Herland Sister Resources

Criminal charges have been dismissed against a small-town New York mayor for marrying gay couples, saying the state failed to show it has a legitimate interest in banning same-sex weddings.

New Paltz Town Court Justice Jonathan Katz also ruled that prosecutors failed to prove the law New Paltz Mayor Jason West was charged with violating was constitutional. West, 27, faced 19 misdemeanor counts of solemnizing marriages for couples without a license.

West had faced the possibility of fines or up to a year in jail for presiding at the weddings of more than two dozen same-sex couples on Feb. 27. The weddings drew the Hudson Valley village of New Paltz into the growing national debate over gay marriage, and delighted and inspired millions.

West remains barred from marrying same-sex couples under an order issued earlier this week by another judge. But he and his lawyer E. Joshua Rosenkranz called Katz’s ruling a major victory for gay rights. “If history is any guide, this is the beginning of an unstoppable trend,” Rosenkranz said.

Ulster County District Attorney Donald Williams said he disagreed with Katz’s ruling and would appeal. We’ll see what happens.

It falls on July 17th at 7:00 P.M. at Herland!

…in a film starring Joan Allen, a fictionalized true story about journalist Veronica Guerin. Set in present-day Dublin this is, oddly, not a story about the IRA. It is about one woman’s ground-breaking style of journalism focused on drug lords and gang criminals and the changes she both did and did not bring about. There is also a story about the making of this film which will be told at the conclusion of the screening.

Join us to keep the sky from falling! As always there will be free popcorn; also sodas and bottled water available for a donation to Herland.

Come to Las Vegas for the National NOW Conference!

The 2004 National NOW Conference will be held in Las Vegas, the weekend of July 16-18, 2004. Join NOW members across the country for three days of fun and friends, fast-paced workshops, great speakers and entertainers, skill-building sessions, special interest caucuses, and, of course, sharing stories about this spring’s March for Women’s Lives.

Speakers and guests include former Democratic presidential candidate Carol Moseley Braun; groundbreaking scientist and diversity expert Dr. Donna J. Nelson; feisty author and radio host Laura Flanders (her new book, The “W” Factor, is just out); and writer/comedian Wendy Shanker, whose new book is The Fat Girls Guide to Life. Cris Williamson will be performing in concert with SONiA (of disappear fear).

A Young Feminist Caucus is being planned by NOW’s new Young Feminist Task Force, and there will be voter outreach training. If you are ready to translate feminist issues into action by participating in workshops dealing with war and women, marriage equality, emergency contraception, affordable housing, the global economy, AIDS, drugs, poverty, workers, reproductive health, a new Violence Against Women Act and more…make plans now to spend July 16-18 with your NOW sisters in the glittery city.

Register online today for the conference or call 202-628-8669, ext. 117. Then book a flight and call the legendary Riviera Hotel and Casino at 1-800-634-6753 to reserve a room at a fantastic conference rate of $79. Note, if the conference rate is no longer available, please mention that you are with NOW so NOW will get credit for your room toward the cost of our meeting space. And check www.now.org/conference regularly to see new speakers and the great array of workshops that are still in formation. See you in Las Vegas!

Herland is seeking poetry for a special poetry issue of the Voice. We don’t know when that will be — depends on how fast the entries come in. Poetry may be submitted via snail mail or electronic mail (preferred but not required). Acceptable electronic formats include, e-mail plain text, MS WORD, and MS Publisher. If you want a byline published with your poetry, specify this with your submission and indicate how you want your name printed. We will not assume you want your name printed and will not do it without your written permission.

Diversity House will be presenting Miss Brown To You in an outdoor concert on July 31st at Herland Sister Resources, 2313 NW 39th Street. The concert and day’s activities will benefit Diversity House, a non-profit organization that will house homeless gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered young people between the ages of 18 and 25.

These people have been put out of their homes because of their sexual orientation. It can be a difficult thing to come out as a GLBT young person even with the support of your family. Diversity House wants to be a safe haven for these kids.

The money raised will be used to help give these kids a chance to get back on their feet and become productive citizens. Funds will be used to purchase a house, provide transportation, food and clothes as needed.

The afternoon will begin at 4 pm with a water bucket race, watermelon seed spitting contest, water balloon tossing, and water balloon run. The charge for entering each event is $3 or ll events for $10. At 6:30 enjoy hotdogs, tofu dogs, hamburgers and veggieburgers cooked on a grill.

The meal is provided for a sliding scale of $5 - $15. Bring your pennies to vote on your choice for Queen of the Sea, King of the Sea, and Beach Bunny (costumes welcome). The winners will be announced during the concert at the end of the evening.