Uganda anti gay bill to Become Law

Uganda Anti-Gay Bill to Become Law

Friday 29 October 2010

by: Feminist Daily News   |  Feminist Majority Foundation

http://www.truth-out.org/uganda-anti-gay-bill-become-law64687

David Bahati, a member of the Ugandan Parliament and one of the principle leaders of the Family or Fellowship of C Street fame (see Jeff Sharlet's latest book on C Street), stated yesterday that a bill, which would impose life sentences or the death penalty for gay people, will become law in the near future. Bahati told CNN that "this is a piece of legislation that is needed in this country to protect the traditional family here in Africa, and also protect the future of our children."

Since the bill was proposed last year, many governments have donated aid, and human rights groups have pressured the Ugandan government to shelf the bill.

Bahati issued the announcement not long after a Ugandan newspaper, the Rolling Stone published a list of gays and lesbians, along with their names and addresses and a yellow banner on the side reading, "hang them." Earlier this month the newspaper, which is not connected to the same-name American magazine, stated that homosexuals are raiding schools and recruiting children. Since the article's publication, at least four gay people on the list have been attacked and others are hiding.

Giles Muhame, editor of Rolling Stone, told CNN that homosexuality is a virus spreading through the world, "we thought, by publishing that story, the police would investigate them, prosecute them, and hang them."

Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries with the exception of South Africa, which recognizes gay marriage, but even there, anti-gay practices such as "corrective rapes" on lesbians, are commonplace.

Patti Boman

Mañana sera otro dia

Mañana Será Otro Día Somos dueños de nuestro destino.Somos capitanes de nuestra alma. Por Elena Hernáiz Hablemos del positivismo, gran corriente del pensamiento puro. Ese pensamiento puro que debe usarse para lograr la salida del clóset y vivir sin la carga de estar encerrado dentro de uno mismo. La salida del clóset es un asunto de valoración de nuestro propio ser. Desde la representación ética, un ente tiene mayor valor en la medida en que sirve mejor para la supervivencia mejorando el ser humano, ayudándole a alcanzar la armonía y la independencia que necesita y a las que aspira.(Vidal-Bota) Es necesaria la valoración personal para seguir viviendo y hacerlo plenamente y la razón es que sólo los valores verdaderos conducen a un progreso colmado de capacidades naturales. La madurez característica sólo se facilitará intentando acabar con los obstáculos que originen una espera de la misma o una regresión a etapas más primitivas. "Por eso, parece acertado concretar algunos valores universales, deseables para todos". (Ob.Cit.) Todo esto parte de lo denominado dignidad humana, y "La dignidad humana es aquella condición especial que reviste todo ser humano por el hecho de serlo, y lo caracteriza de forma permanente y fundamental desde su concepción hasta su muerte". El ser humano es un sujeto susceptible de derechos y obligaciones capaces de convivir de manera respetuosa e inteligente dentro de la sociedad, respetarse uno mismo es la base. Salir del closet es pues respetarse a uno mismo por encima de los demás. Si los demás piensan mal por tu salida del closet, es definitivamente su problema.  No cabe la menor duda, a este respecto que la dignidad humana no puede permitir ningún tipo de abuso… están sumamente equivocados aquellos que han perdido la esperanza y dudan de la grandeza del ser humano hombre…. así que ¡a salir del clóset, pues! Caracas, 8 de octubre 2010. ehernaiz@fundacionreflejosdevenezuela.com

Courtesy of radio reflejos Venezuela

Bishop Senyonjo

Caring Friends,

Retired Anglican Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, who is straight, very much a family man, married to his beloved Mary for 50 years, has his work cut out for him. He is trying to prevent a witch hunt and genocide if the billl passes. He and Mary will be imprisoned or worse for helping the LGBT community if the bill passes because helping gays will then be a criminal act. (BTW the Ugandan Anglican Church kicked Bishop Christopher out and took away his retirement pension a decade or so ago because he was counseling LGBT individuals as well as underprivileged widows and orphans.) Thank goodness the US Episcopalian and Irish Anglican churches (and Desmond Tutu) support him.

It's deplorable that people who are supposed to be Christians are acting in a hateful, un-Christian manner as shown in the links below. 

Martin Ssempra who supports the anti-gay bill is the opposite of Bishop Christopher.

http://coloradoindependent.com/65011/colorado-abstinence-program-with-ties-to-anti-gay-groups-ugandan-pastor-receives-millions-in-federal-funds

Here's how Pentecostal Bishop Ejiba Yamapiale regards homosexuals:

http://www.awid.org/eng/Issues-and-Analysis/Library/DRC-bishop-proposes-anti-gay-law

I believe that gays and lesbians are born that way just as intersex people (aka hermaphrodites) are born that way. There is something about the brain that causes their orientation to be different. Regardless of whether you think it's a choice or whether you think these individuals are born that way, I implore you to recognize the injustice of what is going on in Uganda. 

After decades of working with many wonderful gay and lesbian people who have become good friends, I cannot stand by and let hate get the upper hand here in America and there in Uganda. I am especially concerned when I see preachers from America hold religious crusades in Africa that preach extremely hateful ideas that prompt the writing of anti-gay bills. (Read about two people who held crusades in 2009 and 2010 -- Scott Lively and Lou Engle). 

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. -- Attributed to Edmund Burke

-- 

Linda (Lindy) Miles

President may change position on Same Sex marriage

President May Change Position on Same-Sex Marriage

October 29, 2010 8:16 am SBrinkmann Breaking News, Cultural 

By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist

During an interview with a group of bloggers on Wednesday, President Barack Obama intimated that his opposition to same-sex marriage may change in the future.

Fox News is reporting that during an exchange with Joe Sudbay of AmericaBlog about his position on same-sex marriage, the president suggested he may change his mind on the issue. Thus far, he has opposed same-sex marriage in favor of civil unions.

"I am a strong supporter of civil unions . . .  I have been to this point unwilling to sign on to same-sex marriage primarily because of my understandings of the traditional definitions of marriage," the president said.

"But I also think you're right that attitudes evolve, including mine. And I think that it is an issue that I wrestle with and think about because I have a whole host of friends who are in gay partnerships. I have staff members who are in committed, monogamous relationships, who are raising children, who are wonderful parents. And I care about them deeply."

But he stopped short of reversing himself. "And so while I'm not prepared to reverse myself here, sitting in the Roosevelt Room at 3:30 in the afternoon, I think it's fair to say that it's something that I think a lot about. That's probably the best you'll do out of me today."

The president's comments may be part of his outreach to key voting blocs before next week's elections in a bid to inspire his base of supporters, which include the LGBT community.

This could also be why he mentioned a desire to push a congressional vote on overturning the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy during the upcoming lame duck session of Congress.

He defended himself against charges that he hasn't done enough to overturn the policy, which prohibits homosexuals from serving openly in the military, saying that he has taken a "systematic and methodical" approach to getting the 60 votes needed to get the repeal through the Senate.

"I'll be honest with you, I don't think that the disillusionment is justified," he said. "So I don't begrudge the LGBT community pushing, but the flip side of it is that this notion somehow that this administration has been a source of disappointment to the LGBT community, as opposed to a stalwart ally of the LGBT community, I think is wrong."

He went on to say that he hopes the bill, which has already cleared the House, "will culminate in getting this thing overturned before the end of the year."

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace® http://www.womenofgrace.com

Patti Boman

A chance to bloom by Tawney Collins-Feay

A CHANCE TO BLOOM  by Tawney Collins-Feay  
Remarks presented at Safe School Coalition Press Conference November 14, 1996

 
I am the proud mother of three sons, ages 10, 15, and 21. They're all
musical and right handed, of  course they're all wonderful—and my eldest son
is gay. Reading the Safe Schools report brought back to me an article I read
in the newspaper several years ago about a mother who had lost her teenage
son to suicide. He was a popular, high-achieving, seemingly well adjusted boy
who had everything going for him. Out of the clear blue, it appeared, he shot
himself. No note. No one who knew him could come up with an explanation. 
I knew I could not possibly fathom this mother's anguish. Her precious
child, gone forever, and she would never, never know why.   
Psychologists tell us that losing a child is the worst pain that humans can
endure; losing a grown or nearly grown child is the worst of the worst. I
didn't need a psychologist to tell me that; I had a teenage son very nearly
the same age as the one in the article. I could bitterly imagine what that
mother must be going through and my heart ached for her.   
We will never know what caused that child to lose all hope—that child who
had the love of family and friends, who seemingly had  it all. But I did know
something that I could not ignore, nor wish away:  the awful statistic that
haunts all of us who know it:  gay and lesbian teens are four times more
likely to attempt suicide than their straight peers.  
       What if that were the truth of that young man's story? What if he felt
that he was living a lie—that those around him loved him only because they
didn't know the truth about him—and if they did, they would despise him? Hate
him?   
That is the truth of too many children's stories. Their bright, hopeful,
innocent faces become clouded with anxiety and fear as they start to realize
the names so casually bandied about in conversation: "dyke," "queer,"
 "fag;"—and the mocking jokes—apply to them. What if someone finds out?  
Every single one of us knows what it is to feel put down, criticized,
mocked, for just being the way we are. Even if only for a moment—it seems to
be part of the ritual of childhood. The difference for our gay children is
that this is an officially sanctioned cruelty;  not from every pulpit but
from too many, not from every loved and respected adult in the child's life,
but from too many—not in every classroom nor on every playground, but too
many—and we see the hopeful innocence fade, sometimes all the way to a self
hatred that is as fatal as it is inevitable. It is simply not possible to
live in a world where even God, you are told, hates you, and survive without
severe damage to your sense of self. 
And let us make no mistake about it:  many children know, from the time they
are very young, that they are "different."  By the teen years, the hate
messages, repeated over and over, have become so ingrained that many children
simply cannot go on.   
I cannot stop thinking about that young man, and so many thousands like him.
It is so unnecessary that this should have happened! It is simply ignorance
and fear that keeps good people saying bad things, never thinking that they
might be saying them about their own loved ones.  
If every family knew, as a matter of course, that the children born to them
might be gay, and that being gay is not a "lifestyle choice," how much
different would the lives of all children be?   
Because bigotry doesn't just hurt gay people. How would my two straight sons
feel if something happened to their brother? What message would my husband
and I have sent to them if we had kicked our son out of the house when he
came out to us?  "I'll love you as long as you fit into the expected picture
I have of you."  Love just doesn't get any more conditional than that. 
We at PFLAG know that our children are fine just the way they are. We know
that young children have to be taught to hate. Given the chance, they can
learn to love. We affirm today that every child deserves to know the truth:
 that everyone is worthy of  respect, that "different" does not automatically
mean "wrong," that growing up and learning in an atmosphere of dignity and
safety is our birthright. That none of us is free when any are oppressed.   
We need to ensure that these freedoms are protected for all our children. I
think of the words of Adrienne Rich—not exact, but a paraphrase:  
Can you simultaneously say to your child? 
"Bloom, my flower,  
shine, my star,"  and, 
"You are hated, being what you are." 
 
For the sake of ALL the children who are looking to us with their bright,
hopeful faces, we MUST make sure that each one has a chance to bloom. 

Pflag newsletter

Our current PFLAG newsletter is now available at: http://pflag.com/pdf/pf_news_current.pdf

Please join us for our meeting in San Diego on Monday, Sept. 27th. Our speaker is Jane Schmoll, Program Coordinator for Family Matters at The LGBT Center in Hillcrest. See inside newsletter for other support groups throughout the county. 

And don't forget Election Day: Nov. 2, 2010 is the big day! Voter registration information and forms to download, can be obtained at http://sos.ca.gov. Registration forms are due by Oct. 18. Download and mail your registration form today. If your questions are not answered on the website, call800-345-8683. Thank you all for taking part in the democratic process. Your voice will not be heard unless you register to vote and VOTE! 

Ally Week

ALLY WEEK is October 18-22 2010.  Since, 2005 PFLAG National has joined our friends at GLSEN in sponsoring this nationwide, weeklong event to support and celebrate allies.  Please visit our website at www.straightforequality, www.pflag.org or GLSEN's website at www.allyweek.org for more ways to get involved.  Once again, PFLAG National is proud to support this year's Ally Week. As we begin celebrating this week, please take a look at some of the exciting things you can do, everyday day, to show your support. 

Day One:  GET UP and AT EM'  

Ø  One of the easiest ways to meet other supportive straight allies is to attend a PFLAG meeting.  With more than 250 chapters around the United States, attending a PFLAG chapter meeting is a sure way to show your support, get involved in your community and make new friends.  Our LGBT families and friends need to know they have your support, so why not attend a meeting and get UP and AT EM'.   To find a chapter in your area, please visit http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=803

     Day Two:  Straight for Equality      http://straightforequality.org/

Ø    Don't know what Straight for Equality is? Well it's time to get in the loop and become part of a community of straight supporters working toward equality.  Visit the Straight for Equality website for tips on becoming the best ally EVER!  Take the Pledge, learn about our Straight for Equality in the Workplace training http://straightforequality.org/, plan to attend our 2011 Straight for Equality Awards Gala or travel in style with a Straight For Equality tote bag, the possibilities are endless.   Actions, big and small, are important in the pursuit of inclusiveness, love and support for our LGBT families and friends.

Ø    Already familiar with Straight for Equality?  Well, reacquaint yourself with the movement.  Stay current and informed as you live your life as a straight ally.  PFLAG National is always promoting new activities and ways to provide support.  

Ø  So… what are you waiting for, go to http://straightforequality.org/ for exciting updates or visit our website at www.pflag.org to see pictures from our 2010 LA Event.

Day Three:  SPEAK UP!

Ø  Show your support by having meaningful conversations.  Use your voice to share the benefits of becoming a straight ally or why it's important to continue your support.  Chat over coffee or lunch, share at a religious gathering, talk to your child's teacher, share your story on the Straight for Equality website, write a letter to your state representative or chat while trying on new shoes.  It's a win-win situation, you get a new pair of shoes and you continue to support the LGBT community at the same time.  Remember, starting conversations allows us to rally more folks and continue our support efforts.   So SPEAK UP!

Day Four:  Collaboration-POWER in Numbers

The African proverb says "It takes a village to raise a child."  Let's apply that important message to working as straight allies.  We can't do it alone and we don't have to. Here is what you can do:

Ø  Sign up for the PFLAG action alerts http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=211 to reach out and collaborate with others in your community and all over the United States that are taking part in ally activities.   You will be able to learn many exciting ways to collaborate and work with others.  You will also find ways to start your own programs and attract support.  Remember, there is power in numbers.

Ø  Find an organization, local or national group, or gather some friends with a mission of unity and work on a project together to support our LGBT community.  There are many groups that are dedicated to equal rights for ALL.  There are cities that sponsor community days, colleges that sponsor fundraisers, community centers that host after-school programs for students or work with your local group that organizes annual Pride celebrations.  Volunteering your time, services and expertise will ensure that allies are present in all spaces and activities.  We need bodies on the front lines and working with others to create change.

Day Five: Share the Wealth

We want schools, community centers, groups, organizations and other straight allies to have access to current support resources to educate and promote inclusive conversations, sustain active participation and rally other straight allies.

Ø  Create and distribute resource packets to members of your community.  Many of these resources are free (Yes, free!) and can be downloaded in seconds.   

Ø  PFLAG's Safe Schools training is proud to provide a tool box of strategies to help deliver packets to counselors, principals and teachers.  PFLAGErs, if you have participated in one of our trainings, and have not delivered the counselor packets, now is your chance to provide schools with current support resources. 

Ø  Want to save paper, no problem!  Create email resource packets and send them to friends, families, co-workers, organizations, etc.  Email is a fast and easy way to rally straight allies.

Ø  Do you have live on Facebook and Twitter? Well, what are you waiting for?  Update your status with a message about the importance of being a straight ally.  Post a link to a great website.  You can find some websites below to help you get started.  

Ø   Tweet about ways you support our LGBT community.  Did you go to an event? Tweet about it! Are you volunteering at an LGBT inclusive organization? Tweet about it!  Tweet about why it's important to be a straight ally.

Remember, support takes place EVERYDAY!  Gandhi said it best, "We must be the change we want to see."

Below is a list of FREE resources that will help you continue your work as a straight ally.  That one brochure, lesson plan, donation, publication, conversation, volunteer activity or video might save a life, change an opinion and create change.

If you are like me and love to share how you support our community, then please contact me anytime at Mekina Morgan-Safe Schools and Diversity Coordinator at mmorgan@pflag.org or call 202-467-8180 extension 212.  I would love hear about your stories, events, activities and support programs or if you just want to chat, I would love that too.

Thanks so much for ALL you do,

Mekina J

 

Check out these free resources to get things rolling:

Free Straight for Equality overview:   http://community.pflag.org/Document.Doc?id=108

PFLAG Field Guide to Straight for Equality: http://community.pflag.org/Document.Doc?id=140

Check out these websites for more information:

PFLAG National: www.pflag.org

Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network:   www.glsen.org

Southern Poverty Law Center:  www.splcenter.org

GroundSpark:  http://groundspark.org/

Trevor Project:  http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Students Against Violence Everywhere:  http://www.nationalsave.org/index.php

Safe Schools Coalition:  http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/safe.html

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__,_._,___

SD Asian Film festival discounted Ticket Sales end Sunday

Patti Boman

Begin forwarded message:

From: mike chen <sdaff11@yahoo.com>
Date: October 15, 2010 9:24:10 PM PDT
To: sdaff11@yahoo.com
Subject: SD Asian Film Festival -- Discounted Ticket Sales end Sunday

Hello all! Hope to see you there. Standing Queer -- Friday, Oct. 22th, 7:10 PM (Short film program) From Prop 8 punishment and military closet busting -- to a memorable one-nighter, it's time to take a Stand in our popular short film program.  Reception with food and beverage to follow.  http://tinyurl.com/2eug6m7 Fool for Love -- Sunday, Oct. 24th, 6:40 PM A poor bathroom clerk looking for love in Vietnam captures the attention of a Sugar Daddy in this romantic comedy.    http://sdaff.bside.com/2010/films/foolforlove_sdaff2010_sdaff2010 Michael Chen San Diego Asian Film Festival

GLSEN Fundraiser Thurs. Oct. 28th 6-8 PM

GLSEN Big Kitchen Fundraiser Thurs. Oct. 28th 6-8 PM

Hi Folks,
It's lasagna time again and I'm asking folks to bring as many friends along to the Big Kitchen as possible. As you know, there has been a lot of national news devoted to the bullying epidemic affecting our nation's LGBT youth. People have been scratching their heads wondering how they can offer a helping hand. . .
Well, GLSEN is THE organization that is dealing with this problem head-on. We work directly with schools to make them into safer and more affirming environments for LGBT youth. We are a 501.c.3 volunteer-run organization that exists at the local level and we we run this fundraiser EVERY year so that we can continue to meet our operating expenses. Come on out and enjoy some tasty dinner AND your dollars benefit a VERY worthy organization in the process.

Please print out the attachment and forward it to friends and family. Let's make this the BEST fundraiser we've ever held!!!!

Here's the event info embedded in the email:

Join us for a benefit dinner to support GLSEN San Diego County (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network).

Date: Thursday, Oct. 28th

Time: From 6:00-8:00

Location: The Big Kitchen ~ 3003 Grape St. in South Park             (Golden Hill) 92102

Donation of $16.00 per ticket includes a scrumptious lasagna dinner with salad, garlic bread,  brownie, and your choice of tea or lemonade.

Reserve your tickets now and help us make our schools into better and safer places for ALL youth!

RSVP to us either by repyling to this email or to our general glsen email to reserve your tickets. Please provide a headcount by Wed. Oct. 21
glsensd@yahoo.com

Help Stop Discrimination in Minnesota!

As you may have heard, the bishops in Minnesota are engaged in a campaign of discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and their allies.
 
In the last month alone:

Archbishop Nienstedt of the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese worked with a national anti-gay political organization and, along with other bishops in the state, sent hundreds of thousands of DVDs to Catholic households condemning the freedom to marry for same-gender couples An artist-in-residence at St. Mary's Basilica in St. Paul was suspended for her desire to create an art installation with some of the same DVDs. A group of students, women religious and a monk who wore rainbow ribbons and emblems were denied communion by Archbishop Nienstedt.

 
When will this rash of hatred end?
 
You can help stop it right now.
 
If you live in Minnesota, please send a letter to the editor to reach out to your fellow Minnesotans to ask that they stand with you in supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
 
If you live in another state you can send a letter to the Minnesota news outlets or, if your own local bishop has taken a stand against marriage equality recently, please consider writing a letter to your local news oulet.
 
Letters to the editor should be about 250 words, refer to the recent stand by your bishop and share your own views. A good message to include is:
 
I am a Catholic, and rooted in Jesus' teachings on love, I support the freedom to marry for my (son, daughter, neighbors, friend, parishioner, my fellow citizens, etc) who is/are in a loving, long-term same-gender relationship. 

Letters to the editor are important because they reach thousands of fellow Catholics and citizens, helping them to understand the bishop does not speak for all Catholics and that it is OK for Catholics to have their own beliefs. You can help turn the tide to support marriage equality. 
 
See below for a list of newspapers in Minnesota or chose your own local newspaper to submit your letter.  It takes 5 minutes of your time but makes a world of difference to the more than 625,000 Catholics in Minnesota...and the thousands of couples who are denied the freedom to marry in Minnesota and across the country.

For faith and justice,


Jim FitzGerald, Executive Director


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR IN MINNESOTA
 
Choose a newspaper and either email or click the link to submit your letter to the editor.
 
Bloomington Sun-Current
Mankato Free Press
  Minnesota Star Tribune
Duluth News Tribune
Rochester Post Bulletin, letters@postbulletin.com
St. Cloud Times, letters@stcloudtimes.com
St. Paul Pioneer Press, letters@pioneerpress.com
Winona Post


Stop the discrimination!



Write a letter to the editor and say
 
"I am Catholic and
 
I support marriage equality."
 

(see list of newspapers to the left)
More Information


  
Call To Action | 2135 West Roscoe Street 1N | Chicago | IL | 60618

Bullying

Subject: Bullying

Bullying is around us everywhere, in the work place, on the freeway at school, at home!

We all need to look deep within ourselves and start treating everyone (and I mean EVERYONE!) with respect.

I was bullied at work for many years by a sales manager (new homes) who threatened me every time she could with the fact that there were many people that wanted my job and I was easy to replace, also another one screamed at me for questioning a financing figure she had given me that was clearly wrong and instead of accepting that it was she screamed at me telling me I was stupid (when I had the figures correctly and hers were wrong). Also once, when I volunteered at an outdoor amphitheater in order to raise funds for our children's school booster's trip, parents and friends worked the concession stands and served food, drinks, etc. One of the parents was in charge of each booth and the general manager was very upset about recycling bottles in separate bins (by color) and instead of telling us all about this (they never gave us this specific info) he started screaming at this parent in front of all of us and in front of public that was starting to trickle in.  I for one couldn't stand around and do nothing and I reacted immediately without thinking I went up to defend this other parent to the point of the general manager screaming at me and trying to intimidate me by getting very close to my face, but my adrenalin was so high that all he did was infuriate me more and I stood my ground, I got very close to getting hit by this man!  It was a show! all the regular employees were all congratulating me for standing up to him, apparently he did this to everyone.  This is why disgruntled employees come back and cause harm, when supervisors, managers and owners (or other people in charge) abuse their power and like to make the people below them feel small and afraid.

Businesses need to train their managers to communicate in a normal way without insults or aggression. Schools need to have ongoing training of their teachers and students about standing up for others even if they are different! 

At home how many times have parents screamed at their kids, when they are angry or tired from work or because they broke something by accident?

we have all at some time reacted in a way that we are not proud of, we all need to stop and think before we do this. Words are very important and we should never use "stupid, dumb, etc" against our children, friends or co workers.  I know it's not easy but we need to all start to realize that we are teaching each other to be impatient, aggressive and intolerant of anything that doesn't fit what we believe is right.  We let our kids behave badly and torture others because "boys will be boys", "they are the comedians of the class room", etc. And this is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Especially when you push someone that is not as strong or mentally stable as you or your child is, someone that may feel like they don't fit in, because they are different and don't fit what our current society says are acceptable standards (being thin, pretty, handsome, smart, popular, straight).  Instead we need to teach our kids to stand up for the ones being tortured every day if it's safe, if it's not safe to go and look for help, but to definitely act! not to turn the other way and look away because it's not affecting them. We need to teach our kids (and adults) that it's OK to be different and we all need to treat each other like we would want to be treated. No more suicides! No more violence! 

I can't believe some churches and politicians stand on this about it being a gay issue only when it is clearly not one! I was bullied and I'm a straight mother of two wonderful young men and happily married for over 35 years!

Please come to the rally and vigil on Sunday October 17 from 6-7 at SD Unified school district Eugene Brucker Education center lawn, 4100 Normal St. SD 92103
 

Thank you,

Patti Boman

PFLAG SD co President

(619) 227-6092

 Darkness cannot drive out darkness;

 only light can do that.

 Hate cannot drive out hate;

 only love can do that.

 ~MLK Jr.

No More Bullying - Safe Schools Rally & Vigil

PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY

SAFE SCHOOLS RALLY & VIGIL!!!

 

 

Carlos Marquez  |  Director of Community Programs & Public Affairs

The San Diego LGBT Community Center

v - 619 . 692 . 2077 . 103 | m - 619 . 651 . 0797 | f - 619 . 260 . 3093

 

www.thecentersd.org

 

News Alert: Judge Orders Injunction Stopping 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Breaking News Alert

The New York Times
Tue, October 12, 2010 -- 3:45 PM ET
-----

Judge Orders Injunction Stopping 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

A federal judge ordered the government on Tuesday to stop
enforcing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, ending the
military's 17-year-old ban on openly gay troops.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips's ruling was widely
cheered by gay rights organizations.

Department of Justice attorneys have 60 days to appeal. Legal
experts say the department is under no legal obligation to do
so and could let Judge Phillips's ruling stand.

Read More:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/10/12/us/AP-US-Gays-in-Military.html?emc=na


NYTimes.com
620 Eighth Ave.
New York, NY 10018

Copyright 2010 The New York Times Company

San diegans for safe schools and other LGBT events this week!

	October 11, 2010

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News of Note San Diegans for Safe Schools Rally and Vigil, Sunday, Oct. 17, 6 pm Join a coalition of concerned parents, students, educators and community organizations will come together to mourn the loss of LGBT youth who've taken their lives in recent weeks as a result of school-based bullying, and to encourage San Diego schools to actively ensure a safe, supportive learning environment for all students. The rally will be held on the San Diego Unified Eugene Brucker Education Center Lawn at 4100 Normal St. For more information, contact Carlos Marquez at cmarquez@thecentersd.org. Quarterly Community Breakfast: Prop J and Public Schools, Friday, Oct. 15 Are you the parent of a current or prospective student at San Diego Unified? Concerned about the state of education at San Diego public schools? On Tuesday, Nov. 2, voters will weigh in on Prop J – a temporary annual parcel tax that proponents say would prevent teacher layoffs, fund job and college preparation, and preserve small class sizes. Learn more during our Quarterly LGBT Community Coalition Breakfast on Friday, October 15 at 7:30 am. Lani Lutar, President and CEO of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association and Richard Barrera, President of the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education, will provide opposing and supporting arguments for the measure. The forum will take place at the San Diego LGBT Community Center (3909 Centre Street). A full breakfast is available for a $10 donation; coffee and tea are complimentary. RSVPs are suggested but not required, at cmarquez@thecentersd.org. The Center Honored at Center on Policy Initiatives Gala The Center was honored at CPI's October 6 gala as a Champion for equality, advocate for an Equal benefits Ordinance and service provider to thousands of San Diegans. We are grateful for the award and look forward to an ongoing partnership in the fight for equality. The Center Gala – Much More Than Just a Great Party, Saturday, Oct. 23 Your generosity helped us provide services to 46,000 people last year. Now, more people than ever need your help, particularly our LGBT youth. The Center provides the programs to help those in need and our annual Gala offers you a way to be part of that. Join the LGBT and allied communities, elected and appointed officials, and The Center's many dedicated supporters to help raise funds for the critical programs The Center offers to the community -- programs for youth, seniors, HIV-positive individuals, families and more. Enjoy, dancing, dining, mixing, mingling and a silent auction on Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront. VIP and regular tables are now available for purchase online. Don't miss out on the premiere LGBT event of the year! Can't make it? Sponsor a youth or senior! Vote early! Voting began October 4! Last day to register to vote is Monday Oct. 18, 2010. Find out more at www.facebook.com/Equality.Votes. Want to volunteer to help get out the vote? Join the "Vote Naked Vote by Mail" team every weekend now through the election for bar outreach! Contact Carlos Marquez at (619) 692-2077, ext. 103, or cmarquez@thecentersd.org. October is GLBT History Month! Learn about a different LGBT icon every day at www.glbthistorymonth.com. The Value of Volunteering Sept. 2010 In September, 80 dedicated Center volunteers gave 1,227 hours of their time, for a total value of $26,956. The generosity of our volunteers helps make all that The Center does possible. Thank you! Spotlight Events Family Matters Halloween Carnival & Costume Contest, Saturday, Oct. 16, 4 pm Enjoy spooktacular carnival games, arts & crafts and a delicious dinner. There will be a comfortable room for parents of infants and toddlers to relax, socialize and show off their costumes, and a cool, spooky area for kids 9 and up to hang out and watch a Halloween movie after dinner. DJ Laura Jane will provide entertainment and karaoke. Cost is $5 per person (kids two and under are free). To participate in the costume contest you must be present by 5 pm. RSVP to Jane Schmoll at families@thecentersd.org or (619) 692-2077, ext. 121.  Nightmare on Normal Street, Saturday, Oct. 30, 7 pm Join us on Normal Street just north of University for Hillcrest's biggest Halloween Party! Enter our costume contest hosted by the outrageous Nicole and try for the $1,000 first prize. But get there early – only the first 100 entries are eligible. Enjoy great entertainment, featuring Grace Towers as Lady Gaga and DJ Talonya spinning the best tunes. NEW THIS YEAR is our VIP Area, "The Cauldron." A $50 ticket (available online only) includes reserved table seating with complimentary drink service and a premium view of the contest. On-line general admission tickets are $12.50 and include $5 of drink coupons and your own separate entry line. You can also buy tickets at the door for $10 (sorry, no drink coupons or special access included). Thank you to presenting sponsors Urban Mo's-Baja Betty's-Gossip Grill, beverage sponsors MillerCoors, Jaegermeister and Barenjaeger, Svedka Vodka and Stone Brewing Company, costume contest sponsor The Crypt, and media sponsors Gay & Lesbian Times and San Diego Pix. All proceeds from this event will benefit The San Diego LGBT Community Center. This is a 21+ event and ID is required. Get your tickets online and avoid the wait!		Support your community with a donation today!   Program Events: Youth, Seniors, Families, Men, Women, HIV Community and More   HIV Behavioral Health Services & Counseling (English & Spanish)    HIV Testing at The Center   50 & Better Games, Games, Games Group, Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1 pm   HIV Misconceptions, Wednesday, Oct. 13, 5 pm   Family Matters Out at the Zoo, Sunday, Oct. 17, 10 am   Hillcrest Wind Ensemble: Fall Classics, Saturday, Nov. 6, 7 pm   Red Hot Fall Women's Dance, Nov. 13, 6 pm   Yoga for Everyone, Mondays, 10 am   Bridge Group, Mondays, 12 noon   Community 9th Annual Bacchus House Turnabout, Saturday, Oct. 16   Dr. A. Brad Truax Award Nominations Due by Nov. 9   Click on any story to see all of the latest news     A Fabulous Menu of Opportunities for Fall! This Fall season The Center has something for everyone! No matter what strikes your passion and heart most deeply, there are a menu of giving opportunities to help support the 46,000 service visits for LGBT San Diegans that we provide every year! Enjoy fabulous events with friends? Buy a table or some tickets to The Center's Fabulous Gala Event. Don't like events but want to sponsor a youth or senior who can't otherwise attend? Go here!  Care about LGBT youth? Make a donation to support the Hillcrest Youth Center or the Youth Housing Project. Go here and select one of the youth services. Care about LGBT seniors? Support the Senior Resource Fair with a gift. Go here and select senior services. Care about making sure we can Get Out the LGBT vote in November? Help support our Equality Votes. Voting. Is. Vital. Campaign! Go here and select the Public Policy Department.  Every dollar you can give helps to support the services, projects and programs that make a difference for so many in the LGBT San Diego community. You don't have to give thousands to make a difference in lives, give what you can and together we can all keep making a difference! Thank you so much for your generosity and for all you do!   Saturday, Oct. 23 – 37th Annual Center Gala Saturday, Oct. 30 – Nightmare on Normal Street Know someone who is right for the job? Current opportunities include:   Biligual Staff Counselor – Licensed or Unlicensed   Visit us online for more details about our current openings.
The Center is located at: 3909 Centre Street San Diego, CA 92103 Our mailing address: P.O. Box 3357 San Diego, CA 92163 Phone: (619) 692-2077 Fax:(619) 260-3092 Web: http://www.thecentersd.org

The Center is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in employment and in the provision of all services. The Center provides services without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic characteristics, political belief or activity, status as a veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state and local laws.