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

6 Degrees: Innovative Testing Network

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What is 6 Degrees?

It can be hard getting through the door to get an HIV test. There are many reasons why people will put off getting tested. But when someone they know reaches out and supports them in getting tested, taking this important step becomes easier to do. Often people have thought about getting tested and just need a little outside encouragement and support to move forward. That’s where the 6 Degrees project comes in.

6 Degrees is a project where Vermonters who are connected to friends, peers and acquaintances at risk of becoming HIV positive (like having unprotected sex or sharing needles) volunteer to become Community Advocates who reach out to their circles and encourage folks to get tested. This non-judgemental peer support, and the support from a network of testers, makes it easier for people to come in for testing and find out what their HIV status is.

 

Why is it important to get tested for HIV?

HIV can have a major impact on someone’s health. Many people will not have any symptoms (like getting ill more often) for 11 years after they’ve become HIV-positive, and 1 in 5 people who are living with HIV don’t realize it. The sooner someone gets tested and knows their HIV status, the sooner they can take steps to keep themselves and their partners healthier for longer. 

 

What do I get out of it?

If you become a Community Advocate, you will receive gift cards, credit towards your bills, and other incentives of your choice worth $25 for each person at risk of becoming HIV-positive that you refer who comes in for a test. For example, you could earn up to $250 towards an iPad or an electric bill. You will also be a part of a new, exciting project that breaks down barriers for our friends and community, helping those we know and care about to stay healthier and informed. 

 

Who runs the 6 Degrees project?

The RU12? Community Center, an organization that celebrates, educates and advocates with and for LGBTQ Vermonters has partnered with the Comprehensive Care Clinics, a system of four clinics providing state-of-the-art treatment for all stages of HIV/AIDS. These two organizations work together to:

• Recruit Community Advocates
• Support the advocates in connecting with their communities
• Provide anonymous HIV testing to the people in the Community Advocates' social circles

 

How do I get involved?

If you’re interested in becoming a Community Advocate, contact Mike Bensel or Jean-Denis Couillard at the RU12? Community Center by calling (802) 860-7812 or emailing 6degrees@ru12.org. You can also contact Deb Kutzko at the Comprehensive Care Clinic by calling (802) 847-4594. We will set up an interview with you where you can learn more about the program and make sure it’s a good fit for you.

 

 

FALSETTOS- Middlebury Town Hall Theater March 21-24

 
This little-produced but incredibly wonderful and important small musical was one of the very first Broadway shows (and still one of the few) to deal with gay & lesbian characters, and AIDS, in a thoughtful and un-stereotypical way. With a brilliant Tony-winning score by William Finn, it follows a small band of gay characters and straight allies as they negotiate the joys, sorrows, and complexities of relationships, parenthood, illness, and death. An incredibly powerful show, Falsettos reminds us of the importance of finding our community and supporting one another through thick and thin. For tickets: http://boxoffice.printtixusa.com/townhall/eventcalendar

National HIV Testing Day- Stop In to RU12? For A Test!

June 27th is National HIV Testing Day! This is an annual national campaign coordinated by the National Association of People With AIDS that encourages everyone to "Take the Test, Take Control".  RU12? will be offering free, anonymous walk-in HIV testing from 11am to 6pm. Tests are quick (20 mins for results) and painless (they're oral- no needles)! We'll be brewing up some coffee and dishing out small gift cards donated by local businesses (See list below). In the USA, there are about 1.2 million people living with HIV, about 1 in 5 of whom don't know they are positive. People who find out that they are HIV positive earlier are more likely to stay healthier longer and are able to better protect themselves and their partners. Not sure why you should take the test?  Feeling a little anxious about it?  Want to make an appointment? Give Mike or Jean-Denis a call at 802-860-7812 or email us at glam@ru12.org.  You can also check out these great locally made videos: http://www.11years.org/ For more information on NHTD, see http://hivtest.cdc.gov/press_files/ RU12? Thanks the following businesses for their donations: August First Chipotle City Market Cupps Pure Pop Records Purple Shutter Herbs Skinny Pancake Sneakers Zabby & Elf's Stone Soup

 

 

Vermont CARES: Call for Submissions

FMI: Contact roy@vtcares.org or visit www.vtcares.org

Survey for Gay, Bi, Queer Guys in VT

 

RU12? is conducting a Community Needs Assessment to get a clearer picture of local communities of gay, bi, and queer (GBQ) men in VT. Any information you could provide would be very helpful in our mission to improve our services for GBQ men. Please contact Mike or Jean-Denis with questions at 802-860-7812 or glam@ru12.org.

Take the Survey and enter to win an iPod Nano. **This survey is for all masculine spectrum people who have sex with masculine spectrum people (MSPSMSP) or people who work with them**

 

Scott Fried to Present at UVM

This Thursday, April 12th, @ 7 PM in the Silver Maple Ballroom (4th floor of the Davis Center) UVM Hillel presents: Scott Fried

Come hear Scott Fried talk about the issue of HIV/AIDS through the telling of his own personal story as well as discussion about his Jewish identity. His talk is incredibly powerful. “Scott Fried is a nationally known HIV/AIDS activist. He uses himself as Exhibit A, beginning each presentation with his story of how he got infected with HIV in 1987 at the age of 24, during his first and only unsafe sexual encounter. His unstoppable approach to educating others can be encapsulated into one thought: one must understand the value of one’s own life, and hold it sacred, in order to refrain from dangerous behaviors that could lead to HIV infection and other crises. He approaches his work through many lenses, including his Jewish identity.”

(Co-sponsored by: Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, LGBTQA Center)

Free HIV Testing in Royalton!

Do you know your HIV status?

Protect yourself and your partner- it's fast, easy and free!

Free, anonymous HIV testing will be available to everyone in the Royalton area today and Wednesday, between 9am and 5pm. All are welcome! Results in just 20 minutes and no needles!

Just drop on by or email jean-denis@ru12.org to reserve a time. Later appointments may be available.

We will be in the Debevoise building, located at 164 Chelsea Street in South Royalton.

 

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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GLAM Gaymes Night: First Friday Pre-Gayme!

Facebook Event Page

You know you're a player... we wanna see your game!   Join other guys who like guys for a night of smooth moves and extra-friendly competition. We've got some great games (like, Wii, Apples to Apples and Taboo) but feel free to bring any of your own too. We've got all your snacky dreams and desires covered, too. Just bring your game-face!   Meet up with us at RU12? Annex (located on the 2nd Floor of the Champlain Mill) at 8pm. We'll be heading over to First Friday at Higher Ground to continue the fun.   If you are a young gay, bi or queer man and are interested in becoming involved with GLAM, email us at glam@ru12.org, facebook friend us http://www.facebook.com/GLAMvt or visit us online at www.glamvt.org

 

 

Brattleboro: Position Open With The Men's Program

POSITION OPEN WITH THE MEN'S PROGRAM

Part time (20 hr/wk) HIV Prevention Specialist sought for the Men’s Program, a community-building, peer-led HIV prevention program.

Successful applicant will be energetic, outgoing and Internet savvy.  Position provides direct in-person and online prevention outreach to gay & bisexual men in Windham County and adjacent communities and is primarily responsible for establishing intensive outreach initiative to gay/bisexual men under age 35. Duties include, but are not limited to, community-building among gay & bisexual men of all ages, frank discussion of HIV sexual risk and risk reduction, and small group facilitation.

Applicants must be knowledgeable of and experienced with social media, and able to work comfortably with gay/bi men of all ages, with a focus on younger men. Experience with HIV/AIDS and prevention work preferred.  Some weekend/evening work required, must have own transportation.  Excellent training provided.

Please send cover letter and resume to Susan Bell, Executive Director, APSV, PO Box 1486, Brattleboro VT 05302 or email sbell@sover.net 

Thanks To Our Donors

GLAM (a program of RU12?) would like to thank Small Dog Electronics for their fabulous donation (over $100 worth!), which is being raffled off to all the guys that attended Sex Talks throughout the year. Our hats off to them!

Keep posted- we'll be having one more of our fun, interactive Sex Talks this year! For more information, email glam@ru12.org or call Mike or Jean-Denis at 802-860-RU12.

GLAM held two fun Sex Talks just last week, where attendees received gift cards from the following awesome (and generous!) local businesses:

The Skinny Pancake

Stone Soup

Don Pedro's Taqueria

Dobra Tea

Plato's Closet

Purple Shutter Herbs

Sneakers Bistro

Cupp's Bakery

Pure Pop Records

Apple Mountain Gifts

 

Thanks again!!! Let's support the businesses that support us!

 

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.

 

 

 

Drop-in HIV Testing Canceled for Wednesday Dec 7th

Drop-in hours will resume Thurs 12/8 11-6pm

For more information, please call 802-860-7812 or email GLAM@ru12.org 

VT CARES and Chandler Pride host "The Normal Heart" in Randolph

Vermont CARES is excited to partner with Chandler Pride this year to host a reading of Larry Kramer's fiery play, "The Normal Heart," in Randolph, VT. Produced by Dan Butler, this reading will benefit Vermont CARES and our colleagues at the HIV/HCV Resource Center. Please join us, and call ahead for tickets at (802)863-2437.

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day, a day meant to raise awareness of the AIDS Pandemic around the world. Over 25 Million people died between 1981 and 2007 due to AIDS and, unfortunately, many of those lost were members of the GLBTQ community. Thankfully, with increased education and preventative methods, the number of people who've newly acquired HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) in our community has significantly dropped, but there is still a lot of judgement and misconception around the issue of HIV and AIDS. Many still hold very prejudice views of people living with HIV/AIDS and attribute it to “immoral” behavior. Stigma and shame are a barrier to testing and can be major challenges in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS.

World AIDS Day exists to educate people on the truth of AIDS and to allow people to work together to try to erase AIDS from our society. Are you interested in doing something today to help? If you would like to take action today, there are some very easy things that you can do:

• Join the Facing AIDS Initiative, an online photo project to raise awareness of AIDS and how it impacts people.
• Locate a local HIV testing and prevention services. Get yourself tested. The Center will be testing today until 7pm and offering small gifts cards to those coming in. RU12? regularly offers free, anonymous HIV testing and counseling by appointment Monday to Friday or during drop-in hours every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 am to 6 pm and Wednesday 10am-1pm.
• If you would like to learn what the Federal Government plans to do to fight AIDS, you can read The National AIDS Strategy.
• Post a Facebook status, Tweet, or blog post about this issue and about today.

Many of us dream about a day when AIDS will be nothing but a sad, tragic memory. And that is possible. Raising awareness is the first step. We must continue to educate ourselves and others on the topic of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. We must advocate for ourselves and for those in our community who live with HIV/AIDS. We don’t deserve to be stereotyped or judged- which brings me to the most important thing that we must do today and everyday- celebrate ourselves and our wonderful, beautiful, vibrant community.