SOURCE: Winning Productions/Equalipalooza

 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - October 6, 2008) - Winning Productions announces Equalipalooza -- a night of entertainment for equality. San Francisco's Margaret Cho, internationally recognized comedienne and civil rights activist, will help raise funds to defeat Proposition 8 by hosting Equalipalooza on October 15, 2008. Proposition 8, on the November ballot, aims to amend California's Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Cho will be joined by fellow comedians Johnny Steele, Heather Gold and Ali Mafi for an evening of comedy and creativity with a conscience. In addition, Assemblyman Mark Leno, District Attorney Kamala Harris, City Attorney Dennis Herrera, Deputy City Attorney Therese Stewart and her wife, Carole Scagnetti, will be acknowledged for their contributions to the marriage equality movement. Janice Mirikitani, San Francisco's Poet Laureate, will read her poetry and Margot Duane, the producer of Equalipalooza, will exhibit her photographs of the same-sex wedding movement.

About Equalipalooza -- www.equalipalooza.com

Who: Margaret Cho, Johnny Steele, Heather Gold, Ali Mafi, Margot
Duane, Janice Mirikitani, Fou Fou HA! and more

Where: Broadway Studios, 435 Broadway, San Francisco

Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Time: 7 pm - VIP reception; 8 pm show

Tickets: $40/8 pm show, $100/7 pm VIP reception/show. On sale now
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/45780

[Proceeds benefit 'No on 8 - Marriage Equality USA' campaign to defeat
Proposition 8, which aims to ban same-sex marriage in California.]

"We stand at a pivotal moment in history... the winds of change are blowing... and the polling numbers, though encouraging, are still too close to assure victory," said Molly McKay, Media Director, Marriage Equality USA. "Equalipalooza -- though light-hearted in its theme -- is dead-serious in its aim. If we defeat Prop 8 in California, it will be the turning point in securing LGBT equality in our country."

Margot Duane, an internationally published photographer, documents modern culture in the Bay Area. When Gavin Newsom issued marriage licenses in 2004, she captured many of these weddings and the events surrounding them. Some photographs appeared in TIME Magazine and the book 'We Do'(Chronicle Books). An exhibition is currently showing at San Francisco City Hall.

"The challenges our world faces today are daunting. We should be focusing our efforts on positive, collaborative change, not stripping away the fundamental right of a group of our citizens to marry the person they love," Duane said. "This is not a 'gay issue,' it is a matter of civil rights and equality for all -- everyone should be engaged."

About Marriage Equality USA:

No on 8 - Marriage Equality USA: a ballot measure committee devoted to securing the freedom and right of same-sex couples to enter into legally recognized civil marriage by defeating Proposition 8 on California's November ballot through grassroots outreach activities. Information: www.marriageequality.org

About Margot Duane and Winning Productions:

The mission of Winning Productions is to produce events that nourish the mind and soul, as well as promote social justice and creative expression. It was founded by Margot Duane, an internationally published photographer who believes in the power of photography as a catalyst for positive social change. In addition to TIME Magazine and the book titled 'We Do' (Chronicle Books), Margot's photography has been published in Rolling Stone, New Scientist, San Francisco Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Good Housekeeping, the Washington Post and several books. Her fine art work has been exhibited at Vision North Gallery in San Francisco and the Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles. To view her work: www.planetmargot.com