Press Releases

November 4, 2011

Stonewall Lauds Representatives Garamendi, Matsui and Thompson for Supporting Overturning the Defense of Marriage Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          
CONTACT: Daniel Roth, 916-747-9592

November 4, 2011                               



SACRAMENTO--With the United States Senate Judiciary Committee set to vote to overturn portions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which was passed by Congress in 1996 and denies over 1000 federal rights to legally married gay and lesbian couples, the Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento commended Sacramento area and Democratic Members of Congress John Garamendi (D- Walnut Grove), Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) and Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) who joined 131 of their Democratic colleagues in filing a brief yesterday in support of overturning the law, saying the provision denying same-sex married couples federal rights is unconstitutional and undermines the interests of Congress.

"Once again, it is the Democratic members of Congress who are standing up for equal rights for all Americans," said Daniel Roth, President of the Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento. "I hope that all of California's Congressional Delegation--Democrats and Republicans--will stand up and support equal rights under the law."

In their brief the members of Congress noted that according to the United States Census estimated 132,000 gay and lesbian couples are legally married in the United States, and that "DOMA harms these couples, their families, and the States that now allow them to marry."
The Democratic members of Congress were also joined by more than 70 large employers, including Starbuck's and Microsoft, who filed an amicus brief also supporting overturning the law. The employers noted that the law creates problems for employers in states where gay and lesbian couples are allowed to marry under state law, and it creates unnecessary cost and administrative complexity while forcing companies to discriminate.
 
"While we wait for Congress to act, real people and real companies are really getting hurt. It is time to toss out this law and grant full equality under federal law," Roth concluded.

Posted by SacAdmin at November 4, 2011 9:42 AM

June 17, 2010

PRESS RELEASE: Sacramento Stonewall Democrats Launch "StopAndrewPugno.com" in campaign against Proposition 8 Author and Republican nominee in Assembly District 5

PRESS RELEASE:  Sacramento Stonewall Democrats Launch "StopAndrewPugno.com" in campaign against Proposition 8 Author and Republican nominee in Assembly District 5.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 17, 2010
CONTACT:  Patrick Holstine, Communications Chair, 916.716.5889 | communications@sacstonewall.org
 
Sacramento Stonewall Democrats Announce the Launch of "StopAndrewPugno.com"

Sacramento -- Sacramento Stonewall Democrats Launch "StopAndrewPugno.com" in campaign against Proposition 8 Author and Republican nominee in Assembly District 5 The Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento announced the launch of "StopAndrewPugno.com" - an effort to help keep homophobia out of the California State Legislature.  Andrew Pugno is the Republican candidate for Assembly District 5 in the Sacramento region and in 2008 co-authored Proposition 8, the California measure that stripped marriage rights from same-sex couples.

"Since graduating from college, Pugno's career has exclusively focused on the effort to deny gay and lesbian couples the right to marry," said Sacramento Stonewall President Christopher Moore.  "Now, StopAndrewPugno.com is exclusively focused on the effort to deny Pugno a seat in the California State Legislature."

Pugno crafted Proposition 22 which enshrined marriage discrimination into law in the year 2000, then in 2008 co-authored Proposition 8 to amend California's Constitution to take away same-sex marriage rights, and now he continues to serve as legal counsel defending Proposition 8 in the federal marriage trial before Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco.  Earlier this week, Pugno asked Judge Walker to allow government agencies and private businesses to nullify recognition of the more than 18,000 same-sex marriages performed in California. 

"This campaign is not about Andrew Pugno as a person," continued Moore, "This campaign is about his record, and the fact that all it includes is taking away the rights of gays and lesbians. It is absolutely ridiculous that one would consider this adequate qualification to tackle the complex problems facing our state legislature. Not to mention, it is horribly offensive to me as a gay man."

Besides his history of homophobia, Pugno is facing other serious criticism. He is being labeled a "carpetbagger" after recently relocating his residence when local press outlets revealed he was actively campaigning for the Assembly seat without actually residing within the district. Furthermore, the Fair Political Practices Commission received complaints that Pugno broke legislative ethics laws when, as a young staffer for the late Senator Knight, he used State Senate Resources to craft the anti-gay Proposition 22.

Pugno will face off against Democratic candidate Dr. Richard Pan in the November General Election. Pan has been endorsed by the Sacramento Stonewall Democrats, meaning he is 100% supportive of LGBT rights.

  For more information, contact Patrick Holstine at 916.716.5889, or by e-mail at communications@sacstonewall.org.  In addition, see www.StopAndrewPugno.com.

Posted by SacAdmin at June 17, 2010 6:10 PM

November 11, 2009

Press Release: Sacramento Stonewall Democrats Early-Endorses Mary Hernandez for Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education, Area 2

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 11, 2009
CONTACT: Christopher Moore, Club President
530.713.0914 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              530.713.0914      end_of_the_skype_highlighting | president@sacstonewall.org

SACRAMENTO - The Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento voted to early-endorse Mary Hernandez for Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education, Area 2 at its General Membership Meeting Monday November 9, 2009.

"We feel so fortunate, as a club, to have this opportunity to back such an outstanding candidate," said Club President Christopher Moore. "We are extremely confident that her campaign will be a success and we are dedicated to working vigorously to ensure she is elected."

"Hernandez's campaign speaks to the very core of the mission of Sacramento Stonewall" said Mike Mendez, Chair of the Political Action Committee. "Her election to office as an openly gay woman will provide a shining example that highly qualified LGBT individuals can proudly serve the public. Furthermore, Mary's history as a tireless advocate makes us confident that she will be an extremely effective Board Member."

Following the vote to endorse Mary Hernandez, the club also voted to make a $10,000 contribution to her campaign. Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education, Area 2 covers the communities of Midtown, East Sacramento, River Park, College Greens, and Tahoe Park.

The Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento is one of the largest Democratic clubs in the region and is one of the largest LGBT Democratic clubs in the United States. Sacramento Stonewall works toward Democratic values for all.

Posted by SacAdmin at November 11, 2009 2:22 PM

November 4, 2009

Press Release: Sacramento Stonewall Extremely Disappointed by Maine's Passage of Question 1

SACRAMENTO - Sacramento Stonewall is extremely disappointed in the decision by Maine voters to repeal that state's law that would have extended equal marriage rights to same-sex couples.

"It continues to disturb me that our systems of governance in individual states and our nation as a whole can allow a bare majority of voters being driven by a well-funded campaign of lies and deception to arbitrarily strip a historically-marginalized portion of our citizenry of their rights,"  said Sacramento Stonewall President Christopher Moore.

"Pro-equality Californians feel the same pain Mainers feel today, and perhaps the worst part about the whole thing is that the same nationwide homophobic forces were behind both ballot initiative crusades.  These groups are like a plague invading states one by one, spreading their awful rhetoric and enshrining homophobia into the law" said Moore.

Nearly 48 percent of Maine voters cast their vote in favor of marriage equality. Their commitment to equality is a testament to the hard work done by thousands of volunteers from states across the nation. While opponents of equality will claim victory in Maine, a Domestic Partnership law in Washington state is on its way to victory after approval by voters there.  In addition, the citizens of Kalamazoo, Michigan, voted to uphold a local ordinance that banned discrimination based on sexual orientation and throughout the country openly-gay candidates are celebrating successful runs for office.

"We have come so far, so fast," commented Moore, "The mere thought that ten years ago nearly 50 percent of voters in a state would cast a ballot in favor of equal marriage rights for same-sex couples was almost unthinkable.  Now we are so close.  We must remember that this is yet another opportunity for those of us who fight for equality to redouble our efforts and work harder than ever until our goal of full equality for all is a reality."

The Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento is one of the largest Democratic clubs in the region and is one of the largest LGBT Democratic clubs in the United States. Sacramento Stonewall works toward Democratic values for all.

Posted by SacAdmin at November 4, 2009 11:46 PM

October 29, 2009

Press Release: Sacramento Stonewall Applauds President Obama and Congress for Passing Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill

Posted by SacAdmin at October 29, 2009 3:23 PM

August 12, 2009

Press Release: Sacramento Stonewall Endorses Anthony Woods for Congress, District 10

SACRAMENTO - Sacramento Stonewall voted to endorse Anthony Woods for Congressional District 10 at its General Membership Meeting on Monday, August 10, 2009.

"We are excited to have this opportunity to back such an outstanding candidate," said Christopher Moore, President of the Club. "Mr. Woods' commitment to serve his country is evident in his understanding of issues facing Americans and in his impressive history of military and community service. The fact that Mr. Woods is openly gay is icing on the cake for Stonewall."

"Woods' election to Congress will serve as an example to LGBT youth that openly-LGBT people can follow their dreams in a very public and proud way. His service in Congress would be unique in that he would be the only Member directly affected by the military's discriminatory 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy."

Anthony Woods is one of four Democrats running in the September 1st special primary election to fill the CA 10th Congressional seat. The seat was recently vacated when former Rep. Ellen Tauscher was appointed Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security by the Obama Administration. The district includes portions of Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento and Solano Counties.

Left to Right: Mike Mendez, Alan LoFaso, Anthony Woods, and Chris Moore

Posted by SacAdmin at August 12, 2009 10:10 PM

September 10, 2008

Sacramento Stonewall reaction to Kevin Johnson's opposition to Proposition 8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 10, 2007
CONTACT: Ed Bennett, Club President
916.812.1467 | president@sacstonewall.org

Sacramento Stonewall reaction to Kevin Johnson's opposition to Proposition 8 

SACRAMENTO— Kevin Johnson held a news conference today to announce his strong opposition to Proposition 8, the marriage elimination initiative that will write discrimination into our state’s constitution.

  
"We, at Stonewall, applaud Kevin’s opposition to Proposition 8 and we are confident that his support will stimulate awareness within all communities that discrimination is wrong and that enacting discrimination into the constitution hurts everyone." said Ed Bennett, President of Sacramento Stonewall Democrats.

Posted by SacAdmin at September 10, 2008 2:51 PM