Elissa & I present our research

When I am in the Queer community, doing work on behalf of LGBTQ equality, I proudly announce that I am a practicing Jew. That I have no qualms with my religion and it has no qualms with me. I want to break the stigma that you can’t be religious or spiritual and also be gay.

Similarly, when I am working in the Jewish world, I am proudly open about the fact that I am gay. My home synagogue knows I am gay- and my straight rabbi there recently spoke from the bimah or raised platform in front of the congregation about his demands for equality. Every day that I go to work at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, my colleagues embrace me and my partner- who also works here.

It is rare that I am surrounded by a majority of LGBTQ Jews. When I do- it’s like a special home; a rare treat. Twice this summer, I have participated in conferences that have surrounded me with LGBTQ Jews from around the world.

This past weekend, I presented at the World Congress of LGBT Jews at UCLA with a dear colleague and friend of mine, Elissa Barratt. I was proud to conduct a survey of young LGBTQ Jewish women and share our results to an invested crowd.

A picture of Elissa and I leading the session ended up being the featured picture of a recent feature in the Jewish Journal and our research and presentation is also mentioned in the attached article.

Check it out: CLICK HERE TO READ

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The Love Unites campaign

Thursday of this week seems to be the day in which the California Supreme Court will be releasing its decision about whether or not to overturn Prop 8- the recent legislation that delegitimized 18,000 gay marriages in the state and made any new ones illegal.

On the day that the decision is released, the group FAIR has planned an extensive set of rallies. For those reading that are interested, see below:

Day of Decision—Los Angeles

California Supreme Court to rule on Prop 8 before June 3rd

WHEN WILL THEY ISSUE THE DECISION?

Sometime before June 3 (90 days after hearing oral arguments). That leaves Thursday May 21, May 26 (May 25 is holiday), May 28, June 1.

We do not know the exact day the court will release their decision, but we will have 24 hours notice that the ruling will be announced the following day. The decision will be announced on a Monday or Thursday at 10am. This means we will know on a Wednesday or Friday at 10am that the court will be announcing their decision the following business day.

WHAT WILL THEY BE DECIDING?

The key legal issue debated before the State Supreme Court is whether Prop.8 simply amended the state Constitution or revised it (which is a more extensive change). If the initiative amended the Constitution, then it stands. If the initiative revised the Constitution, it must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the Legislature.

Most legal experts think that the court will rule against us and uphold Prop 8. Due to the recent slew of states that have made same-sex marriage legal, some think there may be a glimmer of hope that the court rules in our favor.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THE DAY OF THE DECISION?

There are several rallies, marches, and actions planned for the Day of the Decision around Los Angeles.
–10:00am CA Supreme Court issues ruling on a Monday or Thursday

–10:30am Lambda Legal Press Conference

Lucy Florence Cultural Center

3351 W. 43rd Street, L.A., CA 90008

–12-3:00pm Rally at the L.A. County Marriage License Office
4716 East Ceasar Chavez Avenue, L.A., CA 90022

–7:00pm Rally & March in West Hollywood

Corner of Santa Monica & San Vicente

March to Hollywood & Highland

What to bring:

–White Ribbon to tie White Knots all along our march
–White Flowers to lay in Matthew Shepard Human Rights Park
–White Chalk to write messages in the road and on the sidewalks
–Wear White to show our unity in supporting same-sex marriage
–Bring signs and bullhorns and anything else to make noise

–9:30ish Meet us at Hollywood & Highland if you can’t make it to Weho!

HOW CAN YOU HELP??

We need you!! Sign-up to volunteer at VolunteerDOD@gmail.com and come WEDNESDAY, MAY 20th to a mandatory Volunteer Training at 7:30pm in the RENBERG THEATER (The Village: 1125 N. McCadden Place Los Angeles, CA 90038). All volunteers are asked to attend this training as safety, strategy and duties for DOD will be discussed.

WHAT ABOUT THE DAYS AFTER THE DECISION?

–Stay tuned for spontaneous rallies and marches! And…

–MEET IN THE MIDDLE FOR EQUALITY

http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com/

WHEN? 1pm, the Saturday after the decision

WHERE? Fresno City Hall

2600 Fresno Street

Fresno, CA 93721

WHY?
The real battleground for marriage equality and LGBT rights is not within the cities, it is in places like the Central Valley where many of our LGBT brothers and sisters face discrimination on a daily basis.

People from across the state will be driving, caravanning, and busing it to Fresno for a rally in the middle of where we must begin the difficult task of changing hearts and minds– in communities that disagree with us most.

–LA LAUNCH EVENT & RALLY –For Meet in the Middle

http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/meetinmiddleLA

WHEN?
7:30am the Saturday after the Decision

Free Breakfast & Free $20 Gas Cards for the 1st 25 full cars!

WHERE?
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2952

Behind Union Station, Downtown (Where buses depart)

WHAT IF WE WIN?

–Still meet at the locations listed above and celebrate!!

–We still do not have equal rights!! We will celebrate but also focus on all the rights we are denied at the federal level… Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Defense of Marriage Act, etc. etc.

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Obama's Campaign Logo adapted for the LGBTQ community

I read an interesting article today in the Huffington Post:

READ IT HERE

In the piece, author Emma Ruby-Sachs decides to “Grade” our new President on his leadership on behalf of the LGBT Community during his first 100 days in office. Obama received a D-.

Upon reading the title, “An LGBT Report Card for Obama’s First 100 Days,” I was intrigued. Upon learning he received a failing grade, I was shocked! How could a man I love so much and worked so hard to elect not be representing me? Isn’t that why I voted for him? I found myself immediately hyper-defensive. I wanted to read more.

Ruby Sachs writes the following:

“We reject the notion that Obama’s political power and political capital are all used up by getting this country in basic working order.”

I paused there. The same defenses that I have been handing over to Obama’s lack of major action were being called out. I’ve willingly sacrificed my “liberty and justice for all” in favor of helping us ALL out. Maybe the LGBT community needs to take one for the team and push aside our desires in order for the entire country to get healed.

Rick Warren saying his piece

But then I thought back to how I gritted my teeth during Rick Warren’s undeserved stage performance during the inauguration. Feeling left out and less than human during such an important moment in history, I let Obama’s decision slide.

I also shook my head when Obama said that putting “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” on the back burner was necessary to allow the government to focus on “more important” issues. Once again, I swallowed my pride and asked myself to be patient. He’ll come through for us.

But this author brings up a good point:

“If we had ranked political problems, … equality gains, past, present and future, would never have been achieved.”

Suddenly I felt disappointed in my President. Suddenly I wanted him to multi-task better, take bigger political risks, ruffle some feathers, and do the right thing. It was if I had taken a complete 180º turn away from my initial defense of his actions. Suddenly I wanted him to do better. To try harder. To fight for me.

There is a fascinating chain of commentary at the bottom of the article where many folks carry on a discussion about how LGBT rights fit into the prioritization of issues in this broken country. Gay and Straight, folks encourage LGBT rights to be focused on just as often as they support downplaying equality. Those outside the community seem to have a lack of understanding and sometimes even hurl divisive messages at each other about who has more of a right to have Mr. Obama’s attention right now.

I was half-heartedly amused that this sort of exchange was happening. Bickering and finger-pointing. Claiming rights and denying them to others. At the end of it, I came back to the same quote that incited Emma Ruby-Sachs to write her review in the first place. The words come from Obama’s own mouth:

“While we have come a long way since the Stonewall riots in 1969, we still have a lot of work to do. Too often, the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans. It’s about whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality by treating all its citizens with dignity and respect.”

And this is exactly the point. I’m waiting for that founding promise to be kept. And I’m waiting for you to keep yours too, Mr. President.

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As you all know, I recently left a career in fundraising to pursue a career in documentary filmmaking. The goal is to use Media to change hearts and minds. When harnessed correctly, messaging in film and video has huge potential. I couldn’t think of a more necessary cause today (Israel’s Independence Day) to announce the release of a project I helped create called “Hope Remixed.”

Together with artists and activists from around the world, this “Hativkah” Beat-Boxing video is an expression of hope and optimism, with a new beat. In a time when the image of Israel is too often of war and conflict,  “Hope Remixed” celebrates Israel’s diversity, beauty, history, and modernity.

If you are getting this, it’s because I believe you want to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day) as well by sharing positive messages of hope!  SEND this video to your family, friends, Facebook friends, tweeters, and any other social networks!  And, SHARE your own experiences and messages of hope!  UPLOAD your video/photo montage to www.youtube.com/hoperemixed or text it to hoperemixed898@m.youtube.com.   The best video will win my new favorite toy – the Flip MinoHD camera!

This video was produced by Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, and will be sent to their various networks, including Hillel professionals, Birthright alumni, Hillel Latin America, FSU, and Israel Fellows.  I was honored to be asked to collaborate on the creation of this video.  We are trying to reach 50,000 views for Israel’s birthday, but I say we strive for 61,000!

Happy Birthday Israel!  You don’t look a day over 60!

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Gay Marriage is now legal in IOWA. From Wikipedia:

“In 2005, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of six Polk County same-sex couples and their children who were denied marriage licenses in Iowa, arguing that this denial violated the liberty and equal protection clauses in the state constitution. In 2007, the Polk County District Court ruled in favor of the couples, prompting the county to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court. On April 3, 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously upheld the District Court’s ruling holding that there was no important governmental interest in denying citizens marriage licenses based on their sexual orientation. Licenses were originally to be available 21 days after the ruling, on April 24, but the date has been pushed back to April 27.”

On Monday, I also joined many Americans across the country and called into the decision-makers in the state of Vermont. There, the Republican governor recently made a decision to VETO legislation that was passed in the state and would have created legal same-sex marriage.

Celebrations following the passage of a gay marriage bill in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, April 7, 2009.

Fortunately, the House and Senate have the power to overturn such a veto. Together, with our voices raised, my friends and I called the House and Senate members and encouraged them to vote for equality. In a historic decision, these same politicians voted to OVERTURN the governor’s veto. This marks the first time that a state has passed legal MARRIAGE laws for the LGBT community outside of the Court System.

Now- there are four states in the United States (MA, CT, VT, IA) that have FULL. MARRIAGE. EQUALITY. It’s really happening!

As with all progressive politics, there is backlash as soon as steps towards full equality are made. Tonight, an organization called the “National Organization for Marriage” will be airing the following ads:

The story of those who oppose equal rights is getting old. Prey on the fear of parents. Threaten churches. Blah Blah Blah. My old employer, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said it best:

“The distorted, misleading claims of the National Organization for Marriage do one thing and one thing only – perpetuate a climate of hostility and fear that will put committed couples in harm’s way,” said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. “We stand in support of One Iowa and our partners on the ground and urge our community to speak out against these divisive attacks.”

I am sad that my home state, California, is not leading the way here. I am sad that we had one of the most expensive and resounding losses this past November when Prop 8 passed in our state. I am optimistic however that this state, and many others will soon pass Marriage Equality by a vote of the people. No courts. No Politicians. Just the will of the masses protecting ALL Americans.

I recently read an incredible article from one my favorite political websites: FiveThirtyEight. They did an analysis of every state in the U.S. and projected at what point in history they might be able to pass Marriage Equality legislation by a vote of the people. Mississippi- we won’t wait for you!

To check out the incredible article:
Click Here

A historical week, indeed. Chag Sameach to all the Jews out there and may we all soon be blessed with freedom.

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The special issue just for our new Mr. President

I pledged that I would do #29 (host an inauguration party for Obama) from my Life To-Do List thinking that I’d do some big shabang with red, white, and blue decorations and “Sloppy Joe Bidens” as the course du jour. It didn’t happen.

Instead, I went to “Isla Cantina” on Sunset Blvd with a great group of gals and had a Corona for Obama. It reminded me of all the subgroups of supporters that form during an election. You know: “Moms for Obama,” “Students for Obama,” etc. Now there is the subgroup “Coronas for Obama!”

The Bar is Ablaze in celebration

They lit the bar on fire (on purpose) and did a raffle to give away a VERY expensive, limited edition bottle of Hennessy 44, made in honor of Obama’s election as the 44th President. The girl who won the raffle doesn’t drink, so she gave the entire bar shots! It was such a wonderful moment as everyone clinked their glasses and I shouted “Yes We Did,” hoping everyone else would join in and instead enjoying one of thpse moments where the room goes silent and everyone just stares at you. The shot was still great, though.

We danced. We made merry. We celebrated Obama-Rama! It was exactly what I needed to cap off such a glorious day in American History.

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Bush street in San Fran becomes "Obama" street

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I didn’t picture spending this morning alone, so far away from the capital. However, it was overwhelmingly joyful to see that so many of my peers were glued to their television sets. In states from Ohio to California, from D.C. to New York… my peers and I were watching history happen. Together.

The words that ring most profoundly in my ears from the words that President Obama said today are:

“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.”- President Obama, January 20th, 2009

For a view of the full video and transcript of his historical inaugural address, click HERE

BELOW, in TWO PARTS, is the coverage from C-SPAN.

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I think back to November 4th, 2008 and the feelings of immense pride and relief that we did it. During the past few days, I have heard from a number of my friends in Columbus, OH, where I spent time working on the campaign. When we look back on that time, we remember the tears and the fears. The hours and minutes spent running to make this day happen. And we are proud.

In 2004, I cried when Bush was re-elected. It was the first election in which I was eligible to vote and I felt excluded. I felt like the rest of the country was not interested in protecting me and listening to me. Having so much to say, but no audience in power that would listen… it was unpleasant to the say the least in these past four years.

Suddenly there is hope. The country is united and invested in the future of our families and friends. We feel more than inclined to participate and to discuss and to act. More people are paying attention.

I am beyond proud and beyond excited to be an American. Though I am poor and the future is uncertain, I have hope. I have my own dreams. And I believe in myself and the power of the leadership in this country to make it better.

Today is the Dawn of a New Day.

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