You may remember the reading of the play “8” that CNCAH held last May in the Cameo Theater.  If not, you missed an emotionally charged gathering of a diverse group of local people who came together to show their support for marriage equality by re-enacting the federal courtroom proceedings which overturned California’s Proposition 8.

Proposition 8 was a ballot vote to amend California’s constitution with a prohibition on gay marriage.  Though narrowly passing the vote, Proposition 8 was upheld by the state’s supreme court only to be subsequently struck down in federal court as a violation of due process (ballot) and equal protection (civil rights).  After the US Ninth District Appeals Court affirmed the federal court’s decision, proponents of Proposition 8 immediately filed for appeal to the US Supreme Court.

The federal courts refused to release video footage of the court proceedings that led to the overturn of Proposition 8.  This motion prevented the public from seeing that the only evidence presented by the defenders of Proposition 8 was homophobia and religious bigotry; both deemed inadmissible by Judge Walker.  In a show of support for gay rights, Dustin Black, writer of the Academy Award winning screenplay “Milk”, scripted the court proceedings into a play licensed for readings across the country.  It was this screenplay that members of CNCAH and our allies in marriage equality read to the audience at the Cameo Theater.

As expected, the US Supreme Court decided on Dec 7, 2012 to hear the appeal concerning this controversial decision.  Concurrently, the court will hear the challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act which was placed into law in 1996 by President Clinton.  With decisions in both cases expected next summer, we have the potential to achieve a momentous and historic advance for human rights in this country.  We at CNCAH are proud to show our support for marriage equality and look forward to the Supreme Court’s decisions!

Please join in as the surrounding community bands together to form a “Human Wall of Support” to block out the sights and sounds of WBC.

Please remember – walls do not speak.  Stand strong and silent to support the friends and family SGT Johnson has left behind.  Wear our colors, carry our flag, and stand up for the fallen soldier who has given her life for our freedom.

Meeting location: McGlaughlin Park, Raeford (behind Hoke Library)

Time:  9:30 am

More information is available on the facebook event page.

- Geri Weaver

Come on out and support the speaker series!

David Niose’s background includes experience in law and mass communication. Having practiced law in Massachusetts since 1990, Niose has also worked in print and broadcast media, taught both history and law, and written extensively on a wide array of issues. Upon joining the AHA board in 2005, Niose initiated and helped develop the AHA’s media campaign. Niose has appeared in national media and spoken to groups around the country, emphasizing the importance of utilizing mass media to inject humanist ideas into the public dialogue, improve the public image of humanists, and sway public opinion away from the religious right. As an attorney, Niose has advocated for church/state separation and the rights of humanists and other nontheists, and he is currently involved in implementing a legal strategy to enforce the rights of humanists and other nontheists via the avenue of equal protection law. He has worked with the Secular Coalition for America in various positions to help advocate for the rights of Secular Americans, and has served on the boards of Greater Worcester Humanists and Greater Boston Humanists.

As soon as we can make coordinations with the proper people we will be sponsoring a few charity drives.  The first will culminate at the end of October and directly benefit children who in some way are affected by domestic violence.  We will be conducting a stuffed animal drive in order to provide law enforcement officers with a ready supply of the cuddly creatures to hand out to children when they must respond to a domestic violence call and there are children involved.  More to follow on this one as we get some points of contacts we can use to give these creatures of safety to.  In the meantime, clean and wash those old, like new condition stuffed animals or find a couple new ones you would like to give to this more than worthy cause.

Our next charity will be a coat drive for the homeless or needy (no need to limit on this one).  The seasons are changing, the air is getting colder and Fayetteville has a large population that can use a warm coat.  This is one we are also working diligently looking for the right point of contact to make sure the clothes can make it into the hands that need them.

Our next charitable contribution will be a new toy collection to give to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.  Fort Bragg has a phenomenal Airborne operation for soldiers each year for which the price of a parachute is a new, unwrapped toy.  We will be announcing times for us to collect toys to give to this wonderful charity, so keep it in mind as you begin your holiday shopping.  Even if the holidays are way outside of your personal beliefs, the spirit of giving should always extend to the little ones.

Keep an eye out for an announcement on our Meetup page for the Fayetteville Jazz and Zombie walk the last Friday in October.  This will be an informal, fun gathering to see and participate in the outlandishness that will ensue down Hay street.  So be ready to dress up like you are trying out for The Walking Dead and have a great time.

These are just a few of the ways we hope to fill the calendar with outreach and some fun activities over the next few months.  Come on out and support us and help represent our community in the local community.

David Niose
President of The American Humanist Association

David Niose’s background includes experience in law and mass communication. Having practiced law in Massachusetts since 1990, Niose has also worked in print and broadcast media, taught both history and law, and written extensively on a wide array of issues. Upon joining the AHA board in 2005, Niose initiated and helped develop the AHA’s media campaign. Niose has appeared in national media and spoken to groups around the country, emphasizing the importance of utilizing mass media to inject humanist ideas into the public dialogue, improve the public image of humanists, and sway public opinion away from the religious right. As an attorney, Niose has advocated for church/state separation and the rights of humanists and other nontheists, and he is currently involved in implementing a legal strategy to enforce the rights of humanists and other nontheists via the avenue of equal protection law. He has worked with the Secular Coalition for America in various positions to help advocate for the rights of Secular Americans, and has served on the boards of Greater Worcester Humanists and Greater Boston Humanists.

In accordance with our bylaws, Vice President Jeremy Tranka has adopted the position of President until election by General Assembly in January 2012.  Please join me in supporting Jeremy in his new role!

Since joining CNCAH in June, 2011, Jeremy has been an extremely active and enthusiastic member.  We encourage all full CNCAH members to get involved in the planning and execution of activities, advocacy, and fellowship.  With Jeremy’s guidance, we look forward to continued growth as the  region’s oldest and most prominent non-theist community.

On behalf of the Central North Carolina Atheist & Humanists Board of Directors, we welcome and congratulate Jeremy as our newest CNCAH President!

Geri Weaver, Past President of CNCAH

CNCAH is sponsoring one lucky child to attend Camp Quest South Carolina for FREE (a $550 value)! Please share this link with friends and family who may be interested in applying! Hurry… entry is limited to the first 50 applicants OR until June 27, 2012 (whichever comes first)!

Use this survey link to submit an entry or copy and paste to share this offer:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TW59YKJ

The Campership is open to any child between 8 and 17 years old; you can learn more about Camp Quest South Carolina by exploring their website.

Share the offer or enter a child that you would like to receive the Camp Quest experience for FREE!

* This opportunity was provided by our very generous CNCAH members through monetary donations and fundraisers! *

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at geriweaver@gmail.com

Thank you and good luck!

Geri Weaver

CNCAH Past President

So it was, that on that late afternoon, I arrived at the Cameo in order to shift into whirlwind mode, or what might have been more accurately described as chaotic frenzy, in my efforts to help setup for the dramatic reading of such an important and relevant event. Joining me in this rush to get set was a group of people that really came together to shine and create something that rises above the mundane and speaks a loud message to all. I’ve been fortunate enough to have spent some time in the past working with the Horrible Folks, a local improv troupe well known for their fantastic evenings of live comedy and film skits at the Cameo, and now several members from their ranks were there to lend their talent and skills to the project. But, it didn’t stop there, also in the fray helping setup were members from the Unitarian Universalists Congregation of Fayetteville, among them John Mattox who originally inspired the idea of a local dramatic reading of 8. Equally valuable to the mix were some of our friends from The Alliance of the Fayetteville-Sandhills Region, a coalition between straight members of the community and the LGBT community, whose constant goal is to raise awareness and educate the masses about equality for all. Perhaps shocking to some believers that would assume as Atheists and Humanists, we wouldn’t have anything to do with religion, we were also graced by two pastors from the Diversity in Faith Church, a Christian church and community for all people, that were able to add to our already varied mix of local performers and theater talent. Some of us had previous experience with acting, theater, and performing, and on the other hand some had never even been on a stage before in their life, thus requiring them to make that colossal leap of bravery to physically get up in front of an audience and deliver.

As the doors opened and people began to find their seats, we were quickly putting the finishing touches on our last preparations. We were indeed lucky to have the privilege of the musical stylings of local musician Autumn Nicholas, a wonderful local talent, treasure, and a great person all around. As Autumn wrapped up, we took our places on stage for the reading. We began the main event, directing our performance out to the crowd of nearly 70 people seated in the theater. Our audience was quite diverse, much like the cast of the reading itself, with people from all walks of life, which also included Representative Rick Glazier. I can only hope that the people watching the performance had half as much fun as we had bringing it to them. I’m very confident that was the case as evidenced by the warm reception and congratulations after the reading. Attendees, some very clearly moved by emotion, showered their thanks and appreciation of the efforts to raise awareness and our efforts to help lift our community to a higher level of humanity and understanding.
In the end, we are very happy to share that we managed to generate almost five hundred dollars by our efforts. Members of CNCAH quickly, and unanimously, voted to contribute group funds to round up the total of donations to an even $500. These funds have been contributed to ProtectAllNCFamilies.org in order to aid the truly righteous fight of educating the populace of N.C. about the harms, dangers, and hurtful nature of this unconstitutional vote looming on May 8th.

We thank everyone involved in making this happen, and we thank everyone that came out to support our stand. We most especially wish to thank our friends at the Cameo Art House Theater for allowing us to use their venue in downtown Fayetteville for this event. Many businesses would have quickly denied such a request in an effort to avoid being caught in the middle of a controversial issue. Our community is greatly advantaged by a business that clearly cares about the town of which it is an essential part, and is even willing to take business risks to advocate a better way and a better philosophy benefiting that very community. In addition, I wish to also thank the American Foundation for Equal Rights and Broadway Impact, with special attention to Jenny Kanelos, who made all of this possible in the first place.
I personally came away wondering if perhaps you can only truly feel like an American when one takes up the mantle to fight the good fight regardless of the odds, regardless of the outcome, and regardless of the potential risks. It certainly makes me proud to know I stood with my fellow citizens, my friends, and my community to strive for that higher plane, that greater good, that more perfect union.

Thank you!