Family Physicians
Back GL Families
The American Academy of Family Physicians governing body, the Congress of Delegates, adopted a new policy Oct. 16 that advocates for children with lesbian and gay parents. The delegates called for the Academy to "establish policy and be supportive of legislation which promotes a safe and nurturing environment, including psychological and legal security, for all children, including those of adoptive parents, regardless of the parents' sexual orientation."
The vote was taken at the AAFP's annual Scientific Assembly in San Diego. The AAFP represents more than 93,500 physicians and medical students nationwide.
"As family physicians who care for all ages, we believe the health of America's children is of the utmost importance," said Warren A. Jones, M.D. and president of the AAFP, in an AAFP news release. "Children deserve to be raised and protected in a safe and nurturing environment. This policy advocates for the family in all its complexities and particularly for children."
By supporting the psychological and legal security of all children, the AAFP's new adoption policy reaffirms its definition of family, which now reads: "The family is a group of individuals with a continuing legal, genetic, and/or emotional relationship. Society relies on the family group to provide for the economic and protective needs of individuals, especially the children and the elderly."
Pearl Hart
Ceremony Set
The ceremony honoring Pearl Hart and other honorees as recipients of a Chicago Tribute Marker of Distinction has been set for Sunday, Nov. 3. It will take place at Maxim's/The Nancy Goldberg International Center, 24 East Goethe Street, from 1 to 3 p.m. Those wishing to attend should make a reservation by calling the city's hotline for the event at ( 312 ) 744-2032.
The event will feature Martha Webster and the Free Associates Theatre Company presenting "Dialogues With Dooley," in the format of a radio drama. The title of the production comes from the name of another of the honorees, Finley Peter Dunne. Dunne wrote a popular turn-or-the-century newspaper column, the center of which was a fictionalized character named "Mr. Dooley." Each of the Tribute Marker honorees will be represented in the play by one of the troupe's actors.
Playwright Lorraine Hansberry will also be honored at the event.
Hart's marker will be at 2821 N. Pine Grove, while Hansberry's will be at 5936 S. King Dr.
Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune will be the master of ceremonies for the event. The festivities will include a musical performance in the spirit of Nat King Cole, another of the honorees. In addition, free Trolley Tours of nearby Tribute Markers will be available. Admission to the Chicago Historical Society, a stone's throw away from the Goldberg Center, will be free.
Relatives of lesbian attorney Pearl Hart will be travelling to Chicago from across the country for this special event. Pearl Hart enjoyed a six-decade legal career beginning in 1914. Her practice focused on representing children, women, immigrants and gay men and lesbians. She is being honored for her tireless work as an advocate for these groups, and for her role as a civic leader in 20th Century Chicago. Hart founded numerous organizations, taught criminal law for a quarter-century at John Marshall Law School, her alma mater, and ran for public office.
The Tribute Marker for Hart will be erected in front of her residence of more than 25 years. The marker features a brief biography and photograph of Hart. Hart was honored previously by the city with her induction as a 1992 member of the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. Gerber/Hart Library, named in her honor, nominated her for a Tribute Marker last year.
Mary Hunt and Morris Floyd to Speak at LGBT Archives Dinner
Chicago Theological Seminary hosts a dinner and program for the LGBT Religious Archives Network Saturday, Oct. 26. The program will feature Dr. Mary E. Hunt, Catholic feminist theologian and co-director of the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual, and Rev. Morris Floyd, former spokesperson of Affirmation: United Methodists for LGBT Concerns, addressing "Meet a Nice Girl/Boy in Church: Reflections on LGBT Religious Movements in the 1970s & 1980s."
The dinner and program will be held at the McGiffert House, 5751 S. Woodlawn, $25 ( $10 students ) , ( 773 ) 322-0290 or mbowman@lgbtran.org; www.lgbtran.org .
Death Penalty Confab
The National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty will hold its annual conference in Chicago Oct. 24-27 at the Radisson Hotel, 160 E. Huron. Conference speakers include actor Danny Glover and Sister Helen Prejean ( author of Dead Man Walking ) .
Call ( 202 ) 543-9577; www.ncadp.org .
One of the conference workshops is "SILENCE = DEATH PENALTY: Organizing LGBTI Voices Against Capital Punishment, Oct. 26, 2 p.m. The workshop will explore the use of homophobia, sexism and racism to seek and obtain the death penalty against LGBTI people.
