Los Angeles: Where Were You When Equality Died?

This November 4th marks one year after millions of LGBT Californian's lost their right to marry when proposition 8 passed. The fight for equality is far from over and activists from Equality Network in conjunction with OUTWest plan to march for the upcoming battle to bring marriage equality back to the ballot. Pending on the results from the No on 1 Referendum in Maine, the spirit of the event will either be celebratory or somber and angry.

Los Angeles, California
Nov 4th at 7 PM
Vermont & Santa Monica Red Line Metro Station Plaza.

Kenneth Cole Makes LGBT Pride Fashionable

Fashion designer Kenneth Cole is celebrating LGBT pride month as part of their "AWEARNESS" campaign with a unisex t-shirt for same-sex marriage. The t-shirt reads "Those Against Gay Marriage Aren't Thinking Straight. (Or Are They?)"

100% of the net proceeds from t-shirt sales will benefit the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) the largest LGBT advocacy organization in the United States.

Click here to purchase your own limited edition Kenneth Cole HRC Tee

---

Kenneth Cole New York is also holding host events in five cities- Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Dallas- during Gay Pride Week. On the designated nights, 20% of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to The Human Rights Campaign.

Los Angeles June 12, 2009 4-9pm Kenneth Cole New York Store, Beverly Center
New York June 26, 2009 4-9pm Kenneth Cole New York Store, Soho, 595 Broadway
Chicago June 26, 2009 4-9pm Kenneth Cole New York Store, Chicago 540 North Michigan Ave
Dallas June 26, 2009 4-8pm Kenneth Cole New York Store, Dallas North Park
San Francisco June 26, 2009 4-8pm Kenneth Cole New York Store, 166 Grant Avenue

Stop The HIV Cuts Demonstrations in California

Californians from Los Angeles and Sacramento will rally against Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed plan to slash funding for HIV/AIDS programs by the state. The plan will result in the loss of several programs and could bring about the loss of thousands of lives.

Two protests have been organized to counter the Governor's dangerous and unfair plan.

Friday, June 5,2009
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Wednesday, June 10th
1:30-3 PM
North steps of the State Capital
Sacramento, CA

Contacts:

Oakland/East Bay Area

Naina Khanna
Director of Policy & Community Organizing
WORLD
510-986-0340 ext 316
nkhanna@womenhiv.org

Los Angeles

Ruel Nolledo
AIDS Project Los Angeles
213-785-1993
RNolledo@apla.org

For more information and to reserve transportation, check out Stop the HIV Cuts.

Valetines Day Kiss-In Protest at LA City Hall

Roots of Equality is organizing a kiss-in protest for Valentine's Day, February 14th in front of the Los Angeles City Hall at 2pm. (On the steps of LA City Hall: Between 1st and Temple on Spring (200 N Spring St.)

As quoted from their site: "They took away our rights, they made us second class citizens, and now they’re trying to take away the marriages we already legally obtained. Well F that. Show them that no matter what they do to us, we are and will continue to love."

RSVP on Facebook at the Kiss In! event.

Can you help Roots of Equality with the Kiss In! LA protest? Interested in organizing one at your city hall? Email at RootsofEquality@gmail.com.

Crossposted via Unite The Fight.

KNBC Refuses to Air 'Get To Know Us' Ads During Superbowl

Recently we reported about the Get To Know Us Ads and how they were rejected by KABC-TV.

Now Los Angeles affiliate KNBC-TV refused to air the same ads during the Superbowl citing that the NFL doesn't allow for "advocacy ads".

"Despite this policy, other advocacy ads aired multiple times throughout the day’s NFL-controlled programming. Among the advocacy ads which did air were PSAs for TobaccoFreeCA.org and DontBeAnAsterisk.org, an anti-steroids advocacy campaign" (GLAAD).

Click here for the contact form for KNBC-TV (scroll down on the page).

Los Angeles Affiliate KABC-TV Refuses to Air Get To Know Us Ads

1/24 UPDATE: KABC TV in Los Angeles says it will air a public service announcement that it initially deemed too controversial to air during President Barack Obama's inauguration.

The PSA will run this Sunday during Extreme Makeover: Home Edition at about 9:15 p.m. Five ads were produced to counter discrimination in the aftermath of the passage of California's Proposition 8, which rescinded marriage rights for gay and lesbian couples in the state. (Advocate)

---

1/22 - Los Angeles Affiliate KABC-TV refused to air the Get To Know Us First Ads featuring gay and lesbian families during the inauguration, citing that it was too controversial.

KABC told Chris Yokogawa, the media buyer at New and Improved Media trying to place GetToKnowUsFirst.org's ads, that "many families will be watching," and that it was "controversial". "They were firm in their rejection,” Yokogawa says in a release. (PR Newswire)

KABC's president and general manager is Arnold J. Kleiner. The station lists their phone number as (818) 863-7777.

E-contact form for KABC TV

Main Line: (818) 863-7777

ABC7 Broadcast Center
500 Circle Seven Drive
Glendale, CA 91201

These ads are far from controversial, they are beautiful families who deserve recognition. Let the station know your thoughts.

Dr. Phil Steps into Prop 8 Debate

Dr. Phil is having an upcoming program on proposition 8 and same-sex marriage in California on Friday 11/21. We will be watching closely considering we haven't been too pleased with the transphobia aired on Dr. Phil in the past.


If you want to appear on his upcoming shows follow the links below:

Are you in the Los Angeles area and want to be on the "prop 8" show, click here.

Do you have a strong opinion on marriage equality and prop 8, click here.

Prop 8 Rally At Mormon Temple in Los Angeles Nov. 6th

The Mormon Temple is responsible for spreading misinformation which has resulted in over 20 million dollars of donations to proposition 8 in California. A call has been issued to march on the Mormon Temple at 10777 Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles at 2pm Thursday November 6th. Bring your signs and video cameras.

Los Angeles Mayor Donates and Fights Against Prop 8!

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has donated $25,000 to defeat the marriage amendment in California that seeks to take away the rights of same-sex couples. He also took his time out to send a state wide message urging people to defeat the measure.

Thank the mayor for supporting marriage equality and for making an effort to fight proposition 8.

mayor@lacity.org

200 North Spring Street, Room 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phone: (213) 978-0600
Fax: (213) 978-0750