Welcome to Gay Hanford

Dinner & Dames

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Tuesday, 01 September 2009 00:45; Written by Brooke

Gay Visalia is hosting Dinner & Dames, a social gathering. We will meet at Colima restaurant in front of Roller Towne for dinner and then walk across the way and watch the V-Town Derby Dames take on their competition. Derby tickets are $10.00 in advance or $12.00 at the door, kids 10 and under are free! If you can't make it for dinner then at least join us for some roller derby action. See you there!

Saturday, September 12th
Colima's at 6:00 for dinner
Roller Derby starts at 7:00

To RSVP, ask questions or get directions, email me at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

US Judge Dismisses DOMA Lawsuit

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Wednesday, 26 August 2009 17:02; Written by Chris Jarvis

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- A same-sex marriage lawsuit that created a public rift between President Barack Obama and his gay supporters was dismissed Monday on a technicality.

U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ruled the case - the first of several pending challenges to the federal Defense of Marriage Act - must be refiled in federal court.

Carter said the suit had been improperly filed in state court before it was transferred to his jurisdiction. As a result, the judge said, he would not entertain arguments on its merits, at least not yet.

"There is no point for us to go down the line of decision-making and waste time," he said during the hearing in Santa Ana.

Read the rest of this story HERE

Bill Clinton Gets Cornered On DADT & DOMA

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Monday, 17 August 2009 23:46; Written by Chris Jarvis

Brad Pitt on Real Time - Gay Marriage, Drugs, Charity and Parenthood

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Monday, 17 August 2009 23:43; Written by Chris Jarvis

Not watching Real Time With Bill Maher on HBO? You're missing the most honest show on television...

Governor Slashes Health Care In CA

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Tuesday, 28 July 2009 20:51; Written by Chris Jarvis

A major slash to the State Budget made today by the Governor will result in critical changes to health services for the people of California. HIV/AIDS programs were drastically compromised by the Governor's actions. Read the story here: Schwarzenegger Slashes Health Care To Create A Surplus

Strategy & Self Preservation

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Tuesday, 28 July 2009 03:23; Written by Chris Jarvis

The Get Engaged Tour , organized by Marriage Equality USA, was a recent set of meetings held throughout the state of California, including one here in Fresno, which I participated in with other local LGBT groups and activists. The meetings solicited communities to come out, listen to results of polling data concerning public opinion on same sex marriage, and to offer up opinions and ideas of how the battle for marriage equality should move forward. The tour ended a couple of weeks ago, with the results shared at a summit held last weekend in San Bernardino. You can watch some of the video of the summit HERE. (Apparently technical problems resulted in some video being lost, and be prepared for a difficult time watching some of the meeting, as the camera was swung and jerked around far too much and audio is less than great. How about setting the camera up in one place in the back of the room so we don't get a headache and we can at least follow the conversation?)

From virtually all honest accounts, the meeting was not good. Contentious and divided, there still seems to be no clear strategy in sight. Unite The Fight called the meeting an utter failure on their blog, going into great detail about our now fractured movement. The blog hit more than a few nails on the head when it pointed out that anyone with a different point of view in this movement is ridiculed and has their head bitten off, and that a few massive egos are derailing any chance of unity simply because they want to be the ones with the brass ring in their hand at the end of the ride. (I'll add that I couldn't find anything on the Unite the Fight site about who runs it, and blog entries are simply credited to "Unite The Fight". And with such a strong opinion in the blog about unity and not ridiculing other groups, it seems strange that in their list of action sites, virtually everyone is mentioned with the exception of EQCA.)

Click on Read More below for the rest of this article...

TRAGIC EXCUSES

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Wednesday, 22 July 2009 17:25; Written by Chris Jarvis

Lawrence King , at the age of 15, was shot and killed by a classmate on February 12, 2008. His pre-trial began Monday, July 20th, 2009. Tactics were vivid on the first day. Vivid, and tragically repetitive.

UPDATE: JUDGE ORDERS MCINERNEY TO STAND TRIAL FOR THE MURDER OF LAWRENCE KING, STATING THAT THE MURDER WAS CLEARLY PRE-MEDITATED. CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY.

Defense attorney Scott Wippert seems to be taking the path to a gay panic defense for his client, Brandon McInerney. When questioning one of the police officers involved, Wippert asked if the officer was aware that King had been making sexual advances toward McInerney, which "provoked" him. He added that King "taunted" McInerney with his "effeminate" ways.

In 2009, the year that would have been Harvey Milk's 79th birthday, 31 years after he was murdered by a man who got off easy because his lawyers argued he was stressed, complicated by the fact that he had too much sugar in his system, the infamous "twinkie defense", it's demeaning to see crazy tactics still being used in courts of law.

And I can see it working in this case. Remember, the boys were just that, boys, and as such, can often find excuses as flimsy as this in courts of law. Their minds aren't fully developed yet, they don't have the judgment that adults are supposed to have. Add to this the fact that King was dressing in girls' clothing, something Americans can't seem to deal with to this day, and you can see how this might go. If Americans are still so repulsed by the idea of flirtation by someone of the same sex that they're willing to use it as an excuse for cold blooded murder, you can also see how far we, as a movement, have yet to go.

Something's really wrong with Americans. The fact that so many other countries are evolving into humans, rather than subjects, should urge us to some epiphany to the error of our ways. It should be an emergency, what's happening to Americans whose biology falls somewhere outside pure heterosexuality. Despite evidence, despite truth, despite the promise of protection from the constitution and the courts, we've become the only minority in this country who are not allowed equal rights. And with gay bashings are on the rise and lawyers still willing to do anything to keep murderers free, who knows how much more hell we have to go through.

Maybe, just maybe, all this hope that we've put into the American people is fruitless. Maybe, just maybe, we aren't smart enough or strong enough to shoulder simple things like human sexuality, or truth. I've learned a tragic fact in recent years. Maybe, just maybe, Americans, in a slight majority, are too stupid to move forward.

Read more about the Lawrence King trial by clicking HERE

The Brilliance of David Boies

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Wednesday, 22 July 2009 17:21; Written by Chris Jarvis

When I first heard of the federal case for same sex marriage I agreed with some of the things I read. Maybe this was the wrong time. Maybe it was doomed to fail, based on the history of other challenges which weren't supported by a majority on a state level.

I've been there since, wondering what the right answer is. I still don't know, in terms of legal success. But after reading a recent article, written by David Boies, one of the lawyers in the case, I'm hopeful.

I've never felt this issue had anything to do with anyone's personal opinion, as those voting to restrict civil rights, do. This is a matter of law, of reverence to the words as written in our founding documents. The reason Christians and others opposed to legal same sex marriage avoid the constitution is because there's nothing that can help them there. The constitution only hurts them, destroys them, in fact, supporting none of their platforms.

Until recently, Americans who denounce non-heterosexuals and deny us our rights, haven't had much to worry about. It's only in our very recent history that we've demanded marriage equality. While it's been tossed around in the past, it's never been anywhere near as big an issue as it is now, and it's never had such a large group of Americans behind it. In the past, it wasn't running through conservative minds that certain legal judgments, which were based on the equality of the constitution, would open the doors for gay marriage in the future. The idea that non-heterosexual Americans would demand marriage equality was ridiculous. It wasn't on their radar.

Somehow, this issue of marriage equality, which is a simple and clear cut case of equal rights for all Americans, has been hijacked to the "will of the people". Despite the fact that the California Supreme Court ruled only last year that to deny same sex couples the right to the word marriage was to, in effect, deny them equality, they ignored their own decision and allowed the majority to restrict the minority. This isn't how law works in this nation. Why did it go that way? I don't know, but it sound like the lawyers in the Federal Case know exactly what the truth of this issue is, and they intend to present it.

Even though I'll work with others if a ballot measure becomes a reality, I don't believe for one second that it's the right thing to do. It may be our only option at this moment, but it's certainly not right for us to take equal rights to the ballot box when we denounce others for doing it. So hopefully a federal case can be heard and can succeed, and put an end to all this insanity.

The article by David Boies begins with this...

"When I got married in California in 1959 there were almost 20 states where marriage was limited to two people of different sexes and the same race. Eight years later the Supreme Court unanimously declared state bans on interracial marriage unconstitutional.

Recently, Ted Olson and I brought a lawsuit asking the courts to now declare unconstitutional California's Proposition 8 limitation of marriage to people of the opposite sex. We acted together because of our mutual commitment to the importance of this cause, and to emphasize that this is not a Republican or Democratic issue, not a liberal or conservative issue, but an issue of enforcing our Constitution's guarantee of equal protection and due process to all citizens."

Our battle has never been so eloquently presented as it is in this article, in my opinion. Read the full article HERE

BloodRite-Get your copy!!

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Monday, 20 July 2009 16:56; Written by Brooke

Introducing our very own Sara Scott. She is a local friend, author and fellow crusader in the equality battle. Among other accomplishments, Sara has just written and published her first book, BloodRite: Dominique. The book officially launches on August 31, 2009 but you can pre-order the book NOW!

Sara has graciously decided to donate 25% of her book sales to the Courage Campaign, starting now through August 19, 2009. So don't delay, support a local author and support our cause for equality all at the same time.

Visit her website at www.sarasscott.com to find out more about her, the book and also to pre-order your copy today!

Stay tuned for book signing dates and events soon!!

First Monthly PFLAG Meeting

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Monday, 20 July 2009 13:55; Written by PFLAG

OVERVIEW	To increase our exposure and visibility in the larger comunity, we are going to try a series of monthly lunches on the town. We will gather in a different community each month. The more PFLAG t-shirts we can have, the better. Any diversity or civil-rights oriented clothing is okay.
WHEN	Sunday, August 23, 2009 12:30 pm
WHERE	Porterville. Restaurant to be determined.
ACTION REQUIRED	We hope to be a fairly significant "presence". We will need an accurate approximate number of diners, so we can make arrangements with the restaurant. If you can attend, please RSVP to Dr. Kathryn Hall ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) by August 9, with the number of guests in your party, including yourself.

Wanna get wet & wild?

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Wednesday, 08 July 2009 15:17; Written by Brooke

40 YEARS AFTER THE STONEWALL RIOTS

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Tuesday, 07 July 2009 19:00; Written by Chris Jarvis

As much as LGBT Americans have against them in 2009, it seems almost insignificant compared to life in the 1960's. Social repression in the 1950's and before resulted in a wave of rebellion in the 1960's. LGBT Americans migrated to larger cities, and established a sizable population in Greenwich Village, NY. The city had laws against homosexuality in public and private business, but policing all places of business was a strain on authorities. Since there were few places LGBT people could gather safely, bars were the hangouts.

A harsher crackdown on homosexuality began with the approach of the 1964 World's Fair. Wanting the city to appear pristine, the mayor ordered authorities to clean up the streets. Police worked to entrap homosexuals as often as possible, posing undercover in parks and public places. Raids on gay bars were frequent. Police seized alcohol, lined up customers and demanded IDs. Men dressed in full drag were immediately arrested. Women not having at least 3 pieces of feminine clothing on were arrested. Bars were so used to the procedure that they often kept more alcohol hidden, sometimes in a car down the street, so they could re-open. Homosexuals were arrested simply over a perception they could become disorderly. Coming out in 1969 was virtually unthinkable.

Click on Read More below for the rest of this article...

"MIDDLE SEXES" - WATCH ONLINE

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Tuesday, 07 July 2009 18:55; Written by Chris Jarvis

Last year I highly recommended the HBO Documentary, "MIDDLE SEXES - REDEFINING HE & SHE". The film explores all forms of human sexuality and gender identity. Narrated by Gore Vidal, it's forthright, honest and revelatory. These issues have become commonplace in the media over the last few years, and although I'm constantly doing research for pieces I write on Gay Fresno, I wasn't finding the answers I needed on subjects such as being transgendered or on the topic of sexual reassignment. I simply didn't understand the layers of complexity involved with the human nature between heterosexuality and homosexuality.

This documentary, for me, was a crash course in how it all works. When it was over I no longer felt confused by these issues. While I'm not suggesting one film can answer all questions, this one covers enough to bring these issues into focus.

Today I accidentally stumbled upon a YouTube User channel which has uploaded this documentary in several short videos. For those who've either been unable to see the film on HBO or find the DVD, this is an easy, free opportunity to see this incredible work. Simply click on the following link...YouTube User - Middle Sexes Documentary

"Middle Sexes" is also available on NETFLIX , or it can be purchased at the HBO STORE or at AMAZON

My PFLAG Experience

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Monday, 22 June 2009 01:10; Written by Brooke

I am ashamed to admit that I attended my first Tulare/Kings Co. PFLAG meeting this afternoon. I'm not ashamed that I attended, only that this was my first time. What a wonderful group of people! I am so proud of and thankful for Steven and Joan Palmer. They are a marvelous couple who saw a need here in our area and created a safe place for all to come and be themselves. Thank you to the whole PFLAG team for your dedication, warmth and spirit!

I wasn't hesitant or nervous about attending. Those who know me can see I'm a pretty outgoing person. I honestly just didn't know what to expect or what I would walk away feeling. I'd like to answer that now. There was a great crowd full of diversity, young and not so young, many different local groups were represented, LGBT people, straight allies, parents of LGBT people, etc. There was lots of laughter and a fair share of tears. I heard some things from my mother that I had never heard before. I think they have always been implied but never spoken. It was touching for me and I learned for some others as well. I heard peoples outrage and disappointment over Prop 8. I listened to people who are afraid to be who they are. People who are struggling with family acceptance. I think these are all things everyone can relate to. I think for every person who shared today that there are so many more out there who feel the same, who have been through or are going through the same thing. PFLAG really is about supporting our community in a safe place where everyone can feel comfortable. Where you can share your struggles and take comfort in knowing that you are protected and loved. I urge everyone to come out to the next meeting and experience this for yourselves. You will not leave empty handed but instead with a full heart bursting with friendship, love, and true acceptance.

This meeting has helped fuel my already raging fire. For those parents who want equality and justice for their children, I am dedicated to you. For those people who "kick themselves in the behind" for waiting a bit too long for an event that shouldn't have had a time frame, you will be vindicated, you will get your day. For those people who don't feel 100% comfortable just being themselves, take comfort in knowing that you will always have a place to go with people who will not judge you but stand beside you and fight for the day we are no longer afraid to be ourselves. That place is PFLAG and I am one of the many people who will keep on fighting for you, no matter how long the battle may take. So, thank you PFLAG for the support you bring and the awareness you spread. Thank you everyone who shared today because being vulnerable is never easy. I applaud you, I support you but most of all, I am one of you.

I don't know why I waited so long, don't make the same mistake. Inquire today:

www.pflag-tulare-kings.org

A Call for action!

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Monday, 22 June 2009 00:05; Written by Hanford Equality Team

Phone Bank Session

Ever wanted to help out but just didn't know what to do? Now is your chance to make a difference. Join the Hanford Equality Team and do some Voter ID work. All you need is your cell phone, charger and voice!

We will be meeting on Thursday, June 25^that the Vieira household from 5:30-7:30 pm. Hot Dogs will be provided afterwards.

We hope to see you there!!

Contact Melissa for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Your chance to make change!

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Sunday, 21 June 2009 14:43; Written by Brooke

Tulare/Kings Co. Phone Bank

Wednesday, June 24th @ 5:30 pm

ACT Building, 211 N. Stevensen in Visalia

Bring your voice, your cell phone & charger. We will take care of the rest! (Food, Drinks & Prizes)

We cannot do this alone, it takes a village to raise an idiot and also to educate one. Join us to make a call and make a difference!

~It only takes YOUR voice to change a vote~

Fresno Pride this Saturday!!

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Wednesday, 03 June 2009 00:10; Written by Brooke

Do you want to come and join us in the parade and represent Gay Hanford? We would love to have you! The parade starts and 10:00 am at the corners of Olive & Palm in Fresno. If you want to be with us, come around 9:00-9:30. We would also love to have volunteers help out with our booth and interact with the crowd. Contact us for more information!

See you there!!

Meet in the Middle Moment

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Wednesday, 03 June 2009 00:06; Written by Brooke

Monthly Book Review

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Wednesday, 03 June 2009 00:03; Written by Leon Velasco

The Good Neighbor

A Novel by Author Jay Quinn

Review by: Leon Velasco

Rating: Two Thumbs Up

I had read this book and found that Being neighbors to a straight couple and certain boundaries can feel like they have been possibly crossed not only may exist in Ca, but in Florida as well as any other place. I used to live with my ex of 3 years and the rest of the families around us were straight. I used to get the look from the women like I was wearing a scarlet letter and they had to keep an eye on me, (although little did they know I was the top). The men would look at my ex as though he was going to make a play for the wives, (little did they know he was the bottom). Although we had many attempts to befriend and ease the tension the invisible walls stayed up. So what if the barriers had been crossed? Reading this story gave me a glimpse of what could have happened not only to each person in the relationship but to each person as an individual. Check this out!

His acclaimed breakout novel, Back Where he Started, Jay Quinn thrilled and surprised readers with his portrait of a middle-aged gay man who suddenly finds himself single and seeking out a new life, and if possible, a new love. Quinn continues his themes of love and need and of wanting to belong, with this revealing, cautionary tale of the best friends and even more, best of neighbors.

On a sunny block inside the exclusive neighborhood of Venetian Vistas, Rory Fallon is walking his dog when he notices activity at the house next door. New neighbors are moving in, namely the Hardens-Austin and his wife, Meg, along with their two kids. Rory introduces himself, and cant help but notice how intrigued Austin is when it is mentioned just who Rory lives with: his partner of many years, handsome Bruno Griffin. Indeed, the last thing Austin expected in this small Florida enclave was having a gay couple for neighbors.

But life has more surprises in store, for both Rory and Austin, and Bruno and Meg. As the two couples form a strange, sometimes symbiotic relationship, questions arise about love and about marriage, and how their own roles help define-and alter- the people around them. A modern-day Scenes from a Marriage, Jay Quinns The Good Neighbor not only reflects our changing social fabric, but sheds light on the fact that fences exist for a reason, and that when you cross over them the consequences can often have confounding results.

Jay Quinn is a deft story teller. The story is warm, inviting and thoroughly satisfying. New York Blade

A gorgeous celebration of ove and family. Beautifully touches and lifts the heart. Paul Russell, author of The Coming Storm

Monthly Movie Review

Details: Parent Category: News; Created on Wednesday, 03 June 2009 00:01; Written by Leon Velasco

All Over the Guy

Rated R

Director Julie Davis

Starring Dan BucatinskyRichard Ruccolo

Sasha AlexanderAdam Goldberg

Review by Leon Velasco

Rating: Two Thumbs Up

This movie is a great light comedy of attraction, awkwardness of dating and getting to know each other, gay or straight.

"4 friends 3 guys 2 couples you do the math

I loved how it gives you a sense of rollercoaster context, you want to root for the under dog but you want to choke the under dog to give up and cut his losses and search else where. It also can make for a fun date movie or a night in with your partner and a bowl of popcorn.

A contemporary romantic comedy about the universal for that one true love, All Over the Guy, centers on an unlikely pair of two twenty-somethings, Eli (Dan Bucantinsky) and Tom (Richard Ruccolo), who are thrown together by respective best friends. They do everything they can to not fall for each other, but ultimately its in the small moments of truth the talk among trusted friends and the fear between new lovers- that the two ultimately find their way to a love that will last.