File #51813: "SVGLA.Newsletter.March.2012.pdf"
Text
A+ Pet Siting
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2012
Website:
www.svgla.org
THE FAMILY
CONNECTSHEN
Mail:
P.O. Box 1023
Harrisonburg, VA 22803
T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN
Email:
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Ray Boltz in Concert
Mission Statement:
The purpose of the Shenandoah Valley Gay and
Lesbian Association is to
create a safe, affirming, and
fun environment where
members are empowered
to reach their full human
potential.
Tim Fitzgerald to open the event
Country music star Ray Boltz
Local musician Tim Fitzgerald
———————–
Upcoming Events: (pg. 6)
•Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting
• Equality Virginia Lobby
Day
Photo:
•Mardi Gras Night Fundraiser for the Valley AIDS
Network
2012 SVGLA Board of Directors
———————–
EMPOWER YOUR
COMMUNITY!
Join SVGLA
(Membership Form pg. 7)
With your annual dues of
$15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to
SVGLA events.
The
“Family
Mike Drumheller
Tim Fitzgerald
Rob Johnson
David Lane
Michele O’Connor
Grayson Sless
Jacki Walker
Teresa Whitesell
SVGLA
Con-
Send form and payment to the
mailing address above.
Level Two membership is
FREE.
You will receive the newsletter
and announcements about
SVGLA events by email.
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
———————–
nectshen” is published quarterly
(in March, June, September, and December).
EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach,
and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians.
Upcoming Event:
9th Annual Commonwealth Dinner
Saturday, April 14, Richmond, Marriott-Downtown
EV invites you to join The Annual Commonwealth Dinner, which is EV’s
signature annual event and Virginia’s largest black-tie gala gathering for
the Commonwealth’s LGBT community and our supporters. Each year, the
dinner attracts over 1,000 guests.
For more info, dinner@equalityvirginia.org or call 804.643.4816
Find EV on the web at www.equalityvirginia.org
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE!
$15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card
$25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page
$50/issue or $175/year: Half Page
$100 for a Full Page ad per issue
Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Deadline for next newsletter is Dec. 15
We’ve Adopted a Highway!
SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through
the Virginia Department of Transportation.
It’s
good
cise,
fun, it’s
exerand it’s
great for our planet.
Help us be good neighbors in our community.
Our next outing is Saturday, April/May
( is the makeup date).
Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway.
Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Community Organizations
Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia
groups.yahoo.com/group/TransRightsVA/
Equality Virginia
www.equalityvirginia.org
JMU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Ally Education
Program
http://www.jmu.edu/lgbta/
Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia
www.virginialogcabin.org/
Madison Equality JMU
orgs.jmu.edu/madisonequality
Network VA: Building LGBTQQ Coalitions on Campus
http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=211303515073¬es_tab=app_2347471856
Safe Zone JMU
www.jmu.edu/safezone/
Soulforce
www.soulforce.org
SVGLA
www.svgla.org or SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
The Trevor Project
866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)
Valley AIDS Network
www.valleyaidsnetwork.org
Virginia Organizing
www.virginia-organizing.org
Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club
www.vapartisans.org/
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2012
Page 4
We are a lay-led, religious community offering a unique spiritual
and moral witness in the Shenandoah Valley.
We invite all who search for truth
and meaning with open hearts
and open minds to join us in worship, in mutual support, and in
shared ministry to each other and
to the world.
HARRISONBURG
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
One Journey, Many Paths
V a l l e y
A I D S
For more information, contact us
at: http://huuweb.org and (540)
867-0073
N e t w o r k
F u n d r a i s e r
VAN is holding “Mardi Gras Night”, a silent auction and fundraising event on Saturday,
February 18, 2012, 7-9 pm at the Blue Nile Ethiopian Cuisine Restaurant. Tickets for
this event are $40 and include appetizers, two drinks, entertainment, and the opportunity
to bid on terrific items like gift baskets, gift cards from local restaurants, an authentic
Greek Dinner, gift certificates for services, and much more. These funds help support
the work of VAN. The Valley AIDS Network was established in 1989 and it strives to
compassionately meet the needs of individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. VAN’s goals
are to move its clients toward better health and self sufficiency, to raise awareness and
prevent the spread of the virus through education, and to serve as an advocate for those
affected by the AIDS epidemic. As housing and medical costs increase, VAN relies on
donations from the local community and fundraisers like “Mardi Gras Night” are crucial
to the on-going effectiveness of VAN. For a closer look at the Valley AIDS Network
and ticket information, visit our web site at http://www.valleyaidsnetwork.org.
COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE
❑ Friday, January 13:
Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting & First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta
& Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com)
Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story
❑ Monday, January 16
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
❑ Tuesday, January 24
Equality Virginia Lobby Day (see details page 2)
❑ Saturday, Jan. 28:
SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM SVGLA has adopted a section of
highway near Harrisonburg through the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway program. Help us be
good neighbors in the community. We will gather at the Little Grill for breakfast at 8am
and then head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work. Make-up date in case of inclement
weather is Sat.urday, February 4. Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
❑ Friday, February 3:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com)
❑ Tuesday, February 14: Happy Valentine’s Day!
❑ Saturday, Feb. 18:
Valley AIDS Network Fundraiser “Mardi Gras Night” (See details on page 5).
❑ Saturday, Feb. 18:
Mr. Gay Harrisonburg & Mr. Harrisonburg M.I. Competition Celebrate with SVGLA
Board member & Mr. Gay Harrisonburg Tim Fitzgerald and his Male Impersonator
counterpart Brysan Haze as they pass their titles on to the next representatives for 2012!
Doors open at 7pm; Showtime at 8pm, Downtown Music, 34 S. Main St, Harrisonburg
❑ Wednesday, Feb. 15
DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions for the March issue. Send
advertisements and milestones to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
❑ Friday, March 3:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com)
❑ Saturday, March 24:
Miss Harrisonburg Newcomer & Miss Harrisonburg at Large Competition
Join us as we select our new title holders to represent the community for 2012! Doors
Open at 7pm & Showtime at 8pm. Downtown Music, 34 S. Main Street.
❑ Friday, April 6:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com).
❑ Saturday, April 14:
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC. Concert at JMU’s Forbes Center
benefiting the Valley AIDS Network. To order tickets, go to http://www.jmu.edu/
jmuarts/forbescenter/
Submit items for the community events schedule to lanedj@jmu.edu
Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2012
Page 6
EMPOWER YOUR
COMMUNITY!
We need your support to continue as a viable and evolving community
presence working on your behalf. The goals of SVGLA are:
•
To gather and communicate important community information.
•
To collaborate with allies and inclusive community organizations.
•
To organize events within the greater Valley area for social and educational
networking with LGBT people.
Level 1 Support—$15 per person
Level 1 support helps SVGLA with mailing and administrative costs throughout the
year. A level 1 commitment of support gets you the following:
•
•
•
•
Your choice—a hard copy of the newsletter mailed to your address, an e-mailed version of the newsletter, or both.
A vote for members of the SVLGA Board of Directors (membership renewals due by
December 1 to vote for the 2012 Board).
Advance information about SVGLA events
Level I membership is from July 1, 2011-July 1, 2012.
Level 2 Support—No Cost
Level 2 support keeps you in the loop. A level 2 commitment of support gets you an emailed version of the newsletter and advanced information about all SVGLA events.
Check one of the following levels of support and complete the form below:
Level 1 Support (please include a check for $15 for each person)
Mailed hard copy of the newsletter
E-mailed version of the newsletter
Both
Level 2 Support (Free)
Name #1
Name #2
Address #1:
Address #2:
E-mail #1:
E-mail #2:
I/we verify that I am/we are at least 18 years of age.
Please send this form to: SVGLA, P.O. Box 1023, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
IN THE NEWS…
Massachusetts Bans Gender Identity or Expression Discrimination
The Massachusetts Legislature voted to pass the Transgender Equal Rights Bill. The bill adds
protections to the state’s civil rights laws against discrimination in employment, housing, education, and credit based on gender identity or expression and adds gender identity and expression to
the state’s hate crimes law. The bill will go into effect 90 days after it is signed by Governor Patrick. Massachusetts will become the 16th state along with the District of Columbia in prohibiting
discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression.
Lesbian Activist Honored with Presidential Citizens Medal
Janice Langbehn, who helped secure hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples across the
country received the nation’s second-highest civilian honor from President Barack Obama -- the
Presidential Citizens Medal. In 2007 Langbehn was kept from the bedside of her partner, who lay
dying in a Florida hospital. A story about the ordeal prompted the president to instruct his administration to issue new rules requiring hospitals to abide by the wishes of patients who designate
their same-sex partners for visitation rights.
Walmart Adds “Gender Identity” to Nondiscrimination Policy
Mega-retailer Wal-Mart has quietly added language to its employee nondiscrimination policy that
forbids employment bias based on gender identity and expression. A spokesman said the change
was part of a routine review of employment policies and was not related to a complaint.
Quotable:
"I do not think We know
our own Strength
until we have seen
how strong Love makes us.”
—Curly Girl
HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR LEVEL I
SVGLA MEMBERSHIP?
Renewal forms were mailed to all
Level I members in July.
THANK YOU for your continued
support of SVGLA.
LGBTA Education Program
The LGBT & Ally Education Program at
JMU is moving to North Campus in the East
Tower of the Old Hospital. We will be moving over Thanksgiving break along with the
Clinic Services, Student Wellness & Outreach
and Substance Abuse Prevention. We will be
located on the 5th floor and will resume office hours after Thanksgiving Break. Come
visit us in our new space in room E506.
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE!
$15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card
$25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page
$50/issue or $175/year: Half Page
$100 for a Full Page ad per issue
Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Deadline for March newsletter is February 15
Ballots for the 2012 SVGLA Board of Directors will be sent to
Level I members in December. Votes must be received by
1/10/12. Results will be announced at the Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting (which coincides with January’s First Friday).
Milestone
Civil Rights Pioneer for Modern LGBT Rights Movement Dies
Dr. Frank Kameny (May 21, 1925-October 11, 2011)
Dr. Frank Kennedy was one of the most significant figures in the modern LGBT rights movement in the United
States. In 1957, he was terminated from his position in the federal government because of his sexual orientation,
which led him to a lifetime of activism for LGBT rights. In 1961, he argued his case before the US Supreme
Court, and founded the Mattachine Society of Washington, one of the earliest LGBT organizations in the U.S.
Kameny and Barbara Gittings co-organized demonstrations for gay and lesbian rights at Independence Hall and
the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia each July 4th from 1965 to 1969, where an Historic Marker recognizes the site.
They also protested the annual meetings of the American Psychiatric Association in the early 1970s. The APA
voted in 1973 to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. In 2006, the Library of Congress acquired Kameny’s papers, documenting his biography and lifetime of civil rights work.
In 2007, the Smithsonian Museum of American History included an exhibit of the original picket signs Kameny
carried in demonstrations in front of the White House. In 2009, his home was designated a DC Historic Landmark. Also in 2009, John Berry, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, formally apologized to Kameny on behalf of the US government and presented Kameny with the Theodore Roosevelt Award, the department’s most prestigious award.
In 2010, Kameny was seated at the front row of the gathering where President Barack Obama signed the “Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act.” Also in 2010, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty unveiled street signs designating a section of
17th Street as “Frank Kameny Way” in his honor. On November 2, 2011, Kameny’s house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Kameny’s early activism is featured in the documentary Gay Pioneers (www.gaypioneers.com), about the beginnings of the modern LGBT civil rights movement in the US.
Milestones
The “Family ConnectShen” is pleased to publish notices of significant events and other milestones (free
of charge) for SVGLA members. The newsletter is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and
December). To submit a milestone (anniversary, birthday, engagement, birth, death, other) for the January 2012 issue of the newsletter, send the following to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com: Full name and
phone number (including area code, for verification purposes), type of milestone, and a brief description
in 75 words or less. SVGLA reserves the right to publish or deny submissions. Incomplete or unverifiable submissions will not be considered.
Happy Holidays and Good Tidings for 2012!
Join us at the annual SVGLA membership meeting (also
the monthly potluck) on January 13, where we will
announce the 2012 SVGLA Board of Directors.
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2012
Website:
www.svgla.org
THE FAMILY
CONNECTSHEN
Mail:
P.O. Box 1023
Harrisonburg, VA 22803
T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN
Email:
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Ray Boltz in Concert
Mission Statement:
The purpose of the Shenandoah Valley Gay and
Lesbian Association is to
create a safe, affirming, and
fun environment where
members are empowered
to reach their full human
potential.
Tim Fitzgerald to open the event
Country music star Ray Boltz
Local musician Tim Fitzgerald
———————–
Upcoming Events: (pg. 6)
•Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting
• Equality Virginia Lobby
Day
Photo:
•Mardi Gras Night Fundraiser for the Valley AIDS
Network
2012 SVGLA Board of Directors
———————–
EMPOWER YOUR
COMMUNITY!
Join SVGLA
(Membership Form pg. 7)
With your annual dues of
$15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to
SVGLA events.
The
“Family
Mike Drumheller
Tim Fitzgerald
Rob Johnson
David Lane
Michele O’Connor
Grayson Sless
Jacki Walker
Teresa Whitesell
SVGLA
Con-
Send form and payment to the
mailing address above.
Level Two membership is
FREE.
You will receive the newsletter
and announcements about
SVGLA events by email.
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
———————–
nectshen” is published quarterly
(in March, June, September, and December).
EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach,
and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians.
Upcoming Event:
9th Annual Commonwealth Dinner
Saturday, April 14, Richmond, Marriott-Downtown
EV invites you to join The Annual Commonwealth Dinner, which is EV’s
signature annual event and Virginia’s largest black-tie gala gathering for
the Commonwealth’s LGBT community and our supporters. Each year, the
dinner attracts over 1,000 guests.
For more info, dinner@equalityvirginia.org or call 804.643.4816
Find EV on the web at www.equalityvirginia.org
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE!
$15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card
$25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page
$50/issue or $175/year: Half Page
$100 for a Full Page ad per issue
Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Deadline for next newsletter is Dec. 15
We’ve Adopted a Highway!
SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through
the Virginia Department of Transportation.
It’s
good
cise,
fun, it’s
exerand it’s
great for our planet.
Help us be good neighbors in our community.
Our next outing is Saturday, April/May
( is the makeup date).
Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway.
Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Community Organizations
Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia
groups.yahoo.com/group/TransRightsVA/
Equality Virginia
www.equalityvirginia.org
JMU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Ally Education
Program
http://www.jmu.edu/lgbta/
Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia
www.virginialogcabin.org/
Madison Equality JMU
orgs.jmu.edu/madisonequality
Network VA: Building LGBTQQ Coalitions on Campus
http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=211303515073¬es_tab=app_2347471856
Safe Zone JMU
www.jmu.edu/safezone/
Soulforce
www.soulforce.org
SVGLA
www.svgla.org or SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
The Trevor Project
866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)
Valley AIDS Network
www.valleyaidsnetwork.org
Virginia Organizing
www.virginia-organizing.org
Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club
www.vapartisans.org/
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2012
Page 4
We are a lay-led, religious community offering a unique spiritual
and moral witness in the Shenandoah Valley.
We invite all who search for truth
and meaning with open hearts
and open minds to join us in worship, in mutual support, and in
shared ministry to each other and
to the world.
HARRISONBURG
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
One Journey, Many Paths
V a l l e y
A I D S
For more information, contact us
at: http://huuweb.org and (540)
867-0073
N e t w o r k
F u n d r a i s e r
VAN is holding “Mardi Gras Night”, a silent auction and fundraising event on Saturday,
February 18, 2012, 7-9 pm at the Blue Nile Ethiopian Cuisine Restaurant. Tickets for
this event are $40 and include appetizers, two drinks, entertainment, and the opportunity
to bid on terrific items like gift baskets, gift cards from local restaurants, an authentic
Greek Dinner, gift certificates for services, and much more. These funds help support
the work of VAN. The Valley AIDS Network was established in 1989 and it strives to
compassionately meet the needs of individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. VAN’s goals
are to move its clients toward better health and self sufficiency, to raise awareness and
prevent the spread of the virus through education, and to serve as an advocate for those
affected by the AIDS epidemic. As housing and medical costs increase, VAN relies on
donations from the local community and fundraisers like “Mardi Gras Night” are crucial
to the on-going effectiveness of VAN. For a closer look at the Valley AIDS Network
and ticket information, visit our web site at http://www.valleyaidsnetwork.org.
COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE
❑ Friday, January 13:
Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting & First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta
& Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com)
Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story
❑ Monday, January 16
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
❑ Tuesday, January 24
Equality Virginia Lobby Day (see details page 2)
❑ Saturday, Jan. 28:
SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM SVGLA has adopted a section of
highway near Harrisonburg through the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway program. Help us be
good neighbors in the community. We will gather at the Little Grill for breakfast at 8am
and then head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work. Make-up date in case of inclement
weather is Sat.urday, February 4. Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
❑ Friday, February 3:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com)
❑ Tuesday, February 14: Happy Valentine’s Day!
❑ Saturday, Feb. 18:
Valley AIDS Network Fundraiser “Mardi Gras Night” (See details on page 5).
❑ Saturday, Feb. 18:
Mr. Gay Harrisonburg & Mr. Harrisonburg M.I. Competition Celebrate with SVGLA
Board member & Mr. Gay Harrisonburg Tim Fitzgerald and his Male Impersonator
counterpart Brysan Haze as they pass their titles on to the next representatives for 2012!
Doors open at 7pm; Showtime at 8pm, Downtown Music, 34 S. Main St, Harrisonburg
❑ Wednesday, Feb. 15
DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions for the March issue. Send
advertisements and milestones to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
❑ Friday, March 3:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com)
❑ Saturday, March 24:
Miss Harrisonburg Newcomer & Miss Harrisonburg at Large Competition
Join us as we select our new title holders to represent the community for 2012! Doors
Open at 7pm & Showtime at 8pm. Downtown Music, 34 S. Main Street.
❑ Friday, April 6:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com).
❑ Saturday, April 14:
Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC. Concert at JMU’s Forbes Center
benefiting the Valley AIDS Network. To order tickets, go to http://www.jmu.edu/
jmuarts/forbescenter/
Submit items for the community events schedule to lanedj@jmu.edu
Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2012
Page 6
EMPOWER YOUR
COMMUNITY!
We need your support to continue as a viable and evolving community
presence working on your behalf. The goals of SVGLA are:
•
To gather and communicate important community information.
•
To collaborate with allies and inclusive community organizations.
•
To organize events within the greater Valley area for social and educational
networking with LGBT people.
Level 1 Support—$15 per person
Level 1 support helps SVGLA with mailing and administrative costs throughout the
year. A level 1 commitment of support gets you the following:
•
•
•
•
Your choice—a hard copy of the newsletter mailed to your address, an e-mailed version of the newsletter, or both.
A vote for members of the SVLGA Board of Directors (membership renewals due by
December 1 to vote for the 2012 Board).
Advance information about SVGLA events
Level I membership is from July 1, 2011-July 1, 2012.
Level 2 Support—No Cost
Level 2 support keeps you in the loop. A level 2 commitment of support gets you an emailed version of the newsletter and advanced information about all SVGLA events.
Check one of the following levels of support and complete the form below:
Level 1 Support (please include a check for $15 for each person)
Mailed hard copy of the newsletter
E-mailed version of the newsletter
Both
Level 2 Support (Free)
Name #1
Name #2
Address #1:
Address #2:
E-mail #1:
E-mail #2:
I/we verify that I am/we are at least 18 years of age.
Please send this form to: SVGLA, P.O. Box 1023, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
IN THE NEWS…
Massachusetts Bans Gender Identity or Expression Discrimination
The Massachusetts Legislature voted to pass the Transgender Equal Rights Bill. The bill adds
protections to the state’s civil rights laws against discrimination in employment, housing, education, and credit based on gender identity or expression and adds gender identity and expression to
the state’s hate crimes law. The bill will go into effect 90 days after it is signed by Governor Patrick. Massachusetts will become the 16th state along with the District of Columbia in prohibiting
discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression.
Lesbian Activist Honored with Presidential Citizens Medal
Janice Langbehn, who helped secure hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples across the
country received the nation’s second-highest civilian honor from President Barack Obama -- the
Presidential Citizens Medal. In 2007 Langbehn was kept from the bedside of her partner, who lay
dying in a Florida hospital. A story about the ordeal prompted the president to instruct his administration to issue new rules requiring hospitals to abide by the wishes of patients who designate
their same-sex partners for visitation rights.
Walmart Adds “Gender Identity” to Nondiscrimination Policy
Mega-retailer Wal-Mart has quietly added language to its employee nondiscrimination policy that
forbids employment bias based on gender identity and expression. A spokesman said the change
was part of a routine review of employment policies and was not related to a complaint.
Quotable:
"I do not think We know
our own Strength
until we have seen
how strong Love makes us.”
—Curly Girl
HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR LEVEL I
SVGLA MEMBERSHIP?
Renewal forms were mailed to all
Level I members in July.
THANK YOU for your continued
support of SVGLA.
LGBTA Education Program
The LGBT & Ally Education Program at
JMU is moving to North Campus in the East
Tower of the Old Hospital. We will be moving over Thanksgiving break along with the
Clinic Services, Student Wellness & Outreach
and Substance Abuse Prevention. We will be
located on the 5th floor and will resume office hours after Thanksgiving Break. Come
visit us in our new space in room E506.
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE!
$15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card
$25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page
$50/issue or $175/year: Half Page
$100 for a Full Page ad per issue
Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Deadline for March newsletter is February 15
Ballots for the 2012 SVGLA Board of Directors will be sent to
Level I members in December. Votes must be received by
1/10/12. Results will be announced at the Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting (which coincides with January’s First Friday).
Milestone
Civil Rights Pioneer for Modern LGBT Rights Movement Dies
Dr. Frank Kameny (May 21, 1925-October 11, 2011)
Dr. Frank Kennedy was one of the most significant figures in the modern LGBT rights movement in the United
States. In 1957, he was terminated from his position in the federal government because of his sexual orientation,
which led him to a lifetime of activism for LGBT rights. In 1961, he argued his case before the US Supreme
Court, and founded the Mattachine Society of Washington, one of the earliest LGBT organizations in the U.S.
Kameny and Barbara Gittings co-organized demonstrations for gay and lesbian rights at Independence Hall and
the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia each July 4th from 1965 to 1969, where an Historic Marker recognizes the site.
They also protested the annual meetings of the American Psychiatric Association in the early 1970s. The APA
voted in 1973 to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. In 2006, the Library of Congress acquired Kameny’s papers, documenting his biography and lifetime of civil rights work.
In 2007, the Smithsonian Museum of American History included an exhibit of the original picket signs Kameny
carried in demonstrations in front of the White House. In 2009, his home was designated a DC Historic Landmark. Also in 2009, John Berry, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, formally apologized to Kameny on behalf of the US government and presented Kameny with the Theodore Roosevelt Award, the department’s most prestigious award.
In 2010, Kameny was seated at the front row of the gathering where President Barack Obama signed the “Don’t
Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act.” Also in 2010, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty unveiled street signs designating a section of
17th Street as “Frank Kameny Way” in his honor. On November 2, 2011, Kameny’s house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Kameny’s early activism is featured in the documentary Gay Pioneers (www.gaypioneers.com), about the beginnings of the modern LGBT civil rights movement in the US.
Milestones
The “Family ConnectShen” is pleased to publish notices of significant events and other milestones (free
of charge) for SVGLA members. The newsletter is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and
December). To submit a milestone (anniversary, birthday, engagement, birth, death, other) for the January 2012 issue of the newsletter, send the following to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com: Full name and
phone number (including area code, for verification purposes), type of milestone, and a brief description
in 75 words or less. SVGLA reserves the right to publish or deny submissions. Incomplete or unverifiable submissions will not be considered.
Happy Holidays and Good Tidings for 2012!
Join us at the annual SVGLA membership meeting (also
the monthly potluck) on January 13, where we will
announce the 2012 SVGLA Board of Directors.