Snowflakes Fall; Hilarity Ensues!
CHALLENGE
The Newsletter of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County Serving New Jersey’s GLBTI Communities Since 1972 Volume 42, Issue 1, February 2016
You Are GAAMC by Mickey Suiter The beginning of a new year is often a time to take stock of our lives -- where we’ve been and where we’re going. In the case of GAAMC, each year we have an early January program called “Fresh Perspectives” where the Board asks GAAMC’s members what they want the organization to be in the coming year. We do that, not because we’ve run out of ideas, but because GAAMC belongs to its members, not the Board. What GAAMC is and does is up to you.
little jobs that need to be done on a regular basis to keep things moving smoothly. In the past maybe we haven’t communicated well enough just exactly what is involved in making GAAMC work. We all just did our various tasks and things kept flowing. But in the coming months we’re going to make more of an effort to let you know what these little tasks are and how you can help. We’re not looking for someone to take on running the whole organization (at least not right now), but lending a hand on a specific project now and then would be greatly appreciated.
If you have an idea of what you would like to see GAAMC do, talk to an officer, Board trustee, or committee chair. We want your ideas for programs, discussions, outings, or social or political action -- or anything Inside Challenge else you think we could be Challenge Information ........................... page 2 doing to help our members GAAMC Events for February ................ page 2 and our community. Even Gleanings -- Queer news from more, we want your help. A around the world ................................. page 3 few individuals, no matter GAAMC: 2015 in Dollars and Cents ..... page 4 how dedicated, can’t do eveSo Long, Farewell?................................. page 4 rything. February Q-munity Calendar ................ page 5 GAAMC Outing Announcement ............ page 7 GAAMC Board Meeting Minutes .......... page 8 Although we’re a small organGAAMC Information ........................... page 10 ization, there are many, many Trans Lunacy or Just Media Lunacy? ............................................................ page 11
Challenge Extra, containing OutGayMusic’s Top Q-BGLT Albums of 2015 by Bill Stella can be found at www.issuu.com/GAAMC
Remember, GAAMC is its members. It is what we all make of it . You have the power to make things better for our organization and community. This is your GAAMC. Think about it and tell us what you want.
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Volume 42, Number 1 February 2016 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. E-mail 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-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 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.
February 2016
GAAMC Events for February 2016 Open Talk Discussion Group Weekly discussion group, open to all. Every Monday, in the Library. Moderators: Gordon (Feb 15, 22); Liz (Feb 1, 29); Sherri (Feb 8). NOTE: Open Talk does not meet on Film Festival nights.
Weekly Programs Main meetings start at 8:00 unless otherwise stated. Discussion groups start at 7:00. February 1: Pride Around the World It’s only February, but InterPride, the international organization of LGBTQ Pride organizers, is already in the throes of planning. How is Pride celebrated around the world? What good does a party in the United States do for Prides who are in more hostile environents, like Uganda and Latvia? Discover how what individuals do around the world sends ripples everywhere when Sherri Rase, InterPride’s Vice President of Member Services, facilitates a discussion on worldwide Pride! February 8: Playlist a-Go-Go It’s so difficult to determine how best to observe a holiday like Valentine’s Day. There’s less than a week to go, and your one-andonly (or the candidate for that spot) needs to know what’s in your heart. ”Music hath charms,” or so the saying goes, and often music is the best way to express the depth of emotion in your heart. Our panel of music aficionados will offer their song suggestions and advice to spice up that mix tape dedicated to the one you love. Current Events Discussion Group Discussion of topics in the news. In the Terrace Room. Moderator: Frank. Topic: Issues being brought forth by the Republican presidential candidates. February 15: Lovefest Social We at GAAMC love Valentine’s Day so much, we’re extending it for one more night! Bring your loved one, whether long-term or brand new, to sample the delights of our potluck dessert buffet. Planning to bring a treat of your own to share? Contact John at Social @GAAMC.org to let him know what you’ll be bringing! February 22: Energy Awareness and YOU! No, it’s not electricity or gas, solar or wind. Kendra Alyce, the Sunday psychic at Blu Lotus Metaphysical Store in Montclair, joins us tonight to lead simple exercises in energy awareness and energy cleaning. Kendra is the event facilitator with the Rutherford Spiritual Development Group and will share some simple tips to put pep in your spiritual step. February 29: Rant-A-Palooza What’s the burr under your saddle? What makes your heart sing? This is your chance to take a GAAMC minute to tell us all about it. Don’t know how long a GAAMC minute is? Same as a regular minute, with an interesting sound effect if you go over the limit… This is one of our most popular events, and it’s great practice for organizing your thoughts and saying your piece succinctly so everyone gets a shot at fame! 20-Something Discussion Group: Monthly group for young members of the queer communities. In the Dining Room. Moderator: Nick. Topic: “All the World’s a Stage: Perceptions of LGBTQ People in the Media”. March 7: to be announced Sorry, folks, but as of press time we didn’t have information about tonight’s program. Check GAAMC.org for up-to-date information about tonight’s event. March 14: St. Patrick’s Day Social Time to share your corned beef, your cabbage, your soda bread (with thick Irish butter) at this, GAAMC’s annual potluck salute to one of the most legendary denizens of the Emerald Isle! To let us know wat you’re planning to bring, send an e-mail to Socials@GAAMC.org!
February 2016
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Gleanings Queer News from across the nation and around the world The New Jersey Legislature failed to override Governor Chris Christie’s (R) veto of a bill to allow transgendered individuals to amend the sex on their birth certificate, even though the bill had Republican support and sponsorship. The bill would drop the requirement that a transgendered person must undergo a sex change, but they still must certify that they’ve undergone “clinically appropriate” gender transition therapy .“This is who they are,” Senator Joe Vitale (D), a bill sponsor, said on the Senate floor. “This is their birth certificate. It belongs to them.” The override attempt in the Senate fell one vote short. All 24 Democrats and two Republicans, Senators Diane Allen and Christopher “Kip” Bateman, voted to override Christie. The rest of the Republicans voted no. Christie vetoed the measure citing security concerns and the potential for “legal uncertainties.” New Jersey already allows individuals to change the sex on their driver’s license without having had a sex change. (NorthJersey.com) The Princeton Board of Education unanimously approved a policy that spells out the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming students. The policy defines several terms related to gender identity as a guide for staff members and students who may be unfamiliar with the issue and affirms the right of students to choose how they want to be identified by others, such as which pronouns to use. It also states that students can choose which restrooms and locker rooms they want to use based on their gender identity. Board President Andrea Spalla said the policy is not meant to be used as a one-size-fitsall approach toward transgender and gendernonconforming students, but rather as a roadmap for staff and students to follow when negotiating gender-identity issues at school. (NewsWorks.org) Eric Fanning has stepped down as Acting Secretary of the Army because the US Senate has not yet confirmed his nomination to become the first openly gay head of any service in the US military. Fanning, 47, was nominated by Obama back in September but has not yet been confirmed. Fanning is already the highest ranking openly gay member of the Department of Defense. He had been serving as Acting Secretary since last fall. He will work, at least for now, in the office of the Secretary of Defense. Fanning has had Defense Department jobs spanning several military branches, having served as Air Force under secretary, deputy under secretary of the Navy and deputy chief management officer of the Navy. He most recently had been acting under secretary of the Army and is a close civilian adviser to Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter. (GayStarNews.com) Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore resumed his fight against same-sex marriage today by ordering probate judges in the state to no longer issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Despite a ruling last June by
the US Supreme Court that made same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states, Moore insists that the high court ruling only affected bans in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. Moore claims his order not to issue licenses from last March still stands and that "Alabama probate judges have a ministerial duty not to issue any marriage license contrary to the Alabama Sanctity of Marriage Amendment or the Alabama Marriage Protection Act.” Scott McCoy, senior staff attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center said, ‘In no way does his administrative order supersede the federal injunction prohibiting probate judges from enforcing discriminatory Alabama marriage laws. If probate judges violate the injunction, they can be held in contempt.” (GayStarNews.com) The Kansas Court of Appeals recognized abortion as a constitutional right under the Kansas Constitution. Doctors Herbert Hodes and Traci Nauser of Overland Park and the Center for Reproductive Rights battled the state’s appeal of a lower court case that would have banned the safest, most commonly used form of second trimester abortion. This is the first time the Kansas Court of Appeals recognized abortion as a constitutional right under the Kansas Constitution, the same protection for abortion rights as the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution. (Governing.com) In Tennessee, a controversial bill that would have nullified the US Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on gay marriage was killed in the committee stage. The state house’s civil justice subcommittee voted 4-1 against the Tennessee Natural Marriage Defense Act sponsored by Republican Representative Mark Pody, who said God told him to file the bill because gay marriage was ‘wicked.’ Six counties passed resolutions in support of the measure bill and 80% of voters approved a similar amendment to the state constitution in 2006. According to the Tennessee general assembly’s fiscal review committee, the bill could have cost the state $8.5 billion in federal funding to state Medicaid and services for low-income families if it had passed. (GayStarNews.com) Hood County, Texas, Clerk Katie Lang’s price tag for her futile exercise of “religious freedom” is over $40,000, which will probably be paid by county taxpayers. Lang refused to issue Jim Cato and Joe Stapleton a marriage license, citing her deeply held religious beliefs. She later relented, saying someone else in her office would issue the license, but told the couple she wouldn’t have the forms for another three weeks. When Jim and Joe told her they downloaded the forms online, printed them, and then filled them out in her office, she refused to accept them. The couple were finally granted a marriage license the day they filed a federal lawsuit against Lang. A settlement for almost $44,000, which is the attorneys’ fee, was finally reached. (TheNewCivilRightsMovement.com) (continued on page 9)
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February 2016
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GAAMC: 2015 in Dollars and Cents by Andy Skurna, Treasurer 2015 was a dramatic year, fiscally speaking. We opened the year with a net worth of $7,391.36. Through a tremendous amount of hard work by our volunteers, to be outdone only by even greater generosity of our supporters, we were able to end the year with a net worth of $8,754.84. That may seem like only a small bump, but things were rater dicey through the summer. For example, we closed June with a net worth of only $5,425.70. During the second half of the year, we.improved our net worth by 61.3% in six months. THAT IS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT!!! I think we all deserve a pat on the back!
Income in 2015 Weekly Door Donations Contributions (Fund-raising Dinners, Employer Programs, etc.) Membership Dues Miscellaneous income (mostly ticket sales to GAAMC Outings)
$6,716.00 $5,165.07 $2,574.00 $591.00
Total income:
$15,046.07
Expenses in 2015 Rents (Morristown Unitarian Fellowship & U.S. Postal Service) Liability Insurance Literature & Printing (General & Administrative) Refreshments (Monday nights) Miscellaneous (Tickets for GAAMC Outings, T-shirts, etc.) Refreshments (Socials) Advertising Expense (Email Broadcasting, Online Calendar, Meetup) Professional Fees (Talent for I Am Enough) Literature & Printing (Challenge) Office Expenses Pride Events Postage (Challenge) Programs Website Hosting Banking & Credit Card Fees Postage (General & Administrative) Total Expenses:
$5,690.00 $1,497.41 $1,041.25 $959.29 $838.08 $789.74 $728.76 $562.00 $512.75 $424.73 $215.00 $127.00 $100.00 $97.91 $55.13 $44.10 $13,683.15
So Long, Farewell‌? According to our records, the following members will see their memberships lapse this month. If you feel your name is here in error, please contact our Webmaster, Andy Skurna. Allen N., Somerville Diane D., Edison John D., Boonton Kathy T., Edison Nick S., East Hanover Sherri R., Edison You can renew by going to GAAMC.org, or at any Monday night meeting of GAAMC.
February 2016
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February 2016 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 #QSpot LGBT Community Center: 732-455-3373; info@jsqspot.org 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
908-791-3764 7:30 pm - Men’s HIV support group, Asbury Park; 732-7755084; apstillpoz@yahoo.com 7:30 pm - Positive Yoga, Oradell * 8:00 pm – Primary Purpose Group, Ocean Grove# 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
Tuesday - Saturday Project WOW! youth center, Newark; variable hours; njcri.org; 973-412-7080
Every Wednesday 10:30 am - The Wellness Community, Jersey City; 201-4321134; info@hyacinth.org 2:30 pm - RU Pride, Newark; 973-353-5716 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 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 12:30 pm – SOS meeting, Ocean Grove# 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 Noon- QSpot Job Resource Center, Ocean Grove# 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 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 6:30 pm - Double Jeopardy peer support group, Hackensack* 6:30 pm – Men of Hudson Pride, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - Sexual Assault Survivor Support, Princeton; www.hitops.org 7:00 pm – Visions HIV Support Group, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm - Rainbows on Cleveland Street, Orange; 973-2565936; rbowsoncleveland@aol.com 7:30 pm - Writers group, Highland Park †
Every Tuesday Noon - Men's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org Noon- QSpot Job Resource Center, Ocean Grove# 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 6:00 pm - TransView, Jersey City ‡ 6:00 pm - SAGE, Jersey City ‡ 7:30 pm - Tuesday Night Lesbian Connection, Bound Brook;
Every Friday 3:00 pm - WAVE Youth, Ocean Grove; 732-455-3373; qspot.org 6:00 pm - Youth Connect, Jersey City ‡ 6:15 pm - Gay Men's AA, Ocean Grove; 732-455-3373; qspot.org
01 Mon 10:00 am -- Something Positive treatment adherence workshop, Newark; www.njcri.org 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 7:00 pm – HIV Testing, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Raices Latinas LGBT, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park†
03 Wed 5:30 pm – Hudson County HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council, Jersey City ‡ 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm – Jersey Boys of Leather, Highland Park†
02 Tue 5:00 pm – Identity Expression Group, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm – LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616
Every Saturday 7:00 - Project Wow! Kiki Function, Newark; www.njcri.org
04 Thu 7:00 pm –Coffee social Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park† 05 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park;†
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06 Sat 2:30 pm – First & Third for GLBTI Youth, Princeton; 609-6835155; www.HiTOPS.org 7:30 pm –WAMP!, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Havdalah & Potluck Dinner, Sayreville; njlgh.onefireplace.com 07 Sun 2:00 pm – Central NJ Rope Share, Highland Park† 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-857-4040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com 6:30 pm – Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol@msn.com 08 Mon 7:30 pm – PFLAG of Morris County, Mendham; 973-543-7229; craig.bcc@verizon.net 7:30 pm – Young Men’s Social Network, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – PFLAG, Princeton; 609-663-5155; www.pflagprinceton.org 7:30 pm – Hot Topics 4 Lesbians, Ocean Grove# 09 Tue 7:30 pm – Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park† 10 Wed 7:00 pm – QSpot Book Club, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm – Wednesday Night Women’s Hang Out, Highland Park† 11 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 7:00 pm – HIV Testing, Highland Park† 7:30 pm -- PFLAG of North Jersey, South Orange; 908-7897489; pflagwaver@aol.com 7:30 pm -- Alternate Thursdays, Montclair; kjdinkin@comcast.net 8:00 pm – Booked for Supper Highland Park† 12 Fri 1:00 pm -- Women's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org 4:00 pm -- SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 13 Sat 1:00 pm – Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 1:00 pm – Women of Pride, Jersey City‡ 7:00 pm – Men’s Movie Night, Highland Park;† 7:30 pm – Dignity New Brunswick gay Catholic liturgy; 732-9689263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 14 Sun 2:00 pm – Male Drawing Session, Highland Park† 6:00 pm – Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02@worldnet.att.net 6:00 pm – Bob Egan’s Open Mic, Ocean Grove# 15 Mon 7:00 pm -- Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero@umdnj.edu 7:30 pm – Raices Latinas LGBT, Highland Park† 16 Tue 5:00 pm – Identity Expression Group, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm – Lesbian Alliance of Princeton; 609-924-8174; Loisj@msn.com 7:30 pm -- PFLAG of Hunterdon County, Flemington; 908-752-
February 2016 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 17 Wed 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez@comcast.net 18 Thu 7:00 pm – GAAMC board meeting, Morristown; all GAAMC members are invited to attend. 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Northwest NJ, Sparta; 973-729-9909 19 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm – Dignity New Brunswick social; 732-968-9263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 7:30 pm – Movie Night Out, Ocean Grove# 7:45 pm – Out of the Box Open Mic, Highland Park† 20 Sat 2:00 pm – NJ Hypnokink, Highland Park;† 2:30 pm – First & Third for GLBTI Youth, Princeton; 609-6835155; 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 21 Sun 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-837-4040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com 4:00 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 22 Mon 7:30 pm – NJ Rope Bite, Highland Park;† 23 Tue 8:30 pm – Men’s Social Night, Highland Park† 24 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† 25 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 26 Fri 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 27 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 28 Sun 4:00 pm – In the Spirit, Highland Park; njlgh.onefireplace.com
February 2016
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Saturday, February 20, 2016 The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, located at 21 Wooster Street in New York, is the first dedicated LGBTQ art museum in the world with a mission to exhibit and preserve LGBTQ art and foster the artists who create it. The Museum maintains a collection of over 24,000 works, and retains an artist archive that contains information on over 1,900 LGBTQ artists, both those represented in the collection and others of interest to LGBTQ audiences. Admission to the museum is FREE. If we can guarantee a group of at least 10, we may ask the museum to provide a tour guide. Mass transit: Each person is responsible for getting to the museum, but if you live near NJ Transit's Morris and Essex line a group will be getting on the train that departs Dover at 12:05 PM (Morristown @12:23 PM, Madison @12:31 PM, Orange @1:04 PM) arriving at NY Penn Station at 1:39 PM. Check NJTransit.com for fares. From NY Penn Station, we will take the A Train to Canal St, then walk 2-3 short blocks to the museum. Hoofing it? Sherri Rase would like to help organize a group who would prefer to get a hearty walk in before arriving at the museum. Sherri is planning to walk the entire length of the High Line park, starting at 1:00 PM, then meander through Greenwich Village to the museum. Total walk is approximately 2 miles. Contact Sherri at Programs@GAAMC.org if you'd like to join her. Dinner plans: For each outing, there is usually a meal planned either before or after. This time, after the museum closes, or when the group decides, we will walk back to the "Canal St." subway stop (located at 35 6th Avenue), and pop into the AOA Bar and Grill, roughly 20 feet from the "Canal St." subway entrance. They offer a small but diverse menu of salads, sides, soups, personal pizzas, sandwiches and complete dinners. Check out the menu at www.AOABarandGrillNYC.com. Primary organizer for this GAAMC Outing is Nick Santangelo from the 20-Somethings group. If you cannot reach Nick at one of our Monday night meetings, contact Outings Chairman Jay Kohn at Outings@GAAMC.org.
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February 2016
GAAMC Board Minutes
GAAMC Board Minutes
November 19, 2015
December 17, 2015
Members: DeLeeuw, Gayle, Kennedy, Kohn, Rase, Schaublin, Skurna, Slicer Non-Voting Attendees: Allen Neuner; Dev Gannon; Gordon Sauer; Mickey Suiter
Members: Gayle, Kennedy, Lucek, Rase, Schaublin, Skurna, Slicer Non-Voting Attendees: Dev Gannon; Gordon Sauer; Mickey Suiter
The meeting was called to order at 7:07
The meeting was called to order at 7:05.
The minutes of the October meeting were approved (moved, Gayle; seconded, Schaublin).
The minutes of the November meeting were approved (moved, Rase; seconded, Gayle).
Old/Current Business: The Membership Committee reminded the Board about the importance of matching gifts and charitable donations. The Board was encouraged to ask members about Board service. Only two GAAMC members attended the Luna Stage production of The Tall Girls.
Board Elections: Elections were held in accordance with bylaws. The slate of nominees was uncontested and passed unanimously by the membership on December 14.
New Business: The Board approved charging a fixed table fee for vendors at the Members Market (moved Schaublin; seconded Kennedy). Rich suggested an activist for LGBT children as a guest speaker; the idea was tabled pending more information. The Board received a letter from the Tyler Clementi Foundation thanking them for the generous contribution from members after Judy Clementi made a presentation at an earlier Monday meeting. Reports Treasurer (Andy Skurna): The insurance has been paid. A fundraising dinner held by Gordon and Jav was successful. Challenge (Allen Neuner): Items for the year-end December/January issue are due November 15th. Webmaster (Andy Skurna) Programs (Sherri Rase) Socials (John DeLeeuw) Discussion Group Resources (Gordon Sauer) Development (Gordon Sauer) Social Action (Gordon Sauer) GAAMC Pride (Mickey Suiter) Ideas and Suggestions: To make Board meetings more efficient, it was suggested that ideas be shared and discussed in advance, since the Board meeting is not a good venue for brainstorming. A January Board Retreat was discussed. A motion to adjourn was approved (moved, Kennedy; seconded, Skurna).
Old/Current Business: The Board was reminded that GAAMC accepts restricted donations directed for specific events, organizations, projects, and needs. New Business: There was discussion on how to cultivate new Board members. The Board received an NNCW Sponsorship request from GLSEN. The Board was reminded that Outings must be led by a GAAMC Trustee if it is to be associated with our name. Reports Treasurer (Andy Skurna): There was a slight profit made in November.. Challenge (Allen Neuner): January 15 is the due date for the February issue. Webmaster (Andy Skurna): Online content is needed. A new platfor, NationBuilder, was recommended but no action was taken at this time. Programs (Sherri Rase): Add an event for Toastmasters on February 22. Socials (John DeLeeuw) Discussion Group Resources (Gordon Sauer) Development (Gordon Sauer): Each Board member needs to “own” a project. Board members need to practice “active listening”. Social Action (Gordon Sauer) GAAMC Pride (Mickey Suiter): Jersey Pride 25 will be the first Sunday in June. Ideas and Suggestions: Dev suggested we consider other social media outlets to reach other potential members. Andy stated a new Pride Guide was in the works, to be ready in March. A motion to adjourn was approved (moved, Kennedy; seconded, Gayle).
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 pm.
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Gleanings (continued from page 3) The Empire State Pride Agenda, after 25 years of groundbreaking advocacy and service to New York’s LGBT community resulting in over 100 state legislative and policy victories, will conclude major operations in 2016. The organization will maintain its Political Action Committee in order to play a continuing role in electoral politics. The announcement follows unanimous votes by the Boards of Directors of the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation, Inc. and the Empire State Pride Agenda, Inc., to wind down their operations in first half of 2016. The Boards’ decision comes on the heels of securing the Pride Agenda’s top remaining policy priority –
protecting transgender New Yorkers from discrimination in housing, employment, credit, education and public accommodations – in the form of new regulations announced in partnership with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo at the organization’s Fall Dinner last October. (PrideAgenda.org) Researchers at UCLA have found that Truvada used as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is as safe as aspirin in the short to medium term. After comparing five major studies on PrEP and two major studies on aspirin safety, the researchers concluded, “PrEP for HIV infection favorably compares to aspirin in terms of user safety. While longterm studies are needed, providers should feel reassured about the safety of short- and medium-term PrEP for HIV infection with [Truvada].’ The US Food and Drug Administration approved Truvada as PrEP in 2012, and the Centers for Disease Control recommended that one in four sexually active gay and bisexual men take the pill. An estimated 21,000 Americans are on PrEP. (GayStarNews) Germany’s Bundestag will soon discuss two proposed laws which would extend marriage to include same-sex couples. The lower house’s judicial committee refused to discuss the left-wing fraction’s proposed laws for the ‘introduction of the right of marriage for people of the same gender’ for the third time in a row. Both governing parties, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union and the Social Democrats, voted against the committee’s decision due to coalition agreements. Renate Kuehnat, leading the Green Party, made use of a loophole in the procedural rules allowing a minority to demand a debate of an interim or status report if it has not been discussed 10 weeks after the motion was first presented. In October, following an update on law regulating civil partnerships, numerous MPs passed a motion demanding marriage equality. The speaker’s office now must decide if and when the debate will be set. (GayStarNews.com) Greece will now legally recognize same-sex couples. The country’s parliament passed a new civil partnership bill by a vote of 194-55, making Greece the 26th European country to recognize same-sex partnerships. Civil partnerships have been available to heterosexual couples in Greece since 2009. (GayStarNews.com) India has voted to keep gay sex illegal. Shashi Tharoor (National Congress Party), a member of Parliament, in-
troduced a private members bill to end the country’s law that makes sex between millions of men a crime. The Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s parliament, voted against the bill by a vote of 71 to 24. Homosexuality was declared legal by the Delhi High Court in 2009 but the Indian Supreme Court reversed that ruling in December of 2014. The bill’s supporters plan to re-introduce it later this year. (GayStarNews.com) The Israeli military announced that it has scrapped a ban on HIV-positive recruits and will soon begin enlisting HIV-positive soldiers to non-combat roles. Military conscription is mandatory for all secular Jewish citizens of Israel, but HIV-positive people were automatically deemed unfit for service. This shift in policy makes the nation one of the most progressive in the world in terms of inclusion towards a community that remains largely stigmatized. After the new policy is put into effect, HIVpositive people will be able to enlist and serve in a variety of positions, excepting combat roles. While only a small number of people are expected to be affected per year, this marks a very important step for the acceptance of people with HIV into society and reducing the social stigma. Gays, lesbians, and bisexuals have been able to serve openly in the military since 1993, with transgender people being afforded the same right in 2013. (Ha’aretz) A Russian State Duma committee rejected a bill banning people from coming out as gay. The legislation, introduced last October by Communist Party MPs Ivan Nikitchuk and Nikolai Arefyev, would have punished “the public expression of non-traditional sexual relations” by up to 15 days imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 rubles ($80). Dmitry Vyatkin, deputy chairman of the committee on constitutional legislation and state-building, said that the draft bill was rejected “primarily due to the fact that from a formal legal perspective, the bill was illiterate.” In 2013, the State Duma passed Russia’s infamous gay ‘propaganda’ law, which bans the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality to minors. (GayStarNews.com) Dr. Robert Spitzer, a psychiatrist who played a leading role in establishing agreed-upon standards to describe mental disorders and eliminating homosexuality's designation as a pathology, died of heart problems December 27 th in Seattle. He was 83. Gay-rights activists credit Dr. Spitzer with removing homosexuality from the list of mental disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1973. He decided to push for the change after he met with gay activists and determined that homosexuality could not be a disorder if gay people were comfortable with their sexuality. Dr. Jack Drescher, a gay psychoanalyst in New York, said Spitzer's successful push to remove homosexuality from the list of disorders was a major advance for gay rights. “The fact that gay marriage is allowed today is in part owed to Bob Spitzer,” he said. (Los Angeles Times)
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February 2016
Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County GAAMC Officers President (President@GAAMC.org) .......... Mickey Suiter VP Community Services (Info@GAAMC.org) ..................................................... Gordon Sauer VP Operations (Operations@GAAMC.org) ....................................................John DeLeeuw Secretary (Secretary@GAAMC.org) .......... Ron Kennedy Treasurer (Treasurer@GAAMC.org) ........... Andy Skurna
Trustees Dev Gannon, David Gayle, Jay Kohn, Sherri Rase, Richard Schaublin, Liz Slicer
Committee Chairs & Functional Officers Challenge (Challenge@GAAMC.org) ......... Allen Neuner Development (Discussions@GAAMC.org) .... Gordon Sauer Discussion Group Resources (Discussions@GAAMC.org) ..................................................... Gordon Sauer Information (FreeLibrary@GAAMC.org) ...... Andy Skurna Outings (Outings@GAAMC.org) .................... Jay Kohn Pride Events ..................................... Mickey Suiter Pride Guide (PrideGuide@GAAMC.org) ...... Andy Skurna Programs (Programs@GAAMC.org) .............. Sherri Rase Publicity .................................................... open Social Action .................................... Gordon Sauer 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 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 Rd., Morris Township, 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 home page (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
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Trans Lunacy or Just Media Lunacy? by Barbra Siperstein Enough is enough! This was not the story I wanted to read on Christmas.
end her father -- and she, herself -- knew the truth.
“'The Grinch who stole the trans movement:' Transgender solider Chelsea Manning launches Christmas attack against Caitlyn Jenner for her behavior after coming out�.
Meanwhile former Navy Seal Kristin Beck has done a commendable job of promoting herself as one who served admirably and extraordinarily in silence, and Special Forces Colonel Diane Schroer's actions in Washington, DC have done a great deal to spotlight and turn the corner on overt and unconscionable discrimination in employment in the Federal government.
So now is this incarcerated military felon the new self appointed voice of the transgender community in America? Is she making judgments about America's #1 transgender media entrepreneur? GIMME A BREAK! I refrained from commenting about the convicted national security Wiki-leaker when she came out as Chelsea, a transgender woman. At the time I did cringe, understanding full well (before modern statistics verified my gut impression) that transgender people serve in the military with greater frequency than their non-trans (cis) brothers and sisters. I also am aware of the enormity of the added pressure that transgender service people often endure as they mask their true gender identity because they cannot be open or honest. Still I cringed at the widespread media story and the accompanying optics that might further stigmatize trans people. Yes, trans people are more likely to serve in the military. Think about it ... often transgender women struggling with societal, religious, and family pressure will enlist to prove to that they are really men and can do the manly warrior thing, which works only temporarily. For transgender men, it is easy to understand the military provides the opportunity to serve openly while performing at least some task deemed societally as male oriented. I recall my old acquaintance from south Central Jersey, Jessica, who, driven to be the "man" her father wanted her to be, became a Green Beret and volunteered for the most dangerous and covert missions in the Vietnam theater. As a soldier, she was successful, but in the
Chelsea Manning obviously struggled with her gender identity and the Army had opportunities and should have reacted when she reached out for help. But that is not an excuse for her actions. I will credit Manning with publicizing the inequities and added hardships and dangers that incarcerated transgender people often must bear compared to the cisgender prisoners. We can point to Autumn Sandeen who served in silence and for many years has been "out" serving as a transgender and LGB advocate, putting her own welfare at risk! In 2013, she became the first person to change her gender in the Department of Defense database, paving the way for others. We can point to Sergeant Major Jennifer Long who, after several combat tours in the middle East, began her stealth medical transition only to be called back to Afghanistan, where she continued her transition monitored by American medical personnel there. She successfully completed her mission, engaged in several fire fights, received a bronze star and other combat awards, all the while under the stress of being "outed" by the US Army. Now retired, in late 2014 she was successful in forcing the US Army to change her name on her DD214. She is currently a VFW Post Commander and involved on a statewide level. So who should be our spokesperson?
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I've refrained from publicly commenting about Caitlyn Jenner as well, but I think now is the time. Cait Jenner? I was charitable calling her a media entrepreneur. How do you describe her and the rest of the Kardashian clan? She was a legitimate Olympic sports hero... but what does she and the rest of them do now? What talent? Oscars? Emmys? Tonys? The Jenner-Kardashian Empire is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions! Hardly typical of an average transgender family! Cait comes out, surrounds herself with other Hollywood media people which includes an elite, Ivy League academic, and has her own TV show. Things are good, the audience numbers are obviously there, and the show is renewed for a second season!
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Many have complained about Caitlyn's obsession with clothes and make-up, and part of that I do understand as she is in Hollywood. And to a degree, I've been there and know many others who have as well. I transitioned later in life and went through my female adolescence as a learning and growing stage, i.e. the female childhood that I never had. It was a stage that I grew out of. I'm now in my 2nd (first as a female) mid life crisis! We shall see if Cait grows up or it's just part of her "media" thing! Caitlyn is an avowed Republican and what does bother me is her silence on statements by the GOP presidential candidates as well as statements and actions by local and state leaders that denigrate and stigmatize transgender people in America.
Cait Jenner our spokesperson? Jenner is a Republican who intends to continue to vote Republican. She does not fully support marriage equality. Does she not realize that marriage equality is a transgender issue as well? Many in the trans community objected to the Cait Jenner Halloween costume that trivialized her Vanity Fair cover, but Cait was fine with it. I'm going to make an assumption, although I don't know for sure, that Cait received licensing fees. Royalty fees are good when you are on the receiving end and publicity is good when driving your "brand." Cait is a public figure but what is the affect on ordinary trans people who are on the receiving end of mockery and insult? Her statement to Time Magazine If you look like a man in a dress, it ma"kes people uncomfortable" was perhaps her Marie Antoinette moment. That's easy to say if you have the financial wherewithal to buy the very best in plastic surgery! Ironically my partner rightly observed that because of her size and features and athletic build, she probably does not pass and can never be what so many transgender people want... "stealth." I'm not sure that the concept of "stealth" is relevant to the head of the Jenner/Kardashian empire.
The surging Canadian, Ted Cruz, has apparently taken the lead in transphobic statements by declaring that supporting transgender students in schools in "lunacy," then doubling down a week later by stating that the man who shot three people at a Planned Parenthood location in Colorado, rather than being a right wing anti abortionist, was instead a transgendered leftwing activist! Chutzpah! Not to be outdone, NJ Gov Chris Christie compared trans youth's access to their bathrooms matching their gender identity to be "domestic terrorism." Silence! Perhaps if Cait really wanted to reach out to the "other" side, with a little thought she might have reached out to Dr. Marisa Richmond, an Ivy League educated college academic who also works in the grassroots trenches of Tennessee as both a transgender activist and a lobbyist at their State House! Dr. Richmond is the former president of the Davidson County Democratic women, and former president of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition. Always working to educate and create change, she is currently a member of the Davidson County Democratic Executive Committee (Nashville).
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But Caitlyn did reach out in the Deep South... Barely a month after the ignominious electoral defeat of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), she reached out to a Southern Baptist anti gay minister who led the victorious "Potty Police," accompanied by her fellow media elites, then met in his temple of Hate and prayed together. Pray away the "trans?" They seemed too busy to meet with some of the experienced local trans activists. Is anyone surprised? Good job, Cait, dividing the trans community apart into haves and have nots and doing us all a disservice. I've had enough! It's about time we started hearing from and publicizing the "Doers!" This article was first published in the Huffington Post and is reprinted here by permission of the author. Barbra Casbar “Babs� Siperstein is a member of the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee and the Director of the Gender Rights Advocacy Association of New Jersey (GRAANJ). You can follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/babscs.
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