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EDUCATION ADVOCACY We help each other |
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EDUCATION ADVOCACY We help each other |
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We are here to help you in confidentiality. Please feel free and comfortable to contact us. Roger says - Pro Family
Who Cares About Feel free to contact Roger, the WebGuy, about anything in PFLAG confidentially. Concerned parents are welcome. Include PFLAG in the subject line. rmcnett04@att.net Helpful Links Fort Wayne Resources PFLAG-FW Up
The Stairs Community Center Center for Nonviolence Indiana Resources Indiana
Equality National Organizations PFLAG
National -
http://www.pflag.org/ Quick Emergency Help Trevor
Project Suicide Prevention
Coalition List of Indiana Suicide and Crisis Hotline numbers National
Suicide & Crisis Hotlines (list) AIDS Task
Force 2124 Fairfield Avenue, Ft.W F a m i l y For Parents of GLBT
Children PFLAG
National Children of Gay or Lesbian Parents Children
of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere
(COLAGE) -
organization supporting young people with gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender parents. For Gay Parents Human
Rights Campaign - Online
education and advocacy for LGBT families. Love
Makes a Family -
the renowned traveling photo-text exhibit distributed by Family
Diversity Projects.
Misc. PFLAG
Transgender Network - Spouses of Gay or Lesbian partners
Ft. Wayne Accepting Churches There are other churches with varying degrees of understanding and acceptance. Those listed below are among the most active in support. --- Brigade of Light (YWCA) Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren --- New World Church, Inc. Open Door Chapel Plymouth
Congregational Church Unitarian
Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne ---Unity Christ Church
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Join us at our regular monthly
meetings on the second Monday of each month at 7
p.m. =========================================== We will try to bring to you the very best YouTube and other videos as well as current From Up the Stairs Community Center, www.utscc.org Join us for a night of coming together for poetry and art in the simplest form...the original. Leaving the egos, personal positions and personality clashes aside, to celebrate art and ALL of our AFFIRMING community... Our only interest is to enjoy true fellowship through art while benefiting UP THE STAIRS COMMUNITY CENTER, a meeting place and safe haven for the GLBT community in and around Fort Wayne, IN. For questions on the event, call Bernadette @ 760-5060. Where do the presidential candidates stand on LGBT issues? If you have seven minutes to spare, click here to see the unusual story of a cat and a crow. SJR-7 is ALMOST DEAD (for now) - - Fri Feb 15, 2008 In case there was any doubt, the Bill Ruthhart reports that Rep. Scott Pelath has officially pulled the plug on the hateful and legally ambiguous SJR-7: An Indiana constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages appears dead for this legislative session. The amendment passed the Senate and was assigned to the House Rules committee, but its chairman, Scott Pelath, said he does not intend to give the bill a hearing. Pelath, D-Michigan City, said his committee voted against passing the amendment last year and didn't see any need to take up the issue again. If Pelath's committee does not hear the measure, the effort to amend the constitution would have to start anew. This will make Eric Miller and other bigots even more angry. sourse / Hopefully, if true, this will end Indiana's moving toward discrimination based on misunderstanding, wrong Biblical reading and ignorance of our fellow human beings. Read a later story in the IndyStar Equality IS an American Value! Take Action Against Hate Crimes
The Human Right Campaign on the Federal Hate Crimes Bill Al Gore Speaks Out on Gay Marriage "Gay men and women ought to have the same rights as heterosexual men and women -- to make contracts, to have hospital visiting rights, to join together in marriage, and I don't understand why it is considered by some people to be a threat to heterosexual marriage," he says on the video, which appears on his Current TV network. "Shouldn't we be promoting the kind of faithfulness and loyalty to ones partner regardless of sexual orientation?" The leading Democratic presidential candidates have tiptoed up to, but not crossed, the line of support for same-sex marriage. All three support equal substantive rights for gay and lesbians couples but, for the most part, have tried to have it both ways on the issue. - Thanks, John Good
If you do nothing else, write to your state senator today. Only people who talk to or write to them can make a difference. Do it today, because by Thursday it will be too late. More info is under the list of names.
Ideas to share when writing or talking are just below this. Join us for the Third-Annual Indiana Equality Rally and Lobby Day Training Indiana Equality has organized its annual rally to highlight issues that affect LGBT Hoosiers on Monday, February 18th, 2008 from 1:00pm - 2:30pm at the Indiana Statehouse. Join your fellow citizens as we proclaim with one voice that Equality IS a Hoosier Value. Details on the lobby day training will be forthcoming. Our elected officials need to hear from each of you about the need to pass a comprehensive bias crimes bill and press to make changes to the state's Civil Rights Law to cover LGBT in employment, housing and public accommodations. ============== REVISED Messages The situation: Indiana’s legislators passed an amendment to the Indiana Constitution in 2005. To become law, the amendment would have to be approved again by the legislature in 2007 or 2008, and then by a majority of Indiana voters in 2008. The timeline has changed slightly this year, but the potential damage to Hoosier citizens has not. The Amendment: (a) Marriage in Indiana consists only of the union of one man and one woman. (b) This Constitution or any other Indiana law may not be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups. The Messages:
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Call or write your state senator about this today. Tomorrow WILL be too late.
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Ten Arguments Against Gay Marriage
This is nice satirical video that was discovered on the blog of a local college student who exercises independent thinking and makes his own decisions based upon the facts available. Great job, Kody Tinnel!
Ok, so that was some pretty heavy arguements against gay marriage.
Below is the other side of the issue - sort of.
Bill Maher - Gay Marriage commentary [near Christmas 2003]
This clip shows off some interesting points Mr. Maher made regarding gay marriage.
Priceless quotes from *THE MAN* can be heard here!
Roger likes this guy more and more every time he hears him.
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You might want to visit the web site of Faith In America, a group who speaks for understanding. The fundamental mission of Faith In America is to end bigotry disguised as religious truth and in doing so, ensure full and equal civil rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in America. The world’s great religious traditions practiced within the United States of America emphasize the love of neighbor as well as the love of God. Compassion, justice, freedom, and respect for the dignity of all people are their most authentic and noble expressions.
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For The Bible Tells Me So - Trailer
The Moderate Voice has My Open Letter to Rep. Mark Souder on ENDA by Holly in Cincinnati (Nov. 7, 2007). It is worth the read. Our congressman has a lot to understand about GLBT issues. We do what we can to inform, but some folks just have already made up their minds. Doesn't hurt to let him know that some people have different appreciations.
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'It's not the fact you're gay that bothers me son, it's the fact you're so open about it.'
Humm, what is really important - from the Jewish (or any other religious) perspective?
GL or LG ? - - Ok, what is all this silliness about GLBT vs LGBT? Oh, now, people like the Bilerico Project are using LGBTQ. Let us think . . What dies the Q stand for? Well, I think it is all a bit queer. What should come first, the L or the G? Which ever comes first, we invite you to come as you are.- - RM
The Bilerico Project is an informative and humorous GLBT web site that you might appreciate.
Gaining in acceptance, an great and helpful article in the November 7 Journal-Gazette, Read it
Think Equal Ad #2 of 4: "Check Equal"
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Don't tell or tolerate jokes about GLBT employees, just as you wouldn't tolerate jokes about women, people of color, ethnic groups, or religion.
Respect the privacy of GLBT employees - - allow GLBT employees to "come out" and control sharing information about themselves at work.
Avoid making assumptions about anyone's sexual orientation or gender identity.
What's Morally Wrong With Homosexuality? - By Dr. John Corvino
John Corvino is a writer, speaker, and philosophy professor at Wayne State University in Detroit.
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From our Indy PFLAG Friends
On Saturday, November 3rd, Focus on the Family's Love Won Out restorative therapy program is coming to the Indianapolis area. This conference is promoted as "the truth that change is possible for those who experience same-sex attractions. We want people to know that individuals don't have to be gay and that a homosexual identity is something that can be overcome.”
In response, Indy PFLAG has planned a peaceful gathering near their event to celebrate our LGBT families and loved ones. We're also promoting two programs on that same day that offer an alternative view. Please take a look at the attached flyers and join us, if possible.
read on
Love Unites Our Families as we come together to honor love and inclusiveness. Join Indy PFLAG and others to peacefully counteract the dangerous message of Love Won Out, a Focus on the Family restorative therapy program. Signs will be available or bring your own – please keep in mind that we want to convey a message of unqualified love and acceptance.
WHAT: A Peaceful Gathering in Celebration of our LGBT Loved Ones
WHEN: Saturday, November 3 at 7:30 – 8:30 am, then again from 5:00 – 6:00 pm
WHERE: Along the road near Traders Point Christian Church,
6590 S. Indianapolis Road, Whitestown, IN 46075
(Just NW of the I-465 Loop. From I-65 North, take exit 130, turn left onto 334. Park at the truck stop on the right just before S. Indianapolis Rd. where the church campus is located just to the south. You’ll be shuttled to the gathering area.)
For more information call Annette at 317-872-1385 or email info@indypflag.org.
This is a VERY GOOD READ
Read the IndyPFLAG Press Release
Two Downloads
Jesus, the Bible and Homosexuality flyer.doc (msword) or Nov. 3 flyer.doc (msword)
While we do not take political sides in any election, this information deals with issues we should be aware of. It demonstrates how some groups twist partial truths to guide the minds of voters for candidates they support. This deals with a radio political message playing in Fort Wayne.
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Support for Gay Educators on the Rise
Findings in a recent Pew Survey show that support for gay educators is on the rise. Only 28 percent of people think a school board should fire educators based on their sexual orientation. The survey marks the first time this percentage has dropped below 30—a strong decrease from 51 percent in 1987.
“I believe that the national conversation that is happening regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender self-expression has made a huge difference,” says Mary Paradise, co-chair of the NEA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus. “When more and more people stand up to support their sons and daughters, their neighbors and friends, their home decorators and hairdressers, their teachers and health care providers, it makes a difference.”
—Maren MacIntyre in neatoday, Oct. 2007
Up The Stairs Community Center, a Fort Wayne non-profit group that we have found to be very helpful to many in the GLBT community was the feature of a Journal Gazette front page story on Sunday, October 14, 2007. The story dealt with their governing body's apparent careless financial reporting and lack of willingness to listen to differing opinions. While this may open questions as to financial hanky panky, it could also just show that they were careless with money and the reporting of how it was used. The Up The Stairs Community Center is an important Fort Wayne resource and certainly should be open and responsible to it's members and financial donors. It is our hope that they work quickly to become more transparent and accepting of diversity in opinions and outlooks as they carry out their important work. It is time that the board opens up and goes positively forward by listening to the great diversity of opinions and skills available to them from within the community. Read more from the Journal Gazette and download the IRS info. - RM
National Coming Out Day was October 11th, an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out of the closet and speaking out about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. It is observed on October 11 by members of the LGBT communities and their supporters. See a great YouTube video.
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Click here for a
A great web site for those with any conflict between Christianity and people who are GLBT
Would Jesus Discriminate?
Take your time to watch, listen, read and get ammo to blast the bigots.
Suggestion: read the comments when you click on the Billboards on the right side.
Families Joined by Love ( www.familiesjoinedbylove.com ), a comprehensive bookstore, resource center, and discussion community for LGBT families and the important people in their lives, announces the launch of its website on August 1.
We have created this sophisticated new resource for LGBT families in response to a growing need within the LGBT community for information and literature on topics related to parenting, adoption, legal and financial issues, and other areas of interest for current and prospective LGBT parents. Despite the ever-growing number of children in need of adoption worldwide, and the increasing cost-effectiveness of fertility treatments, LGBT individuals and couples are often viewed as unsuitable candidates for parenthood.
At Families Joined by Love, we recognize the tremendous potential that LGBT individuals possess not only as partners in healthy and constructive romantic relationships, but also as parents and mentors. By making information about the journey to and through parenthood widely available to LGBT families, we hope to empower this unique and valuable demographic in overcoming the many obstacles that can block the path to becoming a parent.
Our store got started in 1992, with a basic mail-order catalog and eventually a website catering to LGBT families; for this new incarnation of Families Joined by Love, we have created a much more diverse and sophisticated resource. We currently offer books and other publications, resource listings and links, and a wide array of discussion forums.
Visit our new website at www.familiesjoinedbylove.com to see the full range of literature and resources that we provide for LGBT families and their supporters. With this website, we strive to provide not only a comprehensive selection of informational books and resources, but also a nurturing and safe environment in which LGBT families and their supporters can come together for discussion, activism, and support.
If you would like more information about Families Joined by Love, would like printed postcards from FJBL to distribute to your members, or have a question about any aspect of our website, please contact us at the number listed below or email us at www.familiesjoinedbylove.com/contactus.shtml . Also, be sure to sign up for our email list for bookstore updates, news items of current events of interest to LGBT families, and special promotional offers. In case you have a newsletter or a blog, I’ve attached a press release your convenience. You can find instructions about linking to our website at www.familiesjoinedbylove.com/misc/linktous.shtml.
Laurie Wallmark, President
Xan Nowakowski, Vice President
Reject Bush Surgeon General Nominee Over Alleged Homophobia
Opposition is growing against President Bush’s nominee to be the next surgeon general, Dr. James Holsinger. Holsinger has argued that homosexuality is unnatural and dangerous and that sexual orientation is a lifestyle choice. . Click here to learn more
This page will soon change to bring weekly videos to inform for understanding. Keep checking in and be involved in changing attitudes. Always feel free to contact the web guy at rmcnett04@att.net
Al, Janice and Roger were in Indianapolis on Wednesday, March 21 to listen to the hearing in the Indiana House on the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban civil unions and marriage for gay and lesbian couples as well as threaten any legal protections for unmarried couples. After three hours of listening to speakers both for and against the amendment, it was decided to not take a vote and continue to study the issues.
Click For Full Report
NOTE: Tuesday, April 3 - The Indiana House of Representative’s Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee has voted five to five thereby defeating Senate Joint Resolution 7 (SJR-7). As a result, SJR-7 dies in committee and will not be voted on by the full House of Representatives or the Indiana General Assembly.
We applaud the members of the Committee who voted against SJR-7 for their courageous action, and for standing up for the countless Hoosiers and their families who would have faced needless discrimination were this amendment to pass.
We also want to thank the many businesses, organizations, and individuals who stood with us in opposing SJR-7. They were instrumental in making the case that an amendment defining marriage had no business jeopardizing economic development, threatening the security of domestic violence victims, and stripping our citizens of important rights.
The vote by the committee is a victory against bigotry and discrimination.
If you would like a speaker on this issue or PFLAG in general e-mail: indianacares@yahoo.com.
* * * Who Cares About Gay Marriage? * * *
A straight person's guide to learn what you might want to know.
Out of the Closet Into our Hearts - Celebrating Our Gay/Lesbian Family Members
The author pictured on the cover of this book came to our meeting a few months ago and shared how his life had improved and grown as he and his son worked together after his son came out of the closet. Family Values include loving you gay or lesbian children and life is so much better with understanding and acceptance. At our meetings parents often come to share their concerns and they get answers and hear the experiences of others that make the transition to understanding calmer and stronger.
The book was edited by Laura Siegel and Nancy Lamkin Olson, two PFLAG moms, and is a touching collection of articles and essays written by the parents gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people. It includes personal stories by famous parents such television personality and movie critic Gene Shalit, who wrote a tribute to his gay son Pete, and a poignant piece by Dennis Shepard, father of Matthew Shepard who was murdered in Wyoming. And it includes many articles and stories by parents and friends who are not so famous, but whose stories are just as vital and important.
Kristen Kingdon, Executive Director of PFLAG, said:
“Out of the Closet is the kind of book you want to keep forever and share with everyone you know. The stories are thoughtfully woven together, creating a warm tapestry of unconditional love and acceptance. …This book should be read by all people who appreciate living honestly, loving deeply and making the world a better place.”
John Shelby Spong, retired Episcopal Bishop of New Jersey, said:
“If history is biography, as someone has observed, then this book is nothing less than vital and moving history. …it is time to celebrate the victory. The homophobic majority in every Christian church is in a steady retreat. …This book is a godsend, revealing as it does the human side of oppression.”
PFLAG of Fort Wayne
PO Box 5086
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-5086
(260) 497-8528
PflagFtWayne@aol.com
To send mail to Roger McNett, the Web Guy, send to rmcnett04 (at) att.net
This web site has been visited
. . . s i t e l i n k s 1 .2 3 4. place heretimes since February 1, 2003.
a website
A Local PFLAG Family is There To Share Our Side of the Issues as
The Marriage Discrimination Amendment (SJR-7) is Back!
