FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1. MINUTES: Meeting of October 29, 1998 A meeting of the Task Force was held at the residence of Messrs. Campbell and Harrison at 7:30PM. With the following members present:

Ed Martone, Exec. Dir., ACLU-NJ
Messrs. John C. Campbell and Richard J. Harrison, GayPASG
Charlie Lanigan, GAAMC and GayPASG Coordinator
John Schoen, P-FLAG

The following were absent due to conflicting schedules:
Kevin L. Tisdol, Metropolitan Community Church (MCC)
Ann Volz

2. November 3^rd Election Discussed:
We discussed the upcoming election and reconfirmed our previous position that we would continue to work for Same-Sex Marriage regardless of what happens in Hawaii and Alaska. We still feel that all the publicity increases the possibility for passage of Domestic Partner Benefits and feel it would be a step in the right direction but we can accept noting short of marriage for those who desire and choose that commitment.

10/3 NOW NJ State Conference, Bergen Community College, Paramus, NJ.
We had a table, and passed out postcards and provided information about the Task Force. John C. set-up and covered the table with Ed stopping by to cover for a couple hours. The Keynote Speaker was Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg. Elizabeth Volz replaces Bear Atwood as State President. We will miss Bear as she was a firm supporter of Same-Sex Marriage but we look forward to getting to know Elizabeth and are sure she will continue NOW's support for our mission.

10/5: Rainbow Business to Business Network We had an appointment to meet with this group on the 5^th but the meeting was cancelled. They stated they were going through reorganization. We look forward to meeting with them in the future.

10/7: Jersey City State College: Unfortunately we were unable to find a person to attend this meeting.

10/8: Middlesex County NOW , meeting at the East Brunswick Library. John C. attended and reported on this meeting. Amy H. Handlin, Ph.D. was the guest speaker. She reported on her book, "WHATEVER HAPPENED to the Year of the Woman? Why Women Still Aren't Making It to the Top in POLITICS". The presentation and content were timely and interesting. Following the meeting I purchased a copy of her book and she wrote a note and autographed it. I had the opportunity to ask her if she had given any consideration or even heard anything about Same-Sex Marriage. She said she had not. I gave her a very brief status report and asked her to give the issue some consideration!!!

Assemblywoman Barbara Buono was also at the meeting. She shared her experiences of being a woman, mother, and assemblywoman.

The group was briefed on the progress of the SSM Task Force and cards collected from the few present that had not already signed.

10/11: National Coming Out Day, Festival at the PNC Arts Center. In spite of the weather, we had a successful afternoon. We collected 1, 209 signed cards, 183 authorized the use of their names in support of Same-Sex Marriage. It was a less than desirable location on the grass after the rain but we survived the four hours standing in the mud!!!

10/19: Visit to Parsippany Hills High School: Thanks to a referral from GAAMC, John C. visited the "1998 Princeton Model Congress" where a Bill for SSM was being considered, it read as follows:

Given that the number of gay and lesbian couples wanting to marry has increased significantly; and recognizing that it would benefit society; Therefore be it resolved.

Now I ask you, how do you think I enjoyed an hour and a half with this class? It was wonderful!

11/27: Monroe Human Relations Commission: John C. attended and briefed them on our progress. As you know, it is sometimes hard to read what progress if any you are making with groups. We were pleased to receive a call following the meeting from Dr. Wolfe, Chair of the Commission stating how much she appreciated our continuing to work with them and reminding us that these issues would not be covered if we were not there.

4. Ed Martone stated there was no news out of Trenton. The concerned Senate committee does not desire to deal with the SSM issue.

-- Ed sent another set of post cards to each person on the ACLU-NJ Board.
-- Ed Sent 50 sets of cards to the Asbury Park Pride Center and will follow up with them.

5. John Schoen, P-FLAG stated he got tired seeing "On Vacation or Conflicting Schedule" associated with his name so he was as glad to be with us as we were to have him. John S. believes we have to be active and that sitting around in meetings talking just doesn't get the job done. We salute you John S. and thank you for all you have done to advance basic justice for Gays & Lesbians.

---John S. reported on a meeting with the Unitarian Church where the rainbow flag covered the lectern.

6. Future Events:

11/15 ACLU-NJ Dinner

12/6 Gay & Lesbian Street Fair (Ed will get SSM table)

7. The next meeting of the Task Force for Same-Sex Marriage will be December 3, 1998, at 7:30PM, 473 Plainfield Road, Edison. 732 744-1367

NOTE: GayPASG's Website is looking good. Check it out at http://www.gaypasg.org

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