Elections and Voting

Are 'No on 8' Leaders Geoff Kors and Kate Kendell Off the Hook?

EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors​With closing arguments for the Proposition 8 federal trial wrapped up, honchos at Equality California and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, who were major players in the disastrous "No on 8" campaign, are touting a so-called "groundbreaking" study on P ... More >>

Prop. 8 Film Director Reed Cowan Talks With L.A. Weekly

Film director Reed Cowan​Just a few days before L.A. Gay Pride weekend, Reed Cowan, a TV journalist in Miami, talked with L.A. Weekly about his superb documentary on Proposition 8 that was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival and now opens in theaters across the country on June 18 -- two days ... More >>

'Open Primary' Overwhelmingly Approved by Voters

​On Tuesday, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 14, the "open primary" ballot measure, which totally changes the primary election system in the Golden State. Widely seen as a strong statement of voter frustration with big-time politics in California, Proposition 14 will al ... More >>

Proposition 14 Denounced as 'Dangerous' by Opponents

Norman MingoSometime 'write-in' candidate Alfred E. Neuman​Opponents of Proposition 14, the ballot measure that allows anyone to vote, regardless of party affiliation, in a statewide or congressional primary election, are making a last stand, calling the initiative "dangerous." California Go ... More >>

Is Cooley Too Moderate to Win?

In the fight for attorney general, opposing prison for sock stealers is a liability

Prop. 8 Trial: The Gay Dollar Competes with Children

The gay dollar was brought up at the Proposition 8 federal trial in San Francisco yesterday, and how California's same-sex marriage ban hurts the bottom line of business and government.Patrick Range McDonaldPro-gay marriage marchers in Westwood in November, 2008.​This is no small thing for a state ... More >>

Prop. 8 Trial: Both Sides of Gay Marriage Lawsuit Endure Rough Day at Court

On the third day of the Proposition 8 federal trial in San Francisco, it was tough going for both sides of the big stakes lawsuit over California's gay marriage ban.For the plaintiffs, who want to overturn Proposition 8, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to indefinitely block a video feed of the tri ... More >>

Tom Campbell Aims For Barbara Boxer's Senate Seat

​Former Congressman Tom Campbell announced in Los Angeles Thursday that he's pulling out of a crowded Republican slate in California's gubernatorial race to challenge Democrat Barbara Boxer for her U.S. Senate seat. "I initially made the decision to run for governor because I believe that my ... More >>

Queer Town: Big Media Wants Full Access to Prop. 8 Trial

We're almost finished with 2009 and 2010 is already shaping up to be a very interesting year -- at least for gay and lesbian folks.Patrick Range McDonaldProposition 8 protestors in West Hollywood in October, 2008.​Queer Town sounded the alarm a few weeks ago about the need to allow TV cameras insi ... More >>

Queer Town: Are Gay Pundits Hurting the Gay Marriage Movement?

Over the past few days, gay pundits such as blogger Michael Petrelis and Bay Area Reporter news editor Cynthia Laird have been hammering Courage Campaign's Rick Jacobs for refusing to publicly release polling data for a pro-gay marriage ballot measure, with popular blogger Andy Towle writing that su ... 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 >>

Queer Town: Proposition 8 Lawsuit Moves Forward, Motion to Dismiss Denied

In San Francisco this morning, Proposition 8 supporters asked U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker to dismiss the federal lawsuit that seeks to overturn the successful anti-gay marriage ballot measure that became law after California voters passed it almost a year ago.Patrick Range McDonaldProp. 8 prot ... More >>

Arnold vetoes initiative ban: Sleazy effort by California legislature to hamstring signature-gathering

One of the sleaziest bills vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger over the weekend was a law written by the California State Legislature to quietly but decisively wipe out the citizen ballot-initiative movement in California.Under the false guise of "reform", the bill was a blatant effort by legis ... More >>

Queer Town: Proposition 8 Trial Set for January, Gay Groups Told to Butt Out

While gay rights groups in California continue to clash over which year to push forward with a pro-gay marriage ballot measure (check out this Queerty post), Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker announced during a San Francisco hearing yesterday that a federal Proposition 8 lawsuit will go to tri ... More >>

Queer Town: Did Equality California Pull a 2010 Switcheroo?

It's always interesting how things are never exactly what they seem when it comes to Equality California, one of the leading gay rights groups in the state and a major force behind the failed "No on 8" campaign.Equality CaliforniaEquality California Executive Director Geoff Kors​Whether it's cause ... More >>

Queer Town Exclusive: Rick Jacobs: Gay Marriage Can Be Won in 2010

For months, gay rights groups have been questioning whether 2010 or 2012 is the best election year to overturn Proposition 8, with the gay community and straight allies waiting for an answer. Today, they got it.Kevin ScanlonCourage Campaign founder Rick Jacobs​At a little after ten o'clock in the ... More >>

Setting the (Gay) Wedding Table

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

Queer Town: Prop. 8 Ruling Finally Arrives Next Week

Patrick Range McDonaldProp. 8 protestor at Los Angeles Mormon Temple in November, 2008.Over the past few weeks, a lot of speculation has been floating around the Internet on when the California Supreme Court will rule on Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that took away the right of gay and ... More >>

Queer Town: Theories Abound Over Proposition 8 Ruling

As gay rights activists and anti-gay marriage forces wait for the California Supreme Court to finally rule on Proposition 8, the ballot measure that took away the existing right of gay and lesbian couples to legally marry in California, the Internet has become a place of endless, somewhat humorous s ... More >>

New Gay-Marriage War Coming to California

Many expect state Supreme Court to back Proposition 8

Villaraigosa and Solar Measure B Get Burned

March 3 was supposed to be a romp for the L.A. mayor, not a reprimand

Queer Town: Prop. 8 Hearing Forces Religious Heavyweights into the Limelight

Last fall, when gay marriage opponents from the Mormon and Catholic churches were funding an extraordinarily expensive campaign to sell Proposition 8 to California voters, the "Yes on 8" campaign, headed by political strategist Frank Schubert, adopted a distinctly secular tone. Every now and then th ... More >>

Proposition 8 Gives Rise to New Generation of Gay Leaders

Failure to prevent passage of same-sex-marriage ban shifts political landscape

Queer Town: "No on 8" Leadership on the Hot Seat

For weeks, activists and political observers in the gay community have been calling for a post-Prop. 8 town hall meeting, where "No on 8" staffers can take, and hopefully answer, tough questions about the Proposition 8 loss. Tonight at 6 p.m., the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center will host a "vi ... More >>

Queer Town: Prop. 8 Outs Hollywood

With the passage of Proposition 8, according to the Los Angeles Times, Hollywood has been suddenly compelled to do some soul searching, with entertainment big shots coming under fire for contributing to the "Yes on 8" campaign. A-list gays have also been dragged into the controversy as they decide w ... More >>

Queer Town: Tens of Thousands Protest Prop. 8 at LA City Hall

On Saturday, tens of thousands of people--young and old, gay and straight--loudly protested the passage of Proposition 8 in downtown Los Angeles near City Hall. The peaceful demonstration, organized by a newly-formed group of young gay and lesbian activists called F.A.I.R., was probably the best-att ... More >>

A Debut and Protest at the Los Angeles Mormon Temple

As Michael Sanchez marched through the streets of Westwood last Thursday night, he kept meeting people--many of them young, a mix of gay and straight--who wanted to do more. The chanting was good, even somehow uplifting, but they wanted to reverse Proposition 8, the ballot measure that took away the ... More >>

A Changing of the Guard at the Westwood March

Fore more photos, view Ted Soqui's Westwood protest slideshow. Related Posts: Patrick Range McDonald's "The Last, Passionate Rant of a Long Night in West Hollywood" Patrick Range McDonald's "The Long March to the Mormon Temple" Joe Donnelly's "Election 08: What Happens To A Dream Deferred? Prop ... More >>

The Long March to the Mormon Temple

It was a little before ten o'clock on Wednesday evening, the day after Proposition 8 appeared to be approved by the voters of California, when Levi Jackman Foster arrived at the Los Angeles Mormon Temple in Westwood. He was 22-years-old, gay, and angry. Foster, a handsome blond with short hair and a ... More >>

Coalition of Whatever

Bizarre outcomes in California bond measures, social issues, taxes. Mystery voters have their say.

Prolonged Battle over Proposition 8

It looks like the gay marriage ban won, but activists could upend the victory

Queer Town: "No on 8" Supporters Rally in West Hollywood

With less than 48 hours until Election Day, hundreds of "No on 8" supporters gathered in West Hollywood Park on late Sunday afternoon, showing their resolve to defeat Proposition 8, the ballot measure that seeks to eliminate the right of gays and lesbians to legally marry in California. The peaceful ... More >>

Queer Town: Evangelical Leaders Come to California, Push For Passage of Proposition 8

On Saturday, out-of-state evangelical Christian leaders will finally appear in the flesh and press for the passage of Proposition 8. The Call co-founder Lou Engle, a resident of Kansas City, and Dr. James Dobson, a Colorado Springs resident, will be among the heavy weights who will take the stage at ... More >>

Queer Town: Field Poll Finds Proposition 8 Losing

While the margin is getting tighter, a new Field Poll, released this morning, finds that Proposition 8 will lose on Election Day. The poll, however, shows declining support for the "No on 8" campaign over the past month, which is when the "Yes on 8" side started a vigorous TV ad campaign. Based on t ... More >>

A Political Halloween in West Hollywood

If a fun-loving public was looking for a break from a tense political season, the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval was not the place to be. "No on 8" signs, buttons, and stickers were impossible to avoid, and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin appeared in the form of multiple look-a ... More >>

Queer Town: Catholic Fall Out Over Proposition 8

While Mormons have been getting the headlines, the Roman Catholic Church has quietly been a major force in the "Yes on 8" campaign to ban same sex marriage in California. Whether or not Proposition 8 is defeated, it seems inevitable that church officials will face some kind of blow back from gay and ... More >>

Queer Town: Apple Donates to No on 8

Apple, the company that created the iPod and the iPhone, has given $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign, Andrew Sullivan at the Daily Dish reports. Apple very publicly stated its position on its start page today, which may make a whole bunch of gay men wear their iPods in the gym with a little more prid ... More >>

Riding the Cultural Divide with Proposition 8

What's at stake in California's gay-marriage ban

Queer Town: A-List Hollywood Raises Money for No on 8

Last night, billionaire Ron Burkle, best friend of former President Bill Clinton, opened up the wrought iron gates at his landmark Beverly Hills estate, Green Acres, to raise money for the No on 8 campaign, which wants to defeat the ballot measure, Proposition 8, that would ban same sex marriage in ... More >>

Queer Town: New Poll Shows Prop. 8 Losing

Obama Buddy Is Union Buster

Tyler Perry is on the outs with everyone — except Oprah and Barack

Queer Town: The Faithful Fast, Valley Business Opposes

Churches across California are pulling out the stops, according to a recent Associated Press report, by praying and fasting for the next 40 days for the passage of Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage ballot measure. The faithful are reportedly planning to subsist on soup and juice, and then gather ... More >>

Queer Town: A Prop. 8 Town Hall Meeting at Young Israel

On Monday evening, three and a half hours after Variety reported that movie director Steven Speilberg had donated $100,000 to the "No on Prop. 8" campaign, Rabbi Elazar Muskin turned over his synagogue, Young Israel of Century City, to supporters of the anti-gay marriage ballot measure. Under Muskin ... More >>

Queer Town: Tracking the Money for Prop. 8

While Brad Pitt's $100,000 contribution to the "No on 8" campaign made big news last week, the larger money picture for the anti-gay ballot measure doesn't look so good for opponents of Proposition 8, and may be why gay and lesbian activists are still concerned about defeating the proposed gay marri ... More >>

Queer Town: New Poll Shows Voter Hesitancy To Strip Gays of Marriage Right

The Sacramento Bee reported about a new Field Poll yesterday, which showed 55 percent of Californians would oppose Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage November ballot measure. The numbers for voters who support the ban have remained stagnant at 38 percent. Whether or not people are comfortable with ... More >>

Queer Town: Brad Pitt Challenges Hollywood on Prop. 8 Fight

This morning, Queer Town reported that wealthy folks in Los Angeles County weren't donating as much as they could to fight Proposition 8. Karen Ocamb, news editor of In and Frontiers magazines, also wrote a top notch story about A-list gays missing from action. But now actor Brad Pitt may have chan ... More >>

Queer Town: LA Unified Opposes Prop. 8

Board members of the Los Angeles Unified School District leaped into the political arena yesterday and unanimously voted on a resolution to oppose Proposition 8, the November ballot measure that changes California's state constitution and bans same sex marriage. Today, Sacramento mayoral candidate K ... More >>

Queer Town: The Catholic Power Play to Ban Gay Marriage

Cardinal Roger Mahony, the Roman Catholic leader of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, has been keeping somewhat of a low-profile in the battle over same sex marriage in California, but he can't keep his name out of the headlines any longer. One of the most powerful and influential Catholic priests in ... More >>

Queer Town: The Cold Winds of Gay Marriage

It had been a relatively quiet summer for gay marriage supporters and their opponents, and people hit the beach or flew out of town without any real cares other than the high cost of gasoline...and some people may have forgotten about Proposition 8 altogether. But now things are most definitely chan ... More >>

Queer Town: Gay Republicans and the Persuadables

I was sitting on a leather couch at O-Bar last night, watching handsome gay men in tight jeans and tighter T-shirts order free drinks during a five-minute open bar. Usually Thursday nights are a time to rest up for another day of tracking down politicians, but Scott Schmidt, a gay Republican and blo ... More >>