Quest News
Volume 12 No. 4       March 17, 2005
Compiled & written by Mike Fitzpatrick

Washington, DC - Joe Solmonese, chief executive officer of EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest political action committee, was named President of the Human Rights Campaign March 9 by the organization’s Board of Directors and Foundation Board. Solmonese announced that, upon taking the helm at HRC on April 11 he will tour the country, meeting with the American people, LGBT community members and leaders at town hall meetings and other events in the workplace, communities of color and in communities of faith.
  As a key political strategist, Solmonese oversaw one of the nation’s most successful efforts to elect progressive candidates by appealing to heartland and mainstream voters.  His work included broad outreach across the nation, speaking with large and small groups about the important issues facing the American people. He has been at Emily’s List for the last twelve years serving in several key capacities from deputy political director, to chief of staff and the CEO position he’s occupied for the past two-and-a-half years.
  “A great leader surfaced early and we are thrilled with the result,” Vic Basile, co-chair of the HRC Foundation Board and co-chair of the Search Committee said. “Joe has an unrivaled track record at the nation’s foremost progressive electoral powerhouse.  We are confident that he will appeal to Americans across the political and ideological spectrum.”
  “We need to make sure every LGBT American has a safe place to come out and join us in the fight for equality.” Solmonese said in a prepared statement. “Our equality under the law is evolving as the defining social and political issue of our time. As a gay American, I am very honored to serve HRC and the LGBT community       and to join the leadership of a movement that is working toward an America that keeps its promise to all its citizens. We must tell the stories of our lives and the struggles we face to our straight friends, co-workers and family members. Increasing our presence and visibility across America will be a top priority of my tenure.
  “HRC is not simply a LGBT organization; we’re an organization of everyone who supports LGBT equality,” Solmonese continued. “We’ll ask every LGBT American to enlist three new allies -- a straight co-worker, a friend and a family member -- in our work for full equality. We know that we have broad support across the country and we need to ask our friends and families to be involved at the ballot box or talking directly to elected officials.
  “Our movement will grow as our unity grows,” Solmonese said. “With more Americans of both parties on our side, we will be an unstoppable force. We must ensure that every American family has equal rights and responsibilities; that it’s illegal for the boss to fire the star employee simply because of who he or she is; that families have the  security of marriage and all the rights and responsibilities that it affords and that every American living with and at risk for HIV takes  prevention seriously so that this generation does not experience the devastation that the last generation did at the hands of this disease. That’s why I intend to hit the road in my first week. We are broadening  the American conversation about equality. I’ll be meeting with LGBT families, religious leaders, corporate leaders, communities of color, and employee groups and LGBT community leaders across the country, and talking about the path to our equality.”
    Solmonese joined Emily’s List in 1993 as deputy political director and advanced to chief of staff in 1998.  Emily’s List works to elect pro-choice Democratic women to federal and state office.  Solmonese traveled nationwide developing and executing political, messaging, fund-raising and grassroots campaigns that have produced unprecedented success for candidates at both the federal and state levels.
    At Emily’s List, Solmonese implemented strategies that helped transform the pro-choice movement with a defining issue that made a difference at the ballot box, in Congress and in the halls of legislatures around the country. Solmonese led Emily’s List’s national staff of 85 political, communications, fund-raising and grassroots professionals.  He also oversaw a $40 million budget, strategically investing in key political efforts and elections and raising funds for the organization’s mission.
  In addition, Solmonese serves as the organization’s chief fund-raiser.  He increased the budget by $10 million in the last election cycle, enabling the organization to implement a new program that elected women legislators in Colorado, Vermont, North Carolina, Washington and Oregon.
  A native of Massachusetts, Solmonese is 40 and lives in Washington, D.C. and has been an HRC Federal Club member for more than 12 years.  He graduated from Boston University in 1987 with a bachelor of science in communications.
  Reaction to Solmonese’s appointment was positive among gay community leaders. “I am very happy that Joe will be the next President of HRC.” Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) said. “By his talent, commitment and experience, he is ideally suited to help lead the fight for the central American value of equal rights under the law.”
  Patrick Guerriero, President, Log Cabin Republicans added: “Joe has an impressive record as an effective fundraiser, proven manager and smart political leader.  As HRC’s new President, Joe will be a strong and passionate voice in our fight for equality for LGBT Americans.  Joe has my personal and organizational support as we work together to develop a smart and ambitious bipartisan strategy to realize full equality for all Americans in the years ahead.”   
  The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
 
National News:

California: ACLU Urges School to Reinstate Student - The American Civil Liberties Union urged a school district to reinstate a high school newspaper editor who was fired for publishing an article about three gay students. School officials were wrong to remove student Ann Long from her shared post as editor in chief of Troy High School’s newspaper in January, the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California said in a letter to the local superintendent.
  Long’s December 17 article in the Oracle chronicled the decisions of three students - two 18-year-olds and a 15-year-old - to reveal their homosexuality and bisexuality to family and friends. All three spoke to Long knowing their names would be used.
  Despite numerous media inquiries, Fullerton Joint Union High School District has not responded publicly to the letter’s release. School officials argued previously that Long needed parental permission before publishing the students’ stories.
  However, the state attorney general has maintained that no such permission was needed, the ACLU said. “I got the approval of my journalism adviser, I checked my facts, and all the students agreed to tell their stories in this article,’’ Long said in a statement. “I thought this was an important issue, and so did my sources, to discuss in the school newspaper because it promotes tolerance and understanding.’’

Florida: Martina Sues Rainbow Card - Martina Navratilova is suing the sponsor of a credit card directly marketed to gays and lesbians, saying it uses her name and likeness after her request last month to stop. Navratilova is seeking at least $75,000 in damages from Do Tell, Inc., which offers the Rainbow Card. The card helps fund the nonprofit Rainbow Coalition, which promotes the health and social well being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
  Do Tell had used Navratilova to market the card since 1995 with the tennis star’s permission, said the suit, filed March 7. But in late 2004, Navratilova came at odds with the card’s marketing, which she called ``inappropriate and repugnant.’’
  Last February, Navratilova’s attorneys sent a letter to Do Tell telling them to stop using the former Wimbledon champ’s likeness. The suit charges that Do Tell, based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, has continued to use Navratilova.
  Navratilova is a nine-time Wimbledon champion and winner of 18 Grand Slam singles titles. She also owns a record 167 singles titles and 40 Grand Slam doubles titles. In her most recent action, she lost in the mixed doubles semifinals with Max Mirnyi at January’s Australian Open.

Washington DC: Barney Frank To Defend Same-Sex Parenting - Congressional Representative Barney Frank (D-MA) will film an ad defending same-sex parenting in response to the flap over a PBS children’s program denounced by the Bush administration for showing kids with lesbian mothers.
  The gay-rights group Family Pride Coalition asked the Newton Democrat to appear in the public service announcement after Bush Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings warned PBS in January not to show an episode of “Postcards from Buster.” PBS decided not to distribute the episode in which an animated rabbit visits Vermont to learn about making maple syrup with real children, two of whose parents are lesbians.  WGBH in Boston, which produces the show, later made the episode available to other stations.
  “She didn’t think children should know there are such things as lesbians in the world, and when you have the administration at that point, it’s appropriate to say I think that’s not a good way to bring up kids,’’ Frank said.
  Actor B.D. Wong and Karen Pike, one of the mothers from the episode, will also appear in it.  The PSA will appear on a variety of websites later this month and will be provided to television outlets. Since it is not a paid ad, the stations must choose to run it.
  Spelling’s letter to PBS said, ``Many parents would not want their young children exposed to the lifestyles portrayed in the episode.’’
  Last month, Frank wrote a scathing letter in response, stating “how deeply I resent your profoundly degrading comments.’’  Frank said none of his siblings’ children or grandchildren had been harmed by learning at a young age that he shared his life with a man.

State News:

Burlington: Ovadal Claims Gays Bashed Christian Pamphleteers - Wisconsin’s most vocal anti-gay “minister” has alleged a pair of his followers were “Christian bashed.” On March 1, two members of Wisconsin Christians United here distributing anti-gay brochures.  After leaving literature at homes throughout the city, the pair stood on a busy street, holding two of the WCU’s well worn anti-gay signs. A car with two individuals then stopped near the picketers. According to unnamed eyewitnesses, Ovadal claimed “one of the car’s occupants approached the picketers yelling obscenities. Then the man allegedly began assaulting the Christians.” Local police reportedly have investigated the allegations. No charges have been filed as of Quest’s deadline.

Green Bay: March Edition of WPT’s “Teen Connection” Focuses on LGBT Youth -  What kind of climate exists in the hallways, cafeterias and classrooms of Wisconsin’s schools? If you’re a gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgendered teen, it may be a hostile one.   That climate will be explored on the next edition of Teen Connection on Wisconsin Public Television (WPT). “GLBT Teens” airs live at 7 PM Tuesday, March 22. WMVS-TV in Milwaukee will air the program at the same time.
  The 60-minute broadcast will feature several Green Bay area students who are part of school organizations known as gay-straight alliances. The adolescents will share their experiences, and viewers may call in with questions or comments. Some of the calls will be selected for on-air response.
  While it’s not possible to specifically anticipate what callers will pose, it’s likely some will focus on the stories behind the statistics on LGBT youth in schools. 
  “In classrooms where ‘faggot’ is heard more often than the ‘Pledge of Allegiance,’ and 39% of LGBT students report being physically assaulted because of their sexual orientation, our schools and the states that govern them are failing,” Kevin Jennings, executive director of the national Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network said.
  GLSEN has prepared a state-by-state report card on policymakers’ response to ensuring school safety for all students, and assessing the overall school climate. Wisconsin received the grade of C.  GLSEN’s national report card shows that 84% of LGBT youth are verbally harassed, 39% are physically harassed and 64% feel unsafe in their schools because of their sexual orientation. There is a likely correlation between those instances and the reactions among LGBT teens, including a 28% dropout rate, and other negative behaviors such as suicidal thoughts and substance abuse.
  Whether a teen is LGBT or not, those kind of stressors within a community affect everyone. In response, some Wisconsin schools have seen the formation of gay-straight alliances, of the nature that will be represented on the Teen Connection broadcast. In the Green Bay area, for example, about 150 students are regularly active in groups at six schools. The alliances are student-organized and student-led and aim to create safe, welcoming places for all youth regardless of sexual orientation.
  Viewers can call toll-free at (877) 988-2888 during the Teen Connection program. For more resources, check the WPT website at: wpt.org/teenconnection
  Kay Klubertanz of WPT is the executive producer of Teen Connection. Dean Thomas of Educational Television Production of Northeastern Wisconsin and Eileen Littig, NEWIST/CESA #7 are co-producers.  Sula Kim hosts the program and appears courtesy of WBAY-TV in Green Bay.
  Toll-free service is provided courtesy of Nsight Long Distance. Wisconsin Public Television is a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and University of Wisconsin-Extension.
  Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/DT, Madison; WPNE-TV/DT, Green Bay; WHRM-TV/DT, Wausau; WLEF-TV/DT, Park Falls; WHLA-TV/DT, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV/DT, Menomonie-Eau Claire.

Green Bay: Activist Chuck Hubbard Seriously Ill - A suspected case of meningococcal meningitis, an rarely seen inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord, is believed to have stricken area gay activist Charles "Chuck" Hubbard. Hubbard was rushed to Bellin Memorial Hospital March 5 after being found non-responsive at his home by a friend and coworker, after he failed to report for work. Hubbard remains in the hospital's critical care unit as of Quest's deadline.
 Hubbard was recently elected as the Secretary of the Argonauts, the northeast Wisconsin leather/Levi social and service group.  In that capacity he also serves as coordinator of the Argonauts' Charities which provides emergency, last-resort funding for the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Hubbard also has been a key organizer of the Argonaut-sponsored northeast Wisconsin pride events in 2003 and 2004.
  Chuck is also an active member of Entertainers Against AIDS, assisting with many of the events at which group members appeared, including the two-day World AIDS Day Show at the Green Bay Area Community Theater last December. Hubbard is also a member of Rainbow Over Wisconsin, the foundation financially assisting the work of local and regional groups serving the LGBT community in central, eastern and northeast Wisconsin. Hubbard played a key role in the success of ROW's first ever fundraising banquet and silent auction last October.
  Chuck is also known for his floral arranging skills by the many customers of McDonald Floral Studio where he works full time. Chuck is also well known by the patrons of Cricket's Fox River Lounge, where he tends bar part-time on evenings and weekends.
  Due to the many rumors circulating, an update on Hubbard's condition was held at the Fox River Lounge on March 13, shortly after Quest went to press.

Madison: Youth Services Awards Winners Announced - Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin, Inc.(formerly Briarpatch and Community Adolescent Programs) recognized the winners of the 2005 Youth Services Awards at a March 3 reception held at the CUNA Mutual Headquarters here. Wisconsin First Lady Jessica Doyle was the keynote speaker for the event.
  The Youth Services Awards Reception recognized the outstanding contributions of youth and those that serve youth. An annual event, the Youth Services Awards Reception is also the YSOSW ‘s largest fundraiser.
  Awards given this year included the following: The Youth Leadership Runner-Up was Emma Zeldin. Emma has been a strong and active leader in a variety of area organizations.At Briarpatch, she has been active in the Teens Like Us group where she participated for two years.She helped create a Gay/Straight Alliance at Malcolm Shabazz High School,and has been an active member of Proud Theatre,a group that presents scripts that challenge racism, homophobia, gender roles, and alcohol and drug use in youth communities.
  The Youth Leadership Award went to Javier Neira-Salazar. Javier is truly an inspiration to his fellow students. Four years ago, Javier came to Madison from Columbia. He did not speak a word of English, and faced the challenges of culture shock and leaving part of his family behind in his native country. Since then, Javier mastered English and became an active student leader. He is a volunteer producer at WORT, and volunteers for the newsroom at Wisconsin Public Radio. For the past two summers, he has served as a volunteer reporter for The Capital Times, and he is an active volunteer tutor at Centro Hispano. In addition to these activities, Javier has a passion for photography, a talent he contributes to the Memorial High School year book and student newspaper.
  Two winners were given the Youth Personal Achievement Award. The first, Jamie Schoenmann, was once considered a silent person. Jaime has grown to become a strong voice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. An active participant in Briarpatch’s Teens Like Us youth group, Jamie also volunteers for GLSEN South Central Wisconsin, Proud Theatre, and his school’s Gay/Straight Alliance. Jamie has made great strides in increasing LGBTQ awareness in the Madison area.
  The second winner is Andree Djergou Yonli. Andree came to West High School as an immigrant from Africa. While working two jobs, Andree has overcome many personal obstacles to achieve her goal of attending college. An active volunteer with Sunday school and synagogue, Andree has excelled in school, earning a top score on the French 5 AP exam and spending a semester abroad in France. Being the first person in her family to attend college, she says,”I want to make my mother proud and have my hard work pay off. I am living the American Dream.”
 Runner Up for Volunteer of the Year is Maria Cruz. Maria has made extra effort to assist in counseling Spanish-speaking families. In addition to raising her children, working full-time, and going to school, Maria often manages to schedule more than two shifts per week. She never hesitates to do whatever it takes to meet the needs of
Briarpatch’s clients.
  The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Jimena Escurra. Jimena recently came to Madison from Argentina. When she first came to the U.S. she spoke broken English, but nevertheless started volunteering for the Briarpatch Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. She has proved to be dedicated volunteer, scheduling extra-shifts, translating Briarpatch forms, and assisting in counseling sessions with Spanish-speaking clients.
  The Youth Development Professional Award was given to Cindy Quam. Cindy has worked for twelve years in area education systems. She is a strong advocate and skilled educator in the area of youth service learning. In addition to serving as her academic teaching team leader, she serves on the district’s Technology and Gifted and Talented committees. She is active in her community too, volunteering as a Sunday School teacher and 4-H leader.
  Madison’s Youth Resource Network (YRN) was honored as the Organization of the Year. YRN enhances the personal, social, and civic development of youth throughout Dane County by advocating for social, vocational, educational, cultural, and recreational activities. YRN includes more than 75 organizations and 200 individuals, making it one of the area’s most important networking organizations.

Madison: Action Wisconsin Benefit Concert Set - If_Then_Else is set to headline an eclectic mix of musicians and dancers at a special concert benefitting Action Wisconsin, the statewide LGBT civil rights organization here April 1. The concert will be held at the Nottingham Co-op, 146 Langdon St., from 9:30 PM - @ AM. Suggested donation at the door will be $5. Local breakdancers will perform between each set. Volunteers are also needed for Action Wisconsin’s information booth at the event. To volunteer, contact Saad at saad.akbar_khan@actionwisconsin.org.

Menasha: Top Christians Tangle Over Civil Union Ban - The top two Christian voices in the current debate over Wisconsin’s proposed constitutional amendment to ban any legal recognition of unmarried couples regardless of sexual orientation clashed here March 8 as part of a Noon debate on the issue held in the student union at the UW-Fox Valley. Julaine Appling, executive director of the Family Research Institute of Wisconsin, and Curt Anderson, a pastor of Madison’s First Congregational United Church of Christ and the most prominent member of the statewide Christians for Equality in Wisconsin organization, were joined with area students on the discussion panel.
  Appling claimed the proposed amendment, which now appears is going to be used as a GOP ploy to influence the November 2006 election, is not an attack on the rights of gay couples, but is in defense of the “preservation of traditional marriage in Wisconsin.”
  Anderson countered that the amendment is an attack on the gay and lesbian community. “The language of the amendment takes away the few rights they have. It keeps them from negotiating their rights as families,” Anderson said. “It’s not about the redefinition of family, as Ms. Appling says, it’s an attack on same-gender couples.”
  “It’s not only an attack on homosexual groups, it’s everyone’s civil liberties that will be affected,” Chad Kleist, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley, added. “I don’t want anyone telling me who I can or can’t marry.”
  When the subject of children of same-sex couples was brought up, Appling and Anderson squared off again. “One of our main interests is the welfare of the children,” Appling claimed. “Studies have shown that traditional couples are better off as a family unit.”
  “Some studies show no difference in the well-being of children who are of same-sex parentage,” Anderson countered. “Same-sex parents are just as good, if not better, than opposite-sex couples.”
  A mix of students on lunch break and community members supporting both sides of the amendment question filled the hall.

Milwaukee: New Alternative School To Include Bullied Gay Students - Students who have been bullied and made to feel unwelcome in the school system will get their own school next fall here. Alliance High School will be considered a charter school in the Milwaukee Public School System. The concept for the charter school, which is publicly funded but has more autonomy and flexibility than most traditional schools, was approved last spring and planning is now underway.
  The school will serve about 100 students, not all of them gay.  One of the teachers who helped devise the concept, Nichole Powers,  said the school would be open to all students who have been bullied or discriminated against and that a search for the right site has begun. “Often times the sheer size makes it very difficult” in traditional schools, Powers said.
  Powers and Tina Owen, the other teacher who helped create the program, said that their goal is not to isolate or segregate victims, but create an environment where students feel safe, and can learn how to go back out into the community and fight discrimination.
  Ashley Werner, a lesbian who has been a student at Milwaukee’s Pulaski High School, said she intends to attend Alliance during the next school year. “If you are even remotely different, (the students) harass and make fun of you,” Werner said.
  Similar charter schools have opened or are in the planning stages in several US cities.  New York’s Harvey Milk High was the first publicly funded high school for LGBT students. Harvey Milk School opened in April 1985 in a church.  There were 25 students and one teacher. In 2003 it moved to its own building in Greenwich Village   and has about 150 students today.

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