Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association
Since its inception in 1989, OPALGA has become one of the largest community based, multipurpose lesbian and gay membership organizations in Illinois.
Message from the Co-Chairs
Thursday, May 15, 2008—on its face, a day that was not unlike many others for most people. As the end of another workweek drew near, the Chicago area continued to be unseasonably cool. Across the country, plans for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend continued to change as many Americans grappled with the worsening effects of the economy.
Thursday, May 15, 2008—a day that was most unlike many others for members of the LGBT community. By a stunning 4-3 ruling, the California Supreme Court ruled not only that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, but also rejected California’s marriage laws as discriminatory. The expansive 121-page decision from the Republican-dominated court disagreed with the arguments about the importance of preserving only traditional marriages. In writing for the majority, Chief Justice Ronald George declared that the right to marry “is of fundamental significance” and cannot be denied to couples based only on their sexual orientation. Immediately hailed as a huge victory for gay rights, the decision now refutes any idea that Massachusetts is peculiarly alone in its recognition of gay marriage.
This decision in the nation’s most populous state is expected to have an impact far beyond California, although the effects there could be enormous. The latest census figures show over 100,000 same-sex couples in California alone, about 25% of whom have children. What now remains to be seen is the effect it will have in other states like Illinois, where a bill seeking to recognize civil unions is now pending in the state legislature.
As members of the LGBT community, we have certainly learned the hard way that any victory, no matter how huge, is no guarantee of future success. This court’s decision resulted from San Francisco’s highly publicized gay weddings in 2004, which in turn helped fuel a conservative backlash in that election year. The religious right joined with social conservatives to fight bitterly in their opposition to same-sex marriages, and the result had a ripple effect nationwide. In Ohio, for instance, opponents prevailed in a state that wound up being key to Bush’s re-election.
So what happens next? In California, Governor Schwarzenegger has promised to uphold the decision and to veto a bill already being drawn up that seeks to defy the ruling by amending the state’s constitution. In Illinois, time will tell. Proponents of the civil unions bill are guardedly optimistic, yet recent efforts by the ACLU, OPALGA, and Equality Illinois to spur a letter-writing campaign were disappointing. Meanwhile, New York has just announced that it intends to honor all out-of-state same-sex marriages. As to the upcoming election, Obama supports civil unions but is opposed to gay marriage. McCain is on record as opposing a federal constitutional amendment banning gay marriage; he prefers to leave the issue to individual states. All of us at OPALGA will be watching and waiting with great interest.
Meanwhile, earlier that same week, Larry McKeon, Illinois’ first openly gay legislator, passed away at age 63 after suffering a violent stroke. In 1992, Larry took a job as Mayor Daley’s liaison to the gay and lesbian community. Many questioned the appointment, and yet under Larry’s tenure, advances for the LGBT community were numerous as he continuously displayed keen insight into issues of significance to us. Thursday, May 15, 2008, would surely have brought a smile to Larry’s face.
HAPPY PRIDE MONTH!!
Around the OPALGA Center
Youth Pride Picnic
The Fifth Annual Youth Pride Picnic will be held on Saturday, June 28, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Stevenson Park, 49 Lake St., Oak Park. This annual event is a way to bring together all LGBT youth and young adult programs in the Chicagoland area to celebrate during Pride Weekend. The picnic is free of charge and includes food, music, and outdoor games. This year’s picnic is co-sponsored by OPALGA and the Broadway Youth Center in Chicago. Any adult volunteers are welcome; if you are interested, please call Susan at 708-386-3463.
Prism Returns
Because of recent calls and inquiries by both teens and their parents, we are going to hold Prism, our teen drop-in program, during the month of June. Prism will be open every Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The OPALGA Center, 947 Garfield St., Oak Park. If the response is positive, we will consider extending our hours throughout the summer. If you have a teen who might benefit from the program, please call The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273!
HIV Testing Is Up and Running
OPALGA has provided two outreach testing nights at Sunday Madness @ Merenderos San Marcos in Cicero (2120 S. Cicero Ave., Cicero, from 10:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.) and our drop-in groups. We have been providing free, anonymous HIV testing and counseling to close to 30 young men through our outreach efforts. This new program has already proved to be both a needed and rewarding service to provide to our community.
If you are in need of a test or know of an event at which you would like testing to be available, please call The OPALGA Center at 708-848-0273. We are able to provide testing that fits your schedule.
Elmhurst College Outreach
Thanks to longtime OPALGA member Jim Kelly, who volunteered his time to meet with 17 students at Elmhurst College in May. Jim provided an interactive and informative talk that both engaged students in understanding their own perspective and experience with homosexuality and covered current political issues in the gay community. The class completed a survey for Jim. The results showed that almost 60% of the class have a close friend who is openly LGBT, but almost 20% feel that being LGBT is abnormal. Forty percent think it is a choice, and 30% have religious convictions that being LGBT is sinful. No one identified as LGBT. We still have some work ahead of us. Thanks for getting out there for us, Jim!
Volunteer Spotlight
Given the number of volunteers that OPALGA counts on annually to do the amazing work that we do, we decided that everyone should get to know each other a little better. This month, we are highlighting volunteer member Kara Ashley.
Empower: How long have you lived in the Chicago area?
Kara: All my life.
Empower: What town, village, or city do you live in now?
Kara: I live in Oak Park.
Empower: What do you do for a living, or, if you’re in school, where and what are you studying?
Kara: This was my last year at Triton, and I’ll be transferring to Roosevelt to major in social work.
Empower: How long have you been a member of or involved with OPALGA?
Kara: I first went to PRISM about six years ago.
Empower: In what capacity do you volunteer?
Kara: I volunteer with RED.
Empower: How did you come to volunteer for OPALGA?
Kara: Andy, other volunteers, and Susan encouraged me to volunteer.
Empower: What’s your favorite color?
Kara: My favorite color is maroon.
Empower: What’s your favorite movie and/or book and why?
Kara: Movie-wise, it’s a tough choice, but Lost in Translation is a definite favorite. I love the story and how the gentle themes of insomnia and “finding yourself” (as the movie states) play throughout it. As for my favorite book, I currently have a love affair with the Twilight series written by Stephanie Meyer.
Empower: Where do you go for your favorite meal?
Kara: My favorite meal changes daily, really, but I’m always up for some great Thai food at Dharma Garden.
Empower: If money were no object and you could do anything you want, what would it be?
Kara: Oh the possibilities…. I would probably build a chain of cafés, give them really catchy names, and hire local talent to display/perform their art.
Empower: What are you listening to the most on your iPod?
Kara: 1. “The Con” by Tegan and Sara
2. “The City Lights” by The Umbrellas
3. “Jesus Christ” by Brand New
4. “Both Hands” by Ani DiFranco
5. “Breathe Me” by Sia
6. “World Spins Madly On” by The Weepies
7. “Schism” by Tool
8. “Warm Whispers” by Missy Higgins
9. “My Skin” by Natalie Merchant
10. “Closer” by Nine Inch Nails
Thank you, Kara, and thank you to all of our volunteers! You may be next in the spotlight!
Recipe Corner
Several years ago, OPALGA talked about putting together a cookbook containing our members’ favorite recipes. Now, in anticipation of our organization’s 20th anniversary, we have decided that the time is right for this tasty project!
Talk to your family, your friends, and your neighbors to find those recipes that you really enjoy and want to share with other OPALGA members. Please feel free to submit any of your favorite recipes, and be sure to give a credit for the originator of the recipe, if applicable.
All recipes should be submitted to jeziebarth@comcast.net. Please include the word “RECIPE” in your subject line, and be sure to attach your recipe to the e-mail as a Microsoft Word document. Thank you!
In the meantime, we plan to publish a few of the recipes that we have already received in upcoming issues of Empower. Bon appétit!
Miss Nancy and Kat Potato Salad
Created on June 17, 1973
12 medium new potatoes
8 tbsp. mayonnaise
6 tbsp. pickle relish with juice
2 tsp. dill weed
2 tsp. celery seed
4 tsp. garlic salt
A few shakes of cracked pepper
4 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/3 c. olive juice
Cut potatoes into smallish size, boil rapidly until tender; drain, dry slightly over flame. Mix potatoes with remaining ingredients and serve while hot!
Submitted by Suzanne Johnston
Message from the Co-Chairs
Much has been written about the power of numbers. Interesting, then, how many different numbers seem to be involved with OPALGA this month:
1—As in “EACH ONE…REACH ONE.” This is a theme that our Board has adopted this year. Its central premise is profound yet simple—each of us as Board members should—no, must—make a constant effort to bring a new person to each event or program we attend. Whether it is the Gala, a potluck, a membership meeting, or whatever, the most efficient and effective way to help us grow and strengthen our organization is through membership efforts all year long. We will be asking you many times this year to join us in this effort.
4—As in “4 Minutes,” Madonna’s latest smash hit featuring Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and one fierce pair of knee-high boots.
14—As in Saturday, June 14, when OPALGA members and guests go “The Full Monty.” We have bought out the entire house that evening at the Village Players Theatre to see a local version of the Broadway favorite. Your ticket includes unlimited wine and beer before the show, hors d’oeuvres, the performance, and a $15 donation to OPALGA. There will also be a cash bar available at intermission. Mark your calendars now to join us, and call the box office right away (1-866-764-1010) because seating is obviously limited.
15—As in April 15, everyone’s least favorite day of the year. Yet, as another tax filing deadline passed us by, the grim reality reminds us that even as acceptance continues to grow for same-sex couples, the tax disparities faced by our community are unjust, unfair, and utterly discriminatory. The worst part is that the so-called dual taxation is only one key area out of many where members of our community are not given equal footing with straight couples—hospital visitations, health insurance, Social Security benefits, retirement savings, pensions, and estate taxes are just a few other glaring examples where LGBT individuals and couples are denied certain rights and privileges based on sexual orientation. Let’s have great times along the way but not lose sight of the fact that we cannot truly celebrate until these major hurdles are cleared in our struggle for equality.
20—As in the birthday OPALGA will celebrate next year. Planning has already started for a Gala birthday party to end all parties. We will return to The Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook, so set aside Saturday, May 2, 2009 NOW!!
24—As in April 24, Barbra’s birthday. Enough said—Happy Birthday, Babs!
40—As in $40, the cost of a ticket to see “The Full Monty” (see number 14 above). A true bargain for a great night.
200—As in the number of seats available for “The Full Monty” (see number 14 and number 40 above). Are you getting the theme here? Call now to reserve your seats.
340—As in the attendance at this year’s Gala. You asked for an outstanding venue, we gave it to you, and you showed up in huge numbers. Give yourselves a big hand!
400—As in our membership goal for year-end. To achieve this, we will need your help. We ask each of you to personally adopt “EACH ONE…REACH ONE.” Make this your personal mission for 2008. Help us grow OPALGA into a larger and stronger association so that we can continue to put on superior programs and events all year long.
So, our look at numbers has returned to where it began. Yes, numbers are powerful. But, also remember the strength in numbers. Enjoy the rapidly improving weather, and we will see you soon at another event.
NOTE: Any winning lottery tickets that result from playing a combination of any of the numbers featured in the above column will be expected to produce a generous contribution to OPALGA!
Around The OPALGA Center
Marie Kuda at The Center
Thanks to Marie Kuda, renowned LGBT historian, for sharing her astounding breadth of knowledge with the women of OPALGA on Wednesday, March 19, in honor of Women’s History Month. The women present were treated to a stream of history that has never been taught to us in any classroom. Marie’s presence is a reminder that we have always been here—it’s just that many of us don’t know it. For those of you who are interested, Marie has donated a copy of The Completely Queer Gay and Lesbian Encyclopedia to The Center, and she has compiled a list for us of “100 Years of Lesbian Writers in Chicago.” She has also generously offered to do a follow-up slide show that will be open to the entire membership. Watch for the date in an upcoming issue of Empower.
HIV Testing Now Available
OPALGA is now able to provide anonymous and confidential HIV testing on site or in the community to anyone who identifies as a gay or transgender male. Testing is free, and appointments can be made by calling our confidential line at 708-386-3463 or by sending e-mail to prism@opalga.org.
Membership Recognition Reception Planned for May 29
Just a reminder that the annual OPALGA Membership Recognition Reception is being planned for May 29. At this informal reception, members will be able to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and beverages while celebrating the 19th anniversary of our organization. The highlight of the reception will be the presentation of the Carol Zientek Award for Distinguished Service and the Brian Findlay Award for Outstanding and Long-Term Commitment. Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 29, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Holley Court Terrace, 1111 Ontario St., Oak Park, IL 60302.
Gay Day at the Farmers’ Market and Village Players Theatre
Don’t forget to set aside, Saturday, June 14, for “Gay Day” in Oak Park.
OPALGA volunteers will begin their (very early) morning by making, serving, and selling donuts with Pilgrim Congregational Church at the Oak Park Farmers’ Market, 460 Lake St., Oak Park. Half of all proceeds will be given back to OPALGA, so this is a great way to raise money for the organization and to have a lot of fun while doing so. To volunteer, please call Susan at 708-386-3463 or send e-mail to prism@opalga.org.
The fun continues Saturday evening with a benefit performance of “The Full Monty” at the Village Players Theatre, 1010 W. Madison St., Oak Park. For only $40 per person, you will be treated to a pre-performance buffet with beer, wine, and soft drinks at 6:30 p.m. followed by the performance at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, call the Village Players Theatre box office at 1-866-764-1010 and tell them you are purchasing tickets for the OPALGA benefit.
The Center Pledges to Help Reduce Bottled Water Waste
The Center is in need of a large Brita® water filtration system that we can keep in the refrigerator. Staff and volunteers go through many bottles of water, and we would like to be able to continue to support our voracious water drinkers while considering the environment. If anyone would like to make such a donation, it would be greatly appreciated! Please call Susan at 708-386-3463 to make arrangements.
Around The OPALGA Center
OPALGA Receives Additional Grants
We are pleased to announce that the Oak Park Area Arts Council (OPAAC) has again awarded OPALGA with a grant to support our coffeehouse soirees at the Buzz Café and our youth poetry and art group, OUTspoken.
This year, in addition to the OPAAC grant, the Community Bank of Oak Park and River Forest has awarded OPALGA $1,000 “in recognition of your community outreach efforts. …[T]he LGBT community continues to deal with isolation and discrimination, and OPALGA has from its establishment been able to provide programs which address these issues both for your members, and for the community at large which may not be well educated on these problems.”
We would like to thank both of these community institutions for the recognition of the hard work and dedication on the part of our staff, volunteers, and community members!
Two Fish Offers Stained-Glass Class to OPALGA Youth
Two Fish Art Glass (7401 W. Madison St., Forest Park IL) owners and partners Cecilia Hardacker and Tonya Hart have offered to sponsor 12 young adults from OPALGA’s drop-in programs for a five-week stained-glass class including instruction and all materials. This is the second class that Two Fish has offered to our young people, and it is a great opportunity for art instruction as well as camaraderie and the ability to observe successful gay business owners in action. We want to thank Cecilia and Tonya for their generosity and to remind people to visit the Two Fish Scratch and Dent sale on Saturday, June 7—get there early, items go fast!
ALAS Awarded Grant for Retreat
Amigos Latinos Apoyando Siempre (ALAS) has received a grant to fully support their Second Annual Latino Men’s Retreat. You may recall our solicitation of funds for last year’s retreat—the first—which received overwhelming support from our membership. This year, we applied for a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health Center for Minority Health Services, who will serve as a cosponsor for this event. This year’s event will be held in Illinois, and we hope to expand on our success in 2007.
Spectrum Begins Partnership with Merit Hospice
In April, Spectrum begins a volunteer partnership with Merit Hospice in Lombard. Spectrum is going to create blank cards for the organization to have on hand to send to families who have lost a loved one. This will be a great opportunity to assist a community organization and to have our young people learn more about community service. We would like to thank OPALGA member Bob Stoner, who is the bereavement coordinator at Merit Hospice, for thinking of us.
National Day of Silence to Be Observed
Did you know that Friday, April 25, is the National Day of Silence? This event is held in schools nationwide to bring awareness to anti-LGBT bullying, harassment, and discrimination in schools. Students and teachers observe the entire school day in silence to echo the silence that LGBT students and their allies face every day. This year’s event is in memory of Lawrence King, a California middle-school student who was killed by a classmate because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. For more information on the National Day of Silence, visit www.dayofsilence.org.’
OPALGA Receives Chicago Community Trust Grant
OPALGA has just received notification from The Chicago Community Trust that the organization has approved a Management/Organizational Development Grant of $7,000 to OPALGA for the support of consultation for the development of a strategic plan and implementation of an Executive Director search based on said plan.
For 93 years, The Chicago Community Trust has connected the generosity of donors with the needs of the community by making grants to organizations working to improve metropolitan Chicago. With assets of $1.8 billion, the Trust made a record-breaking $114 million in grants in 2007. From strengthening community schools to assisting local art programs, from building health centers to helping lives affected by violence, the Trust works to enhance our region.
“The Chicago Community Trust is one of the most respected grant-making organizations in our community, and OPALGA is truly grateful for the Trust’s support of our strategic planning process,” said Mike Cochran, OPALGA Co-Chair. “The support of the Trust to an organization’s fundraising program truly cannot be measured in dollars and cents alone, as its support makes a statement of sorts to other donors who are considering giving funds to an organization.”
As Cochran also made clear, it is often smaller organizations such as OPALGA that receive the greatest benefit from a grant like this one. “The strategic planning process was and is so vital to OPALGA, and yet our budget is already virtually all allocated. Now, with the support of the Trust, our consultant Dr. Carol Goldbaum’s services have been fully paid for, and we have additional funds available to work with her as we go forward in search of an Executive Director. All of this helps OPALGA immeasurably as we attempt to transition the organization to the next level.”
“The first step in a journey is always the most difficult one. Thanks to the generosity of The Chicago Community Trust, the entire Board of Directors is energized and looking forward to building on this initial success,” Cochran added.
Message from the Co-Chairs
From February 6–10, the National Conference on LGBT Equality held its annual conference, “Creating Change,” at the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Susan Abbott, Director of Youth Programming, and Mike Cochran, OPALGA Co-Chair, attended the conference on behalf of OPALGA. Until OPALGA is able to hire an Executive Director, having a presence at conferences such as this one is vitally important to our organization. It not only allows OPALGA to network with other LGBT organization leaders and their members but it also enables us to keep current on what is happening in political and legal developments around the country and to keep us aware of issues of significance to the entire LGBT community.
The overriding theme of the conference was both direct and challenging—“Demanding Change without Embodying Change Will Never Create Change.” Highlights of the conference are too numerous to mention, but several can be singled out. Kate Clinton, the LGBT movement’s renowned comedic political commentator, served as the MC of all of the plenary sessions, and her topical humor was on point and well-received. Attendance at each of these sessions was always standing room only. The conference sessions covered topics such as fundraising, families, aging, legislative development, diversity, media, youth, sexuality, and volunteerism. Session facilitators uniformly used detailed handouts to ensure an excellence in presentation, and the overall quality of the program was always in evidence.
One plenary session, however, was extraordinarily memorable. Matt Foreman, the Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, had recently announced his decision to leave his position of over five years in order to accept a position in the fundraising world where he feels he has a unique ability to directly impact LGBT individuals and organizations in a major way. His final speech was emotional, passionate, hard-hitting, and eloquent, and it demonstrated at once his incredible commitment to the LGBT community.
Among the numerous highlights of his speech, attendees learned the following:
• 52% of the U.S. population now lives in a jurisdiction that outlaws discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation;
• 40% of the U.S. population now lives where people are prohibited from discrimination based on gender identity/expression; and,
• 20% of all Americans now live in states that give broad protection to same-sex couples.
As recently as 1970, all three of these numbers were zero!
Yet lest the LGBT community get self-satisfied, Matt offered up the following:
• Current estimates are that 40% of the homeless youth in the U.S. are LGBT individuals;
• Hate crimes not only continue but in fact now seem to be on the rise in many locales and are often particularly aimed at “feminine” males and “butch” females;
• Around the U.S., in communities where anti-discrimination legislation had previously passed, it has been taking an average of 15 years+ to go back and add gender identity to said legislation; and,
• At the August 9 forum for democratic presidential candidates, which was organized by the Human Rights Campaign and televised on the Logo channel, only Hillary Clinton had agreed to take a stand on the stump on LGBT issues (by August 9, both Edwards and Obama had also done so).
Matt’s main point, which he drove home both forcefully and eloquently, was that the LGBT movement is in fact at a critical point in its development. Now, more than ever, we must each be vigilant of the issues on the table and do our part to secure those basic rights to which we are rightfully entitled. His speech was inspirational and reminded each of us that no matter how much we have accomplished, there is still so much more to do.
Again, this concept of “change” could not be more timely for OPALGA. As you have learned from past issues of Empower, we have spent several months studying the organization and all that we do, and we have now created a three-year strategic plan that will guide us in improving each aspect of the organization so that we are giving you, our members, a terrific value for your dues. As always, we welcome your input. Should any of you have any thoughts or ideas that you would like to share, drop an e-mail to cochram1@nationwide.com. We would like to hear from you.
Programming Committee Takes New Direction
OPALGA’s Programming Committee recently held a meeting to reconfigure itself after a break of several months. One major change is that the committee will now be known as the Social Committee because it will primarily concern itself with social-type events. This was a direct result of the recent strategic planning process wherein the Board identified the need to differentiate social events from substantive programming for specific groups such as families, singles, etc. Programs targeted for these and other specific groups will be put on by a new Programming Committee, while the Social Committee will now consider a wide range of activities including events such as the drag show, gay bingo, theatre outings, and the like.
“The timing of the new structure is perfect because it now gives us a chance to think totally outside the box,” said David Rappoport, Board member and interim Chair of the Social Committee. “We can continue with events that have been successful in the past while at the same time come up with totally new ideas that satisfy the needs of our members for more diverse social events.”
The Social Committee meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at The OPALGA Center and is looking for new members who want to help plan and put on events for the membership. “Your involvement can be limited to occasionally lending a hand, or you can take on and manage your own event if you have the time and interest,” added Rappoport.
“I am truly grateful for David’s willingness to step up and help us at this time,” said Mike Cochran, OPALGA Co-Chair. “Already this year we had over 85 people at the post-holiday brunch and 5 days later over 60 people attended the Steppenwolf benefit evening. These numbers show that our members enthusiastically respond to the right kinds of events.”
Anyone who wants further information about the Social Committee and its activities should contact David Rappoport at davidsteven@comcast.net.
