By Ramy Eletreby

"Gay Panic" Bill Passes; Murderers Sentenced in Transgender Killing

On Jan. 26, the California Assembly passed AB 1160, which will limit use of the "gay panic" defense, a strategy often used in gay and transgender murder cases in where the defendants claim an initial rage against the victims' sexual identity as a reason for committing the crime. AB 1160, known as the Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act, passed with a 45-32 party-line vote. The bill was sponsored by Equality California and authored by Assemblywoman Sally J. Leiber (D-San Jose) in response to several recent cases where defendants employed the strategy, including those convicted for the murder of Fremont transgender Gwen Araujo. The day after the bill passed, Michael Magidson, 25, and Jose Merel, 26, were sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. They were found guilty last September of second degree murder. Jason Cazares, 26, received a plea-bargained sentenced of six years for manslaughter. "California has a powerful law that enhances the penalties of criminals who commit hate crimes," said EQCA Executive Director Geoffrey Kors. "The 'panic' defense all but invalidates this law by reducing sentences due to the hate the defendant had for his or her victim."

L.A. Black LGBTQ Group Commemorates Black History Month

To commemorate Black History Month, In the Meantime Men's Group Inc. (ITMT), a Los Angeles-based community service organization dedicated to the mental, physical, and spiritual well being of black SGL (Same Gender Loving), gay, and bisexual men, is calling for a national black SGL/LGBTQ Unity Week for the week running Feb. 20-26. Members of the black SGL/LGBTQ community nationwide are being asked to organize and participate in a series of gatherings and discussions that will address crucial issues to the community. In order to entice community members across the nation to organize their own events, ITMT has developed a five-point mission as a basis for meeting during Unity Week. These points include working together and supporting each other as black LGBTQ people; connecting with the larger black community and openly sharing experiences as black LGBTQ people; proclaiming individual and collective liberation as black LGBTQ people; embracing the diversity that exists within the black LGBTQ community; and honoring their ancestors and sharing their history as black LGBTQ people. ITMT will host gatherings in L.A. on Feb. 20, 21, and 26. For more information, see www.inthemeantimemen.org.

Calif. Partner Laws Upheld Washington Passes Equality Bill

On Jan. 27, the California Court of Appeals for the Third Appellate District issued a ruling affirming two of California's domestic partnership laws, AB 205 and an earlier bill, AB 25. Authored by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles) in 2003 and sponsored by Equality California, the Domestic Partners Rights and Responsibilities Act (AB 205) was called into question last year. It provides registered domestic partners with several of the same rights available to married couples, such as community property, mutual responsibility for debt, custody and child support obligations, access to divorce court, and death benefits. "Like other courts in California and in other states, the Third Appellate District clearly understands that all Californians must have access to these rights," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. "While domestic partnership rights fall short of access to marriage equality for all Californians, they do provide key protections for hard-working couples who are trying to raise children and protect families."

Elsewhere on Jan. 27, after 30 years of being rejected, the Washington state Senate finally voted to pass an LGBT civil rights bill, which would add the words "sexual orientation" to the anti-discrimination portion of an existing state law. The measure is now awaiting Gov. Chris Gregoire's signature. This comes less than two weeks after the local Rev. Ken Hutcherson called for a national boycott of Microsoft Corp., Hewlett Packard Co., Boeing Co., and Nike Inc. for supporting the bill.

LAPD Arrest 007 Director in Drag

Lee Tamahori, the New Zealand director of such films as Die Another Day starring Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry, and Along Came a Spider with Morgan Freeman, was arrested by the LAPD for prostitution and loitering on Jan. 8. At the time Tamahori was dressed in women's clothing, LAPD spokesperson Jason Lee told IN Los Angeles.

"He was arrested after approaching an undercover officer who was sitting in his car and offering to perform oral sex in exchange for money," Frank Mateljan, spokesperson for the Los Angeles city attorney's office, told IN. He was released on $2,000 bail, which Mateljan said was "within the range" of bail set for prostitution arrests.

Tamahori was supposed to be arraigned on Feb. 2 but the hearing was postponed until Feb. 24 at the request of his defense attorney, Mark Geragos. If convicted of the two misdemeanor charges, Mateljan said, the filmmaker could face a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Tamahori, 55, was arrested by Hollywood vice as part of an undercover prostitution sting on Santa Monica Boulevard. Near Lodi Place, Mateljan said. The intersection is near Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetary. -- Karen Ocamb

San Francisco Honors Jose Sarria

On Jan. 31, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to name a street in the city after Jose Sarria, a seminal figure in gay history. Sarria, founder of the Imperial Court System, has the distinction of being the first openly gay person to run for public office -- a bid for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1961, where he garnered 5,600 votes. At the time, Sarria (aka The Widow Norton) was a drag performer at a bar called the Black Cat. Sarria is recognized as an early leader in the LGBT rights movement, paving the way for others to follow in his footsteps. -- Joseph S. Amster

Stonewall 30th Anniversary Awards Celebrate Courage

Stonewall Democratic Club's annual Stoney Awards rallied momentum for the 2006 elections while also honoring those who weathered last year's political storms with courage and integrity. Celebrating their 30th anniversary on Feb. 4 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, Stonewall underscored its active stand for the Democratic Party's fundamental principles of equality and social justice.

Comedienne Stephanie Miller (AM 1150 and Air America) joked that she was being honored because she turned so many men gay. On a serious note, she shared how the death from AIDS of her first high school boyfriend galvanized her politically.

California NAACP President Alice Huffman was honored for her courage in bucking the more conservative members of her organization by actively supporting the marriage equality bill. Huffman pledged to continue the fight, along with gay relatives who also attended the event.

Words like "legend" and "icon" were used to describe longtime LGBT/AIDS activist Torie Osborn, former executive director of Liberty Hill Foundation who now works as a special assistant to L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (who put in a brief appearance). "I believe this is a new era and it requires a new vision," Osborn said. "We are threading together a brilliant new social movement" but still face "exciting and daunting days ahead" in wresting Congress and the White House from the radical right.

Stonewall Political Vice President Jeff Book was declared a "model for excellence in everything he does." Book heads Stonewall's endorsement process, which recently endorsed Christopher Arellano for LAUSD School Board District 2.

Openly gay Assemblymember Mark Leno was warmly honored with the Trailblazer Award by state Sen. Sheila James Kuehl, who said Leno's tenacious push to pass his marriage equality bill was rooted in his profound belief in civil rights. "He lives and breathes it," Kuehl said. Leno described how he came to fight "over a word" and how the struggle for marriage equality moved from the fringes and is "now a core moral value" of the state Democratic Party.

Assemblymember Judy Chu, who supported LGBT rights without prompting as mayor of Monterey Park, was honored for her expanded hate crime legislation. Chu told IN she was surprised when the West Hollywood Democratic Club changed their expected endorsement of her in the Board of Equalization race to a non-endorsement after Assemblymember Paul Koretz argued in favor of her opponent, Jerome Horton. Koretz told IN that he endorsed his close friend Horton long before he knew Chu had entered the race. However, many LGBT Democrats are angry because, unlike Chu, Horton has not stood up for LGBT rights and refused to vote for the marriage equality bill.

Perhaps the evening's most moving moment was when Congressmember Lucille Roybal-Allard accepted a special honor for her late father, Congressmember Ed Roybal, an early practitioner of coalition politics. Choking up, Roybal-Allard remembered how her father secured the first AIDS research funding in 1982, as his colleagues blew kisses at him. Roybal-Allard praised Stonewall for "your continued activism against this erosion of our civil rights." -- Karen Ocamb