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By Arturo, Toni, and P

On Thursday, April 11, Equality California opened the doors of our West Hollywood office to the students of Azusa Pacific University (APU). Field Manager, Bella Week, and Phone Team Supervisors, Aimee Mendez and Justin Florez talked to the group of 20 students about EQCA’s work, and answered questions they had about our past and present legislation.

APU is the largest Christian university in California. The school’s policy clearly states that same-sex relationships or acts are strictly prohibited and subject to disciplinary action. On the application, the student must agree that “homosexual activities are unacceptable behaviors for students enrolled at APU”. Because of this, some of us were a little unsure of how all of the students would react to the stories of LGBT people. As we began to share our stories, the group of students became very open and interested in our personal experiences and our fight for LGBT equality.

The discussion then turned into an open forum between the APU students and EQCA staff. At this time, the group was joined by three of our phones team staff – Arturo, Toni and P. What happened was a truly amazing discussion about EQCA, sexuality and gender.

During the open discussion, one student asked each of the staff members to talk about their personal journey and how they joined EQCA.  Read the rest of this entry »

Unless you are a CPA, the very thought of filing federal and California tax returns can cause an anxiety spike. The stress is compounded for those who face complex tax scenarios, such as same-sex couples for whom federal and California laws are in conflict regarding the definitions of marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships. The resulting tax implications are not only unequal to what heterosexual married couples pay, but they are also confusing to apply. As we wait for the United States Supreme Court to hear arguments challenging the constitutionality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), same-sex couples should be careful in preparing their tax returns in order to avoid audits, potential penalties, and overpaying their taxes.

The good news for Californians is that for couples who were legally married in 2008, prior to Proposition 8, or who have become registered domestic partners, the state tax treatment is the same as for heterosexual married couples. Taxpayers simply combine all income, deductions, and credits on the same California Form 540 tax return. This year’s anticipated Supreme Court decision on Proposition 8 will not affect California tax treatment one way or the other because couples already are permitted to file jointly if they are either married or registered domestic partners.

By contrast, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) currently requires same-sex couples to file separate federal returns as single taxpayers. This becomes a complex process because the federal government recognizes California community property laws, but not California’s recognition of same-sex unions. IRS Publication 555 (Dec. 2010) provides information on the application of community property for registered domestic partners, an arrangement which can include same or oppositesex couples who are not married according to the federal definition. For federal tax purposes, “community property” is defined as assets acquired or income earned after the inception of the domestic partnership. If the couple has a joint account and they pay all their expenses from this account, all expenses/deductions will be considered community. “Separate property” is defined as assets acquired prior to the inception of the partnership and any income/activity generated from said assets.

All of the couple’s community property—their combined income and any related tax www.ocbar.org February 2013 33 Creating these schedules requires significant additional preparation time and expense that most other married taxpayers do not incur. withholding, deductions, and credits, including child and dependent care credits—must be split between the two federal Form 1040 returns. The returns must be filed with supporting spreadsheets that show the details of how the various elements are divided. Creating these schedules requires significant additional preparation time and expense that most other married taxpayers do not incur. Due to these additional schedules, the separate federal tax returns cannot be filed electronically, but must be prepared in paper form and mailed, requiring IRS employees to manually process the returns, which increases the chances of processing mistakes and IRS inquiry. If a same-sex couple does not precisely prepare the detailed schedules, the likelihood of receiving correspondence from the IRS is high.  Read the rest of this entry »

A number of gatherings took place across California during before and after the Supreme Court hearings on Prop. 8 and DOMA. Here are some of our favorite shots from these events:

The second round of Breakthrough Conversations in the Desert took place last night at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center of the Desert in Palm Springs. It was the second training session as there was a wonderful gathering at the local PFlag meeting. This was the first random gathering and not an organized group. Many of the 22 folks who attended knew each other and as LGBT and Straight allies in the room had worked together many times.

John O’Connor, newly appointed Equality California, made his first visit “home” to where he had been the ED of the LGBT Center previous to his appointment. He had a chance to greet the group and give a brief review of EQCA and some of the projects he sees for us in the near future. Since most in the room have been supporters of EQCA, his talk was greeted with enthusiasm. He promised the group that he would return soon for a larger public gathering.

I then led the group into a discussion on the history and principles of Breakthrough Conversations. It was a great conversation that was positive and everyone agreed to a certain extent that they could use some of the points brought the group. Read the rest of this entry »

Equality California staffers across the state spent Martin Luther King Jr. Day volunteering in their local communities

Equality California’s offices were officially closed in observation of Martin Luther King Jr day, but Equality California staffers across the state were still hard at work in their communities to observe this day of service.

Today, Online Director Shaun Osburn and I volunteered at St. Anthony Dining Room, San Francisco’s largest and oldest meal program serving homeless and low-income residents. After being given a quick run down of operation, we were put to work in their very systematic way of distributing the meal of the day. Volunteers put food on the tray, hand deliver to those who need assistance, bus the tables and clean up any spills. Those who receive meals are called guests and very much treated that way.

St. Anthony’s has a 60 year tradition of treating every guest that walks through its doors — no matter of their race, religion, identity, orientation, gender, identity — with dignity and respect. Hot, nutritious meals are served with as Dining Room staff and volunteers give referrals to those seeking anything from clean clothes, job training, substance abuse recovery or a shelter bed.

Because today was a holiday, St. Anthony’s was busier than usual, with no let up of guests. Service ran from 10:30am to about 2:15pm — normally, they stop serving at meals at 1pm. For me, celebrating Dr. King’s birthday reminds me of the end goal: community. Equality and justice for all, no matter race, religion, identity, orientation, gender or socio economic status.

It is with tremendous enthusiasm that I begin my tenure as the new executive director of Equality California today! This organization has a legacy that is nothing short of extraordinary and I consider it an enormous honor to be leading EQCA forward.

For over a decade, EQCA has worked tirelessly to make California a state with some of the most comprehensive legal protections in the nation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Building on EQCA’s legacy of accomplishment, I intend to move the organization forward as the statewide voice on LGBT equality.

While we’ve achieved much already, there is still so much more at stake. We must protect our achievements by continuing to build our political power. Advocacy on healthcare disparities and a strong voice in the implementation of the Affordable Healthcare Act is critical. Youth, transgender people and seniors continue to experience harsh discrimination and we must work for equality on their behalf. And we must continue to ensure that the laws we pass are fully implemented and enforced.

Outside the arena of legislation, we must continue to win people’s hearts and minds in communities throughout the entire state. We can legislate until we are blue in the face, but until people truly embrace us in all our diversity, we will not achieve full equality. So, together, we will continue this work, because we stand for full equality and nothing less.  Read the rest of this entry »

Since the first cases of “Gay Cancer” were reported in 1981, over 200,000 Californians have contracted HIV/AIDS and nearly 90,000 in the state have died during the following three decades.

As infection rates decrease with education and prevention, and with rapidly improving medicine and policies keeping people healthy longer, there are still up to 7,000 new HIV infections in California every year.

Today, on this World AIDS Day, we remember those who have been lost, acknowledge those heros who fought to bring attention to the plight of those suffering from this deadly disease and celebrate the advances that have been made in medicine, technology and social policy that have fundamentally reshaped what it means to live with HIV/AIDS. As we observe the 31st anniversary of HIV/AIDS, we ask you to share your stories of how the epidemic has impacted your life in the comments section below.

There’s often a misconception that the only people who care about equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are those LGBT people themselves; it plays into the notion that LGBT concerns are somehow “special rights” and serves to marginalize an already marginalized population. It’s a myth, and a harmful one.

Allies are an important part of the work that we do at Equality California, and they’re integral to every ballot campaign, making sure every school is safe, and ending decades of discrimination. EQCA has always been a broad coalition, and allies are part of that.

As part of the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network’s Ally Week, here are some tips on being the strongest ally you can be. Read the rest of this entry »

Martha, EQCA Field Staffer, on National Coming Out Week

In honor of National Coming Out Day this Thursday, we’ve decided to run a series of blog posts from staff and volunteers about coming out.

My name is Martha, I’m 25 years old and am from San Diego. I came out 7 years ago today on National Coming Out Day. I had told my best friend at the time a couple weeks before Oct. 11th, but knew that I wanted to tell everyone specifically on Coming Out Day.

I am a pretty comical person and wanted my story to be comical too, I didn’t want it to feel like a life sentence and I definitely didn’t make it one. I called my friends and family and asked if they knew what day it was, some knew and some didn’t. I explained the day to them and asked them to put two and two together. I remember my mom specifically asking me why it was such a big deal and if I wanted a party or something. I did, it never happened. I never regret coming out and am glad every day since then that I have come out. Although coming out might be hard sometimes, it’s definitely was a weight off my shoulder.

Chris Riley, EQCA Field Director, on National Coming Out Week

In honor of National Coming Out Day this Thursday, we’ve decided to run a series of blog posts from staff and volunteers about coming out.

I have been out for 20 years and I continue to come out; To my neighbors, the straight woman who cuts my hair, the barista at my local coffee shop who knows me by my drink of choice.

I grew up in Michigan where I could be fired because I am gay and I could be denied housing if I ever decided to move back. When I came out, I made the decision then and there not to go back in the closet. That even though my life would be challenging not having legal rights to employment or housing, let alone marriage, I would live my life authentically.

And now 20 years later, I’m in California where the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community enjoys so many rights and the nation is on the precipice of the freedom to marry. And yet there is so much more work to be done – for youth, our elders, the transgender community.

So I will continue to come out, even when it’s hard – to my neighbors, my landlady, and my new found friend on CalTrain.