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

Trans* Vermonters Gain Equal Access To Health Care

Press Release

April 26, 2013

New Health Insurance Bulletin Clarifies Access to

Health Care for Transgender Vermonters

 

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jean-Denis Couillard, Health and Wellness Coordinator

RU12? Community Center

802-860-7812 trans@ru12.org

 

The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR), Division of Insurance, this week, issued a bulletin clarifying key protections for transgender people in Vermont. The bulletin provides a clear directive to insurers that health care plans may not exclude coverage for medically necessary services for transgender people, including gender reassignment surgery.

 

The bulletin rests on key protections in law prohibiting gender identity discrimination, as well as the important and controlling standard of medical necessity regularly enforced by DFR rule. Insurance companies must comply with the terms of the bulletin, and new insurance policy forms filed by insurers will not be approved if they exclude gender transition related care.  The bulletin will impact a wide range of plans purchased by individuals and employers in Vermont, but does not regulate self-insured employer plans, which will continue to be subject to federal law.

 

“This is an important clarification of Vermont law.  Many health insurance plans categorically exclude gender-transition related care for no reason other than stigma and bias, and that is wrong,” said Corey Mallon, member of the Vermont Equal Care Coalition, a coalition of community organizations and individuals who advocated for the trans-inclusive reform in health insurance coverage.  “There is no principled reason for denying a transgender employee medically necessary health care.”

 

This bulletin confirms that discrimination against transgender people, including discrimination perpetuated by unfair insurance coverage, is against Vermont public policy. The bulletin states that “DFR is committed to ensuring that Vermonters do not face discrimination in accessing medically necessary health care benefits, including those based on gender identity and gender dysphoria. This is both a simple question of fairness and a matter addressed by existing insurance law and DFR regulation.”

 

“This bulletin is a momentous achievement, an achievement that rests not only on the work of the Equal Care Coalition, but on years of extraordinary efforts of many people in Vermont, and indeed across the country. We are extremely pleased that yet another barrier to receiving quality health care has fallen.  Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals is proud to be part of the Equal Care Coalition, the group that helped bring this over the finish line”, said Mari Cordes RN, President of Vermont Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals.

 

“Vermont joins a growing number of states in ensuring that transgender people are able to get the care they need, when they need it. Data shows that eliminating discriminatory insurance exclusions does not drive up costs, and is invaluable for helping transgender people lead healthy and authentic lives,” added Andrew Cray, a policy analyst with the LGBT Research and Communications Project at the, Center for American Progress in Washington, DC. California, Oregon, Colorado, and the District of Columbia have released guidance recognizing that equal access to health coverage is supported by medical science, improves the health of transgender people, and does not increase costs. Ending arbitrary insurance discrimination against transgender people simply supports what expert medical professional organizations including the American Medical Association, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and others have been saying for years: transition-related health care is medically necessary for many transgender individuals whose health and well-being depends on bringing their physical body into alignment with their gender identity, and determination of what care an individual patient needs properly rests with medical providers, not insurance companies.

 

Read the full bulletin here -  http://www.dfr.vermont.gov/sites/default/files/Bulletin_174.pdf

 

Frequently Asked Questions – http://www.ru12.org/bulletin_faq.html

RU12?'s LGBTQ Community Dinner Tickets Now Available!!

RESERVE TICKETS

Please join us for RU12? Community Center’s 15th Annual LGBTQ Community Dinner: Emerald. Our signature event, this year’s dinner celebrates fifteen years of RU12?’s commitment to LGBTQA community building across Vermont.

RU12’s Annual Dinner brings together community members and allies for a fabulous evening of dinner and entertainment in support of our vital health and human rights programs as well as our social and educational events. It is a time for us to recognize community leaders, organizations, and businesses dedicated to building and strengthening our community.

The Annual Dinner begins at 5:00PM

The Sheraton Hotel, Burlington

in the Emerald Ballroom  

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.

Groups Work Together to Serve LGBTQ Seniors

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 15, 2012 / Contact: Ken Gordon
Area Agency on Aging for Northeastern Vermont
481 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819
Telephone: 800-642-5119/802-748-5182

Groups Work Together to Serve LGBTQ Seniors

Imagine growing up in a world where your government legalized discrimination against you and took away your right to privacy. Imagine living in fear of being beaten in the street and having nowhere to turn to for help. And imagine living under the constant threat of losing your job, family, friends, and children, so doing whatever you could to hide who you love rather than celebrate it in public.

This is the world in which many older gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults lived their entire lives. Some bravely came out and lived the best they could, while others remained closeted. Today, these individuals are part of the fastest growing age group in the Vermont – those over the age of sixty.

Pride Vermont Announces 2012 September Festival Events

 

Pride Vermont Announces 2012 September Festival Events

Vermont to Celebrate LGBT Community in Northern New England’s Premier Pride Festival

BURLINGTON, Vt – The Pride Vermont Committee announced its plans today for the state’s annual Pride Vermont celebration, scheduled for September 21-22, 2012. The festivities, which will be held in September for the first time in order to better include Vermont’s large student population and foliage tourists, will include a cruise on Lake Champlain on Friday, September 21, a parade through downtown Burlington, and a pride festival, NOH8 Campaign photoshoot, and the Northern Decadence Food & Travel Expo in Burlington’s Battery Park on the 22nd.

“This year’s Pride Vermont promises to be more vibrant than ever before, with an incredible array of events and activities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and allied people and families to enjoy,” said Madelyn Baer, the Pride Vermont 2012 Director. “We look forward to celebrating Pride with people from all across the great state of Vermont, northern New England, upstate New York, and Canada, and we are honored to host the NOH8 Campaign this year, adding our faces to those from across the country standing up for equality.” 

Shumlin to visit Outright VT Wednesday!

Burlington, VT - This Wednesday, May 23rd, from 2:45pm-3:15pm, Governor Peter Shumlin will visit the Outright Vermont queer youth space at 241 N. Winooski Ave., Burlington, VT to thank the youth, staff, board, and volunteers for their work to advocate for stronger anti-harassment legislation this year.    Bill H412, which allows individuals to sue schools for not stopping harassment, and H771, which requires schools to adopt harassment, hazing, and bullying prevention policies, both passed both the Vermont House and Senate by the end of the session in early May.  Outright Vermont, along with the Vermont Human Rights' Commission and the RU12? Community Center, advocated with lawmakers for weeks to ensure that the two bills would pass to strengthen the current anti-harassment laws that protect all Vermont youth in schools.   "Governor Shumlin has demonstrated his support of the queer community in many ways over the years, but it is his unwavering support for the safety and celebration of queer youth that really makes him stand out," said Melissa Murray, Outright Vermont's Executive Director.  "We are proud and excited to have him come to our queer youth space in Burlington on Wednesday!"     Members of the press invited to attend this brief event!  For more info, call 802.865.9677 or email Llu Mulvaney-Stanak at llu@outrightvt.org

The mission of Outright Vermont is to build safe, healthy, and supportive environments for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth, ages 13-22. Since 1989, Outright has worked to provide safety and support for LGBTQQ youth, helped make schools safer, and focused on youth empowerment, leadership, and advocacy. To learn more about Outright, visit www.outrightvt.org.

 

New PFLAG Chapter Forms in Southern Vermont

Dorset, Vermont – 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.

Parents, Friends  and Families, of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

PFLAG Dorset represents the mission, values, and goals of PFLAG – here in Vermont.  Each month, PFLAG Dorset sponsors a community meeting to support the gay and lesbian community, engage the public, and contribute to a loving and accepting community. Throughout the year, PFLAG Dorset will host guest speakers, luncheons, workshops, and offer educational outreach to all of Vermont.  PFLAG Dorset is the only active chapter of PFLAG in Vermont.

For more information, please contact Mike Watrous at PFLAG.Dorset@gmail.com or 802.768.1585

 

SafeSpace Offers New Option to Report Violence Online

RU12? Community Center is proud to announce the launch of our online reporting form as part of Sexual Violence Awareness Month.  The report was carefully designed and piloted by our SafeSpace program to offer one more avenue for reporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) related violence.  Now people can report discrimination, hate violence, domestic violence, intimate partner violence and sexual violence through a secure link on the website www.ru12.org.  As with any reporting to SafeSpace the information is confidential and there is the option to remain anonymous. 

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 LGBTQ survivors of sexual violence.  The online reporting form is now a part of those services. 

“Calling our office or dropping in is still an option.” said Brenda Pitmon, SafeSpace Coordinator.  “We are introducing the online reporting form because people who have experienced LGBTQ violence or discrimination need as many ways to report it as possible.”

Having the secure online option means that if someone wants to make a report to SafeSpace but choose not speak to someone, they can do so.  “Not everyone who experiences violence feels that they can bring themselves to make a call, but still might want to get the information out there,” said Pitmon.  It is also provides another layer of safety for people who cannot access a phone but who may be able to access a computer at for instance a public library.  

In addition to increasing options and safety, the form helps SafeSpace to track more of the data on violence within and against the LGBTQ community.  The more data that can be documented, the greater SafeSpace’s ability to address the persistent problem of 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.

 

Current and Future Vermont LGBTQ Leaders to Gather at Statehouse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: Kim Fountain, Executive Director, RU12? Community Center

Phone: 802-860-7812

Email: kim@ru12.org

Current and Future Vermont LGBTQ Leaders to Gather at Statehouse 

 

Montpelier, VT -- A coalition of five Vermont organizations serving the state’s diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally (LGBTQA) communities announced plans today for the seventeenth annual Leadership Day at the Vermont Statehouse on Friday, April 6, 2012. On Leadership Day, previously known as Visibility Day, current and future Vermont LGBTQA leaders will gather in Montpelier to meet lawmakers, network, and discuss legislative priorities.

 Organized by the RU12? Community Center, Outright Vermont, Vermont CARES, Vermont Freedom to Marry, and Truth Wins Out, this awareness and leadership day is designed for LGBTQA people of all ages and all degrees of civic engagement.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Vermont’s LGBTQA community members to meet with lawmakers to have our concerns over issues from bullying to transgender health care heard,” said Kim Fountain, Executive Director of RU12? Community Center.   

The goals of this event are twofold: to make certain LGBTQ legislative issues remain a priority for lawmakers, and to promote leadership in the private and public sectors among LGBTQA communities around the state. 

The schedule for Leadership Day is as follows:

7:45AM – 9:15AM: Breakfast in the Statehouse cafeteria

8:45AM: Framing the day - conversations with Vermont’s LGBTQA organizations

9:15AM: Introduction on the House floor

Morning devotional by Rev. Emily Heath of the West Dover Congregational Church

9:45AM - 11:00AM: Discussion and Mingling with LGBTQA Statehouse regulars in Room 11:

Meet and greet fellow Leadership Day participants. Q&A with LGBTQA legislators, Statehouse workers, and Statehouse regulars

11:00AM: Meet with Governor Peter Shumlin in the Ceremonial Office

11:30AM-12:45PM: Meet and greet with legislators in the cafeteria

1:00PM: A light luncheon for participants hosted by Vermont CARES in their new Montpelier offices at 58 East State Street

Vermont LGBTQ leaders will be available for comment during the mid-morning meet and greet in Room 11 on the first floor of the Statehouse.

Facebook Event

RU12? Community Center Applauds Guilty Verdict in the Dharun Ravi Trial

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2012

In September 2010, former Rutgers University student Dharun Ravi used a webcam to broadcast his roommate Tyler Clementi having sex with another man.  Ravi sent Twitter and text messages out into public so that anyone reading could voyeuristically enter Clementi’s room, exposing Clementi in his most private and intimate moments. A few days later, Tyler jumped to his death from the George Washington Bridge. While Ravi was not charged with Clementi’s death, he was found guilty of invasion of privacy, evidence tampering and bias intimidation.

 

The finding of bias intimidation sends a clear and important message that there is a world of difference between behaving badly and bullying. Clementi had only recently come out to his parents and was generally a quiet and shy individual. And though supported by his family and close friends, as many LGBTQ people know first hand, even if one’s friends and family are supportive, one’s inner circle is not the same as the general public. The methodically executed plan to expose Clementi’s sexuality in a culture that remains homophobic, subjected him to a wide range of real and potential violence including loss of privacy, loss of friends and family, humiliation, and physical violence.  Instances of ‘bad behavior’ might be conceded as character building in a world where adversity is to be expected. Bullying extends far beyond this, carrying the force of a hostile culture and the dangerous risk of life altering ramifications.

 

In Vermont where LGBTQ people experience a good number of legal protections, it should be remembered that the broad protections are not enough.  LGBTQ individuals continue to experience hate violence and discrimination not only within Vermont, but in our lives that extend beyond the state borders.  Not every act of hate violence or discrimination rises to the level of a legal infraction and yet cumulatively, they impact us. For many, they are layered on top of a lifetime of pain.  It is up to all of us to change this. We cannot expect that legislation alone will be sufficient in creating a culture of respect. This is up to us on a daily basis. Ravi’s actions only made sense in a culture that supported the humiliation of a gay man.  Let us set the example that life is to be valued in all our diversity and when we do not agree, that bullying is not the answer.

 

LGBT Elders film "GEN Silent" this weekend at the Green Mountain Film Festival

Don’t miss the film GEN Silent this Saturday, March 17^th. 

2:00 – The Pavilion Auditorium, 109 State Street (enter at rear), Montpelier, VT.

Featured in The Green Mt. Film Festival – A panel discussion will follow with special guest film producer Stu Maddox – along with a diverse local panel to consider how well Vermont is prepared to care for our LGBT Elders. 

Sponsored by: The Samara Fund for LGBT Issues, a Component Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation Vermont 

 

This film should be seen by all health and long-term care providers, community members and neighbors or as one recent viewer shared,“Everyone should see this film!”

“GEN Silent” – a nationally acclaimed 2011 documentary film highlighting the unique challenges faced by elders from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) community. The film profiles older LGBT individuals living in the Boston, Massachusetts area, sharing a message of both challenge and hope, as the generation who worked so hard to come out of the closet find they are facing new challenges as they age.

 

Celebration of the life of Greg B. Raney (Sat 2/25 10am)

 

Celebrating the life of Greg Raney

10am Saturday, February 25th

RU12? Community Center

Champlain Mill, Winooski

 

 

 

 

On Saturday, February 4th, RU12? lost a dear friend and devoted volunteer, Greg B. Raney.

Greg was often the first person visitors would see as they walked through the front door of RU12?. He showed up every morning promptly at 10:00AM and spent an average of 20 hours a week making certain that visitors felt welcomed and that the Center schedule ran efficiently. Greg shared with his close friends that he felt he found a whole family at RU12? and a purpose for his life. We know that having Greg in our lives enriched us all.

Beyond greeting walk-in users, Greg fielded calls, monitored the Cyber Center, and tracked books in our lending library. His incredibly strong work ethic and diplomacy in handling sensitive situations were critical to the successful operation of the center. Greg’s commitment to RU12? extended beyond his volunteer work at the front desk. He also served on the Board of Directors and helped with the pledge drives and mass mailings. His dry sense of humor kept us all in good spirits especially on those days when we’d lose sight of what's really important.

Greg also had a tremendous love of dogs, having shown them for many years across the country. He especially loved Borzois and the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka. Greg was also a voracious reader. He always had a book with him, especially those by James Patterson, Janet Evanovich and Jonathan Kellerman, who were among his favorite mystery and suspense writers.

As a way to honor Greg’s life and his commitment to our community, RU12? will be dedicating our library in his name.

Please join us on Saturday, February 25th in celebrating Greg’s life. We will gather at 10:00AM on the dot at RU12? for coffee and light snacks, including Greg’s favorite, cinnamon rolls. The dedication of the Greg B. Raney Memorial Library will take place at 10:30AM. Donations can be made to RU12? Community Center or the American Cancer Society in Greg’s memory.

As a way to honor Greg’s life and his commitment to our community, RU12? will be dedicating our library in his name.

 

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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Research Findings re: the Coming Out Process for LGBTQ Individuals

Andrew Dunlap is a researcher who recently successfully defended his dissertation research at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, PA. His research questions centered on the process of coming out for LGBTQ community members, and how this process has changed over time. His research was comprised of survey results from LGBTQ individuals collected by contacting LGBTQ community centers, such as RU12?, nationally. You can read the summary of his research findings here, or for more information, you can contact him directly: Andy Dunlap, PhD, LCSW, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work & Gerontology, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA by emailing him at aldunlap@ship.edu.

 

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.

Vermont Freedom to Marry Offers Free Legal and Financial Planning Workshop for Same-Sex Couples

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alexia Venafra, Langrock Sperry & Wool, LLP
Phone: 802-864-0217
Email: avenafra@langrock.com 

ESSEX JUNCTION, Vt. – Vermont Freedom to Marry, which spearheaded the successful statewide effort to secure the freedom to marry for same-sex couples and continues to provide resources to Vermont individuals, couples, and families grappling with inequality on the federal level, announced today that it will hold a free workshop, entitled “Legal & Financial Planning Strategies for Same-Sex Couples and LGBTQ Individuals,” on Wednesday, January 4, 2012. This important interactive event will take place at the Vermont Interactive Television studios (http://www.vitlink.org/location) in Williston, Brattleboro, White River Junction, and Montpelier from 5:30-7:00 p.m. 

Within Vermont same-sex couples have civil marriage equality, adoptive parent recognition, and other important safeguards. However, their families face a complicated and confusing legal patchwork across the US and abroad and remain vulnerable whenever they travel to places that lack these crucial legal recognitions. Furthermore, because of discriminatory federal laws like the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), same-sex spouses are denied over 1,000 federal benefits available to opposite-sex spouses, including Social Security benefits, job protection while caring for a sick spouse, and a multitude of tax-saving opportunities.

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Passes LGBTQ-Inclusive VAWA (S. 1925)

SafeSpace and NCAVP Commend the introduction of LGBTQ-inclusive Senate Bill 1925 to re-authroize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) which for the first time ever includes explicit sexual orientation and gender identity protections. The Bill was introduced into the Judiciary Committee of the United States Senate on November 30^th, 2011. This historic legislative action for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities comes as a direct result of tireless efforts on the part of NCAVP members, who since the summer of 2009 have advocated, along with the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF), for explicit protections for LGBTQ survivors of intimate violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and stalking.  NCAVP was the first LGBTQ organization to join NTF’s VAWA re-authorization steering committee and, in coalition with other national LGBTQ organizations, has been leading the efforts to ensure that the next version of VAWA that will be re-authorized will include protections for LGBTQ survivors.

Since its passage in 1994, VAWA funding has provided billions of dollars for life saving services that support survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking across the nation, however these services are not consistently available to LGBTQ survivors. NCAVP’s recent national report Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and HIV-Affected Intimate Partner Violence in the United States in 2010 showcases the critical need for an LGBTQ-inclusive VAWA.  In 2010, NCAVP programs received a total of 5,052 reports of intimate partner violence, an increase of 38.1% from the 3,658 reports in 2009.  These reports documented 6 homicides, and in 2011 NCAVP has already tracked 7 LGBTQ intimate partner violence homicides. More survivors in 2010 (44.6%) were turned away from shelter than in 2009 (34.8%).  Additionally, NCAVP saw that 54.4% of LGBTQ survivors seeking an order of protection were denied one. 

An LGBTQ-inclusive VAWA is essential to ensuring the LGBTQ survivors have access to life saving services, continued advocacy and support.  While Senate Bill 1925’s introduction into the Judiciary Committee of the Senate is cause for celebration, more action is needed to ensure its passage. 

ACTION STEPS

Support Commitment to LGBTQ Survivors: Contact Senator Patrick Leahy (VT) 202-224-4242 and Senator Mike Crapo (ID) 202-224-6142 and let them know you appreciate their leadership on introducing VAWA and their commitment to including LGBTQ people.

Report Violence: SafeSpace encourages anyone who identifies as LGBTQH and has experienced violence to contact SafeSpace- 863-0003 to receive support and advocacy services.  SafeSpace contributes data to NCAVP's annual national reports helping to clarify the scope of violence experienced in the LGBTQH community.

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.

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. 

 

 

 

Transgender Day of Remembrance November 20th at the BLOCK GALLERY

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