The Jefferson Humanists mission is to expand an ethical and life-affirming Humanist Community devoted to science, reason, inclusion and social responsibility. Through community building, lectures and social activism we expand our member’s awareness, gain an understanding of the issues facing the world and provide learning opportunities through guest speakers on a variety of topics.

Jefferson County Colorado Chapter of the American Humanist Association (AHA) https://www.jeffersonhumanists.org/

 Annual Picnic: June 23rd 2 Chapter Meeting: May Review Chapter members wonderful time 3 Humanist Perspectives and friends are outdoors with your (HP): June and HP Looking invited to the fellow Humanists.¨ ahead July annual Jefferson For location and Humanists to ensure we have  Monthly Hike: June and Summer Picnic, enough food, Humanists Helping which will take the RSVP to this Humanity June place of our June Meetup https:// 5 President’s Message monthly chapter www.meetup.com/ meeting. JH will JeffcoHumanists/  Art, Science, Culture (ACS) provide brats, Outing: June and burgers and veggie Humanist’s Birthdays: June burgers, with buns, condiments and events/258568203/ 7 FROG Book Club: May all the fixings, along with soft drinks. Chapter members are asked to bring Review and June The Road Wine and beer will be available for a a salad or dessert to share. Also, we to Unfreedom. $3 donation. Members are need volunteer help in the following encouraged to bring a side dish, areas: Set up, pour drinks and 8 4 H Happy Hour: May and appetizer or dessert to share, but is June cleanup as follows: 2 people to set up optional. We'll meet and eat at the at 4:30 pm; 2 to clean up at 8:00 pm;  Looking Ahead: July and Arbor House in Maple Grove Park. 2 to help set out and serve food at Colorado Secular We'll also have some fun activities. 5:30 pm; and a few folks to bring and Conference June The Table Mesa Jazz Trio will play kick-start lawn games; a facilitator 10 Summer Solstice Picnic: and cool music from the 30s and 40s. for Humanist trivial pursuit. Contact Library Thing Gordon Gamm, long-time AHA Vice President Jim Bole if you can activist, will give a short talk. There help or if you can bring food. 11 Movie Night will be a drawing for two Reply to Jim here. 12 The Last Page complimentary 2019 memberships, and more. So come and have a

JH Monthly — 2019 June 1 Issue 6.06 ay 26th brought us Intellectual Freedom, Social Justice, and the Signs of the Times, presented by Jamie LaRue, former Director of the Office M Intellectual Freedom, American Library Association When the American Library Association was founded in 1876, its motto was “The best books for the most people at the least cost.” Jamie pointed out that it was assumed that the “best books” would be chosen by the professional librarians and that cost was a major factor. In 1939, ALA revised this concept by creating the Library Bill of Nancy Bolt and Speaker Jamie LaRue Rights, which provided a broader view of what the library should do on behalf of the information needs of its users. It includes concepts such as these: • Materials should not be excluded because of origin, background, or views or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. • Libraries should challenge censorship and cooperate with groups resisting censorship. • The right to use a library should not be denied or abridged. • Exhibit spaces and meeting rooms should be available on an equitable basis. • All library users possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their use of library materials or services. Jamie added, “Today, indications in many parts of the world point to growing intolerance, suppression of free speech and censorship affecting the rights of minorities and individuals,” and libraries are one of the institutions often challenged for implementing the concepts of the Library Bill of Rights. One of the aspects of library services challenged the most often is access to information by children. Parents often ask librarians to censor what their and other children should read. Librarians stress that parents have the right to control their own children’s reading (or try to) but not what other children are allowed to read. That doesn’t prevent conservative groups from challenging books because they feel they are inappropriate for children. Libraries need to have policies and processes in place to respond to these challenges. Another concern is access to information in schools. Recently, the EBSCO databases, which many schools subscribe to, were challenged for providing access to pornography. The challengers were was never able to replicate the search they claim led to pornography on the school library’s computer. Also challenged are library services. For example, a library in Montana scheduled a series of programs from ethnic speakers. All went well until the library director scheduled a Muslim speaker. There was a protest because “Islam is an evil that supports violence.” In this case, the library director challenged the conservative group and the program received a standing ovation. In another example, the librarian canceled a program under pressure and has found that giving in has led to increased attempts to limit “controversial” programs. Jamie’s message was, “Don’t give in to intimidation.” Jamie concluded by emphasizing that America’s institutions are important to democracy. After WWII, people trusted institutions. They trusted government and would change in response to government. Now, people distrust government and expect government to change, or in some cases, go away.

JH Monthly — 2019 June 2 HOME Issue 6.06 Humanist Perspectives | June 15th program

By Tom Kellogg and Jim Bole

Saturday , June 15 , 2019 10 : 00 AM to 12 : 00 PM To honor the national AHA conference coming up in June 7-9, we'll show some amazing talks on video from major secular conferences, especially from past annual AHA conferences. These presentations are very interesting and showcase views on . We meet in the Mills Building behind JUC. Park on the east side and take the walkway between the buildings to the side entrance.

The Jefferson Humanists Chapter of the American Humanist Association is very pleased to of- fer a regular explorations series on 3rd Saturdays, 10-12 AM, at Jefferson Unitarian Church (JUC). Each session will be slightly different and include several segments to showcase aspects of Humanism through a presentation, videos, movies, forums and explorations, followed by discussions. We will include time for participants to socialize and get acquainted, in keeping with our chapter goal of building community. Breakfast pastries and beverages will be served.

Hosted by Tom Kellogg and Jim Bole

Humanist Perspectives-Special Evening Event with Dr. Darrel Ray: Sexy Evolution Saturday, July 20th, 7:00 pm, JUC Chapel. Dr. Ray is a world-renowned psychologist who focuses on various topics like workplace organizational culture and secular sexuality. He is also a speaker, podcaster and atheist activist. He helped found and is President of the Board of and author of the books, The God Virus, and Sex and God. Darrel is an amazing speaker who captivates his audiences and is a frequent headliner at secular conventions. The Jefferson Humanists are very fortunate to have him speak for our Humanist Perspectives. On August 30, 2014, Ray launched a podcast about human sexuality and called Secular Sexuality where is he also the host. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Space is limited. For more information: https://www.meetup.com/JeffcoHumanists/events/261882807/ 

JH Monthly — 2019 June 3 HOME Issue 6.06 Monthly Hike 1st Saturday | June 1, 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

Join us on the first Saturday of the month for a walk/hike, geared for easy and moderate hiking levels. We visit different interesting wild places and sometimes do an urban hike at special events. This month we’re going to Bear Creek Greenbelt 2800 South Estes Street, Lakewood it’s an easy level hiking trail with beautiful scenery. We'll do a loop of over two miles. Afterward, for those interested, we'll have dinner at The Garlic Knot. http://garlicknotpizza.com/colorado/ Bring a water bottle, good walking shoes, comfortable clothes, sunscreen and a hat. Be prepared for any weather. For more information or directions, call Tom Kellogg at 720-808-2825

or nearly two years we’ve been DONATION DRIVES FOR THE collecting oral hygiene items and other REMAINDER OF 2019 toiletries for donation to The Action  June: No drive….join us at the picnic Center, a local non-profit organization  July: Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss Drive for the Fproviding help with basic human needs and Action Center pathways to self-sufficiency. The Action Center  August: Special Drive for Jeffco Schools provides personal hygiene items to between 65 Foundation…Serving Kids Clothing Program and 85 households each day so that these people can conserve their limited funds for more urgent  September: Sock Drive for The Action Center expenses.  October: Gently used sleeping bags, tents Drive for the Action Center On April 23 the Social Responsibility Committee  November: Laundry Detergent Drive for The met to discuss ways to help our Chapter address Action Center the needs of our community. One idea that we’ll act upon is to bring more focus to our monthly  December: No Drive…Join us at the Holiday donation drive. Most months we’ll ask members Party to donate a particular type of item. We’ll also be happy to collect additional personal items those For questions or comments about Humanists Helping months. Thanks for helping. Humanity, please contact Carole Hughes at [email protected]  Get Involved

JH Monthly — 2019 June 4 HOME Issue 6.06 hen the Jefferson Humanists chapter was formed back in 2014, it started as a small group of people who wanted to build a humanist community. During the formation of our chapter, the founding members came up with a a mission: “To expand an ethical and life-affirming Humanist W Community devoted to science, reason, inclusion and social responsibility.”

What was a handful of founders has grown in 5 years to around 90 members, a level Matthew Elisha that has held for the past few years. The Board has set an ambitious goal to grow our membership by 50 members this year. We are working to conduct a number of tabling events at local festivals and other events to let other potential humanists in our community know who we are, what we stand for and why they might want to join our group. So far, we’ve had information tables at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival and Lakewood Earth Day and have seen a few of the people we met attend some of our activities. We are working on having a table at the Golden Farmer’s Market in August and in July will have a table at the Colorado Secular Conference in July (See www.secularaccess.org for tickets and more information.) To help us reach our goal, we would like your help. If you are a chapter member, consider inviting other like-minded friends to come to the picnic, to one of our monthly meetings or to one of our many other activities. If you have time, join us at a tabling event and help us spread our message.

On Sunday, June 23rd, we are inviting humanists from throughout the Denver-metro area and Jeffco to enjoy an afternoon of food, music and games at our annual picnic. Gordon Gamm, who participated in the drafting of Humanist Manifesto III, will be there to let people know more about the American Humanist Association and our chapter. We hope to see a good crowd that day from 5-8 pm at Maple Grove Park in Golden. To help us reach our goal, we would like your help. If you are a chapter member, considering inviting other like -minded friends to come to the picnic, to one of our monthly meetings or to one of our many other activities. If you have time, join us at a tabling event and help us spread our message. If you are a friend, we encourage you to come to a future chapter activity or come out to a tabling event to talk with a member and find out more. We also welcome your comments about what we can do to create a more active humanist chapter. If you are an American Humanist Association member living in Jefferson County that has little engagement with other local AHA members, we invite you to become a Jefferson Humanist member and help us continue to build our chapter. We think you will enjoy the discussions, the camaraderie, the friendships and the community that comes with being a chapter member. We invite everyone to expand our social networking endeavors by becoming a JH Meetup Member (www.meetup.com/ JeffcoHumanists/), following our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/jeffcohumanists) and liking our Tweets (twitter.com/jeffersonhuman). The greater our online presence, the more likely it is that others in the area will see our messages. Come to the Jefferson Humanists to Make Friends, Share Ideas and Do Good.

JH Monthly — 2019 June 5 HOME Issue 6.06 Art, Science and Cultural (ACS) Outing | June 2nd

Hosted by Matthew Elisha Matthew Elisha Denver Museum of Nature and Science https://www.dmns.org/ 2001 Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO Sunday, June 2, 2019 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM RSVP https://www.meetup.com/JeffcoHumanists/ events/261036376/

How to find us Meet in the in front of the north entrance. Host, Matthew Elisha, will be wearing a Jefferson Humanist ball cap. Please arrive at 8:45 am The AHA's states that humanism is "informed by science, inspired by art" and that "values...have their This is one of several free days that the museum source in human experience and culture." With that in offers thanks to funding from the Scientific and mind, the Jefferson Humanists have decided to start a Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). Though free days new monthly program. can be busy, we should be able to beat some of the crowds by arriving early. Each month, we will enjoy a local cultural, arts or science event with our fellow humanists. We might go Show up at 8:45 am at the main, north entrance. Look to a movie or play, attend a science lecture or for host, Matthew Elisha, who will be wearing a museum exhibit, take in a festival, examine art Jefferson Humanists ball cap. Bring a picnic lunch for galleries or listen to an author talk about their new those in your party. We'll find a good spot in the park book. Keep your eye on Meetup to see what is nearby to enjoy some food and drink and conversation. coming up in 2019! 

Questions? Contact Matthew Elisha I am among those who think that

cell: 303-898-5412 or science has great beauty. ~Marie Curie [email protected],

Birthday of irreverent English comedian, now on Netflix. Ricky Gervais (25th, 1961) and Birthday of Dr. Charles R. Drew (3rd, 1904; d. 1950);

Dr. Drew Day – African American Blood Donor Day – BE. Orlando recognizes the contributions of Dr. Charles R. Drew, the Father of the Blood Bank, on his birthday, June 3rd. . Dr. Drew was an African American who, in 1940 was recruited to set up the first blood bank in America. But as World War II began as blood donorship was just becoming possible, discrimination against African American blood donors became a major social justice issue. There are people still today, in 2019, who believe that blood from black donors is discarded. Only 1% of US blood donors are African American, yet genetically similar blood is needed for those receiving repeated blood transfusions, as with sickle-cell anemia.

JH Monthly — 2019 June 6 HOME Issue 6.06 FROG Book Club | May | Review and new book | June 8th

On May 11th, a small group of members met to discuss There There by Tommy Orange. The author’s award- winning novel tells the story of a disparate group of Native Americans in Oakland (called “urban Indian” by Orange) who struggle with adjusting to a culture not of their making, while trying to hold onto their own culture. The characters’ stories converge at the Big Oakland PowWow, in a revealing and tragic ending. We had a good discussion about the meaning of culture and discussed a number of questions. What makes up a culture? What part does our culture play in our upbringing and how does where we live inform our culture? How does it form our identity and what happens when a person loses that identity? 

une, join the Jefferson Humanists’ book group, FROG (Freethinkers Reading J Opportunity Group) for our June meeting. This month we are reading "The Road to Unfreedom Russia Europe America" by Timothy Snyder. We will be meeting Saturday June 8th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM in the meeting room at the Lakewood Public Library. The library is located at 10200 W 20th Ave in Lakewood, just 3 blocks West of Kipling. Please feel free to join us even if you haven’t finished the book. After the meeting join us at Tellers (www.tellerstaproom.com, just a few blocks away, to continue the conversation over a beverage. Email FROG leader, Helena Goldstein at [email protected] with any questions. Looking ahead, the following meetings will be: July 13: "Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist" by Kate Raworth, also at the Lakewood Library August 10: "Nothing to be Frightened Of" by Julian Barnes, location to be announced.¨ So we’ll know how many tables and chairs to set up, please RSVP at Meetup.com https://www.meetup.com/JeffcoHumanists/events/256326575/ 

JH Monthly — 2019 June 7 HOME Issue 6.06 Humanist Heathen Happy Hour (4H) | May 15th Review

May took us to Infinitus iPie for Humanist Heathen Happy Hour outside in the fresh evening air. More than a dozen folks who found us on Meetup joined in for lively conversations. Hello Margaret, Charla, Mary, Nancy, Margaret, Robert and brother Ben. Also, Chris, Ned, JR, Bob, Tom K., Carol W, Tom & Carol P. Infinitus iPie is where the 4H event started, going three years ago, and is a favorite. Each person gets a personal pizza starting at $5 with your choice of crust, sauce and cheese, and up to $7.99 for unlimited toppings. Tom's record is 12 toppings and that is a delicious meal. Infinitus also has salads, chicken wings beer on tap and other offerings, along with amazing dessert pies. Thanks for joining in for this special evening.

Humanist Heathen Happy Hour (4H) | June 19 | 6:00 pm

385 Union Blvd, Lakewood, CO https://joseosheas.com/

Jose O'Shea’s is a favorite local hangout with good Mexican food and a fun setting. We'll meet in the upstairs cantina at 6:00 pm. RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/JeffcoHumanists/ events/261882027/

The Jefferson Humanists welcome you to come join fellow Humanists and Heathens for drinks, dinner and unique conversations, every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm. We'll try new places and go back to our favorites.

Keep in touch. RSVP, attend and keep up with all functions and activities on our Meetup page. https://www.meetup.com/JeffcoHumanists/

JH Monthly — 2019 June 8 HOME Issue 6.06 • Humanist present a program Moment: “Battle of Church & State.” Currently, Annie For the July 28 is Co-President of FFRF Humanist Moment, with her husband, Dan Lindy Baer will Barker (they have been report on the 78th Co-Presidents since Annual American 2004). Annie has been Humanist plaintiff in or overseen Association (AHA) National Conference held June multiple state/church 15th. He will also highlight some of the significant lawsuits and actions by initiatives and activities of the AHA. FFRF. Annie has been Annie Laurie Gaylor • Program: very much involved in several women’s causes. Annie Laurie Gaylor, one of the founders of the Her book, Woe to the Women: The Bible Tells Me So, first Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) will published by FFRF in 1981, is in its 4th printing.

Get your tickets soon because this event will sell out. The Friday night dinner is sold out but the main conference is on Saturday and includes a buffet dinner. Headliners are Seth Andrews, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Gordon Gamm, and Shelley Segal. There will be a Spotlight on Humanism, a panel of Colorado secular leaders, Heathen Happy Hour, a comedy show, vendors, exhibitors, and more. Click here for conference details and ticketing: https://www.secularaccess.org/

Tom Kellogg organizer, Lindy Baer Program Director

JH Monthly — 2019 June 9 HOME Issue 6.06 Your Library, Your Books. You can search for title (or part of the title), author or tags, such as philosophy, science, etc. When you find the book you are looking for contact Matthew Elisha, or Carol Wilson and we’ll do our best to bring the book to the next Chapter Meeting for you. http://www.librarything.com/catalog/JeffcoHumanists/jeffersonhumanists New books in library: • Humanism by Peter Cave, Beginners Guides, 2 copies Donated by Matthew Elisha 4/28/19 • The Not-So-Intelligent DESIGNER: Why Evolution Explains the Human Body and Intelligent Design Does Not. by Abby Hafer, Signed

“Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without or other beliefs, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good. ~American Humanist Association

JH Monthly — 2019 June 10 HOME Issue 6.06 Note: Due to increased attendance, we are changing the day and room of the JH movie night. It will now be the second Friday of the month and in the main building at JUC in room R/7. In honor of Pride Fest Month, please join us for our monthly JH Movie Night, where we'll be showing award winning Boy Erased (rated R, run time 1 hour 55 minutes). Doors open at 6:40 and the movie starts right at 6:50, followed by an open discussion. Popcorn, snacks, and drinks will be served, donation's are accepted. You are welcome to bring a comfy chair or cushion. Remember, please note that we will be meeting in the main building. Click here to see the official trailer: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B71eyB_Onw Movie Description: Jared Eamons, the son of a small-town Baptist pastor, must overcome the fallout after being outed as gay to his parents. His father and mother struggle to reconcile their love for their son with their beliefs. Fearing a loss of family, friends, and community, Jared is pressured into attending a conversion therapy program. While there, Jared comes into conflict with its leader and begins his journey to finding his own voice and accepting his true self. Host Robert and Co-Host Charla

Not to be confused with Gay Parade, Gay pride or LGBT pride is the positive stance against discrimination and violence toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to promote their self-affirmation, dignity, equality rights, increase their visibility as a social group, build community, and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the predominant outlook that bolsters most LGBT rights movements throughout the world. Pride has lent its name to LGBT-themed organizations, institutes, foundations, book titles, periodicals and even a cable TV station and the Pride Library. For Denver’s annual Gay Pridefest see: https://www.denver.org/event/denver-pridefest-2019/59984/

JH Monthly — 2019 June 11 HOME Issue 6.06 by Sikivu Hutchinson • 20 May 2019 Atrocities like the Alabama abortion bill are one of the reasons why I’m an atheist and a humanist. Barefoot, pregnant, and bombed back to the Stone Age continues to be the clarion call for dominionist lawmakers who are bound and determined to hijack women’s rights. It was no surprise that twenty-five Republican white men in the Alabama state legislature were the linchpin for passing the most draconian anti-abortion bill in the nation (one of whom is Dr. Larry Stutts, a freshman senator and OB-GYN who was dubbed Alabama’s 2015 “Scumbag of the Year” for seeking to repeal a law named after a patient who died in his own care shortly after giving birth) and shepherding it to the desk of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, who proudly signed it into law. These are the same kind of men who queue in front of abortion clinics to hound and demonize pregnant women. They are the same kind….Christian fascism based on a deeply misogynist fear of women’s bodies, sexuality, and reproductive autonomy…Read more at https://thehumanist.com/commentary/keep-god-and-theocrats-out-of-our-wombs

2019 Jefferson Humanists Leadership President: Matthew Elisha [email protected] Vice President: Jim Bole [email protected] Treasurer: Dan Green [email protected] Secretary: Open [email protected] IT Committee Chair/Acting Chair: Nancy Bolt [email protected] Webmaster: Terry Kirkham [email protected] Humanists Helping Humanity (HHH) Carole Hughes [email protected] Freethinkers Reading Opportunity Group (FROG): [email protected] Leader—Helena Goldstein: Program Chair: Lindy Baer [email protected] Humanists Perspectives: Tom Kellogg and Jim Bole Humanists Heathen Happy Hour (4H) Tom Kellogg and David V Smith Movie Night Robert and Tom Kellogg Board Advisor Bruce Vincent Newsletter Editor: Carol Wilson [email protected] “When I became convinced that the universe is natural – that all ghosts and gods are myths, there entered into my brain the joy of freedom. I was free – free to think, to express my thoughts, free to live for myself and those I loved. Free to investigate, to guess and dream and hope. Free to reject all ignorant and cruel creeds, all the ‘inspired’ books that savages have produced. Free from popes and priests. Free from sanctified mistakes and holy lies. Free from the fear of eternal pain, free from devils, ghosts and gods. There were no prohibited places in all the realms of thought, no following another’s steps, no need to bow, or cringe, or crawl, or utter lying words.” ~Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899) Robert Green "Bob" Ingersoll was an American writer and orator during the Golden Age of Free Thought, who campaigned in defense of agnosticism. He was nicknamed "The Great Agnostic"

JH Monthly — 2019 June 12 HOME Issue 6.06