Just talked to Nancy Hilden (612-718-3503) again. She was the lobbyist I mentioned in yesterday's post. She is an employee of Faegre and Benson, and is lobbying at the legislature to get funding for the Urban Ventures project, the Colin Powell Youth Center. I called her to tell her the information she gave me regarding Mark Lundquist was incorrect - that he was not the Executive Director of the organization. She also said "you know, you are just a bit player, and I've been told you have alot of baggage in the neighborhood." I asked her what she meant by that, but she wouldn't elaborate. What is that called: when you can't argue the issues, attack the person. Ad Hominem wasn't it?
Mark Lundquist, Urban Ventures Director of Programs (612-638-1016) said that they have a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation. He also said they have served gay kids in their youth programs. They have also had gay staff members. David Piehl writes: I don't know much about what the Center for Fathering has done since Art Erickson booted the founder (who was truly an inspiring individual - and who sued for wrongful termination, by the way), but MadDads is VJ Smith's work, not Urban Ventures', so I'm not sure why Urban Ventures is trying to take credit for VJ's work. EY: I'll agree MADDADs is VJ Smith's work, and he's done good work in the neighborhood. I've seen VJ at meetings. I asked Lundquist about the suit regarding the Center for Fathering -- and this suit must have predated him -- because he did not know about it. You can reach Lundquist at: 612-638-1016, if you want to talk directly to him and find out more. David Piehl writes: How presumtious and insulting to assume that the African American Aids Task Force is a gay organization! Are they implying that all people with AIDS must be gay? NEWSFLASH: AIDS happens to people of all ethinc groups and sexual orientations!! I recently heard a study quoted that said the largest increase in AIDS is among non-gay people of color. Since when has a relationship with an AIDS related agency equivalent to a relationship with the gay community? Would a relationship with Tammy Faye Baker then be equivalent to a relationship with Urban Ventures? EY: I disagree. The African American AIDS Task force is reaching out to African American Gay or Bisexual men. Also, among gay men who have AIDS or HIV, African American men are disproportionately represented -- and frighteningly so. And this is an area where it is important for the black community and the gay community to work together. I would like to see that study David. I understand that the AIDS and STD infection rate is increasing again among young gay men. Lundquist claims to have gotten the signatures of people in 500 different households in the neighborhood supporting this project. He also said they had the petition translated into Spanish, Somalian, Hmong -- and other languages. I would be interested to see those petitions. ========================================== Eva Eva Young Central Neighborhood Minneapolis _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
