Post Office
Box 1974
Bloomfield,
New Jersey 07003
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.geocities.com/queermontclair
Dear Friends,
So very much has happened since last summer. Where
customarily time seems to fly past, a year ago this time seems to be long
gone. September 11h touched all of our lives, and our community seemed
to have a disproportionate – if not uncannily large - share of its heroes,
heroines, victims and survivors. We (that
is, the United States) are (is) fighting a war in Afghanistan with another in
the Middle East apparently in the offing.
The Roman Catholic Church, responsible for the suffering and deaths of
countless generations of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, is
today – true to form - blaming its myriad victims for an outbreak of perversity
and predation in its priesthood.
The past year has seen its triumphs and tragedies, so many
that the space of time between May of 2001 and today seems more like a decade
than just twelve months.
Last year at this time, a political campaign in our state
had set the unapologetic forces of homophobia, religious extremism and bigotry
against ourselves, our community, and all of the progress we have made in achieving
equality throughout the last quarter-century.
Happily, not only did our – and our fellow citizens’ – march toward
equality remain unimpeded after November 2001, its pace actually hastened. To
all appearances, the next “big issue” that we will all face together is the
legalization of Domestic Partnerships. Presently, the political milieu and climate of public opinion is
extremely favorable for getting “DP” legislation enacted in New Jersey, and we
should all aggressively pursue this important political objective.
I’ve no doubt that we will all be hearing much, much more
about our rights in this area over the next few months.
Let me take this opportunity to wish all of you a happy,
healthy and sunshine summer 2002 and Season of Pride.
Warm regards,
Bill Courson
For Queer Montclair
Rally for Marriage in
Montclair – June 9th
Gay youth Beaten at Hillsborough High School
RSVP
– Scotch Plains, May 14th
Safe Schools for All: A Dialogue on Gay
Issues in Our Schools – MAY 19th
As gays gain acceptance, bias in schools
declines
Gay Day at Six Flags - June 15thOutbike-NJ ActivitiesWomenVision Montclair – Alternate Thursdays Montclair
Paul Hennefeld’s Stamps – On the Web!
NJ 11h Annual “Jersey Pride” – June 2nd, Asbury Park
Olympia’s Daughters at Pride Center – May 17th
Alternate Thursdays: Thursday Night Support & Social GroupLGBT 9/11 Survivors Group Forming RALLY FOR MARRIAGE in MONTCLAIR The NJ Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry, which was launched after February's statewide interfaith prayer breakfast, is on the move! Here is the Coalition's announcement of their first public rally: FREEDOM TO MARRY: PEOPLE OF FAITH SUPPORT SAME-SEX COUPLES! Rafter-Raising Song, Rousing Sermon, and a Call for Civil Rights! On June 9, clergy & people of faith will come together from across the state and from a diversity of religious traditions to stand up for the civil rights of same-sex couples, whose families are harmed because they can not legally marry in NJ. Learn how to ask your congregation for support - joining the more than 100 NJ clergy and 30 congregations who have already expressed theirs! The rally is on Sunday, June 9, 2002 at 5:00 p.m, at the Unitarian Church of Montclair, 67 Church Street, Montclair. For Directions, please go to: http://www.uumontcliar.org/ Sponsored by: The NJ Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry, c/o The Oasis, 973.430.9909 or [email protected]
Beating at Hillsborough High SCHOOL: Schools struggle with
gay bashing
BY JENNIFER DEL MEDICO AND BEV McCARRON
Star-Ledger Staff Monday, May 13, 2002Scott Lipich can't remember a school day when he wasn't called names. In class, he said, other students would tell him to shut up because they didn't want to hear his "gay voice." Words gave way to violence two weeks ago when he was beaten in the Hillsborough High School cafeteria by four boys -- at least one of whom allegedly made comments about his sexuality, a district official said. The attack, in front of 600 students, resulted in a fractured nose and a chipped tooth for the 17-year-old sophomore. School officials called it a bias crime and said they want the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office to press charges against the attackers.
For high school students who are gay, or perceived to be, intolerance or outright harassment is a fact of life, according to recent national studies, the National Education Association found earlier this year after it appointed a task force to examine the issue. News of the Hillsborough incident rippled far beyond the 2,000-student high school, getting the attention of students and school officials throughout New Jersey who were already grappling with homophobia in their hallways and looking for ways to deal with that bias. "The belief here is that every student no matter what ... has the right to come to this school," said Frank Digesere, principal of Kearny High School, who is planning a staff training program on sexual orientation sensitivity. "We are not endorsing alternative lifestyles. Just understanding it, that's the goal." But Mary Kate Cullen, public policy director for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, said that although some schools seem to be trying to do the right thing, students say the efforts fall short. "It takes an incident like what happened in Hillsborough to get attention," she said. "That's not what we want to happen." Hillsborough officials said they tried to intervene, but Scott's parents, John and Lisa Lipich, said they were unhappy with the school's response to at least a dozen complaints. "All they ever do is sweep it under the rug," John Lipich said. "I'm furious at them -- the vice principals and the principal, my guidance counselor -- they are not there to support me," said Scott, who describes himself as bisexual. Hillsborough High Principal Doug Poye said all of Scott Lipich's complaints were dealt with and that in many cases, the perpetrators were disciplined. The four students involved in the beating two weeks ago were not involved in any prior harassment reported by Lipich, Poye said. Today, the Hillsborough Board of Education will hold a closed session to decide an appropriate punishment for the four suspects who have been suspended in connection with Lipich's beating. Poye will let the student body know the outcome of that meeting tomorrow. Lipich will not be there because he has been suspended for 10 days for walking out of a meeting with Poye and talking back to him after the attack. In the last few years, dozens of districts -- Hillsborough included -- have tried to promote tolerance through extracurricular gay/straight alliance clubs. Others mandated teacher training. About 69 percent of gay and bisexual high school students surveyed nationwide said they felt unsafe at school because of their sexual orientation and about 30 percent of those students skipped class because of it, according to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network's 2001 National School Climate Survey. Of the 1,000 students polled, 84 percent said they frequently heard the comments "faggot" or "dyke" tossed around and 91 percent frequently heard the phrase "that's so gay" used in a derogatory manner. "Young gays and lesbians continue to be the put-down of choice because we have not arrived as a society at a point where we say, 'This is not okay,'" said Carol Watchler, chairperson of the New Jersey Education Association's Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Caucus. After complaints from parents and students a few years ago that there was a climate of intolerance toward gays at Westfield High School, officials decided to educate faculty and broadened class discussions to include respect for gays. "There was no particular incident, but kids were calling each other 'fag,' and 'dyke,' and not doing a lot of thinking as to how other kids might react to this sort of thing," said Peter Horn, an adviser to a Gay-Straight Alliance club formed two years ago. Senior Chris Quackenbush, who joined the group in part, he says, because he believes gays are unfairly discriminated against, said he's noticed a difference. "Just by existing as a gay- straight alliance and having the community know there is a gay presence and that other students and administrators are supportive of this has done a lot to change the atmosphere," Quackenbush said. At South Brunswick High School, administrators brought in a program called "Bridges of Respect," which included student skits, a panel of gay high school and college students and a discussion period. "When the verbal stuff is never counteracted by people in authority, it's sort of a general permission to move to another level," said NJEA's Watchler, a teacher at South Brunswick High. Before the beating, Lipich had planned to transfer to the Somerset County Vocational-Technical School. But after a small support rally on school grounds last week and about 100 calls from around the state, most of which were supportive, he said he has decided to stay. "It is time I take a stand for me," he said. "I don't have a problem with kids in school. If they have a problem with me, let them leave." RSVP at J&J BILLIARDS – 8PM MAY 14th
RSVP hosts another fun night at J&J Billiards. Whether you're an expert or just a beginner, come out for a
night of pool!
J&J Billiards is conveniently located on Rt.22 West in Scotch Plains, NJ.
See you on May 14th at 8p.m.! Dennis is coordinating--he'll be wearing a red t-shirt under a white shirt. If you don't see him, ask for RSVP at the desk.
Safe Schools for All: A Dialogue on Gay Issues in Our Schools – MAY 19th
Date: Sunday, May 19, 2002
Time: 3:00pm
South Mountain YMCA, 13 Jefferson Ave., Maplewood. NJ
Please join together for a viewing of the documentary "It's Elementary," followed by a panel discussion and
refreshments. Children are welcome. RSVP for child care or with questions to: [email protected]
As gays gain acceptance, bias in schools declines
By TERRI NEEDHAM and NICHOLAS CLUNN
Staff Writers, Published in the Courier News on May 12, 2002
Before the April 30 assault on a bisexual classmate, Hillsborough High School students were complaining about petty theft,
finding a prom date and the mile-and-a-half weekly run in gym class. It was no surprise, then, that many students were shocked to hear about the assault on Scott Lipich. High school and law enforcement officials believe that the 17-year-old sophomore may have been attacked because of his sexual orientation.
In fact, the assault would have been an anomaly in any Central Jersey high school and runs counter to statistics and trends
regarding bias incidents.
- Ten of Central Jersey's approximately 60 public school districts reported a total of 16 bias incidents during the 2000-01 school year, down from 20 incidents in 12 districts in 1999-2000. The number of bias incidents reported by schools statewide was down 52 percent last year.
- Bias incidents have been declining in Somerset County in recent years. About 10 percent of the 111 reported since January
2000 were based at least in part on sexual orientation. Only one bias incident besides the Hillsborough assault involved juveniles.
- Within the past three years, five Central Jersey high schools have founded clubs that welcome students to discuss their sexual orientation.
- New Jersey is one of only two states that forbids in writing discrimination based on sexual orientation in places
of public accommodation, according to the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network.
- Understanding of minorities, including homosexuals, is being discussed more in schools -- in class, through special programs and in peer mentoring groups.
"I think we've done a better job over the past several years in trying to create an atmosphere of tolerance," said North
Hunterdon-Voorhees Superintendent Charles M. Shaddow. Despite the progress, anti-gay slurs continue to create an uncomfortable atmosphere for students, said Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network Public Policy Director Mary Kate Cullen. According to a study conducted by the Manhattan-based group, 84 percent of homosexual students surveyed reported hearing homophobic remarks such as "faggot" and "dyke" frequently. "Kids at this age will focus on differences, no matter what they are," said Lisa Brady, principal of Hunterdon Central Regional High School. "It's mostly name-calling. That can happen anywhere."
Educators too often allow students to use such words when expressing dislike, Cullen said. "Most gay students don't want
the word `gay' associated with the word `bad.'," Research shows that many juveniles who harass homosexuals are not driven by a bias against them, said Norman Mosley, a clinical psychologist in Bernards and Morristown. They often are alleviating boredom, trying to make themselves feel strong or -- in the case of males -- trying to prove their masculinity.
Often, "there's not this deep-seated hatred," Mosley said.
Cullen said teachers and administrators are responsible for creating a comfortable climate for all students and should take
anti-gay slurs as seriously as ethnic and religious ones. She recommends that teachers warn first-time offenders
and present the student with a consequence if the remark is repeated. "The bottom line is that teachers set the tone in
their classrooms," Cullen said. "We want teachers to set that tone around sexual orientation." Hunterdon Central is one school that makes it a priority to train teachers and staff to be sensitive. Everyone from teachers to bus drivers is trained annually on the types of unacceptable behavior. Two years ago, they attended a daylong sensitivity training seminar specifically on gay students.
The North Plainfield school district trains all teachers annually on harassment laws and advises them what to do when they
witness it. They are reminded of their legal responsibility to report it and told that they may not be legally protected by the school if they fail to do so. "You don't just sit and wait for something to happen," said Ben Keiser, North Plainfield's affirmative action officer. "The teachers are trained to intervene in the situation before it gets to a serious point of harassing."
Although local educators agree that derogatory remarks are the most common and persistent type of bias, they say students
generally are becoming more accepting and sensitive. Intolerance usually declines as children move into the higher grades, Brady said. "Certainly between the time of when I was 16 and today, I think there's been tremendous progress in terms of accepting people different from us and also trying to understand people that are different from us," said Bound Brook High School Principal David Clauser.
Shaddow said children model others' behavior, and as society and media have become more sensitive, students have followed suit. Said Jim Magnatta, Hillsborough High School's supervisor of health and physical education: "In today's society, with the
bombardment that these kids get with movies and TV, they are pretty much aware of what is happening a lot more so than 20 years ago."
Mike Gleason, North Hunterdon High School's supervisor of health and physical education, also credits the many steps
schools are taking to teach sensitivity, both in the classroom and outside. Educating students is equally as important as punishing those who ignore the messages and exhibit bias, said Hunterdon Central Assistant Superintendent Judy Gray, the district's affirmative action officer.
Students typically face a range of consequences the first time they are caught making bias remarks, including detention,
suspension, parental notification and placement in counseling or a peer mediation or mentoring group. "I jump on any type of harassment right away. I will not tolerate it," said Gleason, who is also North Hunterdon's disciplinarian. "The teachers are pretty in tune to it. A lot of the kids come to me and tell me. We address it right away."
NJ OUTINGS EVENTS – MAY 2002
“Adam and Michael of NJOutings want you to join them for coffee, dinner, a movie, a ballgame, and an AIDS
walk--now, if that isn't something for everyone, well, I dunno. They're working hard to provide LGBTI folks a
place to go and something to do with friends old and new in an ambiance of relaxed elegance (well, okay, I
said that, they didn't) -- but they're nice, fun guys and they host great events. Check one, two or all of
them out--you shouldn't be disappointed.” - Dennis
May 11th - Dinner In New Hope - NJO will be meeting for a casual dinner & stroll in New Hope, on May 11th
@ 7:30PM on the front steps of the Bucks County Playhouse located on the center of Main Street.
May 19th - NJ AIDS Walk - NJO will be participating in the NJ AIDS Walk as a team (Team NJOUTings). Please
contact [email protected] ASAP for details.
May 25th - Informal CoffeeHouse @ Eat To The Beat Coffeehouse - NJO will be meeting at Eat To The Beat
Coffeehouse @ 7:30 PM for an informal coffee house Eat To The Beat Coffeehouse is located at 1465 Irving
Street, Rahway.
June 1st - Informal Movie Night & Pizza Party @ Pride Center - NJO will be having an informal movie night &
pizza party @ the Pride Center in New Brunswick beginning @ 7:30. The facility fee is $3 per person for the
center plus $5 if you would like pizza.
June 8th - Somerset Patriots @ Commerce Bank Ballpark -NJO will be attending a home game of the Somerset
Patriots on June 8th @ 7:05 @ Commerce Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. Please call (908) 252-0700 to order
your tickets. Please ask for tickets in the "Upper Box Section" #218 which cost $8. NJOutings presents an opportunity to hear about events and activities of interest to the LBGTI community; to list
your organization's events; and ultimately to reach a wider NJ LGBT audience ... why not subscribe to
[email protected] and see what's up?
Adam from NJOUTing's original message follows:
”On June 1st NJOUTings will be re-launching its website & newsletter. In an effort to bring the NJ
gay, lesbian, bi, transgender community together, the new site and newsletter will feature a month by month
calendar of all NJ groups and their activities statewide as well as promoting NJOUTing events. If you know of any group that should be included, please forward me their e-mail address and/or website address.”
Subscribe to their mailing list at: [email protected]
Contact: [email protected] Mail-list: [email protected]. See their website located at:
www.njoutings.com
GAY DAY AT SIX FLAGS – JUNE 15th
This is just a reminder or for the people who do not know about it that "Gay Day" at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, will be held on June 15th this year (Sat.) so plan you days off if you work weekends. Don’t forget! Show your pride by WEARING A RED SHIRT!! If you're not gay, it's OK! You can come too! Support us by wearing red also! AFTERNOON MEETING: We will be meeting at 1:00 PM at the center water fountain. At about 1:30 we'll all head over and board the Scream Machine together! NIGHT MEETING: There will be another meeting at the back of the water fountain at 7:00 PM! This will be a great time to regroup and chat about the days events and for those of us who couldn’t make it to the first meeting. We will all board the Rolling Thunder at 7:30 PM. Also don't forget about the Pride Parade in Asbury Park (NJ) on the 2nd of June, Chance to meet a lot of cool people and buy pride stuff! OUTBIKE-NJ Saturday, May 11th, 10 am Sandy Hook, first parking lot, closest to the entrance. Beginner shore ride.
flat, but windy. Contact your Cabaret singing leader, Janet at [email protected]. She promises to not sing during the ride....She'd love to see you at her show on Sunday at 5 pm; seewww.donttellmama.com fpor details.
Where is Sandy Hook? off of exit 117 on the parkway (follow the brown signs).
Outbike NJ - The Gay and Lesbian Bicycle Club of New Jersey.
973 748 9368 Visit the Outbike website: http://www.outbikenewjersey.org
"Friends don't let friends ride without HELMETS!" WOMENVISION – ALTERNATE THURSDAYS WEBSITES
Visit the spectacular new websites for these sister organizations: WomenVision’s site is at http://njgaylife.com/womenvision.htm and Alternate Thursdays is located at
http://hometown.aol.com/altthur/montclair.html PAUL HENNEFELD’S STAMPS – ON THE WEB!
Paul Hennefeld has told us that “I have been exhibiting my stamp collection OUT OF THE CLOSET,
and bringing Gay History to a basically straight conservative public since March 1983. At that time
their were no computers, and I had to type each page over and over until I got one with no errors. Now with the computer, it is much easier to correct mistakes, or make changes. I have always wanted
to publish my OUT OF THE CLOSET, but didn't know how to go about it. I was thrilled last December,
when as a birthday present my partner Blair O'Dell gave me a web site, and he is having my stamp collection put on this site. So please check it out, I'm sure that you will enjoy it.”
And I can assure you that you certainly will. This “labor of love” is well worth the visit, and you’ll linger once you’re there. Paul and Blair O’Dell have put Paul’s enormous, decade-spanning, globe-circling topical stamp collection on the internet, and you can check out their gorgeous website athttp://www.paulsgaystamps.com
NJ 11th ANNUAL “JERSEY PRIDE” – ASBURY PARK, JUNE 2nd
NJ's 11th Annual GLBTI Pride Celebration will be held on Sunday, June 2nd inAsbury Park. This annual outing for NJ's gay community features live music,comedians, great food, arts and crafts, art exhibit, display of the NamesProject quilt, and a parade! The festival grounds are located at 5th andOcean Avenues in Asbury Park. Clowns and games will add to the "family" funin the festival area. A lineup of local and national performers will be onhand to entertain throughout the day, and a diverse collection of craftersand merchants will be present for your shopping pleasure. The day will befilled with entertainment for family members of all ages. The event israin or shine and runs from noon to 7 PM. Jersey Pride, Inc. has also just announced that C&C Music Factory featuringFreedom Williams will be the headline performer for NJ's 11th Annual PrideCelebration. For more than a decade now, C&C Music Factory have taken theirplace as one of the groundbreaking groups in popular music. Since theirdebut, with their phenomenally successful album Gonna Make You Sweat, andtheir equally successful hits like "Gonna Make You Sweat," "Things That MakeYou Go Hmmmm...," "Do You Wanna Get Funky" and their latest, "I'll Always BeAround," C&C Music Factory have dominated the pop and dance music chartslike no others with a string of undeniably funky and soulful songs, packedwith passion, soul, and sweat. Jersey Pride is the 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that produces theannual Pride parade, rally and festival that celebrates the culture anddiversity of NJ's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Intersexedcommunity. All are welcome and encouraged to participate. The 2002 sponsorsfor NJ's Pride Celebration include: Title Sponsor, Fleet; PlatinumSponsors, Freehold Dodge and Subaru, Next Magazine, Prudential Financial,and Westridge Laboratories/ID Lube; Gold Sponsor, Chubb; and Silver Sponsor,Berkeley Carteret Hotel. For more information about the pride celebration,marching in the parade, becoming a festival vendor, performing on the stage,or volunteering contact Jersey Pride at (732) 214-2965 or visit the web siteat www.jerseypride.org.
OLYMPIA’S DAUGHTERS at PRIDE CENTER, MAY 17th
The well-respected and very popular Olympia's Daughters a cappella women's vocal ensemble is coming to the Pride Center of New Jersey on Friday, May 17th
at 8 pm.
Named for suffragette Olympia Brown, the first woman ordained a Universalist minister,
Olympia's Daughters raises their voices to build bridges between cultures and empower their listeners. Through song, they challenge attitudes, foster healing, and share their
hearts, spirits and joyful love of music. Frequently seen performing at cultural festivals,
domestic violence vigils and church services, Olympia's Daughters have opened for leading acts such as the Indigo Girls and Janis Ian. See their website at http://www.geocities.com/olympiasdaughters/index.htm
After intermission, the audience is invited to join Olympia's Daughters in singing rounds, chants,
multicultural songs and more! All voices welcome and wanted! No previous experience necessary!
Let's see if Central Jersey has a gay and lesbian chorus in its future!
Tickets are $10 each and going fast. Call the Pride Center today (732 846 2232) or send
a check to: Olympia's Daughters Tickets, c/o The Pride Center of NJ, PO Box 5130, New Brunswick, NJ 08903
ALTERNATE THURSDAYS! THURSDAY NIGHT SUPPORT/SOCIAL GROUPMeets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month from 7:30-9:00pm at the First Lutheran Church, 159 Park Street in Montclair. A great place to make new friends, find support or meet someone special.
If you're late you can find some of the friendly members at Charlie Browns after the meeting. Check out Alternate Thursday’s website, or e-mail them at [email protected].
9/11 SURVIVORS GROUP FORMING
Efforts are underway to form a support group for members of our LGBT communities who lost someone on 9/11. (you may have seen ads or flyers about this as well). If you are interested - please contact Regina Colangelo, C.S.W. directly on 914-934-8861 (Regina is a psychotherapist in private practice in Westchester County).
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