Happy Holidays from 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 7, Winter 2015
Power in Forgiveness by Sherri Rase This is the time of year when we gather with family. Sometimes it's the family we were born into who loves us, and sometimes it's the family that we make as we find the people who love us. Recently, terrorists have been in the news giving us a lot to think about other than how closely Halloween is now juxtaposed to Christmas. Ironically, the less-mindful among us immediately preface "terrorist" with "Arab", forgetting how much home-grown terror there is in just going to the movies or a classroom or a military installation. Or is there? A video from an Australian television personality went viral recently when he explained the most simple solution to people wanting to terrify you into staying in your home: Don't. Let. Them. Win. Consider the regularity of violence in Israel and Palestine, where each side wants exactly the same thing -- a place for their families to grow and thrive. Through not reaching a resolution, neither side gets what they want. While we might think "compromise" is the answer, it's actually "love". When we show love to one another, is it only romantic attachment? Is it exclusively parental or mentorly? Is it that one (or handful) of friends upon whom you can call anytime? Yes and no. When we show love, we're giving a gift to the recipient, and also to ourselves. Doing good feels good and
once you get a taste of THOSE endorphins, it's hard to go back to the life you had before. Shortly after I walked through the door at GAAMC, I met the people who helped me put myself back together after a devastating breakup. They opened a wider world to me. From stepping into that world, I began to understand about what's around me and where I fit in that world. Truthfully, we're all connected. It's hard to see sometimes when we're strap-hanging on the train amongst other tired, hungry, cranky people. It's hard to see sometimes when we're all in traffic, clotted cars going nowhere quickly. It's hard to see when there seems to be love all around for everyone but us. That connection, that light is there -waiting for you to notice. Waiting for you to see and act and love. One year closes, another opens. What brilliance will you make with the materials this year puts into your hands? Only time will tell. You can build a morass, or you can build a castle. You make the choice. Be in the moment; give yourself some room to breathe and take my hand. Let's find the ways we're connected and bring others in to share what we have learned.
Inside Challenge Challenge Information .......................... page 2 GAAMC Events for December/January ................................................................. page 2 Gleanings -- Queer news from around the world ............................................. page 3 December/January Q-munity Calendar ................................................................. page 4 So Long, Farewell… .............................. page 7 GAAMC Board Meeting Minutes .......... page 7 Bulletin Board ........................................ page 9 GAAMC Information ........................... page 10 More content can be found at www.issuu.com/GAAMC
I see you. I feel you. We love. Happy Chrisma-ChanuKwanzaa-Diwali and a prosperous New Year!
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Volume 40, Number 7 Winter 2015 ISSN 0277-1675 Editor: Allen Neuner Assistant Editor Bill Stella Submissions The deadline for all articles, inserts, and advertisements is the 15th of the previous month. The staff requests that all submissions be provided as electronic files. E-mail all submissions to challenge@gaamc.org. Ad Rates Single issue: Full page, $125.00; Half page, $85.00; Quarter page, $45.00; Business card, $25.00. For multi-issue rates, contact the Editor. GAAMC members may place one free classified ad per month, of no more than 200 characters in length. Challenge is © 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.
Winter 2015
GAAMC Events for December 2015/January 2016 Open Talk Discussion Group Weekly discussion group, open to all. Every Monday, in the Library. Moderators: Gordon (Dec 21; Jan 4, 18); Liz (Dec 7; Jan 11, 18); Sherri (Dec 14; Jan 18). NOTE: Open Talk does not meet on Film Festival nights.
Weekly Programs Main meetings start at 8:00 unless otherwise stated. Discussion groups start at 7:00. December 7: Members’ Holiday Market Looking for that just-right gift to please family and friends? Come out tonight and you just might find it! Local artisans and vendors, some of whom are GAAMC members, some of whom are GLBT artisans, will put their items on display for you. You might even find that one-of-a-kind item that you want for yourself! December 14: Board Elections It’s that time again -- the annual election of GAAMC officers and Board members! Exercise your right to vote for those people you believe will head GAAMC in the direction you want to see it go. Current Events Discussion Group Discussion of topics in the news. Topics are not chosen until the night the group meets. In the Terrace Room. Moderator: Frank. December 21: Winter Holiday Show and Social We pair our annual winter holiday show, featuring the talents of fellow members and starring Mr. Scarlett O’Hara as our emcee, with the best in holiday goodies. Take the night off from last-minute shopping and have a good time with your GAAMC family! December 28: Holiday Classic Videos Sit around the Library, cozy up to a nice mug of hot chocolate, and enjoy some old holiday classics on video. Feel like a kid again as the old year closes! NOTE: Videos will start at 7:00 this evening. 20-Something Discussion Group: Monthly group for young members of the queer communities. In the Dining Room. Moderator: Nick. Topic: Have a Gay Christmas!!: Being LGBTQI at the Holidays. January 4: Fresh Perspectives Retreat Discussion A few weeks ago, you elected your new Board. Tonight is your night to let them know what you think is going right with GAAMC, what you believe needs improvement, and what direction you think GAAMC should be heading. Your comments become the basis for the annual Board planning meeting later in the month. January 11: to be announced Sorry, folks, but as of press time we didn’t have information about tonight’s program. Check GAAMC.org for up-to-date information about tonight’s event. January 18: Extended Open Talk Discussion Ever feel that all you needed was just one more minute to make your point during Open Talk Discussion? Well, tonight you get your wish! Our popular Open Talk Discussion has been extended through the evening, giving you more time to make your point, or to bring up new points (related or not)! January 25: GAAMC Film Festival This Is Where I Leave You is a riotous familyrelationship comedy taking place during a shiva, the seven-day period following a Jewish funeral. The cast is headed by Jane Fonda, Jason Bateman, and Tina Fey. Sit, nosh, laugh a little – and enjoy! NOTE: The film begins at 7:00. Current Events Discussion Group: Discussion of topics in the news. Topics are not chosen until the night the group meets. In the Terrace Room. Moderator: Frank. 20-Something Discussion Group: Monthly group for young members of the queer communities. In the Dining Room. Moderator: Nick. Topic: The Offended Generation: What Does It Really Mean to Be “Offended”?
Winter 2015
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Gleanings Queer News from across the nation and around the world The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data alerting the 1.2 million Americans and their doctors that they should be counseled about using the prevention strategy known as PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis. That million-plus figure includes one in four, or approximately 492,000, sexually active gay and bisexual adult men. The CDC announced new clinical guidelines in May that recommend anyone who is at an elevated risk for contracting HIV take Truvada, the only drug so far approved for PrEP, as a preventive measure to help protect themselves from being infected with the virus, which can cause AIDS. In September, researchers at Kaiser Permanente in San Francisco announced that 100 percent of the more than 600 high-risk individuals, most of whom were men who have sex with men, remained infection-free for two years by taking Truvada for a study. Previous studies have shown that PrEP can reduce the risk of HIV by a degree of 70% to more than 90%. In addition to the one in four gay and bisexual men, estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, and National Survey on Family Growth suggest that one in five adults who inject drugs, or 115,000, should consider PrEp, as well as one in 200, or 620,000, sexually active straight adults. (Advocate.com) Cleo Pablo, a recently marriedNative American woman, has filed a lawsuit against her tribe seeking to have her marriage to her same-sex partner recognized. Ms. Pablo, of Arizona’s Ak-Chin Indian Community, legally married her longtime partner, Tara Roy-Pablo in May this year. Pablo’s wife and her children are however forbidden to live in her home in the small Native American community outside Phoenix where she grew up. Community law prohibits unmarried couples from living together. Although the US Supreme Court extended the right to marry to same-sex couples, Native American reservations in the United States are not bound by the Court’s decision. Some 567 Native American tribes in the US are recognized as sovereign nations under the law, and many continue to forbid gay marriages and deny insurance and other benefits. Local and national advocates say the lawsuit may be the first of its kind in the country. (Gay Star News) Over 160 Kentucky-based businesses have formed a coalition to lobby for LGBT people to gain workplace discrimination protections in the state. Kentucky is one of 28 states that has not added sexual orientation and gender identity to its Civil Rights Acts. The newly-formed Kentucky Competitive Workplace Coalition was launched at a press conference at the Brown-Forman Corporation, one of the US’s biggest wine and spirit companies, owning the Jack Daniels, Southern Comfort and Finlandia anong their brands. The companies involved, which have already adopted LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination policies, say that non-discrimination policies will ensure that Kentucky remains an attractive state in which to do business, and that inclusive and diverse workforces help to attract
and retain top talent. Brown-Forman and healthcare insurer Humana, both members of the Coalition, scored the top mark of 100 on the most recent HRC Corporate Equality Index. (Gay Star News) Signs identifying single-occupancy bathrooms as for "men" or "women" will have to be removed in Philadelphia next year after Mayor Michael Nutter (D) signed legislation designed to make gender-neutral bathrooms more accessible. The law affects public restrooms in cityowned buildings, as well as in privately-owned businesses. The change does not affect bathrooms with multiple stalls, and any previously-existing artwork identifiers can stay. Nutter said the move is part of the city's commitment to being a leader on LGBT issues. Democratic City Councilman Mark Squila, who introduced the bill, said while it seems like a small step to take, it's actually a big deal for people who previously had to worry about having access to safe bathrooms. Bathroom signage must be changed by Jan. 20, 2016. The law will be enforced by the Department of Licenses and Inspections. (NJ.com) The Wichita (KS) Metro Community Church says it has been targeted because it supports LGBT rights. Rev. Jackie Carter said that vandals have broken 84 windows over the last year. She said she has also received threats over her support of LGBT-specific issues. The vandalism and threats began in November 2014 after same-sex couples began to legally marry in Sedgwick County, in which Wichita is located. More than half of the church’s congregants are LGBT. Carter said that people have also tried to steal church property. The church has raised money to install security cameras, but the threats and the vandalism continue. (Washington Blade) An Arkansas judge ruled in favor of same-sex couples seeking to have both their names listed on their children’s birth certificates. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox made his ruling from the bench in a case brought by three lesbian couples, and it initially applies only to them, but he is considering broadening it to apply to all same-sex couples in the state who have children. Since the Supreme Court marriage equality ruling, legal issues over listing both same-sex parents on birth certificates have been raised in several states, including Texas, Florida, and Nebraska. The Arkansas couples filed suit challenging the Arkansas Health Department’s Vital Statistics Bureau’s refusal to automatically list both parents as the adoptive or biological parents of their children. That parental recognition, they said, is necessary for them to get insurance coverage for their children. Bureau officials told the couples they would need a court order to list the nonbiological parent on the birth certificate. There is no such requirement for opposite-sex couples. Fox said it was clear to him that the two couples who married before (continued on page 8)
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December 2015/January 2016 Q-munity Calendar Recurring Contact Information *Hackensack Peer Support Groups: 800-508-7577; njbuddies@aol.com †Pride Center Highland Park: 732-846-2232; www.pridecenter.org ‡Hudson Pride Connections Center: 201-963-4779; HudsonPride.org #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 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 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 6:00 pm - TransView, Jersey City ‡ 6:00 pm - SAGE, Jersey City ‡ 7:30 pm - Tuesday Night Lesbian Connection, Bound Brook;
December 01 Tue 7:30 pm – LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 7:30 pm – Come OUT & Play, Highland Park† 02 Wed 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm – Jersey Boys of Leather, Highland Park† 03 Thu 5:30 pm – Hudson County HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm –Coffee social Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park† 04 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park;†
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; 201-4321134; info@hyacinth.org 2:30 pm - RU Pride, Newark; 973-353-5716 6:00 pm -"With These Hands" crochet and kitting circle, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 6:00 pm - My Brother's Keeper game night, Newark; www,njcri.org 7:30 pm - Men’s Living Out group, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - Gay Men’s Coming Out group, Highland Park; njwarrior@aol.com† Every Thursday 4:00 pm - True Colors drop-in center, Newark; 973-424-9555; newarklgbtqcenter.org 6:00 pm - Our Youth weekly support group, Jersey City; www.myspacenj.org 6:30 pm - Double Jeopardy peer support group, Hackensack* 6:30 pm – Men of Hudson Pride, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm - Sexual Assault Survivor Support, Princeton; www.hitops.org 7:30 pm - Rainbows on Cleveland Street, Orange; 973-2565936; rbowsoncleveland@aol.com 7:30 pm - Writers group, Highland Park † Every Friday 3:00 pm - WAVE Youth, Ocean Grove; 732-455-3373; qspot.org 6:00 pm - Youth Connect, Jersey City ‡ 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 05 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† 06 Sun 2:00 pm –Mitzvah Day, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-857-4040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com 6:30 pm – Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol@msn.com 07 Mon 10:00 am -- Something Positive treatment adherence workshop, Newark; www.njcri.org 7:00 pm -- Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero@umdnj.edu
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07 Mon 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† 08 Tue 7:30 pm – Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park† 09 Wed 7:30 pm – Wednesday Night Women’s Hang Out, Highland Park† 10 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 7:30 pm -- PFLAG of North Jersey, South Orange; 908-7897489; pflagwaver@aol.com 7:30 pm -- Alternate Thursdays, Montclair; kjdinkin@comcast.net 8:00 pm – Booked for Supper Highland Park† 11 Fri 1:00 pm -- Women's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org 4:00 pm -- SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 12 Sat 1:00 pm – Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 7:00 pm – Men’s Movie Night, Highland Park;† 7:30 pm – Dignity New Brunswick gay Catholic liturgy; 732-9689263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 13 Sun Noon – Chanukah Party, Basking Ridge; njlgh.onefireplace.com 2:00 pm – Male Drawing Session, Highland Park† 6:00 pm – Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02@worldnet.att.net 14 Mon 7:30 pm – PFLAG of Morris County, Mendham; 973-543-7229; craig.bcc@verizon.net 7:30 pm – Young Men’s Social Network, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – PFLAG, Princeton; 609-663-5155; www.pflagprinceton.org 15 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; 908-7521370; pflaghc@yahoo.com 8:00 pm -- PFLAG of Bergen County, Paramus; 201-287-0318; www.bergenpflag.org 8:00 pm – NJ Women, Secaucus; info@njwomen.org 16 Wed 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez@comcast.net 17 Thu 7:00 pm – GAAMC board meeting, Morristown; all GAAMC members are invited to attend. 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park† 7:30 pm - PFLAG of Northwest NJ, Sparta; 973-729-9909
Page |5 18 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm – Dignity New Brunswick social; 732-968-9263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 19 Sat 1:00 pm – Women of Pride, Jersey City‡ 2:00 pm – NJ Hypnokink, Highland Park;† 2:30 pm – First & Third for GLBTI Youth, Princeton; 609-6835155; www.HiTOPS.org 7:00 pm – Rainbow Bowling, Bradley Beach; 732-774-4540 7:00 pm – NJ Gay Film Society & Potluck Dinner Club, location TBA; gayfilms@bigfoot.com 20 Sun 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-837-4040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com 4:00 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 21 Mon 7:00 pm -- Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero@umdnj.edu 7:30 pm – Raices Latinas LGBT, Highland Park† 22 Tue 8:30 pm – Men’s Social Night, Highland Park† 23 Wed 7:00 pm – JCLGO monthly meeting, Jersey City; 201-333-5725; www.jclgo.org 7:30 pm – United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez@comcast.net 7:30 pm – Wednesday Night Women’s Hang Out, Highland Park† 24 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 25 Fri 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 7:30 pm – Living Soulfully, Highland Park† 26 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;† 28 Mon 7:30 pm – NJ Rope Bite, Highland Park;†
January 01 Fri Noon – New Year’s Day brunch, Millstone; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park † 02 Sat 1:00 pm – Women of Pride, Jersey City‡ 2:30 pm – First & Third for GLBTI Youth, Princeton; 609-6835155; www.HiTOPS.org 03 Sun 2:00 pm – Central NJ Rope Share, Pride Center, Highland Park†
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Winter 2015
4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-857-4040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com 5:30 pm – Hudson County HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council, 03 Sun Jersey City‡ 6:30 pm – Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol@msn.com
7:30 pm – Kollege of Kink, Highland Park† 8:00 pm – Booked for Supper Highland Park†
04 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†
16 Sat 1:00 pm – Women of Pride, Jersey City‡ 2:00 pm – NJ Hypnokink, Highland Park;† 2:30 pm – First & Third for GLBTI Youth, Princeton; 609-6835155; www.HiTOPS.org 7:00 pm – Rainbow Bowling, Bradley Beach; 732-774-4540 7:00 pm – NJ Gay Film Society & Potluck Dinner Club, location TBA; gayfilms@bigfoot.com
15 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm – Dignity New Brunswick social; 732-968-9263; dignitynb@earthlink.net
05 Tue 7:30 pm – LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 7:30 pm – Come OUT & Play, Highland Park†
17 Sun 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-837-4040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com 4:00 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park†
06 Wed 5:30 pm – Hudson County HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council, Jersey City ‡ 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack *
18 Mon 7:00 pm -- Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero@umdnj.edu 7:30 pm – Raices Latinas LGBT, Highland Park†
07 Thu 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park† 08 Fri 1:00 pm -- Women's support group, Newark; www.njcri.org 4:00 pm -- SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 09 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; 732-9689263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 10 Sun 2:00 pm – Male Drawing Session, Highland Park† 6:00 pm – Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02@worldnet.att.net 11 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 12 Tue 7:30 pm – Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park† 13 Wed 7:30 pm – Wednesday Night Women’s Hang Out, Highland Park† 14 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 7:30 pm -- PFLAG of North Jersey, South Orange; 908-7897489 ;pflagwaver@aol.com 7:30 pm -- Alternate Thursdays, Montclair; kjdinkin@comcast.net
19 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; 908-7521370; pflaghc @ yahoo.com 8:00 pm -- PFLAG of Bergen County, Paramus; 201-287-0318; www.bergenpflag.org 8:00 pm – NJ Women, Secaucus; info@njwomen.org 20 Wed 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm - United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez@comcast.net 21 Thu 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 22 Fri 4:00 pm - SPECTRUM youth drop-in, Newark; 973-424-9555; NewarkLGBTQCenter.org 23 Sat 1:00 pm – Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 7:00 pm – Gay Bowling, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; 732-776 -6160 25 Mon 2:00 pm – HPCC Bi-Lingual Spanish Group, Jersey City‡ 7:30 pm – NJ Rope Bite; Highland Park;† 26 Tue 8:30 pm – Men’s Social Night, Highland Park†
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27 Wed 7:00 pm – JCLGO monthly meeting, Jersey City; 201-333-5725; www.jclgo.org 27 Wed 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†
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GAAMC Board Minutes October 15, 2015 Members: DeLeeuw, Gayle, Kennedy, Kohn, Lucek, Schaublin, Skurna, Slicer Non-Voting Attendees: Allen Neuner; Gordon Sauer; Mickey Suiter
28 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park†
The meeting was called to order at 7:07
30 Sat 1:00 pm – Women of Pride, Jersey City‡
The minutes of the September meeting were approved (moved, Gayle; seconded, Skurna).
So Long, Farewell…? According to our records, the following members will see their memberships lapse in the next two months. If you feel your name is here in error, please contact our Webmaster, Andy Skurna. Lapsing in December 2015: Andy B., Bernardsville John M., Far Hills Michael F., Bloomfield Ronald K., Morristown Ward A., Bernardsville Lapsing in January 2016: Frank L., Westfield You can renew by going to GAAMC.org, or at any Monday night meeting of GAAMC.
Old/Current Business: The Membership Committee reported on increases in membership and attendance, particularly at the Current Events Discussion Group. GAAMC brochures have been places at the Pride Center and Hudson Pride. Nick has been contacting local clubs for the 20-Something Group. Board members were encouraged to ask members about running for Board positions in the upcoming election. The October 1 theatre outing was deemed successful, with 16 attending. New Business: Possible Outings were discussed. Allen Neuner raised the question of door fees for fundraising events. A motion was passed to sponsor those lacking funds for fundraisers (moved, Schaublin; seconded, Skurna). Reports Treasurer (Andy Skurna): GAAMC is doing better financially. Challenge (Allen Neuner) Webmaster (Andy Skurna): Several events have been posted online. Programs (Sherri Rase). Discussion Group Resources (Gordon Sauer) Development (Gordon Sauer) Social Action Committee (Gordon Sauer) GAAMC Pride (Mickey Suiter) Ideas and Suggestions: Plans for a membership drive were discussed. A motion to adjourn was approved (moved, Kennedy; seconded, Skurna). The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 pm.
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Gleanings (continued from page 3) childbirth were entitled to automatic recognition as parents as soon as Arkansas’s ban on same-sex marriage was struck down by Circuit Judge Chris Piazza in 2014. (Advocate.com) Cross County, Arkansas, Judge Joseph Boeckmann has been accused of pressuring men to have sex with him in exchange for dismissals of charges or reductions in court fines and charges. Boeckmann has 30 days to respond to the charges, announced by the state's Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission, and will be allowed a hearing on the matter. It will be difficult to remove the judge, if the charges are proved true, unless the state Supreme Court gets involved, as the commission does not have the authority to suspend him. On the bench since 2009, Boeckmann is accused of using his position to seek out "young Caucasian male litigants." He would allegedly tell offenders to perform "substitutionary sentences" that involved chores at his home. Boeckmann is accused of photographing the men's buttocks as well as soliciting some of them for sex and relationships. On top of this, the state Cyber Crimes Unit is investigating accusations of the judge having child pornography on his computer. (Advocate.com) The Obama Administration announced the confirmation of openly gay Mike Michaud as assistant secretary of Labor. Michaud’s job includes overseeing veterans' employment and training. While the administration includes a number of out leaders at Michaud's level and below, no one at the level of Cabinet secretary has ever served while openly LGBT. Michaud had already served 12 years in Congress representing Maine’s 2nd District. (Advocate.com) Mexico’s Supreme Court struck down a law banning same-sex marriage in Jalisco state. Two gay couples challenged an article in Jalisco’s civil code after their marriage applications were denied by the western state’s civil registry. The nation’s top court has now ruled that the article discriminates against LGBTI people and is therefore unconstitutional. It added that state authorities could not “deny benefits to the claimants or set charges related to the regulation of marriage.” The two couples were granted injunctions to the ban in 2014 and 2015, but the state congress and civil registry filed a petition of review to try and reverse the decisions. In June, the Supreme Court declared all state bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, effectively legalizing same-sex unions nationwide. In addition to the Federal District (Mexico City), of Mexico’s 31 states, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Quintana Roo are the only ones to recognize same-sex marriage. (Gay Star News) Mona Iraqi, an Egyptian reporter who orchestrated a raid on a “gay” bathhouse, has been sentenced to six months in jail. Iraqi was also fined EGP10,000 ($1,277) by a Cairo
Winter 2015 court for defamation and spreading false news. In December last year, Iraqi tipped off police to an alleged gay hammam – which she claimed was a “den of male sex” – and filmed as 33 men were arrested and paraded naked out of the bathhouse. The footage was then broadcast on the Al Kahera Walnas channel. Twenty-six men, including the bathhouse owner and four employees, were tried for debauchery but later cleared due to lack of evidence But first they were forced to undergo intrusive and humiliating anal examinations, and one man attempted suicide by setting himself on fire. Same-sex sexual activity is not explicitly banned in Egypt but gay men are routinely arrested for debauchery, which is punishable by up to 17 years in prison with or without hard labor and fines. A lawyer for the men said they intend to sue her for compensation. (Gay Star News) India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Indian Supreme Court should revisit its judgment on not decriminalizing gay sex. The minister is said to be the first leader from the government to publicly support the decriminalization of consensual sex among gay adults. Consensual sexual relationships in private was decriminalized by the Delhi High Court in 2009 but the decision was overruled by the Supreme Court in 2013 following appeals by religious groups. Speaking in his personal capacity, Jaitley, a member of the Hindu right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said “[The] Supreme Court’s 2014 verdict banning gay sex is not in accordance with evolving legal jurisprudence and [the] court needs to reconsider it. … The Delhi High Court’s view appears more acceptable.” The ruling BJP Party officially supports the Supreme Court’s judgement in not upholding the Delhi High Court’s judgment. Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code stipulates a jail term of up to 10 years for people convicted of “carnal intercourse against the order of nature.” (Gay Star News) Five children of same-sex parents are calling into question Austria’s unusual marriage laws, protesting the fact that equal marriage is not yet legal in the country. The Administrative Court in Vienna heard the first of five cases in which the children and their parents are protesting the ban on same-sex marriage in the hope of changing the law, which will allow the children to become “legitimate” children with married parents. Austria allows any couple to apply for second-parent-adoption, joint adoption, or medically assisted conception, yet they are not allowed to get married. The law also allows for automatic co-parenthood for registered lesbian couples and recognition of motherhood in unregistered lesbian couples, in the same way an unmarried father in a heterosexual couple would be recognized by law. Just like in Germany, the Austrian coalition government remains divided on the issue; Social Democrat Chancellor Werner Feymann is in favor of equal treatment, while the conservative party remains against same-sex marriage.. (Gay Star News) The Israeli Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a transgender rights advocate who had requested that she be cremated. May Peleg — who was born into an ultra-
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Orthodox Jewish family — made the request before she took her own life on November 14. Her mother challenged Peleg’s will in Jerusalem District Court, which upheld it. The Israeli Supreme Court rejected her mother’s appeal of the lower court’s decision. “Contrary to whether more weight should be attributed to the position of the family, the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty puts the wishes of the deceased at center stage,” wrote Justice Neal Hendel. (Washington Blade)
Bulletin Board Join the New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus family for a musical holiday celebration featuring favorites such as “Carol of the Bells,” “We Need a Little Christmas,” and “Frosty the Snowman.” Fill your heart with enough joy, hope and peace to last all season long, and remember – all hearts come home for the h2olidays. There will be two shows offered: the first, on December 19 th, is at 8 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Asbury Park; the second, on December 20th, is at Princeton United Methodist Church. Tickets are $20 in advance ($15 for students and seniors); all tickets are $25 at the door. For more information, or to order tickets, call 732-579-8449 or contact www.njgmc.org. GLBT of Hunterdon County invites you to hear Rwandan genocide survivor and youth motivational speaker Daniel Trust. Born Daniel Ndamwizeye, Mr. Trust emigrated to the United States in 2005 at the age of 15, having seen his mother murdered when he was only 5 and losing his father and two sisters during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In 2009, while a freshman in college, Daniel founded the Daniel Trust Foundation with the mission of supporting orphans worldwide. In his lectures at high schools and colleges across the nation, Daniel says he was saved for a reason, and has a purpose on this earth. The organization was originally founded with a mission of supporting orphans around the world. After coming out as gay in 2010, Daniel decided to incorporate LGBT advocacy as part of the foundation's mission. In 2014, Daniel re-launched the Daniel Trust Foundation with a focus on recognizing and rewarding students from all backgrounds who promote and give back to social causes they are passionate about in their communities, and teachers who go above and beyond to help their students succeed in school and in their personal lives. Come out and hear Daniel talk about his life and his mission at 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 2nd, at the Clinton Library!
The Officers and Board Members of GAAMC, and the Editorial Staff of Challenge, wish you and your loved ones the best for this coming holiday season, regardless of which holiday you celebrate, and a healthy and happy New Year!
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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 (Challenge@GAAMC.org) ......... Allen Neuner Development (Discussions@GAAMC.org) .... Gordon Sauer Discussion Group Resources (Discussions@GAAMC.org) ..................................................... Gordon Sauer Information (FreeLibrary@GAAMC.org) ...... Andy Skurna Pride Events ..................................... Mickey Suiter Pride Guide (PrideGuide@GAAMC.org) ...... Andy Skurna Programs (Programs@GAAMC.org) .............. Sherri Rase Publicity .................................................... open Social Action .................................... Gordon Sauer Socials (Socials@GAAMC.org) ................John DeLeeuw Webmaster (Webmaster@GAAMC.org) ....... Andy Skurna
GAAMC, the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, has served New Jersey’s gay, lesbian bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed communities since 1972. GAAMC is a notfor-profit volunteer-run organization that provides social, educational, and outreach programs. GAAMC also offers opportunities for individuals to become politically active on issues related to the GLBTI communities. Our intent is to maintain a positive, healthy, respectful, and supportive environment in a safe space. Meetings are held every Monday evening at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morris Township, NJ (near the Morris Museum). Discussion groups usually meet from 7:00 to 8:00. The evening’s program usually starts shortly after 8:00. Refreshments are available. For program information, check our home page (see below). Members and non-members are always welcome. Annual membership dues are: Regular, $40/single, $70/couple; Students/Seniors, $30/single, $60/couple. How to reach GAAMC Mail: PO Box 137, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Telephone: 973-285-1595 E-Mail: info@gaamc.org Home page: http://www.gaamc.org Mail List: http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/gaamc