Articles From Our August, 2005 Newsletter

Religious Panel August 14th

Our speakers for the August meeting will address the religious issues that are so central to many of our lives. We have put together a panel of people from welcoming and affirming churches and a synagogue. We also have two guests who facilitate support groups for LGBT folks within their own faith.

Join us at The Village Presbyterian Church
6641 Mission Road
Prairie Village, KS.
3:00 p.m.

There is always great fellowship and fabulous
refreshments.

Bring your family and loved ones and participate in sharing your lives with
us. We always have a great time loving, laughing and learning.
HOPE WE’LL SEE YOU THERE.

United Church of Christ

Following is one of the many actions taken at the recent national meeting of the United Church of Christ, one of the only denominations, if not THE ONLY denomination ordaining people from the lgbt community. They have been doing it for nigh on to 30 years!!

(Two proposals merged; passed as amended) Affirms equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender and affirms equal access for all persons to the basic rights, institutional protections and quality of life conferred by the recognition of marriage. Also, calls on congregations to prayerfully consider adopting wedding policies that do not discriminate against gay or lesbian couples. Asks all settings of the church to urge legislative support for marriage equality. Asks local congregations to prayerfully discuss and study marriage equality. Recognizes that the UCC is not of one mind on this issue and understands that discussions will be difficult.

From Our President

Hey all. As usual, I get my inspiration for this column from everyday events at the Lee household. Our life is rather mundane--filled with trips to see our kids performances, working, mowing the lawn and cleaning the house etc. We revel in the sweetness though.

Katibeth started a new job several weeks ago waiting tables at a local landmark in Liberty. She too is learning that it’s not always fun and games—but there is the occasional couple that makes her laugh. Some of the bills she collects can be interesting in that they’ll have tracking information on them, a telephone number, and once in a while just a word scribbled to remind someone to pick up cottage cheese at the grocers. Last night as she was counting up her tips, she came across a single bill that was stamped with black ink. Upon closer investigation she read the short message:

Someone you know and love is gay.

She has a pretty good idea where it came from but, more importantly, it made her smile. “If they only knew.” She said to herself. I am sure there are those who would have been offended by it but I’m equally sure there are others who will honestly stop and consider the possibility. I thought it was brilliant and am heading to our local stationery supply place to have one made up. Start looking at the change you get—you might be genuinely surprised by what you see there.

Jamie Lee

July 26, 2005 – Washington, D.C. – As Zach Stark, the Tennessee teen who recently gained national attention after blogging his fears of being sent to
Love in Action, is released from the program this week, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) calls for an ongoing and substantive discussion about the effects of “reparative therapy” on young people and their families

“As families who have faced these very issues in our own lives, we must give Zach and his family the space and privacy they need to deal with this situation,” said Jody Huckaby, PFLAG’s executive director. “We also must insist, as allies and advocates for our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) loved ones, that ‘reparative therapy’ programs are not allowed to prosper unchallenged at the expense of our family members and friends.”

The “reparative therapy” industry uses disproved medical theories to “cure” GLBT persons and preys upon those in pain and confusion about matters of sexual orientation. Their claims and methods have been roundly denounced by the American Medical Association (AMA), American Psychiatric Association (APA) and other medical professionals.

PFLAG applauds greater scrutiny of “reparative therapy”, “conversion therapy” or “ex-gay” programs. Because of the attention surrounding Zach’s story, the Tennessee Department of Health began an investigation and notified the unlicensed Love in Action that it was functioning illegally by claiming to offer therapy and could face prosecution by the district attorney.

Immediately before entering the program, Zach wrote, “I’ve been through hell. I’ve been emotionally torn apart for three days” and “Honestly how could you support a program like this? If I do come out straight I’ll be so mentally unstable and depressed it won’t matter.”

Zach’s fears were well-founded. According to the AMA and APA, “reparative therapy” does not work. But the dangers of these programs are real. At a minimum, those in “reparative therapy” must cope with the emotional damage of being relentlessly badgered with fear tactics and being told to change who they are. At worse they are at risk for self-destructive behavior including suicide.
Mary Lou Wallner and her husband Bob know the damage of “reparative therapy” all too well. Speaking at a recent PFLAG conference in Bothell, Washington, Mary Lou told the audience that her reaction when her daughter came out was based on the teachings of Dr. James Dobson, a leading “reparative therapy” proponent. “I raised my kids on Dobson. I read his books and listened to his radio broadcasts for years. In December of 1988, when she was about 21 years old, my daughter wrote us a letter and told us that she was a lesbian. I flipped out and…the next nine years were pretty stormy. Then in February of 1997, at age 29, she committed suicide.”

“Looking back, I think a lot of it had to do with the way I taught her about homosexuality. I have since come to understand that almost anybody gets depressed if they can't be who they really are.”

Like the Wallners, Zach’s parents and other parents considering “reparative therapy” only want the best for their children. However, PFLAG families and our allies must re-double our efforts to educate about the dangers and alternatives to this soundly discredited “treatment.”

“Ultimately we want Zach to be who he is and we accept whatever decision he makes,” said Dr. Arnold Drake, president of PFLAG Memphis. “We also want Zach and his family to know that we’ve been through this before and we are ready and able to support them.”

Benefit for the Four Freedoms Democratic Club

On Sunday, Sept. 11 at 7 pm the Unicorn Theater is having a special performance of I Am My Own Wife to benefit the Four Freedoms Democratic Club. Tickets are $40 each and include a post performance reception with the cast and production staff. The Four Freedoms Democratic Club will honor Dick Kurtenbach, former Executive Director, ACLU of Kansas and Western Missouri and Attorney Kay Madden, Slough Connealy, Irwin & Madden. Their work advances the four basic human freedoms known as the Four Freedoms: Freedom of Speech and Expression, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear. For tickets call the Unicorn Theatre Box Office: 816 531-PLAY (7529). Ask for the Four Freedoms Benefit.

Ongoing events at LGCCKC:
From LGCCKC.org

Weekly Girl's Night @ Belle Star's - Beer bust every Thursday night starting at 8:00 PM.
Contact kccrushsoftball@gmail.com for details.
Raffle throughout season - It only cost $1.00 per ticket for a chance to win a side of Black Angus Beef! The winner will be drawn at HASL closing ceremonies and you need not be present to win. See any KC Tomcats team member, or coach, to purchase raffle tickets.

Team t-shirts for sale - $15.00 each the only sizes we have left are L & XL. Help support the team in San Diego--buy a shirt.! Contact any player on the team or Chirl Nachbar if you want one.

GLBT Canoe Trip!

HASL Fundraisers Send Teams to the World Series

PFLAG SUPPORTS REAL FAMILY VALUES