all, regardless of their perceived identities. We dare not forget that this came too late for many who have gone before us, but we look toward a shared future with faith that our children will live in a world not dominated by fear and hatred.

“Several CFE members lobbied Capitol Hill for passage of this legislation and today, we remember in our prayers, all those who have died or have been victims of hate crimes,” said the Rev. Neil Thomas, of the Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles and President of the Board of CFE.

Chu added, "California Faith for Equality celebrates this historic act and we embrace the challenge of continuing to educate all people on the value of radical hospitality. We believe that congregations are more than just cheerleaders when it comes to promoting the health and wellbeing of all members of society. We must continue to open our sanctuary doors to the vulnerable, and to confront violence and hatred against any human being or groups."

CONTACT:
Louise Brooks, Media Coordinator ■ 626.993.4605 ■ louise@cafaithforequality.org
###

LA TIMES EDITORIAL: COURTING ANGLICANS

2009-10-24T17:37:00.000-07:00

The pope's welcoming of Anglicans disaffected by their church's greater openness only shows how far the gay-rights movement has to go to dispel religious intolerance.

October 24, 2009

This week's announcement that the Roman Catholic Church will welcome disaffected Anglicans en masse is of primary interest to members of the two Christian communions. But this religious realignment is also a reminder to supporters of equality for women and gays and lesbians that they must literally preach to the converted if they are to win believers to their cause.

Pope Benedict XVI has offered the Anglicans a special status within Catholicism that will preserve their traditions and allow married Anglican priests to continue their ministry. Those likely to accept are animated by opposition to innovations including the ordination of an openly gay bishop in the United States, blessings for same-sex couples in Canada and the Church of England's decision to allow female bishops.

Not every dissatisfied Anglican will change churches. Nor will this development drown out voices within the Roman Catholic Church favoring full participation by women and homosexuals. But Benedict's action is part of a formidable religious backlash against gay rights that isn't confined to the pulpit; witness the lobbying by some religious leaders against same-sex civil marriages.

Under the 1st Amendment, churches in this country can't be forced to alter their doctrine or to stop preaching against the supposed immorality of homosexuality. Even so, supporters of gay rights in particular -- many of them Christians -- should try to dispel the notion that belief in God is incompatible with full equality for gays and lesbians.

Now as before the pope's action, Christians can be reminded -- as they have been by both Anglican and Catholic theologians -- that Jesus said nothing about homosexuality and that church leaders, including popes, have changed their thinking over the years about everything from usury to the culpability of Jews for the Crucifixion to the desirability of religious tolerance. You don't have to be Catholic (or Anglican) to realize that society as a whole would be better off if the church's views of women and gays underwent a similar evolution.

\Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times

CFE's INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS ON HATE CRIMES LEGISLATION

2009-10-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

M E D I A R E L E A S E

October 22, 2009

CFE HAILS HATE CRIME BILL, URGES PRESIDENT TO SIGN

“This is a landmark day for America as well as many faith leaders who have lobbied for the passage of hate crimes legislation,” said Pastor Samuel M. Chu, Interim Executive Director for California Faith for Equality. “After years of debate, there will soon be new federal protections extended to people who are victimized because of their gender, gender identification, or sexual orientation, or disability. CFE urges President Obama to sign this bill as he has promised.

“We appreciate and applaud the work of Judy and Denis Shepherd and the Mathew Shepherd Foundation for their years of dedicated work to pass this legislation.

“We pray that love will prevail over hate and hate-inspired crimes will cease to exist. We look for the extended protections to take place soon so that LGBTI Americans will know that their government will protect them from violence and provide justice for victims and their families.”

CONGRESS TAKES FINAL VOTE ON HATE CRIMES BILL: PASSES ON TO PRESIDENT

2009-10-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

October 22, 2009

After nearly 12 years, a strong hate crimes bill is finally on its way to the President’s desk and he’s promised to make it law. Upon his signature, the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act will be the first major federal civil rights law protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Today’s 64 to 35 cloture vote and this evening’s final passage in the Senate marks a truly pivotal moment in our fight for LGBT equality. This last vote EVER on the bill happened because of the dedication of all of the people who contacted their legislators, educated their communities and gave of their time and money. But no one has worked harder than the families of Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., for whom the bill is named. Go to HRC's website for the rest of the story.

California Faith for Equality's Support of Maine's Religious Coalition is in the Numbers

2009-10-19T16:02:00.001-07:00

After marching through Portland's Monument Sqaure, people of faith gather and rally for marriage equality. Here, a Catholic for marriage equality shares a prayer for families.

Yesterday, Mainers in Portland, Bangor, Auburn and Rockland rallied against discrimination and for the freedom to marry. Kerry Chaplin, California Faith for Equality's Interfaith Organizing Director, spent a week in Maine helping Katy Jayne, Organizer for the Religious Coalition, prepare for the events, which turned out about 1,000 people of faith.

"These events were successful because people of faith in Maine care about equality," shared Jayne. "California Faith for Equality's support helped to ensure we met our goals by engaging people of faith not only to attend the events, but to help organize them."

Check out media coverage from Bangor and Auburn.

KEEPING THE FAITH - NOV 2nd EVENTS

2009-10-19T16:02:00.000-07:00

CA Faith for Equality, the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of CA, Marriage Equality USA, Equality California, the Bay Area Coalition of Welcoming Congregations, Courage Campaign, Progressive Jewish Alliance, and a number of other organizations are coming together to “Keep the Faith” for equality.

At the one year anniversary of the passage of Proposition 8, we will stand together, not looking back, but moving forward. We will celebrate the progress that has been made in the past year, both in the secular and religious communities.We will renew our support for our friends in Maine and Washington State as they face ballot measures which would strip same-sex couples of relationship protections. Through interfaith prayer, song, and reflection, we are “Keeping the Faith” for equality for all people.
To date, events are being planned in San Francisco, Oakland, North Bay, Sacramento, Davis, San Jose, Modesto, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, Claremont, Orange County, and San Diego. We are also working on organizing Humboldt, Fresno, and Palm Springs.

To find or post an event, and see the Keeping the Faith Resource Kit go to: www.keepingthefaithforequality.org

Here is a partial list:

San Jose: Keeping the Faith
November 2, 2009 from 6pm to 7:30pm – First Christian Church of San Jose

Claremont "Keeping The Faith" Rally
November 2, 2009 from 6:30pm to 8pm – Memorial Park
Keeping the Faith - San Francisco

November 2, 2009 from 7pm to 9pm – St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Keeping the Faith in Belmont
November 2, 2009 from 7pm to 8pm – Congregational Church of Belmont
Oakland: "Keeping the Faith: A "Soulful" Interfaith Worship Service
November 2, 2009 from 7pm to 9pm – Lakeshore Baptist Church

Marriage Equality: Not just for same-sex couples

2009-10-15T16:09:00.000-07:00

AP: Interracial couple denied marriage license in La.
Oct 15 04:00 PM US/Eastern

HAMMOND, La. (AP) - A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have.

Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

Neither Bardwell nor the couple immediately returned phone calls from The Associated Press. But Bardwell told the Daily Star of Hammond that he was not a racist. Read rest of story here.

THE LARAMIE PROJECT: 10 YEARS LATER

2009-10-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

ALL-STAR CAST TO PERFORM
WITH SPECIAL GUEST JUDY SHEPARD (MATTHEW SHEPARD’S MOTHER)
AT HOLLYWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

On Sunday, October 25, at 1:30pm, THE LARAMIE PROJECT: 10 YEARS LATER will be staged at Hollywood United Methodist Church in our 725 seat sanctuary. Following the performance, coffee and dessert will be served. We are proud to also be hosting a talk and book signing at 4:00 PM by Judy Shepard (mother to Matthew Shepard) author ofThe Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed. Books will be available for purchase from local retailer, Book Soup.

The play, The Laramie Project, which premiered in February 2000, was the basis for the 2002 critically acclaimed HBO Original Film starring Camryn Manheim, Joshua Jackson and Christina Ricci. More information on the play may be found at http://www.tectonictheaterproject.org/The_Laramie_Project.html.

This sequel picks up ten years later. The attitudes and the events that have transpired over those ten years are quite shocking, as members of the Tectonic Theatre Company return to Laramie and discover that many issues are still unresolved.

Scheduled to perform are Zachary Quinto (Heroes, Star Trek), Jim Parsons (Big Bang Theory), Johnny Galecki (Big Bang Theory), Pauley Perrette (NCIS), James Cromwell (Surrogates, Babe), Julie Benz (Dexter), Lisa Edelstein (House), Barrett Foa (NCIS: Los Angeles), Emmy Award-winner Christian Clemenson (Boston Legal) and Helen Shaver (The 4400).

The reading is directed by actress/ director Jillian Armenante. The Tectonic Theatre Project has granted special rights for the reading as a benefit, with all proceeds going to the Matthew Shepard Foundation. General seating tickets for the event are $25.00 and can be purchased by calling 323-874-2104, ext 303 or by emailing laramie@hollywoodumc.org.

EVENT INQUIRIES
HUMC 323-874-2104
laramie@hollywoodumc.org
www.hollywoodumc.org

PRESS INQUIRIES
CHAD DARNELL
818-729-2915
ChadDarnel@aol.com

U.S. judge refuses Prop. 8 backers' request to dismiss gay-marriage case

2009-10-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

By Howard Mintz
hmintz@mercurynews.com

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge on Wednesday refused to dismiss a legal challenge to Proposition 8, concluding that the ongoing courtroom battle over California's voter-approved ban on gay marriage must be resolved in a full-blown trial.

After two hours of legal sparring, Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker rejected the arguments of Prop. 8 supporters, who maintained that U.S. Supreme Court precedent and a lack of proof of constitutional violations should sidetrack a lawsuit designed to overturn the ballot measure. Instead, Walker, sensing the challenge to Prop. 8 ultimately could wind up before the Supreme Court, wants a trial to develop a full factual record, including forcing Prop. 8 supporters to justify the reasons behind a state ban on allowing gay couples to wed.

One by one, the judge shot down the legal reasons Prop. 8 lawyers presented to resolve the case now and allow the same-sex marriage ban to remain in force. In particular, the judge seemed particularly unpersuaded by Prop. 8 attorney Charles Cooper's chief argument for a state law confining marriage to heterosexual couples — that the state has an interest in protecting "traditional" marriage because of its importance to procreation in society.

"Procreation doesn't require marriage," Walker noted, citing statistics showing that a large percentage of children are born out of wedlock.
The judge's decision sets the stage for a January trial. Read the rest of the story here.

Calif governor signs gay marriage recognition bill

2009-10-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill recognizing gay marriages sanctioned in other states during the nearly five months such unions were legal in California.

Schwarzenegger says the action is consistent with a state Supreme Court ruling upholding the marriages of same-sex couples who tied the knot in California before voters approved Proposition 8.

Proposition 8 is a constitutional amendment passed in November that limits marriage to a man and a woman. The bill signed by the governor late Sunday also says gay and lesbian couples who were married in other states after Proposition 8’s passage have the same rights and benefits that California grants domestic partners.

The bill was sponsored by Democratic Sen. Mark Leno of San Francisco.

Acting Locally on Nat'l Coming Out Day

2009-10-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

While thousands gathered in Washington to march for equality, hundreds gathered at All Saints Church, Pasadena for a Calilfornia Faith for Equality sponsored press conference featuring faith leaders standing in solidarity with activist Dr. Eric Lee.

Click here to go to the California Faith for Equality website and add your signature to the letter of support for Dr. Lee and his courageous witness for LGBT equality.

2009-10-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

Syd Peterson interviews Interim Executive Director of California Faith for Equality, Pastor Samuel Chu, on LGBT POV:

What was the one BIG emotional moment when you knew you had to get involved with this work?

In fifth grade back in Hong Kong, I “shut down” my elementary school and organized a “teach-in” and assembly to teach the students what was going on with the protests and hunger strike at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. My journey to the US also played a big part in how I see my work today: the experience of leaving behind everything I knew, everything that felt safe, and forging a new identity, new relationships and status taught me how important organizing is. And I remember feeling just angry – a kind of cold anger that I continue to find productive – around how powerless organizations and institutions like churches can be in the face of injustice and inequality. I find it unhelpful when communities come together without a serious intention of building some power. I remember the great organizer, Ernesto Cortes Jr. once told me, “Why spend the effort to organize people if you are going to lose? People can lose all on their own.”

Check out the interview in its entirety at LGBT POV.

Signoff from Maine

2009-10-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

From the hospitality of Rev. Stephen Carnahan and his wife Judith to the 15 Bangor clergy who stood together for equality, my experience in Maine was overflowing with examples of hospitality, of kindness, and certainly of justice.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have supported Katy Jayne and the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry. A growing progressive voice of faith, the Coalition looks to California Faith for Equality as a model of faith-centered organizing for LGBTI equality.

As the model, CA Faith for Equality is responsible for supporting the work of the Coalition, and as a an organization of shared values, it is (read: we are) responsible for acting those values. To find out how you or your faith community can support the freedom to marry in Maine, contact Katy at kjayne@mclu.org.

Jewish Voices for Marriage Equality

2009-10-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

Jews from the Portland area gathered this evening to hear rabbis, lawyers, and lesbian and gay Jews share why the freedom to marry is important in their lives. Whether discussing Jewish law, explaining civil law or sharing an individual story, each speaker presented her/is experience from a different, but uniquely Jewish perspective. Rabbi Alice Goldfinger of Congregation Beit Ha'am shared that when she first spoke on supporting marriage for gay and lesbian couples in San Francisco in 1992, her synagogue rotunda was vandalized: "Rabbi Goldfinger is a dyke."

While approximately 80% of Jews support marriage equality, we must not wipe our hands of our responsibility to lift up those who are oppressed: Tzedek, tzedek tirdof (Deuteronomy 16:20). Justice, justice, you shall pursue! Our pursuit of justice is not over because the majority of Jews support marriage equality. On Yom Kippur, when we atone not only for our own sins, but for those of our entire community and our entire people, we take responsibility for one another. When one of us does not pursue justice, or stands in the way of justice, we are all responsible.

Driven by communal responsibility, we continue to pursue justice, healing the world by pursuing the world we want to live in.

Kerry

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH TAKES A STAND ON ENDA

2009-10-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

A Policy Alert from The Episcopal Public Policy Network

"Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in this landwho live with injustice, terror, disease, and death as their constantcompanions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to theseour neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equalprotection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that everyone of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this land; through JesusChrist our Lord. Amen."
--The Book of Common Prayer

Many Americans do not realize that under current federal law, itis entirely legal to fire, hire, demote, promote, and make all otheremployment decisions based on real or perceived sexual orientation andgender identity and expression regardless of workplace performance. Specifically, it is legal to discriminate based upon sexual orientation in29 states and based upon gender identity or expression in 38 states. Toprevent further discrimination, Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA) andIIeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and SusanCollins (R-ME) have introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA),which would provide basic protections against workplace discrimination onthe basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

ENDA would prohibit employers, employment agencies, labororganizations, or joint labor-management committees from discriminatingagainst individuals on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientationor gender identity. It prohibits the use of sexual orientation and genderidentity as a basis for determining the compensation, terms, conditions, orprivileges of employment. However, the bill explicitly exempts religiousorganizations from these requirements, protecting the First Amendment andCivil Rights protections of religious organizations who consider ENDA to becontrary to their doctrines and principles. No religious organization willbe compelled to violate their doctrines and principles.

Biblical tradition teaches us that all human beings are createdin the Divine image. As it says in Genesis 1:27, "And God created humans inGod's own image, in the image of God, God created them; male and female Godcreated them." Regardless of context, discrimination against any personarising from apathy, insensitivity, ignorance, fear, or hatred isinconsistent with this fundamental belief. As people of faith, we firmlyoppose discrimination against all individuals, including gays and lesbians,for the stamp of the Divine is present in each and every one of us.

Clickhere to support and co-sponsor the EmploymentNon-Discrimination Act.
Forward this Alert to a Friend!
Episcopal Public Policy Network
110 Maryland Ave., N.E. #309, Washington, D.C. 20002
1-800-228-0515, (202) 547-7300, FAX (202) 547-4457
On the Web: www.episcopalchurch.org/eppn
Email: eppn@episcopalchurch.org

Organizer Artwork

2009-10-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

We're hard at work in Maine. The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry has three BIG events coming up:

Oct. 15th: Bishop Gene Robinson speaking in Portland
Oct. 18th: Interfaith rallies, marches and services in Portland, Auburn and Bangor
Nov. 1st: Interfaith vigils as the intensity of the campaign increases

Katy Jayne, Maine Civil Liberties Union and Religious Coalition Organizer, and I spent Sunday afternoon coming up with a gameplan to develop, support and promote these events. The process was exhausting, but we made organizer art.

Kerry

Augusta Area Clergy Call Mainers

2009-10-04T14:49:00.001-07:00

Religious Coalition

for the

Freedom to Marry

Episcopal priest Rev. Calvin Sanborn and Unitarian Universalist Minister Rev. Ed Greene call Mainers to talk about marriage equality from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta. Rev. Sanborn and his husband Dan have recently adopted Owen, who remained quiet because he knew Dad was on an important call.

Maine Adventures in Marriage Equality

2009-10-03T18:57:00.000-07:00

Marriage equality supporters everywhere! Out for dinner today at North Star on Munjoy Hill, we met this lovely couple with their own equality schwag.

Drawing inspiration everywhere.

Kerry

Shabbat Shalom and Hag Sameach from Maine!

2009-10-02T17:18:00.000-07:00

Shabbat shalom and hag sameach from Maine!

We are entering the Jewish holiday, Sukkot, the Festival of Booths, during which Jews traditionally take our meals, even sleep, in temporary shelters reminiscent of the transitory wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.
On Sukkot, it is traditional to read Psalm 27:

11 Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

While reading this passage at Temple Beth El in Portland this evening, I thought of our oppressors, those who hold us LGBTI people and allies down, especially those who are currently doing so in Maine. In the Portland Press Herald this morning, Bill Nemitz described a marked difference between the Yes on 1 campaign and the No on 1 campaign: while the Yes campaign puts forth the same 4 spokespeople, uses website images from online stock photo galleries, and ultimately lacks realness, the No on 1 campaign speaks in diverse voices, uses photos of real Mainers on its website, and thrives on the authentic drive of Mainers, not agendas.

Even in the two days since I arrived in Maine, it is clear that our oppressors are using the same language to bear false witness against us. The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry in Maine is standing for what is just and fair, led by that which is Holy on a path toward goodness.

On this Sukkot, let us all have the courage to be led to goodness in the face of our oppressors.

shabbat shalom and hag sameach,

Kerry Chaplin

Bangor, Maine

2009-10-01T18:14:00.001-07:00

15 clergy from a diversity of faith traditions stood for marriage equality in Bangor, Maine, on the northern edge of U.S. wilderness. 7 of those clergy drove nearly an hour to participate. 5 spoke, saying, "Our Religious Coalition opposes Question 1."

When asked why she participated this time, but hadn't before, one clergyperson said, "It's their issue, so it's my issue." Because her congregants had shared with her the significance of marriage equality in their lives, she stood publicly on the lobby stairs of that Bangor church and, with her colleagues, acted for what is right and just in the spirit of her religious tradition.

May we each have the courage to know courage through the practice of compassion.

Kerry Chaplin

Just Arrived in Maine!

2009-09-30T21:51:00.000-07:00

Arriving at midnight characterizes the campaign life. Thanks to the hospitality of Religious Coalition organizer Katy Jayne, who picked me up from the airport (at midnight!), and Rev. Stephen Callahan, who opened his beautiful home to me, I'm ready to get a little rest before jumping into the mix tomorrow by helping with a Religious Coalition press event. Looking forward to my first day and CA Faith for Equality's opportunity to support the Religious Coalition.

Peace and Blessings,

Kerry Chaplin

SO. CAL SCLC LEADER DR. ERIC LEE VISITS HRC

2009-09-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

Rev. Eric Lee, president of the Los Angeles chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), met with Washington, DC-area clergy on Tuesday at HRC’s offices to share his insight and experience building support for marriage equality as part of a week-long trip to DC.

Rev. Lee explained he naturally felt that marriage equality in California is a social justice issue. Initially when he was asked what he thought of same-sex couples marrying in Los Angeles, he immediately stood up in support and he explained to us how that affected his work in the African American community.

Taking that experience, he’s written a book: “Marriage Equality: Proposition 8, The California Divide.” In it Lee describes how he found himself at odds with the leaders of the Atlanta-based Southern Christian Leadership Conference and many of his peers in the faith community last year after speaking out against California’s Proposition 8. Yet he refuses to remain quiet.

HRC’s Religion and Faith program pulled this meeting together so that African American clergy could talk with their peers in DC about what we face in discussing LGBT equality in the African American community.

Rev. Lee noted key issues that the LGBT community should work through as we talk more about working together for each other’s causes:

Remember to give homage to the Civil Rights Movement. It’s unproductive to just say the gay civil rights movement is like the African American civil rights movement. Respect that it’s different.

Begin to work with the African American community in the trenches on social justice issues such as: battling structural inequities in education; immigration issues; and supporting policies that help lower the economic discrepancies while we fight for ENDA.

Help combat the high school dropout rate for African Americans that too often leads young people into the criminal justice system. There are many social justice programs that can help lower the rate and the LGBT community can contribute to this cause.

Rev. Lee ended by saying “There is room to create real partnerships with African Americans and in return, they will support the LGBT community on marriage equality.” Rev. Lee knows that he is at odds with the leaders of the SCLC over his support for marriage equality, but he wanted the ministers today to know that there is room to feel comfortable working together on all of our issues.

A TIME FOR EVERY PURPOSE: UULMCA OPPOSES 2010 BALLOT INITIATIVE

2009-09-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

While we believe that returning to the ballot in 2010 would be less expensive, we still conclude that at this moment, our time and resources are better spent fostering deeper dialogue, building networks, and addressing root causes. Therefore, we respectfully recommend to California Unitarian
Universalists that we refrain from signing petitions and supporting efforts to place the measure on the ballot to overturn Prop 8 in 2010.

That said, regardless of when a measure to overturn Prop 8 gathers enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, whether in 2010, 2012, or 2014, the UULM Action Network will take our place among the ever growing network of people of faith who will work to fully engage our members in a campaign to reestablish marriage equality in California. Until such time as we are back in campaign mode, we are working in close collaboration with our excellent partners at CA Faith for Equality to create educational and organizing resources to equip our congregations and clergy for these next steps on the journey. We welcome your continued engagement and look forward to deepening our ministry and our capacity to serve.

Read the entire letter here

TRUE FAMILY VALUES

2009-09-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 28, 2009

FAMILY DAY, 2009

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Our family provides one of the strongest influences on our lives. American families from every walk of life have taught us time and again that children raised in loving, caring homes have the ability to reject negative behaviors and reach their highest potential. Whether children are raised by two parents, a single parent, grandparents, a same-sex couple, or a guardian, families encourage us to do our best and enable us to accomplish great things. Today, our children are confronting issues of drug and alcohol use with astonishing regularity. On Family Day, we honor the dedication of parents, commend the achievements of their children, and celebrate the contributions our Nation's families have made to combat substance abuse among young people.

The 21st century presents families with unprecedented challenges. Millions of women and men are struggling to balance the demands of their jobs with the needs of their families. At the same time, our youngest generation faces countless distractions in their social environment. They are coming of age in a world where electronic devices have replaced the playground, televisions have preempted conversation, and pressure to use drug and alcohol is far too prevalent. Parents bear significant stress and burdens to protect their children from harmful influences.

Read the rest here.

EPISCOPAL BISHOP OF IOWA: WHAT OUR FAITH DEMANDS OF US, EVEN AS WE DISAGREE

2009-09-28T10:40:00.000-07:00

The Episcopal Church held its triennial General Convention in Anaheim in July. The focus of the media and the worldwide Anglican Communion of which the church is a constituent member was on what we would do on matters of human sexuality. Regardless of the fact that the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the communion, came to deliver a keynote speech on the spiritual and ethical challenges of the economic crisis, even he responded after the convention on the two resolutions on same-gender couples.

Iowa finds itself along with the dioceses of the five New England states where equal marriage is upheld in the forefront of the church's conversation on marriage equality. Faith communities are deciding what this means to their traditions or what it does not. Many faith communities have long awaited the chance to celebrate civil marriage for same-gender couples. The Episcopal Church has been engaged with this for more than 30 years - almost alone among churches of the Catholic tradition. That Episcopal couples were among those cited in the Iowa State Supreme Court Ruling is significant.

Of course, we are not of one mind in this. Not all my own clergy or congregations agree with my position in celebrating this opportunity for same-gender couples. But is there not a beauty in this situation? Faith communities that cannot and will not welcome or embrace these marriages have that freedom in this state and nation, even while others that do coexist beside them peacefully and lawfully. When a bishop in Southern Africa learned of the Iowa ruling, he sent me a note asking me its implications. He was concerned that we might be seen as going against the constitution now if we disallowed such marriages. He found it rather admirable that there was no such pressure upon religious institutions, and that there was a specific exemption for religious institutions to pursue their consciences.

Marriage and its significance for all people is an essential value in our social life. For every faith community, marriage exists not only to protect but to reveal the deeper connection of God's love for us. It is precisely as such that it is as important an institution to same-gender couples as it is to heterosexual couples in those same faith communities.Faith, however, demands more of us. At the recent General Convention, we heard a sermon by Bishop Stephen Charleston, a Native-American bishop. He stood before us and said in hyperbole that he "had 10 minutes to save the world." Boldly claiming his anointing as a prophet of God by the power of the Holy Spirit, he said that the alarm clock. which had been ticking away the hours toward our civilization's demise, had stopped its ticking. "The alarm bells are ringing," he said. He went on to say that unless we woke up and put aside those things that have used up our energies for the past 30 to 40 years in our disputes together, and bring the peace among human beings needed to care in common for each other and for the planet God has given us, none of what consumes our heated passions today will mean anything. The generations to come, he added, who will have to rebirth civilization on their burned up cinder of a planet, will not thank us, nor will God thank us.

I find myself considering, as a growing number have had to in recent times, the vital nature of jobs and resources to feed the married family, peace across our global communities to keep us safe in our extended families or a fair sharing of the world's goods, education and health resources to provide for all people. In seeking these things the clock is ticking, calling us to action as one, even as we disagree on marriage. These efforts, too, are how we reflect the commandment of our God to love one another as God loves us.

Contact: ascarfe@ iowaepiscopal.org

CFE LAUNCHES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH

2009-09-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Job Title – Executive Director - California Faith for Equality (CFE)

Organizational Mission: To educate, support and mobilize California’s faith communities around a variety of equality issues as they relate to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
community, including marriage, employment discrimination and healthcare.

Overview
The ED will guide the newly incorporated California Faith for Equality (CFE), a state-wide multi-faith 501(c)3 organization which provides leadership and education to various faith traditions around a variety of equality issues with a near term focus on marriage equality.
The ED reports to the Board of Directors of CFE and a clergy Advisory Board, and is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives.

In program development and administration, the Executive Director will:
1. Implement the organization’s long-range strategy to achieve its mission, and move toward that
goal with consistent and timely progress.
2. Provide leadership in developing program, organizational and financial plans with the Board of
Directors and staff, and carry out plans and policies authorized by the Board.
3. Promote active and broad participation by volunteers in all areas of CFE's work.
4. Maintain official records and documents, and ensure compliance with federal, state and local
regulations.
5. Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field.

In communications, the Executive Director will:
1. See that the Board is kept fully informed on the condition of the organization and all important
factors influencing it.
2. Publicize the activities/programs of CFE in conjunction with the PR/Media Coordinator.
3. Establish sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with relevant LGBT and
religious affiliated community groups and organizations.
4. Represent the programs and point of view of CFE to agencies, organizations, and the general
public.

In relations with staff, the Executive Director will:
1. Be responsible for the recruitment, employment, and release of all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers.
2. Ensure that job descriptions are developed, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place.
3. Encourage CFE staff and volunteer development and education, and assist program staff in
relating their specialized work to the total program of the organization.
4. Maintain a climate that attracts, keeps, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality people.

In budget and finance, the Executive Director will:
1. Be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices.
2. Work with the CFE staff and Board in preparing a budget; see that the organization operates
within budget guidelines.
3. Ensure that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work.
4. Jointly, with the executive committee of the Board of Directors conduct the official
correspondence of the organization, and jointly, with designated officers, execute legal
documents.

Overall Responsibilities:
o Acquire full understanding of this unique organization through interviews with staff and board,
review of policies, board and staff minutes, financial reports, website, grant proposals, recent
correspondence and other significant paperwork.
o Develop consistent internal controls, including policies and procedures pertaining to
communications, fiscal oversight, employees, subcontractors, grantors/donors, and government
agencies.
o Assume supervisory responsibility for personnel including the Director of Interfaith
Organizing, the Community Organizer, the volunteer coordinators and other staff as hired.
Qualifications
• Understanding of and experience in working with the LGBT movement, diverse communities
of faith and communities of Color and their inter-relationships
• Ordination preferred but not required
• Knowledge of and experience with non-profit management
• Proven ability to fundraise including grant writing and donor cultivation
• Experience with principles of community organizing
• Commitment to and experience with coalition building
• Supervisory experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be able to travel and work some evenings and weekends
Salary is commensurate with experience.

Position Start Date January 4th, 2010
Please send an e-mail cover letter, resume, a one-page writing sample related to fundraising, and the names and contact information of three professional references to: revneil@mccla.org

Prior to a new incorporation as an independent organization as of 1/1/10, California Faith for Equality is under the fiscal sponsorship of the UULM-CA. UULM-CA is an equal opportunity employer anddoes not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion,national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, disability, family responsibility, veteran’s status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

CFE's LEADERSHIP JOINS PROMINENT RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND FAITH COMMUNITIES TO ENDORSE THE NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH

2009-09-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

Momentum Builds for the October 11 Event

San Francisco, CA, September 24 – 70 religious leaders added their names this week to the growing list of endorsement for the National Equality March. The March has provided leaders from America’s broad religious spectrum a vehicle to demand full and equal protection for LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.

“Part of what hinders our reality of full federal equality is the notion that one religious freedom trumps another,” said Robin McGehee, co-director of the March. “It is heartwarming to highlight that there are multiple areas of faith, within many different religious communities, that believe in full equality.”

Just as there are LGBT people of faith who worship in nearly all religious denominations and practices, the March has gained growing support from religious leaders within many of the nation’s religions and faiths. “In every case in this country's history when misguided church teaching was used to justify prejudice and discrimination it has been judged as a moral failure of our society.

The greatest obstacle to reaching full civil equality for LGBT American’s today is this same kind of religion-based bigotry”, said Mitchell Gold, founder of Faith In America. “ The National March for Equality gives all people of faith an important opportunity to speak out about this injustice and the irreparable harm it creates in our lives…and to say the time to end the harm is NOW.”

The Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, gave the March a resounding endorsement, “The Unitarian Universalist Association strongly endorses the National Equality March and the goal of achieving full legal equality for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people. The inherent worth and dignity of every person is a foundational principle of our Unitarian Universalist faith. Unitarian Universalists from around the country will be standing together on the side of love on October 11th when we will take one more step towards the day when the laws of this country protect the basic human rights of all Americans.” Rev. Morales will preach at a service prior to the March at All Souls Church Unitarian and then gather everyone after the service to join the March route.

Leaders from the faith community who endorsed the March include: Rev. David Bahr, Park Hill Congregational Church UCCPamela Baldwin, Interfaith Alliance of IdahoNelson Bock, Interfaith Alliance of ColoradoRabbi Stephen Booth-Nadav, Aytz Chayim/Tree of LifeDr. Richard C. Bozian, TIA-Cincinnati-First Unitarian ChurchRev. Elizabeth Braddon, Stony Brook Community ChurchDr. Phil Campbell, Iliff School of TheologyRev. Tom Capo, Peoples Church Unitarian UniversalistCarol Carlson, Social Justice Committee of First Unitarian Church of CincinnatiRev. Cynthia Cearley, Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church Angela Cesa, HospiceRabbi Carl Choper, The Interfaith Alliance of PennsylvaniaRev. Hal Chorpenning, Plymouth Congregational UCCRev. Samuel Chu, Interim Executive Director of California Faith for EqualityDick Clark, St. Timothy’s United Methodist ChurchRev. Paul Collier, First Presbyterian ChurchRev. Greg Cummins, Montview Blvd. Presbyterian ChurchDouglas Cunningham, New Day United Methodist ChurchRabbi Mark Diamond, Exec. Vice President of the Southern California Board of RabbisMaureen Doherty, Episcopal ChurchAnne Dunlap, Comunidad Liberacion/Liberation CommunityRabbi Denise Eger, President of Pacific Association of Reform RabbisRabbi Dr. David Ellenson, President of Hebrew Union CollegeRev. Eric Fjeldal, United Methodist ChurchRev. Vicki Flippin, Diamond Hill United Methodist Church, Cos Cob, ConnecticutRabbi Steven A. Fox, Exec. Vice President of the Central Conference of American RabbisPaul Fraser, Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Rev. Dr. C. Weldon Gaddy, Interfaith AllianceGregory Garland, United Church of ChristDan Geslin, Sixth Avenue United Church of ChristMitchell Gold, Faith in AmericaRev. Galen Guengerich, All Souls Unitarian ChurchElizabeth Gull, Universal Life ChurchSusan Guy, Walnut Hills United Methodist ChurchRev. Debra W. Haffner, The Religious InstituteEdward Hawley, United Church of ChristRabbi Steven B. Jacobs, Chair of the Progressive Jewish FoundationEllen Johnson-Fay, Unitarian Universalist AssociationRabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, NYCNoel Koestline, United Methodist ChurchRev. Eric Lee, President of the Los Angeles Southern Christian LeadershipRev. Eun-sang Lee, First United Methodist Church, Salt Lake CityRev. Mark J Lukens, Bethany Congregational UCC/ LI Chapter of TIAWhit Malone, Collegiate Presbyterian ChurchRev. Matthew J. Mardis-LeCroy, Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ Sister Maureen McCormack, Interfaith Alliance of ColoradoRev. Nancy Nelson, Metropolitan Community ChurchesRichard S. Parker, United Methodist ChurchRev. Emily Peck-McClain, United Methodist ChurchRev. Troy Perry, Metropolitan Community ChurchesDouglas Peters, United Methodist ChurchRichard Pleva, Iowa Conference, United Church of ChristJulia Rendon, Crossroads United Church of ChristBishop Eugene Robinson, Episcopal Diocese of New HampshirePaul Rolig, Humanists of IdahoRabbi David Saperstein Director of the Religious Action Center, Washington DCRev. Susan Russell, President of IntegrityConnie Ryan Terrell, Interfaith Alliance of IowaWalter Schenck, United Methodist Church, NY Annual ConferenceRev. Catherine Schuyler, Duluth Congregational ChurchRev. Jeremy Shaver, Interfaith Alliance of Colorado/Park Hill Congregational Church Rev. Charles H. Straut, Jr., New York Annual Conference, United Methodist Church Rev. Mark Stringer, First Unitarian Church of Des Moines; Nadine Swahnberg, UUARev. Neil G. Thomas, Chair of California Faith for Equality Kenneth Thurow, ELCAJoel Warner, United Methodist ChurchRabbi Ellen Weinberg Dreyfus, President of the Central Conference of American RabbisDana Wimmer, United MethodistRabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform of Judaism Ani Zonneveld, Co-founder and President of Muslims for Progressive Values

"For people of faith, the National Equality March is an expression of our most deeply cherished values—that we are called to love, do justice, seek equality and act with compassion,” explains Rev. Debra W. Haffner, executive director of the Religious Institute who also has endorsed the March. “The Religious Institute is proud to endorse the March and the values it upholds."

“The importance of the National March for Equality for LGBT civil rights is being articulated through the Religious and Faith communities,” said Rabbi Denise Eger, president of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis. Jewish national leaders and faith leaders understand that equality and justice stem from the message of welcome and love. We are joining together to lift up this message of full civil rights.”

To date more than 250 notable leaders from the arts, entertainment and media industries as well as political leaders, elected officials and community activists have endorsed the March and are urging people to join them and make their way to Washington.

For more information about EAA and the NEM, and for a full list of endorsements, visit: www.equalityacrossamerica.org <http://www.equalityacrossamerica.org>

CA. GAY MARRIAGE GROUPS LAUNCH BALLOT INITIATIVE

2009-09-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

From Reuters

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Gay rights activists hoping to win back the right to marry in California submitted a ballot proposal on Thursday for the November 2010 election -- a date deep-pocketed advocates have said is too soon.
Californians in November voted to ban same-sex marriage after courts made it legal in the spring. Advocates ever since have been debating when to challenge the ban, known as Prop 8, in the state, which is closely divided on the issue despite a social liberal reputation.
The Los Angeles group Love Honor Cherish filed a proposed state constitutional amendment that repeals the gay marriage ban and says churches would not be forced to perform any marriage.

Read the rest of the story here:

CFE JOINS EQUALITY CA IN PHONE BANK DRIVE FOR MAINE

2009-09-24T14:23:00.000-07:00

Current polls show that we are two points behind in Maine and have only 51% support in Washington.

Your involvement now could mean the difference between victory and defeat in these extremely low turn-out elections.

Sign up today to call Maine and Washington voters near you:
Fresno
Los Angeles
Orange County
Palm Springs
Redlands
Sacramento
San Diego
San Francisco
Silicon Valley

If you can’t make it to one of our phone banks, sign up to make calls from home for Maine or for Washington.

Victories in these two states are crucial for victory in California, and we have an opportunity and responsibility to support these critical fights.

So far, our movement has lost in every state where we’ve face a referendum on marriage. That’s why we need to stop this here and now. Join us to call voters.

CFE ENDORSES NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH

2009-09-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

CFE Interim Executive Director, Pastor Samuel M. Chu, announced today that California faith for Equality endorses the National Equality March in Washington, DC on October 11th, 2009.

"Rabbi Densie Eger, President of the Southern California Boeard of Rabbis and Board memebr of CFE, and I will be marching as faith leades who support grassroot efforts for equality."

Click here more information about the National Equality March.

CFE LEADER TO RECEIVE HONOR FOR LGBT ADVOCACY IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

2009-09-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

SUSAN RUSSELL HONORED AS CANON OF LA EPISCOPAL DIOCESE

You are invited ... 2nd annual Episcopal diocesan gay & lesbian ministries evensong ! Come celebrate the gifts of LGBT people in the L.A. diocese!

We will honor the ministry of the Reverend Susan Russell,
Senior Associate at All Saints Church in Pasadena, who is
being named an honorary canon of the diocese. A past president of Integrity, Susan has appeared on countless panels and national broadcasts, advocating eloquently and tirelessly for the full inclusion of gay men and lesbians in the Church. Bishop Sergio Carranza will preside at the service, which begins at 4 p.m. Canon Jim White will preach.
The evensong and reception are open to all.
Sunday, sept. 27, 2009
4 p.m.
St. John's pro-cathedral
514 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90012
http://www.stjohnsla.org/
213.747.6285

CENSUS:: 150,000 gay couples report they're married

2009-09-22T10:59:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 150,000 same-sex couples reported being in marriage relationships last year, many more than the number of actual weddings and civil unions, according to the first U.S. census figures released on same-sex marriages.

About 27 percent of the estimated 564,743 total gay couples in the United States said they were in a relationship akin to "husband" and "wife," according to the Census Bureau tally provided to The Associated Press. That's compared with 91 percent of the 61.3 million total opposite-sex couples who reported being married. A consultant to the Census Bureau estimated there were roughly 100,000 official same-sex weddings, civil unions and domestic partnerships in 2008. Read the rest of the story here.

RABBI DENISE EGER CALLS HER COMMUNITY TO BE "ANGELS OF CHANGE" IN ROSH HASHANAH SERMON

2009-09-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

Shabbat Shalom and Happy New Year.
They say you can never go home again. This summer I tried that out. I went home to Memphis for a brief visit. The apartments that I grew up in are now torn down and a Mercedes Benz dealership sits on the land of my childhood! Lots of change through the years.

During my visit to Memphis I went to the National Civil Rights Museum. This museum is dedicated to telling the story of the African American Civil Rights struggle and the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is built around the site of his assassination, The Lorraine Motel. You can see the room where he stayed just as it was on that April 4th day in 1968 and the balcony where he was shot by a gunman across the street.

The hotel now restored and the museum built around it, is a far cry from how it looked when I lived there as a teenager. At least once a week, I would park my car outside the hotel and just sit contemplating what transpired there. My mother worked around the corner on Beale Street and I used to drive her to work and pick her up each day. Some afternoons I drove downtown early just to sit outside the Lorraine Motel which during the seventies was a ruin. Fenced off ; crumbling bricks; urban blight. I would try to imagine what happened.

King was in Memphis to help solve a Sanitation workers strike. He had been in Memphis the last week in March trying to help negotiate a solution and have a nonviolent protest march with the workers. It ended in rioting when police attacked. He left only to be summoned back to lead a peaceful protest when the talks broke down once again. The sanitation workers were asking for the basic dignity of a raise from $1.60 an hour to $2.00 and the right to unionize. An issue of economic justice.

But Memphis at the time was hardly the place it is now. It was rife with racism. And the Klan marched openly in her streets. Jews were only a notch above. And the rabbi of my youth, Dr. James Wax worked tirelessly to help the sanitation workers in the struggle. Rabbi Wax was the head of the Memphis Ministerial Association in February, 1968 when the sanitation workers went on strike. Dr. Wax was instrumental in helping organize the workers and the protests, rallying clergy and citizens to their cause. He conferred with Dr. King. He confronted the Mayor of Memphis on a number of occasions who refused to negotiate fairly. And the day after King was shot led a giant march down the main street -Poplar Ave to City Hall to take on the Mayor.

As I would sit outside of the Lorraine Motel as a teenager this living history was part of the fabric of my spiritual foundation. It shaped my understanding of the intersection between my Judaism and civil rights. It echoed the call of our Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos and Micah to uplift human dignity.

The story of the civil rights movement of African Americans was bloody and long. It involved hundreds of people and different organizations. At first with their various turf wars but then coordinating and cooperating to make their protests meaningful. King’s Southern Christian Leadership Council, the NAACP, The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and later the work of Malcom X joined together to support one another and to build a movement for change and equality even as they maintained their own missions. Whether at lunch counter sit-ins, boycotts of the buses, freedom riders, and voter registration drives, marches like the one in Selma, the various tactics would pay off.

Unfortunately, there were young people who paid often with their lives, like Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner who were lynched by the Klan in the summer of 1964 in Meridian, Ms. They were willing to take on the cause of justice and equality not just with a checkbook but with action and fervor and total commitment to their cause. Not just African Americans. But white Americans who were just as fueled and committed to equality and civil rights.

All through the story of the African American Civil Rights movement Jews were there as team members and supporters. What you may not know is one of the founders of the NAACP was a prominent Jewish leader in 1910, Henry Moscowitz. And many Jews have served on its board and as chair person. Previously serving on the Board was Rabbi Emil Hirsch, Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, Julius Rosenwald owner and leader of Sears, Roebuck Company, Lillian Wald founder of Henry Street Settlement House and the Reform Movement’s own Rabbi David Saperstein of our Religious Action Center. Columbia Professor Joel Spingarn served as chair from 1913-39. His brother Arthur succeeded him as chair of the NAACP until 1965. Kivie Kaplan a noted Reform Jewish businessman from 1965 -1975.

Jewish involvement in civil rights was and is an extension of our Jewish values. “Remember the stranger in your midst for you were once strangers in the land of Israel”, the Torah teaches us. This value propels us to see all as created b’tzelem Elohim, created in God’s image. We Jews have been called to a mission of ensuring human rights in places where there are none because we as a people have known throughout our history what it means to be treated without human dignity. To be ghettoized, marginalized, denied economic access and murdered. We know that there are still many places where Jews are hated for no other reason than our faith. Our people have memory of what it means to not be treated as fully human.

And in this sacred community those of us who are Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender also know what this is like. In this last year, the California electorate proved once again that they gave into their fears about gay people. They gave in to the lies and myths about our lives.
Was it only a year ago that we stood in this sanctuary and celebrated those who had married? Those who tasted the full force of their human dignity granted by the Supreme Court of California with the opportunity for gay men and lesbians to marry their partners? Would all of you who were married in the last year gay or straight please stand! So we can applaud you and celebrate your humanity!
(Please rise)
But sadly now we have lost this part of our equality and liberty. And when on group loses equality all are diminished.

But if we want it back it will take much more than we are doing now. If we want our civil rights at the federal level then it will take more than we are doing now.

Gay and straight must work passionately together. And as a Jewish community we must help be a strong part of this movement towards GLBT full acceptance and equality in our country. It is part of our heritage to cast our lot with the underdog for we have walked that road so often. Our story is the story of the underdog rising to leadership. Of Isaac, not Ishmael, of Jacob not Esau, of Joseph over his older brothers, of Moses over Aaron and Miriam, the underdog wins out. And this should provide us with inspiration for our cause.

Today to achieve our full inclusion and our full civil rights will take more than isolating in our community. We must move beyond just talking to ourselves and our allies. This was a failure of the No on 8 campaign. We didn’t talk enough outside of our allies. We must get out of our comfort zones and build strategic alliances together. For those of you who are straight family and friends who are a part of this community we need you to continue to combat the hatred for gay people everywhere. Our commitment to equality and total acceptance of those on the margins is part of the fabric of Kol Ami’s essence.

But what does that mean for you and me sitting here today? How can we further this cause? And energize ourselves for the long haul. Last November’s defeat at the ballot box and the subsequent defeat at the Supreme Court in overturning Proposition 8 have left many of us jaded; burned; saddened and angry.

Do we merely let the organizations on a national and statewide basis do their work? Do we write checks in the comfort of our homes? Do we leave it to others to do for us? Wait our turn? Do we sit out and say “Well they screwed it up so I am not going to participate. This has nothing to do with my everyday life.” “I don’t care about marriage equality because I am single or I will never get married.” “Marriage is failed institution.” If these continue to be our responses I can assure you GLBT full inclusion and rights will never be won. For this is not the way we will make the vision of the prophets who called out God’s messages of universal hope, of a time when all will become one, a reality.

On this New Year’s Day we have a chance to be God’s messengers, God’s angels in this world doing this holy and spiritual work. We have a chance to be the angels of change in our country, the angels who bring the Divine mandate for human dignity and caring into the world and into our lives. The angels who bring blessings every Shabbat –as we sing Shalom Aleichem; The Angels- like Raphael who bring blessings of Healing and Uriel who brings light into the world. You can be an angel one of the heavenly host on earth. You can be an angel of change though your commitment, and willingness to act bringing equality from the Heavenly Realm here to the Earthly Realm.

First it is time to march. To get out of your comfort zone. Time to show our face in Washington and make a significant showing. Time to join me in Washington, D.C. for the March for Equality Oct 10-11. Show up. Be counted. And help send a message that our rights are crucial for America’s dream of liberty to be fulfilled. You can send a message that we are simply not going to settle anymore—we won’t live as second class citizens. For we have tasted true inclusion and it was stolen from us by the lies. Now is the time to organize and march together. You can be an angel of change. The time has come to understand that the equality and liberty for gay men and lesbians must demand action. The young people had it right last November following our embarrassing and humiliating and devastating loss at the ballot box-the streets is where we must be. And we must be more visible in our quest. Action not rhetoric is what we need to achieve this goal of full human rights here in California and our nation.

Secondly, we must insist that the turf wars between organizations and personalities stop. The battles between personalities and the finger pointing of the past will only keep us from achieving our common goal of equality. And you who are leaders in this room, who sit on the various boards, must demand this of your executives. As donors you must demand that we get on the page together; to share resources. The time has come to demand coordination and cooperation. And if the organizations are busy arguing with each other and we are arguing among ourselves—then the ability to create a real action plan is hampered. We need more coordinated efforts to protest at every army recruiting station. We need coordinated efforts to protest at every marriage license bureau. We need more volunteers to go and register voters and talk to them about marriage equality. Do you think that Rosa Parks was just a nice seamstress who refused to give up her seat on a bus? Mrs. Parks worked for the NAACP! There was coordinated action. And coordinated action is the real way we will transform this country and this state. We need to lobby more and demand of elected officials and those running for office to be held accountable on our issues. We need you to come down from the hills and the comfort of our middle class and be an angel of change – to get actively involved.

We need more volunteers willing to take on the Catholic and Mormon churches by reaching out across the pews to your neighbors and friends who are Catholic and Mormon. We can’t be afraid to engage people in conversation about full equality. We must tell our stories and we must be visible. We are the angels-God’s messengers on earth who will transform our world if we act.

But this is not the task of the GLBT community alone. It will take passionate people of all kinds coming together to rise up to action. We learned this from the African American civil rights struggle.

This is a vision that can be fulfilled. And we here in this congregation are uniquely poised to further this goal. This community has always been gay and straight together—seeking a vision of holiness and wholeness for our lives. To find the Divine inside and to bring that Divine hope into our world. It is why our commitment as a community to social justice has always been at its core. Whether it is feeding the hungry with our work for Sova and Project Chicken or engaging the local West Hollywood Russian community to overcome their fear of gay men and lesbian or walking for Darfur, and raising awareness of the genocide taking place in the midst of the Sudan as the world turns its head as part of Jewish World Watch.

Full equality of the GLBT community is not just about marriage equality but it is about repealing DOMA, Repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, allowing couples to be reunited when one is of a different nationality which at the present time is not allowed. It is about adoption which in many states is still outlawed for gay people. It is about getting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act passed. It is about Extending the civil rights bill of 1964 to the GLBT community. It is about changes in Social Security and other federal agencies. It is about access to healthcare, and for those with HIV/AIDS especially, access to the medicines that help sustain their well-being.

Most importantly, we who are members and supporters of this Congregation understand something that is still often lost on some leaders of the LGBT community and the foundations. That unless we address the so-called religious right on these issues and take them on and fund our GLBT positive religious organizations that we will never win our civil rights. This is a message I have been trying to drum into the hearts and minds of LGBT political leaders for more than two decades. And some have listened. But time and again they continue to think they can do it alone with ballot initiatives, legislation that doesn’t get signed, and court battles. But they can’t. Until we address the lies that the fundamentalist both Christian and Jews repeat. Until more of the political organization in our state recognize and turn to those of us who have the ability to articulate our vision of God’s inclusivity and beliefs have the moral authority to challenge their religious books head on we will never win. We must take the moral authority that we have and expound it everywhere. And you who have a spiritual foundation must be well-versed to answer these inflammatory and hateful lies where the Bible is used to bash us. You can help do this and be and Angel of Change

The pathway to our full equality will take building coalitions with other groups beyond the GLBT community, to work in solidarity to improve the quality of all of our lives and our country. We must reach across the partisan divide especially.

That is why the struggle for our civil rights, our human rights, is broader than marriage equality-it is about shaping a world, a vision where we are part of an ongoing march towards equality and opportunity. In Dr. King’s last years even as he was intimately involved in the struggle for African American civil rights—he understood that human dignity was more than just one group’s equality. And so he turned his eyes also to curing poverty and against the war in Vietnam. He understood that the great challenges in his day to our society held back everyone.
We too must embrace this strategy. The great poverty around us, that was here before the recession hit and has only grown keeps us all from thriving and keeps us from our equality. This is why we are participating in the Jewish Federation and Mazon and Sova campaign Fed Up with Hunger –you each have received a black reusable bag –in it are the lists for Sova, the Kosher Food Pantry. Bring back to us on Yom Kippur or any time to our synagogue a brown paper bag filled so we can help the hungry and begin to defeat poverty. The reusable bag is yours to keep helping our environment.

Another place we should be involved as a GLBT and Jewihs Community is our schools. The problems in our school system hold everyone back from creating a workforce that is ready and able to become the workers that we need for a full economic revival. In Los Angeles County-the dropout rate especially among young boys of color soars astronomically. Nearly one in five African American boys and nearly 3 in 10 Latino boys drop out. Talk about no hope- We can’t live in our isolated hubs of the valley, the hills and the Westside and especially West Hollywood and continue to turn a blind eye to the layers and layers of issues that hold all of us down. Even if you have no children or send yours to private school, this group on the margins is no different than gays and lesbians being on the margins. We all are denied access to full equality and opportunity.

That is why our congregation must be poised in this our 18th anniversary year to engage each other in this quest for justice and equality like never before.

Civil rights are human rights. And when we as a Jewish community work tirelessly for those rights—we are living our values and building Dr. King’s beloved community. As Dr. King wrote in his last book "Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation . . ."
To that end I offer you four opportunities to work to make this change and to be the change –an Angel of Change.

Our congregation will begin a process of working with California Faith for Equality to prepare for a dialogue between members of our congregation and others from congregations that voted Yes on 8 this will be a first step in carrying our message of human dignity to others. Getting out of our comfort zone and engaging with those who don’t understand our lives and our spiritual vision echoed by the Prophets. Wednesday Oct 14 at 7 pm will be the first training for the dialogue. We will be able to transcend some of these boundaries through our dialogue. We might not agree but we will create together some common ground for knowing one another. Be an angel of change face to face with others who are different.

Secondly, Equality California is working hand in hand with the Gay and Lesbian Center’s Vote for Equality program. This program canvasses door to door in neighborhoods reaching out across color and class lines to engage voters in a conversation about GLBT equality. There are sign up clipboards in the lobby and information in your black bangs. There is phone banking, Volunteer recruitment and an opportunity to really make a difference person by person. Be an angel of change.

And later in the winter, Courage Campaign will be holding a mini-camp courage for training activist specifically who come from a spiritual background. And in November Rev. Eric Lee of the Southern Christian Leadership will come and teach us about the issues of education and the increasing dropout rates among boys of color and what we can do about.

We need you. We need you to walk like the angels to transform souls and lives. And through doing so you will transform our cause of justice and equality into a reality.

The Kedusha prayer in the Amidah is a dialogue between the Heavenly Host the choir of angels who sing Holy Holy Holy—praising God.

The midrash says that the Angels do this job from Sunset to Sunup while we
Sleep. And during the day it is our jobs to be like the angels praising God’s holiness and acting in God’s holy ways here on earth. You shall be holy for I Adonai am holy—Words we will read Yom Kippur afternoon. This is the year of action, the year to make a change, this year -5770 of becoming the angels who transform our world, ourselves, and yes our cause of justice, equality and civil rights. And let it be renewd here with us. Ken Yehi Ratzon so may it be God’s will.

Three times you call holy to hallow God like the angels
We are here! We are here!
Your spirit filled army
They are the source of your teaching
That expands the circle of your followers
They proclaim your sacred praise
Which they spread throughout the world
They robe themselves in awe
Crowning your head with Jewels
You shall sing songs anew
Know all this and be brave
Call out a threefold Holy

92% OF IOWANS SAY GAY MARRIAGE BROUGHT NO CHANGE TO THEIR LIVES

2009-09-21T14:43:00.000-07:00

Iowans are almost evenly divided about whether they would vote for or against a constitutional amendment to end marriage for same-sex couples, according to The Des Moines Register's new Iowa Poll.Forty-one percent say they would vote for a ban, and 40 percent say they would vote to continue gay marriage. The rest either would not vote or say they are not sure.The most intensity about the issue shows up among opponents. The percentage of Iowans who say they strongly oppose gay marriage (35 percent) is nearly double the percentage who say they strongly favor it (18 percent).

The overwhelming majority of Iowans - 92 percent - say gay marriage has brought no real change to their lives.Sixty-three percent say candidates' stands on other issues will be more important in making their decisions in the 2010 elections.This is the first Iowa Poll to examine opinions on the issue since the Iowa Supreme Court in April overturned the state's statutory ban on same-sex marriage.The newspaper's poll of 803 Iowans ages 18 and older was conducted Sept. 14 to 16 by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines.

The poll has a possible margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.The poll shows that 26 percent of Iowans favor April's unanimous court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, 43 percent oppose it and 31 percent don't care much or are not sure.Despite the 43 percent opposition to the ruling, 61 percent of Iowans say other issues will influence their decision on whether to vote to retain Iowa Supreme Court justices in the 2010 elections.

"It's really none of my business what other people do in their lives," said Curt Goodell, 38, a Johnston resident.He identifies himself as a Republican but said he worries his party will try to make marriage a key issue in coming elections. "I don't have any judgment toward people who want to get married: gays, straight or whatever," Goodell said.John Smith, 50, a Republican from Clarinda, opposes gay marriage because of religious reasons, but he supports civil unions.
"I'm going to nursing school now, and part of the nursing code is to be nonjudgmental," Smith said. "In hospitals, if a same-sex partner couldn't visit or get information about their partner's health? I just think that's wrong."Immediately after the April ruling, Republicans in the Iowa Senate and House lobbied for a vote to amend the Iowa Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. Democratic leaders blocked those attempts.The court decision turned national attention to Iowa, the first Midwestern state to make same-sex marriage legal.

The issue has taken on prominence in the early stages of the 2010 race for governor, as potential Republican candidates jockey for favor with primary voters.Also on the 2010 ballot are all 100 Iowa House seats, 25 of the 50 Senate seats and the positions of state treasurer, auditor, secretary of state and attorney general.Few poll respondents who described themselves as Republicans say the court decision is the single most important issue in the 2010 elections. But more than a third of Republicans say it is among several important issues, while only about a quarter of Democrats put it in that category.

Former state Republican Chairman Mike Mahaffey said the poll shows that, as the party searches for a winning message, the economy trumps marriage among voters."I think all of the candidates are going to state that they believe the people ought to be given the right to vote on a constitutional amendment. That's a reasonable approach," Mahaffey said. "I also think when it comes down to it, the overriding issues are going to be what can we do to create jobs and put ourselves in a better position fiscally."

Celinda Lake, a national Democratic pollster, has polled on the issue of gay marriage in Iowa since 2004. She said the minority of Iowans who consider the court decision a top ballot-box issue is consistent with her research."What we found is Iowa has always had fewer single-issue voters on gay marriage than a lot of other states even in the Midwest," Lake said. "Now what we're seeing nationwide, the issue has really receded. So, people are not particularly focused on it as a voting issue."

National advocacy groups for and against the ruling have spent tens of thousands of dollars campaigning in Iowa. The Register's poll could perhaps give hope to both sides, since it indicates a close contest if a vote were held now."Wherever this has been put on the ballot, there's been a pretty spirited education campaign on both sides," said Chuck Hurley, a former Republican legislator and now president of the Iowa Family Policy Center, a group opposing gay marriage.
David Redlawsk, a former political science professor at the University of Iowa, took note of the finding that almost all Iowans say the ruling has had no impact upon their lives."Given how hard it is to amend the constitution, by the time a vote will happen, this will be the new normal," Redlawsk said. "There's a core that oppose it and always will, but, for most people, they're ready to move on."

CFE's RABBI DENISE EGER AMONG SUPPORTERS OF NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH

2009-09-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

140 LGBT LEADERS, ALLIES ENDORSE NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH

A groundswell of support for the National Equality March, set for October 10 and 11 in Washington D.C., is building as the date approaches. Towleroad can exclusively reveal a list from Equality Across America of 140 prominent LGBT figures and allies who have put their names and endorsements behind the National Equality March, which seeks equal protection in all matters governed by law in all 50 states.
The new list consists of a broad range of LGBT strategists and visionaries, media figures, entertainment industry notables, elected officials, and HIV/AIDS and community activists, from across the country.
Said activist Robin McGehee, who is running day-to-day operations of the march with Kip Williams: "I will never be able to describe the humbling amazement of a once closeted lesbian from Mississippi, who would read about the movement and it's leaders, now being able to work with and plan for the people and community I had admired from afar. The people and organizations that are endorsing the National Equality March are giving young activist and organizers, like myself, encouragement and support to continue our movement's forward push for full federal equality."
Among the 140 new endorsers of the march are activists, strategists, and leaders in the fight for LGBT equality: Diane Abbitt, Roberta Bennett, Ethan Geto, Neil Giuliano, Cleve Jones, David Mixner, Nicole Murray-Ramirez, Ann Northrop, Torie Osborn, Judy Shepard, Nadine Smith, Peter Staley, Sean Strub, Urvashi Vaid and William Waybourn.
Entertainment industry endorsements include: Oscar-winning Actress Charlize Theron; Oscar-winning Producer Bruce Cohen; Oscar-winning Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black; Emmy-winning Actress Judith Light; Tony Award winners Alan Cumming and Harvey Fierstein; Jazz impresarios Kate Clinton and Dave Koz; Chad Allen; "Mad Men's" Bryan Batt; Beth Broderick; David Drake; Herb Hamsher; Lance Horne; Dan Karslake; Michael Kearns; Tim Miller; Holly Near; Larry Sullivan; Bruce Vilanch and Judge David Young.
Elected officials and other political leaders endorsing October's march include: US Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); State Senator Tom Duane (D-NY); San Francisco Supervisor Bevan Dufty; former US Congressman Ed Feighan; Assembly Member Micah Kellner (D-NY); former California State Senator Sheila Kuehl; Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell (D-NY); NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn; Victory Fund president and CEO, Chuck Wolfe; Donald Hitchcock; Charles O'Byrne; Marsha Scott; Frank Selvaggi; Richard Socarides; Rich Tafel; Will Trinkle; Jon Winkleman; Peter Yacobellis and Paul Yandura.
Endorsements by members of the media include: Air America's David Bender, and other radio personalities, Lance Helms, Ace Lundon, Michelangelo Signorile, and Tony Sweet; as well as literary figures and blog writers, Richard Burns, Robert Desiderio, Lane Hudson, Doug Ireland, Jonathan Katz, Eric Marcus, Patrick Range McDonald, Bob Smith, and Pam Spaulding.
HIV/AIDS and other community activists endorsing the march include: Chip Arndt, Aaron Baldwin, Dr. Jerry Cade, Mark Ishaug, Corey Johnson, Dr. Tony Mills and Dan Montoya. Leaders of the faith community endorsing the NEM include: C. Weldon Gaddy (Interfaith Alliance), Mitchell Gold (Faith in America), MCC Church Founder Rev. Troy Perry, and President of Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, and Soul Force Freedom Ride Founder, Jake Reitan.
We at Towleroad (Andy Towle and Michael Goff) are included on the list as well and urge everyone to meet us in Washington D.C. in October.
The full list of new endorsers, AFTER THE JUMP...

NEW LIST of 140 ENDORSERS of the NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH
Diane Abbitt, President, California Equality and Lesbian Legend! Chad Allen, Actor/ Producer Jeff Anderson, Fundraiser/ Activist (San Francisco) Chip Arndt, Activist, Winner of the Amazing Race 4 Toni Atkins, Former City Council Member of San Diego Dennis Bailey, Author/Actor Aaron Baldwin, LGBTQ/HIV Activist Tammy Baldwin, Congresswomen (D- WI) Jarrett Tomás Barrios, President, GLADD Bryan Batt, Actor, AMC’s “Mad Men” David Bender, Air America Roberta Bennett, Attorney/Legendary Activist Jeff Berman, Attorney at Law / New York City Dustin Lance Black, Oscar Winning Screenwriter (”Milk”) Jeremy Blacklow, Entertainment Industry Steven Bluestein, Playwright Beth Broderick, Actress Bil Browning, Founder and Publisher of Bilerico.com Richard Burns, Screenwriter Dr. Jerry Cade, Director HIV Service University Medical Center/Las Vegas Jeffrey H. Campagna, Founder, ThePowerOnline.org Tom Carpenter, Former CoChair of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN)Michael Cashman, Member of the European Parliament Lt. Daniel Choi, West Point and United States Army Kate Clinton, Comedian/Writer Bruce Cohen, Oscar Wining Producer Alan Cummings, Actor Robert Desiderio, Actor Tanya L. Domi, Former US Army Captain/ Human Rights Advocate Clay Doherty, Former Executive Director, Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council of the DNCWilliam Alan Donius, Former Chairmen/ CEO Pulaksi Bank/ St. Louis Craig Dougherty, Corporate Leader/ Entrepreneur David Drake, Obie Award Winning Actor/ Playwright and Director Tom Duane, New York State Senator Bevan Duffy, San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rabbi Denise Eger, President of Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis Brian Ellner, Political Activist/ New York Edward Feighan, Former United States Member of Congress (D-Ohio) Harvey Fierstein, Actor/ Writer Sally Fisher, Founder/Intersect Worldwide Randy Florke, Founder, Rural Connection Robert Forbuss, Nevada Board of Regents Joe Freeman, Political Activist Alan Friel, Labor Day LA C Weldon Gaddy, Interfaith Alliance Ethan Geto, Geto and de Milly Neil Giuliano, Former Mayor of Tempe, Arizona and President of GLAAD Mitchell Gold, Faith in America – Board President Michael Goff, Towleroad/ModUrban Media / Founder, Out magazineHerb Hamsher, Producer/ Manager Lance Helms, Talk Show Host, “Lundon Calling” Lance Horne, Musician Mark Ishaug, President, AIDS Foundation of Chicago Chad Johnson, Former Executive Director National Stonewall Democrats Corey Johnson, New York Democratic Party Activist Lane Hudson, Commentator and Writer Doug Ireland, Journalist Cleve Jones, Activist, The Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt Kim Kakerbeck, Former CoChair of Empire State Pride Agenda (New York)Gregg Kaminsky, Travel Expert Barry Karas, Political Operative/ANGLE Fred Karger, Founder, Californian’s Against Hate Leslie Katz, Former San Francisco Supervisor Dan Karslake, Director/Producer (”For the Bible Tells Me So”) Jonathan Katz, Author/Historian/ University of Buffalo Michael Kearns, Actor/Activist Micah Kellner, New York State Assembly Member Dave Koz, Smooth Jazz Legend For Sax Sheila Kuehl, Former California State Senator Donald Hitchcock, Democratic Party Activist Judith Light, Actress Tony Leonhardt, Union Advocate, Association of Professional Flight AttendantsAce Lundon, Talk Show Host, “Lundon Calling” Jack Mackenroth, Fashion Designer/ TV Producer Sean Maloney, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP Eric Marcus, Writer/ Journalist Patrick Range McDonald, Award Winning Journalist Robin McGehee, Activist, Meet In The Middle Organizer Dana Miller, Producer/ Writer Tim Miller, Actor/ Performance Artist Dr. Tony Mills, HIV/ AIDS Activist David Mixner, Author/Activist Patrick Menasco, Attorney Dan Montoya, Former Presidential Commission on HIV/AIDS Member Larry Moss, New York Democratic Party Official Christopher Murray, Author/ Psychotherapist Holly Near, Musician/Actress Ann Northrop, Activist, Co-host Gay USA Charles O’Byrne, Prominent Political Strategist Danny O'Donnell, Assemblyman, NY Andrew Oldershaw, LGBT Media Specialist Torie Osborn, Author/Activist Dan Osheyack, Point Foundation Board Member Alfredo Paredes, Executive Vice President, Polo Ralph Lauren Jay Perez, Attorney at Law/ St. Louis Dana Perlman, Human Rights Campaign Board Member Rev Troy Perry, Founder of the MCC Church Christine Quinn, City Council President of New York City Nichol Ramirez, City Commissioner, San Diego, Activist Phil Reese, Talk Show Host, “Lundon Calling” Jacob Reitan, Founder of Soul Force’s Equality Rides and “The Right To Serve”Randi and Philip Reitan, Parent Activists for LGBT Rights Howard Rosenman, Film and Television Producer, Writer and Actor Guy Ross, Trustee, University of Richmond (Virginia) Marsha Scott, White House, President Clinton Frank Selvaggi, Co-Chair of Empire State Pride Agenda/ New York Judy Shepard, Matthew Shepard Foundation Michelangelo Signorile, Talk Show Host/Writer Bob Smith, Comedian/ Author Richard Socarides, White House Special Assistant to President Clinton Jeff Soukup, Fundraiser/ Activist (San Francisco) Pam Spaulding, Blogger Peter Staley, Founder and Advisory Editor/AIDSmeds.com Jonathan Stoller, Financial Advisor Alan M. Strasburg, Former Board Chair, The Trevor Project Sean Strub, Founder of Poz Magazine and CEO of Cable Positive Tony Sweet, Talk Show Host/ Los Angeles Larry Sullivan, Actor/The Trip Rich Tafel, Founder of Log Cabin Republicans/ President of RLT StrategiesCharlize Theron, Academy Award Winning Actress Andy Towle, Towleroad.comJeff Trandahl, Washington, DC / Environmentalists Will Trinkle, Board Member of GLAAD Curt Truman, Los Angeles, President Truman Real Estate Urvashi Vaid, Author/ Activist/ LGBT Leader Dana Vera, Managing Editor/ White Crane Journal Bruce Vilanch, Writer/ Actor Bo Young, White Crane Institute/ White Crane Journal Honey Ward, The Experience William Waybourn, Former Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Former Managing Director of GLAADScott Widmeyer, Former Board Chair of Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and CEO of Widmeyer CommunicationsKip Williams, Activist, One Struggle One Fight Rev. Nancy Wilson, Head of International MCC Church Bob Wingate, Publisher, Outbound Press Jon Winkleman, Stonewall Democrats Chuck Wolfe, CEO and President of National Gay and Lesbian Victory FundPeter Yacobellis, Aide to Governor Paterson Paul Yandura, White House, President Clinton Judge David Young, Television Judge Jose M. Zuniga, CEO of International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care
"Equality Across America (EAA) is a network of decentralized organizers in every one of the 435 Congressional districts. These organizers form Congressional District Action Teams (CDATs) that work within their own communities to achieve full equality for LGBT Americans and their families. EAA supports the following key pieces of legislation: the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), the Repeal of Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and the Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT). With members of every race, class, faith, and community, EAA sees the struggle for LGBT equality as part of a larger movement for peace and social justice. The National Equality March (NEM) is being organized by EAA to show broad-based support for full equality for LGBT Americans on the doorstep of those who can make that happen – the United States Congress. The event will be held Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2009 in Washington, D.C. Each EAA Congressional District Action Team will mobilize its community to attend the event. "SPHERE: RELATED CONTENT

CFE's Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong speaks at API EQUALITY-LA event

2009-09-03T10:47:00.000-07:00

On August 22nd, API Equality-LA hosted a workshop called Crossroads: The Intersection of API & LGBT Civil Rights. Several community leaders spoke atthe event, including: L.A. City Clerk June Lagmay, historians Eric Wat andAlice Y. Hom, Karin Wang of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center,Marshall Wong of API Equality-LA, immigration attorney Ally Bolour andReverend Dr. Jonipher Kwong of California Faith for Equality.

The event was targeted toward Asian/Pacific Islander (API) leaders in southern California who have endorsed API Equality-LA, with the goal of making them moreeffective advocates of marriage equality. It was the first of its kind tolearn about queer Asian history in Los Angeles, the history ofdiscrimination against APIs in the United States, Asian LGBT immigrationissues, examples of how other Asian organizations addressed marriageequality to their constituents, and the challenges of engaging Asian faithcommunities about LGBT issues.

Of particular interest was CFE spokesperson Jonipher Kwong’s presentation about faith matters in the API community. During his presentation, he broke down the differentreligious positions on homosexuality and their views on marriage equality. He discussed API religious demographics and some of the obstacles encounteredwhen reaching out to API faith communities, particularly to Buddhist templesand conservative churches.

Jonipher also highlighted that within those communities (particularly Filipino and Korean Americans), people whof requently attend their respective services tend to be more difficult to reach out to about marriage equality and other LGBT issues than those who attend less frequently. This fact was mentioned earlier in the day, when Karin Wang of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center emphasized that 78% ofAPIs who regularly attended services voted yes on Prop 8.

The “Crossroads” event proved to be a successful one, with a closing breakout session that gave attendees the chance to brainstorm ideas of programs that their organizations could lead in the fight for LGBT equality.A skills-building component is currently in the works as a second part ofthis program, and is expected to take place in the near future.

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) HRC President Joe Solmonese called clergy a powerful new lobbying force for the gay and lesbian community.

2009-09-02T10:23:00.001-07:00

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Joe Solmonese called clergy a powerful new lobbying force for the gay and lesbian community.

In an interview with Dan Gilgoff, religious correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, the gay rights leader agreed that clergy were becoming powerful advocates of gay rights.

"LGBT people, many of us are people of faith, and there are religious leaders in this country who support LGBT equality, and it has taken us too long to empower those voices and ensure those people are out there fighting on the front lines on our behalf. Our Clergy Call for Justice brought 300 clergy, more than five from each of the 50 states, and we worked with them to walk the halls of Congress and lobby on behalf of LGBT issues in full religious vestments,” Solmonese said.
"One of the most profound things I see whenever we do this is the staff members in those congressional offices oftentimes are confused about whether they're there to lobby for LGBT causes or against them. That itself says to me that we're woefully overdue on that. So clergy will continue to be a powerful front line lobbying force for us."

The group's new religious programs turn conventional wisdom on its head as clergy lobby for gay and lesbian rights instead of oppose them.

A message for people of faith........

2009-08-31T11:56:00.000-07:00

From an interview with former Senator Tom Daschle from South Dakota on health care reform in Sunday's NY Times Magazine......

Do you think President Obama has done a good job of selling health care reform to the general public?

I think we have to do better at making this issue a moral imperative. I don’t think we’ve succeeded at that yet. I think the more we can bring everybody to an understanding about how this in many respects is the civil rights battle of the early part of this century — it’s a fight for the disabled, it’s a fight for the sick, it’s a fight for equal rights when it comes to health.

FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES

2009-08-24T10:40:00.000-07:00

CFE Spokesperson, the Rev. Susan Russell commments on actions taken by the ELCA.

"Today’s action in Minneapolis is not just good news for gay and lesbian Lutherans, it is good news to all who strive for peace and justice and are committed to respecting the dignity of every human being,” said the Reverend Susan Russell, president of Integrity USA.

Read rest of article here

News release from the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town

2009-08-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

The Anglican Diocese of Cape Town today agreed to a resolution asking the church’s bishops to provide pastoral guidelines for gay and lesbian members of the church living in “covenanted partnerships,” taking into account the mind of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

The Synod of the Diocese also resolved to ask Archbishop Thabo Makgoba to appoint a working group, representing church members of varying perspectives, to engage in a “process of dialogue and listening” on issues of human sexuality in line with a “listening process” which is being.

The resolutions were passed in a session of the Synod which was held at St. Cyprian’s Church, Retreat in Cape Town.

The resolution on pastoral guidelines was proposed by the Revd Terry Lester, sub-dean of St. George’s Cathedral, who said the parish had come to be seen as “a safe space, a sort of liberated space” for gay and lesbian Christians in Cape Town. He said the cathedral needed guidelines for its pastoral care to gay and lesbian members in “faithful, committed” same-sex partnerships.

The original text of the resolution included language which some members of the Synod said would lead to the blessings of same-sex unions. This, said the Revd Dr James Harris, “will bring us into conflict with the wider Anglican Communion.” The language was later dropped.

The Revd Sarah Rowland Jones successfully proposed an amendment to the resolution which provided that the pastoral guidelines should take “due regard of the mind of the Anglican Communion.”

The full text of the resolution on gay and lesbians in committed partnerships reads:

This Synod,

Affirming a pastoral response to same-sex partnerships of faithful commitment in our parish families;

Gives thanks to God for:

* The leadership of our Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and his witness in seeking to handle these issues in a loving and caring manner; and
* The Bishops of our Province for their commitment to the unity of our Communion and Province, working together seeking God’s way of truth and reconciliation;

Notes the positive statements of previous Provincial Synods that gay and lesbian members of our church share in full membership as baptized members of the Body of Christ, and are affirmed and welcomed as such;

Affirms our commitment to prayerful and respectful dialogue around these issues, mindful of the exhortations of previous Lambeth Conferences to engage with those most affected;

Asks the Archbishop to request the Synod of Bishops to provide pastoral guidelines for those of our members who are in covenanted partnerships, taking due regard of the mind of the Anglican Communion.