San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders to Testify in Proposition 8 Trial

Two years ago, Republican San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders changed his mind when it came to marriage equality. Tearfully, he held a press conference and announced his intentions to sign a City Council resolution directing the City Attorney to file a court brief in support of same sex marriage. A year later, Sanders won re-election.



San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera made it known today that Mayor Sanders will testify in the first marriage trial ever - the federal challenge to Proposition 8 helmed by the Olson/Boies team.

Herrera said Mayor Sanders readily agreed. Which is very encouraging. The mayor suffered scrutiny and backlash for abandoning his former position. The fact that he's ready to take an oath and testify in trial shows the courage of his convictions.

Trial is set to begin January 11.

Restore Equality 2010 Working Quickly to Prepare California State Activists for Marriage Equality Signature Gathering Campaign

From the Interim Administrative Group for the Restore Equality 2010 Campaign:

Greetings to all 2010 LGBT and Allied Activists,

First of all, we’d like to express how honored we are to be entrusted with organizing the grassroots structure to win the upcoming 2010 campaign. We on the Interim Administrative Group (IAG) of the Restore Equality 2010 campaign have been busy setting up the groundwork for the upcoming campaign to restore marriage equality in 2010. The first order of business was to set up the campaign committee, build and launch the official website, file legal documents including application to the Secretary of State for a recipient committee campaign identification number, a mailing address, treasurer, and bank account to facilitate fundraising. We are pleased to announce that these vital steps have been completed.

Among our many tasks has been to listen to the suggestions and concerns of our regional contacts to ensure that the Davis Plan (version 3.0 adapted), which was accepted as the basis for a statewide organizational structure, would provide the most democratic implementation possible. The IAG worked to clarify the language to prevent confusion and empower the regions to be able to implement the plan in a way that works for each region. We’d like to offer our many thanks to co-author John Patterson for his assistance and partnership with us in this process.

The IAG is working quickly to implement the Davis Plan and assist the regions as they set up the leadership and set up organizational hubs and continue to reach out to all LGBT and allied communities to prepare to mobilize and train signature gatherers for the effort. We look forward to being able to leave a strong, capable organization in the hands of the future Executive Council and Campaign Manager.

Five town hall meetings to elect their delegates occurred this weekend, and the other five regions are expected to hold their election in the next two weeks. We want to thank the authors of The Davis Plan for their huge contribution to the 2010 effort.

We have made great strides in these past month, and undoubtedly there will continue be challenges as we work to unite our communities in the statewide effort to restore marriage equality. It's important that we keep these lines of communication open and do our best to work together in ensuring our victory come next November. The IAG is absolutely committed to completing our mandate, aiding the establishment of the statewide council, and ushering in an executive committee that will guide this campaign to success.

If you have questions, you can address them to any of the IAG members you know, or even to the following e-mail address to reach all of us at once: iag@restoreequality2010.com. You can also find out more about each of us on the Restore Equality 2010 website.

Please don't forget to spread the word about upcoming town halls. Information available on our website, on this page and go to www.restoreequality2010.com for updates and news about the campaign.

In Solidarity,

The Interim Administrative Group
Restore Equality 2010

Read Rex Wockner's report on the San Diego town hall.

Unite the Fight will have an exclusive report from a member of the IAG on the Los Angeles town hall soon!

Need Some Inspiration? A Reminder Why You're Working Hard for Equal Rights? Check This Video Out!

The new independent media website called YOURNETWORK based in San Diego just finished a short 11-minute exposé on Proposition 8.

Featuring footage and hard-hitting interviews from San Diego rallies the day after the state supreme court upheld Prop 8, YOURNETWORK questions the legality of denying certain people their rights.

Protector of 'Traditional Marriage' and Supporter of Prop 8, Doug Manchester Left Wife, Faces Divorce

Hotelier Doug Manchester, whose Manchester Hyatt in San Diego is under boycott for his contribution of $125,000 to Prop 8's signature campaign, which ultimately led to its success, is divorcing his wife of 43 years.

At the time of his donation, he told the New York Times that his reason was because of his “Catholic faith and longtime affiliation with the Catholic Church,” which prefers marriage to be between a man and a woman. He should probably ask what the church thinks of his divorce.

The San Diego City Beat reports:

On Oct. 9, 2008, Manchester ended 43 years, eight months and nine days of marriage to Elizabeth Manchester by moving out of their La Jolla abode. The couple spent the next several months trying to reach a quiet settlement on how best to distribute millions of dollars in cash and other assets. In July, those talks totally broke down, and Doug started playing financial hardball with Elizabeth, allegedly draining the couple’s shared accounts and stealing her mail. On Aug. 6, Elizabeth filed a petition for redress in family court.

No "quiet settlement" now. This bitter divorce is getting worse, with accusations of signature fraud, mail stealing and hiding assets.

Doug wrote an email to Elizabeth, which the petition for divorce cites, saying he “wish[es] to pursue all rights to protect all of [his] separate property and wish[es] also to litigate vigorously any and all spousal support.” (Brackets quoted from the petition).

Hypocrisy knows no bounds.

The Manchesters will next meet in court on Sept. 17, 2009.

Kiss-In Protest Staged at San Diego Mormon Temple

On July 9, Derek Jones and Matt Aune were detained by LDS security guards after they embraced and kissed on Main Street Plaza in Salt Lake City, which for many, is believed to be public property. After refusing to budge, the cops arrived and informed the couple that it was in fact private property with full access to the public but owned by the LDS church. The couple were cited for trespassing, but not before the guards had handcuffed both men, after forcing Jones to the ground. Aune said he suffered a bruised and swollen wrist.

Rex Wockner reports, "Salt Lake City sold the plaza to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10 years ago, in a move that still irks some Salt Lakers. The precise location of the kiss was a former public easement that the city gave to the church in a controversial land-swap deal in 2003."

Many believe the only reason why the LDS security guards approached the men on the busy thoroughfare in the first place was because they were gay and engaging in PDA. This has spurred kiss-in protests in front of the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, and last night, another one took place in San Diego. About 30 LGBT and friends showed up.



Good As You reports that uber anti-gay Peter LaBarbera is calling these protests a "militant," "homo-fascist," act of defiance. I actually laughed when I read that.

Rex Wockner also has a full report including more pictures.

Image by Rex Wockner.

Manchester Hyatt Caving in to Boycott?

"Papa Doug" Doug Manchester, chairman of Manchester Financial Group and owner of the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego and the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, among other properties, donated $125,000 to support the signature drive that got Prop 8 on the ballot. As a result, Californians Against Hate has staged a successful boycott along with Cleve Jones and the Courage Campaign.

Kelly Cummerford, director of sales for Manchester Grand Hyatt, and who himself is gay, was met with boos and hisses as he went up to announce at Friday's International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association convention in Toronto, that Manchester was donating $25,000 directly to LGBT civil rights groups and another $100,000 in hotel credits for LGBT fund-raising events.

Howard Bragman, the openly gay public relations/crisis management veteran who was hired by former Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington after reportedly directing an antigay slur at costar T.R. Knight, told The Advocate that "Mr. Manchester’s beliefs were clearly misconstrued. He did give $125,000 to Yes on 8 and he is opposed to the concept of religious gay marriage. However, he is in no way homophobic and is 100% in favor of gay people having every legal right that straight people have. This is an attempt to clarify his position."

Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate dismissed this statement.

"It’s an insult to the gay and lesbian community and our labor allies that he is attempting after 10 months to go around us and buy his way out of this boycott," Karger related to the Advocate. "Manchester told [Cummerford] that he had lost $7 million due to this boycott. If that is the number he admits to, then I assume it is a lot higher. Our boycott has been very effective. For example, the latest blow is the National Trial Lawyers Association, who just announced that they were moving their convention of 2,000 lawyers not only from Manchester's hotel but from San Diego entirely. Their event is in July and they are moving to San Francisco, so at great expense to them, in order to show solidarity."

Though the money was offered to the HRC, they declined to accept it.

"In either case it's a divide-and-conquer attempt," Karger said. He added, "It is a step but this is not the way a boycott is ended. And though we would be happy to sit down with him at anytime to discuss this, until then our boycott will continue with more resolve."

Read related Unite the Fight piece by Boo Jarchow, reporter for The Advocate and SheWired.com: "LGBT Rights Activists Demand an End to 'Hyatt Hypocrisy.'"

Read Fred Karger's full statement at MikeTidmus.com.

Hello UTF Readers

A quick explanation about the absence of posts over the weekend. Currently, I am facilitating at Camp Courage San Diego. Upon arriving, I discovered the venue's internet to not be working.

I finally found a connection! I will be back to blogging as usual tomorrow, if not sooner.

Stay United!

Camp Courage in San Diego April 18-19

Frequent readers of UTF will know how enthusiastic I am about Courage Campaign's effective Camp Courage. Its community building essentially coalesces the equal rights movement in a way that I haven't seen elsewhere, and I have had the pleasure of being both an attendee and a facilitator.

Taking many cues from the Obama Campaign, Camp Courage does hands-on training in empowerment, team building, leadership development, and grassroots organizing skills.

Having started in Los Angeles, CA, followed by another successful session in Fresno, CA, both events received phenomenal reviews from participants, with evaluations averaging 9.36 (on a scale of 1 to 10) in Los Angeles and 9.56 in Fresno.

Camp Courage is now coming to San Diego, CA!

Here's a glimpse of what you can expect. In this video you'll witness Lisa Powell, the amazing lead facilitator, doing what she does best.



I urge you to go. Not only do you gain practical tools, you'll leave inspired and connected to many other individuals eager to work alongside you in the growing equal rights movement.

DETAILS

WHAT: Camp Courage, for marriage equality activists and organizers
WHERE: San Diego, venue TBA
WHEN: Saturday, April 18 (8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.) AND Sunday, April 19 (8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

Camp Courage is free but donations are accepted. Application for Camp Courage, San Diego can be found here.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

If you can't make this session, Camp Courage for the Bay Area is in the works! Stay Tuned.

Camp Courage Coming to San Diego, CA and Oakland, CA

Over 150 leaders attended Camp Courage Fresno on March 7-8 with amazing results. Fresno is humming with activity, gearing up for the continued fight for LGBT rights.

Wishing you were there? Well now you have another chance. Camp Courage is headed to San Diego next on April 18-19 followed by Oakland, CA, May 2-3. If you're interested in attending, contact CampCourage@couragecampaign.org for more details. You don't want to miss this!

Camp Courage in San Diego and Bay Area

Over 150 leaders attended Camp Courage Fresno with amazing results. Fresno is humming with activity, gearing up for the continued fight for LGBT rights.

Wishing you were there? Well now you have another chance. Camp Courage is headed to San Diego next, quickly followed by the Bay Area. If you're interested in attending, contact CampCourage@couragecampaign.org for more details. You don't want to miss this!

Light Up the Night Coverage

As I keep finding more coverage for Light Up the Night, I'll update this post. If you have videos or local news coverage, please feel free to send it to me and I'll post it.

UPDATE: Be sure to click on "SEE more" at the bottom of the post to see more coverage!

SAN FRANCISCO



SAN DIEGO



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STUDIO CITY



NEW YORK CITY



BOSTON



MONTEREY, CA



VARIOUS CITIES

Even on a holiday . . .

. . . we're not on a holiday. While away on a small holiday get away to San Diego, I came across this SUV. It was just a reminder to me that many hold strongly to their beliefs just as strongly as I hold onto mine. No matter how irate I get over their willingness to take away my rights in the name of their beliefs, I have to accept that some won't ever change their minds. It's difficult to accept, and though it made my enjoyment of Shamu a little more difficult, I was also grateful for this Thanksgiving reminder - I needed a boost in motivation to keep up this fight.

A Church Apologizes

According to a reader of Joe.My.God.'s blog, the Missiongathering Church in San Diego has paid for a billboard, apologizing for Prop 8.

Read the post here.