Gay Marriage Watch: Gay Marriage Events List Week of 9/6/09

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: Our hero of the week is letter writer Jo Lynn Southard, for the letter that includes these gems: "As a straight woman, I am flummoxed by the belief that homosexuals choose to be gay and that they are intent on enticing or recruiting the rest of us. In my more than 50 years on this earth, no one ever "recruited" or even "enticed" me. I have many gay friends and colleagues, but no one ever attempted to draft me." Go, Jo Lynn, Go! ---------------------------------------------- Woody Award: The woody award this week goes to letter writer Dan Powers in Maine who, and I am not kidding, holds up Anne Heche and Linday Lohan as examples of poor straight souls led astray into the gay/lesbian lifestyle: "Read about Ann Heche, Lindsay Lohan, other teens, and many once-gay and lesbian activists and their own therapists. Do they say confusion, loneliness and attention were factors when they experimented with homosexuality? Many people write to say gay marriage won't affect my family or my children. Do gay activists worry about confused children or youth? Do they believe it will affect children?" Sorry, Mister Powers, you're either gay or you're not. No one gets lured into a gay "lifestyle" - why would they? Who really wants to face oppression, hatred, and bigotry such as yours? Answer me this one question - what do you think is so attractive about the so called gay lifestyle that anyone would want to be treated the way you and your kind treat us, just to experience it? And as for Anne Heche and Linday Lohan, they have problems that go way beyond whether they are gay or not. If you took the time to look at normal, well adjusted gay and lesbian folks, you'd see a whoe different picture. Enjoy your woody, Mister Powers. ---------------------------------------------- Upcoming Gay Marriage Events (in Country, State, City Order) ---------------------------------------------- >>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN IRELAND Ireland, Limerick: 9/13-9/20: Limerick Pride 2009. More Info ---------------------------------------------- >>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM 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 ---------------------------------------------- >>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN ARIZONA 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 ---------------------------------------------- >>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN CALIFORNIA 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: 9/13: Phonebanking for Maine marriage equality, 2-6 PM. More Info USA, CA, Corte Madera: 9/9: We are launching this SACRED ACTIVISM group with intention on 9/9/09 a date dedicated to Lakshmi*: The Goddess of Money and Abundance. This is activism mixed in with celebration and meditation. We will be organizing around marriage equality but we will be setting a some time aside at NINE p.m. (on 9/9/9) for personal and collective intentions. 7-9 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. 7:30 PM. 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: 9/9: 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, Los Angeles: 10/24: A Fundraiser For Equality California to Help Fight Prop 8: Come celebrate Studio One with a night of Disco, Magic and Love. $30-40, 9 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: Every Friday thru 10/2: Please join the Equal Rights Initiative for weekly outreach sessions every Friday through Oct. 2, 5-6 PM, at Harvey Milk Plaza, Market & Castro. 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 Francisco: 10/26: Defying Iequality Concert, Palace of Fine Arts, with Patty Duke, Bruce Vilanch, the Cast of Wicked, and more. $100 per person. VIP Party afterwards ($250). 7:30 PM. 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, 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: 10/4: Tabling at the Family Fest to inform people about marriage equality and Courage Campaign. 11 AM-4 PM. 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 ---------------------------------------------- >>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN WASHINGTON, DC 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 ---------------------------------------------- >>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN MAINE 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 ---------------------------------------------- >>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NEW JERSEY 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 ---------------------------------------------- >>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN NEW YORK 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 ---------------------------------------------- >>GAY MARRIAGE EVENTS IN OREGON USA, OR, Portland: 9/12: The State of Our Unions, with BRO and NCLR, Free, Flying Cat Coffee Co, 3-5 PM. More Info USA, OR, Portland: 9/13: A Social for Social Justice, Nostrana Restraunt, $25, 3-5 PM. More Info USA, OR, Portland: 9/13: Clam Bake party to benefit Basic Rights Oregon, at Cafe Nell, $15 donation, 3-9 PM. More Info USA, OR, Portland: 10/10: Love: Basic Rights Oregon’s 27th Annual Dinner & Auction, 5:30 PM. More Info USA, OR, Springfield: 9/12: Gay 80's Skate Night, proceeds to fight for marriage equality, $10, Skate World, 4:30-6:30 PM. More Info ----------------------------------------------- fini