February 9, 2011

Civil union bill moves forward in Hawaii

SB 232 would give parties to a civil union the same rights and obligations as legally married spouses under Hawaii state law.  The measure passed the Senate in January and was approved yesterday by the House Judiciary Committee.  Minor changes were made in committee so after it is passed by the full House in a few days it must return to the Senate for concurrence in the amendments.  It then will go to the Governor's desk for his signature.  The bill will become law on January 1, 2012.

I wrote a commentary about the history of comprehensive domestic partnerships and civil unions in Hawaii, noting that I introduced the concept to the Legislature in 1995.   The commentary was published yesterday by "Civil Beat" which is an online forum for Hawaii issues.  Click here to read the commentary on their website.
 

December 8, 2010

In Memory of Rolland "Rusty" Morris

Rusty Morris worked as a volunteer for the Sexual Law Reporter from 1975 to 1979.  He assisted with the layout and production of this legal periodical.  In the early 1980s, he transcribed the public hearings of the California Commission on Personal Privacy.

Both of these ventures were side jobs for Rusty.  His real calling was performing on stage, television, and radio in the 1940s through 1960s.  Rusty wrote a book about his experiences in show business.  Actor Almost is his autobiography and theatrical scrapbook.

Rusty always wanted to publish his book but died in 1986 before he was able to find a publisher.  In his honor and memory, the final draft of his manuscript is being published on this website.

For a short biography, a photo, and access to his book, click here.

December 2, 2010

Illinois approves civil unions for same and opposite sex couples

Another domino has fallen.  The Illinois Legislature has passed and sent to the Governor a bill that allows same-sex couples and opposite sex couples to enter into a civil union.  Those who do so will receive all rights and assume all obligations that state law affords to married couples.  The Governor says he will sign the bill into law in the coming days.

Because the new law is gender neutral and comprehensive in scope, it virtually mirrors the comprehensive domestic partnership model that Thomas F. Coleman proposed to the Hawaii Legislature in 1996.  The gender neutral aspect of the law is in sharp contrast to the limited domestic partnership measures that were adopted, over Coleman's objection due to the exclusion of heterosexual couples, in Chicago and Cook County several years ago.  Hawaii is expected to pass a gender neutral and comprehensive civil union law in 2011.

For a commentary about the gender-neutral aspect of the new civil union law in Illinois, click here.

October 10, 2010

To commemorate the one year anniversary of the book reception held on October 11, 2009, the author is making an e-book available to the public free of charge. 

Click here to view or download the electronic version of The Domino Effect. 

Click here to purchase a printed version of The Domino Effect.

Click here to view a slide show of "The Book Comes Alive" reception.

October 1, 2010

Prostitution laws invalidated in Canada

"A domino effect of judicial decisions could quickly topple prostitution laws across Canada, as happened several years ago with prohibitions against gay marriage," according to Stephen J. Dubner, a blogger for the New York Times opinion pages.  His commentary focused on a recent ruling by Justice Susan Himmel which declared three prostitution-related laws in the province of Ontario to be unconstitutional.

Thomas F. Coleman filed legal challenges to the constitutionality of California's prostitution law in 1980.  Here are links to his brief and exhibits:

1980: Challenge to constitutionality of prostitution law
            legal brief
            appeal exhibits

September 29, 2010

Another domino has fallen.  Click here to read a commentary about a bill recently passed by the California Legislature which would implement a recommendation made by the Commission on Personal Privacy in its final report in 1982.  The measure, which was signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this week, had equated homosexuality with child molestation and mental illness.  The bill (AB 2199) eliminates the requirement that the state should study the causes and cures of homosexuality.

September 13, 2010

The following materials have been added to the Archive section of this website:

1974: Advocate story demand for cuts in police budget
1979: Memo on gay rights proposal for new L.A. law
1980: Petitions for fees in Pryor v. Municipal Court
1980: Letter regarding dismissal of People v. Pryor
1981: Florida Bar Examiners may not probe sexual orientation
1981: Commentary by Jay Kohorn on holistic law practice
1984: Brief on attempt to close San Francisco gay bath houses
 

May 25, 2010

The following materials have been added to the Archive section of this website.  In 1982, I challenged the constitutionality of the prostitution law in California and filed a legal brief on that subject.  In 1981, I filed amicus curiae briefs in Oregon and Oklahoma challenging the constitutionality of solicitation laws in those jurisdictions.  In 1980 and 1981, I challenged the constitutionality of a California statute requiring defendants convicted of consensual homosexual acts to register as sex offenders for the rest of their lives.  When I gave up my law practice to serve as the Executive Director of the Governor's Commission on Personal privacy in 1981, my colleague, Jay Kohorn, became the attorney of record on the case of In re Reed and successfully obtained a ruling from the California Supreme Court declaring the registration requirement for misdemeanor sex offenses to be unconstitutional.

Here are links to the materials added to the Archives today:

1980: Challenge to constitutionality of prostitution law
            legal brief
            appeal exhibits

1980-1983: Challenge to constitutionality of sex registration law
           1983: Supreme Court ruling in In Re Reed
           1983: Implications of the Supreme Court ruling in Reed
           1983: LA Times story
           1982: LA Times commentary
           1982: Petition in California Supreme Court
           1980-1982: exhibits showing lower court challenges to law
           1980: Appellate decision in People v. Ripley
           1980: Appellate brief in People v. Ripley

1981: Challenge to solicitation law in Tulsa, Oklahoma

1981: Challenge to solicitation law in Oregon

May 4, 2010

Although it may be a temporary victory, a domino mentioned in the Epilogue of the book has fallen.  The case of Aaron Hart was mentioned in that chapter.  Aaron, an 18-year-old with mental retardation and the intellectual abilities of a six year-old boy, was sentenced to 100 years in prison for, in effect, "playing doctor" with a six year old neighbor boy.  Dr. Nora Baladerian and I got involved in helping to organize the appeal efforts and giving publicity to the case.  Last week, the Texas Court of Appeal vacated the sentence and reversed the conviction.  A new trial has been ordered.  For more information about the case, go to the following website: www.justiceforaaron.com.

April 29, 2010

Another domino is about to fall.  Click here to read a news story about a bill passed by the Hawaii Legislature today which would allow unmarried couples, of the same sex or opposite sex, to form civil unions and to receive all of the benefits of marriage.  If it is not vetoed by the governor, this new law will mirror the recommendation made by Thomas F. Coleman to the Hawaii Legislature in 1996 to enact a comprehensive domestic partnership act open to all unmarried couples regardless of gender.  Click here for information from the Legislature's website.  Click here for the text of the bill.

March 15, 2010

An "archives" section has been added to the website.  It contains thousands of pages of scanned documents, legal briefs, memos, letters, and photos relevant to the chapters of the book.  Images are generally jpg files.  Documents are pdf files and are searchable for key words or phrases. 
 

November 18, 2009

A slide show of the October 11, 2009 book reception has been added to the website.  To view the presentation, click here.  Once you get to the new page, you can view it full screen by clicking on the button at the lower right side of the page.
 

November 13, 2009

Michigan attorney Rudy Serra has written a review of The Domino Effect. It was published yesterday in LGBT publication Between the Lines.  Rudy says the book "educates and inspires."  He also says: Coleman's experience is instructive for everyone who wants a fairer society."  To read the complete review, click here.

October 16, 2009

A resolution recognizing the publication of The Domino Effect and commending the author and others was signed today by members of the Los Angeles City Council, as well as the Mayor, the City Attorney, and the City Controller.  To view an image of the resolution, click here.

October 15, 2009

A commentary about a book reception in Los Angeles was posted by David Link on the Independent Gay Forum, a website for writers to comment on LGBT issues.  To read the commentary, click here.
 

October 11, 2009

A reception to honor many of the people mentioned in the book was held at the home of Dr. Nora Baladerian today.  About 45 people attended the event, among them were several former elected officials, including an Attorney General, State Senator, Los Angeles City Councilman, and a current Court of Appeal Justice.  Click here to view a slide show of the event, entitled "The Book Comes Alive."

October 4, 2009

A video of an interview with the author has been added to You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3WrfeD7aEE

 
September 19, 2009

Photos from the book signing event in Michigan have been added to the website.

An audio file of the presentation at Wayne State University School of Law has been added to the website.

For links to both of these new additions to the site, click here.
 

September 13 - 14, 2009

Thomas F. Coleman is scheduled to speak at two events in Michigan.  For more information, click here.
 

September 6, 2009

A memorial was held today for attorney Albert Gordon, an advocate who fought for gay rights in the 1970s and 1980s in Los Angeles.  Click here for the obituary story.
 

August 28, 2009

Psychology Today's "Living Single Blog" Mentions The Domino Effect  and Interviews Its Author As a Single-Minded Change Agent

The Domino Effect "is an important contribution to our understanding of the history of equal rights advocacy
over the past four decades."
                                   -- Bella DePaulo, Ph.D.