Articles From Our June, 2004 Newsletter
DON'T MISS THE COONLEY-ROY
EVENT
JUNE 13, 3:00 PM
Our own Linda Coonley teams up with Jerry Roy, venerable literary light, to present a program on fiction and mystery from gay and lesbian authors at our upcoming PFLAG meeting. Jerry and Linda are both librarians by profession and spare-time readers of mysteries. Jerry will discuss mysteries where the detective is a gay man and tell us about some of his favorite gay-themed novels. Linda will tell us about her favorite lesbian authors and characters and share highlights of her visit with author Ellen Hart on a recent trip to Kansas City.
Jerry and Linda have worked together since before Moses was a pup (actually since 1981). If pressed they can discuss what it was like to be a librarian before the Internet, when books were written on stone tablets! They would rather not say which library because they are NOT representing the library in this presentation.
Jerry added: “If time, I might also discuss for a couple of minutes two or three gay poets. Thom Gunn recently died in San Francisco.”
Don’t miss this interesting program. We will meet at the usual time and place on Sunday, June 13. Hope to see you then.
AND DON’T FORGET THE ANNUAL PRIDE FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, JUNE 5 AND 6.
June "PRIDE" week is here and I could not be more excited. Check out LGCC-KC.org or kansascitygaypride.com for a list of the events that will be taking place all over this beautiful city. This will only be the second time my family has participated in these events, but it will be more joyous this year as our gay son will actually be with us.
John often speaks of "every day advocacy". For him that means being himself - being out - talking openly about his boyfriend - speaking his mind on the issues that are important to him as a citizen and a gay man.
Amazingly enough "every day advocacy" is the same for me. I find that as I show my friends pictures of Katibeth and her prom date or of Andy and his girlfriend at their college graduation, I don’t hesitate to show the picture of John and his boyfriend, Chris, as they headed off to see the Kansas City Ballet. I have found that the more open I am about the things that relate to having a gay son, the more comfortable I am. Even more amazing to me is the reaction of those around me--they seem more comfortable too! I think that in the long run the biggest changes are made by a series of small moments.
At last year’s PRIDE event, Helen Cohen asked a few people what pearls of wisdom they would share with me as an ally. Bless you Randy Hite for telling me not to get discouraged-that changes would not come as fast as I would like them. Of course you were right. I try to remember those words as I take small steps every day. See you at PRIDE everybody! Jamie Lee
Be Proud!! Be There!!...Celebrate Diversity!!
THE PRIDE FESTIVAL...This Saturday and Sunday,
June 5 and 6, 11am--10pm
At Liberty Memorial
“NO” VOTE IS MUSIC TO THE EARS
The Heartland Men’s Chorus will sing “I Do”(See article below) in honor of state lawmakers who voted “No” to gay marriage ban.
Missouri and Kansas lawmakers will be the guests of honor at the upcoming Heartland Men’s Chorus concert on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday June 27. The legislators who voted against the gay marriage ban have been invited by the Four Freedoms Democratic Club to attend the concert where they will be recognized from the stage and the chorus will sing a newly commissioned song titled “I Do”.
The Kansas legislature voted against amending the state constitution that would make gay marriages illegal in the state. The Missouri legislature voted for such an amendment, which means it will now be placed before Missouri voters later this year.
But regardless of the outcome in the statehouses, the Chorus and Four Freedoms both appreciate the courageous stand taken by each of the lawmakers as they voted their conscience.
The Heartland Men’s Chorus, over 100 voices strong, is in their 18th season as they continue to follow their vision statement: “Our voices enlighten, inspire, heal and empower”. They perform their concerts at the historical Folly Theater in downtown Kansas City.
The Four Freedoms Democratic Club is a political organization whose goal is to protect the human rights of the LGBT community. For ticket info and for more information, contact Rick Fisher, executive director, Heartland Men’s Chorus, at 816-931-3338.
The Chorus has commissioned a brand-new piece called "I Do" from Seattle composer Eric Lane Barnes. This 50s doo-wop style song takes a light-hearted, humorous look at gay marriage. The lyrics point out some of the pitfalls of weddings asking questions like "who wants to spend a fortune on flowers" and "who wants to stand shaking hand after hand - wishing that you'd hired a better band." The refrain gives the resounding answer "Well, I Do - I want to marry you," pointing to that common desire among ALL people for companionship and the wish to share our lives with those we love.
This Friday, June 4,
7-11pm
Link:
www.kansascitygaypride.com
Kansas City Gay Pride takes on the basics, the essentials, and the circuit all in one explosive night!! This year, Friday June 4th, the blocks containing Dixie Belle and Tootsie's..18th and Main... transform into an evening charged with the spirit of pride. How much pride, you ask? So much that we couldn't even call it a block-party...
...it's a STREETBLAST!! 7 - 11pm
PFLAG SUPPORTS REAL FAMILY VALUES