[PCNJ-news] PCNJ News & Updates - 1/18/05

[pridecenter-news at pridecenter.org]

The Pride Center of New Jersey
News & Updates - January 18, 2005

1. OOTB! - Jan 21
2. STONEWALL DEMOCRATS - Jan 19
3. FAMILIES SPEAK OUT - Jan 24
4. NO NAME CALLING WEEK - Jan 24
5. COLAGE: A SPACE FOR KIDS BY KIDS!- Jan 26
6. PCNJ ANNUAL VALENTINE'S DAY GALA - Feb 12
8. 4th ANNUAL TRANS-HEALTH CONFERENCE - Mar 10
9. MISCELLANY

1. OOTB! - Jan 21
Happy New Year, OOTB Folks...  
There's snow on the ground.
The holiday decorations are mostly down.
And I'm hearing the sound of
OUT OF THE BOX coming to town!  
(nice to know that the goofy is still possible in
2005!)
this FRIDAY, January 21st
8:00 - 10:30 pm
at the Pride Center of New Jersey
(directions/info below)
calling all poets  musicians  singers  comics 
storytellers  ranters  rejected ballot jugglers
Come to the Pride Center's monthly open-mic for all
types of performers. 
THIS MONTH'S FEATURED ARTISTS: 
NYC-based Performance Trio Mahina Movement
OUT OF THE BOX
open-mic at the Pride Center of New Jersey
listeners and sharers alike welcome.
held at the PRIDE CENTER OF NEW JERSEY
1048 Livingston Avenue, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 
$5 suggested donation/ $3 for students
free low-octane beverages and light gnosh served
how this open-mic works... folks show up around 7:45
pm or so and those who would like to, sign up on the
open-mic list to share their words, music, etc... at
8:00 pm we begin (or thereabouts) and folks who signed
up are called up to share.  around 9:00 the featured
artists for the evening take the stage for 20-30
minutes. there's usually a break somewhere in there
too for eating/drinking and cavorting. afterwards, we
continue with the open-mic list.
if you have questions or have a lot to set-up, please
contact us:
pandora (host) at pandorascooter at aol.com
stephen (host) at outoftheboxinfo at optonline.net
for directions (only!) call 732-846-2232 (the pride
center)

2. STONEWALL DEMOCRATS - Jan 19
ACR212- NJ LEGISLATION INTRODUCED AGAINST MARRIAGE
EQUALITY 
Hate Hits Home 
OK, it's happened. On January 10, 2005, bill number
ACR212 was introduced to the Assembly of the State of
New Jersey. This bill "Proposes a constitutional
amendment providing that marriage is solely between a
man and a woman unless the Legislature otherwise
provides." 
It was introduced by Assemblyman Rick Merkt, of
district 25, Morris County. This is the person who, on
May 27, 2004, introduced Assembly Resolution AR179,
which states: The proposed amendment provides in
substance that marriage in the United States shall
consist only of the union of a man and a woman, and
that the United States Constitution, nor the
Constitution of any state, no state or federal law,
shall be construed to require that marital status or
the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon
unmarried couples or groups..." 
If you would like to let Assemblyman Merkt know how
you feel about this, here is his contact info: 
Assemblyman Richard A. Merkt (R)
12 Old Brookside Road
Randolph, NJ 07869
phone: 973-895-9100
email: AsmMerkt at njleg.org 
Also, be sure to let your local Assemblyperson know
how you feel about this bill. In District 22,
(Plainfield area) your representatives are Jerry Green
(908-561-5757) and Linda Stender (908-668- 1900).
If you're not sure what district you are in, or who
your representative is, please visit
www.njleg.state.nj.us You can find the full text of
these bills, and other laws that affect our daily
lives. You can also check the legislative record for
your local representatives. Know who you're voting
for! 
What this all means is that the battle has begun. The
right wing's campaign to oppose Marriage Equality has
been bitter and relentless AND SUCCESSFUL in other
states. WE CANNOT let that happen in New Jersey! WE
CANNOT BE COMPLACENT! Yes, we live in the bluest of
the blue states, but it is up to us to make sure it
stays that way! 
In the upcoming weeks and months, you will be hearing
about opportunities to stand up for the civil rights
of LGBTI'ers in New Jersey. Next Wednesday, there will
be a meeting and informational session of the
Stonewall Democrats. I encourage you to attend, and
learn more.
Date: Wednesday Jan. 19
Time: 7:30
Place: Coriell Mansion, 957 Central Ave, cor. of
Stelle, Plainfield NJ
Also, coming soon, Garden State Equality's Steven
Goldstein will be bringing back the Town Meetings this
year with some exciting new twists, and a nice big
*splash*! I will keep you informed as these events are
announced. 
LGBTI'ers, we MUST stick together in the coming times.
It's going to get very hot in New Jersey! Let's make
sure everyone knows WHO WE ARE and WHERE WE STAND! 
"So long as the people do not care to exercise their
freedom, those who wish to tyrannize will do so; for
tyrants are active and ardent, and will devote
themselves in the name of any number of gods,
religious and otherwise, to put shackles upon sleeping
men." Voltaire 1694-1778 
Contact Info: email: joan.hervey at usa.net 
phone: 908-222-3330 

3. FAMILIES SPEAK OUT - Jan 24
The Central New Jersey chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and
Straight Education Network (GLSEN – CNJ) hosts a panel
of families who tell their stories about creating safe
and welcoming schools for their children.
Monday, January 24, 2005 6:15 – 8:15 pm
Monmouth County Library Headquarters
125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan.
Directions at www.monmouth.lib.nj.us 
For further information: contact CNJ GLSEN:
www.njglsen.org or 609-448-8243 

4. NO NAME CALLING WEEK - Jan 24
January 24-28, 2005
In every school district in New Jersey
Working for safe schools for all!
Lesson plans, teaching materials, ordering information
at www.nonamecallingweek.org
Got questions? Want workshops? Need training
njealgbc at comcast.org or 
GLSEN Central NJ at 609-448-8243
New Jersey Education Association supports the No
Name-Calling Week initiative with the help of a grant
from the National Education Association Human and
Civil Rights Grants on School Safety Programs.

5. COLAGE: A SPACE FOR KIDS BY KIDS!- Jan 26
Meet New Friends…Have Fun… Enjoy Food… And Plan for
the Next Gathering of New Jersey’s First Chapter of
COLAGE!  
COLAGE, Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere, was
founded in 1988 and has become a world-wide
organization dedicated to the needs and growth of
daughters and sons of lesbians and gay men.    
COLAGE’s mission is to engage, connect, and empower
people to make the world a better place for children
of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender parents and
families. 
Where: The Pride Center of New Jersey - 1048
Livingston Ave, North Brunswick,  NJ 08902, (732)
846-2232
When:  Sunday, January 23, 2005 
Time:   2:30pm to 4:30pm
Feature speakers: Brad Komar and Elizabeth Wall, two
teenagers who will share their own personal
experiences.  Elizabeth has been involved with COLAGE
for years and will provide information about the
organization.

6. PCNJ ANNUAL VALENTINE'S DAY GALA - Feb 12
Make plans to attend this wonderful annual event!
Date: Saturday February 12, 2005
Time: 7:00 PM to midnight
Location: The Holiday Inn, 390 Forsate Drive, Monroe
Township, NJ 609-655-4775
Cost:$48 per person
Dinner buffet, cash bar, live music, door and raffle
prizes
Please make check payable and mail to:
PCNJ, PO Box 5130, New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Attn: V Gala
Kindly RSVP by Saturday, February 8, 2005
More information: 732-350-9509

7. 4th ANNUAL TRANS-HEALTH CONFERENCE - Mar 10
Announding the 4th Annual Trans-health Conference,
March 10-12, 2005. Check out the website at
www.trans-health.org. Last year nearly 500 people
attended from around the country. 
Questions: 4th Annual Trans-health Conference
1201 Chestnut Street, 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-563-0663, jippolito at mazzonicenter.org

8. MISCELLANY
Don't forget to stop by the Center on 2nd and 4th
Tuesdays for LGMNB's regular drop-in socials - all
welcome. 

TEAM NJ Planning Meeting - December 16th at 7:30 PM

Under The Rainbow - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 7:30 PM

GALY North Brunswick - 1st & 3rd Saturdays from 2 pm
to 5 pm

GRAANJ - 1st Sundays from 1 PM to 5 PM

Boomers and Beyond (New Group!) - 3rd Mondays 7:30 PM

OWLS (Older Wilder Lesbians) - 3rd Fridays at 7:30 PM

SMOKEOUT - Assistance for LGBT individuals who are
interested in quitting smoking. Call Ellen at
973-342-1108. 

Men's Coming Out Group - Every Wednesday 7:30 PM

South Asian Lesbian and Gay Association - 4th Fridays
at 4:30 PM

Men's Next Step Out - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 7:30
PM

Lesbians & BiWomen in Heterosexual Marriages - 3rd
Wednesdays at 7:30 PM

Under The Rainbow - 2nd and 4th Wednesdays - 7:30 PM

Have items for us to post?  Send us some e-mail!
Please feel free to copy any of the above and e-mail
it to your group and friends!  



		
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