Video and minutes of 01 Jun 2004 Long Beach council meeting

Here are links to the video and the minutes of the segment of the 01 Jun 2004 Long Beach city council meeting that dealt with the resolution by then-Councilmember Dan Baker to oppose the federal marriage amendment. Baker is an openly gay Democrat. The resolution, Agenda Item 22, failed on a vote of 4-4.

Then-Councilmember Laura Richardson voted against the resolution. She is now running against pro-LGBT state Senator Jenny Oropeza for the Democratic nomination for Congress to succeed Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald in the 26 Jun 2007 primary election. Richardson was sharply criticized over a decade ago for using homophobic litrature in her 1996 state Assembly campaign against Gerrie Schipske, an openly lesbian Democrat. Schipske defeated Richardson in that contest. Supporters of Richardson's are now trying to claim that she is not homophobic.

From the minutes of the Long Beach City Council meeting, 01 Jun 2004

22. Resolution opposing Federal Marriage Amendment (H.J. Res. 56 and S.J. Res. 26).

Action: Request City Attorney to prepare a resolution opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment (H.J. Res. 56 & S.J. Res. 26).

Lerch moved to receive and file, seconded by Webb

Reverend James Shaw spoke in opposition.
Trip Hoefield spoke in favor.
Albert Demalis spoke in opposition.
Linda Alexander spoke in favor.
Pastor Michael Elay spoke in opposition.
Pastor Michael Cole spoke in favor.
Davey Cop spoke in opposition.
Elisa Maconahy spoke in favor.
Pastor Garon Harden spoke in opposition.
Diana Lejin spoke in favor.
Joe Esposito spoke in opposition.
Evan O'Grady spoke in support.
Pastor David Smith in opposition.
Whitney Uldman spoke in favor.
Jillian Eastman spoke in opposition.
Barbara Smith and Jacob Bedina spoke in favor.
Johnny Esposito spoke in opposition.
Joy spoke in favor.
Pastor John Wilkerson spoke in opposition.
Julia Curtis Steel spoke in support.

Motion: Amend the substitute motion and request the City Attorney to prepare a Resolution opposing the Federal Marriage Amendment (H.J. Res. 56 and S.J. Res. 26).
Moved by Baker, seconded by Lowenthal.

Substitution motion moved by Vice Mayor Colonna, seconded by Carroll, to support only those changes or amendments for our Constitution that guarantees the right of all men, women, and children to equal protection under the law.

Motion: Amend Substitution motion moved by Colonna, seconded by Carroll, to prepare resolution to support only those changes or amendments for our Constitution that guarantees the right of all men, women, and children to equal protection under the law and oppose amendments that would deny equal protection under the law.
Moved by Colonna, seconded by Carroll.

Motion: receive and file the item.
Moved by Lerch, seconded by Webb.

Richardson aked that Vice Mayor Colonna accept a friendly amendment to support equality for everyone as long as it support equal rights for everyone.

Colonna motion Voted 7/1 Lerch in opposition.

Vote 4/4 on Baker motion. Lowenthal, Baker, Reyes Uranga, Carroll - yes [emphasis added -- LB]

Vote: Motion carried 5-3.
Yes: Colonna; Carroll; Richardson; Webb; Lerch
No: Lowenthal; Baker; Reyes Uranga
Absent: Kell

Mayor declared 5 minute break.

Lowenthal left the meeting at 10:43 p.m.