XPosted 5/9/2008 2:53 PM PDT on MyDesert.com

Andy Linsky

HRC Board of Directors*

and co-hosts

Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet

Palm Springs City Councilmember Ginny Foat

Palm Springs City Councilmember Rick Hutcheson

Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund

Equality California

The Bottom Line Magazine

Palm Springs Democratic Club

Desert Stonewall Democratic Club

Invite you to meet

U.S. Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA)

and to join him in supporting

Greg Pettis

For California State Assembly (80th AD)

Saturday May 24, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.

Location for the Cocktail Reception at the home of Andy Linsky will be provided with a confirmed reservation

Suggested minimum contribution: $100 per person

Sponsor: $500 ~ Co-Host: $1000

Computer Generated; Labor Donated. © 2008 | Pettis for Assembly 2008 | P.O. Box 2692 Cathedral City, CA 92235-2692 | FPPC ID# 1285158

Contributions are not tax deductible for income tax purposes.

Limits to this campaign are $3600 per person, company or PAC

Reservations: [email protected] or (760) 841-3189

For more information, or to contribute online:

http://www.gregpettis.com/dona…

Xposted 5/20/2008 8:58 PM PDT on MyDesert.com by BluePalmSpringsBoyz

The Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District campaign announced earlier that Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, the highest-ranking Democratic elected official in California endorsed Pettis for the 80th AD to replace the termed-out, thank God, Bonnie Garcia (R).  The campaign Press Release is as follows:

Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, the highest-ranking Democratic official in state government, has endorsed Greg Pettis in the open 80th Assembly District race.

“While Democrats in the 80th AD are fortunate to have a wealth of choices this year, I’m getting behind Greg Pettis because he has a long record of results that matter to families throughout the Coachella and Imperial Valleys, and the experience to deliver on the promise of creating a healthier California,” Garamendi said.

More below the flip…

Continuing the Press Release:

“We need to put this seat in the hands of someone who will be ready from the first day in office to make our health care system more affordable and accessible, to improve our economy by reducing the achievement gap in our schools and keeping college affordable for more students and to take the lead in combating global climate change,” Garamendi added.

Garamendi specifically lauded Pettis for his work expanding CSUSB campus in Palm Desert to accommodate more students, negotiating the Multi-Species Habitat Act to manage growth and conserve water and for creating over 1,000 new jobs in Cathedral City through the downtown revitalization project.

Pettis welcomed Garamendi’s endorsement and said he looked forward to working with him on a host of issues including creating a universal health care system, growing CSU’s branch campus in the Imperial Valley and increasing the use of renewable fuels to reduce carbon emissions.

Garamendi joins a long list of elected officials supporting Pettis including State Controller John Chiang; former State Controller Steve Westly; State Board of Equalization Member Judy Chu; incoming State Senate pro-tem Darrell Steinberg; State Senators Carol Migden, Christine Kehoe and Sheila Kuehl; and State Assemblymembers Mike Eng, John Laird, Lloyd Levine, Mark Leno and Ted Lieu.

Garamendi thus follows suit with every local Democratic Club which has chosen to endorse, including the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club, the Desert Hot Springs Democratic Club, the Palm Springs Democratic Club, the Pass Democratic Club, the San Diego Democratic Club, and the San Diego Democratic Women’s Club, as well as most progressive Democratic-leaning organizations.

Pettis was also endorsed by the California National Organization for Women, Equality California, Victory Fund, Progressive Majority, and HONOR PAC.  California NOW endorsed Pettis, not providing dual endorsement, as his prime competitor, Victor Manuel Perez, was unable to articulate a coherent position on Women’s Rights and freedom of choice.  That Perez as a candidate is unable to state unequivocally that he supports a woman’s right to choose is patently unprogressive.  Equality California (EQCA) endorsed Pettis for his consistent and openly-stated support for Marriage Equality, unlike his Democratic challengers such as Rick Gonzales and Richard Gutierrez in public Democratic forums opposed Marriage Equality.  Perez equivocated, stating general support for Civil Rights for LGBT community members, but refused to state unequivocally that he would vote for Marriage Equality in the State Assembly.  In addition, at the Sun City Democratic Club Candidate’s forum, Perez stated in his opening statement that he was not a member of ‘an alternative lifestyle.’  Anyone in the LGBT community knows that this is code.  Not speaking of the DaVinci variety.

The Desert Sun in its editorial endorsement of Pettis for the 80th AD specifically spoke of Pettis’ ability to ‘hit the ground running’ if elected as well as his extensive local administrative and legislative experience.  The endorsement inferred that his Democratic opponents lacked similar administrative skills and experience, troubling to the voters of the West Valley, East Valley, and Imperial Valley.

Based on an XPost 5/19/2008 12:00 AM PDT on MyDesert.com in BluePalmSpringsBoyz blog

Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilmember for more than 13 years, former Cathedral City Mayor Pro-Tem, and Democratic Candidate for the CA 80th Assembly District has again and again shown his ongoing and indefatigable support for the issues that are important to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities.  As indicated in earlier posts, Pettis is the only Candidate for the 80th AD, Democratic or Republican, to consistently and openly support Marriage Equality and Civil Rights for all members of the LGBT community.  His opponent Rick Gonzales and Richard Guttierez have stated in public forums such as Democratic Club Candidates’ forums that each would vote ‘nay’ on Marriage Equality.  Victor Manuel Perez has refused to indicate in public whether or not he would vote for Marriage Equality if elected and shied away from answering directly at the same forums (his surrogates say that Perez supports ‘gay marriage,’ but Perez has not indicated that he would ever vote ‘yea’ on Marriage Equality in the Assembly.  When his Campaign Director ‘informed’ members of the Desert Stonewall Democrats that Perez supported ‘gay marriage,’ members erupted in incredulity).

More below the flip…

Pettis again showed his thorough support for the LGBT community by attending the Desert Business Association Mixer at the Desert AIDS Project tonight.  Pettis’ street cred in the LGBT community includes his long-standing membership in the Desert Business Association (http://www.dbaps.org/about_us.asp), the

Coachella Valley’s gay chamber of commerce, a network of gay and gay-friendly businesses, which have joined together to promote and support each other and to educate the community about the many services and products available through our gay-friendly stores, hotels, restaurants and other business ventures. The organization began in 1979, and over time, the DBA connected with mainstream Chambers of Commerce in the many business-oriented communities throughout the Coachella Valley.

Today, the DBA serves as a valley-wide business organization and new businesses are eager to affiliate, to participate in the m! any benefits of membership and to share in their responsibilities for networking with other business organizations and associations across the valley.

His support for universal healthcare includes support for the full funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention.  Thus Pettis’ interest in attending the Desert AIDS Project Mixer tonight, including the extensive tour of their facilities lead by David Brinkman, Executive Director of the Desert AIDS Project.  Pettis is the only Democratic candidate for the 80th AD to attend this Mixer and to visit and tour the Desert AIDS Project facilities.

The Desert AIDS Project (http://www.desertaidsproject.org/)

provides medical care and comprehensive support services to people living with HIV/AIDS in the desert community.  Free, confidential, rapid-result HIV testing is available, as well as counseling, home health services, legal assistance and assistance with housing, medications, food, re-employment and more.  Prevention and education outreach is available to any group.  As a fundraiser, D.A.P. operates its five Revivals resale marts…

Desert AIDS Project meets the evolving medical and social service needs of people living with HIV/AIDS by providing direct services and advocacy, while working to prevent new infections through education and outreach.

Desert AIDS Project has earned a national reputation as one of the most comprehensive HIV/AIDS services providers in the U.S. We are one of only a handful of AIDS agencies operating an on-site medical clinic, a full range of client support services, and a comprehensive HIV education and prevention program, including anonymous HIV testing.

Since our founding in 1984, Desert AIDS Project has grown to become the primary provider of direct medical and support services to HIV-affected men, women, and children throughout the desert region.

Pettis is also a business member as Cathedral City Councilmember of Desert Women for Equality, a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt organization which provides free mobile mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women in the Coachella Valley.  Desert Women for Equality’s (http://www.desertwomenforequality.com/)

mission is to improve the health and welfare of Lesbians and all women in the Coachella Valley through education and philanthropic activities.

In his commitment to DWE and the Lesbians and all women of the Coachella Valley, Pettis has worked assiduously with Cathedral City Mayor Cathy DeRosa (R) and Cathedral City Councilmember Chuck Vasquez (R) to obtain funding from Cathedral City to finance free mobile mammogram clinics in Cathedral City.  (Pettis also has the endorsement for State Assembly of the California-National Organization of Women because of his support for a woman’s right to choose, unlike his opponents who are again equivocal in support of women’s rights).

Because of Pettis’ support for the LGBT community, his experience in office, and his ability to deliver for the community, Pettis has the support of most openly-gay and openly-lesbian electeds and activists in the West Valley, East Valley, and Imperial Valley.  His supporters include Palm Springs City Councilmember Ginny Foat, Palm Springs City Councilmember Rick Hutcheson, Desert Hot Springs City Councilmember Karl Baker, Candidate for Palm Springs Unified School District Greg Rodriguez, Cathedral City Councilmember and Candidate for Cathedral City Mayor Paul Marchand, the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club, Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Treasurer Bob Silverman, Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Activist Bill Cain-Gonzales, Palm Springs Democratic Club Co-Chair Sandy Eldridge, Palm Springs Democratic Club Co-Chair David Pye, Palm Springs Democratic Club Secretary Peter East, and many others.

Pettis also has the endorsements of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and Equality California (EQCA) due to his consistent and steadfast support of the LGBT communities and their issues.  Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, with a history of not endorsing in primary elections, is co-hosting Pettis’ fundraising event with Foat and Hutcheson later this month with U.S. Rep. Barney Frank as headliner.  Former-Palm Springs Mayor Ron Oden is the only openly-gay elected to not endorse or support Pettis’ candidacy.

Again, kudos to Pettis for his ongoing, open, and steadfast commitment to not only the LGBT community and to their values and issues, but also to the vast numbers of men and women in the Coachella Valley who do not benefit from having health insurance.

I live for Al Rodger’s excellent photo diaries at dKos, so here’s a tribute to that great man- the photo diary about Manuel Perez.

In this diverse and challenging district, Manuel Perez is the only Latino Democratic candidate to support gay rights and gay marriage, the only Democrat in the race fluent in both English and Spanish, the only teacher, the only promontore, and the one with the full backing of the healthcare, education, and labor unions.  But there are four candidates, three weeks to go, and nothing is guaranteed. ActBlue action here.

Some links:

Politics Begins at Home

dday’s A Movement Rises in the Desert (AD-80)

Manuel Perez LIVE at school (Where else?)

People Powered Assembly Candidate

Gloria Romero & Dolores Huerta Endorse Perez

Harvard to Honor Alum Manuel Perez

Some pics:

Democratic Candidates’ Stands on Marriage Equality

Aspectes Xposted at 5/18/2008 10:50 AM PDT on MyDesert.com in BluePalmSpringsBoyz Blog

Greg Pettis, Cathedral City Councilmember and former Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City has consistently supported Marriage Equality and has stated publically and unequivocally at Democratic Candidates’ forums that he would vote for Marriage Equality if elected to the California State Assembly

Rick Gonzales, Community Development organizer with Wells Fargo, has stated publically and unequivocally at Democratic Club Candidates’ forums that if elected to the California State Assembly he would vote against Marriage Equality

Richard Gutierrez, dentist, has stated publically and unequivocally at Democratic Club Candidates’ forums that if elected to the California State Assembly, he would vote against Marriage Equality

Victor Manuel Perez, now former-Vice-President of the Coachella Valley Unified School District, has equivocated in public on Marriage Equality.  At Democratic Club Candidates’ forums, Perez avoided taking a position for or against Marriage Equality and has not indicated in public how he might vote as a member of the California State Assembly.

Perez states publically that he favors equal treatment for the LGBT community, but at each Democratic Candidates’ forum, when questioned, Perez equivocated, failing to answer how he would vote on Marriage Equality if elected to the State Assembly.  Favoring equal treatment and non-discrimination is not the same as stating a voting position.

The people of Coachella and Imperial Valleys need to know where Perez stands prior to the June primary, not after the November election.  It would behoove the Perez campaign and benefit the people of the 80th AD for his positions on LGBT issues and related position papers to be posted on his website.  One can only imagine why his spokepersons hold that Perez supports Marriage Equality when the candidate has not spoken to a possible vote.

The LGBT community cannot afford another Bonnie Garcia-type politician in the State Assembly who opposes equal rights for the LGBT community and who votes against the best interests of a major constituency.

The IEs are here at last, like Santa in the summer.  Running a grassroots campaign with a base of working people, some of whom live in the poorest parts of California, means the campaign’s funds are always tight.  The majority of the staff work for little or nothing.  But oh, how sweet it is when the unions start to do their thing.  Our website has an excellent photo gallery.  Behold, I receive in the mail my candidate teaching my kids.

The latest endorsements are United Auto Workers Region 5, the California Faculty Association, the San Diego/Imperial County Labor Council, and the Border Patrol.  Education, healthcare, labor, UAW, and now law enforcement. Nice.  

Crossposted at dKos



I’ve received four positive Perez mailers from Opportunity PAC, “a coalition of Educators, Health Care Givers, Faculty Members and Other School Employees,” and two negative ones on Pettis.  It can’t be any fun for a Democrat to find Opportunity PAC mailing oppo lit on him, but it’s odd to have a Democrat denounce unions as “Sacramento special interest groups” as the Pettis campaign’s latest email blast did.  Things do heat up in the final stretch.

Manuel’s schedule is insane, as this district stretches from east of Palm Springs to Arizona, from Desert Hot Springs to the border of Mexico.  Last Thursday he was in a candidate’s forum hosted by the Palm Springs Hospitality Association, and had the opportunity to address gay marriage (he’s for it), our education crisis, and his initiatives with vocational training – a boon both for local business and students.  He’s been walking precincts in every corner, including his main rival’s:

From (California’s) Capitol Morning Report, May 15th:

Manuel Perez for AD 80 campaign — About 20% of our walkers last Saturday canvassed Cathedral City, a presumed stronghold of Greg Pettis’, and it was simply amazing the amount of support out there for Manuel Perez. Dale Wissman was one of the volunteers and he walked a middle-class, mixed neighborhood of Latino, Anglo, and gay households. All the households were either openly in support of Perez before Dale knocked on their door, or were leaning Perez’s direction before they answered the door.  ….

Today at the Democrats of the Desert meeting, our speaker was Carissa Carrera of the Coachella Valley Teachers Association.  She noted the CVTA’s endorsement of Manuel Perez, “a good person” as well as a strong leader in education.  Here’s something we all found shocking:  Sacramento looks at the test scores of third graders when sizing up the prison budget needs for the future.  California would be the 8th largest country, were we a country, and we rank near the bottom of the nation in school funding.  We spend 7K per pupil, and 25-30K per prisoner.  

I am looking forward to a 2/3 majority with Manuel Perez in our Assembly.   Manuel, with others, secured $250 million for new school construction in Coachella.  This is what we need now.

I received Press Releases from National Stonewall Democrats, the Sacramento Stonewall Democratic Club, and U.S. Representative Barney Frank regarding the decision by the Republican-dominated California Supreme Court overturning the ban on Marriage Equality in the State.

National Stonewall Democrats, co-founded by U.S. Representative Frank (D-MA), is the National voice of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Democrats.  The Desert Stonewall Democratic Club is the official local Democratic Club for LGBT Democrats, sanctioned by both the National Stonewall Democrats as well as the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee.  Zander, Vice-President Roger Tansey, Treasurer Bob Silverman, and Secretary James Reynolds are amongst the leaders of the local club.

More below the flip…

Sacramento Stonewall Press Release concerning the historic decision by the California Supreme Court is as follows:

Sacramento Stonewall joins in the celebration of today’s historic verdict.  The Supreme Court of California has decided in favor of equality.  Legal marriage is now the law of this state!  In just 30 days, gay and lesbian couples will be able to apply for marriage licenses.  

Bennett, President of Sacramento Stonewall said, “Full and equal recognition of our relationships means that we have crossed a final barrier toward full and equal citizenship, at least in California.  This day has been years in the making.  But we know we can’t celebrate for long.”

Bennett went on to describe the efforts of a small, vocal minority that has been organizing all Spring to deny us this basic human right.  According to Bennett, they spent some $2 million dollars to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to limit marriage.

Bennett said, “Today we celebrate.  Today we savor the full and equal recognition of our relationships, our families… and all the responsibilities that come with it.  But tomorrow we organize.   Our equality did not come easily.  We will not let it go.”

The official press release from the National Stonewall Democrats focuses on the freedom for all of California’s couples to marry regardless the sex of the partner.

National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, incorporating more than 90 local chapters across the Nation.  National Stonewall Democrats is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity:

Legal Recognition of Marriage in CA

(Thursday, May 15, 2008)

Washington, DC – Today, the National Stonewall Democrats expressed the organization’s support for a ruling today by the California Supreme Court which recognized the freedom of all California couples to marry.

“Stonewall Democrats welcomes the ruling of the California Supreme Court to legally recognize the freedom to marry. California voters have twice supported this position through their elected officials,” said Jon Hoadley, Executive Director. “In 2005 and 2007, Democratic control ensured that marriage legislation was successfully approved and passed to the Governor’s desk. Thanks to the tireless work of Stonewall Democrats chapters and other advocates across the state, the California Democrats strongly support the freedom of all California couples to marry. We must now turn our attention to protecting this landmark victory.”

In a ruling today, the California Supreme Court recognized that all California couples, including same-sex couples, are entitled to the legal recognition of marriage.

“Throughout California, Stonewall Democrats have strategically worked to build support for pro-equality positions among Democratic candidates, party officials and elected leaders,” said Laurie McBride (Sacramento, CA), Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of National Stonewall Democrats. “This ruling reflects the values of our Party and the will of California voters as already expressed twice by the state legislature. Democrats are working to support this court ruling and to defeat any proposed anti-marriage initiative.”

The efforts of Stonewall Democrats chapters across California ensured that the California Democratic Party first voiced its support for legislation recognizing the freedom to marry in 2005, with the party permanently ratified that position in its platform earlier this year. Their work created a political climate which included more pro-equality legislators, stronger advocates and diverse partnership opportunities for the crucial work of statewide groups.

In 2005 and 2007, the California legislature successfully passed the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act” which would have recognized the freedom of all California couples to enter into civil marriage. Stonewall Democrats throughout California worked through their chapters to build support for the legislation among local Democratic bodies and the state party. Their efforts supported the work of partners like Equality California who successfully built a majority of support for the legislation in both the California Assembly and Senate. Although the “Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act” was twice vetoed by the Republican Governor, chapters of the Stonewall Democrats continued to build Democratic support for the freedom of all Californians to marry.

On Thursday, May 15, 2008, Frank issued his own Press Release regarding the decision of California to join his home state of Massachusetts in formally and legally allowing Marriage Equality:

News release from Barney Frank

_______________________________________________________

Congressman, 4th District, Massachusetts

2252 Rayburn Building · Washington, D.C. 20515 · (202) 225-5931

Thursday, May 15, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Steven Adamske 202-225-7141

Joe Racalto 202-225-5931

FRANK APPLAUDS CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT RULING ON SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

I want to offer to my friends in California both congratulations and reassurance:  I congratulate California’s Supreme Court for recognizing that all of California’s citizens are entitled to basic civil rights; and I can assure the people of the state that the result of this decision will be to improve the quality of life of tens of thousands of Californians who will now be able legally to express their love for each other, while having no negative effect whatsoever on the overwhelming majority of Californians who will choose not to marry someone of the same sex.  

As in California, Massachusetts’ experience with same sex marriage began with a 4-3 decision of our highest court.  There was initially some controversy.  Subsequently, after reality banished the concerns that many had expressed about the impact of this decision, our State Legislature voted by more than 3-1 to ratify the decision, and today, most people find it hard to remember that there was ever any serious fear about it.

Yesterday, I received a Press Release from the Greg Pettis for 80th Assembly District” campaign that summarizes Pettis’ plan to protect the schools and the students from impending budget cuts.

Pettis has already garnered the support of parents, teachers, and staff across Riverside and Imperial Counties in his run to replace the termed out Bonnie Garcia (R).  His plan also proposes solutions to the education crisis in the District resulting from failed decisions on the parts of leaders of the Boards of Trustees of the Coachella Valley Unified School District and the Palm Springs Unified School District.

Pettis’ support in the education community includes Palm Springs Unified School District Trustee Meredy Schoenberger, El Centro Unified School District Trustee Diane Newton, and State Assemblymember Mike Eng (49th AD, member of the Education Committee).

More below the flip…

For Immediate Release:            May 14, 2008

For More Information:            Richard Oberhaus 760-413-7938

PETTIS RELEASES SOLUTIONS TO PROTECT OUR KIDS FROM BUDGET CUTS

Palm Springs-Calling it the “top issue that threatens the health and future of California’s children,” Cathedral City Councilman and Democratic candidate for the 80th Assembly District, Greg Pettis released his plan to solve California’s budget crisis.

“I’m running for the California Assembly because we need experienced leadership to change the way Sacramento does business and reclaim our heritage as the place where children can live their dreams,” Pettis said.

Pettis called the $4.4 billion in education cuts proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger “unacceptable” because of the links between quality education, opportunity and future job growth.

“We can’t balance this budget on the backs of our children, nor can we tell them they are only entitled to a quality education during good economic times,” Pettis said. “It is at precisely these times when we most need to keep our commitment to our kids.”

“Over the last 14 years, I’ve dealt with budget shortfalls in Cathedral City without the option of raising taxes, yet we were still able to protect core services like public safety. We succeeded because we created 1,000 new jobs and targeted key investments like the expansion of Cal State San Bernardino-Palm Desert,” Pettis said.

“We need to take that same approach in Sacramento to protect our public schools, invest in our children and cover every child with health care,” he said.

Among the highlights of Pettis’ plan include:

(1)  Closing billions in tax loopholes and giveaways that are less critical to the state’s well being than its public education system.

(2)  Cracking down on tax fraud by hiring 100 new auditors to go after companies that  are ‘cooking their books’ to show no net profit.

(3)  Creating 100,000 new jobs through micro targeting of loans to distressed communities and investing in green jobs that already bookend the 80th AD.

(4)  Reducing legislator’s salaries by 10 percent until the budget crisis is over to show the public that Sacramento is willing to sacrifice in the name of our kids.

Pettis was joined at the unveiling of his budget plan by numerous teachers throughout Riverside and Imperial Counties who praised his willingness to offer the public specifics rather than relying on 30-second sound bites and empty promises.

“Greg Pettis has made increased funding for K-12 and investment in higher education a centerpiece of his campaign,” said retired teacher Jess Stoddart. “He’s the one candidate who has the experience and the specific ideas to turn those promises into reality.”

The Pettis Plan to Protect Our Kids can be read at www.gregpettis.com/issues.php.

More than 200 celebratory residents of the Coachella Valley and environs gathered before the Palm Springs City Hall to mark the California Supreme Court decision granting Marriage Equality to members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities.  In a 4-3 decision, California, with one eighth of the population of the Nation, that is, more than 35 million out of 300 million American residents, leads the way to Civil Rights and Marriage Equality for all.  For All.

In an occasion marked by ‘mere’ citizens like Scott and Jon Hines and their two young children, Steve O’Brien and Scott Evans, partners of 13-years, Carol and Mike Balassa, leaders of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays – Palm Springs (PFLAG), and others, law-abiding and tax-paying citizens all, paid tribute to the heroism of the California Supreme Court for the landmark decision.  Coachella Valley electeds such as Palm Springs City Councilmember Ginny Foat, Palm Springs City Councilmember Rick Hutcheson, Water District Board Member Craig Ewing, Cathedral City Councilmember and Candidate for Cathedral City Mayor Paul Marchand, and Cathedral City Councilmember and Candidate for the 80th Assembly District Greg Pettis attended the celebration.

More below the flip…

More from mydesert.com, the online edition of The Desert Sun:

(Scott and Jon Hines) had just lost a Tennesee Supreme Court case to try and overturn a ban on same-sex marriage.

“They treated us like second class citizens,” Scott Hines of Palm Springs said.

On Thursday, the chance they took for legal marriage in California paid off.

The family of four joined 200 others at Palm Springs City Hall to celebrate the California Supreme Court decision Thursday to overturn a ban on gay marriage.

“We came here because we knew there was a chance,” Scott Hines said.

When he got the news early Thursday, he called his partner of five years and asked him to marry him.

“I was in (a) dentist chair,” Jon Hines said with a big smile as he and Scott’s children, Louis, 11, and Sage,3, played nearby.

Louis, a fifth grader, has been known to say that two dads are better than one, Jon Hines said.

“They rock,” Louis said.

Several who attended the rally wore black T-shirts that read “Let California Ring…”

…Several hugged and cheered when Mayor Pro Tem Ginny Foat shouted, “Happy Marriage Day!”

Councilman Rick Hutcheson said Thursday was a “joyous day for Palm Springs and a joyous day for my family.”

He joked though that it was also an expensive day because he and his partner of 10 years would now need to shop for wedding rings.

Local radio talkshow host Bill Feingold said he was surprised at how affected he was by the Supreme Court decision, adding he cried a little.

“I feel validated,” Feingold said. “I am an American like everybody else today.”

Foat discussed the long, hard struggle of the LGBT community, and the leadership that members of the Palm Springs community provided to the Marriage Equality struggle.  Foat noted that the City of Palm Springs, amongst many other California cities like Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, and others, filed friends of the court amicus briefs to support today’s California Supreme Court ruling.  Foat reported that she had left a message for her long-time partner, Pam, asking her to marry her in a voice mail message.  The crowd responded in laughter when Foat indicated that her partner expected more, including an in-person marriage proposal and a ‘bended knee.’  Nevertheless, Foat’s partner said “Yes!.”  Foat also reported that the Palm Springs City Council, lead by Mayor Steve Pougnet, Hutcheson, and herself would seek to have a Riverside County clerical presence in Palm Springs to allow locals to seek a marriage license here, rather than having to travel to Indio as presently planned.

Foat read a congratulatory letter from Pougnet who with his partner and twins were at a family function in Rochester, NY.  Clearly Pougnet, attending a family event, missed being in Palm Springs to celebrate a LGBT family event with the California Supreme Court ruling.

Hutcheson discussed the personal and community blessings of the Court ruling, indicating that Palm Springs could become the Marriage Equality capital of California.  Clearly, Marriage Equality will benefit Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, and Rancho Mirage hotels, resorts, spas, restaurants, caterers, and entertainers in the near future.

Foat introduced Greg Pettis, Candidate for the 80th Assembly District, as ‘THE 80th Assembly District candidate,’ to which Pettis received resounding applause.  When Foat reported that Pettis would replace Bonnie Garcia (R), the applause and cheers exploded further.  Pettis has fully supported Marriage Equality, foster parent priviliges for the LGBT community, anti-bullying measures for the schools, and other LGBT issues during his 13 years + tenure as Cathedral City Councilmember and former-Mayor Pro-Tem of Cathedral City.  Pettis discussed his previous leadership in crafting measures to protect the interests of members of the LGBT communities in Riverside County and in Cathedral City.

Pettis has had the endorsements of every member of the LGBT legislative caucus in Sacramento including Assemblymember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), Chair, Senator Christine Kehoe (San Diego), Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Los Angeles), Senator Carole Migden, and Assemblymember Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).  Other local electeds, members of the LGBT community endorsing Pettis include Foat, Hutcheson, Marchand, Desert Hot Springs Councilmember Karl Baker, Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Treasurer Bob Silverman, Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Secretary James Reynolds, Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Vice-President Roger Tansey, Desert Stonewall Democratic Club Steering Committee Members Donald W. Grimm, Ph.D., Bob Mahlowitz, Greg Rodriguez, and Lynn Worley, Desert Stonewall Democratic Club activist Bill Cain-Gonzales, Palm Springs Democratic Club Co-Chair David Pye, Palm Springs Democratic Club Co-Chair Sandy Eldridge, former Palm Springs Democratic Club Co-Chair Robert Lee Thomas, amongst others.

In addition, Pettis has been endorsed by all, by all of the local LGBT Democratic Clubs including the Desert Stonewall Democratic Club, the Inland Stonewall Democratic Club, and the San Diego Democratic Club.

Pettis discussed the benefits to the West Valley communities of Marriage Equality.  He also discussed the fact that the impact on the Imperial Valley communities might be even greater as the visibility of the LGBT communities there becomes even more evident at neighbors, family members and friends publically seek and obtain marriage licenses in El Centro, Brawley, Coachella, and Indio.  That is where real change in the local political and social environment as a result of Marriage Equality will occur.