The Diversity Committee is hosting a Diversity Admissions Workshop
on Sat, Oct 20th. We will have over 150 attendees from various
undergraduate schools. As always, we are offering these students the
opportunity to bring their personal statements along if they would
like USD Law students to review and critique them. Last year we had
about 2 students per reviewer. As it stands this year, we have only
23 reviewers!
WE ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF MORE ESSAY REVIEWERS. It would only take
about an hour of your time. You needn't stay for the entire workshop.
We will be providing lunch and we're working on getting pro bono
hours for those that choose to volunteer their time.
The Diversity Committee is committed to achieving and maintaining a
more diverse, accepting, and cooperative environment here at the
University of San Diego School of Law. Your involvement would help
further that goal. If you are interested in participating in this
event then please e-mail Michael Chu, at chum-10@sandiego.edu.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Oprah blames same-sex tendencies on divorce
A post from Jessie:
I generally love Oprah and found myself tearful while watching most of her guests on yesterday's show, but for different reasons.
I felt the pain of all the children who had experienced some rough family issues, but was crying out of frustration and anger regarding the third guest, a young woman who came out to her parents about "hanging out with a girl," implying a romantic interest.
The way this was handled was shocking. Though it seemed the guest wanted to tell her parents about her self-blame in her parents' divorce, her purposeful acting out, and her consequential miscarriage, her "feelings session" with her parents rapidly turned into a sex-confession. Further and worse, the overarching message with this particular guest was, "If you don't talk to your kids about your divorce, they're going to turn gay/lesbian." And, as we know, being queer is almost always condemned as bad and wrong.
The expert and Oprah ensured the guest that she was not to blame, which simultaneously implies that even the inkling of interest in someone of the same sex entails or should entail blame.
This is both ridiculous and shameful. And, frankly, I'm surprised that the expert and Oprah were not more sensitive to this issue, as they should have been and must be in the future.
I generally love Oprah and found myself tearful while watching most of her guests on yesterday's show, but for different reasons.
I felt the pain of all the children who had experienced some rough family issues, but was crying out of frustration and anger regarding the third guest, a young woman who came out to her parents about "hanging out with a girl," implying a romantic interest.
The way this was handled was shocking. Though it seemed the guest wanted to tell her parents about her self-blame in her parents' divorce, her purposeful acting out, and her consequential miscarriage, her "feelings session" with her parents rapidly turned into a sex-confession. Further and worse, the overarching message with this particular guest was, "If you don't talk to your kids about your divorce, they're going to turn gay/lesbian." And, as we know, being queer is almost always condemned as bad and wrong.
The expert and Oprah ensured the guest that she was not to blame, which simultaneously implies that even the inkling of interest in someone of the same sex entails or should entail blame.
This is both ridiculous and shameful. And, frankly, I'm surprised that the expert and Oprah were not more sensitive to this issue, as they should have been and must be in the future.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Transcript of Mayor Sander's Gay Marriage Press Conference Speech
I just got back to town and heard the great news. Click here for a transcript of Mayor Sander's emotional speech.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Mayor Sanders Signs on to Support Same-Sex Marriage!
Yea! Mayor Sanders signed on to the amicus brief in support of same-sex marriage. He gave an emotional speech about his change of heart, saying that his daughter is a lesbian and he couldn't say that same-sex relationships were less valuable than his own relationship with his wife... I'll try to attach some articles later, post some if you find any good ones...
If you'd like to take some time to thank Mayor Sanders and the city council members who signed on to the brief, here is their contact info:
You can write to the Mayor and the Councilmembers at 202 C St., San Diego, CA 92101.
Mayor Jerry Sanders
(619) 236-6330
jerrysanders@sandiego.gov
District One – Scott Peters
(619) 236-6611
scottpeters@sandiego.gov
District Three – Toni Atkins
(619) 236-6633
toniatkins@sandiego.gov
District Six – Donna Frye
(619) 236-6616
donnafrye@sandiego.gov
District Seven – Jim Madaffer
( 619) 236-6677
jmadaffer@sandiego.gov
District Eight – Ben Hueso
(619) 236-6688
benhueso@sandiego.gov
If you'd like to take some time to thank Mayor Sanders and the city council members who signed on to the brief, here is their contact info:
You can write to the Mayor and the Councilmembers at 202 C St., San Diego, CA 92101.
Mayor Jerry Sanders
(619) 236-6330
jerrysanders@sandiego.gov
District One – Scott Peters
(619) 236-6611
scottpeters@sandiego.gov
District Three – Toni Atkins
(619) 236-6633
toniatkins@sandiego.gov
District Six – Donna Frye
(619) 236-6616
donnafrye@sandiego.gov
District Seven – Jim Madaffer
( 619) 236-6677
jmadaffer@sandiego.gov
District Eight – Ben Hueso
(619) 236-6688
benhueso@sandiego.gov
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Gay marriage backed
Council OKs measure, Sanders promises veto
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 19, 2007
The struggle over same-sex marriage has landed in San Diego, where the City Council agreed yesterday to signal its support for the concept, only to have Mayor Jerry Sanders pledge to veto the action.
Sanders' decision could result in an override of his veto, which requires a simple majority vote of the eight-member council. Councilwoman Toni Atkins said she expects “the votes will hold” to set aside the veto.
Atkins' attempt to have the city take a stand in favor of gay marriage has been bumpy. Two weeks ago, the council deadlocked 4-4 on the issue, a tie that killed the measure, until Atkins called for another chance.
Councilwoman Donna Frye, citing fears that the public had not had enough of a chance for input, voted against Atkins' proposal on Sept. 4, but changed her vote yesterday, resulting in a 5-3 decision to offer support for gay marriage.
Council President Scott Peters, and Councilmen Ben Hueso and Jim Madaffer joined Atkins and Frye on the winning side. Councilmen Kevin Faulconer, Brian Maienschein and Tony Young repeated their earlier no votes.
The council's decision – which would result in the city stating support for same-sex marriage in a case to be decided by the state Supreme Court – could be overturned as early as today.
Sanders' spokesman, Fred Sainz, said the mayor prefers civil unions, which offer some, but not all of the legal protections found in marriages. Sainz also noted that 62 percent of city voters backed Proposition 22, the statewide measure that bars California from acknowledging same-sex marriages performed in other states.
Mayoral vetoes, per city law, are required to be scheduled for review, so the council is likely to tackle the issue for a third time Monday or Tuesday. Documents must be submitted to the court by Sept. 26.
San Diego is not a party to the potentially landmark litigation, which could end the ban on marriages between gays and lesbians, but other cities and agencies throughout the state are submitting briefs stating their stances.
Atkins had asked that the city join Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Jose and Santa Cruz – cities that also are not formally involved in the case before the Supreme Court – in filing what is known as a “friend of the court” brief supporting those in favor of same-sex marriages.
Doing so, she argued, would ensure that state residents would be treated equally regardless of their sexual orientations.
“The right to marry the person of your choice is a fundamental constitutional right that has been recognized by many courts,” Atkins said.
Nearly 200 people appeared before the council, which spent more than three hours addressing the issue. Atkins, Frye and Hueso also shared carefully prepared remarks with those in attendance; the three council members who voted in opposition did not explain their positions.
Patricia Washington, a grandmother who stood up with her partner, described her support of same-sex marriage as “a continuation of the unfinished business of equality for every one of us in the city.”
Opponents, however, were angered by those who compared the pursuit of marriage rights with the civil-rights movement. Several also noted the passage of Proposition 22.
“This is not a struggle for civil rights,” said Luis Mendoza, one of nearly 80 people who opposed the effort to send the brief. “This is an attack on family.”
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Volunteer Opportunity- American Indian Recruitment Mentorship
This is a volunteer opportunity sent to us by the Native American Law Student Association. If you have any questions, you can e-mail them at usdnalsa@gmail.com.
American Indian Recruitment (AIR) Programs
P.O. Box 880471 ~ San Diego, CA 92168
www.airprogram.org ~ airprograms@verizon.net
Dwight K. Lomayesva (Hopi Tribe), Executive Director
To: Student Participants, Educational Programs, Universities and Colleges
From: Dwight K. Lomayesva, Executive Director
Re: AIR Program Fall 2007 Semester
Date: September 17, 2007
On behalf of the AIR Program, we are pleased to announce the start of the “Fall 2007 AIR Program” on October 1, 2007. Staff and mentors will begin on October 1 and students will begin on October 15. Students who wish to enroll will have until October 15, 2007 to return their completed applications and permission forms (please go to www.airprograms.org “student info” section for the application). AIR will be mailing application packets to former students and partners in the next few days. If you would like to request an application packet be mailed, please contact us as directed below.
The American Indian Recruitment (AIR) Program was established with the ideals of promoting higher education in the American Indian community. To successfully achieve such an ideal, the AIR Program is dedicated towards the successful completion of high school for our student participants. The AIR Program, therefore, offers supplemental educational instruction through tutoring, mentoring, and various activities designed to achieve success within high school and higher education. The program provides high school students an opportunity to adjust to campus and academic life before attending the university along with providing the student with academic assistance for high school. The AIR Program firmly believes that education is fundamental for success in the leadership of our American Indian community and we look forward to seeing our student participants this upcoming semester.
If you are interested in being a part of the AIR Program this semester please visit our website at www.airprogram.org to see the exciting activities our students have engaged in over the past few years. We hope you find our accomplishments as exciting as we do and hope you will add to our successful program. To contact the AIR Program, email us at airprograms@verizon.net or call 619-819-5580. We look forward to meeting you this semester.
American Indian Recruitment (AIR) Programs
P.O. Box 880471 ~ San Diego, CA 92168
www.airprogram.org ~ airprograms@verizon.net
Dwight K. Lomayesva (Hopi Tribe), Executive Director
To: Student Participants, Educational Programs, Universities and Colleges
From: Dwight K. Lomayesva, Executive Director
Re: AIR Program Fall 2007 Semester
Date: September 17, 2007
On behalf of the AIR Program, we are pleased to announce the start of the “Fall 2007 AIR Program” on October 1, 2007. Staff and mentors will begin on October 1 and students will begin on October 15. Students who wish to enroll will have until October 15, 2007 to return their completed applications and permission forms (please go to www.airprograms.org “student info” section for the application). AIR will be mailing application packets to former students and partners in the next few days. If you would like to request an application packet be mailed, please contact us as directed below.
The American Indian Recruitment (AIR) Program was established with the ideals of promoting higher education in the American Indian community. To successfully achieve such an ideal, the AIR Program is dedicated towards the successful completion of high school for our student participants. The AIR Program, therefore, offers supplemental educational instruction through tutoring, mentoring, and various activities designed to achieve success within high school and higher education. The program provides high school students an opportunity to adjust to campus and academic life before attending the university along with providing the student with academic assistance for high school. The AIR Program firmly believes that education is fundamental for success in the leadership of our American Indian community and we look forward to seeing our student participants this upcoming semester.
If you are interested in being a part of the AIR Program this semester please visit our website at www.airprogram.org to see the exciting activities our students have engaged in over the past few years. We hope you find our accomplishments as exciting as we do and hope you will add to our successful program. To contact the AIR Program, email us at airprograms@verizon.net or call 619-819-5580. We look forward to meeting you this semester.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Breakfast with U.S. Rep. Davis at the Center!
Attend The Center's September
LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast!
Featuring U.S. Representative Susan Davis
Congressmember Davis will provide an “Update from Washington,” including information on Congressional efforts on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the federal hate crimes bill
Friday, Sept. 21st
7:30 - 9:00am
At The Center --- 3909 Centre St
A full breakfast is available for a $10 donation
Coffee and tea are complimentary.
RSVPS are not required.
U.S. Representative
Susan Davis
This LGBT Community Coalition is sponsored by Wells Fargo, The Gay & Lesbian Times and San Diego LGBT Pride.
For more information, contact Kristi Shaw at (619) 692-2077, ext. 206 or at kshaw@thecentersd.org.
LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast!
Featuring U.S. Representative Susan Davis
Congressmember Davis will provide an “Update from Washington,” including information on Congressional efforts on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the federal hate crimes bill
Friday, Sept. 21st
7:30 - 9:00am
At The Center --- 3909 Centre St
A full breakfast is available for a $10 donation
Coffee and tea are complimentary.
RSVPS are not required.
U.S. Representative
Susan Davis
This LGBT Community Coalition is sponsored by Wells Fargo, The Gay & Lesbian Times and San Diego LGBT Pride.
For more information, contact Kristi Shaw at (619) 692-2077, ext. 206 or at kshaw@thecentersd.org.
Tomorrow-- San Diego City Council Votes on Marriage Equality
A message from the Center's Marriage Equality Project:
On Tues., Sept 18th the San Diego City Council will vote on whether to sign on to a friend-of-the-court (amicus) brief in the marriage equality case currently before the California Supreme Court. This measure was first brought up on Sept 4th and the Council Members voted 4-4, which forced another vote on Sept. 18th.
Having the City of San Diego (the state’s second largest city, which has, as we know, a reputation for being moderate to conservative) signing in favor of marriage equality in this case will make a HUGE impact and not only further bolster the case, but will likely help persuade other cities to sign on to the amicus brief as well.
I am 100% positive if you are reading this you have already e-mailed all the Council Members and either thanked them for their support or encouraged them to vote yes on Sept 18th, but what we really need is SUPPORTIVE FACES at the Sept. 18th hearing.
The hearing starts at 2:00pm on Tuesday Sept. 18, 2007 and is located on the 12th floor of the City Hall in Downtown San Diego (202 C Street San Diego, CA 92101).
On Tues., Sept 18th the San Diego City Council will vote on whether to sign on to a friend-of-the-court (amicus) brief in the marriage equality case currently before the California Supreme Court. This measure was first brought up on Sept 4th and the Council Members voted 4-4, which forced another vote on Sept. 18th.
Having the City of San Diego (the state’s second largest city, which has, as we know, a reputation for being moderate to conservative) signing in favor of marriage equality in this case will make a HUGE impact and not only further bolster the case, but will likely help persuade other cities to sign on to the amicus brief as well.
I am 100% positive if you are reading this you have already e-mailed all the Council Members and either thanked them for their support or encouraged them to vote yes on Sept 18th, but what we really need is SUPPORTIVE FACES at the Sept. 18th hearing.
The hearing starts at 2:00pm on Tuesday Sept. 18, 2007 and is located on the 12th floor of the City Hall in Downtown San Diego (202 C Street San Diego, CA 92101).
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
LGBTQQ Counseling Center Group
Come join us for an informal discussion made up of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students sharing their concerns and experiences.
If you're interested, please contact Erinn Tozer at the USD Counseling Center at (619) 260-4655. She will determine the time of the meeting based on members’ schedules. The first meeting should being starting the week of September 24th, 2006.
If you're interested, please contact Erinn Tozer at the USD Counseling Center at (619) 260-4655. She will determine the time of the meeting based on members’ schedules. The first meeting should being starting the week of September 24th, 2006.
Gay Days in Disneyland
The 10th annual unofficial Gay Days at Disneyland will be held on October 5-7 this year. I know some people expressed interested in going and organizing a carpool, so reply to this post if you're interested. The UC Ticket office sells "discounted" Disneyland tickets for $59, instead of the door price of $63. Yes, what a bargain. If you have any questions, check out this website www.gaydaysanaheim.com or you can also contact Jenn at jennmauri@aol.com.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Lavender Law
This year, 5 of USD's brightest attended Lavender Law in the great city of Chicago. USD Pride Law members participated in the career fair, a main draw attracting dozens of employers from across the country. Equally exciting were the work shops which covered a wide range of issues, whether unique to the LGBT community or the legal profession at large. Hopefully USD will continue to participate in the Lavender Law conference for years to come! 
Welcome!!!
Hello Everyone!
This blog will be a space for folks to post upcoming Pride Law events or community activities as well as a general sounding board for anyone who'd like to leave some comments or suggestions!
Stay tuned for updates!
This blog will be a space for folks to post upcoming Pride Law events or community activities as well as a general sounding board for anyone who'd like to leave some comments or suggestions!
Stay tuned for updates!
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