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DignityUSA
PO Box 376
Medford, MA
02155
tel: 800.877.8797
202.861.0017
fax: 781.397.0584
email:
info@dignityusa.org
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DignityUSA DATELINE
Volume 12, No. 6
June 2003
American Catholic Family
In every sense of the word
This family portrait of DignityUSA Executive Director, Marianne Duddy, Becky Burke & their daughter Emily graces the front page of the April 2003 edition of The American Catholic Newspaper. The entire edition can be found on the American Catholic website: www.taconline.org Be sure to let the editor, Jim Emswiler editor@taconline.org know how much you appreciate this kind of news coverage.
Dignity on the Scene – outreach and coalition networking
DignityUSA President Pat McArron was joined by past president & current director Bob Miailovich as well as Fr. Stephen McDonnell of DC at the Spring Meeting of COR (Catholic Organizations for Renewal). This meeting was held at the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, April 25 - 27. Pat called upon Stephen to share with the members of COR the news that DignityUSA is preparing resource material for glbt survivors of sexual abuse.
Executive Director Marianne Duddy & director Bob Miailovich in our behalf attended the NGLTF Leadership Awards Ceremony honoring GLBT Activists and Allies in Washington D.C. on Monday, May 12.
On the weekend of May 16 several members of the board of directors attended the 30th Anniversary celebration of Dignity/Philadelphia. Pat McArron was keynote speaker during the festivities.
DignityUSA
2003 Convention
Five More Reasons to Attend
LAS VEGAS — From August 7-10, five diverse leaders will present workshops during DignityUSA's 16th Biennial Convention in Las Vegas. Brendan Fay, John McNeill, Shepard Kominars and David Tseng are scheduled to excite, inspire and inform participants during the four-day event.
Brendan Fay is founder of Lavender and Green Alliance and cofounder and a lead organizer of the St. Patrick's Day Parade held in Queens. A native of Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland, Fay moved to New York City in 1984 to attend St. John's University, where he earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in theology. "For the past nine years the Lavender and Green Alliance has been creating a space for Irish lesbian and gay people, their friends and families to enjoy Irish arts and culture," said Fay. "We explore lesbian and gay history and sponsor an annual film project, "Silence to Speech," a documentary series that celebrates lesbian and gay New Yorkers. Fay will conduct a workshop on the recent Fr. Mychael Judge PBS documentary.
Sheppard Kominars, Ph.D.'s success with dealing with his own trauma led him to develop a three-day workshop called "Write For Life." The workshop consists of three consecutive sessions that consider the idea of survival and recovery. The participants find strength and courage in the simple activity of writing about the experience. "Participants write about their daily lives in confidential journals, and heal themselves with their own wisdom," Kominars explained. "In the sessions, they share these personal insights. Putting pen to the page to write about what it means to live in our bodies, in our relationships, in the house and city and world where we breathe each breath, is the key to opening the door to living better."
John J McNeill, educator and author, served in combat in Europe in the Third Army under General Patton. McNeill was captured in Germany and spent five months as a POW. In 1964, McNeill earned a Doctorate in Philosophy, Plus Grande Distinction, at Louvain University in Belgium. In 1974, McNeill was one of the founders of Dignity/New York City. Since 1977, McNeill has been in private practice as a psychotherapist in NYC and in active ministry to GLBT Christians through retreats, workshops, lectures and publications. McNeill's most recent book entitled Both Feet Firmly Planted in Midair: The Spiritual Journey of John McNeill was published in 1988 by Westminster Press. McNeill says, "This book is an autobiography which traces the path of my spiritual development and the role that psychotherapy played in that development."
David Tseng, former White House senior policy advisor and staff director for the National Economic Council, joined the national office of PFLAG as the organization's new executive director in June 2002. Tseng, the first openly gay man to lead PFLAG, is of Asian and Latino descent and brings to PFLAG his experience and professional abilities, combined with his commitment to civil rights. Prior to entering public service, Tseng was an attorney in the private sector for eight years in Los Angeles, specializing in pension/401(k) and health care law, and served in leadership positions in several community and civic organizations, including Lawyers for Human Rights: the Gay and Lesbian Bar Association of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles City Human Relations Commission Advisory Board.
Whether you attend one or all of these workshops, remember this opportunity comes along once in a lifetime. So, while in Las Vegas, come out of the sun and relax in a cool oasis where you can listen to five voices of change.
"A Voice in the Desert" is calling you to the Alexis Park Resort Hotel in Las Vegas to attend DignityUSA's 16th Biennial Convention from August 7-10, 2003. Plan ahead by calling 800-582-2228 (in the Continental US) or 702-796-3322 (outside the continental US) to make your hotel reservation today. For airline reservations, call American Airlines at 800-433-1790. Plan now to be a part of a glbt-friendly atmosphere of Las Vegas.
Deadline for regular registration is June 1, 2003.
Following discussions with family, friends and colleagues I have made the
decision to step down as president of DignityUSA when my term
is completed. This was not an easy decision nor was it made lightly.
Solidarity Sunday
Plan ahead. To learn more about Solidarity Sunday or to order ribbons and pledge cards, contact the National Office at 800-977-8797, or visit the web site.
Historic Moment
Dignity's Past, Present & Future
DignityUSA's past, present & future leadership were present in the same room for the very first time this year as Bob Miailovich, past president; Mary Louise Cervone, immediate past president; Patrick McArron, current president; and Sam Sinnett, unopposed presidential nominee for 2003 all shared the spotlight on the occasion of Dignity/Philadelphia's 30th Anniversary. The event was held at the Radisson Warwick Hotel.
Looking at the Big Picture: Strategy Planning, Part II
The DignityUSA Board of Directors met via teleconference on Saturday, May 10 — planning the future of the organization.
Ben Boerkoel, National Secretary, directed the call in the nearly 2 hour session devoted to completing an outline for the future for the future of DignityUSA.
The goal of the Strategic Plan is to chart the course for the future of the organization by identifying those programs and aims important to the vision and mission of Dignity and establishing priorities.
Ballots in the mail - Express yourself by voting
You are reminded that ballots for DignityUSA's national election are in the mail. Exercise your privilege of membership by casting your votes and returning your ballots by July 1. To be counted, all ballots must in the national office by July 1, 2003.
We have a total of seven nominees for three director positions and one slate for president & vice-president. Write-in candidates are also permitted.
If you have not received a ballot by June 1 please call the national office at 800-977-8797 or by email at info@dignityusa.org
Your vote will only count if you cast it!
Happy Anniversary & Congratulations to:
Columbus (OH) - 8 years
Lexington (KY) - 11 years
Southern Colorado (CO) - 11 years
San Jose (CA) - 19 years
Houston (TX) - 29 years
Happy Pride to All
Order supplies now for your Pride Festivals.
Just call the national office 800-977-8797
