Organizers Plan to Protest Arcadia Mayor Amunsond’s Controversial Choice of Speaker
Mayor’s Breakfast Friday March 4, 7 am
By Terry Miller
This newspaper has been flooded with letters, e mails and comments on our websites in reaction to Mayor Amundson’s decision to spend city monies on a speaker from Focus on Family to speak at the annual Mayor’s Community Breakfast.
There has been outrage, on both sides of the issue, regarding not only the rights of the gay community but also the rights of Amundson to choose whomever he desires to speak at the event.
Several local groups and individuals have publically voiced their disapproval of the choice of H B London who is slated to speak at the Friday breakfast at a recent city council meeting.
Feeling unheard, several in the LGBT community including Pastor Rick Eisenlord countered the perceived bigotry with an All Family Barbeque Sunday in Pasadena. I the idea was to encourage more free thinking and dialog between those who may have differences in lifestyles, sexual or otherwise.
Project 10, along with API Equality-LA, Arcadia High School Gay/Straight Alliance, The Equality Campaign, EQCA, Friends of Project 10, GetEqual, Good Shepard Church Pasadena, Jordan/Rustin Coalition, Latino Equality Alliance, LifeWorks/LA Gay & Lesbian Center, Love Honor Cherish, Marriage Equality USA LA, PFLAG Southern Pacific Region, are hosting a Mayor’s Breakfast Protest this Friday. Here is a copy of part of the email sent out:
“The groups protesting ( on Friday) collectively support all families – single-parent, two-parent, straight, gay – whatever the composition.
” “Focus on the Family” is known for its anti-LGBT teachings — and for its support of ex-gay ‘reparation therapy.’
” Children are bullied and dying because of anti-LGBT rhetoric.
” Over $5,000 of public money is being spent in support of this breakfast — so that a group that excludes many families and that teaches intolerance of our LGBT youth and families can speak.
Join us on the sidewalk outside of the breakfast to tell the world that:
–All families and all people deserve respect.
–We will not tolerate bullying and denigration of our LGBT family members, friends and neighbors!”
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The protest this Friday will be held at 7 AM outside the site of Mayor’s Breakfast at Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive.
View this video on YouTube.com by Marsha Aizumi, Arcadian parent of a transgender son.
Visit Facebook.com for more information and to comment about this event.
For more information, please contact:
Contact Malissa Romero (323)286-7224 info@latinoequalityalliance.com for parking information and for more details.
