RU12? Community Center celebrates, educates and advocates with and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Vermonters.

business of the month

Deborah Lashman, P.C.

Practicing throughout Vermont in the areas of family law, probate matters, and criminal defense, with particular expertise in the areas of civil unions, adoption, and domestic and sexual abuse.

  • Deborah Lashman, Esq.
  • 187 St. Paul St., Ste. 3B-1
  • Burlington, VT 05401
  • 802.861.7800

Read about other local businesses who support RU12?...

March 18, 2010

Bluebird Tavern Fundraiser Next Wednesday, March 24th

Next Wednesday evening, March 24th venture over to Bluebird Tavern, a neighborhood gastropub that offers simple and refined food at a very reasonable price. Sue Bette, the owner of Bluebird Tavern, has generously agreed to donate 10% of the sales from the night to the RU12? Community Center! Come support the LGBTQ community and a locally-owned business, which serves dishes such as Maine mussels, double burgers and hand rolled garganelli. Bluebird Tavern offers customers a selection of regionally-brewed beers on tap, wine and an array of smaller dishes that are described as "pub food with a contemporary twist". So, if you are in the mood for a flavorful meal like roasted chicken or braised lamb shank , or just feeling like a pint of beer and a plate of mussels stop by the Bluebird Tavern next Wednesday night and support the RU12? Community Center!

The Bluebird Tavern is located at 317 Riverside Avenue in Burlington

For more information about this event please email thecenter@ru12.org 

The RU12? Community Center will be closing at 4:45 next Wednesday so the staff can head over to the Bluebird Tavern. Hope to see you there!

HIV Testing News

Free Anonymous HIV Testing is available every Thursday from 11a-5p at the center!!

Have any questions contact mike@ru12.org or just call the center at 802.860.7812.

March 17, 2010

RU12? Executive Director comments about VT funding for the Boy Scouts

Use of state money for Boy Scouts comes under fire

By Peter Hirschfeld Vermont Press Bureau - Published: March 16, 2010
 

MONTPELIER – Gay rights organizations are opposing a $7,500 appropriation to the Boy Scouts in Gov. James Douglas' fiscal year 2011 budget proposal.

The appropriation isn't new. Since at least 2003, Douglas has proposed, and the Legislature has approved, annual expenditures for the Vermont chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. Until fiscal year 2009, the amount was $15,000. Beginning in fiscal year 2010, the amount was cut in half to $7,500.

But gay rights advocates say the organization's "discriminatory" policies – it prohibits gay and lesbian adults from volunteering as troop leaders – should prevent the group from receiving any taxpayer money.

"To have state taxpayer money support an organization with anti-gay policies is deeply disturbing, particularly at a time when we're seeing so many funding cuts to our most vulnerable residents," says Kara DeLeonardis, executive director of RU12.

Officials at Outright Vermont, a Burlington-based organization that works to support gay and lesbian youth, issued a statement criticizing the appropriation.

"We are disappointed to learn that state funding is being appropriated to the Boy Scouts, an organization that refuses to recognize the legitimacy of all families," officials at the organization said. "Outright believes that all youth need positive role models and encourages lawmakers not to permit discrimination, and to consider the diversity of all Vermont families in future policy decisions."

Rick Stockton, head of the Green Mountain Council – the governing body of the Vermont Boy Scouts – says the money is used not for operating expenses or salaries but for an annual Veterans Day parade hosted by the Boy Scouts.

Last year's parade drew thousands of people to downtown Barre. This year's event will be held in St. Albans.

"If it wasn't for the money in the governor's budget, we wouldn't be able to host the parade," Stockton says.

The Vermont chapter of Boy Scouts of America, which has a membership of 5,364 scouts, allows children to join the group regardless of sexual orientation.

"Any male in the state of Vermont in first grade through age 21 is invited to join the program," Stockton says, noting that girls 14 and over also can join. "At no time do we ask about, nor do we do anything to investigate, one's sexual orientation."

However the organization's policy prohibits openly gay or lesbian adults from volunteering for the group. There are 2,200 registered adult volunteers statewide.

"The Boy Scouts of America has made a decision on what it takes to become a leader," Stockton says.

The appropriation is particularly concerning, DeLeonardis says, given Vermont's role as a leader in the gay-rights movement. The state Legislature last year became the first in the nation to approve a same-sex marriage law.

The Boy Scout's policies came under fire locally recently when a gay couple from East Montpelier was turned down as Cub Scout leaders because of their sexual orientation. The incident prompted U.S. Rep. Peter Welch and 25 of his congressional colleagues to call on the Boy Scouts of America to reverse what they called a discriminatory policy against homosexuals.

"These are parents and children and people who want to be involved in doing community service and contributing positively to the community and they're not being allowed to," DeLeonardis says.

The United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling in 2000, declared the Boy Scouts of America can bar homosexuals from being troop leaders.

Asked about the appropriation last week, some lawmakers said they were uncomfortable with the idea of providing direct funding to the Boy Scouts.

"I personally do not believe we should use taxpayer dollars to support organizations that aren't inclusive of all of Vermont's citizens," said Senate President Peter Shumlin, who spearheaded passage of the same-sex marriage law.

Others however said they were reluctant to pull funding from a worthwhile organization based on the policies of its governing body. Rep. Bill Lippert, a Hinesburg Democrat, is an openly gay legislator who also helped shepherd through the landmark same-sex marriage legislation. He is also an Eagle Scout who counts his experience in the Boy Scouts as a positive one.

Though he opposes the "discriminatory policy" on troop leaders, Lippert said, he doesn't want to target a group that he considers an otherwise "positive force in life development.

"I don't think we should necessarily at this point paint a target on Boy Scouts in Vermont because of a national policy," Lippert said.

David Coriell, spokesman for the governor, said the administration sees value in both the Veterans Day parade and the organization that puts it on.

"To the more philosophical argument of what state organizations receive state funding, it's not a practice of the administration to evaluate and comment on every organization's policies when deciding on where funds should go," Coriell said. "… This is really about supporting the Boy Scouts and their efforts as far as the parade."

Robert Appel, executive director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, said he's surprised the state would fund a private organization that, were it a public group, would be in violation of Vermont law.

"Personally I would see it as problematic given that this state has had protections against sexual-orientation discrimination on its law books since 1992," said Appel, noting that he was speaking personally, and not on behalf of the Commission.

Allen Gilbert, executive director of the Vermont-ACLU said he finds it hard to believe that "legislators over the years have helped fund an organization that discriminates against people who would otherwise be protected by state law."

Stockton says his organization works hard to improve and enrich the lives of young people in the state. And the parade, he says, is an important way to pay tribute to the thousands of veterans living in Vermont.

"All we're doing is the best we can for families who choose to join scouting," he says. "We're not a political organization and we don't want to be."





*The L Word*

Tv_the_l_word02 Just a reminder that this Saturday, March 20th from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm the RU12? Community Center will be hosting a social event for anyone and everyone who loves "The L Word". Come join us for the guilty pleasure that is "The L Word" and then for discussion about future social activities for women! We will provide beverages and popcorn, you bring the ideas for future events! Email alex@ru12.org for more information, hope to see you there! 

March 16, 2010

SafeSpace Looking for Your Input on Vermont's Gender Identity Protection Law...

We helped advocate for gender identity protections in Vermont law – we want to know what you think of it so far!  Has it helped you?  Is the law working for you?  What do you think SafeSpace, Vermont’s only anti-discrimination Program should know about how this law is making a difference in your employment?  Would you be willing to anonymously share your employment/ job seeking experiences since the law went into effect?     

If you are a Vermont resident, identify as transgender or know someone who does we are interested in hearing from you. 

If you could take a moment to fill out this very short anonymous survey we would appreciate it!     

The information gathered in this survey will be used by SafeSpace for grant writing purposes, to steer our work in a direction that is most helpful to Vermont's LGBTQ community, to better inform the work we do at SafeSpace such as education and outreach as well as an academic research project. This is an anonymous survey however if people want to talk about their experiences they can call 802-863-0003.

Click on the link below to get to the survey.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/52NJ2PD

March 15, 2010

Join RU12?, Outright VT& VT Freedom to Marry in St. Johnsbury THIS Wednesday, March 17th 6:30-8:30pm

Come plug in so you can stay engaged in Vermont's ongoing march to full legal and social equality for all!

Beth Robinson from the VT Freedom to Marry Task Force will speak about the freedom to marry struggle 1994-2009. Kara DeLeonardis, RU12?'s Executive Director and Michel DuBois, Outright Vermont's Interim Executive Director will talk about our important work around the state.
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 17
6:30-8:30 pm
WHERE:
Universalist Unitarian Congregation
47 Cherry St., St Johnsbury
On Rte 2 directly across from new Catamount Arts Building

Refreshments provided.

For More Info: kara@ru12.org 802-860-7812

March 10, 2010

Join House of Lemay, VT Pride, RU12? and GLAM

120x80-bump

The gay/lesbian travel show, Bump!, was in Burlington last summer.

The show will air on the Logo network on Friday... but we'll preview it/premiere it the night before, Thursday, March 11.

It's a GREAT view of Burlington and Vermont!!!!

The hostess interviews Robin McGuire (former honcho from Vermont Freedom to Marry), Pierre from the Waterfront Diving Center, promoter Shawn Lipinski, cartoonist/author Alison Bechdel, singer/songwriter Gregory Douglass, Leunig's chef Donnell Collins, Willie and Greg of the Moose Meadow Lodge, Will from Old Gold and... our own Amber LeMay!

There will be two shows, 7pm & 8pm, in the largest theatre at the Roxy. Only $5 admission with proceeds going to Vermont Pride!!

Congratulations Outright Vermont!

In case you missed it we wanted to share Outright Vermont's news about their new Executive Director who starts this coming week. Congratulations to Outright VT and to Melissa Murray!
 
For Immediate Release: March 1, 2010logo
Contact: Michel DuBois (802) 778-0882

Outright Vermont Names New Executive Director

Outright Vermont is exited to announce Melissa Murray as the organization's new Executive Director. Murray will start on March 15th, succeeding Christopher Neff, who stepped down in December. Founded in 1989, Outright Vermont is the state's LGBTQ queer youth center and statewide advocacy organization. The Mission of Outright is to build safe, healthy, and supportive environments for LGBTQ queer youth (ages 13-22).  

Murray was selected after an extensive search undertaken by Outright Vermont's Board of Directors. Murray is "excited to help guide Outright into the future. I am especially excited to be working with queer youth, and look forward to getting to know the community in Vermont." 

Murray recently moved to Vermont from Columbus, Ohio. She has a Master's Degree in Social Work from the Ohio State University, and comes to Outright Vermont with a variety of organizational experiences. While in graduate school, Murray worked for GLBT Student Services at the Ohio State University, and prior to that, she worked in an agency providing sober and mental health support services to LBTQ women. Murray has experience with advocacy, volunteer management, budgeting, fund development, and service delivery, and has worked on issues related to racial justice, safety, economic empowerment, and reproductive health.  

"The Board of Directors was thrilled to find such an amazing candidate right here among us in the Burlington area.  We have no doubt that Melissa is the right person to bring Outright to its next level of success," said Claire Giroux-Williams, Chair of the Outright Board of Directors.

For more information, please visit http://www.outrightvt.org/ or Michel DuBois (interim-ed@outrightvt.org) or 802.778.0882.


Outright's organizing strategy is based on a youth empowerment, social change model that tells us that youth power is an essential element in the fight for equal rights. We describe youth empowerment in two parts - providing the safe space and resources so that youth can do the heavy lifting themselves and adjusting the fundamental power dynamics so that their hard work can achieves results.

March 09, 2010

DOMA event this Thursday cancelled but fill out the GLAD survey!

Equal marriage in Vermont is a critical step towards reaching full equality, but did you know that even though you are legally married in Vermont the federal government says you are not married?

The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) not only denies your marriage but denies you and your spouse access to more than 1,138 marriage-related rights, benefits, and protections. DOMA affects issues suh as taxes, retirement and health benefits, as well as property and parental rights.

This Thursday's GLAD event is cancelled, but to help out and learn more please click here and fill out this survey. Thank you!

Free Screening for Cervical Cancer

The Hicks Foundation invites uninsured and underinsured Vermont women to a free screening for cervical cancer. The screening will be held on Saturday, March 20th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and will be hosted by Affiliates in OBGYN at 96 Colchester Avenue in Burlington, Vermont. Please make an appointment by calling 802.658.0505.

Representatives from Ladies First  and Catamount Health Care  will enroll women in continuing healthcare programs. In addition to free cervical cancer screenings, pap tests, and breast exams, HVP vaccines are available as well. Interpreters, childcare and snacks will be provided. Appointments are recommended, but not required. Please specify translation language needed when making an appointment. For more information email emily@freepap.org or visit http://www.affiliatesobgyn.com for directions.

The Hicks Foundation thanks Affiliates in OBGYN, Ladies First and Seventh Generation for making this event possible.

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