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

Rally for Vermont Cares !!!!

WHAT IS THE RED RIBBON RALLY?

On September 26th at 12 noon on UVM's Redstone Campus we will gather to show support for all Vermonters Living with HIV/AIDS. Our goal for the Red Ribbon Rally is to create a live, memorable, visual symbol in the form of a red ribbon. Those rallying will wear red shirts and aerial photographs will document the living ribbon. The enthusiasm generated at the Rally will continue to inspire and inform people through images shared from the event.

Vermont CARES' first ever Red Ribbon Rally promises to be a truly unique demonstration of support for all Vermonters living with HIV/AIDS. Please join us on September 26th and show that Vermont does indeed CARE!

Register HERE to register for the Red Ribbon Rally and make a difference!

If you would like to be involved with the planning or volunteer on the day of the rally please call Vermont CARES at 802-863-2437 or email us at ravenvt@msn.com

How Can You Stand Up Against Hate?

As you may have heard, this Tuesday, September 1st, Fred Phelps and his hate group, the Westboro Baptist Church is coming to Montpelier and Burlington with his "God Hates Fags" and anti-Semitic messages.

As Vermont's community center and advocacy organization for the LGBT community we want to invite the community to help us turn this hate filled message into something positive for our community, and to take this opportunity to educate the public about the work that remains to be done.

RU12? runs the SafeSpace Anti-Violence Program for LGBT victims of hate crimes, discrimination, domestic and sexual violence. On a regular basis in Vermont members of our community, youth and adults, experience hate speech, discrimination, bias and sometimes physical violence because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. SafeSpace at RU12? served over 100 Vermont victims this year alone.

September 1^st should be a day to acknowledge both our accomplishments as a community, and also how much we still need to do to ensure full equality and safety for all Vermonters. September 1st should also be a day to celebrate the LGBT community and our supporters who helped accomplish marriage equality.

Here are ways to take action against hate and to support the LGBT community in Vermont:

 1) Counter Phelps’ message by helping RU12? end hate and build community: Pledge a dime, a quarter, a dollar or two dollars, (or however much you can!) to RU12? for every minute WBC is picketing in Vermont. Visit: http://www.inlu.com/registry?key=1AW2D6CSLY461 to pledge, or www.ru12.org to learn more about resources for  the LGBT community and how to get involved.

 2) Attend a Community Meeting of Solidarity in the Face of Hate Speech organized by members of religious communities, Monday, August 31^st, 7:30pm, First Congregational Church, 38 Winooski Ave., Burlington, For more information call Rabbi Chasan, 864-0218.

 3) Celebrate Marriage Equality and Vermont's leadership at an event sponsored by the Vermont Gay Travel Association and benefiting Vermont CARES  and the People with AIDS Coalition. (Visit: http://www.smallstatebigheart.com)

 4) Support the Marriage Equality movement: sign up for a phone bank to help Maine. Email Sheryl@vtfreetomarry.org for a list of dates and locations.  Or you can volunteer to fill a shift at a VT county fair to thank Vermont.  Email Sheryl@vtfreetomarry.org or Ashley@vtfreetomarry.org.

 5) Write a letter to the editor of your local paper expressing your support for the LGBT and Jewish communities, and condemning hate speech.

 6) Post a comment below, let's get talking and work together to end hate!

New Support Group for Men

SafeSpace is offering a peer led support group for male identified survivors of relationship violence, dating violence, emotional violence or hate violence.  This group will meet in Burlington at the RU12? Community Center and will be facilitated by Damian. 

Support groups give survivors a safe and supportive environment to tell their stories, share information, and offer and receive support. These groups also provide survivors an opportunity to gain information on how to better cope with feelings and experiences that surface because of the trauma they have experienced or are currently experiencing.  Please contact SafeSpace if you are interested in joining this group- 802-863-0003.

Protest Fred Phelps by supporting the LGBTQ community!

Join us Now, $500 already been raised!

The RU12? 180 Minute Challenge! Help Vermont End Hate!

On the day that Marriage Equality comes to Vermont, Tuesday, September 1st, the Westboro Baptist Church and Fred Phelps is coming to Montpelier and Burlington with his "God Hates Fags" and anti-Semitic messages.

Counter Phelps’ message by helping RU12? end hate and build community: Pledge a dime, a quarter, a dollar or two dollars, (or however much you can!) to RU12? for the expected number of minutes WBC is picketing in Vermont.

WBC is expected to protest for 3 hours - that's 180 minutes. Will you help put these minutes to a better purpose? Please hurry! This is a limited fundraiser ending on Tuesday, September 8th!!!

Please contribute TODAY!

A DIME per expected minute would be $18. A QUARTER = $45. Please make a donation in whatever amount you wish today!

Click here to give: http://www.inlu.com/registry?key=1AW2D6CSLY461

To check out media coverage about this effort visit : http://www.wptz.com/family/20455356/detail.html?taf=pla

http://www.wcax.com/global/story.asp?s=10965852

Watch us on-line on Ch. 17: http://www.cctv.org/node/80527

San Francisco Railway Streetcar No. 1051 defaced & The SafeSpace Bus Ad!

Most people are familiar with the name Harvey Milk, the American Politician who was a human rights pioneer and transit advocate.  Milk is perhaps known most for being the 1st openly gay man to be elected to public office in California as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, he was also murdered because of his sexual orientation, making what happened to Harvey Milk a hate crime!  Milk moved to the Castro District in San Francisco in the 1970's.

Harvey Milk had a passion for improving Muni and city government in general for all San Fransicans.  In October 2008 a Muni streetcar, No. 1051 was dedicated to Harvey Milk.  The streetcar was referred to as a "rolling classrom" to inform Muni customers on the F Market line about Milk's passion.  The dedication was a meaningful way to help visitors and residents appreciate this pivital civic leader.  Streetcar No. 1051 was also featured in the film "MILK".

Streetcar No. 1051 was defaced with anti-gay graffiti sometime in June.  No one reported the homophobic graffiti and it was allowed to remain in public view for the last six weeks.  When brought to the attention of the transit's chairman he addressed the issue and is having it taken care of. 

Another clear message painted and perpetuating hate....the hate we all hear about....the hate some of us experience....the hate that is meant to effect an entire community...that does effect entire communities.

SafeSpace, the anti-violence Program of the RU12? Community Center ran a bus ad a few months back.  I hope that some of you readers got a chance to see it.  The bus ad's purpose was to provide education about hate speech as well as to reach out to individuals who have been on the receiving end of these words.  We all hear the words "faggot", "dyke", and "freak" used in an insulting and hurtful way all too often.  We decided to use these words in our ad so that we could "call out" what is being used against people.  We are hopeful that people know about us and will call us if they experience hate speech...or any kind of violence.  

The penning of the hateful language on the streetcar dedicated to Harvey Milk was unnecessary, hurtful and intended to send a message to the entire community.  The thing about hate speech that is the same throughout the country is that it is used to hurt...and hurt it does.

If you or someone you know needs assistance please contact the SafeSpace office at 802-863-0003.

Transitioning our Social Programs Conference. Save the date!

UPDATED!! RU12? once again stands up and speaks out against hate, and we encourage you to join us!

Hello friends,

RU12? once again stands up and speaks out against hate, and we encourage you to join us!

 

On the day that Marriage Equality comes to Vermont, Tuesday, September 1st, the Westboro Baptist Church and Fred Phelps is coming to Montpelier and Burlington with his "God Hates Fags" and anti-Semitic messages.

 

They plan to protest at the Montpelier High School from 7:20 to 7:50 am, at the Vermont State House from 7:55 to 8:25 am, and the Montpelier City Clerk's office from 8:30 to 9 am. They will then head to Burlington, where they will picket Hillel at UVM from 9:45 am - 10:15 am, Chabad House from 10:15 am - 10:45 am and Ohavi Zedek from 10:45 am - 11:15 am.

 

As Vermont's LGBT community center and advocacy organization, we wanted to alert the community and invite people to get involved in turning this hate filled message into something positive for our community. September 1st should be a day to celebrate our community and our lives. In honor of our counter message of love and support, here are some ways you can get involved:

 

1) Counter Phelps’ message by helping RU12? end hate and build community: Pledge a dime, a quarter, a dollar or two dollars, (or however much you can!) to RU12? for every minute WBC is picketing in Vermont. Email thecenter@ru12.org with your name, phone number, mailing address, and the amount per minute you’d like to pledge.

 

2) You can celebrate Marriage Equality and Vermont's leadership at an event sponsored by the Vermont Gay Travel Association and benefitting Vermont CARES and the People with AIDS Coalition. (See http://www.smallstatebigheart.com/dance_party.php)

 

3) Support the Marriage Equality movement: sign up for a phone bank to help Maine. Email Sheryl@vtfreetomarry.org for a list of dates and locations.  Or you can volunteer to fill a shift at a VT county fair to thank Vermont.  Email Sheryl@vtfreetomarry.org or Ashley@vtfreetomarry.org.

 

4) Write a letter to the editor of your local paper expressing your support for the LGBTQ and Jewish communities, and condemning hate speech.

 

5) Peacefully protest on September 1^st (we recognize there are different perspectives on this and respect the choice of individuals to attend or not; RU12? is not organizing a presence.)

 

For updates as organizing unfolds, visit our blog at www.ru12.org or email us at thecenter@ru12.org

 

 

In pride,

Kara Deleonardis, MSW, LICSW

Executive Director, RU12? Community Center

kara@ru12.org

 

 

Hate Blog Comment on RU12? Website goes to court...

Hate speech is everywhere.  We all know it, we all confront it, and we all wish it were not so!  We speak out against it, we teach and educate on it and we make it known when it happens...

Several months ago appeared some hate speech on the RU12? website, someone spoke out against marriage equality...not only spoke out against marriage equality but chose to write his opinion piece under a story we posted that documented a serious hate crime that took place on Church Street in Burlington.  This writer posted that "the beatings will continue." 

We took that remark very seriously.  We considered it to be hate speech.  We contacted the police and asked that charges be filed against the person who wrote the blog.  The Burlington police were extremely helpful and also took the remark seriously.  Charges were filed and an arraignment set. 

At the arraignment the defense attorney challenged probable cause.  The State's Attorney's office did an amazing job defending the Center and challenged the court to find probable cause.  After a very articulate and powerful argument the Judge presiding in the case was unable to find probable cause and the case was dismissed.

Although disappointed that it was dismissed The Center is very pleased with the representation given us by the State's Attorney's office.  They did a great job, and took this very seriously. 

Weighing the options is always something one must do before proceeding to court.  The options were weighed and analyzed, and although many of us knew that there was a risk of this case being dismissed we wanted to take a stand anyway. 

We are not here to be harrassed, insulted or threatened and if that should happen the Center continues to see Police and State's Attorney involvement whenever necessary.

If you have a minute please call TJ Donovan and thank him for the hard work done by very capable Deputy State's Attorney's in his office.  652-0386 ~ Let them know you appreciate them taking hate speech against your community seriously...

Looking for a weekend of arts and the great outdoors?

Join the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts and Great Camp Sagamore as they present "Out in the Adirondacks" on August 21st-23rd!

A weekend of arts and the great outdoors for the "out" population and their supporters: Theatre, film, music, and dance surrounded by the beauty of the Adirondacks and Great Camp Sagamore.

Hosted by comedian Steve Hayes, star of the movie "Trick", and with a special concert on the larn of Sagamore by singer/songwriter Catie Curtis.

$249 per person includes lodging, meals and entertainment. Individual tickets for "Steve Hayes Hollywood Reunion" and the Catie Curtis concert are also available separately.

Call 315.354.5311 x 21 for reservations, or check out Great Camp Sagamore.

RU12? featured in national blog

Check out the cool photo and write up of RU12? in "The Queerest Places" blog... http://queerestplaces.wordpress.com/

RU12? Community Center
34 Elmwood Avenue

The LGBT community center which would perhaps win the “most unique name” contest celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, founded in 1999 by University of Vermont students who “believed that Vermont needed a multi-generational, substance-free queer space open to people of all ages, races and genders,” to quote its mission statement. The first location for RU12 was “on the waterfront,” but the center moved to this charming building downtown in 2003 (see photo above by Travis Dubreuil, who travels the country photographing queer community centers; visit him at www.thecentersproject.org). Over the years, RU12 merged with the Anti-Violence Project and Equality Vermont, making it a powerful agent for change in the Green Mountain State.

You’ll find an array of programs at the center, such as social and support groups, lesbian health care, a cyber center, a lending library, the Vermont Queer Archives, Vermont TransAction, and the LGBTQ Elder Project. They also sponsor an annual queer community dinner; the Run Against Rape; and the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Don’t miss it if you travel to scenic little Vermont: it’s the only queer center in the state!

A plea for assistance from Israel, please read and help if you can

Dear Friends

I am sure you are aware of the tragedy that unfolded last Saturday evening here in Tel Aviv. The shooting, the murders, the human pain and suffering has shaken the entire community to its very roots. Our friends, our families, our neighbors, whether, gay or straight, Jewish, Muslim or Arab are horrified and enraged.

All is not clear at this moment as to who is responsible or the reasons why.

It brings to mind the morning of 9/11, no one knew exactly what was happening, each of us were amazed , shocked and dazed but at the precise second in that very moment all of us knew that our world had changed forever.

All the GLBT organizations in Israel are working and co-coordinating together. spearheaded and directed by The Aguda, the National Association of GLBT in Israel.

The Aguda will do whatever is necessary to heal the community, to support the families of those who are no longer with us and those injured. But this horror has hurt us badly and we are putting out a global cry for aid and assistance.

We are a strong and proud people who have survived other tragedies.

As the days pass, emotions will calm, plans will be made, and those responsible will be found and community will heal and lives will return to normal.

At this moment, we know that we need financial assistance desperately.

We need to organize counseling for those youths that were in the Center and were fired upon by the gunman. When you look at these young boys and girls you can see the horror in their eyes and you know they have been wounded deep in their souls.

We need to organize long term counseling for the entire youth membership and their friends and families. These kids many who travel hours by bus to come to our center, are hidden away, we need to be able to reach out to them. This takes FUNDS.

Our help and assistance HOTLINE is now operating extended hours. Our volunteers are manning these phones day and night and have committed to keep these lines operating every day until the community is back on its feet. We need to support these volunteers and recruit and train more of these dedicated men and women. And this takes DOLLARS

Our Home has been desiccated and we do not know the extent of the damage or how long it will be unavailable, we need to find a temporary center away from the nightmare and we need to be open immediately to keep our programs intact and let the community know that we are strong and are here for them.. This takes Money

We now have to develop security measures to protect our members, our volunteers our staff, this is very difficult because a lot of our members are discreet or closeted. We cannot put armed guards at the doors, we cannot have cameras filming them, and we cannot have registration or even demand identification because a large percentage of these members would just vanish into the oblivion. In many cases from the Youths to the seniors we are the only connection they have to the GLBT world. To develop and install this type of security is costly and this takes SHEKLELS.

This nightmare that has rained down on us, hits us at a time that the world is already being squeezed by the economic crisis.

As you know when the financial world began to collapse and the global economy turned downwards the wealth of our membership shrunk along with their disposable income and their charitable donations. Our friends in America face the same problems, so it is difficult to ask but we have to. We have to ask all of our friends for every drop of financial support they can offer.

Now we are faced with the financial burden of this nightmare which fare exceeds our emergency funds and the ability for our small community to burden. We are begging for help and assistance from our brothers and sisters around the globe. We are asking everyone to take a minute from their busy schedules and to do whatever they can to help... Today... not tomorrow, not next week... We need the help now.

Our Chairperson Mike Hamel and our Board members have charged me with raising funds from our American and Canadian friends and supporter.

And I am asking each of you to help co-ordinate, communicate, contact, and urge your members, your congregations, your associations to help NOW.

Fund raising takes time and co-ordination...Which at this moment we do not have... We only know that we have an immediate need and I am asking you with all of my heart… to please find a way to help.

Ask everyone you talk to visit our website, www.glbt.org.il; donations are easily done on our website.

We have set up a special email address, Emergency@glbt.org.il. Please feel free to contact us through this address to if you need to arrange to make a pledge or donation

Anyone who wishes to make a corporate donations or support or to arrange a special donations, or grants or financial aid can contact our financial board member, Oded Katzman, at Oded@glbt.org.il

You can also contact me through my personal email at Barry@glbt.org.il

Please this is urgent, call me, call our offices, and send us an email... Day or nights do not think about the time difference we are here to make this easy for you…

Regards

Barry Norman

RU12? joins all community and youth centers in condemning last week's violence in Israel

As you may have heard, the LGBT Community Center in Tel Aviv (Municipal GLBT Community Center, The City of Tel Aviv-Yafo) was confronted with a dreadful attack last weekend. A masked individual entered the LGBT center and opened fire, killing two young people and wounding another fifteen. The attack came in the middle of an LGBT youth support group gathering and many victims are in their teens. Current reports indicate police may have a lead on the individual. Please visit the news sources below for up-to-date information, as well as statements from Tel Aviv officials.

"I am deeply saddened by the horrific attack on the Tel-Aviv Center", said Terry Stone, executive director of CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers. "The world-wide community of LGBT centers mourns the loss of these two young people and calls on all people to stop the violence on LGBT people everywhere. This was a devastating tragedy, and the LGBT community everywhere would like to extend their hearts and hands to the entire community of Tel Aviv and Israel."

We at CenterLink are saddened, and outraged by this attack. LGBT Community Centers are a place where members of the LGBT community should be able to gather in safety. That safety has been temporarily shattered in Tel Aviv's center this weekend.

We would like to express our sincerest condolences to the LGBT Community Center in Tel Aviv, and ask you to do the same. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to CenterLink at CenterLink@LGBTcenters.org and we will forward those to the Center. More information about the Municipal GLBT Community Center, The City of Tel Aviv-Yafo can be found at http://www.gaycenter.org.il.

The Jersusalem Post:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277945034&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull

BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8180069.stm

LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-israel-shooting2-2009aug02,0,2362968.story

Laura's March on Sept. 12th

Mark the date and plan to join us!

Laura’s March to End Violence Against Women, our third annual 5K walk/run

September 12, 2009

On the Bike Path at Oakledge Park in Burlington

9:00 until 12:00 noon

The Laura Kate Winterbottom Fund is a non-profit 501(c)3 foundation established in 2005 by the family and friends of Laura after her abduction, rape, and murder on March 8, 2005. At the time of her passing, Laura was teaching art to children in an after-school program and making plans to become a full-time art teacher. Along with her passion for teaching art and doing art projects was her passion for exploring and enjoying Vermont's wondrous natural environment.

For more details and information, please see Laura’s March page.

American Psychological Association issues statement on Conversion Therapy!

Today the American Psychological Association (APA) issued a report stating that there is insufficient evidence that sexual orientation change efforts work and that mental health professionals should avoid telling clients they can change from gay to straight through therapy or other treatments. Upon completing a careful scientific review of the published literature on conversion therapy, and having undergone a rigorous American Psychological Association peer review process, the Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Response to Sexual Orientation concluded that sexual orientation is unlikely to change due to "therapeutic" efforts designed for this purpose. The full APA press release can be read here. "In accepting the findings of its Task Force, I believe the APA has done the public a great service in warning against the overstated claims of conversion therapy `successes'," said Jack Drescher, M.D. Interested in reading more? Check out the AP article.

If you are looking for a good therapist or mental health counselor, make sure to check out the Vermont Diversity Health Project, or give us a call at the Center. We have a list of safe, knowledgeable, and LGBTQ-friendly or affiliated mental health professionals!

Inclusive ENDA Introduced!

Representative Barney Frank, joined by Reps. Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis, introduced an inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) prohibits employment discrimina�tion on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. ENDA creates express protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people similar to those available under existing federal discrimination laws for other protected classes of workers.

We are lucky that in Vermont our representation is supportive of this legislation! Are you interested in finding out more about what is happening with this, and what you can do to help? Check out the National Center for Transgender Equality, the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce Toolkit, and the PFLAG advocacy projects. All of these places have some great information, talking points, and ideas about how to help this legislation pass!

New LGBT program at Brattleboro Retreat

The new LGBT program at the Brattleboro Retreat helps people find the strength to face the challenges of mental illness and addiction in a safe, sensitive and supportive environment. You'll find the freedom to openly express issues and feelings without judgment or prejudice.

This new program provides specialized, inpatient hospital care for LGBT individuals with:

• depression and other mood diosorders
• anxiety
• grief and loss
• sexual compulsivity
• sexual identity issues
• HIV/AIDS and related concerns
• drug and alcohol addiction and other mental health issues

They provide comprehensive discharge planning and aftercare that is sensitive to the needs of LGBT patients.

Admissions 24 hours a day. & days a week. For more information call 802-258-3700 or visit www.brattlebororetreat.org