Mayor Newsom wants to move on up to the governor's place

by Carla Marinucci, John Wildermuth, Chronicle Political Writers
San Francisco Chronicle

Democratic San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom jumped into the race for governor Tuesday, taking the first steps toward succeeding Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010.

Newsom opened a gubernatorial campaign committee so that he can start gathering campaign contributions for a race that is more than two years away. Supporters can give him up to $24,100 each for the 2010 Democratic primary and general election. The next race for governor is expected to be a highly competitive contest that could cost each major party candidate upward of $30 million.

The action by the mayor of the liberal Democratic bastion of San Francisco - who has made national news with his support of same-sex marriage, universal health care and strong environmental programs locally - puts him a step ahead of a potentially crowded field of opponents.

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San Francisco: Mayor Newsom marries Phyllis Lyon and Dell Martin at city hall

In San Francisco, at 5:01 PM Mayor Newsom officiated a private marriage for Phyllis Lyon and Dell Martin at city hall.

Afterwards Phyllis, Dell and the Mayor entered the public reception area as rose petals were tossed from the second floor of the rotunda.

Phyllis and Dell cut a wedding cake at the public reception and remarked how they couldn’t have imagined this back in 1953, on Valentines Day, when they became lovers. Phyllis said they were so happy and hoped this would be the last time they have to cut a wedding cake.

“I can think of no greater example of commitment after 55 years together [Dell and Phyllis]. Today marriage as an institution has been strengthened. Today marriage has been affirmed. Today in California we are providing marriage equally, denying no one their right to live their lives out loud,” remarked Mayor Newsom.

A group of protestors assembled in front of San Francisco city hall. Carrying banners and signs. One rather large yellow banner read “Re-criminalize sodomy” and was held high by petitioners.

Calif. Court Won't Delay Gay-Marriage Ruling

The Washington Post

SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected petitions to delay its historic same-sex marriage decision, clearing the way for gay couples to marry later this month.

Acting in closed session, the court voted 4 to 3 to reject petitions by Christian groups that it reconsider its May 15 ruling. The court also refused to delay the effective date of the decision until after the November election, when voters will consider a constitutional amendment to reinstate the ban on same-sex marriage.

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California marriage opponents seek 5-month delay

By LISA LEFF Associated Press Writer
Herald Zeitung

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A conservative legal group asked the California Supreme Court on Thursday to put off finalization of its decision legalizing same-sex marriage until voters got a chance to weigh in.

The Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund wants the ruling stayed until November, when voters will probably encounter a ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to ban gay marriage. That amendment would overturn the justices' ruling.

In court papers submitted late Thursday, the group warned that the state would suffer "great public harm and mischief" if it began allowing same-sex marriages on June 16, when the court's decision would ordinarily become final.

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Letter of the day: Gay marriage ruling shows the power of one

The Star Tribune
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Minnesota

Sometimes one person can make all the difference. One person with lots of courage and love.

When San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom threw open the doors to City Hall and welcomed gay couples to come and be married, he changed the world for our family. As we watched wedding after wedding, couple after couple, exchanging vows and then sharing hugs and tears with everyone around them, it filled us with hope that one day it will be Jacob's turn to celebrate marriage with the love of his life.

I didn't even dare to hope before those beautiful days in San Francisco that our family would be able to celebrate a legal marriage for Jacob.

RANDI REITAN, EDEN PRAIRIE

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VIDEO: San Francisco Mayor speaks

DiversityInc

Here is what San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom had to say.





Here is what Attorney Gloria Allred had to say about the California same-sex marriage decision.




As a side note California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has vetoed two LGBT-progressive bills in the past, said in a statement that he respected the Supreme Court's decision and "will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling."

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Marriage fight casts shadow on Senate race

by Matthew S. Bajko
Bay Area Reporter

The likelihood that California will be convulsed by another fight over same-sex marriage at the polls in November is casting a shadow on the heated Senate race between two of the state's most powerful gay lawmakers.

Now that anti-gay groups are claiming they have collected enough signatures to place a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on the ballot this fall, the question arises who is better suited to lead the fight to defeat it: state Senator Carole Migden or Assemblyman Mark Leno?

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San Francisco LGBT Community Center

The Center provides San Francisco with a vast array of programs and services for LGBT people, their friends and families. Our programs are unique because The Center is unique! In addition to our own programs, we collaborate with many organizations serving youth, the elderly, parents and marginalized communities by providing legal, health, social, educational and cultural services that benefit the entire lifespan of LGBT people.

We focus our programming in the following six areas:

• Economic and Workforce Development
• Arts, Culture & Social Activities
• Children, Youth & Families
• Health & Wellness
• Building Services
• Community Development

Hours:

Monday - Friday 12:00noon - 10:00pm,

Saturday 9:00am - 10:00pm.

Sunday Closed

Admission: Free

Location: 1800 Market Street @ Octavia, San Francisco 's Castro District

For further information please call 415-865-5555 or visit www.sfcenter.org

website

California Supreme Court sets March date to hear gay marriage debate

The California Supreme Court has set arguments in the legal fight over gay marriage for March 4, assuring that a ruling will be issued by June.

The state's high court will hear the legal challenge in San Francisco, where the battle over same-sex marriage first unfolded four years ago when Mayor Gavin Newsom temporarily issued marriage licenses to gay couples.

San Francisco city officials and civil rights groups have challenged California's ban on gay marriage, arguing that it deprives same-sex couples of the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.

A divided state appeals court in 2006 upheld the state ban on same-sex marriage, overturning a San Francisco judge who previously declared it unconstitutional. The state Supreme Court will be reviewing that appeals court ruling.

Castro mecca marginalized

Shortly after I discovered there were other gay people in the world I heard about The Castro.

In my mind is was a gay mecca. A place dreams were made from.

I would wander to Uncle Dons' Castro website and wish I would of come out sooner. So I might have been part of the amazing transformation which took
place in The Castro.

I emailed Uncle Don a few years ago asking him what life was like in The Castro now. He told me the old days were mostly gone. Commercialism has taken over The Castro. He had to move away from The Castro himself.

Hearing this news almost brought tears to my eyes. Because I realized a piece of our history was being covered over. Much like a person who no longer wanting a pool in their yard fills it with dirt and covers it. Never to be seen again.

Castro has so much gay history. So many changes took place. It would have been an honor to be part of it. I hope we keep it alive, at least in our memories.

Time has changed The Castro. It was another sad moment when I read an article today about the gay Halloween party being canceled in the Castro. It seems violence has taken over. So for safety concerns the event has been canceled.

Being from San Antonio, Texas I remember when the Battle of Flowers day parade errupted in violence as a man with a rifle started shooting people. The Battle of Flowers day parade was not canceled or inhibited in any way. Halloween in The Castro should not be affected due to previous violence.

I ask that you hold onto memories of the Castro. Remember the ultimate sacrifice people made by making a stand on The Castro. Which, in my mind will always remain an integral part of our gay history.

San Francisco theatre celebrates 30 years

Theatre Rhinoceros celebrates 30 years of gay and lesbian plays.

Given another decade, it may have to start lying about its age. Theatre Rhinoceros, San Francisco and the nation's "longest-running professional queer theater company," turns 30 this season. Founded in 1977 by Allan Estes, its first artistic director, and managing director Lanny Baugniet, the Rhino has long enjoyed a higher national than local profile as an incubator of new gay and lesbian plays, becoming the first gay theater to receive National Endowment for the Arts funding.

It's celebrating with a look back, "Theatre Rhinoceros: The First Thirty Years." Compiled and staged by current Artistic Director John Fisher, the show is billed as a revue of "original songs and scenes from three decades of new theater about the love that not only speaks but also shouts, sings and dances its name."

There's a lot to celebrate, not the least of which is the Rhino's survival. It's had to weather more than the usual share of small arts institutions' financial challenges and growing pains - including the cooptation of its special niche, as gay, lesbian and transgender themes have found homes in mainstream theater, films and TV.

Penn Tapped for Harvey Milk Biopic

Sean Penn will play gay 1970s politician Harvey Milk in director Gus Van Sant's long-gestating biopic of the first openly gay prominent elected official. Matt Damon is tentatively attached to play Milk's assassin, Dan White, who shot the San Francisco city supervisor along with Mayor George Moscone in 1978. After serving five years of a seven-year sentence, White committed suicide in 1985. Michael London and his Groundswell Prods. are financing the movie. Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks are producing from a script by Dustin Lance Black (Big Love). The filmmakers are now in talks with a ''leading specialty division,'' according to Hollywood Reporter, to finalize a deal on the as-yet untitled project. Shooting could start by the end of this year.