Date: Fri, 13 Jan 1995 13:40:57 -0500 From: Patrick Heck The Voice of Virginians for Justice Jan.-Feb. 1995 The Voice is published bi-monthly by Virginians for Justice PO Box 342 Richmond, VA 23202-0342 804-643-4816 BUDGET WOES EXPECTED TO DOMINATE '95 GENERAL ASSEMBLY The 1995 session of the Virginia General Assembly, initially feared to be highly anti-gay, is likely to be bogged down with budget battles between Governor Allen and the Democratic legislative majority. All legislators, regardless of their party, will be swamped with the task of targeting and prioritizing all state-funded agencies and projects as they struggle to balance the budget and fund the prison building program that was approved in last fall's special legislative session. However, it is certain that some anti-lesbian and anti-gay legislation will be proposed by legislators linked to the radical right wing of the Republican Party. PRIORITY ISSUES Virginians for Justice will be concentrating our lobbying efforts this session on moving Crimes Against Nature law reform further along in the legislative process and keeping a watchful eye for any anti-gay bills and amendments that crop up. Proposals to eliminate or eviscerate Family Life Education in Virginia's public schools will be watched closely along with all adoption and child custody legislation, a likely candidate for anti-gay language. Coordinating our lobbying activities throughout the session will be our Office Manager, Shirley Lesser and our Legislative Coordinator, K Robins. Shirley will be helping VJ members and friends identify their legislators and provide constituents with talking points for particular issues. K will use her lobbying experience to pour over the thousands of bills that will be submitted, searching for all wording that could impact sexual minorities or HIV+ Virginians. David Perry, our prime volunteer lobbyist this session, will be coordinating our work on the Crimes Against Nature law reform efforts. David has generously volunteered to work with Delegate Karen Darner (D-Arlington) in assuring that her CAN reform bill of last year is resubmitted and makes additional progress. At press time most legislation has yet to be submitted, so we are not able to provide bill numbers or schedules. The movement for equal justice depends a great deal on the willingness of Virginians to contact their elected officials with their opinions, so please utilize the enclosed lobbying guide for this legislative session. The guide includes lobbying tips, legislative phone numbers and information about our Citizens Lobby Day to be held on Thursday, January 26. We encourage you to share the guide with your friends and family who might have an interest in protecting the rights of gay, lesbian and bisexual Virginians. FOCUS on HATE CRIMES: HATE CRIMES DOWN? Sound unbelievable? We think so too, but the number of documented reports has been dropping. VJ does not think this is accurate! The Washington Blade, Our Own Community Press, Out and About and even local daily newspapers continually carry news articles about hate crimes committed on the basis of a victim's sexual orientation, but most are never reported to 1-800-2JUSTIC. VJ's annual hate crimes report is an important educational and awareness tool for the media, elected officials and law enforcement, but it will be impossible to produce if hate incidents are not documented. We can take reports, anonymous if necessary, by phone if you call during business hours (9:00am- 1:00pm), but oftentimes we send a form that must be returned for the crime to be properly documented. To be included in our 1994 summary report, hate crimes reports must be reported to VJ before February 10, 1995. Please assist us in this effort. Hate Crimes Coordinator Opening After a short, but enthusiastic, term as VJ's Hate Crimes Coordinator, David Shelton of Richmond was forced to resign due to unforeseen circumstances. We thank David for his innovative ideas and enthusiasm and we wish him well. Although the position is volunteer, the board of directors feels strongly that the Hate Crimes Task Force could be a strong contender for future grant moneys. The task force is responsible for maintaining VJ's hate crimes reporting line and gearing up for the expansion of the task force to include educational efforts, victim advocacy and discrimination documentation. If you are interested in coordinating or volunteering, please phone the VJ office at 804-643-4816. To report crimes: CALL 1-800-2JUSTIC FROM THE CHAIR.... As most of you have read in these pages, VJ has experienced its share of organizational growing pains over the years. I consider these struggles to be typical for any volunteer-based, non-profit group and not surprisingly, they are primarily budget related. Fortunately, VJ has a core of several hundred concerned Virginians who every year generously support our cause, but those hundreds need to grow to thousands if we expect to push Crimes Against Nature reform, protect gay and lesbian parents, and fight for protection from discrimination and violence. We are painfully aware that our solicitations can be tiring, but they are necessary. None of us question, I hope, that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and their allies can benefit from a professional lobbyist, a permanent voice in state government, or an office to serve the needs of the statewide community. Granted, some of us may prioritize these options differently, but I think we all agree that they are worthwhile goals. VJ continually has had trouble progressing beyond our "chicken or the egg" problem: Do we hire staff to increase our attractiveness to donors or do we first concentrate on raising money to hire staff? We have attempted to solve this dilemma by first hiring paid office staff, Shirley Lesser, to assist with our organizational and development needs. Unfortunately, we come close to busting our monthly budget to retain Shirley, despite the fact that she is working only part-time and at a relatively low wage. We were unable to retain a full-time lobbyist last year, but we are making do with part-time help in the office. The move seems to have paid off. Shirley has whipped our membership program into shape and membership numbers are going up. VJ is instituting a high donor program and is beginning to apply for grants that, if successful, will fund some of the projects that we have always hoped would take off, e.g., hate crimes victim advocacy, voter drives, and educational programs. In my opinion, the future of VJ, while always tenuous, appears bright. The organization has survived for more than six years now and, after all, persistence should count for something! A NEW NEED DEVELOPS We are, however, currently struggling with a new problem: The Board of Directors is shrinking in size. Our membership and budget slowly increase and the need for our services never abates, but the willingness to help guide the organization wanes. As you can see from the list below, we currently have only six directors, with eleven empty board seats. Doesn't this seem a bit incongruous considering the other newfound signs of relative stability in the organization? A great number of people are not suited to serving on a board, but many sell themselves short. A board can utilize many different areas of expertise ranging from fundraising, networking, business acumen, activist skills, legal knowledge or simply enthusiasm. A commitment to serve on our board does involve a time commitment, but directors can contribute immeasurably to the fight for equal justice. You also can become a conduit for knowledge to your area of the state. If you think that you, or someone you know, might be qualified, please phone the VJ office. We will mail a board of directors information packet that will introduce you to the duties and qualifications of a VJ board member. You just may be one of those who is selling themselves short! If you should have any questions, please feel free to phone me at 804-622-1695. Thanks - Pat Heck Board of Directors Board Members and the areas they represent: Gary Antonucci - Secretary 804-253-0789 (At-large, Williamsburg) Laurie Caldwell 804-823-7899 (5th Congressional District, Charlottesville) Patrick Heck - Chair 804-622-1695 (3rd CD, Norfolk) Ronnie Helms 804-640-1761 (2nd CD, Norfolk) Bonnie Rabichow - Treasurer 703-660-0670 (8th CD, Alexandria) Pat Ward 804-261-4110 (At-large, Richmond) We meet on the third Saturday of each month at noon in VJ's Richmond headquarters. Everyone is welcome to attend. Many thanks to K Robins of Williamsburg and Andrew Elsea of Richmond, both of whom recently stepped down from the Board of Directors. Both K and Andrew have moved on to other activities and we wish them well. VJ will miss their leadership and dedication to the gay, lesbian and bisexual community. K will remain as VJ's Legislative Coordinator through the General Assembly session. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES VJ is searching for volunteers to work in our Richmond office and as volunteers in other areas of the state. Time commitments can range from a few hours per month to several hours each week. Available tasks include: Date entry in our computer database Answering phones, keeping records and staffing the hate crimes hotline. Tracking a state legislator from your area Exploring the production of a statewide Virginians for Justice conference this spring Starting a local telephone tree for legislative action alerts VJ WISH LIST The following items are needed to keep our office operating smoothly: 32" stamps (books, rolls, sheets, anything!) An IBM-compatible 386 (or better) computer to better handle our growing database needs A new or used VGA computer monitor If you are interested in volunteering, or underwriting or donating an item, please phone VJ: HONOR ROLE OF THANKS Barry Moore and MacGraphics, Inc., of VA Beach for designing the new VJ logo that debuts on page 1 in this issue of The Voice. David Shelton of Richmond for supplying a new phone and answering machine to the office. Former VJ Board member Bill Altevogt of Newport News for a dropping off a case of paper and envelopes. Danny Reed of Williamsburg for arranging for the donation of a computer through the William and Mary Public Service Fund. MEMBERSHIP NEWS: BYLAW CHANGES AT ANNUAL MEETING Consideration of all changes to VJ's bylaws will take place at this spring's annual meeting, including a modification of our statement of purpose to be more inclusive. The Board of Directors will be advising the membership of all proposed changes well in advance of the meeting, so watch for more information in future issues of The Voice. WE NEED FEEDBACK! Just a quick reminder that Virginians for Justice is structured as a member- based organization. The Board of Directors encourages all members to stay in touch the Director(s) from your area of the state. We need your input and ideas! Calendar of Virginia Events Jan. 11 - General Assembly Convenes Jan. 21 - VJ membership meeting: Richmond Jan. 24 - Last day for introduction of new bills in the General Assembly Jan. 26 - Virginians for Justice Lobby Day Feb. 1 - AIDS Lobby Day: call Jay Fissette at 703-358-9550 for information Feb. 11 - Breaking the Ice Pride Festival: Norfolk Feb. 18 - VJ membership meeting: Richmond Feb. 25 - General Assembly Adjourns LEGAL REFERRAL SERVICE VJ has compiled a list of Virginia attorneys who are willing to assist the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. They are knowledgeable on issues of concern to sexual minorities, so please take advantage of their assistance. If you or someone you know is in need of legal advice, please call VJ at 804-643- 4816. HEY Netters! VJ can be contacted via the Internet on AOL or by e-mail at: va4justice@aol.com If you haven't yet, join VJ and we will keep you informed about our work to obtain equal justice for ALL Virginians! INDIVIDUAL $25 Regular $40 Family $100 Major Donor $200 Sponsor $400 Patron our newsletter. $ (other) BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION $125 Bronze ($100 for non-profit) $250 Silver ($200 for non-profit) $500 Gold ($400 for non-profit) Businesses may also choose to advertise in our newsletter Please make check payable to Virginians for Justice. Thank You. VJ's primary activity is lobbying, so contributions are not tax-deductible. A financial statement is available upon written request from the Virginia State Division of Consumer Affairs Virginians for Justice PO Box 342 Richmond, VA 23202-0342 VJ SIGNS AS FRIEND OF THE COURT IN BOTTOMS CASE Virginians for Justice is a co-endorser of a "friend of the court" brief submitted last month to the Virginia Supreme Court in support of Sharon Bottoms retaining custody of her son, Tyler. The National Center for Lesbian Rights, a legal advocacy group, invited VJ to endorse the amicus brief. It argues that Judge Buford Parsons erred in his decision and overstepped his bounds by using Roe v. Roe (1985) as rationale for his decision. More than fifty other organizations submitted or endorsed briefs in support of upholding the reversal of Parsons' decision by the Virginia Court of Appeals. Roe, upheld by the Virginia Supreme Court, permits sexual orientation to be the deciding factor in custody disputes between parents. It is believed that Judge Parson's erred in using Roe as the basis for a case involving other than parents. When the Court of Appeals reversed the Bottoms decision last summer, it opened the door for the Supreme Court to overturn or uphold the reversal or, better yet, to challenge Roe's outdated foundation. Sharon's attorneys at the Virginia ACLU have advised us that it is difficult to predict whether the court will extend the appellate level opinion to impact Roe, but if so, it would be a major victory for all parents. SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM VJ offers our organizational and corporate donors the opportunity to show their support by becoming Advertising Sponsors. VJ Advertising Sponsors can advertise in The Voice, thereby reaping the benefits of gaining publicity among VJ readers as well as securing a tax benefit for their business. Rates for a full year (six issues) of advertising sponsorship are: $125 - Bronze ($100 non-profit) $250 - Silver ($200 non-profit) $500 - Gold ($400 non-profit) The Voice reaches more than 1,200 Virginia homes, organizations, and businesses. Add yours to the list by contacting VJ at 804-643-4816. The Alexandria Gay & Lesbian Community Association PO Box 19401 Alexandria, VA 22320 703-684-0444 MacGraphics, Inc. Production of Brochures, Ads, Newsletters, Logos, Menus 198 S. Rosemont Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 804-486-3546 804-431-1547(fax) American Express Financial Advisors, Inc. Gregory F. Smith, Certified Financial Planner Suite 190, Chadwick Bldg., 5029 Corporate Woods Dr. VA Beach, VA 23462 804-490-2705, 804-473-8678(fax) OutRight Books & Rainbow Cafe Gay & Lesbian Bookstore and Cafe 485 S. Independence Blvd., Suite 111 Virginia Beach, VA 23452 804-490-6658 William & Mary Gay & Lesbian Alumni A nationwide organization of Wm. & Mary alumni PO Box 15141 Washington, DC 20003 The Arlington Gay and Lesbian Alliance Serving the Arlington Area PO Box 324 Arlington, VA 22210 703-522-7660 Virginians Against Domestic Violence Fighting all domestic violence in Virginia 2850 Sandy Bay Rd., #101 Williamsburg, VA 23185 Dignity - Northern Virginia Gay and Lesbian Roman Catholics and Friends PO Box 10037 Arlington VA 22210 The Dignity Family of Tidewater Gay and Lesbian Roman Catholics and Friends PO Box 434 Norfolk, VA 23501 804-625-5337 AMPAC Group, Inc. Asian language typesetting & desktop publishing 5713 Edsall Road Alexandria, VA 703-823-9773 EFFINAR STUDIOS LTD. Haircare 2163 North Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22222 703-524-1940 THE TIDEWATER BEARS PO Box 2241 Denbigh, VA 23609-0241 804-872-6957