Last Updated August 18, 2023:
I’ve come to learn that the idea that one person cannot make a difference. While I don’t consider myself on the same level of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., I doubt his mother told him that he could not make a difference.
Humane Society of the North Bay – I have been on the Board over two years now and I am currently serving as Treasurer. I’m passionate about animals. HSNB is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that was established in 1986 to offer shelter and adoption services for homeless animals. We were formerly known as the Benicia-Vallejo Humane Society. We are a no-kill shelter. Since the 1980’s we have found permanent homes for thousands of homeless cats and dogs. HSNB has witnessed many joyous reunions. Although we have a contract with the City of Vallejo to shelter stray animals found in the community, we are not a city shelter, nor are we managed by, affiliated with, or financially supported by any local, county, state or national organizations. Our funding comes almost entirely from donations by generous individuals and local businesses. We welcome grant opportunities of all kinds, special event fundraisers, monthly donation commitments, and estate and memorial bequests.
Glen Cove Community Association – I am the current President. This is NOT an HOA. We are a 501(c)(4) organization with the mission of the Glen Cove Community Association is to build community by providing a forum for sharing information, connecting neighbors, promoting activities, and fostering civic involvement in our diverse community. I’ve enjoyed undertaking a revamp of the website for GCCA, as well as speaking at Vallejo City Council a few times, including once with fellow board members to ensure the reopening of Fire Station 26, facilitated by a widely distributed email campaign. Writing for the newsletter is also one of the ways he likes to contribute.
Fighting Big Tobacco – One of the main reasons I decided to pursue law school was because of the suffering my family endured due to nicotine addiction. In 2021 I attended an online meeting for the Solano Stonewall Democrats where LGBTQ Minus Tobacco made a presentation. It was a wonderful way for me to do work for the queer community I’ve been a part of for so long, that has been disproportionately targeted by Big Tobacco, who doesn’t mind targeting disenfranchised populations as some kind of sick alliance with our pain, only to cause us pain. I worked with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) for years and local NYC smoke-free organizations. I also closely follow what’s going on with TobaccoFreeKids.org.
I also serve as an advisor on a volunteer basis as the Co-Chair of Tobacco Free Solano, a program of the Solano County Department of Health.
Democratic Party of the United States – While I wish the elected officials in the national legislature were more ball-busting, I’m a progressive and I like to win. I have no problem with the two-party system, although I have a lot of problems with the filibuster and the electoral college, both of which have their origins in this country’s original sin of slavery and Euro-supremacy. I am the Board Secretary of the Stonewall Democrat Club of Solano County and also attend the Solano County Democratic Party Central Committee meetings as a proxy to Vallejo City Unified School District Board Member John Fox.
FamilyEquality.org – While still very important to me, my daughter is grown now. This organization, which I was on the Board of for about six years under the previous names of Gay & Lesbian Parents Coalition International and Family Pride, was instrumental in my own coming out experience.
Metrobears New York – I was on the Board of this social group for gay men of the ursine type (and admirers) in New York City, as well as some other bear-specific clubs like Gen-X Bears and various Yahoo groups. Metrobears is now defunct. I think it’s challenging to maintain a group for a population that that in such a large city, but we managed to for years.
Streisand fans – I’ve moderated a Yahoogroup (previously known as Egroup) for hundreds of Streisand fans, and I still connect regularly with this special community. See my Streisand fandom page for more information. There is no doubt that my idol Barbra is an activist in many ways. Make sure to check out the Streisand Foundation.