Home Page

   

 Welcome to SB CAN Web Site

 Visit often for latest news about SB CAN and HOT issues across the county!

 

Action Alert, December, 2008

SB CAN and SB CORE Present 

SB CANNES Film Series" - Movies with a Message"
 
 

"MILK" Film Screening & Panel Discussion:

“When Discrimination Becomes Law”
Co- Sponsored by The Fund for Santa Barbara 
Tuesday, December 9, 7:40-10:45pm
MTC Fiesta Five Theater, 916 State Street, Santa Barbara
 
This is the third in the "SB CANNES Movies with a Message” series, featuring films with a social or environmental justice edge, followed by a panel discussion highlighting current local issues.
 
ABOUT THE FILM: “Milk” is the critically acclaimed Gus Van Sant film starring Sean Penn as gay activist Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man in America to be voted into public office.
 
His election in 1977 to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors was not just a victory for gay rights. From senior citizens to union workers, he forged coalitions across the political spectrum, changing the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights. His assassination made headlines across the world.
 
The film sheds unexpected light on the recent controversy over the passage of Proposition 8, as critic Matt Buddpoints out: “In the film, Harvey Milk is battling against Proposition 6, which was intended to discriminate against the hiring of gays and lesbians. It played upon people's fears of having their children taught by gay people. It was backed by religious leaders including the very outspoken Anita Bryant. Sound familiar? Harvey was able to organize people and defeat it. If only we had him now.”
 
Since the passage of Proposition 8, several major civil rights groups have filed a petition urging the California Supreme Court to stop the enactment of Proposition 8.  The petition argues that Proposition 8 circumvented the legal process for revising a state Constitution, and by eliminating the right of marriage for a particular minority group, mandates discrimination.
 
Panel Discussion: "When Laws Become Discrimination." A lively panel discussion follows the film showing. Geoff Green, Executive Director of the Fund for Santa Barbara is the moderator. Panelists include:
  • David Selberg, Executive Director of Pacific Pride Foundation,
  • Jennifer Drury of the law firm Drury Pullen
  • Hannah-Beth Jackson, former State Assemblywoman.
 
Previously, the SB CANNES series has showcased filmmaker Mia Goldman's "Open Window," about the aftermath of rape, and "Resurrecting the Champ," starring Samuel L. Jackson as a homeless ex-boxer. Santa Barbara's Rape Crisis Center co-sponsored the first screening, the Santa Barbara Community Housing Corp the second, both contributing to panel discussions which included local activists and elected officials.