Judge Walker, who is an appointee of President George H.W. Bush, heard important testimony about the historical significance of the institution of marriage, as well as the nature of homosexuality and the degree of political power in the LGBT community. The opinion demonstrated that Judge Walker was very thorough and detailed, carefully examining the credibility of the witnesses and their arguments, while giving due consideration to both sides. The vast majority of the testimony led to only one conclusion: the extension of civil marriage to lesbian and gay couples. Walker ruled that California’s ban on same-sex marriage violates equal protection and due process rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

“This is a great victory for the Black LGBT community and for all those concerned with justice and ending discrimination. It is a great day for California, however, our work is far from complete. There is still much work needed to educate our community about the LGBT community, the importance of marriage, and the dire need to end discrimination and homophobia,” said JRC Community Organizer Rodney Nickens, Jr.

The 136-page decision, issued by Judge Walker,is but the first step in what will inevitably be a long legal fight over Proposition 8. Additionally, although today’s ruling affirms that a majority cannot strip a minority group of its fundamental rights by popular vote, this is only the first step in the battle to change the political climate in our community around marriage and other issues important to the LGBT community. Today’s decision is likely to be appealed to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and then to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The American Foundation for Equal Rights, a Los Angeles-based non-profit is funding the litigation and hired former Solicitor General Ted Olson, a conservative, and David Boies to represent two couples who were challenging Proposition 8.

JRC (www.jordanrustin.org) exists to empower same-gender loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and families in the Greater Los Angeles area, to promote equal marriage rights and to advocate for fair treatment of everyone without regard to race, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

###

The Barbara Jordan / Bayard Rustin Coalition (JRC) works to empower Black same-gender loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals and families in Greater Los Angeles, to promote equal marriage rights and to advocate for fair treatment of everyone without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Jordan/Rustin Coalition (JRC) seeks a dynamic person interested in a 10-week internship with one of the leading Black LGBT advocacy organizations working in both the LGBT and Black communities of Los Angeles to advance equality for all!

Successful candidates must have the following skills:

* Knowledge and curiousity about the LGBT community particularly in African-American areas

* Experience with social justice and/or non-profit organizations

* Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing.

* Computer proficiency for word processing, database work, e-mail and Web research.

* Experience with electoral campaign work

* Desire and commitment to work in a multicultural environment where commitment to diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation and physical ability is an important institutional value.

Send all cover letters and resumes in PDF format to staff@jordanrustin.org.

This Week:  L.A. Coalition for Justice for Oscar Grant Court Watch

For more information please see the contact information below:

Youth Justice Coalition
@ Chuco’s Justice Center
On the border between South Central L.A. and Inglewood
one light west of Florence and Crenshaw
1137 E. Redondo Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90302
323-235-4243 * Fax: 323-846-9472
freelanow@yahoo.com
www.youth4justice.org

CLICK HERE for Tickets!

SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2010

2:00PM-5:00PM

At the home of Bill Weinberger and Danny Gibson

Hancock Park

Los Angeles, CA 90010

The Jordan/Rustin Coalition is pleased to invite you to commemorate Juneteenth

and honor two inspiring community leaders as we enjoy homestyle cooking and cool

refreshments with our supporters and friends! TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE!

$50 Individual/$100 VIP

All proceeds support the mission of the Jordan/Rustin Coalition.

HONORING

Jeffrey King

Executive Director and Founder

In the Meantime Men’s Group, Inc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Hon. Karen Bass

Speaker Emeritus

California State Assembly

Host Committee

Tara Borelli, Sky Johnson, Lily Khadjavi, Ron Buckmire, Stefan Johnson, Abel Martinez, Milton Davis, Vincent Jones, Rodney Nickens, Francisco Duenas, Donald Willis

Community Partners: Equality California, LA Gay and Lesbian Center

The mission of the Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition is to empower Black same-gender loving, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and families in Greater Los Angeles.

For tickets please visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/115126  or contact rsvp@jordanrustin.org for more information.

The current climate of intolerance induced by the demonstrations of Tea Party supporters and the recent passage of the Arizona anti-immigrant law demand that we work together as a broad and diverse coalition committed to addressing a common threat to our communities: hate crimes and hate speech.

Please review the details below and the attached flyer. Bring your friends and don’t forget to RSVP with me via email atnq.quartey@gmail.com

The following are the participants and information pertaining to the Hate Crimes Forum on May 11, 2010, 6:00PM – 8:00PM:

Panelists

Angelica Salas, Executive Director, CHIRLA

Adrian Dove, Commissioner, Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission, CORE

Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Founder, Progressive Faith Foundation

Commander David Doan, Chief of Detectives, LAPD

Moderator

The Reverend Susan Russell, Priest, All Saints Episcopal Church-Pasadena

Entertainment

Ani Zonneveld, Singer, Songwriter, President, Muslims for Progressive Values

Sponsoring Organization

A Moral Compass to Justice

Dr. Sharon Groves, Ph.D. Deputy Director, Human Rights Campaign, Co-Convener

Rev. Eric P. Lee, President/CEO, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Co-Convener

Jordan Rustin Coalition

Location

2^nd Baptist Church

2419 Griffith Avenue

Los Angeles, CA  90011

Student scholars explore gender, sexuality, queer/LGBT, and women’s issues in this sixth annual conference presented by the Center for the Study of Genders and Sexualities and Cross Cultural Centers. For more information on submitting a presentation proposal or to register for the conference, please call the CSGS at (323) 343-6549 or CCC at (323) 343-5001. Visit http://calstatelausu.org/calendar/2010/05/gender-sexuality-student-research-conference for more information.

JRC is one of the community partners in a group think-tank purposed to bring together Black LGBT individuals and organizations on a monthly/bimonthly basis to networkand strategize on ways that we will build a stronger support base to defend and fuel the varied interests of the Black LGBT constituency in Los Angeles. The Black LGBT Network is designed to:

1. Provide advocacy and grassroots mobilization around social and policy issues that impact Black LGBT people in the County of Los Angeles.
2. Provides support to Local grass-roots organizations and agencies that represent the better interest of Black LGBT people.
3. Provides mentorship and support for Black LGBT youth.
4. Recognizes, celebrates and highlights the unique gifts and talents of BlackLGBT people in an effort to cultivate a healthy Black Community.

The 4th meeting of the LA Black LGBT Network will take place Wednesday May 12, 2010, 7-9p.m at the In the Meantime headquarters located at 4067 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90029.

Meetings are the second Wednesday of every month. Hope to see you there!

Honoring one of JRC’s Founders: Mr. Vincent Jones

Celebrating Vincent Jones as one of The Advocate’s Forty Under 40
Liberty Hill, The Advocate &
Tanya Acker, Kafi D. Blumenfield, Cecilia Cabello & Mario Salazar,
LJ Crusone, Bruce Cochran, Trevor Daley, Becca Doten,
Danny Gibson & Bill Weinberger, Shane Goldsmith, Jennifer Gregg,
Laurie Hasencamp, The Honorable Lindsey Horvath, Rick Jacobs,
Fred Karger, Jim Kennedy, Preeti Kulkarni, Jordan Markwith,
Barbara Osborn, Michele Prichard, Nii-Quartelai Quartey, Roxi Reeves,
Brad Sears, Zach Shepard, Marc Solomon, Fabrice Tasendo,
Daniel Trese, Darrell L. Tucci

Invite you to join us

May 13th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Eleven Restaurant & Nightclub
8811 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA

For a festive celebration of Liberty Hill Senior Program Officer Vincent Jones for The Advocate magazine naming him one the 40 leaders under 40 in the country proving that the gay movement is still in good hands.

We will have a short program at 7:30pm. Guests will enjoy passed appetizers and a reduced price non-hosted bar. Suggested donations of $10 or more are appreciated and will support Liberty Hill’s innovative work to advance LGBTQ justice.

Save time in line at the event by pre-registering today at http://www.libertyhill.org/advocate

Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration on May 15 and 16, 2010 From 11 am - 10 pm Along Shoreline Drive in Long Beach, CA. Tickets are only $20.00! Over the past several years, the Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration has become one of the premiere Pride events nationwide now attracting over 80,000 participants over two days. The Festival Celebration includes seven large dance areas including a main stage which has featured musical artists such as Grammy Award Winner Jennifer Hudson, Maya, and India.Arie.  This year is expected to be bigger than ever so get your tickets online.  Early arrivers who show their pride could receive FREE ADMISSION to the 2010 Long Beach Pride Festival, exclusive Long Beach Pride merchandise and more!  The parade hot spot kicks off an hour early at 9:30 a.m. located on Cherry Ave. and Ocean Blvd. at Bixby Park, the location provides plenty of shade and a community gathering spot for anyone watching the parade.

EQCA and JRC will be co-partnering to outreach and recruit volunteers all weekend.  If you would like more information about getting involved with LB Pride and/or are interesting in volunteering with JRC please contact JRC Community Organizer, Rodney Nickens Jr. at rodney@jordanrustin.org or (562) 242-8601.

JRC Board VP Milton Davis, Community Organizer Rodney Nickens Jr. and volunteers w/ Speaker John Perez

WHO: ORGANIZED BY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, LAURA SMYTH

WHEN: Wednesday, March 24 6 PM to 7:30 PM

WHERE: LA City Hall, South Entrance 1st St. between Spring & Main

A Stand for Justice

Hundreds of demonstrators are expected to attend this protest against the anti-gay (LGBT) legislation currently being considered in Uganda. The demonstration has been organized by high school student Laura Smyth, to speak out against the proposed bill which would make being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender punishable by death — it is effectively a mandate for the mass slaughter of LGBT citizens.

{{{{{Rex feels the need to insert information about the bill. The “Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009″ would imprison for life anyone convicted of “the offense of homosexuality,” punish “aggravated homosexuality” — including repeat offenders and anyone who is HIV-positive and has gay sex — with the death penalty, forbid “promotion of homosexuality” and incarcerate gay-rights defenders, and jail individuals in positions of authority for up to three years if they fail to report within 24 hours the existence of all LGBT people or sympathizers known to them. We now return to our regularly scheduled press-release program…}}}}}

The legislation would also target individuals or organizations that support LGBT people (which extends to AIDS prevention and treatment organizations).

“There are many people who still have no idea that this legislation exists, and we need to raise awareness within our communities,” says Laura. “It is crucial that we speak out to prevent the legalization of government-sanctioned slaughter

- Speakers will include youth and adults alike:

o Robin Tyler
o Bamby Salcedo
o Reverend Neil Thomas
o Rodney Scott
o Beth Grant
o Armen Sarkissian
o Ariel Bustamante
o Isaiah Baiseri
o Estuardo Munoz
o

Supported by Gay-Straight Alliance Network, Equal Roots, Equality California, Lifeworks, Equal Action, and dozens of other organizations and gay-straight alliances.

Links to articles regarding the proposed legislation:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121485018

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amnesty-international/anti-homosexuality-bill-c_b_421608.html

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/15/uganda-anti-homosexuality-bill-threatens-liberties-and-human-rights-defenders

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due.

In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.*

The Barbara Jordan / Bayard Rustin Coalition will be holding its 2nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration and Awards Ceremony on Saturday June 19, 2010 at the lovely home of Ed Weinberger and Danny Gibson in Hancock Park!  Please contact rodney@jordanrustin.org for more information.

*This text originally appeared at

http://www.juneteenth.com/history.htm