June 27, 2009

Dear BALIF Members,

In February of 2009, BALIF sent a letter expressing our shock, disappointment and outrage that the California State Bar chose not to move its 2009 Annual Meeting from the Manchester Grand Hyatt, which is owned by Mr. Doug Manchester.  Mr. Manchester donated $125,000 to “Yes on Proposition 8” campaign.  BALIF urged the State Bar to reconsider its decision to hold the Annual Meeting at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, and threatened to boycott if the Bar failed to move the meeting.  In response, the State Bar stated that it could not, and would not, cancel the contract with the Manchester Grand Hyatt because it was legally prevented from cancelling the contract or supporting any boycott as to do so would be taking a political position in contravention of their duties as fiduciaries, and because the State Bar would lose money by cancelling the contract.  

BALIF will be boycotting the State Bar Annual Meeting on September 10-13, along with numerous, other bar associations.  The fact that Mr. Manchester has promised to give $125,000 “to the gay community” does not alter BALIF’s plan to boycott.  Until Mr. Manchester gives an equal donation to the campaign to repeal Proposition 8, the impact of his actions will not be ameliorated. 

The passage of Proposition 8 eliminated civil and fundamental rights of LGBT citizens and continues to threaten the constitutional rights of all Californians.  Unfortunately, the California Supreme Court did not reverse this travesty and restore equality to LGBT individuals in our state.  While BALIF recognizes that the California State Bar has a fiduciary duty to its members, and there is cost in moving its Annual Meeting from the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the State Bar simultaneously has a duty to its members to fulfill its purpose of assuring a “Free and Just Society Under the Law.”   By refusing to move the Annual Meeting, the State Bar is choosing to continue to do business with an individual who substantially helped to pass an unjust and discriminatory proposition, while trying to guise its decision as an economic and legal one.  In so doing, the State Bar is actually taking a political position and sending a message to its entire membership of implicit support for the passage of Proposition 8.  As the largest and oldest association of LGBT legal professionals in California, BALIF has a unique responsibility to take a public position. We cannot sit idly by.  Therefore, in addition to boycotting, BALIF will be publicly demonstrating against the State Bar’s decision not to move the Annual Meeting from the Manchester Grand Hyatt. 

We encourage all of our members to boycott the State Bar Annual Meeting, or if they wish to attend, to take advantage of alternate lodging options.  We also strongly urge BALIF members as well as other organizations to join us in demonstrating at the Meeting - to make an impact, we must stand together in large numbers, so that our voices can be heard.    

Very Truly Yours,

Liz Noteware and Dan Dean, BALIF Co-Chairs