Press Releases
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
Sacramento Stonewall Endorses Vice Mayor Kevin McCarty
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2007CONTACT: Ed Bennett, Club President
916.812.1467 | president@sacstonewall.org
Sacramento Stonewall Endorses Vice Mayor Kevin McCarty
SACRAMENTO— Sacramento Stonewall met and voted unanimously on Monday, February 11th to endorse Kevin McCarty in his re-election bid as City Councilmember for the 6th District.
“Vice Mayor McCarty has demonstrated a strong and unrelenting commitment to the LGBT community and LGBT and progressive issues here in Sacramento. His support of his constituency is exemplary and this early endorsement was an easy decision for the club.” said Ed Bennett, President of Sacramento Stonewall Democrats.
Sacramento Stonewall also voted to contribute $1000 to Vice Mayor McCarty’s re-election campaign.
Posted by SacAdmin at February 15, 2008 10:19 AM
February 07, 2008
Sacramento Stonewall Congratulates Senator Darrell Steinberg
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2008CONTACT: Ed Bennett, Club President
916.812.1467 | president@sacstonewall.org
Sacramento Stonewall Congratulates Senator Darrell Steinberg
SACRAMENTO— Sacramento Stonewall Democratic Club congratulates our very own State Senator Darrell Steinberg. Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata announced today, February 7, 2008, that Senator Steinberg will assume the leadership of the state Senate at the end of the year.
"Sacramento Stonewall is extremely proud of Senator Steinberg's accomplishments, his dedication to his constituency and his overall commitment to fairness and cultural diversity in California. Senator Steinberg has been instrumental in creating an atmosphere of tolerance and freedom here in California and Sacramento" said Ed Bennett, President of Sacramento Stonewall Democrats.
Senator Steinberg is a member of Sacramento Stonewall Democrats as well as one of the founding members of the organization.
"We are grateful to have such amazing representation and wish him continued success in all that he does." added Mr. Bennett
For more information on Sacramento Stonewall, please visit: http://www.sacstonewall.org
Sacramento Stonewall is one of the largest democratic clubs in the Sacramento region, as well as one of the largest gay Democratic clubs in the United States. Sacramento Stonewall works for true Democratic values on behalf of all.
Posted by SacAdmin at February 7, 2008 02:41 PM
January 16, 2008
Sacramento Stonewall announces Endorsements for February 2008 Primary
Sacramento Stonewall announces Endorsements for February 2008 Primary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 16, 2007
CONTACT: Ed Bennett, Club President
916.812.1467 | president@sacstonewall.org
SACRAMENTO— Sacramento Stonewall met on Monday, January 14 to vote on endorsements for the Presidential primary race, as well as endorsements for Propositions 92, 93 and 94 – 97. "Club policy dictates that a candidate or a measure must attain 60 percent of the voting members in order to garner an endorsement from the club." stated Ed Bennett, President of Sacramento Stonewall Democrats. "None of the Presidential candidates were able to ascertain a 60 percent margin, so the club will not endorse in the Presidential primary."
However, the club did make endorsements in the Propositions that were presented to the membership at the meeting. The club voted to recommend voting No on Proposition 92, Yes on Proposition 93 and No on the Indian Gaming Compacts series of Propositions 94, 95, 96 and 97.
"This is a very exciting time to be a Democrat, we have been presented with a very qualified and committed group of candidates from which to choose. Democrats find themselves in position to win back the White House in 2008 and the excitement is palpable." said Ed Bennett, Stonewall President.
For more information on Sacramento Stonewall, please visit: http://www.sacstonewall.org
The Stonewall Democratic Club is the largest Democratic Club in the Sacramento area, representing openly gay and gay friendly Sacramentans who advocate for equal rights for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Posted by SacAdmin at January 16, 2008 08:15 PM
July 05, 2007
Sacramento Stonewall Responds to Lake Natoma Attack
Sacramento Stonewall Democrats extends our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Satendar Singh, who was critically injured in an incident at Lake Natoma Park on Sunday, July 1st. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee on Wednesday, July 4th, the perpetrators called Singh and his friends “racial and homophobic names.”
Here's is the link to the story that ran in the Sacramento Bee on Wednesday, July 4th, in case you missed it.
http://www.sacbee.com/folsom/story/256068.html
I wanted to let you all know that Sacramento Stonewall is busy working with other minority communities to ensure justice is done in this case. If the facts bear out that this is in fact a hate crime, Sacramento Stonewall will insist that the perpetrators be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
I would like to take this opportunity to ask that each of you wait for completion of the investigation before reacting. It is important at this time for our community to remain calm, not respond to rumor and innuendo, and not react with blatant, demonstrative anger toward any community perceived to be responsible for this heinous act.
We all need to have patience and let the Sheriff's department do its work. To react with anger or violence toward any one community would only be more detrimental. Violence, anger and protesting toward any group will not solve the problem. We ask our members and friends to take a breath and wait until we know all the facts.
We will keep you informed of any details or updated information that we receive. Dan Roth, Dr. Darrick Lawson, Margie Covino and myself and others are working diligently to ensure that our voices are heard and that this crime does not go unpunished. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email at sacstonewall@gmail.com or by phone at (916) 812 -1467. Thank you!
Ed. Bennett
President
Sacramento Stonewall Democrats
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Sacramento Stonewall is one of the largest democratic clubs in the Sacramento region, as well as one of the largest gay Democratic clubs in the United States. Sacramento Stonewall works for true Democratic values on behalf of all.
Posted by SacAdmin at July 5, 2007 05:56 PM
April 11, 2007
Sacramento Stonewall Celebrates the Passage of the Gender-Neutral Marriage Bill in Assembly Judiciary Committee
CONTACT:Dr. Darrick Lawson
916-447-3344
Sacramento, CA – Sacramento Stonewall praised members of the Assembly Judiciary Committee after the committee passed AB 43 on a 7-3 vote on Tuesday. The passage of AB 43, Assemblymember Mark Leno’s (D-San Francisco) Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, which would allow for same sex couples to marry in California, is a top priority for Stonewall.
Numerous club members were present during the spirited debate, including Stonewall President, Dr. Darrick Lawson, who testified in support of the bill on behalf of the club. “I think this first step for AB 43 in the legislative process sends a significant message,” Dr. Lawson stated. “Not only has the legislature reaffirmed their support for civil rights, this has also shown our opponents that in a body with 36 new assemblymembers, we can, and will continue to secure the votes to move this bill to the Governor’s desk.”
Lawmakers passed a nearly identical bill, AB 849, also authored by Assemblymember Leno in 2005, becoming the first legislative body in the nation to approve same-sex marriage. Despite the Governor’s veto of that bill, Dr. Lawson remains optimistic for AB 43. “We’ve proved that we can move this legislation to the Governor’s desk, and we are letting the Governor know that he cannot ignore our inequality while in office.”
The next step for AB 43 is the Assembly Appropriations Committee, where Assemblymember Mark Leno is the Chair. Co-authored by 29 assemblymembers and 14 senators, including Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Speaker Pro Tem Don Perata, the bill enjoys a wide range of support, and should pass its next hurdle. Regardless, Dr. Lawson will closely monitor the status of AB 43. “This is a historic opportunity to allow California to become the first state in the nation to grant same-sex couples the right to marry, and Stonewall will be there every step of the way to the Governor’s desk.”
Posted by SacAdmin at April 11, 2007 09:07 PM
