Mark Jiminez, left, and Beau Chandler
Friends of Mark “Major” Jiminez raised more than $2,000 at a fundraiser Saturday night for legal expenses that may arise from his arrests for trespassing at the Dallas County Records Building in July and September when he and husband Beau Chandler applied for a marriage license.
Because of the two arrests for civil disobedience, Major is facing possible fines of up to $4,000 and one year in jail.
While Chandler’s case has been settled, Jiminez’s case has not been scheduled for a hearing. Chandler was only charged once and served 40 hours of community service. There is a two-year statute of limitations for the case to be scheduled.
Despite the pending charges, Jiminez was upbeat about his cause.
“This is going to be a great year for marriage equality and the momentum is moving along,” he said.
Jiminez said donations came in from around the country to support the cause of marriage equality. More than 80 people attended. Sponsorships helped fund the dinner, which raised more than $2,000, according to Dawn Knowlton, project manager at 3015 at Trinity Groves and a host of the event.
Should the money not be necessary, it will be donated to the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center.
The dinner was held at 3015 at Trinity Groves, a new event venue in West Dallas at the foot of the Calatrava bridge.
Lillith Grey and Lyric Laveau entertained. GetEQUAL TX activist Cd Kirven spoke. Kirven was at the Records Building each time the couple applied for a license.
