Table of Contents
Dates With Alice
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Annual Alice B. Toklas Fall Awards Reception
Thursday, October 27, 2005
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Eight
Hot, Ultra-Chic Nightclub and Lounge
1151 Folsom Street, San Francisco
Between 7th & 8th Streets
Click here to RSVP Online!
| Leadership Award |
Rich Kowalewski |
| Lifetime Achievement Award |
Martha Knutzen and Fran Kipnis |
| Volunteer of the Year Award |
Rafael Mandelman |
| Community Service Award |
Thom Lynch |
| Unsung Heroes Award |
Transgender Law Center andCommunity United Against Violence |
October General Membership Meeting
Monday, October 10, 2005
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
The LGBT Center, 1800 Market Street
Speakers: San Francisco Public
Utilities Commission General Manager and former Treasurer
Susan Leal
and
Jeff Petrie, US Naval Academy Class of '89 |
Election Training and Mobilization
Saturday, October 8, 2005
9:30 am
LGBT Center, 4th floor
NGLTF's Creating Change Conference
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
- Sunday, November 13, 2005
Oakland Marriot City Center Nearly 4,000 Queer Activists from throughout the country will be descending upon Oakland to attend the annual 5-day conference from the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force. Hundreds of socio-political workshops and panel discussions will be available. We are lucky to have the 18th annual conference in our own backyard this year.
Please consider joining Alice Newsletter Editor Reese Aaron Isbell, who is serving on the Host Committee, in this tremendous opportunity to meet, greet, network, and discuss politics and social issues with our fellow Queer activists from all over the country. |
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Alice Endorsements for November Election
The Alice membership voted Monday, September 12, to endorse these candidates and propositions
on this November's ballot.
| San
Francisco Elected Officials |
| Treasurer |
|
| City Attorney |
|
| Assessor |
Phil Ting
www.PhilTing.com
415-661-2080
945 Taraval Steet, #219
San Francisco 94116
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| San
Francisco Propositions |
For descriptions and full
legal text of these propositions,
click here.
|
| A - Community College District General Obligation Bonds
info
|
Yes |
| B - Street and Sidewalk Improvement Bond
info |
No position |
| C - Ethics Commission Budget and Outside Counsel
info |
No |
| D - Appointment of Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors
info
|
No |
| E - Election Date of the Assessor - Recorder and Public Defender info
|
Yes |
| F - Neighborhood Firehouses
info
|
No position |
| G - Access to Underground Parking at Golden Gate Park
info |
Yes |
| H - Firearm Ban
info |
Yes |
| I - No Military Recruiters in Public Schools, Scholarships for Education and Job Training
info |
Yes |
|
| California
Propositions |
| For descriptions
of these propositions, click here.
|
| 73 - Waiting Period and Parental Notification
Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy. |
No |
74 - Public School Teachers. Waiting Period for
Permanent Status. Dismissal.
|
No |
| 75 - Public Employee Union Dues. Restrictions
on Political Contributions. Employee Consent
Requirement. |
No |
| 76 - State Spending and School Funding Limits. |
No |
| 77 - Redistricting. |
No |
78 - Discounts on Prescription Drugs.
|
No |
79 - Prescription Drug Discounts.
State-Negotiated Rebates.
|
Yes |
| 80 - Electric Service Providers. Regulation. |
Yes |
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October Co-Chairs' Report
Time to Start Talking and Walking
  Want
something to do this month?…we've got you covered. We NEED you to
help this October. Why, you ask?
Our rights are being eroded; our free speech is being taken away;
firefighters, nurses and teachers are being attacked; funding for
public health, schools and retirement security is being cut…need
we go on? Arnold's destructive politicking needs to stop. And we
can stop him.
The SFLGBT Alliance has formed over the last month to ensure that
San Francisco, and the state, defeat propositions 73-78; and support
79-80. The Alliance is hosting phone banks (see below for dates);
sponsoring press conferences and letters to the editor; walking
precincts; registering voters on Castro & 18th; and talking to friends
about the importance of voting this November. To get involved, contact
lspanjian@yahoo.com, jerryafuller@msn.com,
or robert_haaland@hotmail.com;
or log onto www.alicebtoklas.org
to find out information about the most recent events.
In addition, we have a local race that's heated up. At our September
12 Endorsement Meeting, Alice proudly endorsed Phil Ting for Assessor-Recorder,
along with early-endorsed candidates, Treasurer Jose Cisneros and
City Attorney Dennis Herrerra (see full list of Alice endorsements
above).
The Assessor-Recorder race is very important to Alice and the Mayor.
After the sad departure of our friend, Mabel Teng, the Mayor appointed
a smart and strong community leader and good friend of many Alice
members. Ting's record of accountability and leadership, as the
former Executive Director of the Asian Law Caucus, as well as his
ability to build coalitions across many diverse communities, make
him hard to beat this November 8. But to keep the momentum strong,
he needs us out there pounding the pavement, telling voters why
he is the best person to continue to be San Francisco's Assessor-Recorder.
Also, Alice will be in its traditional place at Castro and 18th
the last two weekends in October to distribute Alice literature
and educate voters about all of our candidates and endorsed propositions.
To help with tabling, please contact Tom Runge at 415-861-7914.
In addition to talking and walking, Alice needs you to give. Contributions,
that is, to our Annual Fall Awards and Fundraiser. Mayor Gavin Newsom
and SF's elected family will be in full force on October 27 as we
host and toast this year's amazing awardees. The event will be held
South of Market at Eight Nightclub and Lounge, from 6:30-8:30 pm.
See you there.
TWO BIG ALICE TO-DOs IN OCTOBER
Alice Annual Fall Awards and Fundraiser
Thursday, October 27
6:30-8:30 pm
Eight Nightclub and Lounge (1151 Folsom btw 7th and 8th)
Tickets start at $55; Sponsorships start at $125
Call 415-707-2010 for more information;
or go to Alice's
website to RSVP and buy tickets online
Alice Phone Bank Nights for the SFLGBT Alliance (NO on 73-78;
YES on 79-80) Wednesday, October 5
AND Wednesday, October 19
1338 Mission Street
6-9 pm
To reserve your place, please contact Robert at robert_haaland@hotmail.com
One more month of hard work, and then victory!
Laura Spanjian & Scott
Wiener
Co-Chairs
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Reese's World: Perspectives from the Editor
"Arnold's Big But"
by Reese Aaron Isbell
 There's an old saying that 'everything in a sentence before a 'but' is a lie, and everything after is the truth.'
I have never really put much credence to that because I believe that life isn't that simplistic. However, the saying keeps reverberating in my mind as I contemplate Arnold's veto.
| He says he supports us | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
| He says he supports our relationships | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
| He says he has LGBT friends | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
| He says he wants our support | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
| He says he is proud of California LGBT diversity | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
| He says we are entitled to full protection under the law | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
| He says that we should not be discriminated against | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
| He says he supports domestic partnerships | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
| He says he will not support any rollback in our rights | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
| He says he supports civil rights | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
| He says he fights for all the people of California | BUT | VETOES AB 849. |
Old Saying: Everything in a sentence before a 'BUT' is a lie,
and everything after is the truth.
Maybe there's something to that saying afterall…
Reese Aaron Isbell, Editor
-- I hate big buts and I cannot lie…
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Assemblyman Leno Responds To Governor's Veto Of Marriage Equality Bill
In vetoing this bill approved by duly elected representatives of the people, the Governor has failed his test of leadership and missed a historic opportunity to stand up for the basic civil rights of all Californians. He cannot claim to support fair and equal treatment of gay people and veto the very bill that would have provided it to them. While we are extremely disappointed, we have not lost faith, and our struggle continues. We will not give up until our relationships and families are treated as first class, just like everyone else. This action puts the Governor on the wrong side of history, in the company of others who have opposed equal protection for all citizens. Let this veto be our inspiration to share the fact of our love, our families and our children with all of California. We will continue to fight until our relationships are treated equally and we gain access to the rights and responsibilities of marriage, so that we may create loving, committed, stable homes for ourselves and our children. We will overcome this veto. We will reach our goal of equality and fairness for all Californians and their families despite Arnold Schwarzenegger. Liberty and justice will prevail despite the Governor's lack of leadership.
http://www.markleno.com
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Alliance for a Better California
Join us at the Alliance for a Better California Campaign
Alice Board Member Robert Haaland
Exciting things are happening with the Alliance for a Better California office! Labor, community groups, the Democratic Party, and grassroots organizations are working together more effectively than we've ever seen in San Francisco.
Everyone is coming together to defeat Schwarzenegger's dangerous initiatives. We all understand the devastating impact that Propositions 74, 75 and 76 will have on our communities and how important it is to defeat him in 2005.
There will be an LGBT phone bank on October 5th and October 19th. Assemblymember Mark Leno has agreed to be the Special Guest on October 5th, so stop by, say hello, and contact voters. We need to double the turnout in San Francisco. 29% of voters will turn out if we do
nothing. With your help, we can turn out 60% of the voters in San Francisco. Mark your calendar and take Election Day off.
Our office is located at 1338 Mission Street, between 10th and 9th Street. Our phone number is 503-5797. Don't let Arnold Proposition you. Vote November 8th.
For more information on the Alliance for a Better California, and it's positions, go to the website (www.betterca.com) and see further information below:
Alliance Positions
Help Defeat Governor Schwarzenegger's Special Interest Agenda, on the November 8th Ballot… The Alliance for a Better California has been steadfastly opposed to the Governor's wasteful Special Election for the special interests, and is now working to defeat the Governor's ballot initiatives (74-78) that will hurt our families and communities. The Alliance is also supporting two measures on the ballot (79 & 80) that will help everyday Californians, providing real prescription drug relief to consumers, and preventing energy blackouts in the future.
NO on Proposition 74: The "Punish New Teachers Act."
This measure would do nothing to improve public education or deal with the real problems facing our schools. It unfairly attempts to blame teachers for the problems in our public schools, ignoring the realities of underfunding, overcrowding, and the lack of materials and resources needed for effective teaching and learning.
NO on Proposition 75: "Paycheck Deception Act."
Proposition 75 is a deceptive measure put on the ballot by the big corporations and out of state billionaires who support Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's destructive agenda for California. It unfairly targets teachers, nurses, firefighters, police and other public employees with restrictions that don't apply to other groups or corporations, which
regularly spend shareholder money on politics without permission.
NO on Proposition 76: The "Cuts School Funding Act"
This measure would devastate our public schools and other vital services, cutting school funding by over $4 billion every year - $600 per student, leading to more overcrowded classrooms, teacher layoffs, and fewer textbooks and classroom materials. Our schools lost two billion dollars when Governor Schwarzenegger broke his promise to repay the money he took from education, and if this initiative passes, the Governor will never have to repay that money to our schools.
NO on Proposition 77: Reapportionment.
Amends process for redistricting California's Senate, Assembly, Congressional and Board of Equalization districts, putting the process in the hands of a three-member panel of retired judges, selected by legislative leaders. This measure requires immediate redistricting which is unnecessary, costly, and will produce unfair results by using outdated census data.
NO on Proposition 78: The Drug Companies "Bad Prescription" Initiative.
The big drug companies are going to spend millions trying to fool voters and keep them from passing the real prescription drug relief contained in the Alliance-backed Prop. 79. This phony measure says only that drug companies can enter a "voluntary" program to reduce prices…but why will they?
Yes for Consumer Rights and Corporate Responsibility…
YES on Proposition 79: The "Cheaper Prescription Drugs for Californians Act."
Sponsored by consumer, senior, and health organizations, Proposition 79 would provide deeper, enforceable discounts to twice as many Californians than the drug industry-backed Prop. 78. Proposition 79 would use the purchasing power of the state of California to negotiate the best price for up to ten million Californians, who now pay more than anybody else in the world for prescription drugs.
YES on Proposition 80: The "Affordable Electricity and Preventing Blackouts Act."
This is a common-sense consumer initiative that will help prevent energy blackouts and massive fraud by unregulated private energy producers like Enron. It will override the failed energy deregulation policies, put utilities back in the business of serving the public, and encourage development of more renewable energy sources. The ultimate result will be more affordable energy for ALL Californians.
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Senator Sheila Keuhl: Why the Initiatives Matter to the LGBT Community
Sheila James Kuehl
State Senator, 23rd District
Dear Friends:
I've sent this message in the body of this e-mail and as an attachment and am asking you to forward this to all our friends in the LGBT community and all our allies because it is very important that we all turn out to vote in the special election and that we Just Vote No on everything.
Most of us are primarily aware of the mean-spirited proposals for amending the Constitution to preclude marriage equality that we will face in June. Not many see relevance for us in the November election. Many are angry that there is a special election this November at all. But, it's very important that we don't stay away this November, because these initiatives matter to our community.
Why The Initiatives Qualified for the November 8, 2005, Special Statewide Election Ballot Matter to the LGBT Community and Why We Should Show Up and Just Vote No on Everything
Proposition 73: Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
- The right to privacy and control of one's body has not only been the basis of protecting a woman's right to choose, but also the basis for protecting the rights of LGBT folks.
- Civil rights should not be stripped by a ballot initiative. This becomes a tyranny of the majority.
- The women's community and LGBT community are natural allies and the women's community has provided significant support on LGBT civil rights issues. We need to stand strongly with them.
- This IS an LGBT issue, because our young women have historically been "punished" for their sexual orientation by rape and, therefore, stand in great risk of being involved in an unintended pregnancy. In addition, discrimination and harassment against our youth can result in LGBT youth engaging in a variety of risk taking behaviors, including unprotected experimentation with heterosexual sex (often to prove that one is a "real man" or "real woman" or just prove that they are not gay). The ability to choose by discussion with one's physician is important to us, too.
Proposition 74: Public School Teachers. Waiting Period for Permanent Status. Dismissal. Initiative Statute.
and
Proposition 75: Public Employee Union Dues. Restrictions on Political Contributions. Employee Consent Requirement. Initiative Statute.
Prop 74 & Prop 75
- Both of these initiatives are attacks against working families and against protecting unions' ability to organize and counter the massive and increasing assaults against them.
- Unions have increasingly been strong and important supporters of LGBT civil rights issues in the legislature, including marriage equality.
- The unions' fight for domestic partner rights in their contracts in the 90s helped us to secure the important gains we have made in the legislature. This ground work was crucial to our success.
- These matters should be negotiated by management and labor sitting equally at the table, not settled at the ballot.
Proposition 76 State Spending and School Funding Limits. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
- This is an initiative that should be called "Robocuts", and never "Live Within Our Means". It allows the Governor to declare that the budget is out of balance and, instead of taking responsibility for figuring out how and what to do, the initiative would provide automatic cuts across the board on all budget items except prisons and welfare. The major automatic cuts will be funding for education and health care.
- Education funding is important to us because it is in our schools that we begin to teach children about citizenship and tolerance for diversity. While all children will be hurt by cuts to school funding, our children will face additional harm as there will be even fewer resources available to protect them against breaches in the law and fewer community resource officers to work with local schools to protect against hate crimes on campus.
- Cuts to healthcare will obviously affect those in our community struggling with HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer.
Proposition 77 - Court Order Redistricting. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
- Although he claims otherwise, the obvious goal of a moderate Republican governor seeking redistricting is to give the Republicans and moderate Democrats more control in the legislature. No one is advocating for redistricting reform in states with a Republican majority in the Legislature.
- When districts are drawn to favor "moderates" (those who have to moderate democratic positions to secure republican votes) those elected do not support LGBT rights. Often times those elected from moderate seats are very concerned about re-election and they shy away from making bold decisions in support of LGBT civil rights issues. Don't take my word for it, check the votes on marriage equality in the Assembly.
- Many of the key gains we have made in the State Legislature have only passed by one vote. Even losing one seat traditionally held by a supporter of LGBT civil rights issues could be devastating to our community.
So please remember. If we are not able to talk the Governor out of this ill-conceived Special Election in November, GO TO THE POLLS AND JUST VOTE NO. It doesn't matter if someone tries to tell you there are one or two "good" things there. The message must be simple. Just Vote No. But Vote.
State Senator Sheila Kuehl
State Capitol - Room 5108
Sacramento, CA 95814
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Register to Vote Deadline -- October 24th
Make sure you, your family, your friends, your coworkers, your community,
everyone is registered to vote by the 24th in order to vote in the November
8th election. San Francisco Voter registration information can be found
here: http://www.sfgov.org/site/election_page.asp?id=5919#how
Download a
registration form here: http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm
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Alice
Membership Form
Alice B Toklas LGBT Democratic Club
1800 Market Street PMB#18
San Francisco, CA 94102
Tel: 415-707-2010
www.alicebtoklas.org
Alice Reports Editor: Reese Aaron Isbell, M.P.P.
General Membership Meeting 2nd Monday of each month
Month of October:
Monday, October 10, 2005
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
LGBT Community Center
1800 Market Street @ Octavia
You can now join online www.alicebtoklas.org/abt/joinonline.asp,
or fill out the application below
Membership Application
Yes, I want to join the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club!
__$35 Regular
__$100 Supporter
__$250 Sponsor
__$500 Champion
__$20 Special Needs
__Other
__I am renewing my membership __I
will be a new member
__I am a registered Democrat
Name ______________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________
City ____________________________________State: ______Zip: _____________
Phone: Day __________________________Eve: _____________________________
Email: _________________________________________
Please send checks payable to “Alice B. Toklas
LGBT Democratic Club” and mail to:
Alice B. Toklas LGBT Democratic Club
1800 Market Street, PMB#18
San Francisco, CA 94102
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