Articles From Our June, 2007 Newsletter
Featured Speaker, Mark D. Anderson, M.S.W.Mark Anderson has been the Executive Director of SAVE Inc. since October 2000. SAVE Inc. is the main provider of housing and housing related services for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Mr. Anderson has a Masters Degree in Social Work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Phillips University. He has over 18 years experience in the social work field, including twelve years supervisory experience. From 1994-1999 he worked with Good Samaritan Project where his responsibilities included supervision of all care and prevention services to persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Anderson has held leadership roles on the local, state and national levels. Currently he serves on the board of directors for the National AIDS Housing Coalition and is on the advisory committee for the Missouri Housing Trust Fund. He is a board member of the Homeless Services Coalition and serves as chair of their Continuum of Care Committee.
He is a graduate of the leadership development program, Centurions, through the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Kansas in the Social Welfare Department. He is an active member of his church and is on the national board of directors for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Let’s all join together and give Mr. Anderson a big PFLAG/KC welcome. 3pm June 10.
From Our President
Hello Everyone—Happy June.
There is much news to convey….
I was remiss last month in forgetting to tell everyone that we met our goal
for AIDS WALK! Through your generous giving we were able to donate $250 and
that also allowed us to have a table there…yeah team.
We had a wonderful turnout for our Mother’s Day potluck! It was a great time
to share stories and remember our moms…For once, Richard was able to get the
day off and I was lucky enough to have my oldest son there with his lovely
bride…I think they are interested in being “regulars”. We’ve come along way,
baby.
The PRIDE edition of CAMP newspaper has an article about PFLAG. You’ll be
able to pick it up at the PRIDE festival June 2-3rd or you can read it
online at campkc.com The news section is at
the top of the home page—simply click “more” and you’ll see a list of the
articles. Enjoy.
The National Conference is in October, but I also want you all to be aware
that we are having a statewide conference on Saturday, July 14 from
10:00-5:00. I would love nothing more than to have a phenomenal turnout from
our chapter. This is our chance to take some workshops from the folks at the
national office and, more importantly, we can meet and begin the networking
we so desperately need in our state. I will have more information about the
day’s events in coming newsletters—so mark your calendars now—take a
chance—it’s just one day :o)
We can car pool, sing stupid songs, eat trashy fast food—what could be
better? OK, if I promise not to sing will you come?
For those interested in fun, exciting, and new theater experiences I might
suggest keeping your eyes peeled for information on the national tour of
“The Wedding Singer”….coming to the Kansas City Music Hall sometime next
March—featuring—John Lee as George. Yup, you heard right! When he wins his
first Tony, I think the least he could do is a fundraiser for the chapter…am
I right or am I right?
Hope to see you all at PRIDE!
Jamie
"Fall from Grace" will be presented Sunday June 10 at 7:00 pm at All Soul's
Unitarian Universalist Church at 4501 Walnut.
This documentary is about Fred Phelps, his family, and the Westboro Baptist
church in Topeka.
Filmmaker Ryan Jones was given unprecedented access to this group, spending
a year filming their activities. Also included are interviews with Topeka
leaders and officials, ministers, theologians, and 2 of Fred Phelps' adult
children who chose to leave the church and their family. The film allows
viewers to draw their own conclusions. The Phelps family has approved of the
film's content.
The screening will be followed by a discussion session with the talented
filmmaker, Ryan Jones, who began the documentary as an undergraduate project
at KU. Generous donations are requested for the benefit of Ryan so that he
and his cocumentary can attend the San Francisco International LGBT Film
Festival in Mid-June.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
The date, time & location for Missouri's statewide PFLAG meeting has been
set:
July 14, 2007
10 AM - 5 PM
Rockbridge Christian Church
301 Green Meadows Road
Columbia, Missouri.
Stay tuned....More information to come!!!
From Your Editor........
On Friday, June 1, Helma and I will fly to San Antonio, Texas to see our new
grandson who was born May 21. The story is quite remarkable.
Andrew, one of our two gay sons, lives and teaches school in San Antonio,
and two of his best friends, also teachers in the same middle school, are a
lesbian couple, Kristin and Susan, who some time ago expressed the desire to
have a child. After much discussion, it was decided that Andrew’s sperm
would be used. It was a successful process and amidst much joy and
celebration, Kristin became pregnant, and the baby was born on the due date,
May 21.
Helma has met Kristin and Susan once, and we both are looking forward with
much anticipation to the visit. Andrew is beside himself with joy, as are
Kristin and Susan and their extended family. The baby is named James Mason
Saunders and will go by the name of Mason. He weighed 7lbs 15oz.
Kristin and Susan are very happy to invite Andrew and his large family to be
part of their family. I’m sure we’ll have some fun photos to share at our
next PFLAG meeting.
Russ Hawkins
PFLAG SUPPORTS REAL FAMILY VALUES