Gay Marriage Watch: Weekly Gay Marriage Events Recap 8/30/09

Gay Marriage Watch Events List: We now publish updates daily, and a weekly recap of upcoming gay marriage events, along with our Hero of the Week and our Woody Award. For the posted stories during the week, just scroll down the blog or check the archives on the right. To subscribe to this blog, or if you have any thoughts about how we can make this feature better or easier to use or any updates on the issues covered here, let me know at info@purpleunions.com. You can also now find us on Facebook - just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you'll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We're also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc Enjoy the rest of the Watch! --Scott ---------------------------------------------- Hero of the Week: Kelly B. Huston, for this beautiful article about homosexuality and empathy: "As a therapist and student of human nature, I have become increasingly convinced that opposition to gay marriage is primarily driven by a lack of empathy. Empathy involves the ability to see and understand the world through a different framework from one's own... One of the first things you learn in Therapist School 101 is the importance of empathy, or seeing the world through someone else's eyes. Empathy is not necessarily correlated with intelligence, and counseling programs scrutinize students who, though they may have high grades or test scores, lack empathy. So I have tried many times to imagine what it would be like to be someone else, including someone who is gay." Read the whole thing - it's a great article. Go, Kelly, Go! ---------------------------------------------- Woody Award: Our woody award this week goes to letter writer John Shaull in Des Moines, for this lovely bit of advice to all the gays: "I agree with Butterfield's statement: "Churches cannot transform gays into straights." However, the same Jesus who healed the blind, changed a greedy tax collector and raised the dead can transform gays to straight. Now, that's radical." OK, let's go out on a limb here and say that of all the religions out there, and of all the forms of Christianity itself, Mister Shaull has happened upon the one true relgion. Let's accept, for the sake of argument here, that Jesus has the power to do just about anything. Why, then, would he change something that God himself had created? I no more "chose" this "lifestyle" than I "chose" to have brown hair and brown eyes. What Mister Shaull doesn't understand is that, as a gay person, any shame I have had about being a gay man has come from society itself, and small minded individuals that make a point of reminding me, again and again, how "different" I am from everyone else. It was only when I learned to be proud of who God made me that I began to live a healthy life, free from the crippling guilt imposed upon me by the likes of Mister Shaull. I can only hope that Jesus, with his great powers, can reach into Mister Shaull's heart and teach him a little compassion. Now that's radical. Enjoy your woody, Mister Shaull. ---------------------------------------------- Upcoming Gay Marriage Events (in Country, State, City Order) Canada, Montreal: 9/4: Mark Nelson and Gage Kristopher's Out In Events presents Out in the Parks, the official 2009 LGBT Six Flags Tour, a benefit for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. La Ronde, 6 PM-3 AM. More Info Ireland, Limerick: 9/13-9/20: Limerick Pride 2009. More Info UK, England, Manchester: 10/18: Gay wedding show. More Info UK, England, Brighton: 11/15: Gay wedding show. More Info UK, Wales, Cardiff: 10/4: Gay wedding show. More Info USA, AZ, Tucson: 11/20: The first annual Wingspan Classic Golf Tournament will tee off at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain Golf Club north of Tucson, Arizona Friday, November 20, 2009.  The proceeds of the event will be donated entirely to Wingspan, Southern Arizona’s GLBT community center that is in dire financial need. 12:30 PM. More Info USA, CA, Bakersfield: 9/8: Join local Equality Teams and Courage Campaign staff for a dessert potluck and an intimate discussion about the Courage Campaign's vision for the next campaign and local Equality Teams. 7-9 PM. More Info USA, CA, Berkeley: 9/6: The Alameda County Equality Team (ACE-T) is kicking off Party for Equality - its new fundraising party series - with a Labor Party in Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley. 1-4 PM. More Info USA, CA, Citrus Heights: 9/6: Join us in Citrus Heights for some door-to-door neighborhood canvassing. We'll talk to voters about same-sex marriage to enlighten and spread truth. Before the canvass, we'll train and feed you! 5-8 PM. More Info USA, CA, Eureka: 9/18: Join Northern CA Field Manager Hope Wood and Central CA Field Organizer Anthony Ashe for a potluck and intimate discussion about the Courage Campaign's vision for the next campaign and for our local Equality Teams. 6:30-9 PM. More Info USA, CA, Hayward: 9/17: Tabling in Hayward for Marriage Equality! Alameda County. 5:30-8:30 PM. More Info USA, CA, Irvine: 9/12: The IUCC Advocates for Peace and Justice Ministry along with Americans United for the Separation of Church and State-Orange County and the Orange County Equality Coalition will be sponsoring a showing of the award winning documentary "Scout's Honor." 6/8 PM. More Info USA, CA, Los Angeles: Every Monday: LA Equal Roots Meeting. More Info USA, CA, Los Angeles: Every Tuesday: Love Honor Cherish Meeting. More Info USA, CA, Los Angeles: Every Wednesday: Equality Network meeting. 7-9:30 PM. More Info (see Upcoming Events scroll in sidebar) USA, CA, Los Angeles: 9/7: Every year, the legendary Livonia Speaks concludes summer with her drag extravaganza, The Sassy Show! This Labor Day, Livonia has partnered with Equality Network to host a benefit to promote same-sex marriage equality and equal rights for all Americans. At Here Lounge, 8 PM-2 AM. More Info USA, CA, Los Angeles: 9/9: Join RENWL and the Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Silver Lake, Venice and Westside Equality Teams and Courage Campaign staff for a dessert potluck and an intimate discussion about the Courage Campaign's vision for the next campaign and local Equality Teams. 7-9 PM. More Info USA, CA, Los Angeles: 9/12-9/13: OUT West Coalition Boot Camp: learn the inner workings of running an effective campaign and how to ultimately repeal proposition 8. More Info USA, CA, Los Angeles: 9/13: Entertainment Industry Equality Team Kickoff: The Entertainment Industry Equality Team is comprised of working professionals and willing volunteers in the entertainment industry who will donate their talents to create compelling, informative (and hopefully viral) videos that can be used to promote Marriage Equality across the United States. We are in need of experienced above- and below-the-line members who can bring talent, relationships, equipment, locations and other resources to the table, particularly editors, composers, web programmers and all crew members. 10:30 AM-12:30 PM. At the Farmer's Market, Third & Fairfax. More Info USA, CA, Los Angeles: 10/11: Los Angeles Equality March and Rally in Solidarity with the National Equality March. 12-3 PM. More Info USA, CA, Modesto: 9/10: Join local Equality Teams and Courage Campaign staff for a dessert potluck and an intimate discussion about the Courage Campaign's vision for the next campaign and local Equality Teams. 7-9 PM. More Info USA, CA, Mountainview: Every Sunday Thru Nov Election: Phonebanking for Maine Marriage Equality. 2-7 PM. More Info USA, CA, Palm Springs: 10/17: Palm Springs Equality Awards More Info USA, CA, Palm Springs: 11/7-11/8: Palm Springs Pride More Info USA, CA, Sacramento: 9/10: Equality California in partnership with Sweet invite you to an exclusive event featuring Suzanne Westenhoefer followed by Sacramento Monarchs basketball. 5:30 PM. More Info USA, CA, Sacramento: 9/16: Join the Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, and Solano County Equality Teams, Volunteer Organizer Courtney Shelley, Northern CA Field Manager Hope Wood and Courage Campaign Chief Operating Officer Sarah Callahan for a potluck and intimate discussion about the Courage Campaign's vision for the next campaign and for our local Equality Teams. 6:30-9 PM. More Info USA, CA, Sacramento: 11/7: Camp Courage Sacramento - Camp Courage is an intensive 2-day training program that teaches principles of community organizing; Camp Courage intends to train those working to restore marriage equality in California. More Info USA, CA, Salinas: 9/14: Join local Equality Teams and Courage Campaign staff for a dessert potluck and an intimate discussion about the Courage Campaign's vision for the next campaign and local Equality Teams. 7-9 PM. More Info USA, CA, San Bernardino: 9/18: Join the High Desert and Inland Empire Equality Teams, the Courage Campaign Equality Program staff & Courage Campaign Founder Rick Jacobs for a dessert potluck and intimate discussion about the Courage Campaign's vision for the next campaign and local Equality Teams. 6:30-8:30 PM. More Info USA, CA, San Diego: 11/14: 2009 San Diego Equality Awards. More Info USA, CA, San Francisco: 10/11: 6th Annual Coast to Coast Bridge Walk: Meet at 9:30am at Crissy Field and together we will march the span of the Golden Gate Bridge.  This is a great event for kids, dogs, grandparents and the whole family.  We will have speakers and cake to toast our efforts thus far and a short conference call with the National March happening simultaneously in D.C. More Info USA, CA, San Jose: 9/10: Movie Night, Thursday, September 10. Sponsored by Marriage Equality Silicon Valley and the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center, critically-acclaimed documentary "Ballot Measure 9" will have its South Bay première. This highly charged film can't be missed; please visit our website to learn more and view a trailer. Doors open at 6:30 P.M. More Info USA, CA, San Jose: 9/10: Equality California's Silicon Valley Office Grand Opening, Thursday, September 10. Join our friends at EQCA from 5 to 8 P.M. More Info USA, CA, San Jose: 9/13: Rev. Troy Perry speaks at MCC service, Sunday, September 13. The Metropolitan Community Church of San José is moving to a new location, sharing space with the Grace Baptist Church, 484 E. San Fernando Street (corner of Tenth), San José. Join the MCC for their first service in their new home at 6:00 P.M. More Info USA, CA, San Jose: 9/26: BAYMEC Dinner, Saturday, September 26. This year's BAYMEC dinner marks its 25th anniversary, and is titled "Electing Partners in Equality." Meet and greet LGBT elected officials and candidates, and others committed to equal rights for the LGBT community. The keynote speaker will be Lieutenant Dan Choi, Iraq War veteran and advocate working to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The reception will begin at 6:00 P.M., with the dinner and awards ceremony following at 7:00 P.M. More Info USA, CA, San Luis Obispo: 9/15: Join loca Equality Teams, the Courage Campaign Equality Program staff & Courage Campaign Founder Rick Jacobs for a dessert potluck and intimate discussion about the Courage Campaign's vision for the next campaign and local Equality Teams. 7-9 PM. More Info USA, CA, Santa Clara: 9/4: Join the Santa Clara County Equality Team, Northern CA Field Manager Hope Wood and Courage Campaign Founder Rick Jacobs for a potluck and intimate discussion about the Courage Campaign's vision for the next campaign and for our local Equality Teams. 6:30-9 PM. More Info USA, CA, Sonoma: 10/10: Geoff Kors will discuss strategy and next steps in the fight for equality in California. Enjoy wine and appetizers. 3-5 PM. More Info USA, CA, Stockton: 9/11: Join local Equality Teams and Courage Campaign staff for a dessert potluck and an intimate discussion about the Courage Campaign's vision for the next campaign and local Equality Teams. 7-9 PM. More Info USA, CA, Valencia: 9/25: Mark Nelson and Gage Kristopher's Out In Events presents Out in the Parks, the official 2009 LGBT Six Flags Tour, a benefit for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. Six Flags Great Adventure, 6 PM-Midnight. More Info USA, CA, Vallejo: 9/11: Mark Nelson and Gage Kristopher's Out In Events presents Out in the Parks, the official 2009 LGBT Six Flags Tour, a benefit for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 5 PM-11 AM. More Info USA, CA, Valley Village: 9/12: Dialing for Marriage Equality in Maine. 11 AM-2 PM. More Info USA, CA, Visalia: 9/2: Time for another phone bank! Always exciting! See everyone there. 5-7 PM. More Info USA, CA, West Hollywood: Every Tuesday: Love Honor Cherish weekly meeting to discuss gay marriage strategy, 7:30 PM. More Info USA, CA, West Hollywood: 9/7: The Sassy Show Presents "A Benefit for Equality Network", Here Lounge, 8 PM-2 AM. More Info USA, CA, West Hollywood: 9/27: Put on by Love Honor Cherish, the activist group seeking to regain marriage rights for gays & lesbians in California on the 2010 ballot, Something Old, Something New will sell both new and old furniture, clothing, antiques, collectibles, electronics, books, art, media, and household items in West Hollywood Park. More Info USA, CA, West Hollywood: 10/24: Come celebrate Studio One with a night of Disco, Magic and Love - Keep the Music Playin Productions Presents A Fundraiser For Equality California to Help Fight Prop 8. Tickets: $30 before September 15, $35 after. $40 at the door if available. 9 PM. More Info USA, CA, West Hollywood: 11/7: An Action / Rally to officially kick-off a new campaign to enact marriage equality in California, thereby overturning Prop 8. 5-8 PM. More Info USA, DC: 9/30: Rally for gay marriage at the True Reformer building on U Street NW, 7 PM. More Info USA, DC: 10/10: On October 10-11, 2009, we will gather in Washington, D.C. from all across America to let our elected leaders know that now is the time for full equal rights for LGBT people. This is simply a major national strategy to kick start our national grassroots Equality Across America campaign. More Info USA, DC: 10/11: 6th Annual Coast to Coast Bridge Walk: Marriage Equality New York is moving their annual Wedding March, traditionally across the Brooklyn Bridge, to Washington D.C. this year to participate in the Equality Across America rally for LGBT rights. More Info USA, ME, Portsmouth: 10/18: Over 30 select wedding professionals will participate as exhibitors, each one screened to be LGBT-friendly. Travel planners, Gift Companies and Home & Family-Planning Resources also will be represented. Other highlights will include Music, Interactive Presentations, Samples & Fabulous Fun! 12:30-3:30 PM. More Info USA, NJ, Jackson: 9/18: Mark Nelson and Gage Kristopher's Out In Events presents Out in the Parks, the official 2009 LGBT Six Flags Tour, a benefit for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. Six Flags Great Adventure, 6 PM-Midnight. More Info USA, NY, Brooklyn: 9/9: Family Law Day, In Conjunction with Lavender Law 2009, Brooklyn, NY, Co-sponsored by the National Lesbian & Gay Law Association and the National Family Law Advisory Council of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. More Info USA, NY, Chautauqua: 9/12-13: The Rainbow Pride Connection will hold a conference Sept. 12-13 on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution. The conference is being organized by the members of the LGBT community in Chautauqua County and Erie, Pa. There will be workshops and presentations including ''Estate Planning, Legal Issues & Same-Sex Marriage" and "Interpreting the Bible Regarding Homosexuality" as well as breakout sessions covering issues specific to gay, lesbian and transgender people. More Info USA, VT, Montpelier & Burlington: 9/1: The Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas is known for its ugly language at demonstrations. The group is coming to several spots in Montpelier and Burlington September 1st, bashing Vermont for legalizing same-sex marriage. Counterprotests are being planned at both locations. More Info ----------------------------------------------- fini