Anti-LGBT groups announced this week that they have gathered enough signatures to qualify a same-sex marriage ban amendment for the November ballot in California.

In a press release available through their website, Equality California said this of the signature drive:

"Extremist anti-LGBT organizations spent an unprecedented amount of money to pay people to collect signatures and are now saying that they succeeded in buying their way onto the November ballot."

The pro-amendment organization ProtectMarriage.com, according to sources, turned in more than 1.1 million signatures to get the initiative on the November ballot.  The measure needs at least 694,354 valid signatures to qualify.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has already come out against the initiative, calling it a "waste of time."

While anti-same-sex marriage organizations in California gathered voter signatures for their initiative, Arizona groups are pushing the state legislature to place an anti-same-sex marriage measure on their state ballot.

Arizona was the first state to defeat a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships in 2006. 
 

The Arizona House gave preliminary approval on April 22 for the measure that would place the marriage issue on the ballot.  Similar efforts to exclude gay and lesbian couples from marriage are now likely to appear on the Tennessee and Florida November ballots as well.

A writer for Beliefnet.com suggested that these ballot initiatives may reflect an intent to draw anti-LGBT voters to the polls during this year's Presidential election.

Virgin America, the California-based carrier dedicated to making flying good again, announced a partnership with SF Pride, the nation's largest LGBT event. As the "Official Airline of SF Pride," Virgin America will partner with the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee for the world-famous, one- of-a-kind SF Pride Parade and Celebration.

"As San Francisco's hometown airline, we actually thought: how could we not be the official airline of SF Pride?" said Porter Gale, Vice President of Marketing at Virgin America. "SF Pride and the spirit that surrounds the celebration have literally defined the San Francisco community for more than 30 years, and we couldn't be more proud to be a part of this incredible tradition and support SF Pride's important work to educate and celebrate the LGBT community."

Virgin America is proud to partner with SF Pride for a memorable presence at the parade (complete with a contingent of Virgin America teammates), and to welcome on board those traveling from all over the country who will take part in the festivities. Special SF Pride guests will kick off their journey to the event in fabulous style on board Virgin America's planes, which feature nightclub-like moodlighting, custom-designed leather seats and the most advanced in-flight entertainment system in the U.S.

"SF Pride celebrates the diversity and depth of the San Francisco community," said Mikayla Connell, Board President of the LGBT Pride Celebration Committee "We are thrilled to have Virgin America as our official domestic airline sponsor. Virgin America's commitment to make flying good again echoes SF Pride's commitment to produce an event that makes a difference."

SF Pride Board President Mikayla Connell (far left) and Supervisor Bevan Dufty (far right) together with the the Virgin America Team. Photo Credit: Jane Cleland

This year marks the 38th Anniversary of SF Pride, which will be held on the weekend of June 28th and 29th, 2008. Guests flying to the event on Virgin America can check out the airline's unique, tech-savvy entertainment options via the Red video touch-screen at every seat. Red allows guests to order food or a cocktail, watch one of 25 movies or live TV (from Bravo to E!), play a videogame, create a playlist from 3,000 MP3s or even meet new friends via seat-to-seat chat.

Virgin America currently flies to seven cities with daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, SFO to SEA, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD and LAX to SEA

	Photo Credit: Jane Cleland

Designing a parade float can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Now you have the chance to take the pain our of the process and get in on the industry secrets at our upcoming workshop.  Take the mystery and guesswork out of the design and implementation process.

The San Francisco LGBT Pride Committee will produce their FREE float building workshop on Saturday, May 10th at 11:00 AM.

For other questions, please email Marsha H. Levine, Parade Manager at parade@sfpride.org.

Please check out the information in Float Resource Program section of our website here.

Register to volunteer online.

		Photo Credit: Jane Cleland

Because of the support of our volunteers, San Francisco Pride does not have to charge an entrance fee to the Parade or Celebration, keeping the event free and open to people of all financial means.

Signing up to volunteer is also a great way for people visiting San Francisco to meet other members of the community.  San Francisco Pride Volunteers have the opportunity to work with other community-minded individuals while having fun at the largest LGBT gathering in the United States.

To apply to volunteer, please fill out our online application. For more information about the many volunteer opportunities available, visit the volunteer section of our website.

Any questions may be submitted to our Volunteer Coordinator Brendan Behan at volunteers@sfpride.org.

Photo Credit: Bill Wilson

Visit: http://register.sfpride.org to register to participate in this year's celebration.

For Parade questions, please e-mail: parade@sfpride.org.

For Exhibitor questions, or questions concerning the online registration form for either exhibitors or parade contingents, please e-mail: exhibitor@sfpride.org or call (415) 389-1515.

	Proposed 2008 Pocket Pride cover

Pocket Pride, a concise guide of the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration, was a huge success at San Francisco LGBT Pride 2007 and will once again be distributed at San Francisco Pride LGBT Pride 2008. Advertising in Pocket Pride will bring even more visibility to those participating at the event or allow those not at the event to reach thousands of attendees. More information can be found at: pocketpride.sfpride.org. For additional information email exhibitor@sfpride.org or call (415) 389-1515.

A view of the Renoir Hotel along the Pride Parade route.

Special Pride Rate $169 per night, June 27-29, 2008
Single/double occupancy, +14% tax, 3-night minimum and prepayment required for stays including Saturday and Sunday night.

Additional nights: $119-$159. Additional person: $15. Superior rooms $219 (limited availability).

The Renoir Hotel*** on Market Street offers the best views of San Francisco's annual Parade and is only steps away from the Pride Festival. 133 comfy rooms with high-speed wireless internet access. Relax with specialty cocktails or get your groove on with San Francisco's best DJs spinning to a vibrant and fun-loving crowd at the Renoir's new lounge/nightclub Etiquette. All public transportation options including the BART U.N. Plaza/Civic Center stop and the F-Line Historic Streetcar are just outside our doorsteps taking our guests conveniently to both OAK/SFO international airports and the Castro. For more information, visit us online at www.renoirhotel.com.

San Francisco will have the works by some of the most recognizable names in the art world simultaneously on display in the summer of 2008. Frida Kahlo, Dale Chihuly, Mary Cassatt and the Ming Dynasty are all names synonymous with the pinnacle of their art forms and they all can be experienced and enjoyed from June to September 2008...only in San Francisco www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com. Right on the heels of the 75th anniversary season of the San Francisco Ballet, the opening of a new museum, and a quartet of major exhibitions include:

	·	San Francisco's Contemporary Jewish Museum; opens June 8. For more information, call 415-655-7800 or visit www.thecjm.org.
	·	Frida Kahlo at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; June 14-Sept. 28. For more information, visit www.sfmoma.org or call 415-357-4000.
	·	Chihuly at the de Young; June 14-Sept. 28. For more information, visit www.famsf.org or call 415-750-3600.
	·	Women Impressionists: Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt, Eva Gonzalès and Marie Bracquemond at the Legion of Honor; June 21-Sept. 21. For more information, visit www.thinker.org or call 415-750-3600.
	·	Power & Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty, at the Asian Art Museum; June 27-Sept. For more information, visit www.asianart.org or call 415-581-3500.

The San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes the destination's arts and cultural programs in concert with presenting sponsor CityPass San Francisco; VISA; and official airline sponsor Virgin America.

Remember - wherever you go in San Francisco make it a green & safe trip - walk, ride share, bike and ride Muni.