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Articles From Our November, 2001 Newsletter |
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NOVEMBER MEETING TO FEATURE PFLAG SPEAKER'S BUREAU Our newly formed Speaker's Bureau, headed by Paul Hough, will be in the spotlight at our November 11 meeting. If you thinking about being part of the team but don't know what might be expected, come on the 11th and hear several of the speakers explain and present their approach. This is an excellent way to spread the news about what PFLAG is all about. Many people surprisingly don't know. You might be surprised at the many talents you might be able to bring to such an effort. Come and find out. 3 PM, Nov. 11, Rm 307 |
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TACO DINNER FOR PASSAGES ANOTHER HIT On Sunday, October 21, 11 PFLAGers prepared and served our traditional annual Taco Dinner for Passages youth in celebration of Coming Out Month. Helma Hawkins and Rosie Stoneking presented Passages with two copies of a wonderful book by and about glbt youth: The Shared Heart, Affirming Images of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth. The PFLAG folks introduced ourselves and told our stories. The comments and questions from the youth demonstrated their appreciation for the dinner and for supportive adults. We distributed PFLAG literature and are looking forward to next year's traditional celebration with Passages. After the Taco Dinner PFLAG-KC received an electronic thank you card which read:
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| Sue and Paul Sutherland from St. Louis PFLAG attended the August meeting of PFLAG-KC. They were in Kansas City to be with their son David who was hospitalized here with an AIDS related illness. David was very ill and the Sutherlands had returned to Kansas City throughout the summer to be with him and his partner. Sadly, David died on October 15. Sue and Paul have asked that their thanks to PFLAG-KC members be extended. They are grateful for the support and welcome they received here. Our hearts are with Sue and Paul as they grieve the loss of their son David. |
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From Our President The terrible tragedy and grief of the terrorist attacks on September 11 remind us of how vulnerable we are and how unstable are the bonds uniting people around the world The actions of murderous madmen threaten all people whether it is the actions of Osama bin Laden or Fred Phelps. Terrorists foment hatred and promote destruction and persecution. Despite the horror of the terrorist attacks, there are means to make the world safer, internationally and here at home. A focus on achieving justice and equality for all, rather than acting out of vengeance and adopting violent methods that destroy more innocents, would contribute to security here and throughout the world. At home that requires legislation protecting ALL including our glbt loved ones, legislation that would make discrimination against glbt people illegal; hate crimes legislation that includes sexual orientation and is supported by judicial processes and the law enforcement establishment. Internationally, U.S. policies and practices that address hunger, poverty, disease and inequality everywhere rather than support for corrupt and tyrannical governments would help achieve safety. In our own country and locally, using our resources and our energy to elect glbt-supportive representatives; lobbying for legislation that protects glbt people; educating ourselves and the mainstream community about glbt issues; and raising awareness about the dangers from home- grown bigoted anti-gay terrorists would contribute to the well-being and safety of glbt people, their families and friends. Also we can oppose the cynical actions of elected officials who, under a facade of flag-waving patriotism, are pushing tax cuts for the wealthy and bailouts for corporations rather than for workers and the poor. Abroad, the world would be more peaceful and secure if the U.S. adhered to international agreements to disarm and to enhance environmental safety; supported international and diplomatic approaches to solving problems through the United Nations, the World Court and other international agencies rather that refusing to participate in conferences and agreements that address world safety. U.S. wealth and power need to be directed at alleviating poverty, hunger and disease rather than at arms proliferation; maintaining U.S. troops in many countries; and arming and training anti-democratic forces around the world. There are no simple solutions to terrorism; bombing a destitute suffering Afghanistan will only engender more terrorism. However, if the focus of the U.S. foreign policy were on peace, equality and justice including economic justice, the people of the world would be more secure and terrorism would have less opportunity to win adherents. Instead our focus is on revenge that results in the killing of more vulnerable civilians, and on expanding our power and controlling the world's resources. We in PFLAG are committed to the struggle for justice and equality and I am proud to be a citizen of PFLAG and of the world. Helen Cohen Helen has invited members to write letters to the editor in response to her article. If you are interested in doing so, write them either by E-mail to hawker4283@aol.com, or to Russ Hawkins, 734 E. Meyer Blvd., KC, MO 64131. Letters to the editor are always welcome. As your editor I am always interested in what you think about the newsletter and how it might be made more attractive and/or helpful to you. Russ Hawkins |
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Joyful & Triumphant Launches 16th Season
Heartland Men's Chorus, Kansas City's own 100-voice gay men's chorus begins their 16th year of excellent performance of men's choral music with their holiday concert Joyful & Triumphant on Saturday, December 1 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, December 2 at 4:00 pm. The performances will be presented at the historic Folly Theater, 300 W. 12th Street, in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. |
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Bee Staff Reports Modesto Bee, October 19, 2001 Mitzi Henderson, past president of the National Parents, family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, spoke to students and staff at Modesto Junior College Thursday, capping off the college's celebration of National Coming Out Week. Henderson, a Palo Alto resident, talked about the difficulties that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people face coming out to friends and family and the uncertainty of not knowing the reaction. Coming out is never a one-time event, said Henderson, who has a gay son. People have to decide who to tell and when. She advised people not to wait for the perfect time, because the perfect time never comes. While you may want to tell people with whom you have close relationships, she emphasized that not everyone needs to know. She encouraged family and friends to be supportive. "Even if you don't completely understand it, you can still be their friend," Henderson said. MJC hosted several events, including a barbecue, films and panel discussions. |
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FALWELL SEEKS FUNDS FOR SUPPORT Although TV preacher Jerry Falwell claims to have apologized for his infamous remarks about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, his ministry has sent a fundraising letter to donors recasting his statements in a positive light and depicting him as a victim of the news media "wolf pack" and "liberal lies." In an Oct. 4 appeal for funds, Jerry Falwell Ministries accuses "liberals, and especially gay activists" of launching "a vicious smear campaign to discredit him." It says Falwell is "being roundly vilified by the news media for remarks he made in a TV interview while calling for spiritual revival in America." The letter, signed by Falwell's son Jonathan, compares Falwell to biblical heroes such as the Prophet Jeremiah and Queen Esther and says, "Liberals of all stripes, especially in the media, have seized on this opportunity to trash dad's deeply held Christian beliefs and to literally attack him day and night." "It seems that Satan has launched a hail of fiery darts at dad recently," writes Jonathan Falwell. "He needs to know you still support him. Please return the enclosed Vote of Confidence Reply Card right away in the envelope I have provided within the next 5 days. And with your card, please remember to include a special Vote of Confidence gift for Jerry Falwell of at least $50 or even $100 along with your signed card." Falwell's critics say the fundraising letter is a new low. The Falwell fundraising letter says donations to his ministry have plummeted in recent days and claims "we have lost more than $500,000 in income since the terrorist attacks." It complains that "even some Christian friends have remained silent while dad has faced the media wolf pack alone." |
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PFLAG SUPPORTS REAL FAMILY VALUES |
