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

St. Johnsbury Friday Night Film Series

LGBTQA Film Series

Friday, April 26^th 6:30pm

Universalist Unitarian Church

47 Cherry St., St. Johnsbury

Free to the public

Out in the Silence is a 2009 documentary film by Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer. It chronicles the chain of events that occur when the severe bullying of a gay teen draws Wilson and his partner back to the conservative rural community of Oil
City, Pennsylvania where their own same-sex wedding announcement had previously ignited a controversy. Following the story of a small American town confronting a firestorm of controversy, this gripping documentary illustrates the challenges of being an outsider in a conservative rural community and the change that is possible when courageous people break the silence and search for common ground. Out in the Silence will challenge you to rethink your values and help close the gaps that divide our communities.

 

In collaboration with

 

Rally to Take Back the Night

RU12? Launches New Public Service Announcement!

 RU12? Community Center, is proud to announce the launch of our new public service announcement (PSA) in April as part of Sexual Violence Awareness Month.  This PSA was produced by our SafeSpace program, the only anti violence program in Vermont working to end domestic, sexual, and hate related violence in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and HIV-affected (LGBTQH) Vermonters.

SafeSpace PSA on YouTube

A recent groundbreaking Centers for Disease Control study found that intimate partner violence and sexual violence is a pervasive problem in LGBTQH and non-LGBTQH communities, with members of the LGBTQH communities experiencing sexual and domestic violence at the same or higher rates as non-LGBTQH people.

In hate violence cases power and control can be exerted through sexual violence.  In other cases, sexual violence is part of a pick up crime where the perpetrator relies on the likelihood of the victim not reporting because he or she fears that law enforcement of mainstream providers will either out them or not take them seriously.  Sexual violence is also often a part of domestic violence where batterers rely heavily on fears of stigma and isolation.  For these and many other reason, RU12’s SafeSpace program offers specialized direct services for LGBTQH survivors of sexual violence.

If you or someone you know has experienced violence, advocates in the SafeSpace program can help provide emotional support, advocacy, information and referrals.  Advocates are available M-Th 9am-6pm and Fri. 9am-2pm at 802-863-0003 or toll free 866-869-7351.

SafeSpace Applauds the Passage of an LGBTQ-Inclusive VAWA

Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill re-authorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The House vote today reflects bi partisian support for the Senate bill which for the first time included explicit protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people.

The National Coalition of Anti Violence Programs (NCAVP), SafeSpace is a program member, has worked over two years advocating for inclusive provisions inserted into VAWA.  This victory will dramatically change our nation’s response to LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence.

Read more NCAVP Media Release

 

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.

Trans Town Hall: Know Your Rights, December 6th

Trans Town Halls occur the first Thursday of each month at 6:30pm at the McClure Multigenerational Center, located at 241 N Winooski Ave (same building as Outright VT). They are open to all trans and gender non-conforming people and allies. The space is accessible to people with disabilities and refreshments will be served.

This Thursday, December 6th, join us for a Trans Town Hall focusing on knowing your legal rights.

What are my rights? 

What happens if I experience discrimination or harassment? What can I do if I get stopped by the police and they want to search me? What happens if my legal documents have different names or sex markers? What are the laws around marriage for people who transition? 

Life sometimes presents us with legal challenges. A way to protect ourselves is to empower ourselves with the legal knowledge to help us get through these situations. In December's Trans Town Hall, come with your questions, worries, triumphs and experiences to share with, and learn from, other trans and gender non-conforming people and allies.

Jes Kraus, J.D., will offer information on some of the most common legal experiences faced by trans people. Jes is the Director of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Office at the University of Vermont. Prior to his career at UVM, Jes worked as an attorney and as the Director of a public sector labor union for nine years, and served as a police officer for five years. Jes was instrumental to the passing of the expansion of Vermont's Anti-Discrimination Act to include gender identity and expression in 2007. He earned a B.S. in Government from the United States Coast Guard Academy, and a Juris Doctor (cum laude) from Vermont Law School.

For more information, contact Jean-Denis at trans@ru12.org or call 860-RU12(7812).