Date: Mon, 11 Sep 1995 13:09:23 -0500 From: Virginians For Justice Subject: VJ Newsletter (long) MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN GOAL: A VJ MEMBER IN EVERY CITY AND COUNTY VJ's Fall Membership Campaign is up and running through October 31. Our second annual campaign is focusing on building grassroots lobbying capabilities, evidenced by this year's theme: Virginians for justice: a vital presence everywhere Our goal is to obtain at least 100 new members, dispersed throughout the Commonwealth, so that we can counter the claims that we are a "special interest" group or simply an "urban core" phenomena. As you can see from the shaded areas of the map below, our current mailing list of more than 1,500 individuals, families, organizations and businesses is concentrated in urban areas. However, careful inspection of the list reveals that our supporters are not necessarily living in the cities. Large numbers of VJ members and supporters live in suburban locales and in rural areas that are in close proximity to larger cities. With your help, we can fill the gaps. Less than 1/3 of our mailing list actually pays annual membership dues, so we will be concentrating on obtaining dues-paying members. A yearly investment of just $25 for a VJ membership will put your locality on the map, provide a bounty of information about the need for equal justice, and support our lobbying efforts in the state government. WHAT YOU CAN DO: There are several ways that you can assist: Study the unshaded areas of the map. Do you, a family member or a friend live in an unrepresented area? Ask them to join and write an article for a local newsletter asking people to step forward in the fight for equal justice. Even one new member helps! If your city or county is already shaded you can still participate. We need not only a geographically diverse membership, but we need sheer numbers to impress public officials. Build your area's membership by asking your friends to join! Pass a VJ Signup Sheet around at your group's next gathering. Once someone receives The Voice and other VJ publications, they often become dues-paying members. Host a small gathering of your friends who are interested in our efforts. With a VJ representative as a guest, these intimate "House Parties" can educate and energize the other party-goers. Make a matching grant donation to VJ. We will publicize a challenge to match your donation, e.g., for every new member in your area, you will donate an additional $20. Organize a local fundraiser as part of the Membership campaign. We can help you setup and publicize anything from yardsales to benefit events. Phone us for more information on organizing or participating in the membership campaign. Virginians for Justice has been working in state government since 1989, but we need your assistance in reaching our goal of becoming A Vital Presence Everywhere. PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM TAKES FIRST STEPS VJ is in the initial stages of what is expected to be a multi-year public education program on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. The program will focus on the positive effects that community involvement can have in making Virginia a hospitable place to live. The program will also raise public awareness of the hostile climate that exists in Virginia for LGBT people. The education program will highlight the benefits of establishing progressive communities. These "safe" communities include organizations; civic associations; municipalities; and employers, both public and private. Some have strong pro-gay histories, while others may have recently taken a first tentative step. We will offer examples from existing successes and will offer actions that Virginians, individually and collectively, can take in building an inclusive and non- oppressive community. A recent example is VA Beach's citizen-initiated EEO policy (see page 1). VJ took the opportunity to congratulate Virginia Beach in press releases and, as a first step in our public education program, began an assessment of EEO policies statewide. Phase One will be the establishment of a comprehensive database of Virginia employers, both public and private, that have written policies prohibiting job discrimination on the basis on an employee's sexual orientation. WHAT WE KNOW: Below are some large Virginia employers that currently have anti- discrimination protections in place. This list is by no means complete and entries have not necessarily been verified with written copies of the policy. Municipalities protecting all citizens, regardless of employer: (Provide additional protections, e.g., in accommodations) Alexandria Arlington County Municipalities with protections for city employees only: Charlottesville (includes provision for employers that receive city contracts) Virginia Beach Educational Institutions: Old Dominion Univ. Radford Univ. James Madison Univ. Univ. of Virginia Mary Washington College College of William and Mary Virginia Polytechnical Institute Federal Gov't: Department of Treasury Department of Transportation Private employers: AT&T First Virginia Bank Gannett General Electric IBM MCI Sears; Roebuck and Co. Mobil Oil TRW Unisys Corp. Xerox Science Applications International Corp. ACTION ALERT #1: CHECK YOUR EMPLOYER WHY? We are building a database of employers and organizations in Virginia that offer protection from discrimination and, simultaneously, those that do not yet offer such policies. The positive experiences of employers, employees and others affected by gay-positive environments will serve as models for other employers and groups. HOW? 1. Locate current employee (or association) handbooks or policy manuals for your employer, or employers that you have access to. No employer is too small to consider. Also check your local civic association and any organization that you may belong to. 2. If their Equal Employment Opportunity policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, please send us a copy. If you are able, please provide written verification of any employers from the list above. 3. If your employer, or a company that you know of, does not protect their gay or lesbian employees from employment discrimination, please let us know by calling or dropping a note. 4. We also would appreciate the mailing address and phone number of your personnel or human resources department. In the near future, we plan to contact a test group of employers and groups with an information packet about changing EEO policies and domestic partnership benefits. All information, employee names, positions and other confidential information, will not be disclosed. VIRGINIA BEACH PROTECTS GAY AND LESBIAN EMPLOYEES On August 22, VJ notified the media that the City of Virginia Beach had added protection from employment discrimination based on sexual orientation for its employees. Several local, right-wing religious and political extremists have decried the change, but an organized effort to persuade City Council to rescind the change has yet to surface. As a precautionary measure VJ has sent an Action Alert to Virginia Beach residents asking them to contact their City Council members to express support. At this time, we ask that Virginia Beach residents only participate so that the effort remains a local issue. By adding these protections, Virginia Beach joins Alexandria, Arlington County, Charlottesville, virtually every public university, many federal agencies and a multitude of private employers throughout Virginia (see ACTION ITEM on page 2 for details). According to Police Lt. Wray Boswell, chair of Virginia Beach's Equal Employment Opportunity Employee Advisory Committee, the purpose of the new policy is twofold; to provide a measure of basic civil rights for gay and lesbian employees; and to increase the city's attractiveness to quality employees, regardless of their sexual orientation. Lt. Boswell is brother of the late John Boswell, the noted gay professor of history at Yale University. VJ was aware of the move to enact the change since early this spring, but chose not to publicize it until the change was well ensconced in city policy. As detailed by Legislative Coordinator Patrick Heck in radio interviews and newspaper coverage throughout the state, Virginians for Justice felt the changes were initiated by city employees, therefore, it was inappropriate for outside organizations to become involved. The policy changes, covering job discrimination and sexual harassment, apply to more than 5,200 city employees. City Council approval was not needed, but City Manager James Spore's signature was required and received in April. FOCUS on HATE CRIMES Sunday, June 18, 1995 I-95 in NoVA Four gay males enroute to Washington DC were subjected to verbal and vehicular assault by the driver of another car, a white male. The perpetrator shouted "f_cking faggots" and tried to run the four off the road. No injuries occurred and police were not notified. July 2, 3 and 5, 1995 Hampton Seven children, 2 girls and 5 boys, ranging in age from 6 to 13 participated in a series of attacks against two gay males at their home. During these three days, eggs were smashed against the victims' vehicle, figs and eggs were thrown at their home and a note was found stating that the victims were "gay fags". Police were notified and a report taken. The children were identified and admitted their participation. The children's parents were advised of the activity. The children were not prosecuted by request of the victim. CALL 1-800-2JUSTIC LOBBY WORKSHOPS OFFERED If an organization or group to which you belong is in need of a meeting speaker, consider asking a VJ representative to make a presentation on lobbying. We'll give a primer on Virginia laws that affect sexual minorities and propose methods that individuals or groups can use to change these laws. The lobbying techniques and strategies will also be translated to the local level for those who are interested in working with local public officials. Whether your gathering is a small potluck supper group or a thriving civic organization, we welcome the chance to meet with you. Give us a call and we'll do our best clear a spot on our calender for a visit to your area of the state. VJ TO CO-SPONSOR Women's Legislative Forum On November 18, VJ will co-sponsor a day of workshops and panels on proposed policy and legislation in Virginia that could affect women and children. The Women's Legislative Issues Forum will be held from 9:00am until 4:30pm at The Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond. At the Forum, VJ will join several Virginia woman legislators, a multitude of other organizations and groups that are interested in women's issues, including Virginia NOW, NARAL, American Association of University Women, Virginia ACLU, Virginians Against Domestic Violence, other human rights and pro-choice organizations, and business owners. Call Virginia NOW at 804-353-3616 for information. '95 CANDIDATE SURVEY A STATEWIDE EFFORT In mid-August, all 70 candidates for the Senate of Virginia and all 179 candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates received candidate surveys from Virginians for Justice. For the first time ever, our survey is structured as a cooperative effort with many of the largest non- partisan lesbian and gay organizations in the Commonwealth. In a stroke of genius, Dean Gray of the Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association contacted VJ suggesting that we pool our resources with other groups to avoid duplication of effort and to increase survey response rate. VJ jumped at the chance to design the questions with the assistance of local activists, many who are well- acquainted with local candidates and candidate questionnaires. Each group was given the opportunity to compose and criticize survey questions. Illustrating the survey's grassroots base, each of the participating organizations were identified in a cover letter that each of the 249 candidates received: Alexandria Gay & Lesbian Community Association Arlington Gay & Lesbian Alliance Charlottesville Campaign for Human Rights Fairfax Lesbian & Gay Citizens Association Hampton Roads Lesbian & Gay Pride Coalition Richmond Lesbian & Gay Pride Coalition Roanoke Valley Gay & Lesbian Alliance. Many thanks to all of the above. VJ will tally survey scores for release to local organizations on Oct. 1. The Nov.-Dec. issue of The Voice, to be published before the Nov. 7 election, will contain survey results for the entire state. Note that as a non-partisan, tax-exempt organization, VJ does not endorse candidate for political office. However, we are able to educate voters by ranking candidates' support on our issues. ACTION ALERT #2: CONTACT THE CANDIDATES Sending our surveys to the candidates is sometimes not enough. They often feel it is not necessary to inform their gay-supportive constituents about their attitudes towards lesbigay concerns. YOU have the power to push for a cure to their apathy by phoning the candidates in your House and Senate districts. HOW? 1. Identify your State House of Delegates and Senate district numbers on your voter registration card. If you are not yet registered, you have a more immediate Action Item (GET REGISTERED!) 2. Phone the State Board of Elections (800-552-9745) or VJ (804-643-4816) to obtain candidate names. 3. Phone at least one of the candidates for your district's House and Senate seat. Locate phone numbers by calling the local office of the appropriate political party or check the phone book for the candidate's number. Many also have campaign offices. 4. Ask two questions: 1. Have they received VJ's survey? 2. If they haven't already returned a survey, will they please complete and return it? As a constituent in the district they hope to represent, your request will carry significant weight. To be scored and ranked, surveys must be postmarked on or before Sept. 18. If you should get a particularly interesting response, be sure to let us know! VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: OCT. 10 Are you concerned about the growing voice of intolerance in the Virginia General Assembly? Worried about loosing funding for AIDS service organizations? You can make a difference by voting anti-gay legislators out of office and by voting for gay-supportive candidates in the November 7 election. Virtually every anti-gay law or regulation that oppresses Virginia's lesbigay population is a STATE law, so an opportunity to elect those who make or repeal such laws should not be missed. If you are not registered as of 5:00pm on Oct. 10, you cannot vote on Nov. 7, so call your local voter registrar to locate the nearest registration site. Encourage your friends to register! Calendar of Virginia Events Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 - VJ Annual Membership Campaign Sept. 10 - Roanoke Pride in the Park: for information call 703-342-0011 or 703-890-3184 Sept. 28 - Jeffrey Premiere and Opening Night Reception - Norfolk, call 804-531-AIDS Oct. 7 - VJ Yard Sale: Richmond Oct. 10 - Last day to register to vote in Nov. 5 election Oct. 11 - National Coming Out Day Oct. 17 - Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance Candidates Forums: 703- 522-7660 Oct. 19 - Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association Candidates Forum: 703-684-0444 Oct. 21 - VJ Board meeting: Richmond Nov. 5 - Hampton Roads AIDS Walk: call 804-531-AIDS for information. Nov. 7 - Election Day - See you at the polls! Nov. 18 - Women's Legislative Issues Forum - call Virginia N.O.W. for information: 804-353-3616 Nov. 18 - VJ Board meeting: Richmond Jan. 29 - VJ Lobby Day: Richmond Jan. 31 - NOW Lobby Day: Richmond, 804-353-3616. JEFFREY PREMIERE TO BENEFIT VJ AND HAMPTON ROADS AIDS WALK On Thursday, Sept. 28, Harbor Gallery and The Naro Expanded Cinema in Norfolk's Ghent neighborhood will be the site of a gala benefit and the Hampton Roads premiere of Jeffrey, the new movie based on the acclaimed off-Broadway play of the same name. The movie's star-studded cast includes Steven Weber of Wings; Michael T. Weiss; Shakespearean-trained Patrick Stewart of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame, and Sigourney Weaver. Proceeds from the premiere will benefit both VJ and The Hampton Roads AIDS Walk Foundation. Prior to the showing of Jeffrey, Harbor Gallery, located at 1508 Colley Ave., will host a 7:30pm Opening Night Reception. The film will follow across the street at The Naro. $20 tickets are available at Harbor Gallery, Naro Expanded Video, Phoenix Rising East and OutRight Books. Out-of-town guests can call VJ at 804-643-4816. Many thanks to the Richmond area businesses that supported our August 5 Cocktail Party with The Richmond Lesbian & Gay Pride Coalition Casablanca Christopher's Richmond Florist Tom French Florist Shockoe Bottom Arts Center Judy's Catering - Newport News and The Richmond Lesbian & Gay Pride Coalition VJ YARD SALE OCT. 7 Do you find it impossible to find the energy or time to get rid of that pile of unwanted stuff in your garage, storage area or under your bed? Why not donate it to VJ's first-ever Yard Sale? On Saturday, October 7, from 7:30am until 4:00pm, Richmonders will be flocking to the corner of Brooks and Bellevue in Northside Richmond to shop for stylish bargains. Limited pickup of donated items will be available in the Richmond area from Saturday, Sept. 30 until Friday, Oct. 6. Call VJ Board member Heather Womer at 804-222-5802 or 804-788-6742 (ask for Heather) for pickup information. Call Heather or VJ if you need directions or additional info. The Voice is published bi-monthly by Virginians for Justice PO Box 342 Richmond, VA 23218-0342 804-643-4816 va4justice@aol.com Virginians for Justice advances equal justice for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and those affected by the HIV epidemic, through the state's legislative, administrative and judicial systems. VJ BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board Members and the areas they represent: Gary Antonucci - Secretary 804-253-0789 (1st Congressional District, Williamsburg) Patrick Heck 804-622-1695 (3rd CD, Norfolk) Rev. Ron Helms 804-640-1761 (2nd CD, Norfolk) Penny Huggins (6th CD) 804-846-0506 (6th CD, Lynchburg) Bonnie Rabichow - Treasurer 703-660-0670 (8th CD, Alexandria) Sarah Richardson - Chair 804-932-8187 (At-large, New Kent) Pat Ward 804-648-8018 (At-large, Richmond) Heather Womer 804-222-5802 (At-large, Richmond) As you can see, many areas of the state are not represented or are severely under-represented. If you might be interested in representing your area of the state call VJ and we'll fill you in. We hold board meetings on the third Saturday of each month at noon in VJ's Richmond headquarters. Everyone is always welcome to attend and participate or, if you wish, simply to observe. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES VJ is searching for volunteers to work in our Richmond office and as volunteers in other areas of the state. Time commitments can range from a few hours per month to several hours each week. Available tasks include: Working on a research and data entry project that will identify our member's legislative districts Hosting a House Party in your area. All you have to do is host a small party while VJ staff and Board members do the rest! Call for info. Answering phones, keeping records and staffing the hate crimes hotline. Tracking a state legislator from your area VJ WISH LIST The following items are needed to keep our office operating smoothly: A ream or box of plain white copy paper. Fax paper rolls, 1/2" core diameter, to fit a Savin SX 1000. 32¢ stamps (books, rolls, sheets, ...) We can use any amount that you can send from 1 to 100. Laser printer supplies and/or service. Our printer, an IBM Laserprinter E, is still sick! Service for a Xerox 1020 Marathon Copier If you are interested in volunteering, or underwriting or donating an item, please phone VJ: HONOR ROLL OF THANKS Chris Burnside & Dancers along with The Eileen Edmonds Trio for their generosity in donating their artistry to benefit VJ and the Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth. The 3 night run of "A Queer Kind of Night" at Virginia Commonwealth Univ. raised more than $1,200. Richmond's Art Productions/Actors Theatre for their benefit performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. This innovative performance netted more than $350 for VJ. Thanks for your generosity! Maria Flint of Norfolk for her endless hours of newsletter stuffing and countless trips to the P.O.. David Perry for his seemingly unending spirit of volunteerism. He cooks, he caters and he lobbies! Do you have any newspaper articles, video, research results, legal briefs or similar material that VJ might need in our issue archives? If so, give us call or send it to our Richmond headquarters. We are building a resource of documents that relate to hate crimes, child custody, Crimes Against Nature, gay-related research, anti-gay activities, etc.. We receive many requests from legislators, researchers and the media for this info. It will remain in good hands! If you haven't yet, join VJ and we will keep you informed about our work to obtain equal justice for ALL Virginians ------------------------------------------------------ Enclosed is my Annual Membership of: INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION $25 Regular $125 Bronze ($100 for non-profit) $40 Family $250 Silver ($200 for non-profit) $100 Major Donor $500 Gold ($400 for non-profit) $200 Sponsor $400 Patron Businesses may also choose to advertise in our newsletter. Please make check payable to Virginians for Justice. Thank You. VJ's primary activity is lobbying, so contributions are not tax-deductible. A financial statement is available upon written request from the Virginia State Division of Consumer Affairs Virginians for Justice PO Box 342 Richmond, VA 23218-0342 804-643-4816 LEGAL REFERRAL SERVICE VJ has compiled a list of Virginia attorneys who are willing to assist the lesbian and gay community. They are knowledgeable on issues of concern to sexual minorities, so please take advantage of their assistance. If you or someone you know is in need of legal advice, please call VJ at 804-643-4816. SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM VJ offers our organizational and corporate donors the opportunity to show their support by becoming Advertising Sponsors. VJ Advertising Sponsors can advertise in The Voice, thereby reaping the benefits of gaining publicity among VJ readers as well as securing a tax benefit for their business. Rates for a full year (six issues) of advertising sponsorship are: $125 - Bronze ($100 non-profit) $250 - Silver ($200 non-profit) $500 - Gold ($400 non-profit) The Voice reaches more than 1,500 Virginia homes, organizations, and businesses. Add yours to the list by contacting VJ at 804-643-4816. Virginians Against Domestic Violence 2850 Sandy Bay Rd., #101 Williamsburg, VA 23185 Virginia Family Violence Hotline 1-800-838-8238 Virginia's Secret A Transgender Support Organization PO Box 7386 Richmond, VA 23221 804-222-6796 Fairfax Lesbian and Gay Citizens Assoc. Serving the Entire Fairfax County Area PO Box 2322 Springfield, VA 22152 703-451-9528 Dignity - Northern Virginia Gay and Lesbian Catholics and Friends PO Box 10037 Arlington VA 22210 703-912-1662 Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond 2501 Park Avenue Richmond VA 23220 804-353-9477 Nesbit Hair & Cetera 804-355-8775 Main Street Therapy and Fan Tan 804-355-9941 2215 and 2219 West Main Street Richmond VA 23220 The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance Serving the Arlington Area PO Box 324 Arlington, VA 22210 703-522-7660 The Alexandria Gay & Lesbian Community Association PO Box 19401 Alexandria, VA 22320 703-684-0444 NORFOLK FLORIST "Hampton Roads' Finest" 8 locations throughout Hampton Roads charge by phone: 804-464-1515 out of town customers: 800-873-1550 ILLUMINESSENCE Special Event Lighting Norfolk, Virginia 804-588-0638 EFFINAR STUDIOS LTD. Haircare 2163 North Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22222 703-524-1940 THE TIDEWATER BEARS PO Box 2241 Denbigh, VA 23609-0241 804-622-8755 MacGraphics, Inc. Production of Brochures, Ads, Newsletters, Logos, Menus 198 S. Rosemont Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 804-486-3546 804-431-1547(fax) American Express Financial Advisors, Inc. Gregory F. Smith, Certified Financial Planner Suite 190, Chadwick Bldg., 5029 Corporate Woods Dr. VA Beach, VA 23462 804-490-2705, 804-473-8678(fax) William & Mary Gay & Lesbian Alumni A nationwide organization of Wm. & Mary alumni PO Box 15141 Washington, DC 20003