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These are history-making times for the LGBT community. And believe it or not, we in the South Bay are in a very influential position. In 2005, California became the first state in the nation to pass gay marriage through both houses of a state legislature. Unfortunately, that bill, AB 849, was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. As the State Supreme Court hears a case regarding the legality of gay marriage, the State Legislature is again considering the marriage equality bill. This year's bill, AB 43 will need every vote possible in the Senate to pass and local Democratic Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, who represents most of the South Bay is a key vote. Historically, Senator Ducheny has been a strong supporter of domestic partnership rights for same sex couples, but has fallen short on gender-neutral marriage. She needs to hear from her constituency now (you!). While the state of California has some of the strongest domestic partnership rights in the country, and much of what same sex couples seek can only be granted at the federal level, we are certain that the State Supreme Court is looking to the legislature for a sense of where to move in making their decision on the same-sex marriage cases before them. AB 43 passed in the Assembly with local Assemblywoman Mary Salas, not only voting to support the bill, but also giving an impassioned speech in support. Please don't forget to contact Assemblywoman Salas, especially if you live in her district, to thank her for her vote. That's why it is up to each of us to make sure our elected representatives know we are an important constituency-that we vote and are informed. It is our hope that you will look to the South Bay Alliance to help keep you up to speed about the latest strides (and setbacks) for LGTB community, and to serve as a resource in how to engage politically to make your voice heard. Please visit our "Be Heard!" page online to find out who your elected representatives are and how to become active, or email us at OUTspoken@southbayalliance.net with your questions or with issues that you would like for me to explore through this column. Dare to be OUTspoken!
Gay Day in South Bay
The 4th Annual Gay Day in South Bay at Heritage Park in Otay Ranch was held Sunday, August 19th from 12 - 3 pm. Around two hundred LGBT and friends showed up to enjoy the afternoon. Laura Jane did her usual fantastic job and kept us going with great music and even some kareoke! Everyone raved over the food provided by Casa Sanchez. The dance entertainment by Allondras was phenomenal.
Rudy Ramirez came and gave a talk on our community and Stephen Whitburn was there to tell us about his views on San Diego's city government. Although we had hoped for a larger attendence than the previous Gay Day in South Bay, it remained about the same. All said, everyone had a great time and our email list increased three fold. Those of you who didn't make it this year, keep it in mind for next August. Make next year's bigger than ever! Be Connected!
If you haven't signed up for your South Bay Alliance business membership yet - now is the time. We are offering free memberships through January 1, 2008. Annual memberships are regularly $30. Memberships include a listing in our "Friends of the Community" page with their logo and a link to their web site or email for an additional $20 annually. Using the 2005 American Community Survey for the San Diego metropolitan area, the South Bay area has at least 17,000 LGBT residents. They and their circle of family & friends desire to support businesses that welcome them. Visibility is the key! South Bay Alliance has hit its 1500 mark of unique visitors to our web site and is growing daily. Become a member! Be a part of building a strong inclusive community here in South Bay! Let's grow together. To request more information, please click here. Monthly Meetings and
Social Mixers at
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Contact your Representative immediately! The San Diego City Council will vote on Tues., Sept. 4 on whether to sign a friend-of-the-court (amicus) brief in the marriage equality case currently before the California Supreme Court. Most major cities in California have already signed on, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long Beach, San Jose and Oakland. San Diego is the state’s second largest city, and as we know, has a reputation for being moderate to conservative. Having the City of San Diego sign on in favor of marriage equality in this case will not only further bolster the case, but will likely help persuade other cities to sign on to the amicus brief as well. The Center’s Public Policy Department and our Marriage Equality and Education Project are already hard at work to organize for this important vote. A favorable vote on this issue cannot be taken for granted. This is likely to be a very close vote, and we need your help. We need you to do three things to encourage the San Diego City Council to sign the amicus briefs in support of marriage equality. 1. If you are part of a couple/family that supports marriage equality, please contact Dale Kelly Bankhead at (619) 236-6166 or dkbankhead@yahoo.com You could be part of an organized presentation of couples/families who will talk to the City Council about what marriage means to you. We are particularly looking for families with children, long-term couples or anyone who married their partner in San Francisco, Massachusetts or Canada. 2. Anyone – couples, individuals, families -- who won’t be speaking as part of the presentation can still be part of the effort by attending the City Council meeting to sign in to show support for the item. At this time, it is most likely that the item will come up either just before or after the lunch break – between 11am-2pm. 3. If you cannot attend the meeting or even if you will attend, please contact your own City Councilmember and urge them to support marriage equality by signing on to the amicus brief. A listing of the City Councilmembers is included below, along with phone and e-mail contact information. District One – Scott Peters District Two – Kevin Faulconer District Three -- Toni Atkins District Four -- Tony Young District Five -- Brian Maienschein District Six -- Donna Frye District Seven -- Jim Madaffer District Eight -- Ben Hueso Thank you in advance for your efforts to secure marriage equality in California. You can be part of history – please join us in this effort today! For information about the case currently before the California Supreme Court, or about marriage equality, please visit the following websites: The San Diego LGBT Center’s Marriage Equality and Education Project National Center for Lesbian Rights If you have received this newsletter from a friend and would like to sign up in order to receive it directly, click the below button! This newsletter is for information purposes only. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
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