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In 1972, when the Gay Activist Alliance in Morris County (GAAMC) was founded, there were already “Gay Activist Alliances” in several other counties in New Jersey. GAAMC is the lone survivor of those early community-building groups and has become one of the oldest suburban-based GLBTI groups in the United States.

While you don’t have to be a member to attend meetings, your membership helps GAAMC to grow, broadening our sphere of influence. Membership benefits include a subscription to our monthly newsletter, Challenge, a reduced door donation on Monday nights, and voting privileges.

Our facilities are partially wheelchair-accessible. We can also provide sign language interpreters for the hearing-impaired. (Please send an e-mail request to info (at) gaamc (dot) org.

GAAMC’s Four Purposes

Social: We always have time to talk with each other. Many of our meetings focus on fun, such as the barbecues, the annual Holiday Show, the Halloween Costume Party, the $1.98 Beauty Pageant, movie nights, and game nights. Amy Fix, Michael Holland, Peter Donnelly, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and Janet Villas have entertained us recently. There are also performances by talented GAAMC members.

Educational: Many interesting topics are explored through panel or group discussions and guest speakers. Recent topics have included cross-cultural studies of sexuality, gays on stamps, civil rights, financial planning, AIDS, and a Transgendered 101 program. And for 20 years now, March is Sex Month at GAAMC. (Okay, sometimes it’s April if it has more Mondays!)

Political: GAAMC is committed to educating its members about political issues that affect the GLBTI Community on local, state, and national levels. We accomplish this through announcements and guest speakers.

Activist: Through the Activism Committee, we strive to represent our members and to ensure that their opinions are made known to their state and federal representatives.

Main Meetings

The doors at 21 Normandy Heights Road, the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, open each Monday night at 6:30. Volunteers set up the building for our meeting. As people arrive, they pay the modest suggested door donation (special rates for members, students, seniors and others) at the Welcoming Table, receive a name tag so they can be greeted by friends and friends-to-be, and usually proceed to where snacks and beverages are available.

In the Great Hall, they can pick up free literature and newspapers and chat with friends. At 7:30, people attend the discussion group of choice. At 8:30 the groups end and people are encouraged to listen to community announcements in the Great Hall. Then the main program of the evening takes place from about 8:45 to 9:45. Most evenings end by 10 pm. After the meetings, people often go out to a local eatery. Many people have become friends in these informal gatherings.
 

GAAMC’s Discussion (Rap) Groups

Each Monday night, usually between 7:30 and 8:30, a number of discussion (rap) groups meet. There are groups for men only, women only, and about once a month, a combined group for all. While all are encouraged to share their feelings and experiences, it is not necessary. Talking is not essential, as someone can receive support by listening to others in the group – or being listened to by them. The only essential thing is to respect the rap groups as Safe Space.

Publications

Our newsletter, Challenge, contains items of current local, state, and national interest, announcements of events, and classified and business advertisements.

We print the annual Pride Guide. It is a free guide to services for New Jersey’s GLBTI Community. We also post the information contained herein and much, much more on our Pride Guide Online website: www.PrideGuideNJ.org.

GAAMC’s Infoline: 973-285-1595

Speakers Bureau

Gay and Lesbian Youth in New Jersey^® (GALY-NJ)

Gay Pride Month: June

In June, GAAMC presents programs focused on Gay Pride. We invite you to join us in marching behind our banner in the Asbury Park Pride Parade the first Sunday in June and the New York City Pride March the last Sunday in June.

GAAMC Membership

Membership in GAAMC is open to people 18 years of age and older. Benefits of membership include a subscription to our newsletter, Challenge, a reduced door donation on Monday nights, voting privileges, and eligibility to serve as an officer or member of the Board of Trustees. The membership year extends from October 1^st to September 30^th, and dues are collected annually. Click here for membership information and an application.

From the North: From I-80 or US 46, take I-287 south to exit 37 (Route 24 east). Proceed 1.8 miles to exit 2A (Morristown) and exit onto Route 510 west. Go through the light at Park Ave. At the next traffic light, turn right onto Normandy Heights Road. The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship is on the left at #21.

From the South: Take I-287 north to exit 36A (Morris Avenue East). Proceed 0.4 miles to a fork and bear right onto Columbia Turnpike (Route 510 east). Continue an additional 0.5 mile to a traffic light and turn left onto Normandy Heights Road (the Morris Museum is on the left). Immediately bear right. The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship is on the right at #21.

From the East: Take Route 24 west to exit 2A (Morristown) and exit onto Route 510 west, or take South Orange Ave west which becomes Columbia Turnpike (Route 510 west) crossing under route 24. Then go through the light at Park Ave. At the next traffic light, turn right onto Normandy Heights Road. The Morristown Unitarian Fellowship is on the left at #21.

From the West: Drive to I-287, then follow the appropriate directions to come from the north or south.

From the Parkway: Garden State Parkway North to I-78 West, to Route 24 West. Follow directions from the east.

There is plenty of parking available.  Also, train service is available to Morristown or Convent Station and it’s a short taxi ride to 21 Normandy Heights Road.

How to Reach Us

Phone: 973-285-1595. Callers to our Infoline may leave a message at any time to be returned within a week.

Mail: PO Box 137, Convent Station, NJ 07961-0137

Online

GAAMC: www.gaamc.org                  E-mails: info (at) gaamc (dot) org

PG Online: www.prideguideNJ.org     E-mails: prideguide (at) gaamc (dot) org

GALY-NJ: www.galynj.org                  E-mails: galynj (at) galynj (dot) org

Listserv: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GAAMC

Challenge newsletter: challenge (at) gaamc (dot) org

Membership – Address Changes: changeaddress (at) gaamc (dot) org

President: president@ (at) gaamc (dot) org

Speakers Bureau: speakersbureau (at) gaamc (dot) org

This was truly a collaborative effort. Thank you everybody.

Business Manager: Nikki Marra.

Layout: Sue Harris.

Editor: Sue Harris.

Proofreaders: Kerry Dinkin, Nancy Harris, Wayne J, David Morris, Charlie Murphy, Allen Neuner, Michael R, Gordon Sauer, Eric Schwarz.

Contributors: Pat Bannan, Walt Boraczek, Barbra Casbar, Sue Harris, Dennis McGrath, Kathy O’Brien, Sherri Rase, Gordon Sauer, Chris Selitto, Randy Sheets.