PCNvol8no3 Readerspr facing - Pride Center of New Jersey

INSIDE
News & Info
Spotlight
Board of Trustees vacancies; member and volunteer
lunch; Long Yang Club anniversary; Lambda event;
Gay Bingo; Women’s Coffee House; p2-3
Unity Fellowship Church comes to N. Brunswick; p5
NJ Events
Annual NJ Leather Pride Weekend; McCarter Theater’s
Lambda Alternative Party; p4
Guest Editorial
Steven Lutz writes about he fought for domestic partner health benefits for gay and lesbian employees of
St. Barnabas, New Jersey’s largest health care
provider. p6-7
Fall 2001 Edition
Vol 8, No 3
Sept 2001
published
quarterly
The Pride Center of NJ, Inc.
211 Livingston Ave.
P.O. Box 5130
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
732.846.2232
[email protected]
www.pridecenter.org
A 501(c)3 Tax Exempt
Not-for-Profit
Corporation.
G
ay Bingo Comes to NJ. The Pride
Center and Jersey Pride, Inc. are
teaming up this fall to bring one of
the hottest entertainment events to New
Jersey. Gay Bingo is coming to town! The
premiere game will take place at New
Jersey’s National Coming Out Day
celebration in Holmdel, NJ on Sunday, October 7th. A special appearance by one of your favorite drag
stars will make this event a blast.
Additional information on this
and subsequent Gay Bingo
nights will be announced in
the future. See page 3 for
more information!
The Pride Center of NJ is
looking to fill vacancies on its
Board of Trustees. This is your opportunity to help contribute to your community
by volunteering some of your time. This is an
important and potentially rewarding experience.
See page 2 for more details.
news & info
from the
Fall’s upon us!
BOT Vacancies to be Filled
Which means it’s a
The Pride Center will be accepting applications for its Board of Trustees in order to fill
vacancies with terms starting on January 1,
2002. Any interested parties can contact
Board President Ray Johnson at 732-2470515 or e-mail [email protected].
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the
general direction, planning and operation of
The Pride Center, New Jersey’s fast-growing
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community center We are looking for board
members to bring a wide variety of skills,
backgrounds and ties to our community.
Individual responsibilities of board members
will vary and attendance at board meetings is
expected. The Pride Center of NewJersey will
be celebrating it’s tenth year in 2002 and we
will be making a special effort to progress to a
higher level. If you would like to be part of
one of New Jersey’s most important institutions supporting the GLBT community, make
this one of your personal commitments now!
great time to get
off the couch and
come on down to
the Pride Center!
There are plenty
of groups that are
meeting, lots of
volunteer work to
be done, and a
host of events that
need coordinating.
Give the gift
of your time
this season!
The Pride Center of
New Jersey, Inc.
Serving Central New Jersey’s Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual and Transgendered Community.
A 501(c)3 Tax Exempt Not-for-Profit Corporation.
Mission Statement
The Pride Center of New Jersey provides a “safe space” for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders (GLBT) where programs, services and
education are provided to the GLBT community in order to empower individuals to accept their gender and sexual identity, as well as increase
public awareness and lessen prejudice through education and outreach.
The Pride Center News is a free quarterly publication.
ADVERTISING RATES: A business card ad is $15 per issue. Ad rates are
determined by how many “business card spaces” (3.5" x 2") an ad
takes up on one letter-size page and is multiplied by $15. A full page
ad (10 “business card spaces”) is $150.
pride center
Center’s Annual Member and
Volunteer Brunch
The Pride Center’s Annual Member & Volunteer Brunch will take place on Sunday, September 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the home
of Board President Ray Johnson. This annual
event is the Center’s way of showing its appreciation to many of those who make our mission possible. We will provide some delicious
brunch items such as home made waffles,
eggs, sausage, bagels,salads, various hot menu
items and a variety of beverages. Donors
who are “Silver” level and above will be
receiving invitations to the event. Others are
encouraged to attend by sending in a donation
of $10 by September 8, 2001 to PCNJ Brunch,
P.O. Box 5130, New Brunswick, NJ 08903.
LYC-NJ Celebrates Five Years
Long Yang Club - NJ is proud to announce
that they will be celebrating their fifth anniversary at the Pride Center on Saturday, October
13th. The special night’s event will include an
asian buffet, prizes and more than the usual
fun. LYC-NJ is part of an international organization for gay Asians, Pacific Islanders and
their friends. The group meets at The Pride
Center each month on second Saturdays at
7:30 p.m.
Lambda and Pride Center Join to
Host Annual Event
On Saturday, November 3, 2001, Lambda
Legal Defense and Education Fund will host
their annual New Jersey Event at the Hilton in
Parsippany, New Jersey. This fundraiser is a
major event on the LLDEF calendar that has
drawn huge crowds every year. The 2001
event will feature a Casino Night and Auction.
The Pride Center of New Jersey is proud to be
2 Pride Center News Fall 2001 ..................................................................................................................................................................................
a partner with LLDEF for the first time this year. Please
mark your calendars for this exciting event that will benefit
two deserving organizations! Further details will soon be
available. LLDEF has helped thousands of lesbian and gay
couples, parents, workers, seniors and youth, as well as
persons living with HIV/AIDS over the past 28 years with
precedent-setting legal victories, judicial education and
public advocacy.
Gay Bingo
In partners with Jersey Pride, Inc., the Pride Center has
formed a Bingo Committee, which will be charged with
establishing a monthly Gay Bingo in New Jersey. Gay
Bingo has evolved into one of the more popular events in
the LGBT community in other locations. We will be having a trial run of NJ’s Gay Bingo on Saturday, September
15th at The Pride Center. Refreshments will be available
at 7 p.m. with the games beginning at 8 p.m. On Sunday
October 7th, the first regular Gay Bingo will take place
under a huge tent at the National Coming Out Day celebration in Holmdel, New Jersey. Adding to the fun will be
the outrageous assistance of our Drag Bingo Hostesses. At
press time, a permanent location has not yet been determined for November and after. If anyone knows of a place
for us to use, please contact us asap!
Women’s Coffee House Resumes
The Women's Coffee House will resume on the first Saturday of each month beginning in October at The Pride
Center. In October, Sharleen Leahey, a singer songwriter
from the Clinton area will be performing. In November,
Sue Rovello will be speaking on relationships. The Coffee
House starts at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Afterwards
we go to the Den for dancing.
GLSEN Holds Seminar at Center
GLSEN is the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. GLSEN is the leading national organization fighting
to end anti-gay bias in K-12 schools. The group strives to
assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Over the weekend of August
11-12, GLSEN held a seminar at The Pride Center to educate the educators. For more information contact GLSEN
Central New Jersey at 609-448-8435.
Thanks for a great Labor Day
event at “Paradise” in Asbury Park!
Mark your calendar now for these
exciting upcoming events!
Sunday, September 16, 3p.m.
“Forever Young”
Music From Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Special drink price from 4pm to 6pm
“Chemistry” 4100 Main Street, Manayunk, PA
215.483.4100
Sunday, September 23, 3p.m.
“Rock the River”
A Tropical Setting on the River
Indoor and outdoor dance bars
“Kat Man Du” Rt. 29, Trenton, NJ
609.393.7300
Tuesday, September 25, 1p.m.
“Ladies on the Links”
To benefit the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation
“Pennsauken Country Club” Haddonfield Rd.
Pennsauken, NJ • 856.858.4476
Sunday, October 7, 3p.m.
“A Day of Discovery”
It may be your day to be discovered
One hour open bar, buffet
“The Cartwheel” New Hope, PA
215.862.0880
Check out our website at www.ladies2000.com
................................................................................................................................................................................. Pride
Center News Fall 2001 3
events
around new jersey
New Women’s Group Meets at Center
Do you ever realize how lucky you are, how good your life
is, and realize that there are people out there who aren’t so
blessed? Have you ever thought it would be a good idea to
give back to your community? Here’s your chance to do
that, and have a good time in the process. Helping Hands is
a new women’s group meeting at The Pride Center. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at
7:30 pm. The purpose of the group is to identify and assist
those in the community who are in need, while having the
added benefit of socializing with women who have the
interest. Please come lend a hand! For information, please
call 908-313-5900.
NEW! McCarter's Lambda Alternative Party
McCarter Theater is kicking off an exciting new party for
the gay and lesbian community called “Lambda Alternative Party.” For the price of a regular ticket, individuals get
admission to the theater show and to the party with live
entertainment, food and drink. It takes place on Thursday,
September 20, at 8 p.m. Following the performance of
Romeo & Juliet, everyone is invited to the NEW Lambda
Alternative Party with special guest Broadway composer
and performer Polly Pen and members of the Romeo &
Juliet cast and crew. Enjoy a delicious array of food prepared by Princeton’s Chez Alice. Get fed, get entertained,
get acquainted with gay and lesbian members of the community, all for the price of a regular ticket! For tickets or
information, call the box office at 609-258-ARTS.
Annual NJ Leather Pride Weekend
The Promethean Guard will be sponsoring its 2nd Annual
NJ Leather Pride Weekend and 2nd Annual Mr. NJ
Leather Contest the weekend of September 7-9, 2001.
Hundreds of men and women are expected to attend from
throughout the Northeast area. The events will take place
at Club Paradise in Asbury Park, NJ. Tickets for the Mr.
Leather Contest are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.
An optional “Run Package” including many other events
and meals can also be obtained. For additional information, please contact the Promethean Guard at 732-8881790 or e-mail them at [email protected].
4 Pride Center News Fall 2001 ..................................................................................................................................................................................
spotlight
Unity Fellowship Church Comes to
New Brunswick
THE UNITY FELLOWSHIP CHURCH MOVEMENT
was founded by the Archbishop Carl Bean, in 1985, in the
city of Los Angeles, CA. The Ministry was founded in
spiritual response to the outcry from God's people who
were besieged by the crises of AIDS and cancer as they
invaded the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered
communities, leaving many feeling spiritually void.
In bringing the message of God’s Unconditional Love
and the principles of Liberation Theology to those oftostracized communities, UFCM has opened its doors to
ALL of God’s people, especially those who are fighting for
social justice and seeking to worship God-FULLY-just as
they are...IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH!
Now, with the Mother Church in LA, as well as
churches in Riverside and Long Beach, CA; Seattle, WA;
Detroit, MI; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; Baltimore, MD;
Washington, DC; Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA, the
UFC Movement continues to grow and flourish.
UFC, NEW BRUNSWICK is pastored by Minister
Kevin E. Taylor, who comes to the city of New Brunswick
after having served for 7 years at Inner Light UFC in Washington, DC, under the Bishop Rainey Cheeks, and most
recently with Elder Jacqueline Holland of Newark, NJ.
UFC-NB will serve God's people through a Ministry of
Care and Love by maximizing God-force in New
Brunswick, which abides in the Spirit of each of God’s children! UFCNB marks the 12th Church in the Unity Fellowship Church Movement!
And as they make our presence felt in the town of New
Brunswick, we will be having BIBLE STUDIES that make
the Bible presence and real for ALL of God's children, from
GENESIS to REVELATIONS, and dealing directly and
spiritually with ALL of those verses that have been used to
castigate and belittle some of the God's children. Bible
Studies take place at The Pride Center every Sunday at
11:30 a.m.
................................................................................................................................................................................. Pride
Center News Fall 2001 5
Guest Editorial
Domestic Partner Benefits for New Jersey
Hospitals. . . An Appealing Idea!
By Steven Lutz
I didn’t think I would ever do it. And that statement coming
from an openly out and proud gay man doesn’t leave much
left undone! I am a guy who loves people, parties, and fun.
Mention MADONNA, PROVINCETOWN, or SHOPPING, and I’m your man. When politics comes up, BIG
YAWN. So what happened?
All my life I have been the kind of person who feels very
strongly about doing the right thing. That’s one of the reasons I became a nurse. I love my job working at Kimball
Medical Center, a small community hospital in Lakewood
New Jersey. So many times I have heard people say, “life
isn’t fair.” And that really bothers me. So this one time I
thought, maybe I can do something to make a change. I
knew I couldn’t change the world, but what the heck,
maybe I could make a difference for a few of the people that
I work with.
This all started last fall while I and all the other Martha
Stewart wanna-be’s were out picking granny smith apples
to be baked into fabulous pies, cobblers and tarts. It had to
be granny smiths because as all gay men know, they make
the best pies. My lesbian friend Pat and I were picking and
talking, and she was telling me about a difficult time she
and her lover of 25 years were having financially. Cathy,
her lover, was self employed and didn’t have health care
benefits. She had recently needed emergency surgery, and
the cost of this was threatening to wipe them out completely. They could loose their entire life savings as well as possibly their home. This just wasn’t fair. I asked myself, why is
it that a brand new employee of our hospital can have full
coverage for their spouse and children in a matter of 3
months, and for gay and lesbian employees, there is
absolutely nothing available. Pat and Cathy have been
together for over 25 years as a couple, and Pat bas been
employed at our hospital for 20 years!
The following Monday back at work, I spoke with my
friend Michelle, the Director of Human Resources. As one
of their “Resources,” this human wanted to know what
our company was offering in the way of benefits for gays
and lesbians. The answer was NOTHING. Michelle was
very supportive and helpful, but basically we needed to do
a lot more work. This is when I decided to get involved. I
went home to my computer and started to do some
research. I found www.aclu.org/gay rights on the net.
Their Equality Toolkit for securing LGBT rights for
“Activists” is wonderfully helpful and empowering. But
who knew that I’d become an “Activist?” Prior to this the
only definition for “active” that I used was to differentiate
a top from a bottom!
The database available showed that many hospitals in
New York, California, Massachusetts, Vermont, Washington, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Montana and New Mexico offered Domestic Partner Benefits to their gay and
lesbian employees. New Jersey however turned out to be a
big fat dud! Since Kimball Medical Center is part of the St.
Barnabas Health Care System, I decided to write to the
Corporate Director of Human Resources for the entire system, and also to the President and CEO. This was kind of
scary since now instead of dealing with the friendly faces of
the people I knew personally at Kimball, I was dealing with
the largest health care provider in New Jersey. We are talking about 8 hospitals, 6 nursing homes, as well as psychiatric and ambulatory care facilities. This meant that
instead of working locally to help a few employees at Kimball, I was now advocating change to one of the largest
employers in the state of New Jersey with over 20,000
employees and 4,000 physicians. Yikes!
The first written response I received was a big blow.
The Director wrote back thanking me for my interest, but
unfortunately, “since no New Jersey Hospitals offer
domestic partner benefits,” essentially they were not going
to do so either. By now I was vested in this issue and felt
even more strongly that something needed to be done. If
gays and lesbians make up 5-10% of the population, then I
was fighting for up to 2,400 people, doubling that number
if you include their spouses and children.
Beginning with a letter writing campaign, I worked all
through the winter and early spring. I made it my business
to discuss the issue with my colleagues, doctors, administrators, and anyone who would listen to me. I amassed a 50
page resource document, and distributed that to all the corporate directors. My big break came in May of 2001 when
my good friends Irene and Renee delivered my resource
document at two important meetings. Their personal
belief in me and my project gave me the encouragement
6 Pride Center News Fall 2001 ..................................................................................................................................................................................
and strength I needed to push onward.
Then in July, two incredible things happened. I was
summoned to a meeting with the President at Kimball
Medical Center. “Oh my God...they are going to fire me,”
I thought! When I arrived at the meeting, there were over
100 people in the room, and it was announced that I had
been elected as Employee of the Month for July. Amazing!
Two days later, I was at home and received a call from
Michelle. “Steven,” she said, “I hope you are ready for
this...you are getting what you asked for!” The St. Barnabas Health Care System had just approved Domestic
Partner Health Benefits for all of the gay and lesbian
employees in the ENTIRE SYSTEM!
I have to say how proud I am to work for such a wonderful and innovative company. We are the first in New
Jersey to offer these benefits. And this is only the beginning, we are in a transition period now, and there is still a
lot to be accomplished. But one thing is for sure, doing the
RIGHT THING really feels good!
This fall when I’m out picking apples, I’Il pick an extra
bushel, and bake a few more of my famous granny smith
caramel pecan apple pies for the folks at work. Victories
can be large or small. but it’s wonderful when they taste as
sweet as a home baked apple pie!
We Need Leaders!
Board of Trustees
Sought for Pride Center
The Board of Trustees of The Pride Center of New Jersey,
Inc. is the governing and decision-making body for central New Jersey’s fast-growing gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgendered community center based in New
Brunswick. This is an important and rewarding experience. Specific Trustee duties may vary. Attendance at
board meetings is expected. Terms begin 1/1/02. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest, stating
qualifications and areas of interest, by Monday, November 5, 2001 to The Pride Center of NJ, P.O. Box 5130, New
Brunswick, NJ 08903. Submissions may also be left for
Ray Johnson at the Center. People of color are encouraged to apply.
................................................................................................................................................................................. Pride
Center News Fall 2001 7
meetings & groups
African American Lesbians United
Men’s Coming Out Group
Discussions, Dinner.
Fourth Thursdays, 7:30p.m.
A moderated discussion group for issues related
to coming out as gay or bisexual men. E-mail
[email protected] for more info.
Every Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.
BiZone
Open to all bisexual, bi-curious, and bi-friendly
people and their partners.
First and third Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.
Central Jersey Transgender
There is a
suggested $2.00
donation for
most meetings.
More if you can,
less if you can’t.
at the pride center
First through fourth Sundays, 7:30 p.m.
No meeting when there is a fifth Sunday.
Coffee Houses
General — third Saturdays, 8 p.m
Women Only — first Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Women resuming in October.
GALY
First & third Sundays, 2 p.m.
Girth and Mirth
NJ Gay Social Group’s Night Out (formerly The New Wave)
Mixed social group for 18 and over. Seeking
facilitators. Second & fourth Fridays, 7:30 p.m.
Quilt Panel Workshop
Panel-making workshop for the NAMES Project
AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Each Tuesday, 6 p.m.–10 p.m. Call 732-249-3933.
NJBiWomen
A moderated social/discussion group for issues
related to bisexuality and other interests.
First Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.– 9 p.m.
NJ Education Assoc — LGB Caucus
Fourth Saturdays at 7 p.m. For large men and the
men who admire them.
A group for New Jersey’s gay educators.
Meets one Friday per month during classes.
Check Pride Center Calendar.
Helping Hands
OutThere! Groups
Women’s group to help people in need.
Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.
HIV Testing
Walk-in or by appointment. Conducted at the
Pride Center by UMDNJ staff.
First & third Thursdays, 5 p.m.–7 p.m.
Lesbians & Gay Men of New Brunswick
Social, educational, rap, potlucks, for everyone.
Second & fourth Tuesdays, 8 p.m.
E-mail [email protected] for more info.
LGBT Issues in Straight Marriages
A moderated small group for gay men and women
in straight marriages to discuss a variety of issues.
Second & fourth Mondays, 7:30 p.m.
Long Yang Club — New Jersey
For gay Asians and Pacific Islanders and their friends.
E-mail [email protected] for more info.
Second Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.
MCC Choir Practice
Mondays, 8 p.m.
OT! is a social, cultural and outdoors group
planning activities outside the Center for members
of the lbgt community. Participant driven!
Quarterly potlucks. Call for dates and times.
South Asian Lesbian & Gay Association (SALGA)
A group for South Asians to freely discuss their
experiences as glbt and questioning individuals.
Third Saturdays, 4:30 p.m.
TeaGaymes
Third Sundays, 6 p.m.
Under The Rainbow
Discussion/social group for the 18 to 25 year old
gay and lesbian population. Every Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Women's Reading Group
A popular new group for women.
Third Wednesdays, 7:30 pm
Women’s AA Meeting
Every Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Womyns’ Coming Out Group
Supportive forum for womyns’ coming out issues
Second & fourth Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.
8 Pride Center News Fall 2001 ..................................................................................................................................................................................
Mentor
new jersey
Gay/Bi
Counseling
Professionals
Individual
Psychotherapy
LTR Groups
Sex Addiction
Groups
Bi-Married
Men’s Group
Central/
Northern NJ
Discreet/
Confidential
is ad...
Save th now
r
If not fo ater
rl
then fo
The Heart & Soul of Man 2 Man
Contact Dr. John LoConte
Phone: (973) 467-4576
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.MentorNJ.com
................................................................................................................................................................................. Pride
Center News Fall 2001 9
Serving the Mental Health Needs of the
Community Since 1985
Complete Range of Confidential Services by
Licensed Professionals
Most Insurance, Managed Care
& HMO Plans are Accepted
Sliding Scale Available
Bunker Hill Consultation Center
7 Three Acre Lane
Princeton, NJ 08540
(800) 440-BHCC
(800) 440-2422
www.bunkerhillcc.com
10 Pride Center News Fall 2001 ..............................................................................................................................................................................
Advertise Your Business in the
for just $15 per issue. Send in your
card and check today!
If you’d like to submit editorial articles, news
and events listings, or paid advertising for
the Winter Issue, the last call for
submissions is November 16, 2001.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Make Your Time Count.
Volunteer For The Pride Center.
.............................................................................................................................................................................. Pride
Next Newsletter
Deadline:
November 16,
2001
Center News Fall 2001 11
PRIDE CENTER of NJ........................732-846-2232
Dignity/Metro ...........................................973-761-7321
Dignity/New Brunswick ............................732-254-7942
GAAMC (Morris County)/GALY .................973-285-1595
Garden St8s Square Dancing....................732-280-5630
Gay People of Princeton ...........................609-924-7322
Havurah....................................................732-650-1010
Hyacinth AIDS Foundation........................800-433-0254
Jersey Pride, Inc ....................................732-NJ1-PRIDE
Lambda Families of NJ .............................973-763-8511
Lavender Express .....................................201-235-0585
Lesbians & Gay Men of New Brunswick ...732-247-0515
LEAGUE-AT&T..........................................973-644-7904
Lesbian Domestic Abuse Helpline.............800-224-0211
Long Yang Club ........................................732-247-0515
Metropolitan Community Church/CTL ......732-846-8227
NJ Buddies ...............................................201-489-2900
NJCRI.......................................................973-483-3444
NJEA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Caucus ........609-448-5215
NJLGC /PLF ..............................................732-828-6772
NAMES Project–Central NJ.......................732-249-3933
NJWAN.....................................................732-846-4462
Our Quarterly............................................201-893-0455
Outbike.....................................................973-748-9368
P-FLAG North Jersey ................................973-267-8414
Princeton LGB Alliance .............................609-258-4522
Rutgers G/L/B Hotline...............................908-932-7886
The OASIS ................................................973-430-9909
Ray Johnson ....................................................................President, Trustee
Joe Perry ..................................................Vice President, Statistics, Trustee
Peggy Baker ..........................................Treasurer, Public Relations, Trustee
Albert Bassi........................................................................................Trustee
Wendy Cioffi ..................................................Volunteer Coordinator, Trustee
Jordan Hunt..........................Program Coordinator, Staff Placement, Trustee
Anne Volz ..........................................................................................Trustee
Joe Amatucci ......................................................................Facility Manager
Roger Dormann ..................................................Newsletter Designer/Editor
Vinnie Funelas ......................................................................................GALY
Darren Garansi ........Entertainment Book Sales, Asst. Volunteer Coordinator
Harold Goldenberg ....................................Office Manager, Supplies, Library
Lindsay Hansen ....................................................Public Relations Assistant
Mary Beth Holman ................................Women’s Coffee House Coordinator
Stephanie Mannis ............................................Public Relations Coordinator
Arthur Merchant ................................................................................Groups
Jeff Negran ..........................................................................Correspondence
Darren Nye ..............................................................................Web Designer
Dennis Pestell ........................................Entertainment Committee Co-Chair
211 Livingston Avenue • New Brunswick, NJ 08903 732-846-2232 • [email protected]
The Pride Center depends on fundraising events and donations for their operating income. We’re a non-profit 501(c)3
organization, which means that your donations are tax-deductible. Fundraising events are held several times per year.
However, donations/sponsorships are accepted at any time! Sponsorships are accepted from corporations and individuals. They can include small to large monetary donations.
The Pride Center also accepts cash donations via the US Postal Service or in person at the Center, and donations can be
made via the web site by clicking the “Donations/Join” button. Whatever you can afford to donate, your
support and generosity is greatly appreciated! Making an annual contribution in one of the following amounts, will qualify you as a Member of The Pride Center:
General ........$35: Entitles member to four newsletter mailings annually and discounts at selected special events.
Family..........$50: General membership benefits for one household.
Silver ..........$100: General membership benefits and one “Silver” admission discount to PCNJ membership brunch.
Gold ............$250: General membership benefits, plus two “Gold” admission discounts to PCNJ membership brunch
plus listing as donor in newsletter’s annual donor listing.
Platinum ......$500: Gold membership benefits with donor’s name engraved on Center’s Platinum donor plaque.
Benefactor ....$1,000: Gold membership benefits, invitation to special Pride Center reception and name engraved on
Benefactor donor plaque.
Special ........$10: General membership benefits reserved for students, senior citizens, and those with limited
financial ability.
Gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
✂
Individual donations make YOUR Community Center possible!
Name _________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________
City ____________________________________State _________ Zip _____________ Phone ______________________________________________
E-mail Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Credit Card Type ■ Visa ■ Mastercard ■ Amex • Credit Card Number ________________________________________ Exp. Date ___________
Signature __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ■ Contact me about volunteering my time or services
Donation: $10 ___ (Special) $10___ (Volunteer & Member Brunch, Sept. 16) ($35 ___ (General) $50 ___ (General) $100 ___ (Silver)
$500 ___ (Platinum) $1000 ___ (Benefactor) $_________ (other) ■ Please apply my donation to the publishing of this newsletter.
Suggested annual donation is $35. $500 donations or more appear on The Center Plaque. Please make checks payable to:
Please do not send me any
of the membership benefits.
“The Pride Center of NJ, Inc.” and send to P.O. Box 5130, New Brunswick, NJ 08903.
12 Pride Center News Fall 2001 ...............................................................................................................................................................................
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