PFLAG OMAHA - Community News Archive: February 2006

Contact:
Dave England
292-1312
england@radiks.net

For Immediate Release

February 18, 2006

Proud Horizons, Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network-Omaha (GLSEN-Omaha) and the metropolitan Omaha Gay Straight Alliances eagerly announce the Tom Mahony Pride Prom 2006 for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth and their straight allies aged 14-23 will be held Saturday, May 20 from 7-11 PM at Cary Hall in First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass, Omaha, NE. The dance, very similar to last year’s, which 111 youth attended, will have a DJ, photographer, uniformed security officers and plenty of refreshments. The theme selected for this year’s dance is Masquerade. Admission is $5.00 per person, payable at the door.

Beginning this year we are dedicating our annual prom to Tom Mahony. In the mid 1990’s the Omaha School Board was reviewing the student code of conduct. Tom Mahony and his wife stood with their gay son as he spoke to the school board regarding harassment he received in a gym class. Following this presentation the school board, in a nearly unanimous vote, added sexual orientation to the district’s student harassment policy. Tom Mahony passed away last year. In recognition of this family’s courage, the prom organizers chose to honor Tom. Dave England from Proud Horizons said, “In supporting their son, Tom and his wife were saying their son deserved the same protection from harassment as other students. It is always important for us to remember our heritage. Today’s students need to know that the protection afforded them resulted from the Mahony family’s action.”

Due to last year’s attendance at the prom, the planners are expecting at least 200 youth this year. As a result, our budget increased by nearly half. In order to accomplish our goal of a bigger prom we need the community’s financial support.

Please make checks payable to Proud Horizons. Donations may be sent to Proud Horizons, 2912 Lynnwood Dr., Bellevue NE 68123.

As part of PFLAG-Omaha, Proud Horizons is a 501(c)3 organization and donations to the prom are tax deductible in accordance with applicable IRS regulations.

All groups and individuals will be given recognition at the prom for their donations. If you wish to remain an anonymous donor, please let us know.

Proud Horizons is a youth support group for LGBT youth and their allies. Sponsored by Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Omaha Chapter, Proud Horizons provides a safe space for youth to discuss life’s issues with their peers and to create a social network.

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First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St., will sponsor a one-day workshop on Saturday, April 29, entitled Connecting Hearts; Enhancing Inclusive Ministries.

The keynote speaker will be Rev. Troy Plummer of Chicago, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network. The workshop will offer an ecumenical look as to how churches minister, welcome and embrace their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members and families.

The workshop will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Preregistration is $10, registration at the door $15, the student rate $5. Registration includes a noon lunch. For more information, contact Rev. Chad Anglemyer, 556-6262; Betty Dorr, 333-7064, or Michael Gordon, 344-3262.

The Reconciling Ministries Network is a national organization of United Methodist people, churches and other groups who favor full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the United Methodist Church.

How do you define marriage?
“416”
A documentary by Jim Fields

Come and join us at Second Unitarian Church as we view the documentary film 416 by Jim Fields. This showing will take place on Sunday, February 26th. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The movie will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Special guest, Amy Miller of the Nebraska ACLU, will discuss the status of the amendment and the continuing Federal Court appeals. Ms. Miller will also answer questions and moderate a discussion for those who wish to participate.

Snacks and Beverages will be provided. Second Unitarian Church is located at 3012 S. 119th Street which is 2 blocks south of 120th & Center Streets off of Westwood Lane. Our phone is 334-0537.

Second Unitarian Church of Omaha is an inclusive and nurturing religious community engaged in thoughtful pursuit of truth and meaning. Our mission is to grow as a beacon of hope—sharing a vision of a world community that embraces diversity, justice and respectful stewardship within the interdependent web of existence. Visit our website at www.secondunitarianomaha.org.

The Unitarian Church welcomes Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans-gendered people. Please join us for Sunday morning services at 10:30 a.m. with Adult Education at 9:15 a.m.

PFLAG members and Friends,
I am currently working on a project here at the national office that makes the connection between PFLAGer's stories and current and future decisions made by our nation's federal courts. I am in need of PFLAGers who are willing to share their stories about the following topics: discrimination in the workplace, not coming out for fear of discrimination in the workplace, bullying in school, retaliation for reporting bullying in school, discrimination based on HIV status, loss of domestic partnership benefits or other rights because of marriage amendment in your state, or any other story that demonstrates how privacy or equal protection rights are important to our families.

If you, your child, a relative or a loved one has experienced any of these consider contributing to our new webpage on court issues. The stories can either be posted with your name or anonymously. We are looking for stories between 200 and 400 words.

Please feel free to send me your story, call me with questions or to dictate your story (I am happy to write them out for people) and please forward this on to your chapter members and anyone who you know could contribute something to the site.

Thanks!!

Elizabeth Hampton Brown
Field and Policy Coordinator
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
1726 M St., NW Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202.467.8180 ext 211
Fax: 202.467.8194
E-mail: ebrown@pflag.org
Web address: www.pflag.org