RU12? Community Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Vermont

UVM's Vagina Monologues Performance Benefit SafeSpace Program

For many years students at our very own University of Vermont have been performing the "Vagina Monolgues", written  and producedby Eve Ensler. The proceeds to the show are donated to local anti-violence programs.  This year SafeSpace @ RU12? Community Center was selected as the sole beneficiary of the Vagina Monologues performance at UVM.   The Vagina Monolgues are shown in the month of February, and the event is often called" V-Day, until the violence ends".  This performance is about women but is for everyone, it is about women reclaiming their sexuality in a positive way, it is about taking words that have been used to describe women's vagina's in a negative way and making them positive again, kind of like to word Queer for a lot of people. 

On February 29th and March 1st, 2008 the Vagina Monologues was performed at UVM and both shows sold out.  This was an amazing show, with incredible attendance.  The UVM students were really able to showcase their talent, and talented they are....I was fortunate to attend a previewing of the show, the day before it was to open to the public.  I was very impressed with everyone's performance.  If you were not able to make the show this year, remember it happens every February!  Remember as well that if you purchase a ticket the money will be donated to an anti-violence program or non-profit agency. 

This year with SafeSpace being the sole beneficiary I am thrilled to report that UVM's Vagina Monologues performances contributed $8,573.66 to our anti-violence program.  That is an incredible amount of money for our small non-profit and we could not be more honored!  To be selected by UVM as the beneficiaries was such a gift.  Kara DeLeonardis, the Executive Director of RU12? Community Center, and Ann Atkins, Program Director of the SafeSpace Program @ RU12? were present at the brunch and received the check for the Center. 

Thank you UVM for thinking of us.  Thank you for such a great performance, and we look forward to next year! 

RU12? joins Lamda Legal's "Sign the Pledge" for Equality

Lamda Legal says "Sign the Pledge" on Second Annual "Clock in For Equality Day" on May 15th.  Thursday May 15th, 2008 is the second annual "Clock in for Equality" day, a national day of action to educate and mobilize people to promote workplace fairness for LGBTQ people. 

Participants are encouraged to sign a pledge agreeing to take specific actions to help increase workplace fairness for LGBTQ people and those with HIV.  That pledge form will be available at RU12? Community Center for anyone interested in signing.  If you stop into the Center ask at the front desk to sign the pledge.  Our goal is to simply collect as many signatures as possible. 

THE PLEDGE:

I believe that workplace discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) people and people living with HIV is wrong.  I pledge to support workplace equality whenever I can and will strive to do one or more of the following:

• Treat LGBT people and people living with HIV with respect in and out of the workplace.  Get educated about forms of workplace discrimination that LGBT people and people living with HIV experience.
• Help make my workplace LGBT- and HIV - friendly
• Support my co-workers (or employees') right to form an LGBT employee resource group.
• Help improve policies in my workplace that protect the rights of LGBT workers and workers living with HIV and work to carry out existing policies.
• Help improve laws protecting the rights of LGBT workers and workers living with HIV on the local, state and federal level. 
• Speak out if I witness workplace harassment or discrimination at work or in the community. 

The mission of RU12? Community Center is very much aligned with the work that Lamda Legal's "sign the pledge" is doing so making the decision to have the Center a place for people to sign was an easy one.  You can come to the Center (we of course would love to see you) and sign or you can visit http://ga4.org/campaign/clockin and sign online.

Thank You Eliza!!! Another successful RAR

The 4th annual Run Against Rape (RAR)took place on Sunday, April 27th.  It was another chilly day but there was a lot of action going on at Oakledge Park.  Eliza, our fabulous RU12? Americorps VISTA did an amazing job again this year and RAR was very successful!

This year we broke records in terms of sponsorship.  We were very excited about all of the support that we received from local businesses. 

The Chittenden Bank, Pete's RV, and the Laura Kate Winterbottom Foundation all gave $500.00 towards RAR.  Excel Physical Therapy donated $250.00, and Living Well Chiropractic kicked in $100.00! 

Eliza did a really great job assigning tasks, keeping track of what we were all doing and in the end pulled off another great event for the benefit of SafeSpace @ Ru12? Community Center. 

Eliza ROCKS!!!

Are you in....... or are you OUT?!

Have you designed your hat for the RU12? Queer Community Dinner and Auction yet?  Walk the runway, strut your stuff, and show off your mad hat skills.  Interested in designing a hat? All hats must incorporate a gay icon and something distinctly "Vermont."  The hats will be judged at the dinner.  A designer can designate themselves or a model to show the hat on the Run-Way, and a "fierce" prize will go to the top pick!  Don't bore Nina! Contact Karen to register!

Order your tickets for the dinner today!