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

Your donation will be matched 100% today!

Thank you to those of you who attended the wonderful house party fundraiser in Winooski this past weekend.

We raised more than half our goal and now we need your help to reach our final goal. Whether you donate, $5, $10, $50 or $100, The Samara Foundation will generously match that amount.These are much needed funds which cover the costs of non-grant funded programs for example our calendar and enewsletter of events, our Center space and library, social/support groups and events and more! Please click the link and help support Vermont's only LGBTQ center for adults http://tiny.cc/donategay. 

Thank you for supporting health, safety, justice and community in Vermont by donating today!

National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Monday will stress what's always been stressed: testing and prevention -- an approach promoted in a study showing 1 in 5 gay men have HIV and nearly half of them are unaware. But attitudes and awareness about the epidemic, among many young gay men and the rest of America, have shown a shift toward complacency, the U.S. government and groups say. The share of people who said they had heard, seen, or read "a lot" or "some" about the problem of HIV/AIDS in the United States in the past year declined from 70 percent in 2004 to 45 percent in 2009, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.  

What are you doing to protect yourself?

Don't forget that every Tuesday and Thursday we have

Rapid HIV Testing from 11a-5p!!

Stop in and ask for Mike or Hannah  

Community Center News!

LGBT Community Center Survey for 2010 Released

PORTLAND, OR – While the economic downturn has taken a toll on many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community centers, these centers continue to provide vital information, education, community and health services to over 30,000 people per week, according to a new report by CenterLink and the Movement Advancement Project (MAP).

Released today at the fourth annual CenterLink Leadership Summit, the 2010 LGBT Community Center Survey Report provides a detailed picture of LGBT community centers’ staffs and boards, program priorities, constituencies, infrastructure, fundraising, budgets and technical assistance needs.

The 35 larger centers providing trend data reported reductions in staff (from 916 combined staff in 2008 to 748 combined staff in 2010) and reduced operating hours (the average center was open 61 hours per week in 2008 versus 53 hours in 2010). Larger centers also reported serving fewer people; an average large center served 921 people per week in 2008 versus 668 people per week in 2010.

By contrast, smaller centers (those with annual budgets under $100,000) saw modest financial, staff and service growth despite the economic downturn. However, the minimal budgets of these centers means they continue to face capacity challenges. Over two-thirds (69%) of small community centers have no paid staff and all have fewer than five paid staff.

Despite these challenges, LGBT community centers are remarkably resilient. Among the report’s other key findings:

• LGBT community centers in the U.S. serve more than 30,000 people in an average week and refer an additional 9,500 people to other organizations or agencies.

• Centers offer a broad array of programming including information services, legal services, community outreach, arts and cultural programs, and health and mental health programs. Many centers offer specific programming for transgender people (83%), LGBT youth (80%), LGBT older adults (64%) and LGBT people of color (59%).

• Community center patrons are racially diverse, with the average large center serving a clientele that is 56% Caucasian, 20% African American, 16% Latino(a), 3% Asian Pacific Islander, 2% Native American and 3% other.

• For larger centers, 45% of revenue comes from government grants for purposes such as HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and testing and counseling, domestic violence work, homelessness, older LGBT adults and LGBT youth.

“Community centers are the frontlines for so many LGBT people in this country,” said Terry Stone, Executive Director of CenterLink. “In some communities, a center might be the only place where an LGBT person feels safe and accepted – or where that person can find essential legal or health care services. This report reminds us that, in the current economic environment, these centers need our support more than ever.”

“The LGBT Community Center Survey Report is the most comprehensive collection of data available on these truly indispensible local resources,” said Ineke Mushovic, Executive Director of MAP. “We hope these findings provide local, state and national leaders and policymakers with information that will ensure the continued health and growth of these vital community services.”

The full report is available online at www.lgbtcenters.org or www.lgbtmap.org.

About CenterLink:
CenterLink exists to support the development of strong, sustainable LGBT community centers and to build a unified center movement. For more information, visit www.lgbtcenters.org

About MAP:
Founded in 2006, the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent intellectual resource for the LGBT movement that provides research, insight, and strategic analysis to help speed equality for LGBT people. For more information, visit www.lgbtmap.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Terry Stone
954-765-6024
terry@lgbtcenters.org

September SafeSpace Update....

SafeSpace continues to be a busy place!  During the month of September Brenda and Ann have been busy working towards hosting the 2nd Annual Conference on November 16, 2010 in Montpelier.  The conference title this year is "Improving Patient Care; Examining Medical Practices for LGBTQ Individuals."  Hosting a statewide conference is a lot of work, and SafeSpace has been blessed with a planning committee made up of individuals from other agencies who have an interest in seeing this conference become a success!  Having planned and executed last years conference, we feel better prepared this time around, and I must admit it has been a little more fun this time. 

We continue to field calls from survivors in need.  September was a slower month in terms of direct service calls.  Our support group for survivors of violence continues to meet weekly.  If you or someone you know is interested in attending group please contact Brenda at 863-0003 or brenda@ru12.org. 

We are excited to have two new interns with us, Sheila and Janine.  They are awesome, of course!  If you are interested in meeting them we would love for you to stop into the Center.  If you have not seen the new Center located in the Champlain Mill yet our invitation to stop in and see us is still open. 

Working out of the Champlain Mill has been a wonderful experience, it is such a peaceful, welcoming place to be.  The Center is situatated perfectly on the first floor of the Champlain Mill, with brick walls on the interior, and light colored paint on the walls it feels very serene.  I would be remiss if I did not mention the library and group meeting space, beautiful is the best word to describe it. 

If you or someone you know is in need of support and advocacy services please do not hesitate to call the SafeSpace Program.  We have changed our hours slightly, we are available Monday through Thursday from 9 AM until 6PM and from 9 AM until 2 PM on Friday.  We can be reached at 863-0003.

An easy way to support Vermont's LGBTQ Community Center

This just in....The Samara Foundation will match dollar per dollar - a gift of any amount up to $1,000.00 total at this Sunday's Fundraiser at a Winooksi home for RU12? Thank you Samara!

Supporters and attendees will be also be entered to win prizes from Sneakers, Kiss The Cook, Higher Ground, the Block Gallery Coffehouse and many other businesses that support RU12?

Wonderful light fare and wine will be served. In lieu of any potluck items, please consider donating to your LGBTQ Community Center. To RSVP and get directions call RU12? at 860.7812 or email Kara@ru12.org

Can't attend? Why not make a quick donation of $10.00. Click the link and make a difference. http://tiny.cc/donategay.

Thank you for helping create a safer, healthier and more connected LGBTQ community in Vermont by supporting RU12?!

Literary Club Forming, Interested in Joining?

Are you interested in literature, writing, and/or becoming a member of a fun group where you can discuss 
both? We were reviewing the annual surveys and noticed quite a bit of interest in a book club. Both our new intern, Sheila, and one of our newest volunteers, Sarah, are very interested in getting some sort of literary group together at RU12. We are not quite sure what this group would look like, yet. It could be a "traditional" book club, where we would all come together, chose a book to read, and then discuss that book and how it has impacted us. It could be more like a writing workshop if you are interested in producing your own written works. (Perhaps to share at the coffee house when that is up and running again?) We could make it a mixture of both, working to incorporate reading,discussion, and writing. Basically, we would like to set up a time to meet with interested community members and plan it out together. If you are interested, please contact Sheila at sheila@RU12.org or Sarah at sekulig@gmail.com with meeting times that would work best for you and your contact information.  Thanks!

Meet Our New Interns!

Sheila is a senior currently enrolled in the University of Vermont's Bachelor of Social Work program. Though she was born in Boston, Massachusetts, Sheila has spent most of her life in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Last year, when the field placement coordinator at UVM asked the BSW students what populations they would most like to work with, Sheila listed LGBTQQ as her first choice, and could not be more excited to have been placed at RU12? Community Center. Together with Janine, she is working on several exciting projects, but she is most excited about meeting and getting to know the members of the RU12? community. If you have any questions about Sheila or the work that she will be doing this year, please feel free to contact her at sheila@ru12.org.

Janine traded in deep-dish pizza and Lake Michigan for maple syrup and Lake Champlain when she recently moved from Chicago to Burlington to continue her Master's in Social Work.  After graduating six years ago with a degree in psychology she pieced together random part-time and seasonal jobs (from Bike Lane Inspector to Volcano Climbing Guide) until finding her true calling and returning to school.  Janine decided on a career path in social work after living in small town Alaska and experiencing life with little (if any) access to health and mental health resources, particularly for victims of violence.  She also worked on a crisis intervention hotline for over two years and was an instructor for after school programs on the West Side of Chicago.  She is enjoying Vermont so far and looking forward to spending the next year as an MSW student intern at RU12!

LGBTQ Adoptive Family Respite Grants!

Are you an LGBTQ adoptive family?

There is a small ($5,000) pool of respite funding, specifically for adoptive families that identify as LGBTQ, available through a mini-grant from Adopt US Kids & NACAC, to be distributed through Gay and Lesbian Adoptive and Foster Families (GLAFF) and the Vermont Adoption Consortium.

Interested? Please see the two attachments below:

Download Respite Enrollment

Download Respite Reimbursement 

Make your quote count!

 
You can discover your insurance savings while also giving back to RU12!

If you receive a car insurance quote from Robert Cook between September 20th, 2010 - November 20th, 2010, Liberty Mutual will donate $5 to RU12. To increase your support, complete a home insurance quote and an additional $5 will be donated! No obligations - you only stand to find out what you could potentially save.

See for yourself how much money you could save with Liberty Mutual. And the best part - you receive knowledgeable support, immediate claims assistance and the latest information to help keep you and your family safe, all while helping out an amazing community resource!

Contact Robert Cook at (802) 872-7778 or robert.cook@libertymutual.com for more information, and make sure to mention that you want to help support RU12! 

Last Push to Pull RU12? Over the Line !!!!!!!

We’ve got the team, we’ve got the will but we ain’t got the money yet! 

 Outright's Seventh Annual Fire Truck Pull is on September 18, 2010 and each team needs to raise $1,500.  Let’s show Outright that the RU12? community can pull together and support our youth.  Every dollar counts, so if 150 people gave $10 or 75 people gave $20 we could meet our goal.  Of course if you can give more don’t let us stop you!  We need your support.  If you would like to support the RU12? team, please go to the team fundraising page at:http://www.firstgiving.com/ru12  All proceeds go to Outright and are tax deductible.

Don't Ask Don't Tell News

BREAKING: Last night, a federal judge ruled that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was unconstitutional. This is a landmark ruling that will face a long and rigorous appeals process. In the meantime, we are now in a position for Congress to once and for all put an end to this discriminatory law.

The House has already passed a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Now the Senate needs to act as the last step before it goes to President Obama's desk. So we need to turn up the pressure in the Senate to make sure our window of opportunity doesn't close!

We are lucky in Vermont to have the support of Senator Sanders and Senator Leahy but it never hurts to call and thank them for their on-going support!

Center Awareness Day September 15th!

Center Awareness Day September 15th, 2010: “Building Our Community From The Center”

LGBT Center Awareness Day was founded by CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers to increase widespread awareness of the vital services offered by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community centers and to promote the central role LGBT centers play in local communities, as well as in the LGBT movement.

* LGBT community centers are the front doors to the LGBT community, and in the United States serve over 40,000 people weekly.

* LGBT community centers are the backbone of the LGBT community, with a reach across metropolitan, suburban, and rural areas across the country, and in other countries as well.

* LGBT community centers are “the center of it all,” and the broad range of services, cultural programming, advocacy work, and community infrastructure that they provide is unparalleled.

Vermont's LGBT Community Center, RU12? will honor Center Awareness Day by hosting an all day Open House at our new space in the Champlain Mill, Winooski (20 Winooski Falls Way, Suite 102). Drop in anytime on Wednesday, September 15th between 10am and 6pm to meet the staff and our two new interns, learn more about the programs and services, enjoy some refreshments and learn how you can get connected. Questions? Kara@ru12.org or 860-7812. Hope to see you then!

 

 

 

Pulling for Dollars!

We’ve got the team, we’ve got the will but we ain’t got the money yet! 

Outright's Seventh Annual Fire Truck Pull is on September 18, 2010 and each team needs to raise $1,500.  Let’s show Outright that the RU12? community can pull together and support our youth.  Every dollar counts, so if 150 people gave $10 or 75 people gave $20 we could meet our goal.  Of course if you can give more don’t let us stop you!  We need your support.  If you would like to support the RU12? team, please go to the team fundraising page at: http://www.firstgiving.com/ru12  All proceeds go to Outright and are tax deductible.

 

Todd’s Peek In Review: “Solstice” by Joyce Carol Oates, A Novel to Surrender Two

 Some writers send us alarming, unrealistic signals when they write.  Joyce Carol Oates, as a writer does just the opposite for me, she makes everything seem relative to the context of understanding we all live in.  That always points to the need for relationship and understanding between two people, as in Solstice, this novel to surrender two.  The story is about the developing relationship between two women, who need each other as friends and lovers.  However, there is an effusive quality to their relationship which makes their love for each other difficult to pinpoint, as impelling and compelling to the need for one another. Monica Jensen and Sheila Trask are the sole protagonists of the novel to surrender two, needing to be grounded in love, past, present and future with themselves, as told in this hauntingly beautiful novel.

Joyce Carol Oates is a telling author.  She has the gift for sharing emotional content in the quality of her writing. What is so telling and so beautiful about Joyce Carol Oates is the emotive quality to her work, and specifically to the way she uses her own emotive  style of writing to portray and depict the characters in her novels.  As the basis also for the story and the story lines of each novel, she shows us time and time again how the characterization of  her writings are so important to the meaning and content to each novel. 

That is what the novel Solstice is all about.  For Solstice is not to be simplified but to be imagined by the joys and heartaches in this novel as adage, To Surrender Two.  The basis of understanding to the novel is both Monica Jensen and Sheila Trask are interesting women with  evolving lives.  Monica has accepted a teaching position in a small rural town in PA and Sheila Trask is a brilliant artist, who has lived in the community for quite some time.  They both have previously been married to men, Monica Jensen is divorced and Sheila Trask is a widow, having been married to a very eccentric and demanding artist. Each woman is alluring and beautiful on all fronts: spiritually, emotionally and on the physical side of life.  They are also exemplary women, with true feminism as their own point of view in action and content. They are totally captivated by one another and that is how the story enfolds and develops with the definitive poignancy to the characterization of both Monica Jensen and Sheila Trask.  This is backdrop to my need in surrendering two, in to the beauty of this story and Joyce Carol Oates’ writings, that is!

To read this love story is to read Solstice by two.  For these women are so beautiful in their own rite. Their rite of passage, that is; in making their meeting become such a telling emotive process to read on about  and to discern for yourselves.  The book is available at the Center.  Don’t miss out on Joyce Carol Oates, as a writer and novelist for our generation and future generation to come by. Because it is in this telling, evocative style and how that reading of Solstice is for you; that opens my heart as a reader to not only the story itself, but to the love between Monica Jensen and Sheila Trask. In seeing their needs as women enfold, we see their ongoing, mutual sense of attraction, as Solstice by two, a novel to surrender two in my estimation. For the love of God and her novel, Solstice, this September Review 2010, Ciao, Todd