The East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club has voted to early endorse Alameda County Superior Court Judge Tara Flanagan in her race for re-election. The early endorsement is a reaction to her seat being challenged by retired public defense lawyer Karen Katz.

In the 1990’s, the LGBT community took to the ballot box in San Francisco to elect judges from their community, after years of being shut out by Republican governors George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson. In 2010, Vicky Kolakowski was the first LGBTQ person elected to the Alameda County Superior Court. She was re-elected in 2014.

Prior to the Republican governors, Jerry Brown appointed four LGBTQ judges to the bench, beginning with the Honorable Stephen Lachs, who served on the Los Angeles County Superior Court from 1979-1999.

“We are shocked and saddened that the very same ballot box that was used to empower the LGBTQ community is now being used to disempower us in the Alameda courts,” stated PAC chair Michael Colbruno. “Tara Flanagan is one of only two LGBTQ judges on the bench in Alameda County and she has served as an honorable and independent member of the court. It is reprehensible that the only challenge being mounted this year is aimed at a distinguished LGBTQ member of the court.”

The Federal Judiciary clearly sets forth the standards by which a member of the bench should be judged:

“An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice in our society. A judge should maintain and enforce high standards of conduct and should personally observe those standards, so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary may be preserved.”

“The East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club will do everything in its power to protect this seat,” stated club president Brendalynn Goodall.

December 22, 2017

Dear Members,

Happy Holidays and New Year! 2017 marked East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club 35 years of advocacy for equality. The LGBTQI community has accomplished a great deal over the past  35 years and we see that locally as well. We are thrilled that two of our most visible LGBTQI elected officials are now serving as mayors in the East Bay. John Bauters, Mayor of Emeryville, and Gabriel Quinto, Mayor of El Cerrito. John and Gabriel will serve in their respective roles for the next year. We know they will represent our community well and stand firm for our rights.

Unfortunately, this year has also been challenging given the national political climate. While we saw some great victories (yay Danica and Doug!), the LGBTQI community has been targeted both through policy, judicial bench confirmations and political appointees in opposition to our rights and the fight for full equality. Now more than ever, it’s important that we join hands and stand united as we lift each other up and pursue progressive and inclusive policies. Stonewall is helping to lead that charge. Here’s a partial list of how we represented and advocated on your behalf in 2017:

• Hosted the 5^th Annual East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club Oakland Pride Breakfast and honored six individuals and organizations for providing leadership and promoting equality in the LGBTQI community.  Special Guest Speaker: Congresswoman Barbara Lee.

• Educated our general membership about legislative bills of interests to the LGBTQI Community – SB179 Gender Identity & SB219 LGBT Senior Long-term Care Bill of Rights, and the Healthy California Act, SB562.

• Joined Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf to reaffirm that no resources shall be used for city business to North Carolina (in response to new legislation erroneously touted as “a repeal” of the discriminatory HB2 law)

• Advocated on behalf of LGBTQI elders – the Trump administration was attempting to erase our Trans elders from a federal survey that determines how billions of dollars are spent on elder care and support.

• Hosted a community forum on immigration policy and reform and its impact on the LGBTQI community with Oasis Legal Services, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Senator Nancy Skinner and Assemblymember Rob Bonta.
  

• Successfully advocated Mayor Libby Schaaf on behalf of the re-appointment of our own board member Michael Colbruno to another term as a Port of Oakland Commissioner.
  

• Successfully lobbied Piedmont City Council members to pressure the acting mayor to resign because of hostile comments directed at our trans community.

• Joined Lambda Democratic Club of Contra Costa County to officially condemn Trump’s tweets banning transgender members from the military.

• Hosted a community forum on the City of Oakland’s infrastructure and housing bond and Alameda County priorities with Alameda County Board of Supervisor Wilma Chan and Oakland’s Policy Director for Infrastructure and Transportation, Matt Nichols.
  

• Wrote an open letter to Donald Trump on “Real Leadership” stating that Stonewall will continue to work every hour of everyday to make certain that this nation is one that welcomes and lifts up the health and wellbeing of workers, immigrants, Blacks, whites, Jews, Muslims, Transgender people, gays and lesbians.

As we move into 2018, please make sure to keep the following dates in your calendars:

East Bay Stonewall Holiday Social

Special Guest: Honorable John Bauters, Emeryville Mayor

January 17, 2018,   5:30-7:30 PM

The Port Bar

2023 Broadway, Oakland

East Bay Stonewall & Lambda Democratic Club Assembly District  15 - LGBTQI Candidates Forum

February 21, 2018, 6:00-8:00PM

Sports Basement

2727 Milvia St., Berkeley

East Bay Stonewall Annual Membership Meeting

Board Elections, Candidate Endorsements

March 21, 2018, 6:00-8:00PM

Location to be announced

 

Thank you again for your support.

In solidarity,

The East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club

Brendalynn Goodall, President

James Chang, Vice President

Nick Resnick, Secretary

Joaquin Rivera, Treasurer

Michael Colbruno, Political Action Chair

At-large members

Lori Droste

Kamika Dunlap

Joseph Greaves

Anne Marks

George Perezvelez

Ces Rosales

Student Fellow for East Bay LGBTQI Advocacy Group 2017 -2018

East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club - the longest serving LGBTQI advocacy organization in the East Bay - is seeking an undergraduate student fellow to help coordinate our advocacy, communications and membership activities.  This is a great opportunity for a student with an interest in LGBTQI activism, politics and public policy. The duration of the fellowship is a minimum of two academic semesters, and may continue beyond that.  The fellow will receive a $300 monthly stipend. The fellow will be expected to meet one hour each week with the President of the club or their designee, and to attend board meetings and club events when possible (approximately once per month). In addition, the fellow will spend an average of 5 hours per week working remotely from home or school on various organizational tasks. The fellow should have access to a computer with internet. 

Responsibilities include: 

·      Communications – supporting the execution of the Club’s communications strategy, including posting content on the Stonewall website; preparing email blasts and e-newsletters; and drafting correspondence and press releases.

·      Membership – processing and maintaining membership information on current members; following up with non-member event attendees to encourage them to become members; supporting outreach efforts; etc. 

·      Events – helping to coordinate Club events, including helping to plan and promote the event, coordinate volunteers, and onsite support. 

·      Advocacy – supporting Club effort to promote policies and candidates that are supportive of the LGBTQ community.  The fellow will have an opportunity to interact regularly with board members, local elected officials, and community leaders. 

If you are interested in applying to become the next East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club student fellow, please submit your resume and a short cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position. Submit your materials to: eastbaystonewalldems@gmail.com.

When emailing and submitting application, please put in the subject line of your email “YOUR FULL NAME: Fellowship”

Deadline: 11/20/2017 at 5pm

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2017training

San Francisco—California Democratic Party Women’s Caucus Chair Christine Pelosi released the following statement responding to the growing discussion of sexual harassment in California politics: 

“The last few days have made clear that the pervasive, demeaning and degrading harassment women face in political circles is a problem that goes beyond partisanship and everyone is accountable. We as Democrats must continually strive to advance equality for all. The bipartisan #WeSaidEnough movement started by Adama Iwu is a clarion call to do better immediately. 

We stand by the coalition's call for much-needed reform, including the following suggestions for workplace procedures: 

1. A confidential hotline to report incidents of harassment or abuse.
2. An independent outside entity, staffed by professionally trained investigators, to review and make determinations on claims; 
3. Public disclosure of how tax dollars are used to adjudicate claims and settlements;
4. A party that holds candidates and elected officials accountable to promote and maintain a safe culture for all; and,
5. Laws that provide whistleblower and retaliation protections for all victims. 

Our party should be an inclusive place where people can achieve their potential and make real contributions to a progressive future for our country. Democrats at every level must embrace a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and assault, from small clubs to our candidates to our national party. We must look to the best practices of private entities and adapt those practices to our own operations—things like anonymous hotlines for complaints and making sure investigations are handled by experienced professionals in a sensitive and comprehensive manner. And it’s incumbent upon every single one of us to build a culture that respects and values women and the contributions we have made to our Party. 

We are witnessing a powerful moment where women are standing up and refusing to stay quiet about the treatment we have endured for too long. This is how change for the better starts, and our Democratic Party must stand in solidarity with the amazing women driving this long overdue and badly needed movement.”

# # #

Come celebrate Oakland's Pride Breakfast with friends, food, and the East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club.

Annual East Bay Stonewall

Oakland Pride Breakfast

Sunday, September 13, 2015
8:00 am-9:30 am
California Nurses Association

Sunday, September 10, 2017, 1544 Broadway, Oakland
RSVP Online

This event is FREE for members of the East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club. If you are not a member and would like to attend, please become a member. Stonewall is offering a one-time only Oakland Pride membership special for $25.  Bring cash or a check to the breakfast, or please join online.

We are pleased to welcome Congresswoman Barbara Lee, our keynote speaker!

Please join us for a morning celebration before the Oakland Pride Parade.

Click Here to RSVP

Thank you to our generous event sponsors:

Sponsorship Opportunities Available - Click Here

August 18, 2017

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

 

Dear President Trump,

This past week you let us all know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are unfit to lead this nation. You lifted up violent racists as reasonable and valuable members of this society, stating repeatedly that “both sides” are to blame for the bloodshed and chaos in Charlottesville. To be very clear, violent racists are not reasonable or valuable, and they are solely to blame for this horrific act that led to death, horror and injury for so many. Your lack of a moral compass is outrageous and showcases at best a stunning ignorance of our collective democratic values and at worst a willful disregard for the wellbeing of our nation. 

We are writing to let you know that while your leadership is an abject failure, the leadership of the people at the local level abides. We are grateful today that our nation is one that is built upon strong institutions at all levels, from the national to the local.  It is clear that our voices at the local level matter now more than ever.

We are writing to let you know that we wholeheartedly believe in the saying that a nation is not to be judged by the character of its leader but by the character of its people. We know that what you lack in moral fiber and aptitude for service, we the people are working to exemplify every day and every waking minute. And while you have consistently chosen to not stand up against violence and abuse, we the people will stand up.

We say no to horror. We say no to white nationalism. We say no to xenophobia and transphobia.  We say no to divisive, non-democratic rhetoric that scapegoats and vilifies our loved ones and neighbors. We will fight for our nation, and we will be strong and unwavering in our commitment to justice and equity.

It is clear that you will continue down an abysmal path that serves the narrowest possible interest: your own. While we shudder at the reality that the man currently entrusted with upholding our nation’s highest office is entirely incapable of doing his job, we will continue to work every hour of every day to make certain that this nation is one that welcomes and lifts up the health and wellbeing of workers, immigrants, blacks, whites, Jews, Muslims, transgender people, gays and lesbians. Moreover, we will continue to lift up the voices and wellbeing of women and men regardless of their race, religion or income level. We will, in short, do what you are incapable of doing, and that is to lead with heart and courage in a time of difficulty and great peril in our nation.

Sincerely,

Brendalynn Goodall, President
The East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club

In honor of the upcoming Oakland Pride and our club's 35th anniversary celebration, you can join or renew your club membership for only $25!

Membership has its privileges as it allows you free registration for our annual pre-parade breakfast with Congresswoman Barbara Lee. 

Letter from Brendalynn Goodall, Club President, on The Supreme Court decision.

Wednesday July 1st, 2015
 
Dear Community,
 
With the historic decision on marriage equality by The Supreme Court, we have come closer to full equality in the eyes on the law, our loved ones and the communities in which we live, work and thrive.
 
I am reminded at times like this of our mission as a club:

• To further equality through the political process and community activism,
• To bring together lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, (LGBT) individuals and our allies to achieve equality for all and to advance progressive values through the Democratic Party,
• To raise the issue of LGBT rights in political campaigns, and
• To lobby for legislation that advances and upholds the rights of LGBT individuals.

The Supreme Court decision is a celebratory victory, however, there are many challenges and issues that we need to continue to address. We need to continue to fight for equality in health care services, workplace discrimination by supporting the passage of ENDA, open adoption policies to all LGBT members, transgender issues, racism within and from outside of our communities, and elder and youth issues.
 
As a community, we need to continue to re-energize and use what we have learned in the fight for marriage equality – and continue to fight for all LGBT rights. A battle has been won but many more are still ahead of us. The road is long, but together and with our non LGBT allies it will be a successful one. Lasting changes take time but we are on our way. With your support, your energy and your passion, we will continue to change hearts and minds and reach full equality.

Sincerely,

Brendalynn Goodall, President
East Bay Stonewall Democratic Club