This was my first meeting with the Monroe HRC since the death of Dr. Deborah P. Wolfe on September 3, 2004.  Dr. Wolfe¹ had served as Chair of the HRC during the time we have been attending -– in fact she was the reason we became involved.  When Dr. Wolfe took over the position from Rabbi Shira Stern, she told us that the Rabbi had told her to “Call John and Rich” and we would help her with basic civil and human rights regarding gay issues.  We fell in love with Dr. Wolfe and continued to attend all meetings we could even though we could not become official members since we did not live or work in Monroe Township.

     We had become acquainted with Rabbi Stern through our work with the Middlesex County HRC and we knew she was supportive of basic rights for gays and lesbians.  We were pleased when we learned from a New York Times article on April 1, 2000 that she joined in writing a resolution on Same-Sex Ceremonies.

     The meeting went well though we were sad over the loss of Dr. Wolf.  I had the opportunity to brief the group on two recent cases involving the Division on Civil Rights:  (l) “Ladies’ Night Discounts in N.J. Bars and  (2) L.W. v. Toms River Regional Schools Board of Education. -- And of course briefed them on the fact that Rich and I were joined in Civil Marriage in Canada on Sept 10^th and noted, the sky did not fall.

John Crowell Campbell

¹See Event Photo of 10-27-03 for our last picture of Dr. Wolfe