Ha p p y Holid a ys to A ll f rom The Best Da mn Newsletter in NJ ® !
CHALLENGE The Newsletter of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County - Continuously Serving the GLBTI Community since 1972
Volume 38, Issue 9, Winter 2012
Keeping in Touch by Mickey Suiter
In the first 39 years of GAAMC’s existence, we rarely had to cancel a Monday night meeting. In the past fifteen months, thanks to a couple of feisty gals named Irene and Sandy, we’ve had to cancel four meetings. One thing we’ve learned is that when the lights go out at MUF there’s no telling how long it will be until they come back on. So it’s important that we be able to notify as many people as possible when the unthinkable happens and we must cancel a meeting. We try to make a decision as far in advance as possible and publicize it the best we can, but receiving our message really depends on you. We post notices on our web site (gaamc.org) and on our Facebook group and, if at all possible, we send out a news blast on our email mailing list. Not many people use it anymore but we also try to post notices on our Yahoo group as well. But if you’re not in our Facebook group or on our mailing list, there’s a good chance you won’t get our message. It’s easy to get on the mailing list. Just go to our home page and click on Stay Informed on the left side of the page just under Pride Guide Online. Fill in your email address and you’re done. Don’t worry about us bombarding you with email and requests for money like a lot of other organizations. At most we send out one email a week, sort of a mini-newsletter that tells you about the next meeting and any other important, timely information. That’s it. And we never, ever give out our mailing list to any other organization. As for Facebook, a lot of people are somewhat hesitant about joining or doing much on it. I can understand that — I know very little about the site and don’t spend much time
Holiday Hiatus Normally, throughout the year, GAAMC is open every Monday night. This year however Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve fall on consecutive Mondays. So, in order for our hard-working Monday night crew to have some holiday time off, GAAMC will be closed on December 24th and December 31st. Enjoy your holidays, and we'll see you on Monday, January 7th!
on it. But it is a great place to post messages and get the word out. We are planning to hold a Facebook class soon to explain the site and show how it works. Once we have the date, time and place set we’ll get the word out — probably on Facebook and in one of our weekly emails. And I’m sure we’ll announce it in Open Talk a few times as well. While we make every effort to keep in touch with you, it works better when you make yourself available. This is the last column of my term as president. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked so hard for GAAMC in the past two years. I was hesitant to take on the job because it had been so many years since I’d last done it, but everyone on the Board was very supportive as were our members. Thank you for giving me the chance to serve the community. And don’t worry — I’m not going anywhere. I’ll still be on the Board next year and am always looking for things I can do to help make things better. For anyone who’s thinking about getting more involved in GAAMC, whether on a committee, on the Board, or as an officer, I can tell you that it’s not all that hard, you’ll have lots of support, and it is definitely worth the effort.
Inside Challenge Challenge Information.... ................................ page 2 GAAMC Events.............................................. page 2 The Bulletin Board......................................... page 3 This Month's Contributors................................ page 3 The Little Box of Concerts ............................... page 3 Gleanings: Queer news from around the world .... page 4 Dancing to Architecture: Music reviews.............. page 6 Calendar ..................................................... page 7 Election Information..................................... page 10 On Voting ...................................................page 10 LGBT Capitol Miracle ..................................... page 10 Good Eats!: Recipes..................................... page 11 Prose Poems: My Fears Haunt Me; Time............page 14 Poem: LINDA.............................................. page 14 GAAMC Board Mini-Minutes, Sep. & Oct. 2012......... page 15 GAAMC Information...................................... page 16
Page 2 CHALLENGE Winter 2012 CHALLENGE Volume 38, Number 9 Winter 2012 ISSN 0277-1675 Staff Editor .....................Allen Neuner Assistant Editor ............. Bill Stella Advertising Manager ............. open Circulation Manager ............. open List Manager ................ Sue Harris Submissions The deadline for all articles, inserts, and advertisements is the fifteenth of the previous month. All submissions must be provided as electronic files. E-mail submissions to Challenge @ GAAMC.org. Ad Rates Single issue: Full page, $125.00; Half page, $85.00; Quarter page, $45.00; Business card, $25.00. For multi-issue rates, contact the Editor at Challenge @ GAAMC.org.
GAAMC Events for December 2012/January 2013 Discussion Groups OpenTalk: A regular weekly discussion group, open to all. Moderators: Kerry, December 3); Gordon (December 10, 17). Moderators for January were not available at press time. 7:00, Library; on Film Festival nights, discussion may follow the film. Main Events [All start at 8:00 unless otherwise noted.] December 3: Members Market. Cash in your ChristmaHanuKwanzaakah Club and bring that winter green to GAAMC! There will be vendors from all over the community with services, jewelry, photographs, cosmetics and scents, and much, much more! Now’s the time to shop so that you can be generous and community-conscious at the same time! Member’s Market begins after Open Talk — Be there! December 10: It's that time of year again — GAAMC elections take place tonight. Members in good standing will be able to vote for new board trustees and officers. Also tonight, Open Talk Discussion, and a classic Claymation holiday classic! (see "GAAMC Election Information", page 10) December 17: It's GAAMC's Annual Holiday Show — and GAAMC's Annual Holiday Social! Must-see holiday fun! Come hear your favorite performers, including this year’s dual winners of the $1.98 Beauty Pageant, Essence of Cher and Urvashi! If you would like to tell a story, do something musical, give a reading, or perform any other kind of holiday entertainment, email Programs @ GAAMC.org and let Sherri know what you’ll be doing.
GAAMC members may place one free classified ad per month, of no more than 200 characters in length. Change of Address Please let us know your new address! All address changes should be sent to the List Manager at ChangeAddress @ GAAMC.org. Challenge is © 2012-2013 by the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt not-for-profit corporation. All rights reserved. All articles reflect the views of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of GAAMC, its officers, or executive board. All copyrights revert to the original contributors upon publication. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the contributor. All articles, contributions, and advertisements are printed at the discretion of the Editor and/or GAAMC Executive Board.
December 24 and December 31: The GAAMC family — members, trustees, and officers — wish you all a happy winter holiday, whichever you celebrate. GAAMC will be closed these two Mondays. See you in January! January 7: It's the beginning of the new year, which means it's time for From Here to Community, a chance for you, the members of GAAMC, to direct your newly-elected Board for the coming year. We're eager to hear what you have to say, and tonight's the night! January 14:The first offering from the GAAMC Film Festival occurs tonight! While we don't have information about tonight's movie at press time, you know it'll be something interesting and thought-provoking with a GLBT theme. Discussion will follow tonight's film. January 21 & January 28: As of press time, we don't have information about the programs for these two nights. Check GAAMC.org for the most up-to-date information about any of our Monday night programs! [All programs and discussion groups are subject to change.] [For the most up-to-date information, go to GAAMC.org]
The Bulletin Board
Winter 2012 CHALLENGE Page 3
Our Youth invites us all to their 7th annual AIDS Is a Drag — Wrap It Up benefit in recognition of World ADS Day. The event, being held on December 1st, includes appearances by Miss Gay Jersey City, Aurelia Monet; Mr. Gay Jersey City, Shizz Elegance; Miss Gay NJ USA Cyannie Famouz; and honorees Traci Braxton and Sherry Vine, among many others. Dinner starts at 5 pm, followed by an amazing show at 6 pm. For more information, contact ouryouth2006 @ yahoo.com. We note with regret that Rainbow Families of NJ will no longer be hosting events, due to the lack of both volunteers and funds. Rainbow Families is hoping to transform itself into more of a grass-roots organization where families can plan activities for themselves for other LGBT families to join them. To this end, the Rainbow Families e-mail address, Facebook group page (www.facebook.com/groups/RainbowFamiliesNJ), and website (RainbowFamiliesNJ.org) will remain active. E-mails about family-planned events and about taking over the management of Rainbow Families can be sent to info @ rainbowfamiliesnj.org. Free HIV testing is provided by Morristown Medical Center Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Center uses rapid testing, eliminating the need for Western Blot confirmation. They know how difficult it can be to be tested, and how important testing is, so they try to make the process of HIV testing as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Testing is done at the Center, 200 South Street, Room 350, in Morristown. While walk-ins are accepted, appointments are recommended. The Center also has a Spanish-speaking counselor. For more information, contact Roger Franklin, Manager of HIV Counseling, Testing & Referral, at 973-889-6802, or at roger.franklin @ atlantichealth.org.
This Month's Contributors
Daniel Herzog is an off-again, on-again member of GAAMC (currently on). A graduate of Juniata College, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and Rutgers, Daniel is a published author, poet, and reviewer; has served on the boards of many professional organizations; has worked in the counseling field; and has presented papers and lectured at conferences and universities. (pg. 14) Charlie Murphy is GAAMC's Socials Chairman. A member of GAAMC for over 30 years, he has served in many capacities, most notably as Mr. Scarlett O'Hara, the emcee at many GAAMC talent events. He is the recipient of GAAMC's first David C. Morris Award at this year's 40th Anniversary Ruby Ball. (pg. 11) Tony Puma's career in sales/marketing/advertising and public relations influences his poetry style: less abstract and more tothe-point. He belongs to poetry groups including the ItalianAmerican Writers Association, Red Wheel Barrow Poets, Poets House (NYC), South Mountain Poets and Hudson Valley Poetson-the-Loose. Through the prism of poetry, he sees, hears, feels, and captures emotions in words. (pg. 10) Mark Segal is the publisher of the Philadelphia Gay News, and is the nation's most award-winning commentator in LGBT media. (pg. 14) Bill Realman Stella writes Dancing to Architecture (DTA) because writing about music is like that. Host of the eclectic pop music radio program Highest Common Denominator (HCD) and the politics and community affairs program Are You Entertained (AYE), Bill seeks new outlets in radio, podcasting, blogging, etc. Get in touch if you'd like Bill to write, DJ, or promote for you. Comments and suggestions about DTA also welcome. Wr i t e b e a r e a l m a n @ g m a i l . c o m o r v i s i t http://HowToFindTheBestMusic.blogspot.com. (pg. 6)
KEVIN P. SUSZKO, PC Certified Public Accountant
An Apology from the Editors You may have noticed that no November issue of Challenge was produced. The blame can be laid at the feet of Hurricane Sandy, which left the Editors without electricity for ten days (and left our printer, FedEx Office, without power for a week). To our members and subscribers, we apologize for missing our first issue in seven years. To our advertisers, we will either extend your ads for an extra month or grant you an ad placement in another issue, free of charge. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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Page 4 CHALLENGE Winter 2012
Gleanings
Queer news from around the world LGBT Election Roundup
Maine voters approved a public question allowing marriage licenses to be issued to same-sex couples. Voters in Maryland and Washington approved legislation already passed by their state legislatures and signed by their governors, legalizing same-sex marriage in those states. Minnesota voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have defined marriage as being between one man and one woman; however, Minnesota state law still defines marriage as one man and one woman. Tammy Baldwin, an out lesbian from Wisconsin, became the first openly gay member of the US Senate; openly gay Marc Pocan takes Baldwin's seat in the US House of Representatives. Joining Pocan as new Representatives are California's Mark Tokano, who is both openly gay and of Japanese descent, New York's Sean Maloney, who is openly gay, and Arizona's Kyrsten Sinema, who is openly bisexual. Openly gay Representatives Jared Polis of Colorado and David Cicilline of Rhode Island won re-election to their seats as well. In state government races, New Hampshire's Stacie Laughton became the first openly transgendered candidate elected to a state legislature in the US. Ohio's Tim Brown became the only out Republican in any state legislature. 20-year-old Craig Cassey won election to DC's Advisory Neighborhood Commission, becoming the youngest out gay person ever elected to office, while 21-year-old Justin Chenette was elected to Maine's House, becoming the youngest openly gay state legislator in the nation. (Metro Weekly, Washington DC; Washington Blade; The Atlantic online; BuzzFeed.com)
“Until now, LGBT families and their lawyers had nothing to rely on but an oral promise. The administration's written guidance will help families facing separation, and the field officers who are reviewing their cases," said Rachel B. Tiven, executive director of Immigration Equality. Meanwhile, Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) has become the first Republican in the U.S. Senate to co-sponsor the Uniting American Families Act, legislation that would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for naturalization. "This important civil rights legislation would help prevent committed, loving families from being forced to choose between leaving their family or leaving their country," Collins said. Neither of these actions has prevented a federal appeals court from refusing to stop the deportation of a gay Mexican man who claims he will suffer persecution at the hands of government officials if he is forced to return to his country. The government argued there is clear evidence of advances for LGBT Mexicans, including marriage rights for same-sex couples in Mexico City. (Chicago Tribune; U.S. News & World Report; The Washington Post)
The Defense of Marriage Act’s narrow definition of marriage fails to advance a legitimate federal government interest and is therefore unconstitutional, according to a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, which became the second federal appellate court to rule in favor of plaintiffs challenging the law. The decision applied for the first time a heightened legal standard of review that could affect other federal laws. The U.S. Supreme Court is widely expected to consider DOMA’s constitutionality in its current term. (The Huffington Post) Immigration Front: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has instructed immigration officials to consider same-sex partners as falling within the definition of “family" during deportation cases, a step welcomed by advocates for bi-national gay and lesbian couples.
From top: Senator-elect Tammy Baldwin (D-WI); Assemblyman Tim Eustace; Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
The Supreme Court has declined an appeal of a case in which the so-called National Organization for Marriage lost its fight to keep its donors secret. A lower court ruled that NOM is required under Maine law to disclose donors to its campaign to block marriage rights for same-sex couples. The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the appeal leaves the lower court's ruling intact. (Metro Weekly, Washington DC) New Jersey Democratic Assemblyman Tim Eustace, an openly gay man, said he’ll introduce legislation to ban controversial practices which aim to convert minors from gay to straight. These so-called therapies have been discredited by all major professional associations of psychiatrists and psychologists. Eustace said he considers such practices a form of child abuse. His legislation is similar to a California law recently signed by Governor Jerry Brown (D), who in a statement said, “These practices have no basis in science or medicine and they will now be relegated to the dustbin of quackery.” Brown added that the practices have driven some young people to depression and suicide. (San Francisco Chronicle; Philadelphia Inquirer) New Jersey's Division of Civil Rights issued a 16-page decision concluding that the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association violated the Law Against Discrimination when, in 2007, it did not allow Harriet Bernstein and Luisa Paster to hold their civil union ceremony at its boardwalk pavilion. Division Director Craig Sashihara upheld a January 2012 decision
Winter 2012 CHALLENGE Page 5 reached by a state Office of Administrative Law judge. The The UPS Foundation has announced it will stop funding the only penalty the Association received was the finding it vioBoy Scouts of America because the BSA doesn't comply with the lated the law, since Bernstein and Paster did not seek fifoundation’s upcoming nondiscrimination policy. "UPS showed nancial restitution. However, the Department of Environtrue bravery today in standing with the 80,000 Americans, inmental Protection denied the Association's request for a tax cluding thousands of Scouts and Scout leaders, who oppose the abatement for the pavilion in 2008 because the structure Boy Scouts' hurtful anti-gay policy," said Zach Wahls, who urged was not available to all on an equal basis. (NJ.com) the company to pull its support in a petition on Change.org. The UPS Foundation donated more than $150,000 to BSA entiIn a move seen as coming close to crossing a ties in 2010. (Huffington Post) line into political advocacy, Newark, NJ Archbishop John Myers issued a letter stating that 17-year-old Ryan Andresen is being denied the Catholics who disagree with the church's stance Eagle Scout rank by his Boy Scout troop because on issues such as marriage equality should refrain scouting officials found out he is gay. Andresen from receiving communion. Myers urged Catholic has worked toward the rank for a decade, envoters to consider candidates' positions on issues during taunts and bullying even before he says such as marriage and abortion before casting he realized he was gay. “It was really embartheir votes. (The Record, Hackensack) rassing and humiliating. And I was terrified,” Andresen said of one incident during which the Construction plans for Philadelphia's proposed word “fag” was scrawled across his chest in LGBT senior residence are moving forward charcoal. (ABC News) quickly. Cleanup of the current property, formerly occupied by the Redevelopment Authority, Allyson Robinson, a former commissioned offihas started, with demolition plans underway. cer in the US Army, has been chosen as the new The six-story building, located at 249-257 S. 13th executive director of OutServe-SLDN, the Street, will feature 56 one-bedroom units demerger of OutServe and the Servicemembers signed for people age 62 and older. A portion of Legal Defense Network. She becomes the first the residences will be dedicated to low-income openly transgender leader of a national LGBT adults. (Philadelphia Gay News) organization not focused primarily on gender identity issues. (BuzzFeed.com) New York's Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, declined to hear a challenge to the state's The International Olympic Committee (IOC) in same-sex marriage law, ending the only signifiJune released new eligibility restrictions for cant threat to same-sex weddings in the state. women's competitions, declaring that women The Court rejected a motion by conservative with naturally high testosterone levels are too group New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, masculine to compete against other women, which accused the state Senate of violating the calling it an unfair advantage. Opponents callstate's Open Meetings Law in its deliberations ing for the rules' repeal assert that no scientific before it voted to allow gay men and lesbians to basis exists for the IOC's decision because one marry. (The New York Times) cannot rank people's abilities by testosterone level nor use it to predict the results of compeThe leader of the campaign supporting Marytition. (Discover Magazine) land’s same-sex marriage law is calling on D.C.’s Gallaudet University to reverse a decision to susOrlando Cruz, a Puerto Rican featherweight pend a campus diversity officer for signing a petiboxer who competed in the 2000 Olympics, tion calling for overturning the marriage equality came out as gay. "I want for people to conlaw. Josh Levin, campaign manager for Marylantinue to see me for my boxing skills, my charders for Marriage Equality, released a statement acter, my sportsmanship. But I also want kids Wednesday evening expressing opposition to Gal- From top: Eagle Scout Ryan who suffer from bullying to know that you can laudet’s decision to place Dr. Angela McCaskill, a Andresen; Allyson Robinson; be whoever you want to be in life, including a Maryland resident and the school’s Associate Pro- Orlando Cruz professional boxer, that anything is possible vost of Diversity and Inclusion, on paid adminisand that who you are or whom you love should trative leave. In his statement, Levin said, “Everyone is entinot be impediment to achieving anything in life," Cruz said tled to free speech and to their own opinion about Question in a statement. (ESPN.com) 6, which is about treating everyone fairly and equally under the law.” (Washington Blade) The Australian Senate has voted down a bill to legalize same sex marriage, sponsored by the Labor Party, by a vote A conservative group's unauthorized use of a gay couple's of 42 to 26. All coalition Senators and several Labor Senawedding photo in an anti-gay political mailer may land it in tors voted against the bill. The nine Green Senators and court. The couple, Brian Edwards and Thomas Privitere, are many Labor Senators (including Senate leader Chris Evans) suing Public Advocate of the United States for lifting the voted for the bill. A similar bill had been defeated in the photo off their online wedding blog without permission. House of Representatives by a 98-42 vote earlier. MeanThe mailer targeted a Colorado Republican state senator while, the Australian government extended to same-sex who lost her re-election primary in part because of her vote partners the mandate of two weeks paid leave for a second in favor of a civil unions bill. (Los Angeles Times) parent of a newborn. "The new Dad and Partner Pay will (continued on page 12)
Page 6 CHALLENGE Winter 2012
Dancing To Architecture™ Music Reviews & News with a Queer ear
by Bill Realman Stella GIFT GUIDE: All Queer Edition / The Best-So-Far, Part 6 Suggestions from 2012's 150 Favorite "Top 10" Albums List Whether you prefer Queer or any of the other more widely-used terms referring to non-hetero folks, the great music you can discover in this edition of DTA is made by People Like Us: Confident people proud to be who they are, open about their sexuality, allowing non-hetero sexuality and affection and orientation and gender to inform their work, freely expressing one's self on any topic or at any scale which matters to these artists. In the wake of recent successes in the political arena, this is music to enjoy, to inspire, Music To Come Out By: In short, this is the sound of getting on with our lives.
Q · AG ~ Reimagine : The Beatles
42 years after The Beatles broke up, singers still respect / homage / tribute their songbook and record cover versions. But have you ever heard six new versions of Beatles tunes by the same artist - and they were all real good? You will have NOW, when you hear this new six-song EP from AG, as Adrianne Gonzalez prefers to be known. Her new arrangements all really do re-imagine the originals without stomping them out of shape beyond recognition underfoot. To the contrary, like any good chanteuse — in this case a chanteuse with a punk rock sensibility — she makes a song her own, and adds a previously undiscovered sensitivity. Even when engaging in a gentle (and the original) act of performance genderfuck, AG sings them all without switching the gender of the pronouns, and it works great. They've been called "inspired" and (not without some irony) "ballsy". From within the decent bio page of her website one learns: "As an Out Lesbian who is passionate about the rights of the Gay and Transgender communities, [AG] is once again laying everything on the line with gender-bending versions of songs such as first single "I Wanna Be Your Man." ... Perhaps it can be attrib-
uted to fate that this year, 2012, marks the 50 year anniversary of the pivotal time when Ringo joined up with John, Paul, and George, and The Beatles as we know them were born. A half-century ago, the androgyny of The Fab Four made them stand out from their contemporaries, albeit while raising a few eyebrows. Now, AG's covers EP...is sure to similarly push the envelope with brave interpretations of well-known and loved tunes." Stream Re-imagine: The Beatles at Soundcloud.com & discover the video for "I Wanna Be Your Man" which makes transformation look easy. A far-ranging coverstory interview is at PerformerMag.com. AG is also on Facebook and Twitter. Q · Richard Barone ~ Cool Blue Halo
25th Anniversary Special Edition [Original Recording Remastered]
From his MTV-hit days with the New Jersey based band The Bongos through a solo career with multiple branches as album producer, musical collaborator and film archive board member, Barone has rarely looked backwards. Now he has re-released his unplugged 1987 album with 9 new tracks. Concurrently out now is a 2CD+DVD set of performances from this year's Halo reunion concert.
Q · Jay Brannan ~ Rob Me Blind
Briefly reviewed in May 2012's Challenge; kudos for his title track video on pg. 12 September 2012, print version:; expanded on pg. 15 of the online version.
Q Ani DiFranco ~ Which Side Are You On
Ani DiFranco updates the 1931 tune "in a bit of perfect timing to coalesce with the Occupy Movement. It's a rousing version with marchlike beats, punchy horns and DiFranco's pleading vocals for people to join the fight for justice. It's also an inclusive call to arms, reaching out to everyone as DiFranco chants, ''come on people of privilege… It's time to join the fight!"' --PopMatters.com
Q · Grizzly Bear ~ Shields
"Sleeping Ute" and “Yet Again" are the most immediately catchy tracks on this set. (See cover art on this page, top right.) Q Fred Hersch Trio ~Alive
at the Vanguard
According to Hersch, "'This may be [our] best trio playing on record, in terms of range, sound, being in the moment, and the way we play together. Not that I disown any of my former albums, but considering where I was three to four years ago, this is very strong, focused playing. And sonically I think it really captures the Vanguard." A modern Jazz trio at its prime.
Q · Kinsey Sicks ~ Electile Dysfunction
"In their newest album," they boast, "The Kinsey Sicks [hit] the campaign trail to be your next president (after all, corporations are now people too). Based on their hit mu-
sical, America's Favorite Dragapella® Divas represent their views on education, immigration, unemployment, scandal, sex, corruption, airport security, drilling and social networking — and all in glorious 4-part harmony. The original songs and brilliant reimaginings of classics on this album include such numbers as "Sell the Poor," "Eliminate the Schools," and their campaign anthem, "Vote for Me (I'm Not From Kenya)." "
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ~ The Heist
Among my finalists for Best Album of 2012, and sure to top many prominent Best Of lists. From MLCMag.com: "The Pacific Northwest is very familiar with Macklemore. He’s spent years building a fan base in Seattle. Alongside DJ and music director Ryan Lewis, the pair has established themselves as the faces of Seattle’s hip-hop scene. Their DIY-driven music has gone national thanks to a tireless work ethic.…Macklemore—real name Ben Haggerty — is about to [release] his official debut, The Heist. After building an initial buzz with 2009’s The vs. EP, the 29-yearold has plenty of new experiences to share three years later. Two successful singles have set the stage for The Heist — "Same Love" which addresses homophobia in hip-hop, and his bargain hunting anthem, "Thrift Shop." "The Heist, which hit #1 on iTunes in October, continues to yield hit singles, including "Wings." The video for "Same Love", directed by Jon Jon Augustavo and Lewis, is an epic featuring Out Lesbian vocalist Mary Lambert, glimpses of iconic moments in civil rights history, and nothing less than birth, education, marriage and death, expertly depicted in just over five minutes. From one of its many great verses: "No law's gonna change us /We gotta change us," I say amen. Real, emotionally honest, "Same Love"'s Gospel-infused Hip-Hop rings true. With all proceeds on iTunes and a 7" vinyl available through Sub Pop Records benefitting marriage equality in Washington State, "Same Love" also makes an impact through a partnership with the Music for Marriage Equality campaign. (continued on page 13)
Winter 2012 CHALLENGE Page 7
December 2012 / January 2013 Calendar Recurring Contact Information
* Hackensack Peer Support Groups: 800-508-7577; www.njbuddies.org † Pride Center, Highland Park: 732-846-2232; www.pridecenter.org ‡ Hudson Pride Connections Center: 201-963-4779; HudsonPride.org λ LGBT Center Rainbow Lounge, Princeton: www.princeton.edu/lgbt ◆ RU Pride, Newark: lgbt.newark.rutgers.edu 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 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm - The Daily Grind, Princetonλ Every Monday 10:30 am - The Wellness Community, Newark; 973-565-0300; info @ hyacinth.org 6:30 pm - Kundalini Yoga, Jersey City‡ (thru December 17) 6:30 pm - Nutrition and Wellness Education, Jersey City‡ (starting January 14) 7:00 pm - GAAMC, Morristown (see page 2) 7:00 pm - Bowling, Union; merenl @ comcast.net 7:30 pm - S.E.L.F. HIV Men’s support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm - New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus choir practice, Princeton; 609-396-7774; www.njgmc.org 7:30 pm - Overeaters Anonymous, Highland Park† 8:00 pm - Bowling, Green Brook; qcrollers @ aol.com Every Tuesday 12:30 pm - The Wellness Community, Newark; 973-565-0300; info @ hyacinth.org 4:00 pm - Treatment Adherence Support Group, Jersey City; 201-432-1134; info @ hyacinth.org 6:00 pm - Transview, Jersey City‡ 7:30 pm - Tuesday Night Lesbian Connection, Bound Brook; 908-791-3764 7:30 pm - Men’s HIV support group, Asbury Park; 732-775-5084; apstillpoz @ yahoo.com 7:30 pm - Positive Yoga, Oradell* 8:45 pm - Bowling, Belleville; 973-256-5936; NJGLB @ aol.com 9:00 pm - Bowling, Jersey City; 201-933-6028; JoeyNJ @ aol.com 9:15 pm - Bowling, Edison; 732-548-4550; cnjgbl @ yahoo.com December 2012 01 Sat 5:00 pm - "AIDS Is a Drag, Wrap It Up!", Jersey City; OurYouth2006@ yahoo.com (see Bulletin Board, pg. 3) 6:30 pm - La Clemenza di Tito, New York City; www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers 2:30 pm - First and Third for GLBTI youth, Princeton 609-683-5155; www.HiTOPS.org 02 Sun 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 6:30 pm - Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol @ msn.com 03 Mon 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 8:00 pm - Young Men's Social Network, Highland Park† 04 Tue 2:00 pm - Gypsy of the Year, New York City; www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers 6:00 pm - Gay Pride Business Network, New Brunswick; www.gpbn.net 6:30 pm - Dinner, Fairfield; www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers
Every Wednesday 10:30 am - The Wellness Community, Jersey City; 201-432-1134; info @ hyacinth.org 1:00 pm - "Generation Q", WRSU 88.7 FM; wrsu.org 2:30 pm - RU Pride Weekly Meeting, Newark◆ 6:00 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack* 7:00 pm - SAGE Hudson County, Jersey City‡ 7:30 pm - Men’s Living Out group, Highland Park; njwarrior @ aol.com† 7:30 pm - Gay Men’s Coming Out group, Highland Park; pdumpert @ gmail.com† 8:30 pm - Pride Night Meeting, Newark◆ Every Thursday 6:00 pm - Our Youth weekly support group, Jersey City; www.myspacenj.org 6:30 pm - Double Jeopardy peer support group, Hackensack* 6:30 pm - M-POWER men's group, Jersey City‡ 7:00 pm - Sexual Assault Survivor Support, Princeton; www.hitops.org 7:30 pm - Rainbows on Cleveland Street, Orange; 973-256-5936; rbowsoncleveland @ aol.com 7:30 pm - Writers group, Highland Park† Every Friday 3:00 pm - Youth Connect, Jersey City‡ Every Sunday 10:45 am - MCC of Christ the Liberator, Highland Park; mccliberator @ excite.com† Noon - St. Francis of Assisi Church, Glen Ridge; 973-731-7765; stfrancisnj.org 2:30 pm - Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church, Newark; 973-621-2100 5:30 pm - Central Jersey Rainbows Bowling League, Bradley Beach; CJRBowling @ gmail.com 7:30 pm - LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 7:30 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support Group, Highland Park† 05 Wed Noon - Out in the Job Search, Princetonλ 5:30 pm - Hudson County HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council, Jersey City‡ 6:30 pm - Social and Games Night, Clinton; www.glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com 7:30 pm - Gay Dad’s discussion group, Highland Park† 06 Thu 7:30 pm - Coffee Night, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm - Gay Educators Group, Highland Park† 07 Fri Noon - "Hey Mom, I'm Gay!", Princetonλ 7:00 pm - Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 8:00 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park† 08 Sat 1:00 pm - Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 7:00 pm - Movie Social, Highland Park† 08 Sat 7:30 pm - Dignity New Brunswick gay Catholic liturgy; 732-968-9263; dignitynb @ earthlink.net
Page 8 CHALLENGE Winter 2012 09 Sun 10:30 am - NJ Buddies Annual Brunch; www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers Noon - Chanukah Party, Highland Park; njlgh.onefireplace.com 6:00 pm - Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02 @ worldnet.att.net 10 Mon 11:30 am - Qrunch! Queer Brunch, Newark◆ 6:30 pm - HIV Testing, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Morris County, Mendham; 973-727-5288; pflag.morris @ verizon.net 7:30 pm - PFLAG, Princeton; 609-663-5155; www.pflagprinceton.org 11 Tue 7:00 pm - Bisexual, Bicurious, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PCNJ Board of Trustees meeting, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Yoga for Men, Highland Park† 8:00 pm - Men's Social Night, Highland Park† 12 Wed 6:00 pm - Gay Pride Business Network, Asbury Park; www.gpbn.net 6:00 pm - Queering the Color Line family dinner, Princetonλ 6:00 pm - Booked for Supper, Highland Park† 6:30 pm - North Jersey Prime Timers' monthly meetup, Little Falls; www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers 13 Thu 6:00 pm - L-B-Q Women United, Jersey City‡ 6:30 pm - Volunteer orientation, Jersey City‡ 7:00 pm - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of North Jersey, South Orange; 908-789-7489; pflagwaver @ aol.com 7:30 pm - Alternate Thursdays, Montclair; kjdinkin @ comcast.net 7:30 pm - Kollege of Kink, Highland Park† 14 Fri 7:30 pm - Rock Band/Guitar Hero, Highland Park† 15 Sat 2:30 pm - First and Third for GLBTI youth, Princeton; 609-683-5155; www.HiTOPS.org 7:00 pm - Rainbow Bowling, Bradley Beach; 732-774-4540 7:00 pm - NJ Gay Film Society & Potluck Dinner Club, location TBA; gayfilms @ bigfoot.com 7:00 pm - Games Night + Dessert, Highland Park† 16 Sun 1:00 pm - Mitzvah Day, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 6:30 pm - Holiday Party, Paterson; www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 4:00 pm - TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 17 Mon 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 8:00 pm - Young Men's Social Network, Highland Park† 18 Tue 7:00 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park† 7:00 pm - Are You a Stage Performer Wannabe?, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Lesbian Alliance of Princeton; 609-924-8174; Loisj @ msn.com 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Hunterdon County, Flemington; 908-752-1370; pflaghc @ yahoo.com 8:00 pm - PFLAG of Bergen County, Paramus; 201-287-0318; www.bergenpflag.org 8:00 pm - NJ Women, Secaucus; info @ njwomen.org
19 Wed 5:00 pm - HIV+ Consumer Meeting, Jersey City‡ 6:30 pm - Bowling, Boonton; www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez @ comcast.net 7:30 pm - Havurah board meeting, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 20 Thu 7:00 pm - GAAMC board meeting, Morristown; All GAAMC members are invited to attend. 7:00 pm - GLSEN Training, Highland Park† 7:00 pm - PCNJ HIV Planning Committee, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support Group, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Northwest NJ, Sparta; 973-729-9909 21 Fri 7:00 pm - Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm - Dignity New Brunswick social; 732-968-9263; dignitynb @ earthlink.net 8:00 pm - Out of the Box open mic night, Highland Park (sign-up begins 7:30); outoftheboxinfo @ mac.com 22 Sat 1:00 pm - Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 7:00 pm - Gay Bowling, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; 732-776-6160 7:00 pm - Men's Potluck Dinner, Highland Park† 25 Tue 3:00 pm - Health Drop-In Hours, Princetonλ 7:00 pm - Bisexual, Bicurious, and Allies Support Group, Highland Park† 7:00 pm - Stonewall Democrats, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Yoga for Men, Highland Park† 8:00 pm - Men's Social, Highland Park† 26 Wed 6:00 pm - Gay Pride Business Network, Asbury Park; www.gpbn.net 7:30 pm - Living Out Women, Highland Park† 27 Thu 6:00 pm - L-B-Q Women United, Jersey City‡ 7:00 pm - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 28 Fri 1:00 pm - Women With Voices, Jersey City‡ 7:30 pm - Living Soulfully, Highland Park† 8:00 pm - Shabbat Service, Metuchen; ritual @ njhav.org
January 2013 01 Tue Noon - New Year's Day Brunch, Millstone Township; njlgh.onefireplace.com 6:00 pm - Gay Pride Business Network, New Brunswick; www.gpbn.net 7:30 pm - LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 7:30 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support Group, Highland Park† 02 Wed 5:30 pm - Hudson County HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council, Jersey City‡ 6:30 pm - Social and Games Night, Clinton; www.glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com 7:30 pm - Gay Dad’s discussion group, Highland Park† 03 Thu 7:30 pm - Coffee Night, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm - Gay Educators Group, Highland Park†
Winter 2012 CHALLENGE Page 9
04 Fri 7:00 pm - Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 8:00 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park†
05 Sat Noon - Les Troyens, New York City; www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers 2:30 pm - First and Third for GLBTI youth, Princeton; 609-683-5155; www.HiTOPS.org 7:30 pm - Sukkot Service, Dinner, & Annual Meeting, Metuchen; program @ njhav.org 06 Sun 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 6:30 pm - Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol @ msn.com 07 Mon 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 8:00 pm - Young Men's Social Network, Highland Park† 08 Tue 7:00 pm - Bisexual, Bicurious, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PCNJ Board of Trustees meeting, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Yoga for Men, Highland Park† 8:00 pm - Men's Social Night, Highland Park† 09 Wed Noon - Career Networking for All-Ivy LGBT Students & Alumni, Princetonλ Noon - Queer Women's Lunch, Princetonλ 6:00 pm - Gay Pride Business Network, Asbury Park; www.gpbn.net 6:00 pm - Booked for Supper, Highland Park† 6:30 pm - North Jersey Prime Timers' monthly meetup, Little Falls; www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers 10 Thu 10:00 am - LGBTQ Safe Zone Training, Newark◆ Noon - Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Princetonλ 6:00 pm - L-B-Q Women United, Jersey City‡ 6:30 pm - Volunteer orientation, Jersey City‡ 7:00 pm - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of North Jersey, South Orange; 908-789-7489; pflagwaver @ aol.com 7:30 pm - Alternate Thursdays, Montclair; kjdinkin @ comcast.net 7:30 pm - Kollege of Kink, Highland Park† 11 Fri 7:30 pm - Rock Band/Guitar Hero, Highland Park† 12 Sat 1:00 pm - Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 7:00 pm - Movie Social, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Dignity New Brunswick gay Catholic liturgy; 732-968-9263; dignitynb @ earthlink.net 13 Sun 6:00 pm - Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02 @ worldnet.att.net 14 Mon 6:30 pm - HIV Testing, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Morris County, Mendham; 973-727-5288; pflag.morris @ verizon.net 7:30 pm - PFLAG, Princeton; 609-663-5155; www.pflagprinceton.org 15 Tue 7:00 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park† 7:00 pm - Are You a Stage Performer Wannabe?, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Lesbian Alliance of Princeton; 609-924-8174; Loisj @ msn.com
7:30 pm - PFLAG of Hunterdon County, Flemington; 908-752-1370; pflaghc @ yahoo.com 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 5:00 pm - HIV+ Consumer Meeting, Jersey City‡ 6:30 pm - Bowling, Boonton; www.meetup.com/North-Jersey-Primetimers 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez @ comcast.net 17 Thu 7:00 pm - GAAMC board meeting, Morristown; All GAAMC members are invited to attend. 7:00 pm - GLSEN Training, Highland Park† 7:00 pm - PCNJ HIV Planning Committee, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support Group, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Northwest NJ, Sparta; 973-729-9909 18 Fri 7:00 pm - Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm - Dignity New Brunswick social; 732-968-9263; dignitynb @ earthlink.net 19 Sat 2:30 pm - First and Third for GLBTI youth, Princeton; 609-683-5155; www.HiTOPS.org 7:00 pm - Rainbow Bowling, Bradley Beach; 732-774-4540 7:00 pm - NJ Gay Film Society & Potluck Dinner Club, location TBA; gayfilms @ bigfoot.com 7:00 pm - Games Night + Dessert, Highland Park† 20 Sun 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 4:00 pm - TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 21 Mon 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 8:00 pm - Young Men's Social Network, Highland Park† 22 Tue 3:00 pm - Health Drop-In Hours, Princetonλ 7:00 pm - Bisexual, Bicurious, and Allies Support Group, Highland Park† 7:00 pm - Stonewall Democrats, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Yoga for Men, Highland Park† 8:00 pm - Men's Social, Highland Park† 23 Wed 6:00 pm - Gay Pride Business Network, Asbury Park; www.gpbn.net 7:30 pm - Living Out Women, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Havurah board meeting, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 24 Thu 6:00 pm - L-B-Q Women United, Jersey City‡ 7:00 pm - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 25 Fri 1:00 pm - Women With Voices, Jersey City‡ 8:00 pm - Shabbat Service, Metuchen; ritual @ njhav.org 26 Sat 1:00 pm - Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 7:00 pm - Gay Bowling, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; 732-776-6160 7:00 pm - Men's Potluck Dinner, Highland Park†
Page 10 CHALLENGE Winter 2012
GAAMC Election Information As of press time, the following members are running in the upcoming GAAMC Board election, to be held on December 10th, 2012: Liz Cieri for Trustee; John DeLeeuw for VP-Operations; Kerry Dinkin for VP-Community Services; Claire Pompei for Trustee; Sherri Rase for Trustee; Gordon Sauer for Secretary; Andy Skurna for President and Treasurer; Mickey Suiter for Trustee; and Alexa Vasios for Trustee. Nominations for the Board can be made up until the start of voting on election night. All nominees are subject to the eligibility rules for the positions they seek: President, six months continuous Board service and membership since December 2011; Vice-Presidents, six months continuous Board service or committee chairmanship and membership since June 2012; Secretary and Treasurer, membership since June 2012. All voters must be members in good standing since before November 10th, 2012.
On Voting
by Mickey Suiter
LGBT Capitol Miracle by Mark Segal
There were many things for LGBT people to take into account in this past election. In Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington the voters made decisions on marriage equality. In the past, we have lost every public vote on marriage equality. This year we won all four. The ‘evolving’ public opinion on the issue appears to have finally reached a tipping point.
It’s magic time in Washington, D.C., and our LGBT media, bloggers and particularly lobbyists like Human Rights Campaign are not feeling that magic. Most are tripping over themselves to give what they believe should be the LGBT priorities for the Obama administration’s second term. All their suggestions are worthy, but they all miss the Washington magic. They’re looking in the wrong place.
Unfortunately, too many LGBT people place a lower priority on achieving our rights than our opponents do in taking them away. While of course there are many critical issues facing the nation, our opponents manage to find candidates they agree with on many of them, including our issues. Many LGBT people vote for candidates they agree with on what they consider to be more important issues even if those candidates are on the wrong side on our issues. While I can understand finding the positions of some pro-gay candidates objectionable on other issues, I cannot understand those who are willing to vote for anti-gay candidates because they agree with them on other issues. Surely there are candidates in other parties who are more in line with their thinking on non-gay issues and are also, if not pro-gay, at least not anti-gay. No matter how much I may agree with a candidate on other issues, I could never support one who doesn’t support me.
Let’s take a cue from the Latino community. It’s the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue we should be focusing on — the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The Latino community gets the game: Their lobbyists have a focus and make it simple for legislators to understand. For them, it’s the Dream Act. For us, it should be the Employment Nondiscrimination Act.
Many people think that one vote doesn’t make a difference. My own personal experience shows that it can. In the mid-seventies I had only been voting for a couple of years when I found myself briefly living in Chatham. I registered to vote since I was going to be there in November and wanted to vote for state and national offices. As I had only lived there a short time I knew nothing about local politics. But there was a contest for mayor and I knew Chatham was a pretty Republican town, so being contrary, I voted for the Democrat. The next day I read the results in the paper and saw that the Democrat had won by one vote. On a larger scale, most of us remember the hanging chad controversy where George W. Bush won the state of Florida and the presidency by only 537 votes in 2000. What didn’t get as much attention in that election was Al Gore’s victory in New Mexico by 366 votes. So you can see that one vote, or at least a very small number of votes, can make a huge difference. I strongly urge you to get out and vote whenever you get the chance. It’s not just the patriotic thing to do. It’s vital to our country and our community that we let our voices be heard. Find a candidate who supports your views (continued on page 14)
Magic time in D.C. happens rarely. It comes every four to eight years and only when there is a true shift in the populace that one of the political parties begins to look inward to try and find their deficiencies. That magic time usually runs from the election to the end of the current congressional term, since the congressional leadership can count on the majority of outgoing members for their votes in trade for future assistance, and on current members looking for plum positions in the new Congress. ENDA is the only major part of our priority list that is not accomplished. It’s important, since most LGBT Americans are still not protected in employment. Military servicemembers are; if you work for the U.S. government you are. To our lobbyists in D.C., isn’t it time to use our political capital for the rest of the people? How to make it happen: It takes three steps. First, ENDA must pass both the House and Senate, then be signed by the president, whose support we already have. We know we also have the support of Democratic leadership and the overwhelming majority of Democrats in the House and Senate. OK, here comes the problem, and a suggestion. From that scenario, you should devise that the hold-up would be in the House of Representatives, whose speaker is Congressman John Boehner. The speaker controls all. If he wishes, legislation will make it to the floor and to a vote. He does not necessarily have to (continued on page 14)
Winter 2012 CHALLENGE Page 11
Good Eats!
by Chef Charlie Murphy November's signature meat is turkey, but let's face it — after turkey soup, turkey salad, turkey sandwiches, and turkey hash, you know it's time for something different. Here's an easy-to-make meal (prep time 30 minutes; cook time one hour) that will make you give thanks all over again!
Roast Loin of Pork 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 boneless center-cut pork loin roast (about 2-3 lbs), trimmed and tied
2 2 2 2
tablespoons tablespoons tablespoons tablespoons
salt freshly ground pepper whole grain mustard cider vinegar
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat the vegetable oil in a large ovenproof skillet over high heat. Season the pork with salt and pepper and pan sear on all sides until golden brown. Crush the mustard, add it to the oil and vinegar, and drizzle over the pork. Transfer the pork to the oven and roast the pork until a thermometer in the center reads 145 degrees (about 35 minutes). Transfer the pork to a cutting board and tent with foil for 10 minutes. Remove strings and serve with Fall Vegetable Cobbler.
Fall Vegetable Cobbler 4 2 2 1 2
cups low-sodium chicken broth cups all-purpose flour tablespoons whole-grain mustard large turnip, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch pieces medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch pieces 4 large carrots, sliced Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Whisk the broth and 1/4 cup flour in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the mustard and vegetables; simmer until thickened (about 2 minutes). Whisk in 2 tablespoons butter and salt and pepper to taste; transfer to a 3-quart baking dish. Whisk the remaining flour, the baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Rub in the cold cubed butter with your hands until the dough resembles coarse meal. Lightly stir in 3/4 cup cream using a fork. Place big spoonfuls of dough (about 6) on top of the vegetables and brush with the remaining cream. Bake until golden brown and cooked through (about 45 minutes). Scatter parsley on top.
8 tablespoons unsalted butter; 6 tablespoons cut into cubes and kept cold Kosher salt Freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 cup heavy cream 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
Page 12 CHALLENGE Winter 2012
Gleanings
(continued from page 5) help dads take more time off in those critical early months to bond with their baby," said Jenny Macklin, Australia's Minister for Families. (Brisbane Times; News.com.au) British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne have announced they support Prime Minister David Cameron’s plans to legalize marriage for same-sex couples, even though a survey of some Tory chairmen has found significant opposition to the move. The leaders of all three major British political parties support marriage rights for gays and lesbians, but the Church of England opposes changing the current law, which allows only civil partnerships. (BBC) Spain's Constitutional Court upheld the legality of the country's gay marriage law, rejecting an appeal contending that marriage in the Spanish constitution means only the union of a man and woman. The county's top court voted 8 to 3 to dismiss the appeal of the conservative Popular Party filed shortly after Spain became the world's third country to approve gay marriage. Spain's Parliament passed the gay marriage law in 2005 when it was Socialist-controlled, with Popular Party deputies opposed. The Popular Party took power late last year after the Socialists were ousted over their handling of the economy. (ABC News) The French government's plans to push for a new marriage equality law has been complicated by an increasingly vocal minority opposed to allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt. President Francois Hollande has made the issue a priority for his new administration, but Catholic bishops, rural activists and other conservative political leaders have mounted an effort to scuttle the plan. (Bloomberg Businessweek)
From top: UK Foreign Secretary William Hague; UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne; French President Francois Hollande; Malawi President Joyce Banda
Malawi President Joyce Banda said in a recent interview that her country is not yet ready to repeal laws that criminalize homosexuality, despite her having urged the country’s parliament to reform such laws. “Where Malawi is and most African countries are, is maybe where America or the UK were about 100 years ago. The best thing the world can do is to allow each country to take its course, to allow each country to have that debate freely without the pressure of being pushed,” Banda said. (Nyasa Times)
Uganda will officially pass the ‘Kill The Gays’ bill at the end of this year despite international criticism. Speaker Rebecca
Kadaga said the anti-gay bill will become law by December since most Ugandans "are demanding it". The law will broaden the criminalization of same-sex relationships by dividing homosexuality into two categories: aggravated homosexuality, defined as gay acts committed by parents or authority figures, HIV-positive people, pedophiles, and repeat offenders, punishable by death; and the offense of homosexuality, which includes same-sex sexual acts or being in a gay relationship, and is punishable by life imprisonment. (GayStarNews.com) Russia’s Supreme Court recently upheld St. Petersburg’s controversial law that bans "gay propaganda," after a gay rights activist challenged the measure. The court was specific in the way it can be applied, however. The ruling states that the law can only be "enforced against direct appeals to minors to engage in homosexual activity." This may mean that gay pride parades and LGBT rights rallies are still legal. (ThinkProgress.org) Over 65,000 people in Taiwan attended that country's tenth annual Gay Pride event. Many attendees said the event was aiming to attain marriage equality in the island nation. While same-sex marriage is not recognized, a 2006 poll found 75% of Taiwanese supported legalizing GLBT relationships. A bill to legalize same-sex marriage has been pending since 2003. (Huffington Post) Howard Wallace, a longtime organizer in San Francisco who played key roles in bringing the GLBT and labor movements together, died November 14th. Wallace was a co-founder of Bay Area Gay Liberation and persuaded the group to support Cesar Chavez' work in organizing migrant farm workers, which led to the UFW's support of gay equality in the late 70s. Wallace also worked with the Teamsters Union on a boycott of Coors beer, getting the GLBT community to sign on to the boycott and get Coors out of many Castro area bars Wallace, who was 76, died of compli- Howard Wallace (right) marching with the Pride cations from Alz- at Work contingent at the San Francisco Pride heimer's disease. Parade, circa 1975 (San Francisco Bay Guardian) The producers of In the Life, the Emmy-nominated monthly television program showcasing stories about LGBT people which aired on public television stations, announced the show's final episode would be broadcast in December. Funding challenges were cited as a major factor in the decision to stop production. Plans are to make the show's archives available online. (The Sacramento Bee)
Winter 2012 CHALLENGE Page 13
Dancing To Architecture (continued from page 6)
Q · Bob Mould ~ Silver Age
"I don’t know if there’s an arc to this record," Bob Mould says. "But if I had to boil it down to one core idea, it would be: I love music. I love my life. I love what I do for a living. It’s right there on the lyric sheet; it references itself, really. More than any other record I’ve made, this one gives a real glimpse into how much making music means to me as a means of expression, as well as what music means to me as a fan." New music from Bob Mould is always reason to celebrate. I'm unapologetically fannish about him, and my belief that he's one of the greatest of all underappreciated songwriters of our time. His new music comes around again not so much like he's gone 360 degrees to journey from growly Post-Punk Rocker to Electronica innovator to Gay Men's Party DJ and return again to be a guitar-churning rocker, so much as he has gone up and out a few levels from where he started, taking us into a new degree of loud, irrepressible but matured and experienced guitar-churning rock. Bob Mould's Silver Age is golden. Q · Meshell
Q · Dudley Saunders ~ Monsters
He's a deep, intellectually challenging songwriter, with an amazing, vibrato-rich voice. David Gresh remarks: "[Saunders] extrapolates on something I've always thought, that there's a fine line between depression and just seeing the world with utter clarity." His lyrical mastery is unparalleled, painting scenes as evocative as Joni Mitchell's, drawing pictures from within your mind's recesses as striking as Bob Dylan's. For instance, take these gently flaying observations: "We walk the sharp of knives / We die and stay alive / We sail their ships at sea / Beneath the sailors’ feet / We watch what tries to hide / We’re hiding in plain sight / We talk what will not speak / What rats are we // We know every variation / Of humiliation / And insults / You can’t help but believe // People know to walk away / But some know how to stay / And how to feed / We know how to feed / What rats are we." ("What Rats Are We" © Dudley Saunders) He's only missing a scene—that is, a scene with peers to run with and followers to give him his due, like Dylan and Mitchell had. Hear his entire new album at dudleysaunders.bandcamp.com.
Q · Jay Spears ~ We Are All Born Lucky
Ndegeocello ~ Pour une Ame Souveraine (For a sovereign soul) - A Dedication to Nina Simone
Singing songs Simone sung, Ndegeocello invents unique arrangements for them too: a hyper-jittery version of Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne", an equally energetic "Turn Me On" and a disquietingly languorous "Feeling Good". In duets, Meshell goes to church with Toshi Reagon on "House Of The Rising Sun" and harmonizes sweetly with her on "Real Real", takes a dramatic turn with Sinead O'Connor on "Don't Take All Night", and gives the lead to Cody Chestnutt for a soulfully acoustic, optimistic "To Be Young, Gifted and Black".
9 tracks from Jay "I Like Mike" Spear's forthcoming comeback-from-battling-cancer album are available now at JaySpears.com.
Q · Garrison Starr ~ Amateur
"Singer. Songwriter. Guitarist. For fifteen years, Garrison Starr has been doing what most people just talk about doing someday. She’s not only toured with many of her heroes, but more importantly she’s earned their respect and admiration. She’s known as a ruthless live performer, tireless road warrior, irreverent purveyor of plain truth, and champion of music and songs that soar." So says Starr's homepage and, believe me, this time it's not empty hype. Starr's latest song that soars is "Slow Crawl", featured on her new album Amateur. In the "Slow Crawl" video, the friendly neighborhood heroes come together to lead "a ground war coming", and to heed the call to join in: "We made it all up." It's directed by the multi-talented AG — Remember? She's the first artist featured in this month's edition of DTA! Watch it at http://youtu.be/fsIfSF-ajgo
Q · Robert Urban ~ new tracks
I don't know what has happened with Robert Urban. But I'm happy to hear it. A b o u t f o u r, f i v e months ago, alerted by his Facebook posts, these tracks started to appear on his Soundcloud page. "Bird of Paradise" sounds like a Carlos Santana outtake, "Hold On To Your Own Love" like an Adrian Belew (King Crimson, Talking Heads) outtake. Best known as an Outmusic "Musician of the Year", for his production work as much as for his own output, which centered around Pop Rock flavors, this new variety of Urban is enlightened and illuminating. If you haven't tried him before, take a listen, and set aside a few bucks for whatever his next commercial release is. Robert's creative tap has opened and is flowing full-strength. Dancing To Architecture™ contents ©2012 Bill Stella. ©, ® & ™ items included in the column for review purposes are ©, ® & ™ their respective owners. The stylized Q indicates albums by (or contributed to by) Out Bisexuals, Gay Men, Lesbians and Transgendered persons.
Other Awesome Queer Albums of 2012, Previously Reviewed: Nameless And Awake by Reuben Butchart, Jay Brannan's Rob Me Blind, Magnetic Fields' Love At The Bottom Of The Sea, Sinead O'Connor's How About I Be Me (and you be you)? and Rufus Wainwright's Out Of The Game
Page 14 CHALLENGE Winter 2012
On Voting
(continued from page 10) on the issues, including those affecting the LGBT community. Remember, if you don’t vote you can’t complain about the results. You’ll have no one but yourself to blame. [Editor's note: This article is an excerpt from Mickey Suiter's President's Letter for the November issue which was cancelled in the wake of the storm. It has been edited to reflect post-election results.]
Time by Daniel Herzog I have always felt that time is of the essence. It probably is a trait from my father and his family. They were always on time, in fact my grandfather often got places an hour or 2 early — and he used the bus. But for me being on time for work or a show was always important. At work they saw time as secondary and being neat and organized as primary. Also, at work they saw following instructions as important, rather than being on time. But the one thing I learned about time is that if you are not on time for an interv i e w, y o u f r equently don't get the job. And Christ, if the trains in Europe didn't run on time, Switzerland would be out of wack, away where everything is done according to plan and time. © Daniel Herzog, MMXII
My Fears Haunt Me by Daniel Herzog When I trip and fall, I'm afraid I've broken something. When I get a fever, I fear it is Hanta virus or bubonic plague as a result of something I've read, or mice running around the house. I can't speak about my fears to my partner because he won't listen anymore, or poohpooh's them, so at times I become trapped by my fears, unable to do something I wanted. Which is probably why my psychiatrist won't reduce my therapy to once every 4 weeks from once every 3 weeks. © Daniel Herzog, MMXII
LGBT Capitol Miracle (continued from page 10)
have his name on the legislation. The point is, he has the Republican votes and the authority to get it through the House. And as magic season has it, he’s very much aware of not only the future of Republicans in the House, but those around him who want his job. That, my friends, spells opportunity. Choose your partner and dance. Anyone in for a fox trot with Congressman Cantor? Time for our friends at GOProud and Log Cabin and people like Ken Mehlman to prove themselves. They should either, on their own or with a coalition of organizations, focus like a laser beam on ENDA and Boehner. If you guys don’t have the access, then it’s time for you to stand your ground, as Latinos have with the Dream Act. Ken, raising money for marriage equality will not wash the blood off your hands, but standing in front of the Capitol at a news conference fighting for nondiscrimination starts you on that path. Here’s the rub: We have about four weeks left of this Congress. Think that is not enough time? Remember the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”? That’s all it took, just two years ago. © Mark Segal, MMXII
LINDA
by Tony Puma Linda has post-nasal-drip. Linda’s step-mother had post-nasal-drip. She said. I nodded. Linda needs a beer. Linda’s an alcoholic. She said. I agreed. Linda takes too many pills. Linda’s always confused. She said. I shrugged. Linda found her teeth. Linda’s always losing them. She said. I laughed. When Linda visits and vents in the 3rd person, I smile, mostly. ©TPuma/MMXII
Winter 2012 CHALLENGE Page 15
GAAMC Board Mini-Minutes, September 20, 2012 Atttendance Voting Trustees: Dinkin, Pompei, Rubin, Sauer, Suiter Non-Voting Attendees: Sue Harris, Charlie Murphy, Allen Neuner, Dolores Yurkovic The meeting began at 7:06 pm. I. Adoption of minutes: The minutes of August 16, 2012, were not adopted due to a lack of quorum. II. Old Business: Ruby Ball: We have 129 reservations. Allen has solicited and received congratulatory letters from government officials. There will be a short program with three awards. Ed Schell has collected items for the silent auction; he and Gordon will set it up the day of the event. $1.98 Beauty Pageant: A big success with seventy in attendance. Many thanks to Charlie. Since there was a tie for Miss $1.98, a second tiara needs to be bought. III. New Business: GSA Forum: The ninth annual forum for youth, supporters, and advisors will be November 17. GAAMC will register for a table for $50. Gordon, Mickey, and Andy plan to attend. IV. Reports: President: Mickey Suiter — Nominations for elections (especially for President) need to be considered. Andy provided a chart of trustees and their terms. Treasurer: Andy Skurna — no report. The final check to the Governor Morris hotel will be paid Friday. Secretary: Gordon Sauer — no report. VP Operations: Bill Stella — no report.
Challenge: Allen Neuner — The October issue will be stuffed on September 24th and mailed on September 25th. The next deadline is October 15th for the November issue. Member Services/Front Desk: Allen Neuner — Many thanks to Claire and Dolores for their help during Allen's absence. Programs: Sherri Rase — written report (on file). Public Relations: Andy Skurna — no report. Volunteerism: Sherri Rase — no report. Discussion Group Resources: Gordon Sauer — written report (on file). Socials: Charlie Murphy — The next social is Halloween on October 29th. Charlie may not be there. Please ask people to bring finger food. The Thanksgiving social will be on November 19th and the Holiday social will be on December 17th. VP Community Services: Kerry Dinkin — no report. Activism: Andy Skurna — no report. Fundraising: Andy Skurna — no report. Pride Guide: Andy Skurna — no report. Membership: Andy Skurna — no report. Speakers' Bureau: Chris Selitto — no report. Webmaster: Andy Skurna — written report (on file). Archives: Mickey Suiter — written report (on file). Information: Mitch Rubin — A suggestion box has been on the table since the last Board meeting. No suggestions have been made. V. Save These Dates: September 30th, Ruby Ball; October 18th, next Board meeting; December, elections. VI. Ideas & Suggestions: none. VII. Adjournment: No formal motion was made due to a lack of quorum. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
GAAMC Board Mini-Minutes, October 18, 2012 Atttendance Voting Trustees: DeLeeuw, Dinkin, Pompei, Sauer, Skurna, Suiter Non-Voting Attendees: Mark Wydner, Dolores Yurkovic The meeting began at 7:10 pm. I. Adoption of minutes: The minutes of August 16, 2012, were adopted unanimously (moved, Skurna; seconded, Pompei). The minutes of September 20, 2012, were adopted 4-0-2 (moved, Pompei; seconded, Dinkin). II. Old Business: GSA Forum: The ninth annual forum for youth, supporters, and advisors will be held November 17th. GAAMC will register for a table at 450. Gordon, Mickey, and John plan to attend. III. New Business: Jersey Battered Women's Resources: The board heard a proposal from JBWS to draft a memorandum of understanding between it and GAAMC. JBWS is applying for a grant to form an advisory boad on teen dating abuse. Motion to accept the memorandum contingent on GAAMC's by-laws passed unanimously (moved, Skurna; seconded, Sauer) AVG Cyber Security offer: Andy can get computer security for GAAMC at a very low price. The board discussed possible scenarios for selling the security coverage to members. Halloween Social: GAAMC will offer appetizers and desserts. Charlie will donate table products and punch. Costumes will be optional and there will be no contest. IV. Reports: President: Mickey Suiter — Nominations for elections need to be considered. An election committee is needed and a slate needs to be drafted by November 15. Bill Stella submitted his resignation as VP Operations and board trustee. Motion to accept resignation passed 5-1 (moved, Dinkin; seconded, DeLeeuw). Treasurer: Andy Skurna — no report. GAAMC broke even on the Ruby Ball. GAAMC's insurance will be renewed this month. Secretary: Gordon Sauer — no report. VP Operations: position vacant.
Challenge: Allen Neuner — written report (on file). Member Services/Front Desk: Allen Neuner — written report (on file). Programs: Sherri Rase — no report. Public Relations: Andy Skurna — Mickey and Andy are going to the NAACP Freedom Fund dinner. GAAMC has a half-page ad in the dinner journal. Volunteerism: Sherri Rase — no report. Discussion Group Resources: Gordon Sauer — written report (on file). Socials: Charlie Murphy — see "New Business" above. VP Community Services: Kerry Dinkin — Kerry has been returning calls and hopes that some of the people who have called will attend GAAMC meetings. Activism: Andy Skurna — Andy attended an LGBT leadership discussion with Senator Menendez. Fundraising: Andy Skurna — the silent auction at the Ruby Ball was a huge success. Pride Guide: Andy Skurna — no report. Membership: Andy Skurna — GAAMC has received a number of new memberships since the Ruby Ball. Speakers' Bureau: Chris Selitto — Chris will be moving to Delaware and giving up his chairmanship as of January 1st. Webmaster: Andy Skurna — no report. Archives: Mickey Suiter — no report. Information: Mitch Rubin — no report. V. Save These Dates: October 29th, Halloween Social; November 15th, next Board meeting; December, elections. VI. Ideas & Suggestions: none. VII. Adjournment: motion to adjourn passed uanimously (moved, Pompei; seconded, Sauer). The meeting adjourned at 8:25 pm.
Page 16 CHALLENGE Winter 2012
GAY ACTIVIST ALLIANCE IN MORRIS COUNTY
Officers President (President @ GAAMC.org) — Mickey Suiter VP Community Services (Info @ GAAMC.org) — Kerry Dinkin VP Operations — vacant Secretary (Secretary @ GAAMC.org) — Gordon Sauer Treasurer (Treasurer @ GAAMC.org) — Andy Skurna Trustees John DeLeeuw, Ron Kennedy, Claire Pompei, Mitch Rubin, Alexa Vasios Trustees Emeriti Sue Harris, Sherri Rase, Robin Schneider, Mark Wydner Committee Chairs Activism — Gordon Sauer (Activism @ GAAMC.org) Archives — Mickey Suiter (Archives @ GAAMC.org) Discussion Group Resources — Gordon Sauer (Discussions @ GAAMC.org) Front Desk — Allen Neuner Fundraising — Andy Skurna (Fundraising @ GAAMC.org) Information — Mitch Rubin (FreeLibrary @ GAAMC.org) Membership — Andy Skurna (Memberships @ GAAMC.org) Pride Guide — Andy Skurna (PrideGuide @ GAAMC.org) Programs — Sherri Rase (Programs @ GAAMC.org) Public Relations — Sherri Rase (Info @ GAAMC.org) Socials — Charlie Murphy (Socials @ GAAMC.org) Speakers Bureau — Chris Selitto (SpeakersBureau @ GAAMC.org) Volunteerism — Sherri Rase (Volunteer @ GAAMC.org) Webmaster (inc. Facebook, Issuu, Yahoo!) — Andy Skurna (Webmaster @ GAAMC.org)
GAAMC, the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, has served New Jersey’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed communities since 1972. GAAMC is a notfor-profit volunteer-run organization that provides social, educational, and outreach programs. GAAMC also offers opportunities for individuals to become politically active on issues related to the GLBTI communities. Our intent is to maintain a positive, healthy, respectful, and supportive environment in a safe space. Meetings are held every Monday evening at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ (near the Morris Museum). Discussion groups usually meet from 7:00 to 8:00. The evening's program usually starts shortly after 8:00. Refreshments are available. For program information, call our information line or check our homepage (see below). Members and nonmembers from any locale are always welcome. Annual membership dues are: Regular, $40/single, $70/ couple; Students/Seniors, $30/single, $60/couple. Those looking to help out at GAAMC can contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Sherri Rase, at Volunteer @ GAAMC.org. How to reach GAAMC Mail: PO Box 137, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Telephone: 973-285-1595 E-Mail: info @ gaamc.org Home page: http://www.gaamc.org Mail List: http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/gaamc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gaamc Challenge online edition: issuu.com/gaamc
PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS! December 10th
GAAMC Elections
December 17th Holiday Social & Show
January 7th
From Here to Community See "GAAMC Events", page 2, for more details!