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PFLAG NEW ORLEANS
BANNER
August 2016 EDITION
Vol 16 Issue 8
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Greetings!
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Message from Julie:
We have moved our New Orleans meeting place to Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie. Our former meeting place is being turned into a school, so we went out to look for a new place. Thanks
to all those who offered us a place. We felt that Congregation Gates of Prayer is perfect for us. It is in a safe neighborhood, has a huge parking lot. a lovely meeting room and, most important, Rabbi Loewy was very warm and welcoming. We will meet there
starting Thursday, August 11 at 7:30. I hope to see you there. And many thanks to Congregation Gates of Prayer.
Julie
Message from Joe:
As Julie stated we are looking forward to holding our support group meetings at the Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie. We also want to express our most sincere appreciation to Central St. Matthew United Church of Christ for providing space for
the past eleven years. We have enjoyed their open arms philosophy and are very appreciative of their support.
The major event on our schedule is the PFLAG Southern Regional Conference which will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans on S. Claiborne at the corner of Jefferson Ave. There will be 8-10 one-hour
workshops on a variety of topics, for example, How To Support Transgender Youth and Their Families, from both a medical and psychological/emotional point of view; Faith Based Issues for the LGBT+ Community; Working With the Older LGBT+ population; Utilizing
Social Media to Improve Communication Within Your Organization; etc.
The EARLY BIRD registration is $30 by August 15 th, and $45 after that date. Save $15 and
register now here.
There will be a continental breakfast and lunch provided for attendees. The key note speaker will be Jody Huckaby, Executive Director of PFLAG National, a native of Louisiana. Please attend and help us to welcome guests from six neighboring states. You
do not have to be a dues paying member to attend, but you are welcome to become one at that time.
The Annual NO/AIDS Walk will be held on Saturday, September 24 th at Audubon Park. Registration is available at:
http://www.noaidswalk.com/site/TR?fr_id=1180&pg=entry. PFLAG Board Members and other volunteer members will again be staffing the Individual Registration booth. If any of our younger members, and/or current or previous scholarship recipients, would like
to form a team to represent PFLAG, we would be most appreciative. If so, contact me via email at:
in...@pflagno.org
The walk is not only a major fund raiser for NO/AIDS, but it also is a fun event for the whole family.
Quest Diagnostics, one of the corporate sponsors, will have a booth with all kinds of activations, including face painting, an opportunity to participate in their dedication program and take selfies to share with friends. They invite you to stop by,
say hello, and enjoy yourself.
Hope to see you at the Walk and at the Regional Conference; put them on your calendar now.
Joe
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Meeting Dates |
Our August and September meetings are scheduled below.
New Orleans (Second Thursday of Month)
Date: Thursday, August
11, 2016
Date: Thursday,
September 8, 2016
Time: 7:30 PM
Place: Congregation Gates of Prayer Synagogue
Address: 4000 W. Esplanade Ave. S.
(West Esplanade & Richland Street)
Metairie, LA 70002
(Park in lot on Richland Street)
Northshore (Third Thursday of Month)
Date: Thursday, July 21, 2016
Date: Thursday,
August 18, 2016
Time : 7:00 PM
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WHIV 102.3 FM - PFLAG's Expanding the Rainbow Programs
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Our radio broadcasts are archived so that you can listen to them at your convenience.
Website Under Construction - Please Stay Tuned
Live Streaming Is Promised For The Near Future
Those of you who live within a block of the transmitter for WHIV 102.3 FM might have noticed that some of the shows were not on the air last week. They fixed the problem Friday so we once again missed
having our interview with Clayton Delery - he's a good guy and he will try again. The good news, depending on how you look at it, we will be on the air this Thursday morning. Live streaming is still being addressed, hopefully we will be on the web before
everyone forgets that we have a show.
Shows before the next month's edition of the Banner will be:
Aug 11 Tony Leggio, Derek Penton and Jeffrey Palmquist about Southern Decadence
Aug 18 Margery Esman from the ACLU I'm thinking legal issues for the LGBT+ as a topic
Aug 25 Frank Perez will discuss the LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana
Sept 1 Sebastian Rey will discuss the Community Center
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PFLAG Southern Regional Conference - New Orleans - October 1
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Register Early and Save Money
Early Bird Registration is $30.
We are offering a special registration fee of $30 for those who register before August 15. After August 15, the regular registration fee of $45 per person will be in effect.
Students can register for $20
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Special Hotel Room Rate For Conference Attendees -September 31 and Oct 1
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HYATT REGENCY - Special Rates
HYATT REGENCY NEW ORLEANS
10 ROOMS AVAILABLE AT SPECIAL RATES OFFERED CONFERENCE ATTENDEES
Cut Off Date: September 2
In order to provide our conference attendees with the option to reserve rooms at an excellent, central location near many of New Orleans' attractions at an exceptional rate, PFLAG New Orleans has reserved
a block of 10 rooms for the nights of Friday, September 30 and Saturday, October 1 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. We contacted many hotels in the downtown area and none of them provided a special rate close to what the Hyatt offered. We believe this will
provide our visitors the best hotel option in the downtown New Orleans area.
GUEST ROOM RATES
Single Occupancy: $ 149.00
Double Occupancy: $ 149.00
Triple Occupancy: $ 174.00
Quadruple Occupancy: $ 199.00
The Guest Room Rates are quoted exclusive of applicable taxes (which are currently14% plus 1.75% tourism assessment plus $3.00 occupancy fee per room, per night), applicable service fees, and/or Hotel-specific fees
in effect at the time of the conference.
(Includes information about a special rate at the Doubletree Hotel in Kenner, LA and other options)
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Belle Reve Beach Bash Gala - August 20
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Belle Reve Beach Bash Gala
Saturday, August 20, 2016 from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Generations Hall
Belle Reve New Orleans is excited to announce our Fourth Annual Gala Fundraiser sponsored by Mumfrey's Pharmacy. They return to Generations Hall in the newly renovated and spacious Metropolitian One room. All tables are conveniently located downstairs by the
dance floor!
They are proud to welcome back our annual DJ Anthony and Mistress of Ceremonies, Toni B, from Mobile Music Unlimited to get the party started and going all night long!!
They will also have some of the best food and drinks New Orleans has to offer and a photo booth to capture every fun moment!
Be sure to visit our Silent Auction Tables that have beautiful merchandise from local businesses and artists.
Bring a friend and have fun with us August 20th, 8PM- 11PM.
Individual Tickets $75.00
Young Professionals 30 and under $35
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EEOC Setback for Discrimination Cases Based on Sexual Orientation
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In a setback for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an appeals court has ruled that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is not a cognizable claim under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of an adjunct professor's discrimination claims against Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana. The plaintiff, Kimberly Hively, alleged that despite getting positive reviews for her teaching,
she was denied a permanent position at the college because of her sexual orientation.
Although federal courts have given discrimination charges based on gender stereotyping the protection of Title VII, they have yet to extend protections to those who say they have been discriminated against because of their sexual orientation.
The Seventh Circuit did not stray from that course. Judge Ilana Rovner, who authored the court's opinion, wrote that the separate treatment of gender stereotyping and sexual orientation claims "leads to some odd results." She concluded that it seems unlikely
that the current paradoxical legal framework around sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace can continue for too long.
"But the writing on the wall is not enough," the judge wrote. "Until the writing comes in the form of a Supreme Court opinion or new legislation, we must adhere to the writing of our prior precedent."
The Seventh Circuit is unlikely to have the final say on this issue. Similar cases are currently pending in the Eleventh Circuit and the Second Circuit. A circuit split coulddevelop and bring the issue before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The EEOC has been proactive in holding employers accountable for discrimination based on an employee's sexual orientation, ruling in the 2015 Baldwin
v. Foxx case that orientation does get Title VII protections. And the commission filed two cases back in March in federal court on behalf of LGBT workers claiming discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Original
Article Here
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Chicago Fire's General Manager Took Action With Fans Who Used Anti-Gay Chant
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A Major League Soccer team in Chicago is the latest to call on fans not to use a chant that Mexican soccer fans often use against an opposing team.
During Chicago Fire's Pride Night, general manager Nelson Rodriguez took the field to tell fans to stop shouting "puto" at the visiting team.
"An inappropriate and offensive chant has been used by some of our fans," he said. "It is unbecoming and certainly not reflective of the great city that we live in, and the best fans in Major League Soccer."
The general manager warned fans that anyone heard using the slur would be asked to leave the stadium.
"Please be advised that if the chant continues and you are found to be participating, you are subject to removal. If you are near fans using offensive language, please advise stadium security so we can handle that as well," Rodriguez said.
There's a big dispute among fans and officials about whether "puto" is antigay. The word translates to "male prostitute," but, Leon
Krauze, a journalist for Univision, says "the origins of the chant are blurred and ultimately irrelevant." Despite the differences over its meaning, it's generally agreed that the context that the word is used in - at soccer games - is ultimately what
makes it homophobic.
In an interview with the Chicago
Tribune, Rodriguez elaborated on why he is making an effort to stop the use of "puto" at soccer games. "This chant is offensive," Rodgriguez said.
"It's vulgar, it's inappropriate, and it runs contrary, I think - even in my short time here - to the spirit of Chicago, which at every turn I just find is warm and welcoming and friendly, and I'm of Latino descent."
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Welcome to the Summer Olympic Games! Today You Will Determine An Athlete's Gender.
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Do you think that determining an individual's gender should be straightforward? Can you think of a single test or examination that can unambiguously identify a person's gender? What happens if various tests disagree?
Try this interactive exploration that challenges you to determine whether an athlete is qualified to compete as a female. Along the way you may gain some understanding of the biology of sex and in particular how sex is determined in humans.
Participate in the interactive test below.
Listen to this discussion regarding the issues involved when attempting to use science to screen eligibility of women to compete in women's athletics.
"There is no scientific test that we know of that will definitively determine the sex without the possibility
of exceptions and outliers."
"Why is there the hysteria about this? It
is very hard for people to get their heads around the idea that human sex is not as binary as we have organized sports to be."
If you understand this, you will understand why it is absurd for legislators to use a simplistic
schema to regulate access to restrooms.
Real Sports Overtime (HBO)
Here is another discussion on the issue that is worth watching.
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Peanut Butter and Jelly
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Justin Willman has no time for "bathroom bill" controversies.
Willman, who hosts the Food Network's " Cupcake
Wars" and " Win,
Lose or Draw" on the Disney Channel, humorously explains that even if a jelly jar is filled with peanut butter, it's still peanut butter even if the label on the outside of the jar doesn't match the contents inside.
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Florida Restaurant Provides Gender Neutral Restrooms And Defends His Support For Gender Equallity
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New York Grilled Cheese Co., a restaurant in Wilton Manors, Florida, is one of the first restaurants in
the state of Florida to have gender-neutral
bathrooms. Gender-neutral bathrooms are important because, often, when there are only "male" and "female"
bathroom options, people who are gender nonconforming or who are transgender face
discomfort, discrimination, and violence, simply for using the bathroom.
Recently,
a number of the customers at New York Grilled Cheese Co. began complaining about a trans woman who works at the restaurant and have been saying they wouldn't go back because "they only have transgender restrooms".
In response to all of the transphobia on their page, the restaurant owners made a statement saying,
"We are sorry to hear that you won't be back simply because of that reason. We hope that one day you'll change your mind about singling out transgendered folks...New York Grilled Cheese Co. is proud to support gender equality and we urge everyone to
do the same. We would never choose the revenue of an intolerant patron over the dignity of our employees."
They also made a post in support of Mia, the waitress who was discriminated against, showcasing an image that says "Love Mia".
It is heartbreaking to see such rampant transphobia in the world. Those who posted online were unable to check their unfounded rage and discomfort at something they didn't know and didn't understand. Mia feels that "those moments of hatred are happening
more often. Now that transgendered people are being put on more platforms, people are retaliating with hate."
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501(c)(3): Non-Profit Election Year Dos and Don'ts
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As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, there are many rules that PFLAGers and chapters much follow during an election. PFLAG chapters may engage in lobbying activities that influence the outcome of legislation but are not permitted
to engage in political/electoral activities that influence the outcome of an election for a candidate or political party.
**These "Dos and Don'ts" only apply when you're advocating in an official PFLAG capacity, whether at PFLAG chapter events, meetings etc. You may work for candidates or political parties on your own time, just be sure that it's not
connected to PFLAG in an official capacity.**
To learn more about Dos and Don'ts, refer to the guide below. It will help us navigate this year's election season
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A Creative Corner of New Orleans
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Looking For The Silver Lining
by Sally Michelle Jackson
There are times in our lives when all we can see are dark clouds. We have always been told that behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining, but the Universe has broken its promises to so many of us how can we still keep believing?
That is really a mystery to me because in all of my observations it seems to be much easier for most people to believe in the negatives. It doesn't take long for political campaigns to go negative because people don't tend to believe in the positive messages.
It is so easy to annihilate someone's character than it is to present someone as being truly virtuous, we have to find out what they're hiding. We have a saying about things that look too good to be true are in fact not true but we have no saying that
something that looks too bad to be true isn't true.
We spend so much time looking for the dark cloud that we shoot right past those silver linings in search of the next black cloud. Trust me, I've had a lot of experience in bypassing silver linings in my past. The problem is that we are exposed to NO
from the very beginning. In virtually every setting the rules for what you shouldn't do are presented. That must be based on the assumption that if you only tell a human what to do they will go out and do all of the things that they really shouldn't do.
In Christianity there are only two of the Ten Commandments that do not contain a negative word. We are conditioned to act or react to the negative side of life. We need to retrain ourselves.
It isn't easy but it can be done and your live becomes so much easier when you have mastered this. I'm still a novice but things appear better to me even in the face of the adversities that present themselves to me. As an elderly trans woman dealing
with governmental agencies on pretty much a daily basis, it gives me so many opportunities to see the dark clouds. In the past I would have just about given up by now. I haven't taken to my bed for an all day crying event in over six months - my personal
best! Things haven't gotten that much easier financially or health wise but my attitude is different.
Silver linings are there, it is up to each of us to find them. Sometimes they are in plain sight and sometimes they are hidden. In sports the sliver lining is evident in the scores or times, in finances they are figures written in black ink but in life
they are most often hidden in the quiet support of friends. We appreciate their friendships and the support but too often we look passed that to see the dark clouds. We have to accept the fact that we are never completely alone or totally independent. People
need other people, reach out to someone else when you are in need, not to ask for help but to offer your support to someone else in need. You might be amazed at what happens. The people with the least money to give will share what they have with people who
need it because to them money is not the goal.
Set your goals on helping others and you will probably be able to see those silver linings that you have been looking passed for so long. Just last Thursday afternoon as I was sitting by my window writing on one of my novels, I saw a bright flash and heard
an almost instantaneous crash of thunder. I know that in my area storms are usually accompanied by power outages so I saved my work and turned off my computer. I then sat looking out of the window watching as the bolts of lightening outlined so many silver
linings.
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Renew Your Membership For 2016 or Become a Member
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WE NEED YOU!
Some ways you can continue to support PFLAG follow:
- Renew your membership
- Participate in the support meetings
- Volunteer to work at PFLAG-sponsored events
- Support our educational and advocacy efforts to provide safe schools for all students
- Support our advocacy efforts with the State Legislature
- Support our Scholarship Program and annual Scholarship Reception
- Make a donation
Download
our Membership Form Here And Return it By Mail
OR
Click
Here To Pay Your Dues Online
via our secure site using a credit card.
Our chapter is proud to be a part of the PFLAG National organization. With local affiliates in more than 500 communities across the United States and abroad and over 200,000 members, PFLAG is
the largest grassroots-based family organization of its kind. It is a nonprofit organization and is not affiliated with any religious or political institutions.
We have continued our scholarship program. 2015 was our 25th year of giving scholarships to LGBT students. We have given close to half a million dollars so far! We have reached
$500,000 in total scholarships awarded in 2015. But we could not do it without you!
Some of our other accomplishments are listed below.
- Host a weekly radio program on local radio station WHIV 102.3 FM
- Made presentations to area high schools, colleges and universities informing them of the resources
PFLAG has available to them and addressing issues of Bullying in schools
- Monthly online chapter newsletter - the BANNER
- Volunteered and staffed the registration tent at the NO/AIDS Walk each year
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Partnered with Walgreens and Johnson & Johnson at PRIDE. Distributed information about Safe Schools and coupons good at Walgreens. Our chapter earned $1,000 from Johnson & Johnson for
our participation.
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Support Gay-Straight Alliances at individual schools when asked
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Collaborated with other area organizations in the Community Coalition
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Several board members attended the PFLAG national conference in October 2015.
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Will host a PFLAG Regional Conference in the fall of 2016.
Our chapter is funded entirely by members' dues and donations from concerned individuals and foundations. We do not receive funds from the national organization.
I am asking you to renew your membership or to officially become a member of PFLAG New Orleans by paying your dues via our secure site using a credit card or PayPal account. You may also download
the membership form
and mail it to:
PFLAG New Orleans
P.O. Box 15515
New Orleans, LA 70175
Fifteen dollars of every membership is dedicated to support the efforts of the PFLAG National Organization.
Benefits include a twice-yearly copy of the PFLAGpole newsletter, access to significant discounts on publications, discounted registration to PFLAG national conventions, and the opportunity to be included in PFLAG's voice on Capitol Hill. In addition, you will
receive our chapter's monthly electronic newsletter, the Banner.
Because of the courage and generosity of our members, we will be able to continue our important work.
Note that you can also pay your dues by clicking on the link below.
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PFLAG's Mission Statement
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Our Mission. By meeting people where they are and collaborating with others, PFLAG realizes its vision through:
Support for families, allies and people who are LGBTQ
Education for ourselves and others about the unique issues and challenges facing people who are LGBTQ
Advocacy in our communities to change attitudes and create policies and laws that achieve full equality for people who are LGBTQ -
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