Santa Ana’s Velvet Lounge is hosting a number of the decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding Prop. 8 and DOMA.
Here is an update from the Velvet Lounge about all of the activities they have planned for this afternoon and evening:
Today was truly a historic day! Prop 8 and DOMA’s federal bans are becoming a thing of the past, and the LGBT community can look forward to marriage equality! Continue reading
In a 5-4 ruling in United States v. Windsor, the court struck down a provision of the 17-year-old Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that denies federal benefits — like Social Security benefits or the ability to file joint tax returns — to same-sex couples legally married, according to CBS News.
The Supreme Court also cleared the way Wednesday for same-sex marriages to resume in California as the justices, in a procedural ruling, turned away the defenders of Proposition 8. Chief Justice John Roberts, speaking for the 5-4 majority, said the private sponsors of Prop. 8 did not have legal standing to appeal after the ballot measure was struck down by a federal judge in San Francisco, according to the Los Angeles Times.
These landmark decisions will be celebrated by Day of Decision Orange County today, June 26. 2013, in Santa Ana, at 6:30 pm at the Old Orange County Courthouse, located at 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd. Continue reading
Please join us as we join our “Voices of Justice, Compassion, Faith, and Love”
Progressive Interfaith Alliance OC (PIA-OC) and a number of progressive community organizations are organizing a response to the NOM (National Organization for Marriage) and Vota Tus Valores Bus tour on Monday Oct 4th.
Why we are doing this? It is a matter of faith. We must stand against any organization (NOM/VTV) that comes to Orange County which uses faith to promote an anti-gay and an anti-woman message. These groups are specifically targeting our Latino/a brothers and sisters proclaiming a message of fear and injustice.
Join us with a message of love and compassion. We will be needing your support to show our Latino/a brothers and sisters that welcome, equality, inclusion, acceptance, and love are true OC values.
For more information contact: greg @ noonprop8oc@gmail.com and check www.progressiveinterfaith.org for more information.
Sponsoring Progressive Organizations include:
* Progressive Interfaith Alliance OC
* Orange County Equality Coalition (OCEC)
Click here to RSVP on Facebook.
Pastor Mike Holland Celebrates Equality for All in Response to Prop 8 Trial Decision
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Santa Ana, California (August 5, 2010) – In response to US District Judge Vaughn Walker’s finding that Proposition 8’s ban on same-gender marriage is unconstitutional, the pastor of Church of the Foothills, Mike Holland, issued the following statement:
“Yesterday, August 4, was the birthday of our oldest son. Since his birth, I have dreamed of a world where children can grow up without fear of prejudice or rejection because of who they are. The court decision to overturn the misguided and ill-conceived Prop 8 went a long way toward helping create the kind of world in which I want our children to live.”
Pastor Mike Holland continued. “As a child, I grew up in the deep South and saw first-hand the harm and violence that legal discrimination had upon my African-American neighbors. I witnessed their long and difficult march toward racial equality. As history has shown, while it may take a while for Americans to get it right in terms of civil rights and liberties, eventually we
do. I believe in a freedom-loving, life-enhancing divine Spirit that desires all of God’s children to know love. Finally, once again, we can celebrate as two people, regardless of gender, want to affirm their relationship through the social and legal institution of marriage. Let there again be joy in the land!”
Pastor Mike Holland was voted by readers of the OC Weekly as the Best Political Pastor in Orange County.
Church of the Foothills is located at 19211 Dodge Avenue at Newport, in Santa Ana, CA 92705. For more information, please call 714.544.1319.
ABOUT CHURCH OF THE FOOTHILLS
Church of the Foothills (ChOTF) has been “Open and Affirming” of the LGBT community for many years, and offers monthly LGBT fellowships, with a variety of exciting events planned. Additionally, Church of the Foothills was profiled in the Orange County Register for performing one of the first legal same-gender church weddings in Orange County and provides ceremony
services for committed couples.
A dynamic and progressive church affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ, ChOTF offers a variety of opportunities for mission, service and fellowship, with Sunday worship beginning at 9:00 AM.
For more information on Church of the Foothills, please contact them via phone 714.544.1319 or online at www.chotf.org.
Church of the Foothills is located at 19211 Dodge Avenue at Newport, in Santa Ana, CA 92705. Phone: 714.544.1319.
Contact: Kergan Edwards-Stout, 714.552.2348, chotfona@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Church of the Foothills Joins Community Groups Uniting in Response to Prop 8 Trial Decision
Santa Ana, California (August 3, 2010) – Tomorrow, Wednesday August 4th, US District Judge Vaughn Walker will release his ruling on the constitutionality of Proposition 8 banning marriage for same-gender couples.
Church of the Foothills is pleased to be joining a wide array of community groups from all parts of Orange County for a “Fairness for ALL Families” rally, scheduled for 7 PM. It will be held in Sasscer Park, across the street from the Federal Building and Courthouse in Downtown Santa Ana. Whether it will be a protest or celebration remains to be seen.
The pastor of Church of the Foothills, Mike Holland, who was voted by readers of the OC Weekly as the Best Political Pastor in Orange County, noted his excitement at the church’s involvement in the rally. “Our congregation has long been a champion of peace and justice issues, and a firm supporter of marriage equality. It is time that the state recognize that all people are worthy of full equal treatment under the law.”
Church member Kergan Edwards-Stout, who is raising two sons with partner Russ Noe, is anxiously awaiting the court decision.
“The inequities that are placed on our family are truly astounding,” said Edwards-Stout. “I teach our kids to follow the golden rule, and it is disheartening to have to explain that the government doesn’t treat everyone equally under the law.” He continues, “During the Prop 8 trial, I kept hearing people say that they were trying to protect the children, and I wondered, who is protecting my
children?” As domestic partnership laws don’t provide the same legal rights as marriage, Edwards-Stout is concerned about his family’s future. “Our kids deserve the same rights as everyone else’s, with equality in medical insurance coverage, survivor benefits, and other rights that most families take for granted.”
“Fairness for ALL Families” is being organized by the Orange County Equality Coalition and many other community organizations. It will feature speakers and entertainment, as well as representatives from local groups providing information on how to get involved in the fight for equality. “I hope everyone comes out for this momentous decision,” said Holland. “This is a terrific opportunity to join the fight for equal rights for all.”
To learn more about the event, please visit: http://ocequality.ning.com/events/decision-day-orange-county
Church of the Foothills is located at 19211 Dodge Avenue at Newport, in Santa Ana, CA 92705. For more information, please call 714.544.1319.
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ABOUT CHURCH OF THE FOOTHILLS
Church of the Foothills (ChOTF) has been “Open and Affirming” of the LGBT community for many years, and offers monthly LGBT fellowships, with a variety of exciting events planned. Additionally, Church of the Foothills was profiled in the Orange County Register for performing one of the first legal same-gender church weddings in Orange County and provides ceremony
services for committed couples.
A dynamic and progressive church affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the Disciples of Christ, ChOTF offers a variety of opportunities for mission, service and fellowship, with Sunday worship beginning at 9:00 AM.
For more information on Church of the Foothills, please contact them via phone 714.544.1319 or online at www.chotf.org.
Church of the Foothills is located at 19211 Dodge Avenue at Newport, in Santa Ana, CA 92705. Phone: 714.544.1319.
###
Contact: Kergan Edwards-Stout
Phone: 714.552.2348
Email: chotfona@gmail.com