Calif. Gov. Praises Gay Activists for Courage in Change

Gov. Jerry Brown praised gay rights advocates Monday night for being on "the cutting edge" in pushing for equality over the last several decades, as he was honored with an award for what supporters said was his lifelong push to advance equal rights.

"When people are in the shadows, the only way out is courage and being able to go against the grain and having allies," Brown told a reception hosted by Equality California, saying the group has been a powerful ally in advancing gay rights, which he compared to the more recent immigrant rights movement.

Equality California presented the Democratic governor with its leadership award, with presenter Robert Ross telling the crowd that Brown was the first governor in the United States to appoint a gay judge, in 1979, and the first politician to "openly, powerfully and compellingly embrace gay rights" in the country.

It also cited his signing of several pieces of legislation since he became governor again in 2011, including legislation last year that guarantees students in grades K-12 the right to use the school restrooms and to participate in the sex-segregated activities that correspond with their expressed genders instead of their school records. Opponents had sought to put a referendum on the law on the ballot this year, but failed to gather enough signatures.

Brown did not directly address that legislation in a brief speech to the group, but said when he first became involved in politics, "there was nothing like the recognition, the appreciation or the respect that lesbian and gay, transgender, bisexual individuals now get."

"It's a sea change. And it really gives confidence that we do make a difference," Brown told the crowd of about 100.

Equality California also honored Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday, giving him its Vanguard award for initiating gay marriages in 2004 as mayor of San Francisco.

Brown and Newsom have had a distant relationship. Newsom's speaking slot at last weekend's Democratic convention came late in the day, long after most attendees had left, prompted Newsom to joke that Brown was responsible for the speakers' lineup.

But Brown praised Newsom Monday night as he urged Equality California supporters not to pursue legislation as the sole path for social change.

"For example, Lt. Gov. Newsom, he probably did more in that one act as mayor of San Francisco than probably 1,000 laws," he said. "So action, courage, standing up when it isn't - when somebody isn't - that's what makes a leader."