Davina Kotulski
Encyclopedia
Davina Kotulski, Ph.D., born on January 22, 1970, is a well-known, long-time marriage equality
activist and leader in the Lesbian
, Gay
, Bisexual
and Transgender
Equal Rights
movement. Kotulski began publicly advocating for marriage equality in 1999. Kotulski is a clinical psychologist
, public speaker, life coach and author of Why You Should give a Damn About Gay Marriage and "Love Warriors: The Rise of the Marriage Equality Movement and Why it Will Prevail".
. She earned her Bachelor of Science
in Psychology
at Portland State University
. In 1991 Kotulski re-located to the San Francisco Bay Area
in California to attend graduate school. she received her Ph.D.
in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology
at Alliant University. Also in 1996, during an evening of country-western dancing, Kotulski met her ex-life-partner Molly McKay
. Kotulski worked as a clinical psychologist with the Federal Bureau of Prisons
from 1996 until 2008.
In 1999 Kotulski became involved in working for civil marriage equality for LGBTIQ couples. Kotulski served as the Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA 2005-2007. In 2008 Kotulski realized her dream of being legally married to McKay after the California Supreme Court struck down the state ban on gay marriage in their ruling on "In re Marriage Cases
". She and McKay were active in the fight against California Proposition 8.
In June 2011 Davina Kotulski and Molly McKay separated and began divorce proceedings. Kotulski has since spoken out about the right of same sex couples to divorce as a part of the fight for marriage equality.
Kotulski currently serves on the Advisory Board of Marriage Equality USA, does public speaking and education regarding marriage equality, writes, and works as a life coach.
Beginning in February 2001, Kotulski and her formerly "unlawfully wedded" wife, Molly McKay
, began going to City Halls in the San Francisco Bay Area asking for marriage license
s and organizing annual "Marriage License Counter" protests to draw attention to the hundreds of rights same-sex couples are denied. Kotulski and McKay joined Marriage Equality USA and with L.J. Carusone and others the two women founded Marriage Equality California
(MECA). They began organizing events such as annual Tax Day Protests held on April 15 to point out the inequities same-sex couples face with regard to taxation and representation, and launched an effort to win marriage equality in California. Kotulski served on the California Freedom to Marry's Outreach Committee. (The California Freedom to Marry Coalition morphed into the Equality Alliance and is now known as the Let California Ring Campaign under the auspices of Equality California
's Equality California Institute.
To recognize the life of Diane Whipple
, to honor her survivor Sharon Smith, and to point out the injustices same-sex survivors face, Kotulski helped organize the Diane Whipple Anniversary march on January 26, 2002.
On October 11, 2003 she organized Come Out For Equality bringing together straight allies, clergy like Reverend Cecil Williams
and San Francisco Poet Laureate, Janice Mirikitani
, LGBT service members and veterans, binational couples, and children of same sex parents to elevate support for equality for LGBT people and address the injustices of the Don't ask, don't tell
Policy and the Defense of Marriage Act
and to raise awareness for the Uniting American Families Act
formerly known as the Permanent Partners Immigration Act.
On February 12, 2004, Kotulski and McKay did their fourth annual marriage license counter action. Unbeknownst to them, Mayor Gavin Newsom had begun allowing same-sex couples to marry, in what would become known as San Francisco’s 2004 Winter of Love. As soon as they finished their rally, Kotulski and McKay became the 17th couple to wed at San Francisco’s City Hall, married by Assemblymember Mark Leno. They honeymooned at the Marriage Equality Valentine's Day Rally, organized by Kotulski and McKay with other marriage equality leaders – the rally featured comedian Margaret Cho
. They and several other newlyweds then planned a Northern California Marriage Equality Visibility and Educational Bus Tour.
In August 2004 the California Supreme Court invalidated their marriage, along with those of 4,000 other couples. Kotulski's response was to organize a Marriage Equality Caravan with the help of Molly McKay, Belinda Ryan, Wendy Daw, Jacqueline Frank, and Bev Senkowski. On October 4, 2004, Kotulski and 43 other activists loaded a bus and traveled across the country stopping in 13 states and hosting marriage equality forums and panels at universities and churches. The "Marriage Equality Express
" culminated in the first national marriage equality rally in Washington, DC on October 11, 2004, National Coming Out Day
. The rally featured the Hawaii Marriage Case Plaintiff Genora Dancel; Beth Robinson
, Attorney in the Vermont Freedom to Marry case; Reverend Jimmy Creech
, a Methodist Minister who was defrocked for marrying same-sex couples and leader of Soulforce
; Dr. Sylvia Rhue, National Black Justice Coalition; Robin Tyler, organizer for gay rights marches in Washington, DC and founder of StopDr..Laura.com; Kathy Kelly, Marriage Equality Georgia; Musicians Tuck and Patti, who sang what Davina, Molly and the husband and wife duo agree is the theme song to the Marriage Equality Movement-“Love Warriors”; politicians Mark Leno
and Eleanor Holmes Norton
. Marriage Equality Caravaners also told their stories.
Kotulski and McKay have appeared together on CNN
, Newsweek
, Time Magazine and USA Today
. They are featured in three documentaries: Freedom to Marry (shown in 7 countries and featured on PBS), Pursuit of Equality, and I Will, I Do, We Did following the San Francisco marriages that took place in 2004, as well as several television shows including American Quest, documenting the National “Marriage Equality Express”, and a Queer Nation
TV special in New Zealand
.
In 2004 Kotulski’s book “Why You Should Give a Damn About Gay Marriage” was released. In November 2004, she became the Deputy Director of Marriage Equality USA and co-organized a LIFT THE BAN rally in Oakland, CA with the Service Members Legal Defense Network, Equality California, and Bay Area American Two Spirits. In June 2005 she became the Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA, replacing Connie Ress. After ending her term as E.D. Kotulski joined the Advisory Board of Marriage Equality USA. Kotulski has continued to participate in marriage equality actions, including the marriage counter actions. In 2010 her book “Love Warriors: The Rise of the Marriage Equality Movement and Why It Will” prevail was published.
In 2006, Kotulski and McKay received the Michael Switzer Leadership Award from New Leaf Counseling Center in San Francisco, CA.
In 2004, Kotulski received the "Saints Alive" Award from the San Francisco Metropolitan Community Church and was "sainted" by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for her activism and advocacy on behalf of full marriage equality for all couples.
In 2003, Kotulski and McKay received the "Defenders of Love" Award from the East Bay Pride Committee.
'
Marriage Equality
Marriage Equality USA is an organization working for marriage equality for all non-heterosexual couples. The group works by doing public education and outreach, media campaigns and holding visibility events. Marriage Equality, Inc...
activist and leader in the Lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
, Gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
, Bisexual
Bisexuality
Bisexuality is sexual behavior or an orientation involving physical or romantic attraction to both males and females, especially with regard to men and women. It is one of the three main classifications of sexual orientation, along with a heterosexual and a homosexual orientation, all a part of the...
and Transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
Equal Rights
LGBT social movements
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender social movements share inter-related goals of social acceptance of sexual and gender minorities. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies have a long history of campaigning for what is generally called LGBT rights, also called gay...
movement. Kotulski began publicly advocating for marriage equality in 1999. Kotulski is a clinical psychologist
Clinical psychology
Clinical psychology is an integration of science, theory and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development...
, public speaker, life coach and author of Why You Should give a Damn About Gay Marriage and "Love Warriors: The Rise of the Marriage Equality Movement and Why it Will Prevail".
Background
Kotulski was born in Gresham, OregonGresham, Oregon
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 90,205 people, 33,327 households, and 22,695 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,071.6 people per square mile . There were 35,309 housing units at an average density of 1,593.8 per square mile...
. She earned her Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
at Portland State University
Portland State University
Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
. In 1991 Kotulski re-located to the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
in California to attend graduate school. she received her Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology
California School of Professional Psychology
The California School of Professional Psychology , was founded by the California Psychological Association in 1969. It is part of Alliant International University.The school has trained approximately half of the licensed psychologists in California...
at Alliant University. Also in 1996, during an evening of country-western dancing, Kotulski met her ex-life-partner Molly McKay
Molly McKay
Molly B. McKay, born September 9, 1970, is an attorney and a civil rights activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals. McKay was the former Co-Executive Director of Marriage Equality California and the former Media Director for Marriage Equality USA...
. Kotulski worked as a clinical psychologist with the Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Bureau of Prisons
The Federal Bureau of Prisons is a federal law enforcement agency subdivision of the United States Department of Justice and is responsible for the administration of the federal prison system. The system also handles prisoners who committed acts considered felonies under the District of Columbia's...
from 1996 until 2008.
In 1999 Kotulski became involved in working for civil marriage equality for LGBTIQ couples. Kotulski served as the Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA 2005-2007. In 2008 Kotulski realized her dream of being legally married to McKay after the California Supreme Court struck down the state ban on gay marriage in their ruling on "In re Marriage Cases
In re Marriage Cases
In re Marriage Cases 43 Cal.4th 757 [76 Cal.Rptr.3d 683, 183 P.3d 384], was a California Supreme Court case with the dual holding that "statutes that treat persons differently because of their sexual orientation should be subjected to strict scrutiny" and the existing "California legislative and...
". She and McKay were active in the fight against California Proposition 8.
In June 2011 Davina Kotulski and Molly McKay separated and began divorce proceedings. Kotulski has since spoken out about the right of same sex couples to divorce as a part of the fight for marriage equality.
Kotulski currently serves on the Advisory Board of Marriage Equality USA, does public speaking and education regarding marriage equality, writes, and works as a life coach.
Activism and Leadership
In 1999 Kotulski led a panel discussion at the California Psychological Association to discuss organizing against the Knight Initiative. She met Tom Henning that same year and joined Californians for Same-Sex Marriage (CASSM), an organization committed to pro-actively putting same-sex marriage on the ballot in California.Beginning in February 2001, Kotulski and her formerly "unlawfully wedded" wife, Molly McKay
Molly McKay
Molly B. McKay, born September 9, 1970, is an attorney and a civil rights activist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals. McKay was the former Co-Executive Director of Marriage Equality California and the former Media Director for Marriage Equality USA...
, began going to City Halls in the San Francisco Bay Area asking for marriage license
Marriage license
A marriage license is a document issued, either by a church or state authority, authorizing a couple to marry. The procedure for obtaining a license varies between countries and has changed over time...
s and organizing annual "Marriage License Counter" protests to draw attention to the hundreds of rights same-sex couples are denied. Kotulski and McKay joined Marriage Equality USA and with L.J. Carusone and others the two women founded Marriage Equality California
Marriage Equality California
Marriage Equality California is the now defunct California chapter of Marriage Equality USA.Founded in 1998, MECA was the grassroots organization fighting to secure the legal recognition of same-sex marriage through education and outreach in California...
(MECA). They began organizing events such as annual Tax Day Protests held on April 15 to point out the inequities same-sex couples face with regard to taxation and representation, and launched an effort to win marriage equality in California. Kotulski served on the California Freedom to Marry's Outreach Committee. (The California Freedom to Marry Coalition morphed into the Equality Alliance and is now known as the Let California Ring Campaign under the auspices of Equality California
Equality California
Equality California or EQCA is a non-profit civil rights organization that advocates for the rights of LGBT people in California.-Early history:...
's Equality California Institute.
To recognize the life of Diane Whipple
Diane Whipple
Diane Alexis Whipple was a lacrosse player and coach, who is best known as the victim of a fatal dog attack in San Francisco in January 2001. The dogs involved were two Presa Canario dogs named Bane and Hera , owned by neighbors living in the same apartment building.-Life:Whipple was born in...
, to honor her survivor Sharon Smith, and to point out the injustices same-sex survivors face, Kotulski helped organize the Diane Whipple Anniversary march on January 26, 2002.
On October 11, 2003 she organized Come Out For Equality bringing together straight allies, clergy like Reverend Cecil Williams
Cecil Williams
A. Cecil Williams is an American minister of the United Methodist Church and a community leader, author, lecta;dknmfaurer, and spokesperson for the poor.- Early Life :...
and San Francisco Poet Laureate, Janice Mirikitani
Janice Mirikitani
Janice Mirikitani is an American Sansei poet and activist.She was born in Stockton, California to Shigemi and Ted Mirikitani, who were Nisei farmers in San Joaquin County. During World War II, she was interred along with her family at the Rohwer War Relocation Center in Arkansas. Following the...
, LGBT service members and veterans, binational couples, and children of same sex parents to elevate support for equality for LGBT people and address the injustices of the Don't ask, don't tell
Don't ask, don't tell
"Don't ask, don't tell" was the official United States policy on homosexuals serving in the military from December 21, 1993 to September 20, 2011. The policy prohibited military personnel from discriminating against or harassing closeted homosexual or bisexual service members or applicants, while...
Policy and the Defense of Marriage Act
Defense of Marriage Act
The Defense of Marriage Act is a United States federal law whereby the federal government defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman. Under the law, no U.S. state may be required to recognize as a marriage a same-sex relationship considered a marriage in another state...
and to raise awareness for the Uniting American Families Act
Uniting American Families Act
The Uniting American Families Act is a U.S. bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner...
formerly known as the Permanent Partners Immigration Act.
On February 12, 2004, Kotulski and McKay did their fourth annual marriage license counter action. Unbeknownst to them, Mayor Gavin Newsom had begun allowing same-sex couples to marry, in what would become known as San Francisco’s 2004 Winter of Love. As soon as they finished their rally, Kotulski and McKay became the 17th couple to wed at San Francisco’s City Hall, married by Assemblymember Mark Leno. They honeymooned at the Marriage Equality Valentine's Day Rally, organized by Kotulski and McKay with other marriage equality leaders – the rally featured comedian Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho
Margaret Cho is an American comedian, fashion designer, actress, author, and recording artist. Cho is best known for her stand-up routines, through which she critiques social and political problems, especially those pertaining to race and sexuality. She has also directed and appeared in music...
. They and several other newlyweds then planned a Northern California Marriage Equality Visibility and Educational Bus Tour.
In August 2004 the California Supreme Court invalidated their marriage, along with those of 4,000 other couples. Kotulski's response was to organize a Marriage Equality Caravan with the help of Molly McKay, Belinda Ryan, Wendy Daw, Jacqueline Frank, and Bev Senkowski. On October 4, 2004, Kotulski and 43 other activists loaded a bus and traveled across the country stopping in 13 states and hosting marriage equality forums and panels at universities and churches. The "Marriage Equality Express
Marriage Equality Express
The Marriage Equality Caravan, or Marriage Equality Express was an educational bus tour organized by the California chapter of Marriage Equality USA organized in response to the invalidation of 4,000 same-sex marriages that had taken place between February 12 and March 11, 2004 by the California...
" culminated in the first national marriage equality rally in Washington, DC on October 11, 2004, National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day is an internationally observed civil awareness day celebrating individuals who publicly identify as bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender—coming out regarding one's sexual orientation and/or gender identity being akin to a cultural rite of passage for LGBT people...
. The rally featured the Hawaii Marriage Case Plaintiff Genora Dancel; Beth Robinson
Beth Robinson
Beth Robinson is an American lawyer from Vermont who was appointed in October 2011 to the Vermont Supreme Court. Her nomination, made by Governor Peter Shumlin, requires confirmation from the Vermont Senate although, according to the Burlington Free Press, this is "seen as assured"...
, Attorney in the Vermont Freedom to Marry case; Reverend Jimmy Creech
Jimmy Creech
Jimmy Creech is a lifelong pioneer in LGBT equality issues. Creech is a former United Methodist minister who was defrocked for marrying same-sex couples....
, a Methodist Minister who was defrocked for marrying same-sex couples and leader of Soulforce
Soulforce
Soulforce may refer to:* Soulforce is an American LGBT-issue-focused social justice and civil rights organization.* Soulforce Revolution is the 1989 release of the punk band 7 Seconds....
; Dr. Sylvia Rhue, National Black Justice Coalition; Robin Tyler, organizer for gay rights marches in Washington, DC and founder of StopDr..Laura.com; Kathy Kelly, Marriage Equality Georgia; Musicians Tuck and Patti, who sang what Davina, Molly and the husband and wife duo agree is the theme song to the Marriage Equality Movement-“Love Warriors”; politicians Mark Leno
Mark Leno
Mark Leno is an American politician, representing California's 3rd Senate district, which includes parts of San Francisco and Sonoma County, as well as the entirety of Marin County. He was elected in 2008 and is the first openly gay man to serve in the Senate...
and Eleanor Holmes Norton
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Eleanor Holmes Norton is a Delegate to Congress representing the District of Columbia. In her position she is able to serve on and vote with committees, as well as speak from the House floor...
. Marriage Equality Caravaners also told their stories.
Kotulski and McKay have appeared together on CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
, Time Magazine and USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
. They are featured in three documentaries: Freedom to Marry (shown in 7 countries and featured on PBS), Pursuit of Equality, and I Will, I Do, We Did following the San Francisco marriages that took place in 2004, as well as several television shows including American Quest, documenting the National “Marriage Equality Express”, and a Queer Nation
Queer Nation
Queer Nation was an organization founded in March 1990 in New York City, USA by AIDS activists from ACT UP. The four founders were outraged at the escalation of anti-gay and lesbian violence on the streets and prejudice in the arts and media...
TV special in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
In 2004 Kotulski’s book “Why You Should Give a Damn About Gay Marriage” was released. In November 2004, she became the Deputy Director of Marriage Equality USA and co-organized a LIFT THE BAN rally in Oakland, CA with the Service Members Legal Defense Network, Equality California, and Bay Area American Two Spirits. In June 2005 she became the Executive Director of Marriage Equality USA, replacing Connie Ress. After ending her term as E.D. Kotulski joined the Advisory Board of Marriage Equality USA. Kotulski has continued to participate in marriage equality actions, including the marriage counter actions. In 2010 her book “Love Warriors: The Rise of the Marriage Equality Movement and Why It Will” prevail was published.
Written Work
- “Lincoln’s Birthday” in the anthology “I Do/I Don’t: Queers on Marriage” (Suspect Thoughts Press, 2004)
- “Why You Should Give a Damn About Gay Marriage” (Advocate Books, 2004)
- “Love Warriors: The Rise of the Marriage Equality Movement and Why it Will Prevail” (Create Space, 2010)
- Marriage Equality Advocates Take on Anti-Marriage Prop 8, March 2009, article by Davina Kotulski
Awards/Recognition
In 2009 Kotulski and McKay were Community Grand Marshals of the San Francisco, CA PRIDE ParadeIn 2006, Kotulski and McKay received the Michael Switzer Leadership Award from New Leaf Counseling Center in San Francisco, CA.
In 2004, Kotulski received the "Saints Alive" Award from the San Francisco Metropolitan Community Church and was "sainted" by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for her activism and advocacy on behalf of full marriage equality for all couples.
In 2003, Kotulski and McKay received the "Defenders of Love" Award from the East Bay Pride Committee.
External links
- whygaymarriage.com Official Website for Why You Should Give A Damn About Gay Marriage Book
- freedom to marry movie
- Kotulski's Official Website
'