Happy Pride Month from GAAMC!
CHALLENGE
The Newsletter of the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County Serving New Jersey’s GLBTI Communities Since 1972 Volume 42, Issue 5, June 2016
GAAMC Celebrates a Summer of Pride! The Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County (GAAMC) is proud to announce its participation in 2016’s summerlong LGBTI Pride Events throughout the New Jersey and New York areas. On Sunday, June 5th, GAAMC will participate in Jersey Pride, New Jersey’s oldest and largest Pride event, in Asbury Park. We will be operating an information table at the festival until 5:00 pm, as well as marching in the parade at noon. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the GAAMC float’s inaugural voyage! Visit Jersey Pride at www.jerseypride.org. On Sunday, June 12th, GAAMC will operate an information booth from noon to 5:00 pm at the North Jersey Pride Festival in Maplewood. After enjoying local entertainment, refreshments, and merchants, stop by our table and pick up a free copy of the 2016-2017 Pride Guide! Visit North Jersey Pride at www.northjerseypride.org. On Sunday, June 26th, GAAMC will join Heritage of Pride and other nonprofits, community organizations, and activists to march in the New York City Pride Parade beginning at noon. This year’s involvement is especially noteworthy, not only because we have marched annually in the parade since 1973, but also we have qualified for an NYC Pride Working Grant, which is
awarded to nonprofit organizations serving local LGBTI communities. To receive the grant itself, GAAMC needs to provide 15 volunteers to assist with various tasks at the Pride Rally’s merchandising area between 6pm and 10pm on Friday, June 24th. This award will help offset our operational costs and will allow us to continue offering programming, events, and items like the Pride Guide at little cost to New Jersey’s LGBTI community. If you’re available to volunteer with GAAMC, please speak to Mickey, Gordon, or Sherri, or e-mail info@gaamc.org. More information about NYC Pride can be found at https://www.nycpride.org/. Jersey City Pride (formerly Hudson Pride) will be held on Saturday, August 27th. GAAMC’s involvement in this and other late-summer Pride events has yet to be determined, but updates will be posted to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/gaamc.
Inside Challenge Challenge Information .......................... page 2 GAAMC Events for May ........................ page 2 Outings & Events ................................... page 2 Gleanings -- Queer news from around the world ............................ page 3 June Q-munity Calendar ....................... page 5 Be a Foster or Adoptive Parent page 7 So Long, Farewell? ................................ page 7 Bulletin Board ........................................ page 7 Garden State Equality Announces Two Pride Month Events......................... page 8 GAAMC Board Minutes ........................ page 8 GAAMC Information ............................. page 9
Founded in 1972, GAAMC is New Jersey’s longest continually operating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex group. A NotFor-Profit, volunteer-run organization, GAAMC provides social and educational programs for the LGBTI and allied communities throughout northern and central New Jersey. For more information, please visit www.gaamc.org.
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Volume 42, Number 5 June 2016 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 © 2016 by the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt not-for-profit corporation. All rights reserved. All articles reflect the views of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of GAAMC, its officers, or executive board. All copyrights revert to the original contributors upon publication. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the contributor. All articles, contributions, and advertisements are printed at the discretion of the Editor and/or GAAMC Executive Board.
GAAMC Events for June 2016 Main meetings start at 8:15 unless otherwise stated. Discussion groups and Film Festival movies start at 7:00. June 6: Post-Parade Prolixizing – What did you love most about Jersey Pride, Inc’s 25th Anniversary celebration? Was it the awesome weather? The awesome rally line up? GAAMC’s marching in the best boutique parade on the Jersey Shore? You bring your experiences; we’ll bring the aloe vera! Open Talk Discussion Group Tonight’s moderator: Liz June 13: Current Events Discussion! What’s on your mind? You know you want to share – we’re post-primary in New Jersey, and who knows what our own legislature is cooking up. Bring a topic or two in your pocket, and rest assured that our hosts, Gordon and Frank, will have a topic or three in their own! This promises to be a lively evening! Open Talk Discussion Group Tonight’s moderator: Gordon June 20: GAAMC Film Festival – Matthew Shepard Is a Friend of Mine Join us for this award-winning film and be sure to bring hankies. Once you’ve seen the beautiful memories of family and friends, you’ll know more about the young man whose beating death put anti-LGBTQ violence on everyone’s mind. You’ll feel like Matthew Shepard was your friend too. June 27: Family Building through Fostering and Adoption with Elizabeth Nuss of DCF’s, Division of Child Protection and Permanency. 20-Somethings Group meets tonight. Moderator: Nick. Topic: Summertime Happiness: 20-Somethings Discuss The Future of the Group and Our Summertime Plans. Open Talk Discussion Group Tonight’s moderator: Kerry
Outings and Events Tuesday, June 14: 20-Somethings Do Trivia! Do you know a lot of useless stuff? Are your friends always tired of hearing you rattle off random facts? Well here is a place to put that knowledge to good use. Come join the 20-Somethings as we participate in Trivia Night at "Tiff's!" In this 4-round game of hilarious fun, it's a race against the clock to see who knows the most random information in the restaurant. With topics ranging from Sports to Music to Children's TV Shows, there's a need for everyone. Tiff's also has a typical American-style selection of appetizers, entrees, and desserts for you to order if you come with a hungry belly. Hope to see you there! 8:00 pm; Tiff's Grill & Ale House,231 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains; Trivia is FREE; standard bar prices, plus American cuisine menu. Saturday, June 25: 20-Somethings Take a Hike! It's summer! Time to go outdoors and explore the world. On June 25th, join the 20-Somethings as we take a leisurely hike through the South Mountain Reservation. We will walk to a waterfall, and if we are lucky we will get to see some of those things called "animals" and experience the pure beauty of nature. Don't forget to bring lots of water and sun block!! 10:30 AM; free; Tulip Springs Park, 4 Cherry Lane, West Orange; rain date July 9. Sunday, July 24: GAAMC Outing – A Day at the Beach Saturday, Aug. 13 (7 PM): Pride Night with the NY Mets Saturday, Sept. 10 (9 AM – 1 PM): Morristown Community Health Day
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Gleanings Queer News from across the nation and around the world The Obama administration has instructed all public schools across the nation that transgender students must be allowed to use restrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their gender identity. The instruction came as a letter signed by officials in the Department of Eduction and the Depaartment of Justice. The directive will not carry the full weight of law, but schools that discriminate against transgender students will face possible withholding of federal funds. “A school may not require transgender students to use facilities inconsistent with their gender identity or to use individual-user facilities when other students are not required to do so,” the letter states. The letter also states that under federal law a school's obligation “to ensure nondiscrimination on the basis of sex requires schools to provide transgender students equal access to educational programs and activities even in circumstances in which other students, parents, or community members raise objections or concerns. As is consistently recognized in civil rights cases, the desire to accommodate others’ discomfort cannot justify a policy that singles out and disadvantages a particular class of students.” The administration's letter "says that schools may — but are not required to — provide other restroom and locker room options to students who seek 'additional privacy' for whatever reason." (The New Civil Rights Movement) Eric Fanning was confirmed by the US Senate, in a unanimous vote, as the first openly gay US Secretary of the Army in history. Fanning became Acting Secretary in October when John McHugh left the job, but stepped down in January after some senators said that his being Acting Secretary could violate rules while he is still undergoing the confirmation process. Fanning temporarily went to work in the office of the secretary of defense. Fanning has served as Air Force under secretary, deputy under secretary of the Navy, and deputy chief management officer of the Navy. Fanning most recently had been acting under secretary of the Army and is a close civilian adviser to Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter. (Washington Blade) The US Department of Justice notified North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory (R) that his state’s new HB2 law is in violation of federal law. The sweeping anti-LGBTI law that prevents transgender students, employees, and visitors from using restrooms that correspond to their gender identity was passed in May. ‘The state is engaging in a pattern or practice of discrimination against transgender state employees,’ US Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta wrote in a letter to McCrory. The state had until May 9th to confirm it ‘will not comply with or implement HB2.’ The Justice Department filed suit against North Carolina, charging the state violated Title VII of the US Civil Rights Act, Title IX, and the Violence Against Women Act. Title VII prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of sex, which includes discrim-
ination against transgender individuals based on sex and gender identity. Title IX prohibits similar discrimination against transgender students and school staff. North Carolina filed a countersuit claiming federal overreach in the internal governing of the state. (GayStarNews) A conflict erupted on the floor of the House of Representatives when Republican leaders successfully whipped their members to vote down a Democratic amendment that sought to prevent taxpayer dollars from being used to pay contractors that discriminate against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, to an energy and water appropriations bill. The proposal, authored by openly gay Representative Sean Maloney (DNY), appeared on the cusp of being adopted as the vote came to a close, but at the last minute six Republican members switched their votes and the amendment was defeated on a 212-to-213 vote. Outraged Democrats shouted “shame” and accused Republican leaders of abusing chamber rules by holding the vote open past its deadline until they could twist enough arms to kill the amendment. (Washington Post) The Supreme Court refused to hear a case that, if the religious right won, would have overturned a SCOTUS ruling that states that the Judiciary must defer to how a federal agency interprets its own regulations. The refused case, United Student Aid Funds v. Bryana Bible, came from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that transgender teen Gavin Grimm had the right to sue his school district for refusing to allow him equal access to the boys' restrooms, emboldening the U.S. Department of Education's position that discrimination against transgender students is sex discrimination. (The New Civil Rights Movement) Democratic Senators Cory Booker (NJ) and Patty Murray (WA), along with 16 other Democrats, introduced the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, which would classify the widely discredited practice as fraud, making it illegal under the Federal Trade Commission’s authority. Major institutions, including the American Psychological Association, have come out against therapy aimed at converting sexual orientation and gender identity on the basis that it doesn’t work and can harm the patient. The bill is companion legislation to a bill Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA) introduced last year in the U.S. House also seeking to ban “ex-gay” therapy throughout the country. (Washington Blade) Democratic US Representatives Joe Kennedy III (MA) and Bobby Scott (VA) introduced the Do No Harm Act on May 18th, aimed at curbing the flood of so-called ‘religious freedom’ bills in North Carolina, Mississippi, and other states. The Act is a proposed amendment to the existing Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Kennedy (Continued on next page)
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said, “…our system must ensure that my religious freedom does not infringe on yours or do you harm,” adding that the proposed amendment would restore the balance between religious freedom and the promise of equal protection under law. Scott said, “Civil rights are a compelling government interest, and we cannot allow so-called ‘religious freedom,’ ‘religious liberty,’ or ‘faith-based initiatives’ to invalidate the very laws designed to correct the generations of injustices inflicted on minorities.” (GayStarNews) Lexington, KY Mayor Jim Gray (D), an out gay man, will face U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R) in the November general election. Gray, a two-term mayor, was able to turn back six challengers in a crowded field of Democratic candidates. In his victory speech, Gray wasted little time taking a swipe at Paul and his failed presidential political aspirations. “Senator Paul has spent more time focused on the corn fields of Iowa and the coffee shops of New Hampshire than he has looking after the state of Kentucky,” adding “…our U.S. Senate seat is a terrible thing to waste.” Gray, 62, faces an uphill battle to unseat the well-known incumbent in a state that has not sent a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since Wendell Ford, who left office in 1998. (Lexington Herald-Leader) The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus was to sing the national anthem before the start of the San Diego Padres’ May 21st baseball game. One-hundred volunteer singers from the Chorus took to the field to sing, but before they could, San Diego Padres employee Art Romero (aka DJ ArtForm) played the recorded voice of a woman singing “The Star-Spangled Banner”. The recording was not immediately stopped, nor was there a public statement to explain the mix-up. The singers were left to stand in the spotlight of center field until the anthem ended and they were escorted off the field to the heckles of baseball fans shouting homophobic taunts. The Padres posted an apology on Twitter, fired Romero, and joined with Major League Baseball to investigate the incident. UPDATE: After an online apology from Romero, a petition signed by thousands in the LGBT community, including members of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, was sent to the Padres asking for him to be reinstated, which the team did. An investigation by Major League Baseball concluded it was an honest mistake, which was accepted by the Chorus. (GayStarNews) The Italian government finally approved a bill to allow gay civil unions, after a long and bitter debate that has pitted the Catholic Church against Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. In order to speed up the bill’s passage, Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi called a confidence vote in Italy’s lower house saying it was “unacceptable to have any more delays after years of failed attempts." Renzi’s cabinet survived the confidence vote with 369 voting in favor of the bill compared to 193 against. Earlier in the day, knowing that a majority in the confidence vote was almost certain, Renzi declared that it was “a day of celebration for those who finally feel recognized.” In a Face-
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book post, Renzi said, “By calling a confidence vote, we have bound the government’s survival to the civil rights battle.” (TheLocal.it) Alesha, a member of the Trans Action Board in Peshawar province in Pakistan and district coordinator of the transgender provincial alliance, died of gunshot wounds after delays in medical care exposed the discrimination faced by the transgender community. Alesha had been shot six times and was immediately rushed to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar in critical condition. Hospital authorities took over an hour to decide whether to move her to the male or female ward; moving her to the male ward triggered a protest from the transgender community and her relatives. The association claimed an organized criminal gang that extorts money from the transgender community is behind the attack on Alesha. At least five transgender activists have been attacked in recent months in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All the victims, including Alesha, were members of Trans Action, an advocacy group that lately has been increasingly vocal in seeking equal rights for transgender people in the province. (DunyaNews.tv, Pakistan) The Seychelles has taken huge steps to decriminalize homosexuality. Politicians in the 115-island African country of 93,000 people have agreed to end the law that punished gay sex between males by up to 14 years in prison. An amendment to decriminalize gay sex passed in parliament with 14 votes in favor, 14 abstentions, and four members not present. There were no votes opposed to the bill. Before the vote, which happened on the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), Seychelles Foreign Affairs Minister Joel Morgan addressed critics of the change who said the amendment would codify sin. The proposal was first proposed by President James Michel, who has said he wants to see the law changed to allow ‘all persons be free from discrimination on all grounds’. While the government has claimed no person has ever been directly prosecuted under the sodomy laws, with rare exceptions, it has affected the LGBTI community in other ways such as police brutality and damaging overall public opinion of gay rights. It is expected homosexuality will be fully decriminalized in the Seychelles by the end of 2016. (GayStarNews) Cyndi Lauper is set to open a 30-bed housing facility for homeless LGBT youth in Manhattan on September 1st. The True Colors Residence will be located on West 154th St. near Frederick Douglass Blvd. in Harlem. The residence, the first permanent housing facility of its kind in the city, was conceived by the singer, her manager, and the West End Intergenerational Residence, a non-profit focused on providing housing for homeless families and the elderly. Lauper, a longtime supporter for LGBT rights, was moved to pursue this project because up to 40 percent of homeless youth in the city identify as LGBT. "These young people often face discrimination and at times physical assault in some of the very places they have to go for help," she wrote in a letter seeking donations for the residence. "This is shocking and inexcusable!" (Rolling Stone)
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June 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 #QSpot LGBT Community Center: 732-455-3373; info@jsqspot.org λNewark LGBTQ Center: 973-424-9555; info@NewarkLGBTQCenter.org Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm - HIV testing, Morristown; 973-889-6802 9:00 am to 1:00 pm - HIV testing, Asbury Park; 800-947-0020 10:00 am to 5:00 pm - HiTOPS Health Center, Princeton; www.hitops.org; 609-683-5155 x 211 Noon - Library Lounge, Ocean Grove# 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Internet Café, Newark λ Syringe exchange program, Newark; variable hours; njcri.org; 973-558-5054 Adult 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 12:30 pm – SOS meeting, Ocean Grove# 1:30 pm – Library Lounge, Ocean Grove# 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 Noon – QSpot Job Resource Center, Ocean Grove# 7:00 pm - GAAMC, Morris Township (see page 2) 7:00 pm - Bowling, Union; merenl@comcast.net 6:30 pm – Yoga, Newarkλ 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 – QSpot Job Resource Center, Ocean Grove# 12:30 pm - The Wellness Community, Newark; 973-565-0300; @hyacinth.org 4:00 pm - Treatment Adherence Support Group, Jersey City;
01 Wed 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:30 pm – Jersey Boys of Leather, Highland Park† 02 Thu 7:00 pm –Coffee social, Edison; njlgh.onefireplace.com 7:30 pm – NJ Women Coming Out, Highland Park† 03 Fri 5:30 pm – Hudson County HIV/AIDS Services Planning Council, Jersey City ‡ 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 8:00 pm - Karaoke, Highland Park;†
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; 908-791-3764 7:30 pm - Men’s HIV support group, Asbury Park; 732-7755084; apstillpoz@yahoo.com 7:30 pm - Positive Yoga, Oradell * 8:00 pm – Primary Purpose Group, Ocean Grove# 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 6:30 pm – Overeaters Anonymous, Ocean Grove# 6:30 pm – Craft/Crochet/Knitting Circle, Newarkλ 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 11:00 am – Meal distribution, Newarkλ 6:00 pm - Our Youth weekly support group, Jersey City; www.myspacenj.org 6:00 pm – Chill Night, Newarkλ 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 7:00 pm – Visions HIV Support Group, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm - Rainbows on Cleveland Street, Orange; 973-2565936; rbowsoncleveland@aol.com 7:30 pm - Writers group, Highland Park † Every Friday 6:00 pm - Youth Connect, Jersey City ‡ Every Saturday Noon – Library Lounge, Ocean Grove#
04 Sat 1:00 pm – Women of Pride, Jersey City‡ 2:30 pm – First & Third for GLBTI Youth, Princeton; 609-6835155; www.HiTOPS.org 7:00 pm – Qspot Community Awards Jubilee Dinner, Belmar (see article, p. 7) # 05 Sun 2:00 pm – Central Jersey Rope Share, Highland Park† 05 Sun 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-8574040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com
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6:00 pm – Back 2 Basics Pride Dance, Asbury Park (see article, p. 7) # 6:30 pm – Gay Men’s Opera Club; 732-249-9034; hagol@msn.com 06 Mon 6:30 pm – JSTSURF trans support group, Ocean Grove# 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† 7:30 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Anxiety Support Group, Highland Park† 07 Tue 5:00 pm – Creative Expressions, Ocean Grove# 7:00 pm – Meditation AA Meeting, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm – LGBT Fellowship, Belleville; 973-751-0616 7:30 pm – Come OUT and Play, Highland Park† 08 Wed 7:00 pm – QSpot Book Club, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm – Wednesday Night Women’s Hang Out, Highland Park† 09 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† 10 Fri 7:00 pm – Young Men’s Social Network, Highland Park† 11 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; 732968-9263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 12 Sun 2:00 pm – Male Drawing Session, Highland Park† 6:00 pm – Gay Men’s Classical Song Club, Kingston; pbrown02@worldnet.att.net 13 Mon 7:30 pm – PFLAG of Morris County, Mendham; 973-5437229; craig.bcc@verizon.net 7:30 pm – PFLAG, Princeton; 609-663-5155; www.pflagprinceton.org 7:30 pm – Hot Topics 4 Lesbians, Ocean Grove# 14 Tue 7:30 pm – Pride Center Board Meeting, Highland Park† 15 Wed 6:30 pm - Positive People peer support group, Hackensack * 7:00 pm – JCLGO monthly meeting, Jersey City; 201-3335725; www.jclgo.org 7:00 pm – G-Rope, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – United in Grace discussion/support group, Jersey
June 2016 City; 201-946-0650; greg.perez@comcast.net
16 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 17 Fri 7:00 pm – Positive Women peer support group, Hackensack* 7:30 pm – Dignity New Brunswick social; 732-968-9263; dignitynb@earthlink.net 7:30 pm – Movie Night Out, Ocean Grove# 8:00 pm – Gay Pride Shabbat, Edison;njlgh.onefireplace.com 18 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 6:00 pm – NJ Rope Bite, Highland Park;† 6:00 pm – Youth Connect 2016 LGBTQ Prom, Jersey City (see article, p. 7) ‡ 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 19 Sun 4:00 pm – Dignity Metro NJ Mass, Maplewood; 973-8374040; Dignitymetronj@msn.com 4:00 pm – TrueSelves trans support group, Highland Park† 6:00 pm – Pride Night with Sky Blue FC, Piscataway (see article, p.7)† 20 Mon 7:00 pm -- Support Group for Lesbians with Cancer, New Brunswick; 732-235-6781; slirzero@umdnj.edu 7:00 pm – HIV testing, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Young Men’s Social Network, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Raices Latinas LGBT, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – Anxiety Support Group, Highland Park† 21 Tue 5:00 pm – Creative Expressions, Ocean Grove# 7:30 pm – Come OUT and Play, Highland Park† 7:30 pm – LGBTQ for Social Justice, Highland Park† 22 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† 23 Thu 7:00 pm – Under the Rainbow, Highland Park† 25 Sat 1:00 pm – Youth Drop-In, Highland Park† 7:00 pm – Gay Bowling, Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park; 732776-6160 (continued on next page)
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Be a Foster or Adoptive Parent
June 2016 Q-munity Calendar
by Elizabeth Nuss
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There are children in your community who need the warmth and guidance of a family. You can make a difference, be a foster parent. Welcome these children into your family to provide safety, stability and love. As a foster parent, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have made a positive difference in the life of a child. Foster families provide a home for children who have been abandoned, neglected or abused and who temporarily are not able to live at home. During the time that children live in a foster home, the foster parents provide the same care that the children's own parents would provide. Foster parents also help the children understand that they will be either returning to their own families or adopted, whichever is the case. Foster parenting is a commitment to make a meaningful contribution to a child's life, although it may not require a lifetime commitment to a child. Being a foster parent is a big responsibility that brings with it great rewards. The requirements for becoming a foster parent are not complicated, and the Department of Children and Families, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, (formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services), will help you through the steps to become a foster parent and provide training to help you understand the special needs your foster child may have. While a foster child is in your home, CP&P provides many supports to assist in their care. As a foster parent, you will experience the joy of parenting, even if it is temporary. You will also have the satisfaction of knowing you have made a positive difference in the life of a child. The Division of Child Protection and Permanency will not preclude a person from being a foster/adoptive parent based solely on their culture, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, affectional orientation, or marital/civil union or domestic partnership status. For more information, call 1-877 NJ FOSTER or visit us at www.njfoster.org.
So Long, Farewell…? According to our records, the following members will see their memberships lapse this month. If you feel your name is here in error, please contact our Webmaster, Andy Skurna. Heidi B., Fords Robert D., Suffern, NY Kerry D., West Orange Lou F., Maywood David G., Bernardsville Dina R., Parsippany You can renew by going to GAAMC.org, or at any Monday night meeting of GAAMC.
27 Mon 7:30 pm – NJ Rope Bite, Highland Park;† 28 Tue 7:30 pm – Lesbian Alliance of Princeton; 609-924-8174; Loisj@msn.com 7:30 pm -- PFLAG of Hunterdon County, Flemington; 908752-1370; pflaghc@yahoo.com 7:30 pm – Financial Planning Seminar, Highland Park† 8:00 pm -- PFLAG of Bergen County, Paramus; 201-287-0318; www.bergenpflag.org 8:00 pm – NJ Women, Secaucus; info@njwomen.org 8:30 pm – Men’s Social Night, Highland Park†
Bulletin Board QSpot LGBT Community Center announces two big events for Asbury Park’s Pride Weekend! First up, on June 4th, is the QSpot Community Awards Jubliee Dinner, held at the Riverview Pavilion in Belmar! Tickets for this event, which starts at 7:00 pm, start at $55. The following night, June 5th, at 6:00 pm is the Back 2 Basics Pride Dance at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel! Tickets for this event, which benefits the QSpot LGBT Community Center, start at $25. For more information or to purchase tickets for either event, go to www.QSpot.org. Youth Connect, the youth group operating out of the Hudson Pride Connections Center in Jersey City, invites all LGBT students to its 2016 LGBTQ Prom, to be held at the Culinary Conference Center in Jersey City. The date is June 18th, the time is from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, and there is no admission fee! This year’s theme is “The Roaring 20’s”, so come prepared to dance the night away! There will be a dinner served and dance competitions, plus the crowning of the Prom King and Queen. RSVP is required, so contact Stephanie at stephanie@hudsonpride.org or at 201-963-4779 x118. The Pride Center of New Jersey invites all soccer fans to join them on June 19th to see the Sky Blue FC play the Seattle Reign FC at Yurcak Field, Rutgers-Piscataway for Pride Night at 6:00 pm! Both teams are members of the National Women’s Soccer League, and the game promises to be fierce and exciting! Tickets are $19, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit the Pride Center. For tickets, go to Tiny.cc/GroupPortal and use code sbfcpcnj. For more information, contact the Sky Blue FC at 888SBFC-TIX (888-723-2759) or SkyBlueFC.com.
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Garden State Equality Announces Two Pride Month Events
GAAMC Board Minutes
Garden State Equality proudly announces the world premiere of the film Love Wins at House of Independents in Asbury Park on Thursday, June 2, at 7 pm. The screening, moderated by gay marriage pioneer Julie Goodridge, will be followed by a panel with the filmmaker and stars. Doors open at 6pm. Afterwards, attendees are invited to join us at Porta for an after-party with free pizza and a cash bar from 8 pm to 11pm.
Members: DeLeeuw,, Gayle, Kennedy, Kohn, Rase, Sauer, Schaublin, Skurna, Slicer, Suiter
Love Wins is a half-hour documentary telling the story of two Ocean Grove women, Jan and Emily, who met and fell in love during a time when doing so was strictly taboo. During their time together they raised 3 children while living in suburban New Jersey, completely in the closet, except for annual trips to Provincetown where for one week they would be able to live openly. Their compelling, humorous story gives a fascinating look in to how gay couples lived double lives, fearing being "outed." After 45 years together, Jan and Emily finally were able to get married once marriage equality passed as law in New Jersey. Now both women are community activists and proud participants in the social movement that changed the course of history.
Old/Current Business: The “Growing GAAMC” report from the board retreat was reviewed for progress made. The Atlantic Health/HRC event was added to the report.
Proceeds from the screening benefit Garden State Equality. For tickets, go to tinyurl.com/LoveWinsrjk. For more info and previews, go to rjkmedia.wix.com/lovewins. Saturday, June 18, is the date for Garden State Equality’s 7th annual Equality Walk! This fundraiser for GSE, kicking off at 11:00 am from Kennedy Park in Asbury Park (at the intersection of Cookman, Lake, & Grand Avenues), will be a roughly 2 mile circle to and from the legendary Boardwalk, and will take place rain or shine! Whether you're walking solo, form a team, or just write a check to support others, your support keeps GSE able to fight for every member of the LGBT community and those who need our focus such as LGBT youth, senior citizens, and those in our transgender community. We also fight every day to protect students all over New Jersey from bullying, harassment, and intimidation. Every walker and team leader who raises $300 will receive a Garden State Equality t-shirt. If you can't physically be at the Equality Walk, we invite you to be a Virtual Walker – someone who can still register and collect donations online! If you have questions, email us at Walk@GardenStateEquality.org or call our headquarters at (973) 509-5428.
April 21, 2016
Non-Voting Attendees: Allen Neuner The meeting was called to order at 7:01. The minutes of the March meeting were approved (moved, Sauer; seconded, Schaublin).
New Business: Timing and setup for Pastabilities was discussed. The subject of applying for a grant from Heritage of Pride was raised; further discussion will continue offline. Reports Treasurer (Andy Skurna): Taxes are due May 15. Challenge/Front Desk (Allen Neuner): the April issue of Challenge will be smaller than usual. Webmaster (Andy Skurna): The interactive calendar will be discontinued as of May 4. We will start using Nation Builder in May. Programs (Sherri Rase) Socials (John DeLeeuw) Discussion Group Resources (Gordon Sauer) Development (Gordon Sauer) Social Action (Gordon Sauer) GAAMC Pride (Mickey Suiter) Outings (Jay Kohn): The following outings were approved: June 14, 20-Somethings Do Trivia; June 25, 20-Somethings Take a Hike; July 24, Beach Day in Asbury Park. (all motions moved Kohn, seconded Gayle) Ideas and Suggestions: A moment of silence was done in memory of Prince. A motion to adjourn was approved (moved, Schaublin; seconded, Kohn). The meeting was adjourned at 8:32.
June 2016
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Challenge
Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County GAAMC Officers President (President@GAAMC.org) .......... Mickey Suiter VP Community Services (Info@GAAMC.org) ..................................................... Gordon Sauer VP Operations (Operations@GAAMC.org) ....................................................John DeLeeuw Secretary (Secretary@GAAMC.org) .......... Ron Kennedy Treasurer (Treasurer@GAAMC.org) ........... Andy Skurna
Trustees Dev Gannon, David Gayle, Jay Kohn, Sherri Rase, 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 Outings (Outings@GAAMC.org) .................... Jay Kohn Pride Events ..................................... Mickey Suiter Pride Guide (PrideGuide@GAAMC.org) ...... Andy Skurna Programs (Programs@GAAMC.org) .............. Sherri Rase Public Relations (PR@GAAMC.org) ............. Dev Gannon 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