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

Leunig's All-Day Benefit for RU12?

Come to Leunig's on April 7th and support RU12? Community Center

On Sunday, April 7th, Leunig's Bistro and Lounge will donate 10% of the food and bar sales to support the programs of RU12?. 

Starts at 9am until closing.

Bring your family, friends, and colleagues. Tell everyone you know! 

Buy a Community Partner card for $50.00 and you will receive 20% off of your food tab throughout the year. Half of the cost of the card goes directly to RU12?. Or, renew your Community Partner card from last year and the entire cost goes to RU12?. 

What could be better than being a part of providing award winning direct services and advocacy for the LGBTQ Community while enjoying delicious food in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Church Street?
Also, Leunigs will hold a raffle 1 ticket for $5 or 3 for $10 for a chance to win Dinner for Two including Two Appetizers, Two Entrees & Two Desserts! All of the money raised in the raffle goes to RU12!!!

Facebook Event

RU12? Family Program Play Group This Morning!

LGBTQ Adoption Group: 6pm, Weds, 3/13

KUAC (Kind, Understanding Adoption Circle) is a peer support group where 21+ members of the adoption triad (adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, and people considering adoption) who are LGBTQ-identified or Allies can come together to share stories, give and receive support, and talk about feelings/thoughts related to the adoption experience. KUAC offers an understanding, confidential community-minded environment where participants can share their feelings and stories with others who can relate.

The name is significant of the connections made between and among those who share the common thread of adoption. Participation is encouraged (but not required), so that each individual gets the most out of group time, and every KUAC member has a multitude of opportunities at their disposal: to learn more about other triad members’ lives and feelings and thoughts, to be heard, as well as to educate others about the adoption experience—and to do so without the fear of judgment!

KUAC peer support group meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of every month @ 6pm at the RU12? Community Center for LGBTQ Vermonters in Winooski. For more information, please contact RU12? at 802.860.7812 or email thecenter@ru12.org.

FACEBOOK EVENT

Study Seeking Trans-Identified Parents

Dear Transgender Parents,

My name is Ryan G Polly. I am a doctoral candidate in the Transformative Studies program at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, California. I am also a queer-identified transgender parent of four children. 

I would like to extend an invitation to you to be part of a research study affiliated with my doctoral studies.  The study will involve a series of short interviews giving you an opportunity to share your stories of transitioning and parenting. The intention of the study is to document and describe the experiences of trans-identified parents, and it will consider whether and how societal viewpoints impact parenting expectations and roles.

There is limited academic research documenting the experiences of transgender individuals, and none of them provide a glimpse into the reality of parenting as a trans-identified individual.  Our hope in this study is to contribute to the growing fields of transgender and queer studies.  In particular we hope to foster greater social awareness of the contributions of transgender parents to parenting.

If you are interested in participating in the study or if you have any questions please take a look at the following website http://tgparentstudy.wordpress.com/.  You can also contact me directly atryanpolly@comcast.net.  Furthermore, if you know someone who might be interested in this study, please feel free to present them with this letter. 

 

Thank you
Ryan G Polly

Franklin County: RU12?’s Rainbow Reading Hour Tonight!

Franklin County: RU12?’s Rainbow Reading Hour Tonight!

*This event will be taking place every 1st and 3d Mondays 5:30 to 6:30, starting January 7th.

Come join us for RU12?’s Rainbow Reading Hour! We want to welcome children of all ages to gather and read a story, and then do an activity together. This is a chance for LGBTQA families to meet and find community at the Bent Northrop Memorial Library in Fairfield.

Feel free to bring a favorite book or friend to join the fun! If you have any ideas, would like to volunteer, or need more information, feel free to email me at Sam@ru12.org

Facebook Event

Sana (Parts 1-4)

We've asked a guest writer, Ana Hernandez, to write about her experience in a domestic violence relationship where her then girlfriend used their dog Sana as a way to inflict harm in the relationship. Ana has written a four part essay. We hope that this essay will bring to light some of the issues around domestic violence in the LGBTQ communities as well as how very deeply the animals in our lives are affected. Please note that this essay is the abridged version. If you would like to read a longer version that includes how the other dog and cat in Ana's life were affected, please let us know.

Sana
 By Ana Hernández

Part I

On the evening of September 11, 2004, I was driving my girlfriend, Jackie, and some of her friends back from the 9/11 memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  As I pulled onto the highway, I saw, reflected in the headlights, two enormous eyes staring up from a small heap in my traffic lane.  I zoomed the van over the creature, then turned sharply into the parking lot of a truck stop, explaining, “there’s something in the road, I think it was hit.”  I ran to the spot and saw a tiny dog in the gutter, likely blown over by the 18-wheelers roaring past.  As I scooped her up, she tensed but did not resist.

Relay For Life- Rainbow Edition!

Be a part of an exciting new movement!

The American Cancer Society is proud to announce a groundbreaking new movement in the fight against cancer. Introducing Relay For Life- Rainbow Edition; an event for and by the LGBTQ community geared towards highlighting disparities in cancer and raising money to fight back!

Relay For Life is a 12 hour, overnight event where participants form teams and camp around a track taking turns walking all night, in honor of the concept that “cancer never sleeps”. This fun, family friendly event is coming specifically to the LGBTQ community in order to honor those lost, celebrate those surviving, and learn how to fight back against the disease and its disparities in our community. Scheduled for the summer of 2013, your American Cancer Society is seeking volunteers to be a part of this exciting new venture by becoming part of the planning team. For more information on how to get involved email Claire Giroux-Williams at Claire.girouxwilliams@cancer.org or call 802-872-6321. You can also visit our Facebook Page.

Social Support Group for LGBTQ Individuals with Disabilities

Come together to talk, connect, and find support around a number of issues including: Coming Out, Socializing. Challenges around employment. Safe Sex. Self Advocacy. Choosing Partners. Discovering who you are. And anything else you want to talk about!

Meetings are Tuesdays, 4:30 pm at the RU12? Community Center in the Champlain Mill in Winooski. If you have any questions please contact Brenda (Brenda@ru12.org) or call RU12? at 860-7812

Check Out RU12? Calendar of Events

JANUARY

Jan. 8^th      Making Resolutions for the New Year

Jan. 15^th    Discussion group- No Topics Off Limits

Jan. 22^nd   NO GROUP TODAY

Jan. 29^th    Art Project- Express Yourself

If you aren’t able to make it to the RU12? Disability Group you can join our facilitator, David at The Wellness Co-op for LGBTQ Support Circle for Individuals with Disabilities, or join our online group through Pal Talk.  Monday nights 4:30pm-6:00 pm online Pal Talk in the Vermont GLBTQ Group for Individuals with a Disability Chat Room.

First Ever Rainbow Reading Hour at the Bent Northrop Memorial Library!

GEN Silent movie about LGBT Elders available for free home screening

Last May, RU12?'s LGBT Elders Program teamed up with community partners Champlain Valley Area Health Education Cener (CVAHEC) and the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging (CVAA) to present a screening of the film GEN Silent, about several LGBT aging Americans and their struggle to feel comfortable being/remaining out in the context of getting older and accessing elders-specific services. This was one of several GEN Silent screenings statewide throughout the month of May.

Our screening was a remarkable success, with more than 100 folks coming out on a Wednesday evening for the film and following panel discussion, in order to bring attention to the issue as well as identify viable next steps, including the development of cultural competency trainings for elders service providers. RU12? will be debuting this training system this spring in the NEK, but until then, the powerful film that kickstarted our local discussions is available for free home-viewing until January 1. Check it out here: GEN Silent, or contact jean@ru12.org for more information about RU12?'s new LGBT Elders training.

Fourth Annual Feed the Families Free Holiday Dinner

December 25th from noon to 3 pm

Burlington Elks Lodge

925 North Avenue, Burlington

Free Coats, Hats and Mittens for all

Free transportation provided by Benway's Taxi

For more information call Michelle 310-7769

Kind Understanding Adoption Circle (KUAC) Weds 12/12/12 6-8pm

KUAC (Kind, Understanding Adoption Circle) is a peer support group where 21+ members of the adoption triad (adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents) who are LGBTQ-identified or Allies can come together to share stories, give and receive support, and talk about feelings/thoughts related to the adoption experience. KUACoffers an understanding, confidential community-minded environment where participants can share their feelings and stories with others who can relate. 

The name is significant of the connections made between and among those who share the common thread of adoption. Participation is encouraged (but not required), so that each individual gets the most out of group time, and every KUAC member has a multitude of opportunities at their disposal: to learn more about other triad members’ lives and feelings and thoughts, to be heard, as well as to educate others about the adoption experience—and to do so without the fear of judgment!

KUAC peer support group meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of every month starting Wednesday, June 13^th, from 6-8pm at the RU12? Community Center for LGBTQ Vermonters in Winooski. For more information, please contact RU12? at 802.860.7812 or email thecenter@ru12.org. 

RU12? "Bring a Bottle" Wine Auction Menu

We wanted to share this hors d'oeuvres menu with you because Catering by Dale, the Vermont Creamery, The Guild Restaurant, and O Bread have come together to create magic! 

• Arugula and Roasted Delicate Squash Salad with Toasted Pumpkin seeds served in mini-cups
• Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Roulade with creme fraiche
• Asian Beef Dumplings with Soy and Peanut Dipping Sauces
• Deep Fried Chevre with Cider Castrique
• Roasted Sweet Potato and Parsnip Soup shot with ginger crema
• Mini Beef Wellington Crustini, with duxelles and pate de champagne 

Stationary Cheese Table:

• VT Creamery Cheese Assortment
• Pork Rillette and  Pickled Beet Trifle
• Duck Confit with dried cherry chutney
• Cannellini bean, roasted garlic and roasted garlic spread

Dessert Table:

• Pomegranate Tartlets
• Key Lime Tartlets
• Death By Chocolate

*Subject to change if they think of even more mouth watering delights! 

Dorset, Vermont: PFLAG Open House

On Sunday, December 9th from 4-6 PM PFLAG Dorset will be hosting an open house  The open house will be held at UCC Dorset, 146 Church St, Dorset, VT.  For more information, please contact Mike Watrous at PFLAG.Dorset@gmail.com or 802.768.1585 

A chapter of Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has been formed in Southern Vermont. PFLAG Dorset, an affiliated chapter of PFLAG, has formed as a local, nonprofit community support and educational outreach group.

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.

October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month) SafeSpace Happenings

It's DVAM (Domestic Violence Awareness Month) and our SafeSpace program interns have been busily tabling at local colleges. Community College of Vermont (Winooski), St. Michael's and Champlain College happily welcomed our program for community outreach, education, informal discussion and at two of the three sites, the showing of an impressive art exhibit produced by our commuity partners Women Helping Battered Women (WHBW) titled, "A Survivor Stands Beside Me". The exhibit consists of powerful life-size photos viewing domestic violence as an issue that crosses into all ages, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. At St. Mike's campus, we joined WHBW and HopeWorks (formerly Women's Rape Crisis Center) for the Abuse Awareness Project, a statistics and awareness event that highlighted the number of survivors served by WHBW, HopeWorks and SafeSpace with purple, white and rainbow flags. These events were a great success. Our interns were not only able to make some new friends and allies, but raise awareness out about an important issue in the LGBTQ community (and our culture at large), as well as spread the word about RU12?'s SafeSpace anti-violence program and the work it does with LGBTQ survivors.

In solidarity with local agencies working to end domestic and sexual violence, SafeSpace advocates and supporters will have a presence at WHBW's Candlelight Vigil and Survivor Speak Out at 6pm on Thursday, October 25th in front of City Hall on Church Street. This will consist of a candle-lighting ceremony in honor of those who have lost their lives as the result of domestic and intimate partner violence, followed by a silent march to the Unitarian Universalist Church at the top of the Marketplace, where survivors will be able to share their stories in a healing space. We hope you will spread the word about this incredible event, and that we will see you there!

If you or anyone you know has experienced domestic, intimate partner, sexual, transgender, hate violence or discrimination, SafeSpace advocates are available to offer support and advocacy services by calling 802.863.0003, or you can report violence anonymously to SafeSpace. If you'd like to make a donation to SafeSpace in honor of your own or a loved one's survival experience, you can donate here and make a designation for the SafeSpace Program.

 

Pride Vermont “Equality Equinox” -Sept 22nd

Parade & Festival Registration Information

In order to offset the costs for the event, Pride Vermont now has suggested donation fees for the parade and festival. You may request a fee waiver by emailing director@pridevt.com if it would otherwise prevent your attendance. Don’t forget that you get the most benefit by being a Sponsor!

Please register by September 15th, 2012.

To register for marching in the parade only, please fill out the Parade Registration Form so we have your correct contact info then make your donation on the Payment page.

A la carte Parade donations: 

• • Non-profit organization: $30
  • Community group**: $50
  • Business: $75
  • Political candidate or 501(c)4: $100

To register for vending at the festival only, please fill out the Festival Registration Form so we have your correct contact info then make your donation on the Payment page.

A la carte Festival Table/Booth:

•  
  • Sheltered table for non-profit organization or community group: $45
  • Sheltered table for Business: $75
  • Political candidate or 501(c)4: $100
  • Sheltered Booth: $200

To apply as a performer in the festival, please fill out the Performer Registration Form. We cannot guarantee space for all performers but the committee will be in touch with you!

To sign-up for BOTH parade space and festival vending space, please fill out the Sponsorship Form so we have your correct contact info then make your donation on the Payment page.

Parade & Festival Combo: (Parade space and Sheltered Table)

•  
  • Non-profit organization: $60
  • Community group**: $75
  • Business: $100
  • Political candidate or 501(c)4: $150

**Performers or groups selected for the festival bandshell are exempt from the fee. Please complete the appropriate form for contact use.

To secure an ad space in the Pride Guide, visit the Sponsorship page.

Day-of event information will be provided to the contact person listed on the registration form. Please be prepared to arrive at the parade staging area (Hood Plant parking lot) by 10:30am and have your festival booth (Battery Park) set-up by noon.

 

Questions?  Please email director@pridevt.com.

UVM Babysitter Mingler Sunday September 23rd

Do you struggle to find a babysitter when you need one? Are you looking for a sitter who has a flexible schedule and lives close by? Are you a UVM student who is an experienced babysitter that is looking to earn extra cash?

Come to the UVM Babysitter Mingler! A chance for parents and kids in need of babysitters to meet and mingle with UVM students who want to babysit!

Babysitter Mingler

Sunday, September 23

Students: Arrival time is 10:00 am

Families: Arrival time is 10:30 am

The event lasts until 12 noon.

Davis Center, Livak Ballroom *free parking available on site

To sign up and attend, please email oscr@uvm.edu Children welcome and encouraged to attend - when registering, please include the number of adults and children attending. (And please tell all your friends!)

PLEASE NOTE: As UVM affiliates, we cannot take on the role of holding, exchanging, or advertising the particular babysitting needs of parents in the community, or the particular babysitting availability and/or qualifications of our students. We can host Babysitter Minglers where we bring students and parents together so that they can meet face to face and exchange information if they so choose. We do recommend that parents check references of the students who attended the Babysitter Mingler and use whatever screening process they would normally use when hiring a sitter.

Thank you for a successful Field Day!

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Geography aside, community certainly does make a difference. And last Saturday, September 1, RU12? had the great fortune of hosting a strong showing of LGBTQHA-identified families at Hubbard Park in Montpelier for a successful inaugural Family Program Picnic Potluck and Field Day event, this despite a long holiday weekend and competing end-of-summer events across the state. Faces were painted, water balloons flew, eggs were dropped, sponges were bucket-brigaded, soda bottles went flying, and hoops were hulaed--not to mention all the good food! A good time, it seems, was had by all. Thank you to all our volunteers (Heather, Crystal, Cat, Hannah, Corey, Alan, Jeffrey, Geoffrey, Jamie, Ashley, Corrine, Leigh and Bianca) and all the participating families for making it an event to remember! See our Facebook page for photos from the event, and see you all next year for the Second Annual!