Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Act Up! Dine Out! End AIDS!

April 30th is Dining Out For Life

We've asked you to stand up, get involved and work hard to fight injustice and protect our community by participating in rallies and demonstrations, by walking precincts, by donating money and making phone calls. We're asking you to do it again - by having a nice meal.

For the last eight years, the San Diego LGBT Center has been organizing local bars, coffee houses, clubs and restaurants who willingly donate part (25 - 100%) of their receipts for the day to fund the Center's HIV/AIDS services and prevention efforts.

Thursday, April 30^th is the ninth annual Dining Out for Life and this year, there are more than more than 70 participating venues. The ninth outing also coincides with the Center's most ambitious effort yet to #BeTheGeneration to end HIV/AIDS transmissions for good.

As someone who has lost far too many loved-ones to this horrible disease, I can think of nothing I'd like more than to - soon - have the last name on the list of victims be HIV/AIDS itself. We've found some amazing tools that have turned an HIV/AIDS diagnosis from being a death sentence into an expectation of living with a chronic treatable, but not curable, disease. That's not nothing! But left untreated, HIV/AIDS is no less a killer than in was 30 years ago. People living with the disease need access to the drugs required to keep it at bay and the education and services required to make those drugs work effectively. And, while we continue to search for a drug/vaccine cure for this disease, we already have the tools (knowledge, PREP, talking) to stop HIV transmissions NOW.

And all we need from you to make this all happen is to go out and have a good time. San Diego Democrats for Equality will be dining as a group at Wang's North Park (3029 University Ave San Diego, CA 92104 - 619.291.7500) this Thursday. You can join us with an RSVP HERE

If you can't join us, or even if you can, consider dining out for Breakfast (It is the most important meal of the day [typically, one of three]).

Lunch and a good deed is always a good combo meal.

Dinner at any of these fine participating establishments will make you feel good on the inside and out.

And, just stop in for a drink, coffee, or a pastry/frozen yogurt.

There are just about as many opportunities to help in the fight as there are places to treat yourself - and if you can't fit it all in on Thursday, Adams Avenue Grill (2201 Adams Avenue San Diego, CA 92116 - 619.298.8440) will be donating 50% April 30th through May 3rd.

There are very few opportunities in life to do a good deed and not have to clean the dishes afterward. This is one. And, don't forget to tip you server...

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Want to be a Club Officer?

Vice President for Political Action Georgette Gomez

If you were at our meeting last week you heard our Vice President for Political Action, Georgette Gomez, announce her intention to run for the San Diego District 9 Council seat which will become open because of Councilmember Marti Emerald's decision not to seek re-election. We wish both Councilmember Emerald and Georgette well, but agree with Georgette that it would be inappropriate for her to be both a candidate and the Dems for Equality officer in charge of coordinating our candidate endorsement process.

The Board is working on an orderly resignation/transition plan but we want to let you know that we will likely be looking for a new VP in the near future. Georgette has set the bar high, but that also means her successor will pick up a well developed portfolio. If you're interested, let us know HERE.

When selecting officers, an effort shall be made to reflect the diversity of the membership of the San Diego Democratic Club/San Diego Democrats for Equality.

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Is it Time to Re-Up?

The Club depends on membership dues to keep the lights on and promote our candidates and issues to the community. A large number of community members depend on our Voters Guide to help them make an intelligent choice when marking their ballots so your membership renewal is critical to ensure those Guides get into those hands. If your membership has lapsed or if you know your membership is soon to expire, please re-up now. You might also consider upgrading your membership to a higher level.

We have begun a notification process to let you know when your membership is about to expire. It consists of an email message approximately one month prior to expiration followed by a letter to those who do not respond to the email. Email is cheaper than US mail so, please log on and renew when you get the notice.

Even so, there is a cost associated with our email communications too. If your membership has expired more than a year ago, you can expect a notice from us that we will be dropping you from our email list for this newsletter and other Club communications. Please don't let that happen. Your membership is important to us and we would like to count you amongst our fellow Club members committed to progressive government and LGBT equality. Please log on through the link below and renew you membership now.

Dems for Equality would like to welcome J. Michael Blake, Kelvin Barrios and 1st Council District candidate Joe LaCava as new members of the Club. It's a pleasure to welcome back Joanne Mockbee who stepped up to the Sponsor level. 3rd Council District candidate Chris Ward and Thomas Harpole renewed at the Sustaining level. We'd also like to thank Pat Coffey, Sandra Gaudur, Jamie Quient and Jared Quient and welcome them back for another year.

You can find out more about the Club's membership levels and benefits online HERE. You can also renew with a credit card there. If you would prefer to use a check, send the check, made out to Democrats for Equality to:

San Diego Democrats for Equality

PO Box 33050

San Diego CA 92163

(Please note that to comply with Federal and State election laws, please include your full address and your job title/employer with your check. Telephone number and email address would be nice too!)

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For six years we have participated in the Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. It's a great opportunity to start your day with your fill of inspiration and purpose with a nice breakfast to keep you that way.

Join us as we join with other community groups, leaders and activists for the Seventh Annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast on Thursday, May 21, 2015, 7:30-9 am at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, 1 Park Blvd. Attended by more than 1,000 people, businesses, groups and organizations annually, this San Diego event is the largest Harvey Milk celebration in the state of California!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Hilton San Diego Bayfront

1 Park Blvd

San Diego, CA 92101

Get your ticket for the Dems for Equality sponsored table HERE.

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TPP

Few issues have divided Democrats more than the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) treaty now before Congress. A "bi-partisan" bill would grant President Obama the authority to seal the deal by requiring an "up-or-down" vote in Congress without the ability to make amendments to the terms. The San Diego County Democratic Party has taken a position against this "fast-tracking" but our representatives are requesting your thoughts about the Treaty/fast-track legislation before they make some very important votes in the near future.

Senator Dianne Feinstein Senator Barbara Boxer

email (202) 224-3841 email (202) 224-3553

Rep. Susan Davis Rep. Scott Peters

email (202) 225-2040 email (202) 225-0508