Thursday, March 03, 2011

Got my sign ready for the protest tomorrow morning!

If you're in the area and want to stop by, check us out in Arcadia tomorrow and help us express our displeasure to the Mayor of Arcadia that in these times of economic challenge he would spend thousands of dollars of public money to bring in a speaker for his "Community Breakfast" from "Focus on the Family"... an organiztion RENOWNED for focusing on SOME families and discriminating against others.

From the media release:

Divisive Rhetoric by “Focus on the Family” Group Draws Protest by LGBT Community, Families and Supporters at Mayor’s Breakfast

At issue:
Separation of Church and State, Misuse of City Funds to Promote Culture of Intolerance That Excludes And Harms Gay And Lesbian Families.

What: LGBT community members, families and supporters will gather for a protest the use of city funds to promote discrimination. They will form a “human billboard” as the community attendees arrive to hear a Vice President of Focus on the Family speak at the Arcadia Mayor’s Community Breakfast. The Mayor’s choice of keynote speaker, brought on taxpayer dollars, is unacceptable because Focus on the Family continues to promote a culture of intolerance that excludes and harms gay and lesbian families.

By supporting legislation and campaigns that deny equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, opposing anti-bullying efforts in our schools, and promoting psychological “lesbian and gay conversion” programs, “Focus on the Family” has actively pursued a political agenda that actually hurts families. It is unacceptable that a public official, Arcadia Mayor Amundson, is using public funds to promote a group that harms families and encourages division in the community.

Where: Friday, March 4, 2011, 6:30 am – 8 am, (Mayor’s Community Breakfast starts at 7:30 am)
Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia, CA 91007

Who: On-site interviews with:
 Spokesperson: Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Director, API Equality-LA,
ordained Unitarian Universalist and Metropolitan Community Church Minister.
 Eric Nakano, gay man and evangelical Christian whose father worked for Focus on the Family
 Representatives from Arcadia High School. Gay and Straight Alliance (GSA)
 Representatives from Parents and Families of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG)
 Clergy, LGBT community members, activists, supporters and children

Why: “Throughout California, and throughout the country, the LGBT community and its supporters are working to create a world in which all families are respected and embraced. Time after time, Focus on the Family has made destructive and bigoted statements that are far from supportive of families. By using religion to vilify a particular segment of society, Focus on the Family is destroying the fabric of this country. Why are tax dollars being used to support such messaging?” Robin McGehee, Director and Co-founder and Director of GetEQUAL, a national LGBT civil rights group.

2 comments:

danielj said...

the Lord be with you guys...be strong and be safe

IT said...

Sorry I can't be there (with my trusty Arc of Justice sign!)

This work stuff really gets in the way sometimes.... ;-)