(To start: My sources are my friends and customers whose trust I will not betray [barbers are kind’a like priests,‘cept when there’s sex, it’s always consensual]. Thus I do not repeat what is told to me, or, if given permission to do so, I do not attach a name. Nothing here is probably new or earth-shattering. I just have to say it)
LGBT leaders gathered last weekend in San Bernardino, CA to attend the California Marriage Equality Leadership Summit and vote on whether to move forward on Prop 8 in 2010 or 2012. The elephant in the room: Equality California (EQCA). The group that lead the disastrous “No on 8” campaign last year, which Chris Cillizza referred to on MSNBCs Hardball as “the worst run campaign in the history of the initiative politics.”
To say that EQCAs leadership is irrelevant today, one just has to look at their 2008 campaign. Besides some of their well known inept strategies: not engaging the community or their allies; canvassing the local gay neighborhood corners with young people and clip boards — basically preaching to the choir about No on 8; collecting and wasting more money then the “Yes on 8” enemy, with disastrous results (e.g., going with a top taking dollar gay advertising agency, who put out those pathetic faceless commercials, rather than going with a smaller, unknown [even straight] agencies, who would have worked for less money — if not free); and, Executive Director, Geoff Kors taking a 2 week vacation during the height of the campaign (we’ve since heard it was a “forced” vacation — yeah. Right!). But there is more info that shows their megalomaniacal attitude; info that deals with them having passed up two of the greatest chances at political grass-roots help offered any gay rights campaign.
In 2008 Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, approached EQCA and asked, “How can I be of any help?” EQCA’s response: “We don’t need your help.” To pass up on the the Latino voting block is one of the greatest political blunders. Sure it would have been an uphill battle, but if Ms. Huerta was willing to go the distance, who was EQCA to snub her?
An aide to Los Angeles’ Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa approached EQCA, and speaking for the mayor’s office, offered his help. He was told, “We don’t need your help. We don’t want to make this political.” Not political? What the FUCK?!?!?! Since when is anything gay not political? If this type of irresponsible, self-centered, delusional ideas of grandeur is not enough to have EQCA pushed into the background of simply manning phone lines (if that)…
But those at EQCA want us to believe that things have changed. How? They say they are attempting a more grass-roots activism approach. They say they want to actively listen to their constituents and get their input. Have they started to listen? Have they started to work with other organizations? With the community? Well not really.
When polled in May, sixty-nine percent of EQCAs membership was in favor of going back to the ballot in 2010. Yet a July BAR article, Consultants Prefer 2012 Prop 8 Repeal has Equality California painted as “not yet take[ing] a formal stance on whether to repeal Prop 8 in 2010 or 2012.” Really? So, they listen to their membership only until it no longer serves Kors and his ilk. “Surprised” it continued, to hear so many professionals say that “2010 was not the right answer.” But wasn’t it at this past January’s Equality Summit that Kors stated that one of their biggest problems was dealing too much with professionals (i.e., political operatives). The only change I can see (and it’s a superficial one) is bringing in Marc Solomon and pushing Kors to the background. I say superficial because Geoff is still in charge. The reason for his taking a “back seat” is simple. If the big money contributors hear that he has anything to do with No on 8, their wallets will slam shut completely!
And, when a number of other gay rights organizations felt it was best to wait –”Prepare to Prevail” (<yawn> more like “prepare to wait”), EQCAs began to backtrack:
“We initially said we believe 2010 was the right time to go back to the ballot [but] we will only move forward if we have a clear road map to victory.”
A clear road map to victory, huh? We will probably never have a clear road. Not with the conservatives and the christians out there. So why go against the will of their membership now? Because a collation of their “partners” feel it’s best to wait? Because all of a sudden this “we know what is right” elitist group has started listening to others? I don’t think so. EQCA probably means they will only move forward when they are sure that the road to victory will be lead by EQCA and no one else.
But today this is not to be the case. There is s group that appears to be willing to listen to and work with others, and is already one step ahead of the rest: Yes! on Equality. Yes! on Equality has the ballot language and is ready to go in 2010. In their own words:
“Yes! on Equality is … created to repeal Proposition 8. The California Marriage Equality Act of 2010 is authored by Yes! on Equality and is the only same-sex marriage ballot initiative registered with the Attorney General’s office. [Our] purpose is to bring together supporters for a more effective outcome. Simply repeating the previous campaign will not achieve victory. [We] will ensure…minority and faith outreach, expanded grassroots activism, and an inclusive structure that recognizes the value of both large and small organizations.”
In closing they state, ‘[we believe] that no single organization should own the next marriage equality campaign — every…organization can and will need to contribute to the success of marriage equality.”
And last weekend EQCA knew for sure they were really no longer top dog. Many attending the marriage summit meeting were a little disgusted with the attitudes of the elder leadership (and I don’t mean just EQCA). EQCA knows Yes! on Equality has the upper hand, because of the ballot language, and that folk will be pushing for 2010. And EQCA are not happy. And when one is not happy, they can do some pretty fucked up things.
Now I’m not sayin’ EQCA had anything to do with this — there’s no proof, but something can be gained by lettin’ the air outta the tires before the van can build up speed (something like gainign control for 2012). All I know is the subterfuge tactics would make a Republican proud.
(the following is from an email by a concerned member who attended the CA Marriage Equality Leadership Summit and is willing to point fingers):
“Equality California is out there spreading misinformation in the NY Times, the SF Chronicle and on gay blogs that no decision was made Saturday in San Bernardino about when to move forward with a marriage equality initiative.
In fact, a decision WAS made. Fifty LGBT organizations — called the ”Coalition of the Willing” — have agreed to move forward in 2010 with a ballot initiative. An announcement will be made on or around August 9 on how to move forward.
What this means is we have 15 months to put together a campaign — three times longer than last year.
Equality California was completely outmaneuvered and voted down on Saturday.
No one is sure why they are putting out misinformation but the Coalition intends to set the record straight.
So, if you hear or read that no decision was made, that is not accurate.”
Believe me, EQCA were not the only ones unhappy with the Leadership Summit Meeting. You can go anywhere on the net and find disgruntled individuals. Still, from what I’ve heard, besides true colors being shown, some good things were accomplished. 2010 it is!!!
In closing, let this last paragraph be an open letter (albeit a short one) to Equality California:
Dear EQCA
If you really want to help us get same sex marriage back in the state of California, how about lending your vast knowledge and experiences in this field to those that are now taking the reigns. Help them rather than sit in the corner pouting, waiting to see if they fail so you can say, “we told you so.” Learn from your past mistakes and teach others to tread lightly where you blundered. Put out your hand in assistance to those that can use it, but under no circumstance think that you are in charge. That ship has sailed.
P.S. And Geoff. It’s time to step down as executive director.
Yours truly — the Communtiy
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for breaking this down.
I don’t understand why everyone isn’t demanding Kors resignation.
With his experience he really could do some good in helping others (when asked), but being in control is too much for him. Talkin’ ’bout power corrupting. He will never fade away into obscurity though. The “A” power-gays would never allow that.
Very well stated. The struggle IS between the “A” power gays (i.e. those with the $$$) and the grassroots who don’t want to wait three years for their rights to be voted into law. How can we make the case that marriage equality is urgent and our top priority but say we’re willing to wait three years to make it happen? That’s ludicrous.
PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS LETTER FAR AND WIDE:
An Invitation to the LGBT Community in California
On Sunday, August 9 at 10:00 a.m., a diverse array of groups and individuals from around the state will be gathering at the historic Jewel’s Catch One in South Los Angeles to plan for the ballot initiative campaign to repeal Prop 8. We hope that you will join us. RSVP Today: Http://tr.im/080909
While it’s no secret that not everyone agrees on when to proceed with a ballot initiative, everyone does agree that the work must be happening now. That work is to change hearts and minds and it must be done whether we are in a campaign for 2010 or later. Since we all share the goal of complete equality for LGBT people, there is much we can do together.
At the meeting we will be doing in-depth planning for all aspects of what needs to occur between now and qualifying a ballot measure. Everyone dedicated to working for marriage equality is invited, particularly those who have expressed reservations about a 2010 campaign. These concerns are legitimate and important, and any planning for a future campaign must take them into account to ensure our chances of winning.
We recognize that the last few months have at times been divisive and painful. We hope that meetings like this will begin to unite us. The purpose of this meeting is not to discuss when this issue should return to the ballot or change anyone’s view about that question. Rather, we invite everyone to join in the planning for what needs to be done and learn how each of us can best contribute. The decision on when to make that contribution is yours.
It’s time to work together. Juntos podemos. Together we can.
Summit Participants include:
ALLORNOTATALL
COURAGE CAMPAIGN
EQUALITY ARMY
EQUALITY NETWORK
ERASE THE H8
GAYS UNITED NETWORK
INTERNATIONAL SOCIALIST ORGANIZATION
LOVE = LOVE
LOVE HONOR CHERISH
MARRIAGE EQUALITY USA
MEET IN THE MIDDLE FOR EQUALITY
ONE STRUGGLE, ONE FIGHT
OUTRIGHT LIBERTARIANS
RESTORE EQUALITY NOW WEST ADAMS/L.A. SOUTH (RENWL)
SAN DIEGO ALLIANCE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY (SAME)
SOMOS FAMILIA
STONEWALL DEMOCRATIC CLUB
STONEWALL YOUNG DEMOCRATS
STRAIGHT ALLY WOMEN 4 EQUALITY (AWE)
TEAM COURAGE ORANGE COUNTY
TRUTHANDHOPE.ORG
VIETNAMESE FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY
WHITE KNOT FOR EQUALITY
YES! ON EQUALITY
Special thanks to Jewel’s Catch One for making their space available. The venue opened its doors in 1972 as the nation’s first black gay and lesbian disco. Since that time the historic nightspot has evolved into a vibrant hub for community-based LGBT social and political groups in South Los Angeles. It is located at 4067 W. Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019. To RSVP go to: Http://tr.im/080909
Wow, great post! I, too, was at the summit and I couldn’t agree more with your take on it. I’m disappointed that blogs like the Bilerico Project have bought what EQCA’s been selling – their so called “What really happened” article was all propaganda from the 2012 group.
I recently saw an email from NOM – celebrating the fact that EQCA has said the fight is not winnable in 2010:
“Maybe you have already heard about the big joint statement by Equality California and two other gay rights groups: They will not try to get an amendment overturning Prop 8 on the ballot in 2010. They urge other gay-marriage supporters to abandon the attempt. Why? Because they are afraid they will lose.
According to the LA Times, Ron Buckmire, president of one of the groups which signed the joint statement, said he made his decision after his group went door to door to talk to voters about same-sex marriage in South Los Angeles. “It was a huge success. We had 70 volunteers, working for five hours, knocked on 1,200 doors,” he said. And yet after that massive effort, how many hearts and minds were they able to change? Just 50 people, Buckmire said. “Do the math.”
Even in the bluest of blue states like California, the American people just don’t buy this gay marriage thing.”
As I have told Marc Solomon to his face, it’s time EQCA either jump on the 2010 train or get out of the way. ‘Cause that train has already left the station and we’re going to win! Together we can.
Jane Wishon
Co-founder of AWE
Straight Ally Women 4 Equality and a proud member of the 2010 coalition
See my guest post at http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/
Robert how can you say that given who Love Honor Cherish is – WEALTHY white men!
Coalition of the willing is a phrase coined by George Bush. Wow. Way to go with that one. Also, 50 organizations… ummm “organizations” is more like it – many of them are one or two people with a website.
Very well stated and very well researched…so well researched, that I have ordered a custom made “Yes!on Equality” t-shirt,(customizedgirl.com) donated money and am sufficiently re-invigorated! As God as my witness! I WILL get a man! And just for future reference, boys, Tiffany & Co. opens at 10:00am.
David: The “blue” box is soooo east coast. We’re on the west coast now baby where “confidence comes in a burgundy box.”
Thanx for your input Jane. EQCA will (probably) help when asked, as they don’t want to be left totally out. We need to bring everyone into the fray, but the old guard will not lead. We can not afford to go down that road again.
P.S. I wasn’t at the summit. Friends were there — open-minded friends without a preset agenda (other than getting our rights back ASAP), who filled me in.
I have real issues with the “prepare to prevail” folks. I was down in San Bernardino and heard them tell us why 2010 is too soon and why 2012 is better — so that we can continue to “change minds.” How long do we want to wait to “change mind?” 3 years? 5 years? 6 years? 10 years? How can we make the case that marriage equality is urgent and our priority, then turn around and say, “but we’re willing to wait three years and willing to be second class citizens for that long?”
2010 is NOT too soon. Actually it’s three times longer than we had with Prop 8 — 15 months to 5 months. That’s almost as long as a presidential campaign. Also, there are too many unknowns with 2012. What else will be on the ballot? What will the political climate be like? Who will be the attorney general (a very important position for ballot language)? What will the costs for advertising be? Right now, because of the economic downturn advertising costs are lower and we can secure ad buys right now.
There are many things we do know about the political landscape for 2010 that we don’t know about 2012. In 2010 we DO KNOW that the Democrat running for governor and the Democrat running for senator will advocate on our behalf. We DO KNOW that there will be an initiative on the ballot to legalize marijuana, which will mean a large turnout of progressive voters. We DO KNOW tremendous momentum around the country for marriage equality. Do we risk waiting and perhaps seeing that momentum fade?
Please note, as well, that there are also a large number of groups representing people of color, representatives of the faith community and other groups who want to go now. Every single straw poll taken show that the majority wants to go in 2010. Should we ignore them?
Finally, we can’t deny the EQCA problem. I can’t tell you how many people that donated large sums of money to the No on 8 campaign have said they will close their wallets if EQCA has any major role in the next campaign. That’s a huge problem should EQCA take the lead in the next campaign.
I was born and raised in San Francisco, came out during the 70s and worked hard to defeat the Briggs Initiative. Do you know what would have happened had we lost to Briggs? We would have met the very next day and planned a strategy to take back that defeat in the next election – the very next election— no “ands, ifs or buts.” Do you know that Harvey Milk lost the first time he ran for office? But he ran again and again — every election cycle until he won.
Somehow we’ve lost that spirit and our willingness to fight. I’m sure Harvey is turning in his grave seeing those who advocate to wait, and wait, and wait.
Jeff: Absolutely, positively spot-on. Thank you for posting this. (I hope you don’t mind if I quote you liberally.) By the way, one more to add to your list of high-profile allies who were more than willing to help No On 8 and were ignored: Barbara Boxer. I don’t have a supporting link for you; I only recall her speaking about it shortly after the election. (If you contact her office, she may give you a statement; she’s very, very good about responding to inquiries.)
Sapphocrat: Thanx for your comment. I didn’t know about Barbara but I’m not suprised. It’s just more reason to never forget and dont allow the past to repeat itself. We can never allow ouselves to be duped or spoken down to again. This is “our” campaign and those we entrust to help lead us must remember they have to answer to us too.
And please, quote away
Yes, I’m one of the disgruntled attendees of the summit. I’ve written how I think the summit was an utter failure. But in all honesty, I place the blame on all of us, not just the leadership.
Watching the summit firsthand, I know a consensus was not made. The Coalition of the Willing which is now the Coalition for 2010 was formed because the vote on the process was tied, and they were one of the options. They’re moving forward doesn’t mean the full community is behind them, though I applaud their passion and leadership. (The Get Engaged Tour from Marriage Equality USA, which held over 40 town halls across the state engaging every day people in our community – its results showed there was no consensus on when to return to the ballot.)
I’m honestly and truly on the fence. For me it’s come down to, “I’ll support whomever can unite our community.” Obviously, my name and mission statement belies the fact I’m for unification. Right now, I don’t see the Coalition for 2010 being that uniting force, and I work with almost all of them every single day and have high respect for them. I’m not saying they can’t be the uniting force, but it’s not happening yet.
I can’t support something that could possibly divide our community further. We tend to want to blame our leadership, but we’re all accountable, especially now when our voices have been the loudest. I started to get involved shortly before Prop 8 passed knowing no one, and I’ve had to work very long hours to get involved and to have a say. If you want to be heard, if you truly want to have a say, you have to work to be heard. No one’s going to come to you and ask, “What do you think?”
Everyone’s passion and opinion needs to be heard. But take responsibility for it. If you want 2010, as Sarah Callahan of Courage Campaign said, expect to work 20 hours a week without pay for at least the 12 weeks running up to Nov. 2010. It could be even more. That’s just one of the sacrifices we’ll have to make. If you can unite the community and actually get them to make such a commitment, I’m there.
Leadership is made from the community, is grown from us, every day people. So far, no one’s stepped up to unite. That’s why, the shame is on us.
PS. By the way, “I’m there” to work for our rights no matter what. I wanted to clarify on that. LOL. If we get on the 2010 ballot and low on volunteers, I’ll be working 80 hours weeks if I have to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQosIZOzLMA
To Unite the Fight: I wasn’t at the summit but those that I trust were and it doesn’t sound like it was an utter failure. No meeting of any kind will ever have everyone backing it. Over the years I have attended more than my share of fractured meetings where a handful of members eventually pulled it together. But it took a little time — nothing happens over night. It takes work.
It sounds like you’re willing to do what it takes to get it going and that’s great. Like you say, it’s going to take everyone. And the Yes! on Equality guys, as well as others, sound like they are willing to listen and work with all that are serious to get this done.
Keep up our fire. It will be contagious.
To Unite the Fight’s P.S.: I wouldn’t have thought less of you. When I said some “disgruntled” individuals I was not attacking your work ethic.
This youtube video it worth watching
To Jeff.
Oh, I know you weren’t questioning my work ethic. I didn’t take it that way. No worries. I just realized that my comment, “If you can unite the community and actually get them to make such a commitment, I’m there,” may have sounded like if they couldn’t succeed in swaying the whole community to proceed, then I wouldn’t help. I didn’t want to give the impression that I wasn’t going to commit. I was just clarifying my own words.
Where are you getting your facts from (Dolores Huerta and Antonio Villaraigosa)?
Like I say in the opening of the post, I do not give up the names or betray the trust of my sources, but believe me they are reliable. You’re gonna have to take my word for this.
Hi Jeff,
I’d like to know who your sources are, too. Dolores Huerta is on Equality California’s board. Mayor Villaraigosa spoke at events during fall 2008 and made a generous donation to the No on 8 campaign at the request of EQCA. He did not approach EQCA to get involved with the campaign, but he may have approached one of the other 60+ organizations that were a part of Equality for All, the coalition of organizations that ran the No on 8 campaign. EQCA was a member of Equality for All.
The reality is that EQCA is already doing the hard work to win marriage back. We have 18 full-time field organizers across the state who are on the ground in areas where we need to win votes. Half of them are people of color, and we deliberately hired people who were already active in their local communities as organizers. These organizers are leading teams of volunteers to go door-to-door in neighborhoods that voted 50-60% yes on 8. These teams are talking one-on-one with voters to change hearts and minds. They have already knocked on thousands of doors.
We are not going it alone. We are working with and listening to organizations that support a number of different timelines and ways to go back to the ballot box. We think it’s important to listen to the organizations, like those who signed the Prepare to Prevail statement, that are working in communities of color; they know their communities best. We are also attending this Sunday’s summit in South Los Angeles, which was organized by a group that wants to return to the ballot box in 2010. We are happy to work with anyone who is committed to restoring marriage equality.
We really appreciate your passion and drive to overturn Prop 8. We share it. Rather than focusing our energy on infighting, I hope we’d focus on building a strong, winning movement. It’s going to take a lot of dedicated people and organizations to win at the ballot box.
Kind Regards,
Jay Davis, Online Community Director
Equality California
To Jay. The only important and indisputable fact is that EQCA led one of the worse campaigns in history last year and, more than anything else, they are responsible for our defeat. I’m not saying they are bad people. They do an excellent job of lobbying for LGBT issues in Sacrament and I applaud all their successes and support their efforts on behalf of our community.
Given what happened last year, the LGBT community (especially the grass roots) and many large donors are very, very nervous about EQCA having a major role in another campaign. I think EQCA can be helpful in some role but not a major role.
The best thing EQCA can do at this point is announce that they will support any decision made about when to go back to the ballot and step aside and let others make that decision. We all want to be unified moving forward.
Hi Jay.
As I stated before, I do not reveal who my sources are, but I stand by my facts. Ms. Huerta is on the board now (and possibly then), but from what I understand it was her public endorsement that was declined. Be-that-as-it-may, the most important fact concerning last year is that the campaign run by EQCA was an absolute disaster and it’s time to let new blood take over and advocate on our behalf. You guys have set up many inroads and have laid out some great plans (as stated in your response below). All can be used and you have the experience that can be handed down. You can of course be of great help (I never said you should disappear), but it’s time to stop thinking in terms of leading. Other organizations are willing and capable of moving forward while not making the same mistakes of last year. And, most importantly, when the community looks at them, these organizations do no carry the baggage of last year’s fiasco (many in the community will not support the cause if you are leading). Being of help is what we all need, but the key term here is “help,” and sometimes the best help is stepping back and allowing others to man the helm.
As to infighting, the interesting thing here is that much of the infighting has been led by the “prepare to prevail” folks. So let’s not point fingers. We all need to work together for 2010, not 2012, but others need to lead. If this our issue, then know we cannot wait 3 years to get what we deserve. Thanx.