Attorney Jacob Meister decided to leave the race for U.S. Senator of Illinois (President Obama’s old seat). The only openly Gay candidate, Meister will now support State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias’ race for that seat. Meister stated that at this point it is best, for the party, to pull out of the race and support Giannoulias. The Illinois State Treasurer is most likely the democratic party nominee for the senate seat.
We had the pleasure of meeting Meister in DC and we are sad to see him leave the race, but his campaign alone is a victory.
Ian McKellen wants the world of sports to embrace homosexuality due to the fact that many players are hiding their sexuality. Closeted players are afraid of coming out because they might loose fans and gain jeers from spectators and fellow sportsmen.
We agree! A great athlete is a great athlete hands down! It is prejudice to turn on an athlete because he or she is gay. There are many openly gay athletes who do exist such as Gareth Thomas (Welsh Rugby Player) Martina Navratilova (Tennis Star). We cannot deny they are great athletes!
Sir McKellen(fantastic actor-if we were in the same room, we would praise and say “we’re not worthy!”). He said the following:
“When it comes to the business of simply being honest about who they are, some of them (sports stars) become little shrinking violets because they’re afraid, probably, of being booed from the terraces, and that must be a horrible experience and shame on people who do it. But it ain’t (sic) going to stop someone being a fantastic footballer because they’re honest about their private lives, is it? I don’t believe so and the world is changing and sport, I’m afraid, is very slow to catch up.”
Equaljunction.com’s friend Mayor Mitch Ward of Manhattan Beach, CA is in D.C. at the White House with President Obama. He was kind enough to share these thoughts exclusively with equal junction after the meeting:
“It was a high honor and privilege to stand before President Obama today with the nations mayors. I stressed to the President that we need more stimulus dollars targeted to local cities directly. He agreed and indicated mayors are on the front line of helping him turn our economy around. Listening to President Obama speak of the disastrous state in which the US economy was when he took office and where we are now on the road to recovery reaffirms my pride and confidence in the Obama Administration. I look forward to working with President Obama at the local level and when I arrive in Sacramento so that we can move Manhattan Beach, California and the nation forward toward prosperity again.”
A big thanks from EqualJunction to Mayor Mitch Ward (Manhattan Beach, CA) for sharing with us. He is curently in Washington, DC for the US Conference of Mayors. He welcomes the opportunity to meet you, hear your concerns and share his objectives for when elected to Sacramento. Mayor Ward was the first African American elected in Manhattan Beach, CA. He would be the first openly gay assembly member of the 53rd District in California. He would also be the first African American in the LGBT caucus in Sacramento, a group highly under-represented within all levels of government.
If in DC and want to meet Mayor Ward attend this event this evening:
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Time: 5:30pm-7pm
Where: Veritas, 2031 Florida Ave., NW, Washington DC
Learn more about Mayor Mitch Ward: CLICK HERE make sure to support the candidates that are supporting us. Equal Junction will keep you posted on where to meet and talk with Mayor Ward once he returns to Cali. Starting February 2nd Mayor Ward will spend Tuesday mornings, 7am, having coffee with his constituents and anyone else who has a question at Manhattan Beach Bread and Bagel. We’ll be there.
Monday was MLK Day and we hope everyone participated in service activities. We wanted to share with you a great quote from that day, one from Mayor Mitch Ward of Manhattan Beach: “Today I join all Americans in honoring one of our pioneers in civil rights, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Mayor Mitch Ward.
“Marching in this beautiful rain here in the streets of South Los Angeles I walk proudly amongst hundreds of others living Dr. King’s dream. And we shall go much further. On behalf of all the residents of Manhattan Beach, I say happy birthday to an American legend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Ward’s upcoming race for Assembly will be historical and we will keep you posted here on EJ. We are fan’s of what he has accomplished in Manhattan Beach and know he would be a strong leader for our community as an assembly member.
“Mayor Ward is the first African American elected to City Council in Manhattan Beach. He is a leading candidate in the 53rd Assembly District in California. If elected he will be the first openly gay and married assembly member from the 53rd District in California and the first African American in the LGBT caucus in Sacramento. Mayor Mitch Ward is the only publicly elected official vying for the 53rd District open seat being vacated by Assembly Member Ted Lieu.”(via: MitchWard.com)
Learn more about Mayor Ward on his site here and let him know how much his leadership is needed even more now within our community. We wish him the best and keep watching for updates on the race.
During this trial we each need to stay vigilant while precedent is being set everyday that may someday may effect us all; especially if this case is appealed all the way to the US supreme court. Be patient grasshopper. Follow the trial on Bilerico, let us know your thoughts.
We wanted to listen again to his words to remind us of all the reasons we fight…we can never forget, and his words are truly inspirational. Expect more with David Mixner in the future here on EJ.
The following is our footage of David Mixner’s speech at the National Equality March
Today the Third day of testimony will be heard by Judge Walker in the first federal case regarding the sad passage of prop 8 in California. ”He’s the love of my life. I love him probably more than I love myself,” Jeff Zarrillo, one of the two male plaintiff’s said on the first day of the trial. He was speaking to questioning regarding his relationship with his husband Paul Katami. How sad that we’re still having to justify our love. Thank you guys for taking this extremely important step forward and we’ll continue to help in any way we can. History will look back on this time with shame, but it will not forget great couples like these that are making the sacrifices to fight for all our freedoms.
The last of the New Year’s post’s- it’s about time. Rosie O’Donnell is auctioning off a day with her on her Sirius Radio Show on CharityBuzz.com. This sounds GREAT! We should buy it to promote Equal Junction Or YOU should buy it to promote your business that supports equality. Even better treat yourself to a NY visit and a chance to meet one of the most influential members of our community. The auction goes to support her Charity Rosie’s Broadway Kids, which provides great arts education and really enriches the lives of children. Make sure to bid soon the auction ends on Thursday the 14th @ 12 pm EST so get bidding. Who wouldn’t want to spend time with Rosie?
The Obama Administration has a new Senior Technical Advisor to the Department of Commerce and that person is Amanda Simpson.
“I’m truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me. And at the same time, as one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others.”
-Amanda Simpson
Amanda is Amazing! These are just some of her credentials on her resume:
Deputy Director in Advanced Technology Development at Raytheon Missile Systems
Certified flight instructor
Test pilot with 20 years of experience.
Degrees in physics, engineering, and business administration
In early 2009, Ms. Sigurdottir became the first elected, openly lesbian, prime minister.
Former flight attendant, Sigurdottir came into parliament in 1978. She is known as St. Johanna due to her advocacy to the disadvantaged, elderly, and handicapped. In 2002, Madame Prime Minister and Jonina Leosdottir entered into a civil union continuing their long-term companionship.
Back in 2002, the first LGBT person to lead a country was Interim Prime Minister Per-Kristian Foss of Norway.
Attorney Jacob Meister decided to leave the race for U.S. Senator of Illinois (President Obama’s old seat). The only openly Gay candidate, Meister will now support State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias’ race for that seat. Meister stated that at this point it is best, for the party, to pull out of the race and support Giannoulias. The Illinois State Treasurer is most likely the democratic party nominee for the senate seat.
Ian McKellen wants the world of sports to embrace homosexuality due to the fact that many players are hiding their sexuality. Closeted players are afraid of coming out because they might loose fans and gain jeers from spectators and fellow sportsmen.
Equaljunction.com’s friend Mayor Mitch Ward of Manhattan Beach, CA is in D.C. at the White House with President Obama. He was kind enough to share these thoughts exclusively with equal junction after the meeting:
This sounds GREAT! We should buy it to promote Equal Junction Or YOU should buy it to promote your business that supports equality. Even better treat yourself to a NY visit and a chance to meet one of the most influential members of our community. The auction goes to support her Charity 
The Obama Administration has a new Senior Technical Advisor to the Department of Commerce and that person is Amanda Simpson.
In early 2009, Ms. Sigurdottir became the first elected, openly lesbian, prime minister.
