Courage Campaign

Why Los Angeles Deserves Major Credit for the National Gay Marriage Movement

When it comes to life-impacting stuff -- civil rights, political movements, or education reform, for example -- Los Angeles too often gets overlooked by snobby journalists and intellectual types in New York City and Washington D.C. Let's just admit it: They don't take L.A. seriously and they hate ... More >>

Los Angeles' Historic Election Night for Gay Candidates Underlines 'Gay Okay' Trend in United States

While local media and L.A. political leaders are bemoaning the city's embarrassingly low voter turnout on Election Day, something quite positive, even historic, happened last Tuesday night: Gay candidates across Los Angeles kicked butt. Many gay politicos can't think of an election in Los Angeles h ... More >>

Ricardo Lara Wants To Remove Tax Exemption For Anti-Gay Boy Scouts

California Sen. Ricardo Lara is introducing the "Youth Equality Act" to try to remove the Boy Scouts of America's tax-exempt status because it discriminates against gays. Lara aims to pass bill SB 323, which would end 501(c)3 status for all youth groups that continue to discriminate against homose ... More >>

Eric Garcetti, Who Railed For Months Against "Super PACs," Now Has One Of His Own

For the last three months, Eric Garcetti has been railing against the "super PACs" that support his rivals in the race for mayor. In fundraising e-mails, the Garcetti campaign has warned repeatedly about the ills of outside money.Said one such appeal: "A few people with a vested interest in the elec ... More >>

California Voter Guide for Nov. 6, 2012, Los Angeles Weekly

Confused about the measures and races on Tuesday's ballot? This California Voter Guide for November 6, 2012 contains a summary of all state measures and several key races. It does not take a position but does touch on controversies, polls and analysis. Proposition 30: Jerry Brown's Tax Hike Governo ... More >>

Molly Munger's Prop. 38 Is Spoiling Jerry Brown's Prop. 30. She's Not Sorry.

Her husband Steve English and the Advancement Project fuel her toughness

Equality California Hires New Leader, But Will John O'Connor Divide or Unify Gay Rights Activists?

It took one year and ten days to find a new, full-time executive director, but the gay rights group Equality California has hired a super-connected fellow named John O'Connor. "John is a bold leader with a history of leading nonprofits into the next phase of their journeys," said Clarissa Filgioun ... More >>

Gay Happiness, the New Frontier

Are mental and physical health problems really a reaction to bigotry?

Democratic War for L.A.'s Richest

Betsy Butler and Torie Osborn woo the carbon-counting strata of Assembly District 50

Manny Pacquiao Says Gay Men Should Be 'Put to Death'

Updated at the bottom with comments from the founder of the Courage Campaign. First posted at 12:51 p.m. See also: Manny Pacquiao: The Fight of His Life. Manny Pacquiao, who lives and trains in Los Angeles, is probably in deep shit in this liberal city of brotherly love. That's because the boxing ... More >>

Manny Pacquiao Barred From 'Extra' Interview at the Grove After Bashing Gay Marriage

Update, 6:50 p.m.: "We're canceling the event," says Grove spokesman Bill Reich. "Manny Pacquiao is not coming to the Grove." And thus the backlash begins. See also: "Ten Gays Who Could Beat the Crap Out of Manny Pacquiao." Professional boxer Manny Pacquiao and "Extra" host Mario Lopez were blowin ... More >>

Mission Nearly Accomplished for California's Gay Rights Movement?

Once full marriage equality is wrapped up in California, there's not much left for the gay rights movement to do in one of the most tolerant states in the nation, right? Wrong. "We're in a period of a different kind of activism," says Courage Campaign founder Rick Jacobs. "Things have advanced ... More >>

Prop. 8 Ruling: Los Angeles, West Hollywood to Host Celebration Rallies Tonight

Surely you've heard the good news by now: Proposition 8 was just overturned by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. And, though the religious zealots at ProtectMarriage will inevitably appeal that decision, it's definitely time to take this Internet party to the streets. LGBT advocates and city o ... More >>

Lindsay Lohan Owes $93,000 in Taxes: Let The Occupy Backlash Begin

Kim Kardashian was recently targeted by the Courage Campaign for her relatively low tax rate: Despite her $12 million income in 2010, she paid a rate slightly higher than someone who made $47,000 that year. "Tell Kim Kardashian to Pay Her Fair Share," the group declared. Turns out Kim K. isn't the ... More >>

Kim Kardashian Should be Taxed More in California, Video by Courage Campaign Says

We once joked that "Occupy that ass" could be the silly title of a porn spoof but, as they say, this shit is real. The class-warfare train is about a six-pack away from literally marching with pitchforks to the good side of the tracks, and the latest salvo aims at millionaire tabloid candy Kim Kard ... More >>

Eric Garcetti Wrote Measure H, Now He's Working Its Loopholes

'Stop SB 48' Fails to Gather Enough Signatures for Repeal of California Gay History Law

Gore Vidal​"Stop SB 48," the group that sought to repeal a state law that allows California students to learn about important people in history who were gay, has officially announced that it has not gathered enough signatures from registered voters to place an initiative on the 2012 ballot. ... More >>

'Stop SB 48' Doesn't Want California Students To Know About James Baldwin, Walt Whitman and Cole Porter?

​​​​In the history of the world, gays and lesbians have made invaluable contributions to many different societies: from the father of computer science, Alan Turing, to civil rights leader Bayard Rustin to one of America's greatest poets, Walt Whitman. "If you are American," once wrote liter ... More >>

'Stop SB 48' Doesn't Want California Students to Know About Alan Turing?

​​​In the history of the world, gays and lesbians have made invaluable contributions to many different societies. One such person is Alan Turing, widely considered to be the father of computer science and artificial intelligence. "Everyone who taps at a keyboard, opening a spreadsheet or a wo ... More >>

Will Stop SB 48 Get Anti-Gay History Initiative on 2012 Ballot?

​"Stop SB 48," the group that wants to repeal a state law that allows California students to learn about important people in history who were gay, claimed in an email to supporters yesterday afternoon that its petition drive for a ballot measure will be successful. "The signed petitions are ... More >>

'Stop SB 48' Doesn't Want California Students to Know About Walt Whitman?

​​ Walt Whitman​​​In the history of the world, gays and lesbians have made invaluable contributions to many different societies. One such person is Walt Whitman, one of the most important poets in the history of the United States. "Whitman's greatest legacy is his invention of a truly ... More >>

'Stop SB 48' Doesn't Want California Students to Know about Edna St. Vincent Millay?

​Edna St. Vincent Millay​​In the history of the world, gays and lesbians have always made important contributions to many different societies. One such person is Edna St. Vincent Millay, the playwright, feminist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. At the time of her death in 1950, the New Y ... More >>

'Stop SB 48' Doesn't Want California Students to Know About James Baldwin?

James Baldwin​In the history of the world, gays and lesbians have always made important contributions to many different societies. One such person is James Baldwin, the American novelist, essayist, and social critic. ''I would place him very high among writers,'' Benjamin DeMott, professor o ... More >>

'Stop SB 48' Doesn't Want California Students to Know About Gertrude Stein?

​​Carl Van VechtenWriter and art collector Gertrude Stein​​​In the history of the world, gays and lesbians have always contributed to advances in many different societies. One such person is Gertrude Stein, influential writer and art collector who grew up for a period of her life in Oa ... More >>

'Stop SB 48' Doesn't Want California Students to Know about South African Simon Nkoli?

​ South African activist Simon Nkoli​​In the history of the world, gays and lesbians have always contributed to advances in many different societies. One such person is Simon Nkoli, the anti-apartheid, gay rights, and AIDS activist in South Africa. "Nkoli's brilliance, as an anti-aparthei ... More >>

'Stop SB 48' Doesn't Want California Students to Know about Bayard Rustin?

American civil rights leader Bayard Rustin​In the history of the world, gays and lesbians have figured prominently in contributing to many different societies. One such person is Bayard Rustin, an African American man the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum describes as the "the S ... More >>

For Courage Campaign Video Project, Dustin Lance Black Explains What Real Life Stories He's Looking For

Kevin ScanlonDustin Lance Black​Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and Courage Campaign recently kicked off a major video project, asking LGBTers across the nation to share their real life stories via a one- to two-minute videotape. "You change hearts and minds best by telling sto ... More >>

Will Equality California Push For Pro-Gay Marriage Ballot Measure in 2012?

Patrick Range McDonaldGay marriage supporters in West Hollywood in October, 2008.​Equality California, the major gay rights organization, is looking into whether or not it will push for a pro-gay marriage ballot measure sometime very soon, probably 2012. "Legal experts advise that the case m ... More >>

California Attorney General Kamala Harris Joins Obama as Friend of the Gays, Asks Court to Lift Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

​Updated after the jump with high fives from across the gay-rights community. After disappointing news came two weeks ago that the fight against Prop. 8 is being delayed until at least September, brand-new California Attorney General Kamala Harris took matters into her own hands today, airing ... More >>

Battle in Rancho Mirage: Progressive Activists Aim to 'Uncloak' Billionaire Koch Brothers

Charles and David Koch​Charles and David Koch, the billionaire brothers who helped bring you the Tea Party and Proposition 23, are convening with other super wealthy Republicans for what was supposed to be a secretive meeting in Rancho Mirage near Palm Springs this weekend. They were going t ... More >>

Proposition 8: Ted Olson Argues Gay Marriage Can't Harm Straight Folks, U.S. Ninth Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt Wonders How Far Court Should Go?

Pro-gay marriage lawyer Ted Olson​Nearly a year after court proceedings first started for the Proposition 8 federal lawsuit, attorneys for both sides argued their cases in front of a three-judge panel at the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco today. Pro-Prop. 8 lawyers seek ... More >>

Prop. 8 Proponents File Emergency Appeal Seeking To Prevent Same-Sex Marriages Next Week

​Updated after the jump with a deadline for Prop. 8 proponents' appeal. First posted at 11:26 a.m. Proponents of Prop. 8, the initiative that bans same-sex marriage in California, filed an emergency appeal (PDF) Friday in U.S. Ninth Circuit court of appeals, pleading for "relief ... in less t ... More >>

Young, Gay Dreams of Matrimony

For 20-somethings, Prop. 8's demise is a barometer of equality, not a path to the altar

Prop. 8 Overturned: Major Victory For Gay Marriage Advocates

Patrick Range McDonaldProposition 8 protesters in West Hollywood in October, 2008.​Updated throughout. Originally posted at 1:48 p.m. U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker has overturned Proposition 8 in San Francisco today, handing gay rights advocates a major victory in the continuing bat ... More >>

Queer Town: Closing Arguments Finally Scheduled for Prop. 8 Trial

On Wednesday, in San Francisco, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker finally scheduled closing arguments for the Proposition 8 federal trial, which are tentatively set for June 16.Patrick Range McDonaldProposition 8 protester in Westwood in November, 2008.​Paul Hogarth, who blogged live from Walker's ... More >>

Queer Town: Proposition 8, A Year Later

It's been a long year since Proposition 8 was passed on November 4, 2008, when the existing right to legally marry in California was shockingly taken away from gays and lesbians.Patrick Range McDonaldDays before Prop. 8 was passed, pro-gay marriage supporters took to the streets in West Hollywood.†... More >>

Setting the (Gay) Wedding Table

Wiser, more diffuse, battle-savvy gay-rights groups craft a 2010 ballot measure for California