Celebrate Thanksgiving with GAAMC! See Page 2!
CHALLENGE
The Newsletter of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County Serving New Jersey’s GLBTI Communities Since 1972 Volume 41, Issue 6, November 2015
Vote! Vote! Vote! by Sherri Rase “Remember, remember the 5th of November” is how the British nursery rhyme about Guy Fawkes begins. The plot to blow up Parliament with King James I and peers of the realm failed, but ever since the early part of November has lent itself to political matters. Here in the United States, Election Day is the Tuesday following the first Monday of November, and it’s my hope that everywhere thinking voters will turn out in record numbers.
a lot of ways to tamper with voting, but we can foil every one by being vigilant. Read your sample ballot carefully. It will have your polling place on it and you can make notes about the different candidates. Greet the poll workers -- they’ve got a l-o-n-g day with few breaks and it will lighten their day to see happy faces. Consider giving your neighbors a lift to the polling place, especially if they’re differently mobile; and in New Jersey, you can vote by mail for any reason. If you have difficulty leaving the house, make sure you request a ballot early on.
GAAMC recently hosted a “Vote Your Issues” program where we had Democrats and Republicans telling us their positions and plans for election. All of them agreed that since this is an off-cycle election, one that This cycle, let’s surprise the pundits and make this one doesn’t coincide with a gubernatorial or Presidential of the best turnouts in recent history! It’s important race, the turnout may be even less than the notorious- to prepare for what’s to come. Those in the State Asly low School Board elections. This means your vote sembly and State Senate now may have their eyes on has even greater impact -- and you have an unprece- higher office. We can encourage progressive reformdented opportunity to ers now, we can encourage make positive change! financially responsible ideaInside Challenge driven people now, and Challenge Information ........................... page 2 The entire Assembly in GAAMC Events for October ................... page 2 later on we’ll congratulate New Jersey is up for re- Gleanings -- Queer news from around ourselves when laws prothe world ............................................ page 3 election, and many of tecting our families and the those who represent us are November Q-munity Calendar – LGBT environment provide modevents in New Jersey ......................... page 5 out in force. Carefully read els for legislation nationthe materials that are find- New Jersey State Police Out, wide as often happens in Endanger Transgender Woman ......... page 7 ing their way into your New Jersey. Be proud! Get Bulletin Board ......................................... page 7 mailbox. Be sure you know OUT the Vote! GAAMC Board Meeting Minutes........... page 9 where your polling place is Letter to the Editor .................................. page 9 for this election. There are GAAMC Information ............................ page 10