The Best Damn Newsletter in New Jersey!TM NEW! October 6: The first monthly meeting of the Current Affairs Discussion Group!
CHALLENGE T he New sl etter of the Gay Act iv is t Allian ce in Morris Cou n t y S e r v i ng New Jer sey’ s G LBTI Commu n it ies Con t in u ou s ly S in c e 1 9 7 2 V o lu m e 40 , I ssu e 8, O cto be r 2 0 14
Come Out! Come Out! Wherever You Are! by Sherri Rase
October 11 is National Coming Out Day. This is a day of remembrance that began in celebration of the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, also known as "The Great March" because of its size and scope and because of its far-reaching effects. Speakers included Eleanor Smeal from the National Organization for Women, Cesar Chavez, the Latino civil rights activist, and Whoopi Goldberg, who has always been a supporter of LGBT people. Imagine more than 200,000 people marching for many of the rights we now enjoy, almost 30 years later! But what does it mean?
of your being? Where all of your energy is put into creating the life you want, living the way you choose? Where you are not building a wall or feeding a mystery or putting energy into a façade that serves no one?
What does it mean to have to continue to fight for the most basic of rights? Living our lives to get basic resources like equal access to a decent place to live? Continuing to fight for equal opportunities in jobs? Continuing to fight for our loved ones to inherit the shared resources under the same tax conditions our parents enjoy? Continuing to fight for children to exist as they are, regardless of gender of birth, regardless of whom they will grow up to love?
Roll up your sleeves. Volunteer with one of the worthy AIDS organizations here in New Jersey. Work with GAAMC, or Habitat for Humanity, or a welcoming church like the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship that GAAMC has called home for the past 42 years. Reach out past your personal sphere and see where other people are. Help them to reach where you are and then move forward together. We owe it to those yet to come, and we owe it to ourselves.
What does it mean to you to live in a world where you can be everything you are meant to be with every fiber
Come out! Come out! Wherever you are in that process, you’re welcome here at GAAMC.
There is still work that needs to be done. Children born since 1987 are coming out every day. Even if those children are not coming out today, or tomorrow, or the day after, we who remember building those "Berlin Walls" and fighting our Cold Wars have a duty to remind our community of the history we share, even while we unravel the mystery of what will be.
Inside Challenge
Challenge Information .................................... page GAAMC Events.............................................. page What's happening at our Monday meetings Bulletin Board.............................................. page Getting Personal........................................... page This Month's Contributors ............................... page Gleanings.................................................... page
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Q-munity Calendar........................................ page 6 Dancing To Architecture .................................. page 8 Music reviews and news with a queer ear RAIN: A Solution for Homeless LGBT Youth .......... page 9 Board Minutes for August 2014....................... page 10 GAAMC Information ...................................... page 12 Bulletin Board EXTRA!.................................. page 13
Challenge is in color online, with more content at issuu.com/gaamc/docs!
Page 2 CHALLENGE Volume 40, Number 8 October 2014 ISSN 0277-1675 Staff Editor .....................Allen Neuner Assistant Editor ............. Bill Stella Advertising Manager ............. open Circulation Manager ............. open List Manager ............ Allen Neuner Submissions The deadline for all articles, inserts, and advertisements is the fifteenth of the previous month. All submissions must be provided as electronic files. Email submi ssions 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 Editor at Challenge @ GAAMC.org. Challenge is © 2014 by the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, a 501(c)3 taxexempt 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.
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GAAMC Events for October 2014 Discussion Groups
OpenTalk: A weekly discussion group, open to all. 7:00, in the Library. Moderators: Elias (Oct 6); Gordon (Oct 15); Kerry (Oct 27); Liz (Oct 20); Mickey; Sherri. NOTE: Discussion group does not meet on Film Festival nights. NEW! 20-Somethings: A monthly discussion group for those in their twenties. Held on the last Monday of the month. Moderator: Joe (Oct 27). NEW! Current Affairs: A monthly discussion group focused on current events. Held on the first Monday of the month. Begins this month. Moderator: Frank (Oct 6).
Main Events
All start at 8:00 unless otherwise noted. October 6: Vote Your Issues Come for GAAMC's annual tradition where candidates from every party are invited to participate in the discussion and let us know their platform. It's a few weeks prior to the November elections, time to discuss the issues that matter most to us going into the election. Do you have a candidate with good works to perform? Sign 'em up and give them the audience they deserve — people who think! Also tonight: The first meeting of the new monthly Current Affairs Discussion Group! October 13: OPEN MIC and Poetry Night hosted by Chatham-based poet Marcia Ivans, an avid promoter of New Jersey poetry. This is a chance for YOU to step up to express yourself! Bring out that guitar, dust off that pithy tome of poetry! If you’ve got it, as the song says, flaunt it! Email Programs@GAAMC.org and let us know what you’re doing! Mr. Scarlett O’Hara wants YOU! October 20: $1.98 Beauty Contest We’re having a brilliant evening that will be doubly fun since the audience response helps the judges decide how well the contestants contest! Start polishing your act right now and let Sherr know as soon as possible what your plans are to compete! Boys can dress like grrls. Grrls will be boys. Cisgender is also welcome! Just know it is a hotly contested field and there's plenty of room at the top so get the ball rolling NOW! October 27: It's the most wonder-ghoul time of the year! GAAMC's Hallowe'en Social is a costume party! It's a food social! "It's a howling good time!" says the Wolfman. Frankenstein says, "It's a jolt to my electrodes!" and Dracula says, "Come share a bite with me!" All your friends will be there. If you're not a costume lover, wear orange and black and we'll see you there!
Coming next month! November 3: The GAAMC Film Festival presents Dallas Buyers Club. Ron Woodroof (Oscar-winner Matthew McConaughey) discovers he's got HIV/AIDS during the mid80's and is given 30 days to live due to his perilously low Tcell count. However, Ron's a charming redneck rascal who's not yet ready to end his life. This film, which also won Oscars for supporting actor Jared Leto and for makeup and hairstyling, tells the story of how Ron refused to accept a death sentence and helped others get the treatment they needed. NOTE: All events are subject to change without notice. Check out GAAMC.org for up-to-date information on all upcoming events!
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CHALLENGE
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Bulletin Board
This Month's Contributors
October 11th is the date for the Pride Center of New Jersey's National Coming Out Day Party, held at The Club at Woodbridge from 8 pm to midnight! All your favorites will be there — hot tubs, a pool, forums, speed dating, live music, and much more! They're calling it their hottest event of the year! For more info, call 732-846-2232.
Elaine Helms is the CEO of Helms Medical Services (HMS), a group of internists which provides primary care and substance abuse services in New Jersey. She is a dedicated, highly focused professional with over 16 years experience in community service, advocacy, housing, and health care services. Elaine used her experiences as a 9/11 survivor to develop HMS after noticing a threat to the level of quality in services. Shortly thereafter she followed another passion, housing, to address a major issue in the LGBTQ community. In 2013 she founded the Essex County LGBT RAIN Foundation, one of the few shelters in NJ created to house homeless adolescents who identify as LGBTQ. RAIN offers educational & financial responsibility resources as well as wrap-around services in substance abuse, mental health counseling, and drug testing. Elaine aims to accomplish the mission of the organization by assisting LGBTQ young adults and helping them devise their plans to have healthy relationships, employment, stable housing, and positive lives. RAIN partners with promising organizations to create a network of valuable resources youth can depend on to assist them in achieving their goals. (page 9)
The Jersey City Medical Center, a division of Barnabas Health, invites you to an open house for members of the LGBT communities on Friday, October 17th, at 355 Grand Street in Jersey City. The event takes place between 6 and 8 pm and gives members of the LGBT communities the opportunity to find out more about the center's policies, people, programs, and services. Refreshments will be served, and free parking validation is offered. Did you think the pride season was over? Not if Hudson Pride in Jersey City has anything to say about it! Jersey City Pride 2014 will be taking place o n S a t u r d a y, October 24th, from noon to 6:00 at its new location — Grove Street, in front of City Hall! While the venue is new, the attractions are old favorites — vendors, organizations, music, and some of the best live entertainers New Jersey and NYC have to offer! This is a party you won't want to miss! Mark your calendars! November 15th is the date, and Jersey City is the place for The Masquerade Ball — A Carnivale Affair! The Imperial Court of New York presents this gala fundraiser for the benefit of the Hudson Pride Connections Center. A VIP cocktail reception kicks off the evening at 6 pm, followed by the general admission party from 7 pm to midnight! For more information or to reserve your tickets, visit www.icny.org.
Getting Personal Move To Somerville, NJ! Fine houses for sale, within easy walking distance to train station, vibrant downtown, near Gay neighbors. I can volunteer leads. (Not an agent.) Contact Bill: bearealman at gmail.com
Buddy, can you spare an ad?
Bill Realman Stella writes Dancing To Architecture because writing about music is dancing to architecture. Bill hosted the eclectic pop music radio show Highest Common Denominator, and seeks sponsors to revive it. To have Bill write, DJ, or promote for you, contact bearealman at gmail, and visit Bill's online 'zines, latest column, and blogsite. Comments, suggestions, and fan mail are also welcome. (page 8)
KEVIN P. SUSZKO, PC Certified Public Accountant
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Business card ads start at just $25. Discounts for repeat appearances. Contact Ye Editor at Challenge @GAAMC.org
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Gleanings
Queer news from around the world A three-judge panel for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that New Jersey's ban on LGBT "conversion" therapy does not violate religious or free-speech protections in the U.S. Constitution. The ban, which was signed into law last year by Governor Chris Christie (R), is justified on the grounds that it helps protect the public, the panel said. (NJ.com) Three people turned themselves in to Philadelphia police after facing multiple assault charges filed by the Philadelphia district attorney. Police released mugshots of Philip Williams, 24, Kathryn Knott, 24, and Kevin Harrigan, 26. "If you look at the surveillance pictures released and see the number of people there — it is a little disturbing there were only three people charged," said Ted Martin, executive director of statewide LGBT rights group Equality Pennsylvania. "I want the police to do a fair and balanced investigation — that’s what we count on them to do, and I have to believe that there’s more to it." The Philadelphia district attorney’s office said its part in this investigation is over. "Based on the evidence, along with statements from victims and eyewitnesses on the scene, these are the three people that assaulted the couple," Tasha Jamerson, a spokeswoman for the DA said when reached by phone. All three suspects were arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, simple assault, and recklessly endangering another person, and eventually released after posting bail. Officer Tanya Little, a Philadelphia Police spokesperson, said she doesn’t believe investigators are pursuing additional suspects. Jamerson said Knott, Williams, and Harrigan would face a preliminary hearing September 30th. Pennsylvania's hate-crimes law does not cover crimes motivated by a person's sexual orientation. (The Washington Post) The Census Bureau's American Community Survey now categorizes same-sex married couples as families. Previously, the bureau categorized such couples as "unmarried partners," even if they were legally married at the time. The data showed that among the 56 million married-couple households in America, 251,695 of them, or just under 0.5% of the total, were same-sex couples. (The Charlotte Observer, NC) The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for the first time filed lawsuits aimed at protecting transgender employees under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The federal agency accuses a Michigan funeral home and a Florida eye clinic of firing employees because they are transgender. (ABC News) The Pentagon could open the Armed Forces to transgender applicants immediately without major changes to existing regulations, according to a report released by a commission of retired generals and Defense Department officials. "[F]ormulating and implementing inclusive policy is administratively feasible and neither excessively complex nor burdensome," the report said. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel indicated earlier this year that he is open to reviewing the military's policy on transgender service. (Metro Weekly, DC) The Department of Veterans Affairs again rejected a claim for retroactive federal benefits from the widower of a Vietnam veteran. Joe Krumbach married Jerry Hatcher in 2003, nine years before Washington state legalized same-sex marriage. Hatcher
died in 2008. Washington legalized same-sex marriage in 2012. Krumbach filed his first claim for benefits after the Supreme Court's decision in United States v Windsor striking down the denial of benefits to same-sex couples. (The Seattle Times) The White House named Megan Smith to the position of Chief Technology Officer of the United States. Smith, an out lesbian, joined Google in 2003. She is expected to focus on revamping the administration's information-technology-policy initiatives. Also, the Department of Justice announced that it had promoted Stuart Delery, an openly gay man who is a senior official in its Civil Division, to replace Tony West as acting associate attorney general. The change makes Delery the department's third-highest-ranking official and the most senior out LGBT person to ever serve in the department. Meanwhile, the Senate confirmed Gordon Tanner, a gay man, as the top lawyer for the Air Force. Tanner is the first presidential appointee confirmed by the Senate to have a same-sex spouse and be a military veteran. (The Washington Post; Human Rights Campaign; Washington Blade) Thirty-two state attorneys general filed two amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging the justices to settle the question of whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. The officials asked the court to review three cases out of Oklahoma, Virginia, and Utah. "The time has come to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from the institution of marriage," the officials wrote in one of the briefs. (Advocate.com) A motion filed on behalf of same-sex couples challenging Virginia's marriage equality ban urges the Supreme Court to rule on the matter. "The question whether the Fourteenth Amendment tolerates such discrimination against gay men and lesbians is an issue of national significance that should be settled promptly and definitively by this Court," the attorneys wrote in the motion. (Metro Weekly, DC) The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld lower court rulings invalidating Wisconsin's and Indiana's marriage equality bans, holding that both states' prohibitions are unconstitutional. A three-judge panel expressed strong skepticism over the constitutionality of Indiana's and Wisconsin's bans, harshly questioning attorneys defending the ban and disputing the idea that the bans were not causing harm to adopted children of same-sex couples. Judge Richard Posner, who wrote the unanimous 40-page decision, called the states' argument "so full of holes that it cannot be taken seriously." The cases were consolidated in order to expedite a resolution. Both appeals were brought by state officials opposed to striking down the bans. The panel's ruling will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court. (Gay Star News; USA Today; Chicago Tribune) A three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on the legitimacy of marriage equality bans in Hawaii, Nevada, and Idaho. The judges, two of whom have ruled for LGBT rights in previous cases, expressed strong skepticism over the arguments for keeping the bans in place. "You're sending a message that these are less desirable families," Judge Marsha Berzon said. (MSNBC)
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CHALLENGE
A Federal district judge in Louisiana upheld the state's marriage equality ban, marking the first time a federal court has ruled in favor of a state ban since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act in June 2013. Judge Martin Feldman, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, concluded that no "fundamental right" was at stake for same-sex couples. Meanwhile, a Louisiana state judge ruled that the state's ban on marriage equality ban is unconstitutional, as it violates the rights to due process and equal protection. The underlying case involved a woman seeking to adopt her wife's son. The state's attorney general has indicated that he plans to appeal the ruling. (Metro Weekly, DC) A Florida appeals court formally asked the state Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of the state's ban on marriage equality. The court said that the "great public importance" of the matter demands immediate resolution from a higher court. The underlying case involves a same-sex couple who married in Massachusetts and is seeking a divorce in Florida. Meanwhile, Florida officials formally appealed August's ruling striking down the state's marriage equality ban. Filed by Attorney General Pam Bondi on behalf of Governor Rick Scott (R), the appeal could prevent the ruling from taking effect later in September. Marriage equality advocates, including Scott's opponent, former Gov. Charlie Crist (D), criticized the decision. The state did not appeal a county judge's ruling that a same-sex couple's marriage should be recognized for the purpose of granting a divorce. (Orlando Sentinel; ABC News) Courts in Indiana and Arizona granted emergency recognition to same-sex spouses in two separate cases involving terminal illness. A federal judge in Indiana ordered the state to recognize the marriage of a lesbian couple that is battling ovarian cancer. A federal judge in Arizona ordered the state to recognize a same-sex marriage involving a man who recently died of pancreatic cancer. (Washington Blade)
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female-to-male transgender students who transition during their enrollment to remain enrolled. (KPIX-TV, San Francisco) A transgender girl was crowned homecoming princess at a Colorado Springs high school. Scarlett Lenh received the majority of the votes from her junior class at Sand Creek High School, besting three biological girls for the honor. Lenh, biologically a boy, was born Andy Lenh. She was bestowed the honor during Friday night's football game. The 16-year-old began identifying as a transgender girl this school year and began using the girls' bathroom. She said she's known she was a girl since about age 7 or 8. (ABC News)
Marriage Equality Statuses (by state/territory)
Full marriage equality: California * Connecticut * Delaware District of Columbia * Hawaii * Illinois Iowa * Maine * Maryland Massachusetts * Minnesota New Hampshire * New Jersey New Mexico * New York * Oregon Pennsylvania * Rhode Island Vermont * Washington Ban struck down, appeal pending: Arkansas * Colorado * Florida * Idaho Indiana * Kentucky * Michigan Nevada * Ohio * Oklahoma Tennessee * Texas * Utah * Virginia Wisconsin Ban currently challenged in court: Alabama * Alaska * Arizona Georgia * Kansas * Louisiana Mississippi * Montana * Nebraska Nevada * North Carolina North Dakota * Puerto Rico South Carolina * South Dakota West Virginia * Wyoming
The legislature of the Mexican state of Coahuila approved a measure granting same-sex couples the right to marry, making the state the second jurisdiction (along with Mexico City) in the country with marriage equality. Mexican lawmaker Samuel Acevedo called the move a "a great step forward" for the community. (BBC) Colombian attorney Victor Velasquez confirmed that he filed a lawsuit demanding that a lesbian couple with seats in Colombia's Congress be removed because the law bars people who are romantically involved with each other from serving together in the same legislative body. The lawsuit was presented before the Council of State, Colombia's highest administrative court, against Senator Claudia Lopez and Congresswoman Angelica Lozano, both members of the Alianza Verde party. Velasquez said that the sexual orientation of the women is not being questioned. Lozano said that the rule does not apply because the pair are pursuing a relationship that is neither a marriage or permanent union given that they do not live together, and that the suit is another act of discrimination against the LGBT community. (La Prensa, San Diego)
Ban in place, no action: American Samoa * Guam Northern Mariana Islands Virgin Islands
South Carolina resident Chase Culpepper, who is gendernonconforming and identifies as male, has filed a lawsuit against the state's Department of Motor Vehicles after officials ordered him to remove makeup and "look more like a boy" for his driver's license photo. DMV staff contended that the eye shadow and lipstick Culpepper wore the day of his license issuance constituted a "disguise." (Advocate.com) California's Mills College has amended its admissions policies to allow consideration of transgender applicants who identify as female, becoming the first all-women higher education institution in the U.S. to do so. The school will also allow
Ecuador will soon recognize same-sex civil unions, President Rafael Correa announced Saturday. Same-sex couples living in the country, who are barred from marrying or adopting children, will have the full constitutional right to register civil unions and have them reported on government-issued documents. Correa recently met with representatives from Ecuador's LGBT community prior to his announcement. (TeleSurTV.net, Venezuela) The Gambian National Assembly reportedly has passed a bill that calls for a life sentence for anyone found guilty of "aggravated homosexuality." Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, who has previously been criticized for making anti-LGBT remarks, has 30 days from when the bill was approved to either sign or send the bill back to legislators. (Washington Blade) (continued on page 10)
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O c t o b e r 2 0 1 4 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, Jersey City: 201-963-4779; HudsonPride.org λ LGBT Center Rainbow Lounge, Princeton: www.princeton.edu/lgbt 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 5:00 pm - CSA produce pickup, Jersey City ‡ 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 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 Wed Noon - Being an LGBTQA Graduate Student at Princeton λ 7:30 pm - Gay Dad’s discussion group, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - Jersey Boys of Leather, Highland Park † 02 Thu 6:00 pm - GLBT of Hunterdon County, Clifton; www.glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com 7:00 pm - Coffee Night, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 03 Fri 7:00 pm - Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack * 9:00 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park † 04 Sat Noon - Awareness Week, Princeton λ 2:30 pm - First and Third for GLBTI youth, Princeton; 609-683-5155; www.HiTOPS.org
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 7:30 pm - Men’s Living Out group, Highland Park; njwarrior @ aol.com † 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 - Ties Like Mine, Jersey City ‡ 6:00 pm - LGBT Fitness Explosion, 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 ‡ 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
05 Sun 2:00 pm - Central NJ Rope Share, Highland Park † 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 06 Mon 4:30 pm - Talk with author Nick Krieger, Princeton λ 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 social/support group, Highland Park† 07 Tue 5:00 pm - Out on the Town, Princeton λ 7:30 pm - LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616
October 2014 07 Tue 7:30 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support, Highland Park † 08 Wed 3:30 pm 4:30 pm 6:00 pm 7:30 pm
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Driving Range, Willowbrook ♦ Youth Caucus, Newark; 973-424-9555 It's Time for Class, Princeton λ Living Out Women, Highland Park †
09 Thu 4:3 pm - Learning from Leaders, Princeton λ 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 † 10 Fri Noon - Global Health Colloquium, Princeton λ 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm - COP After Dark, Highland Park † 11 Sat 9:00 am 1:00 pm 1:00 pm 7:30 pm
Legacies of Black Feminisms, Princeton λ Youth Drop-In, Highland Park † Women of Pride, Jersey City ‡ Dignity New Brunswick gay Catholic liturgy; 732-968-9263; dignitynb @ earthlink.net 8:00 pm - National Coming Out Day Party, Woodbridge † (see Bulletin Board, p.3) -
12 Sun 3:00 pm - Fiesta Latina Para Toda La Comunidad, Highland Park † 6:00 pm - Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02 @ worldnet.att.net 13 Mon 2:00 pm - Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City ‡ 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 - Lance Loud, Highland Park † 14 Tue 7:30 pm - Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park † 15 Wed Noon - Gay/Queer/Bi Men and Community Care, Princeton λ 5:00 pm - SoMa Youth Caucus, Maplewood; info@gardenstateequality.org 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez @ comcast.net 16 Thu 6:00 pm - New Volunteer Orientation, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - GAAMC board meeting, Morristown All GAAMC members are invited to attend. 7:00 pm - GLSEN Training, 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 ‡
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17 Fri 6:00 pm - Jersey City Medical Center Open House, Jersey City (see Bulletin Board, p.3) 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 (Sign-up begins 7:30); outoftheboxinfo @ mac.com 18 Sat 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 7:00 pm - Men's Potluck Dinner & Movie Night, Highland Park † 19 Sun 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 4:00 pm - TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park † 20 Mon 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 7:30 pm - Raices Latinas social/support group, Highland Park† 21 Tue 7:30 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park † 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 22 Wed 7:30 pm - Living Out Women, Highland Park † 23 Thu 6:30 pm - Pride Night at McCarter, Princeton λ 7:00 pm - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park † 24 Fri 10:30 am - LGBT Task Force, Highland Park † Noon - Jersey City Pride 2014, Jersey City (see Bulletin Board, p.3) 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm - Living Soulfully, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - Shabbat Service; njlgh.onefireplace.com 25 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 26 Sun 3:00 pm - The Lavender Cinema Club, Highland Park † 27 Mon 2:00 pm - Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - Open Mic, Newark; rupridenewark@gmail.com 28 Tue 7:30 pm - Donald's Events, Highland Park † 8:30 pm - Men's Social, Highland Park †
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Dancing To Architecture™ Music News & Reviews with a Queer Ear by Bill Realman Stella Q ◂ Fred
Hersch ~ Floating, Free Flying, and The OutBeat Jazz Festival
The best reason I know to listen to new Jazz now is Fred Hersch. His two most recent albums are exceptionally fine, which arguably is typical of Hersch recordings for over a decade. The release this year of the Fred Hersch Trio's Floating — and last year’s Free Flying, duets with guitarist Julian Lage — both showcase Hersch's characteristic sensitive repartee with his collaborators. His nuanced voicings sound as if pianos were always meant to sound this good. Each welcomes the listener into an intimate experience. Floating begins with a version of the classic American standard "You & The Night & The Music" that inspires the feeling of dancing on air in one's mood. One can be at ease in the presence of these performances both familiar and unexpected. No need to brush up on lingo or study music theory required. But your ears will take note of interesting elements. A cluster of notes here, a brush of color there — you will quickly attune yourself to expect more than Pop music repetition from Hersch and companions. And more you will get. "Masterful" may be overused, but when in the presence of a virtuoso who both exercises your ear and gives you ease to stay attentive, that’s a mighty masterful musical accomplishment. Hersch was part of the kick off ceremonies September 18 at "America's First Queer Jazz Festival." The premiere of The OutBeat Jazz F e s t i v a l i n Ph i l a d e l p h i a w a s a four-day event. On September 19th the Fred Hersch Trio was one of the featured performances of the festival, in concert at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Much as I love Jazz, my listening habits leave little time for it. Maybe your habits are the same? I know I must seek it out, to make a special effort, because most Pop/ Rock/ Country/ Folk/ HipHop music (and their typical audiences — even my Pop/ Rock/ Country/ Folk/ HipHop-loving friends and acquaintances) exists somewhat isolated from Jazz music andJazz audiences (and from my Jazz-loving friends).
If you, like me, need a little extra push to seek out Jazz, it's really easy enough. The artist's website can always give you a taste. FredHersch.com will give you a quick eight-minute introduction to Hersch's latest sounds. One can sample all of "Floating" and "Free Flying" at Amazon.com. For a deeper dive into the Fred Hersch catalog, I recommend "Leaves of Grass," which sets Wa l t W h i t m a n ’s w o r d s t o H e r s c h m e l o d i e s a n d arrangements. Start with a few tracks found on one of my YouTube playlists, "Best Music pre-2008". Explore my other playlists for more recent tracks by Hersch at my packed-with-music YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/user/bearealman. You can also get great results simply by typing "Fred Hersch" into YouTube.com's search feature. I have enjoyed many hours listening to his music posted there by Hersch and his management and by his fans. Few of the videos are videos as such, though there are noteable exceptions. Most are simply the songs set in video-file format, with a picture, such as an album cover, or a slideshow. The rich selection is extraordinary, including a number of tracks from albums which are long out of print. By drawing on Hersch's deep catalog of dozens of albums, what's there is representative, not exploitative. As this issue goes to press, Fred Hersch has just finished a week at New York's The Jazz Standard, his first-ever live dates with a surprisingly fresh set of new collaborators: the renowned Esperanza Spalding, who won the Best New Artist Grammy in 2011, and Richie Barshay, a top-of-the-list drummer/percussionist who has performed with The Klezmatics (an ensemble which has included its share of Q-musicians over the years) and the Herbie Hancock Quartet among many others. Now Hersch is on tour around the country. He apparently plays as many dates as he wants, in the U.S. and many other countries, picking up awards in his travels. You can count on him returning to our area sooner than later. Keep a look out for his concerts and club dates — you may get to experience piano jazz at its modern best. (continued on page 11) photo: Vincent Soyez
Dancing To Architecture and Media Outage ©2014 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 persons. GAAMC is pronounced "GAY-mick". Did you enjoy Dancing? Or what? Tell me: bearealman AT gmail.com; always an email link in the Contributors bio on page 3.
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RAIN: A Solution for Homeless LGBT Youth
We offer educational and financial responsibility resources as well as wrap-around services in substance abuse, mental health counseling, and drug testing. We are dedicated to bringing opportunities to troubled individuals in Greater Newark and Elaine Helms the surrounding communities.
by Elaine Helms DID YOU KNOW??? Studies show that 26% of young gay males surveyed had to leave home because they were not accepted once they came out to their families. Another study of gay and lesbian youth found that two out of five had been physically assaulted, with more than three-fifths of the incident’s having occurring in their homes. LGBT youth are two to three times as likely as their heterosexual counterparts to attempt suicide. Housing is a major social determinate of health and a mitigating risk factor for HIV/STD infection. When you can’t go home, there aren’t many options you have, especially if you are an LGBTQ adolescent. As many as 40 percent of LGBTQ youth aren’t welcome at home when they made the decision to come out about their sexuality. I founded the Essex LGBT Reaching Adolescents In Need (RAIN) Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, to provide emergency shelter services to address the emergent need of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals experiencing a crisis leading to homelessness. The programs promote self-sufficiency and independence to enhance our residents’ ability to function within their communities and help adolescents lead healthy, productive, and meaningful lives. Homelessness is real for many youth & adolescents in America and it’s especially real for those who identify as LGBTQ. Not all family members are accepting, regardless of race or ethnic background. Unfortunately, family can be the source for mental and physical abuse within the household. Our doors are open to anyone who identifies as LGBTQ. By providing housing and an array of detailed, relevant, and responsive services, we can start to help them transition and heal from any past or resent situations and open up a world of opportunities that will enable them to develop sustainable skills and live productive lives. Our general mission is to provide shelter, but we are also making sure that anyone under our roof has access to effective programming to get them on the right track to self-sufficiency and sustainability. Our goal is to work with each person who comes through our doors and help them become upstanding citizens within the community. The culture within the home is supportive, encouraging, and socially responsible. The support shelter is located at 168 Park Street in East Orange and is currently licensed by the DCA, qualifying us to shelter 12 LGBTQ adolescents in need of emergency shelter services.
All current funding comes by way of creative fundraising efforts and personal donations. In the meantime, we’re consistently submitting grant applications to organizations that support the LGBTQ and homeless community. We’re now on the radar of people who have reached out to ask what we need. We’re more confident now that RAIN will grow to help support many members of the LGBTQ community. Meanwhile, we are working on board development, community partner development, additional fundraising, and finding more people that are passionate about this cause. Volunteers such as those that have experience in social work, grant writing, marketing and PR, landscaping and gardening, snow removal, home repair, outreach, intake, and much more can really help reduce operational expenses. WHAT WE DO: Assist in helping LGBT young adults devise plans to have healthy relationships, employment, stable housing, and positive lives. Partner with promising organizations to create a network of valuable resources our adolescents can depend on to assist them in achieving their goals. Foster an environment built on green, responsible, and sustainable living. Provide behavioral health services and programming to help empower our young adults to live satisfying lives. Listen, access, and encourage our young adults to strive for permanent independence by planning, saving, and making good choices leading to self-sufficiency. Build a sense of family and connection that many young adults have lost or never had effectively. By collaborative, supportive partnering with local and national community organizations, we can strengthen our commitment and creditability to our young people. By continuing to invest in our youth, we help in reducing their long-term need and dependence and enhance their ability to grow into strong, focused, wellrounded members of the community. If you have a special interest in serving the community and want to bring your expertise and unique gifts to the table, please consider joining our board, becoming a advisory board member, volunteering and/or donating to this wonderful cause. To learn more about the Essex County LGBT RAIN Foundation, visit us online at www.EssexLGBThousing.org or call us at 732-707-RAIN.
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GAAMC Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes, August 21, 2014 Attendance Voting Trustees: DeLeeuw, Dinkin, Gygax, Kennedy, Lucek, Rase, Sauer, Schaublin, Suiter Non-Voting Attendees: Allen Neuner The meeting began at 7:00 pm. I. Adoption of minutes: The minutes of the June meeting were approved 8-0-1 (moved, Suiter; seconded, Dinkin; Sauer abstained). II.Old Business: Macy's Shop for a Cause: Event was held August 23rd Labor Day Social: A DVD of past $1.98 shows will be shown $1.98 Beauty Pageant: Cannot be combined with Hallowe'en Social because food cannot be taken into auditorium III.New Business: Labor Day Social: General discussion on what items will be brought by Board members, and what others will be encouraged to bring. Member Renewal Desk needs to be staffed, and the Square device needs to be available for credit card processing. Facebook will be used to call for volunteers. Ron will print copies of the renewal form for Gordon. NJ Legislature: Frank raised the issue that there is no law recognizing out-of-state marriages. He will look for more information. The Board was asked to invite Tim Eustace as a speaker for Vote Your Issues in October. IV. Reports: President: Sherri Rase — Written report on file. Treasurer: John DeLeeuw — Written report on file. Challenge: Allen Neuner — Stuffing will be August 25; deadline for October issue is September 15. Programs: Sherri Rase — Written report on file. The need still exists to get the word out about events. Discussion Group Resources: Gordon Sauer — Written report on file. Development Committee: Gordon Sauer — Written report on file. Socials: John DeLeeuw — oral report given. Pride Events: Mickey Suiter — Jersey City Pride is October 25. Webmaster: Andy Skurna — Written report on file. V. Save These Dates: August 25, Members Market September 1, Labor Day Cookout September 8, GAAMC's 42nd Anniversary September 15, Wo/Men's Only Space September 22, Extended Open Talk September 29, College Night October 6, Vote Your Issues VI. Ideas & Suggestions: none. VII.Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed unanimously (moved, Dinkin; seconded, Sauer). The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.
Gleanings
(continued from page 5) A transgender woman in India has become the country's first transgender television news anchor. Padmini Prakash, a former dancer and actor, will anchor a primetime news show on the Lotus News Channel. (The Times of India) Queen Elizabeth II officially granted a royal pardon to computer scientist Alan Turing, who committed suicide in 1954 following a conviction over a relationship with another man. Turing, who famously broke the Enigma code used by Nazi Germany during World War II, was convicted of "gross indecency" in 1952 at a time when consensual sex between same-sex partners was considered a crime under British law. (The Telegraph, London) Russia's Constitutional Court released a ruling upholding a law that bans gay "propaganda." The decision reaffirms a lower court ruling from last year. "The contested provisions [of the Russian legislation] are not intended to ban homosexuality as is, and cannot be viewed as allowing to curb the rights of citizens based on their sexual orientation," the ruling stated. (PinkNews.co.uk) The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has added a non-discrimination clause to its contract with any future host city, to take effect with the 2022 Olympics. The new contract states that a host city would be required to follow this part of the official Olympic Charter: "Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement." The IOC came under widespread criticism for allowing the most recent Olympics to be held in Sochi, Russia after that country passed a series of anti-gay laws; one made it illegal to show any kind of public support for homosexuality. The three 2022 candidate cities are Oslo, Beijing, and Almaty, Kazakhstan. (Gay Star News)
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Dancing To Architecture™ (continued from page 8)
Q◂
Bob Mould ~ Beauty & Ruin
The man has an acclaimed history that precedes it, but his solo career alone has weathered the ups and downs of a span long enough that he is now eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Still, I believe Bob Mould is woefully under-appreciated. The band Husker Du may not be a household name, the band Sugar might at best be cult-hit wonders, and the despairing solo albums may be hard for some to listen to. But what I appeal to be heard about most is that his widely-disparaged album Modulate and the pseudonymous anagram Loud Bomb album Long Playing Grooves be re-examined and seen as turn-of-the-millenium works of genius. They are long past due to be recognized for inventing new directions for EDM, long before EDM became the huge phenomenon it is now. And BLOWOUT, the Gay Men’s dance parties, geared to Bears but welcoming all, (found in cities across the U.S. for a decade, but now ended) set the standard for men’s parties without the trappings. Fergahdsake: He wrote The Daily Show’s theme song! Bob Mould is the man behind it all. The creative engine, the life given to exploring music without category or confining box. Beauty & Ruin, Mould's new album, is a worthy follow-up to Silver Age, also packed with Loud Rock treasures. Inspired by the simply profound act of living his life, he just keeps finding new peaks of creativity to reach for and attain. Mould has found his voice, then questioned and become insecure about his voice, and regained his voice so many times now that his toolbox of talents give even his simplest-seeming Rock album a depth of character earned from stepping toward higher ground whenever doubt or adversity struck. In another authentic move, Mould promotes "Beauty & Ruin" seriously by not taking himself seriously in his FunnyOrDie.com video for "I Don’t Know You Any More". (Look for the (loud) bomb logo shaped like an Apple™ icon.) Despite all that, he doesn’t exactly have celebrity status. And maybe that’s because, contrary to what many think of about musicians, entertainers, and Gay Men in p a r t i c u l a r, B o b Mould’s life now appears to have valued something more than what society asks of an entertainer. Like wisdom. Based on his past decade and a half, Bob Mould music should come with a warning label:
CAUTION Wisdom On Display. A particular Rock & Roll wisdom. The man rocks with a passionate depth which every young Rock & Roller should aspire to — but many can only hope to attain. Mould’s talents lift Beauty & Ruin to that place where Rock channels its artistic bonafides, the spot that dares to appear disposable and shoddy but which demands you scratch its skin to see the blood and the passion seething just beneath. Hell, the title alone: Beauty & Ruin! Think of that! It’s a hook to hang the idea on that youth and age are possessed within a person’s lifetime — and Mould hangs black and white photos of himself then and now, like jackets on hooks, on the face of the album jacket. I had to consciously restart breathing when I first heard that album title. From the use of a Rock-standard single note drone throughout the many changes of "Little Glass Pill," to "I Don’t Know You Any More" — another in a long list of Mould’s catchy Grunge-Rock Pop song, to the ironic juxtapositions of nonsense doot-doots sung in "Nemeses Are Laughing," its "sweet cinnamon spice" and "hummingbirds" against a thick jangle of reverberant guitars (and those "Hummingbirds are always hours away from death") Mould does what he does best: He creates yet more new spaces for him to play, to explore, to discover new possibilities, within boundaries which are confining for lesser talents. By incorporating a touch of grit, or sheen, or depth, he transforms these common tropes into powerful listening experiences. A peak powerful moment occurs on "The War." The first verse demands "Listen to my voice / It’s the only weapon I kept from the war." With those words, one is caught short, unable to equal its blunt message with blunt listening. You're only able to muster as much empathy as one can for the next metaphor: "This war we fought was violent and long / Weeks turned into years but we kept on keeping on." Mould has revealed that it's a song about his relationship with his father, but the lyrics leave room to be about your relationship struggles too. A post-wars aura enfuses it with heightened awareness and mundane significance. Beauty & Ruin concludes in a triptych of furious, life-affirming railings against the faces of darkness with "Tomorrow Morning," "Let The Beauty Be" and "Fix It": "The magic and depression / It settles in like cancer of the soul … / Fix it, fix it, fill it up / Time to fill your heart with love"). To s a v o r t h e lyrics, sample the songs and, oh, not so by the way, own a copy, go to Merge Records.
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GAY ACTIVIST ALLIANCE IN MORRIS COUNTY
Officers President (President@GAAMC.org) — Sherri Rase VP Community Services (Info@GAAMC.org) — Gordon Sauer VP Operations (Operations@GAAMC.org) — Mickey Suiter Secretary (Secretary@GAAMC.org) — Ron Kennedy Treasurer (Treasurer@GAAMC.org) — John DeLeeuw Trustees Kerry Dinkin, Marty Grifone, Joe Gygax, Frank Lucek, Rich Schaublin, Liz Slicer Committee Chairs & Functional Officers Challenge Editor — Allen Neuner (Challenge@GAAMC.org) Discussion Group Resources — Gordon Sauer (Discussions@GAAMC.org) GAAMC Outings — Open Information — Andy Skurna (FreeLibrary@GAAMC.org) Membership — Open Pride Events — Mickey Suiter Pride Guide — Andy Skurna (PrideGuide@GAAMC.org) Programs — Sherri Rase (Programs@GAAMC.org) Publicity — Open Socials — John DeLeeuw (Socials@GAAMC.org) Webmaster — Andy Skurna (Webmaster@GAAMC.org)
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. Annual membership dues are: Regular, $40/single, $70/couple; Students/Seniors, $30/single, $60/couple. Those looking to help out at GAAMC can contact Gordon Sauer at Info@GAAMC.org. How to reach GAAMC Mail: PO Box 137, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Telephone: 973-285-1595 Email: 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 13th
October 20th
October 27th
Verse and Performance
Beauty Queens & Kings
Scary Good Fun
See "GAAMC Events", page 2, for more details!
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Bulletin Board EXTRA! Three events are coming your way from the New Jersey LGBT Chamber of Commerce in October! First up, on October 6th, is Gay Night Out, an evening of casual socializing at CODA Kitchen and Bar in Maplewood. This will be followed by two back-to-back events: OUT Professionals, on October 21st at De Novo European Pub in Upper Montclair, and Connect & Mix, on October 22nd at LITM in Jersey City, both designed to facilitate making professional contacts in the LGBT community in a relaxed social setting. All three events have free admission! For more information about the Chamber, visit their website at www.njlgbtchamber.org.
Our friends at The Theater Project in Maplewood invite you to join them for PS 69: A Teacher Grows in Brooklyn, a one-woman show cowritten by and starring lesbian performance artist Susan Jeremy! Susan's play, winner of the Best Comedy award at the Montreal Fringe Festival and acclaimed by critics, takes us through the bureaucratic mazes and chaotic corridors of the NYC school system. She recreates the personalities of the teachers, administrators, parents, and students she met on her way to becoming an educator — her parallel career to performance art. Plus, after each performance, Susan will dialogue with the audience! There are only four performances, October 16th thru 19th, at the Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts in Maplewood, so get your tickets now by visiting The Theater Project's website at www.thetheaterproject.org!