Queers Protest California Governor Over Prison Conditions

San Francisco, October 7, 2002

Angered by Governor Gray Davis' prison policies

which include his support of the death penalty and refusal to release gay

life term prisoners, Robert Rosenkrantz and Mark Smith, a coalition of queer

and prisoners' rights organizations demonstrated outside of the Governor's

fundraiser at the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender

Community Center. Governor Davis attended this campaign fundraising event

where VIP tickets were going at a rate $500 per ticket. This comes as news

reports surface daily describing the enormous campaign chest the governor

already has, with hundreds of thousands of those dollars used to purchase

the governor's favor by the California Correctional Peace Officers union.

"Governor Davis is no friend of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender

communities. His policies continue to hurt the incarcerated, the poor,

young people and people of color -- many of whom are queer," commented Kevin

Weaver of California Prison Focus. "We are here to give him a wake up call

- that he does not have the queer vote in the bag so long as he panders to

the most oppressive organizations in the state" Weaver added.

"Governor Davis' Department of Corrections is responsible for widespread

medical neglect of prisoners with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening

illnesses. The prison administration refuses to recognize the human right

of transgender prisoners to appropriate housing, attire and hormone

treatments," said Deeg Gold of LAGAI Queer Insurrection.

Among the demands the protestors expressed were to abolish the death

penalty, overturn the three strikes law, parole all eligible lifers, release

gay prisoners Robert Rosenkrantz & Mark Smith, no more prison construction,

healthcare for all prisoners especially those with HIV/AIDS, compassionate

release for dying prisoners, and to stop the violence against LGBT

prisoners.

The demonstration numbered around 50-60 people who picketed and chanted

various chants ranging from "Gray Davis you can't hide, you don't care if

prisoners die" and "ho ho, hey hey, how much cash have you raised today".

One sign brought by the local chapter of the Lavender Greens read "Governor

for Sale".

Despite one mention in the local gay paper, the Bay Area Reporter, there was

a virtual media blackout throughout San Francisco and California on the

Governor's appearance at the Center.