On the community front, both Jonathan and I were active in lesbian and gay politics in Rhode Island. Both of us had served terms as president (as well as secretary/treasurer) of the Rhode Island Alliance for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights.
The two framed posters are actual enlargements of the first and last pages of the sexual orientation civil rights law passed in Rhode Island in 1995. I asked Governor Almond's legislative liaison, Michael DiBiase, to make copies after the signing ceremony. Between the ceremony and the party hosted by the Rhode Island Alliance for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights afterwards, I ran by Kinko's to have them blown up to poster size. At the party, we (supporters and legislators, friends and family) added our signatures to the Governor's.
Upon moving to California, the politics were so different and distant, that we devoted our energies to our local congregation, Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church. I did a three-year term on the Board of Trustees, and two more years as secretary. Upon completion of that term, I thought I ought to at least explore other facets of the church. I taught K-1 Sunday School, facilitated a small group ministry (called Chalice Circles locally), and tried bell choir. Of those three, I only lasted a year with the first two adventures, but rang with the Bells of Neighborhood after starting with the entry-level Cole House Ringers. In addition, I ran one of the church’s fundraiser, Dining for Dollars, for the past seven or so years.
In late 2012, we moved to Saint Paul MN so that I could take up employment at Biothera. We checked out three UU congregations, Unity within walking distance in Saint Paul, First Universalist in Minneapolis, and White Bear in Mahtomedi a north-east suburb. Ultimately we signed the membership book at White Bear UU Church because it felt the most like Neighborhood Church.
I've been active on the Development Committee, and brought Dining for Dollars to WBUUC in May as a complement to the rather successful Service Auction in November. I served as president of the Board of Trustees 2017-18. Jonathan participates in the small group ministry program, Sharing Circles.
I looked into starting a bell choir, but have joined the choir instead. I started with the baritones, before migrating into the tenor section. This is the first time I've sung in an organized group (excluding singing in the congregation on Sunday mornings), and I've been enjoying the experience tremendously. As a result I've been taking voice lessons at the MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, first studying with my choir director (and former opera singer) Thaxter Cunio, and currently with Dennis Petersen who still sings in the opera. I don't sing opera (yet), show tunes and folk songs seem to suit my voice better.
