LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
In Brief |
Kathleen DeBold Named to Head Mautner Project After an extensive nationwide search, the Mary-Helen Mautner Project for Lesbians with Cancer announced the selection of longtime lesbian activist Kathleen DeBold as the Project's new executive director. According to Mautner Project founder Susan Hester, "Kathleen is the leader we need in our second decade as an organization. She brings compassion, vision, skills and experience. She is exactly the person we were looking for to serve our clients, volunteers and donors." The nation's premier organization for lesbians with cancer, the Mautner Project relies on more than 250 dedicated volunteers to accomplish its mission. In addition to providing direct services to lesbians with cancer, their families and care givers in the Washington, DC-Metro area, the Mautner Project provides information and counseling to the lesbian community about cancer; educates the healthcare community about the special concerns of lesbian families touched by cancer; and is a leading advocate for lesbian health issues both locally and nationally. "Mautner is one of the best things our community has ever done," says DeBold, "and I am very proud to dedicate myself to taking this outstanding organization to the next level." A successful organizational consultant, DeBold has put her talents to work for such diverse groups as the Naiad Press, Lambda Literary Foundation, and the National Stonewall Democratic Federation (for whom she coordinated the first annual convention in Atlanta this May). She built a solid national reputation during nearly seven years of service as political and deputy director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. DeBold has been a Mautner volunteer for many years, serving on special event and fundraising committees and as a client services team member. DeBold notes, "I come from a generation of women-loving women who promised to take care of each other in this heterosexist world. The Mautner Project is keeping that promise." DeBold's appointment has received praise from local and national leaders. "Kathleen is the perfect choice for the Mautner Project as we enter a challenging new decade," says National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Kerry Lobel. "She has tremendous vision and integrity, is well-respected locally and nationally, and has the skills and expertise to extend Mautner's reach and level of recognition to new communities and donors." Former board member and longtime Mautner volunteer Helen Gonzales says, "In the five years I've known Kathleen, she's always struck me as a go-getter- someone who is always on the move, raising money and getting volunteers to further the important work of different organizations. To top it off, she's warm, caring, and funny." A graduate of the University of Maryland and an avid beekeeper, DeBold took "one small step for feminism" in the late seventies by becoming the first woman apiary inspector for the state of Maryland. After many years as the sales and marketing director for a successful non-profit organization, she let her desire to do meaningful grassroots work with women lead her to more than five years of community service in the Central African Republic, first with the Peace Corps and then with Africare. Although she loved her work overseas, DeBold returned to the U. S. when she realized that "being a lesbian was a very important part of my identity. That made me want to do empowering work in our own communities." She also wanted to be with her life-partner, Naiad author Barbara Johnson, with whom she will celebrate 25 years together on Dec. 1, 1999. Note: In lieu of anniversary gifts, they are asking friends to contribute to the Mautner Project, 1707 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. Gay Youth Safe Zone Sought by Parents In response to the Maryland State Board of Education's decision not to include specific language to protect gay students from harassment, the area's largest group for families of lesbian and gay people expressed disappointment and concern, but committed to work with the school system to ensure a safe environment for all youth. "Gay youth are the most frequent targets of abuse in schools," said Sheron Rosen, a Maryland parent and member of the Metro-DC Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). "We are disappointed with the Maryland State Board of Education's decision not to include specific language to protect gay students from harassment in Maryland public schools. We want our children to be safe in school, and we're concerned that a vaguely worded regulation won't protect them from harassment, ridicule and abuse. However, we intend to work with the school system to make the schools safe for our children." In recent school surveys, more than 6% of Connecticut students, 8% of Seattle students and nearly 5% of Wisconsin students were harassed or victimized because they were known or perceived to be gay. Heterosexual students who are perceived to be gay are also at risk for harassment and abuse; 6% or 1 out of 16 youth in Seattle public schools were victimized because other students thought they were gay. In a school climate survey of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth in 32 states sponsored by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) and released last month, 90% of gay youth reported hearing anti-gay epithets sometimes or often at school, while 61% reported experiencing verbal abuse, harassment or assault. "We hope the Board heard our concerns and that they send a clear message. Harassment based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated," said Rosen. PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, their families and friends. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 15, Nov. 24, 1999 |