by Peter DelVecchio

Michelle Obama attends L.A. fundraisers

Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, attended two fundraisers at private homes in Los Angeles the evening of Sept. 3, L.A. Weekly reported. Coming directly from a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Obama arrived at the Holmby Hills home of Bryan Lourd, managing partner of Creative Artists Agency, and his companion, Bruce Bozzi. The minimum guest contribution was $1,000. Among the roughly 300 attendees were actresses Helen Hunt and Salma Hayek, and LGBT community leaders, including West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran and L.A. City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, both openly gay.

Obama told the mostly LGBT crowd, “In a world as it should be, we repeal laws like DOMA [the federal Defense of Marriage Act] and ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” the policy barring gays and lesbians from military service unless they keep their sexual orientation secret. Obama also said an Obama administration would “recognize” gay adoption rights. Before leaving, she urged the crowd to get involved in the campaign, saying, “You’re going to have to share your passion. You’re going to have to advocate.”

Obama then proceeded to the Beverly Hills home of actor Samuel L. Jackson and his wife LaTanya Richardson. The minimum guest contribution was $2,300. Among the approximately 300 attendees were actor Denzel Washington, actress and singer Barbra Streisand and husband James Brolin, Lakers great Magic Johnson and actress Scarlett Johansson. Addressing the group, Obama made essentially the same points she had made at Holmby Hills, without the gay references. She complimented the Clintons for their speeches at the Democratic National Convention, saying, “Hillary and Bill were amazing.”

Regarding her husband’s campaign, Obama said, “There has been a momentum. There hasn’t been a drop off. It’s been growing and growing and growing.” Asked whether Americans are ready for a woman or African-American president, Obama said, “I think this primary season has shown us we’re ready for a true president, a leader.” She again urged the audience to get involved, saying, “We need people to get people registered to vote. We need you, and we need your prayers.”

Journalist Ted Johnson arrested at GOP Convention

Openly gay journalist Ted Johnson, managing editor for Variety who blogs at wilshireandwashington.com, was one of about 30 journalists arrested during the Republican Convention Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis, Minn. Though he was clearly identified as “media” covering a demonstration, Johnson was charged with being present at an unlawful assembly—a misdemeanor—and his camera and laptop were confiscated.

Johnson told IN Los Angeles that he did not hear the police order to disperse because a flash grenade, which he said was as loud as an M-80, had just burst nearby. He continued to shoot video as he, other journalists and protesters were herded onto a bridge—only to be stopped and arrested by riot police at the other end.

Johnson said his demeanor went from “mild amusement—at first I thought, ‘You’ve got to be kidding’—to befuddlement, to actual anger.”

After getting a lawyer to retrieve his equipment, Johnson blogged about the experience and posted video on YouTube. One viewer posted a “fagit” comment, which Johnson said was probably aimed at all the protesters. He said he has not yet determined what further action he might take but noted that the Society of Professional Journalists is looking into the arrests.
—Karen Ocamb

EQCA urges Schwarzenegger to sign bills, passes 50-bill milestone

LGBT advocacy group Equality California (EQCA) requests that all concerned with LGBT rights urge Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign five EQCA-sponsored bills once the state’s budget crisis is resolved. “These bills include a measure that would create the first-ever state day of special significance honoring an LGBT leader and legislation protecting youth, seniors and same-sex couples. Each of these bills passed the Legislature ... and right-wing groups have wasted no time in lobbying the governor to veto them,” according to EQCA’s website, eqca.org.

To urge the governor to sign the bills, visit the website and click “Take Action.” These five bills brings the total number of EQCA-sponsored bills passed by California’s Legislature to 50, according to the organization.

“When I first came to Sacramento as an assemblymember in 1994, California literally had no legal protections for LGBT people,” said openly lesbian state Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica). “Thanks to the hard work of Equality California and the LGBT Caucus, we’ve completely turned that around in the span of 10 years. I’m proud to say California now has the best, most comprehensive laws in place to protect LGBT people in every aspect of their lives.”

Community Market survey largest ever

IN is participating in what the LGBT-owned market research and communications firm Community Marketing, Inc. calls “the largest LGBT community survey in history.” IN and Frontiers co-publisher David Stern says the survey, “Power in our Pride,” “is trying to quantify LGBT spending habits to further illustrate the power of LGBT dollars.” Readers who complete the survey by Sept. 30 (featured at IN’s website, inlamagazine.com), will be entered into a drawing to win one of five iPod Shuffles or the grand prize of two free round-trip tickets to/from any of the participating airline’s destinations.

Laguna’s Garden of Peace and Love loses keeper

The Garden of Peace and Love on the bluff overlooking the sea in Laguna Beach has lost its gardener, the Los Angeles Times reported Sept. 7. For 20 years, Michael Martenay, 48, who moved to Laguna from Paris 25 years ago, had tended the small garden that has become a memorial to AIDS victims, with its cherubs, flowers and the ashes of about 50 people. Martenay discovered he had AIDS five months ago, and has since lived at an Anaheim hospice, too weak to return to his garden. The garden, named by Martenay, “had great significance to many of us who’ve been through the AIDS epidemic,” said openly gay Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl. A professional gardener now visits weekly, thanks to a Labor Day fundraiser.

“It’s very good. I’m very happy,” said Martenay. “But it’s too bad, because it’s not me.”

Task force to honor Sid Sheinberg, Milk team

On Sept. 21, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force will honor Sid Sheinberg, partner of the Bubble Factory, former president of MCA, Inc., and vice-chair of Human Rights Watch, and the gay creative team behind the upcoming film Milk, at their 2008 Los Angeles Leadership Awards Brunch.

Actor Josh Brolin will present the award at the Beverly Hills Hotel to Milk director Gus Van Sant, writer Dustin Lance Black and producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks.

New NGLTF Executive Director Rea Carey will also deliver remarks.

To purchase tickets, visit thetaskforce.org/lala.
—K.O.

Memorial for pioneer Del Martin on Oct. 1

A public memorial for legendary lesbian author and activist Del Martin will take place on Oct. 1, from 2-4 p.m. in San Francisco City Hall. Martin, 87, died on Aug. 27 with her wife, Phyllis Lyon, by her side. Martin and Lyon were legally married on June 16, after 55 years together. A public reception will follow the ceremony. Gifts, in lieu of flowers, can be made to honor Martin’s life and commitment and to defeat the California marriage ban through NCLR’s No On 8 PAC at nclrights.org/noon8.
—K.O.

Same-sex wedding expo in Palm Springs

An estimated 200-250 people attended a same-sex wedding expo at the Parker Hotel in Palm Springs Sept. 7, KESQ.com reports. “The Same-Sex in the City Wedding Show 2008” was the second hosted by GBK Productions and Rrivre Works of Los Angeles, according to KMIR6.com. The first was at the Sofitel Los Angeles Aug. 17, a GBK/Rrivre release says. Showcased were the entire range of wedding products and services, from rings to cakes to ice carving. Twenty percent of proceeds will go to fight Proposition 8, which would re-impose California’s same-sex marriage bar.

Project Angel Food hosts annual Angel Awards

Project Angel Food, which delivers meals to people living with HIV/AIDS and other debilitating conditions, hosted its 15th annual Angel Awards Aug. 23 at its Hollywood headquarters. Singer and actress Olivia Newton-John received the Marianne Williamson Founder’s Award for her work against breast cancer. Proceeds from sales of Newton-John’s new CD, Olivia Newton-John & Friends, will benefit the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Australia.

Also honored was John Gile, Project Angel Food’s former CEO, who stepped down in June after a 15-year tenure.