EQUALIPALOOZA, a fundraiser to help defeat Proposition 8

Winning Productions proudly 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 by declaring that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. One thousand one hundred and thirty eight federal rights are denied to same-sex couples who are unable to marry due to anti-same-sex marriage legislation.

Cho will be joined by fellow comedians Johnny Steele, Heather Gold and Ali Mafi for an evening of comedy with a conscience. All Proceeds will benefit the ‘No on 8 – Marriage Equality USA’ campaign to defeat Proposition 8, which aims to ban same-sex marriage in California. In addition, 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 TBD.
Where: Broadway Studios, 435 Broadway Street, San Francisco
Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Time: 7 PM – VIP reception; 8 pm show
Costs: $40 for 8 pm show, $100 for 7 pm VIP reception and show
Tickets on sale now at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/45780

“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 as well as the events surrounding them. Some of these photographs were published in TIME Magazine as well as the book titled ‘We Do‘ (Chronicle Books) and 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:

Marriage Equality USA is a national non-profit organization devoted to securing the freedom and right of same-sex couples to enter into a legally recognized civil marriage with all the federal and state benefits and responsibilities which that entails. It pursues its mission through educational outreach and media campaigns. For more information, visit:

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. Winning Productions 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 Margot’s work, visit www.planetmargot.com