The Return of The Best Damn Newsletter in NJ™!
CHALLENGE The Newsletter of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County Serving New Jersey’s GLBTI Communities Since 1972
Volume 41, Issue 1, May 2015
So, Where Have You Been? by Allen Neuner I’ll try to keep it simple. Right after the Winter 2014 issue was completed, I was hit with two big problems, both of my own doing. I was cut off from my Internet access by the supplier, Optimum. And my faithful Apple iMac’s hard drive gave up the ghost. Making things worse was my stubborn belief that I would be able to “fix things” by myself. Why I should believe that, when that belief had been proven wrong time and again, never fails to amaze me. Oh, yeah, and remember when you’re told always to back up your computer files? Nope, didn’t. At least, not in any usable kind of file. I create Challenge as a Pages file on Apple, then convert it to a .pdf to take to the printer and send to Suzanne to be uploaded. My brilliant move was to save time and disk space by saving only the .pdf files. Anyway, when the miracle of restoration and publication failed to appear – in January, and February, and March – only then did I start to reach out to my network of friends. Lo and behold, they did not let me down. With major help from Andy Skurna and Ron Kennedy, and my sister Penny in Florida – and the support of Bill, my Tower of Bearitude –- this issue of Challenge appears before you now. Granted, this is a cut-down version, without many of the bells and whistles you’ve come to expect from Challenge. They’ll be back in the months to come. Until then, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your patience and understanding.
Inside Challenge Challenge Information .......................... page 2 GAAMC Events for May......................... page 2 Bulletin Board ....................................... page 3 Getting Personal -- classified ads .......... page 3 Gleanings Queer news from around the world ..... page 4 May Calendar -- LGBT events in and around New Jersey ................... page 5 GAAMC Board Meeting Minutes .......... page 9 GAAMC Information .......................... page 10
GAAMC Events for May 2015
Challenge Volume 40, Number1 May 2015 ISSN 0277-1675 Editor: Allen Neuner Assistant Editor Bill Stella Submissions The deadline for all articles, inserts, and advertisements is the 15th of the previous month. The staff requests that all submissions be provided as electronic files. Email all 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. GAAMC members may place one free classified ad per month, of no more than 200 characters in length. Challenge is © 2015 by the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt not-forprofit 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 public ation. 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.
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Discussion Groups . Open Talk: Weekly discussion group, open to all. Every Monday, 7:00, in the Library. Moderators: 25); Kerry (May 18). NOTE: Open Talk does not meet on Film Festival nights. Current Events: Discussion of topics in the news. Topics are not chosen until the night the group meets. First Monday of the month, 7:00, in the Terrace Room. Moderator: Frank. 20-Something: Monthly group for members of the queer communities. Third Monday of the month, 7:00, in Room 100. Moderator: Nick.
Main Meeting NOTE: Main meetings start at 8:00 unless otherwise stated. May 4: “LGBT BABYBOOMERS: Being Ready for the Unexpected” Like it or not, we're all getting older. How well are you prepared for the future? If something happens, who will be there for you? What's your plan for when you can no longer care for yourself? GAAMC’s chair of Discussion Group Resources, Gordon Sauer, will give an introductory presentation about the different stages of life and how to prepare for the future. As we age, we all need to make informed choices – for our own sakes and for the ones we love. For more information, please contact Gordon at Discussions@GAAMC.org May 11: Pandora Scooter joins us for casual chat with members about her experiences on the road with her “I AM ENOUGH” tour. May 18: As of press time, we were still trying to firm up this week’s meeting. Check GAAMC.org for up-to-the-minute news about tonight’s presentation! May 21: Board Meeting The monthly meeting of GAAMC’s Board of Trustees takes place at 7:00 pm. All members are welcome to attend. May 25: GAAMC’s Memorial Day Social & BBQ This is it – the official start of this year’s summer social season! For those of you who haven’t been to one of these before, here’s the rules: GAAMC provides the meat, the grill, the buns, the drinks, and the condiments. You provide the rest – the side dishes, the desserts, and the good feeling of stuffing yourselves silly with dozens of your new best friends! For more info, or to volunteer to bring something, contact John at Operations@GAAMC.org. June 1: Stonewall at 46 – What’s Our History, Where Are We Going, Where Have We Been? Today marks the start of Pride Month, so before we head down to Jersey Pride this Sunday or NYC’s Heritage of Pride at the end of the month, it’s a good time to reflect on just how this all got started, the achievements we’ve made as a community, the goals we’re fighting for now, and where our next moves should be. June 8: Post-Parade Pride Stories You all went down to Asbury Park for Jersey Pride yesterday, didn’t you? Of course you did, and you have stories to share about how your day went! Share them with us, whether this was your first Pride event or your 101st! .
Bulletin Board GAAMC Outing for May 3rd: A free screening of TRANS, presented by New York’s Heritage of Pride (the people who bring you the annual NYC Pride March). TRANS will take you on a journey into the trans world through the stories told and lives lived by the remarkable cast of characters of this award-winning documentary. After the movie, we may be seeking an after-show nosh. LOCATION: the SVA Theatre, 333 West 22nd Street, NYC. TIME: 4:00 pm. ORGANIZER: Sherri Rase. RSVP: President@GAAMC.org. Dust off your formal duds, polish up your dancing shoes, and get ready to play the night away at the Pink Prom! The third annual edition of the prom will be back at Hotel Tides in Asbury Park on May 8th, and this year the proceeds go towards the Pride Center in Highland Park. Moonlight, music, food and drink, and all topped off with a midnight stroll under the stars on the beach with your sweetie. What could be better? Prom tickets are $75 per person, and you must be 21 years of age or older to participate. It all starts at 8:00 pm, and just like Cinderella the evening ends at the stroke of twelve. Want to find out more? Contact Ryan Jimenez, manager of Hotel Tides, at 732-897-7744. The Pride Center in Highland Park cordially invites all those 18 years of age or older to its fourth annual Male Erotic Art Show. Exhibitions by some of the top portrayers of the nude male form, along with the chance to purchase what you see – or even commission a work for yourself – are all on display for you. The date is May 14th, and the time is 1:00 pm. For more information, contact the Pride Center at www.pridecenter.org. Pandora Scooter is back in the area! This talented artist who recently performed at GAAMC will be performing in Flemington on June 5th at 7:00 pm at the Spring Run School in her one-person show “HOMO- Sapienism”! This show, appropriate for ages 13 and up, features pieces about coming out and living out. Tickets are $10 for students and $20 for adults. For more information, go to www.glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com or call Matthew Loscialo at 908-300-1058. GAAMC Outing for June 6th: Let’s do the Time Warp again, at a late-nite viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show! LOCATION: Bellevue Cinemas, 260 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair. TIME: 11:30 pm. HOW MUCH: $7/ticket. ORGANIZER: Nick Santangelo. MORE INFO: http://www.homeofhappiness.com/ Just one month to go until the grand-daddy of all Pride festivals in New Jersey returns! June 7th is the date, 12 noon is the time, and the location is – you guessed it! – beautiful Asbury Park! Yes, we’re talking about Jersey Pride, with vendors, games, food and drink, and the
fabulous Pride Stage featuring the best of local music! Join thousands of your newest best friends at the Jersey shore and be prepared to have a rockin’ good time! For more information, contact info@jerseypride.org, or call 732-21-GAY-NJ (732-214-2965). The New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus cordially invites you to their newest concert, “Sacred and Sassy – From Bach to Broadway”! Combining the best of sacred and sassy music for men’s voices, this summer concert will feature music by Bach, Brahms, and Schubert, as well as vocal jazz pieces and arrangements of songs from such Broadway legends as Sondheim and Rodgers & Hammerstein. There are two performances scheduled: the first is Saturday, June 13th, at 8:00 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asbury Park, while the second is Sunday, June 14th, at 4:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Princeton. Tickets are $20 in advance, $15 for students and seniors, and $25 at the door. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.njgmc.org or call 732-579-8449. All rested from Jersey Pride the week before? Good, because June 14th is the date for North Jersey Pride in Memorial Park in Maplewood! Music, food, vendors and more will be waiting for your enjoyment! The fun starts at 12 noon, so don’t be late! For more information, visit www.northjerseypride.org. Garden State Equality cordially invites you to join them in Asbury Park for their sixth annual Equality Walk on Saturday, June 20th, at 10:00 am! Meet up with GSE at Kennedy Park, located between Cookman Avenue and Lake Avenue to step off for a roughly 2 mile circle to the Boardwalk and back. Your support of this fundraising effort ensures GSE remains able to fight for every member of New Jersey’s LGBT communities, especially LGBT youth, senior citizens, and members of the trans community. Walk by yourself, walk with a friend, walk with a group – even walk as a Virtual Walker! Visit GSEquality.org/Walk to register. If you have questions, call 973509-5420, or email Walk@GardenStateEquality.org.
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Gleanings Queer News from across the nation and around the world The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a fresh challenge to New Jersey's ban on so-called gay conversion therapy for minors, saying the prohibition does not violate the rights of either children or their parents. By a 3-0 vote, the Court said the ban did not infringe the First Amendment rights of minors and their parents to receive information and exercise religion, or the rights of parents to decide how to raise their children. The challenge came from a 15-year-old boy known as John Doe, who claimed to suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, self-hatred and suicidal thoughts as he struggled with his sexual identity, and his parents, who said they had sincere religious beliefs that homosexuality was sinful and harmful. The family plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, said their lawyer, Mathew Staver. (Reuters) President Barack Obama evoked LGBT rights as he commended the work of LGBT advocate Angeline Jackson at a meeting with activists and young leaders in Jamaica, where consensual same-sex acts are a crime. Obama noted in his speech that Jackson, a lesbian, is a remarkable leader because "instead of remaining silent, she chose to speak out and started her own organization to advocate for women like her, get them treatment and get them justice and push back against stereotypes and give them some sense of their own power." (Washington Blade) Representative Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives that calls on Congress to stop the approval of a Washington D.C. LGBT rights bill. The bill, passed by the Council of the District of Columbia and signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), would ban discrimination against LGBT students who attend religious schools. However, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee informed Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) that it wouldn’t consider a resolution this session, meaning the resolution will not advance to the full House. (Washington Blade) Democrats in the House of Representatives introduced a resolution urging protections against LGBT discrimination. "When intolerance occurs anywhere, everyone has an obligation to take a stand, and Congress doesn't get a waiver on that," said Democratic Representative Steve Israel, chairman of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. The lawmakers are expected to introduce a comprehensive civil rights bill this spring. (The Hill, Washington DC) A group of Republicans from both chambers of Congress submitted a brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold marriage bans in four states. The brief, signed by six senators and 51 representatives, argues that the bans are
constitutional on the principles of federalism, judicial restraint and state sovereignty. (Washington Blade) The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has delayed oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging Puerto Rico’s same-sex marriage ban. The one-paragraph ruling states “it is premature to set an oral argument date at this time” because of the four marriage cases that are currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. Ada Conde Vidal and Ivonne Álvarez Vélez in March 2014 filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in order to force the commonwealth to recognize their Massachusetts marriage. Four additional same-sex couples and Puerto Rico Para Tod@s, a Puerto Rican LGBT advocacy group, joined the case three months later. U.S. District Judge Juan Pérez-Giménez last October dismissed the case, but the plaintiffs appealed it to the 1st Circuit Court. The Puerto Rican government last month announced it will no longer defend the island’s same-sex marriage ban. (Washington Blade) Sgt. Shane Ortega, an Army helicopter crew chief, became the first active service member considered to be openly transgender after a newspaper profile of him was published. Ortega, who identifies as male, is still listed as female in the military's official computer system. "As I fight for my country in foreign lands, all I want is to be able to serve openly while keeping the job that I love," said Ortega, who hopes that serving visibly will force the Pentagon to revisit its ban on openly transgender service members. (The Washington Post) Indiana Governor Mike Pence (R) signed a bill meant to assuage concerns that the state's newly passed Religious Freedom Restoration Act will permit discrimination against LGBT residents. Pence signed the bill in a closeddoor ceremony. Reaction among business groups was mixed, with the CEO of Angie's List, one of the companies that had scuttled plans to expand in the state, calling the revisions "insufficient." The revised legislation stops short of codifying the LGBT anti-discrimination protections that House Democrats sought. (The Indianapolis Star) Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson (R) signed an amended version of a "religious freedom" bill. Hutchinson, facing criticism from LGBT advocates and businesses, announced earlier that he would not sign the bill as originally passed. (CNN) Georgia state Senator Joshua McKoon (R) said he doesn't "expect further developments" to a "religious freedom" bill he sponsored in March. The bill, which was approved by the Senate, has remained tabled in the House Judiciary Committee since early April. (The Georgia Voice, Atlanta) (continued on page 7)
May 2015 Q-munity Calendar Recurring Contact Information
*Hackensack Peer Support Groups: 800-508-7577; njbuddies@aol.com †Pride Center Highland Park: 732-846-2232; www.pridecenter.org ‡Hudson Pride Connections Center: 201-963-4779; HudsonPride.org #Princeton University LGBT Center: www.princeton.edu/lgbt/programs 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 Project Access syringe exchange program, Newark; variable hours; njcri.org; 973-558-5054 Project Access drop-in center, Newark; variable hours;njcri.org Tuesday - Saturday Project WOW! youth center, Newark; variable hours; njcri.org; 973-412-7080 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, Morris Township (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 8:00 pm - Bowling, Green Brook; qcrollers @ aol.com Every Tuesday Noon - Men's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org 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 01 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 9:00 pm –Karaoke, Highland Park;† 02 Sat 2:30 pm – First & Third for GLBTI Youth, Princeton; 609-6835155; www.HiTOPS.org 03 Sun 2:00 pm – Central NJ Rope Share, Pride Center, Highland Park† 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-857-4040;
7:30 pm - Men’s HIV support group, Asbury Park; 732-7755084; 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 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 ‡ 6:00 pm - "With These Hands" crochet and kitting circle, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 6:00 pm - My Brother's Keeper game night, Newark; www,njcri.org 7:30 pm - Men’s Living Out group, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Gay Men’s Coming Out group, Highland Park; njwarrior@aol.com † Every Thursday 4:00 pm - True Colors drop-in center, Newark; 973-424-9555; newarklgbtqcenter.org 6:00 pm - Our Youth weekly support group, Jersey City; www.myspacenj.org 6:00 pm - LGBT Fitness Explosion, Jersey City ‡ 6:30 pm - Double Jeopardy peer support group, Hackensack* 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 ‡ 3:00 pm - WAVE Youth, Ocean Grove; 732-455-3373; qspot.org 6:15 pm - Gay Men's AA, Ocean Grove; 732-455-3373; qspot.org Every Saturday 7:00 - Project Wow! Kiki Function, Newark; www.njcri.org
Dignitymetronj@msn.com 6:30 pm – Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol@msn.com 04 Mon 10:00 am -- Something Positive treatment adherence workshop, Newark; www.njcri.org 4:00 pm – Graduate Student Coffee Break, Princeton# 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 – Raices Latinas LGBT, Highland Park†
04 Mon 7:30 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 05 Tue 7:30 pm – LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 7:30 pm – Come OUT & Play, Highland Park† 06 Wed 7:30 pm – Jersey Boys of Leather, Highland Park 07 Thu 7:00 pm –Coffee social Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park† 08 Fri 1:00 pm -- Women's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org 4:00 pm -- SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm – Mature Adults Workshop: Being Ready for the Unexpected, Highland Park† 09 Sat 1:00 pm – Women of Pride, Jersey City‡ 1:00 pm – Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 4:00 pm – Lavender Graduation, Princeton# 7:00 pm – Men's Movie Social, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Dignity New Brunswick gay Catholic liturgy; 732-968-9263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 10 Sun 2:00 pm – Male Drawing Session, Highland Park† 6:00 pm – Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02@worldnet.att.net 11 Mon 2:00 pm – HPCC Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City‡ 7:30 pm – PFLAG of Morris County, Mendham; 973-543-7229; craig.bcc@verizon.net 7:30 pm – Young Men’s Social Network, HighlandPark† 7:30 pm – PFLAG, Princeton; 609-663-5155; www.pflagprinceton.org 12 Tue 7:30 pm – Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park† 13 Wed 7:30 pm – Wednesday Night Women’s Hang Out, Highland Park † 14 Thu 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 7:30 pm – Kollege of Kink, Highland Park† 8:00 pm – Booked for Supper Highland Park† 15 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm – Dignity New Brunswick social; 732-968-9263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 8:00 pm – “Out of the Box” open mic night, Highland Park 16 Sat 1:00 pm – Male Erotic Art Exhibit/Sale, Highland Park† 2:30 pm – First & 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
17 Sun 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-837-4040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com 4:00 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 18 Mon 7:00 pm -- Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 7:30 pm – Raices Latinas LGBT, Highland Park† 19 Tue 7:30 pm – Caregivers Support Group, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Lesbian Alliance of Princeton; 609-924-8174; Loisj@msn.com 1. 7:30 pm – Come OUT & Play, Highland Park† 7:30 pm -- PFLAG of Hunterdon County, Flemington; 908-752-1370; pflaghc @ yahoo.com 8:00 pm -- PFLAG of Bergen County, Paramus; 201-287-0318; www.bergenpflag.org 8:00 pm – NJ Women, Secaucus; info@njwomen.org 20 Wed 7:30 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – NJ Havurah board meeting, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7 :30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez @ comcast.net 21 Thu 6:00 pm – New Volunteer Orientation, Jersey City‡ 7:00 pm – GAAMC board meeting, Morristown; all GAAMC members are invited to attend. 7:30 pm – Volunteer Group Meeting, Jersey City‡ 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Northwest NJ, Sparta; 973-729-9909 22 Fri 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm – NJ Havurah Shabbat; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm – Living Soulfully, Highland Park† 23 Sat 1:00 pm – Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 1:00 pm – Women of Pride, Jersey City‡ 7:00 pm – Gay Bowling, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; 732-776-6160 24 Sun 6:00 pm – The Lavender Cinema Club, Highland Park† 25 Mon 2:00 pm – HPCC Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City‡ 26 Tue 8:30 pm – Men’s Social Night, Highland Park† 27 Wed 7:00 pm – JCLGO monthly meeting, Jersey City; 201-333-5725; www.jclgo.org 7:30 pm – United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez@comcast.net 7:30 pm – Wednesday Night Women’s Hang Out, Highland Park † 28 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 31 Sun 2:00 pm – G-ROPE Gay Men’s Rope Bondage Group, Highland Park†
Gleanings (continued from page 4) Maine Republican Senator David Burns said that he will remove his "religious freedom" bill, a proposal similar to legislation that sparked backlash in Indiana and other states. "Maine people reject discrimination and hate," said state House Majority Leader Jeff McCabe (D). "We believe in the inherent dignity of all people, whatever their background, faith, sexual orientation or gender." (Portland Press Herald, ME) Louisiana state Representative Mike Johnson (R) said he will amend his "religious freedom" bill, which has received criticism over concerns that it could lead to discrimination against LGBT people and minorities. The bill, a priority in Republican Governor Bobby Jindal's legislative agenda, is designed to block the government from punishing a company because of the owner's view on marriage. (The Times-Picayune, New Orleans) The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies ruled in favor of Denver bakery owners who refused to fulfill an order that included requests for anti-gay imagery and wording. The bakery had faced claims of religious discrimination. (KMGH-TV, Denver) The North Dakota House voted down a bill passed by the state Senate that would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The vote marks the third time in six years that the North Dakota Legislature has failed to pass an LGBT nondiscrimination bill. "I'm concerned that we have missed an opportunity to affirm what North Dakotans already believe, which is that discrimination based on an individual's sexual orientation is not acceptable," Governor Jack Dalrymple (R) said in a statement. (The Forum, Fargo ND) Nevada Republican Assemblywoman Vicki Dooling introduced a bill that aimed to restrict transgender students' access to restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity. In addition to its facilities provisions, the bill proposed limits on Nevada's sex education curricula. However, the Nevada Assembly voted 22-20 to reject the. "[The bill] ... was discrimination against a class of people, pure and simple. We will not stand for this type of torment, bullying or discrimination," said Tod Story, executive director of ACLU Nevada. (Advocate.com) Maryland lawmakers passed legislation that would allow transgender residents to change the name and gender listed on their birth certificates without undergoing gender reassignment surgery. "This is a big step in recognizing the realities of trans lives and updating our laws to reflect those realities," said Carrie Evans, executive director of Equality Maryland. Both bills passed their respective chambers by veto-proof margins, rendering moot the question of whether they would earn the backing of Republican Governor Larry Hogan. (Metro Weekly, Washington DC) Georgia prison officials enacted a new transgender inmate policy soon after the Department of Justice filed a
court brief stating that prison officials must give equal treatment to an inmate's gender identity condition as they would give another medical or mental health condition. The new policy provides transgender inmates with proper health assessments and treatment as necessary. (ABC News) The Washington state House of Representatives approved an amended bill to ban "conversion therapy" for LGBT youth, with all House Democrats and some Republicans voting in favor. The revised bill, which passed 60-37, returns to the Senate for reconsideration. (The Olympian, Olympia WA) The Texas state Attorney General says a federal judge in Texas has declined a U.S. Justice Department request to reconsider his order temporarily blocking federal rules expanding medical leave benefits to some gay couples. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor in Wichita Falls declined to dissolve his own injunction, issued March 26th. O’Connor’s order has temporarily stopped expansion of the definition of “spouse” under the Family and Medical Leave Act to include same-sex couples. The change had been set to take effect March 27th. Paxton argues that complying with the expanded definition would force state agencies to either violate federal rules or a 2005 gaymarriage ban in the Texas Constitution. Arkansas, Louisiana and Nebraska have joined Texas’ lawsuit. (The Dallas Morning News) Florida lawmakers approved House Bill 7013, which would overturn the state's nearly 40-year ban on adoption by same-sex couples, after garnering bipartisan support for the bill. The measure, which contains an amendment introduced by openly gay state Representative David Richardson (D), passed their respective chambers by vetoproof margins. The measure now awaits review by Republican Governor Rick Scott. "Follow the law that says we don't discriminate, and follow the law that gives these children a fair chance," said Republican state Senator Don Gaetz, who sponsored the bill. (Bradenton Herald) Guam Attorney General Elizabeth Barrett-Anderson (R) issued an order to allow marriage equality on the island. It would become the first U.S. territory to do so. The decision comes in conflict with Guam’s Governor, Eddie Calvo (R) who said he may want the issue to be decided by the public or their political representatives. (Pacific Daily News, Guam) A Colorado Senate committee voted 3-2 to block a bill that would have allowed transgender people to change the gender on their birth certificates without undergoing surgery. The bill passed the House early in April but died in the Republican-led Senate. (The Aurora Sentinel) Both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature approved bills that would allow people authorized to perform marriages to refuse to if it violates their religious beliefs. Democratic state Senator Kevin Matthews criticized the
bills as subjective and dangerous. The bills have yet to be signed by Republican Governor Mary Fallin. (Tulsa World) Texas House committees passed two bills that seek to prevent public funds from being used for same-sex marriages and allow child welfare providers to refuse services to same-sex couples. Both bills now head to the full House. (TexasTribune.org) In Michigan, a slate of bills seeking to allow discrimination against LGBT couples looking to adopt is set to be considered by the full state Senate after passing out of committee Wednesday. The bills passed the state House in March. (Detroit Free Press) Chilean President Michelle Bachelet signed a bill into law that will allow gays and lesbians in the South American country to enter into civil unions. “The civil union law is a vindication in the struggle for sexual diversity rights,” said Bachelet during the signing ceremony that took place at the Presidential Palace in Santiago, the Chilean capital. Members of the Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation, a Chilean LGBT advocacy group that has lobbied for a civil unions law for more than a decade, were among the advocates from the Movement for Sexual Diversity and other groups who joined politicians at the ceremony. The measure received final approval from Chilean lawmakers in January. Bachelet — who publicly supports marriage rights for same-sex couples — signed the measure less than two weeks after the Chilean Constitutional Court upheld it. (Washington Blade) Nicaragua has rejected same-sex marriage and adoption by gay single people or couples. The Family Code establishes that marriage is defined as “between a man and a woman”. It also ensures only opposite-sex couples, foreign or Nicaraguan, can adopt. Gay couples will also be banned from using fertility treatments to get pregnant and will not be entitled to social security protection or inheritance in the case of loss of a spouse. This is one of the biggest step backs for a Central American country in recent years, taking effect April 8th. (Gay Star News) The Mexican Supreme Court announced it had
found laws banning same-sex marriage are “discriminatory.” A strongly-worded statement the court posted to its website said the majority of the judges who considered a case that challenged portions of the state of Sinaloa’s family code defining marriage between a man and a woman found them to be unconstitutional. “The contested provisions are clearly discriminatory because the relationships in which homosexual couples engage can fit perfectly into the actual fundamentals of marriage and living together and raising a family,” reads the statement. “For all of those relevant effects, homosexual couples can find themselves in an equivalent situation to heterosexual couples, in such a way that their exclusion from both institutions is totally unjustified.” The ruling is in response to a petition for legal recourse — known as an “amparo” in the Mexican legal system — that a gay couple filed against the Sinaloan family code in April 2013. (Washington Blade) In El Salvador, a bill that would ban same-sex marriage has won preliminary approval from the legislature. An also-approved package of constitutional reforms would bar same-sex couples from adopting children. The reforms will not take effect unless they are ratified by a twothirds majority in the next legislative session, which will open on May 1st. That would mean the changes would have to win support from at least 56 congressional deputies. Currently, the bills were backed by 47 of the 84 members. El Salvador does not legally recognize same-sex marriage. In 2009, a similar effort to amend the constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman also failed to win ratification. (The New Zealand Herald)
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Same-sex couples in Ireland will be able to adopt, following changes to the Children and Family Relationships Bill. Approved with a majority of 20-2, the bill received a standing ovation as it cleared the Seanad after an eight hour debate. Following lengthy discussions in the days leading to the debate, and 122 amendments, the 100page bill includes 170 sections, dealing with topics around guardianship, donor-assisted reproduction, and child custody. (Gay Star News)
GAAMC Board Minutes March 19, 2015
February 19, 2015
Members: DeLeeuw, Gygax, Kennedy, Kohn, Lucek, Schaublin, Skurna Non-Voting Attendees: Gordon Sauer; Mickey Suiter
Members: DeLeeuw, Dinkin, Gygax, Kennedy, Lucek, Rase, Schaublin, Skurna Non-Voting Attendees: Gordon Sauer; Mickey Suiter
The meeting was called to order at 7:11 pm.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
The minutes of the February meeting were approved (moved, DeLeeuw; seconded, Schaublin).
The minutes of the January meeting were approved (moved, Schaublin; seconded, Gygax).
Old Business: A partnership with Garden State Equality to work on LGBT healthcare issues was discussed. Details for the Pastabilities fundraising social were reviewed. All Board members are now current with their memberships.
Old Business: A partnership with Garden State Equality to work on LGBT healthcare issues was discussed. Details for the St. Patrick’s Day social were reviewed. All Board members are now current with their memberships.
New Business: Meetup now has 144 members. An Outing was suggested for the 20-something group to The Rocky Horror Picture Show in Teaneck. An update on MUF’s building plans was presented. The question of appointing members to the Board to fill out unfinished terms was discussed.
New Business: The need to RSVP on both Meetup and Facebook for Outings was stressed. Future Meetup events were discussed, including additional staffing for events held at GAAMC. An update on MUF’s building plans was presented. Jay Kohn was elected to fill out an open oneyear Board position (moved,Schaublin; seconded, Dinkin). The question of appointing members to the Board to fill out other vacant positions was discussed.
Reports Treasurer (Andy Skurna): While February was a busy month, which was good for finances, March is expected to be worse, with back rent coming due. Challenge (Allen Neuner): No report. The Board discussed the lack of issues produced this year. Newsletter expenses are nearly as much as our rent. Ways of lowering costs were discussed. Webmaster (Andy Skurna): We are planning to consolidate email, web, blog, and membership records using a program called NationBuilder. Programs (Sherri Rase): Written report attached. Development (Gordon Sauer): Two letters need to be created; one a “thank you for joining” to new mebers; the other a “we miss you” to lapsed members. GAAMC Pride (Mickey Suiter): We are registered for the NYC Parade. Jersey Pride and North Jersey Pride are not yet accepting registrations. Ideas and Suggestions: Volunteers are needed for Pride meeting. It was suggested to talk to our 20-something group members about GSA’s in college. Suggested outings: Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz; Frelinghuysen Arboretum; The Liquid Plain, March 22. A motion to adjourn was approved (moved, Kohn; seconded, Schaublin). The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.
Reports Socials (John DeLeeuw): John was congratulated for a successful Valentine’s Day social. A motion to adjourn was approved (moved, Kennedy; seconded, Skurna). The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County GAAMC Officers President (President@GAAMC.org) ............. Sherri Rase VP Community Services (Info@GAAMC.org) ...................................................... Kerry Dinkin VP Operations (Operations@GAAMC.org) ....................................................John DeLeeuw Secretary (Secretary@GAAMC.org) .......... Ron Kennedy Treasurer (Treasurer@GAAMC.org) ........... Andy Skurna
Trustees Jay Kohn, Frank Lucek, Richard Schaublin, Liz Slicer
Committee Chairs & Functional Officers Challenge Editor (Challenge@GAAMC.org) ..................................................... Allen Neuner Discussion Group Resources (Discussions@GAAMC.org) ..................................................... Gordon Sauer GAAMC Outings............................................ open Information (FreeLibrary@GAAMC.org) ...... Andy Skurna Pride Events ..................................... Mickey Suiter Pride Guide (PrideGuide@GAAMC.org) ...... Andy Skurna Programs (Programs@GAAMC.org) .............. Sherri Rase Publicity .................................................... open Socials (Socials@GAAMC.org) ................John DeLeeuw Webmaster (Webmaster@GAAMC.org) ....... Andy Skurna
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 not-for-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 Rd., 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 (see below). Members and non-members are always welcome. Annual membership dues are: Regular, $40/single, $70/couple; Students/Seniors, $30/single, $60/couple. How to reach GAAMC Mail: PO Box 137, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Telephone: 973-285-1595 E-Mail: info@gaamc.org Home page: http://www.gaamc.org Mail List: http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/gaamc