California Supreme Court overturns ban on gay marriage; Challenges loom

By LISA LEFF

The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO

The California Supreme Court has overturned a gay marriage ban in a ruling that would make the nation's largest state the second one to allow gay and lesbian weddings.

The justices' 4-3 decision Thursday says domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage. Chief Justice Ron George wrote the opinion.

The city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples and gay rights groups sued in March 2004 after the court halted San Francisco's monthlong same-sex wedding march.

Thanks to all who attended the Virginia Young Dems NOVA Fundraiser on Friday night! The event at Jay's in Clarendon was attended by over 30 people from Alexandria and Arlington and raised $500 to kickstart VAYD's 2008 activities to turn Virginia blue. In addition to socializing, attendees participated in the DJ's contests – one VAYD member (who shall remain nameless) won for being the shortest person in the bar! Other attendees made their fellow VAYDs proud by rocking out to the oldies, much to the amusement of Jay's patrons. Sadly (or perhaps thankfully), there are no pictures to that part of the evening! Hope to see everyone at the next fundraiser - click here if you want to contribute before then!

Some photos from the VAYD Convention are at our flickr stream here. If you have photos to add, contact Kenton Ngo (vp_communication@vayd.org).

I want to thank everyone who came down to Blacksburg for the 2008 VAYD Convention March 28-30. With only three months of planning, I definitely think the entire weekend was a huge success. At the opening ceremony on Friday, we heard from candidates for the 6th District Congressional Democratic nomination Sam Rasoul and Drew Richardson. Drew has since resigned from the race, but I would still like to thank them both for coming to let us know what their campaigns are/were all about (especially since I grew up in the 6th). We also had a great "Welcome to Blacksburg" from Steve Cochran, the Montgomery County Democratic Committee Chair and former VAYD President, who is a huge support to the Young Democrats at Virginia Tech.Presentations were held on Virginia Tech campus later in the evening and open to anyone who was not sitting on a committee. These included another speech by Steve Cochran about the importance of youth political involvement, a presentation on community activism by VT Mathematics Professor, Blacksburg Vice-Mayor, VT Womanspace and Amnesty International faculty advisor, and Montgomery County NOW Coordinator Susan Anderson, and a presentation about the Virginia Tech GREEN Team and Environmentalism by Virginia Tech student Angie De Soto. Please check out the GREEN Team website if you are at all interested in Environmental Activism. They have some really great ideas about educating others on awareness and sustainability--you might be able to start something similar on your campus or in your community!

Saturday was mostly business, but we had some excellent breaks including visits from Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate Brian Moran. Both spoke on the Convention floor, and we are so thankful they came down to address us! Our breakout sessions at lunchtime consisted of a much needed DEMopolis training lead by our VAYD webmaster and 2008 Male YD of the Year Jordan Higgins. We also had a FANTASTIC speech by Delegate Steve Shannon about how young people can get involved in and start their own political campaigns and careers. You should be sad if you missed it because he really had great advice for us all!

We ended Saturday with a Dinner Banquet and awards ceremony. Our keynote speaker was Charley Conrad, President of the Virginia Partisans. We could not have asked for a better treat than to end the Convention with his fabulous words. He addressed the Convention theme of "Tomorrow Starts Today" and gave us all a few laughs as well. Congratulations to everyone who won awards this year: the University of Virginia College Democrats for Up-and-Coming Club of the Year, College of William and Mary Young Democrats for Club of the Year, Jordan Higgins for Male YD of the Year, Brittany Morrison (myself) for Female YD of the Year, and Charley Conrad for Honorary Young Democrat.

Our events officially concluded Sunday at noon with the new VAYD Executive Board meeting. I think I speak for everyone in saying that our new board shows tremendous promise for another excellent year. With the 2008 Presidential Elections growing closer, I hope you will all stay tuned to the VAYD website so we can work together on turning Virginia BLUE! Once again, thanks to all of you for making this Convention a huge success, and please let me know if you have any feedback as I will be compiling a list of suggestions and helpful hints for the 2009 Convention host organization.

Sincerely,

Brittany Morrison

2008 Convention Chair

VAYD Southwest Region Chair

New River Valley Young Democrats Vice-President

southwest_region@vayd.org

John Taylor Chapman, National Committeeman
Bree Raum, National Committeewoman

Last weekend, Young Dems from all over the country gathered in Anaheim, CA, the home of Disneyland, for the YDA conference. Nine Virginia Young Democrats attended the event, including the two of us.

On Friday, we heard from Local 681, a union of Disney hotel workers, who were picketing Disney Hotel management demanding that management keep paying the full value of their health care. On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of YDs and union members joined together in picketing the Disney hotel headquarters.

By now you've probably heard, but it bears repeating: in every primary and caucus young voters have turned out like never before, not only in raw numbers but also as a percentage of the total electorate. Based on exit polls, we can estimate how many 18-29 year olds came out in 2004 and in 2008 in these four states, and what percent of the total electorate they made up in the table below. Not only has youth turnout increased like turnout across the board, young voters are for the first time represented in numbers closer to their share of the population.

VAYD President Jen Bissett, Arlington YD President Bree Raum and Fairfax YD President Rafael Aranciba appeared Sunday night on the Inside Scoop with George Burke. Great job to all three! Watch the video:

YOUNG VOTER REVOLUTION IN VIRGINIA