Calling all Angelenos!

Do you know an outstanding Los Angeles-area resident who is working to make a difference in the lives of LGBT Californians in their community?

If so, why not nominate them for the 'Good Neighbor' Equality Award, which will honor unsung heroes of the LGBT community in the greater-Los Angeles area.

More after the jump.

The once powerful organization and, perhaps, most influential LGBT rights group in California has suffered several blows in the past year. Many have wondered what would happen to the struggling monolith. Today Equality California and Equality California Institute presidents released a statement of the future of the organization. Details after the jump.

Love Honor Cherish (LHC) blasts Equality California saying they showed "a tremendous lack of leadership" when its board voted in early October against leading an effort to put Prop. 8 back before California voters next year, which is why LHC is taking up the cause for themselves. Details after the jump.

Equality California will hold town halls across California to ask voters if it should pursue putting a Prop 8 repeal on the state's 2012 ballot. Follow the jump for the story and let us know what you think of the idea!

The big ticket races in California are getting heated, and while Meg Whitman is demonstrating strong support the folks over at Equality California have put together an ad informing the state's GLBT of what they're up against.

Also, in tandem with the "Shame on Whitman" ad, EQCA has released a "Shame on Cooley" spot warning that the candidate for CA AG has admitted he would join Whitman to defend Prop 8 in court.

It may seem like an excuse to post two hot swimmers in their Speedos gratuitously (though we never feel the need to excuse ourselves when doing so), or a way to plug an upcoming fundraising event that Instinct is sponsoring, but the fact that two (hot) straight Olympians have lent their support for EQCA's 'Swim For Equality' is reason enough to celebrate.

Gary Hall and Lenny Krayzelburg have lent their Olympic-sized star power (and Olympic-sized pecs!) to the September 25 swim event that seeks to raise awareness of and funds for GLBT issues in California.

Says Hall:

I believe everyone should have equal protection under the law, no matter what their sexual orientation. Issues of LGBT equality hit particularly close to home, as I have ...

In the wake of the Maine upset and as we prepare for January's federal challenge to Prop 8, Equality California finds it more important than ever to ask the Obama Administration to file a brief on anti-gay legislation. EQCA's petition to the President and Attorney General Holder has already been signed by 17,000 individuals, and the org is hoping for more. Head to EQCA's website to help convince Obama to join the repeal of Prop 8.

Now that the California Assembly has passed the bill creating a holiday in honor of Harvey Milk, Equality California is hoping we’ll sign a petition to Governor Schwarzenegger, urging him not to veto the bill – again.

In case we’re still a bit distracted (it is Friday), here’s a video of Dustin Lance Black testifying in support of the bill:

Convinced? You can find EQCA's petition here.

Equality California, a major player in our civil rights movement, announced today that it will focus its energy and resources on repealing Prop 8 in 2012, not 2010. The organization’s decision is a blow to the those who were hoping to fight the battle next November, as recent polls have highlighted the intense and unified effort necessary to win in 2010.

Will the rest of the community follow EQCA’s lead and end the schism that has distracted and fractured our community for the past few months?