Protest: Tom Brown Book Signing Protest

Join El Paso For Equality tomorrow as we protest outside of Barnes and Noble West during Tom Brown's book signing, Saturday, January 15 · 11:00am - 2:00pm. El Paso and Barnes and Noble must know we no longer will stand for bigotry and hate. We must stand up, be heard, and let everyone know that EQUALITY is afforded to all.

It must be known, to all parties including Barnes and Noble, that free speech (including writing) is a fundamental element of our constitution however Tom Brown spews hatred towards gay and lesbians. Equally important as our 1st Amendment to free speech, El Paso For Equality stands for our 14th Amendment that ensures the Equal Protection Clause. This form of Equality must be extended to all people, including the LGBT community. Yesterday's injunction order, from an El Paso Federal Judge, further propagates and ensures equality in El Paso is and must be afforded to all.

Furthermore, El Paso For Equality, working with other local LGBT organizations plans to express OUR 1st Amendment Right to peacefully assemble and protest Tom Brown's book signing tomorrow at the Barnes and Nobles Bookstore at 705 Sunland Park Drive. If Barnes and Noble intends to promote selling his book, by allowing a book signing, and allow for Tom Brown's bigotry / hatred towards El Paso's LGBT community something must be done! We also plan encourage all LGBT organizations nationwide to boycott this bookseller if they are promoting his book by allowing a book signing. In our modern age, we have options and can patronize other businesses instead of Barnes and Noble.

PLEASE INVITE ALL OF YOUR FACEBOOK FRIENDS ... WE MUST COME OUT IN FORCE!

For more information or to help, contact El Paso For Equality at 915.920.1849

Radio Archives: Tom Brown Radio Interview on The Lisa D Show

From Pastor Tom Brown's newsletter:

Radio Interview
You can hear the spirited interview with gay-activist, Lisa Degliantoni and Pastor Brown by clicking here. Two days later, Lisa applauded a gay magazine that called Pastor Tom Brown a bigot. [Click here to read the Dallas Voice article by John Wright, "Now that he's screwed 200 out of health benefits, El Paso bigot Tom Brown wants to be left alone."] Since then Pastor Tom says he will not be granting interviews with her and the station anymore. Enjoy this last one.

Click here to listen to the interview.

12.16.10: Today on The Lisa D Show

Today on The Lisa D Show at noon we'll interview Ruben Sandoval from Vista Quality Market and a representative from Homegrown El Paso. We'll discuss the power of keeping your dollar local.

Next we'll move to several other topics near and dear to my heart: bigots and shopping!

The Culture War is On, Get your Butt to City Hall!
A Message from Pastor Tom Brown
The City Council is at it again. Now they are trying to amend the Traditional Family ordinance so that current unmarried partners continue to receive their health benefits. They are showing disrespect to the voters who clearly said at election time that they do not want a dime spent endorsing unmarried relationships. Come out to City Hall on Tuesday at 9 am to let your voice be heard.

Tonight Shopping Spree Downtown
oLo Shopping Night:
Date: Thursday, December 16, 2010
Time: 5-8 p.m.
Location: Creative Kids – oLo Gallery, 504 San Francisco Ave (Union Plaza District)

Trend Society presents "Fashion at the Loft"
Thursday, December 16 · 7:30pm - 10:30pm
Loftlight Studio
315 S. El Paso Street
El Paso, TX

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Tune into the show at KHRO 1150 AM or stream the show at www.talkradio1150.com. Also, feel free to call the show at 915.880.4376 or send an email to thelisadshow@gmail.com.

Wall Street Journal: Same-Sex Benefits Ban Roils El Paso

One week after the El Paso Love Rally, the Wall Street Journal published a fantastic story and slide show on the larger crisis El Paso faces with the recent voter approved measure to remove healthcare coverage for domestic partners - thousands of former city employees might not have healthcare after Jan. 1. Ana Campoy and Rick Scibelli of the Journal did a great job covering the Love Rally, giving voice to "the city's gay community, which usually keeps a low profile."

Click here to read the full story and view the slide show, Same-Sex Benefits Ban Roils El Paso

If you are interested in joining the effort to recruit people to sign a petition to put a non discrimination clause in the City Charter, please email me at thelisadshow@gmail.com.

***THIS WAS POST #400, HOW TOTALLY AWESOME IS THAT?!?

12.7.10: Today on The Lisa D Show

Today on The Lisa D Show at noon on KHRO 1150 AM we will talk about the culture wars being played out on television, namely on ABC's Brothers & Sisters. In just one episode Kevin ate a pot brownie, Kevin and Scottie were screened as gay adoptive parents and Nora, Kitty and Sarah all had sex on the same night ... only one is married to their sex partner. What the heck is Hollywood shoving down our throats.

Then we're going to review yesterday's Pastor Tom Brown. What did we learn from the conversation? Were the questions too easy and nice? Did he rant too much? Also, we'll use an exciting new mechanism to grade the show, it's going to be very technical and awesome.

Tune into the show at KHRO 1150 AM or stream the show at www.talkradio1150.com. Also, feel free to call the show at 915.880.4376 or send an email to thelisadshow@gmail.com.

Election Results Map: Referendum (Domestic Partner Benefits) Results by Precinct

Chris Villa was curious about the referendum (domestic partner benefits) results by precinct and he created a map that illustrated city-wide results. Check it out.

12.6.10: Today on The Lisa D Show

Today on The Lisa D Show at noon on KHRO 1150 AM we will interview Pastor Tom Brown from the Word of Life Church. Brown is a minister born and raised in El Paso but has recently moved into the spotlight because of a controversial measure he put on the November ballot, which passed with 55% voter approval, to repeal health benefits for domestic partners. The impetus for this measure is Brown's beliefs that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice (one that will send a soul to hell) and that it can be cured, thus saving the soul.

Most recently a group of LGBT community supporters rallied for love outside of Pastor Brown's church and this radio interview will act as an extension of that rally. We've gathered questions from rally supporters and attendees and will address them live on the air. Thank you for submitting your questions to thelisadshow@gmail.com.

Also, we'll talk to our good friend Chris Babcock. His standing Monday morning interview is a great chance for all of us to catch up on news that matters and find out what's on Chris' mind.

Tune into the show at KHRO 1150 AM or stream the show at www.talkradio1150.com. Also, feel free to call the show at 915.880.4376 or send an email to thelisadshow@gmail.com.

El Paso Love Rally in the News

Congratulations to everyone who supported and attended last night's Love Rally at Pastor Tom Brown's Word of Life Church. Although Pastor Brown would like for us to "move on" because it's over, we are just getting started!

Below are links to media coverage of the event, please forward any stories you find to thelisadshow@gmail.com;

El Paso Times
Rally tonight will support domestic partner benefits, click here for full story

KVIA
Protest Rally Outside Pastor Tom Brown's Church, click here for full story

KFOX Ch. 14
Gay Supporters Push To Repeal Domestic Benefits Vote, click here for full story

See you tonight at the Love Rally!

Join your fellow El Pasoans for an evening of love and protest at the Word of Life Church where Pastor Tom Brown will be preaching. Bring a sign that illustrates love (i.e. Jesus loves his gay brothers) to hold up for the people that attend Pastor Tom Brown's church.

Please only attend this event is you are in solidarity with this cause and that you believe all men and women deserve equal human rights and access to health coverage, marriage benefits and more.

When: Tuesday, November 30 · 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Where: Word of Life Church, 11675 Pratt Ave., El Paso, TX 79936

Why are you attending the Love Rally?

We are confident tonight's Love Rally is going to be a success! We asked people why they are attending tonight's Love Rally and pasted several of the responses below, hopefully this will inspire you to attend too;

"I'm attending the love Rally because I know that for more than 95% of Gays and Lesbians their sexual orientation is not a choice. My son and nephew are both Gay and I knew that it was a possibility since way before they had any idea what sex or sexuality are. They had no more choice about their sexual orientation than I had , yet they are constantly "crucified" for being who they are, as are so many Gays and Lesbians. We have been taught to love our neighbors as ourselves. What is so hard about that?"

"I will most absolutely be there in spirit sending love and good karma. Also sending more than just love but strong will and determination through good energy. EVERYONE deserves the right to love and be loved!"

"I am attending because the only way to beat hate is through love. I am going because I believe in God and Jesus and nothing in what I was ever taught tells me to hate someone because of who they love. I am going because acceptance is WWJD!"

"I have no hope that we can change the mind of the "Pastor Brown hoard", but I believe that we can demonstrate that God's Love does not include bigotry and exclusion. Life is about making this world into God's Kingdom by eliminating hatred and abuse."

"I am attending because I want my children to understand human rights,and that includes the right to love the human being of your choice. As Latinos, a few decades ago, my children would not have the opportunities they have. Now imagine if they were not even allowed to marry the person they choose to love or to even care for their beloved when he/she is sick or when you die just because someone thinks you do not have the right to love that human being."

Event Info:

For the rally, everyone is encouraged to bring a sign that illustrates love (e.g. "Everyone Deserves Love & Health Benefits", "God Loves All His Children") to show Pastor Tom Brown and his followers that El Paso stands for equal rights and against harmful discrimination.

The first 25 people to arrive at the Love Rally get a free meal from the Tacoholics Taco Truck compliments of Law Office of Lyda Ness-Garcia PC.

When: Tuesday, November 30 · 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Where: Word of Life Church, 11675 Pratt Ave., El Paso, TX 79936