Harvey Milk Day

In February, out State Senator Mark Leno introduced SB 572 - a bill that would require the Governor of California to proclaim May 22 of each year (Harvey Milk's birthday) as a day of special significance. According to the fact sheet, the bill would "allow schools to conduct activities that would foster respect for all, and educate students about an important figure who is often omitted from history lessons."
A similar bill was vetoed last year by Governor Schwarzenegger after it passed in the State Assembly and State Senate. According to Equality California, a group that is backing the bill, The Governor’s Secretary of Education recently sent a letter opposing the bill stating that the Governor's previous veto sends a message that "Harvey Milk's contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level by those who were most impacted by his contributions. Since this bill is nearly identical, the veto message remains applicable."

To express support for Bill SB 572 - Harvey Milk Day:

• Sign the online petition at the Equality California website.
• Call the Governor's San Diego Office at 619-525-4641.
• Call the automated line and choose the Harvey Milk Day bill. 916-445-2841

Sen. Leno on creating Harvey Milk Day

Upcoming Events

Attention Cast: Three events are coming up that you may want to attend!

JUNE 23: S.A.M.E. (San Diego Alliance for Marriage Equality) is hosting an Activist Town Hall Forum titled: 'Where Do We Go From Here In The LGBTQIQAA Activist Movement?' at The LGBT Center - 3909 Centre St. from 6:30PM - 9:00PM. The Key Note Speakers will be ROBIN TYLER (a character in Dear Harvey played by Crystal Brandon) and DIANE OLSON. Dear Harvey will have a table set up to distribute information about the show.

JULY 1: From 11:00 AM to noon, San Diego State University students, faculty and staff will join local politicians, business leaders and other members of the community in hosting a Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony on campus in support of SDSU's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, staff, faculty and community. We will be handing out Dear Harvey flyers, encouraging people to come to the show.

JULY 18: The cast of Dear Harvey has been invited to march in the San Diego Gay Pride Parade with the SDSU LGBT community. We will be handing out business cards and carrying signs in the parade and participating at the Diversionary booth to promote the play.

All cast members are encouraged to attend any of these events. Please contact Producer Jay Sheehan at

♫

jsheehan@mail.sdsu.edu or Dramaturg Lauren Beck at lbeck79@gmail.com for more information.

See you there!

The fight isn't over

Californians who believe in equal rights were dealt a blow today when the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8. Thankfully, couples who wed before the election will continue to be married under state law. But the fight isn't over! Meet at Balboa Park today at 5 to march and rally. We WILL get this hateful proposition overturned!


View the Facebook page.

Remembering Harvey

Harvey Milk would have turned 79 tomorrow. In honor of his birthday, The Grassroots Equality Network is organizing a series of candlelight vigils across the state. The San Diego vigil to honor the life and activism of Harvey Milk will be held tomorrow night, May 22, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. near the "Equality Wall" next to Rich's nightclub (near 1051 University Ave. in Hillcrest). Bring a candle or flashlight and a sign with peaceful words to the short vigil and then go out and celebrate Harvey's Birthday in Hillcrest! Check out the Facebook page for more information.