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Howard Dean, M.D. |
State of
the Union
This Thursday,
January 16, AEN will be honored to have as its speaker, the former
governor of Vermont, Howard Dean, M.D., who has declared
himself a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President
of the United States in 2004.
In December
of 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that the state's marriage
laws were unconstitutional because people who were not allowed
to get married could never obtain the same financial, inheritance,
hospital visitation, and insurance rights, to name only a few
legal and civil rights only available to married people. While
heterosexual people could marry and obtain these rights, gay and
lesbian Vermonters could not.
Dean led the
legislative efforts to create civil unions, a legal relationship
which same-gender couples could enter which would guarantee them
the same rights as married heterosexual couples, and the same
responsibilities, including paying the so-called marriage penalty
when filing Vermont income taxes.
"In some
ways, this was a defining moment in my political career"
said the 53-year-old internist, who is married with two teenage
children. "You can always compromise when you are fighting
over money, but there can never be a compromise when it comes
to human rights. I never got to have the discussion with myself
about whether or not this was a good idea for my political career.
I knew I had to live with myself in or out of politics for the
rest of my life, and that if I didn't support civil rights for
every American, I'd just be another competent manager rotating
through political office, who never stood up when confronted with
a choice. I could have been politically expedient, or I could
have done what was right."
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SPECIAL PROGRAM
Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
Program begins at 6:45 p.m.
Open bar from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
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In 1982, he
ran for a part-time job in the Vermont Legislature, became lieutenant
governor four years later and governor in 1991, when Richard Snelling,
the Republican incumbent, died of a heart attack.
In the fall
of 2000, Gov. Dean was reelected with a 12-point margin. He did
not run for re-election in 2002, choosing to concentrate on his
run for the White House.
The doors
open at the Sheraton Colony Square Hotel at 5:45 p.m. with the
program beginning at 6:45 p.m.
Web site:
http://www.deanforamerica.com/
 Holiday
Cheer
On December
5, 2002, several hundred AEN members and friends crowded into
Red Chair to bring in the holiday season. Watch the AEN calendar
for more socials coming this summer. See
more photos from the holiday party »
Ron
Hidalgo explains how the Pride Run benefits YouthPride. |
YouthPride
2003:
A Discussion with Executive Director Ron Hidalgo
Q: What is
YouthPride?
A: YouthPride
is a non-profit organization that serves all GLBTQ youth (ages
13-24) in the area.
It is a safe,
comfortable space in Decatur for metro Atlanta's youth who are
struggling with sexual identity issues, self-esteem or confidence
issues related to their identity, the "coming out" process,
or who simply want to meet and talk with other gay, lesbian, transgender
or questioning youth.
Q: What brought
about the need for YouthPride?
A: YouthPride
was founded in 1995 with the formation of discussion groups, and
they continue to be a cornerstone of today's organization. GLBTQ
youth attend these groups to meet other youth, to be heard, to
get feedback on a particular problem or situation, to listen,
or to just be present in a safe space around other GLBTQ youth.
There are fewsafe
havens for many youth who realize they are gay, lesbian, bisexual,
questioning, or have gender issues. Frequently, adults in the
youth's schools and religious institutions either deny that gays
and lesbians exist or condemn homosexuality outright. GLBTQ youth
often feel ashamed and vulnerable in the very places where they
should feel the safest. Thus, YouthPride believes offering weekly
discussion groups is one of the most valuable services it can
provide to GLBTQ youth. All groups are facilitated by trained
adult and youth volunteers and operated according to a set of
rules developed by YP staff, its Board of Directors, and youth.
YouthPride
is located at 302 East Howard Avenue in Decatur.
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Q: What kinds
of discussion groups are offered?
A: Currently,
Teen Group, Young Adult Group, BoyTalk, Womyn's Group and the
Latino Group are the discussion groups held at YouthPride. Although
each group covers topics that at times may vary due to the age,
race or culture of theparticipants, most groups discuss topics
related to "coming out," dating, family, school, and
friends. You can telephone YouthPride at 404-378-7722 or visit
www.youthpride.org for
meeting times.
Q: What other
services does YouthPride offer?
A: YouthPride
also offers free HIV testing every Wednesday from 5:30 -7 p.m.
YouthPride provides quality support and social services to the
youth and the LGBTQ community. It has a fully functional, organized
library on queer non-fiction and fiction topics. YouthPride also
has a computer learning center with Internet access so youth can
search for jobs, do homework, or simply "surf" the Web.
Q: How can
someone contact YouthPride if he or she wants to help?
A: Call
404-378-7720 or e-mail ron@youthpride.org
for more information. YouthPride is located at 302 East Howard
Avenue in Decatur. It is across the street from the Dairy Queen,
just off the Decatur Square.
Web site:
http://www.youthpride.org
 Atlanta
Police Chief Richard Pennington
February 20
Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
Sheraton Colony Square Hotel
 'The
Commercial Closet'
March 20
Michael
Wilke offers insight on gay marketing
Web site »
Announcements
|
>
In This Issue
•
State of the Union
• YouthPride 2003: A Discussion with Executive Director Ron
Hidalgo
>
Next Meeting
Thursday,
January 16
Howard Dean, M.D.
Fmr. Vermont Gov.
Sheraton Colony Square
5:45 p.m.
SPECIAL PROGRAM BEGINS AT 6:45 p.m.
>
Luncheons
Reservations
»
>
Wednesday, Jan. 15
Allen Jones
Houlihan's
11:55 a.m.
>
Thursday, Jan. 23
Bonnie Barton
Sage
11:45 a.m.
>
Friday, Jan. 24
David Payne, Ronald Moore
Chequers
11:45 a.m.
>
Wednesday, Jan. 29
Don George, Carl Lange
Pacific Rim Bistro
7 p.m.
>
Thursday, Jan. 30
Allen Jones
Houlihan's
11:55 a.m.
>
Friday, Jan. 31
Drew Barton
Blue Trout
11:45 a.m.
>
Tuesday, Feb. 11
Allen Jones
Houlihan's
11:55 a.m.
>
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Allen Jones
Houlihan's
11:55 a.m.
AEN's
mission is to:
•
Promote business contacts and friendships through networking;
•
Advocate equality for lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals, and transgenders;
•
Promote diversity in the business community;
•
Foster leadership in business, government and the arts.
Board
Members
David
Payne
President
Bonnie
Barton
Vice President
Jamie
Ensley
Treasurer
Ann McAllister
Secretary
Margie
Archer
Drew
Barton
Don George
Patrick
Greco
Joe Guthridge
Sandy Hoke
Steve Koval
Carl Lange
Dana Brown-Owings
Newsletter
Editor
Jason Cecil
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