Challenge June 2015

The Best Damn Newsletter in NJ™!

CHALLENGE

The Newsletter of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County Serving New Jersey’s GLBTI Communities Since 1972 Volume 41, Issue 2, June 2015

The Pace of History

by Sherri Rase June is a very historic month for LGBTQ people. It marks the beginning of the modern movement toward equality for sexual minorities, and dates from the Stonewall Rebellion in 1969 when Sylvia Rivera threw the “shoe heard ‘round the world”. She was born in 1951 and had the fire in her belly from a young age. She sustained that fire all of her all-tooshort life. Although she died in 2002 at the tender age of 51, she continues to inspire us as activists. Many of her generation who were transgender activists and drag performers are part of the “Lost Generation” who succumbed to HIV/AIDS and complications prior to the advent of support for sufferers or any treatments for what was originally known as GRID (look it up!)

among the longest running in the United States and the world. Four people who were about the same age as Sylvia Rivera when she launched her efforts took a look around and knew in 1972 that New Jersey was ready to provide a place to meet for people of all ages who didn’t want to go to New York or Philadelphia for a heaping helping of home-grown Pride. Now, you can march with us in Asbury Park at the beginning of June, in the Big Apple at the end of June, or join us in Maplewood in between.

Wherever you want to be, there we’ll be, because GAAMC begins with YOU! It’s time to step up to see what’s in your next chapter. Join Mickey Suiter, one of the founders, who still attends and runs operations for Monday night.

Join Andy Skurna, our treasurer, who joined me for a bowl of soup and joined GAAMC soon after. Join Gordon and Kerry and Allen and Liz and David and Nick and Alexa and Annette. We’re here and you should be with us. Become a part of “our-story”.

Happy June! Happy Pride! Happy GAAMC!

GAAMC is the longest-running continually active LGBTQ equality organization in New Jersey, and

Inside Challenge Challenge Information .......................... page 2 GAAMC Events for June ....................... page 2 Bulletin Board ........................................ page 3 Gleanings -- Queer news from around the world ................................. page 4 June Q-munity Calendar -- LGBT events in and around New Jersey .................. page 6 The Soapbox: Summer Self Defense .... page 8 GAAMC Board Meeting Minutes ........ page 10 The Theatre Bear Reviews… ............... page 11 GAAMC Information ........................... page 12

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June 2015

Challenge Challenge

Volume 40, Number2 June 2015 ISSN 0277-1675

: GAAMC Events for June 2015 .

Discussion Groups

Editor: Allen Neuner Assistant Editor Bill Stella

Open Talk: Weekly discussion group, open to all. Every Monday, 7:00, in the Library. Moderators: Liz (Jun 1, 29); Kerry (Jun 8); Gordon (Jun 15, 22).

NOTE: Open Talk does not meet on Film Festival nights.

Submissions

Current Events: Discussion of topics in the news. Topics are not chosen until the night the group meets. First Monday of the month, 7:00, in the Terrace Room. Moderator: Frank.

The deadline for all articles, inserts, and advertisements is the 15th of the previous month. The staff requests that all submissions be provided as electronic files. E-mail all submissions to challenge@gaamc.org.

20-Something: Monthly group for members of the queer communities. Last Monday of the month, 7:00, in the Terrace Room. Moderator: Nick. Topic: The Supreme Court’s decision on marriage equality.

Main Meeting

Ad Rates

NOTE: Main meetings start at 8:00 unless otherwise stated.

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.

June 1: Stonewall at 46 – What’s Our History, Where Are We Going, Where Have We Been? Today marks the start of Pride Month, so before we head down to Jersey Pride this Sunday or NYC’s Heritage of Pride at the end of the month, it’s a good time to reflect on just how this all got started, the achievements we’ve made as a community, the goals we’re fighting for now, and where our next moves should be.

GAAMC members may place one free classified ad per month, of no more than 200 characters in length.

Challenge is © 2015 by the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt not-for-profit corporation. All rights reserved. All articles reflect the views of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of GAAMC, its officers, or executive board. All copyrights revert to the original contributors upon public ation. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the contributor. All articles, contributions, and advertisements are printed at the discretion of the Editor and/or GAAMC Executive Board.

June 8: LGBT Pride: Celebrating it and acting upon it Join Gordon for a discussion about LGBT pride. As members of the LGBT community, what are we proud of? Has our pride changed over the years? How can we serve our community and show our pride? Let’s get together and share our ideas !

June 15: “Pride” The year is 1984 and experienced LGBT activists in England were looking for a way to help miners in the United Kingdom who were striking for better wages and humane working conditions. A blindfolded finger lands on a map and the lives of the activists change forever, as do the lives of the Welsh miners they work to help. This film, a tale of mutual trust and mutual support, was the darling of last year's movie awards and it's a must-see for all.

June 22: Transgender Discussion Group Join our expert panel of transgender activists -- Dr. Lisa O’Connor, Seth Rainess, and Jennifer Whitlock -- who will discuss the questions around transgender experience and take questions from the audience. This is a must-see event.

June 29: Walking the Walk – Self Defense for Summer Join Diane, Ms. Leather 2012 and a martial arts expert, as she shows us techniques to keep ourselves and our friends safe during this season that should be all summer fun. These days when it seems like all of us and especially our trans and gender non-conforming friends have an especially tough time just being ourselves. Learn how to de-escalate a situation -- and learn what to do if that doesn’t work.

July 6: Ice Cream Social July 13: Central Jersey GLSEN

June 2015

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Bulletin Board GAAMC Outing for June 6th: Let’s do the Time Warp again, at a late-nite viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show! LOCATION: Bellevue Cinemas, 260 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair. TIME: 11:30 pm. HOW MUCH: $7/ticket.

ORGANIZER: Nick Santangelo.

MORE INFO: http://www.homeofhappiness.com/ Just one month to go until the grand-daddy of all Pride festivals in New Jersey returns! June 7 th is the date, 12 noon is the time, and the location is – you guessed it! – beautiful Asbury Park! Yes, we’re talking about Jersey Pride, with vendors, games, food and drink, and the fabulous Pride Stage featuring headliner Frenchie Davis along with the best of local music!

Join thousands of your newest best friends at the Jersey shore and be prepared to have a rockin’ good time! For more information, call 732-21-GAY-NJ or go to info@jerseypride.org.

The New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus cordially invites you to their newest concert, “Sacred and Sassy – From Bach to Broadway”! Combining the best of sacred and sassy music for men’s voices, this summer concert will feature music by Bach, Brahms, and Schubert, as well as vocal jazz pieces and arrangements of songs from such Broadway legends as Sondheim and Rodgers & Hammerstein.

There are two performances scheduled: the first is Saturday, June 13th, at 8:00 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asbury Park, while the second is Sunday, June 14th, at 4:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Princeton. Tickets are $20 in advance, $15 for students and seniors, and $25 at the door. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.njgmc.org or call 732-579-8449. " All rested from Jersey Pride the week before? Good, because June 14th is the date for North Jersey Pride in Memorial Park in Maplewood!

Music, food, vendors and more will be waiting for your enjoyment!

The fun starts at 12 noon, so don’t be late! For more information, visit www.northjerseypride.org.

Garden State Equality cordially invites you to join them in Asbury Park for their sixth annual Equality Walk on

Page |3 Saturday, June 20th, at 10:00 am! Meet up with GSE at Kennedy Park, located between Cookman Avenue and Lake Avenue to step off for a roughly 2 mile circle to the Boardwalk and back. Your support of this fundraising effort ensures GSE remains able to fight for every member of New Jersey’s LGBT communities, especially LGBT youth, senior citizens, and members of the trans community. Walk by yourself, walk with a friend, walk with a group – even walk as a Virtual Walker! Visit GSEquality.org /Walk to register. If you have questions, email Walk@GardenStateEquality.org or call 973509-5420.

June 20th is the date, and 2 pm is the time for the Joey Tolino Memorial Fundraising Bowling Night, held for the benefit of NJ Buddies. For more information, go to www.NJBuddies.org.

Want to know what’s up with Garden State Equality for the coming year? Then head down to Asbury Park on June 25th for their upcoming Town Hall Meeting! You’ll learn about what’s on GSE’s agenda and give feedback on where you think the organization should focus its efforts.

The meeting starts at 6:00 at the QSpot Community Center, 66 South Main Street. For more information, call GSE at 973-473-5428, or email Contact@GardenStateEquality.org.

GAAMC invites all its members, all its friends, and every other member of the New Jersey LGBT communities – plus all their friends and family members, and all our allies – to march with us on Sunday, June 28th, at the granddaddy of all Pride celebrations, New York’s Festival of Pride!

For more information on the time and place to meet, contact Mickey at Info@GAAMC.org.

Together, we are strong! (Plus it’s nice to have everyone with you as you march and party through the streets of NYC!) The Pride Center invites you to join them at their Family Barbeque, being held on July 18th starting at noon at Grove 3A of Donaldson Park in Highland Park! Ticket prices are $10 for those over 15, $5 for those from 6 to 15, and free for those under 5. The rain date is August 1st. For more information, go to PrideCenter.org.

Don’t forget to mark August 29th on your calendar—that’s the date for Jersey City Pride, held this year in City Hall Plaza at Grove Street! For more information, call 201963-4779, or-go to HudsonPride.org.

NJ Buddies celebrates its 30th Anniversary this year, and a huge celebration is scheduled for October 16 th! Watch this column for more information as it’s released!

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Gleanings Queer News from across the nation and around the world Ireland became the first country in the world to grant the right to civil weddings to same-sex couples by means of a national referendum held on May 23rd. A massive voter turn out of 60.5% of eligible voters (1,949,725) included many recent emigrants from as far away as the United States, Canada, the Middle East, and Thailand, and as near as France and England. The final totals showed overwhelming support for same-sex marriage – 62.1% to 37.9% -- and of the 43 voting districts in the country, only one reported a majority of ‘no’ votes. The vote was to amend the Irish Constitution to legalize weddings between two people of the same sex; it is now up to the Irish Parliament to make the change. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's Legislative Assembly on April 27th voted down a gay marriage bill for the fourth time. Politicians at Stormont, Northern Ireland’s seat of government, narrowly rejected the motion put forward by the leftwing Sinn Féin party by 49 votes to 47. (Raidio Teilifis Eireann; Gay Star News) The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could determine whether states can ban marriage equality and whether they need to recognize same-sex couples married in other states. The arguments will stem from four cases that have been consolidated under the name Obergefell v. Hodges. Observers indicated that justices' comments and questions fell largely along ideological lines. Justice Anthony Kennedy, who legal experts think could be the deciding vote, showed no clear indication of which side he will support. The court is expected to issue a decision by the end of June. (The Washington Post; The Boston Globe) President Barack Obama proclaimed that "LGBT rights are human rights" in a statement commemorating International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). "We work toward this goal every day. Here at home, we are working to end bias-motivated violence, combat discrimination in the workplace and address the specific needs of transgender persons," Obama said in a statement. Meanwhile, a rally and march against transphobia, organized to coincide with IDAHOT, were held in Washington. "Trans people of color are disproportionately impacted by structural oppression," said Lourdes Ashley Hunter of the Trans Women of Color Collective, who spoke out about treatment of trans people. "We are denied access to housing, health care. We are denied access to employment opportunities." (Washington Blade) The Food and Drug Administration introduced a draft guidance that recommends changing the lifetime ban on blood donations from gay men to a one-year deferral period. "I am encouraged that the FDA is moving forward with guidance that will revise the discriminatory lifetime ban on blood donations," said Sen. Tammy Baldwin, DWis., the first openly gay senator in the U.S. "This is a first step in ending an outdated policy that is medically

and scientifically unwarranted, but it doesn't go far enough." (Metro Weekly, Washington DC) The first federally approved monument on federal land honoring LGBT veterans was unveiled and dedicated in a grove at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (ALNC) in Elwood, Illinois on Memorial Day. The monument was made possible by the Chicago chapter of the American Veterans for Equal Rights (AVER). Lee Reinhart—who was discharged under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," re-enlisted after repeal and is now president of the Chicago Chapter of AVER—greeted the gathering and read names of LGBT veterans who have passed, including well-known veterans such as Leonard Matlovich. Jim Darby, founder and vice president of the Chicago chapter of AVER, spoke of the chapter's beginnings, the work to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the work to close out that chapter with this lasting recognition. Stanley J. Jenczyk, who spearheaded the project over several years, said, "Today the Chicago Chapter of AVER fulfills the promise, [a promise] that all those who served quietly made in their hearts—that all who served and gave their last measure be remembered.

It is my great hope that all those who see this monument remember all who have served this great nation and especially our LGBT veterans … who have served from the founding of this nation.” (Windy City Times) Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) proposed legislation to ban the widely discredited practice of conversion therapy throughout the country. The measure, called the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, would classify conversion therapy as fraud under the Federal Trade Commission Act. "What the bill will do is outlaw conversion therapy by saying that you cannot advertise that you're doing conversion therapy, you cannot say that it works, you cannot promote it and you cannot profit off of it," Lieu said.

(Washington Blade) The Alabama Legislature is considering a bill that would allow judges and ministers to refuse to marry same-sex couples based on their religious freedom. The bill, introduced by Republican state Representative Jim Hill, has passed in the Alabama House of Representatives and is expected to be voted on by a state Senate committee next week. Democratic state Representative Patricia Todd, the state's only openly gay lawmaker, said the bill was drafted to discriminate against gay couples who want to marry. (The Huntsville Times) Arizona's Republican Governor Doug Ducey revoked a policy by the state's Department of Child Safety that blocked married same-sex couples from adopting children in Arizona. "With 17,000 children under the state’s care, we need more adoption in Arizona, not less," Ducey said in a statement. "That is why I feel strongly, as I had said many times before, that all loving families should be able to serve as foster parents and adopt." (Arizona Republic, Phoenix)

June 2015

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Two LGBT laws in Washington, D.C., took effect despite efforts by Republican members of Congress to reverse them. The measures seek to protect LGBT students from discrimination and prohibit employers from discriminating against workers who use contraceptives or undergo abortions. (Washington Blade) A lawsuit challenging Guam's same-sex marriage ban will move forward after a federal judge decided against postponing it until after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on gay nuptials this summer. But U.S. District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood gave Guam's governor some extra time to work with a private attorney. That's because Guam's attorney general, Democrat Elizabeth Barrett Anderson, has taken a different position than Republican Governor Eddie Calvo, saying the U.S. territory should issue marriage licenses to gay couples.

The Attorney General appointed a local attorney to defend Calvo and the Office of Vital Statistics registrar because she will not do so. Loretta M. Pangelinan and Kathleen M. Aguero, both 28, sued April 13 after the registrar refused them a license because Guam law defines marriage as a union between two people of the opposite sex.

If Guam allows gay marriage, it would be the first U.S. territory to do so. (The Pacific Daily News) Hawaii lawmakers advanced a measure that would allow people to change the gender on their birth certificates without having to undergo surgery. "It means the world to a lot of people to allow them to lead the life that they're meant to lead and to get really basic necessities," said Rebecca Copeland, an advocate with Equality Hawaii. The bill now heads to the full state Legislature for a vote.

(San Francisco Chronicle) A slate of bills in Michigan seeking to allow discrimination against LGBT couples looking to adopt is set to be considered by the full state Senate after passing out of committee. The bills passed the state House in March.

Meanwhile, Michigan state Representative Earl Poleski (R) introduced a bill that would restrict local governments from enacting protections that are stronger than state or federal law, which includes anti-discrimination protections for LGBT workers. According to Equality Michigan, the measure would nullify anti-LGBT discrimination protections enacted in 37 Michigan municipalities. (Detroit Free Press; PrideSource.com, Livonia) Minnesota state Senator Paul Gazelka (R) introduced a "Freedom of Conscience" bill, which would enable businesses to refuse marriage-related services to same-sex couples based on their religious beliefs. "This bill is not treating LGBTQ people and their families well," said Monica Meyer of OutFront Minnesota. "We see this as an attack on the freedom to marry for same-sex couples."

(Star-Tribune, Minneapolis-St. Paul) Nevada's Republican Governor Brian Sandoval signed anti-bullying legislation that would create an anti-bullying office in the state's Department of Education and provide resources to report incidents. "No students should be in pain," said Sandoval. "All students should have the oppor-

Page |5 tunity to thrive and succeed." Nevada joins 17 other states and the District of Columbia, in enacting antibullying laws that include a provision protecting students based on gender identity and sexual orientation. (Reno Gazette-Journal) The Nevada Assembly voted 22-20 to reject a bill that sought to bar transgender students from using bathrooms that correspond to their gender identity. "[The bill] ... was discrimination against a class of people, pure and simple. We will not stand for this type of torment, bullying or discrimination," said Tod Story, executive director of ACLU Nevada. (Reno Gazette-Journal) The New York State Assembly approved a measure this week that would ban the use of "conversion therapy" on minors. The bill, which passed 94-23, now heads to the Republican-led Senate for consideration. "[Sexual orientation] is neither a choice nor an illness," said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D), who added that the practice is insulting and unhealthy. (Newsday, Long Island) The North Carolina House will not move forward on a proposed "religious freedom" bill this session, Speaker Tim Moore (R) announced last week. IBM, American Airlines and Republican Governor Pat McCrory were among those opposing the measure. "The bill, in its current format, at the current time, is not the proper path to go," Moore said at a news conference. (The News and Observer, Raleigh) Both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature approved bills that would allow people authorized to perform marriages to refuse to if it violates their religious beliefs.

Democratic state Senator Kevin Matthews criticized the bills as subjective and dangerous. The bills have yet to be signed by Republican Governor Mary Fallin. (Tulsa World) Oregon Governor Kate Brown (D), the first openly LGBT governor, passed a state law to stop the use of conversion therapy on LGBT minors, making Oregon the third state in the country to prohibit the discredited practice.

New Jersey and California, along with the District of Columbia, also ban conversion therapy. (The Oregonian, Portland) The Texas House of Representatives was expected to consider a bill that would prohibit the use of funds to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and block employees from recognizing any same-sex marriage licenses. However, Texas House Democrats used stalling tactics to block the bill’s passage. "We're sending a message to Texas that this is worth fighting for," said Democratic state Representative Celia Israel, who is openly gay. (San Antonio Current; Texas Tribune, Austin) Virginia's Fairfax County School Board, which is the largest school system in the state, voted 10-1 to add a clause to its nondiscrimination policy to include protections for transgender students and workers. "[W]e are (continued on page 9)

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June 2015 Q-munity Calendar Recurring Contact Information *Hackensack Peer Support Groups: 800-508-7577; njbuddies@aol.com †Pride Center Highland Park: 732-846-2232; www.pridecenter.org ‡Hudson Pride Connections Center: 201-963-4779; HudsonPride.org #Princeton University LGBT Center: www.princeton.edu/lgbt/programs Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm - HIV testing, Morristown; 973-889-6802 9:00 am to 1:00 pm - HIV testing, Asbury Park; 800-947-0020 10:00 am to 5:00 pm - HiTOPS Health Center, Princeton; www.hitops.org; 609-683-5155 x 211 Project Access syringe exchange program, Newark; variable hours; njcri.org; 973-558-5054 Project Access drop-in center, Newark; variable hours;njcri.org

908-791-3764 7:30 pm - Men’s HIV support group, Asbury Park; 732-7755084; apstillpoz @ yahoo.com 7:30 pm - Positive Yoga, Oradell * 8:45 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 - 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† 7:30 pm - Gay Men’s Coming Out group, Highland Park; njwarrior@aol.com †

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 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 - LGBT Fitness Explosion, Jersey City ‡ 6:30 pm - Double Jeopardy peer support group, Hackensack* 6:30 pm – Men of Hudson Pride, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - Sexual Assault Survivor Support, Princeton; www.hitops.org 7:30 pm - Rainbows on Cleveland Street, Orange; 973-256-5936; rbowsoncleveland @ aol.com 7:30 pm - Writers group, Highland Park †

Every Monday 10:30 am - The Wellness Community, Newark; 973-565-0300; info @ hyacinth.org 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; 01 Mon 10:00 am -- Something Positive treatment adherence workshop, Newark; www.njcri.org 7:00 pm -- Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 7:00 pm - Lesbian Hot Topics, Ocean; schiffman @ rocketmail.com 7:30 pm – Raices Latinas LGBT, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 02 Tue 7:30 pm – LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 7:30 pm – Come OUT & Play, Highland Park† 03 Wed 5:30 pm – Hudson County HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council, Jersey City ‡ 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm – Jersey Boys of Leather, Highland Park

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 04 Thu 7:00 pm –Coffee social Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park† 05 Fri 05 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 9:00 pm 7:30 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park;† 06 Sat 1:00 pm – Women of Pride, Jersey City‡ 2:30 pm – First & Third for GLBTI Youth, Princeton; 609-6835155; www.HiTOPS.org 7:30 pm –WAMP!, Highland Park;† 07 Sun 2:00 pm – Central NJ Rope Share, Pride Center, Highland Park† 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-857-4040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com

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07 Sun 6:30 pm – Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol@msn.com 08 Mon 2:00 pm – HPCC Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City‡ 7:30 pm – PFLAG of Morris County, Mendham; 973-543-7229; craig.bcc@verizon.net 7:30 pm – Young Men’s Social Network, HighlandPark† 7:30 pm – PFLAG, Princeton; 609-663-5155; www.pflagprinceton.org 09 Tue 7:30 pm – Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park† 10 Wed 7:30 pm – Wednesday Night 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 7:00 pm – Women’s NovieNight, Highland Park;† 7:30 pm – Mature Adults Workshop: Being Ready for the Unexpected, Highland Park† 13 Sat 1:00 pm – Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 7:00 pm – Men's Movie Social, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Dignity New Brunswick gay Catholic liturgy; 732-968-9263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 14 Sun 2:00 pm – Male Drawing Session, Highland Park† 6:00 pm – Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02@worldnet.att.net 15 Mon 7:00 pm -- Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero @ umdnj.edu 7:30 pm – Raices Latinas LGBT, Highland Park† 16 Tue 7:30 pm – Caregivers Support Group, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Lesbian Alliance of Princeton; 609-924-8174; Loisj@msn.com 7:30 pm – Come OUT & Play, Highland Park† 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 17 Wed 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park†

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7:30 pm – NJ Havurah board meeting, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez @ comcast.net 18 Thu 6:00 pm – New Volunteer Orientation, Jersey City‡ 7:00 pm – GAAMC board meeting, Morristown; all GAAMC members are invited to attend.

7:30 pm – Volunteer Group Meeting, Jersey City‡ 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Northwest NJ, Sparta; 973-729-9909 19 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm – NJ Havurah Shabbat; njlgh.onefireplace.com 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 20 Sat 1:00 pm – Women of Pride, Jersey City‡ 2:30 pm – First & 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 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-837-4040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com 4:00 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 22 Mon 2:00 pm – HPCC Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City‡ 23 Tue 8:30 pm – Men’s Social Night, Highland Park† 24 Wed 7:00 pm – JCLGO monthly meeting, Jersey City; 201-333-5725; www.jclgo.org 7:30 pm – United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez@comcast.net 7:30 pm – Wednesday Night Women’s Hang Out, Highland Park† 25 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 26 Fri 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm – Living Soulfully, Highland Park† 27 Sat 1:00 pm – Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 7:00 pm – Gay Bowling, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; 732-776-6160 7:30 pm – Our Coming Out Party, Highland Park;† 29 Mon 7:30 pm – Charitable Planning Workshop, Highland Park

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Challenge

June 2015

The Soapbox Summer Self Defense

by Sherri Rase Summer is when we’re all outdoors as much as possible.

That outdoor time might lead to new adventures, some of which may not be fun. Here’s some tips for keeping summer safe.

1. Mentally Prepare Yourself Last year in New York, there were several incidents where LGBTQ or Gender Non Conforming (GNC) people were accosted verbally and physically. Preparing for possibilities is just like being ready for any situation. Consider the couple who survived a large plane crash. The husband prepared himself for the most likely scenarios so while the rest of the passengers were frozen , he grabbed his wife’s hand and ran for safety. Preparing for the possibility of danger, you empower yourself to take action if the “unthinkable” happens.

2. Have a Plan Take a self-defense seminar and practice what you learn. Plan a strategy for different situations to train your body and mind to act from a place of power.

3. Follow Your Intuition Use your innate survival instinct, and learn the difference between real fear and worry. If something feels off or wrong, be safe and follow your instincts rather than be the victim of a violent crime.

4. Be Aware of Your Surroundings Pay attention to what’s going on around you. If you think someone is following you, cross the street or step into a store. Or you can make eye contact with the person and ask what time it is, making you now able to identify this person, making you less desirable a target. Show that you will fight back if attacked.

5. Don’t Look Like a Victim Predators go through a victim selection process. If you’re distracted, you’re an easy target. Stay in areas with more people. Walk with purpose. Be focused on where you’re going, not what’s in your briefcase or backpack. Sometimes looking like someone who is not to be messed with deters a would-be attacker.

6. Be Car Smart Predators target parking lots for attacks. Put your keys in your hand before you leave and weave a few of them between your fingers. Wait until you are close to your car to unlock it, get inside, lock the doors and start driving. Be prudent, be safe.

7. Know Your Strengths & Others’ Weaknesses Your elbow is the strongest point on your body; use it. If you are on the ground, use your legs to kick your attacker.

Go for the four weakest points: eyes, throat, groin, and knees. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch your attacker under the arm, in between the elbow and armpit or in the upper inner thigh… HARD. You can literally pull the muscle away from the bone in these areas.

8. You Have the Right to Fight Fight, if you feel threatened. .Remember “The Karate Kid” and the Cobra Kai code: “Strike first! Strike hard! Strike fast! No mercy!”

Break away from your attacker and run for help.

9. Don’t Yell for Help People will not respond to “HELP!” Ask Kitty Genovese. Yell “FIRE!” and people will come running to your aid.

10. Stay Alert on Vacation People on vacation are prime targets. Keep your hotel room locked with the deadbolt and chain when you are inside, and never let anyone in your room that you don’t know. Not everyone who says they work for the hotel actually does; call the front desk to confirm. Never leave an extra room key lying around for someone to grab, or let anyone know that you are travelling alone. When you check in, ask for two keys. If the desk clerk says your room number out loud, tell them you want a different room. You never know who is listening to your conversation.

11. Prevent Date Rape Most people are assaulted by someone they know and 40 percent of the time the crime will happen in the victims’ own home. Say “no” or “stop” at any point during an intimate encounter. You don’t need a reason. “No” is a complete sentence, and the person should stop immediately upon hearing it. Otherwise s/he has crossed the line into sexual assault. If there is no ill-intent toward you, you may be able to stop the assault by saying, “Don’t rape me.” Hearing the word “rape” may verbally shake someone into reality. Otherwise continue as you would with a stranger and fight. At that point, it is no longer a “misunderstanding”.

12. Look where you're going.

13. Walk wide around building corners jumped.

(Continued on page10)

Don't get

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Challenge Gleanings (continued from page 5)

hoping this will bring a new age of respect and valuing of transgender and gender-nonconforming students and employees," said Ryan McElveen, the school board member who sponsored the measure. (Washington Blade) The Supreme Court of Costa Rica has upheld a ruling that professional associations may not discriminate against people who are in same-sex relationships. The same-sex partner of a member of Costa Rica’s Doctors and Surgeons Association was refused membership at recreational facilities owned by the association for the benefit of their members and their families. Lawyers for the Association argued that the group had not deliberately intended to discriminate against gays and lesbians as its then policy had been to only grant access to its facilities to members of the association and their children, husbands, and wives. Same-sex couples may not yet legally marry in Costa Rica or enter into civil partnerships. The Association voluntarily updated its policy in February in response to the issues raised in the lawsuit so that the partners of its unmarried members, regardless of sexual orientation, can access its recreational facilities as long as they have been cohabiting for at least three years.

(Gay Star News)

that seeks to amend the country’s civil code. El Comercio, an Ecuadorian newspaper, reported the measure would allow LGBT couples to receive "the same rights and obligations of a marriage" in terms of pensions, purchasing a home together and other benefits. It would also eliminate the requirement that couples must wait two years before entering into a civil union and demonstrate that they had lived together during this period. The proposal would also apply to unmarried straight couples.

(Washington Blade) The upper house of India’s Parliament voted unanimously in favor of a bill to protect transgender rights.

The vote in the chamber, called the Rajya Sabha, was extremely unusual. The bill was sponsored by an individual member and not by the government, and India’s Parliament has not passed a member-sponsored bill since 1970. The bill must now be approved by India’s lower house, the Lok Sabha. If it becomes law, it would require the government to establish a plan to safeguard the welfare of transgender people. This would fulfill a ruling from India’s Supreme Court last April which established that transgender people were entitled under the constitution to be protected from discrimination. (The Indian Express)

The European Court of Justice has ruled that EU governments may ban gay men from ever donating blood, but The Cypriot Cabinet approved a long-awaited civil part- only under strict conditions. The ruling was closely watched by activists and by governments that have lifenership bill that would altime bans on homosexlow gay couples to register ual male blood donors their relationships and because they are more grant them all marriage likely than other groups rights except joint adopto have HIV, the virus tion. The legislation will that causes AIDS. now be sent to parliament, Frenchman Geoffrey where it will be discussed Leger had protested and put to a vote. Interior France's ban. The court Minister Socrates Hasikos, found that France's law who helped prepare the is "liable to discrimibill, said Cyprus was ready Tax Planning and Preparation nate against male hofor same-sex unions. “I am mosexuals on the basis certain that society is maFinancial Planning of sexual orientation," ture enough to accept it.

Accounting Services which is against EU polBesides, this is what peoicy. But it said lifetime Day and evening appointments ple are asking for through bans may be justified if various groups and organiOffices in New Jersey & NYC a donor presents a high sations, political parties, risk of acquiring severe and society at large,” he infectious diseases and said. (Gay Star News) there is no other meth973 – 376 – 4121 od to protect blood Ecuadorian lawmakers recipients. It returned overwhelmingly approved the case to the French a bill that would allow for court for further study. the legal recognition of P. O. Box 701 (U.S. News and World civil unions in the South Short Hills, NJ 07078 Report) American country. Members of the Ecuadorian AsThe Board of Directors sembly by an 89-1 vote KPSCPA@gmail.com of the National LGBT margin approved the proviMuseum has voted to sion as part of a measure (continued on next page)

KEVIN P. SUSZKO, PC Certified Public Accountant

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GAAMC Board Minutes

The Soapbox

April 16, 2015

(continued from page 8)

Members: DeLeeuw, Dinkin, Kohn, Lucek, Rase, Schaublin, Skurna, Slcer Non-Voting Attendees: Allen Neuner; Gordon Sauer; Mickey Suiter

14. Watch your drink Someone could slip a knock out drug in your cocktail.

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 The minutes of the March meeting were approved (moved, Slicer; seconded, Schaublin).

Old Business: Details for the Pastabilities fundraising social were finalized and reviewed.

New Business: Possible Outings were discussed. The resignation of Board Trustee Joe Gygax was accepted (moved, Kohn; seconded, Schaublin). Discussion of possible candidates to fill existing two-year vacancy). An invitation will be extended to Nick Santangelo to go through the process of becoming a facilitator.

Reports Treasurer (Andy Skurna): Closures in January and February resulted in a $100 reduction in rent.

Challenge (Allen Neuner): A newsletter will be produced for May. Webmaster (Andy Skurna Programs (Sherri Rase) Development (Gordon Sauer): Two letters need to be created; one a “thank you for joining” to new members; the other a “we miss you” to lapsed members.

GAAMC Pride (Mickey Suiter): We are registered for the NYC Parade. Jersey Pride and North Jersey Pride are not yet accepting registrations. We plan to be at Hudson Pride in Jersey City.

Ideas and Suggestions: Whole Foods is opening a new store in Morristown and have offered food for our activities.

A motion to adjourn was approved (moved, Schaublin; seconded, ?).

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm.

15. No stranger gets in your house, EVER If someone is outside, call 911 for him or her.

16. You're being mugged. Take the bare minimum with you when you’re out on the town. Be cooperative. Give them what they want. Put a small amount of cash in your pocket and put a five or ten on the outside. Toss that in one direction and run away in the other.

You can make smarter decisions just by being prepared.

Trust your intuition and prepare to defend yourself.

Gleanings (continued from previous page) base the museum in New York City and has elected longtime LGBT activist Kevin Jennings, founder of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), as its co-chair. Founded in 2008 by Board Co-Chair Tim Gold, the National LGBT Museum engaged in an extensive visioning process (details of which can be found at www.NationalLGBTMuseum.org), examined a number of possible sites, and held a number of meetings with elected officials and LGBT organizational leaders in New York before voting to choose New York at its January 2015 Board meeting. “New York simply makes sense,” says Gold. “It is both the site of many pivotal events in the history of the U.S. LGBT civil rights movement as well as a top destination worldwide for LGBT tourists. We are excited about siting the museum in this great world city.”

(San Diego LGBT Weekly) The Girl Scouts of the USA is maintaining its 4-year-old policy of allowing transgender girls in the fold, despite the frustrations of conservative critics. "Our position is not new," said the Girl Scouts' Andrea Bastiani Archibald.

"If a girl is recognized by her family, school, and community as a girl and lives culturally as a girl, [the] Girl Scouts is an organization that can serve her in a setting that is both emotionally and physically safe." (CNN)

June 2015

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The Theatre Bear Reviews…

“The Royal Family”

by Allen Neuner The names George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber are no longer as familiar as they once were. Kaufman, with help from other playwrights, created such enduring plays as You Can’t Take It With You, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Stage Door, and Dinner at Eight. As a librettist, he co-wrote the books for Of Thee I Sing, Animal Crackers, Strike Up the Band, and the revue The Band Wagon. Edna Ferber was a novelist and playwright in her own right, creating the novels Show Boat and Giant, and co-writing Dinner at Eight and Stage Door with Kaufman.

The Royal Family, written and set in 1927, was a satire of the Barrymore family, members of which were considered the finest actors and actresses of their respective generations. In the play, we meet the Cavendish family, three generations of thespians who would have defined the term “drama queens” if the term existed at that time.

The family is headed by its matriarch, Fanny Cavendish, who with her late husband Aubrey performed both the classics and newer work, on Broadway and on the road.

Fanny’s children are Tony, who had forsaken Broadway for Hollywood, and Julie, a reigning Great Lady of the stage. Julie’s daughter, Gwen, is an up-and-coming talent torn between the stage and the young man she loves.

There’s also Herbert and Kitty Dean, Fanny’s lesstalented brother and sister-in-law; Oscar Wolfe, the family’s long-time manager; and, rounding out the family, the capable and long-suffering servants, Della the maid and Jo the butler.

Complications arise to roil the lunatic family’s carefully self-constructed and egocentric life, in the form of suitors for the two younger Cavendish women. Gwen is most deeply in love with Perry Stewart, her society beau, but each feels the other’s work is less important than their own. Julie is reunited with a lover from 20 years ago, Gilbert Marshall, a multi-millionaire who owns platinum and emerald mines in South America, and who tempts Julie with visions of travel and glamor and escape from the demands of the Cavendish clan and the stage.

While the members of the ensemble create a seamless picture of these madcaps, I have to give top honors to the actresses portraying three generations of Cavendish women. Elizabeth Shepherd exudes a grandeur and style altogether befitting matriarch Fanny, whose insistence on tradition and the legacy of the Cavendishes is a formidable power grounding her firmly in the past. Roxanna Hope’s Julie reminded me, both in appearance and mannerisms, of current-day real-life diva Patti LuPone. And the Gwen of Samantha Bruce contained the right mixture of theatrical wisdom and ignorance of the ways of the “normal” world to make her plight believable and sympathetic as the youngest family star rides the roller coaster of emotions, seeking an escape from her personal dilemmas.

The styles of 1927 are brilliantly brought to life by veteran Shakespeare Theatre designers Maggie Dick (costumes), Anthony Galaska (lighting), and Karen Graybash (sound), here joined for the first time by scenic designer Charles Murdock Lewis. The costumes, especially those of the actresses, capture the tastes and beauty of the beautiful people of New York’s theatrical world – even down to those worn by the servants. The sound was crisp and clean, and the choice of entr’acte piano selections was spot on. Pulling the entire design together is the marvelous two-story Cavendish apartment, reminiscent of the sets for the Astaire-Rogers films of the early 1930’s yet replacing sterile black and white plastics with warm woods and plush carpets.

Bonnie J. Monte, the Shakespeare Theatre’s Artistic Director, who celebrates her 25th year with the organization this year, shows a firm yet fine hand in handling both the farcical and serious sides of this long-neglected gem.

Go and spend an enjoyable time with The Royal Family of Kaufman and Ferber’s imaginations. It’s a crown jewel of delight.

The Royal Family, by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber. Playing now through June 21 st at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University, 36 Madison Avenue in Madison. Contact: BoxOffice@ShakespeareNJ.org or 973408-5600

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Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County GAAMC Officers President (President@GAAMC.org) ............. Sherri Rase VP Community Services (Info@GAAMC.org) ...................................................... Kerry Dinkin VP Operations (Operations@GAAMC.org) ....................................................John DeLeeuw Secretary (Secretary@GAAMC.org) .......... Ron Kennedy Treasurer (Treasurer@GAAMC.org) ........... Andy Skurna

Trustees David Gayle, Jay Kohn, Frank Lucek, Richard Schaublin, Liz Slicer

Committee Chairs & Functional Officers Challenge Editor (Challenge@GAAMC.org) ..................................................... Allen Neuner Discussion Group Resources (Discussions@GAAMC.org) ..................................................... Gordon Sauer GAAMC Outings ............................................ open Information (FreeLibrary@GAAMC.org) ...... Andy Skurna Pride Events ..................................... Mickey Suiter Pride Guide (PrideGuide@GAAMC.org) ...... Andy Skurna Programs (Programs@GAAMC.org) .............. Sherri Rase Publicity .................................................... open Socials (Socials@GAAMC.org) ................John DeLeeuw Webmaster (Webmaster@GAAMC.org) ....... Andy Skurna

GAAMC, the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, has served New Jersey’s gay, lesbian bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed communities since 1972. GAAMC is a notfor-profit volunteer-run organization that provides social, educational, and outreach programs. GAAMC also offers opportunities for individuals to become politically active on issues related to the GLBTI communities. Our intent is to maintain a positive, healthy, respectful, and supportive environment in a safe space.

Meetings are held every Monday evening at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morris Township, NJ (near the Morris Museum). Discussion groups usually meet from 7:00 to 8:00. The evening’s program usually starts shortly after 8:00. Refreshments are available.

For program information, check our homepage (see below). Members and non-members are always welcome.

Annual membership dues are: Regular, $40/single, $70/couple; Students/Seniors, $30/single, $60/couple.

How to reach GAAMC Mail: PO Box 137, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Telephone: 973-285-1595 E-Mail: info@gaamc.org Home page: http://www.gaamc.org Mail List: http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/gaamc