10-January-2000 12:54 PM
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*Important information in the Miscellaneous section at the bottom of this e-mail. Please do not skip!*
ESC UPDATE:
Please join us in welcoming Robert C. Marshall as the newest ESC member!
KOLAGE EVENT:
Bowling, this Saturday, 1/15/00 at The Express Lanes on Monroe at 1PM. Meet in the Lobby. Please call Sam Clapp @ x34440 for more information.
DIVERSITY ADVISORY COUNCIL UPDATE: (Good news!)
Robert C. Marshall attended the 1/7/00 Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) meeting scheduled with Doug Ivester. Below is a brief synopsis:
"Doug Ivester was not present at the forum. Instead, we had Jack Stahl. Other's notably present were DAC members, Melody Jones and Leslie Taylor. I did bring up KOLAGE. Jack and Melody did agree there should be company support for such groups. The DAC is working on making sure groups like KOLAGE are supported within KO. They also think it is a good idea to include information about such groups in First Day Forward and on The Coke Machine. No great policy discussion, but they didn't have any problem with occasional e-mail updates, so we can certainly continue that. Sorry, but I did not get into domestic partner benefits due to time constraints."
As far as the ESC is aware, there were no big surprises with the exception of Stahl's presence. The issues mentioned in Robert's synopsis were addressed with DAC/KOLAGE member, Michael Chavez in a July meeting with the ESC. The best thing to come out of the Forum with Robert and Mr. Stahl was verbal confirmation that it was okay for KOLAGE to send out e-mails on the company system. Thank you, Robert for taking the initiative to sign up for this important forum!
WEB-SITE in PROCESS!
We are still in process of setting up a web-site for KOLAGE members. The ESC is meeting on Tuesday 1/11/00 and will include a discussion on the progress of the site. Details will follow in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
CURRENT EVENTS: (Note: The following is provided for your information. There is no KOLAGE requirement or obligation that you follow up on any actions mentioned. We simply strive to provide you with current events and items of interest. What you do with this information is your decision, not KOLAGE's, the government 's or anyone else's.)
Dear Friends,
The issue of same-sex marriage has been in the forefront of
the news again. Regardless of your stand on the issue, there are
two ways you can currently get involved.
FIRST, Vote.com (http://www.vote.com/vote/1649219) is
doing a pro/con vote on same sex marriage. They will be
forwarding the results to Congress.
AT THE PRESENT TIME THE ANTI SAME SEX MARRIAGE VOTE IS
WINNING BY A 63:37 MARGIN.
Please, hit this site. Submitting your vote will take
all of 30 seconds. Even if you don't necessarily believe
that the gay/lesbian community should take on marriage as an
issue, and even if you're of the opinion that same sex marriage
is *not* in our country's best interest, please remember
that marriage is a legal contract that has ramifications for
the community regarding healthcare, immigration, housing and
taxes. The Vote.com site is well conceived, presenting
facts and arguments on both sides of this issue, so you can do
some reading before placing your vote if that is of interest to
you .Please take the time to voice your opinion on this important
matter.
SECOND, As you may know, the Supreme Court of Vermont recently ruled that committed homosexual relationships should have the same rights and privileges afforded to married straight couples. (There are over 1,000 rights that come with marriage which are currently denied to gay couples including hospital visitation/medical decisions, rights of survivorship, filing joint tax returns, etc.) I feel this is a VERY important first step towards equality in America.
However, the Governor's office of Vermont has been BOMBARDED with phone calls by anti-gay individuals opposing the recent decision - primarily fueled by the "Doctor Laura" radio program which gave out the phone number. I called the Governor's office, and spoke to the secretary, who was VERY nice, but who said that I was one of only a HANDFUL of callers who SUPPORT this huge step towards equal rights. Please take the time to contact the Gov's office and register your support in this vital issue. I'm hoping, of course, that you're on my "side" of this issue, but in the efforts of true democracy, I'm hoping you'll call or email to voice your opinion regardless of which way you feel. Governor Howard Dean's office - (802) 828-3333 8AM-4PM. FAX (802) 828-3339 or e-mail the Lieutenant Governor - Douglas A. Racine at ltgov@leg.state.vt.us with a brief note to register your support.
AND PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE!
Thanks!
MISCELLANEOUS:
For information concerning the first WORLD PRIDE ROME 2000 (1-9 July), send an e-mail to David Beauchamp at dcbeau@mindspring.com. David has itinerary and other details available.
For information concerning the details regarding Dr. Laura's
syndicated radio show commentary mentioned in the above Vermont
article, send an e-mail to David Beauchamp at dcbeau@mindspring.com.
If you would rather receive these KOLAGE e-mails at your home e-mail
address, please forward your e-mail address to David Beauchamp in
Lotus Notes and request to have your name removed from the
internal distribution list.
If you have received this e-mail in error or would like to
request an update or change in status concerning your e-mail
address, please let me know.
Thank you,
David Beauchamp (x67741)