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Updated Friday, 03-Feb-2006 08:49:56 PST

Tuesday, August 26, 2003 SENIOR ADMIRAL SAYS LIFTING GAY BAN WOULD STRENGTHEN MILITARY Posted by: Editor Debi @ 21:00 MST SENIOR ADMIRAL SAYS LIFTING GAY BAN WOULD STRENGTHEN MILITARY Former Navy JAG Calls 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' "Odious" SANTA BARBARA, CA, August 21, 2003 - The retired Judge Advocate General (JAG) for the Navy, Rear Admiral John D. Hutson, has called for the end of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy banning openly gay soldiers from service. In an article published this month in the National Law Journal Admiral Hutson called the gay ban "virtually unworkable in the military." The article argues that the policy is the "quintessential example of a bad compromise," and that the "don't ask, don't tell" regulations are a "charade" that "demeans the military as an honorable institution." Admiral Hutson, who retired in 2000, now lives with his wife in New Hampshire, where he serves as dean and president of the Franklin Pierce Law Center. As JAG, Hutson was the senior uniformed attorney in the Department of the Navy. His job was to oversee all legal issues in the Navy, supervise the 750 lawyers in the JAG Corps who serve around the world, and provide legal counsel to top commanders, including the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations. In an interview this week with the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military, University of California, Santa Barbara, he said he initially supported the policy, concluding that "a satisfactory Presolution was impossible then." Since it was hammered out in 1993, however, much has changed. "At that time," he said, "we thought the sky could fall. To completely overturn the policy ran the risk of undermining our ability to complete our mission." But with the benefit of over a decade of experience with the policy, and with what he called a "somewhat more enlightened population, particularly among younger people," he now believes it's time to end the ban. "That was then and this is now," he said. "I am now convinced, as I was not then, that the military could survive" lifting the ban entirely. When the policy was adopted, he explained, "I don't think any of us thought it as going to be permanent. Nobody liked it. So then the question became how long? Is it going to be a generation? Fifty years? I think enough things have happened in the country, and then on top of it all, you've got the Supreme Court overturning the [sodomy] statute, that it just became time to reconsider." Admiral Hutson was a Navy Captain in the office of the JAG in 1993 when the current gay ban was formulated, serving as the JAG's executive assistant. In 1997, he became the JAG himself, and it fell to him to enforce the policy. Since retiring from the Navy in 2000, he has gained "a somewhat different perspective, and I think a richer one." He now perceives "a very low level of support for the policy." He advocates ending the ban because he recognizes "that the American public is more ready for this and is not crazy about the policy." Defenders of the ban have long argued that allowing gays to serve openly would impair unit cohesion and undermine military readiness. But a growing number of observers now argue that the ban itself, not the presence of gays, may threaten morale, cohesion and performance. Last year, the policy faced a barrage of criticism when Americans learned that nearly two dozen Army linguists, many specialists in Arabic, were discharged under "don't ask, don't tell." Admiral Hutson said that ending the ban could help strengthen the military. "Eliminating the policy on balance now would serve a greater good and in many respects would foster cohesion. Unburdened by this odious policy, the department of Defense might come out stronger, and more able to defend the country." He explained this was not only because more people could join or remain in the service, but because the public's support of the military could increase. "There is right now what I perceive to be this blemish on [the armed forces], and it ought to be removed. And if it is removed, ultimately the military would feel better about itself and it would be held in even higher regard by removing this fundamental unfairness for a fairly significant population in the country." Since Congress made the gay ban a federal statute, the Pentagon cannot overturn the policy without Congressional action. But Admiral Hutson said that, although Congress would need to act to repeal the ban, the Department of Defense could take the lead and use its influence to reverse the policy. "The way things tend to work inside the beltway," he said, "if the Department of Defense put up enough of a squawk, Congress would not stand in the way." He said the Pentagon could initiate studies, interview soldiers, and call on the legislature to reconsider the law. "At some point, obviously it needs to see the light of day." Admiral Hutson was prompted to write the article in the National Law Journal after the Supreme Court overturned state sodomy laws early this summer. While that decision did not immediately end military regulations banning sodomy and prohibiting openly gay soldiers, legal challenges are underway using the High Court's recent decision as a new precedent. Dean Hutson argues that the American public has "moved far enough along" for it to accept openly gay soldiers, an assertion that is born out by several polls both within and outside the military. Nathaniel Frank, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military, said Admiral Hutson is the most eminent military officer to call unambiguously for the lifting of the gay ban. "As the former JAG of the Navy," Dr. Frank said, "Hutson's comments warrant special attention." The Santa Barbara Center has published studies on the Israeli, British, Australian and Canadian militaries since they lifted their gay bans, which conclude that allowing gays to serve openly does not undermine military readiness. Admiral Hutson fears that the U.S. military is "falling further and further behind" the American public. "This is what's discouraging to me," he said. "I don't want an institution for which I have great affection to be antiquated in its ideas. The military is better than that." The Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military is an official research unit of the University of California, Santa Barbara. The Center is governed by a distinguished board of advisors including the Honorable Lawrence J. Korb of the Council on Foreign Relations, Honorable Coit Blacker of Stanford University and Professor Janet Halley of Harvard Law School. Its mission is to promote the study of gays, lesbians, and other sexual minorities in the armed forces. More information is available at www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu. Readers Comments (0) Kansas City stalls partner benefits, pushes registry Posted by: Editor Debi @ 20:59 MST Kansas City stalls partner benefits, pushes registry The city council in Kansas City, MO, has delayed a proposal to provide health insurance benefits to unmarried partners of city employees, saying it wants to determine the cost of providing such benefits. The council did introduce ordinances Thursday that would establish a domestic-partner registry and provide sick leave and funeral leave. But the most attractive benefit--health insurance--will wait at least until the city completes a budget review and its negotiations with insurance carriers next spring. "We want to look at it in the context of our overall budget," city manager Wayne Cauthen said. "We need to get more clarity on it." The council had pledged in April to begin a domestic-partner benefit program by May 1, 2004. The measures to establish the registry and provide sick leave and funeral benefits will be considered in committee next week. Cauthen said 157 city employees have expressed interest in the proposed benefits. About 40% of those expressing interest are gay, he said. Among the measures introduced Thursday was a resolution calling for the city clerk to provide a plan within 24 days for creating and maintaining a domestic-partner registry. Dozens of cities have established such registries, which give registered couples some rights, such as the ability to visit their partner in the hospital and to make decisions on a partner's medical treatment in emergencies. Two other ordinances would allow city employees to take sick leave or funeral leave if a partner is sick or dies. While domestic-partner benefit proposals have sparked intense controversy in some cities, the debate in Kansas City has been subdued. City council members have received letters and E-mails from supporters and critics, and there have been a few sparsely attended protests outside City Hall by members of a Kansas City church. Both stories are from www.Advocate.com Readers Comments (0) Canadian lawmakers call for vote on gay marriage Posted by: Editor Debi @ 20:59 MST Canadian lawmakers call for vote on gay marriage In a bid to limit the political fallout from the Canadian government's intention to legalize same-sex marriage, some legislators attending a three-day conference this week said that the issue should be put to a national referendum. So far Prime Minister Jean Chretien and his likely successor, Paul Martin, oppose the referendum idea. But the idea of putting the issue to a vote is adding fuel to a debate that has polarized the ruling Liberal Party in Parliament as well as public opinion across the country. "My sense is that we're on a collision course with the electorate on this issue," Dan McTeague, a Liberal member of Parliament who opposes the legislation, said at the summer meeting of the Liberal caucus. "This thing is really heating up, folks. I've never seen an issue like this." McTeague said that if Canadian values have changed in favor of gay marriage, as the government has suggested, it would be good to test this in a national plebiscite. Celine Hervieux-Payette, a senator from Quebec, said a vote could help the government determine how the public views same-sex marriage. "Why don't we ask them?" she said. "They will tell us what it means for them." The federal government decided in June against appealing an Ontario court decision that expanded the definition of marriage in the province to include gay men and lesbians, saying the heterosexual-only definition was unconstitutional. A British Columbia court made a similar ruling, with the moves allowing gay marriages to proceed in those provinces. Ottawa has drafted legislation to make the new definition apply across the country and asked the supreme court to review the proposed law. But the bill's passage in Parliament is not certain, and the issue probably would figure prominently in a federal election if it were called next year. The decision to call that election would fall to Chretien's successor, who is to be chosen at a leadership convention in November, with Chretien scheduled to retire in February. Martin, who is widely expected to succeed Chretien, also favors ushering gay marriage legislation through Parliament. "There are issues which are obviously open to referendums. There are other issues which are the responsibility of parliamentarians to deal with, and this is one of them," he said, though he did not elaborate. National opinion polls have indicated an almost equal division between opponents and proponents of gay marriage. Readers Comments (0) MARRIED COUPLE REICHEN & CHIP WIN THE AMAZING RACE! Posted by: Editor Debi @ 20:58 MST MARRIED COUPLE REICHEN & CHIP WIN THE AMAZING RACE! After 4 continents, 24 cities, and 44,000 miles, married couple Reichen & Chip won THE AMAZING RACE. On his experience, Reichen commented, "This Race was about a lot of things. It was about competitiveness. It was about showing the world that gay people can do anything that anyone else can do. But the most important thing I learned is that I'm very loved by my partner, and I can feel safe and happy and protected when I'm around him." Chip added, "There's no way I could've gotten through this without Reichen's support and patience. What I realized throughout the Race is how much I need him and how much he needs me. In the end, people look at both Reichen and myself and they see love, and they realize that Reichen & I are partners, and together, we can do anything." Readers Comments (0) Searching! Call at PPGLCC for Debbie and ? from James Posted by: Editor Debi @ 20:54 MST Searching! Hi! We received a call at the Center for Debbie and ? from James who was helping them look for land. Debbie and ?, if you're out there, please email him at james@chaffee.net. Readers Comments (0) Thursday, August 21, 2003 Virginia pursues sodomy charges despite Supreme Court ruling Posted by: Editor Debi @ 18:25 MST Virginia pursues sodomy charges despite Supreme Court ruling ADVOCATE.COM Tues. August 19, 2003 Prosecutors plan to pursue sodomy charges against 26 men despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legal experts believe invalidates Virginia's sodomy law. The indictments issued July 21 followed a three-month investigation of alleged public sodomy and solicitation to commit sodomy at an adult bookstore in Harrisonburg. They also came about a month after the Supreme Court struck down Texas's sodomy law. Legal experts generally agree that the high court's ruling means laws banning sodomy in private are unconstitutional but that laws against public sodomy can still be enforced. In Virginia, however, the state's Crimes Against Nature statute does not distinguish between public and private activity, leading some civil rights groups and gay rights advocates to argue that Virginia's entire law is unenforceable even against public sodomy. Kent Willis, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, told The Roanoke Times, "Our interpretation is that any charges under the sodomy law are invalid at this point." Other misdemeanor charges were available to the police, Willis said, including lewd and lascivious cohabitation, obscene exhibitions and indecent exposure. Dyana Mason, executive director of Equality Virginia, a gay rights organization, suggested that the indictments reflect the underlying discriminatory nature of the statute. "My concern [is] that this law can still be used to harass and intimidate gay men," she told the Times. Virginia attorney general Jerry Kilgore believes the Supreme Court decision does not preclude prosecutions for public sodomy or solicitation to commit sodomy, spokesman Tim Murtaugh said Monday. However, Murtaugh said, Kilgore has not issued an official opinion on the subject. Although many observers believe the issue requires action by the state general assembly, at least one influential legislator disagreed. House majority leader Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) said he believes the law is fine as it is, and he said lawyers on the Virginia Crime Commission agree. But even the prosecutor in the Harrisonburg cases believes everyone would be better off if the general assembly rewrote the law to clarify what's legal and what's not in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of Lawrence v. Texas. Harrisonburg Commonwealth attorney Marsha Garst said the men arrested in Harrisonburg were not targeted because they were homosexuals. The police would have cracked down on the activity just as strongly if heterosexuals were having sex in a public place such as a bookstore, she added. But drawing the line between public and private sodomy in Virginia is complicated by the way Virginia's law is written, said Sam Garrison, a Roanoke attorney and gay rights activist. Like most states, Virginia has a "savings clause" in its state code to allow for the preservation of the remainder of a law when part of it is struck down by a court ruling. Virginia's law banning sodomy has only one part--a blanket prohibition of oral and anal sex--with no distinction between those acts occurring in public or in private. Readers Comments (0) CC Guest Speaker Coretta Scott King (MLK Jr's widow) Sunday, 8/24, Posted by: Editor Debi @ 18:17 MST Note live feed in Armstrong. Coretta Scott King is MLK Jr's widow This Sunday, August 24, Coretta Scott King will visit the Colorado College campus as the Jovanovich lecturer for the New Student Orientation Capstone Address. Taking place in Shove Memorial Chapel at 7:30 p.m., this program is the New Student Orientation Capstone Address and, as such, seating in Shove will be reserved for incoming students and their families. Live video coverage will be relayed into Armstrong Theater, which will be open to the campus and local community. We do expect incoming students and their families to fill all or almost all of the seating in Shove Chapel. They will receive tickets during New Student orientation that will guarantee admission to Shove. At 7:20 p.m., any remaining Shove seating will be open to individuals without tickets. (We do want to emphasize that there is no guarantee that any seating will remain available in Shove. Admission to Armstrong Theater will be on a first-come, first-seated basis with no tickets required.) This is an exciting event for the incoming class of 2007 and for the CC and Colorado Springs community as a whole. We hope that many of you will join us for this opportunity. For more about Mrs. King's lecture, see http://www.ColoradoCollege.edu/news_events/ Readers Comments (0) Pam Jones article on Same Sex Benefits in Aug. Springs Magazine Posted by: Editor Debi @ 18:11 MST Hello. I just wanted to let everyone know about the Pam Jones article on Same Sex Benefits is out in the Aug. Springs Magazine and the effect it has had on families. Thanks. Readers Comments (0) SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM RYAN Posted by: Editor Debi @ 18:10 MST HELLO. TONIGHT WE FIRST HAVE A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM RYAN ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY VISION NEWSLETTER & PRIDEFEST 2004. CV IS ALSO LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN SPARE 2-4 HOURS THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH TO HELP DELIVER (ALL SIDES OF CS, AND UCCS, PPCC, AND OTHER SCHOOLS ROUTES AVAILABLE.) PLEASE EMAIL ME AT LB ASAP IF INTERESTED. THANKS, DORIAN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greetings! Many exciting things happening around town and at the Center that I just had to share! Long letter, but definitely what you need to know! First of all, it's great to see a job posting on the LunchBreak! We get several calls at the Center from "family" who are looking for work. It's a tough time economically here in the Springs, and helping out our community is definitely a priority. If you have a job posting, or know of LGBT friendly places that are hiring, please post or encourage people to post on the LunchBreak and in the Community Vision (now coming out monthly!). Additionally, if anyone is interested in taking on an unemployment coordinator position at the Center, I'd love to hear from you - it would be a volunteer position, but could really make an impact here : ) Secondly, I'm happy to announce: Newest Paper in Springs to Really Hit the Streets in September, and it's our very own GAY COMMUNITY VISION! - You won't want to miss September's edition featuring: Exclusive interview with Mike Schraeder (former ED of Memorial Hospital who stepped down in part due to the rescinding of the same-sex benefits), Colorado Springs LGBT friendly restaurant and business reviews, and much more! I want to thank all of the people who responded to the Community Vision help wanted ad in the LB, including KRCC who, with the wonderful efforts of Delaney, has kindly donated an iMac computer to the Center for our layout needs! We have brand new reporting and layout teams, and are now developing a distribution, and advertising teams. We need several sales type people to go to businesses and set up distribution points across the city. It's time we inundate Colorado Springs with positive LGBT visibility and really reach out to our community who may not yet be on the LB or know what's going on in town. Community Vision will become a very powerful tool in bringing together our community. Please contact Dorian (who has graciously been the Community Vision distributor for many years and is your LB editor who we love) at: lunchbreak@ppglcc.org, to see how your activism can be put to work...This is a limited time commitment and would be great to do alone or with friends! Additionally, we are looking for an advertising coordinator to help us fund Community Vision. We are seeking someone can reach out to and coordinate with CV sponsors and advertisers, and who can help the Center create functioning (and fool ready) advertising databases. Please contact ryan@ppglcc.org. And finally, please advertise and support the Community Vision! It's been four editions since a small group of volunteers jumpstarted the CV, and we are proud to continue its growth. As I've mentioned before, the goal is create a world class printed newspaper for the LGBT Community in Colorado Springs with more than 10,000 distributed across the City each month by 2005. We need your support, and you can bet that every dollar you spend goes directly to the production of the Community Vision. Our new prices are as follows (we had to increase just a bit because the Center's general fund has had to pay for a lot of the Community Vision): Full Page (10X16): $299 per edition Half Page (10x8): $150 per edition Quarter Page (5x8): $75 per edition Business Card (standard): $35 per edition * Ad Special: 6 editions for the price of 5! Ads can be sent to ryan@ppglcc.org, for the time being. We'll announce the new CV email addy as soon as it's up! PRIDEFEST! Mark your calendars! Colorado Springs PrideFest 2004 has been set for the third weekend in July! Our PrideFest committee has already started working on PrideFest 2004, and we'd love to have your support. The PrideFest committee meets monthly on the third Thursday at 6:30pm. The commitment is for one year, and each committee member has an exclusive role. We had a great team last year and look forward to a great team this year: From volunteer and vendor coordination, to event and sponsors, you can have a very active role in putting on one of the most important Pride events in the nation! More info? Contact pride@ppglcc.org! Of course I also want to include this fundraising piece here from Ellie, our wonderful Fundraising Chair: Save the Date- Support your Community Center! On September 13th from 9 AM- 1 PM the PPGLCC will be holding a benefit garage sale in the parking lot of the Pride Center (716 ½ N. Tejon St). Come pick through wonderfully fashionable second hand goods. All sales will benefit the PPGLCC. We will be accepting donations for the sale from 5-8 PM on Friday the 12th and as early as 7 AM on Saturday the 13th. PPGLCC 2002 Annual Report now Online! In an effort to provide more information about the Center’s operations to our community, we will post our 2002 Annual Report, including a budget analysis, on our website: www.ppglcc.org. From our homepage, simply click on the "About the PPGLCC" button to access the pdf file. In the coming weeks, we will also post a third quarter budget report on our website. The PPGLCC will be presenting this information at the Annual Meeting on Thursday September 25th to interested members. Any questions about the PPGLCC’s financial statements can be directed to our excellent treasurer Keary Suska at 471-4429 or treasurer@ppglcc.org. And finally folks, we need you! The Center is currently seeking applications for the board of directors. Our board works hard, but we play hard, too! Come join the blood, sweat and fun as we take the PPGLCC and the LGBT community in Colorado Springs to a new level...Applications are available on our website: www.ppglcc.org. Not looking for a board role? Volunteer!!! The Center needs your help to continue growing and moving in the right direction. Believe me when I say one person can and will make a difference in a big way. Email us, call or stop by to get involved. It may take us awhile to get back with you, so email us, call or stop by again! We want you here! Most importantly, join the PPGLCC board and community at this year's annual meeting, September 25th. This is your chance to hang out and meet the board, elect the new board, provide input, and meet new folks in our community! There will be food and drinks, and we've gotten a great location at the Gay and Lesbian Fund's Community Room! Again, that's September 25th from 6-9! See you soon Take Care All! J Ryan Acker ryan@ppglcc.org Readers Comments (0) Tuesday, August 19, 2003 Workshops about the Sylvia Rivera Law Project Posted by: Editor Debi @ 17:32 MST Workshops we're offering for 2003-2004. Anyone who is interested can contact me directly (dspade@urbanjustice.org), and can get more information about the Sylvia Rivera Law Project or me at www.srlp.org . FYI for purposes of this email, SRLP is the first transgender law project focused on ending poverty and gender identity discrimination. I am the founder, a trans attorney and anti-capitalist activist, and I conduct these workshops (sometimes with a co-facilitator). I am also available for more traditional lectures on topics of trans rights, the medicalization of trans rights struggles, the invisibility of low-income communities in mainstream LGBT rights struggles, and the connection of struggles for gender and sexual self-determination to anti-capitalist and anti-globalization struggles. More info available at www.srlp.org , or by contacting me. Film Screenings SRLP's first documentary video, "Toilet Training," examines the persistent and severe discrimination that gender transgressive people face when attempting to use sex-segregated bathrooms. The film features the stories of gender transgressive people from all walks of life, facing discrimination at school, at work, and in parks and other public facilities when trying to access bathroom facilities. The film also examines solutions to this problem, and provides examples of institutions that have changed their bathroom policies to make bathrooms accessible and safe for people of all gender expressions. SRLP frequently screens this film with other films short films that focus on gender issues with permission from the filmmakers. Contact us to find out more, or to order a copy of "Toilet Training." Economic Justice for Queer and Trans Activists and Allies This interactive workshop explores the operations of classism and the consolidation of global capital in the context of queer and trans culture and activism. Participants examine the obstacles that exist to having a clear understanding of our own positions in the US and world economies, how discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity operate in our economy, and how queer civil rights movements and gay culture have traditionally failed to include and prioritize the struggles of low-income queer and of transgender people. The workshop culminates in an exploration of what work can be done by the people in the room to promote economic justice and sexual and gender self-determination. This training provides opportunities for participants to examine the operation of classism in their own lives, as well as how their activism can engage issues of economic justice. This training is ideal for community groups or student activists. Transgender Awareness Training This training assists service providers and/or community groups with making services and organizing more welcoming and accessible to people struggling with gender identity discrimination, and helps providers to spot issues related to gender identity in their cases and deal with them appropriately. Trainees will be introduced to basic terms and concepts related to gender identity and transgender communities, as well as learning about how to use terms respectfully. Through interactive exercises, trainees examine how gender identity discrimination operates in our society, and then examine how this discrimination affects the ability of gender transgressive people to access social, medical, and legal services. Special attention is paid to the disproportionate poverty and overincarceration of gender transgressive people. Finally, the group discusses strategies for addressing gender identity discrimination through their work and providing exceptional services to communities in crisis because of gender identity discrimination. SRLP has trained over 400 service providers and community groups specializing in domestic violence, homelessness services, education, criminal defense, juvenile rights, HIV/AIDS prevention, and poverty law. This training can also be adapted for school administrators and teachers to make educational institutions more accessible to transgender students. Occupation is a Queer Issue! This interactive workshop focuses on the role of queer and trans activists in struggles against US imperialism, specifically focusing on the occupation of Iraq and the struggle for Palestinian liberation. The workshop provides and opportunity to examine why struggles against occupation are a "queer and trans issue" and what role people working for sexual and gender self-determination have in these struggles. Discussion of direct action strategies, use of media coverage, community debates about violent and non-violent struggle, and other practical topics are focused on. This workshop is co-facilitated by another direct action anti-occupation activist, and is ideal for student activist groups. Dean Spade Sylvia Rivera Law Project Urban Justice Center 666 Broadway, 5th Floor New York, NY 10012 (646) 602-5638 Readers Comments (0) FIRST PLACE GOES TO TWO COLORADO SPRINGS FIREFIGHTERS Posted by: Editor Debi @ 17:31 MST FIRST PLACE GOES TO TWO COLORADO SPRINGS FIREFIGHTERS In the Rocky Mountain Regional Firefighter Combat Challenge Firefighter/Paramedics Juliet Draper and Denny Peffer took first place in their respective categories at Firefighter Days held in Castlerock, CO and they both qualified for the World Challenge XII in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada held November Draper, who actually did the event in 2:19, would have taken the world record except that she knocked over one of the course markers and received a 5 second penalty bringing her time up to 2:24. The record of 2:22 set in 1998 still stands, but hopefully not for long. Peffer, whose ending time was 2:13, was on his way to his goal of under two minutes when he fell backwards with the 175 Rescue Randy. It took over 10 seconds to pick it up and finish the race. The big surprise for the Colorado Springs Combat Challenge team was the performance of our first relay team who ran their best time of 1:46 and qualified as finalists for World Challenge XII. The team included Lieutenants Raymond Johnson and Kevin Bird, Firefighters Steve Thime, Mike Lee and Jeremy Kroto. Due to the expenses incurred during these competitions, the team may not be able to travel to Canada for World Challenge XII, however, they are already training for 2004 by climbing up the incline today. Firefighter/Paramedic Stacy Billapando, who adjusts her breathing apparatus to send out more air, ran out of air and couldn’t finish the race. Battalion Chief RC Smith, returning from his record setting bench press in the World Police and Fire Games with a bad chest cold, finished the competition with a time of 3:31 and qualified for the world competition. Firefighter/Paramedic Mike Kaup, tumbled off the sled and fell with the Rescue Randy three times. The final fall was five inches from the finish line, but by then he could not get himself from under the weight of the dummy. Billapando, Draper and Peffer broke world records during training, but the actual event presents different challenges for them to overcome. One of the obstacles is not having the event course to train on. They can simulate it as much as possible, but it’s different. On the day of the event each athlete has to run a perfect race, while wearing 50 pounds of gear and carrying another 45-pound hose pack. Fortunately, for the first place regional athletes, they have another eleven weeks to perfect their skills and reach their world record smashing goals. For photos and video of the event contact Pam Jones. For additional information about the team see our website at www.firejock.com Readers Comments (0) GLSEN's 2003-2004 Jump-Start National Student Leadership Team Posted by: Editor Debi @ 17:29 MST Subject: GLSEN's 2003-2004 Jump-Start National Student Leadership Team Hi! I was wondering if you would be able to forward this to any student that you think may be interested in applying for one of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network's National Student Leadership Teams. Thanks! Elizabeth Castañeda Student Club Project Assistant GLSEN 121 West 27th St, suite 801 New York, NY 10001 212.727.0135 x 104 (office) 212.727.0254 (fax) lcastaneda@glsen.org www.dayofsilence.org www.glsen.org Readers Comments (0) Now Hiring- seeking talented sales professionals Posted by: Editor Debi @ 17:23 MST Now Hiring- seeking talented sales professionals to fill several Telephone Sales Reprehensive Positions. We require: Good communication Skills Sales/Retail background A desire to succeed We offer Competitive Compensation PLUS unlimited bonus Full and Part time shifts Medical and Dental Insurance Opportunity for career advancement Please stop by and fill out an application, Monday thru Friday 11:30-5:00 4655 NorthPark Dr (1 block east of I-25 off of Garden of the Gods) Call Dan at 277-8360 Readers Comments (0) PPGLCC Now Accepting Applications for the Board of Directors Posted by: Editor Debi @ 17:22 MST PPGLCC Now Accepting Applications for the Board of Directors!To join this (choose a word: energetic, innovative, motivated, phenomenal, or...) team, please submit your application to the Nominating Committee no later than August 25th 2003. Applications and information available on our website: www.ppglcc.org. You can and will make a difference. Questions? email ryan@ppglcc.org. Readers Comments (0) Monday, August 18, 2003 A Tradegy In Our Community Posted by: Editor Debi @ 17:56 MST It is with our deepest regret to inform everyone that Thomas Gehling, a long time community member and supporter, co-owner of the Hide ‘N’ Seek Complex and Joe Brady’s partner of 34 years, passed away on August 12th. His passing has generated a swell of community response. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more than thirty years Tommy and Joe have worked to create a sense of community for LGBT people in Colorado Springs. As owners of the Hide & Seek Complex, they have provided for our community a safe place to meet, have fun, watch a good drag show and even find true love. And it didn't stop there. Tommy and Joe were integral in the founding of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center more than 20 years ago, and have continued to support the work being done in Colorado Springs. It is with great sorrow that we learn of Tommy's passing earlier this week. On behalf of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center, I send our thoughts and prayers to Joe, Tommy's friends and family, and the staff at the Hide & Seek. This is a great loss, but the gifts of community that have been given to us throughout the years will never be forgotten. - Ryan Acker (President, PPGLCC) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thomas Gehling, affectionately called as Tommy, a true gentleman, passed away yesterday, August 12. Tommy was co-owner of the Hide N' Seek and Joe Brady's partner for 34 years. We mourn the passing of Tommy, a truly good soul. Memorial services will be held at the Hide N' Seek on Saturday, August 16 at 2 p.m. - Alma Cremonesi (Pikes peak Lavender Film Festival) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Gehling, partnered for 34 years to Joe Brady, an owner of the Hide and Seek, passed away Tuesday evening. There will be a memorial service held at the Hide and Seek, time is 2PM with a potluck buffet afterwards. Fundraising shows will be held all weekend at the bar on main stage as well as the Branding Iron, the country bar. Tom had no insurance, either health no life insurance, as far as is known. Flight for Life was used to try to save Tom, and is very expensive, as were the medical bills. Anyone who cares to donate towards these expenses can donate funds through the United Court of the Pikes Peak Empire. - Papa Doc Buettner (UCPPE) Readers Comments (0) Tuesday, August 12, 2003 HRC's Political Equality Update Posted by: Editor Debi @ 18:40 MST This latest edition of HRC's Political Equality Update details HRC's response to the Vatican's statement, and President Bush's comments, on marriage as well as information on a recent HRC marriage poll and the introduction of the Permanent Partners Immigration Act in the Senate. As always, your comments are welcomed at field@hrc.org. Readers Comments (0) PPGLCC Now Accepting Applications for the Board of Directors Posted by: Editor Debi @ 18:40 MST PPGLCC Now Accepting Applications for the Board of Directors!To join this (choose a word: energetic, innovative, motivated, phenomenal, or...) team, please submit your application to the Nominating Committee no later than August 25th 2003. Applications and information available on our website: www.ppglcc.org. You can and will make a difference. Questions? email ryan@ppglcc.org. Readers Comments (0) Friday, August 08, 2003 COMMUNITY VISION NEWSLETTER NEEDS VOLUNTEERS MEETING AT PPGLCC ON THURS. 7PM Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:51 MST COMMUNITY VISION NEEDS YOU! The Community Vision has been the newsletter of the PPGLCC for many years. Until LunchBreak came along, it was also the most up-to-date information on Colorado Springs Community Listings and Events. When the Community Vision was rebirthed this year, organizers dreamed of creating a large-scale LGBT newspaper just for Colorado Springs. Now is the time for this dream to become a reality and we need you! 1) Reporters. We have a dedicated team of staff reporters and we need more! People reporting on any topic with relevance to the Colorado Springs LGBT community (Everything is relevant us!). You can even get a Reporter's badge! 2) Advertising. Community Vision is published because of the generous support of its advertisers. We are seeking an energetic team of activists who would like to solicit advertising while making social change. This will be fun! 3) Layout Crew. If you know how to make Community Vision attractive enough to serve our community, and dream of developing a newspaper that can get national recognition, this is your calling! Community Vision is an all-volunteer team. The experience, the fun and the free food when we finish an edition makes it all worth it! Interested? New Community Vision Team Meeting: August 7th at 7pm at the Pride Center. Email ryan@ppglcc.org for more information. This is a resume building opportunity. College Students encouraged - PPGLCC willing to work with colleges on credit requirements. Thanks! Ryan Readers Comments (0) BOOK Out in August: Diverse Sexuality and Schools Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:36 MST BOOK Out in August: Diverse Sexuality and Schools Sexuality and the Classroom If growing up in the United States today is like traveling a rocky road, growing up gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender is like walking through a minefield. nowhere are the dangers more real, the pressures greater, and the stakes higher than in our schools, where some of the most controversial and emotionally charged issues faced by education professionals and families today concern gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) youth. Diverse Sexuality and Schools: A Reference Handbook is an eye-opening report on GLBT youth in our schools-the isolation they feel, the hostilities they face, and the innovative ways different schools, communities, and organizations are working to pave the way for them. Author David Campos offers a compelling, often harrowing tour of the lives of GLBT students, including what researchers have learned over the past half-century and what the schools, the courts, and the government are doing to keep all students and teachers safe regardless of their sexual orientation. But perhaps the book's greatest impact comes from the way Campos gives voice to this too-often neglected population, providing a forum for their painful testimonies of harassment, violence, and despair. Diverse Sexuality and Schools includes: * Expert analyses of the unique developmental and emotional needs of GLBT students, including risks such as depression, drug addiction, and suicide * Landmark legal cases, starting with Nabozny v. Podlesney (the first lawsuit filed on behalf of a gay student) and current government guidelines designed to protect all students from physical, verbal, and sexual harassment * Reports on high schools established exclusively for lesbian and gay students (Harvey Milk in New York City, OASIS in Los Angeles, Walt Whitman in Dallas) * Information about gay/straight alliances as well as other relevant advocacy organizations, nonprofit associations, and government agencies * Successful educational curricula for and about GLBT students focusing on sex education, multiculturalism, social justice, and school safety Diverse Sexuality and Schools is a crucial volume for administrators, counselors, teachers, school board members, parents, and community agencies that serve the GLBT youth population. The text is also a much-needed addition to the sex education, general sexuality, and homosexuality resources in libraries. It can be used as a supplementary text for undergraduate and graduate courses in sex education, gender and queer studies programs, multicultural education programs, and American Education courses. Diverse Sexuality and Schools is part of ABC-CLIO's Contemporary Education Issues series. Comprehensive, conveniently organized, and jargon-free, each volume contains overviews of the history and current state of the debate. Included are such features as: a chronology of events, legislation, and turning points; interviews with practitioners; a directory of organizations and government agencies; and an annotated bibliography and guide to print and nonprint resources. Other volumes include Sex, Youth, and Sex Education, Student Rights, Literacy and Learning, Multicultural and Diversity Education, and School Vouchers and Privatization. David Campos is assistant professor of elementary education in the College of Education at Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL. August 2003 296 pp. ISBN 1-85109-545-4 6x9 $45.00 Contact: Courtney Russell, Publicist, (800) 368-6868 x 347 crussell@abc-clio.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Readers Comments (0) BOOK-Today: A Life in Two Genders Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:36 MST ** BOOK-Today: A Life in Two Genders ** In a new book, author Jennifer Finney Boylan explores the remarkable territory that lies between men and women, examines changing friendships and rejoices in the redeeming power of family. http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_email.asp?/news/947168.asp Readers Comments (0) SUPPORT GLBT MUSIC Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:35 MST SUPPORT GLBT MUSIC We are looking for small businesses, large corporations or individuals who are interested in helping to grow a strong local music support network. If you love music, love the arts and want to find out how to help struggling Denver performers through volunteer and support OR if you own a large business and would like to finance an event or become a sponsor of an event the local GLBT MUSIC COMMUNITY NEEDS YOU. There are also GREAT opportunities for small businesses to get your name out to thousands monthly (for less than $50 a month) Tina Powers a producer of the Annual LILT Women's Music Festival is looking to create a network of individuals interested in the local music scene, my focus is the GLBT community. I am looking for some specific things: Men - where are you? I am looking for openly gay male musicians/singer songwriters/groups of all musical styles. So far I have found, Brett Mavrick, XOIS and Maris The Great. I am positive that there are more of you out there. Last weeks LILT Women's Music Festival was a complete success - focusing on the women in the community - I am now looking for the guys. If you are gay male musician/singer/songwriter/band or know of any please contact Tina Powers at LiltFestival@hotmail.com MAJOR SPONSORS - I need major sponsors for events. I am trying to look outside of liquor companies and directly at the GLBT community or supporters of . Depending upon the event it could be anywhere from $1,000 sponsorships to $10,000 sponsorships. To offset event costs, such as licensing, space rentals, equipment rentals, talent, web fees etc. Major sponsors would receive maximum exposure at the event and in all marketing and promotion. Sponsorships only. SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS - We need all types of sponsors - there are opportunities for small businesses that will get your business a maximum amount of citywide exposure for a minimum investment - we have opportunities that are under $50. SERVICE for TRADE - Do you have a service that we could TRADE for sponsorship. We need: Graphic Design, Printing, Digital Photography, Digital Video, Paper, Writers (for articles), Sound Companies, Staging, Lawyers, Accounting, Sound Equipment, Sound Engineers, VENUES!!!!!!! VOLUNTEERS - For events (event staff, stage hands, stage managers), flyering, hanging posters, canvassing, e-mailing, phone work etc... PLEASE forward this to anyone you know might be interested, small business owners, musicians, students, people in the industry etc... CURRENT PROJECTS: The Melanie Susuras Band (MSB) www.MSBRocks.com . The next big thing in the women's music scene is brewing right here in Denver, if you have not seen The Melanie Susuras Band live - get to a show. The amazingly talented LOCAL MUSICIAN Melanie Susuras played the Lilith Fair, you can see some great pictures of her singing with Sara McLachlan on the www.MSBRocks.com website. Melanie also headlined the first annual LILT Women's Music Festival in Denver Colorado and is surely Denver's next breakout artist. We are looking to promote MSB in a way that no band has ever been promoted before - we are looking to promote through sponsorship (not pay the band - just promote them) Have you heard MSB and are you interested in talking about a sponsorship (great for businesses large or small)? Do you need to hear ! MSB? You can hear her on her website through MP3 or check out her show listings? Next Thursday she has a show at Herman's Hideaway - if this sounds interesting to you I can provide you with free tickets to see the show - and see what you think - WANT TO CHECK IT OUT? Contact me at LiltFestival@hotmail.com and I will get you tickets into the show. The other project in developement is a GLBT music festival (planned for next summer). It would be the first event of it's type ever in Colorado. I need Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Trans and community friendly musicians/singers/songwriters/BANDS of all ages and all musical styles, to contact Tina Powers at LiltFestival@hotmail.com. You can drop off promotional packages/demo CD's at WIRED Coffee & Art at 19 East Bayaud attention Tina Powers. Again please forward this to anyone that you think might be interested! Thank You for your time. "Women are not just opening acts!" CHECK OUT LILT 2003 PHOTOS Denver's Annual Women's Music Festival http://www.liltfestival.com Readers Comments (0) CU's GLBTRC Announces Fall 2003 EMDI Series Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:32 MST CU's GLBTRC Announces Fall 2003 EMDI Series It gives me great pleasure to announce the 2003-04 theme, Empowering Multiple Dimensions of Our Identities (EMDI). Every year, the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Resource Center (GLBTRC)at the University of Colorado at Boulder, provides multiple opportunities to enhance one's knowledge and understanding of issues impacting GLBT communities. This summer, our staff members have worked intensely in planning the 2003-04 EMDI Series. This is our initial promo that is being sent to selected lists. Please share with your staff, colleagues and friends. Our official promo will be available at our first social in September and the online version will be available after August 25th. On behalf of the entire staff, I encourage you, whether you are a member of the GLBT community, an ally, or someone who has no idea about the issues the GLBT community faces, to join us at one of our keynote addresses, workshops, discussions, films, book clubs, or social events. All the best, Bruce www.glbtss.org Readers Comments (0) Gates Foundation to support HIV-herpes study Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:31 MST Gates Foundation to support HIV-herpes study The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation last week announced a $30 million grant to help fund a study to determine whether the successful treatment of genital herpes can help reduce HIV transmission. The grant to the University of Washington School of Medicine will help finance research at 10 sites in Africa, India, and Latin America. The study will seek to determine whether the generic drug acyclovir, widely used to treat genital herpes, can reduce HIV transmission rates. At least half of the HIV-positive people worldwide are also infected with herpes simplex virus type 2, also known as genital herpes. The open sores associated with herpes infection appear to make it easier to be infected with HIV, putting people infected with genital herpes at about twice the risk of those who do not have herpes of HIV infection. The one-year study is set to begin in early 2004. Readers Comments (1) California bans transgender discrimination Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:31 MST California bans transgender discrimination Gov. Gray Davis has signed a bill banning housing and job discrimination against transgendered people, making California the fourth state to extend such protections. The new law has long been a goal of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender activists in the state, said Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The measure, signed Saturday, will take effect January 1. California already prohibits housing and job discrimination against gay men and lesbians. The state now joins Minnesota, Rhode Island, and New Mexico in extending that protection to the transgendered. The new California law will prohibit discrimination against people whose "perceived gender characteristics are different from those traditionally associated with the individual's sex at birth." The bill was opposed by some business organizations, who said it might result in more lawsuits, and by conservative religious groups. But supporters said the transgendered often face discrimination and as a result suffer a high unemployment rate. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Readers Comments (0) CNN is running an interactive poll Espicopal church's decision to appoint gay Bishop Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:31 MST CNN is running an interactive poll asking whether readers support the Espicopal church's decision to appoint gay Bishop Gene Robinson. The results were 2 to 1 in opposition this morning. Obviously, our opinions haven't been reflected yet, so let's pass this on to everyone to get them voting. Here's the link to the page on which you can find the poll by scrolling down: http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/08/06/bishop/index.html. Readers Comments (0) Gay Bishop Wins in Episcopal Vote; Split Threatened Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:30 MST Gay Bishop Wins in Episcopal Vote; Split Threatened August 6, 2003 By MONICA DAVEY MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 5 - The Episcopal Church approved the election of its first openly gay bishop tonight, reaching the historic and divisive decision after rejecting accusations of sexual misconduct against him that had suddenly halted the vote on Monday. After being called back this afternoon, 62 of 107 diocesan bishops voted to approve the bishop-elect, V. Gene Robinson. Moments later, more than 12 conservative bishops, their faces grim, marched slowly to the front of the House of Bishops to denounce the decision as an affront to church teaching that would split the denomination in two. "The bishops who stand before you are filled with sorrow," Bishop Robert W. Duncan of the Pittsburgh Diocese said. "This body has divided itself for millions of Anglican Christians around the world, brothers and sisters who have pleaded with us to maintain the church's traditional teaching on marriage and sexuality. With grief too deep for words, the bishops who stand before you must reject this action." Bishop Duncan, one of a group of church leaders who had fought Bishop-elect Robinson's approval for weeks, said he and his colleagues would call on the top leaders of the Anglican Communion, the 38 primates around the world, to intervene in the "pastoral emergency that has overtaken" the church. "May God have mercy on this church," Bishop Duncan said. Others rejoiced, praising the popular bishop-elect for his works and saying the decision was another barrier overtaken by church leaders, another widening of church doors. "It's a great day for the church," the Rev. Sandye Wilson of the Minnesota Diocese said. "This is a church which has finally understood that men and women created in the vision of God can be the guardians of the faith - and be gay or lesbian." People who had pressed for the choice over weeks of lobbying and days of intense pressure at this convention of hundreds of Episcopalians said they were thrilled by the outcome but also saddened by talk of a split within the church and the calls for the primates' help. "I am also mindful of the fact that our brothers and sisters are broken-hearted," Ms. Wilson said. "And I feel for them in their pain." Supporters say the decision will bring new people, especially young people, into the church, which has 2.3 million members in the United States. Opponents say just the reverse will occur; that people will stay away from their churches this weekend, stop giving donations and wonder what the church has come to stand for. Bishop-elect Robinson, 56, told reporters that his approval was a "tiny sign" of a broader movement in the church and across this country in the acceptance of gays and lesbians. As a culture, he said, "I think we're seeing the moving into a mature adulthood" about the treatment of gay people. As his longtime partner, Mark Andrew, and his grown daughter, Ella, looked on, the bishop-elect said he doubted that the approval would make much difference in Episcopalians' daily lives. While sexuality is an important issue to people, it is by no means the only one, he said. "When they go to church on Sunday," he added, "it's going to look pretty much like last Sunday." Still, he acknowledged the church members who left the convention in tears tonight. He said he hoped that he would be able to help heal some of the division and pain. The presiding bishop here, Bishop Frank T. Griswold, said the decision did not "resolve the issues about homosexuality" for the church. "What it does do," he said, "is place squarely before us the question of how a community can live in the tension of disagreement." After the vote, the Most Rev. Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury and the titular leader of the Anglican Communion, said the church faced difficult times. "The General Convention's decision to approve the appointment of Gene Robinson," the archbishop said, "will inevitably have a significant impact on the Anglican Communion throughout the world, and it is too early to say what the result of that will be. It will be vital to ensure that the concerns and needs of those across the Communion who are gravely concerned at this development can be heard, understood and taken into account." As recently as noon today, church leaders said they were uncertain whether Bishop-elect Robinson could be considered today or even by the end of the convention on Friday. The bishops had planned to vote on Monday, but delayed that indefinitely when two accusations were made against him late Sunday. The bishops began investigating. A day later, to the surprise of many here, the investigation was over. This afternoon, Bishop Gordon P. Scruton, who was assigned to investigate the accusations, told his fellow bishops that he had found "no necessity to pursue" either complaint further. Bishop Scruton, of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, said he had interviewed David A. Lewis, a church member in Manchester, Vt., who sent an e-mail message to bishops on Sunday night that accused Bishop-elect Robinson of harassment in November 1999 at a church conference in Holyoke, Mass. When Bishop Scruton called Mr. Lewis on Monday, Mr. Lewis said he "regretted having used the word 'harassment' in his e-mail," Bishop Scruton said. Mr. Lewis described two conversations with Bishop-elect Robinson at the conference, Bishop Scruton said. Mr. Lewis said the bishop-elect had touched him on the arm and upper back during the talks, which were in front of other people. Mr. Lewis said that the gestures struck him as too familiar and that they "made him feel uncomfortable," said Bishop Scruton. But he acknowledged that other people might view the exchange as normal and natural and told Bishop Scruton two times that he did not want to pursue the matter further, Bishop Scruton said. Mr. Lewis said he sent his message on Sunday night after hearing that Bishop-elect Robinson had been approved by the House of Deputies, one of two decision-making bodies in the Episcopal Church, along with the House of Bishops. Mr. Lewis said that he "found himself late Sunday night needing to tell someone of his experience," Bishop Scruton said. Bishop Scruton also cleared Bishop-elect Robinson of a second accusation, made late Sunday night by his opponents in the House of Bishops. Bishop Scruton said he had found that the bishop-elect had no involvement in a Web site for young gay people that also had links to a Web site that included pornography. Bishop-elect Robinson helped found that the organization with the site, Concord Outright, meant to help gay and lesbian teenagers. Bishop Scruton said the bishop-elect had no involvement with it since 1998. The organization created its Web site last year. Bishop-elect Robinson, who had stayed away from the convention and out of public view on the day of the investigation, reappeared this afternoon. He said he had spent his time praying and reading psalms. "I prayed a lot yesterday and felt God was very nearby," he said. He said that the church regularly conducted investigations in such cases and that he had even helped create some of the processes for investigation in his diocese in New Hampshire. Although some of his supporters had called the vote a last-minute political maneuver, Bishop-elect Robinson seemed satisfied with what had occurred. "I am proud to be in a church which works to be a safe place for all of God's children," the bishop-elect said. He said he did not recall meeting Mr. Lewis, but acknowledged that he often touched or hugged congregants. "I am a demonstrative person," he said. In Vermont, people who know Mr. Lewis described him as a husband, a father, a religious scholar, a lay reader at his Episcopal churchand a man who told the truth when he spoke. Many neighbors said they had no reason to doubt him. Others said they could only surmise that he must have felt moved to express a private thought, even in the last possible moments of a complicated process. Lou Midura, senior warden at Zion Episcopal and the sole person to speak officially about Mr. Lewis here today, said his friend and fellow parishioner wanted everyone to know one thing, that his message about the bishop-elect was meant to be privately conveyed to the Minneapolis meeting and not debated in the news media. "I'm comfortable saying I know David extremely well, and his character is beyond reproach," Mr. Midura, a house builder by trade, said in the 1782 church as television news trucks lined up in the parking lot. The investigation, which seemed so crucial on Monday, seemed to be forgotten by the time the bishops began debating before voting. The discussion was quiet and civil, and it was preceded and followed by prayer. Bishops rose from their seats around round tables to address the audience. "He's been tried, he's been weighed, he's been measured," Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the Los Angeles Diocese said. "On the extreme, he has been found morally capable." But as they rose to speak, Bishop-elect Robinson's opponents said he would bring to the broader church schism, pain and confusion. "I am absolutely committed to Jesus Christ, absolutely committed to this church, absolutely committed to this House, absolutely committed to you," Bishop Edward S. Little II of the Northern Indiana Diocese said. "If we confirm Gene Robinson as a bishop of the church, the unity of this house will be shattered forever." Other people called the warnings overblown. Look, they said, at other controversies that were also predicted to split the church like the ordination of women in 1976 and the ratifying of a woman, Barbara Harris as bishop, in 1989. This evening, Ms. Harris, who retired from the Massachusetts Diocese, said the church had survived and would once more. "I remember well the dire predictions made at the time of my election consent process," she said. "The communion, such as it is, a loose federation of autonomous provinces, has held." Others, though, were left pained by so much talk of sexuality and not enough, they said, about the other weightier issues being wrestled with every day in the church - hunger, fighting the AIDS crisis in Africa and reaching out to people searching for faith. "To my mind, this has been too much of a distraction," said Ed Cahill, 72, an alternate from the East Tennessee Diocese. In the turmoil, he said, he had a dream about a house burning down. The church has been struggling with the issue of its stand on homosexuality for decades, he said, and its efforts to sort it out at this meeting by no means ends the debate. As an alternate in the House of Deputies, Mr. Cahill did not vote on the bishop-elect. That was fortunate, he said, because he has still not made up his mind. Readers Comments (0) NBC remains hooked on Queer Eye Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:29 MST NBC remains hooked on Queer Eye The ratings success of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on the Bravo cable network has not gone unnoticed by the channel's owner, NBC. Following a successful prime-time network appearance of Queer Eye in July, NBC plans to air another half-hour version of an episode on Thursday, August 14, according to TV Guide Online. NBC will give the makeover show another boost by having its "Fab Five" panel of gay experts do their voodoo on Tonight Show host Jay Leno, his band, and the talk show's set. Queer Eye's visit to Leno's show will air on August 14-15. Readers Comments (0) ALERT-CNN Poll-on how to define Marriage Posted by: Editor Debi @ 06:28 MST Prompted by President Bush's unfortunate comments against marriage rights for gays and lesbians, CNN.com is running a poll on the issue: Should marriage be legally defined as only a union between a man and a woman? Yes or No? Please take a quick minute to visit their website to vote NO. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to find the "Quick Vote": You'll find that most of the people who voted, voted NO. LET YOUR VOTE COUNT AGAINST BUSH’S BULL!!! Readers Comments (3) Wednesday, August 06, 2003 Brazilian GLBT stage 'kiss-in' protest Posted by: Editor Debi @ 08:35 MST Brazilian GLBT stage 'kiss-in' protest Mon, 04 Aug 2003 An interesting (short) article on a recent protest in Brazil regarding open GLBT displays of affection. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3122007.stm Readers Comments (0) Monday, August 04, 2003 Far-right group sues Arizona governor Posted by: Editor Debi @ 15:58 MST Far-right group sues Arizona governor A far-right group has filed a petition with the Arizona supreme court arguing that Gov. Janet Napolitano overstepped her authority when she issued an executive order bannng employment discrimination based on sexual orientation in some state agencies. Rep. John Allen is one of three state legislators involved in the suit, which was filed by the Alliance Defense Fund. "She is trying to circumvent the system for expedience and for political purpose.... She's legislating through executive order," Allen said, referring to Napolitano. Tim Nelson, Napolitano's general counsel, said the governor acted within her authority and will fight the lawsuit. The petition, the equivalent of a civil suit, asks that the supreme court void the governor's order as unconstitutional. Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., the Alliance Defense Fund describes itself on its Web site as a "unique Christian legal organization that works to protect and defend traditional family values, religious freedom, and the sanctity of life." The lawsuit argues that the governor reached into legislative authority by setting employment policy and, in effect, made new law. Napolitano, a Democrat, announced the executive order last month at an event held by the Arizona Human Rights Fund, a gay and lesbian advocacy group. The order applies only to state agencies under her control. It does not apply to private employers, state universities, or state agencies under the control of the legislature or the courts. Nelson said the executive order does not make new law because it applies only to those agencies under the governor's authority. "It is well within the purview of the governor to say we are not going to discriminate against people on grounds that have nothing to do with job performance," he said. BOTH STORIES TAKEN FROM ADVOCATE.COM Readers Comments (0) Pennsylvania passes transgender protections Posted by: Editor Debi @ 15:58 MST Pennsylvania passes transgender protections Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell has signed an executive order barring state agencies from discriminating against employees based on their gender identity, adding transgendered people to the list of those whose rights are protected. The order adds "gender identity or expression" to the list that already includes race, religion, age, sexual orientation, and other criteria. It will generally affect people who are transgendered. "The addition of only four words to this short executive order is an important step for the recognition of personal dignity and freedom," Rendell said in a statement. Rendell spokesman Tom Hickey said the governor wants to make sure he honors people's right to personal freedom and how they express themselves. Stephen Glassman, chairman of the state's Human Relations Commission, said the change is needed, adding that he is aware of several cases in which people have been fired from state agencies based on their gender identity. "It's a difficult issue for them because there haven't been protections," Glassman said. Stephen Miskin, a spokesman for Republican house majority leader Sam Smith, said he wasn't sure of the need for the executive order. Miskin said he hadn't ever heard of any discrimination concerning gender identity in state government. "We never knew that this was an issue before," Miskin said. "In a sense, it's just out of the blue." Miskin said he hadn't seen the order and would have to talk with Rendell's office more about the reasons for the change. About 87,000 employees work for state agencies, boards, and commissions. Readers Comments (0) Republican Report gives perspective on gay marriage Posted by: Editor Debi @ 15:57 MST Rachel Olivarez-Sellers, chair of Broomfield County Democrats, has forwarded the following link to a Republican Policy Committee report to the Republican US Senate leadership analyzing the Republican perspective on gay marriage. We think it's very informative and worth reading. http://rpc.senate.gov/releases/2003/jd072903.pdf Readers Comments (0) Bush watching marriage cases in Massachusetts, New Jersey Posted by: Editor Debi @ 15:56 MST Bush watching marriage cases in Massachusetts, New Jersey President Bush is awaiting the outcomes of two state court cases that could legalize gay marriage as he considers steps to strengthen the federal definition of marriage as a man-woman union. Meanwhile, the top Senate Democrat said Thursday that existing law already limits legal recognition to heterosexual couples. "No changes necessary, in my view. You've got it in law today," said Sen. Tom Daschle. In 1996 President Clinton signed the congressionally enacted Defense of Marriage Act, Daschle noted, which denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and allows states to ignore same-sex unions licensed elsewhere. Reading from the federal code, Daschle told a news conference, "The word 'marriage' means only a legal union between one man and one woman as a husband and wife, and the word 'spouse' refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife." "You can't get any clearer than that," Daschle said, adding that he supports the current law. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the White House is monitoring a pair of state court cases on the issue. The Massachusetts supreme judicial court is weighing whether to legalize same-sex unions and could rule any day, and a superior court judge in New Jersey is considering a similar case. "We are looking at what may be needed in the context of the court cases that are pending now," McClellan told reporters Thursday. But he declined to say whether Bush favors a constitutional amendment that the House is considering that would simply ban gay marriage. Bush said at a news conference Wednesday, "I believe in the sanctity of marriage. I believe a marriage is between a man and a woman, and I think we ought to codify that one way or the other." McClellan would not elaborate on what "codify" means or why the Defense of Marriage Act's language may be insufficient for Bush. The comments from the White House coincided with a new Vatican campaign urging Roman Catholics and non-Catholics to unite in campaigning against gay marriage and gay adoption. Catholic politicians have a "moral duty" to oppose laws granting legal rights to gay couples, and non-Catholics should follow their lead, said the Vatican's orthodoxy watchdog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Bush's remarks were a nod to conservatives who were angered earlier this month after he distanced himself from the House proposal for a constitutional ban on gay marriage. Republican U.S. representative Marilyn Musgrave of Colorado wants the Constitution amended to read, "Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman." Her proposal was referred on June 25 to the House Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution. Musgrave wants "to let the people decide, not unelected judges who are virtually unaccountable to voters," she said Thursday on NBC's Today. Readers Comments (0) NYC officials defend plans for gay high school Posted by: Editor Debi @ 15:55 MST NYC officials defend plans for gay high school New York City officials on Thursday defended the creation of a new public high school for gay, bisexual, and transgendered students after the head of the state Conservative Party threatened to file a lawsuit against the school. At a City Hall news conference, supporters of Harvey Milk High School said it is needed to protect gay and lesbian students from harassment and physical attacks. "These kids are the most likely to be hurt or to hurt themselves," said city council speaker Gifford Miller. Councilwoman Margarita Lopez said students who will attend Harvey Milk "are there because they have been brutalized. This program provides them with a safe haven and a chance to get an education." State Conservative Party chairman Michael Long, a vocal critic of the school, said the school illegally discriminates against students based on sexual orientation. He said he's looking into filing a lawsuit against the city to shut the school down. The city has spent $750,000 to expand the school. "The issue is whether taxpayers' money should go toward segregated schools and promoting the gay lifestyle," Long said. "We are looking at taking many angles against this." The school is an expansion of a two-classroom public school program that began in 1984. A gay rights youth advocacy group, the Hetrick-Martin Institute, has managed and financed the program since its inception. Renovations will be complete in the fall, and officials at the school said it is open to any child threatened in school, straight or gay. Earlier Thursday more than 80 Hispanic ministers voted unanimously to back Long's effort to file a lawsuit. "Every child suffers violence, not only the gay children," said the Reverend Ruben Diaz of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization. "You do not fight violence through segregation; segregation in this country is over." Diaz said that separate schools may be needed for students with physical disabilities but not for students of different sexual orientations. "These people are normal," he said. "Normal people do not need special education." Readers Comments (0) PPGLCC Announces NEW Program: Leather Souls Posted by: Editor Debi @ 15:54 MST PPGLCC Announces NEW Program: Leather Souls, a discussion group, co-sponsored by the Pikes Peak Summit Masters, meets the first Monday of the month, from 7-8pm, at the Pride Center (716 1/2 N. Tejon). The Purpose of Leather Souls is "to educate interested individuals of the safe, sane, and consensual lifestyle of the Leather/Levi community." Online, more info is on the Pride Center webpage, www.ppglcc.org, or you can email your questions, etc to LeatherSouls@SummitMasters.com (The next three meetings are scheduled for: August 4; Because Labor day is Sept 1, we'll hold LeatherSouls on Monday Sept 8; and October 6) Readers Comments (0) Thursday, July 31, 2003 TREAT ALL COUPLES EQUILY!! Posted by: Editor Debi @ 04:52 MST TREAT ALL COUPLES EQUILY!! The majority of the Democratic candidates are willing to give same-sex couples the benefit of civil unions but not marriage. Former Governor Howard Dean of Vermont says it's "because marriage has a long, long history as a religious institution." Well he's quite right. But marriage also has a long, long history of being an economic contract involving the transfer of property (namely, thewoman as a bride) from one man (her father) to another (her future husband). It has an extremely long tradition of being that and we have bucked thatantiquated idea, the point being that marriage has evolved and changed throughout history. As a country based on separation of church and state, the government has no business sanctioning marriage of any sort and should disentangle itself from the "special status in our culture, our society, our history," that Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut claims it has. The truth is, same-sex couples can already be married in the eyes of God at various churches and temples. It's not in the eyes of God that we wish our relationships to be recognized and legalized because we already have that. It's in the eyes of our government, the one based on a separation of church and state that we wish to have our relationships and families protected and recognized. No one is trying to impose any particular belief on churches. The Catholic church, for example, often chooses to not recognize a couple's divorce. Fine. I say that all couples should be treated equally. Heterosexual couples should have to face the same situation that same-sex couples face. If they want their relationships recognized by the government and given legal weight they should have to form a secular civil union at the courthouse. They can then find whatever church they want to marry them in the eyes of God and churches can decide whether or not to marry them. Stephen Collingsworth, Williamstown Stephen.D.Collingsworth@williams.edu Readers Comments (0) SCAM ARTIST WARNING McNulty Impersonator soliciting funds Posted by: Editor Debi @ 04:48 MST Here's another part of the same scam. McNulty Impersonator soliciting funds Please spread the word! There is a person pretending to be me (Jim McNulty) saying I am in trouble and need you to send money. This person is a phony. You can reach me on my cell at 303-596-6085 or e-mail me at GayRockies@aol.com if you want to contact me. I am fine and vacationing in Laguna Beach. Will be back in Colorado next week. Again, Please spread the word or forward this e-mail to any one or group you think should be aware of this attempted scam. Thanks! Jim McNulty Readers Comments (0) PPGLCC Announces NEW Program: Posted by: Editor Debi @ 04:46 MST PPGLCC Announces NEW Program: Leather Souls, a discussion group, co-sponsored by the Pikes Peak Summit Masters, meets the first Monday of the month, from 7-8pm, at the Pride Center (716 1/2 N. Tejon). The Purpose of Leather Souls is "to educate interested individuals of the safe, sane, and consensual lifestyle of the Leather/Levi community." Online, more info is on the Pride Center webpage, www.ppglcc.org, or you can email your questions, etc to LeatherSouls@SummitMasters.com (The next three meetings are scheduled for: August 4; Because Labor day is Sept 1, we'll hold LeatherSouls on Monday Sept 8; and October 6) Readers Comments (0) MCC loses Cathedral of Hope Posted by: Editor Debi @ 04:45 MST MCC loses Cathedral of Hope The congregation of the world's largest gay and lesbian church voted Sunday to disaffiliate from the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches denomination to refocus on ministry and outreach, according to officials at Dallas's Cathedral of Hope. Preliminary results show that 89% of the church's voting members cast a yes vote to disaffiliate from the UFMCC, thus becoming an independent church. The board of directors of the Cathedral of Hope announced preliminary voting results to an estimated 500 people assembled at the culmination of the church's 33rd anniversary weekend celebration. Preliminary voting results show that 977 members voted to leave the denomination in support of the Cathedral of Hope's board, clergy, and staff leadership. Certified results will be available within the next week. Earlier this month the Reverend Michael Piazza gave up his ministry credentials to the denomination just two days before the body said it would complete an investigation concerning church finances. That complaint hadn't been made public, but officials said the accusations concerned management of the church's health insurance, the capital campaign fund, and the pastor's personal expense account. Piazza was not accused of stealing money. Piazza maintains his innocence and said he would continue his role as dean and copastor of the church. The cathedral, with more than 3,000 members, has been the 46,000-member UFMCC's largest church and contributor. Readers Comments (0) 1st public gay high school set for NY Posted by: Editor Debi @ 04:43 MST 1st public gay high school set for NY New York City is creating the nations first public high school for gays, bisexuals and transgender students. http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_email.asp?/news/945134.asp Readers Comments (0) Sunday, July 20, 2003 Human Rights Campaign is circulating petition Posted by: Editor Debi @ 16:00 MST Human Rights Campaign is circulating petition in favor of marriage for LGBT couples. Do you and your friends support the right of every American to get married, including gay and lesbian couples? If the answer is yes, please go to MillionForMarriage.org and sign our petition! You'll become one of a million Americans who support all efforts to make civil marriage for gay couples a reality in our country. That's right - we are trying to reach a MILLION Americans! Once you've signed the petition, please send it on to your friends, family and colleagues who can help build a movement for marriage equality in our country. (If everyone receiving this e-mail signs the petition and gets 2 friends to sign it, we are half way there!). This is it, friends. This is our fight. It is ours to win or lose. Please, sign the petition. MillionForMarriage.org Visit our website at www.stonwalldems.org Readers Comments (0) Thursday, July 17, 2003 Support Same-Sex Marriage Democrats Appear At Rights Forum Posted by: Editor Debi @ 20:22 MST Support Same-Sex Marriage Democrats Appear At Rights Forum By Darryl Fears Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, July 16, 2003; Page A08 Seven contenders in the Democratic race for president told the nation's largest gay rights organization yesterday that they strongly embraced the goal of equal rights and equal protection for gays. Three of them said they support same-sex marriage. But four stopped short of that. Sens. John F. Kerry (Mass.) and Joseph I. Lieberman (Conn.) drew hisses from the audience when they declined to support gay marriage, essentially saying that marriage is a historic, cultural institution. Former Vermont governor Howard Dean and Rep. Richard A. Gephardt (Mo.) were met with silence when they made similar remarks. Sens. John Edwards (N.C.) and Bob Graham (Fla.) did not attend the forum here. The candidates all said that the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that silences gays who join the military is wrong, but it was the issue of gay marriage that took center stage at the forum because of a recent Supreme Court decision that struck down a Texas law banning consensual sex between adults of the same sex. Married heterosexual couples have 1,049 rights and privileges that are not extended to same sex couples, a Human Rights Campaign official said. Elizabeth Birch, executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, said the candidates stumbled on the issue of marriage versus civil union because most of them think the difference "is too difficult to explain to the American people." (c) 2003 The Washington Post Company Readers Comments (0) Gay Marriage Debate Moves to the Mainstream Posted by: Editor Debi @ 20:19 MST Gay Marriage Debate Moves to the Mainstream The Denver Post published the following article on LGBT marriage last Sunday. Robbin, who is featured in the article, is a member of our Colorado Stonewall e-list. http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~53~1509385,00.html Readers Comments (0) Wednesday, July 16, 2003 Support HR832 Permanent Partners Immigration Act Posted by: Editor Debi @ 19:26 MST Two more co-sponsors were added to those who support HR832 Permanent Partners Immigration Act on July 9th. The two new co-sponsors are: Chris Bell from Texas & Timothy Bishop of New York, both are Democrats === Democrat View on PPIA === HRC questionairre on Democrat views on supporting the Permanet Partners Immigration Act. The full document can be viewed here: http://www.hrc.org/campaigns/2004/candidates/questionnaire.pdf Question 9: Would you support the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R. 832) which would enable an American citizen to petition for immigration sponsorship for a same-sex partner, and the INS would treat the relationships between opposite and same-sex couples in the same manner under the immigration code? BRAUN: SUPPORT. Comments: As a United States Ambassador, I know the difficulties immigration laws may impose on a loving and committed couple. There are enough obstacles for couples of differing nationalities without the arbitrary, discriminatory failure to recognize same sex couples. DEAN: SUPPORT. Comments: Current law authorizes family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents to obtain immigrant visas, but the Immigration and Nationality Act's definition of family does not include same-sex partners. I support enactment of the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R. 832) to add the term "permanent partner" to the statutory list of family members eligible to obtain immigrant visas. EDWARDS: UNDECIDED. Comments: I would consider such legislation. GEPHARDT: SUPPORT. Comments: I am a cosponsor of H.R. 832, the Permanent Partners Immigration Act because I believe the measure helps end discrimination in our immigration laws. GRAHAM: SUPPORT. Comments: As stated above, I believe that committed same sex couples should have the same legal protections as opposite sex couples. KERRY: SUPPORT. KUCINICH: SUPPORT. Comments: Representative Kucinich is an original co-sponsor of HR 832, the Permanent Partners Immigration Act. LIEBERMAN: UNDECIDED. Comments: As with other federal benefits, rights and privileges, I will promptly review immigration policy to decide how we should take concrete steps toward recognizing rights and responsibilities under federal law of same-sex couples in long-term committed relationships. SHARPTON: SUPPORT. Comments: Equal protection under the law Take care Steven Rowe 720 352 3628 steven@rowe.org www.info@glbtimmigration.org www.lgirtf.org/denver www.glbtimmigration.org Readers Comments (0) GAY LEADER AND HIS PARTNER MURDERED Posted by: Editor Debi @ 19:17 MST GAY LEADER AND HIS PARTNER MURDERED Date: July 9, 2003 Latin America & Caribbean ; Mexico ; Action Alert GAY LEADER AND HIS PARTNER MURDERED IN NOGALES, SONORA, MEXICO. DEMAND A FAIR AND IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION. RIGHT TO LIFE, RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION, RIGHT TO EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW Jorge Armenta Pequelas (27) was the president of Lesbian and Gay Collective, in Nogales, Sonora, Mixico. He was also running for a seat at the local Legislature on behalf of Convergencia Party. On June 1, 2003, Mr. Armenta and his partner, Ramsn Armando Gutiirrez Enrmquez (33) were found murdered in their apartment. Their bodies showed signs of having been tortured as well. The Sonora Prosecutor Office called the murders crimes of passion, and in an attempt to stop further investigation, added that gay couples tend to be promiscuous and to have many lovers.Activists and the local State Human Rights Commission demand that proper investigations be conducted, without isconceptions and prejudice. As time passes, the inaction of the Prosecutor Office makes these cases harder to solve. Most crimes involving gay people remain unsolved and uninvestigated in Mexico, and activists are afraid Armenta and Gutierrez's murders will join the list. IGLHRC joins local activists in demanding letters be sent to the authorities in Sonora calling for a fair and prompt investigation of the Armenta-Gutierrez murders. Please write TODAY to: Miguel Angel Cortis Ibarra Procuradurma General de Justicia del Estado de Sonora (Sonora State Prosecutor Office) Blvd. Rosales y Paseo del Canal, Colonia Centro, Edificio Sur C.P. 83000, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico Phone (52 66) 2259 4800 Fax (52 66) 2289 7098 Emails can be sent through enter www.pgjeson.gob.mx. Readers Comments (0) DON'T AMEND THE CONSTITUTION WITH ANTI-GAY BIGOTRY ALERT Posted by: Editor Debi @ 19:15 MST Friends, please forward my alert far and wide. Several of my StopDrLaura.com colleagues and I have reunited to fight the religious right's attempt to pass an anti-gay constitutional amendment. The threat is real, and we need your help. Thanks as always, JOHN *** DON'T AMEND THE CONSTITUTION WITH ANTI-GAY BIGOTRY *** www.DontAmend.com The radical right wants to throw gays in jail. The Supreme Court said "no." Now the anti-gay bigots are demanding revenge. Radical fundamentalists are demanding Congress add anti-gay language to the US Constitution, and they just might get their wish. The far-right's "Federal Marriage Amendment" will ban gay marriage, and nullify domestic partnership and civil union laws in several states and more than 100 counties, cities, and towns. Some worry that the amendment could even overturn all current and future civil rights laws protecting gays. THE THREAT IS REAL - IN THEIR OWN WORDS "Thirty-seven (37) states currently have laws banning homosexual marriage. For a constitutional amendment to become law, 38 states must approve it. As you can see, we're very close to having the necessary support across the country. Now all that remains is to convince the Republican Congress to act." - American Family Association KEY SENATE LEADERS SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has endorsed the amendment, as has homophobe Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA). And 85 out of 100 Senators voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, more than enough to pass a similar constitutional amendment. Do you really think those Senators are going to defend us now? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. WE'VE TOLERATED THEIR INTOLERANCE FOR FAR TOO LONG. Several of the founders of StopDrLaura.com have reunited to stop this bigoted attack on gay and lesbian Americans. We've launched a new Web campaign called DontAmend.com to organize our friends nationwide to stop this desecration of OUR Constitution. But to win this battle, we need your support. VISIT www.dontamend.com SIGN THE PETITION JOIN THE EMAIL LIST FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO FRIENDS Readers Comments (0) Tuesday, July 15, 2003 COUPLE LOOKING FOR GROUP FOR GAY PARENTS Posted by: Editor Debi @ 19:06 MST COUPLE LOOKING FOR GROUP FOR GAY PARENTS: My partner and I have considered starting a family and were wondering if there is some sort of group (support, social or other) that exists in Colorado Springs for folks like us. It would be nice to have the opportunity to discuss the ups/downs/possibilities of parenting with other gay/lesbian couples considering/attempting parenthood. And are there gay/lesbian parents who would be willing to share their "expertise" with those of us considering this step? Are there other issues that potential and current gay/lesbian parents want to consider/discuss in the company of similar others? Does such an animal exist? If so, please tell us how to connect. If not, we would be willing to organize such a group and, possibly, host it in our home (depending on its size). Can anyone help? Feel free to e-mail me at kprsnl@gbronline.com. Kathryn Readers Comments (0) Murder of Mexican gay activist Posted by: Editor Debi @ 19:05 MST Subject: Murder of Mexican gay activist. The following link will take you to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission's story on the recent murder of a Mexican gay leader and his partner. It will also give you contacts and a sample letter to send, demanding an investigation. http://www.iglhrc.org/site/iglhrc/section.php?id=5&detail=454 Readers Comments (0) Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition hosting films Posted by: Editor Debi @ 19:04 MST For the next few weeks, the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition is hosting a series of films and speakers dealing with the prison-craze sweeping the US and (especially) Colorado. If you're concerned about the fact that the fastest growing area of the state budget is prisons, you should attend. If you're afraid because 70% of new admissions to prison are for drug offenses, you should come. If you feel you don't know much about crime & punishment, please consider attending. All films take place in the Adult Learning Room at Penrose library, and all films start at 7pm. This Wednesday (7/16) is 'Meeting with a Killer', where a family of a murdered woman meet her killer. The discussion will be on restorative justice. Next Wednesday (7/23) is 'Corrections', a film about the privatization of prisons (didja know we have 4 already in Colorado, and are building another one?) The discussion will focus on privatization. Wednesday, 7/30, is 'We are not who you think we are', which focuses on women in prisons, and the fact they are most often poor, have been victims of sexual, emotional and physical abuse. The discussion will concern women and families in prisons. and Finally, Tuesday, August 5 CCJRC is showing 'A Prison in the Fields'. amd discussion will focus on grassroots organizing against over-incarceration. All films are free, but donations will be accepted to help cover printing costs and to fund CCJRC's work. The CCJRC website is www.ccjrc.org. For more information, call 475-8059. Readers Comments (0) Partners in Philanthropy nominations due August 16 Posted by: Editor Debi @ 19:01 MST Partners in Philanthropy nominations due August 16, 2003! The Chamber Nonprofit Partnership, Pikes Peak Funders Forum, Pikes Peak United Way, and Pikes Peak Community Foundation are hosting the 4th annual Partners in Philanthropy luncheon awards. This event honors individuals, organizations, foundations, businesses and corporations for exceptional philanthropic and volunteer contributions in Colorado Springs. We are encouraging all our members, friends, businesses, and individuals to nominate those who help make this community a better place. Awards are presented in five categories: Outstanding Foundation Outstanding, Individual Donor, Outstanding Corporate Philanthropic Program (250 employees and above), Outstanding Corporate Philanthropic Program (250 employees and below), Outstanding Fundraising Campaign Volunteer. If you need a nomination form, please contact Wendy at 719-575-4341 or email to wendy@cscc.org Please submit a nomination for anyone you believe deserves to be recognized. Thanks in advance for your participation! Wendy Courkamp Readers Comments (0)

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