That type of hatred could never exist here in the US.....RIGHT?........WRONG! Enter Porterville California. The only city in the state that has the hateful distinction of formally endorsing Proposition 8, the law stripping the LGBT community of our right to marry, and leaving aprox 18000 LGBT people who already married in legal limbo for years. That of course as we know was deemed unenforceable, much to the chagrin of the opposition , who are still making feeble attempts to stop marriage equality. They are fools. They are backwards. They are not thinkers.
Meet the city council of Porterville California.
Greg Shelton Cameron Hamilton Brian Ward
These elected officials, as I loathe to call them leaders of this city did it again this year, when Porterville Mayor, Virginia R. Gurrola,
on June 4, 2013, issued a proclamation declaring June 2013 to be LGBTPride Month in the City of Porterville. Upon this happening, the other councilmen, who more resemble wolves than men, declined to sign the
proclamation, and voted by three to two, on July 16, 2013, to rescind it. Upon outcry from the LGBT community when they did it, arrests were made and gay and lesbian activists were carted off to jail, rather than simply removed from the council chambers. Unlike when a rabidly homophobic public speaker (suspiciously latent) called for the death penalty for the LGBT community and made discriminatory remarks to the mayor, was simply removed from chambers. Double standard? HELL YES. They do not try to hide it. It is a garden of inequality, that grows nothing but thorns. It has been said that Mayor Gurrola has had to have security since the proclamation because of threats to her well being. This is a city gone awry. It is a city that provides no support to its LGBT citizens. It is a city that wants them to leave. It is a city where housewives get up during public comment and blame gay men for every STD and STI on earth. It is a city driven by a God. Not a loving God. A conveniently evil God. One that has been fabricated by men. One that calls for people to harm other people. One that leaves their religious leaders to suspect as they endorse and watch this God.
Tonight I watched as the West Hollywood city council cringed at the stories we told them in public comment. Cringed when they felt the hurt caused by Cameron Hamilton, Brian Ward, and Greg Shelton, the three thugs posing as city council members, and cringed when they realized, the LGBT community of Porterville feels outcast. Our council members unanimously adopted a resolution supporting Porterville' now rescinded LGBT Pride Month's proclamation. Our packed council chambers applauded long and hard.
This is a city of fairness, equality and thinkers. This city embraces diversity, and takes care of all of its constituents.
In years to come, the current council of Porterville will look like the KKK run amuck. They will be laughed at like cheap parlor jokes and their grandchildren will bare the shame of their legacy's. The world is watching Porterville. West Hollywood took notice tonight. I am sure there will be more city's to follow.
In years to come, the current council of Porterville will look like the KKK run amuck. They will be laughed at like cheap parlor jokes and their grandchildren will bare the shame of their legacy's. The world is watching Porterville. West Hollywood took notice tonight. I am sure there will be more city's to follow.
Oh and guess what. These council members cannot rescind the resolution given to the LGBT community of Porterville by the city of West Hollywood. It's out of their hands. We aren't afraid of bullies here.
Follow for the full resolution:
CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 5, 2013
CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION ENDORSING MAYOR VIRGINIA R.
GURROLA'S PROCLAMATION OF JUNE 2013 AS
LGBT PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY OF PORTERVILLE,
CALIFORNIA
INITIATED BY: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND RENT
STABILIZATION
Elizabeth Savage, Director)
Jeff Book, Staff Liaison)
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT:
The Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board recommends that the City Council adopt a
resolution endorsing Mayor Virginia R. Gurrola' s proclamation of June 2013 as LGBT
Pride Month.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 13- 1-I53, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING MAYOR VIRGINIA R. GURROLA'S
PROCLAMATION OF JUNE 2013 AS LGBT PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY
OF PORTERVILLE, CALIFORNIA."
2) Send copies of the signed resolution to Mayor Virginia R. Gurrola, Vice Mayor
Pete V. McCracken, and Councilmembers Cameron J. Hamilton, Greg Shelton,
and Brian Ward, of the City of Porterville, CA.
BACKGROUND ANALYSIS:
On May 31, 2013, President Obama issued a proclamation declaring the month of June
2013 to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and. Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month in the United
States of America. This was the sixth time there has been a presidential proclamation
of Pride Month. The occasion has also been recognized by the State of California for
more than 10 years. The City of West Hollywood has supported equality since its
inception in 1984.
On June 4, 2013, Virginia R. Gurrola, Mayor of the City of Porterville, in Tulare County,
CA, issued a proclamation declaring June 2013 to be LGBT Pride Month in the City of
Porterville. The other members of the Porterville City Council declined to sign the
proclamation. On July 16, 2013, the Porterville City Council voted to rescind the
proclamation, three votes to two, although the ability of the Council to rescind the
Mayor's proclamation has been disputed.
In the last few years, there have been major advances toward full equality for LGBT
persons, including rulings by the United States Supreme Court that the Federal Government's
refusal to recognize marriages of persons of the same sex is unconstitutional
as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons, as protected by the Fifth Amendment to
the Constitution; and declining to overturn the finding of the Federal District Court that
California' s Proposition 8 ( 2012), prohibiting marriage of persons of the same sex, was
an unconstitutional violation of due process and equal protection.
In his 2013 proclamation, President Obama said that "support for LGBT equality is
growing, led by a generation which understands that, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., `injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He concluded, " I am
confident that one day soon, from coast to coast, all of our young people will look to the
future with the same sense of promise and possibility."
At their meeting of July 11, 2013, the West Hollywood Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board
voted to recommend that the West Hollywood City Council adopt a resolution endorsing
Mayor Gurrola' s proclamation in Porterville, because the City of West Hollywood stands
for justice everywhere.
West Hollywood supports those who lead the way to end discrimination, promote
fairness for all, and establish equality. No person, including those who are LGBT,
should suffer needlessly at the hands of others. No person, including LGBT persons,
should be made to feel like a second- class citizen, or deprived of the full equality of
rights and responsibilities under the law. And no person, including those who are
LGBT, should ever be bullied or hated because of who they are.
In adopting a resolution in support of Mayor Gurrola' s proclamation, the City Council
would again demonstrate that the LGBT community of the Porterville area, and all those
who support their full freedom and equality, are far from being alone. They are, in fact,
supported by a growing majority of the American people.
CONFORMANCE WITH VISION 2020 AND THE GOALS OF THE WEST
HOLLYWOOD GENERAL PLAN:
This item is consistent with the Ongoing Strategic Programs of: Value and Encourage
Our Broad Diversity of Cultures.
This item is consistent with General Plan Goal HS- 3: Promote a community with strong
social networks and cross-cultural interaction.
EVALUATION:
None.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTH:
None.
OFFICE OF PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY:
Department of Human Services and Rent Stabilization
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RESOLUTION NO. 13-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD,
CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING MAYOR VIRGINIA R. GURROLA'S
PROCLAMATION OF JUNE 2013 AS LGBT PRIDE MONTH
IN THE CITY OF PORTERVILLE, CALIFORNIA.
WHEREAS, President Obama on May 31, 2013, issued a proclamation declaring the
month of June 2013 to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride
Month in the United States of America, thus marking the sixth occasion on which Pride
Month has been recognized by the United States; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Hollywood has supported the full equality of persons since
its founding in 1984; and
WHEREAS, Virginia R. Gurrola, Mayor of the City of Porterville, Tulare County,
California, on June 4, 2013, issued a proclamation declaring June 2013 to be LGBT
Pride Month in the City of Porterville; and
WHEREAS, other members of the Porterville City Council declined to sign the
proclamation, and voted by three to two, on July 16, 2013, to rescind the proclamation,
although the Council' s ability to rescind the proclamation has been disputed; and
WHEREAS, there have been major advances toward full equality for LGBT persons,
including rulings by the United States Supreme Court regarding same-sex marriage and
California' s Proposition 8 ( 2012); and
WHEREAS, the City of West Hollywood believes that, far from being alone, the LGBT
community of the Porterville area, and all those who support their full freedom and
equality, are, in fact, supported by a growing majority of the American people;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of West Hollywood endorses
Mayor Virginia R. Gurrola' s proclamation of June 2013 as LGBT Pride Month in the City
of Porterville, California.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED AUGUST 5 2013
CONSENT CALENDAR
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION ENDORSING MAYOR VIRGINIA R.
GURROLA'S PROCLAMATION OF JUNE 2013 AS
LGBT PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY OF PORTERVILLE,
CALIFORNIA
INITIATED BY: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND RENT
STABILIZATION
Elizabeth Savage, Director)
Jeff Book, Staff Liaison)
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT:
The Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board recommends that the City Council adopt a
resolution endorsing Mayor Virginia R. Gurrola' s proclamation of June 2013 as LGBT
Pride Month.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 13- 1-I53, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING MAYOR VIRGINIA R. GURROLA'S
PROCLAMATION OF JUNE 2013 AS LGBT PRIDE MONTH IN THE CITY
OF PORTERVILLE, CALIFORNIA."
2) Send copies of the signed resolution to Mayor Virginia R. Gurrola, Vice Mayor
Pete V. McCracken, and Councilmembers Cameron J. Hamilton, Greg Shelton,
and Brian Ward, of the City of Porterville, CA.
BACKGROUND ANALYSIS:
On May 31, 2013, President Obama issued a proclamation declaring the month of June
2013 to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and. Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month in the United
States of America. This was the sixth time there has been a presidential proclamation
of Pride Month. The occasion has also been recognized by the State of California for
more than 10 years. The City of West Hollywood has supported equality since its
inception in 1984.
On June 4, 2013, Virginia R. Gurrola, Mayor of the City of Porterville, in Tulare County,
CA, issued a proclamation declaring June 2013 to be LGBT Pride Month in the City of
Porterville. The other members of the Porterville City Council declined to sign the
proclamation. On July 16, 2013, the Porterville City Council voted to rescind the
proclamation, three votes to two, although the ability of the Council to rescind the
Mayor's proclamation has been disputed.
In the last few years, there have been major advances toward full equality for LGBT
persons, including rulings by the United States Supreme Court that the Federal Government's
refusal to recognize marriages of persons of the same sex is unconstitutional
as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons, as protected by the Fifth Amendment to
the Constitution; and declining to overturn the finding of the Federal District Court that
California' s Proposition 8 ( 2012), prohibiting marriage of persons of the same sex, was
an unconstitutional violation of due process and equal protection.
In his 2013 proclamation, President Obama said that "support for LGBT equality is
growing, led by a generation which understands that, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., `injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." He concluded, " I am
confident that one day soon, from coast to coast, all of our young people will look to the
future with the same sense of promise and possibility."
At their meeting of July 11, 2013, the West Hollywood Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board
voted to recommend that the West Hollywood City Council adopt a resolution endorsing
Mayor Gurrola' s proclamation in Porterville, because the City of West Hollywood stands
for justice everywhere.
West Hollywood supports those who lead the way to end discrimination, promote
fairness for all, and establish equality. No person, including those who are LGBT,
should suffer needlessly at the hands of others. No person, including LGBT persons,
should be made to feel like a second- class citizen, or deprived of the full equality of
rights and responsibilities under the law. And no person, including those who are
LGBT, should ever be bullied or hated because of who they are.
In adopting a resolution in support of Mayor Gurrola' s proclamation, the City Council
would again demonstrate that the LGBT community of the Porterville area, and all those
who support their full freedom and equality, are far from being alone. They are, in fact,
supported by a growing majority of the American people.
CONFORMANCE WITH VISION 2020 AND THE GOALS OF THE WEST
HOLLYWOOD GENERAL PLAN:
This item is consistent with the Ongoing Strategic Programs of: Value and Encourage
Our Broad Diversity of Cultures.
This item is consistent with General Plan Goal HS- 3: Promote a community with strong
social networks and cross-cultural interaction.
EVALUATION:
None.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTH:
None.
OFFICE OF PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY:
Department of Human Services and Rent Stabilization
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RESOLUTION NO. 13-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD,
CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING MAYOR VIRGINIA R. GURROLA'S
PROCLAMATION OF JUNE 2013 AS LGBT PRIDE MONTH
IN THE CITY OF PORTERVILLE, CALIFORNIA.
WHEREAS, President Obama on May 31, 2013, issued a proclamation declaring the
month of June 2013 to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride
Month in the United States of America, thus marking the sixth occasion on which Pride
Month has been recognized by the United States; and
WHEREAS, the City of West Hollywood has supported the full equality of persons since
its founding in 1984; and
WHEREAS, Virginia R. Gurrola, Mayor of the City of Porterville, Tulare County,
California, on June 4, 2013, issued a proclamation declaring June 2013 to be LGBT
Pride Month in the City of Porterville; and
WHEREAS, other members of the Porterville City Council declined to sign the
proclamation, and voted by three to two, on July 16, 2013, to rescind the proclamation,
although the Council' s ability to rescind the proclamation has been disputed; and
WHEREAS, there have been major advances toward full equality for LGBT persons,
including rulings by the United States Supreme Court regarding same-sex marriage and
California' s Proposition 8 ( 2012); and
WHEREAS, the City of West Hollywood believes that, far from being alone, the LGBT
community of the Porterville area, and all those who support their full freedom and
equality, are, in fact, supported by a growing majority of the American people;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of West Hollywood endorses
Mayor Virginia R. Gurrola' s proclamation of June 2013 as LGBT Pride Month in the City
of Porterville, California.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED AUGUST 5 2013
