MARCH/APRIL 2005 ISSUE
Equal Rights Colorado Hard at Work
by Jeff Basinger
The all-volunteer group, Equal Rights Colorado, has been paying attention every day to what is happening inside the Colorado State capitol. With the change-over to Democratic control in both the House and Senate last election our pro-equality legislation is advancing out of committees to the full floor of both chambers. So far in 2005 bills that are in process would add sexual orientation and gender expression to Colorado’s non-discrimination laws for housing, jobs and public accommodations; allow same-sex couples to adopt each others children giving greater safety and protection to kids; and add sexual orientation and gender expression to Colorado’s Ethnic Intimidation Act, known as hate crimes.
Of course the anti-equality forces are hard at work also to derail these efforts and advance their own agenda of discrimination and fear. It is a fine line everyone is walking this year as 2006 is an election year and no one wants to lose the progress being gained.
In 2006 we will see a ballot initiative circulating to ban same-sex marriage in Colorado similar to what passed in eleven states last November. We can count on an ugly and divisive battle for a Constitutional amendment. The Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C. is watching Colorado very closely and giving Equal Rights Colorado a grant to help organize the fight against this ballot initiative.
If you would like to support the efforts of Equal Rights Colorado go to www.equalrightscolorado.org and sign up for legislative alerts and make a tax-deductible contribution today!
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Soulforce Challenges Dobson on Gays
excerpted from a 2/25/05 article by Bob Allen
Soulforce, a gay-rights group headed by the Reverend Mel White, is accusing Focus on the Family’s James Dobson of spreading “misinformation” about homosexuals through his radio broadcasts and political involvement. Soulforce announced a May Day rally at Dobson’s headquarters in Colorado Springs to challenge statements by the religious broadcaster. Dobson claims he reaches more than 200 million people a day in 20 languages around the world and is amassing political clout over church and state with his push for the Federal Marriage Amendment banning same-sex marriage in the United States.
White says Dobson must be confronted because their beliefs demonize and dehumanize gays, which leads to denial of their civil rights and enables gay bashers. Colorado Springs family counselor and psychotherapist, Jeff Lutes, who authored a booklet, A False Focus on My Family, says Dobson’s rhetoric is spiritually violent, misleading, and leads people to believe homosexuality is a mental disorder, destructive and unfit for marriage and families, can be cured, and homosexuals and lesbians are sick and ungodly and want special rights. The booklet also asks Dobson to publicly acknowledge his views are not universally shared by Christian scholars nor the majority of psychiatrists, psychologists and other health and mental health professionals.
Soulforce named the Sunday, May 1 event “MAYDAY MAYDAY”, the internationally recognized distress signal used to indicate a life-threatening situation. Learn more about Soulforce by going to www.soulforce.org.
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New Date for Potluck Boardmeetings
Western Equality has changed the date of its potluck board meetings from the second Monday to the first Thursday of each month. Bring a dish, if you can, and join us at our office @ 6 p.m. on June 2nd, July 7th, Aug 4th and so on. We enjoy meeting members and allies and appreciate your input. Hope to see you there.
Update from AmeriCorps Staff @ W.E.
by Mike Morris and Gloria Perez
Hello from the AmeriCorps staff at Western Equality! Here's an update as to what we have been doing since the last newsletter!
Journey to a Hate Free Millennium
We continue to show this powerful documentary in a variety of venues and have had personal testimonies that have been very positive! We are making a difference with each showing. To date we have shown Journey... to over 400 people in 27 different venues. Not bad considering we’ve been in the field for just 6 months now! We showed Journey... to the public in a large-scale setting agai at Mesa State College's Liff Auditorium on April 20th. We plan to have another public showing in the future -- stay tuned to learn when/where!
Grand Valley Resource Directory for GLBT People
This project is moving right along! Of the five categories (for now), spiritual, mental health, medical, law enforcement and legal providers, we are working on, there have been exciting and positive responses from providers who are willing to include GLBT people in their practices. We are now compiling the collected data and putting the pieces together. We offer a big thanks to all of the supportive professionals offering their friendly services to our community!
Safe Zone at the Tree House & Bistro
We have had requests from case managers, counselors and community members for a program/group offering services and support to young GLBT people. This is really awesome! We have had conversations with the director at the Tree House and the Bistro regarding these two locations being safe places for GLBT young people to hang out.
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Local Activities for GLBTA People
by Mike Morris
Hello readers, I would like invite folks to come along for some local activities for GLBTA people. You may remember hearing about PAC (PRIDE Activity Committee) in past newsletters. We’ve gathered each month this year.
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In January we gathered to bowl – a “bowl” of fun – Really!
-- In February we soaked in the warm lithium waters of Orvis – Ahh.
-- In March we hiked Liberty Cap near the Monument – Beautiful!
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On April 9th, the weather put a damper on our plan to hike and/or bike in Bridgeport. Bridgeport is a phenomenal place (BLM land) between G.J. and Delta with waterfalls, red rocks and seclusion!
-- On May 1st we had a picnic
I would like to write a bit about PRIDE Club at MSC. PRIDE is “under construction” if you will. The club has fresh leadership with ideas that look very attractive! We're looking at ways to contribute back to the community, ways to further support the younger people within the GLBT community, and to establish a more positive presence in the community. So, long story short: we’re community building.
We gather Wednesday evenings at 5:00 in the student center (Elm and 12th.) Regardless of age, if you are GLBT friendly, come on by! If you have any questions, comments, suggestions please call the WE office!
Thanks for peace. --Mike
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Family, Friends, and Neighbors On-Air Fundraiser
by Jeff Basinger So, now you know how it feels!
As you may or may not know, Western Equality has hosted a monthly radio program on community radio KAFM 88.1 FM for over three years. Family, Friends and Neighbors airs at noon on the last Monday of each month, and is sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado. This past month Western Equality also hosted one hour of live fund raising talking about diversity as a value to our community and what a safe and wonderful home KAFM is for us.
Even though we didn’t know it at the time, a listener stopped into the station to let them know "he was withdrawing his support because KAFM supports those queers!" Needless to say, the staff and volunteers who had to hear and confront this were visibly shaken, and now they know how threats, intimidation, and discrimination feels.
KAFM is an incredible opportunity for communication, education and support, so please listen as often as you enjoy and send a donation on behalf of Western Equality. It is truly equality on air!
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Government Invades Private Lives
by Tim O'Brien
Well they have done it again. Considering all the problems we have in the United States; the economy, Social Security, the war in Iraq, the devaluation of the dollar against the Euro, and the tens-of-millions without healthcare it would seem that our government, mainly the religious right, would have something better to do that stick its big fat unwelcome nose in the private affairs of others.
I am talking about Terri Schaivo and the Michigan bill that would allow doctors to refuse treatment to gays. What!? I am sure that all of us have heard about the woman in Florida who has been brain dead for years and kept alive artificially. She died on Thursday after years of court battles involving the governor of Florida, the President of the United States, the Pope, Jesse Jackson and everyone else that wanted to promote the agenda of the Religious Right and Big Brother trying to tell us how to live our lives and promote their hypocrisy. But what most of you do not know is that on Wednesday the Michigan State House of Representatives passed a bill allowing doctors and health care workers to refuse to treat gay patients if they desire, on moral ethical or religious grounds without fear of being sued or disciplined. You heard is right! The bill is called The Conscientious Objector Policy Act and is now going to the Michigan Senate, which is also controlled by the Republican Party and is expected to pass. The Michigan Catholic Conference pushed the Bill for passage. On the same day three other bills were passed which would “exempt a health insurer or health facility from providing or covering a health care procedure that violated ethical, moral or religious principals in their bylaws or mission statement”. Where will it end? Considering the “gay agenda” and our desire to obtain rights of medical decision making concerning our partner, rights of partners in the raising of our families, inheritance rights, employment and housing discrimination and the host of other concerns of everyday life in the G.L.B.T. world, I find these trends alarming to say the least! If you also find these trends alarming, then I urge you to contact your congressman and Senators and others in the Colorado Legislature. Even if you feel that they are not "on our side,” contact them and let them know how you feel. Who knows--maybe they might be concerned about getting re-elected?
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WestCAP Continues to REACH Out
WestCAP (Western Colorado AIDS Project) will be gathering gay and bisexual men in rural Colorado together again in 2005 for ManREACH (Rural Education in Action for Community Health.)
In 2004, 25 men from around Colorado gathered over Memorial Day weekend at Red Rock Ranch in Westcliff to plan a larger gathering, which was held the last weekend of August at Bison Peak Lodge in Park County. 63 men from around Colorado came together for a weekend of heart-centered experiences, activities and, camaraderie. In a drug- and alcohol-free environment stories were shared, deep friendships were forged, and seeds for a healthier men’s community were nurtured.
The planning for 2005 is already underway and the first gathering will be held on the Grand Mesa in late June or early July. If you would like more information on ManREACH contact Mike Morris or Jeff Basinger at WestCAP, 970-243-2437.
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GAY AA
If you have substance abuse issues and identify as gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender, or queer, this is a 12-step support group just for you. You are not required to be either gay or alcoholic to attend this group -- just willing to work the steps and improve your life. The meeting is held at Community Hospital at 7:00 p.m. each Tuesday night. The room assignment varies, so just go to the main check-in desk and ask for Christina, or the "AA group." The nice woman there, who never bites, will tell you where to find it.
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Fundraising Events Update
by Tim O'Brien and Jay Martinez
Pride Picnic Slated for June;
Gay Prom Cancelled;
Two Groups Honored at Masquerade
Unfortunately the Gay Prom scheduled for the May 2005 had to be cancelled. We hope to bring back this event to the Grand Valley next year.
Masquerade 2005
Another Masquerade has come and gone. In case you missed it, the "gay-la" event was held March 12th at the Grand Junction Hotel. This year’s theme was WWII big band swing, complete with a swing band playing retro hits. It was a lot of fun to see guests in 1940’s military and civilian costumes dancing to the music of the time.
At this year's event, we honored two outstanding organizations and presented awards in recognition for community service. The first award went to the Western Colorado Congress, for their help sponsoring our two hardworking AmeriCorps volunteers. The second award was given to AmeriCorps. These awards were given in appreciation for all the good work both organizations do here in the Grand Valley.
The planning committee for Masquerade did a great job putting the event together, and I am sure every one had a good time. The turn out was pretty good, and we look forward to an even bigger event next year. WE would like to say "Thank You!" to all volunteers that made the event possible and hope to see all of you at the Pride Picnic in June and OutFest scheduled for August.
PRIDE Picnic
Western Equality will hold its annual Potluck Pride Picnic on Sunday, June 19th at Hawthorne Park in Grand Junction. As with past picnics we expect a fun-filled afternoon of music, lawn games, great food, and good company. Please plan on attending and bring all of your GLBT family and friends.
Western Equality uses profits from special events to fund our GLBT Resource Directory, our AmeriCorp program, the showing of Journey to a Hate Free Millennium, our sponsoring of KAFM radio and our monthly radio show, providing regular office hours to those in our GLBT community in need of refferals for legal services and other important information, and providing a sense of community for GLBT’s on the Western Slope.
If you have suggestions to make our events more fabulous, would like to be a part of the planning stages of these events, or volunteer, please contact us or come to one of our board meeting potlucks. See you all soon.
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