When I heard the news yesterday, I couldn't believe my ears.
Rep. Ike Skelton, a Democrat from my home state of Missouri and the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said he was against the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because he is worried it would force parents to explain homosexuality to their children and would open up a national discussion. "What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?" Mr. Skelton asked reporters at a news media breakfast. [1]
It would be bad enough if Ike Skelton were just pretending that DADT still makes sense. But based on his comments yesterday, Skelton wants to pretend that LGBT people don't even exist!
From anyone, these comments are uneducated and unfortunate; from a U.S. Congressmen, those kind of statements are simply unacceptable. That's why we're calling on Skelton to offer a full public apology to the LGBT people in his district, and across the country. Join us in demanding a public apology! http://www.getequal.org/missouri.php
Sadly, Ike Skelton has a history of actively working against our civil rights. He was one of the original authors of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legislation 17 years ago. [2] And it's long been clear that the law needs to end. In fact, a 2010 poll found that 60% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans believe that being gay or lesbian "has no bearing on a service member's ability to perform their duties" and 73% say it is "personally acceptable to them if gay and lesbian people were allowed to serve openly in the military." [3]
That's why I'm asking you to sign this petition to call on Rep. Skelton to apologize for his remarks. Democrats and Republicans alike need to understand that our community is everywhere, and it is not okay to continue with this type of political homophobia.
I hope you'll join me in signing this petition. Help us hold Rep. Skelton (D-MO) accountable by demanding that he represent the full diversity of his community and of communities across the country.
Sign the petition here! http://www.getequal.org/missouri.php
Get out, get active, GetEQUAL!
Created in 1992 by Stepping Out Studios of New York, OUTdancing is a
comprehensive same-sex Latin, swing, and ballroom dance program. The Valley’s
own Franco Peraza now brings OUTdancing to Fresno!
BallroomLIVE encourages students to lead or follow, regardless of gender and
sexual orientation. At BallroomLIVE it's common to see both gay and straight
students and teachers dancing outside of traditional gender roles. The decision
to lead or follow is your own. For beginners, we suggest you stick with either
leading or following. Once you have the basics, you can try the other, or start
switching back and forth!
BallroomLIVE invites you to join them for an LGBT OPEN HOUSE & DANCE
CLASS at their studio on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 from 3:30 to 4:30PM.
The cost is $10 per person and includes an LGBT Latin Rhythms Dance
Class.
Check out this video from this year's Rainbow Pride Festival, and see just a
taste of what you can learn and enjoy by signing up for OUTdancing at
BallroomLIVE. BallroomLIVE is located at 5721 N. First Street in Fresno.
Their phone number is 559-435-5678. Visit the studio's website here... BallroomLIVE
Dear Friend of The Trevor Project in Tulare County,
I want to sincerely thank you for expressing an interest in volunteering with The Trevor Project as a Lifeguard Workshop facilitator. This wonderful program takes volunteers into schools to assist youth in better understanding the negative consequences of their language and actions on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, as well as train the youth about the warning signs of suicide and what they can do as youth lifeguards to help. Through our partnership with county agencies and the Suicide Prevention Task Force, we look forward to launching this program in the summer of 2010 and expanding over the following school year.
To those ends, if you are interested in being part of our dedicated corps of Lifeguard Workshop Facilitators, please read over the attached position description. If this volunteer opportunity seems like a good fit for your interests and talents, please submit a resume/CV and a cover letter outlining why volunteering in this program at The Trevor Project interests you to me at Dave.Reynolds@TheTrevorProject.org. The deadline to apply is 30 June 2010.
Upon receipt of your resume/CV and cover letter, the application process to enter the training class is as follows:
(1) Our program staff will review your letter and resume/CV to ensure on our end it is a good match for the program
(2) A member of our Program Staff will call you in the coming weeks to set up a phone interview that will last approximately 30 minutes
(3) The interview will be completed
(4) Following the interview, we will let you know if you’ve been accepted to the training class
(5) If you are accepted into the training class, please block out the evening of Wednesday July 21 from 6:00 pm to 7:30pm and Saturday July 24 from 10:00am to 6:00pm
Please forward this welcome letter to all you know who might be interested and share this widely. Thank you again for your interest and I look forward to hearing from you,
Dave
Dave Reynolds, MPH, CPH
Advocacy and Education Manager / The Trevor Project
9056 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 208 / West Hollywood, CA 90069
310.271.8845 x258 p / 310.271.8846 f Dave.Reynolds@TheTrevorProject.org / www.TheTrevorProject.org
Facebook | Blog | YouTube | Twitter
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
You can help save a life each month with an affordable monthly gift of just $15. Become a lifeline donor today!
Are you a fan of Trevor? Please join our fan page on Facebook!
In a significant move for same-sex couples, the Internal Revenue Service has decided to recognize California's community property law and treat the income earned by California registered domestic partners as community property income for federal income tax purposes.
The decision, which was issued in a private-letter ruling on Friday, reverses a position the IRS took in 2006, when it said California's registered domestic partners should each report on their own federal tax return only the income they personally earned, not one-half of their community income.
The new decision does not require or even allow California's registered domestic partners to file their federal tax return as married filing jointly or married filing separately, as they must do with their state tax returns. They must each still file a single federal return, but each should now report one-half of their community income.
Suppose one partner earns $100,000 and the other earns $60,000. In the past, each reported only the income he or she earned. In the future, each would report $80,000, which is half their combined income. Each would also be entitled to half of the combined income tax withheld from their paychecks.
Well, the Skittles softball season has officially come to a close. We finished second in our division, woohoo! Not too shabby for our very first league. I want to thank my team for whom I owe a great season to. You guys withstood a rough start, jeers from the crowd and actually stepped out of the batters box, so to speak, to put yourselves out there in society. I know we made progress with what we did, whether you see that or not. So kudos to everyone and yes, the amazing coach had something to do with it, too! (giggle)
I would also like to thank all of the fans who came out to each and every game. My heart is overwhelmed by your support! There is nothing our community can’t do if we stick together. Big love to all of you!
The Visalia Skittles are taking a break to enjoy our summer and so some can heal our injuries. We will be back at it for the fall season. Stay tuned for details on try-outs and how to join the team. Email me if you have interest in this.
We closed the season with a celebration at Extreme Bowling. We had about 35 people in attendance and a great time was had by all! I didn’t actually dance on the tables as promised…. But maybe next time! ;) This was the second social event Gay Visalia has recently hosted. We will continue to have OUTings throughout the year and we hope to see you all in attendance. Make sure you get on our email list to stay current with area happenings.
Thank you team, thank you fans, thank you community…..I’m honored and proud to call you my friends!
Presidential Proclamation--Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month
As Americans, it is our birthright that all people are created equal and deserve the same rights, privileges, and opportunities. Since our earliest days of independence, our Nation has striven to fulfill that promise. An important chapter in our great, unfinished story is the movement for fairness and equality on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This month, as we recognize the immeasurable contributions of LGBT Americans, we renew our commitment to the struggle for equal rights for LGBT Americans and to ending prejudice and injustice wherever it exists.
LGBT Americans have enriched and strengthened the fabric of our national life. From business leaders and professors to athletes and first responders, LGBT individuals have achieved success and prominence in every discipline. They are our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters, and our friends and neighbors. Across my Administration, openly LGBT employees are serving at every level. Thanks to those who came before us the brave men and women who marched, stood up to injustice, and brought change through acts of compassion or defiance we have made enormous progress and continue to strive for a more perfect union.
My Administration has advanced our journey by signing into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which strengthens Federal protections against crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. We renewed the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides life saving medical services and support to Americans living with HIV/AIDS, and finally eliminated the HIV entry ban. I also signed a Presidential Memorandum directing hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funds to give LGBT patients the compassion and security they deserve in their time of need, including the ability to choose someone other than an immediate family member to visit them and make medical decisions.
In other areas, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a series of proposals to ensure core housing programs are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. HUD also announced the first ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has created a National Resource Center for LGBT Elders.
Much work remains to fulfill our Nation's promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.
As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Porterville
Newsletter for June 2010
Sunday service is at 10:30 am; coffee and visiting at 10:15 am
135 E. Harrison (Corner of Harrison Ave. And Fourth Street)
Porterville, CA 93257
For additional information call 782-1724
Our website is: http://UUFellowship.homestead.com/UUFellowship.html
June programs coordinated by Marion Gant
June 6 “Straight Talk about God-Talk” , an article by Davidson Loehr, retired Unitarian scholar and minister, printed in the Jesus Seminar publication “The Fourth R”.
Davidson Loehr asserts that “what was once called religion” is under many assaults. “The scientific revolution showed us that biblical literalism, taken as science, was nonsense.” For many people traditional “God-talk” no longer speaks to or addresses major human needs, feelings or aspirations. Loehr concludes his article by stating that “when we talk of our deepest yearnings and our provisional answers to them….we are speaking in the deep language of head and heart that was the forerunner, and is the legitimate heir to what was once called theology”. Ivan Ball will read the article and lead the discussion.
Host: Mary Burnside Hymn 309 Reading 530
June 13 “Capitalism Hits the Fan” We will learn about and discuss Economics professor Richard Wolff's views on the causes of the current economic crisis and its roots dating back to the 1970's.Potluck Host: Terry Crewse Hymn 159 Reading 588
Please do not hesitate to join us for the potluck, even if you forget to bring a dish, we always have plenty, and your company is most welcome!
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING SOMETHING FOR THE FOOD BASKET THIS WEEK, AS WE EAT HEARTILY.
June 20 “Before Stonewall: The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community”
is a 1984 historical documentary film about the LGBT community prior to the 1969 Stonewall riots. It was narrated by author Rita Mae Brown and directed by Greta Schiller. It premiered at the 1984 Toronto Film Festival and was released in the United States on June 17, 1985. In 1999 Producer John Scagliotti directed his follow up, “After Stonewall’”. John Coffee will lead the discussion.
Host: Marion Gant Hymn 94 Reading 661
June 27 “After Stonewall” is a 1999 documentary film directed by John Scagliotti about the 30 years of gay rights activism since the 1969 Stonewall riots. It is the sequel to Scagliotti’s “Before Stonewall” and is narrated by musician Melissa Etheridge. John Coffee will lead the discussion.
Host Marilyn Pankey Hymn 334 Reading 664
Tuesday Reading Group meets on Tuesday afternoons, from 3:30 to 5 pm. We are now reading "Forces of Fortune" - the rise of the New Muslim Middle Class. Please join us.
Movie Night at Sat, June 26, 7pm when we will view “A Fish Out of Water,” a film that explores the impassioned relationship between homosexuality and the Bible..
Happy Birthday in all celebrating birthdays in June.
Next Board Meeting: The board meeting will be Sunday, June 27 immediately following the service.
PLEASE CONTINUE BRINGING FOOD FOR THE FOOD BASKET. As we celebrate with our potluck each month, remember the needs of the Helping Hands Organization. Bulk staples and other non-perishables are appreciated and Jim Innis delivers our donations weekly.
If you wish to be removed from this newsletter list, please email: miceabroad@hotmail.com or leave a message at 359-8321.
We, the member congregations of the UUA, covenant to affirm and promote:
· The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
California's First Official Harvey Milk Day - Who We're Honoring
Written by Chris Jarvis
Thursday, 20 May 2010
This Saturday, May 22nd, 2010, is the first official Harvey Milk Day in the
state of California. Thanks to the film "Milk" starring Sean Penn, a
new generation of young people are now aware of Milk's history and influence in
the continuing battle for LGBT Equality. May 22nd is Harvey Milk's actual
birthday. He was 48 years old when he was shot and killed by Dan White in 1978.
Harvey Milk was born to Jewish parents in New York in 1930. He grew up as
any other child, played football in high school, he was gregarious, but kept
his homosexuality a secret. He later joined the Navy during the Korean war and
afterwards worked as a teacher.
Milk's story is very different than the stories of many of today's LGBT
activists, who become involved in one way or another in the battle for equality
at very young ages. Not only did Harvey Milk not get involved in the movement,
and politics in general, until he was in his forties, for most of his life
before that, he was actually opposed to open rebellion in the political arena.
In fact, one partner's activist status and subsequent conflicts with the police
disturbed Milk, and contributed to the end of the relationship.
Please help out this GREAT cause! It's a chance for our LGBT community to come together and do something meaningful and helpful. They need volunteers, participants and most of all donations! Please help however you can and tell your friends! A small amount of help can make a HUGE difference! You can donate online or make "in person" donations to me. Thank you all for your support of this fabulous cause!
To learn more about the 4th annual event being held on June 19th, please read an excerpt from their website and visit it today!
"Stride with Pride for Kids is a non-profit organization. We were founded in 2006 to raise money for families with children in the PICU at Children's Hospital Central California.
The Valley's LGBTQ groups and organizations came together to host an annual WALK to raise money for the cause. Since we have started we have raised over $30,000."
Join us at Thai Kitchen in Porterville at 951 W. Henderson Ave (phone 783-1640) on Sunday, May 23 at 12:30 pm. Wear your PFLAG or Marriage Equality T-shirt and bring some friends. Hope to see you all there, because the 4th Sunday in June happens to be San Francisco's Pride Parade, so we aren't planning any group lunch in Tulare County that day.
Gay Central Valley has just completed a re-design of all our
logos, in honor of Gay Pride and upcoming Pride month and events. We have
standardized our logos and given each division of Gay Central Valley a
different color of the rainbow. Rainbow Pride, that is. The six colors of the
Rainbow Pride Flag will now be the distinguishing mark for all our sites. We
will be using this concept for all logos in the future. Look for our new
banners at the Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade & Festival on Saturday, June 5th
and hanging inside The Express and The North Tower Circle.
Choosing to
use the colors of the Rainbow Pride Flag for our logos is our way to honor Gay
Pride and the LGBT Community's continued battle for civil equality.
Join Gay Visalia and their Skittles Softball team for the end of our first season celebration!
The nights festivities will kick off May 28th at Plaza Park in Visalia where the Skittles will play their last game of the season on Field 4 at 7:10 pm. We are looking at taking a second place finish. Not bad for our very first season!
After the game, we will be heading to Visalia Lanes for Extreme Bowling! They turn off the lights, have good music, and even a full bar (if that interests you). The bowling costs are: $5.50 per game plus $4.25 for shoes or you can play for the whole 3 hours unlimited including shoes for $22.00. We had a great time at our last OUTing. Be sure not to miss the fun with this one! Even if you don't bowl, just come and hang out with great people.
Contact me with any questions. Hope to see you there!
I graduated high school in 1980, in
Chugiak, Alaska. Early the next year, I moved back to California. Soon
afterwards, things changed dramatically for me. I met someone and began a
relationship, moving in with him and his roommate in a house in the Tower
District. While I had obviously come out to the new man in my life and our
friends, I said nothing to my family, or to most of my other friends. I dodged
questions about girlfriends and at work I kept my personal life to myself.
In the spring of 1981 my new partner
and I had been given an opportunity to move to the east coast, stay with his
relatives in New York, and start a life there. Seeing New York had always been
a dream of mine so I wasn't about to pass it up. I'd be able to start fresh and
not worry about coming out to my family and friends. I couldn't really leave
without seeing my parents again, so I trekked back to Alaska for a couple of
weeks.
June is right around the corner, bringing another Gay Pride Month for all.
Gay Pride Parades and Festivals began in 1970 as a way to mark the anniversary
of the Stonewall Riots in New York City. While many actions over the years have
propelled the Gay Rights Movement forward, the Stonewall Riots are commonly
referred to as the beginning of the modern Gay Rights Movement. Last year was
the 40th anniversary of the Riots, and we'll provide more on that and much more
of the Gay Rights Movement's history as June approaches.
But we want to hear from you. We want your coming out stories. It's not as
difficult as it once was to come out of the closet, but it's still hard. We're
looking for interesting, moving and funny stories of what it's like for people
from this community to come out, both past and present. Length is not a factor,
so don't feel it has to be a novel. A simple paragraph will do, more if you're
so inclined. It's important that those in the community focus on this shared experience
from time to time, both to remember how far we've come as well as to give hope
to others, particularly the younger generation, and show them that while it may
be a hard thing to go through, we endure.
Not comfortable writing? Send us a video clip in which you tell your story.
Send your submissions to
chris@gaycentralvalley.org and please send a photo if you like. Coming out, for
all of us, is now and always has been vital to the forward momentum of our
civil rights movement. The more stories and faces that make themselves known as
"just like anyone else", the less people will continue to
misunderstand us.
