Press Releases
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 | 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.
From Left to Right: Mike Mendez, Mary Hernandez, and Chris MoorePosted 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 Stonewall Extremely Disappointed by Maine's Passage of Question 1
CONTACT: Christopher Moore, Club President
530.713.0914 | president@sacstonewall.org
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
Sacramento Stonewall Applauds President Obama and Congress for Passing Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill
CONTACT: Christopher Moore, Club President
530.713.0914 | president@sacstonewall.org
SACRAMENTO-- President of the Stonewall Democratic Club of Sacramento, Christopher Moore, issued the following statement today regarding President Obama's signing of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill which extends federal hate crimes protections to include sexual orientation:
"We applaud President Barack Obama and Congress for taking this historic step toward full equality for LGBT Americans. This policy not only provides justice to LGBT victims of hate crimes, it honors Matthew Shepard, whose horrifying murder awakened Americans to the violent and terrible atmosphere in which many LGBT Americans live."
"While this legislation marks a time to celebrate progress toward LGBT equality, it also marks a time to reflect on our own community. The Sacramento LGBT community has profoundly felt the effects of hate-motivated crimes against LGBT people, which have seemingly been on the rise the past few years. The 2007 murder of Satendar Singh, who was killed by individuals taunting him with homophobic remarks, stunned our community. Further, the unresolved mystery of the death of a transgender woman, Ruby Molina, who was found dead in the American River, continues to leave our community wondering how safe our neighborhoods are for LGBT people."
"This legislation will hopefully act as a deterrent and send a message that crimes committed toward individuals because of their sexual orientation represent acts so offensive to our society that they deserve greater punishment. It is Stonewall's hope that through continued activism and the examples of courageous LGBT leaders and allies that the underlying hatred behind these crimes will become a thing of the past."
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 October 29, 2009 3:23 PM
August 12, 2009
Press Release: Sacramento Stonewall Endorses Anthony Woods for Congress, District 10
"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."
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— 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
February 15, 2008
Sacramento Stonewall Saddened by the death of Lawrence King
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2008CONTACT: Ed Bennett, Club President
916.812.1467 | president@sacstonewall.org
Sacramento Stonewall Saddened by the death of Lawrence King
SACRAMENTO— Sacramento Stonewall Democrats are deeply saddened by the shooting of Lawrence King, a gay junior high school student in Oxnard, CA. The 15-year-old victim was shot at E.O. Green Junior High School on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008 and he has since been pronounced brain dead.
According to reports in the Los Angeles Times, the victim self-identified as gay, sometimes wore make-up and feminine jewelry, and was the target of ridicule by some of his classmates. One classmate, Michael Sweeney, said King's appearance was 'freaking the guys out,' the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday. 'He would come to school in high-heeled boots, makeup, jewelry and painted nails — the whole thing,' Sweeney told the Times." The alleged shooter, a 14-year-old, has been charged with attempted murder as a hate crime.
California has laws protecting students from harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in schools. The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act was enacted in 2000, and further strengthened through the passage of AB 394 (The Safe Place to Learn Act) and SB 777 (The CA Student Civil Rights Act), which went into effect on January 1, 2008.
“The senseless and horrible shooting of this child, Lawrence King, should serve as a wake-up call, especially here in Sacramento, where the “Day of Silence” has turned into a battleground for Anti-Gay activists, for our local schools, Superintendents and Boards to step up their efforts to ensure a safe environment for all students.” Said Ed Bennett, President of Sacramento Stonewall Democrats. “The real tragedy is that the issue of bullying and intolerance is largely ignored on a Statewide and local level and even though we have statewide legislation and local policies in place, the schools often do not take the time to educate teachers and school administration on those policies. There should be a ZERO tolerance for any harassment at school.”
In an age when LGBT teen suicide rates are high and Anti-Gay bullying is prevalent in our schools, it is our job, as adult leaders to make sure that all of our youth feel protected and are able to obtain an education without the threat of violence, under any circumstance. Lawrence King serves as a tragic reminder of the work that still needs to occur in our public school systems. Stonewall will continue to work with local School Boards and Administrators to ensure that policies are in place and adhered to.
Sacramento Stonewall would like to extend our condolences to the Lawrence King’s family and friends, and the entire E.O. Green Junior High School community.
Posted by SacAdmin at February 15, 2008 10:23 AM
Sacramento Stonewall Endorses Mayor Heather Fargo
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2007CONTACT: Ed Bennett, Club President
916.812.1467 | president@sacstonewall.org
Sacramento Stonewall Endorses Mayor Heather Fargo
SACRAMENTO— Sacramento Stonewall met and voted unanimously on Monday, February 11th to endorse Heather Fargo in her re-election bid as Mayor of Sacramento.
“Mayor Fargo, time and time again, has proven herself to be a friend to the LGBT community.” Said Mike Whiteside, Sacramento Stonewall’s Vice President.
“Thanks to Mayor Fargo’s tireless leadership, Sacramento has grown into a world class city and it continues in that direction. The entire downtown area has been revitalized, thanks to her strong commitment and astute leadership” said Ed Bennett, President of Sacramento Stonewall Democrats. “Her support of the LGBT community in Sacramento has been exemplary and we, as an organization, wanted to be among the first to demonstrate our appreciation with this endorsement.”
Sacramento Stonewall also voted to contribute $3000 to Mayor Fargo’s re-election campaign.
Posted by SacAdmin at February 15, 2008 10:22 AM
