State Trey Grayson will be speaking and taking questions at UL this Friday from 2-3 p.m

Host: University of Louisville College Democrats

Date:	Friday, April 3, 2009
Time:	2:00pm - 3:00pm
Location:	TBA

Phone:	5027449516
Email:	uoflcollegedems@gmai.com

Description

Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson will be speaking and taking questions at UL this Friday from 2-3 p.m.

This is the first in a series of events that will bring elected officials from all levels of government to UL's campus.

Senator McConnell @ Graduation = Opportunity

Congrats to the 2009 University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law graduates.
(Especially Mr. Christopher Lee Coffman!)
My condolences that you'll be treated to the incomprehensible oratorical talents of Senator McConnell at your upcoming May 9th graduation.

Admittedly, I'm curious to see if the Senator recommends to the graduating class they follow in his dandyish footsteps...You know, following law school with a secured dismissal from military service partially based on intentions of attending NYU, albeit, without actually applying to NYU.

I rather fancy the First Amendment, so let's not stop the good Senator from having his right to free speech. However, the Amendment also includes the wicked right of the people to assemble peaceably and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Hmmm, grievances...didn't Senator McConnell vote for The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)?... And now that same Senator is giving us advance notice of his attendance at an event that will already have media coverage on Broadway during broad daylight on the Saturday following Derby? (Mental note: remember to shoot "thank you" note to Brandeis)

See you soon, Senator!

(Details to follow via email updates to members of the Repeal DoMA Cause:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/176773/844572?m=6d54c0aa

250 Cincinnatti Activists Protest Anti-Gay Assault

http://glaadblog.org/2009/03/20/local-activists-respond-to-anti-gay-assault-in-cincinnati/

Dustin Lance Black Oscar Acceptance

Yesterday I had the opportunity to tour the Kodak Theater where Dustin Lance Black accepted his Oscar for Milk, and I just looked up his acceptance speech and thought I'd share it here:

"... When I was thirteen years old my beautiful mother moved me and my family from a conservative Mormon home in Texas to California and it was there that I heard the story of Harvey Milk and it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life openly as who I am, and that one day I could even fall in love and maybe even get married...

"I want to thank my mom, who has always loved me for who I am even when there was pressure not to

"But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he would want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches, or by the government, or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value, and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon I promise you, you will have equal rights federally across this great nation of ours.

"Thank you and thank you God for giving us Harvey Milk."

KY SB 68 - Don't leave it up to fate!

Kentucky SB68, the Divisive Child Welfare Act, was passed in an unannounced meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee last Thursday night, and now awaits a vote on the Senate floor. The Act prohibits unmarried Kentuckians from adopting or becoming foster parents.

LGBTQ-Community supporter Senator Kathy Stein, D-Lexington was quoted as saying "I'll tell you what we don't need to do (next week), we don't need to be wasting time on wedge issues," inferring that the bill from being brought to a vote in the Senate before it goes out of session from Mar. 13-26.

Despite a growing coalition against the bill, including most recently the Jewish Community Relations Council of Louisville, it still has a good deal of support with many legislators. The Fairness Campaign urgently recommends contacting your Senator as well as members of Senate Leadership at 800-372-7181 to let them know you oppose the bill.

196,123.37: Means Expanded Services

At the Louisville AIDS Walk Appreciation Luncheon last Friday, the 2008 fundraising total was announced as an impressive $196,123.37! This was a $26,000 increase over 2007 and more money than any year since 2001. With the funds raised they were able to increase the number of organizations which benefit from the Walk to 7 local non-profit agencies which deliver vital direct client services. The winning fundraising team was Pandora Productions, with Louisville Poz Buddies as 2nd place, and Louisville Metro Public Health as 3rd place. Winner of the photo contest was Jarrett Horvath.

Grateful for an extraordinary Walk in '08, organizers are hard at work already for an even better Walk in '09. The 17th Annual, is scheduled for two weeks earlier this year, September 13, 2009, with Macy's and Horseshoe Casino being the first to pledge their commitments as sponsors!
Also, if you're a twitterer, you can follow the Walk's development at twitter.com/LouAIDSWalk

prop 8 update

The California Supreme Court heard oral arguments on March 3rd on whether to uphold or strike down Prop 8, the law that passed by referendum in Nov. not only stripping the rights of Gays and Lesbians to marry in the state, but also calling into question the validity of some 18,000 marriages. The Court has until June 3rd to respond, and will give a one day notice of their announcement.

Gay rights activists have already coined the announcement day as the "Day of Decision," and are preparing nationwide plans for either a celebration focused on spreading the impact, or demonstrations that most-effectively channel the anger that will result from a negative decision. Activists, including myself, view a Court decision only to uphold the validity of existing marriages as a defeat, and therefore have warned that such a decision will invoke demonstrations.