jeanne_d_arc

Bonnie Tinker

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:08:20 GMT

My friend Bonnie Tinker, a Quaker lesbian activist, was killed on Thursday when a truck hit her while she was bicycling. This occured in Blacksburg, Virginia where Bonnie was attending the annual gathering of Friends General Conference. Bonnie was a wonderful inspiration and mentor to me. I've been terribly sad since I learned of her death and I can't stop thinking about Bonnie's wife, their three grown children and two grandchildren.

Here are some articles:
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/07/to_the_end_friends_say_bonnie.html
http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?s=10642118 (this second one actually calls Sara Bonnie's wife!)

Marriage is SO gay!

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:52:22 GMT

To my Quaker readers

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:28:24 GMT

I will not be at FGC or any other Friends gatherings this year because I'm overworked and underpaid at my job. I hope to correct this in 2010. I still go to Meeting in First Days, however.

Newt Gingrich is afraid of Pagans!

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 23:40:11 GMT

Check out the video:

Reminder: LGBT events in Michigan

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:54:47 GMT

LGBT People with Disabilities Pride Picnic
The first one (that we know of) in Washtenaw County, Michigan will take place Sunday, June 14 from 1:30 to 3 pm in the picnic shelter of County Farm Park. The entrance is on Platt Rd, just south of Washtenaw Ave in Ann Arbor. The picnic shelter is near the playground. Families, including dogs, are welcome!

Working Together Forum
LGBT people and allies are welcome to this grassroots discussion about where our movement for equality should go and what strategy we should use. The meeting takes place Monday, June 15 from 7 to 9 pm at the Ypsilanti Public Library, 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti. This is the first of a series of such forums around the state.

Terrible news in Michigan

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:57:44 GMT

On May 25, 2009, the slain body of Foxy, born Curtis Ivy, was found in Highland Park. Foxy was fatally shot in the back of the head. That same night, another transgender woman was the victim of an attempted shooting in Detroit. Both victims are African American transgender women under the age of 35 who are reported by police to be commercial sex workers.

Marriage on Youtube

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:50:41 GMT

Here's an interesting video about marriage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNiqfRyoAyA&feature=channel_page

and here's another one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntC0PNHFRgU&feature=channel

And, just for the heck of it, one about ducks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXPcBI4CJc8

LGBT People with Disabilities Pride Picnic

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:39:13 GMT

Join in the first annual LGBT People with Disabilities Pride Picnic in Washtenaw County, Michigan (so far as we know).

Bring a potluck item to County Farm Park, 2230 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, on Sunday, June 14. We’ll be in one of the picnic pavilions from 1:30 to 3 pm.

Spouses, sweethearts, children and, of course, helper dogs are welcome!

Feel free to spread the word.

Here is a map and directions to the park: http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_recreation/directions/directions_cfp.html

Jen and Lexi in the news

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:00:29 GMT

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=103622005773&h=xPVtm&u=948en&ref=mf

http://michiganmessenger.com/19801/same-sex-marriage-advocates-call-for-2012-equality-push

We were also interviewed by Michigan Public Radio and a photographer from the Michgian State University student newspaper took our picture.

We lost in California

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:00:05 GMT

The California Supreme Court held up the anti-equality Prop 8 Constitutional amendment, banning all future same-gender marriages. Those who were already married during the short window that the state issued licenses will still have theirs recognized.

Please go to http://www.dayofdecision.com/ to find a protest in a city/town near you.

Good news in DC and Maine!

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:06:47 GMT

D.C. council votes to recognize gay marriage
WASHINGTON -- The latest threat to all things good and holy -- if opponents of same-sex marriage can be believed -- is right here in the nation's capital. The D.C. Council approved, by a 12-1 vote Tuesday night, a bill that would grant recognition in Washington to gay and lesbian marriages performed in other states.

The bill, which Mayor Adrian Fenty is expected to sign, wouldn't allow gay marriages to be performed in D.C., but it would mean the city would treat gay and lesbian couples who wed in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Iowa (and soon, possibly, Maine) the same way as straight married couples. Gay couples could file joint D.C. tax returns, and would be entitled to pension and health care benefits as spouses, not just domestic partners. The Human Rights Campaign called the move a "common-sense" thing to do; supporters say a full marriage law won't be far behind.

But even the initial vote could provoke the feds to step in. House and Senate subcommittees that oversee the District review every bill passed by the D.C. legislature, and if they object, Congress can overturn the measure. Usually, federal lawmakers don't interfere with D.C. provisions, but conservatives are already looking forward to telling the District's 591,833 residents how to run their city.

"Some things are worth fighting for, and this is one of them," Rep. Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican who's the GOP's ranking member on the D.C. oversight panel, told the Washington Post. "It's not something I can let go softly into the night... I recognize the Democrats are in the majority, but I represent the majority of Americans on this issue."

That's debatable, as Alex Koppelman pointed out here last week. But Chaffetz made clear on his Twitter feed that he's eager to enforce his own moral views on people who aren't his constituents regardless. First, he posted a link to the Post story with his quote, and then -- in response to questions, including a few from me -- he said Congress was completely right to interfere here. "Why am I involved?" he asked. "Congress is set up to oversee the affairs of D.C. I am one of the Members on the relevant committee." The Utah freshman, who knocked off Chris Cannon in a GOP primary last year for not being conservative enough, sleeps on a cot in his office, but that doesn't make him a D.C. resident -- why should Chaffetz have any say at all over D.C. laws?

Since Democrats control both the House and Senate by wide margins, it's unlikely Chaffetz and his pals will have much luck this time. (Federal lawmakers do have a long history of meddling in District business, though.)

But the fact that conservatives are even able to put up a fight over a municipal ordinance in a city where they don't live underscores what's going on. Chaffetz and his allies want to use one injustice -- that Congress can do whatever it wants with the District -- to compound another one -- that gay and lesbian couples aren't treated the same under the law as straight couples. By 2009, you'd hope it wouldn't work.

Update: Maine Gov. John Baldacci, a Democrat, just signed the state's gay marriage law, which means five states now allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.

(from salon.com's War Room blog)

Happy Mother's Day

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:58:38 GMT

Happy Mother's Day (a bit in advance) for all the mothers out there, including those (like me) of pets.
Mother's Day began as a peace movement. The idea was that no mother wants to loose her children to war.

AmeriCorps opportunity in Washtenaw County, Michigan

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:22:54 GMT

Work as an AmeriCorps VISTA for the Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition this summer!

To apply, go to http:// my1.americorps.gov/mp and click on “search listings.” Under program name type “Washtenaw Youth Action Corps.” Click on those words in red when they appear. The summer job information will then pop up with a red button that says “apply now.”

The job begins June 1 and ends August 7. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma. Applications are accepted through May 31.

Questions? Contact: Alex Gossage, 734-971-0277 or agossage@aacil.org.

Health Update

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:50:38 GMT

We saw the surgeon for a follow-up visit yesterday. She says I'm doing really well and there's no signs of a hernia. I can now swim and ride my bike, so long as I'm not mountain biking or off-roading. I said, don't worry because I don't do that kind of biking anyway. I still have a 15-pound-weight-lifting limit for another two weeks, but that's pretty minor, given everything I can do again now.

Enjoy the laughs!

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:40:41 GMT

Here's a link to a funny spoof of the anti-gay "Gathering Storm" commercial: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/6eddb255b2/a-gaythering-storm. Plus, it starts George Takei (formerly known as Star Trek's Sulu).

And here's Stephen Colbert's spoof along with the original homophobic ad (so you have a reference point): http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/224789/april-16-2009/the-colbert-coalition-s-anti-gay-marriage-ad

Earth Day

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:51:42 GMT

Happy Earth Day, everyone!
I look forward to the weather here improving and my tummy muscles recovering so that I can soon enought bike to and from work.

Michigan Lobby Day Against Bullying

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:12:50 GMT

Already this year six young people in the United States have died due to bullying, with countless others attempting suicide or dropping out of school completely to avoid the unnecessary torment. It is time to put an end to the violence in our schools so all children can be safe.

Please join us and other Michigan organizations for the All American Lobby Day to end bullying in Michigan! Join us Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at Teamsters Hall (local 580), located at 5800 Executive Drive in Lansing, MI. We will lobby for SB 0159*, a law to protect all Michigan youth from bullying and increase the safety in Michigan schools. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer will be train participants that morning on how to effectively lobby. Midday, we will host a press conference to let all Michigan residents know about this important bill.

We need your help getting the word out to others about this Lobby Day, so please work with us to inform, invite and mobilize your friends, family and peers in the upcoming weeks to get as many people involved as we can.

Some of the sponsoring and endorsing organizations include: the Michigan Democratic Party LGBT & Allies Caucus, the Michigan Democratic Party’s Youth Caucus, Michigan Equality, The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) College Democrats, Project Light, Order of St John the Beloved (a Catholic organization), the American Family Committee and the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Phil Volk at philvolk2004 at yahoo.com or (734) 474-5290.
Want to get involved prior to Lobby Day?

Each Tuesday beginning April 14th we will have a ‘work parties’ in Ann Arbor at 7:00p.m. in the lower level of Starbucks at 222 S. State St.
*Please read this important section of Bill SB 0159:

(iv) Is based on a pupil’s actual or perceived religion, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, height, weight, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or any other distinguishing characteristic or is based on association with another person who has or is perceived to have any of these characteristics.

Aidan

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:35:19 GMT

My cousin Caleb's wife Shannon gave birth a few days ago to their first child, Aidan. He's 9 pounds! This is the first baby of this generation among my siblings and cousins on my mum's side. Very exciting!

(Yes, I already have a dog named Aidan but we're not going to mention that to the extended family).

Update on me

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:28:06 GMT

I had my gall bladder out Friday of last week. I'm healing, but slowly. The doctor said I would be back to work this week. Ha! I'm only now able to walk around without help. I will go to the office for a two-hour youth event tonight but my mum is coming with me to help.
Lexi has been fabulous. She was with me in the hospital and again when we had to return to the ER the next day. I cried because I told her that's a sign of true love--taking care of someone who is so helpless thanks to having her tummy cut open and then staying up with her until 3 am in the ER. She says it was all the meds making me loopy and so making me cry. I still see it as love and I so appreciate it!

More good news--now from Vermont!

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:29:38 GMT

Vermont Legalizes Gay Marriage With Veto Override

By DAVE GRAM
The Associated Press
Tuesday, April 7, 2009; 12:16 PM

MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Vermont on Tuesday became the fourth state to legalize gay marriage _ and the first to do so with a legislature's vote.

The House recorded a dramatic 100-49 vote, the minimum needed, to override Gov. Jim Douglas' veto. Its vote followed a much easier override vote in the Senate, which rebuffed the Republican governor with a vote of 23-5.

Vermont was the first state to legalize civil unions for same-sex couples and joins Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa in giving gays the right to marry. Their approval of gay marriage came from the courts.

Tuesday morning's legislative action came less than a day after Douglas issued a veto message saying the bill would not improve the lot of gay and lesbian couples because it still would not provide them rights under federal and other states' laws.

Kangaroo

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:17:21 GMT

Also at the vet today I petted a joey! One of the vet's staff is raising a baby kangeroo and carries her around in a pouch-like bag. I petted her head, which was very soft with long ears. The vet raises lots of exotic animals, including emus. They also have lots of farm animals around, such as goats, chickens, rabbits and turkeys.

In other news

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:15:46 GMT

The dogs had a very traumatic trip to the vet today. Aidan nearly hyperventilated when the doctor took blood. He also snapped at her but, fortunatly, he was wearing a muzzle. There was much barking at other dogs in the clinic. Aidan took some cheese from the vet's hand before his exam but afterwards he didn't want any from her because he was so upset (although, he still took cheese from L's hand). Then, Sapphie killed the bird that was the office pet. The bird was sitting on the floor as we left the exam room and Sapphie just snatched it before I even saw what happened. We managed to get the bird out of her mouth but it was already dead. Two staff people said the bird had it coming because it so often hung out on the floor and taunted dogs but I still feel awful!

Iowa Supreme Court for Gay Marriage!

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:12:52 GMT

Iowa Court Rules Against Same-Sex Marriage Ban

By William Branigin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 3, 2009; 2:14 PM

The Iowa Supreme Court today declared unconstitutional a state ban on same-sex marriage, clearing the way for Iowa to join two other states in allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.

In a unanimous decision, the seven-member court upheld a lower court's ruling in August 2007 that a 1998 state law limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violated the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution.

The decision will be considered final in 21 days unless a rehearing is formally requested. The county that challenged the lower court's ruling indicated today that it would not file such a request, meaning that same-sex couples likely will be able to obtain marriage licenses in Iowa in three weeks, attorneys for the plaintiffs said.

Stargate

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:52:39 GMT

L and I were watching a season 1 episode of "Stargate SG1" online the other day. In it, the general denies the request of two SG1 team members on the grounds that "The United States does not interfere in the internal affairs of other people."
We burst out laughing! Then I told L to rewind that scene. It was even funnier the second time around!

I'm famous today!

jen_chapin_harris@hotmail.com — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:13:35 GMT

My picture is one of those flashing across the main page http://www.wccnet.edu/ of Washtenaw Community College, although I am not and have never been a student there. It's from last year's job fair when I and some colleagues staffed a table about our non-profit, the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living http://www.aacil.org.