Getting to Know: Janine Brunjes, Mayor Brown’s new liaison to the GLBT community by Ann Walton Sieber

Talking with Janine Brunjes is exciting, and not just because she’s the new GLBT liaison to Mayor Lee Brown, or because she’s one of the top two contenders for female Pride Grand Marshall, or because she’s one of the most active and visible lesbians in Houston. Talking with Janine Brunjes is exciting because this wave she’s riding in the public eye seems to emanate from her own courageous life decisions to be true to herself and her discoveries that "the truth shall set ye free."

"It’s a matter of no action and action," Janine says. "I think I went into action living out loud and that’s when the sky opened up."

On January 30, Janine was appointed as Mayor Brown’s new gay and lesbian liaison, in what quickly became very exciting times, with the decision to actively pursue a city nondiscrimination ordinance. Janine replaces lawyer Matthew Eastus, who was the first to hold the newly created position, when he moved to Los Angeles in January. "It’s like being homecoming queen," says Janine, who should know, as she was the homecoming queen for her high school in 1971 (and her girlfriend was the head cheerleader).

This has been a coming-out process for Janine. Of course, it sounds like she was already out, being the national co-chair of the board of An Uncommon Legacy, and chair of the Hollyfield Foundation, and co-chair of HRC’s Federal Club as far back as 1993. But having your picture in the Houston Voice or OutSmart is quite different from having your picture in the Houston Chronicle.

"I am what I am," she said about her new very public role as a lesbian leader "–at this point in me life if people don’t like it, I just have to accept that they don’t like it."

Janine is that rare combination of both polished and personable. She comes from decades spent working in the corporate milieu of one of the city’s largest healthcare systems–what she describes as "a very homophobic environment."

Although (or because) she was such a highly placed executive making a large salary, she didn’t feel safe being honest about being a lesbian.

"Before, I did not have freedom, but I had the money," she says. "I could pull out the checkbook and write a check to the various organizations. But I was hiding behind that–I was hiding behind the checks, big time."

In 1997, life conspired to bring Janine out of hiding. That year, her father died, she broke up with her partner of a decade, she lost her best friend, and she was diagnosed with a potentially debilitating life-threatening disease.

"I’d like to say it was all my decision, but it wasn’t–it was a collision of all the circumstances," she says. "It was standing at my father’s grave. We were very close. I’m a member of a club I don’t want to belong to, people who have lost a parent. Once you’ve faced that loss, you’re aware you don’t fear the ultimate grim reaper. Standing over his grave was a serious call to action. I realized, You’re living a big lie to protect your coffers.

"Being out is being totally truthful," she says. "And the fears are there. The loss of revenue, the loss of relationships.... I knew being out would be the end of writing checks."

When Janine did start "living out loud," as she calls it, she found her job position was "done away with." ("Hmm," she says wryly, with a how curious look.) She took several years off to "let my hair down"–actually, it meant growing her manicured blonde hair out–to wear jeans every day and travel all over the world. "I went to Europe and Ireland and the Gay Games," she said. "I spent every dime I had."

Then this past December, she decided it was time to re-enter life, and very shortly thereafter she got the call that she was one of the people being considered as the next liaison. She was approached first by Annise Parker, and then Debra Danburg and Sue Lovell and other prominent members of the political community. The day Janine went to interview with Mayor Brown, she reports:

"I got inside his chambers and I thought..." She looks around her and nods, smiling, imitating that dawning feeling of this feels right. "I thought, ‘I guess this is what I asked for.’" Mayor Brown must have had a similar feeling of rightness, for he offered her the position on the spot.

Ever the "operations person," Janine asked the mayor’s staff if they had a job description for the GLBT liaison postion. When it came clear they didn’t, Janine produced one of her own, asking if there was anything else they’d like to add.

A large part of Janine’s self-directed job description involves getting out and talking and listening to all the various GLBT organizations in the area, and taking what she learns back to the mayor. "I hope that if these organizations know they have the mayor’s ear, it will help them articulate their agenda," she says.

Her first major task was coordinating the February 10 meeting between Mayor Brown and leaders in the gay community. Next, she plans to start a monthly night meeting at the Lesbian & Gay Community Center in which she can meet with members of the community. To be held the second Monday of each month, the first meeting is planned for Monday, March 12, 5—6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited and welcome.

Janine hopes to involve all the "different faces" in the community, even knowing firsthand how difficult it is to be a public presence for gay issues when you hold a high status position.

"We need people’s time and courage," she says. "And we’re in a great time to be courageous– we’re on the cusp of a nondiscrimination ordinance. Where better to be than on the front lines?"

The day the press release about her appointment as the mayor’s GL liaison was faxed all over Houston, Janine called up her clients to let them know, not without a little trepidation.

"The CEO of this big corporation’s reaction was, ‘That’s not the biggest statement I’ve had to deal with today.’ It was just not a big deal," she said.

With the mayor’s office, Janine’s role is to educate–which includes advocating for transgender issues. "All they really know is GL, and I’m advocating inclusion," she says. "I don’t understand leaving these groups out–they’re just a different voice."

Janine has always held a special place in the heart of OutSmart, and it’s worth telling, for it’s typical of her involvement with the Houston community. The genesis of OutSmart came out of the inspiration of the 1993 March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights. Janine was at the march (as indeed she’s been at the last three marches on Washington), and she provided encouragement and support to OutSmart publisher Greg Jeu at a crucial time. Because of the march–and in part, Janine’s support–Greg decided to come home and start a gay magazine.

I tell this story not to blow our own horn, but because this is how community support works. Sure, Janine has a community service résumé that could go on for paragraphs. But it’s also these off-the-record moments that have made her the natural choice for a community voice. She’s already out there, both in the community and in her own life.

"If I drop dead tomorrow," she says, "at least I know I’ll be living large."

"Changing the Course of the Epidemic"

Important HIV prevention national conference comes to Houston in March

by Dena Gray

They are coming from across the country. African-American, Hispanic, gay, lesbian, and transgendered, substance abuse, and youth-related HIV-prevention advocates will meet in Houston March 16-18 at the Hyatt Regency, 1200 Louisiana Street, for the 9th Annual HIV Prevention Community Planning Leadership Summit, with the theme "Community Planning: Changing the Course of the Epidemic." Teamwork between local community organizations, the HIV-positive community, and the state of Texas all dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV has translated into a chance to host this very important summit. With 60 workshops, institutes, and other sessions designed to enhance the HIV-prevention planning skills of participants, you don’t want to miss this.

National organizations sponsoring the conference are the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), the Center for Disease Control, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), and the Academy for Educational Advancement (AED). Local organizations instrumental in hosting the conference include Bering Omega Community Services, Families Under Urban and Social Attack, Houston Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Houston Department of Health and Human Services, Montrose Clinic, New Directions Club, People With AIDS Coalition, Ryan White Planning Council, Saving Lives Through Alternative Options, WAM Foundation, and the Working Class. Other Texas agencies involved in the planning include the Texas Department of Health and the Resource Center of Dallas.

The role that prevention plays remains critical to the eradication of HIV disease, and staying abreast of new directions needed in prevention strategies is crucial for community planners. That is why this conference is vitally important. For the last few years, we have seen HIV disease manifest itself in communities of color and with young people. February articles in the Houston Chronicle and New York Times reported on a CDC study that shows a continuous and alarming rate of HIV infection in young African-American gay males. Statistics also show an increase in the rate of HIV infection in the young gay white male communities. An ongoing six-city study found more than 1 in 10 young gay and bisexual men to be infected with HIV. Preliminary findings show the highest level of HIV infection among African-American study participants, with nearly one-third testing positive for the virus. Led by CDC epidemiologist Linda Valleroy, Ph.D., the study includes results from surveys of more than 2,400 gay and bisexual men, aged 23 to 29 years. Participants were sampled at public venues in Baltimore, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, and Seattle. These types of studies tell us that prevention is important and conferences that focus specifically on HIV interventions are necessary–and we must look at different interventions that can and will reach emerging populations.

In the nine years that it has been gathering the top prevention experts together, the Community Leadership Planning Summit has become renowned for presenting new strategies and ideas that have made a difference in prevention work across the country. It allows for frank and honest discussions about HIV prevention and how we can communicate our needs to not only the people that we serve, but to our communities and our leaders. We are excited to welcome to Houston and Texas those individuals who believe prevention is worth the investment of time and financial support.

HIV/AIDS, many of us know, is not just a gay disease or a black disease, but a disease of behavior. It is our goal to "change the course of the epidemic," but we cannot do this alone. The Houston and Texas Host Committee invites you to participate in this annual conference. You can do so as a registrant or as a volunteer. If you would like to receive more information about this important conference, or if you would like to serve as a volunteer, please call 713/794-9113.

Dena Gray is co-chair of the Texas and Houston Host Committee for the 2001 HIV Prevention Community Planning Leadership Summit, and director of Volunteer Services and Community Outreach at Bering Omega Community Services.

Unhinged No Longer Unhoused

Gay theater group Unhinged Productions is proud to announce they’ve acquired that most precious of commodities, their own theater space, which will premiere with their production of Hugh Whitemore’s Breaking the Code, a play about Alan Turing, the designer of one of the first computers (the Turing Machine), and also an openly gay British man during a time when homosexuality "violated not only the codes of polite society but British law."

Located at 3304 LaBranch between Elgin and Midtown Arts Center, the new theater will make it possible for better production values and planning, and to eventually offer a subscription season.

"We had been doing shows at different spaces around town, but it was becoming very difficult to plan future shows," says Unhinged founder and artistic director Chris Jimmerson. "We felt that we had reached the point where we needed our own space to be able to achieve artistic and other goals. The board voted to pursue a space, and the Matthews Foundation provided a challenge grant to help us get into it."

Although Unhinged is leasing their new space, the building is up for sale, so they plan to raise the funds to purchase it. They are also open to letting other groups share the space.

Formed in July 1998 as a nonprofit organization, Unhinged Productions is dedicated to promoting and producing plays and other theatrical events addressing gay and lesbian themes in a positive manner.

"Theater has the power and function not only to entertain," says Chris, "but also to educate and raise awareness and debate on societal issues. Theater that addresses gay-related issues may raise the consciousness of people who attend.

"We want to do plays that not only include lesbian or gay characters but that address lesbian and gay themes and issues. Even if we are doing a comedy it will fit this. We also hope to work with people writing in the genre to develop their work. We like our plays to be a little edgy and theatrical."

As more gay-oriented theater groups find venues to call home, it does not so much create competition as strengthen everyone’s possibilities for success.

"I want all of the theatergroups in town to succeed and do better and better work," Chris concludes, "because I think it builds a bigger and bigger theater audience for all of us."

Breaking the Code opens Friday, March 2, 8 p.m. and plays Thur.—Sat. at 8 p.m. through April 1. Tickets $20 (half-price performances March 5, 8 p.m. & April 1, 6 p.m.). For reservations or more information, call 713/524-8707, or visit www.u-p.org.

Progressive Dinner for Progressive People

For one of the most fun fundraising events on the GLBT social calendar, the Progressive Dinner will be boarding busses and eating its way across Houston on Saturday, March 24. No black tie, no suit, no fancy dress, nor valet parking necessary. Hosted by AssistHers and An Uncommon Legacy Foundation, guests board a bus whose emcee entertains them as they party from one house that will host cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, then on to soup and salad, then (hungry or not) entrée. Finally, all the busses converge on the same house for dessert.

"We always ensure that our host who offers to serve dessert knows that there will be no less than 65 people per bus," says Tori Williams, founder of the event. With four busses doing the progression, suffice to say that’s a lot of cappuccino.

The money raised for AssistHers goes to helping lesbians with chronic diseases and long-term illnesses lead as normal a life as possible.

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by mailing a check or credit card information to 1400 Hermann Park Drive #15G, Houston 77004, or call 713/680-1707. This event has always been sold out since its inception. Come wine, dine, and have a wonderful time!

Transgender Unity Banquet

The Unity Committee for the transgender community will host the 9th Annual Unity Banquet on March 24, 7 p.m. at the Westchase Hilton. The banquet is the yearly event when all of the transgender groups meet together in one place to share in all the past year's accomplishments. In addition to the dinner at the Westchase Hilton, special awards are presented to individuals who have given of themselves for the TG community. This year’s banquet will be hosted by Nancy Ford of "The Dyke Show" fame.

The Unity Banquet was born nine years ago when Houston’s various TG groups got together with the purpose of developing more widespread support for each of the different segments of the TG community. In the beginning, only about 20 people were part of the original banquet. Last year, 163 were in attendance. Included in that group were the T's, their loved ones, city officials, and even some representation from statewide TG groups.

The Unity Banquet is coordinated by the Unity Committee, which is made up of members of each of the local TG groups, GCTC (Gulf Coast Transgender Community), HTGA (Helping TransGenders Anonymous), CATS (Community Awareness of Transgender Support), TATS (Texas Association for Transsexual Support), and Tau-Chi chapter of Tri-Ess (for heterosexual crossdressers), who act as representatives for their groups on decisions effecting the entire TG community. The Unity Committee also sponsors the entry for the Pride Parade.

Tickets to the Unity Banquet can be purchased for $35 per person through any of the T Groups (GCTC 713/780-4282; HTGA 713/524-0439; CATS/TATS 409/741-2501; Tau-Chi 713/339-8928; credit cards 281/347-6878) or via http://brendat.com/ or http://www.geocities.com/tghelp (which are both helpful sites for finding more information about the different groups in Houston and Galveston). Everyone in the GLBT community is invited to attend the banquet to help celebrate the process of being ourselves. –Lilly Roddy

Texas Lesbian Conference

Scheduled for March 23—25 on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, the Texas Lesbian Conference has been bringing together strong women from all over the state for 14 years. Begun in 1988 by a small group of Dallas women, the TLC is the only statewide conference of its kind in the U.S. With the agenda of educating and empowering Texas lesbians, the conference is an enjoyable and empowering mixture of speakers, workshops, and socializing.

The TLC rotates between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, with the local grass roots host committees drawing on the experience of TLC's state board. Last year’s conference was in Houston and boasted Urvashi Vaid as the keynote speaker.

The keynote speaker this year is the powerful activist and trainer Luz Guerra; to be joined by Kelli Herd, director of the award-winning film It's in the Water; and acclaimed comedian Karen Williams (who, among a long list of appearances and distinctions, founded the HaHa Humor and Healing Arts Institute in Cleveland). After the entertainment Saturday night, there will be a Queer Poetry Slam. Workshops are held during the day, on such topics as coming out, dating, maintaining relationships, lesbian sexuality, women's health issues, anger management, political activism, spirituality, and other family matters.

The registation fee includes admittance to all speakers, workshops, Saturday lunch, and Sunday brunch (does not include Saturday evening performances): $55 if postmarked by March 9. At the door: $70 full conference, $50 Saturday only, $20 Sunday only. Saturday night entertainment: $10 pre-sale, $15 at the door. To have a registration form mailed discreetly, e-mail tlcsanantonio@aol.com.or mail to TLCSA, c/o Yvonne, P. O. Box 340541, San Antonio, TX 78234. Their webpage is http://www.hometown.aol.com/tlcsanantonio/myhomepage/index.html.

The Gay and Lesbian Breakfast Club

A new group has appeared on the scene: The Gay and Lesbian Breakfast Club is a new social organization whose purpose is to promote fitness walking plus make new friends. They are open to all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity, age, or fitness level. They gather every Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at the Memorial Park Tennis Center and go on a three-mile walk, followed by breakfast. If you’re not the breakfast type, you can just walk, or vice versa.

"Walking is a healthy way to jumpstart your day," says the information at their website. "It is very inexpensive. You don't need special equipment. Anyone can do it! So if you are going to exercise, why not make it fun! When you walk with friends in the club, you can look forward to deepening your relationships while you exercise. It makes walking so much more enjoyable when you do it with friends, and the time passes by so quickly!"

Call 281/437-0636 or 713/864-7299 for more information.