Articles From Our March, 2001 Newsletter

MARCH 11th PROGRAM FEATURES PASSAGES

For those of you who may not know, Passages, founded in 1990, is Kansas City's only organization with the sole mission of reaching out to GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning) youth and providing them with safe and healthy options for socialization and education.

Every Sunday a different program is offered to the youth, and adult volunteers facilitate the meetings. They are usually held at MCC (Metropolitan Community Church--Spirit of Hope). Last year the group completed their first year of an HIV prevention grant through DIFFA (Design Institute Foundation for AIDS) for outreach to homeless youth.

Members from Passages will be here to share about their organization. Come and join us on the 11th of March for an interesting and informative program.

Our meeting starts at 3pm and the program will begin at 4:30pm. 
Letter: TO THE EDITOR: Gay Penguins 
(In response to a previous letter writer)
Honolulu Midweek

Phil Barnett is misinformed about homosexuality on two counts: religion and nature. First, according to Robert Aitken, a zen master and author of nine books, Buddhism has nothing negative to say about same-sex relationships. Zip. Nada. Buddhism's counsels against the misuse of sexuality -- say, for dominance or power --apply to everyone, gay and non-gay.

Second, same-sex behavior is natural, according to the book "Biological Exuberance." Penguins and porcupines and porpoises do it. Giraffes and elephants and monkeys do it. Of the 2,000 species whose full range of sexuality has been observed, same-sex activity has been seen in 450 species, or about 20%. The activity can be brief or last for years. Female bears co-parent cubs, and greylag geese bond in same-sex pairs for their 16 year lifespans.

Wait, it gets more complicated. Some fish -- angelfish, for example -- are born one sex, and turn into the other as they mature. Male wrasses have harems, but if the male is killed, a female will change her sex and become the male leader. Mother Nature is keeping an open mind. Let's follow her lead.

- Tracey Bennett
From Our President

Dear PFLAG-KC - 
A couple of weeks ago I was reminded of how powerful it is to come out and how coming out offers support to others. At an Elderhostel program in Savannah, Georgia, during participant introduction time, I shared my involvement in PFLAG. Later that evening two women told me that they have lesbian daughters and thanked me for being open about my gay son and PFLAG. The next day a married couple told me that they have a gay grandson. They were tentative and anxious and I suggested they contact their local PFLAG chapter which they assured me they will do. 

Later that week a program participant made a homophobic remark and someone at the table reprimanded him. He immediately apologized profusely and I know that consciousness was raised among the group. Coming out as family and friends educates and advocates and, although it's often scary to do it, it does make the world safer for our lgbt loved ones.

On another note, Lobby Day (Feb.21) in Jefferson City, sponsored by the Privacy Rights Education Project (PREP) was a great success and personally, I learned so much and had a delightful time. I met with my State Senator, State Representative, and other elected officials about civil rights legislation lgbt people, repeal of the Missouri sexual misconduct law, and same-sex marriage. They were all courteous and respectful and I realized how much education our elected officials need about lgbt issues. It is important that they know that we, who vote and pay their salaries are vocally and actively lobbying for full human and civil rights for our gay children and friends. I plan to go back next year and hope lots more people will join us.

Helen Cohen

A Valentine Message to President Bush

Dear President Bush,

Happy Valentine's Day! I have just sent Valentine greetings to my two adult daughters and thought that you might appreciate a greeting as well. One of my daughters is in a lifetime, committed relationship with a woman and they have a young son together. I have difficulty finding a Valentine card that fits their family because they are not yet honored for the wonderful, loving, hard-working family that they truly are.

They are active in their local church, the church in which their commitment was celebrated. My other daughter is in a lifetime, committed relationship with a man and they have a young daughter together. I have no difficulty finding a Valentine card for them. Both couples are loving families even though the heterosexual couple rarely goes to church. You know from being a father yourself that we just can't judge these young folks, can we.

As you begin your long years in the Oval Office, Mr. President, I would wish for you that your days and your heart be filled with the spirit of Valentine's Day, a spirit of love and justice and equality for both of my daughters and their families as well as for the earth which suffers each moment from the results of our over-use. I would ask you to honor both of my daughters as you make decisions that affect their future and the future of our fine nation.

Sincerely,
Marsha Buck
Juneau, AK
Follies!

"Follies!", the spring concert of Kansas City's 100-voice Heartland Men's Chorus, will be presented on Saturday, March 31 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, April 1 at 4:00 pm. Both performances will be presented at the historic Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th Street, in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. 

The program is a tribute to the Folly Theater, "the grand old dame of 12th street" which has recently re-opened after a grand restoration and is celebrating her 100th birthday. The Folly has been the performing home of the Heartland Men's Chorus, Kansas City's gay men's chorus since 1994. While they are known for performance excellence and a rich, lush sound, the group also brings a unique sense of humor and an element of surprise to each of their concerts, producing fun and delightful entertainment.

This musical romp through the 20th century will celebrate the Folly's high-spirited past, a kaleidoscope of grand opera and jazz, legitimate theater and vaudeville, classic Shakespeare and striptease. The Folly has seen it all -- and so can you, in Follies! This blend of high-hat opera and low-brow humor, barbershop melodies and soft-shoe dances, handsome military men and flashy "showgirls," twirling flags and all that jazz, will transport you to a past era where "Anything Goes!"

Tickets are available for $22.50, $18.50, and $16.50 by calling the Heartland Men's Chorus office at 816-931-3338.

Finland Proposes Same-Sex Unions

Copyright (C)2000 Associated Press

The government of Finland has proposed legalizing gay partnerships but said same-sex couples should not be allowed to adopt children or share a last name.

The proposal now goes to Parliament, where the measure is expected to be approved. Under the proposal, same-sex couples 18 years or older could make their union official in a civil ceremony, comparable to matrimony but "a separate legal institution." Gay couples would have the same rights as those who are married when it comes to inheritance and divorce.

The legislation should go further, the Finnish Lesbian and Gay Association said. "Naturally, we are happy that it has at last got this far after eight years of work...but we are disappointed in the clauses about adoption and a joint surname."

The Finnish evangelical Lutheran Church, to which 85 percent of Finns belong, has opposed giving gay partners the same rights as married couples. However, Archbishop Jukka Paarma said that "the legal position of homosexual and lesbian couples should be improved."

KC AIDS WALK

On Saturday, April 21, 2001, the Kansas City chapter of PFLAG will participate as a team in the Aids Walk Kansas City. The walk will be held at Mill Creek Park on the Country Club Plaza. Check-in begins at 8am and the walk begins promptly at 10am.

This is the 13th annual Aids Walk and all money raised by Aids Walk will remain in the Kansas City area. This year's walk will provide funds for the direct services offered by the four major AIDS service organizations: The Good Samaritan Project, Save, Inc. (the local AIDS housing program), Heartland AIDS Resource Council (a food market serving the HIV/AIDS community) and the Kansas City Free Health Clinic. All of these organizations provide outreach and support hundreds of people in the metropolitan region every day.

At the March PFLAG meeting, there will be a sign-up sheet for those people interested in participating in the walk. There will also be an individual pledge form sheet for you to start recruiting pledges. Carol Nistler is this year's Aids Walk team captain. If you have any questions or if you can't make it to the March PFLAG meeting, please call Carol and she can send you the necessary information and forms. She can be reached at (913) 780-5402 or by email: kobideen@worldnet.att.net. You may also register on-line and get additional information at www.aidswalkkansascity.org. If you do register on-line, please let the Aids Walk office know you are a member of the Kansas City PFLAG team. Please also call Carol and let her know you have registered so you are not counted twice.

Let's all get together to support Aids Walk Kansas City and each other!

PFLAG SUPPORTS REAL FAMILY VALUES