John Robert Wear Hate Crimes Memorial Plaque

Today we remember the life of John Wear and honor all lives that were cut too short due to hate violence. On the evening of Dec. 13, 1991, 28-years ago, a 17-year old boy named John Wear was attacked, simply because he was perceived to be gay, while walking down Essex Street in Hillcrest. Two days later, Wear died as a result of injuries sustained by the attack. Community members came together to speak out against hate and placed a plaque on the ground in front of what was then Obelisk Bookstore to remember Wear. Please, if you can, take a moment today or this evening to stop by the plaque to honor Wear and all lives lost to hate. We will place candles later today. The plaque is located on the sidewalk, near the curb, in front of 1029 University Ave. (what is now Cody's Home + Gift). More info at hmsd.co/sdremembers

41 years ago today, San Francisco Businessman and newly elected Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone were assissinated at San Francisco City Hall. Mi...lk was among the first openly gay people elected to public office and had dedicated his life to improving the lives of LGBT people and all who were marginalized. After receiving several death threats- Milk prerecorded a message to be released after his death. The message said, If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet shatter every closet door. Today the Equality Business Alliance, along with our partners at the Imperial Court de San Diego and the #HarveyMilkDiversityBreakfast Committee, honored his legacy with a wreath laying ceremony at the Harvey Milk Memorial Bench in Balboa Park. We pledge to continue our support of LGBT elected officials and to fight for the LGBT Civil rights movement. This bench at Balboa Park was dedicated on the 10th anniversary of his death by the former San Diego Harvey Milk Democratic Club. #HarveyMilk #EqualityBusinessAlliance #ANewVoiceForYourBusiness #LGBTChamberAndVisitorCenter @fabsandiego

The Court heard arguments today about whether Title VII also applies to transgender employees from discrimination based on sex. One of our students laid out the history and views surrounding this important issue here: http://ow.ly/4oeT50wG0NC

From San Diego Uptown News: "Public comment was the focus of the meeting. Eric Hufford, from San Diego Remembers, explained efforts to preserve the John Wear memorial plaque, located between two parking meters on University Avenue, between Tenth Avenue and Vermont Street. Wear, 17, was murdered in 1992, a victim of a hate crime. The plaque has fallen into disrepair despite efforts to preserve it. San Diego Remembers proposes to move the plaque to a more visible and safe location; one option is near the Pride flag."

We were saddened but thankful that our friends at the Hillcrest Business Association let us know that our beloved plaque sustained some minor damage during road construction along University Avenue. We are trying to set up a meeting with Councilmember Chris Ward's office to find out what needs to be done to fix it. We are also interested in trying to move the plaque to a better and safer location. Any questions, comments or ideas are greatly appreciated in the comments below or you can contact, Benny Cartwright, Rick Cervantes, Courtney Ware or myself (Eric Hufford) on Facebook. Be safe this Labor Day.

Matthew Shepard would have celebrated his 40th birthday today- World AIDS Day. Honor both today. Happy 40th Matt. #RememberMatt #WorldAIDSDay

ACTION ALERT IN HONOR OF Pulse Orlando: United Way World Wide has yet to shut down the upcoming United Way of Otero County of New Mexico chapter gun raffle desp...ite making it clear that the raffle violates the United Way trademark license agreement and its bylaws, which bar chapter activities involving firearms. The Otero County raffle will include more than 100 firearms, including assault weapons. Given that United Way Worldwide has ignored pleas from the across the country to shut this raffle down, it's time to step up our campaign. Please contact your local United Way chapter and tell them that you will be ending your employee-made contributions to United Way until the raffle is shut down permanently. If you do not know the contact information for your local United Way chapter, you can find it here: http://www.unitedway.org/find-your-united-way When you contact your chapter, ask them to pass your message along to United Way Worldwide as well. Thank you for following through on this important campaign. United Way of San Diego County, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, United Way of Miami-Dade, Heart of Florida United Way,United Way of the Inland Valleys, Capital Area United Way, United Way, United Way California Capital Region, United Way Bay Area, United Way of Southern Nevada, United Way of Northeast Florida, United Way of North Central Florida,United Way of Central Florida,United Way of New York City, United Way of King County, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago