Future Lions;
Our next Orientation/Formation meeting of the GLBT Lions is Monday, Nov. 9 at 7:00 P.M. at the Visalia LampLiter Inn, 3300 West Mineral King, in the Cambridge Room. We will, also, meet for dinner at 5:30 P.M. in the Lounge, anyone who can join us is welcome.
Please come with suggestions for a name of our club. Some of the names so far are:
Visalia Pride Lions Club, Visalia Lions Pride Club and Visalia GLBT Lions Club. The name of the City, Visalia, has to be first in the name. Also, any suggestions on meeting places and times.
We are half way to becoming a new charter club. Please bring a future Lion with you to the dinner and meeting.
Maine voters have stripped away the right of same-sex couples to marry, as California voters did one year ago today.
But we didn’t stop advancing our rights then. And we won’t now. We always knew winning true equality and acceptance wouldn’t be easy.
The truth is, people’s lives should never be put up for a popular vote. Civil rights for minority groups should be decided by the sound reason of the legislature and the courts — not by the will and whims of the majority.
Enough is enough. President Obama and other elected officials cannot be allowed to remain on the sidelines any longer. And if they do, there must be consequences.
The President has, at best, remained a silent player against marriage for same-sex couples.
The day before the election, Organizing for America — formerly Obama for America, and a part of the DNC — sent out an email to its members in Maine urging them to volunteer for the election in New Jersey instead of helping defeat Question 1.
Despite pleas to speak out aggressively, Obama and his administration failed to take leadership, and his Attorney General refused to take a position on Question 1.
His opposition to ending discrimination in marriage was used by anti-equality extremists in California and other states, yet he refused to denounce their actions.
The failure of President Obama and other elected leaders to actively support efforts to defeat ballot measures designed to take away our rights must end. Our community must stand together and stop endorsing and funding candidates who don’t support our equality 100%. We should only stand with those who do.
I don’t even know where to start about the loss in
Maine
and this, our one year anniversary of having our freedoms stripped away. It seems I fluctuate from anger to sadness, mostly sadness. I don’t even know if sadness is the right way to sum up my feelings? It’s so much more than that. My heart goes out to all of you who I’m sure are feeling no different than I. Funny how something that has nothing directly to do with you can feel so damn personal. I especially want to thank those of you who gave up a piece of your lives to go back and help with this fight and those who fought hard locally. Your sacrifices did make a difference even if the battle was lost.
In my moments of crawling into the darkness, I’m tired of it all. I’m tired of feeling sub-human. I’m tired of feeling bad for my family, who it appears doesn’t matter in this world. Thankfully, they are too young right now to feel the affects, but they are growing every day and soon that time will come. How do you handle that? How do you explain that the only family they know and love and see nothing foreign about, is looked down upon by society? That they aren’t given the same rights and respect as their peers? I shudder to think about facing that day. And unfortunately, as it appears, things are heading in that direction.
I just can’t wrap my head around any of it. Why does it matter? Has the world ended since those of you remained married? We aren’t asking anyone to change their views, aren’t we simply just asking them not to push them onto us or anyone else? Hate me, think me a sinner, condemn my lifestyle, trust me… I won’t lose sleep over it. But don’t you dare try and force me how to live. Don’t you dare tell my children that they are anything less than the wonderful creatures that they are. Where is our protection? Where is the f’king government? When did it ever become ok to vote on the lives of others? Did I miss the memo? Did I unknowingly give permission for my neighbor Bob to delegate my life? Last time I checked this was still, supposedly, a free country. I’m not free. I'm forced to live by different rules and laws.
I’m tired of asking for my rights. They should be given to me freely just like everyone else. Why do we have to keep begging while they throw us little scraps to keep us at bay? I’m sick of this, I’m above begging and I’m tired of being held back. We’ve all heard the expression, “No more Mr. Nice Gay”. It’s about time we REALLY started acting that way. Calm, polite asking isn’t working! We need to come together and figure out ways to hit them where it hurts. Ways to really make a statement other than standing on street corners. These things aren’t working because they don’t affect them. Let’s take lessons from the past civil right movements. Let’s spend our gay money more cautiously. Let’s all suffer a little and go without to make this happen. Boycott, plan, strategize but not about the ballot box….. THIS ISN’T A VOTEABLE ISSUE. We need to think bigger. I’m done being polite and I’m done begging. I want to start playing offense instead of defense.
I just don’t see how our outcome in 2010 will be any different if we don’t change our game plan. I really hope we can start seeing fresh new ideas, methods, loopholes……something! Maybe each of us should file discrimination lawsuits. Maybe we should start plastering our children’s faces all over and ask them, “What about us? You don’t want to protect us?” There has to be answers out there, hopefully we can find them. In the meantime, don’t get so wrapped up in this hateful rhetoric that you forget to live. Don’t lose sight of what you are fighting for in the first place and for me, that’s my family. I love you all and that’s something they cannot take away.
Fresno: Shaw and Blackstone: 6:30pm – 8pm. Nov 4th. Bring signs and candles!
“See you again in 2010!”
More Info?
Restore Equality 2010: 559-715-2010
Jay Matthew: Region.Eight@Gmail.com www.RestoreEquality2010.com
The "Dining 4 Equality" upcoming lunch date and location is announced:
Black Bear Diner
1161 E Tulare Ave
Tulare, CA
Sunday November, 22 at 12:30pm
First Congregational Church in Tulare recently went to congregation vote to proclaim themselves as, Open & Affirming. I think it would be nice if we demonstrated our appreciation by attending that service before the luncheon.
First Congregational Church
220 W Tulare Ave
Service: 10:30am
For those of you who havent had a chance to attend a PFLAG meeting heres another good reason to attend one. Our chapter now has a Library from which you can borrow books from. For a complete list of books in our Library visit our website or click here:(http://www.pflag-tulare-kings.org/Library.aspx). They are categorized by fiction or non-fiction. PFLAG would also like to thank all of our donors who donated books to form our local PFLAG Library.
The Library will be available at and during our PFLAG meetings. Our next pflag meeting is listed below, we hope you can all attend.
PFLAG Tulare and Kings Counties is a volunteer group of parents, family and friends of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT). We welcome members of the GLBT community to our meetings and membership. We meet on the third Sunday of each month.
Location:Family HealthCare Network
305 East Center Street (Corner of Bridge Street)
Visalia (Use the courtyard entrance on Bridge. Pedestrian gate is in the alley.)
Next meeting: Sunday, November 15, 2009, 3 - 5 pm
Program: April Silva , Hanford's 2008 Latina Educator of the Year, will talk about being an open lesbian teacher and about the challenges she faced trying to start a GSA on her campus.
BREAKING NEWS: GAVIN NEWSOM DROPS OUT OF GOVERNOR'S RACE
Written by Chris Jarvis
Saturday, 31 October 2009
Statement
by Mayor Gavin Newsom
It is with great regret I announce today that
I am withdrawing from the race for governor of California. With a young family
and responsibilities at city hall, I have found it impossible to commit the
time required to complete this effort the way it needs to — and should be —
done.
This is not an easy decision. But it is one
made with the best intentions for my wife, my daughter, the residents of the
city and county of San Francisco, and California Democrats.
When I embarked on this campaign in April, my
goal was to engage thousands and thousands of Californians dedicated to
reforming our broken system and bringing change to Sacramento.
I would like to thank those supporters,
volunteers, and donors who have worked so hard on my behalf. I have been
humbled by their support and am indebted to their efforts. They represent the
spirit of change and determination essential to putting California back on the
right track.
I will continue to fight for change and the
causes and issues for which I care deeply — universal health care, a cleaner
environment, and a green economy for our families, better education for our
children, and, of course, equal rights under the law for all citizens.
Convoy of Hope selected 5 U.S. cities to bring this valuable event to and Fresno was one of them. It is a faith-based event, bringing all churches in the area together to bring truckloads of food, clothing and medical professionals to our community which has so many families and individuals who are in desperate need of these services.
There will also be a Job and Health Fair portion to the event of agencies there to make people aware of the services that are offered by them on a daily basis.
COH is also in desperate need of volunteers, due to the magnitude of this event, they need as many volunteers as possible. If anyone is interested in volunteering, there will be a volunteer meeting/training on Friday, November 6th at Pacific University on Chestnut Avenue at 6 pm.
Please forward this email to all those you feel can benefit from the services that will be offered or would like to volunteer.
California News (KFSN) -- An initiative for next year's ballot would make divorce "illegal" in California -- and it's now passed its first legal hurdle.
The secretary of state's office has given the green light to let supporters of the measure begin gathering signatures.
The initiative would amend the state constitution to ban married couples from legally divorcing. Couples would still be allowed to annul their marriages. READ MORE
Gay Visalia has a brand spankin' new local phone number! Now it's easier then ever to reach us! Put us in your speed dial so we are never more then a click away, let's just try to keep the heavy breathing to a minimum!
559-697-5GAY (559-697-5429)
You can also just click this link, which is on the "Contact Us" page. Fill in your name and number and it will call us both at the same time. I love technology!
(I still have my personal cell phone as well. If you have that number it is still good)
Low-income HIV-positive Americans may soon
have the continued promise of better access to health care and federal funding.
The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE)
Treatment Extension Act of 2009, or S.1793, passed the House of Representatives
on Oct. 21 with a vote of 408 to 9, and was approved by the Senate on Oct. 19.
The bill, if signed into law by President Obama, would provide
federal funding to help low-income, uninsured, or under-insured Americans with
AIDS gain access to healthcare.
Senate Passes Hate Crimes Bill - President To Sign
Written by Advocate.com
Thursday, 22 October 2009
The Senate voted 68 to 29 Thursday to pass a Defense
Department funding bill that includes a measure extending hate-crimes
protections to people targeted on the basis of their gender, gender identity,
sexual orientation, or disability.
The National Defense Authorization Act now goes to President Barack Obama’s
desk for his signature.
“As the President said back in April, the hate-crimes bill takes on an
important civil rights issue to protect all of our citizens from violent acts
of intolerance, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association. He
looks forward to signing it into law,” said White House spokesman Shin Inouye.
I’m so proud and honored to be writing this story and admittedly, extremely giddy as well.
Visalia
’s only GSA, which is at
Golden
West
High School
, single handedly, changed the entire districts stance on how gender can limit your involvement in school activities. It all started when Jimmy, a high school senior and member of the GSA, wanted to run for homecoming queen. Of course he was told he could not run because he wasn’t a female. Most people might have accepted this, but not them. Instead of taking the easy road, they fought. They contacted the GSA regional office who put them in contact with the ACLU. Long story short, the ACLU sent an extraordinary letter to the school principal. A short time later a representative from the
Visalia
Unified
School District
sent a response. Not only did they change the policies for
Golden
West
High School
, but changed them for all 4 high schools in town! No longer will gender play a role in the election and selection process of school “icons”.
Again, I have to say how proud I am of all of you who were involved in this. Just like any equality struggle we as a community face, it’s much easier to do nothing then something. And to put yourselves out there for further scrutiny when the high school years are already tough enough is just amazing to me! You took a stance and you made a huge difference. You have paved the way for future generations who might have to deal with a little less bias because of your sacrifices. Thank you Jimmy for standing firm for what you believe in. Thank you to all members of the GSA, for supporting and embracing diversity. Thank you to Allison, who obviously is doing a wonderful job facilitating this group.
If this is the future generation that we are raising, I’m going to breathe a little easier. If the children of today have this much courage and conviction I think the future of our equality is in good hands. As I sit here thinking about this and our current struggle with marriage equality and those who are against us, I kind of have to laugh. When the “yes” people say they need to protect the children, I seem to think with this next generation, it may need to be them being protected from the children! I hope this inspires you to make a change. The next time you are faced with a tough decision maybe you can draw strength from these teens and take a stance. It’s not always easy but it is always necessary. Thank you Golden West GSA, we are all so proud of what you have accomplished and maybe, just maybe a lot more inspired!
With just weeks to go before Maine's historic marriage vote the Hanford Equality Team has organized a phone bank. This will be our last chance to help save them from feeling the same devastation that we did one year ago. Please come do what you can to help save marriage in Maine. All you need is your voice, cell phone and the desire to make a difference. They need us now and time is running out. Thank you for your support and thanks to the Hanford Team for stepping up yet again!
The Halloween phone bank will be held on October 31st from 12-3 and yes, wear your costume! There will be a small celebration after the work is done. Email me for the location and/or directions.
We had a 100% Charter Membership sign-up at our last meeting. We had
great questions asked and had good support from local Lions Clubs.
We have a second meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 29th at 7:00 P.M. at the Visalia LampLiter Inn, 3300 West Mineral King, in the Cambridge Room.
We are excited about getting the twenty (20) members needed to form our GLBT Lions Club and then we can have an official meeting to elect officers and set our goals to serve our community.
I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
If you have any questions, please contact either, Sbei at 713-1969/ mlsbei@mlsbei@sbcglobal.net or Georgia at 733-0894/ georgia26@sbcglobal.net
I received a call last night from the Partnership Specialist, LGBT Communities of the US Census Bureau. We will be having more info getting out to you over the coming months of the importance of our reporting. In the meantime, please read the article below for a little insight. Thanks.
When the U.S. Census Bureau counts same-sex married couples next year, demographers expect hundreds of thousands to report they are spouses -- even though legal same-sex weddings in the United States number in the tens of thousands.
Gay advocates say they plan to use "A Census that Reflects America's Population," as the Census Bureau calls its plan to report same-sex marriage statistics, to push for legislative and policy initiatives, while groups opposed to same-sex marriage weigh a counteroffensive. READ MORE
**Update: Matt, the census specialist will be stopping by the PFLAG Rememberance Ceremony tonight in Visalia to give us all a little more info. Stick around afterwards to get informed. This is just another great reason to come out tonight and get involved with YOUR community. See you tonight, don't forget your canned goods!
