April 8; 4:00 PM, Social Hall

May 13; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

June 2000

June 10; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

June 24-July 1

July 8; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

August 3-6

August 12; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

September 9; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

October 14; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

November 11; 5:30 PM, Social Hall

December 2; 5:30 PM, Place TBA

(*St. Mark Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach. Visit http://www.stmarkpresbyterian.org/
service.htm or call 949-644-1341 for directions.)

PFLAG Looks at California Vote, Notes Increasing Support by Heterosexual Allies

Officials of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) examined the numbers from Tuesday's election in California in which an anti-gay ballot measure passed and, although disappointed, decided the news was not all bad. "Nearly 40 percent of California voters said 'No' on Proposition 22," said Executive Director, Kirsten Kingdon. "Who would have imagined even five years ago that so many voters in the state would stand with us on the issue of same-gender marriage? This obviously represents a huge number of voters who chose justice over prejudice. We may have lost the election, but we're obviously winning the hearts and votes of straight allies."

PFLAG also cited analysis by the California Alliance for Pride and Equality, which noted that every openly gay or lesbian candidate in a state legislative race won over 50% of the vote in the primary election. "These election results support the observations of our chapter leaders in California who saw a significant increase in membership by straight allies who joined us in their efforts to oppose Proposition 22. We have always had members who are family and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered (GLBT) people or who are GLBT themselves. But many of these new members had no close family members or friends who they know are GLBT. They joined out of a commitment to justice and equal rights."

The day after the vote, Paul Beeman, President of PFLAG, sent an open letter of thanks to the thousands of PFLAG members in California who worked to oppose Proposition 22. In the letter, Beeman, said, "Please, don't say that we lost on Proposition 22. You have shown the inequity of discrimination against an entire class of Americans. You have built a coalition of concern. You are a legion demanding legality, a host of supporters expecting the public's hospitality for our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered loved ones."

PFLAG chapters throughout California took the lead in staffing phone banks and tables at shopping malls, as well as sending postcards to friends urging them to "join me in voting against Prop 22." They registered voters and spoke in churches and synagogues, community groups, and public forums. PFLAG members also raised money to fight the initiative and appeared in advertisements encouraging GLBT people to register to vote.

Unity in Diversity Conference

Some progress is being made with the Unity in Diversity Conference. We will report more details when we have them. You can view the conference materials online at http://horeb.pcusa.org/oga/diversity/. You can also order the hardcopy version for free at the same URL.

Local Chapter News

We now have enough people interested in the Claiming the Promise Bible Study that we can talk about setting dates for this event. Come to the next chapter meeting, March 8th, to be a part of the discussion. Study Guides are available for $5. Contact Linda Malcor for information about how to obtain your copy. Also, Linda Malcor is currently the only one signed up to help lead this event. Any other volunteers?

Articles or opinion pieces written by group members are welcome. Please e-mail, send on disk, or hand write your article and get it to Linda Malcor.

Commentary

By the Rev. Peg Beissert

Monday Morning is a small Presbyterian magazine in which clergy exchange ideas, express theological viewpoints and/or react to what's going on at General Assembly. In the most recent issue Donald Repsher from Bath, Pa. (whom I do not know) writes an article that I am so in agreement with that I'd like to share some of his thoughts. It's title is "The "Take a Hike" Overtures!

He refers to those proposed items that would permit (and encouage?) liberals (and I assume others not acceptable to conservatives) to leave the denomination. Repsher says "they struck me like an ice cold dagger to the heart."

He says we forget Jesus was not born to encourage people to leave, that instead he came to bring us together. He puts it this way: "Too easily we forget that he who was crucified outside the city did not want anyone to be outside."

Repsher adds this does not mean we should squeeze each other into the same mold, but that, by the grace of God, we should let the cross lift us above our differences. Too often the Bible was used to uphold slavery, to slaughter infidels, to condemn women as witches and to provide the impetus for schism. Our own biases and prejudices color our Biblical interpretations. "Too easily we imagine that we can hold the infinite God in our own little theological box."

"Too easily we forget the Scriptures celebrate magnanimity and commitment . . . and used the love between David and Jonathon to illustrate this point. And finally he asks, "How long, how long, before Christians will be humble enough to come together to the altar of God's grace in the recognition that grace does not necessitate uniformity?"

This is a copy of GLAAD's reaction to the recent statements released by both Paramount Television Group and Laura Schlessinger on the controversy surrounding her current radio program and her upcoming television show. In addition to sharing our statement with you, we also felt it was important to share a bit of context and background.

GLAAD asked Paramount for direct assurance - in writing - that they express a zero tolerance for defamation of the lesbian and gay community (or any group) by Laura Schlessinger. Last week, I spoke again to the Chairman of Paramount Television Group and reiterated our position. I was also able to expound on the growing activity in the gay community and among our allies.

The timely response of Paramount, the hiring of a crisis management public relations firm for Laura Schlessinger and the statements issued on Friday by both Schlessinger and Paramount are no coincidence. Paramount and Schlessinger are feeling the heat - heat from GLAAD as well as other community initiatives such as stopdrlarua.com, the Horizons Foundation and tompaine.com. All of these voices, along with the millions of you across the country who have been active participants with us by writing, emailing and calling, have had an enormous impact. Together, they have strengthened our hand in these conversations and these initiatives, each with different strategies, are resulting in progress.

Since the very beginning, GLAAD's goal has been to do whatever it takes to see that Schlessinger ceases defaming us. We know that her words have harmed people. And it must stop.

Like many civil rights advocates, GLAAD maintains a belief in the open exchange of ideas. Simply put, we believe that the best way to ensure that no one has the right to silence our views is to ensure that all viewpoints are aired. But broadcasters must assume responsibility for how those views are expressed and it is here that our deep concern with Schlessinger and Paramount rests - with her anti-gay rhetoric and her use of discredited sources. In the statements released on Friday, we hear some recognition of this responsibility and we are encouraged.

While it is qualified, Schlessinger has apologized - "some of the words I've used have hurt people and I am sorry for that. " This is the first time she has publicly acknowledged any kind of accountability for her words and their impact. GLAAD will seize this with the same aggressive approach we've taken from the start and hold Laura Schlessinger true to her word - on her radio program, on her website, and with the producers of her upcoming television show.

We ask each of you to help us in that. Send a letter to both Schlessinger and to Paramount Television Group to let them know that you heard them, and that while you are encouraged, you too will be holding them accountable to their word.

STATEMENT BY GLAAD REGARDING LAURA SCHLESSINGER

March 12, 2000

"As Laura Schlessinger herself might say, an apology without a fundamental change in behavior is meaningless. If Schlessinger is sincere in her apology to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, then it must be accompanied by a change in her actions. GLAAD will continue to hold Schlessinger accountable for her public statement.

Also, we are encouraged by Paramount Television Group's shared commitment to present society's issues without creating or contributing to an environment of hurt, hate or intolerance.

GLAAD also recognizes that the damage done by Schlessinger's past comments cannot be undone by a single qualified apology. There is a difference between opposing viewpoints and a defamatory expression of those views which encourages prejudice and discrimination. The former is crucial to an open exchange of ideas. The latter is unacceptable. Schlessinger has said, 'Words have the power to hurt or heal, depending on how we use them.' It is now incumbent upon Schlessinger to use her words to heal; this will be the test of her promise.

We are encouraged that Schlessinger has listened to the concerns of GLAAD, others in the lesbian and gay community, and other fair-minded people about the hurt caused by her words. GLAAD welcomes Schlessinger's new public commitment to conduct her self-proclaimed moral and ethical advocacy in an environment free from hate and intolerance. We will be listening to and watching her current and upcoming radio and television broadcasts to be sure she is true to her word."

Report defamation in the media and breaking news of interest to the LGBT community by calling GLAAD's Toll-Free AlertLine! 1-800-GAY-MEDIA (1-800-429-6334) Visit GLAAD Online at http://www.glaad.org

"GLAAD" and "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" are registered trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc. This publication may be freely distributed and reprinted in all forms of media under the condition that any text used carry the full attribution of "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)."

Chapter Contact Person

Linda A. Malcor
P.O. Box 749
Laguna Beach, CA 92652
(949) 425-9979
Legend@malcor.com

Chapter Website