Challenge - October 2013 by GAAMC

Challenge Online is in color with clickable links! At issuu.com/gaamc/docs

CHALLENGE The Newsletter of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County – Serving New Jersey’s GLBTI Communities Continuously Since 1972

Volume 39, Issue 8, October 2013

Board Service by Andy Skurna

GAAMC’s by-laws include term limits for each office and for each Community Trustee. No one should hold a voting seat on the Board of Trustees for more than six consecutive years. Well, friends, that means I am being forced into retirement…and not a moment too soon. It has been my extreme pleasure to serve this organization in so many volunteer positions. But all good things must come to an end. If they don’t, those serving just burn out. And, to be honest, I am long overdue for a cooling off period.

Our funds are secure, for the near term. But a steep increase in rent last year, followed by smaller increase this year is definitely being felt. We have also felt the sting of sharp increases in printing costs for Challenge. To keep the GAAMC tradition alive and healthy will take a renewed team effort. And this is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and pitch in. There are many small functions that need to be addressed, and many more things that could be done to enhance LGBT life for all members.

I hope I have served you well in my past three terms as president and four years as treasurer/acting treasurer, webmaster, and other roles. Only time will tell what tomorrow will bring. But it is safe to say that opportunities for each of us are plentiful; we just need to step up and greet them. This has been a fairly stable year for us, with few major changes. One could say it’s been a quiet year at GAAMC, even as groundbreaking Supreme Court rulings have brought us joy, and sharp increases in bias attacks remind us that our work is far from done. There is always room for growth, and each of us is responsible for cultivating potential.

Please consider stepping up to fill a Board seat a s a Tr u s t e e . The only qualification for a Community Trustee position is being a member in good standing. Officer positions have varying requirements; none of them require any special degree, just a slightly higher degree of dedication. The Board is now actively recruiting Trustees. If you have ever considered joining the Board, or have been off the Board for a spell, now is the time to get onboard. Please contact me at President@GAAMC.org, or any active member of the Board, to learn how it’s done and just how rewarding it can be.

Inside Challenge Challenge Information.................................... page GAAMC Events What's happening at GAAMC's Monday meetings. page Bulletin Board Add these upcoming events to your calendar......page This Month's Contributors............................... page Getting Personal: Classified ads........................page 2013 New Jersey's October Senatorial & November General Election Dates & Deadlines.. page Gleanings: News you should know .....................page

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Q-munity Calendar........................................ page 6 Good Eats! Recipes both easy and delicious................... page 8 Dancing To Architecture™ Music news, views, and reviews for queer ears..... page 9 Media Outage™ Queer clippings from print and web sources.... page 10 The Little Box of Concerts............................. page 11 Board Minutes for August............................... page 11 GAAMC Information...................................... page 12

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GAAMC Events for October 2013 CHALLENGE Volume 39, Number 8 October 2013 ISSN 0277-1675 Staff Editor .....................Allen Neuner Assistant Editor ............. Bill Stella Advertising Manager ............. open Circulation Manager ............. open List Manager ................ Sue Harris Submissions The deadline for all articles, inserts, and advertisements is the fifteenth of the previous month. All submissions must be provided as electronic files. E-mail submissions to Challenge @ GAAMC.org. Ad Rates Single issue: Full page, $125.00; Half page, $85.00; Quarter page, $45.00; Business card, $25.00. For multi-issue rates, contact the Editor at Challenge @ GAAMC.org. GAAMC members may place one free classified ad per month, of no more than 200 characters in length. Change of Address Please let us know your new address! All address changes should be sent to the List Manager at ChangeAddress@GAAMC.org. Challenge is © 2013-2014 by the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt not-for-profit corporation. All rights reserved. All articles reflect the views of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of GAAMC, its officers, or executive board. All copyrights revert to the original contributors upon publication. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the contributor. All articles, contributions, and advertisements are printed at the discretion of the Editor and/or GAAMC Executive Board.

Discussion Groups

OpenTalk: A regular weekly discussion group, open to all. 7:00, in the Library. Moderators: Elias (Oct 7); Gordon (Oct 14, 28); Sherri (Oct 21). Discussion group does not meet on Film Festival nights.

Main Events

All start at 8:00 unless otherwise noted. October 7: An outbreak of bacterial meningitis has been impacting the gay and bi male population, claiming the lives of 7 of the 22 reported cases in NYC between 2010 and 2013. This extremely aggressive strain can kill someone overnight. Between 2001 and early 2013 there have been 47 cases reported, resulting in 17 deaths, in major cities from Berlin to Los Angeles. Meningococci bacteria are transmitted with throat or respiratory secretions, for instance via coughing or kissing. Meningitis is NOT a sexually transmitted disease. Dr. Joel Maslow, Chief of Infectious Diseases for Morristown Memorial Hospital (pictured left), will explain the epidemic’s current state as well as vaccination options. Dr. Maslow will also update us on the recent rise in outbreaks of mumps and measles in our area. October 14: International Food Festival! GAAMC’s Board members and other contributors bring out the best recipes of their heritage as well as food they enjoy making, all with an International flair! NOTE: This event is a fundraiser for GAAMC, so tonight's admission will be $10, without exception. October 21: Vote Your Issues is GAAMC’s regularly programmed assistance with determining which issues are most important for our members and which are directly affecting their voting decisions. We will be joined by Rebecca Feldman, running as an independent candidate for Assembly from District 25 (Morris County). NOTE: GAAMC invites all candidates to visit our Vote Your Issues nights. Democrat, Green, Libertarian, Republican and more, we welcome all! October 28: GAAMC's Halloween Social is when members and guests join ghosties and ghoulies and long-leggedy beasties and their besties for a howling good time! Contact Socials@GAAMC.org to see what YOU can bring to the party!

Coming in November! November 4: GAAMC's Film Festival presents God Loves Uganda, a documentary exploring the role of the American evangelical movement in Uganda, where American missionaries have been credited with both creating schools and hospitals and promoting dangerous religious bigotry. The film follows evangelical leaders in America and Uganda along with politicians and missionaries as they attempt the task of eliminating “sexual sin” and converting Ugandans to fundamentalist Christianity. November 11: Is Aging the Same for All? No matter what our age, all of us need to think ahead. Where will we be and who will be there for us when we're "senior citizens"? This is especially important for members of the LGBT community who are totally underserved (or even ignored) by existing programs for seniors. Drs. Carolyn Bradley and Laura Kelly of Monmouth University discuss their study of the experiences of older LGBT adults, including health issues, health care provider experiences, legal and financial issues. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be at this program. Note: All programs and discussion groups are subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date information, go to GAAMC.org .

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CHALLENGE

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Bulletin Board

Getting Personal

Garden State Equality announces upcoming events in honor of Bullying Prevention Month in October. On October 1st, there will be a special free showing of the film Bullied at 6:00 pm at the Burgdorff Cultural Center in Maplewood. A panel discussion on creating inclusive safe schools, with James Clementi and Assemblywoman Valerie Vanieri Huttle (D), follows the film. October 7th through 11th is The Week of Respect, an annual week of awareness, education, and actionaround harassment, intimidation, and bullying in New Jersey public schools. For more information about these events, write contact@gardenstateequality.org.

Small but special apartment in the woods atop Bernardsville Mtn. 1/2 rent, 1/2 help. 908 766 3669

GLBT of Hunterdon County of NJ invites you to attend its next meeting on October 8th. A guest speaker from tNew Jersey United for Marriage will discuss recent events in the struggle for marriage equality in New Jersey. The place is the North County Branch LIbrary in Clinton; the time is 6 pm. For more information, go to www.glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com.

Apartment share: 2 floor, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom apartment in Woodbridge. Utilities INCLUDED. Large bedroom available with shared bathroom for $725.00, or same plus third bedroom (as office/library) with private bath for $1,125.00. Call Ward at 732-693-6133. Move To Somerville! Several fine houses for sale on South Bridge Street, walking distance to train station, near Gay neighbors, vibrant and renewed downtown. Contact Bill for more information, bearealman at gmail.

The Pride Center of New Jersey is hosting a National Coming Out Day BBQ on Sunday, October 13th! From 1 pm to 4 pm, Veteran's Park in North Bruhswick will be the scene for fun activities, socializing, and of course great food. We supply the burgers, dogs, rolls, fixings, beverages, and paper goods. We ask you to bring a salad, appetizer, or dessert to share. For more details, visit www.pridecenter.org! R U a student at Rutgers/Newark? R U looking to get together with other LGBT students on a weekly basis? Then RU Pride is the group for you! Every Wednesday from 2:30 to 3:50 pm, we meet, socialize, and discuss the issues that are important to you as a member of the LGBT community. We're in room 344 of Conklin Hall — come check us out! For more information, contact Bryan at 973-353-5716. Like us on Facebook!

This Month's Contributors Charlie Murphy is one of the longest-serving members of GAAMC. Winner of many awards, including the first David Morris Award for continuous service, Charlie is familiar to many as Mr. Scarlett O'Hara, emcee of the $1.98 Beauty Pageant and the winter holiday show. (pg. 8) Bill Realman Stella writes Dancing To Architecture because writing about music is like that. He hosted the eclectic pop music show Highest Common Denominator in his mind for twenty years before getting it on the radio for six, and will host it again. Bill has collected music since age 4, when for each song he'd hear on the radio, he'd ask his mom "Do they have a record?" Making a record good enough to share is still a small miracle. If you'd like Bill to write, DJ, or promote for you, get in touch. Comments and suggestions also welcome. Write bearealman @ gmail.com and visit http://HowToFindTheBestMusic.blogspot.com (pgs. 3, 9,10)

2013 New Jersey Elections Guide to Dates and Facts Compiled by Bill Stella

New Jersey voters have a Special Election upcoming this October, as well as the General Election this November which includes the race for Governor. Voters must keep track of the following key dates: • October 15, the day before the Special Senate Election, is the deadline to register for the General Election. • Wednesday October 16 is the Special Election for US Senator. •October 29 by mail and November 4 in person are the deadlines to apply for General Election mail-in ballots. •At last comes Tuesday November 5, Election Day, when the voters will choose a governor, all 120 members of the Legislature, and assorted local officials and school board members. Source: http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2013/06/ amick_special_election_special.html Major Senate Candidates Cory Booker (D) and Steve Lonegan (R)

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« Judge Mary Jacobson

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D. Bruce Hanes »

Gleanings

Queer news from around the world New Jersey Superior Court riage Law in its entirety is to Judge Mary Jacobson ruled be obeyed and enforced by all that the state is unconstitution- commonwealth public offially denying federal benefits to cials," Pellegrini wrote. It's gay couples and must allow unclear what the ruling means them to marry. The judge said for the 174 couples who reNew Jersey's use of two labels — ceived licenses from Hanes, marriage for opposite-sex cou- and a separate legal challenge to the marriage ban is pending ples and civil unions for same- in federal court. (ABC News) sex couples — exclude gay couples "from certain federal bene- President Barack Obama directed the executive branch to fits that legally married same-sex couples are able to en- stop enforcing two laws that bar married same-sex couples joy." A spokesman for Governor Chris Christie (R) said the from receiving veterans' benefits, Attorney General Eric state will appeal the decision, adding, "Since the legislature Holder announced. A federal judge last week ruled that the refused to allow the people to decide expeditiously, we will laws were unconstitutional in light of the Supreme Court's let the [New Jersey] Supreme Court make this constitutional decision on the Defense of Marriage Act. According to Holder, the DOMA ruling also influenced determination." Christie's opponent in Obama's decision regarding veterans' The Right Guard the governor's race, state Senator benefits. (BuzzFeed.com) State Barbara Buono, urged Christie The National Guard units of Texas, not to appeal. "The position of New The Department of Labor announced Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Jersey people is clear. They want gay that married same-sex couples can Oklahoma are refusing to process cermarriage. Now the courts are clear. It's participate in retirement and health tain benefits claims for same-sex coutime for this governor to end his oppocare plans provided by their employer ples, despite a directive from the Pensition against legalizing same-sex marregardless of their state of residence. tagon mandating equal treatment for all riage and really give it a rest. Don't The terms "spouse" and "marriage" in marriages. Major General John appeal it," she said. (The Washington the Employee Retirement Income SeNichols, commander of the Texas NaPost; WNYC-FM) curity Act (ERISA) should be intertional Guard, said the DOD directive preted to include same-sex couples, Republican Steve Lonegan, who is conflicts with state law. A spokesman the department said. This follows the running against Cory Booker for Senate in for the Mississippi National Guard said recent Treasury Department anNew Jersey, called his rival’s comments that only facilities in the state on fednouncement that the legal marriages about speculation on his sexuality eral property would be allowed to procof same-sex couples would be recog“weird” and said the Newark mayor was ess benefits claims for same-sex nized for tax purposes. (Reuters) “acting ambiguous.” “It’s kind of weird,” spouses. Louisiana spokesman LieutenLonegan added. “As a guy, I personally A vaccine to prevent HIV has passed ant Colonel Mike Kazmierzak cited the like being a guy.” And, Lonegan noted, clinical testing, according to Canadian state's constitutional ban on same-sex “I don’t know if you saw the stories last researchers. The team, from Western marriage in the decision, saying, "The year. They’ve been out for quite a bit University, says the first phase of teststate of Louisiana's constitution does not about how he likes to go out at three ing not only succeeded, but boosted recognize same-sex marriage, nor does it o’clock in the morning for a manicure the production of antibodies in patients allow a state official to take part in an and a pedicure. I don’t like going out in it was tested on. SAV001, one of only a act that recognizes same-sex marriage." the middle of the night or any time of the handful of HIV vaccines in the world, is Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) day for a manicure and pedicure. It was based on a genetically-modified 'dead' cited an amendment in the state's condescribed as his peculiar fetish, is how it version of the virus. U.S. clinical teststitution that bans marriage equality, was described. I have a more peculiar ing began in March 2012. Meanwhile, a saying, "When they're under my comfetish; I like a good Scotch and a cigar; report published in the journal Namand, they're under state law. When that’s my fetish, but we’ll just compare ture says that a team of researchers at they're under the command of the Presithe two.” (Politico.com) Oregon Health and Science University dent, they're under federal law." A has made significant progress toward a spokesman for Oklahoma Governor Pennsylvania Judge Dante Pellegrini vaccine that removes a cousin of the Mary Fallin (R) said, “Gay couples that ordered Montgomery County Registrar of HIV virus from infected monkeys. "This have been legally married in other states Wills D. Bruce Hanes (pictured top right) latest research suggests that certain will be advised they can apply for those to stop issuing marriage licenses to immune responses elicited by a new benefits on federal facilities, such as same-sex couples. Pellegrini ruled that vaccine may also have the ability to Tinker Air Force Base, rather than stateHanes "admittedly failed to comply with completely remove HIV from the body," run facilities." Meanwhile, the National his mandatory ministerial public duty" to professor Louis Picker said in a stateGuard in North Carolina and Missouri uphold the state's marriage equality ment. (MedicalDaily.com; BBC) announced that they will begin processban. "Unless and until either the General ing benefits claims for same-sex couples Assembly repeals or suspends the MarFederal judge Timothy Black has ordespite amendments in the state constiriage Law provisions or a court of comdered Ohio to recognize a widowed tutions that bar same-sex couples from petent jurisdiction orders that the law is gay man's marriage, marking the secgetting married. (National Public Radio; not to be obeyed or enforced, the Marond time since July that the state has Houston Chronicle; WSFA-TV Montgomery, AL; Time.com; WSOC-TV Charlotte, NC; KMOX-AM St. Louis)

October 2013

CHALLENGE

been compelled to recognize a marriage involving a same-sex couple. Judge Black (pictured left) ruled that Cincinnati resident David Michener is eligible to be listed as "spouse" on his husband's death certificate, citing the Supreme Court's ruling against DOMA in his decision. The case has been recently expanded, based on a request by attorneys to require coroners to list all same-sex spouses in Ohio as married if they were legally wed in another state. Judge Black's decision is expected in December. (Washington Blade; The Columbus Dispatch) New Mexico's Kirtland Air Force base will recognize the marriages of gay and lesbian service members who legally wed in the state's handful of counties that have established legal marriage equality. (Advocate.com) The New Mexico Supreme Court agreed to hold a hearing to consider whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry in the state. Clerks from all 33 of the state's counties requested the court address the matter, which has gained attention since eight counties in the state, including the three most populous, began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The hearing is scheduled for October 23, and a decision is expected shortly thereafter. (NBC News) Marriage-equality advocates in Arkansas are pushing for a 2014 ballot initiative to repeal the state ban on same-sex couples marrying. Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has approved a ballot title proposed by the group Arkansans for Equality, which marks the first step in the process. More than 78,000 signatures would be required by July for the measure to qualify for the 2014 ballot. (Queerty) The San Antonio City Council approved a nondiscrimination ordinance prohibiting bias by municipal employees or in city contracts on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The measure passed despite opposition from religious conservatives and Republican leaders, and is considered a victory for Democratic Mayor Julian Castro. "This ordinance is about saying there are no second-class citizens in San Antonio," Castro said. (The New York Times) Washington's Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation has become only the 6th US Native American tribal nation to allow same-sex marriage on their territories. The Colville Business Council, official governing body of the Confederated Tribes, says the change was in keeping with tribal values and recognized the special place Two-Spirited Peoples hold within the Colville tribal community. Other tribes that have legalized same-sex marriages on their lands are Oregon's Coquille Tribe; Washington's Squamish Tribe; Michigan's LIttle Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and Pokagon Band of Po-

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tawatomi Indians; and California's Santa Ysabel Band of Diegueño Mission Indians. (GayStarNews) Pope Francis (pictured right) said in an interview that the Roman Catholic church has become too focused on divisive social issues. The church has no right to "interfere spiritually" in the lives of gays and lesbians and has grown "obsessed" with issues like abortion and birth control, Francis said. "The people of God want pastors, not clergy acting like bureaucrats or government officials," he said. (The New York Times) President Barack Obama met with nine Russian civil rights activists before returning to the U.S. after the G20 Summit in St. Petersburg. Obama praised the activists' efforts and assured them he would continue to press Moscow to respect human rights and treat LGBT citizens equally. "I'm very proud of their work," Obama said. "I think it's important to remember that in every country, here in Russia, in the United States, around the globe, that part of good government is making sure that we're creating space for civil society to function." (The Washington Post) The AFL-CIO, the country’s largest labor federation, amended its constitution to add a provision banning discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression. The decision to ban transgender discrimination at its 2013 convention followed the decision of several unions within the federation already to have made the addition of similar nondiscrimination policies into their own policies. The federation is made up of 57 national and international unions representing more than 12 million workers. (BuzzFeed.com) A transgender victim of workplace discrimination in South Dakota has won the maximum possible amount of $50,000 in damages as the result of a settlement she reached with her former employer. Cori McCreery worked as a store clerk for local grocery chain Don’s Valley Market in Rapid Valley. Although she was promoted in 2010, she was terminated after she announced she would transition. Lambda Legal filed suit on her behalf in March 2012. The settlement, announced by Lambda Legal on Monday, was backed by the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission. The settlement also includes public notice on the EEOC website, public notice on the workplace bulletin board, a mandatory policy in the workplace on workplace protections, a yearly three-hour all-staff mandatory training on workplace protections, as well as a letter of apology and letter of recommendation for McCreery. (Washington Blade) (continued on page 9)

Cindy Meneghin and Maureen Kilian (holding hands, right) are among six gay couples fighting for same sex marriage in New Jersey. Story on p. 4 photo by Terri Langford (WNYC.org)

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O c t o b e r 2 0 1 3 Q- m u n i t y C a l e n d a r Recurri n g Con t act I n form at i on

* Hackensack Peer Support Groups: 800-508-7577; www.njbuddies.org † Pride Center, Highland Park: 732-846-2232; www.pridecenter.org ‡ Hudson Pride Connections Center: 201-963-4779; HudsonPride.org λ LGBT Center Rainbow Lounge, Princeton: www.princeton.edu/lgbt ♦ North Jersey PrimeTimers: www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers Every Sunday 10:45 am - MCC of Christ the Liberator, Highland Park; tombohache10 @ gmail.com Noon - St. Francis of Assisi Church, Glen Ridge; 973-731-7765; stfrancisnj.org 2:30 pm - Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church, Newark; 973-621-2100 5:30 pm - Central Jersey Rainbows Bowling League, Bradley Beach; CJRBowling @ gmail.com Every Monday 10:30 am - The Wellness Community, Newark; 973-565-0300; info @ hyacinth.org 7:00 pm - GAAMC, Morristown (see page 2) 7:00 pm - Bowling, Union; merenl @ comcast.net 7:00 pm - S.E.L.F. HIV Men’s support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm - New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus choir practice, Princeton; 609-396-7774; www.njgmc.org 7:30 pm - Overeaters Anonymous, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - Bowling, Green Brook; qcrollers @ aol.com Every Tuesday 12:30 pm - The Wellness Community, Newark; 973-565-0300; info @hyacinth.org 4:00 pm - Treatment Adherence Support Group, Jersey City; 201-432-1134; info @hyacinth.org 6:30 pm - TransView, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - NA Group, Jersey City ‡ 7:30 pm - Tuesday Night Lesbian Connection, Bound Brook; 908-791-3764 7:30 pm - Men’s HIV support group, Asbury Park; 732-775-5084; apstillpoz @ yahoo.com 7:30 pm - Positive Yoga, Oradell * 8:45 pm - Bowling, Belleville; 973-256-5936; NJGLB @ aol.com 9:00 pm - Bowling, Jersey City; 201-933-6028; JoeyNJ @ aol.com 9:15 pm - Bowling, Edison; 732-548-4550; cnjgbl @ yahoo.com

01 Tue 11:00 am - Queer Boyhoods Story Hour, Princeton λ 6:00 pm - Gay Pride Business Network, New Brunswick; www.GPBN.net 7:30 pm - LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 7:30 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support, Highland Park † 02 Wed 5:30 pm - Hudson County HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council, Jersey City ‡ 7:30 pm - Gay Dad’s discussion group, Highland Park † 03 Thu 7:00 pm - Coffee Night, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 04 Fri 6:00 pm - Photography Show, Bridgeton ♦ 7:00 pm - Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack * 8:00 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park † 05 Sat 9:30 am - Rummage sale, Far Hills ♦ 2:00 pm - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, Nutley ♦ 2:30 pm - First and Third for GLBTI youth, Princeton; 609-683-5155; www.HiTOPS.org 8:00 pm - Well Strung, New Hope, PA ♦ 06 Sun 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 6:30 pm - Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol @ msn.com

Every Wednesday 10:30 am - The Wellness Community, Jersey City; 201-432-1134; info @hyacinth.org 2:30 pm - RU Pride, Newark; 973-353-5716 6:00 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 6:00 pm - SAGE, Jersey City ‡ 6:30 pm - AA Group, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - Film Series, "Out of the Iron Closet: Gay Cinema after Socialism", Princeton λ 7:30 pm - Men’s Living Out group, Highland Park; njwarrior @ aol.com † 7:30 pm - Gay Men’s Coming Out group, Highland Park; pdumpert @ gmail.com † 8:30 pm - Pride Night meeting, Newark Every Thursday 6:00 pm - Our Youth weekly support group, Jersey City; www.myspacenj.org 6:30 pm - Ties Like Mine, Jersey City ‡ 6:30 pm - Double Jeopardy peer support group, Hackensack * 6:30 pm - Hudson Men of Pride, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - Sexual Assault Survivor Support, Princeton; www.hitops.org 7:30 pm - Rainbows on Cleveland Street, Orange; 973-256-5936; rbowsoncleveland @ aol.com 7:30 pm - Writers group, Highland Park † Every Friday 3:00 pm - Youth Connect, Jersey City ‡ Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm - HIV testing, Morristown; 973-889-6802 9:00 am to 1:00 pm - HIV testing, Asbury Park; 800-947-0020 10:00 am to 5:00 pm - HiTOPS Health Center, Princeton; www.hitops.org; 609-683-5155 x 211

07 Mon 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 7:00 pm - Lesbian Hot Topics, Ocean; schiffman @ rocketmail.com 7:30 pm - Young Men's Social Network, Highland Park † 08 Tue 6:00 pm - Monthly meeting, Clinton; www.glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com 6:00 pm - Queering the Color Line, Princeton λ 7:00 pm - Bisexual Bicurious, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - Yoga for Men, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - Men's Social Night, Highland Park † 09 Wed 7:30 am - Living Out Women, Highland Park † 6:00 pm - Gay Pride Business Network, Asbury Park; www. GPBN.net 6:30 pm - North Jersey Prime Timers' monthly meetup, Little Falls ♦ 10 Thu 7:00 pm - Qspot Book Club, Point Pleasant; outdoorgirl @ optonline.net 7:00 pm - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - PFLAG of North Jersey, South Orange; 908-789-7489; pflagwaver @ aol.com 7:30 pm - Alternate Thursdays, Montclair; kjdinkin @ comcast.net 8:00 pm - Booked for Supper, Highland Park †

October 2013 11 Fri 7:00 pm - El Grito de Poetas, Princeton λ 8:00 pm - New York City Ballet, New York NY ♦ 12 Sat 12:30 pm - IPG Gender Spectrum Support Group for Youth & Parents, Jersey City ‡ 1:00 pm - Youth Drop-In, Highland Park † 1:00 pm - Women of Pride, Jersey City ‡ 2:00 pm - Have Some Cake!, Princeton λ 7:00 pm - Movie Social, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - Dignity New Brunswick gay Catholic liturgy; 732-968-9263; dignitynb @ earthlink.net

CHALLENGE

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21 Mon 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 7:00 pm - Lesbian Hot Topics, Ocean; schiffman @ rocketmail.com 7:30 pm - Young Men's Social Network, Highland Park † 22 Tue 7:00 pm - Bisexual, Bi-curious and Allies Support Group, Highland Park † 7:00 pm - Stonewall Democrats, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - Yoga for Men, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - Men's Social, Highland Park †

13 Sun 4:00 pm - Out Pagans Discussion Group, Highland Park † 6:00 pm - Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02 @ worldnet.att.net

23 Wed 6:00 pm - Gay Pride Business Network, Asbury Park; www. GPBN.net 7:30 pm - Living Out Women, Highland Park †

14 Mon 5:00 pm - Book Discussion with Beatriz Preciado,Princeton λ 6:30 pm - HIV Testing, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Morris County, Mendham; 973-727-5288; pflag.morris @ verizon.net 7:30 pm - PFLAG, Princeton; 609-663-5155; www.pflagprinceton.org 7:30 pm - FetChat, Highland Park †

24 Thu 9:00 am 7:00 pm 7:30 pm 25 Fri 7:30 pm 8:00 pm 26 Sat 1:00 pm 1:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:00 pm

15 Tue Noon - Lecture by Beatriz Preciado, Princeton λ 7:00 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park † 7:00 pm - Pride Dinner, Princeton λ 7:00 pm - Being LGBT in Academia Dinner Series, Princeton λ 7:30 pm - Lesbian Alliance of Princeton; 609-924-8174; Loisj @ msn.com 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Hunterdon County, Flemington; 908-752-1370; pflaghc @ yahoo.com 7:30 pm - Caregiver Support Group, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - PFLAG of Bergen County, Paramus; 201-287-0318; www.bergenpflag.org 8:00 pm - NJ Women, Secaucus; info @ njwomen.org 16 Wed 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez @ comcast.net 7:30 pm - Board Meeting, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 8:30 pm - Bowling, Boonton ♦ 17 Thu 6:00 pm - New Volunteer Orientation, Jersey City ‡ 6:30 pm - Dinner at Charlie Brown's, Millburn ♦ 7:00 pm - GAAMC board meeting, Morristown All GAAMC members are invited to attend. 7:00 pm - GLSEN Training, Highland Park † 7:00 pm - PCNJ HIV Planning Committee, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support Group, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Northwest NJ, Sparta; 973-729-9909 7:30 pm - Volunteer Group Meeting, Jersey City ‡ 18 Fri 7:00 pm - Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm - Dignity New Brunswick social; 732-968-9263; dignitynb @ earthlink.net 7:30 pm - Women's Songwriting Circle, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - Out of the Box open mic night, Highland Park (Sign-up begins 7:30); outoftheboxinfo @ mac.com 9:30 pm - Graduate LGBTQA Alumni Reception, Princeton λ 19 Sat 9:00 am - Queer Urbanity, Princeton λ 2:30 pm - First and Third for GLBTI youth, Princeton; 609-683-5155; www.HiTOPS.org 7:00 pm - Rainbow Bowling, Bradley Beach; 732-774-4540 7:00 pm - NJ Gay Film Society & Potluck Dinner Club, location TBA; gayfilms @ bigfoot.com 7:30 pm - Games Night, Highland Park † 20 Sun 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 4:00 pm - TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park †

- Faculty & Staff Ally Project, Princeton λ - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park † - Jersey Boys of Leather, Highland Park † - Living Soulfully, Highland Park † - Shabbat service; njlgh.onefireplace.com -

Youth Drop-In, Highland Park † Women of Pride, Jersey City ‡ Costume Party, Rockaway ♦ Gay Bowling, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; 732-776-6160

27 Sun 3:00 pm - The Lavender Cinema Club, Highland Park † 28 Mon 7:30 pm - FetChat, Highland Park † 30 Wed 6:30 pm - "The Nose", Rockaway ♦

KEVIN P. SUSZKO, PC Certified Public Accountant

- TAX PLANNING & PREPARATION - FINANCIAL PLANNING - A CCOUNTING SERVICES - DAY & EVENING APPOINTMENTS - OFFICES IN NEW JERSEY & NYC Phone: 973–376–4121 P. O. Box 701 Short Hills, NJ 07078 E-Mail: KPSCPA@GMAIL.COM

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Gleanings

(continued from page 5) The movement for same-sex marriage rights in Mexico continues to gain momentum as more gays and lesbians across the country seek the ability to exchange vows. Mexico City and the states of Quintana Roo and Oaxaca already perform same-sex marriages while the states of Colima and Coahuila allow samesex couples to enter into civil unions. A gay couple in the city of Mérida in the state of Yucatán tied the knot after a federal judge in July said the two men could marry. A judge in the state of Chihuahua ruled in favor of five same-sex couples who had sought legal recourse that would allow them to marry. A judge in the state of México, which is outside Mexico City, the country’s capital, ruled in support of four same-sex couples who had sought marriage rights. Local authorities appealed the decision. Gays and lesbians in the states of Colima, Baja California, Guanajuato, Morales, and Jalisco have also petitioned local authorities to extend marriage rights to them. These developments are taking place nearly a year after the Mexican Supreme Court found a Oaxacan law that bans same-sex marriage unconstitutional; the Court previously ruled other states must recognize gay marriages legally performed in the Mexican capital. (Washington Blade) Todd Hughes, an openly gay man, has been confirmed by the Senate to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, making him the first openly gay federal appellate judge. Hughes has been serving as deputy director of the Justice Department's commercial litigation branch. (The Washington Post) Elaine Kaplan, an openly lesbian attorney who is acting director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, has been confirmed to a 15-year term on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims by the Senate. Kaplan becomes the second out gay person to serve on the Court, after Emily Hewitt, who

was appointed to the bench by then-President Clinton in 1998 and appointed chief judge by President Obama in 2009. (Washington Blade) Openly gay US State Department official Daniel Baer will be heading to Vienna after the Obama Administration swore him in as the new US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Baer, joined by partner Brian Walsh, was sworn in by Uzra Zeye, acting Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Baer’s appointment is one of five high profile diplomatic positions awarded to openly gay men by the Obama Administration during the president’s second term. (Gay Star News) The nomination of William Thomas, a gay black Miami judge, to the federal bench will not move forward after Senator Marco Rubio (R) announced he was withdrawing his support over concerns about the judge’s actions in two criminal cases. Without Mr. Rubio’s approval, Judge William Thomas’s nomination to the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida is effectively blocked. Judge Thomas, who serves on the Miami-Dade Circuit, was nominated by President Obama with Mr. Rubio’s backing more than 10 months ago. (The New York Times) Diana Nyad, after nearly 53 hours of continuous swimming, became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a protective shark cage when she arrived in Key West. The journey was the fifth attempt for the 64-year-old Nyad, who is openly lesbian. "[Y]ou never are too old to chase your dreams," Nyad told reporters after completing the swim. (CNN)

Good Eats!

Chef Charlie Murphy's Un-Stuffed Cabbage Soup Meatballs 2 lbs ground meat 1 cup uncooked rice 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper Soup 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp minced garlic (about 3 cloves) 1 cup coarsely minced onion 1 cup thinly sliced carrots 1 cup tomato paste ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup ketchup 1½ cups water

¼ teaspoon ground cumin ½ medium onion, minced

1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes with juice Salt Fresly ground black pepper 1 medium cabbage 1 bay leaf ½ cup lemon juice ½ cup golden raisins Sour cream and fresh dill for garnish

Meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground meat, rice, salt, peper, cumin, and onion. Form into 1-inch balls and set aside. Soup: In a 6-quart pot, sweat the garlic in olive oil until white in color. Add onions and sweat until translucent. Add 1½ cups water, carrots, tomato paste, brown sugar, ketchup, and whole tomatoes with juice. Season with salt and pepper and simmer at a lively bubble (about 10 minutes). Crush the whole tomatoes with a potato masher or fork. Continue to simmer until the carrots are tender (about 10 minutes). Working in batches, transfer the soup to a blender and blend until smooth but not pureed. Return the soup to the pot. Remove the cabbage ribs and cut the leaves crosswise into ¼ inch strips. Add cabbage to soup and stir in to incorporate. Add bay leaf and simmer over a medium heat (about 10 minutes). Add water to thin the soup to the desired consistancy. Add meatballs and simmer (25 minutes). Add lemon juice and raisins 10 minutes before serving. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish. Prep time, 25 minutes; cook time, 1 hour 10 minutes. Serves 8 to 10.

October 2013

CHALLENGE

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Dancing To Architecture™ Music Reviews & News with a Queer Ear by Bill Realman Stella

OUTSIDER. Don't confuse a positive attitude for reality. I've been watching Out musicians pour their sweat and tears and sometimes their literal blood on the line for about a couple of decades. Of all of the hundreds of them, the only one I can think of (off the top of my head, admittedly) who started out OUT (and didn't begin as some kind of golden child of the music world) and who eventually transformed a decade of hard work into a future of steady and financially wellcompensated work as a musician and artist is Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney, Wild Flag, currently co-creator of Portlandia). I've seen too too many professional, quality musicians become, essentially, semi-professional at best, because the music business has increasingly become a place where what was insufferable before—the expectation that musicians can willingly give away their music, their performances, their recordings (things have gotten so low that asking for freebies is inconsiderate by default)—has become a ritual sacrifice that musicians either have to tolerate (with a smile, usually) or make the hard choice to get out of the biz, because the marketplace does not support them. None of these observations are meant as an excuse for hard work, a.k.a. "paying your dues". I'm writing about musicians who, overwhelmingly, have worked their proverbial asses off and who I've witnessed become better, smarter, more sophisticated musicians, and still can't catch the equally proverbial break nor hustle enough to make a career off their hard-earned professionalism. People confuse volunteerism with cutthroat competition. Worse, audiences and consumers are unaware, in large part, that what is marketed as free contributions is really cutthroat competition. Notice how often "sponsorships" and "free" are means of controlling what you get to hear—a kind of censorship, if you will. Music is too often considered by most audiences as mere entertainment rather than art. The passion is sucked out of it until we are left with retreads, and uninspired retreads at that. (I mean, I'm not a complete purist: I like plenty of music that doesn't discover new ground. "What Makes A Good Man?", the R&B pop song by The Heavy, currently used in TV ads for a men's clothes store, is a good, relatively well-known example, but at least they put a fresh spin on / strive to find a new angle for old forms.) In my ineffectual way, what I've tried to raise in the awareness of my readers boils down to a plea for people to GIVE VALUE BACK to music creators and producers, value which has been systematically stripped from the market over the last 20 years. Musicians have more in common with other professions than we might at first think. Musicians seem to have been first among those metaphorically herded into the slaughterhouses, while value is being systematically stripped from many many professions (think of teachers, think of general practitioners, think of booksellers, etc. ad infinitum). As a committed fanboy who has almost never found a way to make an honest buck out of writing about music and promoting it, I've long ago removed myself from trying to pretend to be a professional promoter; anything else would feel to me like lying. I just try to make a difference via my writing, social media, etc, to expose a few dozen deserving musicians every year when and wherever I can. Never mind that I'm so certain the marketplace wouldn't support me to be a songwriter, I don't even try anymore to expose my songs to the public. I spent much of the past almost 15 years trying to get just a little traction to be taken seriously enough as a DJ, radio show producer, writer etc in service to music I love so that maybe I'd be accepted into, could work my way into a professional situation. I'm convinced that giving it away only works (and only sometimes) if you're giving away a loss-leader for stuff that people already are buying. I refuse

to become something I'm not just to get paid: one of those pseudo-positive, lying through my teeth, promise you everything but give you shit, selfpromoting types. It saddens me to my core that musicians doing what they love—the very thing that is supposed to be the basis of a career—are taken for granted at best and, worse, sometimes just taken. Creators have become outsiders in their chosen field, while inauthentic sorts are lauded. Where once there was the hope of alternatives to provide a nurturing place to talent to grow, now even alternative financing only works to produce predigested, premarketed product. Those doing anything actually alternative have been stripped out, leaving those who keep going whatever the outcomes, whether they're any good or not. When only those who'll sacrifice almost everything just to work with the music they love are all who are allowed to remain, that sacrifice is plain wrong. BRIEFLY NOTED Q ◂Justin Vivian Bond, Sean Kagalis, Jay Saturn Last ish I said I'd reveal my cosmic connection with Justin Vivian Bond (Here's a hint: Melanie.) but stay tuned for it inthe next issue, as well as for explosive sets by Jay Saturn with Nikitta and New Jersey native Sean Kagalis and more highlights from the 2013 Out In The Woods Queer Music Festival. Q ◂ First among equals of the musicians who sent notes of gratitude in response to last month's DTA is Candye Kane (whose new album, Coming Out Swinging, is a delight), whose simple "thanks so much! xo" means I've been virtually hugged and kissed by Candye <swoon>, and Roger Mapes a.k.a. Rev. Yolanda, who is the first person ever to compliment my layout skills. I knew it was good, but it's more than nice to hear someone else say so. Q ◂ Ryan Cassata's new album is Jupiter, It Won't Be Long.

David Byrne recently announced: "Here Lies Love, the

musical, will have continued life as a live show and there will be a cast album with about 7 new songs on Nonesuch". Q ◂ My YouTube Best Music of 2013 playlist Great new videos have been added to the playlist: Scott Free's "Happy Pride Day Moscow", Lorde's "Royals", and the newest concept from the always-playful Teen Girl Scientist Monthly. Add new Charles Bradley, and Red Hot Chili Peppers "bootlegs", and the video countdown has now grown to over 90 songs. Watch it and my other playlists at my YouTube channel. Feel free to leave a comment! Q ◂The Kinsey Sicks ~America's Next Top Bachelor House-

wife Celebrity Hoarder Makeover Star Gone WILD!

One. More. Time. Over-the-top as always, from album title to final chord, it's the Sicks sticking it to "talent"-mongers everywhere, and to drooling, mindless zombie fandom: "Why. Can't. You. All. / Be. Like. Ru Paul??" Dancing To Architecture ©2013 Bill Stella. All ©, ® & ™ items included for review purposes are ©, ® & ™ their respective owners. The stylized Q indicates albums by (or significantly contributed to by) Out Bisexuals, Gay Men, Lesbians and Transgendered p e r s o n s . GAAMC is pronounced "GAY-mick".

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Media Outage™ Queer Clippings Compiled by Bill Realman Stella "The Hidden War Against Gay Teens" by Alex Morris ~ Rolling Stone (The Hot List 2013 issue, #1193, October 10) ~ is a heart-wrenching, revealing article concerned with the devastation visited upon teens who attend private religious schools and happen to be LGBTQ. The article's angle upfront is "Private Christian schools are exploiting local laws to raise millions while expelling kids for the crime of not being straight," but doesn't stop there. The author goes to great lengths to be sensitive to the interests of parents, educators, activists and legislators, as well as to the conflicts within the teens themselves: [Some teens] are not entirely ready to diavow a religion based solely on the actions of some of its adherents. … "This is not just your religion, it's your culture, too," says Jeff Chu, author of Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian's Pilgrimage in Search of God in America. "Christianity in so much of America is so strong — that's the community, that's the network. It's church, it's Sunday school, it's youth group, it's potluck dinners, it's 'Where do you go to church?' And if your answer to that is 'Nowhere,' you're an outcast. So how many levels of outcast do you want to be? You can't just flick a switch and think, 'This doesn't matter.'" The entire article appears in the current issue (as this Challenge is printed); online requires registration: http://archive.rollingstone.com /Desktop#/20131010/74 Astro City #4 Written by Kurt Busiek; Art by Brent Anderson; Cover by Alex Ross While Gay and Lesbian superheroes have come out in a series of headlines over the last few years, as it is with regular folks it's most often the stories which don't garner headlines that have the greatest impact on one's life. Kurt Busiek has been writing Astro City as a creator-owned series since the 1990s, from the perspective of a world that's a little less fantastic than your average superhero setting, and without diminishing how much superpowers are still "a wonder". This issue introduces characters for whom friendships and, I don't think it spoils it to say, a Lesbian network particularly, is as powerful as any of their amazing "powers". You'll believe superpowers can exist in the real world — when your heart is really touched by this story. The publisher describes the issue: Mattie Sullivan isn’t a super hero or a villain—she uses her telekinetic powers to do special effects for movies and television. But when she’s forcibly “recruited” by a new criminal mastermind, Mattie faces a choice: Will she fight, or will she continue to stay on the sidelines? A look into the lives of super humans who’ve taken different paths. VertigoComics.com Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce Much has been made of the new, supercharged and "evolved" view of gender that children now learn, said to be picked up from exposure to our media-saturated culture, like breathing air. Something about how our era's

Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce

culture has also explored four or five major new variations on Sherlock Holmes is a good fit for these questions. Elementary! Or are they? For one brief, multi-layered, and simply funny comic strip we see the current state of boy-ness. Derived from an invitation/press release received by Challenge staff:

On Thursday October 10th, an LGBT organizing meeting will be held at Buono For Governor Astro City #4, cover by Alex Ross headquarters, 1 Penn Plaza, New Brunswick NJ, at 6 pm. Friends and Family of all LGBT citizens are welcome. The November election is less than 30 days away from October 10th. Barbara Buono is a strong supporter of LGBT rights, and will fight every day to bring equality to our state. Hosted by: Dave Parano (State Field Director), and Michael Spadoro (State Field Organizer) RSVP 732-754-4181 "Today, New Jersey law prevents thousands of loving couples from marrying simply because they share the same gender. Barbara knows that’s wrong. Equality under the law is the most fundamental American ideal. It allows every New Jerseyan to exercise their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When he vetoed marriage equality legislation, Governor Christie abandoned this principle by treating LGBT New Jerseyans as second-class citizens. In contrast, Barbara advocates tirelessly for the rights of LGBT New Jerseyans. She sponsored marriage equality legislation in 2008, a position she held long before it was politically popular. She stood up for LGBT individuals and New Jersey's youth as a prime sponsor of New Jersey's original anti-bullying law, and she later went on to prime sponsor the nation's toughest anti-bullying law 10 years later. She expanded the state's hate crimes legislation to include protections for transgender New Jerseyans. And most recently, she cosponsored a bill in the Legislature banning the inhumane practice of conversion therapy." Last-Minute News Conservative Anti-Gay GOP US Senator Gets Outed by David Badash ● 4:47 PM September 29, 2013 "Mike Rogers has a 100% track record on outing anti-gay politicians as gay. So when Rogers says GOP Senator John Barrasso is gay, trust him." The full story is at TheNewCivilRightsMovement.com

October 2013

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T H E L I T T L E B O X O F C O NC ERT S ™ GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! Belle Adair

Blondie, X

Oct 3 | 8 PM | Keswick Theatre 291 N. Keswick Ave, Philadelphia | 215-572-7650

Dance Improv, Live! with Catherine Judd October 4 | First Fridays, 8-10 PM, Year-Round Drag in Friday Evening . . .Bounce Out Friday Night! Princeton Yoga, 88 Orchard Road, Skillman, NJ, $18 /$10 first-timers A lightly structured evening of self-expression through movement and live music. It is a bare-feet, comfy-clothes, free-movement workshop, a place to dance, play, build community, and form new and lasting friendships. It's a safe place to focus inwardly, make genuine contact with yourself, and bring yourself to life! Q ◂ Kendall Kelly On tour nowhere near NJ right now! But until then, watch his website, ClothesGetInTheWay.com, or travel (!) to events he'll perform at, such as: Oct 5 - Simi Valley CA @ stoneandstang.com Oct 11 - Portland OR @ Cock Gallery

Blondie

Wed, Oct 9 | 8 PM | Count Basie Theatre 99 Monmouth Street | Red Bank, NJ | 732-842-9000 Q ◂ Outfest, a National Coming Out Day (NCOD) Festival Sun, Oct 13 | Noon- 6 | "Like an old fashioned block party, only better and gayer" | Traditionally the largest U.S. NCOD, >20,000 people Main Stage: 13th & Locust, Philadelphia | 215 875-9288 Jade Starling, Chad Lewine, etc. perform | www.phillypride.org Q ◂ Women's Music Festival Sister Funk, JeanV, Denise Kean and Liz Henry, Sweet Suzi, MC: Kit Stewart

Sun, Oct 13 | 7PM, $20 | Bellmore Theater, across the street from the Bellmore train station 222 Pettit Ave, Bellmore NY | 800-745-3000 Purchase tickets by contacting Anne at aal301@hotmail.com A portion of the proceeds will go to Prader Willi Syndrome research

Janelle Monae

Minutes of the GAAMC Board of Trustees Meeting, August 15, 2013 Attendance Voting Trustees: DeLeeuw, Dinkin, Kennedy, Rase, Rubin, Sauer, Skurna, Suiter Non-Voting Attendees: Allen Neuner, Robin Schneider The meeting began at 7:11 pm. I. Adoption of minutes: The minutes of the July meeting were accepted without edits, Sauer abstaining (Moved, Rase; seconded, DeLeeuw) II.Old Business: New MUF Rental Agreement: No contact from MUF. John will reach out to them again. GAAMC's room needs need to be submitted. III.New Business: Labor Day Social: John will shop for needed items. Mickey will be grill master. Members have been encouraged to contact Andy about what they will bring. NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner: Friday, 10/16, 6:00 pm. A motion to place a full page ad in the NAACP program passed, Skurna abstaining (Moved, Rase; seconded, Dinkin)

IV. Reports: President: Andy Skurna — No report. Gordon suggested we reach out to members with multiple absences from Board meetings and to potential Board members. We should also encourage members to attend a Board meeting. Acting Treasurer: Andy Skurna — Written report on file. Pride Events Committee: Mickey Suiter — No report. Mickey discussed the upcoming 41st anniversary. Challenge: Allen Neuner — No report. Today is the deadline for submissions. Folding and stuffing will be August 26. The vote on the By-Laws amendment will also be August 26. Programs: Sherri Rase — Written report and calendar in Dropbox. Discussion Group Resources: Gordon Sauer — Written report and calendar in Dropbox. V. Save These Dates: Sept 2, Labor Day social; Sept 6, NY Liberty game; Sept 19, next Board meeting VI. Ideas & Suggestions: Mitch suggested we use Meetup as a publicity source and will look into the fee. Andy stated he wants to publish Pride Guide by December and will need help. VII. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed unanimously (Moved, Sauer; seconded, Rase). The meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm.

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GAY ACTIVIST ALLIANCE IN MORRIS COUNTY

Officers President (President@GAAMC.org) — Andy Skurna VP Community Services (Info@GAAMC.org) — Kerry Dinkin VP Operations (Operations@GAAMC.org)— John DeLeeuw Secretary (Secretary@GAAMC.org) — Gordon Sauer Treasurer (Treasurer@GAAMC.org) — vacant Trustees

GAAMC, the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, has served New Jersey’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed communities since 1972. GAAMC is a notfor-profit volunteer-run organization that provides social, educational, and outreach programs. GAAMC also offers opportunities for individuals to become politically active on issues related to the GLBTI communities. Our intent is to maintain a positive, healthy, respectful, and supportive environment in a safe space. Meetings are held every Monday evening at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ (near the Morris Museum). Discussion groups usually meet from 7:00 to 8:00. The evening's program usually starts shortly after 8:00. Refreshments are available. For program information, check our homepage at www.GAAMC.org. Members and non-members are always welcome.

Sue Harris, Ron Kennedy, Sherri Rase, Mitch Rubin, Mickey Suiter, Alexa Vasios Committee Chairs & Functional Officers Archivist — Mickey Suiter (Archives@GAAMC.org) By-Laws Review Committee — Andy Skurna Challenge Editor — Allen Neuner (Challenge@GAAMC.org) Discussion Group Resources Committee — Gordon Sauer (Discussions@GAAMC.org) Information Committee — Mitch Rubin (FreeLibrary@GAAMC.org) Parliamentarian — Allen Neuner Pride Events Committee — Mickey Suiter Pride Guide Committee — Andy Skurna (PrideGuide@GAAMC.org) Program Committee — Sherri Rase (Programs@GAAMC.org) Webmaster — Andy Skurna (Webmaster@GAAMC.org)

Annual membership dues are: Regular, $40/single, $70/couple; Students/Seniors, $30/single, $60/couple. Those looking to help out at GAAMC can contact Kerry Dinkin at Info@GAAMC.org. How to reach GAAMC Mail: PO Box 137, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Telephone: 973-285-1595 E-Mail: info@gaamc.org Home page: www.gaamc.org Mail List: groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/gaamc Facebook: www.facebook.com/gaamc Challenge online edition: issuu.com/gaamc/docs

PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS! October 14th

October 21st

October 28th

World of Food

Why We're Voting See "GAAMC Events", page 2, for more details!

Hallowe'en!