Benefit Cocktail Party and Screening of "for my wife...”

On 29 May 09, over 150 supporters of Equality gathered for a benefit cocktail party and screening of "for my wife...” 

Below are the remarks of Jessica Bair, co-chair for HRC Los Angeles and on the HRC National Board of Governors, given after the screening and before the Q&A:

Good evening, I am honored to be here with you tonight. First, I would like to thank all those who made this evening possible. 

The time and materials to produce this event were donated pro bono, including tonight’s film “for my wife...”, so your entire ticket price is funding the fight for full Equality.  I wish to especially thank Laurie Kaman for her incredible work and drive, Director David Rothmiller, Producer LD Thompson and Trick Dog Films. 

Our special thanks to our sponsors, including Jar and mixologist Whitney Scott Bain; and our event photographers Dawn Laureen and Jolie Kinga.  [The event photos can be viewed on FaceBook] We so appreciate the fair minded political leaders in attendance and who spoke with us, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, West Hollywood City Council members John Duran and Lindsay Horvath.  We also thank our celebrity guests Meredith Baxter, Nancy Grahn and Shawnee Harkins.  And all of you who are spending your Friday evening with us.

We are grateful to our fellow LGBT activists in Equality California, Women in Film, the LA Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the LA Gay & Lesbian Center, who are hosting us this evening.

And we especially thank Charlene Strong, for her courage and willingness to share her story.

California took an important step forward last May when our Supreme Court recognized Marriage Equality for same-sex couples under the state constitution.  Tuesday’s ruling upholding Prop 8 was a major step backward.   We are confident this is only a temporary retreat from Equality.  HRC will work with Equality California, Marriage Equality USA, the Courage Campaign, the Center and other supporters of Equality to restore the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in California.  

Tuesday’s ruling is out of step with the direction in which the country is heading, as recent victories in Iowa, Vermont, and Maine make clear.  For the moment, California has forfeited its leadership role in advancing Equality. It’s now up to the people of this state to restore Equality for all couples and all families in California. Tomorrow, there will be a rally for LGBT Equality on the steps of the Fresno City Hall, called Meet in the Middle.  We encourage all who can attend to do so.

Some have asked, “What’s next for HRC in California?”  We believe one important step in restoring marriage for same-sex couples in California will be working to strengthen support in communities of faith, and demonstrating that the 18,000 legally wedded same-sex couples in California are not a threat to marriage.

To help sway the ‘movable middle’ to the right side of history, HRC is investing significant financial and staff resources into California Faith for Equality, an existing clergy coalition working for Marriage Equality.  We will help them strengthen and expand their work underway in communities of faith who support marriage by same-sex couples. We will assist in identifying key religious spokespersons who are relevant to their local community, and giving visibility to clergy and their congregations who endorse Marriage Equality.  We will also help build a network of campaign volunteers in anticipation of the 2010 ballot measure.  This work recognizes that it is crucial to broaden, diversify, and deepen religious support for Marriage Equality, for faith most often is the source of opposition to our equal rights and happiness.  

I know you enjoyed “for my wife…”, and may it inspire you to continue the fight, as no one will give up until Marriage Equality is restored in California.  It is not a question of “if” this will happen; it is only a question of when.  

Thank you.