California POC Groups Issue Call for Public Education Campaign on Marriage Equality - More Groups Sign "Prepare to Prevail"

HONOR PAC, API Equality Los Angeles, and the Jordan Rustin Coalition, the three POC groups who issued the Prepare to Prevail statement, which highly recommends the LGBT population in California to hold off on returning to the ballot hastily in 2010, have issued another statement. In it, they urge more time to be taken in order to build a "robust public education campaign."

“We want to win. And winning a political campaign requires ample preparation,” says Luis López, President of HONOR PAC. “The renewed energy and collaboration in our community will, with time and direction, become the fuel of a well-oiled campaign machine. For now, though, with little movement among voters on this issue and key components not yet in place for 2010, we need to take stock and focus on building our capacity.”

Ron Buckmire, President of the Barbara Jordan / Bayard Rustin Coalition, cites resource constraints. “We’ve got massive economic challenges in California right now. And our own LGBT service organizations are struggling. We are all being forced to make difficult decisions. Investing in a robust, coordinated public education campaign about marriage is a wiser investment than choosing to wage another very expensive electoral battle at this time.”

Proposition 8 was the most expensive ballot initiative over a social issue in California history with more than $82 million in contributions raised by backers and foes.

Doreena Wong, Co-Chair of API Equality-LA, says, “From the 2008 campaign, we know that all communities in California need to be engaged for us to win – including communities of color. And from our intensive work over the past four years, we know it takes time to build the trusting relationships and strong coalitions that make education campaigns effective. LGBT people exist in every community and have the same need as heterosexuals for respectful inclusion in marriage because marriage and family are core concepts for everyone —regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.”

Many groups have signed on to the "Prepare to Prevail" statement. Check out their website at PreparetoPrevail.com. Recently, more have joined in:

Service Employees International Union Local 1000
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
FAIR
Family Equality Council
Transgender Law Center
Tongues
Asian Pacific Islander Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (API PFLAG)
Nicole Murray Ramirez, City Commissioner and Chair San Diego Human Relations Commission (who signed on in name only)

Equality California and Jordan Rustin Coalition Announce Partnership, Debut PSA

Equality California and the Jordan Rustin Coalition are teaming up to work for marriage equality, and together are opeingn a fully staffed office in the heart of the Black community in South Los Angeles. The staff there will work to expand their coalition with local community groups and recruit volunteers to talk face-to-face with Californians who do not yet support our equality.

Together, they debuted this new PSA featuring Xavier and Michael Boykin-Haggood and their children who live in Los Angeles' Leimert Park neighborhood.

EVENT: Roll Bounce Party! A Jordan Rustin Coalition Fundraiser

Purchase tickets here!

Find out more about the Jordan Rustin Coalition, a Los Angeles based group committed to engaging the African-American community to work on marriage equality while building a movement of LGBT African Americans and allies who are committed to grassroots organizing.

EVENT: Jordan Rustin Coalition, "Talking Across the Table"

Talking Across the Table

Elder Voices - The Women - Then to Now

Coming Out to Civil Rights

Panel members
- Jewel Williams - Owner of Jewel's Catch One
- Vallerie Wagner - JRC & National Black Justice Coalition board member
- Dr. Sylvia Rhue - National Black Justice Coalition
- Fatima Cortez-Todd - Actress, activist and past CORE member
- Rev. Onetta Brooks - Pastor of Christ Chapel of Orange County

Hosted by: Dalila Ali Rajah of Cherry Bomb
Facilitated by: Ange-Marie Hancock

Sunday, April 19th
Location: Jewel's Catch One
4067 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 737-1159

Time:3 pm to 5 pm
Cost:Free
Parking: Lot parking and street parking

The Black GLBT March and Protest in Leimert Park

This past weekend, there was a march in Leimert Park organized by "Love at Work - The Exchange" and Rev. Freda Lanoix. The Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition strongly supported the march, issuing a Press Release, part of which said:

"African-American Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans have something unique to add to the multiple activities attempting to repeal Proposition 8. The Jordan/Rustin Coalition supports, endorses and will participate in any and all peaceful and lawful actions involving our own communities which support this goal."

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend since I was out of town and have been searching for some coverage. Luckily, I came across John Waiblinger and his videos (which can be found on his channel at YouTube), who runs a blog named Queer Dilemma. Thanks, John, for sharing these videos.