Brother Outsider

Here's a heads-up on a special program planned for our February PFLAG meeting scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2-4:30 pm.

Brother Outsider

We will show the wonderful film Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin. A leader in the Civil Rights who was kept under wraps primarily because he was an openly gay man, Rustin was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King and the prime organizer of the March on Washington. This film is a fascinating look at the life of a little known but very important leader. There will be a short discussion after the film viewing.

Our usual meeting format will be adjusted to allow for time for the film and discussion.

The viewing of this film is part of a larger diversity outreach project. about which there is more information in the January-February newsletter.

Location and directions for PFLAG meetings on the website at www.pflag-olympia.org.

Good news

To: HeartBeat, PFLAG Olympia
From:Gery Gerst, Olympia
Re: Welcoming Statement Adoption by the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd on North Street
Our congregation, after almost a year of deliberation, prayerful consideration and education forums has voted overwhelmingly to adopt and publicly display, as an expression of its mission and vision, the following affirmation of welcome:

A Welcoming Congregation. Here's the announcement sent our way by Gery Gerst:


The Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd welcomes all people,
• the poor and the rich, the young and the old,
• people who are single, married, blessed, divorced, separated, partnered, or widowed,
• people of all abilities,
• people of all sexual orientations and gender identities,
• people of all nations and ethnic backgrounds.
No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.

We are now listed on the Reconciling in Christ roster of congregations on the Lutherans Concerned website: http://lcna.org/zricdetail.asp?ContactID=8406
We will next move to place the welcoming logo and affirmation in readily viewable places, and more importantly strive to fully practice our welcoming of all, as the affirmation states.
Sincerely,
Gery Gerst for the Reconciling in Christ task force at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

President Obama tells the story of PFLAG

President Obama shared the story of PFLAG as "the story of America" in a speech on October 10, 2009.

PFLAG National Blog: Janice Langbehn Hospital Visitation Case Dismissed

A federal court in Miami threw out the case of Janice Langbehn, a lesbian denied the right to visit her dying partner in a Florida hospital, saying that no law required the hospital to admit visitors.

Langbehn, a Washington state resident, filed the suit against Jackson Memorial Hospital after Lisa Pond, her partner of 17 years, died there in 2007. Pond suffered a brain aneurysm prior to a Caribbean gay cruise with their three children, and a hospital social worker refused to let Langbehn visit her dying partner, allegedly saying that Florida was “an antigay state.”

The court ruled in favor of the hospital, according to The Miami Herald, in a decision that Langbehn’s attorney called “extreme.”

Read more:
PFLAG National Blog: Janice Langbehn Hospital Visitation Case Dismissed

APPROVE Referendum 71 on the Nov. 3rd Washington State ballot.

From Aberdeen to Zillah there are registered domestic partners in Washington State.

PFLAG-Olympia is one of the coalition partner organizations that endorses Washington Families Standing Together.



This coalition of community partners is committed to working together to protect Washington’s families and has formed a coordinated campaign to help keep the law from being repealed.

Opponents of civil rights for LGBT people in Washington State have qualified Referendum 71 for the November 3rd 2009 ballot. The referendum seeks to repeal the domestic partnership bill which was passed by our legislature and signed by the governor.

Now we will have to VOTE Approve Referendum 71.

This election will be held with mail-in ballots only, and those will be mailed out in October. People will be mailing them back before November.

Please be sure you are registered (and your friends and family members are) and that you vote to APPROVE.

Please help us with this. When you talk to people, please say "Protect all Washington families and vote Approve on Referendum 71 to affirm to retain our recently passed Domestic Partnership law.

For more information see http://www.wafst.org/

Thank you!

Picnic preparation

We have to start planning now for the annual PFLAG-Olympia picnic.

First, mark your calendar: Sunday, Aug. 9. 1-5 p.m.,Priest Point Park, Kitchen #3

It's potluck, but we need to coordinate somewhat to make sure we don't have 40 desserts and no main course dishes.

We're trying something different this year. Rather than grilling burgers and hot dogs, we're asking people to bring things that don't have to be grilled, such as crock pot dishes, casseroles, pasta, salads, etc. Plus breads and desserts.

Plus, we will need paper plates, plastic forks, napkins, soda -- and somebody needs to bring a big ice chest with ice to keep the drinks cold.

Please let us know what you can bring. E-mail Alec at president@pflag-olympia.org. On the website I will post a list of what we need and what's been promised, and update it as often as needed so you can see what's needed.

Please help us out to make this the best picnic ever. And don't forget to invite your friends and family.

Gay plays

Two of Olympia's community theaters are presenting gay themed plays this summer.

First, Olympia Little Theater is doing the outrageous comedy "The Little Dog Laughed."

Here's the info on it from their press release: "If you like to laugh, if you like outrageous satire... don't miss "The Little Dog Laughed" said Liz Smith doyenne of Hollywood gossip columnists about Douglas Carter Beane's 2007 Tony and GLAAD (www.glaad.org) award nominated play, opening June 5th at Olympia Little Theatre. The play all Broadway was talking about in 2007 has come to town!

The show runs June 4th through 21st at Olympia Little Theater with shows Thursday through Monday at 7:55pm and 1:55pm Sunday. Tickets are $10-$12 and available at Yenney Music Company, 1404 Harrison Ave NW, Olympia, 360-943-7500 (cash & checks only), on-line at www.buyolympia.com/events (Credit cards only, add 10% service charge.) or at OLT on the night of the show (when available) 1925 Miller Avenue, Olympia, WA 98506 360-786-9484 www.olympialittletheatre.org

Regular Performance dates: June 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 20 at 7:55pm:
June 14, 21 at 1:55pm.

There will be a special benefit performance for Capital City Pride Friday June 19, 7:55pm. Contact CCP www.capitalcitypride.net for tickets.


Next, Theater Artists Olympia presents "Romeo and Juliet" done with a fresh, intriguing perspective: the title roles are played by two young men. The director, Chris Cantrell, has emphasized that this is not a "drag show," but a serious production. According to TAO' publicity, "He is handling it with the utmost sensitivity and care."

Where: Minnaert Performing Arts Ctr, 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia (South Puget Sound Comm College)
When: June 25 - July 11 at 8:00 p.m. (Wed.-Sat.) / July 12 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $12 at door or buyolympia.com / Pay What You Can on 7/8
Info: olytheater.com or 360-357-3471

Steve Schalchlin: Live Online May 22

Were you at the Olympia concert and want more?
Did you miss the Olympia concert?
There is going to be a Steve Schalchlin webcast!

Steve Schalchlin: Live Online from Kulak's Woodshed.
May 22 - 8 pm Pacific time. More information: here.

Steve Schalchlin: The Big Voice in Olympia

Earlier today in his blog - South Sound Arts etc. - PFLAG-Olympia chapter president (and local theater reviewer) Alec Clayton wrote a review of our very special Mothers Day benefit concert:
The Big Voice in Olympia

Steve Schalchlin posted Alec's review on his own blog - Living in the Bonus Round - with more photos and his own comments. Check it out:
A Review of My Olympia Concert.

Both Steve and Alec love comments which you can do on their blogs.

Enjoy!

PFLAG National Blog: Speaking Out for Equality on the Global Stage

Clinton's strong condemnation of anti-gay discrimination comes on the heels of the announcement that the Obama administration plans to reverse the long-standing U.S. opposition to a United Nations proposal supporting equality for LGBT people.

According to The U.N. Dispatch, the United States recently voted in favor of the measure, after voting "no" on the 13-point proposal during the Bush administration.

The declaration, the Dispatch reports, is "to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention." The resolution also, "...Recognizes that experiences of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance are aggravated and intersect with discrimination on grounds including sexual orientation and gender identity, and condemns all forms of discrimination and all other human rights violations based on these grounds."

Read all of
PFLAG National Blog: Speaking Out for Equality on the Global Stage:

Dignity, Dogmatism and Same Sex Relationships

BOOK REVIEW

Dignity, Dogmatism and
Same Sex Relationships
by Gilbert Rossing

Reviewed by Alec Clayton

Gilbert Rossing, known to local PFLAG members as Gib, has recently published a fascinating book titled Dignity, Dogmatism and Sam Sex Relationships (subtitled What Science and Scripture Teach us). This long title clearly maps out what the book is about.

Gib is a retired Lutheran minister who with his wife, Beth, has two gay sons and two straight daughters. When their sons came out, the Rossings had the experience shared by many PFLAG parents of learning about GLBTQ issues. As a scholar and theologian, Gib found himself struggling to understand apparent contradictions between what the Bible said about homosexuality — and more specifically the common ways many people interpreted scripture — and what his heart and scientific studies told him. In his book, he carefully examines these issues from both theological and scientific viewpoints and illustrates his commentary with personal narrative.

The facts are interesting, well researched and clearly presented, but they make for somewhat dry and academic reading. The dryness, however, is alleviated by the personal narrative.

We have two copies of this book in the PFLAG library (although as of this writing they are both checked out). They are also available at Orca Books and online at amazon.com (or Google Dignity-Dogmatism).

Celebrate Mother's Day with Steve Schalchlin and support PFLAG Olympia!

In his April 03, 2009 blog post: Personal Appearances., award-winning lyricist, composer, singer/songwriter and storyteller Steve Schalchlin wrote:

This whole new wave of personal appearances, culminating in the creation and design of a new live solo concert, began with a simple request. Gabi Clayton -- do I have to remind you who she is? -- approached me about going back up to Olympia, the place where I played the "Imagine" piano, to sing a new concert as a benefit for PFLAG-Olympia. Given the fact that I'll do anything, anywhere, for any PFLAG, my answer was yes.

So we are very excited to announce that Steve will be the very special guest at our Sunday, May 10th Mother's Day meeting.

Then he'll perform a very special benefit concert for PFLAG at Capital Playhouse at 7 p.m. Tickets are limited so get them as soon as possible before they sell out.

Lot's more information is posted on the PFLAG-Olympia website.

Please join us!

It's an absolutely fabulous way to celebrate
Mother's Day and PFLAG.

"Honoring a Very Big Heart in the Heartland"

I very much recommend reading this wonderful story which was published in the National PFLAG blog today:
Honoring a Very Big Heart in the Heartland
by Kenny Michael Murrell, posted and introduced by Steve Ralls.

PFLAG National speaks out about Reverend Rick Warren being chosen to deliver the invocation at Barack Obama's inauguration

All of us at Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) have been inspired and empowered by your eloquent reminder that LGBT people are part of the fabric of our nation and that, as you so powerfully pointed out in 2004, “we have gay friends in the red states, too.” Rev. Warren, however, has not been a friend to our families, and his selection for this prestigious role in your inaugural ceremony is unwarranted and unfortunate.

Now, more than ever, our families need an ally in Washington who will stand up for us all. Unfortunately, Rev. Warren has stood against equality for all. We know our country, and our families, can do better.

Please read all of
A Letter to President-Elect Obama
by
John R. Cepek, PFLAG National President
Rabbi David Horowitz, PFLAG National Vice-President
and
Jody M. Huckaby, Executive Director
Posted on the PFLAG National Blog on Thursday, December 18, 2008

Harvey Milk: "You Cannot Live On Hope Alone"

Harvey Milk was the first openly-gay man to be elected to public office, in San Francisco in 1977. His amazing speech, "You Cannot Live On Hope Alone," was given in 1978, shortly before he was assassinated.

Watch a great video of that speech created by Causecast:

Got Hope? Harvey Milk.

"Somewhere in Des Moines or San Antonio there is a young gay person who all the sudden realizes that he or she is gay; knows that if their parents find out they will be tossed out of the house, their classmates will taunt the child, and the Anita Bryant's and John Briggs' are doing their part on TV. And that child has several options: staying in the closet, and suicide. And then one day that child might open the paper that says "Homosexual elected in San Francisco" and there are two new options: the option is to go to California, or stay in San Antonio and fight. Two days after I was elected I got a phone call and the voice was quite young. It was from Altoona, Pennsylvania. And the person said "Thanks". And you've got to elect gay people, so that thousand upon thousands like that child know that there is hope for a better world; there is hope for a better tomorrow. Without hope, not only gays, but those who are blacks, the Asians, the disabled, the seniors, the us's: without hope the us's give up. I know that you can't live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. And you, and you, and you, and you have got to give them hope." - Harvey Milk, 1978

Proposition 8 Protest

Olympia will join cities all around the world in protest of the passage of Proposition 8 in California, the measure that took away hard-earned equal marriage rights for gays and lesbians. The Olympia protest will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, at City Hall. Please come, rain or shine.

For information contact Alec at alecclayton.com or Anna Schlecht at aschlecht@juno.com or go to http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/

Keith Olbermann on Marriage Equality and Prop 8

Adam R wrote today on a PFLAG National Blog post Olbermann on Marriage Equality:

Keith Olbermann of MSNBC commented on his show recently about the passing of Proposition 8 in California, and his dismay and disappointment with the results. He wonders why anyone would want to deny another person the right to the same things that they enjoy. Be sure to watch this clip...

Keith Olbermann is thoughtful, powerful, and wonderful. He said:

You are asked now, by your country, and perhaps by your creator, to stand on one side or another. You are asked now to stand, not on a question of politics, not on a question of religion, not on a question of gay or straight. You are asked now to stand, on a question of...love. All you need do is stand, and let the tiny ember of love meet its own fate. You don't have to help it, you don't have it applaud it, you don't have to fight for it. Just don't put it out.

Please watch & listen to the whole commentary.

Thank you, Keith Olbermann.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Please stand with us in Olympia on Saturday.
Olympia is joining in a nationwide protest of the passage of Proposition 8 in California, the citizens' initiative that took away the hard-earned right of gays and lesbians to get married.

Please join in the rally at City Hall, 8th Avenue and Plum Street, at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 15. Bring signs and umbrellas. There will be guest speakers. We'll meet on the south side of City Hall on the steps to Council Chambers.

Please help spread the word.

If you have any questions, local contacts in Olympia are Alec Clayton at alec@alecclayton.com and Anna Schlecht at aschlecht@juno.com.

You can find posters, signs, and more information at http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Also, see this post on my blog for a message from Rebecca Riots and a link to a free song to download: Rebecca Riots - A Thousand Hands (Wedding Song '08).

A statement from PFLAG's ED on the election of Barack Obama

Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG, released the following statement on PFLAG National Blog following the election of President-Elect Barack Obama:

Lift Up Your Eyes to the Day Breaking For You

"All of us at PFLAG congratulate President-Elect Obama on his victory this evening. Tonight, our country has turned an historic corner, electing our first African-American commander-in-chief. As a United States Senator, and a candidate for the Presidency of the United States, Obama has been a steadfast friend to the LGBT community, our families and friends. We look forward to working with the new administration, and new Congress, in moving equality forward for our families and friends.

"Tonight, old prejudices have fallen, and outdated barriers have been broken. For those of us with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) loved ones, the significance of this moment cannot be underestimated. President-Elect Obama will arrive in the Oval Office as a remarkable advocate for our community and our families. He will be the first sitting chief executive to support repeal of the military’s prejudicial ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ ban on LGBT Americans, and the first occupant of the White House to support federal recognition of same-sex relationships. We believe our families have an invaluable ally in the White House, and LGBT Americans have a champion for ‘liberty and justice for all.’ We join our country in congratulating pro-equality candidates for Congress as well, as it appears we have obtained a significant majority of fair-minded candidates in both houses of Congress. Even as we await the results of ballot initiatives on marriage equality and adoption, we take great hope and inspiration in President-Elect Obama’s victory.

"In her 1993 inaugural poem to the nation, one of America’s greatest treasures, Dr. Maya Angelou, implored our nation to ‘lift up your eyes to the day breaking for you; give birth again to the dream.’ This evening, we have heeded Dr. Angelou’s call, and we embark on a new journey for America. PFLAG’s family, friends, supporters and volunteers are proud to join President-Elect Obama on that journey, and we salute his historic victory on this unforgettable election day in America."

PFLAG at Olympia Pride 2008

Watch the PFLAG interview at Capital City Pride Parade with some parade footage and pancake feed.

By David Raffin, Olympia writer, filmmaker, raconteur, and owner of of Blissful Rememberances.

The Q Voices Survey of 14-19 Year Old GLBTQ US Youth

The Q Voices Project is an anonymous online survey through the University of Washington's School of Social Work.

We are a group of researchers who want to better understand the experiences of teens in the United States ages 14-19 who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender or questioning their sexual or gender orientation. Because we appreciate you sharing your time and experiences with us, you'll receive a $15 gift certificate (valid only in the US) after completing the survey!

Our team is diverse: we're queer and straight, racially/ethnically diverse, and we come from different professional backgrounds. Many of us have worked with LGBTQ youth in the past, and we're all committed to understanding the experiences of LGBTQ youth. That's why we designed this survey!

Once the survey is complete, we will compile people’s answer to document the strengths and challenges in the lives of LGBTQ youth. We will share this information in various ways such as by reporting to:

• Agencies providing services and programs for LGBTQ youth
• Schools so they can better attend to people’s needs
• Other professionals who care about LGBTQ youth and are in a position to effect policies, services, education, and public compassion.

Take the survey: The Q Voices Project