4th annual conference 2nd annual gala
Transcription
4th annual conference 2nd annual gala
Faces of Fairness 4TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2ND ANNUAL GALA NOVEMBER 10, 2012 · CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA We are so proud to be a sponsor of this year’s FairnessWV Conference and Gala. Keep up the amazing work that you do and a special thank you to all the volunteers and sponsors who work tirelessly throughout the year to bring quality to the state of West Virginia. -‐Brian J. Steffan and Matthew McCoun www.steffanco.com 1100 North Glebe Road, Suite 1010, Arlington, VA 22201 (703) 224-8182 WELCOME Greetings and Welcome! It’s both an honor and privilege to share this evening with you. I continue to be amazed by the generosity and support Fairness West Virginia receives from each of you and all those who desire to see LGBT civil rights advance in the Mountain State. I’m equally proud of Dr. Coy Flowers and the dedicated Board of Directors who continue to pour their hearts and energies into making West Virginia a safe and welcoming state for all. This coming year is going to be the most challenging for LGBT West Virginians with our main focus being EHNDA (Employment and Housing Non-Discrimination Act). As some of you may know, in my prior career, I was Congressman Barney Frank’s longtime Senior Policy Advisor for LGBT issues. However, while I had the pleasure of overseeing LGBT legislation, none made me more proud than the federal ENDA bill. In 2007, under Congressman Frank’s leadership, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the first and only ENDA legislation. While knowing that President Bush would have vetoed the bill, the significance was great, especially for LGBT Americans. In what is becoming the norm, it continues to be unfortunate that states are far more advanced than the federal government on these issues. As you will hear tonight, Dr. Jorea Marples efforts have been instrumental in placing West Virginia in the position of one of the nation’s toughest in antibullying standards. She, like all of us, recognizes that if you address and prevent bullying against LGBT students, all students will benefit. Mr. Hoppy Kercheval, a prominent conservative, believes it is an American right to marry. And Larry Matheney knows that West Virginians should be judged by how they perform on the job, not who they love. Tonight, you will hear many success stories. The one dominate theme being EHNDA. Countless people have worked for years behind the scenes to make EHNDA the law of West Virginia. The West Virginia Senate, to their credit, voted for EHNDA twice. However, legislative action stalled in the House. In the coming year, I sincerely believe that by working together we have a real and tangible shot of making history and becoming the only state in the nation that will pass an inclusive EHNDA! In the next few weeks, you’ll be getting a lot of emails and updates from Fairness. If there is one thing we know, it is that the right-wing in this country has mobilized and will stop at nothing to prevent LGBT West Virginians from enjoying the same civil rights that our straight allies currently enjoyed. We must counter them in our efforts. I ask for your continued support as we move this organization and West Virginia forward. Again, thank you for your support and attendance. I’m looking forward to meeting each of you and more importantly, engaging you for ideas and direction. Joe Racalto Executive Director 1 A company that is equally committed to each unique homeowner. NOW YOU’RE IN YOUR ELEMENT 3418 MacCorkle Ave SE Charleston WV 25304 304.721.4145 elementfcu.org WELCOME CITY OF CHARLESTON OFFICE OF THE MAYOR GREEETINGS FROM THE MAYOR As Mayor of West Virginia’s Virginia’scapital capitalcity, city,IIam ampleased pleasedto towelcome welcomeyou youto toCharleston Charlestonfor forthe theannual third FairnessFairness West Virginia Conference and Gala. welcome new visitors long-time friends tofriends our annual West Virginia Conference andWe Gala. We welcome newand visitors and long-time city. conference and celebration will lead to lead a greater understanding of the diversity of our to ourI hope city. this I hope this conference and celebration will to a greater understanding of the diversity citizens and of and the value allthat people bring to our communities. of our citizens of thethat value all people bring to our communities. In addition, I thank you for choosing to hold your event in Charleston. Our Ourelected electedleaders leadersand and involved citizens are working every day to make your capital city a more attractive place for people to live, visit, work and play. With Withan anemphasis emphasison onculture, culture,recreation recreationand andeconomic economicvitality, vitality,our ourmessage message to people who live here, visit here or choose to invest their futures here is very clear: you are welcome in Charleston! Our OurCity CityCouncil Councilunanimously unanimouslysent sentthat thatmessage messagepowerfully powerfullyby byidentifying identifyingall allforms formsof of discrimination for protection in the city’s human rights ordinance. While the conference may not provide much opportunity for exploring our city, I hope you will discover reasons to come back again. With Withfree freeconcerts concerts“Live “Liveon onthe theLevee” Levee”every everyFriday Fridayduring duringthe the summer, FestivALL Charleston’s Charleston’s ten ten days days of of celebrating celebrating arts arts and and culture, culture, several several other other special special events events focusing on music, culture, heritage, classic cars and even jet skiing and professional beach volleyball, you will find plenty to do in our city, city, especially especially during during the the spring, spring, summer summer and and fall. fall. Meanwhile Meanwhileyou you can find performances of music, dance and theater year round thanks to several community groups, the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences and others who have a passion to make good thing happen. So on behalf the City, I wish you continued success with the Fairness West West Virginia VirginiaConference Conferenceand and Gala. Thank Thankyou youagain againfor forchoosing choosingCharleston Charlestonfor forthis thisgathering gatheringthat thatcelebrates celebratesour ournation’s nation’sand and community’s diversity. IIhope hopeyou youenjoy enjoyyour yourstay stayand andplan plantotovisit visitus usagain! again! Sincerely, Danny Jones, Mayor P.O. BOX 2749 • CHARLESTON, WV 25330 • (304) 348-8174 OFFICE • (304) 348-8034 FAX 5 FAIRNESS WV HISTORY Fairness West Virginia (FWV) was founded in late 2008 by former Board President Stephen Skinner and a group of committed individuals from across West Virginia. FWV became the statewide civil rights advocacy organization dedicated to securing fair treatment and civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) West Virginians at state and local levels. Since its creation, FWV has added two affiliate organizations to effectively achieve its mission. Fairness West Virginia Institute (FWVI) holds as its mission to promote and sustain the civil rights of LGBT West Virginians through education and research on issues concerning LGBT people. This mission is fulfilled in part by holding an annual educational conference and managing an anti-bullying campaign through our website wvBullyFree.com. Fairness Action is a state political action committee established by candidates who want to promote a climate of equality and tolerance in West Virginia. Through Fairness Action LGBT West Virginians and their allies have contributed to candidates in statewide elections for the legislature and for governor. Together they are Fairness. Fairness Action has contributed to pro-equality over the past four years; Fairness has expanded from small meetings to a powerful organization with thousands of supporters across the state. Together we have achieved significant milestones on the road to fairness: • In 2009, FWV hired a lobbyist, and for the first time in our state’s history, West Virginia had someone lobbying for LGBT issues in the statehouse. • In March of 2009 the West Virginia Senate passed Senate Bill 238 to provide protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender West Virginians in the workplace and community. • In July of 2009 The West Virginia Supreme Court unanimously ruled on June 5 that the child should remain with the foster parents and not be removed from the only home she had known so that she could be placed in a “traditional home” with a mother and father. • In February of 2010 the West Virginia House of Delegates overwhelming rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have harmed the families of gay and lesbian couples by limiting the definition of marriage. • In December of 2010, FWV gathered, in less than 36 hours, 800 signatures to protest Senator Manchin’s lack of support for repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. • In January of 2011, FWV was honored as a “Living the Dream” award winner from the Martin Luther King, Jr. West Virginia Holiday Commission for our outstanding work throughout the state for LGBT rights. • In April of 2011, we were able to hire our first full-time staff person, Bradley Milam, followed by the addition of a second staff member in January of 2012. • In August of 2011, FWV Institute and the American Civil Liberties Union of WV launched wvBullyFree.com, a campaign for effective anti-bullying school policies. • In December of 2011, wvBullyFree.com achieved a victory when the State Board of Education unanimously voted for Policy 4373 that protects all students by requiring reporting of bullying incidents if motivated by sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, amongst other characteristics. • In February 2012, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) endorsed workplace protections for LGBT workers. • In August 2012, Joe Racalto brought his many years of experience with the United States Congress to West Virginia when he was hired as FWV’s Executive Director. In four years, we have repeatedly made history by accomplishing major progress with state legislation and policy. Today, you are part of our annual Conference and Gala. Thank you for joining us. We look forward to what we will be able to accomplish in the future, together. 7 Your Journey Begins with our Culture Stroll through time, from prehistory to modern times, at our museums. Celebrate West Virginia’s rich heritage at festivals that showcase our world-renowned fiddlers, dancers, artists and artisans. Hear Civil War soldiers tell stories about all the political intrigue surrounding West Virginia’s path to statehood. Learn about West Virginia’s coal legacy and visit one of the largest Adena burial mounds in the world. Discover how our journey opens the doors for your journey. 304-558-0220 www.wvculture.org EEO/AA Employer FAIRNESS WV BOARD President Coy Flowers, M.D. Lewisburg, WV Dr. Flowers is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist who is in private practice in southern West Virginia with offices in Lewisburg, Beckley, Hinton, and Union. Born and raised in Huntington, Coy was elected Governor of West Virginia Boys State in 1989 and represented West Virginia at Boys Nation. He graduated as valedictorian from Barboursville High School and matriculated to West Virginia University, as he was named a WVU Foundation Scholar. Coy received both his B.A. and M.D. degrees from WVU, and then completed his internship and residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Coy served in the US Navy for ten years and left active service as a Lieutenant Commander. In addition to being a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology and President of the Greenbrier County Medical Society, he is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Coy currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre. Additionally, Coy was elected to serve on the Greenbrier County Democratic Executive Committee in 2010. Along with his partner of 7 years and their brilliant 6 year old son, he resides in Lewisburg, which is, of course, America’s Coolest Small Town. Cynthia DeVille Lewisburg Ms. DeVille is a resident of Lewisburg, West Virginia, transgender business owner of Cythia’s Hair and Nails, and a retired military veteran who honorably served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. Since coming out in 2009, Ms. Deville has made it her mission to educate others on transgender issues and is an activist for tolerance and fair treatment of gendernonconforming individuals. Her efforts include making presentations on transgender issues to the West Virginia Wesleyan College Gender Studies Symposium, the Fairness Now conference, PFLAG, New River Community and Technical College, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and the Keystone Conference in Harrisburg, Pa. Ms. Deville has been nominated for inclusion on the Military Advisory Council of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. She has organized the West Virginia observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance in 2011 and 2012. Robert F. Dunlap, Esq., M.B.A. Beckley, WV Dunlap is a Greenbrier and Monroe County native who attended both Greenbrier West and East High Schools, Concord University, and West Virginia University and completed his Juris Doctorate and Master’s in Business Administration at Duquesne School of Law. He is admitted to the bars of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. Before returning to West Virginia in 2006, Mr. Dunlap practiced law in Allegheny County, PA, and served on numerous boards including that of Juris Magazine, Secretary of the Women’s Law Association and President of the PLGFS – Pittsburgh Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Since his return to West Virginia to start his family and establish his law firm, Robert Dunlap Esq. PLLC, Mr. Dunlap has represented numerous corporate clients as inside counsel, including PNC Bank, Diversified Enterprises and Family Options Providers, Inc where he currently serves as CEO and President providing statewide social services. He has served two years as an Assistant Public Defender in Raleigh County, teaches various Legal Studies courses at Concord University, and is Of Counsel for the National Fertility Law Group where he assists in the establishment of parental rights for all of West Virginia’s families. Treasurer Christina Dalton, M.B.A. Charleston, WV Dalton was raised in the Charleston, West Virginia area. After graduating from Riverside High School, she attended West Virginia State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting. After working a short period of time in state government as an Accountant, she enrolled in Marshall University’s Graduate School program and subsequently graduated at the top of her class with her Executive Master’s in Business Administration. She is currently studying for the coveted Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation for investment professionals. Today, she holds the title of Assistant Financial Controller for a state government agency responsible for managing the operational activities of the accounting staff in relation to governmental accounting and budgeting. Currently she resides in Charleston with her partner and two daughters. John Hagen Morgantown, WV John H. Hagen is a Scholarly Communications Consultant based in Morgantown, West Virginia. Originally from Flint, Michigan, Hagen studied Sociology at Michigan State University, where he launched his career at the MSU Libraries in 1987. Hagen’s extensive academic library background includes management of the Institutional Repository programs and coordination of the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) program at the West Virginia University (WVU) Libraries from 1989-2011. Hagen presently serves on the Board of Directors for the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD), an international non-profit consortium of hundreds of universities (since 1998). Hagen also serves on the Board of Directors for the US ETD Association (USETDA), a nonprofit organization promoting and supporting ETD networks for libraries and graduate schools nationwide (since 2009). In 2009 Hagen served as Co-Chair for the 15th International Symposium on ETDs, held at the University of Pittsburgh and co-sponsored by WVU, where Hagen also received the NDLTD International ETD Leadership Award. Hagen has also been significantly involved in political activism and human rights advocacy through his volunteer service efforts. Hagen served as Co-Chair for the WVU Council on Sexual Orientation (COSO), member of the WVU Social Justice Council and founding member of the faculty/staff/allies LGBT networking group WVU Common Ground (1998-2011). Hagen served on the Board of Directors for Caritas House, a nonprofit charitable organization serving the needs of individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS and homelessness in the North-Central West Virginia (2003-2009). Hagen presently serves on the Fairness West Virginia Board of Directors, the leading non-profit LGBT civil rights advocacy organization in West Virginia (since 2009) and served as Co-Chair for the 2nd annual Fairness WV conference in 2010. Hagen is an evangelist for the open access in scholarly communications and social equality movements. Secretary Jessica Scott Buckhannon, WV Scott is Instructor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Coordinator of Gender Studies at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She holds a Master’s degree in Music from the University of Illinois and a Master’s degree in Gender Studies from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She has traveled extensively outside of the United States as a performer, volunteer, and researcher, most recently to South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Austria, and South Korea. Her research interests include legal recognition of same-sex relationships in South Africa and LGBT visibility in Appalachia. While living in South Africa in 2009 and 2010, she was a researcher for the Gender, Sexuality, Law project at the African Gender Institute of the University of Cape Town. She resides in Elkins, WV with her partner. Jeff Crist Charleston, WV Crist is Health Action Manager at Covenant House of WV, an organization dedicated to working for justice by offering direct services for people in need while creating social change through advocacy and education. 9 Candace Gingrich-Jones Associate Director, Youth and Campus Outreach Human Rights Campaign Tuesday, November 13, 2012 @ 7:30 p.m. Mountainlair Ballrooms WVU Downtown Campus | Morgantown, WV Since 1995, Candace Gingrich-Jones has served as a key advocate for issues of importance to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Her involvement in the movement for queer equality began when her brother, Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-GA., was elected House speaker. Her 1996 autobiography, The Accidental Activist, was a best seller in the LGBT community. Gingrich-Jones promotes the importance of coming out, the duty to vote and the power of everyday conversations to change minds. As HRC's Youth & Campus Outreach associate director, Gingrich-Jones works to empower Gen EQ (Generation Equality) to fight for LGBT equality on campus and beyond. The Festival of Ideas lecture series was created by President Emeritus David C. Hardesty Jr. in 1995. It was inspired by events he organized as WVU student body president in the 1960's. Key figures from the fields of politics, business, entertainment, research, sports, scholarship, and culture will travel to Morgantown to share their wisdom with the greater university community. All presentations are free and open to the public. Interpretation for the hearing impaired is provided by Disability Services of the President's Office of Social Justice. For more information, please visit our website at http://festivalofideas.wvu.edu and our Facebook page at "West Virginia University Festival of Ideas". David C. Hardesty, Jr. Festival of ideas FAIRNESS WV BOARD Lou Ann Johnson Jackson County, WV Lou Ann is a native of Sophia, Raleigh County and currently resides in Jackson County. A graduate of Concord University, she served as State Director for Senator Jay Rockefeller for 23 years before retiring in 2008. She now works as a government affairs consultant. T. Donald Sommerville, M.D. Huntington, WV Troy Sommerville, MD is an Internist at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Huntington, WV. A West Virginia native and graduate of WVU, Dr. Sommerville has been an advocate for LGBT issues for many years. He is a also member of the ACLU and the NAACP. He lives with his partner in an old house in Huntington and they raise lush greenbrier and box tortoises at a hobby farm nearby. He enjoys life. Justin Murdock Huntington, WV Murdock is a graduate of Wayne High School and still resides in Wayne County where he lives with his partner. He is a father of two children who happily occupy much of his time. Justin is a manager at a family business in Huntington where he works closely with the disabled community and the Veterans’ Administration. He is an active member of his church where he serves on the council and joins them in fighting for social justice issues. He and his partner have been active in fighting and organizing for LGBT rights on a grassroots level in the Huntington area. Frances “Fran” C. Whiteman Morgantown, WV Frances C. Whiteman grew up in Keyser, West Virginia. She attended West Virginia University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism in 1982 and a Master’s in Public Administration in 1984. After working for five years in Fairmont with Grant Management Services performing grant and project administration in connection with E.P.A. funded Clean Water Act projects, Fran attended Capital University Law School where she was awarded a Juris Doctor degree in 1992. While living in Morgantown, Fran has practiced law in Fairmont since October 1992. In 1999, she and Kristine Burdette became law partners and formed the firm Whiteman Burdette, PLLC. Fran is licensed to practice law not only in the state of West Virginia, but in the state of North Carolina, and in the Northern and Southern Federal Court Districts in West Virginia. Fran practices personal injury litigation, criminal and juvenile defense, abuse/ neglect law, public utility law and local government representation. She regularly advises clients who are gay and lesbian about domestic partnership agreements, wills, real estate, powers of attorney, and estates. She was President of the North Central Chapter of the WV Foundation for Equality, before the chapter became inactive in 2005. Stephen Skinner, Esq. Shenandoah Junction, WV Skinner was raised in Charles Town, West Virginia, and graduated from Jefferson High School, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and the West Virginia University College of Law. He is admitted to the bars of West Virginia, New York, the District of Columbia. Before returning to the West Virginia in 2004, Mr. Skinner practiced law in New York City. Mr. Skinner handles catastrophic injury and consumer law cases across the country. He is a member of the American Association for Justice, the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association, the West Virginia Association for Justice, where is a board member. He just stepped down after three years as President of the Board of Trustees of the Contemporary American Theater Festival. Skinner is an alumni of West Virginia Boys State and the West Virginia Governors Honors Academy. In 2008, Skinner was elected as a pledged Barack Obama Delegate to the Democratic National Convention representing West Virginia’s Second Congressional District. In 2009, Governor Manchin appointed him to the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. Skinner’s Charles Town-based firm, Skinner Law Firm, focuses on representing consumers and victims of negligence. Tim Wheeler Lost River, WV Timothy (Tim) Wheeler grew up in southern Virginia and graduated from Averett University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He is a former Special Education Teacher and Reading Specialist having taught in Martinsville, VA and in the Juvenile Correctional Facilities in the Richmond, VA area. Currently, he is President of the Lost River Artisans Cooperative and Museum. He married Robert (Bob) Alcock in California, June 2008, and they reside in Lost River, WV. Tim is committed to full equality for all LGBT individuals. Adam Smith Washington, DC Smith grew up in Parkersburg, WV. After graduating from Parkersburg South High School, he attended college at Elon University in North Carolina. After a short stint at a PR firm, he moved to Public Campaign, a national nonprofit organization working on campaign finance reform. At Public Campaign, Smith worked in all areas of communications, including research, writing, graphic design, and online advocacy. He also assisted state based organizations across the country on legislative and communications strategies, including in West Virginia. Today, Smith is the Press Secretary for Public Campaign and lives in Washington, D.C. BOARD OF ADVISERS Sara Bird, Esq., Buchannon, WV Scott Crichlow, Ph.D., Morgantown, WV Andrea Marano King, Esq., Charleston, WV Ian Gibson-Smith, Shepherdstown, WV John Saunders, Ph.D., Buckhannon, WV Kevin Waldo, Esq., Charleston, WV Trellis Smith Morgantown Trellis is a native of New Orleans and Creative Director/Owner of EC, a design studio and event production firm in Morgantown. In addition to being an entrepreneur, Trellis is a published food and lifestyle writer. In the past, he has served on the Human Rights Campaign New Orleans Steering Committee. Currently, he is the coordinator for the Morgantown chapter of G2H2 (Gay Guys Happy Hour), a monthly social networking group. Trellis works in Morgantown, where he resides with his partner and their two adopted sons. 11 CONFERENCE FACULTY JAY ADAMS, M.A. HIV Care Coordinator WV Ryan White Part B Program Jay is a graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University and received his Master’s Degree from Marshall University. He has been working in the field of HIV/AIDS since 1984. He has served as the HIV Care Coordinator in West Virginia since 1991 when Ryan White CARE Act funds were first received by the state. Jay has served many roles statewide in West Virginia in the areas of HIV prevention and care. His day to day responsibilities include administering the WV AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the Ryan White Part B State Direct Services for nearly 1,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS in WV. As a volunteer, Jay chairs the only AIDS Memorial Quilt Chapter in WV and he is a frequent lecturer at nursing schools and social work programs throughout the state and performs HIV Rapid Testing. He has been honored with numerous awards including the inaugural national Mary Fisher Family AIDS Network National Outstanding Caregiver Award. KAY ALBRIGHT Rev. Kay Albright is pastor of Bridges of Grace United Church of Christ. Bridges of Grace is a new church start in Charleston, WV. Since coming to Charleston, Rev. Albright has been a part of various LGBT organizations including spending the last year on the board of Rainbow Pride of West Virginia Inc. She takes pride in advocating for equality issues, and starting a church that is Open and Affirming. Open and Affirming means welcoming not only LGBT folks, but all people who seek a safe place to worship and explore their faith. Rev. Albright has a Master’s of Divinity and Master’s of Arts in Counseling Ministries. JOHN BLOSNICH John Blosnich earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health Sciences from West Virginia University. His research focuses on how social stressors play key explanatory roles in health disparities among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (i.e., LGBT) populations. His research began with examining tobacco use among LGBT populations and has expanded to include suicide risk. He is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester and a Health Sciences Specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs VISN-2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention. His most recent work includes exploring how early life stress and childhood adversity associate with mental health disparities among LGBT populations. DOUGLAS M. EVANS, MA Corporate Development Associate Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Inc. Doug Evans has had the honor and privilege of serving as Marshall University’s LGBT Outreach Director from 2005 to 2009 prior to becoming an adjunct faculty member in the Marshall University Psychology Department. He is currently serving as a Corporate Development Associate with the Prestera Center for Mental Health Services. As the LGBT Outreach Director he helped secure a grant to redesign, redevelop, and promote the Marshall University Safe Space Program. Today, Doug’s work with Prestera Center and the Prestera Foundation is aimed at ensuring that all individuals dealing mental health and substance abuse issues have access to high quality mental health and addiction treatment services regardless of their ability to pay. He is also an advocate for the sensitive treatment of LGBT mental health consumers. Doug is originally from the southern coalfields [one word] near Beckley and has worked both in Huntington and in Charleston, where he now resides. 12 CONFERENCE FACULTY PHYLLIS CARTER On March 7, 2011, Judge Phyllis Carter assumed the role of Acting Executive Director of the West Virginia Human Rights Commission. For eleven years prior to being appointed Acting Executive Director, Judge Carter worked as the Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Commission. In her capacity as Chief Administrative Law Judge, she heard cases involving allegations of employment and public accommodation discrimination as well as violations of the West Virginia Fair Housing Act. Also, she has held numerous positions in West Virginia state government including Commissioner of the Division of Human Services, Executive Director, Division of Juvenile Services and Director of Federal State Relations in the office of Governor Gaston Caperton. Judge Carter is licensed to practice law before the West Virginia Bar, Virginia Bar and Arkansas Bar. She is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. She is a member of the Board of Governors for the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary. She is the immediate-past president of the West Virginia Association of Administrative Law Judges. Judge Carter graduated magna cum laude from St. Augustine’s College, Raleigh, North Carolina. While at St. Augustine’s, she studied at the Sorbonne and L’Alliance Francise in Paris, France. She holds a Juris Doctor Degree from the College of William and Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law, Williamsburg, Virginia, a Certificate in Administrative Law Adjudication and a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from the National Judicial College. She joined the faculty of the National Judicial College in 2007, where she teaches courses to attorneys and judges regarding courtroom issues. ISADORA HARRIS Isadora Harris was born and raised in Charleston. An alumni of George Washington High School, she was an active campaigner for local Democrats. Upon first attending West Virginia University, Isadora went through a process of coming out as transsexual and since then turned her activist devotion to LGBTQ rights. Isadora is now Chairperson of WVU Queer Student Union. FRANK HARTMAN, ESQ. A native of Buckhannon, West Virginia, Frank Hartman received his B.A. in American Studies (an American Literature and American History combined program) at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Upon graduation, he was selected as a Teach for America corps member and served a full two-year term as a fourth grade teacher in Baldwin, Louisiana. Accepted at the West Virginia University College of Law, Frank deferred his enrollment to become the statewide field coordinator for the 1996 Joe Manchin for Governor Campaign. After graduating from WVU, he clerked for the Honorable Thomas H. Keadle, Chief Judge of the 26th Judicial Circuit, and then established a family law firm in his home town of Buckhannon. While at Hartman & Hartman, he managed an extensive civil and criminal caseload. Five years into practicing law, Frank received a gubernatorial appointment to the West Virginia Insurance Commission as the Consumer Advocate. Hartman served as consumer advocate until joining the Charleston law firm of Lewis, Glasser, Casey & Rollins, where he had the opportunity to work with some of the most experienced lawyers in the valley. At Lewis Glasser, Frank litigated real estate, tort, contract, and election law matters in state court and was a registered lobbyist for business and civil rights interests in West Virginia. Frank is the founding member of Hartman Law & Government Affairs, PLLC, focusing on litigation, administrative and election law, and criminal defense. Frank is currently adjunct faculty at Glenville State College. A graduate of the 2009 Class of Leadership West Virginia, he is a former member of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Government Relations Committee and former chairman of the Upshur County Democratic Party. 13 CONFERENCE FACULTY JOEY MADIA Joey Madia is a playwright, teaching artist, director, and actor. He is the Artistic Director/Resident Playwright of Seven Stories Theatre Company, Inc. and Resident Playwright at Youth Stages, LLC. He has appeared in or directed over 80 plays. He specializes in social justice theatre and participatory plays for youth. His 17 plays for young audiences have been produced across the United States and his series of books on using theatre in the classroom (The Stage Learning Series, Accompany Publishing, 2007) is helping teachers redefine learning. He has written and performed pieces about Civil War captains Louis Emilio and Thomas Maulsby. As a teaching-artist he has worked with, taught, and mentored thousands of students in both theatre and creative writing and has spoken at many schools and national conferences. He specializes in working with young students and performers to develop new works in the classroom and for public performance as well as helping teachers integrate the Arts into their classrooms. He has worked with organizations including The Epilepsy Foundation of NJ and Camp NOVA to bring theatre to students with disabilities and has won three writing awards from VSA of NJ. His poetry, essays, and short stories have been widely published and have earned him several awards. His first novel, JesterKnight, was published in February of 2009. He is a book and music reviewer and the founding editor of www.newmystics.com, an art and literary site. PAUL MILAM Paul Milam is 24 years old and was born and raised in West Virginia. He currently works with the LGBT smoking cessation program at Covenant House in Charleston, WV. After attending college at the University of Findlay in Ohio he moved home in fall of 2009 and began to volunteer with PFLAG Charleston-Huntington. This led him to volunteering with other organizations like Rainbow Pride WV, The Living AIDS Memorial Garden, Covenant House and more. He was one of the Covenant House volunteers who helped collect data for the tobacco use among the LGBT community in WV. He became the Coordinator in 2011 for the Mpowerment Project, an HIV prevention program that targets young gay/bi men, at Covenant House. He is currently finishing a Bachelor’s Degree at Marshall University. ALEXANDRIA RUNYON Alexandria Runyon is currently a sixteen year-old junior at Cabell Midland High school, where she is the president of the Gay-Straight Alliance and the design editor of the school newspaper. She splits her time between both passions and hopes to be involved in both advocating for the LGBT community and journalism throughout her life. 14 CONFERENCE FACULTY DOUG SANBORN As the Manager of Community, Commerce, and Partnership, and national LGBT, for MillerCoors, a U.S. joint venture between SABMiller and Molson Coors, Doug Sanborn is responsible for leading all aspects of the company’s corporate relations programs as well as coordinating all aspects of leveraging MillerCoors equity in the LGBT Community. With more than 20 years of marketing, sales and management experience, Sanborn has helped develop a committed partnership between MillerCoors and the LGBT community. During his 11 plus years with the company, he has held field sales, management, Brand Marketing and Corporate Relations positions. He has successfully implemented national market development programs and partnerships with major LGBT organizations and community groups. His work has resulted in numerous awards and recognitions for MillerCoors, including receiving a perfect score for eight years in a row on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index. Sanborn’s leadership has resulted in numerous sponsorships/partnerships including the GLAAD, Trevor Project, Out and Equal, HRC, Out Serve, and the Matthew Shepard Foundation, where he currently serves on the Board of Directors. Prior to joining the company, Sanborn held sales and management positions for Fortune 500 companies including Campbell Soup Co, and Dr Pepper/Seven Up. A native of Alpena, Michigan, Sanborn graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Education. MICHAEL VINCENT Michael is case manager of the AIDS Residential and Resource Program and coordinator of the LGBT Smoking Cessation Program at Covenant House in Charleston. He moved to WV in 1982 with a BA from Indiana University, a Master’s from Yale University Divinity School and three years’ experience at the NYC Catholic Worker. While a program director at Catholic Charities WV, Michael received the WV Governor’s Martin Luther King Peace Award for creating an inmate family support program in Alderson and organizing community efforts against police brutality in Summers County. A licensed social worker, he lives in Cool Ridge with his spouse; they are proud parents of three children. JoELLEN ZACKS Charleston Area Alliance Throughout her career, JoEllen Bursinger Zacks has harnessed her legal, public policy and communication experience to lead meaningful change and organizational success. Senior vice president for the Charleston Area Alliance since 2007, she is responsible for policy and legal affairs, institutional advancement and the organization’s numerous professional development programs, including its “inclusion=innovation” diversity initiative. She was formerly the senior director for strategic communication at the American Bar Association in Chicago, where she directed a communication team of 150 to advance the 450,000-member organization’s lobbying, marketing and public education goals. Her work took her around the country to launch campaigns on topics ranging from tort reform to the death penalty to children’s rights, and to partner with the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush on issues of national importance. At the ABA, she championed a wide range of groundbreaking gender equity and racial justice issues with Association leaders such as Hillary Clinton and former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. JoEllen is the vice president of the Mountaineer Montessori School in Charleston and serves on the board of West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities. She is past president of the West Virginia Symphony League and has served on the boards of West Virginia Advocates, Girl Scouts of Chicago, Infant Welfare Society of Chicago, Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation Chicago Chapter, and the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. She holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin School of Journalism and JD from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago and is admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Illinois Supreme Court. She and her husband, Charleston native Ben Zacks, reside with their daughter in South Hills. 15 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE 8:00–9:00 Registration & Coffee 9:00–9:10 Welcome, Introductions, and Invocations 9:10-9:30 Keynote: “The State of Equality in West Virginia” 9:30–10:45Panel: Hard Work Doesn’t Discriminate This panel is dedicated to documenting the experiences of workers who have been discriminated against for their sexual orientation and taken action against such offenses. This panel will feature experts in law, politics, and human rights. 11:00-12:15Panel: Beyond Bullying: Other Experiences of LGBT Youth This panel is dedicated to urging schools to go beyond the statewide bullying reporting requirement to passing stronger protections for all students to reduce rates of homelessness, suicide, and substance abuse. The panel will feature youth and prevention experts. 12:15-1:30 Lunch & Networking Groups 1:30-2:30Breakout Sessions Alexandria Runyon, President of Cabell Midland High Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), and Isadora Harris, chairperson of West Virginia University’s Queer Student Union, will present on programs their organizations have done. This will be followed by a brainstorming session on the topic. Doug Sanborn, Manager of Community Commerce Partnerships for MillerCoors, will speak about his company’s LGBT partnership strategy. JoEllen Zacks, Senior Vice President of the Charleston Area Alliance, will present the Alliance’s unique research project called MAGNET: Managing, Attracting and Growing New and Existing Talent. The goal of this project is to identify opportunities and obstacles to building a world-class, diverse professional workforce that will help the Kanawha Valley be competitive in a global marketplace. 2:45-3:45Breakout Sessions Frank Hartman, of hartmanmullins Government & Communications, LLC, and Joey Madia, Artistic Director and Resident Playwright of Seven Stories Theatre Company, Inc., will be providing an introduction on lobbying community leaders. Jay Adams, HIV Care Coordinator of Ryan White Part B State Direct Services, will present on HIV and AIDS policy and the social stigma attached to knowing your status. Rev. Kay Albright, of Bridges of Grace United Church of Christ, will present on talking to people of faith about gay and trans issues. John Blosnich, a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Rochester, with Michael Vincent and Paul Milam, of the Covenant House, will present on how your local community can work to change the high rates of smoking among individuals who are LGBT. 4:00-5:00Breakout Sessions Cynthia DeVille, owner of Cynthia Hair and Nails, will present Transgender 101, an introduction to the issues faced by people who are gender non-conforming. Robert Dunlap, Esq will present on current non-discrimination law and the importance of documenting incidents. Doug Evans, former Director of Marshall University’s LGBT office, will present on essential elements for a successful safe space program. 16 SPONSORS n... Our missioPLATINUM to increase access to services for individuals at-risk, or infected with, HIV disease and to provide quality, Stephen G. Skinner comprehensive patient care in a safe Andrew C. Skinner environment for all lesbian, L A W gay, F I R M Laura C. Davis bisexual and transgender West Virginians. We are located at CAMC Memorial Hospital. www.SkinnerFirm.com 304.725.7029 SK IN N ER BRONZE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF WEST VIRGINIA PO BOX 3952 CHARLESTON, WV 24339-3952 (304)345-9246 NON-PROFIT WWW.ACLUWV.ORG BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF. Toll-free: 1-877-565-4423 camc.org/ryanwhite West Virginia Wesleyan College Gender Studies Minor Courses include: Queer Theory/Queer Lives IN KIND Masculinities Motherhood in American History Gender Communication Gender, Sexuality, Politics: Debates in Contemporary African Contexts For more information, contact the Coordinator of Gender Studies Jessica Scott [email protected] (304) 473-8360 17 STAN SPEA Fairness WV and AC launched WV Bullyanti-bullying policies every child is entitle learning environmen To learn more about have your voice hea Our mission... to increase access to services for individuals at risk for, or infected with, HIV disease and to provide quality, comprehensive patient care in a safe environment for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender West Virginians. We are located at CAMC Memorial Hospital. Toll-free: 1-877-565-4423 • camc.org/ryanwhite 24692-J12 Applauds the work of FAIRNESS WEST VIRGINIA Keep up the Fight 2012 GALA TABLE CAPTAINS ACLU of WV Gary Blake Christina Dalton & Abi Ayers Cnythia DeVille Robert Dunlap Coy Flowers & Jonathan Hemby Dwight Foley Gaddy Engineering Company Aaron Gumm & Justin Gilmore Rainbow Pride of West Virginia Inc. Lou Ann Johnson Jamie McCormick Joshua McGrath Joe Racalto Randall Reid-Smith / Douglas Sanborn Stephen Skinner & Jeffrey Gustafson Tim Wheeler & Bob Alcock Fran Whiteman WV Free WV Wesleyan 19 STAND UP. SPEAK OUT. Fairness WV and ACLU of West Virginia have launched WV Bully-Free to secure effective anti-bullying policies in West Virginia, because every child is entitled to a safe, secure learning environment free from harassment. To learn more about these efforts and how to have your voice heard visit: wvbullyfree.com. GALA SCHEDULE 6:30 Registration & Reception 7:15Welcome & Invocation Rev. Shauna Hyde, Pastor of Parish Life, Christ Church United Methodist, Charleston 7:30Performance by Charleston Gay Men’s Chorale Dinner 8:302012 Fairness WV Institute Award Presentation Accuracy & Fairness in Media Award Hoppy Kercheval Public Leadership Award Dr. Jorea Marple Ian Gibson-Smith Award Stephen Skinner Special Recognition to Larry Matheney Diego Sanchez 9:30 Closing Remarks Program printed by Program designed by matthewminch [email protected] 840 North Jefferson Street · Lewisburg, WV 24901 304-793-6300 www.postnet.com/lewisburg-wv102 21 William McKee, Jr. Cindy S. McGhee CPA / PFS, CFP® CPA / PFS, CTFA, CRSP [email protected] [email protected] 304.206.3308 304.206.3310 STAND UP. Investigate SPEAK and see whyOUT. A&F Financial Advisors is unique. Fairness WV and ACLU of West Virginia have launched WV Bully-Free to secure effective anti-bullying policies in West Virginia, because every child is entitled to a safe, secure learning environment free from harassment. To learn more about these efforts and how to have your voice heard visit: wvbullyfree.com. AF Center 101 Washington Street East Charleston, West Virginia 25301 304.206.3338 • 800.642.3601 www.affinancialadvisors.com AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF WEST VIRGINIA PO BOX 3952 CHARLESTON, WV 24339-3952 (304)345-9246 WWW.ACLUWV.ORG BECAUSE FREEDOM CAN’T PROTECT ITSELF. 2012 AWARD RECIPIENTS ACCURACY AND FAIRNESS IN MEDIA AWARD HOPPY KERCHEVAL Presented for his steadfast and public support of LGBT rights, including marriage equality and the Employment and Housing Non-Discrimination Act. The radio “dean” of West Virginia broadcasters, Hoppy Kercheval joined West Virginia Radio Corporation in 1976. Through the years Hoppy’s assignments have spanned the gamut to include news, sports, and talk. A native of Summit Point in Jefferson County, Hoppy began as a news anchor/reporter at WAJR in Morgantown while still attending West Virginia University. After graduating with honors from WVU, Kercheval took over as News Director at WAJR and began carving an identity as the state of West Virginia’s most professional and respected broadcast journalist. A founding father of Metronews, Kercheval served as News Director until assuming the role of Vice President of Operations in 1991. In 1993, he created Metronews Talkline, which has become a signature program of the network. Hoppy’s gift of interviewing has made Talkline a must-listen for lawmakers and anyone interested in state politics and the day’s top news events. In addition to his Metronews assignments, Kercheval has been a key member of the Mountaineers Sports Network. His pre-game, halftime, and post-game scores and highlight features have become a staple of MSN broadcasts. An avid traveler, Hoppy’s adventures have taken him to fifteen different countries in Central and South America, Europe, and Asia. 23 2012 AWARD RECIPIENTS PUBLIC LEADERSHIP AWARD STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS JOREA M. MARPLE Presented for her work in making all West Virginia students safer. Jorea M. Marple took over as West Virginia’s 27th state superintendent of schools on March 1, 2011. As superintendent, Marple oversees West Virginia’s public school system, which includes 55 individual school districts, serving about 282,000 students in preschool through 12th grade. Marple, who has a doctorate in education administration from West Virginia University, has more than 35 years of experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, university instructor, principal, assistant county superintendent, county superintendent, assistant state superintendent and deputy state superintendent. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Fairmont State and a master of arts in reading from WVU. She also is a published author on effective school leadership. Marple has experience in West Virginia schools in Marion, Monongalia, Greenbrier and Kanawha counties. As a principal at Tiskelwah Elementary School in Kanawha County, she helped students significantly improve their standardized test scores, which earned Tiskelwah a National Blue Ribbon School distinction. As an assistant state superintendent and deputy state superintendent, she has helped guide the state’s journey to create a responsive and accountable 21st century school system. Her responsibilities have included working to create the state’s 21st century learning program, “Global 21: Students deserve it. The world demands it.” The plan, which has garnered West Virginia national and international attention, includes increased rigor and relevance and incorporates realworld learning and performance skills, such as problem solving and creative thinking, into state standards. Marple also has been involved in the state Department of Education’s work with pre-K programs, school technology implementation, school leadership development programs, reading initiatives and teacher quality efforts. On the international front, Marple has been selected to participate in the Global Education Leaders Program. Based in London, the program’s goal is to develop in-depth, sustainable transformation practices beyond the simple exchange of ideas. Nationally, Marple served as a leader within the National Urban and Suburban School Association. She was invited to participate in both the Columbia and Harvard universities’ superintendent academies. She has worked with the U.S. Department of Education, Partnership for 21st Century Skills, Council of Chief State School Officers, other state departments of education, the State Educational Technology Directors Association, the National Association of Test Directors, the National Association of Special Education Teachers and the National Staff Development Council. She also has been honored as a YWCA Woman of Achievement. Marple and her husband, Attorney General Darrell V. McGraw Jr., live in Charleston. They are the parents of two adult children. 24 2012 AWARD RECIPIENTS IAN GIBSON-SMITH AWARD STEPHEN SKINNER For exemplifying LGBT activism in West Virginia by his outstanding service, professionalism, and performance in his daily life, FWVI proudly announces this year’s recipient of the Ian Gibson-Smith Award to Fairness West Virginia founder, Stephen Skinner. Stephen Skinner was born and raised in Jefferson County, West Virginia. He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1986, West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1990 in the Honors Program and the West Virginia University College of Law in 1994. Prior to College, he attended the West Virginia Governor’s Honors Academy and Mountaineer Boys State. During college, he also studied at Wroxton College in the United Kingdom before returning to West Virginia Wesleyan and becoming the Student Government President. He began his legal career by working with his father in Charles Town from 1994 until 1999 when he moved to New York City. In New York, Skinner represented aviation disaster and other catastrophically injured victims, including victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. He traveled extensively with his New York firm before he returned to West Virginia in 2004 to rejoin his father and his brother where he continues to handle catastrophic injury, consumer suits across the country. He also has a public information and first amendment practice. He is admitted to the bars of West Virginia, New York, the District of Columbia, the United States District Courts in New York, West Virginia and District of Columbia and United States Supreme Court. His a member of the American Association for Justice, the District of Columbia Trial Lawyers Association, the West Virginia Association for Justice, Public Justice, the National Crime Victim Bar Association and the Brain Injury Association of West Virginia. He is a former President of the Board of Trustees of the Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University and continues to serve on CATF’s board. He is a board member of the Shepherd University Foundation and is an appointed member of the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. This past year, Stephen was the lead counsel in the redistricting lawsuit challenging congressional redistricting in West Virginia. Although successful in overturning the re-districting, the United States Supreme Court reversed the lower court and the case has been returned to the lower court. Stephen is the founder of and was the first board president of Fairness West Virginia. In 2011, both Stephen and Fairness West Virginia were recognized by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission with “Living the Dream” award for his work in promoting LGBT rights. In 2008 Skinner was elected as a pledged Barack Obama delegate in the 2nd District of West Virginia. In 2010, Stephen was elected to the Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee. In January 2012, Stephen filed to run for the House of Delegates for the 67th District which includes Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry. If elected, he will become West Virginia’s first openly gay member of the legislature. Stephen and his partner, Jeffrey Gustafson, live on a small farm in Shenandoah Junction. 25 INDIVIDUALS RECOGNIZED DIEGO SANCHEZ, SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR TO CONGRESSMAN BARNEY FRANK Recognized for his decades of work in Congress and beyond on behalf of transgender people. Diego Miguel Sanchez, APR, is Senior Policy Advisor to Congressman Barney Frank (MA-4) and is the first openly transgender person to work on Capitol Hill in DC plus the first to be appointed to a DNC Standing Committee (Platform) in 2008 when he was also a DNC At-Large Delegate and PLEO. As a veteran advocate for social justice and civil rights, Diego has 32 years of award-winning expertise in global public relations, marketing and diversity management at world headquarters of Fortune 500 companies including The CocaCola Company, Holiday Inn Worldwide, ITT Sheraton Corp. and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. He introduced more than 50 global programs and 20 global brands including Diet Coke®, Combos®, Crowne Plaza® and The St. Regis®. He was named in the Top 100 Most Powerful Latinos in Corporate America, Outstanding Congressional Staffer in the 112th Congress, a Capital Champion, an LGBT Latino Hero in DC, twice selected for El Planeta’s Poderometro and was twice nominated as Pride Grand Marshal in Boston and in 2012 received Boston Latino Pride’s Ejemplar Award. He is a founding Board Member of Somos Latinos LGBT Massachusetts, the National Center for Transgender Equality and was the first Co-Chair with Holly Ryan of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. Diego serves on the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee, sits on its Diversity Committee and was an AtLarge Delegate from Massachusetts at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. He is also on the Board of The Boston Foundationís new Equality Fund and is President and COO of the Federal Equality Coalition, FedQ. He was South Carolina Pride Grand Marshal last year and this year was the keynote speaker at the U.S. Census Bureau’s Pride event, standing in for Congressman Frank. His Bachelor’s in Journalism is from The University of Georgia, where he was a Rhodes Scholar candidate and tennis letterman, earned on the women’s tennis team. He is a Senior Fellow of The Emerging Leaders Program in the College of Management at UMass/Boston. Diego is a nationally recognized speaker and interviewee on topics including LGBT civil rights, healthcare disparities, public relations and diversity management. Having moved to Massachusetts in 1991, he lives in Dorchester and Washington, DC. LARRY MATHENEY, SECRETARY/TREASURER FOR WEST VIRGINIA’S AFL-CIO Recognized for his staunch support of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender workers. Matheney first became a union member in UMWA District #50 in 1966. His local merged with the United Steel Workers of America, Local #12625, in 1972. Matheney served USWA Local #12625 in various offices including Steward, Recording Secretary, and Vice-President. He was President for five terms. Most recently, Matheney was the USWA Labor 2004 State Coordinator and the Legislative Coordinator for West Virginia. He was elected as a Vice-President of the West Virginia AFL-CIO in 1997 and served in that capacity until his term as Secretary-Treasurer began on August 16, 2004 Matheney recently put the full force of the AFL-CIO behind the passage of the Employment and Housing NonDiscrimination Act (EHNDA). Notably, Matheney penned a very public editorial, urging the House of Delegates to make EHNDA a priority and urged them to swiftly pass it out of the House. It is because of his dedication to workplace and employment rights that the Board of Directors voted to recognize Matheney for his efforts. 26 John C. Bullock, PE & CPG President 303 Washington Street West Charleston West Virginia w// 304-342-0300 f// 304-342-4300 WV FREE salutes Fairness WV & honorees: Hoppy Kercheval, Dr. Jorea Marple, Larry Matheney, Stephen Skinner & Diego Sanchez For their commitment to equality and justice for LGBTQ people in West Virginia. Join us in the fight for reproductive justice for all West Virginians! Sign up for free action alerts & info at www.wvfree.org. 14th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance Join Asbury as they remember one of their own, Tiffany Sloan, as they celabrate 10 years as a member of the Reconciling Ministry Network. Asbury United Methodist Church 501 Elizabeth Street, Charleston, WV 25311 November 18, 2012 at 11:30 am 304-520-1170 or [email protected] Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it. www.transgenderdor.org WORLD AIDS DAY DECEMBER 1, 2012 ~George Santayana service and candlelight vigil Asbury United Methodist Church 501 Elizabeth Street · Charleston, WV 304-344-8053 x18 Living AIDS Memorial Garden Our Mission: To establish and maintain a Garden in memory of those who have died of AIDS, provide a place of reflection for those who are living with AIDS, and for those who are survivors. You can support our efforts by becoming a Garden member. Please visit www.livingaidsmemorialgarden.org Fairness Action is the political action committee (PAC) affiliated with Fairness WV. PAC funds are used to provide support to pro-equality candidates who want to promote a climate of fairness and tolerance in West Virginia. "The time has come for the LGBT community in West Virginia to engage in the political process with full force." 120 W. Washington Street • Charleston, WV 25302 • 304-342-1186 Visit us on Facebook. www.winterfloralandantiques.com SAGA Straight and Gay Alliance 1105 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25301 http://sagaofstjohns.weebly.com/ An inclusive group founded by Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Charleston, to advocate the dignity of human sexuality in the spirit of God’s love. “Saga Second Sunday” offers a safe place for those who may be questioning their sexuality or who are looking for a supportive community with whom to share some time. All are welcome to join us at 12:30pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month except June. Room 209 at St. Johns, take the elevator to 2R. St. John's Episcopal Church of Charleston, West Virginia Welcomes You Sunday services at 8 and 10:30 am We reach out to the world in Christ’s name in hope that all might find a home in God’s healing love. HARTMAN LAW GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, PLLC “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” – Martin Luther King, Jr. 879 Chester Road, Charleston, WV 25302 www.hartmanlga.com Almost heaven. C o r r i d o r G a t S o u t h r i d ge • s m i t hcar s . co m • f aceb o o k . co m / s cm c w v • 8 0 0 . 4 2 7. 4 0 3 4 Where Equality Matters Every Day SK I NNER L A W F I R M www.SkinnerFirm.com Stephen G. Skinner Andrew C. Skinner Laura C. Davis 304.725.7029