The GLBT Alliance, Santa Cruz’ queer political organization, was created in the Spring of 2001 to fill the need for a progressive grassroots gay political group which would focus specifically on GLBT political issues where they diverge from the issues of the mainstream. In other words, while most of us, as individuals, work on nonqueer issues as well as on queer ones, the Alliance exists to ensure that the queer issues are not overlooked or assimilated into mainstream issues, and that a queer voice is present in all issues.

Renew your membership online.

 Santa Cruz Metro: Capleton Gets the Cold Shoulder

The Catalyst cancelled the CAPLETON dancehall show scheduled for last Sunday night, "due to outcry from the community & concern for public safety"--at least, that's what it said on a note from the management posted on the Catalyst box office. Though the singer himself claims that his lyrics were mistranslated from the Patois dialect, the interpretations circulated by the GLBT ALLIANCE were disturbing to say the least, crossing the line from derogatory to advocating murder. Capleton's "I Shot the Sheriff" defense is weak, considering that BOB MARLEY's murderous song was about shooting a sheriff-gone-haywire in self-defense, not about killing gays because of some whacked-out fundamentalist religious belief. If there is a God, here's hoping it will eradicate all forms of fundamentalism ASAP, before we all blow each other to hell.

 Upcoming Events! 

Pre-and post-election events and forums are in the works. Check back here for updates, or join the GLBT Alliance Yahoo Group to receive notices via email.

 Our mission statement reads:

The purpose of the GLBT Alliance is to guarantee that the GLBT community and its interests are included in all levels of political action in Santa Cruz County; to build a strong grassroots progressive political queer community in Santa Cruz County; to help members of the GLBT community in Santa Cruz County develop strong political and organizational skills, learn how to initiate desired political changes, and learn how to discern issues which effect the queer community, how to analyze them, and how to respond to them.

NEW MEETING TIME: The Alliance meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at The Diversity Center, 177 Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, with involvement open to all. Occasional forums on relevant topics are presented as the need arises.

Register to vote online! Visit the California Secretary of State Online Voter Registration Page.

Visit our Marriage Equality resource page for the latest updates and news on the struggle for Marriage Equality in Santa Cruz County and the rest of the world.

 2004 Endorsements 

 NEW: 2004 School Board Endorsements 

On September 29th, 2004, the GLBT Alliance co-sponsored a School Board Candidate Forum. The forum was co-sponsored with with CUPE (Citizens United for Public Education), School Voices and the Branciforte Middle School Home and School Club (which hosted the event at B40 Middle School). As a result of the forum, and of answers to questionnaires sent to candidates for all competitive school board races, the GLBT Alliance is offering its endorsement to, and recommending the election of (listing in alphabetical order):

  • Santa Cruz County Board of Education, Trustee Area 3: Ward Alksne
  • Pajaro Valley Unified School District, TA 6: Sandra Nichols
  • Santa Cruz City Schools Unified School District, Trustee Area I: Ken Wagman

 Previous 2004 Endorsements 

The GLBT Alliance co-sponsored, with the Progressive Coalition, an endorsement forum in which candidates for Santa Cruz City Council were invited to speak.

As a result of the forum, and of answers to questionnaires sent to candidates for all four City Councils, the GLBT Alliance is offering its endorsement to, and recommending the election of (listing in alphabetical order):

  • Ryan Coonerty
  • Scott Kennedy
  • Tony Madrigal
  • Ed Porter
  • Emily Reilly

to the Santa Cruz City Council,

Oscar Rios to the Watsonville City Council, District 2,

as well as our earlier endorsements:

  • Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, 5th District: Mark Stone (non-partisan, runoff)
  • California State Assembly, Dist. 27: John Laird - D
  • California State Assembly, Dist. 28: Simon Salinas - D
  • California State Senate, Dist. 11: Joe Simitian - D
  • California State Senate, Dist. 15: Peg Pinard - D
  • United States Rep, Dist. 14: Anna Eshoo - D
  • United States Rep, Dist. 17: Sam Farr - D
  • United State Senate: Barbara Boxer - D

Join the GLBT Alliance to cast your vote for future endorsements.

 NEW: 2004 Santa Cruz County School Board Questionaire Responses 

Click on the name of the candidate to view their answers to our questionaire (note: we sent questionaires to numerous other candidates across the county, these were the only ones who returned them. Questionaires were not sent to candidates who were automatically elected to office due to lack of an opponent, such as three of the four candidates for the Santa Cruz City Schools school board).
Santa Cruz City Schools Unified School District, Trustee Area I (inside City of Santa Cruz), 1 seat, 4 year term
Santa Cruz County Board of Education, Trustee Area 3 (City of Santa Cruz and nearby areas), 1 seat, 4 year term
Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Trustee Area 6, 1 seat, 4 year term

 2004 Santa Cruz County Candidate Questionaire Responses 

Candidate questionnaires were mailed to all City Council candidates in Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville; we received these responses. Click on the candidate's name below to read her or his response to our questionaire.
 2004 Santa Cruz City Council 
 2004 Watsonville City Council 

 NEWSFLASH: AB 205 upheld! 

Court rules in favor of the State of California and EQCA: Sacramento Superior Court Opinion in favor of AB 205.

 2004 Legislative Update 

The GLBT Alliance has prepared a comprehensive summary of GLBT related legislation followed by the GLBT Alliance over the last year. Click on the link to view it. Note: this document may be viewed with "WordPad", an installed copy of Microsoft Office/Word is not required.

 Marriage Equality Rally Media Coverage 


Image Source: Santa Cruz Indymedia

Members of the Santa Cruz glbt community and allies gathered at the Town Clock in Santa Cruz in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling on August 12. Couples married in San Francisco, couples married in Canada, unmarried couples, families, County Supervisors Mardi Wormhoudt and Mark Stone, County Clerk Gail Pellerin, Mayor Scott Kennedy and representatives of PFLAG joined members of The GLBT Alliance of Santa Cruz County/MECA Santa Cruz in consoling and rallying one another. The gathering was covered by KSBW, The Santa Cruz County Sentinel and Santa Cruz Indy Media.

Thanks to organizers Thomas Leavitt and Merrie Schaller, GLBT Alliance co-chairs; Owen Wolf, GLBT Alliance steering committee member and MECA chapter leader; Natalie Steinberg, steering committee member; Gunilla Leavitt, graphics wizard, and everyone who passed the word and showed up.

Media coverage:

 Other 

Visit our archives for information of historical interest and our actions and legislation page for past legislative lobbying efforts, events and activities.

• GLBT ALLIANCE •