Before signing the Bill, President Obama delivered a speech filled with poignant remarks and humor.    At one point in the speech he quoted a special operations warfighter’s remarks during the Pentagon’s review, “ This was one of my favorites”, Obama stated, “ it echoes the experience of Lloyd Corwin decades earlier:  ‘We have a gay guy in the unit.  He’s big, he’s mean, he kills lots of bad guys. No one cared that he was gay.’  (Audience laughter) And I think that sums up perfectly the situation.” (Applause.)

At the end of the speech and immediately before signing, President Obama had the following to say, “For we are not a nation that says, ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ We are a nation that says, ‘Out of many, we are one.’  We are a nation that welcomes the service of every patriot.  We are a nation that believes that all men and women are created equal.   Those are the ideals that generations have fought for.  Those are the ideals that we uphold today.  And now, it is my honor to sign this bill into law.”

Today is a day for the history books.  A day that we hope is just one of many historic moments for the LGBT community to come.

To view the full speech see the video below:

The 2 1/2-hour hearing before a three-judge panel at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals aimed to address two issues: whether Proposition 8, enacted by 52 percent of voters in 2008, is constitutional and whether sponsors of the ballot measure – or a county clerk from Southern California – have a right to argue its merits in court.

While both sides have made their arguments, a decision is not expected for at least another three months, leaving those California couples who are awaiting their opportunity to legal marry to put their plans on hold yet again. Western School of Law Professor Barbara Cox said in August “I would say we’re are at least a year away,” says California Western School of Law Professor Barbara Cox. ”I would be very surprised if they…didn’t stay it again,”

Cox cautions those who want to ban gay marriage in California that legal challenges to the higher court could make it open to all the states in the 9th Circuit if that court makes a similar finding to the U.S. District Judge’s decision. Further legal challenges could expand gay marriage to even more of the country.

“By trying to prevent marriage in California, if it goes to the Supreme Court, they lose all the marriage bans that exist now. I think that is a big risk for them to take,” says Cox.

Cox says if the legal battle goes to the Supreme Court, same-sex marriages would likely be delayed at least three years if they were allowed at all.

Former President Bill Clinton rallied support for California gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom in his run for Lt. Governor of California. An estimated six thousand supporters gathered at UCLA’s Dickson Court on Friday night for the Vote 2010 Rally.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took the stage at 8pm asking the crowd “Is there a Bruin in the house?”    After acknowledging his alma mater, Mayor Villaraigosa told the crowd not to listen to the pundits that say the election is over and that democrats are finished.   Encouraging the crowd to look to the future he said, “One thing we know here at UCLA is that the hands of time go forward not backwards.  We’re not going backwards to the days when we had a President in the White House that didn’t believe in science.  We’re not going back to the days of a Congress who thought health care was a privilege not a right.”

Mayor Villaraigosa, a student at UCLA when Jerry Brown was Governor, talked about how Jerry Brown knew then to keep tuition costs low and that education is the key to keeping California competitive.  He then introduced Attorney General of California Jerry Brown, Mayor of San Francisco Gavin Newsom and President Bill Clinton to the stage.

Mayor of San Francisco and candidate for Lt. Governor of California, Gavin Newsom took to the podium first.  Mayor Newsom focused on the strengths of California and how California has been on the leading edge of technology and is home to three of the top six universities.   “We need to move in a new direction and we need real change in California.”  Keeping to the theme of the evening, Mayor Newsom focused on not going backwards. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t think we can afford a sequel to the Schwarzenegger years.”   Outlining Jerry Brown’s experience as Governor twice in this state, Mayor Newsom also acknowledged Jerry Brown’s dedication and commitment to public service.  “He’s willing to take the years when he could be writing a memoir and instead he is going to be writing the future of our great state.”

Mayor Newsom introduced gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown to the stage to huge applause.  He talked of his majors at the UC level in Greek and Latin and joked about them being as obscure as Meg Whitman’s economic plan.  Jerry Brown discussed the innovation of California, “California is a state of imagination, of creativity, just like this university and that’s what I see for the next four years.”  He also touched on the economic strengths of California that exist in this climate. “California last year generated 1.8 trillion dollars of new wealth.  This year it will be even more.”  The crowds roared as Jerry Brown talked about affordable education for all who qualify and that includes the undocumented. “We have enough wealth to continue to have a great university and get every kid in this school that can qualify.  And when I say every young man and every young woman I mean everyone, whether they are documented or not.”  Jerry Brown then contrasted the differences of his campaign and that of his rival Meg Whitman.  “Whitman is against Marriage Equality, I’m for it 100 percent. And Whitman wants to suspend our global warming law and give a gigantic 5 billion tax break to the richest people in California and I don’t.”

Jerry Brown thanked the crowd and ended with a statement of support for Lt. Governor candidate Gavin Newsom, “I don’t want to have that other guy breathing down my back I want someone pushing me towards the future not pulling me back to the past, that’s Gavin Newsom.”

Jerry Brown then introduced former President Bill Clinton to the stage.   Clinton emphasized that this election is based on a conflict of ideas and is optimistic about the election despite the low turn out predictions by pollsters.

“We’ve got an electorate that is motivated, they say, the experts say, by anger on the right and apathy on the left and amnesia all around, and they say this is going to be a terrible election. My gut is it won’t be if people are thinking.” Clinton also stated, “If you are the same percentage of the electorate in this mid- term election that you were in the presidential election, all the pollsters are wrong and America will keep moving forward and so will California for a change.”

Next he simplified the positions of both parties for the young crowd, “What you have in America is a tale of two stories which you see played out in California.  The Republican story goes something like this, ‘Hey we left them in a three trillion dollar hole but they had twenty-one months to dig out and they failed. They didn’t dig us out and they spent too much money and gave us too much government doing it. There’s probably a little bit of a Socialist predilection among the President and members of Congress and the same thing is true in every important state race in America so put us back in’. The democratic story is, ‘ We were in a big hole and we couldn’t get you out in twenty one  month’s but we did stop digging and were moving out of this because we’re focused on the future, dealing with the big things and all were asking for is two more years.  You gave them 8 years to dig the hole, you at least ought to give us four years to get out of it.”

Clinton encouraged Californians to stay committed to Green energy and technology. “You stick with this Green House Gas Commitment. It is the key to your economic future. That’s what the facts not the fear show.”

Clinton discussed the unemployment rates and the need for education to assist in Californians retaining jobs and how supporting Jerry Brown can do this.   “People who apply for jobs don’t have the training skills they require.  Every month when Jerry Brown gets elected governor, he will get a list of open jobs and a check from the federal government to train people; he can spend at a community college, labor program. This would lower unemployment by 2 percent.”

He emphasized the importance of the young  vote.  “If young people vote in the same percentage of the electorate they did two years ago, all the good guys win.”   Clinton went on to discuss the problems many students face when trying to stay in school and the debt accrued after graduating.  “Loans will be cheaper. Nobody will ever have to drop out of college because of debt burden.  You will have a legal right to pay back as a small fixed percentage of your income, no matter how small it is, over a period of twenty years.  The Republicans plan to repeal this.”

Clinton again, reminded those that voted for this administration to stay committed.  “It is not enough to have voted for a new president if you will not help him govern and stick behind the members of Congress who stood for him,”

Clinton acknowledged the state of the country with an optimism shared by Jerry Brown.   “I agree with Jerry, he’s the only politician in America I heard say this, except me, which is that as horrible as this is, if we learn the right lessons from it; when we come out of it, we will be stronger than ever, ready for the 21^st century, ready for your future.”

Towards the end of his speech he stated, “I’ve lived my life, it’s been great. I just want you to have the same chances I did.”    He ended with a plea to the crowd, “Any college student in the state of California that doesn’t vote in this election is committing malpractice on your own future.”

The next rally will be in San Jose on Sunday October 17^th, 2010 at 6:30pm at the San Jose State University Event Center.

At one point Griffin linked hatred from anti-gay public figures and the current anti-LGBT policies such as DADT and Prop 8 to the suicides .  She told King, “Let’s cut the crap here.  In the same way we had trickle down economics in the 80′s we have trickle down homophobia today.  I really want people to connect the dots. I believe there’s a link between Prop 8, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and now this string of teen suicides.  It’s almost sanctioned to bully gay people and treat them as second class citizens.  And I get very nervous when the parents of these teen bullies defend them by saying ‘oh kids will be kids’, when the suicide rate for gay teens is four times higher for gay youth.”

Griffin, who supports the Trevor Project, (a non-profit organization which focuses on suicide prevention and crisis intervention)  announced that she would be donating her entire salary from her Dec. 16 concert at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City to The Trevor Project.  To purchase tickets to this special performance (which Kathy promises will still be full of her same crass comedy) visit LiveNation.com.  To find out more about Kathy Griffin visit her website here.

Kathy has posted a special message for LGBT youth on her website (and YouTube). Watch below:

To watch a portion of the Larry King interview:

Responding to a call to restore opportunity for Americans and pull America back together, One Nation Working Together California will focus on re-energizing voters for this November’s election and calling for an end to the polarizing tactics that are being used to divide our country. The goal of the October 2nd events, including the day’s get-out-the-vote efforts, canvassing and other ongoing activities, is to encourage 500,000 Californians to re-engage in the political process this season and in 2012.

One Nation Working Together is a fast-growing grassroots movement of people from all backgrounds united by the goal of reordering our nation’s priorities to invest in our most valuable resource – our people.  The movement is comprised of over 200 organizations and tens of thousands of individuals who believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve the American Dream of having a secure job, a safe home and a quality education.

When:  Saturday, October 2, 2010
Time:  9 AM – 12 NOON
Location:   Melrose Ave at N. New Hampshire Ave (4301 Melrose Ave, 90029) near Los Angeles City College.
Speakers:

- Local activists and One Nation partners including leaders from the NAACP, the Immigration Rights movement, the LGBT community, Labor, and more.
- Actor and activist Danny Glover and other celebrities
- Personal stories about the impact of the economy, immigration, and the current state of  education.

Visuals:

- Public interactive display of unity
- Californians fighting for change
- Performances by local performers – including Grammy Award-winning guitarist Tom Morello

For more information visit OneNationCA.org

Whether the vote failed due to political posturing, out right discrimination or the fact that (in typical political fashion) politicians attempted to bundle non-related issues such as immigration and military spending into the measure, the measure failed and the fact remains that the fight to repeal “DADT” may still be a long one.   The vote, took place today, ahead of the release of final results of a study conducted by the Pentagon (which is set to be issued in December).  The study is expected to argue that allowing gays to serve openly would not harm the military.  Even with positive results from the study and the supposed support of the current administration, the push to overturn DADT may become even more challenging if the Republicans take control of the House next year,  as is widely expected.

David Stacy, deputy legislative director for Human Rights Campaign, believes that it is only a matter of time before DADT is overturned, “A policy that is opposed by the overwhelming majority of the American public is something that ultimately is going to be repealed.”    For those, such as Lt. Dan Choi who has become in “poster child” for DADT after being discharged himself made a direct please to the President via Twitter, “Yesterday’s silence from @BarackObama will not be forgotten. Stop the firings, Mr. President.”

While many Americans are hurt and disappointed that DADT was not repealed today, it has to be noted that support has shifted in favor of Equality.  The vote of 56 in favor of the repeal to 43 opposed, while not enough, is still tipping the scale in the right direction.

The Huffington Post Reported:

In his original ruling, Walker moved to suspend gay weddings until he could consider arguments from both sides on whether the marriages should be allowed during an appeal of his ruling. He now says gay marriage should resume, but he gave conservatives the extra time to get the appeals court to weigh in.

Charles J. Cooper, lead counsel for the Proposition 8 supporters, said his legal team intends to ask the appeals court to immediately impose a stay of Walker’s ruling, a move that would halt gay marriages while the case is pending before the 9th Circuit.

Here’s hoping we’ll here those wedding bells ring next week!

Today is the long awaited Day of Decision in the the Prop 8 trial. Judge Walker has reached a decision on whether to uphold or overturn the California same-sex marriage ban and will be making his decision public this afternoon.    The decision will will be announced today between 1pm and 3pm today and will be followed by rallies throughout California, including one right here in Long Beach at Bixby Park at 6:00 pm.   We hope to see all of you there!

The federal trial over the unconstitutionality of Proposition 8 will began back in January, led by attorneys Theodore Olson and David Boies.   The challenge was brought on by Kris Perry, Sandy Stier, Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, who comprise two couples who wish to be married but who were denied marriage licenses because of Proposition 8.  The argument was made that unequal treatment of gays and lesbians denies them the basic liberties and equal protection under the law that are guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

It is probable that whatever the decision is today, that this will represent just one step in a long legal battle.   Poliglot noted on their blog post today that:

Today, regardless of the decision, not much — in terms of actual change — will likely happen. Because both sides have made clear — and Judge Walker has acknowledged — that they plan to appeal should they lose on Wednesday, it is likely that a temporary stay would be granted, which would halt the enforcement of the ruling until an appeal can be heard by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. AFER’s spokesman confirmed to Metro Weekly that the Proposition 8 proponents, who intervened in the case to oppose the plaintiffs, have filed a conditional motion to stay the trial court decision pending the outcome of the appeal.

To review the in depth FAQ regarding today’s decisions please visit Poliglot.com.

This is Lady V’s interview with Vic Carmona about his experience regarding to DADT.

Lady V: Tell us your story.

Vic: Where do you want me to start?

Lady V: What made you tell?

Vic: Well to start off I lived in California City, CA in Kern County after graduating from Adult Education in Tehachapi, CA at a young age of 20 I knew I needed direction and the only way out of my little town was to join the armed forces or to commit suicide.

After taking the ASVAB exam and passing it, the second time around I decided to join the US Navy. I enlisted for 4 years. I went to boot camp in Great Lakes which everyone know in boot camp called it “ Great Mistakes” after graduating I was sent to 32^nd Street in San Diego, CA for Mess Specialist School & fire fighting school. Upon completion I chose to get as far away as possible from the United States and was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan on board the USS Hewitt DD966. The first 4 years in Japan was amazing I meet my very first boy friend who was an Aussie no less.

To move the story on at age 24 I decided to come out to my mother.

Lady V: Why did you come out so late?

Vic: I was not comfortable with who I was.

Lady V: How did you come out and what was the experience like coming out?

Vic: Well I came out when my mom called to talk to me when I was still stationed in Japan and at that time the Aussie was my “ friend”. I just hated when my mother called and my boyfriend would pretend that I was in the other bed room and he went to get me. I believe it was on a Sunday when my mother called me and I was in the kitchen and my Aussie handed the phone to me we talked for a little then I said, “ Mom.” I paused then I continued on toe say, “ I have something to tell you.” My Aussie looked at me and made a face as to say NO! He ran in the bath room and shut the door as if my mother was going to jump through the phone and kill the both of us. She didn’t. “ Mom, I’m gay and Aussie is my boyfriend.”

Lady V: What the hell did you mother say??? Tell me girl!

Vic: My mother said that as long as I love someone and as long someone loves me is all that matters and that she hopes that I am happy and that she loves me.

Lady V: Well that’s no fun. Where’s the drama in that. Mothers, you’ve got to love them.

Vic: I do very much so. She is my mother and my father since my father left me when I was 6 years old.

Lady V: So lets move on to the next phase of your life.

Vic: Well after completing my first enlistment I decided to stay in Japan with my Aussie and become and English teacher.

Lady V: So you have a degree?

Vic: Um, no not really.

Lady V: How the hell did you become an English teacher without a degree?

Vic: My Aussie made a fake degree for me then I made a copy of it and I had connections in the Navy and had it stamped as a copy of the original degree.

Lady V: Very cleaver. Just looking at you, I wouldn’t have though you were smart enough to do anything like that.

Vic: Thank you, I guess.

Lady V: So you taught English then where does the extra year come in.

Vic: Well after being out of the military, having my ups and downs of my first relationship (and not being faithful to my boyfriend) we ended the relationship and I moved back home to California City, CA. After only staying with my mother for a short time I decided to reenlist back into the Military for another 4 years.

Lady V: Finally it gets juicy!!

Vic: Once I enlisted I decided once again to go back to Yokosuka, Japan. By then I was in my second tour and my second war.

Lady V: Wait so you’re a Vet?

Vic: Yes, I was in Desert Storm and Desert Strike.

Lady: Did you get any booty in the Navy?

Vic: LOL well they managed to get my booty.

Lady V: Bottom!

Vic: As I was saying. During my second enlist I had been out to myself and I was confident about who I was and who I was about as a person and a human being.

Lady V: So where did it come to you telling someone that you were gay?

Vic: Well this one time as I walked past the chow line to go into the kitchen someone in the line yelled, “ Faggot!” I turned around and everyone was silent. I simply replied, “ Yeah and what are you gonna do about it?” I was a popular gay boy on that ship after that. Everyone wanted a piece of me.

Lady V: Ok honey get your head out of clouds.

Vic: Right, so during the second tour to the Gulf as they say “ What happens at sea stays at sea…..”  So I had my fun with two Sailors.

Lady V: What did you do with them?

Vic: That’s another story lets keep with how I got the boot.

Lady V: Fine, what got you to the point where you felt you needed to tell?

Vic: I felt out of place. I felt as if I was in the closet even though I was already out to everyone.

I decided that I needed to come out and well…I told my supervisor.  After reveling to my immediate supervisor I had to talk to the Executive Officer.  Then after telling him that I am gay, he requested that I write a letter to the Admiral of the base.  Whilst I was writing the letter to the Admiral I felt very empowered and knew what I was doing was something that needed to be done. After disclosing my not so secret, secret, “Admitting that I was GAY”,  I was transferred to a military jail for 30 days in Japan then from there I met others that also were being kicked out for the same reason.

After my 30 days I was transferred to 32^nd Street San Diego, CA for my final extraction from the military. As they went over my paper work I noticed that my evaluation was dropped from 3.8 to 1.8.  The administrative guy looked over my paper work and noticed that I’ve never gotten in trouble and I was always a 3.8- 3.6 sailor and 4.0 being the highest score you could get at the time. He increased my evaluation to 2.8 and I was able to keep my benefits.

The first thing that came to my head was “ FAMILY”! He was either taking care of me or he was just a good guy with a good heart.

Lady V: Well that was a pretty damn boring story. Um you got anything else to say?

Vic: Well now in my free time I have gotten heavily involved in activism for over a year now.

Lady V: How are you involved?

Vic: Well I am a Drag queen activist.

Lady V: Oh wow just like me!

Vic: Well actually Lady V, Vic is Lady VaJayJay you stupid bitch!  So I’m telling my story so you will all HELP  ME sM*A*S*H  DADT! We should have rights as the straight people do damn it! I’m a human being and I deserve that right and respect!

I’ve fought in two wars for your rights. What about mine?

Photo/Graphics by Sue Cassidy and Jewelry by Absolutely Fabulous

ABOUT LADY VAJAYJAY:

Currently you can see Lady VaJayJay at Hamburger Mary’s in Long Beach, Adele’s at The San Clemente Inn, Hamburger Mary’s in WEHO starting September, at many fundraising events through out Orange County and LA county and at OC Pride on August 14, 2010

Get the updates on our GLBT civil rights status!

Join us at “The Gathering”
Saturday, July 24th
3:00pm to 5:00pm
Sponsored by The Paradise Piano Bar and Restaurant
1800 E. Broadway, Long Beach, 90802
Complimentary appetizers & happy hour prices at the bar
Guest Speaker:
Back by popular demand is our own Long Beach attorney, Reba Birmingham to give us the most recent updates on several GLBT civil rights issues.

We are very privilege to add with Reba Birmingham Esq., Merrilee Snell from The Law Office of Merrilee Snell. Merrilee will be speaking about business immigration laws and also touch on the new case that just came down on Friday regarding the federal government’s recognizing state’s marriage laws.  This is a Massachusetts case, but it may have a huge effect on immigration for same-sex couples.

Judge Joseph L. Tauro ruled that the federal Defense of Marriage law violates the Constitutional right of married same-sex couples to equal protection under the law and upends the federal government’s long history of allowing states to set their own marriage laws.

“This court has determined that it is clearly within the authority of the Commonwealth to recognize same-sex marriages among its residents, and to afford those individuals in same-sex marriages any benefits, rights, and privileges to which they are entitled by virtue of their marital status,” Tauro wrote. “The federal government, by enacting and enforcing DOMA, plainly encroaches upon the firmly entrenched province of the state.”

Please extend this opportunity to members of your communities and those who support us. It is a free event to provide and encourage information sharing and education to forward GLBT civil rights. You are encouraged to bring your business cards, flyers & brochures for your GLBT civil rights efforts.

Please extend this opportunity to members of your communities and those who support us. It is a free event to provide and encourage information sharing and education to forward GLBT civil rights. You are encouraged to bring your business cards, flyers & brochures for your GLBT civil rights efforts.