Monday, the Department of Defense (DoD) released a new DoD Human Goals Charter, signed by Secretary of Defense Hagel. The last iteration of that document was released in 1998, and included mention of equal equality based on sexual orientation for civilian employees, but not for military servicemembers. The new iteration includes a language based on…
Before President Obama “evolved” on the issue of gay marriage he repeatedly stated, “I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman.” Such statements were made in the past by both Clintons and many of our strongest allies and supporters. Well, the same goes for pro marriage supporter Councilwoman Lorie Zapf who has…
As the 2014 elections approach, you’ll hear about Rep. Scott Peters’ (CA-52) strong record on LGBT equality, for two reasons. First, it’s true. Second, the race is made-for-TV drama, with openly gay former San Diego City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio challenging Peters, a one-term straight incumbent with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) endorsement,…
A friend recently pointed me to a video of trans advocate Sylvia Rivera’s Y’all Better Quiet Down speech at New York City’s 1973 Liberation Day Rally. In the speech she stated, “I believe in the gay power. I believe in us getting our rights or else I would not be out their fighting for our…
About a week ago I went to have a breakfast meeting with current County assessor/clerk/recorder – the controversial Ernie Dronenburg. (Four of us – both Republican and Democratic political gay activists.) I have met him before and always thought he was a most eccentric man and he reminds me of Floyd the barber on the…
“There is a Trans Action Committee that’s part of Canvass For A Cause,” stated Canvass For A Cause’s Holly Hellerstreet in an interview with LGBT Weekly. “And we have been working to support transgender people in San Diego. We’re really excited here in California that we have the School Success and Opportunity Act which is…
This Last week, I went out to see the movie based on the life of Latino icon and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. It was a most moving movie and like the Oscar award-winning movie on Harvey Milk it brought back so many memories for me and had me crying, laughing and leaving the theater…
I know that in 33 states, workers can still be fired for their sexual orientation or gender identity. I remember the days after the Prop. 8 vote, misting up at random times when I remembered that a majority of my neighbors took away my right to marry. So I hope you’ll forgive the twinge of…
I know I’m getting old. I used to watch the television show Roseanne when it was in the first run, and thought it was pretty funny. I thought it was pretty progressive, often having lesbian characters sprinkled through storylines. And, with Roseanne Barr being an executive producer on the show I thought she must have…
At first I thought that some of the Christian leaders heavily criticizing the just-released biblical epic movie Noah were just too sensitive – ‘til I went to see this movie and it is just one big hot mess! I think any Christian would be insulted and upset because the producer has taken way more than…
