|
APRIL PROGRAM FEATURES RHONDA WEIMER
Rhonda is not a stranger to PFLAG. She has attended a few meetings, and will return now to speak to us at our next meeting, April 14, 3pm, at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Rd., Rm. 307.
Rhonda is a Master's level social worker licensed in both Kansas and Missouri. She has been providing outpatient counseling services for individuals, couples and families since 1993 and has been in private practice since 1997. Her specialty is working with gay and lesbian clients including HIV affected individuals, addictions issues and the tribulations of life in general.
Her presentation is entitled Coming Out in Families. While many have viewed coming out as an event it is actually a process that can be mapped in all family members. With a little compassion and patience all family members
successfully navigate through coming out issues; but many times struggles ensue.
This "process" is one that most of us, at one time or another, have struggled with. Some are in the midst of the process, and others are struggling with how to begin the process. Come and give Rhonda a PFLAG welcome. It sounds like we will have a lot to take home with us.
Our meetings start at 3pm with an important time of sharing, and the program will start circa 4:30.
We would love to have you join us.
From Your Editor
I regret informing you that Helma and I will be unable to attend the April meeting. We will be in Denver where I will be participating in the baptism of Dalton Andrew, our new grandchild.
On second thought I don't regret informing you!!
Russ
FROM OUR PRESIDENT
On February 27 of this year, three PFLAG-KC members joined about 50 other Missourians in Jefferson City for PROMO lobbying day. PROMO (Personal Rights of Missourians) is the Missouri lgbt advocacy and lobbying organization based in St. Louis. We were in Jefferson City to lobby our state senators and representatives regarding lgbt rights.
We talked with our representatives about MONA, the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act. MONA would extend the existing Missouri Human Rights Statute to include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered and straight people. The current law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age as it relates to employment, disability, familial status and housing. MONA would add to the list a prohibition against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
We were also lobbying for repeal of a section of the Missouri Sexual Misconduct law which makes it a Class A Misdemeanor for two persons of the same sex to have "deviant sexual intercourse". This statute criminalizes acts occurring between two consenting adult partners in the privacy of their own home only if they are of the same sex.
We met with supportive and sympathetic elected representatives and also with several who were not understanding of the need for inclusiveness. I believe that it is so very important that our elected representatives know that, whether or not they agree with us, we are a force to be considered; we are voters and our voices need to be heard and heeded. They need to know that there are families and friends of lgbt people who will, year after year, visit them and press for legislation that protects the safety and well-being of our lgbt loved ones. It was a wonderful feeling to work with others from around the state for the security of lgbt people. Hopefully, at next year's Lobby Day there will be many more of us from the Kansas City area visiting senators and representatives to demand legislation that guarantees justice and equality for all.
Helen
AIDS WALK 2002
Come one, come all! PFLAG-KC has a team registered and ready to participate in the 2002 AIDS WALK. The fourteenth annual AIDS WALK will be held Saturday, April 20th at Mill Creek Park on the Country Club Plaza. Registration begins at 8:00 am, the Welcoming Ceremonies start at 9:30 am and we walk at 10:00 am! Many PFLAGer's registered at last month's meeting, but there is still time to sign up to be a member of our team. You may either register on the AIDS WALK website
(www.aidswalkkansascity.org) or call Carol Nistler (913-780-5402) and she will add you to the PFLAG-KC team list.
Plan to join Honorary Chair, KCTV5 anchor Brian Curtis and the major sponsors, Saint Luke's/Shawnee Mission Health System, Old Navy, Statscript Pharmacy, Union Bank, Vanguard Airlines, Armani Exchange, Bank of America, Metzler Brothers Insurance, Mix 93, The Independent, Miller Lite, Missies B's, Pitch Weekly, Hereford House, and many other companies as we gather for the AIDS WALK on April 20th. Come be a part of the fun!
This call for help comes from Jamie Rich.....
Sue Ellen Fried (pronounced "freed", but spelled like "fried") is a local author and long-standing community organizer. (She helped found the organization now known as the Center for Community Collaboration)
She is the author of the book "Bullies and Victims" (www.bulliesandvictims.com) but her new book (as I understand it) is on the use of abusive and hate-filled speech...especially for gay youth. She called the Center this morning looking for resources. I directed her to the links on the PFLAG and GLSEN national websites, but I also told her about you. She is looking for anecdotal evidence of the problem, but also sources for hard statistics and research. Anything you know would be helpful.
From all accounts she is a well respected woman who has a genuine interest in these issues. She still sits on the board for the Coalition and, perhaps, other groups as well.
She can be reached at harvfried@hotmail.com or directly at 913-362-2226.
As always,
Jamie
There is someone who would like to attend PFLAG meetings but does not have transportation. If you can bring him to meetings, and back home, please contact him. His name is Shawn L.; his address is: 801 E. Armour Blvd., Kansas City, MO; his phone number is: 816-931-7781. Thank you.
Helen
|
