The Best Damn Newsletter in New Jersey!®
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The Newsletter of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County Serving New Jersey’s GLBTI Communities Since 1972 Volume 42, Issue 2, March 2016
GAAMC Wears the Green at St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Morristown The Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County (GAAMC) announces its first time participating in the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which takes place on Saturday, March 12, 2016. “Participating in this event will help GAAMC’s Irish members celebrate their heritage, while all members celebrate diversity, one of Morris County’s richest traditions and most valuable assets,” said GAAMC’s President and Co-Founder, Mickey Suiter. Begun in 1979 by the Irish American Association of Northwestern New Jersey, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade has attracted thousands of participants, marchers, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators to its Morristown event. As a non-profit organization, the parade raises and shares contributions with other local nonprofits; over $300,000 has been donated to groups such as the Interfaith Food Pantry, Dress For Success, and the Department for Persons with Disabilities.
GAAMC Outing Combines Love and Art by Sherri Rase On Saturday, February 20, over a dozen GAAMC friends met for a dazzling afternoon visit to the Leslie-Lohman Museum in SoHo to see the latest exhibition, “Medium of Desire: An International Anthology of Photography and Video”. Curated by Peter Weiermair, a noted author whose expertise is art photography and a member of the Museum’s board, it took more than three years to assemble an exhibition that challenges us to see beyond the photographs and videos themselves, past the binary that we bring from our culture, and to see the humor and intimacy in an amazing body of work. We enjoyed a special guided tour from Kris Grey, Exhibition and Communications Manager, whose insights into the various works and artists added dimensions to what was seen in viewing the pictures by themselves. I highly recommend a tour with an expert like Kris to really delve into the creative process as well as the result. The art required in conceiving the image, then executing the artists' visions, is remarkable; the viewer becomes part of the work of art with what is felt, what thought processes are triggered, and the way some images come unbidden into consciousness again. Some of us met at Penn Station and got on the High Line
Founded in 1972, GAAMC is New Jersey’s longest for a stroll through sculpture, plantings, and great views continually operating lesbian, gay, bisexual, inter- of the changing Manhattan skyline. From there we sex, and transgender group. A not-for-profit, volun- walked through the Meatpacking District past delightful teer-run organization, GAAMC provides social, edu- Village shops and down into SoHo to the Museum at 26 Wooster Street. Sorry cational programs for the you missed the event? LGBTQ and allied communiInside Challenge Check the website at ties throughout northern and Challenge Information........................... page 2 www.leslielohman.org central New Jersey. GAAMC GAAMC Events for March .................... page 2 for more information also raises funds for other on the only accredited Gleanings -- Queer news from community programs such as museum of LGBTQ art around the world ................................. page 3 the Jersey Battered Women’s and the exhibition, So Long, Farewell? ................................ page 4 Service, Hope House, Triad running through March March Q-munity Calendar ..................... page 5 House and others. For more 27. Some of us will be GAAMC Board Meeting Minutes .......... page 7 heading back before it information, please visit closes. Come speak GAAMC Member Rocks the Walk ......... page 7 GAAMC.org.
GSE Reaches Political Funding Agreement ............................................ page 7 GAAMC Information ............................. page 8 Where Do the Candidates Stand? .......... page 9
with me some Monday night before then if you'd care to tag along!
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Volume 42, Number 2 March 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 © 2016 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.
GAAMC Events for March 2016 Open Talk Discussion Group Weekly discussion group, open to all. Every Monday, in the Library. Moderators: Gordon (Mar 7, 21); Liz (Mar 14, 28). 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. March 7: NJ Leather Family – BDSM – What It IS and What It ISN’T! Join us for a visit with our friends from NJ’s Leather Family. This dedicated and caring group of people are champion fundraisers for charity and among the most warm and wonderful people you’ll ever meet. Mistress Sandra is joined by NJ Leather title holders for an evening you’ll remember. Current Affairs Discussion Group Discussion of topics in the news. In the Terrace Room. Moderator: Frank. Topic: What’s Happening in Flint Can Happen in NJ. March 14: St. Patrick’s Social – It’s time for GAAMC’s annual salute to the green, white, and orange that signifies Ireland. It’s a potluck affair, so let John know what you intend to bring to share by contacting him at Socials@GAAMC.org! And don’t forget – on St. Patrick’s Day, *everyone* is Irish! March 21: If You Can't FIX It, FEATURE It! -- Body Positivity is a contemporary movement where emphasis is placed on physical diversity and self-acceptance. When you are a minority, and you feel increasingly marginalized based on your queer identity (sexual and/or gender orientation), body positivity works to help you feel less alone in your own community and less alone in your own skin. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes; body positivity is not about changing your appearance, but embracing yourself as is, with no feelings of shame or inadequacy. Featured Committees: Development; Social Action March 28: What’s New in the World of HIV/AIDS? -- Join Hyacinth AIDS Foundation's Executive Director Kathy Ahearn-O'Brien, Senior Director of Public Policy Axel Torres Marrero, and PrEP Health Educator Jaime Betancourt for an update on HIV in NJ. They will discuss the most at-risk populations, trends in public policy, and steps you can take to help fight HIV in our community, including PrEP. They will also address some of the challenges faced with implementation of PrEP. 20-Something Discussion Group: Monthly group for young members of the queer communities. In the Dining Room. Moderator: Nick. Topic: “How to Win at Adulting: Being Professional in the Workplace”. April 4: GAAMC Film Festival presents The Girl King, based on the life of Queen Kristina of Sweden. The movie paints a portrait of the brilliant, extravagant Kristina, who fights the conservative forces that are against her ideas to modernize Renaissance Sweden and who have no tolerance for her awakening sexuality. Winner of two awards at the Montreal World Film Festival, this film may well become one of your favorites.
Special Event Saturday, March 12: Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade – Organized by Jay Kohn (Outings@GAAMC.org). Times are not yet available, but the parade route starts at South and Elm Streets, and winds its way north to Morristown High School on Atno Ave. The annual parade has been running since 1979 and this is our first time marching. REMEMBER, YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION!!! WE NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK!
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Gleanings Queer News from across the nation and around the world Alabama family law attorney Austin Burdick filed a $6 million federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama against each of the five Supreme Court justices for ruling in favor of same-sex marriage: Anthony M. Kennedy, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kegan. Burdick, a Republican and Mormon who unsuccessfully ran for office in 2012, is charging the five justices with violations of the 5th and 14th Amendments and violations of their oaths of office. Burdick's lawsuit claims the ruling in Obergefell nullifies the Constitution, thus depriving him of a lifetime of income he would have received from practicing law, which he apparently can no longer do since the justices have "destroyed" the Constitution, upon which his license to practice law is based. He claims in the lawsuit that he has suffered "damages and harm," and "seeks recovery of damages exceeding $6,000,000. (TheNewCivilRightsMovement.com) U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Bataillon issued a permanent injunction striking down Nebraska‘s now-negated ban on gay marriage and civil unions. The injunction was largely a formality, as a Supreme Court ruling in late June legalized gay marriage across the county. Bataillon’s injunction orders state officials to treat same-sex couples the same as different-sex couples in everything from processing marriage certificates to issuing birth certificates. State attorneys had argued that the injunction was not necessary, because the state has complied with the Supreme Court’s ruling since it was issued. But several same-sex couples who challenged the state’s ban in 2014 argued that the state’s attempt last year to exclude same-sex spouses on their children’s birth certificates showed that the injunction was necessary. (lgbtqnation.com) New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a series of comprehensive regulations to prevent the practice of so-called lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender “conversion therapy,” which has been deemed harmful to patients by a wide variety of leading medical and mental health professionals. Multi-agency regulations ban public and private health care insurers from covering the practice in New York State, and also prohibit various mental health facilities across the state from conducting the practice on minors. “Conversion therapy is a hateful and fundamentally flawed practice that is counter to everything this state stands for,” said Governor Cuomo. “New York has been at the forefront of acceptance and equality for the LGBT community for decades – and today we are continuing that legacy and leading by example. We will not allow the misguided and the intolerant to punish LGBT young people for simply being who they are.” The New York State Department of Financial Services is issuing regulations barring New York insurers from providing coverage for conversion therapy given to an individual under the age of 18. Additionally, the New York State Depart-
ment of Health is prohibiting coverage of conversion therapy under New York’s Medicaid program and the New York State Office of Mental Health is issuing regulations prohibiting facilities under its jurisdiction from providing conversion therapy treatment to minors. (governor.ny.gov). In Oregon, a judicial oversight panel investigating complaints against Marion County Judge Vance Day, has recommended that the State Supreme Court remove Judge Day from the bench. Judge Day came to the panel's attention in May of 2014 when he refused to officiate at the weddings of same-sex couples after Oregon legalized marriage equality. The judge maintains it is against his Christian beliefs to participate in a same-sex couple's wedding. The Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability sent its formal recommendation to the Oregon Supreme Court accusing Judge Day of discrimination based on sexual orientation, among other serious charges. The commission charges Judge Day “willfully” violated ten different rules of the Code of Judicial Conduct, including his refusal to officiate at the marriages of same-sex couples. The commission said whenever a same-sex couple asked Judge Day to officiate, he told his staff to lie about his availability and direct them to another judge. Judge Day did not dispute that practice, but argued same-sex couples were not denied their rights because another judge was always found to marry them. Day is only the sixth judge in the state since 2007 to have been referred for sanctions to the Supreme Court. (TheNewCivilRightsMovement.com) Puerto Rico Associate Justice Maite Oronoz Rodríguez, an openly gay woman, has been selected by Governor Alejandro García Padilla to become the next Chief Justice of the U.S. commonwealth's highest court. In response to the historic nomination, the youngest member of Puerto Rico's Supreme Court said, "I accept this nomination with the energy and force of the new generation." If Oronoz Rodríguez is confirmed by Puerto Rico's Senate, she will take the place of Chief Justice Liana Fiol Matta who is scheduled to retire this year. Despite some backlash from conservative group Puerto Rico Pro Family, García Padilla told the press that he is "totally confident she will be confirmed." Oronoz Rodríguez, who is in a public relationship with Senate President Eduardo Bhatia's chief of staff, Gina Mendez, was first selected to the high court in June 2014. The highly qualified nominee has also worked as Puerto Rico's deputy solicitor general, and as chief legal counselor for the city of San Juan. (TheFlama.com) A Virginia-based group is committing consumer fraud by offering services it claims can convert people from gay to straight -- deceptive practices that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must stop, according to a federal complaint filed with the FTC. The complaint describes how People Can Change (PCC) has offered these services known as “conversion therapy” despite the lack of scien-
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tific evidence to support their claims. It urges the FTC to investigate the group under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits unfair and deceptive acts and practices. Conversion therapy has been discredited by virtually every major American medical, psychiatric, psychological and professional counseling organization. Many who have undergone such therapy have reported increased anxiety, depression, and in some cases, suicidal ideation. The Southern Poverty Law Center, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights filed the complaint. (SPLCenter.org) Same-sex marriage in Japan has taken another huge step forward with the city of Iga, in Mie Prefecture, confirming they would start issuing certificates recognizing partnerships between gay couples in April. First proposed last year, Iga will be the third Japanese municipal government and the first outside Tokyo to take this step. The certificate will allow same-sex couples to have the same rights as opposite-sex couples in hospitals, apartments run by the government, and work with private companies, such as real estate agencies. The mayor of Iga estimates that about 6,000 people of its population of about 95,000 are LGBTI. “It is our role to create a society in which sexual minorities can proudly live,’ he said. Shibuya and Setagaya wards in Tokyo became the country’s first and second local governments to introduce the certificate system in November 2015. The city of Takarazuka in Hyogo prefecture will start issuing partnership certificates to gay couples in June next year. (GayStarNews.com) Gays and lesbians can now marry in six of the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico with the Mexican Supreme Court ruling unanimously that denying them the right to marry in the state of Jalisco is unconstitutional. With the ruling it seems likely that the Supreme Court will now side in favor of gays and lesbians if any Mexican state’s ban on samesex marriage is brought before it going forward, opening a path to marriage equality throughout Mexico. Same-sex marriage was already legal in Mexico City, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nayarit and Quintana Roo. All Mexican states must already recognize the legality of same-sex marriages performed in those states whether or not their state performs same-sex marriages yet because of a prior Supreme Court ruling. (TheYucatanTimes.com)
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Voters in Switzerland voted February 28 on whether married couples should be taxed the same as people in unregistered relationships. LGBTI rights advocates warned that the referendum was just a back door attempt by opponents of gay marriage to pass a Constitutional ban on marriage equality. The Swiss Christian Democratic People’s Party put forward a civil initiative to end what they call “marriage inequality” with the slogan, “For the couple and the family – against the marriage penalty.” However rather than creating marriage equality to the Alpine nation it would define marriage in Switzerland’s Constitution as only being between a man and a woman. The Christian Democrats appear to be banking on married people putting their own economic interests before their support for the rights of LGBTI people in Switzerland. A coalition of LGBTI rights groups, civil society groups and political parties have put out campaigns in French, German and Italian to warn Swiss voters of the consequences of a ‘Yes’ vote, while ILGA Europe are trying to raise awareness about the issue in the English speaking world. “If the popular initiative is accepted, the current political process towards marriage equality would stop here,’ ILGA Europe warned. “While same-sex couples can enter into a registered partnership in Switzerland, a negative outcome of the vote would simply block Swiss same-sex couples to benefit from the highest form of partnership recognition: marriage.” Switzerland has been slower to embrace the equality of LGBTI people than many of its neighbors despite homosexuality being legal in some parts of the country since 1798, and nationwide since 1942. However under Swiss law the majority of the citizens in a majority of its cantons must vote in favor of the proposal before it can become law. (GayStarNews.com) UPDATE: Swiss voters on February 28th narrowly rejected a proposal that would have prevented same-sex couples from receiving marriage rights. Election officials indicate the initiative failed by a 51-49 percent margin. (Washington Blade)
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. Andy S., Denville Kathleen O’B-J., New Providence Mardi O’B-J., New Providence Mark W., Morristown You can renew by going to GAAMC.org, or at any Monday night meeting of GAAMC.
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March 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 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 12:30 pm – SOS meeting, Ocean Grove# 1:30 pm – Library Lounge, 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 - Library Lounge, 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 7:30 pm – Anxiety Support Group, Highland Park† 8:00 pm - Bowling, Green Brook; qcrollers@aol.com Every Tuesday 10:00 am – Library Lounge, Ocean Grove# Noon - Men's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org 12:30 pm - The Wellness Community, Newark; 973-565-0300; @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 ‡ 01 Tue 7:30 pm – LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 02 Wed 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm – Jersey Boys of Leather, Highland Park† 03 Thu 5:30 pm – Hudson County HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm –Coffee social Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park†
7:30 pm - Tuesday Night Lesbian Connection, Bound Brook; 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 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 6:30 pm – Overeaters Anonymous, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm - Men’s Living Out group, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Gay Men’s Coming Out group, Highland Park; njwarrior@aol.com† Every Thursday 10:00 am – Library Lounge, Ocean Grove# 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 Friday Noon – Library Lounge, Ocean Grove# 6:00 pm - Youth Connect, Jersey City ‡ Every Saturday Noon – Library Lounge, Ocean Geove# 7:00 - Project Wow! Kiki Function, Newark; www.njcri.org 04 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park;† 05 Sat 1:00 pm – The Femme Event, Highland Park† 2:30 pm – First & Third for GLBTI Youth, Princeton; 609-6835155; www.HiTOPS.org 06 Sun 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
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07 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 7:30 pm – Raices Latinas LGBT, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 08 Tue 5:00 pm – Creative Expressions, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm – Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park† 09 Wed 7:00 pm – QSpot Book Club, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm – Wednesday Night Women’s Hang Out, Highland Park† 10 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Kollege of Kink, 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† 11 Fri 1:00 pm -- Women's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org 4:00 pm -- SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 12 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 13 Sun 2:00 pm – Male Drawing Session, Highland Park† 6:00 pm – Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02@worldnet.att.net 14 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# 15 Tue 7:30 pm – Lesbian Alliance of Princeton; 609-924-8174; Loisj@msn.com 7:30 pm -- PFLAG of Hunterdon County, Flemington; 908-7521370; 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 16 Wed 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:00 pm – Havurah Board Meeting, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez@comcast.net
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17 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 18 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm – Dignity New Brunswick social; 732-968-9263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 7:30 pm – Movie Night Out, Ocean Grove# 7:45 pm – Out of the Box Open Mic, Highland Park† 19 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 20 Sun 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-837-4040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com 4:00 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 21 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† 22 Tue 5:00 pm – Creative Expressions, Ocean Grove# 8:30 pm – Men’s Social Night, Highland Park† 23 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† 24 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 25 Fri 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm – Shabbat services, Monmouth Junction; njlgh.onefireplace.com 26 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 27 Sun 2:00 pm – G-Rope, Highland Park† 4:00 pm – In the Spirit, Highland Park; njlgh.onefireplace.com 28 Mon 7:30 pm – NJ Rope Bite, Highland Park;†
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GAAMC Board Minutes January 21, 2016 Members: DeLeeuw, Gannon, Gayle, Kennedy, Kohn, Rase, Sauer, Schaublin, Skurna, Slicer Non-Voting Attendees: Allen Neuner The meeting was called to order at 7:01. The minutes of the December meeting were approved (moved, Slicer; seconded, Schaublin). Old/Current Business: Action items from the board retreat were reviewed. Jay offered to make contact with the organizers of the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day parade in regards to our participation. New Business: GAAMC outings and the use of MeetUp were reviewed A proposal to have future Board meetings be run with a split agenda, with Mickey handling Old and New Business while Gordon handled the reports, was accepted. Reports Treasurer (Andy Skurna):GAAMC needs an upgrade to the newest version of QuickBooks. A motion to purchase this for $50 was passed (moved, Gayle; seconded, Kohn; Skurna abstaiing). Challenge/Front Desk (Allen Neuner): Items for the February issue are due January 15th. Rich suggested there should be pamphlets at the front desk for children with parents; Gordon suggested using GLSEN Safe Space material and GAAMC’s Pride Guide. Webmaster (Andy Skurna): Internal distribution lists were updated. Members using Constant Contact are decreasing by attrition but we have added new Press Contacts. Programs (Sherri Rase): see written report. Socials (John DeLeeuw): Valentine’s Day is next; the menu will be mostly desserts. Discussion Group Resources (Gordon Sauer): see written report. Liz has reached out to Alexa as possible leader. Development (Gordon Sauer): see written report. Social Action (Gordon Sauer): Gordon suggested a new chair be assigned to this committee. GAAMC Pride (Mickey Suiter) Ideas and Suggestions: Rich suggested an outing to a gayfriendly church. Gordon suggested an activity with SAGE at Hudson Pride. Dev wants to gather an oral history of GAAMC; Mickey was suggested as a resource since he is Archivist; Allen recommended that the oral history be written down. Dev also stressed the importance of PR to GAAMC and suggested the creation of a PR Committee. A motion to adjourn was approved (moved, Schaublin; seconded, Gannon). The meeting was adjourned at 8:20.
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GAAMC Member Rocks the Walk GAAMC Board Member Sherri Rase loves to walk. Currently, she does at least 6 miles every day. When her friend and fellow GAAMC member the late Paul Greenberg asked her to walk a few miles in his shoes, how could she say no? "Paul was a Macy's Star Walker and from when we first met, I'd contribute to his work and his walk every year. He asked me to join him on the walk on his 19th year and I agreed. Tragically, Paul was killed in an automobile accident the Monday immediately prior to that Sunday walk and ever since then I've been walking for Paul." Every dollar Sherri raises for HIV/AIDS comes back to New Jersey because she walks with Team Hyacinth, the team fielded by Hyacinth AIDS Foundation in New Brunswick. Hyacinth provides HIV/AIDS services to men, women and families around the state and AIDS Walk NY proceeds help keep those services happening. "I lost my first friend to HIV/AIDS in 1984 and I'm determined to help make this condition extinct, as we've made smallpox, polio and measles", Sherri says. "When I am there at AIDS Walk NY, I feel like Paul is right there beside me." Do you want to join Team Hyacinth? Ask Sherri how on any Monday night. If you'd like to contribute to her effort, visit her fundraising page here: https://ny.aidswalk.net/SherrRocks.
GSE Reaches Political Funding Agreement In their continuing efforts to make equality a reality for the LGBT community, Garden State Equality (GSE) has pressed for corporations to do their part for rights of the LGBT community by taking a stand against discrimination and bigotry. Recently, GSE had the opportunity to work with PNC Bank, whose long-standing commitment to the LGBT community and dedication to a workplace environment that celebrates diversity and inclusion seemed out of step with a past donation to Representative Scott Garrett (R-NJ). PNC was immediately receptive to and understanding of GSE’s concerns, and assured them that they not only share GSE’s values, but that their PAC funding was directed to Garrett before they became aware of his negative comments regarding LGBT rights. Since learning of his stance the PAC has made no further contributions to Garrett’s campaign, and going forward they will not be making any future contributions. Garden State Equality wants to take this opportunity to applaud PNC for their quick and just response. Corporations have played and continue to play a significant role in advancing LGBT equality, and GSE is pleased that PNC took this stand against intolerance and will continue to embrace the tenets of diversity and inclusion through their workplace and within our community.
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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 Public Relations (PR@GAAMC.org) ............. Dev Gannon 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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Where Do the Candidates Stand? by Liz Slicer When asked for whom they are going to vote, many voters respond that their choice is generally one based on the issues. Since we identify as LGBT, a review of the candidates’ stance on LGBT concerns is in order. The Republican Party has yet to produce a presidential candidate who could be described as “pro-LGBT.” But no one in the 2016 pack is exactly eager to run on an “antiLGBT” platform. While the candidates expressed support for religious freedom, opposition to ending the ban on transgender troops in the military, and disappointment with the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage across the nation, the issue of LGBT equality is not exactly a burning concern. But overall, the GOP candidates – and the party as a whole – seem to be slowly softening their once-staunch commitment to blocking the advancement of LGBT rights. “Our court has ruled and I said we’ll accept it,” said John Kasich, whose administration defended Ohio’s same-sex marriage ban before the Supreme Court’s decision last year. “And guess what? I just went to a wedding of a friend of mine who is gay.” The issue of attending a same-sex couple’s wedding emerged as a kind of litmus test for Republicans ahead of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the landmark case of Obergefell v. Hodges last June. Though every presidential candidate has said they believe marriage should be limited to one man and one woman, several have tried to strike a more nuanced position by saying they would go to the wedding of a same-sex couple they cared for. “Just because they don’t think the same way doesn’t mean we shouldn’t love them,” Kasich said. “That’s what we’re taught when we have strong faith.” John Kasich, however, was among the original defendants in the case which went on to the Supreme Court. He refused to acknowledge the marriage of two individuals, James Obergefell and John Arthur James, who filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s refusal to recognize samesex marriage on death certificates. The two were legally married in Maryland in 2013. Mr. Arthur, who suffered from terminal ALS, died several months after litigation began. Due to Ohio law, under both the Ohio Constitution and the Ohio Revised Code, plaintiffs believed that state officials would refuse to indicate Mr. Arthur was married at the time of his death and that Mr. Obergefell was his spouse.
In addition, Kasich refuses to provide gender identity protection. He supported Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Although proposing a more positive approach to the nomination procedure, Kasich’s support does not truly advance LGBT concerns. Texas Senator Ted Cruz tends to lament the Supreme Court’s power. He did promise, however, to repeal President Obama’s “unconstitutional” executive orders, presumably referring to those that banned the federal government and federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Despite the June 26, 2015 ruling on marriage equality by the Supreme Court, at the “Rally for Religious Liberty” at Bob Jones University on November 14, 2015, Cruz said the issue of same-sex marriage was “not settled” legally. He said, “It’s not the law of the land. It’s not the Constitution. It’s not legitimate, and we will stand and fight.” Under the Tenth Amendment, Cruz believes the definition of marriage should instead be “left to the states and left to the people.” On September 8, 2015, Cruz posted on Facebook, “Praise God that Kim Davis is being released. It was an outrage that she was imprisoned for six days for living according to her Christian faith.” Kim Davis worked as a Kentucky county clerk and refused to give out same-sex marriage licenses the week before. Cruz also appeared at the rally surrounding her release from prison the same day. In August 2015, Cruz signed a pledge with the National Organization for Marriage “to take several specific actions as president to restore marriage to the law and protect people of faith from discrimination because of their support for traditional marriage.” Cruz authored an op-ed in National Review on June 26, 2015, to condemn the "judicial activism" of the Supreme Court. He stated that Obergefell "undermines not just the definition of marriage, but the very foundations of our representative form of government." Cruz added, "I have already introduced a constitutional amendment to preserve the authority of elected state legislatures to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and also legislation stripping the federal courts of jurisdiction over legal assaults on marriage. Donald Trump has been a consistent opponent of marriage equality choosing to support domestic partnership benefits instead. He later reversed himself and said he also opposed civil unions. He did not support a constitu-
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tional amendment that would allow states to re-ban marriage equality. He later said he would appoint Supreme Court judges who would be committed to overturning the ruling. With the loss of Justice Antonin Scalia, a noted conservative voice of SCOTUS, the Republican candidates are more determined than ever to be elected to become the President to appoint the next conservative member of the court. Politico reported that the Supreme Court decision of marriage equality nationwide was called by Trump “another example of the Bush-appointed Supreme Court Justice John Roberts letting us down. Jeb pushed him hard! Remember!” Donald Trump, Jr. attempted to clarify his father’s stance. “In terms of my father’s political views in the grand scheme of things, there’s other things he’d be concerned about first, given the state of the world and our economy.” Trump, Jr. says, “I think part of it, and perhaps the shame of being a conservative, is you almost have to have those kind of stances to win any kind of primary. And then you have to sell out and become a moderate in the middle, just like you have to do if you’re on the liberal side of the spectrum.” Ben Carson’s opinions on transgender issues offer a telling Republican stance. Barry Bennett, Carson’s former campaign manager, discussed why he believed Carson’s campaign stalled on January 20, 2016. “He's also a 64year-old African-American male, who culturally is what he is, right? He's not comfortable with homosexuality, right? And there was nothing we could do to make him talk about it in a lexicon that is much more modern,” Bennett said during an event at the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service. At a town hall hosted by Concerned Veterans for America on December 5, 2015, Carson opposed transgender individuals openly serving in the military. “I do not appreciate using our military as a laboratory for a social experiment. … When our men and women are out there fighting the enemy, the last thing we need to be doing is saying what would it be like if we introduced several transgender people into this platoon. … Give me a break. Deal with the transgender thing somewhere else.” Carson added that he preferred the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. In a November 5, 2015, interview with the Fusion TV channel's Jorge Ramos, Carson suggested that transgender people get their own bathrooms. “How about we have a transgender bathroom?” Carson said. “It is not fair for them to make everybody else uncomfortable. It’s one of the things that I don’t particularly like about the [LGBT] movement. I think everybody has equal rights, but I’m not sure that anybody should have extra rights — extra rights when it comes to redefining everything for everybody else and imposing your view on everybody else.” In a country founded on “live and let live,” Carson said he believes LGBT Americans “can do anything they want.”
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Except, he admitted, get married or use the bathroom in which they feel most comfortable. As a member of the boards of retailer Costco Wholesale and food manufacturer Kellogg, Carson supported various gay rights initiatives at both companies, such as barring discrimination based on gender identity, providing health insurance for employees' domestic partners, and offering more diversity training. His support raised concerns with some social conservative activists that back Carson. Carson argued that he has never strayed from his message of support for traditional marriage. "As far as conservatives are concerned, I've made my position clear to them as well. I believe in traditional marriage. But I don't have anything against the gay community," Carson told press agency Reuters. In August 2015, Carson signed a pledge with theNational Organization for Marriage “to take several specific actions as president to restore marriage to the law and protect people of faith from discrimination because of their support for traditional marriage.” On June 26, 2015, Ben Carson expressed his disagreement with the holding in Obergefell v. Hodges but conceded the Supreme Court’s "ruling is now the law of the land." Carson added, "I call on Congress to make sure deeply held religious views are respected and protected. The government must never force Christians to violate their religious beliefs. I support same sex civil unions but to me, and millions like me, marriage is a religious service not a government form. While campaigning in New Hampshire on February 8, 2016, Marco Rubio was confronted by a New Hampshire man over his position on gay rights. "Why do you want to put me back in the closet?" the voter, who is married to another man, asked. Rubio responded, “I don’t. You can live any way you want. I just believe marriage is between one man and one woman." The voter then suggested Rubio did not believe gay people mattered. “No, I just believe marriage is between one man and one woman. I think that’s what the law should be. And if you disagree you should have the law changed by a legislature," Rubio said in reply. On December 13, 2015, Marco Rubio argued that the Constitution does not give “the federal government the power to regulate marriage.” He said, “I don't believe any case law is settled law. Any future Supreme Court can change it. And ultimately, I will appoint Supreme Court justices that will interpret the Constitution as originally constructed," Breitbart News Network (www.breitbart.com) reported November 27, 2015, that Rubio faced pushback from evangelical Christians over his views on gay marriage and whether he believes sexual orientation is a choice or biologically determined. According to Breitbart, “Many min-
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isters are reportedly {sic} skeptical of Rubio because they’re unsure whether Rubio’s views are in line with the teachings of the Bible when it comes to the issue of gay marriage. Some Iowa pastors say they want ‘to know Rubio’s authentic feelings about gay rights.’” The pastors are also concerned with Rubio’s ties to billionaire Paul Singer, “a major donor to Rubio’s presidential campaign and the founder of a super-PAC whose purpose is to help make the Republican Party pro-gay marriage.” On June 26, 2015, following the ruling in Obergefell v Hodges, Marco Rubio stated that "the question of same sex marriage is a question of the definition of an institution, not the dignity of a human being." Nevertheless, Rubio said, "While I disagree with this decision, we live in a republic and must abide by the law. As we look ahead, it must be a priority of the next president to nominate judges and justices committed to applying the Constitution as written and originally understood." During his March 2013 speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Marco Rubio said, "Just because I believe that states should have the right to define marriage in the traditional way does not make me a bigot." Hillary Clinton released a 70-second online ad on December 6, 2015, to show her support for LGBT equality. The video includes scenes from a 2011 speech where she said “gay rights and human rights...are one and the same” played over clips of same-sex couples. Clinton argued on October 3, 2015, that the 14,000 soldiers forced to leave the military because of their sexual orientation should have their service records updated to reflect an honorable discharge. Clinton endorsed the Equality Act, a bill introduced on July 23, 2015, by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and U.S. Representative David Cicilline (D-R.I.), which seeks “to protect LGBT people nationwide from discrimination in credit, education, employment, housing, federal financial assistance, jury service, and public accommodations.” Speaking at a fundraiser for the Virginia Democratic Party on June 26, 2015, Hillary Clinton applauded the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v Hodges and criticized the Republicans’ rejection of marriage equality. Clinton said, "This morning, they all decried the Supreme Court's ruling upholding marriage equality—we even heard them call for a constitutional amendment to strip away the right to equality from our gay brothers and sisters. Instead of trying to turn back the clock, they should be joining us in saying loudly and clearly, 'No, no' to discrimination once and for all. I'm asking them, please: Don't make the rights, the hopes, of any American, a political football for this 2016 campaign."
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In March 2013, Clinton said, "I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I support it personally and as a matter of policy and law embedded in a broader effort to advance equality and opportunity for LGBT Americans and for all Americans." In a 2007 debate, Clinton did not express her support for same-sex marriage, but she said "she wanted same-sex couples to have equal rights," according to The Washington Post. She also said, "I've...been a very strong supporter of letting the states maintain their jurisdiction over marriage." In 2003, Clinton opposed same-sex marriage, but she added, "I think most Americans are fair. And if they believe that people in committed relationships want to share their lives and, not only that, have the same rights that I do in my marriage, to decide who I want to inherit my property or visit me in a hospital, I think that most Americans would think that that's--that's fair and that should be done." In 2003, when asked if she supported a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, Clinton said, "I think that would be a--a terrible step backwards. It would be the first time we've ever amended the Constitution to deny rights to people. And I think that should be left to the states. You know, I find it hard to believe in one program I'm agreeing with Newt Gingrich, now I'm about to agree with Dick Cheney. But I think Vice President Cheney's position on gay marriage is--is the right one." On June 26, 2015, Bernie Sanders issued the following statement on his Senate website to commemorate Obergefell v Hodges: “Today the Supreme Court fulfilled the words engraved upon its building: ‘Equal justice under law.’ This decision is a victory for same-sex couples across our country as well as all those seeking to live in a nation where every citizen is afforded equal rights. For far too long our justice system has marginalized the gay community and I am very glad the Court has finally caught up to the American people.” Bernie Sanders voted against H.J.Res.88, the Marriage Protection Amendment, which proposed declaring "that: (1) marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman; and (2) neither the U.S. Constitution nor the constitution of any state shall be construed to require that marriage or the legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon any other union." There are many other issues which are of concern to us in the LGBT community such as discrimination, conversion therapy, adoption, and bullying, but marriage equality seems to resonate most definitively to define a candidate’s stance on the rights of all citizens. As the nominating process continues, one can assume that the rhetoric will also. It is incumbent upon us all to educate our-
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selves on the issues in general, as well as our community’s concerns, and strive to select the best for the position of President.
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Details for this article were gathered from Ballotpedia: The Encyclopedia of American Politics (www.ballotpedia.org).