The sign on the door read “No Open Lanes until 5:30”, meaning Kearny Mesa Bowl was sold out last Saturday afternoon. The only way to roll on one of 40 lanes was to support the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and participate in their 7th annual Bowling for Equality fundraiser. The place was packed with a diverse mix of people – rainbow colors everywhere, tinsel wigs and glitter hats. Thirsty bowlers were lined up three deep at the bar. Everybody was having a good time.
Clarione Gutierrez, co-chair for the event, welcomed the participants, spoke of the progress made in LGBT civil rights (“Marriage equality is the law in 37 States; only 13 more to go!”), thanked the numerous sponsors and lead the count down to the first ball. The crash of 40 bowling balls barreling down the hardwood lanes and striking 400 pins in unison was deafening.
Gutierrez speculated the event will net between $8k and $9k, and the money would be sent to national headquarters. He said the funds will be spent in four key areas – working on inter-faith outreach, which is important as HRC combats the nefarious Religious Freedom Restoration Acts in several states targeting LGBT citizens for discrimination; striving to implement the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (“HRC members from every state will be in Washington, D.C. to petition their senators and representatives. The truth for too many LGBT Americans is you can get married on Friday and fired on Monday.”); supporting HIV/AIDS awareness and support programs; and collaborating with teachers and administrators to implement better practices in order to create safer school environments for our children.
Individuals paid $35 to participate, which included three hours of bowling, shoe rental and an annual HRC membership or membership renewal. Jenna, sporting a rainbow temporary tattoo on her cheek, was there having fun with friends who “dressed me up”. Tina moved to San Diego three months ago from San Francisco, and supports HRC because “the work they do is important”, and the event was a great way to meet people. Jessica has lived her entire life in Hillcrest and told me “even if HRC was no longer necessary in the USA, there is still a global challenge to face.” She told me about a gay man she met who fled from Uganda and is here seeking political asylum. Sadly, Uganda’s oppressive anti-gay legislation is the result of U.S. evangelicals exporting their agenda of intolerance.
Local businesses like Pecs, the Loft and Urban Optiks, and corporations such as Wyndham, Harrah’s, Century 21, and Sony, paid up to $1,000 for lane sponsorship, signs and advertising. Not-for-profits, such as VIDA, also sponsored the event.
I spoke with Estefan Duarte who is the force behind VIDA. Duarte described getting beat up every day after school and is now working in Barrio Logan and San Ysidro to create safe environments for kids. The focus of VIDA is youth advocacy and letting kids know they are not alone. “They need to know there are people who care and want them to succeed.”
My assignment was to cover the event and get a few quotes. In doing so, I discovered the stories of people who reaffirmed the life-changing work undertaken by HRC. I was reminded that when anti-gay bigots push, we push back – and so far we’re winning (37 down, 13 to go), but there is so much more to do. If you’d like to help the cause, or learn more about HRC, then please visit hrc.org.
