Speaker Jim Woodward from PFLAG Temecula Valley will be speaking on his personal experiences with anti-gay discrimination and hatred, and how the community organized against such divisive hate.

The meeting will be held at the home of Peace Works! member Kynn Bartlett, 2 Vista Palermo in Lake Elsinore. Refreshments will be provided and there will be opportunity for discussion and questions. For more information or for directions, please see the Peace Works! web site at http://www.PeaceWorksinTV.org/ or call Kynn Bartlett at (909) 202-9872.

About Jim Woodward:

Jim Woodward is an active member of Peace Works! and the founder of the Temecula Valley chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). A Navy veteran (1972-74, USS Constellation), he challenged the military's anti-gay policies in the 70s. After being released from duty, he was coordinator of Military Counseling at the Gay Center in San Diego. He was a firefighter and paramedic from 1975 through 1986.

He founded San Diego Veterans Association in 1984-85, and co-founded the national group Gay Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of America in 1987. He has been honored as Gay Man of the Year in San Diego and Pride parade Grand Marshall.

Jim was employed from 1986 to 2000 by the County of San Diego Department of Health Services, and in 2000 took a position with the San Bernardino County Public Health department as Chief of Administrative Services. In 2003, after giving an interview to the Riverside Press-Enterprise, and after insisting on compliance with county and state policies against sexual orientation discrimination in Public Health contracts, San Bernardino County and Jim parted ways with him retiring in 2003. "Having nothing to do but tend my garden," Jim says, "I have now begun a chapter of PFLAG in Temecula." Jim and Sal, his partner of 29 years, live in Temecula.

About Peace Works! in Temecula Valley:

We are the people of the Temecula Valley working together as members of the global community to recognize and honor diversity and support active, peaceful responses to local, regional, and world conflicts. Founded by friends and neighbors brought together in opposition to the Iraq war, Peace Works! has grown to take on a leading role in the community through promotion of non-violence and peace. Peace Works! in Temecula Valley is an affiliate of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, an international interfaith peace and justice organization. For more information on Peace Works!, see our Web site at http://www.PeaceWorksinTV.org/.

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