The Best Damn Newsletter in New Jersey!TM Mickey Suiter Writes a History of GAAMC, page 9!
CHALLENGE T he New sl etter of the Gay Act iv is t Allian ce in Morris Cou n t y S e r v i ng New Jer sey’ s G LBTI Commu n it ies Con t in u ou s ly S in c e 1 9 7 2 V o lu m e 40 , I ssu e 10 , De ce m be r 2 0 14 / J anu ar y 2 0 15
Gratitude, Abundance, and Us by Sherri Rase This is the time of year – the winding down of one chapter and the beginning of another – where we consider all that we’re grateful to have. At Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for family, food, and football. During Chanukah, we celebrate the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days. Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration first established in the mid-1960s and the name comes, it is said, from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanzaa meaning “the first fruits of the harvest”. Christmas is where the good get their just rewards and the entire season is one of remembrance and abundance. Or that is what it is supposed to be. Everywhere around us, there will be people asking us to help. Some will ask for money. Some will ask for food. Some will ask for toys or time. I know that with the requests I get for all of those, budgeting is important. Yet when something worthy comes up, I find a way to integrate it into the mix. Something that should always be abundant is caring for one another. Sadly, it sometimes seems that people are out to thwart us in particular when in fact other drivers, other shoppers, other pedestrians are just pursuing their own agendas. That may not put other people at cross purposes to you individually; you’re just trying to occupy similar space at the same time. When we come from our place of abundance, it is easiest to give to others. When our resources are less abundant, re-
member what “abundance” felt like when it was in your life and tap into that feeling. Oprah Winfrey reminds us that “like attracts like” when speaking of the Law of Attraction, and if we want to experience gratitude we need to feel gratitude. If we want the sense of “plenty” then we need to feel that. From my experience it works for “happy” as well. Recently, our Treasurer John helped me complete a matching gift form for my company to verify some of my financial contributions to GAAMC. The good news for GAAMC is that the match will cover about a week of keeping the lights on and the meeting going. Join me in giving GAAMC back just a little of what you have received. Was GAAMC here when you needed a well-lit place to figure out some life events? It has been for me. I haven’t always had the same amount of time or money to give GAAMC each year over the past 20 plus I’ve been attending, but I’ve always given something. When I give a little, and you give a little then together we create abundance: for the adult woman coming out after a lot of soul searching; for the man who’s been married and learns a lot about himself in a very short time; for young women and men who may be less fortunate when they come out. Consider a matching gift, or how great a gift a GAAMC membership would be for someone — it’s always the right size and it can take people wonderful places. I celebrate Chrisma-Chanu-Kwanzaa-kah because why choose? Thank you for your support this year and have a safe, happy, and healthy holiday.
Inside Challenge Challenge Information .................................... page GAAMC Events.............................................. page What's happening at our Monday meetings Gleanings.................................................... page This Month's Contributors ............................... page Getting Personal........................................... page
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Q-munity Calendar........................................ page 5 Board Minutes for October 2014....................... page 8 A History of GAAMC........................................ page 9 Good Eats! recipes....................................... page 10 GLSEN Releases School Safety Survey Results..... page 11 GAAMC Information ...................................... page 12
Challenge is in color online, with more content at issuu.com/gaamc/docs!
Page 2 CHALLENGE Volume 40, Number 10 December 2014 / January 2015 ISSN 0277-1675 Staff Editor .....................Allen Neuner Assistant Editor ............. Bill Stella Advertising Manager ............. open Circulation Manager ............. open List Manager ............ Allen Neuner
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GAAMC Events for December 2014 / January 2015 Discussion Groups
OpenTalk: A weekly discussion group, open to all. 7:00, in the Library. Moderators: Gordon (Dec 15, 22; Jan 5, 12); Kerry (Dec 1; Jan 26); Liz (Dec 8; Jan 19); Sherri (Dec 22, 29). NOTE: Discussion group does not meet on Film Festival nights. 20-Somethings: A monthly discussion group for those in their twenties. Held on the last Monday of the month. Moderator: Joe (Dec 29; Jan 26). Current Affairs: A monthly discussion group focused on current events. Held on the first Monday of the month. Moderator: Frank (Dec 1; Jan 5).
Main Events
Submissions
All start at 8:00 unless otherwise noted.
The deadline for all articles, inserts, and advertisements is the fifteenth of the previous month. All submissions must be provided as electronic files. Email submi ssions to Challenge @ GAAMC.org.
December 1: World AIDS Day What do you know about this continuing epidemic? What are your thoughts? Whom have you lost? Today we remember those men and women from the generation lost to AIDS and talk about how to move forward.
Ad Rates Single issue: Full page, $125.00; Half page, $85.00; Quarter page, $45.00; Business card, $25.00. For multi-issue rates, contact the Editor at Challenge @ GAAMC.org. GAAMC members may place one free classified ad per month, of no more than 200 characters in length. Change of Address Please let us know your new address! All address changes should be sent to the Editor at Challenge @ GAAMC.org. Challenge is Š 2014 by the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, a 501(c)3 taxexempt not-for-profit corporation. All rights reserved. All articles reflect the views of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of GAAMC, its officers, or executive board. All copyrights revert to the original contributors upon publication. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the contributor. All articles, contributions, and advertisements are printed at the discretion of the Editor and/or GAAMC Executive Board.
December 8: Holiday Members Market Who doesn't love handmade artisan goods as a gift, especially when you know the artisan? Special gifts for special friends and family will be available tonight, just in time for winter gift giving! Put in special orders for after the holidays as well! Choose from photographs, fine and costume jewelry, books, handmade dolls, and more! December 15: GAAMC Elections and Holiday Show Tonight, members vote on who will guide GAAMC in 2015. It's also when we celebrate the holidays GAAMCstyle with a social and a show! Sign up now for your signature salute to the winter holidays and share your talent at one of the happiest events of the year! December 22: Extended Open Talk GAAMC Dishes the Holidays! Time to get your ya-yas out and complain or wax rhapsodic about the Solstice, the crowds, the stress, and the pleasure. We speak our minds, and you speak yours, in GAAMC XLOT — Extended Length Open Talk! December 29: Holiday Classic Video Have you ever wanted to "augment" a favorite holiday film with a dose of something real? Selections for tonight's movie are still being made, so weigh in with your favorite candidate before the year is gone! January 5: From Here to Community Hey, GAAMC, it's 2015! Where do YOU want to go this year? GAAMC's President and Board will be on hand to learn what the members are looking for from our organization. Join us! January 12: Respecting Everyone's Rights T-shirts made by BMP made news late last year when the LGBT-themed apparel business supported a Christian printer in exercising a right NOT to do business with LGBT patrons. Kathy and Diane will talk about their journey and the importance of respecting everyone's rights! January 19: Improving Understanding Sue Doster and Sherri Rase know a thing or two about communication and how improving understanding makes a difference, both personally and professionally. Join them to hear the workshop they will be presenting at the Creating Change conference in Denver later this year. January 26: Future Daze Are you planning for your future? Do you plan to retire? If you don't have children, who will take care of you and how will you pay for long-term care or hospice if you need it? We consider these questions with subject-matter experts. We don't know what tomorrow brings, so start planning now so you can be both the grasshopper as well as the ant! NOTE: All events are subject to change without notice. Check out GAAMC.org for up-to-date information on all upcoming events!
December 2014 / January 2015
Gleanings
Queer news from around the world Marriage bans in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee are constitutional, a three-judge panel of the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled. Circuit Judge Jeffrey Sutton, a George W. Bush appointee, wrote the majority opinion, arguing that the issue should be decided in legislatures. "When the courts do not let the people resolve new social issues like this one, they perpetuate the idea that the heroes in these change events are judges and lawyers," Sutton wrote. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette (R) filed a court document arguing that the Sixth Circuit Court's ruling upholding the state's marriage ban voids about 300 same-sex marriage performed before the ban was upheld. In all four affected states, the plaintiffs in the marriage cases asked the Supreme Court to take up their appeals. (Detroit Free Press; Washington Blade, DC; Metro Weekly, DC) Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) is trying to keep intact the state's ban on same-sex marriage until ongoing appeals have finished. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in November decided to keep Florida's ban in place through January 5. But Bondi's office asked the Atlanta-based 11 th Circuit Court of Appeals to keep the stay in place beyond that date. In August, Hinkle ruled the Florida gay marriage ban was unconstitutional, but stayed the effect of his decision, hoping to avoid confusion while the state appealed it. (The Tampa Tribune) U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree struck down Kansas' marriage equality ban, ruling that it is discriminatory toward same-sex couples. The state Supreme Court ruled marriage licenses should be issued to same-sex couples in Johnson County, the most populous county in the state. U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris struck down Montana's ban on marriage equality, noting that the state's ban violated same-sex couples' right to equal protection. Montana is the last state within the 9th Circuit to have its ban overturned. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel struck down South Carolina's ban on marriage equality, ruling that it violates same-sex couples’ rights to equal protection and due process under the law. Judge Gergel cited a precedent set by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in his ruling. (Washington Blade, DC; ABC News; Reuters; National Public Radio) A challenge to Mississippi's ban on same-sex marriage was heard by U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves. The lawsuit seeks marriage recognition for two lesbian couples, one of whom is legally married in Maine. Mississippi officials are defending the ban, which was approved by voters in 2004 as a constitutional amendment. (WAPT-TV, Jackson) Missouri state judge Ortrie Smith ruled that the state ban on marriage equality is unconstitutional. The judge declined to issue a stay, paving the way for same-sex weddings to take place in St. Louis. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster (D) has appealed the ruling to the state Supreme Court. (Washington Blade, DC) (continued on next page)
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This Month's Contributors Chef Martin and Chef Joe are GAAMC member Martin Diehl and GAAMC Board member Joe Gygax. Martin is an all-around good guy and jack of all trades. Joe is apprentice to Martin's culinary sorcery and facilitator of the 20something discussion group. Both can be found at most Monday night meetings. (page 10) Allen Neuner is the Editor of Challenge, "The Best Damn Newsletter in New Jersey!"®, and the friendly face at the front desk on Monday nights. He has also recently accepted a position as a staff writer for Out In Jersey magazine's online edition, supplying news items and analysis. As always, Allen welcomes all contributions to Challenge: columns, opinions, recipes, poetry, prose, visual art, advertisements, and letters of praise or complaint. You can contact Allen at Challenge@gaamc.org. (page 11) Mickey Suiter is one of the four founders of GAAMC. During his GAAMC career, Mickey has served in many capacities, both on the Board and off. He is currently Vice-President of Operations and chairman of the Pride Events Committee. (page 9)
Getting Personal Situation Wanted: GAAMC member seeks full-time or part-time position. Experienced receptionist, writer, editor, event planner. Diligent worker. All positions considered. Leads also welcomed. Contact Allen at 908-252-9303.
KEVIN P. SUSZKO, PC Certified Public Accountant
T AX PLANNING & PREPARATION F INANCIAL P LANNING A C COUN TIN G SERV IC ES D AY & EV ENI NG AP POI NTM EN T S O FFICES IN NEW JERSEY & NYC Phone: 973–376–4121 P. O. Box 701 Short Hills, NJ 07078 Email: KPSCPA@GMAIL.COM
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(continued from previous page) Lambda Legal appealed a ruling by a federal judge in Puerto Rico that upheld the commonwealth's ban on samesex marriage. The motion for appeal was filed with the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston a week after U.S. District Judge Juan Perez-Gimenez ruled in favor of Puerto Rico's ban. "Puerto Rico has many loving, committed couples who need the dignity and respect of marriage as soon as possible, and we won't stop fighting on their behalf," Lambda Legal's Omar Gonzalez said. (Washington Blade, DC) The Arkansas Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that has led to a lower court ruling in favor of marriage equality. Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker heard arguments in a separate case challenging the state's marriage ban. (Reuters)
Texas state District Judge Lisa Millard ordered the city of Houston to stop offering benefits to same-sex spouses of city officials. According to city officials, the order will not take effect since U.S. District Judge Sam Lake already has ruled that the benefits should be extended. "The U.S. Con stitution's Supremacy Clause clearly provides that a decision based on federal law trumps a conflicting decision based on only state law," said Ken Upton, senior counsel at Lambda Legal. Meanwhile, Dallas voters favored amending the city charter to include protections for LGBT city employees. More than three-quarters of voters supported the referendum. Dallas Marriage Equality Statuses already prohibits LGBT discrimination against city workers in its equal Full marriage equality employment opportunity policy. (35 states, 1 territory): (LoneStarQ)
Alaska * Arizona * California Colorado * Connecticut * Delaware District of Columbia * Hawaii * Idaho Illinois * Indiana * Iowa * Kansas Maine * Maryland * Massachusetts Minnesota * Montana * Nevada New Hampshire * New Jersey New Mexico * New York * North Carolina Oklahoma * Oregon * Pennsylvania Rhode Island * South Carolina * Utah Vermont * Virginia * Washington West Virginia * Wisconsin * Wyoming
Following the reversal of Arizona's marriage equality ban, advocates are turning their attention to the state's same-sex adoption policies. Although officials have said they will issue death certificates to spouses regardless of gender, the law is less clear on the question of recognizing samesex parents on birth certificates. "We're in a bit of limbo right now, trying to figure out what the next step is," said Patrick Holt, who shares two adopted children with his partner David Dryden. (Arizona Daily Star, Tucson)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s current policy of prohibiting men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood is no longer supported by medical evidence and should be replaced with a less restrictive donor policy, according to a federal advisory panel of experts in blood-related diseases. The U.S. Advisory Committee on Blood and Tissue Safety and Availability voted 16 Ban struck down, appeal pending to 2 to recommend that the FDA (4 states): Utah's Supreme Court lifted a stay discontinue its 31-year-old blanket that had prevented the state DeArkansas * Florida * Missouri * Texas policy of permanently banning blood partment of Health from issuing birth donations by MSM, and instead require certificates to same-sex couples Ban upheld, appeal pending a one-year period of same-sex sexual adopting children. The stay was put (4 states, 1 territory): abstinence for MSM prior to their in place in May after several district donating blood. At least five Kentucky * Michigan * Ohio judges ordered that the birth certifirepresentatives of LGBT organizations, cates be issued. "There is no longer Puerto Rico * Tennessee any need for clarification about what including an official with the Gay and the status of these marriages is," Lesbian Medical Association, spoke at Ban currently challenged in court Utah Solicitor General Bridget Rothe meeting before the vote, urging (7 states): mano said. (Advocate.com) the panel to call for fully lifting the Alabama * Georgia * Louisiana ban on MSM donors. The committee’s Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter Mississippi * Nebraska * North Dakota recommendation drew mixed (D) and the National Park Service South Dakota reactions from LGBT advocates. “This announced plans to commemorate recommendation, although nominally the 50th anniversary of an LGBT Ban in place, no action better than the existing policy ... falls rights protest that took place at Independence Hall on July 4, 1965. (4 territories): far short because it continues to The event is set for July next year stigmatize gay and bisexual men, American Samoa * Guam and will include LGBT panels, a preventing them from donating lifeNorthern Mariana Islands screening of a documentary, and a saving blood based solely on their Virgin Islands wreath-laying ceremony. (Washingsexual orientation,” said David Stacy, ton Blade, DC) director of government affairs for the Human Rights Campaign. (Washington Blade) Officials in New Zealand are considering wiping out the criminal records of men convicted under an antiThe U.S. Office of Special Counsel released a report find- homosexuality law that became obsolete in 1986. Justice ing that the Department of the Army engaged in discrimina- Minister Amy Adams, who recently assumed the post, sigtion against Tamara Lusardi, a transgender civilian employee naled a willingness to discuss the convictions. "I think it and veteran. Lusardi was barred from using the restroom for would be a good thing to do, because the law as it used to her gender and was repeatedly referred to with male pro- be was grossly wrong, and I think most New Zealanders now nouns, the report noted. The Army has agreed to implement would recognize that," she said. (GayStarNews) (continued on page 10) sensitivity training. (Metro Weekly, DC)
December 2014 / January 2015
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D ecem b er 2 0 1 4 / Jan u ary 2 0 1 5 Q- m u n it y Calen d ar Recurri n g Con t act I n form at i on
* Hackensack Peer Support Groups: 800-508-7577; www.njbuddies.org † Pride Center, Highland Park: 732-846-2232; www.pridecenter.org ‡ Hudson Pride Connections Center, Jersey City: 201-963-4779; HudsonPride.org Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm - HIV testing, Morristown; 973-889-6802 9:00 am to 1:00 pm - HIV testing, Asbury Park; 800-947-0020 10:00 am to 5:00 pm - HiTOPS Health Center, Princeton; www.hitops.org; 609-683-5155 x 211 Project Access syringe exchange program, Newark; variable hours; njcri.org; 973-558-5054 Project Access drop-in center, Newark; variable hours;njcri.org Tuesday - Saturday Project WOW! youth center, Newark; variable hours; njcri.org; 973-412-7080 Every Sunday 10:45 am - MCC of Christ the Liberator, Highland Park; tombohache10 @ gmail.com Noon - St. Francis of Assisi Church, Glen Ridge;973-731-7765; stfrancisnj.org 2:30 pm - Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church, Newark; 973-621-2100 5:30 pm - Central Jersey Rainbows Bowling League, Bradley Beach; CJRBowling @ gmail.com Every Monday 10:30 am - The Wellness Community, Newark; 973-565-0300; info @ hyacinth.org 5:00 pm - CSA produce pickup, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - GAAMC, Morris Township (see page 2) 7:00 pm - Bowling, Union; merenl @ comcast.net 7:00 pm - S.E.L.F. HIV Men’s support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm - New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus choir practice, Princeton; 609-396-7774; www.njgmc.org 8:00 pm - Bowling, Green Brook; qcrollers @ aol.com Every Tuesday Noon - Men's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org 12:30 pm - The Wellness Community, Newark; 973-565-0300; info @hyacinth.org 4:00 pm - Treatment Adherence Support Group, Jersey City; 201-432-1134; info @hyacinth.org 6:30 pm - TransView, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - NA Group, Jersey City ‡ 7:30 pm - Tuesday Night Lesbian Connection, Bound Brook; 908-791-3764
December 2014 01 Mon 10:00 am - Something Positive treatment adherence workshop, Newark; www.njcri.org 7:00 pm - "How to Survive a Plague", Princeton; www.princeton.edu 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 7:00 pm - Lesbian Hot Topics, Ocean; schiffman @ rocketmail.com 7:30 pm - Raices Latinas social/support group, Highland Park†
7:30 pm - Men’s HIV support group, Asbury Park; 732-7755084; apstillpoz @ yahoo.com 7:30 pm - Positive Yoga, Oradell * 8:45 pm - Bowling, Belleville; 973-256-5936; NJGLB @ aol.com 9:00 pm - Bowling, Jersey City; 201-933-6028; JoeyNJ @ aol.com 9:15 pm - Bowling, Edison; 732-548-4550;cnjgbl @ yahoo.com Every Wednesday 10:30 am - The Wellness Community, Jersey City; 201-432-1134; info @hyacinth.org 2:30 pm - RU Pride, Newark; 973-353-5716 6:00 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 6:00 pm - SAGE, Jersey City ‡ 6:00 pm - "With These Hands" crochet and kitting circle, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 6:00 pm - My Brother's Keeper game night, Newark; www.njcri.org 7:30 pm - Men’s Living Out group, Highland Park; njwarrior @ aol.com † 7:30 pm - Gay Men’s Coming Out group, Highland Park; njwarrior@aol.com † Every Thursday 4:00 pm - True Colors drop-in center, Newark; 973-424-9555; newarklgbtqcenter.org 6:00 pm - Our Youth weekly support group, Jersey City; www.myspacenj.org 6:00 pm - Ties Like Mine, Jersey City ‡ 6:00 pm - LGBT Fitness Explosion, Jersey City ‡ 6:30 pm - Double Jeopardy peer support group, Hackensack* 6:30 pm - Hudson Men of Pride, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - Sexual Assault Survivor Support, Princeton; www.hitops.org 7:30 pm - Rainbows on Cleveland Street, Orange; 973-256-5936; rbowsoncleveland @ aol.com 7:30 pm - Writers group, Highland Park † Every Friday 3:00 pm - Youth Connect, Jersey City ‡ 3:00 pm - WAVE Youth, Ocean Grove; 732-455-3373; qspot.org 6:15 pm - Gay Men's AA, Ocean Grove; 732-455-3373; qspot.org Every Saturday 7:00 - Project Wow! Kiki Function, Newark; www.njcri.org 02 Tue 7:30 pm - LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 7:30 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support, Highland Park † 03 Wed 7:30 pm - Gay Dad’s discussion group, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - Jersey Boys of Leather, Highland Park † 04 Thu 6:00 pm - GLBT of Hunterdon County, Clifton; www.glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com 7:00 pm - Coffee Night, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com
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05 Fri 7:00 pm - Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack * 9:00 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park † 06 Sat 1:00 pm - Women of Pride, Jersey City ‡ 2:30 pm - First and Third for GLBTI youth, Princeton; 609-683-5155; www.HiTOPS.org 07 Sun 1:00 pm - Mitzvah Day, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 2:00 pm - Central NJ Rope Share, Highland Park † 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 6:30 pm - Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol @ msn.com 08 Mon 2:00 pm - Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City ‡ 5:30 pm - GSE Youth Caucus, Montclair; 973-509-5428 6:30 pm - HIV Testing, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Morris County, Mendham; 973-727-5288; pflag.morris @ verizon.net 7:30 pm - PFLAG, Princeton; 609-663-5155; www.pflagprinceton.org 7:30 pm - Young Men's Social Network, Highland Park† 09 Tue 7:30 pm - Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park † 10 Wed 4:30 pm - GSE Youth Caucus, Newark; 973-424-9555 7:30 pm - Women's Hang Out, Highland Park † 11 Thu 7:00 pm - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - PFLAG of North Jersey, South Orange; 908-789-7489; pflagwaver @ aol.com 7:30 pm - Alternate Thursdays, Montclair; kjdinkin @ comcast.net 7:30 pm - Kollege of Kink, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - Booked for Supper, Highland Park † 12 Fri 1:00 pm - Women's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm - COP After Dark, Highland Park † 13 Sat 1:00 pm - Youth Drop-In, Highland Park † 6:00 pm - Men's Potluck Dinner & Movie, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Dignity New Brunswick gay Catholic liturgy; 732-968-9263; dignitynb @ earthlink.net 14 Sun 6:00 pm - Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02 @ worldnet.att.net 15 Mon 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 7:30 pm - Raices Latinas social/support group, Highland Park† 16 Tue 7:30 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park †
7:30 pm - Lesbian Alliance of Princeton; 609-924-8174; Loisj@msn.com 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Hunterdon County, Flemington; 908-752-1370; pflaghc @ yahoo.com 7:30 pm - Caregivers Support Group, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - PFLAG of Bergen County, Paramus; 201-287-0318; www.bergenpflag.org 8:00 pm - NJ Women, Secaucus; info @ njwomen.org 17 Wed 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez @ comcast.net 18 Thu 6:00 pm - New Volunteer Orientation, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - GAAMC board meeting, Morristown All GAAMC members are invited to attend. 7:00 pm - GLSEN Training, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support Group, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Northwest NJ, Sparta; 973-729-9909 7:30 pm - Volunteer Group Meeting, Jersey City ‡ 19 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,Highland Park (Sign-up begins 7:30); outoftheboxinfo @ mac.com † 20 Sat 1:00 pm - Women of Pride, Jersey City ‡ 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 21 Sun Noon - Chanukah Party; njlgh.onefireplace.com 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 4:00 pm - TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park † 22 Mon 2:00 pm - Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - Open Mic, Newark; rupridenewark@gmail.com 23 Tue 7:30 pm - Donald's Events, Highland Park † 8:30 pm - Men's Social, Highland Park † 24 Wed 7:30 pm - Women's Hang Out, Highland Park † 25 Thu 7:00 pm - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park † 26 Fri 10:30 am - LGBT Task Force, Highland Park † 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm - Living Soulfully, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - Shabbat Service; njlgh.onefireplace.com
December 2014 / January 2015 27 Sat 1:00 pm - Youth Drop-In, Highland Park † 7:00 pm - Gay Bowling, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; 732-776-6160 28 Sun 6:00 pm - The Lavender Cinema Club, Highland Park †
January 2015 01 Thu Noon - Brunch, Millstone Township; njlgh.onefireplace.com 6:00 pm - GLBT of Hunterdon County, Clifton; www.glbtofhunterdoncountyofnj.com 02 Fri 7:00 pm - Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack * 9:00 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park † 03 Sat 1:00 pm - Women of Pride, Jersey City ‡ 2:30 pm - First and Third for GLBTI youth, Princeton; 609-683-5155; www.HiTOPS.org 7:30 pm - WAMP, Highland Park† 04 Sun 2:00 pm - Central NJ Rope Share, Highland Park † 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 6:30 pm - Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol @ msn.com 05 Mon 10:00 am - Something Positive treatment adherence workshop, Newark; www.njcri.org 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 7:00 pm - Lesbian Hot Topics, Ocean; schiffman @ rocketmail.com 7:30 pm - Raices Latinas social/support group, Highland Park† 06 Tue 7:30 pm - LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 7:30 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support, Highland Park † 07 Wed 7:30 pm - Gay Dad’s discussion group, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - Jersey Boys of Leather, Highland Park † 08 Thu 7:00 pm - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - PFLAG of North Jersey, South Orange; 908-789-7489; pflagwaver @ aol.com 7:30 pm - Alternate Thursdays, Montclair; kjdinkin @ comcast.net 7:30 pm - Kollege of Kink, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - Booked for Supper, Highland Park † 09 Fri 1:00 pm - Women's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm - COP After Dark, Highland Park † 10 Sat 1:00 pm - Youth Drop-In, Highland Park † 6:00 pm - Men's Potluck Dinner & Movie, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Dignity New Brunswick gay Catholic liturgy;
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732-968-9263; dignitynb @ earthlink.net 11 Sun 6:00 pm - Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02 @ worldnet.att.net 12 Mon 2:00 pm - Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City ‡ 5:30 pm - GSE Youth Caucus, Montclair; 973-509-5428 6:30 pm - HIV Testing, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Morris County, Mendham; 973-727-5288; pflag.morris @ verizon.net 7:30 pm - PFLAG, Princeton; 609-663-5155; www.pflagprinceton.org 7:30 pm - Young Men's Social Network, Highland Park† 13 Tue 7:30 pm - Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park † 14 Wed 4:30 pm - GSE Youth Caucus, Newark; 973-424-9555 7:30 pm - Women's Hang Out, Highland Park † 15 Thu 6:00 pm - New Volunteer Orientation, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - GAAMC board meeting, Morristown All GAAMC members are invited to attend. 7:00 pm - GLSEN Training, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - NJ Women Coming Out Support Group, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Northwest NJ, Sparta; 973-729-9909 7:30 pm - Volunteer Group Meeting, Jersey City ‡ 16 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,Highland Park (Sign-up begins 7:30); outoftheboxinfo @ mac.com † 17 Sat 1:00 pm - Women of Pride, Jersey City ‡ 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 18 Sun 4:00 pm - Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-509-0118; Dignitymetronj @ msn.com 19 Mon 7:00 pm - Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 7:30 pm - Raices Latinas social/support group, Highland Park† 20 Tue 7:30 pm - ComeOUT & Play, Highland Park † 7:30 pm - Lesbian Alliance of Princeton; 609-924-8174; Loisj@msn.com 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Hunterdon County, Flemington; 908-752-1370; pflaghc @ yahoo.com 7:30 pm - Caregivers Support Group, Highland Park † 8:00 pm - PFLAG of Bergen County, Paramus; 201-287-0318;
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www.bergenpflag.org 8:00 pm - NJ Women, Secaucus; info @ njwomen.org
7:00 pm - Gay Bowling, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; 732-776-6160
21 Wed 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez @ comcast.net 7:30 pm - Board Meeting, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com
25 Sun 6:00 pm - The Lavender Cinema Club, Highland Park †
22 Thu 7:00 pm - Under the Rainbow, Highland Park † 23 Fri 10:30 am - LGBT Task Force, Highland Park † 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm - Living Soulfully, Highland Park † 24 Sat 1:00 on - Youth Drop-In, Highland Park†
GAAMC Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes, October 16, 2014 Attendance Voting Trustees: DeLeeuw, Dinkin, Grifone, Gygax, Kennedy, Lucek, Rase, Sauer, Schaublin, Slicer, Suiter Non-Voting Attendees: Allen Neuner The meeting began at 7:05 pm. I. Adoption of minutes: The minutes of the September meeting were approved. II.Old Business: 20-something Discussion Group: The first meeting went well. Future meeting places and the direction of the group were discussed. Halloween Social: The event is on Facebook. John will be getting decorations. Who would be bringing, or would be asked to bring, treats was discussed. III.New Business: GAAMC Outing to Montclair Art Museum: November 6, 5 pm, free admission. Event posted on Meetup. Update on MUF: Building to be closed from June to August 2015. County Library space was not viable. Church of the Redeemer has not been approached. Kerry will investigate site in Montclair. Question on whether rent at GAAMC will be deferred. $1.98 contestants: Liz volunteered to be a judge. One or two more competitors are needed. NJ GSA/LGBTQ Forum: November 4, 10 am-4 pm. Table will cost $50. This will be our 3 rd time attending. Lenapi HS (venue) usually has 200 attending but they are too young for GAAMC membership. Gordon may moderate a speaker panel. We should find out what they need from us and provide volunteers. Sundance Outing: November 2, 11 am. Frelinghuysen Arboretum violet show, walk around, cafe; Washington's HQ; Acorn Hall. Gordon is leader.
26 Mon 2:00 pm - Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - Open Mic, Newark; rupridenewark@gmail.com 27 Tue 7:30 pm - Donald's Events, Highland Park † 8:30 pm - Men's Social, Highland Park † 28 Wed 7:30 pm - Women's Hang Out, Highland Park † 31 Sat
1:00 pm - Women of Pride, Jersey City ‡
IV. Reports: President: Sherri Rase — Written report on file. She stressed board members should respond to events on Meetup. Treasurer: John DeLeeuw — Written report on file. 15 new members have signed up. Challenge: Allen Neuner — Stuffing will be October 27. A full-page ad was purchased. Stamps are needed for the stuffing. Programs: Sherri Rase — Written report on file. Discussion Group Resources: Gordon Sauer — Written report on file. Development Committee: Gordon Sauer — Written report on file. Socials: John DeLeeuw — Report included as part of "Old Business". Pride Events: Mickey Suiter — GAAMC has a table at Jersey City Pride on October 25 from noon to 4 pm. Event is on Facebook. V. Save These Dates: October 20, $1.98 Beauty Pageant October 27, Hallowe'en Social November 3, Dallas Buyers Club November 10, cooking event VI. Ideas & Suggestions: Sherri asked the Development Committee to revive the Speakers Bureau. Nominating Committee is meeting for upcoming GAAMC elections. LGBT organizations were recognized by State Legislature; two-tiered system of recognition was discussed; GAAMC name mis-spelled on certificate. Allen urged increase in "Activism" portion of the GAAMC name. VII.Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm.
The Board of Trustees of G A A M C and the Editor and Staff of Challenge Wish you the happiest of holiday seasons and all the best in the new year
December 2014 / January 2015
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A History of GAAMC by Mickey Suiter
The Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County (GAAMC) is the oldest community LGBT organization in New Jersey. Founded in September 1972, it has met nearly every Monday evening since then at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship in Morris Township, New Jersey. When GAAMC started in 1972, things were very different in New Jersey’s LGBTI community, if you could even call it a community. Very few people were out and there were very few organizations. It was only three years after the Stonewall Riots, the event usually accepted as the start of the modern LGBT movement. Most organizations were college groups. There were only a handful of community-based groups in the entire state of New Jersey. The specialization we see in organizations today didn’t exist. Every organization had to be everything for everyone. The organization took the name of the original Gay Activists Alliance, the largest gay organization in New York, since the name was well-known and other groups had adopted it. GAAMC originally stood for "Gay Activist Alliance of Morris County", but within a year of its founding the name was changed to "in Morris County" to reflect the fact that, while we met in Morris County, our membership was drawn from all over North and Central Jersey. The three original aims of GAAMC were: Political — achieving equal rights through legislation Social — providing a safe space for LGBT people to meet and support one another and Educational — teaching the population at large and our own community what being LGBT was all about. To achieve any of those goals, helping to build and support a community was necessary. GAAMC started slowly, holding weekly meetings that were mainly discussion groups at first. Soon, there were varied weekly programs — speakers, socials, films, dinners, workshops — in addition to an occasional group discussion. There were also activities outside of Monday night meetings — road rallies, theater parties, bowling, roller skating, dances, camping trips, and picnics. GAAMC established a blood bank for its members through the Red Cross. Anything the people coming in our door wanted or needed, we tried to provide. We still do. In 1973, GAAMC re-organized the New Jersey Gay Coalition (later the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition), an organization that helped LGTBT groups all over the state coordinate activities, whether social or political. The Coalition had first begun meeting in late 1971 but had ceased meeting by late 1972. GAAMC was a strong supporter of the Coalition for over 30 years. GAAMC’s outreach in its early years included radio interviews, newspaper feature articles and a cable television talk show. We also established speakers’ bureau that went out into the community, talking to mainly to church groups and college classes about being LGBT. We also began publishing our newsletter, Challenge, in 1974.
While most of GAAMC’s activities in its early days were of a social or educational nature, there was some political activity. In 1974, three GAAMC members met with an aide to Governor Brendan Byrne to discuss gay issues, a first for the state. We also conducted surveys of candidates for the State legislature in 1975 and 1977. In 1974 and 1975 GAAMC participated with the Gay Activist Alliance of New Jersey (GAANJ) on two public demonstrations to increase LGBT visibility and promote unity — Hold Hands events across the George Washington Bridge and around the Statue of Liberty. The two organizations also held a protest demonstration in 1977 on the Morristown Green against Anita Bryant’s successful campaign against gay rights in Dade County, Florida. GAAMC established a helpline in 1978, staffed seven evenings a week by volunteers to provide information and peer counseling. Originally based in the home of two members and operated by call-forwarding, the helpline moved into GAAMC’s office in the Unitarian Fellowship in the late 1980s. In June, 1978, GAAMC held a large pride celebration picnic at the home of two members in Washington Township the day before the March in New York City. The next year the event was moved to Valley Spring Lake (and later Sun Tan Lake) in Riverdale. Attendance grew, peaking at over 1,000. In conjunction with this event, GAAMC presented an annual Community Service Award. Those honored included national LGBT icons such as Barbara Gittings and Frank Kameny, as well as local heroes Bob Green, a GAAMC member and early AIDS activist, and Margaret Nichols, founder of Hyacinth Foundation. Unfortunately, our costs increased each year until they became prohibitive and the annual Celebration had to be discontinued after ten years. GAAMC then operated an annual bring-your-own picnic in a county park for several years after that. The State of New Jersey revised its penal code in 1976, decriminalizing sodomy, but in 1978, State Senator Joseph Maressa introduced a bill to re-criminalize consensual sexual acts between members of the same sex. GAAMC, with the Coalition, campaigned against this bill, with members meeting with the senator, attending committee hearing, and wiring letters. The bill was withdrawn. When the first national LGBT March on Washington was held in 1979, GAAMC sent a representative to the organizing conference and then had two busloads of members and friends make the trip to the capital. GAAMC sent four buses to Washington in 1987 and again in 1993. We also took part in the most recent march in 2009. In the early days of the AIDS crisis, GAAMC held fundraisers to help start the state’s first AIDS hotline at St. Michael’s Hospital in Newark. GAAMC also supported the Coalition in its AIDS education efforts, including its hiring of an early GAAMC member as a full-time educator. GAAMC began another tradition in 1983 by holding its first United Conference, a full day of speakers and workshops covering all aspects of LGBT life. This conference was an (continued on page 11)
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Gleanings
(continued from page 4) A court in the Armenian capital of Yerevan dismissed a suit against the editor of a newspaper who published an article in May naming more than 50 "homosexual lobbyists" as part of a "blacklist of [the) country's and nation's enemies." The suit was brought by 16 of those, including Mamikon Hovsepyan, head of the LGBT organization PINK Armenia. The article called for the people named to be ostracized and fired from their jobs. In a statement denouncing the decision, Hovsepyan suggested that members of the ruling Republican Party had signaled to the court that it should rule in favor of Hovhannes Galajyan, editor of the newspaper Iravunk. (GayStarNews)
The second Pride celebration in Montenegro's capital city of Podgorica took place without incident, despite fears of anti-LGBT violence. More than 2,000 police officers protected about 150 marchers as they made their way through the city. Last year 20 police officers were injured and 60 demonstrators were detained during a Pride event in Podgorica. (GayStarNews) Singapore's highest court upheld the constitutionality of the country's anti-sodomy law, which dates back to colonialera Singapore. The law had been challenged by a couple arrested on charges of sodomy. The court indicated that the matter must be resolved by the country's Legislature. (Straits Times, Singapore) Slovakia's Constitutional Court allowed a referendum on the rights of LGBT citizens to proceed to a popular vote. The referendum identifies marriage as between a man and a woman and addresses same-sex couples' right to adopt, and proposes an opt-out option for sexuality education. (The Prague Post) A Ugandan court has dismissed charges against Sam Ganafa, head of the LGBT rights group Spectrum Uganda. Ganafa was arrested in November 2013 in the run-up to parliament’s passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, along with three others who were staying in his house. They were charged under Uganda’s colonial-era law criminalizing sodomy. Prosecutors had repeatedly sought to delay the trial; the judge threw out the case after prosecutors requested yet another delay, a usual outcome of charges brought under the sodomy code. No sodomy charges have ever gone to trial in Uganda’s modern history, according to the legal organization Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum. (76crimes.com) In Ukraine, two suspects have confessed to an arson attack on Kiev’s oldest movie theater and are in police custody, according to Interior Minister Arsen Avakov. Ukraine’s LGBT community was set on edge after the historic Zhovten Theater caught fire October 29 during a film festival that included a program of LGBT-themed movies. Someone in the theater threw a smoke bomb while Summer Nights, a French film about a cross-dressing World War II veteran, was playing. No one was harmed in the fire. The state-owned theater has been the subject of an ongoing land dispute, prompting some to question whether the blaze resulted from an anti-LGBT attack or an unrelated scheme to seize control of the space. The two suspects said they had intended to disrupt the screening of an LGBT film but did not mean to burn down the theater.” (The Moscow Times) LGBT military veterans advocacy group OutVets marched for the first time in Boston's Veterans Day parade on Tuesday. The American Legion, which organizes the annual event, welcomed OutVets to participate in the parade. "Boston is an inclusive community where everyone deserves to
live, work, and play," Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said. (The Boston Globe) Leslie Feinberg, who identified as an anti-racist white, working-class, secular Jewish, transgender, lesbian, female, revolutionary communist, died on November 15, succumbing to complications from multiple tick-borne co-infections, including Lyme disease, babeisiosis, and protomyxzoa rheumatica, after decades of illness. She died at home in Syracuse, NY, with her partner and spouse of 22 years, Minnie Bruce Pratt, at her side. Feinberg was perhaps best known for her 1993 novel Stone Butch Blues, widely considered a groundbreaking work about the complexities of gender. Feinberg, who lived for many years in Jersey City, was 65 years old at the time of her death. (Advocate.com)
Good Eats!
Recipes from Chef Martin and Chef Joe Chicken Francese
Ingredients:
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts All-purpose flour Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 4 large eggs 3 tbsp. water ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil ½ lemon, with rind, cut into thin rounds ½ cup dry white wine 1 cup chicken broth ½ lemon, juiced 2 tablespoons unsalted butter ¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions: Put chicken breasts side by side on a cutting board; cover with plastic wrap. Pound breasts with a flat meat mallet until they are ¼ inch thick. Put flour in shallow platter; season with salt and pepper. In a wide bowl, beat eggs with 3 tbsp. water to make an egg wash. Heat olive oil over medium-high flame in a large skillet. Dredge both sides of chicken cutlets in seasoned flour, then dip in egg wash to coat completely. Let excess drip off. When oil is hot, add cutlets and fry for 2 minutes on each side until golden, turning once. Remove cutlets to a large platter in a single layer to keep warm. Toss lemon slices into pan; cook 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Add wine, broth, and lemon juice. Simmer for 5 minutes to reduce sauce slightly. Roll butter in some flour and add to skillet to thicken sauce. Stir to incorporate and dissolve flour. Reduce heat to medium-low; return chicken to pan. Place lemon slices on cutlets. Simmer gently for 2 minutes to heat chicken through. Season with salt and pepper; garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Preparation time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 20 minutes. Yield: 4 servings.
December 2014 / January 2015
A History of GAAMC (continued from page 5) annual event for twelve years. In 1984 when the Coalition formed the Committee to End Discrimination to amend the state’s Laws Against Discrimination to include protection of sexual orientation, members of GAAMC joined the fight. The eight-year struggle was ultimately successful when the law was enacted in December, 1991. GAAMC began publishing its Pride Guide (originally named NJ Pride) in 1985. The guide is a resource manual of organizations, businesses, and professionals catering to the LGBT community. In addition to the listings and advertising, it also contains articles of interest to the community. GAAMC’s membership and attendance grew in the late 80's, peaking at over 400 members with a weekly attendance of 200. In addition to the weekly programs there were several discussion groups — some for men, some for women, some mixed, one for persons of color, and another for 20-somethings. By the end of the 90’s however, as the popularity of the Internet meant that people no longer had to go to specific places to meet others, gay organizations and clubs began to wane. Many closed their doors but GAAMC, while smaller, adapted and survived. GAAMC started Gay and Lesbian Youth of NJ (GALY-NJ) in 1989. This was a group for young people from 16 to 21 and met in Trenton, South Orange, and North Brunswick. Eventually, the Trenton location split off and became a separate group while the North Brunswick group became a part of the Pride Center of NJ. Due to dwindling interest, the South Orange group ceased meeting in 2005. Even after accomplishing the major goal of banning discrimination due to sexual orientation in 1991 (the fifth state to do so), GAAMC continued to work with the Coalition on political issues. David Morris, a GAAMC stalwart,
GLSEN Releases School Safety Survey by Allen Neuner The eighth biennial National School Climate Survey (NSCS), undertaken by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in 2013, found that New Jersey schools were not safe for many LGBT secondary students. Three main points were highlighted in the NSCS in regards to New Jersey schools. 1. Most LGBT students had been victimized at school. Many of these incidents were not reported to adult authorities. The majority experienced verbal harassment. Many also experienced physical harassment and physical assault. High levels were reported for other forms of harassment, including being deliberately excluded by peers; having rumors or lies told about them; outright sexual harassment; electronic harassment or "cyber-bullying"); and deliberate destruction or theft of property, such as cars, clothing, and books. Over half of students sampled never reported incidents of harassment or assault to school staff. 2. The vast majority of LGBT students regularly heard antiLGBT remarks. Most heard "gay" used in a negative way at school on a regular basis — for example, "that's so gay." Many heard other homophobic remarks, such as "fag" or "dyke"; heard other students in their school make negative remarks
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prepared and conducted a sensitivity training program for the State Police in the 1990s. Our members campaigned hard for passage of the Domestic Partner law in 2004. Soon after, GAAMC members returned to Trenton, lobbying for marriage equality and attending committee meetings that eventually produced civil unions in 2006. GAAMC hosted Garden State Equality’s first town hall meeting for marriage equality. Today, GAAMC continues to do whatever is needed to support our community. As times and needs change, GAAMC will change to meet those needs. In recent years we have hosted fundraisers for JBWS (domestic abuse), Triad House and New Alternatives (homeless LGBT teens), and Hope House (HIV). We have partnered with the Morris County Branch of the NAACP for programs. With PFLAG we co-sponsor Rainbow Café – Morris, a support group for teens from 14 to 18. We are currently developing a program to help LBGT seniors. We have conducted a letter-writing campaign with HRC to urge Congress to pass ENDA. The nation is 23 years (and counting) behind New Jersey in protecting our community from employment discrimination. GAAMC reaches out through our web site at GAAMC.org, our Facebook group, and our Meetup group. Our weekly meetings (yes, we still meet weekly, a rarity in these times) are preceded by Open Talk, a discussion group open to all. We also regularly have men-only and women-only discussions, a current affairs discussion group, and a new 20-something group. All of this, for over 42 years, has been done by volunteers. No one is paid and all of our income is from donations. The hundreds of volunteers who have kept this service organization going have done it out of a spirit of love and community. For over four decades, GAAMC has not only provided services and support for our community; it has been steadfast in its support of other organizations' events, rallies, protests, and other political actions. And we are still a safe space for those who need one and a source for comprehensive statewide information. about how someone expressed their gender; heard negative remarks about transgender people; and heard staff make homophobic remarks and negative remarks about someone's gender expression on a regular basis. 3. Many LGBT students did not have access to in-school resources and supports. Only a quarter of respondents attended a school with a comprehensive bullying/harassment policy. Almost all could identify at least one supportive school staff member, but this figure dropped to three-quarters when they were asked to identify six or more supportive staffers. More than half reported that their school has a gay-straight alliance. Many of the student respondents did not have LGBT-inclusive curricular resources, including being taught positive representations of LGBT people, history, and events; access to information about LGBT communities on school Internet; and finding library resources about LGBT subjects. For New Jersey schools specifically, the following steps were deemed critical for all those obligated to provide safe learning environments for all students: implementing comprehensive school anti-bullying/anti-harassment policies; supporting gaystraight alliances in all schools; providing professional development for school staff on LGBT student issues; and increasing student access to LGBT-inclusive curricular resources. For more information about the NCCS, including its methods and samples, visit glsen.org/research.
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GAY ACTIVIST ALLIANCE IN MORRIS COUNTY
Officers President (President@GAAMC.org) — Sherri Rase VP Community Services (Info@GAAMC.org) — Gordon Sauer VP Operations (Operations@GAAMC.org) — Mickey Suiter Secretary (Secretary@GAAMC.org) — Ron Kennedy Treasurer (Treasurer@GAAMC.org) — John DeLeeuw Trustees Kerry Dinkin, Marty Grifone, Joe Gygax, Frank Lucek, Rich Schaublin, Liz Slicer Committee Chairs & Functional Officers Challenge Editor — Allen Neuner (Challenge@GAAMC.org) Discussion Group Resources — Gordon Sauer (Discussions@GAAMC.org) GAAMC Outings — Open Information — Andy Skurna (FreeLibrary@GAAMC.org) Membership — Open Pride Events — Mickey Suiter Pride Guide — Andy Skurna (PrideGuide@GAAMC.org) Programs — Sherri Rase (Programs@GAAMC.org) Publicity — Open Socials — John DeLeeuw (Socials@GAAMC.org) Webmaster — Andy Skurna (Webmaster@GAAMC.org)
GAAMC, the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, has served New Jersey’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed communities since 1972. GAAMC is a notfor-profit volunteer-run organization that provides social, educational, and outreach programs. GAAMC also offers opportunities for individuals to become politically active on issues related to the GLBTI communities. Our intent is to maintain a positive, healthy, respectful, and supportive environment in a safe space. Meetings are held every Monday evening at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ (near the Morris Museum). Discussion groups usually meet from 7:00 to 8:00. The evening's program usually starts shortly after 8:00. Refreshments are available. For program information, check our homepage at www.GAAMC.org. Members and non-members are always welcome. Annual membership dues are: Regular, $40/single, $70/couple; Students/Seniors, $30/single, $60/couple. Those looking to help out at GAAMC can contact Gordon Sauer at Info@GAAMC.org. How to reach GAAMC Mail: PO Box 137, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Telephone: 973-285-1595 Email: info@gaamc.org Home page: www.GAAMC.org Mail List: groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/gaamc Facebook: www.facebook.com/gaamc Challenge online edition: issuu.com/gaamc/docs
PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS! December 8th
Decenber 29th
January 19th
Shop!
Watch!
Understand!
See "GAAMC Events", page 2, for more details!