Meet in the Middle - Thank You

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Central Valley of California to the Meet in the Middle March and Rally held in Fresno. As we pulled up we were greeted by the Castro flag. The rainbow flag was brought down from the Castro district in San Francisco. 

It was a wonderful event filled with passionate activists and celebrity supporters of the LGBT movement and civil rights for all. The event was organized by the wonderful Mayor of Fresno. I'm so proud of her efforts and the event she created for equality. Though it was very hot and sweaty, it was inspirational and worth every minute. I will posting more pictures today!

Prop 8 has Been Upheld. Protest Tonight in SF!

The California Supreme Court has upheld Prop 8. Get out and PROTEST TONIGHT! let your voice be heard. Fight for your equality.

Mark Leno with My Friend, Mateo

California Senator, Mark Leno, poses with my friend Mateo at Dolores Park in San Francisco on Easter Sunday. Mateo is wearing my Separate Church and State shirt in Protest of Prop 8.

Supreme Court Protest - Get Involved!

From our Friends at JOIN THE IMPACT:

California Supreme Court hears oral arguments on validity of Prop 8 : How you can get involved!

On March 5th, the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case to repeal Proposition 8 and confirm that fundamental freedoms cannot be stripped from minorities by a popular vote. You can show your support for the repeal of Proposition 8 in four ways:

1. Get to San Francisco

Thousands of people are expected to come from all across the state to the California Supreme Court Building in San Francisco in the hopes of attending the oral argument to repeal Proposition 8 and confirm that fundamental freedoms cannot be stripped from minorities by a popular vote. Buses of students are being arranged from Southern California so that young people can witness this civil rights moment of their generation. They created this website for the event http://100000march.org

This is so important that I've extended my trip in California and Amy is flying down with her wife from Seattle.

You can come and witness it too -- join thousands of us in San Francisco on March 5th for this historic moment. Across the state and across the country, citizens are coming together to form carpools and rideshares. Any way that you can, please try and get to San Francisco for March 5th!

2. Help ensure that everyone can view the oral arguments

Unfortunately, there is very very limited seating in the courtroom and little overflow viewing. We will be gathering in front of the California Supreme Court in Civic Center Plaza. Only a few will be able to go inside -- but with your help, the rest will be able to view the proceedings from outside. I'm hoping you will help Marriage Equality USA raise the funds we need to ensure that everyone can see and hear the historic oral arguments together on the Civic Center Plaza on an huge Jumbotron.

We need to raise $30,000 (for the Jumbotron and sound systems for the community candlelight vigil the night before and the day of the hearing). If we can do this, we will jointly create the most incredible historic community moment of the year!

All donations are tax deductible and will be used solely for getting the Jumbotron and sound system we need to provide our community the opportunity to watch and participate as history is made.

We only have a week - can you please forward this on to everyone you know and ask them to contribute. Gifts of $20.00, $10.00, and even $5.00 will help inch us closer to our goal. All donations are gratefully appreciated!

http://www.firstgiving.com/supremecourtjumbotron

Please forward any questions to Molly McKay at (510) 332-0872

3. Wear white

Join the Impact has called upon our community, whether you can be in San Francisco or not, to please wear white on March 5th. This can be a tee-shirt, a feather boa, or white leather or a White Knot. Wherever you are -- wear white on March 5th to show your support! Wearing white is a simple symbol of solidarity across our country.

4. Eve of Justice Candlelight Vigils

The night before the oral arguments, Marriage Equality USA is also helping to convene candlelight vigils across the state (in 20 cities and counting) in support of protecting the Constitutional Promise of Equality for All! To find a vigil near you go to www.eveofjustice.com or www.marriageequality.org


In solidarity, Willow
Join The Impact Co- Executive Director

LGBT Job Fair, San Francisco

It's been a rough year for many. If you've been laid off or are looking to get hired for a new job, check out the LGBT Job Fair @ The Center.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Job Fair 9.1, the Bay Area's premier LGBT workforce recruitment event, will attract all levels of job seekers with qualifications in:

· Technology
· Entry, Management, and Executive
· Retail, Call Center, Cashier
· Customer Service
· Administrative
· Sales

Employers who have attended The Center's Job Fairs in the past include:

Federal Reserve Bank
Bank of America
CLOROX
Citibank
Kimpton Hotels
Walgreen's
McKesson Corp.
Olivia Companies
Charles Schwab
California Pacific Medical
Good Vibrations
Johnson & Johnson
PG&E
Wells Fargo Bank
UCSF Medical
SFPD
UCSF Campus
Patelco Credit
Kaiser Permanente
Townsend & Townsend
SF Int. Airport
SFPUC
CSAA
City & County of SF
Safeway
Robert Half
and many more…

How Job Seekers Participate:
1). Pre-register by going to http://jobfair.sfcenter.org
2). Attend our free Pre Job Fair Workshop on February 4th, 2-4pm.
3). Get here early, dress to impress, have copies of your resume, and know your elevator speech.

For more information contact:
David Bach, Workforce Development Specialist
(415) 865-5534, DavidB@sfcenter.org
www.sfcenter.org/job_fair.php

The SF LGBT Center
1800 Market Street, SF 94102
See you @ the Fair!If

Happy Inauguration Day!

I was walking on this beautiful day through San Francisco. The air was crisp with excitement and hope for change in America, as our 44th President, Barack Obama, was sworn into office. As I was walking up Fillmore on this wonderful inauguration day, I was greeted with many gleaming smiles. I got to the intersection at Bush and Fillmore and saw some great street art.

Someone took the street signs down bush street and changed them to "Obama". It was so great to see! A Japanese man came up to me and told me he wanted to see how far it went. He walked down 9 blocks and realized the entire street had been changed. Someone else told me the signs were changed all the way downtown to Battery. I snapped this shot with my iPhone.

Equality Camp - January 3rd!

Join us next weekend in San Francisco for Equality Camp.

Sign up now for Equality Camp!

EqualityCamp
San Francisco
January 3, 2009

Get your ticket today!

Equality Camp is day to meet others, share ideas and develop ways to help the movement for Marriage Equality for ALL Americans. Equality Camp will take place in San Francisco on January 3, 2009.

If you are a member or supporter of the LGBT community and Marrigae Equality, please join us on this day! It's only $20 and you get a shirt, all day of excitement and snacks!

EVENT DETAILS:

Goals:
* An inclusive, inspiring, integrated (web and on-the-ground) movement…
* with a clear, central gathering place online…
* with feedback loops to empower a grassroots movement that integrate with any formal campaign.

For this BarCamp, we are charging $20 for registration, but it includes a cool t-shirt and your food all day. For students and the “underemployed” we have a discounted rate of $5. Be sure to sign up at EventBrite!

When?
January 3rd, 2009
9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Where?
Citizen Space
425 2nd Street (at Harrison), 3rd floor
San Francisco, CA

Nighttime Entertainment
Drinks, Snacks & Comedy
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at a venue nearby
Featuring intelligent hillarity from comics Julia Jackson, Aundre the Wonderwoman and Heather Gold. A guaranteed good time for all.

*Note: Graphic for Equality Camp by Shepard Fairey for Obey.

Donate Scarves for Homeless

It's never too late to DONATE! I NEED YOUR SCARVES!

I am collecting SCARVES this winter to pass out to the homeless on Christmas Day for my WE ARE THE WEAPON PROJECT. If you have an extra scarf in your closet, pass it on to someone in the world who can really use it. Help keep a homeless person warm this winter by donating a scarf.

For more info on donating your scarf and where to send it check out WE ARE THE WEAPON.

Keep someone warm and smiling on Christmas! All you have to do is stick your scarf in the mail. Make a difference today!

Light Up the Night SF! Dec 20

Come join us this Saturday, December 20th, in Union Square, San Francisco for LIGHT UP THE NIGHT. This is a silent candle light vigil for Marriage Equality and the Repeal of Prop 8.



Light Up The Night • SF is a candlelight vigil for marriage equality, for the repeal of Prop 8, and for LGBT rights across the nation. We welcome all individuals and families who support these causes. The passage of Prop 8 and similar measures around the country has recreated second-class citizenship in the United States. It is a broad civil-rights issue which has implications for all Americans, regardless of race, creed, color, or orientation.

Please join with us, and stand up against injustice.

Light Up The Night • SF is a positive, holiday event that will be coordinated with similar vigils happening at the same time in hundreds of cities across the country. In San Francisco, Light Up The Night takes place at Union Square, on Saturday, 20 December 2008, from 5:00 - 6:00 PM. Please bring your own candles!

Light Up The Night • SF is sponsored by Join the Impact, supported by Equality California, the HRC, Marriage Equality USA, and many other nationwide LGBT rights organizations. For this event to succeed, and send a positive, unified image, we need you. Please RSVP to let us know you are coming. Print out flyers and help spread the word (in Spanish, too!)

Light Up The Night • SF welcomes you to join a movement for change, invites you to become a part of history, and asks you to stand united for one hour of your holiday season with thousands of others who share your views.

Prop 8 Protest and Rallies This Week

Thursday, Nov 20th

Concord, CA
Candle Light Vigil Against Prop. 8 And For Equality
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Downtown Concord, CA. Intersection of Concord Ave. and Salvio St. next to the Concord 14 Brenden Theatres. This is the point where Concord Ave. turns into Galindo St.

San Francisco, CA
6:30pm
Location: Veterans War Memorial

Santa Monica, CA
7:00pm - 11:00pm
3rd Street Promenade
equalitynation@gmail.com

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Friday, Nov. 21st

San Francisco, CA
Time: 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: In Front of the Ferry Building
4 Embarcadero Center
onelovesanfrancisco@yahoo.com

Front Steps of Burlingame High School
Street: 1 Mangini Way
City/Town: Burlingame, CA
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=93382880491

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Saturday, Nov. 22nd

Lakewood, CA
2735 Carson St
Intersection of Paramount Blvd and E. Carson St. in Lakewood, CA
El Pollo Loco

Sacramento, CA
California State Capitol Building
California State Capital Building
10th Street and Capitol Mall
Saturday, 2PM
info@californiaoutreach.com

Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa/Santa Ana, 3:30pm
Metro Pointe, 901 S Coast Drive, Costa Mesa
Rally @ infront of Metro Pointe til 4:10, march begins by 4:15pm. Marching to the Doubletree Hotel Santa Ana OC Airport, 201 East MacArthur Blvd Santa Ana (where the LDS held their meeting on Prop 8).

Evanston, IL
5:00pm - 11:00pm
Century 21 Theater
1715 Maple Street near the" Davis" Purple Line Stop
3128235727
runwayrebel@yahoo.com

Pasadena, CA
Old Town Pasadena, 5:30PM
Colorado Blvd/Fair Oaks Blvd.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=47106896109

Oceanside, CA
CANDLELIGHT MARCH FOR EQUALITY
Oceanside City Hall (330 North Coast Hwy, Oceanside 92054)
Saturday November 22, @ 5:30 the Gathering
6:00 the March (Down to the Pier and bring your own candle.

Orange, CA
Candlelight Vigil to Repeal Prop 8
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Orange Circle, Intersection of Glassel and Chapman, Orange, CA
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=110050460272

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Sunday, Nov. 23rd

East Los Angeles, CA
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Mormon Temple
10777 Santa Monica Blvd

Cambridge, Massachusetts
2pm Cambridge City Hall
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA. 02139

Thanks to QueersUnited for these listings. For more info, check out their blog.

Posters on ABC News!

Check out this shot of the Protest Prop 8 crowd at the San Francisco Rally on November 15. Four of my poster designs from this blog made the image on ABC NEWS online.

Separate Church and State T Shirt - Sighting!

This cute scruffy guy was seen in San Francisco at the Prop 8 Protest on November 15 wearing out original design... Separation of Church and State T Shirt.

Get this Protest T Shirt now for the next rally!

Special thanks to JRUDERMA for this photo.

San Francisco Prop 8 Protest Poster Photos!

WOW! Thank you all so much who came out to support Protest of Prop 8. I can't express enough gratitude to those who used this poster-making resource to produce signs for the event. I was overwhelmed at the amount of signs, large and small, and t-shirts that people had used images from this site to create for protest.

I met many amazing people who made my signs. Here are photos from the San Francisco Protest on Prop 8, November 15, 2008.

I love this photo of these many different signs from this blog. It's like a living collage.

Separate Church and State was a big theme at the protests. I saw many signs in San Francisco
printed out from this blog of my typographic STATE/CHURCH separation.
Someone made their own interpretation of my Separate Chruch/State graphic, hand painted as a big sign.

Mateo and Beans, rockin' my Separate Church/State Tees at the Protest on November 15!

Rhiannimation and Figgy B, showing their latest fashion trend, Protest Tees!
Figgy B also made a VOW NOW - Marriage Equality Poster.

LOVE NOT H8 was another very popular poster at the rally.

Two really cool ladies I met showing LOVE NOT H8 Posters.

Here you see LOVE NOT H8 and WE ARE OUT RAGED in the crowd.

I found this image by Yanik of a guy holding a Love Not H8 Protest Sign.

This is a cool poster duo... Someone made a poster with a side-by-side Against8.Blogspot.com image and the image from our friends at Clubcard SF who generously printed the flyers for this rally.

One of the most popular and respected signs was SEPAR8 IS NOT EQUAL. I saw this lovely woman on her bike holding this sign. I approached her, told her I designed the sign and asked if I could take her photo. She said, "Sure". She informed me that she had them all over her office. I snapped a photo and she flipped the sign around to STR8 AGAINST H8 and her friend took a picture of us. I hurried away back into the crowd.

Shortly after, she came back up to me. She thanked me for making the sign and told me that it meant a lot to her and was a special concept because her grandfather was Earl Warren, the Supreme Court Justice who ruled on Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954 on that very concept of SEPARATE IS NOT EQUAL.

Separate Is Not Equal and Love is Love in the protest crowd in front of City Hall.

I met this amazing couple and their daughter. They were sporting
MARRIED WITH PRIDE and LOVE NOT H8
Protest Posters propped in their backpacks.


I was walking down the street and saw this cutie standing next to me waiting to cross the street.
She had the WE ARE OUT-RAGED sign.

This couple was very cool. They were very proud to be straight, to be supporting the fight against hate with a homemade STR8 AGAINST H8 sign, and supporting their son who was in New York at the same time protesting at an event he organized. They also have some Separate Church/State T-shirts for the future!

These guys made their own shirts with posters from the site.

WHO WOULD JESUS HATE was a popular question amongst protesters.

This image is 4 of my protest poster designs appeared online in the San Francisco Chronicle and ABC News on November 15.

The Mio & Earl Warren's granddaughter showing off her STR8 AGAINST H8 sign she made from this blog.

Please submit your photos with posters, signs or tshirts you made from this blog.

THANK YOU! Everyone!!

[ photo via SFgate.com ]

Thank you everyone who turned out today across the nation for Equality for Marriage and Protest of California's Prop 8! San Francisco was amazing. I met many amazing people with signs from the blog! Thank you all so much for taking the time to download the posters and use them as a tool to let your voice be heard.

I was so excited to get home and see and article from the San Francisco Chronicle featuring a photo looking out to the crowd from the footsteps of City Hall... right in the center you will see people holding 4 signs from this blog: LOVE IS LOVE, LOVE NOT H8, EQUAL RIGHTS = TIL DEATH DO US PART, SEPAR8 IS NOT EQUAL.

Click here to see SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE AGAINST8 PROTEST POSTERS!

More photos and posters coming to the blog soon!

No on Prop 8 Rallies SUNDAY!

Protest list via Queers United.

Sunday, November 9th

San Francisco Rally Against Bigotry
10:00am - 2:00pm
St. Mary's Cathedral (Geary and Gough)
1111 Gough Street
San Francisco, CA
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=47694015660

Lake Forest
Saddleback Church Protest
10:00 AM at Saddleback Church
1 Saddleback Parkway
Lake Forest, CA
http://saddleback8protest.blogspot.com/

La Jolla
Prop 8 protest at the Mormon temple La Jolla 11AM
7474 Charmant Drive
San Diego, CA 92122

Los Angeles
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Los Angeles Mormon Cathedral
555 W. Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA

Oakland
Mormon Church at 12 p.m.
Oakland Mormon Temple
4766 Lincoln Ave.
Oakland, CA 94602

East Los Angeles
The Latino/a LGBT Coalition:
EQUALITY not H8TE
1pm East LA in Lincoln Park
3501 Valley Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90031
contact: xicano@ymail.com

Sacramento
Californians Against 8
Protest at the capital building in Sacramento at 1:00PM-4:00PM. Please email californiansagainst8@gmail.com

San Jose
2 p.m. | Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center
938 The Alameda
Questions? gloria.defrank@gmail.com

Visalia
5 p.m. | College of the Sequoias
915 S. Mooney Boulevard
March down Mooney Boulevard to Caldwell Avenue and back.
Park in Lot 3 off Meadow Lane.
No signs, bring candle!

Rancho Santa Margarita, 5-8pm
Lake Santa Margarita, Santa Margarita Pkwy, Rancho Santa Margarita
We will begin at the south side of RSM lake and probably plan a course down Santa Margarita Pkwy.
Contact: teenageanthem@gmail.com