A Civil Rights Leader Speaks

AEN's January speaker has been described as "one of the most courageous persons the civil rights movement ever produced." Rep. John Lewis has dedicated his life to protecting human rights, securing personal dignity and building what he calls "The Beloved Community."

At the age of 23, he was recognized as one the six primary leaders of the civil rights movement and was an organizer and a keynote speaker at the 1963 March on Washington, D.C. The following year he coordinated voter registration efforts during the Mississippi Summer Project. In 1965, he led marchers into what would become known as "Bloody Sunday," one of the most dramatic nonviolent protests of the movement. He was arrested more than 40 times and severely beaten on several occasions.

A 10-term Democrat representing much of metro Atlanta, Rep. Lewis has continued his unwaivering support of civil rights today. The Human Rights Campaign has continually awarded Rep. Lewis perfect scores on matters of equality. Where some in Congress fail to express their vocal support of equality for gays and lesbians, Rep. Lewis does not. In 2003, Rep. Lewis opined in the Boston Globe:

We hurt our fellow citizens and our community when we deny gay people civil marriage and its protections and responsibilities. Rather than divide and discriminate, let us come together and create one nation. We are all one people. We all live in the American house. We are all the American family. Let us recognize that the gay people living in our house share the same hopes, troubles, and dreams. It's time we treated them as equals, as family.

Let us welcome Rep. Lewis this Thursday. Your presence will help make it known that we are grateful for his leadership and service in Selma, Birmingham, Atlanta and Washington.

The congressman is expected to take questions from the audience. To submit a question for Rep. Lewis, please send it to questions@aen.org.

Mrs. Coretta Scott King, who was previously scheduled to speak, canceled her appearance due to scheduling conflicts.

Meeting details

Thursday, January 13
Sheraton Midtown Hotel at Colony Square
Networking begins at 5:45 p.m. and program starts at 6:45 p.m.

Including a special performance from Adodi Muse

New 205 in 2005 Members and Students: No charge
2004 Members: $10
Non-Members: $20
Table for 10: $150 [Click here to buy]

Never pay door fees again!

Our new membership drive, "205 in 2005", states just how many new members we're working to add by the end of 2005.

To help us get there, we're introducing a 12-month membership package that includes door fees for just $100, or $175 for two people at the same mailing address. Students may continue to join and attend meetings for free.

If you have recently joined or renewed your AEN membership, you can upgrade your membership at Thursday's meeting.

Four more years...

America’s only gay Republican group chief talks about what's in store from the new Bush administration.

Patrick Guerriero
Log Cabin Republican President

February 17, 2005
Sheraton Midtown Hotel at Colony Square

Networking begins at 5:45 p.m.
Program starts at 6:45 p.m.

2005 members and students: No charge
2004 members: $10
Non-members: $20
Table for 10: $150 [Click here to buy]

Community Events

• Friday, January 14, 6:30 p.m.
  Fourth Tuesday Happy Hour takes place on the second Friday of every month at the Red Chair in Midtown
• Friday, January 14-16
  In The Life Atlanta, organizers of Black Gay Pride, is pleased to announce In the Spirit of Bayard Rustin, chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, and in support of the 2005 Martin Luther King Celebration, a weekend of celebration and reflection.
• Friday, January 21, 6:30-8 p.m.
  Join ALCI for a free drop-in mixer. ALCI will connect you with some of Atlanta's LGBT-friendly groups that promote movement and exercise. There’ll be food, beverages and women who want to get in shape or stay fit. Click here for more information. Radial Café next to ALCI.
• Saturday, January 29, 11:30 a.m.
  ALCI’s Brunch 'n Learn workshop features a panel of experts that will provide you with important information about wills, advanced directives and asset protection. Admission is $5 for the general public and free for ALCI clients. RSVP to alischaffer@alci.org.
  

Click here to add your event to our community calendar.

Student Researcher Needs Your Help!

Corey S. Muñoz, doctoral student in psychology at the University of Georgia and AEN member needs your help with his dissertation data collection. His research is on the career and professional experiences of gay and lesbian employees.

This is groundbreaking research in an area that has been traditionally ignored.

Please click on the link below for the online survey if you would like to participate. It should take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Your participation will be completely confidential. In addition, if you know of anyone else who would like to participate, you can forward the link below by copying and pasting it into an e-mail.

Please click here to complete the questionnaire.

If you have any additional questions, you can contact the researcher at cmunoz@uga.edu.

Networking Luncheons

One of the best ways to network your career, your business and your future. AEN offers luncheons each week at convenient locations throughout Atlanta. Click here to to reserve your space at a luncheon or dinner.

Tuesday, January 18, 11:45 a.m.
David Payne & Jacob Rothschild
Front Page News in Midtown

Wednesday, January 26, 7:30 p.m.
Drew Barton & Tom Eiswerth
Gordon Biersch in Midtown

Tuesday, February 22, Noon
Teresa Joyce
Apres Diem in Midtown

With deep gratitude...

AEN wishes to thank its partners who help make our programming possible. We encourage you support these businesses, as they have helped support us and our community.

To find out more about AEN's partnership programs, follow this link.

About AEN

Mission Statement

• 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.

Leadership Team

Dan Lax, President
Jamie Ensley, Treasurer
Barbara Rubin, Secretary
David Payne, Past President
Drew Barton
Dana Brown-Owings
Stephen Julien
Carl Lange
Sandy Hoke
Jacob Rothschild
Tom Eiswerth
Teresa Joyce
Susan McCray