OCEC'S 2010 EQUALITY AWARDS

O C E C

            The Orange County Equality Coalition (“OCEC”) announced that its second annual awards reception will be held September 25, 2010 and will feature keynote speaker Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center of Lesbian Rights, as attorney of the year.  OCEC is also delighted to recognize the ACLU-Southern California as law firm of the year; Men Alive, Orange County’s gay men’s chorus, as community partner of the year and Albert Ogle, of Equality California (EQCA) and Integrity U.S.A. as interfaith partner of the year.  Cas Gregory, chair of OCEC, noted that the organization was “particularly pleased to recognize groups and individuals who have played such an instrumental role in working towards OCEC’s vision of equality for all.”

            Shannon Minter’s work on the Marriage Cases led to the California Supreme Court’s landmark 2008 decision requiring marriage equality and declaring that gays and lesbians are entitled to the highest level of protection under the state’s equal protection clause.  Though Proposition 8 sought to limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, federal district Judge Vaughn Walker recently declared Proposition 8 to be unconstitutional as a matter of federal law.  While that case winds its way through the appellate process, the Marriage Cases have already resulted in 18,000 legal marriages between same-sex couples in California.

            Minter has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including being named California Lawyer of the Year for 2009 by the California Lawyer and receiving one of the Ford Foundation’s “Leadership for a Changing World” awards in 2005.  “Shannon Minter has been an inspiration to me personally,” said Tiffany Chang, a recent graduate of Chapman University School of Law and a member of OCEC’s board.   Chang’s marriage came about as a direct result of the work of Minter and others in the Marriage Cases.

            The ACLU provided vital assistance to OCEC in 2009, when OCEC joined a lawsuit against the Newport-Mesa School District for failure to adequately provide for the safety of female and LGBT students.   The ACLU took the case and achieved a favorable settlement mandating training for teachers and administrators.  “The vital role that the ACLU plays in safeguarding rights in our society was really brought home to me during the case,” said Katherine Darmer, chair of OCEC’s legal committee. 

            Men Alive has been a supporter of OCEC since its inception, providing manpower at OC Pride and appearing as a featured musical guest at a decision day rally organized by OCEC after the state court decision upholding Proposition 8 in May 2009.  Men Alive and Equality California also paired with OCEC to host the fist-ever Harvey Milk Day event in Orange County, held in May.  “Harvey Milk day was a huge success,” said Minerva Figueroa, who helped plan the event for OCEC.   “Men Alive helped bring our community together.”   

            Albert Ogle of EQCA was also instrumental in Harvey  Milk Day planning and orchestrated the recent United States tour of Bishop Christopher Senyonjo of Uganda, who is fighting against repression of LGBTQs in that county.  “Albert has been a consistent champion for human rights on the global stage,” said Paul Tellstrom, pastor of the IUCC Church and member of OCEC’s board.   The IUCC was one of several southern California venues were Senyonjo spoke movingly of his experiences in Uganda. 

            Tickets to OCEC’s awards evening will be $40 for OCEC members; additional contributions to the ongoing work of Bishop Senyonjo are encouraged.  Non-OCEC members are welcome to attend the awards event for a ticket price of $60, with ticket proceeds going to benefit the bishop’s humanitarian efforts.

            The awards night will be hosted by VidaScience at a private venue.