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

 

RU12? Family Program Play Group This Morning!

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

Killington Winter Pride Weekend: February 1st-February 3rd

 

 

With one of the most popular nightlife scenes in the East, along with 140 trails spread across 70 miles of mountain terrain, Killington’s got something for everyone – and then some. Whether you’re an avid snow sport enthusiast or just making the trip out to party, we’ll provide you with everything needed for an amazing experience.

As a part of this initiative, G.N.A.R. is proud to support RU12? Community Center as the principle non-profit beneficiary of this year’s event. RU12 Community Center celebrates, educates, and advocates with and for LGBTQ Vermonters. They offer a wide range of programs from social and educational events, to health and wellness programs, to direct services and advocacy.

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EVENT PASS OPTIONS:
- Gold Pass ($129)
- Gold Pass + Full-Day Lift Ticket ($169)

Pride Passes may be purchased at www.GnarWinterPride.com.

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FEATURED EVENTS:

Outright VT Hiring Director of Education

Outright VT Hiring Director of Education

The mission of Outright is to provide safe, healthy, and supportive environments for LGBTQQ youth, ages 13-22. Outright Vermont is hiring a full time Director of Education. The Director of Education is responsible for providing support, resources, and assistance to youth, adults, and school districts across the state of Vermont.

Key functions include:

 

• Education and Outreach to schools and community organizations throughout Vermont, including presenting to 4000+ participants at schools in every county in the state


• Managing Vermont's Queer Straight Alliance Network, including providing support, resources, and technical assistant to Vermont's QSAs


• Planning and coordinating two major events, the Fall QSA Conference and the Spring Queer & Allied Youth Summit


• Assisting with General Organizational and Administrative Support

Minimum qualifications necessary include a college degree in a relevant field (or a mixture of education and experience), proven ability to effectively communicate and present to diverse audiences, a valid driver's license and willingness to travel extensively in state, and knowledge about the experiences of queer youth. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to ed@outrightvt.org by January 4th. Email with questions. Thanks.

See Full Listing

Transgender Day of Remembrance Event

The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an internationally recognized day set aside to remember and honor those killed due to anti-transgender hatred and prejudice. The day also serves as a chance to bring awareness to the epidemic of violence perpetrated against trans and gender non-conforming people.

Please join us as we come together as a community, memorialize the individuals killed this past year, and recognize and celebrate the progress that we've made and the resilience, strength, and compassion of those in our community. There will be a community quilt to contribute to, a timeline featuring local trans people's experiences, and time to connect with others. 

Food and refreshments provided.

TDOR On Facebook

Research Study

Do you identify as a member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) community?

Are you currently between the ages of 18 and 22?

Did you attend high school in New Hampshire, Maine, or Vermont?

If you answered yes to all three of these questions,

WE NEED YOU!

A research team at Colby-Sawyer College is conducting brief interviews and focus groups to learn about the experiences and perspectives of rural LGBTQ adolescents. We will work around your schedule to find a convenient time and location for your participation.

Your experiences matter!  We want to hear about them!

Please respond to this e-mail address, oliver.matte_sw@colby-sawyer.edu, if you are interested in learning more or if you have any questions.

Lead Researcher: Kathleen Farrell, Ph.D.

Colby-Sawyer College

541 Main St.

New London, New Hampshire 

03257

This research project has been approved by the

 Institutional Review Board at Colby-Sawyer College

 

Worst Thing About Coming Out

Last year, a group of film students and their professor, Rob Schmidt Barracano, started an online documentary called the WorstThingAboutComingOut.com to share coming out stories with those who are struggling with coming out or just curious. Their aim is to enlighten those who are not in the community and bring comfort to those who are having difficulties. The stories that are shared focus on the stages of coming out to oneself, to parents, and to friends; there is an emphasis on the anxieties and the fears that the person has before they are about to come out. Their goal is not to discourage people from coming out just to share feelings that many have before they are comfortable with themselves to come out.

This year, they have cut together a feature length documentary running fifty-nine minutes with all the stories they have collected thus far. They will be hosting a screening of the documentary on the Champlain College campus in Perry Hall on Thursday November 29th at 7pm for the community to give feedback.

They are always looking for people who are willingly to share their stories on film - no matter how big or small it is. If you have any questions please contact them atcrew@worstthingaboutcomingout.com

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.

9th Annual Outright Vermont Fire Truck Pull!!!

Scores of teams of a dozen people each, compete to raise the most money, dress the best, please the crowd, and pull a REAL Burlington City fire truck up the Church Street Marketplace.

For almost a decade, Outright Vermont has shown thousands of spectators that queers are fierce and that hundreds and hundreds of Vermonters want to raise money for queer youth programming and anti-harassment workshops for public schools.

Come see the fun on Sat. September 15th, 12pm-2pm outside of the Outdoor Gear Exchange & downtown mall, on Church Street in Burlington, VT.

Better yet - build a team and compete for the GLORY! It is fast, easy and so much fun. Details here: http://www.firstgiving.com/OutrightVT/9th-annual-outright-vermont-fire-truck-pull

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!

RU12? Family Program Potluck Picnic and Field Day Event Saturday, September 1!

Just a reminder that this Saturday is RU12?'s first annual Family Program Picnic Potluck and Field Day Event!

The weather is slated to be beautiful (77 degrees and sunny--don't forget your sunscreen!)

We are still looking for a few volunteers to run the children's events (list below). If you have any interest in helping out (10am-4pm), email jean@ru12.org or call the Center at 802.860.7812.

Tentative list of kids' events will include Balloon Pop, Hula Hoop Marathon, Water Balloon Toss, Tug o' War, Beach Ball Race, Soda Bottle Bowling, Egg on Spoon race, Egg Toss, Long Jump, Face Painting, Toe-Marble Grab, Sponge Relay, Red Light Green Light, Rest/Relaxation Station and an all-participant Scavenger Hunt! Mini-awards and prizes will be offered at the end of the day.

Event will take place at Hubbard Park's Old Shelter (by the soccer field). Plenty of nearby parking, as well as outhouse facilities (no running water). Click here for a map of the park.

Directions from 89: Go R on State Street from the highway to Elm Street. Take a L on Elm until Winter Street. Go L on Winter Street to the junction of Parkway Street/Parkway Avenue. Follow Parkway Street into the park and look for signs for parking. (~1000 feet past the frog pond is a R-turn towards the Old Shelter where the event will take place.)

Things to bring:

• Suggested donation of $10/family for RU12?'s Family Program (to defray the cost of the event and raise funds for future endeavors), but no one will be turned away for lack of donation.
• A dish to share
• Non-alcoholic beverages for you and yours
• Picnic blankets
• Sunscreen
• Overlayer in case it gets cold
• Change of clothes/shoes in case of getting eggy (egg toss, egg on spoon) or wet (water balloon toss)

For more info on any of the above, please contact jean@ru12.org.

QUEER QUEST - Sun, Sept 9th 2pm

An afternoon scavenger hunt in downtown Burlington!

Kick off PRIDE month with a SCAVENGER HUNT that will have you DASHING TOP to BOTTOM all over downtown Burlington in search of CLUES leading to GREAT PRIZES & a FABULOUS finale party at LEVITY! 

SIGN UP is 2-3 p.m. at the top of Church Street

FINALE PARTY: 5 P.M. at LEVITY, 9 Center Street.

Prizes hidden throughout the event!

 FREE ALL AGES EVENT!

For all questions and details, contact RU12? Community Center. 802-860-7812

Do it as a team or do it solo! 

Facebook Event


*Digital camera or phone with camera required for participation! 

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!

RU12? Family Program at Owl's Head Berry Farm: Thursday, August 9

Please join our RU12? Family Program at Owl's Head Blueberry Farm on Thursday, August 9 from 5-7:45pm for an evening of music and berry-picking! $12 per person, includes 2-quarts of pick-your-own berries, and kids/families are welcome! RU12? meet-up at 5:30pm, look for RU12?'s Pride Flag! For more information, see the Owl's Head website, call the Center at 802.860.7812 or contact jean@ru12.org. 

RU12? Family Program Summer 2012 schedule!

We hope you'll join us! Please contact jean@ru12.org with any questions, comments or if you would like more information, to be added to the RU12? Family Program email announcement list or email discussion group.

Children's Fair Trade Series: Fair Trade and the Environment

Thursday, July 19th at 10am, Peace & Justice Center, 60 Lake Street, Burlington

This fair trade event for children will emphasize the importance of fair trade and the environment. We will read stories about the Earth and explain deforestation and clear cutting in a kid-friendly way. We will also play with bird whistles, plant our own seedlings, and make environmentally friendly snacks. Come join us!

Facebook Event

Outright Vermont Clothing Drive - The entire month of July!

Got unwanted clothes? 

Donate them to Outright Vermont! Outright Vermont is doing a Clothing Drive for the Youth Space during the entire month of July. Donations of gently used/new items can be made at their offices at 241 No. Winooski Ave, Burlington. All sizes, genders, and styles are appreciated! 

Drop-off hours are Tuesday-Friday @12pm – 8pm, and Saturday @12pm – 5pm. For more info about Outright, visit www.outrightvt.org