California Imposes "Unprecedented" Mandatory Statewide Water Restrictions

Speaking from a water-parched perch in the Sierra Nevadas that would normally be covered with five feet or more of snow, today California Gov. Jerry Brown announced unprecedented mandatory water use restrictions. ABC News reports:

For the first time in the state's history, the governor has directed the State Water Resources Control Board to implement mandatory water reductions across California, in an effort to reduce water usage by 25 percent. The measures include replacing 50 million square feet of lawns throughout the state with drought-tolerant landscaping, banning the watering of grass on public street medians, requiring agricultural water users to report their water use to state regulators, and requiring large landscapes such as campuses, golf courses and cemeteries to make significant cuts in water use.

The last four years have been the driest in California’s recorded history. As of March 24, more than 98 percent of California is suffering from abnormally dry conditions, with 41.1 percent in an exceptional drought, according the U.S. Drought Monitor, which estimates that more than 37 million Californians have been affected by the drought. The state’s snowpack, which is largely responsible for feeding the state’s reservoirs, has been reduced to 8 percent of its historical average, and in some areas in the Central Valley the land is sinking a foot a year because of over-pumping of groundwater for agriculture.

The snowpack in neighboring Nevada's Lake Tahoe water basin is reported to be at 3% of its normal size. For now, neither state is restricting water usage by private homes, but experts have warned that that is surely coming. Yesterday the water provider to the Reno area asked customers to cut their use by 10%.

CALIFORNIA: Gov. Jerry Brown Signs Bill Banning "Gay Panic" Defense

The bill also bans "transgender panic" as a valid defense for violent crimes. California is the first state to enact such a ban.

CALIFORNIA: Bill To Ban "Gay Panic" Defense Awaits Signature Of Governor

California should soon become the first state to ban the so-called "gay panic" defense in violent crimes against LGBT citizens.

A bill awaiting Brown’s approval would prohibit the use of the defense — the argument that a violent act was triggered by the revelation of a victim’s actual or perceived gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation — in an attempt to downgrade a murder charge to manslaughter. It passed in the state Assembly last week by a 58 to 15 vote, and before that in the Senate with a vote of 25 to 9. That the nation’s most populous state could soon ban the defense is a win for the National LGBT Bar Association, an association of legal professionals, students and affiliated groups that has been working to minimize the use of the defense for a decade, said Executive Director D’Arcy Kemnitz. “But it’s going to be meaningful when we pass it in Wyoming where Matthew Shepard was murdered,” too, she said, noting that each state matters. The LGBT Bar Association and Equality California, an advocacy organization, both say the law would be the nation’s first.

(Tipped by JMG reader Todd)

Tony Perkins Has The California Sadz

Pretty much exactly as I predicted two hours ago.

CALIFORNIA: Gov. Jerry Brown Issues Marriage Directive To County Clerks But First The Ninth Circuit Stay Must Be Lifted

"After years of struggle, the U.S. Supreme Court today has made same-sex marriage a reality in California. In light of the decision, I have directed the California Department of Public Health to advise the state's counties that they must begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in California as soon as the Ninth Circuit confirms the stay is lifted." - California Governor Brown, via press release.

MORE DETAILS:

The Governor has directed the California Department of Public Health to advise county officials today that the district court's injunction against Proposition 8 applies statewide and that all county clerks and county registrar/recorders must comply with it. However, same-sex Californians will not be able to marry until the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals confirms the stay of the injunction, which has been in place throughout the appeals process, is lifted.

In preparation for this outcome, Governor Brown sought an opinion from California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris on whether the state, through the California Department of Public Health, can advise county clerks and registrar/recorders that they are bound by the federal district court's ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.

The Attorney General concluded that the California Department of Public Health "can and should" instruct county officials that they "must resume issuing marriage licenses to and recording the marriages of same-sex" couples. The Department will issue another letter to county officials as soon as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals confirms the stay is lifted.

View the California Public Health Department's letter to county clerks.

Tweet Of The Day - Gov. Jerry Brown

CA Gov. Jerry Brown Signs Bill Banning "Ex-Gay" Therapy For Minors

Last night California Gov. Jerry Brown finally signed the bill that bans "ex-gay therapy" for children under the age of 18.

The bill, SB1172 by Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance (Los Angeles County), bars mental health practitioners from performing so-called reparative therapy, which professional psychological organizations have said may cause harm. Gay rights groups have labeled them dangerous and abusive. "This bill bans non-scientific 'therapies' that have driven young people to depression and suicide. These practices have no basis in science or medicine and they will now be relegated to the dustbin of quackery," Brown said in a statement to The Chronicle.Brown approved the ban after the public release of two other lists of bills signed and vetoed earlier Saturday. Lieu's bill is expected to appear on a new list to be released Sunday.

REACTIONS

National Center for Lesbian Rights: "Governor Brown has sent a powerful message of affirmation and support to LGBT youth and their families. This law will ensure that state-licensed therapists can no longer abuse their power to harm LGBT youth and propagate the dangerous and deadly lie that sexual orientation is an illness or disorder that can be 'cured.'"

Equality California: "Governor Brown today reaffirmed what medical and mental health organizations have made clear: Efforts to change minors' sexual orientation are not therapy, they are the relics of prejudice and abuse that have inflicted untold harm on young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Californians. We thank Senator Ted Lieu and Governor Brown for their efforts in making California a leader in banning this deceptive and harmful practice."

Truth Wins Out: "This is a historic day that protects LGBT youth from child abuse disguised as genuine therapy. We thank Gov. Brown for signing legislation that can serve as a model for similar bills across the nation.”

Human Rights Campaign: "We're grateful to Governor Brown for standing with California's children. LGBT youth will now be protected from a practice that has not only been debunked as junk science, but has been proven to have drastically negative effects on their well-being. We commend Governor Brown for putting children first, and call on all states to take California’s lead on this issue. We will continue our fight against this kind of child abuse, which has been deemed harmful to children by all major mental health, medical, and child welfare organizations."

Courage Campaign: "Governor Brown has shown courage for enacting the first law in the nation to ban 'conversion therapy' for gay people. The Governor's action will protect thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth of California. This law will save lives here and across the nation by ending the torture of young people through the quackery that suggests that gay people can decide somehow not to be gay, which is akin to white people deciding not to be white. Once again, California is a model for the nation."

Tweet Of The Day - Jane Lynch

Now YOU do the same. Tweet him @JerryBrownGov.

"Ex-Gay" Ban Heads To Gov. Jerry Brown

California's bill to ban "ex-gay" therapy for minors has cleared its final hurdle before heading to the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown.

The state Senate on Thursday sent the governor a bill that would prohibit so-called sexual-conversion therapy for minors, aimed at changing their orientation from gay to straight. Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) proposed the measure based on concern by medical groups involving psychologists and psychiatrists that the therapy is not based on sound scientific principles. "The entire house of medicine has rejected this phony and sham therapy. It really is junk science,’’ Lieu told his fellow Senators. "The American Psychiatric Assn. says it poses great risk to individuals including feelings of guilt, self-hatred, shame. Some people commit suicide having gone through this.’’ The bill was approved with a 22-12 party line vote, with Republicans objecting to the state telling parents and teenagers what kind of therapy they can pursue.

The bill is vigorously opposed by PFOX, NARTH, the Catholic Church, and other hate groups that enjoy brainwashing and torturing gay children.

Tell CA Gov. Jerry Brown To Sign The Bill To Ban "Ex-Gay" Abuses Of LGBT Children

Sign the petition right now. Brown may get the bill very soon.

Somewhat Good News On SB 48

California Gov. Jerry Brown has just signed a bill restricting all public referendums to a November vote in even-numbered years. This means that even if those attempting to repeal SB 48 manage to get enough petition signatures in these remaining few days, the bill will not appear until November 2012. Republicans, of course, are furious at Brown.

"The idea of direct democracy is to involve as many voters as possible," Brown, a Democrat, wrote in a signing message. Senate Bill 202, signed just days before the 100th anniversary of the initiative process in California, was seen by Republicans an example of extreme partisanship. In a written statement, Senate Republican leader Bob Dutton of Rancho Cucamonga called the bill "a blatant power grab by the powerful public employee unions."

Anti-Gay Group Vows: We'll Overturn California's "Nazi" LGBT History Bill

More anti-gay hate groups are piling on the petition drive to place a repeal of California's LGBT history bill on the June 2012 ballot. Today, it's the World Congress of Families.

"When people have [voted], and Governor Brown knows that he has an issue that would fail when put to a popular vote, of course, they just go around the people," Jacobs explains. "They essentially implement their will. And, of course, in a democracy, that's not the way things are supposed to work. It's certainly something that forces our children to be indoctrinated in a certain way. It's like a Nazi state or a communist type of way of dealing with an issue." And he contends the bill has enforced the homosexual agenda on children in the state. "What the homosexual movement has done with ... SB 48 [and] in general, in calling for equality, what they're calling for is special rights," the pro-family group spokesman notes. "We don't have special things in education to teach people to change history based on a particular Christian worldview or Muslim worldview, but they go beyond that."

BREAKING: Victory In California As Gov. Jerry Brown Signs LGBT History Bill

California Gov. Jerry Brown today signed openly gay state Sen. Mark Leno's LGBT education bill. Leno's legislation requires that California's history textbooks including notable LGBT figures.

"Today we are making history in California by ensuring that our textbooks and instructional materials no longer exclude the contributions of LGBT Americans," said Senator Leno (D-San Francisco). "Denying LGBT people their rightful place in history gives our young people an inaccurate and incomplete view of the world around them. I am pleased Governor Brown signed the FAIR Education Act and I thank him for recognizing that the LGBT community, its accomplishments and its ongoing efforts for first-class citizenship are important components of California's history." Research indicates that students who learn about LGBT people find their school environments more accepting of LGBT youth. Students are also more likely to report that their LGBT peers are treated fairly at school - and that other types of peer-to-peer disrespect also declines - when LGBT people and issues are included in instructional materials.

The bill was hotly opposed by the usual anti-gay groups nationwide, with the hate group Save California taking the lead in fighting the measure. So SUCK IT, Randy Thomasson!

Will CA Jerry Brown Sign History Bill?

It remains unclear whether California Gov. Jerry Brown will sign the LGBT history bill approved earlier this month by the state legislature. Brown is under enormous pressure from anti-gay hate groups nationwide. Equality California weighs in:

As a community we must convince Governor Brown to sign the FAIR Education Act (SB 48 - Leno). We don't have a lot of time. Please email him today. http://tinyurl.com/sb48-b . This critical bill would ensure that students in public schools learn about the LGBT civil rights movement and the contributions of LGBT people to other movements and to society. With this bill, we will have the opportunity to define who we are, instead of being defined by harmful messages filled with bigotry that dehumanize us. We believe that learning about the heroic struggles of LGBT individuals and our diverse LGBT communities brings an understanding that prevents violence against our LGBT youth and those perceived as LGBT regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We are shifting the conversation. Instead of being stigmatized, marginalized and demonized, people will understand that we have a proud legacy and heritage of struggle and contribution.

Hit this link to sign Equality California's petition to Brown. Or call his office directly: 916.445.2841.

Quote Of The Day - Randy Thomasson

"It's downright frightening to hear U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder suggest that moral disapproval of homosexual marriages is somehow unconstitutional. What's next? Federal lawsuits against states with man-woman marriage laws -- and federal investigations of individuals who believe that marriage is only for a man and a woman? Barack Obama lied when he said he'd defend marriage for only a man and a woman. And now Obama is following in the footsteps of another liar -- that's Jerry Brown of California. We need to pray for justice to be done. We need to pray for protection from God because America is going down the toilet morally because of its disobedience to God. And we need to ask for God's mercy, something we certainly don't deserve."" - Save California spokesbigot Randy Thomasson.

CALIFORNIA: Attorney General Jerry Brown Defeats Meg "$150M" Whitman

Meg Whitman pissed away $150M of her own money in her losing bid to Attorney General Jerry Brown, giving her the all-time global record for most money ever wasted on a losing political campaign. Please please let there be a photo op when the Guiness Book Of Hilarious Records shows up at her house tomorrow. On a more serious note, this is excellent news for the Prop 8 battle as Whitman had vowed to attempt to intervene on behalf of the state, should she become elected.

Nate Silver's Final Governorships Forecast

Larger interactive version here. We're certainly enjoying that dark blue in California, aren't we? Florida remains troublesome, with teabagger and Medicare fraudster Rick Scott maintaining a slight lead over Democrat Alex Sink. In Illinois state Sen. Bill Brady is in a toss-up with Gov. Pat Quinn, who had the unenviable job of taking over for Rod Blogojevich. In Minnesota former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton is holding onto a five-point lead over teabagger asshat (and Target BFF) Tom Emmer.

New York Times Asks: Why Aren't Gays Fired Up Against Meg Whitman?

The New York Times observes that there appears to be "little passion" among LGBT voters regarding the outcome of California's gubernatorial race. And that's curious because Meg Whitman has vowed to attempt to defend Proposition 8 in the Ninth Circuit Court, should she be elected.

Intervention would be an “unprecedented situation,” said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the law school at the University of California, Irvine. “We don’t know what would happen if a new governor or attorney general tried to intervene,” he said. The December appeals hearing could face a lengthy delay, or an argument could be made for a new trial, with the state reversing its stance and supporting the marriage ban. Rory Little, professor of law at the University of California Hastings College of the Law, said that a new trial would be unlikely, but that the judges would carefully consider the motion. “The court will take this very seriously,” Mr. Little said. With the election possibly affecting such a hard-fought legal victory, gay men and lesbians should be motivated to vote, but they might not be aware of the stakes, according to political analysts.

I think we at this here website thingy have been ringing the Fear Whitman bell fairly loudly, but the above-linked NYT piece places the overall blame for Whitman apathy on LGBT disappointment with the Obama administration.

CALIFORNIA: AG Jerry Brown Holding Nice Lead Over Meg Whitman

The last couple of polls including the one published yesterday show Attorney General Jerry Brown sitting on a rather comfortable lead over Meg Whitman. That's potentially good news regarding Proposition 8.

Paid For By Meg Whitman Who Invented Everything Good In California