Articles From Our March, 2007 Newsletter
The March meeting will consist of representatives from the Straight Spouse Network of Greater Kansas City. This group is related to the National Straight Spouse Network whose website is straightspouse.org. The Straight Spouse Network (SSN) is an international organization that provides personal, confidential support and information to heterosexual spouses/partners, current or former, of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender mates and mixed-orientation couples for constructively resolving coming-out problems. SSN offers information about spouse, couple and family issues and resources to other family members, professionals, community organizations, and the public. As learned at the Creating Change conference last fall, SSN wants to maintain and increase communication with the GLBT communities.
This local group has been meeting for several years officially and at least a year prior and currently meets at Village Presbyterian Church on the First Monday of each month, except Labor Day. Contact information for the local group is Kay at 816-289-9926 or .
JOIN US ON SUNDAY, MARCH 11TH SAME TIME SAME STATION!! See bar at right for details.
DON’T FORGET!!!!!
Our April meeting will be held on the THIRD Sunday of the month instead of
the second Sunday.
The second Sunday is Easter and the church will be closed.
SEE YOU ON APRIL 15TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Our President
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world: indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
(Margaret Mead 1901-1978)
On April 28, 2007 thousands will gather at Theis Park for the 19th Annual
AIDS WALK Kansas City. Some will walk to support the brave women, men and
children living with HIV/AIDS in our community. Others will walk to
celebrate the lives of those whom we have lost to AIDS. But all share the
same vision-the day when AIDS will no longer be a threat to those we love.
AIDS WALK 2007 will begin and end in Kansas City’s beautiful Theis Park,
located at 47th and Oak Streets, just south of the Nelson-Atkins Museum. The
route will wind for approximately 3 miles through nearby neighborhoods, the
UMKC campus, and along scenic Brush Creek.
Many of us have participated in this amazing event in the past and I know
you would be astounded by the sheer size of it. PFLAG plans to be
represented among the tables of local organizations and such. But here’s the
deal. The fee for tabling this event is $250 unless we have a team that
plans to actually walk….I am hoping that many of you will want to come out
and walk with us, but I am equally sure that there will be those who simply
can’t come but would like to participate through their contributions. We’ve
never tried this before so hear me out. During our regular meetings in March
and April we will gladly receive any monetary contributions to the AIDS
walk—check or cash. Checks can also be sent to the regular address: PFLAG-KC
P.O. Box 414101
Kansas City, Mo. 64141-4101
We may be small in numbers but we are committed to this event.
Any questions? Go to:
aidswalkkansascity.org
Jamie
EXCERPTED FROM: A Message from Jody M. Huckaby,
PFLAG's Executive Director
I have to admit something – I’m not a big football fan. I rarely tune into a
regular season game, and my exposure to this American institution is limited
to tuning in to the Superbowl post-game to find out who won and what
commercials caught people’s attention.
So this year I was in for quite a shock – not because of who won (I wouldn’t
dare enter a debate on the merits of a team’s defense) – but because of the
now-infamous Snickers commercial.
By now I’m fairly certain that the majority of you have seen the ad in
question. It’s been all over the news and online, thanks to the miracle of
YouTube. The commercial featured two mechanics in a near-liplock, with only
a bit of candy bar between them. The apparent horror of being caught in such
a position causes them to recoil in horror and “do something manly.”
In the version that aired, it meant peeling back shirts and tearing off
patches of chest hair. However, on the product website, consumers could vote
on three alternate endings, each a little more extreme in response to the
alleged “gay moment.” Visitors to the website could also watch short films
of some of the Superbowl players screening the commercials, complete with
their responses to the endings which ranged from absolute hilarity to
complete and total disgust with the thought of two men together.
Following a quick and powerful response from GLBT people, their families,
allies, and organizations, the company in question removed the commercial
from the website, cancelled plans to air the spot again during an upcoming
event, and issued an apology, noting that their intent was never to offend.
So for now, the firestorm is over. But I can’t help but think about how the
whole ordeal unfolded, and the initial reasoning on the part of the
advertiser who thought that mocking gay men, or for that matter, the
discomfort of many people with the very thought of gay, says a lot about how
much work we still have in front of us.
It is far more difficult to ridicule someone (or a group) when that person
has a face. For me, this meant more GLBT people being out, open, and
visible. The shame fashioned by a life lived in the closet sends a message
that makes our entire community a target.
For PFLAGers, this work means standing up and speaking out about our GLBT
loved ones, making them people instead of the “other.” It means speaking up
before an incident like this happens – perhaps even keeping it from
happening by your very words. It means objecting to this kind of mockery and
saying why it is unacceptable. GLBT people are our families, friends, and
loved ones – not clowns.
For all of our amazing progress, this commercial was a reminder of the
tremendous work that still needs to be done –
(For the whole message, see www.pflag.org)
Heartland Men’s Chorus upcoming concert
Part concert, part worldwide tour and part thrill-ride, Global Destinations:
A Non-Stop Flight will have you on the edge of your seat.
From African tribal songs, to unique Eastern Russian works, to aboriginal
chant, the 120-voice Heartland Men's Chorus will change what you think you
know about choral music.
Prepare for an amazing journey as the rhythms and melodies of faraway lands
stir your soul.
Saturday, March 24, 8pm
Sunday, March 25, 4pm
Folly Theater
300 West 12th Street
Tickets are on sale now!
816-931-3338
Passages
Passages is Kansas City’s only youth program dedicated to gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender, straight-allied and questioning youth! Join us in
person on Wed, Sat. and Sun. nights!
Passages current hours of operation are:
Wednesday - 5:30PM to 9:00PM
Saturday - 8:00PM to 1:00AM - Passages ClubQueer®
Sunday - 6:00PM to 9:00PM
for general inquiries, contact one of Passages Facilitators:
Stephanie Shockley, at Steph
Sara Wood, at Sara
Zach Koffenberger, at Zach
Or call (816) 931-0334 to leave a message.
Just for your info: Daylight Savings Time starts on March 11th, the day
of our PFLAG meeting.
Don’t forget to change your clocks. :)
Hear ye! Hear ye!
There is a theater production on Saturday, March 10 written by KSU theater
majors regarding parents’ reaction to their kids coming out. It is a free
presentation. If you are interested in attending, please contact Randy at
913-894-5748 for more information
ATTENTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The April PFLAG meeting will take place on the THIRD Sunday, April 15,
instead of the second Sunday, which is Easter Sunday.
Don’t forget!!!! April 15th for the April meeting.....same time, same
location ...Village Presbyterian church,
3:00pm, ROOM 307
PFLAG SUPPORTS REAL FAMILY VALUES