A Message on the Passage of Proposition 8
From the Executive Director of Outfest

One week later, the passage of Proposition 8 still resonates in our community. We were poised to join the “more perfect union” envisioned by the Bill of Rights – the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, blatant discrimination was written into the California state constitution leaving many of us frustrated and angry. That anger and frustration is now a catalyst for working together even harder to continue the fight for equal recognition and protection under the law.

For the past 27 years, Outfest has represented and served our community by fostering and screening images that reflect and document the LGBTQ experience. Now more than ever our mission to nurture, showcase, and protect LGBTQ culture has a profoundly relevant purpose in helping to change the hearts and minds of our foes and achieving our equality.

I believe in what President-elect Barack Obama said on Tuesday night: “For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected.”

Outfest, with your help as an audience and as supporters, will continue to showcase our struggle and our triumph. Together we will help to change the discussion, support LGBT artistic expression and ultimately achieve equality.

Sincerely,

Todd Heustess, Executive Director
Outfest
www.outfest.org

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