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South Bay Alliance
November 2007 Newsletter

It's That Time of Year Again!

 

Can you believe it? We have been working at building South Bay Alliance for over a year now. Just last year at this time, we were all getting together talking about how to do it. Now we have over two-hundred people signed up for our mail list or as friends on Myspace. We've had 1,900 unique visitors to our web site and average 30 visits daily. Gay Day in South Bay was a great success and our upcoming year looks better than ever! So let's make this our anniversary celebration.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT! Come join us and bring your friends to the South Bay Fish and Grill for our Happy Hour and Mixer on Monday, November 12th from 6:30 to 8:30. Appetizers will be provided. Happy hour priced drinks of $2.50 for selected draft beers and $3.50 for wine and mixed drinks. Vendor booths available. We are asking for a $5.00 minimum donation to cover the appetizers.

For more information

Pat the Politico

Progress and Momentum

Just 2 months ago I wrote about how important the San Diego South Bay is to LGBT history in the making, and it has surely been proven.  In early September, the marriage equality movement picked up an additional vote in the State Senate on AB 43 (Leno), the gender neutral marriage bill, from our very own Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, signaling to the State Supreme Court that an increasing majority of the members of the legislature are supportive of gay marriage.  Last year’s measure only garnered the necessary 41 votes in the Senate. 

 I can’t help but think that all of the work that members of the South Bay Alliance have done to make our community more visible to local politicians, and in reaching out to them must have helped.  Please write to Senator Ducheny and thank her for this important vote.  Assemblywoman Salas has also remained a steadfast supporter of our community, and was there for us on the marriage vote again, as well.   

Surprisingly, the San Diego City Council’s position on marriage equality was where a lot of local political  and media attention was focused, and rightly so.  The Council was considering whether to sign on to an Amicus Brief with the State Supreme Court in favor of marriage equality.  When the vote came up short the first go around, it went back before the Council and finally passed.  Just when I thought this issue couldn’t get any more tense and dramatic, in steps Mayor Jerry Sanders.  After having stated publicly that he would veto any such resolution, he had a change of heart and gave an extremely moving, tearful statement explaining that he could not turn his back on his lesbian daughter, his LGBT staff members, and friends.  News of the San Diego Mayor’s speech went national and it can be viewed online. 

As expected, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 43, leaving the fate of marriage equality in the hands of the Courts, and perhaps even the voters.  Next year is an election year, and several anti and pro-LGBT-related measures are expected which means that the work that we’re doing to keep our community visible, and to keep the momentum on LGBT civil rights moving forward is more important than ever. 

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!

Business Spotlight
"Holiday Gifts
and More!"
by Marci Bair

Recently Grape Concepts became a new member of South Bay Alliance in hopes of connecting with other LGBT business couples. In our conversations, I asked Michelle Rasmussen, (Michelle and her partner, started the company) to tell us how Grape Concepts came about.

Michelle - What started out as therapy while I was away from my “real” job has transformed a dream into something tangible.  I have always enjoyed working with wood and tapped into my creative side while painting wine bottle holders.  I never believed I could paint some of the items I have. I decided to take the leap and get a business license, sellers permit, and started booking craft fairs while creating a web site. The name of the business really made sense when I started out.  I made wine bottle holders exclusively. But as time passed, I discovered that I was much more than just a wine bottle holder fabricator.
Soon everyone I knew was getting frequent emails regarding the products I was offering.  My partner said to me, “Let’s make bottle toppers!”  I said, “Ok, order them up… lets make it happen”, and we did.  After that, a myriad of other projects were embarked upon.  My partner and I found ourselves in the garage everyday building up inventory. (I can’t even remember what the inside of my house looks like!).  
Who knew that one year of wood shop in 8th grade would pay off now?  We purchased a lathe and started turning out bottle toppers and have now branched out to making writing pens, key chains, and perfume applicators with many other items on the horizon. I never knew that there were so many kinds and colors of wood! Everything we display is “hand-made” by us, two women and a lathe.
The most rewarding aspect of it all is the joy it affords people when they purchase these items for loved ones on special occasions. These items truly have the potential to be passed down from generation to generation and they are practical as well. I am happy and grateful that I have a part in creating a lasting memory in these peoples’ lives.  My goal with this company is to continually create items that are beautiful, lasting, and give people joy.  I intend one day to turn this part-time passion into my full-time “day” job.

Check it out! Visit Grape Concepts web site, add your name to the mailing list or contact Michelle personally.
Remember the holidays are almost upnon usand they can provide you with items for that special person whose has everything! Michelle will also have items on display and for sale at our upcoming Networking Happy Hour and Mixer on Monday, november 12 at the South Bay Fish & Grill. See you there!

If you would like your business spotlighted in the next addition of the South Bay alliance newsletter, contact Marci Bair.

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This newsletter is for information purposes only. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Please contact us if you have any concerns.