From: 9483@tccn.com <9483@tccn.com> Mon, 27 Mar 1995 20:23:58 To: FORBE005@GOLD.TC.UMN.EDU Subject: IT'S TIME AGAIN MINNESOTA TO: Friends-on-the-Net FROM: Chernah Coblentz IT'S TIME AGAIN MINNESOTA UPDATES (General info about the campaign, work groups, and meeting schedule are later in this message.) Now more than ever, we need to pay attention to the Minnesota legis- lature. Most of the legislation that would affect GLBT people is likely to come up in the second half of the legislative session, as the pres- sure mounts to finalize bills and get them passed. Note that party affiliation is NOT necessarily an indicator of whether or not a legis- lator is supportive of our issues. An amendment that would eliminate public assistance funding for gender reassignment surgery was attached to the House version of the Welfare Reform Bill, but was not attached to the Senate version. A conference committee from both houses will meet during the week of 4/3/95 to reach a compromise on the bill. Members of the committee are: Senate-Don Samuelson (author of the amendment,DFL 12), Paula Hanson (DFL 50), Pat Piper (DFL 37), Don Betzold (DFL 48), Martha Robertson (IR 45); House-Bob Anderson (DFL 10A), Loren Jennings (DFL 18B), Tom Van Engen (IR 15A), Barb Vickerman (IR 23A), Becky Lourey (DFL 8B). The Catholic Defense League has started a campaign to shut down GLBT- positive/AIDS-prevention programs in schools. Rep. Matt Entenza (DFL 64A) is very supportive of retaining these programs. He needs to receive letters and calls from constituents encouraging his continued support. TO CONTACT LEGISLATORS: Write: House: Rep.____________, State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155. Senate: IR-Sen.____________, State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155. DFL-Sen.___________, State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155 Or call: House Info 612-296-2146 Senate Info 612-296-0504 A special election coming up in the House of Representatives has important implications for all of us. Luann Koskinen (DFL) is running for the seat recently vacated by Rep. Joel Jacobs (DFL 49B). Rep. Karen Clark has found her to be supportive of our issues, and encourages us to help with her campaign. Even if you do not live in district 49B (Coon Rapids area), the campaign could use help doorknocking and phone banking. For more information, contact Betsy at 612-323-6775. IT'S TIME AGAIN MINNESOTA is an organizing effort by the gay/lesbian bisexual/trangender communities to address anti-GLBT actions in this legislative session, such as attempts to get GLBT-positive resources removed from schools, to prohibit marriage and adoption by same-sex couples, and other concerns. The campaign monitors the legislature and organizes lobbying as needed, and develops materials to educate people about GLBT issues. Contact IT'S TIME AGAIN MINNESOTA to receive updates and info about how you can help. Either contact the Gay & Lesbian Community Action Council (GLCAC) at 310 E. 38th St., Ste. 204, Minneapolis, MN 55409, 612-822-0127/1-800-800-0350/FAX612-822-8786/Email: glcacmpls@aol.com or send a private Email to Chernah at 9483@tccn.com. NOTE: "Private Email" is NOT 100% guaranteed private. If this is a concern, call or write GLCAC instead. Provide your name, address, ph#, fax and/or Email address. It would also be helpful if you'd let us know your state legis- lative district, and any contacts you have that could provide opportu- nities for networking in your area (e.g., you belong to the same volley- ball team/bridge club/religious congregation as your senator/rep). Please let us know of any BBS' in Greater Minnesota (we've got the metro area and Internet pretty well covered0 where we can post infor- mation such as this - either GLBT BBS', or progressive BBS where we have a chance of posting info without censure by the sys-op. IT'S TIME AGAIN MINNESOTA MEETINGS/WORK GROUPS NOTES: Work groups for which no meeting is listed are working by phone and/or will meet at the general meeting on 4/19/95. Sabathani Community Center is located at 310 E. 38th St., Mpls. Contact info for people at GLCAC is in the paragraph above. GENERAL MEETING - Wed. 4/19/95, 7pm, Sabathani. Plan next steps and strategies; work group meeting time and updates. Contact: GLCAC. EDUCATION & YOUTH - Mon. 4/3/95 6pm, Sabathani. This group watches for moves to restrict state funding to school districts with GLBT- positive curricula, and organizes lobbying as needed. Contact: Tina Garrett, District 202, 612-871-5559/FAX612-871-1445. FAMILY ISSUES - Mon. 4/3/95 6:45pm, Sabathani. This group is devel- oping materials to aid in the discussion and positioning of the follow- issues: domestic partner benefits, same-sex marriage, adoption laws. Contact: Marjorie Cowmeadow, U of MN, 612-625-7528/FAX612-625-7848. CIVIL RIGHTS - has prepared briefing papers explaining the 1993 amendment to the MN Human Rights Act, to be used for educating and lobbying. Currently working with the Family Issues committee on same- sex marriage. Contact: Joni Thome, GLCAC. LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST - Sat. 4/8/95 10am-Noon, Baker's Square, 917 Grand Ave, St. Paul. Monthly roundtables to discuss GLBT issues. The co-chairs of the GLBT Workplace Alliance will speak at this meeting. Contact: Wally Swan, 612-659-6386/FAX612-338-6597/Email: swanx 007@gold.tc.umn.edu RURAL ORGANIZING - Sat. 4/29/95, Duluth. Coordinates political activity in Greater Minnesota. Contact: Laura Stolle, Aurora: A North- land Lesbian Center, 32 E. First St., Ste. 104, Duluth, MN 55802, 218-722-4903. GENDER REASSIGNMENT SURGERY FUNDING - works on issues related to retaining existing Medical Assistance and General Assistance funds for surgery, and other issues of concern to transgender people. Contact: Ann DeGroot, GLCAC. FUNDRAISING - Raises money for upcoming ITA efforts. Contributions, volunteers, and people willing to host house parties continue to be needed. Contact: John Norman, GLCAC. ------ Forwarded message ends here ------ _________________ | \-------------/ | | \ / | Til Justice is Done... _|_ \ / _|_ [___] \ / [___] \ / ______\/______ {______________}