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

Lifting the Skirt: Drag Queen Secrets Revealed

Thought about doing drag but not known where to start?

Always been curious about how drag queens look so fabulous and wondered how they do it?

Unsure what to do for this year's Drag Ball?

Come to this event and learn all the best tips and trade secrets from some amazing local drag queens!

Sunday, February 3, 1:30-3:30pm
The North End Studio, Studio B 
294 N. Winooski Ave. Burlington, VT

Admission: $5 suggested donation, to benefit the RU12? Community Center

Featuring Q&A, demos, and performances by Vermont's own Kitty VonTease, Amber LeMay, and Porsche Pink. The event will also include audience participation portions.

Presented by Vermont Gay Social Alternatives and RU12? Community Classes

(Drag King workshop to be held later this spring)

Facebook Event

VASE RACKshop & Book Signing at RU12?

RU12? welcomes Vermont Alternative Sexuality Education for a RACKshop (Risk Aware Consentual Kink) and book signing with Raven Kaldera and his slave Joshua Tenpenny!

The open book signing and Q&A is from 6:45-7:30pm on Saturday, December 1st - feel free to invite others who might be interested, this time is FREE and open to the public. Raven Kaldera has published over 33 books on a range of topics in spirituality, paganism, polyamory, BDSM, and more. You can see his titles at http://www.ravenkaldera.org/books.html. Bring the books you already own or bring cash/card to purchase ones you are interested in! The open book signing is held at the RU12? Community Center, located in the bottom level of the Champlain Mill in Winooski.

Now, about the RACKshop! This special event features 3 workshops: BDSM Spirituality, Master/slave Relationships as a Spiritual Path, and Sacred Prostituation. There are only 10 spaces left for the public. Please email VASE@nelaonline.org or visit this link to pre-register and save your seat. We are taking payment in cash or check at the door for this event.

Tickets are $25 each. NELA Associates, Rose & Thorn or Darkstone members, and college students get a $5 discount.

For a schedule and class and presenter descriptions, read more below.

VASE: Innovative Fiber Arts (Rope Tying)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012 · 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Location: RU12? Community Center - basement level, Champlain Mill.The Champlain Mill, 20 Winooski Falls Way, Suite 102, Winooski, VT 05404

Cost: Free! Donations to RU12 help keep free kink-friendly space open, though!
Dress code: Comfortable to tie in - kinky themed tshirts, collars, etc, are ok.
Description: Since our most recent IFA meetup was such a huge success, we have decided to meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday night of every month. Yayyyy!!!!

The Innovative Fiber Arts group was started in 2011 by the VASE directors because

Family Program Halloween Potluck Rescheduled

Who says Halloween has to only be one day a year?

Due to the impending tropical storm Sandy, and the fact that winds are expected to begin peaking around the time tonight's Halloween potluck was scheduled to begin, we are postposing our LGBTQA Family Halloween Potluck celebration at the RU12? Community Center until this Saturday, November 3, from 11am-1pm. 

Bring a dish to share, enter the Champlain Mill Building through 3rd floor ramp entrance or 2nd level by the library., and come have some Halloween fun! (Prizes for best costumes, and treats for all!).

Any questions/comments/concerns, please contact mailto:jean@ru12.org or call the Center at 802.860.7812. Check out this event on RU12?'s Facebook page.

Also, please note that the Estate Planning with Pride event scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday 10/30, has been cancelled.

LGBTQ Fiber Arts Group: Sunday @ Noon

The Fiber Arts Group meets 2nd and 4th (and sometimes 5th) Sundays of every month at RU12? Community Center. Knitting, crochetting, weaving, ebroidery and more for people of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and skill levels to come together in a queer space. If you have questions or you'd like to join the group please contact RU12? at 860-RU12 (7812) or email TheCenter@RU12.org.

Join our online Fiber Arts Group!

Join RU12?'s LGBTQ Knitting, Crocheting, and Textile Artists Group!

 

Beginners Welcome!!

 

Group for Knitting, Crocheting, and other Textile Artists Meets Noon on Sundays  at RU12? Community Center Located on the first floor of the Champlain Mill in Winooski.

RU12's LGBTQ Knitting & Crocheting Group is off to a great start! There is a fantastic mixture of knitting crocheting, weaving and embroidering fools that have a great time perfecting their craft among supportive group members. A few folks are just learning how to cast on, knit and purl. Others are learning more advanced techniques in cabling and Tunisian crochet.

Noon on the 2nd and 4th (and sometimes 5th) Sundays of every month at RU12? Community Center.

People of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and skill levels to come together in a queer space. If you have questions or you'd like to join the group please contact RU12? at 860-RU12 (7812) or email TheCenter@RU12.org  

 

Join the discussion group.

 

Join the Action Team!!!

Join the RU12? Community Center's Development Committee Action Team (DCAT). DCAT is designed to produce events aimed at fundraising and/or 'friendraising' for RU12?. 

This is not your ordinary volunteer opportunity. Whether you want to lead the organizing, participate in only one particular aspect of the organizing such as advertising or outreach, or you only have time to show up at the event and help take care of logistics, we have the need for your time, energy, and commitment.

Help organize a Summer Semester of community classes, Yard Sales, Dinner Parties, Wine Auction, Bingo Nights and more!!!!

 

"The great thing about the Action Team is that I don't have to make a long term commitment and attend regular meetings. I can check in when I have the time and energy to help with an ongoing project or create a new project of my own. It's an amazing way to connect with my community and help support the important work that RU12? provides to strengthen our communities."

- Meg Tamulonis, Action Team Member

"RU12? is working hard to provide social and educational programs and events for all LGBTQ Vermonters and our allies. I am very excited that the Action Team has so many dedicated volunteers to ensure our success. The more people who get involved, the more we can do for our community." 

Kim Fountain, Executive Director

To join the Action Team please email DCAT@ru12.org or call 802-860-7812

  

VASE Risk-Aware Polyamory Workshop (RAPshop) Sat, 2/4

On Saturday, February 4, 2012, VASE presents a Polyamory conference featuring Anita Wagner, poly skills educator, Bjarne Holmes, social psychologist, and Pam Steeg, relationship therapist, to present about the multi-faceted world of polyamorous relationships.

Valentine’s Day is coming – make the most of it at VASE’s RAPshop (Risk-Aware Polyamory)!
It’s only $25 ($20 if you’re a NELA associate) for a full day of classes, starting off with a safer sex class, 2 topic centered classes, learning about a Poly Grid, and a Q&A panel!  

Thanks to the support of RU12?, Vermont's queer community center, there will be free, anonymous, oral HIV testing available throughout the event!

This is going to be fantastic, so circle February 4th in your calendar with a big red heart!
Pre-registration is required by purchasing your ticket online.  You can also email vtkink@gmail.com to pre-register and pay via mailed check.  The conference will occur in South Burlington, VT and the address will be provided to registered attendees.

For more info: http://bit.ly/AmjXpA

Schedule: may be subject to change10am: Event Opens - Registration Check-in, HIV testing, meet & greet for attendees over coffee & pastries.11am - noon: Safer Sex class taught by Jean-Denis & Switchme12-1

This isn't your ordinary volunteer opportunity!

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Facebook Event

When: Sunday, January 29th, from 11am-12:30

Where: RU12? Community Center, 20 Winooski Falls Way, Winooski, VT

If you are interested in joining us at this session, please contact Kim Fountain:DCAT@ru12.org or 802-860-7812

If you can't make it to the session, but are still interested in volunteering with DCAT, there will be another session on Monday, March 27th at 6:00 pm.

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Do you know someone who you think would be perfect for DCAT? Download the DCAT and pass along to a friend!

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Events that you could help create:

 

Summer Semester

One of RU12? Community Center’s first programs is back! Summer Semester offers the opportunity for LGBTQ community members to draw upon the skill, ability and knowledge of our talented peers with short series of classes throughout the summer. Potential classes to be offered include: Basic Car Maintainance, Yoga, Financial Planning, Photography, Zumba, Resume Writing, Home Ownership and more!

Family Bowling!

When you host a bowl-a-thon, you recruit people to bowl on a designated day for your special event. Each participating bowler solicits a flat rate pledge among neighbors, friends, and relatives. This could be a fun way to get families to engage in supporting RU12? as well as having a great event for families to enjoy together.

Grab a Bite with Friends

Help introduce the community to RU12? by working with your favorite local restaurants to host benefit nights.

 

 

House or Garden Party

Team up with a friend or neighbor to put together a fabulous event for your friends. Let them know how much you care about your community and ask them to support a organization you believe in.

Tee Off With RU12?

Hosting a golf tournament can be a high-profile, and often very lucrative fundraising event. A great advantage of hosting a tournament is the connections you make with local businesses and celebrities that support the RU12? Community Center. Plan a whole day event with lunch and prizes.

 

Pitch us your own idea!

Contact Kim Fountain: DCAT@ru12.org or 802-860-7812

 Make a Difference in Your Community 

Join the RU12? Community Center's Development Committee Action Team (DCAT). DCAT is designed to produce events aimed at fundraising and/or 'friendraising' for RU12?.

On January 29th, we will be hosting our first DCAT volunteer recruitment. This is not your ordinary volunteer opportunity. Whether you want to lead the organizing, participate in only one particular aspect of the organizing such as advertizing or outreach, or you only have time to show up at the event and help take care of logistics, we have the need for your time, energy, and commitment.

The recruitment session will introduce you to RU12's plans for 2012, outline the DCAT structure and present you with opportunities to get involved.

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Queer-Affirming Yoga Class in Burlington Tonight

Our friend Vanessa is teaching a Queer Affirming Yoga class tonight from 5:30-6:30pm at All Wellness in Burlington. It is a Vinyasa-style class and she is asking a $10 donation for attending. Her intention is to create a loving, supportive, and thriving queer yoga group so tell your friends or anyone who might be interested! Maybe we will see you there?!

27th Annual Lesbian Serenity (AA & Alanon) Retreat at Kirkridge, PA, April 20-22, 2012

Come join us for a unique and wonderful, clean and sober lesbian weekend in the Poconos.

Kirkridge is located on 280 beautiful acres of sacred grounds on the Appalachian Trail. There will be AA and Alanon meetings, workshops and topic discussions. 

Hiking, quiet time, meditation, dance and coffee house.

Great fellowship, old and new friends. 6 meals and lodging included with registration.

For more information or to register, go to www.annualserenityretreat.org or contact Pat at 908.879.8098.

Lots of fun things to do this weekend with RU12?!

 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10^TH

RUn12? Saturday Jaunt!

10am. You and your well-behaved dog are invited to join Jean from RU12? and other RUn12-ers for a 4-5 mile group run this Saturday at 10am at the entrance to Red Rocks Park in South Burlington.

 

December Heat: GLAM Sex Talk 1pm

 

We’ll turn up the heat with one of Glam Vermont's Sex Talks! Our next ones will be on Sat 12/10 at 1pm & Weds 12/14 at 6pm. Free food, fun discussions about sex and relationships, gift cards and everyone who comes is entered into a raffle of a very generous gift card from Small Dog Electronics Open to all guys who like guys ages 18-35. Limited space, so email glam@ru12.org, or 860-RU12 to register!

 

Gay Boy Band Auditions!

 

4pm. Any guys 17-25 interested in joining a Gay Boy Band? There’s a group coming together to form an all gay pop/r&b singing boy band that caters to the LGBTQ community and anyone who loves music. Auditions will be held at RU12? 4pm on Sat, 12/10. FMI: email Tyler.

 

 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11^TH

RU12? LGBTQ Knitting & Crocheting Group

All types of textile artists are welcome to join! Noon on the 2nd and 4th (and sometimes 5th) Sundays of every month at RU12? Community Center. People of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and skill levels to come together in a queer space. If you have questions or you'd like to join the group please contact RU12? at 860-RU12 (7812) or email TheCenter@RU12.org.

 

RU12? & VGSA Second Sunday Screening

Film: The Times of Harvey Milk

Film begins at 2pm, discussion to follow. Just as the series' name suggests, screenings are held on the second Sunday of every month at Burlington’s Fletcher Free Library in the Pickering Room (on the 2nd floor). 

 

GLAM Core Group

Accepting New Members!

Sundays 6pm. We're looking for young gay and bi guys who are interested in putting together great events, meeting new people, and reaching out to other guys! Core Group runs our program, and we want your input! If you're a young gay, bi, or queer man who would like to get involved, email us at glam@ru12.org, check out our webpage or friend us on facebook.

 

 

 

RACKshop: Anal Play

On Sunday December 4th, come knockin' on the back door with VASE! Vermont Alternative Sexuality Education will present all the ins & outs for safe exploration of anal play for men, women, trans people, heterosexuals, homosexuals, queer sex, and any-other-sexual you want! Curious about how to get started? What will hurt and what will feel great? VASE will cover all the basics of toys, strap ons, anal sex,lubes, STI's, and even prostate massage.  If you think you've done it all, maybe we can show you something you haven't gotten in there.Think anal play is only for gay sex? Think again! There are dozens of ways heterosexual couples can enjoy the pleasures to be found here.Think anal orgasms for women are a myth? Think again!  Our experienced educators will guide you through the pleasurable exploration of anal play, no matter how you identify.

Plus: FREE & ANONYMOUS HIV testing will be offered, thanks to RU12.

Doors open at 12p. Class goes from 12:30pm to 6:30pm with snack breaks (feel free to bring your own).

There will be demos and an exploratorium for anyone who wants guidance from our educators.

Cost: $20 per person. $15 for NELA members.

Contact VASE to register at vtkink@gmail.com Visit www.vtkink.com for more information.

LGBTQ Knitting and Crocheting Group Meets Sunday at Noon

This fabulous robe could be yours!!

Group for Knitting, Crochetting, and other Textile Artists Meets Noon on Sunday 11/27 at RU12?'s Annex. Located on the second floor. (one floor up from The Center)

RU12's LGBTQ Knitting & Crocheting Group is off to a great start! There is a fantastic mixture of both knitting and crocheting fools that have a great time perfecting their craft among supportive group members. A few folks are just learning how to cast on, knit and purl. Others are learning more advanced techniques in cabling and Tunisian crochet.


Noon on the 2nd and 4th (and sometimes 5th) Sundays of every month at RU12? Community Center.


People of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and skill levels to come together in a queer space. If you have questions or you'd like to join the group please contact RU12? at 860-RU12 (7812) or email TheCenter@RU12.org

Kink & Kabobs II: DIY- BDSM on a Budget

Come join other LGBTQ kinksters (or those just a little kink-curious) for the second Kink & Kabobs workshop, this time focusing on homemade creations for your evenings of debauchery. And, of course, eating delicious veggie kabobs.

Guest speakers from VASE (Vermont Alternative Sexuality Education) will share their vast knowledge and experience and talk you through making your own canes, harnesses, furniture, selecting rope, picking our hardware for suspension or hard points on bed frames, ...and much more! Discussion and skills will be generated from your input- what you know, and what you *want* to know.

Have you had a project in mind or a goodie that you've been wanting but don't have the cash for? Come find out how to make it on your own- let's get creative!

All sexual orientations, gender identities and ages are welcome. Free for all!

This event is brought to you by GLAM (Gay Leisurely Activities (4) Men). To get involved, contact Mike or Jean-Denis at glam@ru12.org or by calling 802.860.7812. Meet other guys, connect with your community, and have fun doing it! We want to hear from you!

Check out our temporary new space!

‎**IMPORTANT UPDATE**

The elevator in the Champlain Mill is out of service for the next several weeks. In order to remain accessible, all public meetings, support groups and HIV testing services will now occur in the RU12? Community Center Annex located on the second floor (accessible from the 2nd fl ramp) The temporary space that the staff affectionately calls "Narnia" is located one floor above our current space, on the left side of the building if you are facing the entrance from the outside. Stay tuned as we will provide more detailed information developes.

We still have use of the full community center but the accessible 2nd floor location will be the entry point for almost all center activities. Please call if you have questions: 802.860.7812

Check out the video to see where the RU12? Community Center Annex is located. 

 

 

 

RU12?'s Family Project Revitalized

Seeking: LGBTQ FAMILIES (with and without kids!) to attend an open forum at RU12? Community Center on Monday, November 14th from 6-8pm. 

We want your input on what we can do to best serve Vermont's LGBTQ Families!

The RU12? Family Project has been on hiatus for the past few months while we've been experiencing some staffing transitions. In the past RU12? has hosted regular family-related events, social events for adults and children alike and educational/discussion nights with guest speaker experts on topics like starting a family, co-parenting and relationships, parenting, financial planning, foster parenting, adoption, infertility, legal issues and more. We have offered child care during these evenings and refreshments are provided. With more queer families in Vermont than ever before, we need your help to determine next steps in bringing this amazing program back to your community center!

Facebook Event Page

RU(n)12?

Want to get out and get moving in the company of queer running buddies? RU(n)12? is our new running group and we'd LOVE for you to get involved! Here's a quick survey to tell us more about yourself as a runner and what you'd like to see happen with RUn12?. If you have any questions, comments, feedback, or ideas you'd like to share, feel free to email jean@ru12.org.

RU12?'s Knitting & Crocheting Group Adds Extra Meeting this Month

RU12's LGBTQ Knitting & Crocheting Group is off to a great start! There is a fantastic mixture of both knitting and crocheting fools that have a great time perfecting their craft among supportive group members. A few folks are just learning how to cast on, knit and purl. Others are learning more advanced techniques in cabling and Tunisian crochet.

**Since their are 5 Sundays in October we would have to wait three weeks until the group meets again. We didn't want to wait so we added an extra meeting for this Sunday, October 30th at Noon. We're having a blast! Please join us!**

Noon on the 2nd and 4th (and sometimes 5th) Sundays of every month at RU12? Community Center.

People of all ages, gender identities, sexual orentations, and skill levels to come together in a queer space. If you have questions or you'd like to join the group please contact RU12? at 860-RU12 (7812) or email TheCenter@RU12.org

Next two: October 30th & November 13th

 Join the Facebook Group!

RU12?'s Knitting & Crocheting Group Meets Tomorrow at Noon!

Noon on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month at RU12? Community Center.

Next two: October 23rd & November 13th

People of all ages, gender identities, sexual orentations, and skill levels to come together in a queer space. If you have questions or you'd like to join the group please contact RU12? at 860-RU12 (7812) or email TheCenter@RU12.org