The  Prop 8, Monstermind,  Frank Schubert’s sister, Anne Marie Schubert has announced her candidacy for Sacramento County Superior Court Judge and her brother supports her campaign.

Frank Schubert asserts that his political activities have nothing to do with his sister.  “I tried to focus the Prop 8 and [Maine's] Question 1 campaigns on the various issues associated with redefining marriage, not on the personalities of the people involved on either side. Anne Marie and I disagree on the marriage issue. I am certain that she opposed Prop 8. Neither of us has allowed that single issue to define our relationship as brother and sister.” well jolly good show – but  the 2 apples stay close,  as they hit the ground,  because according to voter records, Anne Marie Schubert is a registered Republican and her campaign has hired one of California’s most formidable conservative political conculting firms- Gilliard Blanning.

While she has a decent record of prosecuting crimes against women and children.   Unfortunately in the US, Judges have political affiliations. To many in the world that is unusual and not desirable.      Her conservatism must impact the record.  How can it not?  Justice Sotomayor commented recently that once life’s experience definitely influences how one sees things as a Judge. 

Anne Marie Schubert is a supervising deputy district attorney for Sacramento County, and according to her website at, http://www.schubertforjudge.com/ : Direct quote-

“As a Prosecutor for 20 years, I have dedicated my career to keeping our community safe, successfully prosecuting murderers, serial rapists, child molesters and other dangerous criminals.  While assigned to the Homicide Team, I developed and implemented the Cold Case Prosecution Program, which has been highly successful in the identification and prosecution of old murder cases.

I am proud to be law enforcement’s choice for Judge. Numerous law enforcement leaders in our community have already endorsed my candidacy, including District Attorney Jan Scully, Sheriff John McGinness, former Sheriff Lou Blanas, Sacramento Police Chief Braziel, Galt Police Chief Loren Cattolico, the Sacramento Police Officers Association and the Sacramento Deputy Sheriffs Association. I have also received the endorsement of WEAVE.”

The aspiring 45 year old’s experience seems to be exclusively in the arena of crime , with Civil Litigation, Defense work, Civil Rights, Family Law all noticeably and critically absent from her record.   She highlights the following experience as prosecutor,  and it is impressive, yet if I were a  Sacramento voter I would be concerned about the fact that her career is steeped to one side and not well rounded.  

• People v. Scott Wright: Prosecution of serial rapist involving violent attacks on two women; trial consisted of six weeks of testimony, including two weeks of Kelly/Frye testimony regarding admissibility of DNA evidence; first case in Solano County to admit PCR DQalpha and Polymarker; first published opinion in California on Polymarker; see  People v. Wright (1998) 62 Cal.App.4th 31. Defendant was sentenced to 79 years in state prison.

• People v. David Funston: Prosecution of serial child molester involving six victims; trial consisted of lengthy testimony involving admissibility of RFLP DNA evidence, including the “product rule”; testimony included several world-renowned DNA experts, including Dr. Ranajit Chakraborty and several defense experts.  Defendant convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

• People v. Irvin Parnell:  Prosecution of serial rapist, who had been previously convicted of rape.  Case involves two separate sexual assaults occurring in 1996 and 1998.  This case involved STR DNA evidence, which was litigated in a protracted admissibility hearing.  The Defendant was convicted of 19 counts and sentenced to life in prison.

Although  Ms.  Schubert does not mention her family or sexual orientation on her website, Sacramento County tax records show that she purchased a residential property with her domestic partner,  Julie Greenberg, where the women live together raising two children.

Asked if he considered Greenberg and the children to be a part of his family, Frank Schubert replied, “Of course I consider them and their children to be part of my family, and I love them very much.” (Bay Area Reporter, Dan Aielo)

Ms.  Schubert declined to discuss same-sex marriage or Proposition 8, citing judicial code. “It is irrelevant what race, creed, sexual orientation, or gender someone possesses. What matters is that all participants in the judicial system be treated with fairness and respect,” she said. According to the Bay Area Reporter.

Geoff Kors of EQCA, according to the Bay Area Reporter commented that, ”It would be terrific to have a member of the Schubert family on the bench who understands the public danger and harm that Frank Schubert has helped inflict on so many,” 

This writer is unsure how Ms. Shubert qualifies for the likes of a family law seat. I am open to hearing more.  I do however express that her brother may serve as an embarrasing noose around her neck (bad cf) or should we simply say her achilles heel – Lets hope that she is judged on her merits and qualifications.

Posted by Melanie Nathan-
nathan@privatecourts.com

 Posted by Melanie Nathan: -  While many may find e-mail letters and fundraising pleas overwhelming at this time of year, I always enjoy reading them.  Many are from non-profit organizations, some touting well deserved victories and others attempting to portray mistakes as miracles.  But it is that time of year and we are especially looking at the miracles.

 I have chosen one for you that I found particularly touching.  Maybe my subconscious triggered its own perceived miracle, because when I looked at the name on the picture of an elderly 88 year old, it reminded me that I had my very own bobba (grandma) Millie, of blessed memory.   After I read the piece I was hard pressed to imagine my own bobba Milly at my big  Jewish Lesbian wedding.   In fact all I could visualize was my dear bobba Millie (who passed away at age 90) doing cartwheels in her grave :” oy vey, how could she do this to me, oyayooiy how could she do this me?”   

 So now to the letter I want to feature as my favorite for the year of giving- to a group whose motto resonates, profoundly:-

“Building community locally, creating change nationally. ”

 Dear Melanie,

What a distance we have come! 

From the vantage point of my almost 88 years, I have witnessed firsthand how much things have changed for the gay and lesbian members of our community. Growing up, the word “gay” had an entirely different meaning and “lesbian” wasn’t even part of our vocabulary. Much has changed, but it’s still not always easy to talk about these issues in the same way that people talk about other aspects of their family life.

 For me, the most significant marker of this change was the wonderful Jewish wedding of my beloved granddaughter Rachel and her lovely, loving partner, Bonnie. It was a truly joyous occasion, shared by our families and friends. Seeing how happy these two extraordinary young women make each other, who could not be happy for them?

 And yet, when I first learned that Rachel was a lesbian I was totally surprised. Then I quickly realized that Rachel was still Rachel and that my love for her was unconditional.

Having gotten to know, respect, and love Bonnie over the years that she shared holidays, Seders, Shabbat dinners, and other occasions with us, we knew that she had become an integral part of our extended family. At some point, too, I’m sure I will be blessed with great-grandkids.

 So much progress has been made, but so much remains to be done. Thanks toKeshet’s vision, commitment, energy, and persistence, they have become the organization providing information, support, and outreach to the gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual members within our community.Keshet has raised the consciousness of all of us.

 But it is still so difficult for those, especially kids, who are unable to share who they really are. The existence of Keshet makes a huge difference in their lives. As individuals, and as a community, we should take great pride in the work of this amazing organization. Please join me in generously supporting Keshetthis Chanukah holiday season.

 Happy Chanukah from my family to yours,

Millie Guberman Kravetz”   – (reprinted with permission.)

Keshet’s mission is to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Jews are fully included in all parts of the Jewish community.

In the Greater Boston area, Keshet offers social and cultural events for GLBT Jews ranging from Jewish text study to an annual GLBT Jewish speed-dating gala, Keshet Quick Dates.

Nationally, Keshet offers support, training, and resources to create a Jewish community that welcomes and affirms GLBT Jews.

Keshet is an extraordinary organization and their work, more than anything else, in my opinion, brings normalcy to who we are.  Imagine if more religious based groups could reach their members in this way? 

 This is not only about the dollars Keshet needs, but also about showing your parents and grandparents how our acceptance is increasing in the world, through the mitzvot of love, kindness, giving and compassion.

Posted by Melanie Nathan, – www.visualcv.com/melnathan  
www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com
www.privatecourts.com
Tweet with me:- @oblogdeeoblogda

 Post Picture: Millie and Rachel

Posted by Melanie Nathan; Today,  Nov 20^th  is  Transgender Day of Remembrance. A sombre day with hundreds of  events around the world to honor  the memories of lives lost to anti-transgender violence. This day of Remembrance is celebrated with events purposeful in memoriam, advocacy and education.

The day was first observed by Transgender communities in 1999, and is held on the anniversary of the death of Rita Hester, a transgender woman whose life was cut short in Boston just weeks following the gay-bashing death of Matthew Shepard. To date, her murder, like most anti-transgender murder cases, remains an unsolved crime.

Events are planned in many centers around the US, including Portland, New York, Richmond, San Francisco and many more, including abroad. 

This year’s commemoration also comes just weeks after President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which added gender identity to the federal hate crimes law.  This year’s Day of Remembrance is especially poignant, coming on the heels of the one year anniversary of Lateisha Green’s shooting death in Syracuse, New York.  Her killing led to New York State’s first-ever hate crime conviction stemming from the death of a transgender person.  It was just the second such conviction in United States history.

Let us remember -
Angie Zapata, an 18-year old Latina transgender woman was found brutally murdered in her home in CO.
 2009:
Taysia Elzy, age 34  Indianapolis, Indiana USA;
Caprice Curry, age 31 San Francisco, California
Jimmy McCollough, drag performer, 34, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Foxy Ivy, under 35, Detroit, Michigan
Kelly (Frederick) Watson, age 32 , Albuquerque, New Mexico
Christopher Jermaine Scott, 30, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cesar Torres, 39,  El Paso, Texas
Beyonce (Eric) Lee,  21 New Orleans, Louisiana
Tyli’a Mack also known as NaNa Boo, 21, Washington, DC
Paulina Ibarra,  21 East Hollywood, California
JJDoe, Baltrimore  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bal-stabbing1026,0,2707985.story
Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado,: Cayey, Peurto Rico,  decapitated,  November 14, 2009
Jorge was found on the site of an isolated road in the city of Cayey, he was partially burned, decapitated, and dismembered, both arms, both legs, and the torso. Jorge was 19 years old.
Sources: http://www.365gay.com/news/murder-suspect-thought-puerto-rico-gay-teen-was-a-woman/

Please feel free to list names in the comments section – with asmuch information as you would like to provide.

Posted and blogged by – Melanie Nathan. nathan@privatecourts.com

Note to family:

“Gay interventions” during any of the holidays are likely to backfire.

Rather than put out the time and expense, save yourself the embarrassment and disappointment because no matter what you do it’s not your life and ultimately you can’t influence your gay relative’s sexual orientation any more than you can influence what color eyes they are born with.

Let’s not go there with the whole ‘gay is a choice argument’, because it’s irrelevant. It doesn’t matter how your gay relative got to be gay any more than it matters how their eyes got to be brown. What matters is that they ARE gay and if you can’t accept them for who they are then honestly that’s your loss.

Interventions are best saved for people with actual problems that require serious help.

Being gay shouldn’t be a problem for anybody unless they’re a bigot and if that’s how you want to live your life we wish you the best. Just remember that your gay relatives deserve the same respect so live and let live.

When you wake up tomorrow your relative will still be a gay person and you will still be related to one.

Next holiday, celebrate those that are alive and well and honor those who have already passed and remember: sexual orientation has nothing to do with that.

The relationship with my father has always been tense to say the least.

Well, my father let it be known to me that somehow he had been living with the idea that Gina and I were just roommates – even after I came out publicly before we filed for partnership four years ago. The kicker is that his position is that being gay is a choice, and that I chose to be gay and he doesn’t accept that. Basically he feels embarrassment at the thought of telling his friends that his daughter is a lesbian.

I think he has this picture in his mind of lesbian life being the equivalent of an adult movie.

I can understand how he might think that because of the portrayal of gays and lesbians in the media. Yet I don’t know what to do with that information, because regardless of the media I am his daughter. I feel like that simple fact should make him willing to try to see things in a different light – especially if I am living a decent life and handling my responsibilities.

I feel like he doesn’t care about how I feel, only about how he feels.

I feel like he wants me to be ashamed of who I am, when I know that I should really feel pride about being a strong gay woman in today’s society. He says being gay is a choice, I say so what – if it is or isn’t, that doesn’t matter – he should love me regardless. If I chose to be gay or didn’t choose to be gay – I am still gay… and he should still have love for me.

If he can’t feel good about me as a person, how can I feel good about him as a father?

I am trying not to judge, I am trying to remain impartial and stay neutral – understand his position and why he feels the way he does. Sad thing is that I do understand, I just don’t agree… so I agree to disagree but… it still hurts. And, I don’t judge him because that it is not in my jurisdiction. But honestly, I want to hug him and let him know that it’s okay…

It’s okay to have a gay daughter.

Julie Phineas is a work at home mom of 2 who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her by visiting her page on MySpace.

There is a blog for families online with imaginative stories for kids and their parents – Story Time Online.

The blog and stories are owned and published by a lesbian blogger you might all know and love… me! *wink* I thought I would let you all know about my story time blog, because I know that some of you have kids, and/or nieces and nephews. I myself am referred to as “Mommy” and “Auntie JuJu” by the kids in my family, and my blog with stories was created with them in mind. I have many kids in my life, and a lot of them are spread around the United States. Sometimes I don’t get to see them until they are taller than me, and by then I feel like I’ve missed my chance to impart knowledge. Hopefully this blog will help with that! Even if it doesn’t the stories I created are definately unique, very imaginative, and my kids love them. Well, I’m their mom so they have to love them! LOL

Anyhow, the best thing about Story Time Online is all the features!

Each story comes with a text version for the kids to practice reading, plus an audio version too! There are fun games, videos, and a radio player with children’s songs and lots more throughout the site. I try to post a new story each Tuesday, and there are a few different characters I’ve created with different learning themes in each story. There is also a Story Time Online social network for fans to discuss their favorite characters, get the latest crafts and activities, and a whole lot more!

The stories are created by me, a lesbian mom, but the characters are animals so children from all families can relate.

One major difference between my stories and others you will notice is that each character has a different living situation. Hopefully this blog will help to raise awareness in our youth that there are many different types of households out there, and they may learn a thing or two about self esteeem, listening to your elders, and making good life choices. I’ve always been a good story-teller, and hopefully by creating this blog I will have used that skill to make a positive change in the world.

So if you have young kids in your life, take some time to visit Story Time Online and let me know what you think.

Julie Phineas is a work at home mom of 2 who lives in Southern California. You can find out more about her by visiting her page on MySpace.

As a Blogger I hate it when you can’t figure out what to blog about.

My father was supposed to be posting an article today about what is like to be the parent of a gay daughter, but he e-mailed me last night to tell me he was stumped on his article and had to step back from the writing project so he could, and I quote, “think up some crap that won’t make you look bad on your blog”.

Er… Thanks Dad…. I think…

But he also left me needing something to post today.

I am reasonably good at working off script on most occasions… but today I was a little off and I soon discovered, that times like these, when you really need to look inside yourself and at your life so you can get an article out, sometimes it can be downright troublesome for everyone in the house.

You see at first I thought I would give a few sex tips.

But then I quickly scraped that plan when I realized why we have our Lez Get Real Sexperts, Pugs and Busy Beaver writing on this topic and not me…

See I am pretty good when it comes to talking out my ass, and I used to be something of a deaf Shane in the day, but as I wrote this article, I soon saw as the mother of two-year-old twins I don’t actually have sex life anymore and anything I’d have to say on this topic would just be too out of date and would involve so much talking out of my ass that no one would possibly believe what I was saying…

I started to cry for my dead sex life and I hit the delete button…

Then after I composed myself, I thought I would try giving a few Paula Brooks tips for finding a perfect lesbian girlfriend.

But when I started writing this article and began outlining the attributes that make for a perfect lesbian girl friend, I realize that, in my case, love is blind, and the more I saw what a perfect girlfriend is supposed to be… the more I saw my Darling Girl is far from perfect. And the more I wrote, the madder I got at my partner Debbie.

Finally I ended up texting Debbie to tell her she needed to pick up her own undies off the floor from now on and if she did not buy me something nice today before she came home from work, she could just as well sleep at the office.

Deb’s was very confused about just what is was she did to piss me off… and texted me back “WTF are you going on about girl?”

In the interest of domestic bliss, I thought I had just better leave this topic alone before we ended up as an ex couple.

I hit the delete button on that article too.

Finally, I decided that an article on the lesbian family would be good and it could not possibly cause anyone, especially me, further problems…

But while I was writing that article, key members of my lesbian family lost their little minds and started doing stuff like this…

By the time they were done and ready for a nap, I was so frustrated with being a Lesbian Mom, that my article read like this…

FOR SALE… By frazzled lesbian mom… CHILD LABORERS

Anyway I finally had to give up on that article as well before I ended up shipping my girls off to a Nike Sports Shoe factory in Indonesia.

Now my father is a Washington DC insider. He holds a position at the top levels of Bush Administration and as such, is a professional shoveler of BS… and if he had just done what he does so well and shoveled BS about his gay daughter… none of this would have happened…

So I blame all of this on you Dad.

Then again all of this could be PMS.

Paula Brooks lives in the Outer Banks of North Carolina with her partner, their twin daughters and her hearing helper dog, where they own and operate a vacation home rental business. You can visit her Blogger profile here.