As suspected the California Supreme Court delayed their ruling on Proposition 8 thanks to a last minute called place by San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom.

From Towleroad:

Confidential sources close to San Francisco City Hall told Towleroad’s Corey Johnson that the California Supreme Court was prepared to release its opinion on Proposition 8 tomorrow, but decided to delay the ruling after a call from Mayor Gavin Newsom.

“Newsom reached out to the Supreme Court and asked them to hold off releasing their decision so it did not coincide with the White Night riots,” said our source.

I’m glad at least that the mayor was cognizant of the timing of the ruling, which would have fallen on the 30th anniversary of the White Night riots. But what of the California Supreme Court… Didn’t they know? Or did they know their decision would cause celebrations, not mayhem?

UPDATE: Gavin Newsom’s office has issued a statement denying he contacted the California Supreme Court with regards to the Prop 8 ruling.

A California elementary school sixth grader has been banned from giving a presentation on Harvey Milk in class as it violates the school’s sex education policy. Natalie Jones, a student at Mt. Woodson Elementary School in Romana, California,  based her presentation on an independent research project she wrote about the gay civil rights leader. After reviewing the incident, the ACLU determined that it is a free speech issue, particularly since the school referenced its sex education policy in its decision, and is now pursuing the case. From the ACLU press release:

“The principal and superintendent grossly misinterpreted school policy. They illegally censored student speech protected by the First Amendment and the California Education Code,” said David Blair-Loy, Legal Director of the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties. “Writing or talking about a gay historical figure who advocated for equal rights for LGBT Californians is in no way the same thing as talking about sex, and school officials should not pretend otherwise.”

The student’s mother Bonnie Jones:

“This whole thing is unbelievable – first my daughter got called into the principal’s office as if she were in some kind of trouble, and then they treated her presentation like it was something icky. Harvey Milk was an elected official in this state and an important person in history. To say my daughter’s presentation is ‘sex education’ because Harvey Milk happened to be gay is completely wrong.”

Below is the part of the school’s sex education policy which is in question:

“(P)arents/guardians shall be notified in writing about any instruction in which human reproductive organs and their functions, processes, or sexually transmitted diseases are described, illustrated, or discussed. In addition, before any instruction on family life, human sexuality, AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases is given, the parent/guardian shall be provided with written notice explaining that the instruction will be given…”

The ACLU is seeking an apology for Natalie, an opportunity for her to give the presentation in front of her class, and a clarification of parental notification issues with regards to the sex education policy.

The Broadway Impact Rally held in New York over the weekend brought out a host of celebrities supporting marriage equality including Ana Ortiz of Ugly Betty, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis of Sex and the City, Cheyenne Jackson from the Broadway show Xanadu, Audra McDonald from the television series Private Practice and David Hyde Pierce. Watch…

And as a bonus, a special message from Ana Ortiz to anti-gay New York State Senator Ruben Diaz: “You are behind the times papi!”

Johnny Symons’ new documentary “Ask Not” explores the history of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell through the personal stories of those who have been victims of the policy. In a statement from the Symons:

My hope is that ASK NOT will deepen awareness, cultivate lively debate and mobilize more public action against this archaic policy. With an estimated 65,000 LGBT people currently in the military, it is essential that, as Americans, we ask ourselves if “don’t ask, don’t tell” serves our collective interests and values: from national security to human rights, from economic stability to upholding the principles of the Constitution. Until the government allows gays, lesbians and bisexuals to serve the country openly, the very notion of American citizenship is threatened, just as it would be if any other group were singled out, excluded and punished on the basis of who they are, not what they do. Our military fights for those types of democratic rights in other nations every day. We should demand no less at home.

Watch the trailer for ASK NOT below:

The documentary will be airing on PBS on June 16 as a part of Independent Lens series. In advance of the airing the film will also be screening in the following cities:

Auckland, New Zealand – May 19
San Francisco, CA – May 19 (Community Cinema)*
San Rafael, CA – May 19 (Community Cinema)*
Austin, TX – May 19 (Community Cinema)
Nashville, TN – May 20 (Community Cinema)
Evansville, IN – May 20 (Community Cinema)
Director Johnny Symons in attendance.
Boston, MA – May 21 (Community Cinema)*
Out Takes, Auckland, New Zealand – May 21-31
Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Hartford, CT – May 23
Indianapolis, IN – May 24 (Community Cinema)
Charleston, SC – May 26 (Community Cinema)
West Hollywood, CA – May 26 (Community Cinema)
Oakland, CA – May 27 (Community Cinema)*
Lafayette, LA – May 27
Denver, CO – May 27 (Community Cinema)
Out Takes, Wellington, New Zealand – May 28-June 7
Portland, OR – May 29 (Community Cinema)
Birmingham SHOUT, Birmingham, AL – May 29-30
Washington, DC – May 31**
Out Takes, Christchurch, New Zealand – June 4-10
Damn These Heels! LGBT Film Festival, Salt Lake City, UT – June 11-14
El Paso, TX — June 18-21

* – Director Johnny Symons in attendance.
** – Film subjects Alex Nicholson and Jarrod Chlapowski in attendance