Welcome To The New Lesbi Gay Programs Director
FROM THE GRASSROOTS
Welcome to the New Les/Bi/Gay Programs Director
Please visit the U-M Lesbian/Gay Male/Bisexual Programs Office (LGMBPO) to greet the new Director, Ronni Sanlo! Ronni comes to us from Jacksonville, Florida, where she has worked since 1987 as human services program manager of the AIDS Surveillance Program Office, Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. Ronni has also served as a consultant and educator with sexual minority and HIV/AIDS concerns; she has taught these topics at Florida Community College and the University of North Florida. Ronni has also worked as a family group therapist, a vocational rehabilitation specialist, and as a state lobbyist on lesbigay civil rights issues.
Ronni has a bachelor's degree in music and English from the University of Florida. She received a master's degree in mental health counseling and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Florida. We welcome Ronni and look forward to many years of her effective leadership.
Early in her Ann Arbor sojourn Ronni and the other members of our community will have the opportunity to participate in the Ann Arbor Aid for AIDS Walkathon, the Second Annual Pledge Walk for AIDS. The Walk is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, rain or shine. Registration is at 9:30 am at the Detroit Edison parking lot, Main at William. Call 761-2535 to obtain a pledge form.
After the Walkathon, please come over to Federal Plaza, Liberty at Fifth Avenue, for our annual Pride Rally, held Saturday, June 11 (it was moved from the end of the month due to Stonewall 25 events in New York City). We'll be gathering at 12:30 pm, after the Walkathon. Please join us for a time of rousing speeches and music! Locally, we're celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots that sparked our present-day liberation movement. Cali LGMBPO at 763-4186 to confirm time and location.
The day after our Pride Rally brings the 1994 Michigan March and Rally for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Rights. Events will occur in Lansing. Participants in the March and Rally will gather at noon at the Lansing City Market, Shiawassee at Cedar. The March begins at 1 pm, followed by the Rally at the East steps of the State Capitol at 2 pm. A Festival with booths, food, and entertainment is scheduled at Riverfront Park, west of the Lansing City Market, from 3 pm to 6 pm. Note that all times are approximate. For more information, call 517-393-6183. Come out and celebrate!
We are also celebrating U-M's decision to begin implementing the recommendations of the 14.06 Task Force, the group convened by UM President James Duderstadt to examine the possibility of providing benefits to same-sex partners of University employees and students. These benefits include health insurance and access to Family Housing. The decision, made by the University's Board of Regents on May 20, follows upon their September 24, 1993 addition of sexual orientation to the list of categories protected from discrimination under Regental ByLaw 14.06. Many thanks to the Regents who supported this move (all the Regents except Deane Baker) and to President Duderstadt. Regents McFee, McGowan, Deitch, and Power spoke eloquently to our concerns, as did President Duderstadt. Other speakers offered information and moving statements of support at the Regents' Public Comments session on May 19. This decision marks another highly significant advancement of justice for members of our community.
Gay Liberation Front, c/o 3116 Michigan Union, 530 S. State, Ann Arbor, Ml 48109-1349; 763-4186.