Networking45North_z2001-2002.Winter.pdf
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- Networking45North_z2001-2002.Winter.pdf
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Pr perty of the Cer ter
NETWORKING 45°
NORTH
Friends North of
Michigan, Inc.
Nctwo,·k111g 45
No1 th
Winter 200 1-2
WEWO■t
No votes: 2944 (57.8%) Yes
votes 2152 (42.2%)
This makes Traverse City's
victory among the largest
margin of victory EVER in
this country against an
anti-gay initiative.
Thanks to all for your
support!!
Paul Heaton
Hat Trick
Three Anti-Gay Initiatives Fail
in Michigan
(Michigan) Three anti-gay ballot measures
were soundly defeated by Michigan voters
yesterday.
Efforts to curb civil rights protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) were dealt a devastating
blow when voters in three Michigan communities defeated anti-gay ballot measures
inspired and initiated by the American
Family Association.
Traverse City and Kalamazoo,
Michigan voters defeated an anti-gay city
charter amendments that aimed to prohibit
those cities from protecting gay's and lesbians from discrimination. The ballot language would have invalidated any existing_
or future civil rights protections on the basis
of sexual orientation. Traverse City's
"Proposal 1" was defeated by approximately
800 votes. Kalamazoo's "Proposal A" was
defeated by nearly 1,000 votes.
Huntington Woods voters affirmed
the city's human rights ordinance, making it
the 11th city in Michigan to protect from
discrimination based on sexual orientation
and gender identity. The ordinance was
passed by a 2 to l margin.
"The American Family Association
has made a tragic miscalculation about
Michigan," said Sean Kosofsky, Director of
Policy for Triangle Foundation. "Mi~igan
voters have soundly defeated these anti-gay
ballot measures and took a stand for diversity
and acceptance. This is a clean sweep. The
AFA's message of discrimination will not fly
in Michigan and we strongly encourage them
to heed the message from voters and stop
their anti-gay crusade.
Triangle Foundation has been active
in fighting these and other anti-gay ballot
measures in Michigan since 1994.
Inside this issue:
President's column
Tom Kincaid
2
Vice President's column 3
Gwen Sanford
Treasurers Report
Richard Pozniak
3
Board
Meeting
Minutes
4
5
Our
Advertisers
JO
II
Events &
Happen,ns
13
Resources
6
Back
Page
1£S81AN'l GAY'l
81S£XUA1'l
TRANSG£ND£R£D'l
HAY£ QUESTIONS?
Many around the nation were
watching these three communities because of
the increased anti-gay ballot activity in
Michigan. Michigan had more anti-gay
ballot measures than any other state in the
country. Three of the four were decided l_as!
night. The only remaining one, for now, 1s m
Ypsilanti.
N££D ff£1P'l
CALI. THE NORTHERN
MICH/t;AII HELP LINE/
(1.31) 946-1804
FOR EMERt;ENCY HEI.P
(1.31) 911-4800
(800) 441-7315
Networking 45° North
Page 2
TH
The Mission of Friends North of Michigan, Inc., is to provide social,
educational and support activities and opportunities for the
gay men, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities in
Northern Michigan.
Please note: Friends North is not a dating, nor dating referral service.
Networking 45° North is the newsletter of Friends North of Michigan,
Inc. For information, write to:
Friends North, PO Box S62, Traverse City, Ml 4968S-0S62.
President's Column
Well here I sit amazed at what has happened in the last 24 hours. Traverse City defeated Proposal 1 and elected Margaret Dodd for
our mayor. This was the largest turnout ever in a
motion having to do with gays and lesbians. We
should be very proud that this failed to pass and
that we took our city away from the right wing
zealots who tried to make us fit into their box
www.frieodsnorth.ore
Viewpoints expressed in Networking do not necessarily represent those of the
Board of Trustees or the general membership.
Friend, North of Michigan, Inc. , is an association of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered and their friends from Northwestern Lower Michigan centered in Traverse City. Friends
North provides social activities, a ne,.,;letter, an infonnation line, workshops, a web site and a
scholarship fund for financial assistance.
Friends North's Board of Trusttts is elected each December at the Annual Meeting. Regular
Board meetings are held at Grace Episcopal Church, at the comer of Washington and Boardman
Streets in Traverse City, at 6:30 pm on the 1st Tuesday of every month except July. Everyone is
welcome to attend. Please contact Friends North in writing ahead of time if you have an item for
the agenda Current members of the Board include:
Tom Kincaid, President, (231) 929-2919
Gwen Sanford, Vice President, (231) 946-0433
Tooi Poole, Secretary,
Rid,ard Pormiak, Treasurer, (23 I) 933-3969
Bob Buck, Trustee, 7 Bowennan Rd. Mansitee, MI 49660
Dianna Johnson, Trustee. (231) 933-0571
I would like to thank the Traverse City
Campaign against Discrimination for all their
tireless hours they spent on this. Thank you for
the terrific work you did, the hours you have
been away from your families, partners, and
loved ones, and all your tireless efforts.
Since the last newsletter our world has
shifted. September 11, 2001 will always stand in
our minds as the most devastating event in our
nations history. We have all been affected by
this horrific event and my thoughts and prayers
go out to everyone.
JoeKauben-, Trustee,(231)947-8402
Craig Philip Ridiard, Trustee, (231)922-1967
Alan Oillard, Trustee, (231) 941-9110
David Hummd, Trustee, (231) 929-1226
The Friends North
Networking 45" North.
Newsldter
Committee
is responsible for the publication of
Please remember that our annual meeting
is the first Tuesday of December at Grace Episcopal Church. It is a potluck and will begin at
6:30.
Publisher: Gwen Sanford, GwenChris@worldnet.att.net
Editor: Dianna Johnson, Huntgodde,s@aol.com
Advertising: Gwen Sanford, GwenChris@worldnet.att.net
Oassifsed Advertising and notices are run without charge. Please submit your ads lJ1. writing.
Display Advertising in Networking is available in business card sized displays at a rate ofS25 per
space per issue or an annual rate ofSlOO. Inserts and larger sized ads are available; please contact
the advertising editor for more infonnation.
Contributions to Networking are welcome. Letters, essays, features, reflections, poetry, original
are work etc. should be sent to Networking 45° North, PO Box 562, Traverse City, Ml 396850562, or to either the publisher or editor listed above. Networking will not accept material that is
sexist, d~riminatOf)' or sexually explicit. Contributors are responsible for obtaining permission
from those whose names they submit for publication. Please include your name, address and a
phone number v.!iere you can be reached. If you would like your contribution to be printed
anonymously, please let us know.
Address Chang<S should be sent to the above address.
Subscriptions & Membership, are $15. Please send checks or money orders to the above address. Complimentary subscriptions are also available to those who are unable to pay.
Distribution: Networking is sent via bulk mail in a plain envelope to subscribers. Additional
copies are available at select local establishments.
For all of you that have called and said
that you wanted to be part of Friends North this
is a great time to get started.
Best Wishes for the Holiday Season
Tom Kincaid
Networking 45° North
Page 3
Vice President's Column
x-,1N!C;;:
Goodness! We're at that time of year again when
the Christmas displays are showing up in all the stores, and
even some homes. For some, it's Holiday fun with friends
and family. For others, it's with friends, but family is another
subject.
I just can't comprehend how parents, brothers and
sisters, and the rest are able to tum their backs on a family
member because he or she is lesbian, gay, bi or transgendered. Yet it happens all the time. Much of the ostracism is
reinforced by religious principles, which really amazes me.
Must be a different versioo of the bible than I read.
A few weeks ago I saw a quote on the front page of
the Traverse City Record Eagle:
Where it begins
"The tendency to claim God as an ally
for our partisan values and ends is ... the
source ofall religious fanaticism. "
Reinhold Niebuhr, American clergyman
and author.
That quote spoke to me about the war between the
United States and the Taliban. Each is so sure, that God will
help them prevail. Kind of like, "our God is stronger than
your God." Myyyy dad is stronger than yourrrr dad. But, the
same source of thought provides fuel for non-acceptance.
There are also a host of other reasons why family
won't accept us. Lack ofunderstanding and willingness to
learn top the list. And some people are just plain mean.
Probably because they're unhappy about their own lives. Of
course this conversation goes on through infinity.
So who do we turn to? Each other? Seems like a
reasonable thing to do. If our glbt friends don't understand,
who does? The unfortunate part though is that some glbt's
don't understand ... themselves. And they eventually take
their own life.
Where are the friends and loved ones then? Did
anyone have a chance to do something? Perhaps not, but if
we don't listen to one another and take the time to care, at
least a little bit, then maybe we share some responsibility.
Our families and former friends may turn us away,
but hopefully, we possess the ability to care for each other in
the Community. And that's not to say that the Community is
made up of just glbt's. There are very many non-glbt's in the
Community. I believe most of the volunteers that made
TCCAD successful were straight. Imagine that! People who
believe in equal rights and don't have anything to gain. I
love them!
After all of that, let me say this. When I came to
Friends North there was caring. The men and women actually asked how you were and meant it. They offered help and
love. Something you don't seem to find in many churches.
Perhaps I'm prejudiced, but I really believe the glbt Community have a comer on the market when it comes to those
qualities that define humans. Hooray for all of us, and especially our straight friends. I love all of you.
Gwen Sanford
Treasurer's Report
As for what to do with
Osama bin Laden:
Killing him will only create a martyr.
Holding him prisoner will inspire his comrades
to take hostages to demand his release.
Therefore, I suggest we do neither.
Let the Special Forces, Seals or whatever covertly capture him, fly him to an undisclosed hospital and have surgeons quickly perform a complete sex change operation. Then
return her to Afghanistan to live as a woman
Friends North has not had any fund-raisers in the
past 3 months. We tried a "Ranch Weekend" in Sept. in the
Bear Lake area, it was done on short notice and hopefully we
will include it as a fund-raiser in our next years schedule of
events.
The Fall Hike ended up with fare weather considering how much rain we were having. Don't forget the Sledding
Party in February. Of course these two events are not fund
raisers, but are just a lot of fun.
Outside of money coming in from membership dues
and ads we did get a nice donation from the United Church of
Traverse City for $318.73. We have been able to maintain
staying in the black. The only outstanding bills till the end of
the year are the cost of the Newsletter and the phone bills.
Hopefully we will go into the New Year with around
$2,000.00 in the bank.
Have a great Holiday Season, stay Healthy and be
Safe!
Your Treasurer,
Richard Pozniak
Networking 45° North
Friends North ofMichigan Inc.
Minutes of the September 4, 2001
Board Meeting
Held at Grace Episcopal Church, Basement,
341 Washington St., Traverse City
Page 4
•
•
Board Members Present: Tom Kincaid, Richard
Posniak, Toni Poole, Craig Richard, Bob Buck,
Alan Collard, Joe Kaubenaw, David Hummel
Others Present: Vicki, Jamie
•
Board Members Absent: Al Kitzmiller, Dianna
Johnson, Gwen Sanford
Meeting called to order at 6:37PM
•
•
•
•
•
Minutes of the August 2nd board meeting were
reviewed.
- Motion by Toni to accept the minutes, seconded by Craig, carried unanimously.
Richard gave a Treasurer's Report. He stated
$4843.16 as ofthis date. Richard also informed the
board of a check from Unity Church in the amount
of $358.73, received due to Friends North being selected as "Financial Tithe" charity for the month of
June.
Tom brought up the newsletter, and the fact that the
current issue which was just folded and is ready for
mailing needs to be relabeled due to old postal
markings having been used. Tom will see that this
is done.
Joe talked about Pride.
$800 for additional tent is not paid, as was previously stated.
Pride committee will raise funds to cover. FN will
pay in the interim.
Motion by Bob to pay for tent immediately, seconded by Craig, carried unanimously.
Tom asked about progress on 501C3 status, and
says we have a Federal ID number. Richard states
that we need to open new bank accounts. Richard
and Tom will do this, with Toni and Gwen signing
on.
Bob asked The Network for their 501C3 application, and will follow-up.
•
•
•
•
Tom mentioned police stings taking place in local
parks. Tom says he visited the locations with Jeff
Montgomery of the Triangle Foundation to areas.
Tom encourages all board members to tell people to
stay away from parks.
Tom asked Toni about TCCAD. Toni stated a need
for more volunteers and encouraged the board to
commit to a night of phone banking and/or canvassing for the campaign.
Toni asked if the intent was still present to call
Friends North members. Both Tom and Bob say
that was never the intent, and that it would be akin
to giving out the list.
A guest, Vicki, talked about an upcoming event on
September 22 nd in which Friends North would be
invited to partake in.
The event will take place on a 180 acre ranch in the
Bear Lake area.
Activities will include hay rides, horseback riding,
and a small rodeo.
Vicki suggests that FN operate a concession and
keep the proceeds.
Tom indicates a willingness for FN to be included,
and asks Vicki to design a flier that FN can mail
out. Tom asks Richard and Craig to head this up.
Motion by Bob to authorize $300 max for mailing
and food for event, seconded by Joe, carried unanimously.
Any interested parties will meet at Richard's house
September 5th at 7:30PM to coordinate.
Tom mentioned that Annual Meeting is December
4th and reminds all that it is a potluck. Tom encourages all board members to talk to people that might
want to be on the board.
Tom reminded all that the Fall Hike is October 14th
at Bahley's Warming Hut in Suttons Bay.
Craig talked about lack of volunteers for fall
cleanup. He called county road commission and
they indicated that missing a year would not result
in signs being pulled.
Tom asked all present to think about different
events for next year.
Moved to adjourn at 7:28PM by Bob, seconded by
David, carried unanimously.
Toni Poole, Secretary
Friends North of Michigan, Inc.
Networking 45° North
Pages
-
Friends North ofMichigan Inc.
Minutes of the October 2, 2001
Board Meeting
Held at Grace Episcopal Church, Basement,
341 Washington St., Traverse City
•
Board Members Present: Tom Kincaid, Gwen Sanford, Richard Posniak, Toni Poole, Craig Richard,
Alan Collard, David Hummel, Dianna Johnson
Others Present: Jay L., Bud S.
Board Members Absent: Al Kitzmiller, Gwen Sanford, Bob Buck, Joe Kaubenaw
•
Meeting called to order at 6:32PM
•
•
•
•
-
•
•
-
Minutes of the September 4th board meeting
were reviewed.
- Motion by Toni to accept the minutes, seconded by Richard, carried unanimously.
Richard gave a Treasurer's Report. He stated
$3914.69 as of this date.
Brief discussion ensued about Pride. Craig
suggested obtaining written financial report
from Pride committee. More discussion ensued.
Tom brought up subject of Friends North mail
list having been given to Wellness by himself
He offered an apology to the board.
Much discussion ensued, with several board
members expressing their displeasure.
Motion by Toni to direct Tom to write a letter of apology to the Friends North membership for inclusion in the next newsletter.
Seconded by Gwen. Motion carries 6-0 with
2 abstentions.
Jay L. brought up the subject of a Friends
North monthly film club. He would like to get
something started.
Discussion ensued. All present agreed to Jay
and Tom initiating this endeavor.
Tom brought up the newsletter.
He stated the need to get it out before the Annual Meeting on December 4th -
•
•
•
•
•
-
-
A deadline was set ofNovember 7th for all
article submissions.
A fold date of November 20th was set.
Tom talked about Fall Hike at Bahle's Warming Hut in Suttons Bay.
He indicates we have a lot of leftover food
from the recent event at Bear Lake.
Tom will arrive early and open up, and Alan
will set up.
Discussion ensued about making food available or having deserts only.
Motion by Craig to have nothing but desert,
seconded by Alan, carried unanimously.
Tom brought up Annual Meeting. Indicates we
have enough board members for the upcoming
year, but could always use more. He encourages board members to find others who may be
interested.
Craig asked about money spent on Gay Rodeo.
Exact figures were not available. Craig encouraged Tom to get firm numbers on this event.
Alan suggested Friends North year long calendar for 2003, professionally printed. Discussion ensued. Problems of dates changing, etc
was brought up. Alan will investigate costs
and report back to the board.
David brought up website. He indicates Tom
agreed with him that he should monitor and
forward all emails. Toni will make necessary
changes.
Phone monitoring was brought up by Craig.
He indicated he will be handling outgoing messages and messages left by callers from now
on.
Gwen brought up advertising.
She advises that she recently sent letters to all
advertisers informing of rate changes. Out of
23 advertisers, only 3 have responded back so
far.
Gwen also says she is working on new newsletter design.
Moved to adjourn at 7:45PM by Craig, seconded by Alan, carried unanimously.
Toni Poole, Secretary
Friends North of Michigan, Inc.
Networking 45° North
Friends North ofMichigan Inc.
Minutes of the November 6, 2001
Board Meeting
Held at Grace Episcopal Church, Basement,
341 Washington St., Traverse City
Board Members Present: Tom Kincaid, Gwen Sanford, Toni Poole, Craig Richard, Joe Kaubenaw,
Alan Collard, David Hummel, Bob Buck
Board Members Absent: Richard Posniak, Dianna
Johnson, Al Kitzmiller
Meeting called to order at 6:26PM
•
•
•
-
-
•
-
Tom gave a Treasurer's Report in lieu of Richard's absence. He stated $3242.47 as ofNovember 1st . He points out that this is approximately $3200 ahead of where we were a year
ago.
Motion by Joe to accept last three months
treasurer's report, seconded by Craig, carried unanimously.
Tom reviewed activity/interest questionnaire
for newletter.
Reminds all that folding is scheduled for November 20th.
Tom suggests we send out questionnaire separate from newsletter. Discussion ensued. Toni
suggests that one potential benefit of sending it
out separate utilizing first class postage would
be return of bad addresses, allowing us to
weed out the newsletter mailing list.
Motion by Toni to send questionnaire out
first class separate from newsletter, seconded by Joe, carried unanimously.
Joe talked about new Pride Committee.
He indicates they are moving to obtain 501C3
status.
They have raised $300 to date.
They are planning various events over the upcoming months to raise additional funds.
Next event, a spaghetti dinner, is slated for
November 18th from 3-7PM.
Page 6
- A Pride date of June 8th has been set.
• Tom brought up subject of Annual Meeting on
December 4 th . He reminds Gwen to add a note
to the newsletter reminding members of this, as
well as the fact that it is a potluck.
• Bob read letter he composed to be sent to members whose dues are expired. A couple modifications were suggested.
- Craig will make sure letter gets in only members whose expiration date was 1998 or before.
• Tom talked about Triangle Foundation hosting
Speakers Bureau training December 1st.
- Cost is $35/person, plus travel and hotel costs.
- He indicates he would like to send two people
to this event, and who is interested.
- Craig indicates interest, and Tom himself says
he would like to go after nobody else indicated
it would be possible given the quick timing.
- Motion by Bob to spend no more than $325
total to send Craig and Tom to the Triangle
Speakers Bureau training, seconded by
Alan, carried unanimously.
Moved to adjourn at 7:13PM by Toni, seconded
by David, carried unanimously.
Toni Poole, Secretary
Friends North of Michigan, Inc.
To all Members of Friends North
Recently I made an error with my decision
making as President of Friends North.
Wellness Networks asked for our mailing
list for their fundraising efforts, and I against policy, gave it to them. I am assured that no copies
were made, and it was returned to us.
I need to apologize to the membership for
this breach, and any breach of confidentiality this
may have caused.
Sincerely,
Thomas D. Kincaid
President Friends North
Networking 45° North
Page 7
Words To Consider
Kabat-Zinn. Jon. WHEREVER YOU GO.
THERE YOU ARE: Mindfulness Meditation in
everyday Life. New York: Hyperion Books, 1994.
With just its insightful title, this book has important lessons to teach. It concerns meditation and
the many valuable benefits that it can bring to
one's life-I find they start in merely physically
quality to it (and a pleasant odor?) which calms me
and relaxes my soul. The first part of the book
deals with the rationale of meditation and the benefits which come from "mindfulness": or "paying
attention in a particular way-on purpose, in the
present moment, and nonjudgementally." In this
part, the author deals with subjects such as stopping, breathing, non-doing, letting go and concentration. Part two, "the heart of practice," deals with
aspects of a formal meditation practice: sitting
meditation, dignity, how long to meditate, and various postures and/or ways to meditate. The final
part deals with "application and perspectives" on
mindfulness. Stories about subjects such as
grounding yourself early in the morning, astronomical observatories, "Dr. Have-It-All-Together,"
cleaning the stove, "selfing," and cat food in the
sink are all illustrative ofKaban-Zinn's gentle way
of introducing lessons concerning mindfulness.
Throughout the book are a series of''try" sectionsexperiment with this or that concerning meditation,
slowing yourself down and the like. I have used
many of them and found them to be valuable. This
is a gem of a book. If you missed it when it was
first published, pick up a copy and consider its insightful teachings. Highly recommended.
Contributed by,
JimLitlell
Billboards Vs Funding
Last summer Jim Carruthers, along with
the encouragement and pledge of support of several
people in the community, placed two 'We Are Traverse
City" rainbow billboards along Traverse City streets.
The total cost for these billboards (including an unanticipated charge for artwork) came to $1,920.00.
For a variety of reasons, some of the funding
that was committed to this effort never came through.
To make a long story short ... a few people gave generously toward the billboards, but is wasn't enough to
cover the entire cost of the billboards. Lamar still has an
amount unpaid of $1,120.00.
I do not have the list of contributors; Jim does.
If you already helped us fund this project, thank you
very much!
If you feel that you could help us toward retiring
this debt to Lamar Advertising, it would be deeply appreciated (any amount will be welcomed toward settling
this debt)! If you know of anybody that might be able to
help, please pass this note along to them.
Please write your check to:
Lamar Advertising (YVe Are Traverse City Billboard)
And address your envelope to:
Wellness Networks
Jim Carruthers
516 East 8th Street
PO Box 1632
Traverse City Ml 49685-1632
If you have any questions, please call 933.0279
Thank you in advance for your kindness and consideration of this matter.
M'Lynn
I
P, opert:y cf the C •r.tJ
Networking 45° North
Page 8
I
Tragedy might pave way for gay rights
LAURA BILLINGS, Pioneer Press Columnist
Back when newspaper editors ac,tually cared about
the weird voices in Anne Heche's head and that kid who
was too old to pitch in the Little League, a few interesting
facts did manage to escape from the new Census Bureau
survey.
It turns out that gay couples were wildly underrepresented in the 1990 survey and could now be seen in great
numbers, fueling the 72 percent surge in cohabitating couples of either sex. The findings also show that gays are no
longer concentrated in urban areas but now live in the suburbs. They serve on school boards and adopt children. Just
like families everywhere.
Though the findings are the sort that might lead to
substantial gains in gay rights - say, a new discussion of
gay marriage or something smarter than the military's
dumb don't-ask-don't-tell rule - nothing much has happened. But what a difference a day makes. Particularly
when the day in question is Sept. 11.
One of the attack's many aftershocks is the way
we're examining more closely how gays are treated in this
country and looking for new ways to mend the inequities.
Though same-sex partners still can't qualify for
Social Security benefits or workers' compensation from the
loss of a loved one, the American Red Cross has a nounced
it will give relief benefits to homosexuals who lost their
partners in the Sept. 11 attacks. The United Way has also
said it will donate money to groups that reach out to gay
partners.
Even more surprisingly, the House of Representatives, which spent nine years blocking a domestic-partners
law in the District of Columbia, finally voted to let it take
effect last week. Some 41 Republicans deserted their party
leaders and sided with Bill Delahunt, a Democrat from
Massachusetts who argued: "One of the four passengers
who appear to have thwarted the hijackers of United Flight
93 was a gay man, a 31-year-old rugby star from San Francisco named Mark Bingham. He was a hero who may
very well have prevented that plane from destroying the
building we are standing in. And this is how we thank him
for his heroism."
President Bush, who could once have counted
those two bigots at The 700 Club as his biggest fans, denounced them for their outrageous assertion that gays were
among the suspicious minority groups who had alienated
God and brought on the death of nearly 7,000 innocents.
The Pentagon suspended don't-ask-don't-tell, a
hopeful precursor to doing away entirely with a rule that
pleases no one. For their troubles, the Bush administration
earned the swift condemnation of the conservative Family
Research Counci~ which has identified a "disturbing trend"
at the White House, an "implicit endorsement of the homosexual agenda."
In other words, the compassion in their conservatism is finally showing.
Maybe these swift changes shouldn't be such a
surprise at a time like this. Historically, the path of real social change has often been paved not by education or
marches or awareness months, but by crisis. Women who
took up factory jobs and a new economic autonomy during
the war effort eventually gave way to the women's rights
movement. Blacks and other minorities who risked their
lives on battlefields in Europe and Asia came home to fight
for the civil rights they deserved in their own country.
Gays and lesbians who died in the September
tragedy - who worked in the twin towers and the Pentagon,
or offered emergency medical care, or served as firefighters
or police officers, or volunteered their time, or lost their
own lives to bring down the hijackers - made sacrifices as
great and suffer from grief just as real as anyone else. They
deserve the same rights and benefits as everyone else. They
deserve their day.
After Sept. 11, that day may come a little sooner.
. Laura Billings can be reached at lbillings@pioneerpress.
com or (651) 228-5584.
Court allows TG job bias case to move forward
Gay People's Chronicle,
November 16, 2001
P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland Ohio 44101
{Fax: 216-631-1052) {E-mail: chronicle@chronohio.com)
{ http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com
Court allows TG job bias case to move
forward
by Eric Resnick
Cleveland - A federal judge ruled November 9 that a Clevelandtransgender
woman can sue a former employer under
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
1964. This is believed to be the first
time a court has allowed a transgendered
person to sue for employment discrimination on thebasis of sexual stereotype
non-conformity.
Continued page 9
Networking 45° North
Page 9
Court allows TG job bias case to move forward, continued
The case was brought by a Cleveland
woman against United Consumer Financial
Services in January 2001, after she was
fired as a temporary employee in July
2000 when United officials questioned her
gender and demanded medical records.
United finances consumer purchases
of Scott Fetzer products, including Kirby
sweepers and World Book encyclopedias.
The case was filed in federal court
in Cleveland by attorney Randi Barnabee
of Macedonia as a "Jane Doe" case in order to protect the woman's interests in
another discrimination suit against Cuyahoga County. There, the woman is alleging
discrimination following 15 years of employment as a supervisor.
It was because of the county's termination that the woman, then age 58,
sought temporary to permanent employment
with United through the ReserveNetwork
agency.
The woman alleged that on July 10,
2000, following ten days on the job, collections manager Brian Davis summoned her
to the office of United vice president
William Ciszozon. Also present was personnel manager Debbie Woodworth.
During that meeting, it was explained to her that the personnel department was having difficulty verifying her
high school records. Thewoman graduated
in 1960 with a male name. In 1973, she
legally changed hername to a female name
when she began to transition.
United does not normally require
school records as part of their preemployment procedures.
At the meeting Ciszozon asked the
employee if she was a man dressed as a
woman, and what her gender was because,
"by looking at [her], [Ciszozon] can't
tell." Ciszozon also wanted to know if
the woman had an operation.
When the woman protested the line
of questioning, she was told that an
employee had complained that "a man
dressed as a woman was using the
Ladies restroom."
The next day, Woodworth told the
Reserve Network that the woman's services
were no longer needed.
Reserve Network case notes show
that on July 7, a representative visited
United to check on the placement, and was
asked by Woodworth if she noticed anything peculiar about the employee.
Then, Woodworth told the representative,
"employees here have named her Mrs.
Doubtfire . . . but they don't say it to
her face."
The November 9 decision by Judge
Kathleen McDonald O 'Malley was a ruling
on United's attempt to have the entire
case dismissed.
Cleveland attorney Lee Hutton, representing United, argued that all federal
courts have held that Title VII cannot
protect transsexuals, because in a 1984
case, Ulane v. Eastern Airlines, it was
found that Congress had a narrow definition of "sex" in mind when the 1964 Civil
Rights Act was passed.
However, in 1989, the U.S. Supreme
Court ruled in Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins the act covers a person discriminated against for not conforming to the
gender stereotype behavior expected by
another person or social norms.
But O'Malley found that a 2000 ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court put the
later decision first.
"Ulane has been overtaken by the
'logic and language of PriceWaterhouse'
and that Title VII prohibits discrimination based on 'sexual identity,' not just
based on biological sex," wrote O'Malley.
O'Malley will allow the woman to continue
to press her claims of slander and intrusion. But she granted United's motion to
dismiss the complaints filed under the
Americans with Disabilities Act and the
intentional infliction of emotional distress claim under Ohio law.
Hutton did not return calls for
comment on this report. Barnabee said
that since this is the first time a judge
has allowed a transgenderdiscrimination
case like this to go forward, "it may
have taken him by surprise."
Barnabee, who is herself transgender, said if the case does not get
settled, she expects discovery to begin
soon, and for a trial to be scheduled by
summer.
Networking 45° North
Page /0
Inside Story Headline
Guest Column
Police Blameless in Gay Teen's Suicide,
Will Verdict Adversely Effect Gay Teens
by R. Zeke Fread
The jury decision that cleared
three Borough of Minersville, PA, police
officers of violating Marcus
Wayman's
constitutional right to privacy, is a
great setback in Gay Teen Suicide Prevention. (news story) It sends a message to
our fragile and tormented gayteens,
their constitutional rights to privacy
are limited and serves to cause something
more for them to be in fear about.
Concerns for the adverse effect of
this verdict on Gay Teens andwhat can we
do to combat the negative impact.
The facts are clear that the officers had threatened to disclose that
Marcus was gay and he was so traumatized
by the officers threat to tell his grandfather he was gay, he killed himself several hours after being released from
police custody. This is not disputed. The
note he left, even further shows the connection to his Grandfather saying, "'I'm
sorry grandpa, I found my future, I won't
let everyone's life be ruined by mine."
It is so difficult for me to believe, a jury could find the officers
COMPLETELY BLAMELESS in Marcus's decision
to take his own life. With the treatment
the teen endured at the hands of those
charged with protecting him, calling him
and a friendqueers, condemning, ridiculing them with misinterpreted references
from the Bible, was not torment enough,
they had tothreaten to tell Marcus's
Grandfather he was gay.
They may have escaped blame and responsibility for their actionsoy a jury
of their peers. They have not escaped
being held accountable by those of us who
do not want our gay teens tobelieve
their actions are acceptable. That, this
treatment of gay teens is wrong and will
not be allowed to continue unchallenged.
Gay teens should not have the added
fear, that they themselves could someday
be the victims of such horrific treatment.
We have to protect them from those
who would cause them harm. Let us not
allow the jury to send our gay teens the
message this is the type of justice they
as gay teens can expect in future. For
whatever reason they decided the police
officers in this situation were free of
any blame and actions were not wrong. We
must be sure, that we send our message
that we care about them and they absolutely do not deserve to be treated in
such a manner solely for who they are.
Talk to teens, both gay and nongay, be sure they know how much we care
and are here to protect them. So, at
least, they will not feel the fear that
the Marcus's have been exposed to by the
intolerant and bigoted beliefs of others.
R. Zeke Fread is Coordinator & Organizer of gay rights organization Tampa
Bay Coalition
News That Matters (LGBT Edition)
www.TraverseArea.com
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I
To all of our friends and loyal clients.
Thank you and best wishes for this
holiday season!
YOUR SPONSORS
Linda Zajac and Tom Elliott
Century 21 Pearson-Cook
241 East State Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
800-424-9618 office
Networking 45° North
Page I I
I
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Edward J. Loftus M.A. LLP.
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Networking 45° North
Page 12
From The Editor
Note from the editor: One ofmy most favorite letters to the
judging others. What was it Jesus said about judgment and
Traverse City Record Eagle 's editor regarding Proposal 1:
self righteousness? What a glorious world it would be if all
that time and energy was spent on self-reflection, humility,
Offensive mailings
I cannot believe the offensive mail rve been
brotherly love, compassion, peacefulness, simplicity,
acceptance and integrity. If these things were happening,
bombarded with lately. I am embarrassed to call myself a
no one would have felt the need to request protection under
Christian anymore.
a city ordinance. Hmmm.
First, they use children (the Boy Scouts) to further their
political agenda and now they have resorted to the good
Ifmy mailbox were to allow me to think for myself: I
would:
old fear tactic. The last bulk mailing delivered to my home
1. Go the polls and vote no on Proposal I.
used the words "force" and "threaten" seven times. I have
2. Continue to spend my energy on positive things like
never been forced or threatened by a homosexual in my
bettering myself and fostering my own spiritual
life.
relationship with God, not pouncing all over anyone
All this banter about choice. Homosexuality isn't a
choice. But to the best of my knowledge religion is, and it
who doesn't think like me.
3. Tell anyone who finds it such a huge priority to
has protected status. Did a bunch of homosexuals spend
examine and cast judgment on the personal lives of
thousands of dollars to spread loads of fear-tactic
others: "Stay out of my closet. Go home and clean
propaganda around the city to fight "religion" from being
your own."
part of city policy? I doubt it!
What a luxury it must be to have the time, energy and
money to go around (to other towns even) condemning and
Sue Green
Traverse City
It Could Have Been Anything
DR. JE.\.\ Jf"ER J. SOWLE, UO::\ SELJ l'SICHOLOGl!ff
L/umetl 1/urriu//t' und F11mi{1· rhcrflpi<t
B.\ )'' PSYC!l<)LOGJCAL SEHV/Cl:S
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and didn't submit an article
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M 001 111 484
Networking 45° North
Page /3
Fourth Thursday Potlucks
On the fourth Thursday of every month Friends North
sponsors a potluck. It is held at Grace Episcopal Church,
on the comer of Boardman and Washington streets. This
ongoing event continues to be popular with a few of our
community members.
The Fourth Thursday Potlucks are a great time to
see old friends, meet new ones, catch up on what's happening, and enjoy a variety of home cooked dishes.
I would like you to try coming to our potlucks.
We are especially interested in having more women attend.
The current turnout is predominately men. I like diversity!
It really doesn't matter what you bring to share. I
have never known a night that did not include a nice
variety of things. Friends North provides instant coffee,
herbal teas, and hot cocoa.
If you would like to try something different in our
lgbt community, come to a Friends North potluck! The
time is 6:30 p.m. Ample parking and the entrance to the
building are in the rear of the church.
If you want more information please contact me:
Dave Hummel, 929-1226.
We invite you to the Fifth Annual
Friends North Sledding Party and
Chili Cook Off, Sunday February 10th,
2002 from 1 pm till 5 pm.
Bring warm clothes, sleds, skis, snowshoes, board
games, cards, a Valentine's dessert to pass, and friends
who like to play in the snow.
Board members will bring chili and the crowd
will vote on the best. The infamous chili crown will then
be passed from last years winner to this years Chili CookOffKing or Queen.
Directions: Driving north on M-22 from T.C. to Suttons
Bay, turn left at the only blinking light, go 2 blocks to
Lincoln St., turn right on Lincoln and continue to the fork
in road. At fork continue straight ahead and up the hill
to the warming hut at the end of the road on the left.
Richard Pozniak took pictures at the potluck
dinner we had at Dave Rinckey's farm a
couple of months ago. - Dave
FRIENDS NORTH OF MICIDGAN
ANNUAL MEETING
&POTLUCK
Tuesday, December 4t~ 2001
6:30PM
Grace Episcopal Church
Comer of Washington & Boardman
(parking lot and entrance off the alley)
We begin this yearly event with the eating of the
wonderful food that everyone brings. (The first thing
I learned about Friends North events was that good
food was an essential part.)
The meeting follows with a review of the past year, any
changes in the By-Laws and the introduction of the new
candidates for the 2002 Board of Trustees. We are
loosing three this year, and if your are interested, give
one of the Trustees a call. Their phone numbers are
list on page two of this publication.
Following the election of the new trustees, they get to
adjourn to the library and select new officers for 2002.
However the rest ofus get to sample leftover goodies
that we 'might have missed the first or second time.
It's a great time. Kind of an early Christmas party i~you
will. No alcohol in the church, but that's a good thmg.
No apologies are needed in the morning.
Resources Page
State And National Hotlines
Local HIV/AIDS Health Counseling & Information
Department of Justice......................... 800-347-4283
Gay/Lesbian National Youth............. 800-347-TEEN (8336)
Triangle Hate Crime Reporting ............ 877-7-TRIANGLE
(877-787-42640)
HIV Testing Anonymous & Confidential
Community Health Clinic (same day) ............................ 231-929-4448
Grand Traverse County Health Dept ............................ 231-922-4831
Planned Parenthood Northern Michigan .............. 800-230-PLAN (7526)
Statewide Services
ACLU OfMichigan ............................ Office.. 248-398-7105
Help Line.................................................. 800-398-4297
E-mail..michaclu@aol.com
http://michigan.aclu.org/
Lansing Association of Human Rights ............... 517-332-3200
http://www.macatawaorg/-lahr
Triangle Foundation ..... .
19641 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit, MI ............ 313-357-3323
..........................................................http://www.tri.org
GLSEN ....................................www.GLSEN-Michigan.org
National Services
GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network)
212-727-0135 ................................. http://www.GLSEN.org/
HRC (Human Rights Campaign) ..................... 202-628-4160
E-mai I. ...... hrc@hrc.org ........................ http://www.hrc.org/
IFGE (International Foundation for Gender Education)
781-899-2212 ... E-mail..info@ifge.org ..... http://www.ifge.org
Emmet County Health Dept ......................................231-347-60 I4
Wellness Networks .........231-933-0279
Toll-Free ....... 800-947-1160
....................................................... www.WellnessNetworks.org
Local Service/Social/Political
Friends North of Michigan, PO Box 562, Traverse City, Ml 49685-0562
Northern Michigan Help Line ..................................... 231-946- I 804
E-mail. .. .info@friendsnorth.org ....................... www.friendsnorth.org
GLSEN, PO Box 9, Traverse City, Ml 49685-0685 ........... 231-943-5050
E-mail...GLSEN@TraverseAreacom ...... www. TraverseAreacom/GLSEN
Gay Alcoholics Anonymous
Call John..... 231-922-0746
WINDFIRE Gay & Lesbian Youth Support Group....Call Third Level for
location & time.... 231-922-4800
Toll-Free .............. 800-442-7315
Human Rights Commission ........................................ 231-922-444 7
LAMBDA Legal Defense & Education Fund ..... 212-809-8585
....................................... www.thebody.com/lambdahtml
NGLTF (National Gay & Lesbian Task Force) .....202-332-6483
............................................................ www.ngtlf.org/
PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . .. . .. . . 202-638-420
Email..info@pflag.org ................................. www.pflag.org/
Grace Episcopal Church, Traverse City
or
Hilda..... 231-938-9294
Local Counseling
CDRS (free substance abuse referral) ............................. 231-929-1315
.......................................................... Toll-Free..... 800-686-0749
THIRD LEVEL Crisis Intervention Center
1022 E. Front Street Traverse City, MI 49686 ................... 231-922-4800
www.travese.net/members/third level/.............. Toll-Free... 800-442-7315
WOMAN'S RESOURCE CENTER Phone...................... 231-941-1210
Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network
.................................... www.asaging.org/lgain.html
Susan Odgers, PhD ........................................................ 946-0331
Barbara Jones Smith, PhD ................................................ 947-1444
Local Spiritual
Circle of the Sacred Earth, Rev. Nancy Hayward... 231-223-7999
Journey in Light Ministries, Rev. Linda L. Wilson.231-271-2529
Rev.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Grand Traverse,
Emmy Lou Belcher, 6726 Center Rd, Traverse City, Ml 49686
Home.. 231-938-9079 ......................... Office.. 231-947-3117
Unity Church, Rev. Judy Grimes
3600 Five Mile Rd., Traverse City, MI 49686 ....... 231-938-9587
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Petoskey
PO Box 873, Petoskey, Ml 49770 .................... 231-347-8916
Bay Area Counseling, LLC ............................................... 933-4009
Susan R.Breuer, PhD,
Benzonia..................................... 882-4455
Sarah's Circle I Carol Anderson ............................... 995-9431
Bay Psychological Services, Dr. Jennifer J. Sowle.......... 946-6488
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered?
Have Questions, Need Help?
Call the Northern Michigan Help Line
231-946-1804