Equality California endorses Rep. Peters

SAN DIEGO — Equality California, the largest statewide LGBT advocacy organization, endorsed Rep. Scott Peters for re-election to Congress yesterday, joining a variety of other LGBT leaders who are backing Peters’ candidacy in the CA-52 district. “I’m proud of this endorsement and for Equality California’s recognition of my long and strong record of standing up for…

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John O’Connor to step down as EQCA executive director

LOS ANGELES — Equality California, the largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organization in California, announced today that its executive director, John O’Connor, will step down in July following a successful, 18-month tenure leading EQCA through a period of extensive organizational transition. EQCA also announced that board member Rick Zbur, a senior partner…

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Bay Area education leaders support the School Success and Opportunity Act

Local school boards and communities this week continued their progress towards implementing the School Success and Opportunity Act, which Governor Brown signed earlier this year.  The new law, AB1266, restates existing anti-discrimination law to ensure that all students, including transgender students, have the opportunity to fully participate and succeed in schools. Kane Tajnai, a student…

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Leno resolution condemning Russian anti-gay laws clears committee

SACRAMENTO – A resolution introduced by Sen. Mark Leno that urges the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) not to invest future resources from their pension plans in Russia passed the Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee today with a 4-1 bipartisan vote. Senate Resolution 18 was introduced in…

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Equality California to Honor Rep. Mark Takano with Leadership Award

Equality California today announced that Rep. Mark Takano has been named the Leadership Award honoree for the Palm Springs Equality Awards scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12. Takano is the first openly gay person of color elected to the House of Representatives, representing California’s 41st District, and since his election, has been a strong voice in…

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SCOTUS rulings on DOMA and Prop. 8: a roundup of statements

President Barack Obama on DOMA: “I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act.  This was discrimination enshrined in law.  It treated loving, committed gay and lesbian couples as a separate and lesser class of people.  The Supreme Court has righted that wrong, and our country is better off for…

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Hodgepodge

Usually I focus upon one topic; this week I thought I would change it up and give our readers three small messages. Equality California I had the opportunity to have lunch with John O’Connor, the new executive director of Equality California (EQCA). The organization is having an event in San Diego June 1 at the…

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EQCA receives grant to enroll marginalized LGBT Californians in Affordable Care Act

LOS ANGELES — Equality California (EQCA) has  announced the receipt of a $250,000 grant from The California Endowment to educate and enroll at-risk and marginalized lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Californians in Affordable Care Act approved health care plans. This funding will be used for a campaign named “Health Happens With Equality,” with outreach up…

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Equality California endorses Lorena Gonzalez for 80th District of California Assembly

LOS ANGELES — Equality California has announced the endorsement of Lorena Gonzalez for the 80th State Assembly District. Gonzalez, who currently serves as the secretary-treasurer and CEO of the San Diego and Imperial Counties AFL-CIO, is running to replace the seat vacated by Ben Hueso, whom EQCA endorsed and who recently won a special election…

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