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

October is LGBTQ History Month!

No on 1/Protect Maine Equality

In May of 2009 thousands of people across the state of Maine celebrated as "An Act to Promote Marriage Equality and Affirm Religious Freedom" (Public Law Chapter 82) was passed by the Maine State Legislature and signed by Governor John Baldacci. With the passing of this law same-sex couples were granted legal rights such as the ability to file taxes jointly and access to health insurance as a family. "An Act to Promote Marriage Equality and Affirm Religious Freedom" honors the commitment that same-sex couples make to each other, and in the eyes of the law makes this commitment equal to their heterosexual counterparts.

The law was scheduled to take effect September 12, 2009, but in recent months it has been derailed by opponents of same-sex marriage via the Maine Same-Sex Marriage People's Veto. Members of the group behind this effort collected a sufficient number of signatures to place the measure on the November ballot. This means that the law will not go into effect until and unless a statewide vote of the people approves it. The vote will take place on November 3rd.

"No on 1/Protect Maine Equality" is a statewide, grassroots campaign defending the marriage equality law challenged by the Maine Same-Sex Marriage People's Veto. Voting "no" on Question 1 preserves the law that was enacted this spring after thousands of Maine residents testified before the legislature. "No on 1/Protect Maine Equality" has put forth an amazing effort in the crusade for legal marriage for same-sex couples, and with the voting day right around the corner they need your help!

Want to get involved? On Sunday, September 27 a virtual phone bank will be utilized to contact Maine voters about this critical referendum. All you need is a phone number and a computer with an internet connection. No long distance fees, no dialing - the web-based software does it all! Click here  for more information or to sign up! 

Our friends at Vermont Freedom to Marry are also looking for volunteers to help with a VFM phone bank to help our counterparts in Maine identify supportive voters. Please email Sheryl@vermontfreedomtomarry.org or Ashley@vermontfreedomtomarry.org to get involved!

Vermont CARES Red Ribbon Rally

From Vermont CARES: "The Red Ribbon Rally will gather 450 people representing Vermonters diagnosed with HIV in our state.  Rallyers will wear red tshirts and form a human red ribbon approximately 100 feet long – we need you there to complete the picture!"

The event is this Saturday! Click here to register.

Dialogue and Desserts

This fall, RU12? invites the community to join us for "Dialogue and Desserts". Each Tuesday evening, from 7:30 - 8:30 pm, we will come together at the center to discuss a different topic affecting our community and enjoy dessert together. Topics include issues such as language, family and legal matters. This series will run for eight weeks, September 29th through November 17th. The first topic for discussion is Community. We hope to see you there!

ENDA hearing September 23rd, act now!

Pass ENDA in 2009!

Tell Congress to Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act NOW!

On September 23, the House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing to discuss ENDA, the federal employment nondiscrimination law that would ban discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.  It is past time for Congress to pass ENDA -- please take action NOW to help us get the support we need.  We must tell our Representatives and Senators how important these protections are to LGBT people.

To pass ENDA in Congress in 2009, we must speak up loud and clear!  We must flood their offices with calls and emails!

Contact your Representative and Senators to ask them to take swift action to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.  Do it today.  They need to hear that this bill is our top priority. 

Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: (202) 224-3121. Give the operator your zip code and ask to be connected to your Representative (in Vermont, Rep. Peter Welch). Then, after leaving your message, hang up and call again to be connected to your two Senators (in Vermont Sen. Leahy and Sen. Sanders).

 Suggested voicemail message: My name is _____ and a proud resident of (your city/state). I am calling in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017/S. 1584), to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination. Please take swift action to pass ENDA. I can be reached at _______ (provide your phone number). Thank you.

 Or send an email to your Representative and Senators by clicking here. [LINK TO: http://eqfed.org/campaign/ENDA_CongressionalCampaign_househearing]

 It only takes a few minutes to make the calls or send the email, but the impact of your actions will touch lives for many years to come.

Prominent Policy

It's that time of year again...the temperature has started to drop, the apples on the trees are ready to be picked, and oh yes, members of Congress are back from their month-long summer break and ready to tackle some important issues (we hope). While we are debating whether or not it is time to take out our long underwear, members of Congress are discussing matters such as healthcare reform, foreign policy, environmental safety, and civil rights.

One significant bill up for deliberation is the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The bill was reintroduced, in June of this year, by Barney Frank (D-MA) in an effort to ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Currently there is no federal law that consistently protects LGBTQ individuals from employment discrimination. However, there are 12 states which include sexual orientation and gender identity in their non-discrimination laws (Vermont is one of them).

What will we gain by adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the federal Employment Non-Discrimination law? When these terms are added individuals that identify as LGBT will be afforded the federal employment discrimination protections currently provided based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age and disability. Public and private employers, employment agencies and labor unions will be prohibited from using a person's sexual orientation or gender identity as the basis for employment decisions, such as hiring, firing, promotion, or compensation.

Sounds great, doesn't it? However, if you know a thing or two about the tactics of lawmaking then you probably suspect there are some things this bill will not include. The new and improved federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act would not apply to businesses with fewer than 15 employees, religious organizations, or uniformed members of the armed forces (i.e. there is still work to be done).

Adding both sexual orientation and gender identity to the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act is a crucial step in advancing civil rights for all individuals, and it is imperative that we keep ENDA inclusive. Representative Peter Welch (D-VT) is a co-sponsor of the House version of ENDA, and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) are co-sponsors for the Senate version. We urge you to contact these members of Congress to thank them for their hard work and let them know how important this law is to you!

Thank Representative Welch

Thank Senator Leahy

Thank Senator Sanders

Contact Elected Officials

Books and Baked Goods Bonanza!

This Thursday, September 24, RU12? will be hosting a books and baked goods bonanza! Swing by the center between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm and check out our vast selection of books for sale. Enjoy delicious desserts while you browse the LGBTQ classics and current releases we have to choose from, including works by Rita Mae Brown, Michael Thomas Ford, Leslie Feinberg, Edmund White, Sarah Schulman, Alison Bechdel, and many, many others. In addition to books, we will have a variety of vinyl LPs available for purchase. This is also a perfect opportunity to check out the Lending Library, which is stocked with great books and movies that you can take home or enjoy at the center. Hope to see you there!

Todd's Peek at: "Rubyfruit Jungle" by Rita Mae Brown

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown is an engaging piece of contemporary gay fiction, which I’ve read over a half dozen times, and the R.U.12 Reading Room and Library is the perfect place to enjoy this inspiring book.  The author deftly puts us into her heroine’s life, a comfortable place to be – “in a place of character.”

Rubyfruit Jungle­ features Rubyfruit, a lesbian woman, a hero with a clear sense of herself.  Brown writes of her reflections of her life and times by offering Rubyfruit as an icon for gay life lived with style and grace.  I can’t help but identify with her story, human and loving.

Rubyfruit shows goodness and beauty in the life she leads and the lives she touches along the way.  She is steadfast, reliant, and lives a thoughtful, full life.  Brown gives the reader inspiration, like a shiver down your back, feeling goodness and kindness in what she does and how she lives.

By giving us Rubyfruit, and sharing her journey though life as a lesbian, Rita Mae Brown profoundly attempts to help us reflect on our own lives.  It helps us reflect on the need for being gay, of finding a way to put love in your life.  Brown dares you to be self-reliant, to express yourself truthfully, and to live fully with all your senses, but mostly with your heart.  It’s a glorious book to read and re-read.

 

Visit the R.U. 12’s Reading Room & Library and look for Rita Mae Brown’s Rubyfruit Jungle, “to be in place of character.” 

Our Super Hero!!!

Greg Raney is the RU12? nominated United Way Hometown Hero Volunteer Nominee!!!  Greg and approximately 60 other United Way heroes were honored at the annual Live United Celebration Breakfast at the Sheraton Burlington Hotel and Conference Center on Thursday Sept 3rd. Greg received a special Vermont Teddybear as well as a lovely certificate recognizing his contribution to RU12? and the Burlington community.

Greg exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism which helps keep your center vibrant and alive.  You too can become a hero by volunteering your time and talents to RU12?, just send an email to brenda@ru12.org for more details.

Congratulations Greg......Our Super Hero!!!!

Job Opening at RU12?

HIV Prevention Program Director

Wanted: Enthusiastic, outgoing person to work with young gay, bi and queer guys to create a vibrant,  exciting community! Be a part of a team working to prevent the spread of HIV and support guys in making connections with each other.   

 

The director will coordinate a community-building HIV-prevention intervention for young MSM (Mpowerment), recruit guys for the program, facilitate meetings and workshops, develop promotional materials, provide HIV and safe sex information online, over the phone, and in person, and conduct outreach at queer events.

 

Familiarity with HIV prevention, MSM populations, and online social networking tools (especially Facebook, Twitter) preferred. Passion for social justice, sex positive and harm-reduction approaches, flexible and outgoing personality all valuable to the position. Experience doing HIV Testing and/or implementing Mpowerment especially desired.

 

This full time (32 hrs/wk) position includes evening and weekend work, and outreach in bars, clubs, and other venues. Hourly pay is $13/hr and full health and dental benefits offered. Send cover letter and resume to kara@ru12.org by September 30th.