TASK FORCE FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
P.O. Box 11406, New Brunswick NJ 08906-1406
Website: www.gaypasg.org  E-Mail:  email@gaypasg.org
732 744-1370,  FAX 732 744-1368

 1.  MINUTES:  Meeting of January 28, 1999  A meeting of the Task Force was held at 473 Plainfield Rd., Edison at 7:30PM.  With the following members present:

Ed Martone,  Political Advisor
Messrs. John C. Campbell and Richard J. Harrison, GayPASG
Joanie Parks and Linda McCulloch, Union Co. NOW
Messrs. Jim Hohman and Dick Reid, Sussex Co.

The following were absent due to conflicting schedules:
Messrs. George DeCarlo and Ryan Reyes
Charlie Lanigan, GAAMC and GayPASG Coordinator
John Schoen, P-FLAG (Submitted a report)
Donna Templeton, VP, NOW-NJ
Kevin L. Tisdol, Metropolitan Community Church (MCC)
Ann Volz, Pride Center, New Brunswick
Elizabeth Volz, President, NOW-NJ

 2.  Introductions:  Jim Hohman and Dick Read are from Sussex Co - an area that needs a lot of work.  Dick has been on the Hyacinth Board for years.  He and Jim are currently working with GAAMC.  We are trying to persuade them to become permanent members of this Task Force.

 3.  ED MARTONE LEAVES ACLU-NJ: After 16 years as Executive Director, and repeated glowing evaluations accompanied by an increase in salary each time, Ed was asked to resign his position. All members of the Task force and others in the Community we have talked with are very upset over this action. However, we are delighted to report that Ed has agreed to continue to work with this Task Force.  There will be more on this issue as we are considering what action would be appropriate for us, both as individuals and as groups.

4.  EVENTS SINCE LAST MEETING:

12/5:  NOW-NJ Board Meeting:  ElizabethVolz briefed the Board Members and passed out post cards.

2/6:  Street Fair, New Brunswick, Douglas Campus, RU:  We collected 271 post cards, 45 with signatures authorizing the use of their names in support of Same-Sex Marriage.   We received good response and favorable comment from the large crown there.  Many attendees had signed cards at other events.

12/6:  Church of Redeemer to have a discussion group.  Post cards were provided.

The following items, on Ed's calendar, were turned them over to a volunteer at ACLU when he left. Ed will check to see if there was any follow-up:

·        ACLU to send post cards to "Metro West", a Jewish Group in W. Orange.
·        P-FLAG in South Orange
·        Welcoming Committee at Montclair Unitarian Church
·        Bishop Spong's Office

5.  PFLAG, John E. Schoen:  . had a scheduling conflict with tonight's meeting so sent in a report, including a letter to the editor of Jan. 15th in response to "Adoptions by gay activist angers conservatives".  GOOD SHOW JOHN. He also sent a draft of a letter that will be sent to the 15 Unitarian Churches in New Jersey. The letter will be attached to our minutes after it has been mailed.

6.  GAAMC, Communications with:  Charlie Lanigan has expressed that he will continue to work with the Task Force, reporting from GALY, helping with the postcard and covering events, and that he will attend meetings when he can but he is unable to provide the coordination needed with GAAMC.  It was discussed that we needed Andy Dick or a member of the board that has a concern for Same-Sex Marriage.  Dick Reid stated that he might be able to provide this support and the matter will be investigated and discussed at out next meeting.

 7.  Increased Community Representation:  The need to increase community involvement in the Task Force was discussed.  It was suggested that we contact Steve Marshone, Kathleen Dermody, and Jill and Vickie from Lambda Families to see if any of them are interested in becoming involved.

8.  Equality Begins At Home:  There was a discussion about EBAH and the roll some groups would take in the effort.  It was again stressed that the focus of the Task Force for Same-Sex Marriage would continue on the same course that it has maintained since it was organized.  We do appreciate any action that makes the community more aware of the tremendous amount of work that needs to be accomplished before we are organized to the point where we have any creditable influence on the political agenda in the state.

9.  Jim Hohman's e-mail re Marriage and Anniversary Announcement:
Jim's correspondence re recognizing Gay and Lesbian couples by the Star-Ledger was discussed briefly. As usual we ran out of time but it was agreed that we had to work to get the papers to provide better coverage of our community.

10.  The Next Meeting of the Task Force for Same-Sex Marriage will be Tuesday, 7:30PM, March 2nd, 1999 at 473 Plainfield Road, Edison.  732 744-1370

Minutes by Richard J. Harrison & John C. Campbell

 

NOTE: There are now 20 typed pages of people who have authorized the use of their names in support of Same-Sex Marriage, Check it out on the website:

 www.gaypasg.org  under Contents, click on Alphabetical List.

 

 

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