File #51810: "SVGLA.newsletter.March.2011.pdf"
Text
A+ Pet Siting
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2011
Website:
www.svgla.org
THE FAMILY
CONNECTSHEN
Mission Statement:
The purpose of the Shenandoah Valley Gay and
Lesbian Association is to
create a safe, affirming, and
fun environment where
members are empowered
to reach their full human
potential.
———————–
Upcoming Events: (page 7)
• National PFLAG Presi-
dent to visit the Valley
• SVGLA Board Meeting
Mail:
P.O. Box 1023
Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Email:
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
A NAME CHANGE FOR SVGLA?
The Board of Directors of the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association is considering a name change for SVGLA, and
we want suggestions for a new name from our members.
Why consider changing the organization’s name? Several of
us have thought for a while that our organization’s name
could better reflect the spectrum of our diverse community.
Do you have a suggestion for a new name for the organization? Send it by May 1 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com.
• Conversation & Cuisine
in Staunton
• Peterson Toscano in
Harrisonburg in April
2011 SVGLA Board of Directors
• Too Fabulous at Cally’s
———————–
EMPOWER YOUR
COMMUNITY!
Join SVGLA
(Membership Form page 8)
With your annual dues of
$15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to
SVGLA events.
Mike Drumheller
Tim Fitzgerald
Anthony Johnson
Rob Johnson
David Lane
Christine Robinson
Steven Sisson
Grayson Sless
Teresa Whitesell
Send form and payment to the
mailing address above.
Level Two membership is
FREE.
You will receive the newsletter
and announcements about
SVGLA events by email.
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly
(in March, June, September, and December).
Rabbi Horowitz serves as the
national president of PFLAG,
Parents, Families and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays.
Rabbi David M. Horowitz is the Rabbi Emeritus of
Temple Israel in Akron, Ohio. He also served in congregations in Indianapolis and Hammond, Indiana and
Queensland, Australia.
He was the topic of a chapter entitled “Every Day the
Rabbi Helps Gays,” in Dan Woog’s Friends and Family/
True Stories of Gay America’s Straight Allies, and authored
the chapter, “David” in A Family and Friends Guide to Sexual Orientation, edited by Bob Powers and Alan Ellis, and
has contributed an article entitled, “Praise God all the
Earth,” in Alive Now magazine.
“COMING OUT FOREVER”
Rabbi David Horowitz
Unitarian Universalist
Church of the Shenandoah
Valley
Sunday, March 20, 6-8pm
Rabbi Horowitz is married to Toby and has two children, Wendy (married to her life partner, a transgender
man, Julian) and Daniel and three grandchildren. He
lectures widely on issues dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender concerns, the challenge of the radical right, as well as a variety of Judaic subjects, to academic institutions, religious institutions, and corporations throughout the United States and abroad.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley is located two miles south of Stephens City on Route 11.
For additional information, please call (540) 678-0963.
Open every day 11am to midnight
www.clementinecafe.com
Clementine is located in the historic district of downtown Harrisonburg, VA in the building which
formerly housed the Strand Theater. We are proud to be independently and locally owned and to
be part of an emerging downtown community.
Our mission is to provide quality food, music, drinks, art, films and community events in an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and accessible to everyone. We invite you to join us in reclaiming our cultural integrity...
EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach,
and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians.
Upcoming Event:
8th Annual Commonwealth Dinner
Saturday, April 16, Richmond, Marriott-Downtown
EV invites you to join The Annual Commonwealth Dinner, which is EV’s
signature annual event and Virginia’s largest black-tie gala gathering for
the Commonwealth’s LGBT community and our supporters. Each year, the
dinner attracts over 1,000 guests.
For more info, dinner@equalityvirginia.org or call 804.643.4816
Find us on the web at www.equalityvirginia.org
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE!
$15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card
$25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page
$50/issue or $175/year: Half Page
$100 for a Full Page ad per issue
Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Deadline for next newsletter is May 16
We’ve Adopted a Highway!
SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through
the Virginia Department of Transportation.
It’s fun, it’s good exercise, and it’s great for our planet.
Help us be good neighbors in our community.
The next SVGLA adopt-a-highway day is Saturday, March 19.
Meet for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway.
Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Community Organizations
Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia
groups.yahoo.com/group/TransRightsVA/
Equality HRC
(Harrisonburg & Rockingham County) www.equalityhrc.org
Equality Virginia
www.equalityvirginia.org
JMU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Ally Education
Program
http://www.jmu.edu/lgbta/
Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia
www.virginialogcabin.org/
Madison Equality JMU
orgs.jmu.edu/madisonequality
Network VA: Building LGBTQQ Coalitions on Campus
http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=211303515073¬es_tab=app_2347471856
Safe Zone JMU
www.jmu.edu/safezone/
Soulforce
www.soulforce.org
SVGLA
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
The Trevor Project
866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)
Valley AIDS Network
www.valleyaidsnetwork.org
Virginia Organizing
www.virginia-organizing.org
Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club
www.vapartisans.org/
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2011
Page 5
We are a lay-led, religious
community offering a unique
spiritual and moral witness
in the Shenandoah Valley.
We invite all who search for
truth and meaning with
open hearts and open minds
to join us in worship, in mutual support, and in shared
HARRISONBURG ministry to each other and to
the world.
UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALISTS
For more information, contact us at: http://
One Journey, Many Paths huuweb.org and (540) 8670073.
SVGLA COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 15
Friday, March 18
Saturday, March 19:
SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM SVGLA has adopted a section of high
way near Harrisonburg through the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway program. Help us be good
neighbors in the community. We will gather at the Little Grill for breakfast at 8 AM and then
at 9 AM head out for an hour’s clean up work. Make-up date in case of snow: Sat., April 2.
Saturday, March 19:
Miss Harrisonburg Newcomer & Miss Harrisonburg at Large Pageant At Downtown
Music 34 (34 South Main Street) in downtown Harrisonburg. For more information contact
fierce1@svgla.org.
Sunday, March 20:
Coming Out Forever, 6:00-8:00 PM A presentation by Rabbi David M. Horowitz, current na
tional president of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). At the Unitar
ian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley located two miles south of Stephens City on
Route 11. For more information call 540- 678-0963). See also page 2 of this newsletter.
Tuesday, March 22
Conversation & Cuisine in Staunton, 6:30-8:30 PM, At the Byers Street Bistro at 18 Byers
Street. Reconnect with friends and family in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County. For
more information, contact Mike Drumheller at bbymis@yahoo.com.
Saturday, March 26:
Bystander Intervention Training Workshop, 1-5 PM. On the JMU campus in Keezell Hall,
Room 107. Conducted by Marty Langelan, former president of the D.C. Rape Crisis Center and
author of Back Off! How to Confront and Stop Sexual Harassment and Harassers. For more
info or to sign up, contact Dr. Mary Thompson at thompsmx@jmu.edu or call 540-568-3758.
.
Friday, April 1
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and
Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com)
Friday, April 8:
Too Fabulous, 6:00-9:00 PM Fundraiser for JMU’s LGBT & Ally Education Program. At
Cally’s (41 Court Square) in downtown Harrisonburg. See page 9 of newsletter for details.
Tuesday, April 12:
Peterson Toscano performance in Harrisonburg! (See page 11 for details.)
Saturday, April 16:
EV’s Eighth Annual Commonwealth Dinner, 4:00 PM At the Richmond Marriott. For more
information or to make reservations, go to www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner
Friday, May 6:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties,
Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions go to lanedj@jmu.edu)
Monday, May 16
Deadline, SVGLA newsletter/ad submissions. Send items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Friday, June 3:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties,
Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions go to lanedj@jmu.edu)
Saturday, June 18:
And Justice For All: A Symposium on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Policies
and Programs at Virginia’s Colleges and Universities. To be held at VCU in Richmond. For
info go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Network-Virginia/211303515073?v=wall
Sunday, July 24:
Fifth Annual Valley Pride, 4:00-8:00 PM, Hillandale Park, Shelters 11 and 12, Celebrate who
you are with friends, “family,” and allies right here in the Valley!
SVGLA Board Meeting, 7:30-9:00PM; (for location and directions contact
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com).
GayCville
Happy
Hour, 5:30 Wins
PM at the XOut/Uganda
Lounge, 313 Second Street inStory
Charlottesville
Full page(for
ad
for
Truth
more information call 434-244-8439)
Submit items for the SVGLA community events schedule to lanedj@jmu.edu
Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2011
Page 7
EMPOWER YOUR
COMMUNITY!
We need your support to continue as a viable and evolving community
presence working on your behalf. The goals of SVGLA are:
•
To gather and communicate important community information.
•
To collaborate with allies and inclusive community organizations.
•
To organize events within the greater Valley area for social and educational
networking with LGBT people.
Level 1 Support—$15 per person
Level 1 support helps SVGLA with mailing and administrative costs throughout the
year. A level 1 commitment of support gets you the following:
•
•
•
Your choice—a hard copy of the newsletter mailed to your address, an e-mailed version of the newsletter, or both.
A vote for members of the SVLGA Board of Directors
Advance information about SVGLA events
Level 2 Support—No Cost
Level 2 support keeps you in the loop. A level 2 commitment of support gets you an emailed version of the newsletter and advanced information about all SVGLA events.
Check one of the following levels of support and complete the form below:
Level 1 Support (please include a check for $15 for each person)
Mailed hard copy of the newsletter
E-mailed version of the newsletter
Both
Level 2 Support (Free)
Name #1
Name #2
Address #1:
Address #2:
E-mail #1:
E-mail #2:
I/we verify that I am/we are at least 18 years of age.
Please send this form to: SVGLA, P.O. Box 1023, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Dear JMU/Harrisonburg Community Member,
We are writing to invite you to Too Fabulous, a bi-annual fundraiser that supports the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) & Ally Education Program at James Madison University. Funding for the LGBT and Ally Education Program allows it to continue in its mission of promoting JMU’s commitment to diversity through education,
support, advocacy and the fostering of equity for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
For more information on the LGBT & Ally Education Program, please visit us on the Web at www.jmu.edu/lgbta.
The 2011 Too Fabulous fundraiser will be held on Friday, April 8th from 6-9pm at Cally’s in downtown
Harrisonburg. The event features food and drinks, live jazz music, a silent auction, brief remarks by special guest
Tim Miller (internationally acclaimed performing artist), and the presentation of two awards to individuals who
have made outstanding contributions to the local LGBT community.
Please support this event in any of the following ways:
Attend the event! Tickets are $45 per person and include heavy hors d’oeuvres and two complimentary
drinks (beer, wine, or non-alcoholic beverages). A limited number of tickets will also be available to JMU students
for $30*. Tickets will be for sale starting March 14th. Please contact the JMU Student Wellness and Outreach Office (540-568-2831 or dooleybp@jmu.edu) for more info.
*Current JMU student ID must be presented at time of purchase
Student tickets do not include complimentary alcoholic beverages.
Make a donation to the silent auction! In the past, individuals and businesses have donated goods, services, gift certificates, and more. For more information on how to contribute, contact Carrie Martin at marti2cl@jmu.edu or 540-568-7892.
Nominate someone for an award! We are actively seeking nominations for the following:
The LGBT & Ally Education Award is presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding contributions to the LGBTA community during the past year.
The Chris L. Gatesman Service Award is given in recognition of outstanding dedication and support of
the LGBTA community at James Madison University. This individual’s actions contributed to the creation
or improvement of an inclusive, respectful, and safe climate on JMU’s campus.
To nominate someone for either of these awards, please submit an online nomination form at
www.jmu.edu/healthctr/swo or contact Heather Driver at driverhf@jmu.edu or 540-568-2831.
Too Fabulous is crucial to the ongoing success of JMU’s LGBT & Ally Education Program. On behalf of the 2011
Too Fabulous Planning Committee, we hope that you will consider supporting our efforts by being a part of this
event!
LGBT & Ally Education Program . James Madison University
Warren Hall Room 404, MSC 3535, 170 Bluestone Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
540.568-5428 (phone) . 540-568-8013 (fax) . www.jmu.edu/lgbta
IN THE NEWS…
Obama Administration: DOMA is Unconstitutional
The Obama Administration announced that it would no longer defend the “Defense of Marriage Act,” which
bans federal recognition of same-sex marriage. President Obama said in a December press conference that
his views on same-sex marriage are “constantly evolving.”
Hawaii Governor Signs Civil Unions Bill
Governor Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) signed a civil unions bill into law that his Republican predecessor,
Linda Lingle, vetoed the previous year. “This bill represents equal rights for everyone in Hawaii…. This, to me,
is the essence of the Aloha spirit,” said Abercrombie at the signing ceremony. The law goes into effect on
January 1, 2012.
Massachusetts Governor Bans Discrimination based on Gender Identity and Expression
Governor Patrick Duval (D-Massachusetts) signed an executive order in February protecting state workers
from discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Milestones
Huntley Robinson turned 9 years old on December 1. Brinkley Spivey will be 12 years old on March 31.
The “Family ConnectShen” is pleased to publish notices of significant events and other milestones (free of charge) for
SVGLA members. The newsletter is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). To submit a milestone (anniversary, birthday, engagement, birth, death, other) for the March 2011 issue of the newsletter, send the following
to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com: Full name and phone number (including area code, for verification purposes), type of
milestone, and a brief description in 75 words or less. SVGLA reserves the right to publish or deny submissions. Incomplete or unverifiable submissions will not be considered.
Quotable:
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;
for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness;
and for poise, walk with the knowledge that
you are never alone.”
—Audrey Hepburn
PETERSON TOSCANO
RETURNS TO HARRISONBURG!!
“Doin’ Time with Peterson Toscano”
Tuesday, April 12, 8:00PM
Grafton-Stovall Theatre, James Madison University
Co-sponsored by Madison Equality & Soulforce
As a gay man, Peterson Toscano's
Toscano journey out of the closet has been long and complicated.
After years of submitting to “reparative” therapy through counseling and even three exorcisms, in January of 1999 he finally came OUT and fully accepted himself as a gay
man. Peterson began writing and performing one-person comedies shortly after, includHouse---How
Ex--Gay Movement. In
ing Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House
-How I Survived the Ex
2007 he and Christine Bakke launched Beyond Ex-Gay (www.BeyondExgay.com) for ex-gay
survivors. Through a partnership with the social justice organization, Soulforce, and the
University of California at Irvine, bXg organized and ran the Ex-Gay Survivor Conference June 29-July 1, 2007.
Peterson has broadened his focus to include gender and transgender issues (in his play,
Transfigrations---Transgressing
Transfigrations
-Transgressing Gender in the Bible) as well as racism, privilege, the environment, and sexism (in his newest play, I Can See Sarah Palin from my Window! Lessons
Before the Second Coming.) A member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Peterson lives in Sunbury, PA with his partner, writer, Glen Retief. For more information
see www.petersontoscano.com
Co-sponsored by Madison Equality and Soulforce
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL:
A Symposium on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in
Programs and Policies at Virginia Colleges and Universities
Saturday, June 18, 2011; Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
About the Symposium:
The well publicized deaths of so many young people in recent months – and countless others -- remind us
that our work to end anti-LGBTQ bullying, bias, and other forms of violence and discrimination in academia is vital to our well-being on campus. Eliminating discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and
gender identity requires not only creating inclusive policies, but also ensuring that institutional practices
comply with those policies. The work of bringing about change within institutions of higher education demands our unyielding vigilance, ever-present strategizing, and relentless organizing. Join Network Virginia
for a one-day faculty-staff symposium. We hope you will be revitalized by what we will share and that the
phrase "...and justice for all" will, someday, truly include all of us.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
Dr. Susan R. Rankin, Pennsylvania State University, author of
The 2010 State of Higher Education for Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People
Sessions Include:
Enlisting Allies
Establishing a Queer/LGBTQ Studies Curriculum
Establishing a LGBTQ Resource Center
Inclusive Campus Diversity Initiatives
Empowering Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni
Organizing against Bullying, Bias, Harassment on Campus Legislative Advocacy and Action
Including Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Non-Discrimination Policies
Sponsored by: Network Virginia: Building LGBTQ Coalitions for Change on Campus
Check out Network VA’s Facebook page for updates and registration information:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Network-Virginia/211303515073?v=wall
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2011
Website:
www.svgla.org
THE FAMILY
CONNECTSHEN
Mission Statement:
The purpose of the Shenandoah Valley Gay and
Lesbian Association is to
create a safe, affirming, and
fun environment where
members are empowered
to reach their full human
potential.
———————–
Upcoming Events: (page 7)
• National PFLAG Presi-
dent to visit the Valley
• SVGLA Board Meeting
Mail:
P.O. Box 1023
Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Email:
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
A NAME CHANGE FOR SVGLA?
The Board of Directors of the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association is considering a name change for SVGLA, and
we want suggestions for a new name from our members.
Why consider changing the organization’s name? Several of
us have thought for a while that our organization’s name
could better reflect the spectrum of our diverse community.
Do you have a suggestion for a new name for the organization? Send it by May 1 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com.
• Conversation & Cuisine
in Staunton
• Peterson Toscano in
Harrisonburg in April
2011 SVGLA Board of Directors
• Too Fabulous at Cally’s
———————–
EMPOWER YOUR
COMMUNITY!
Join SVGLA
(Membership Form page 8)
With your annual dues of
$15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to
SVGLA events.
Mike Drumheller
Tim Fitzgerald
Anthony Johnson
Rob Johnson
David Lane
Christine Robinson
Steven Sisson
Grayson Sless
Teresa Whitesell
Send form and payment to the
mailing address above.
Level Two membership is
FREE.
You will receive the newsletter
and announcements about
SVGLA events by email.
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly
(in March, June, September, and December).
Rabbi Horowitz serves as the
national president of PFLAG,
Parents, Families and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays.
Rabbi David M. Horowitz is the Rabbi Emeritus of
Temple Israel in Akron, Ohio. He also served in congregations in Indianapolis and Hammond, Indiana and
Queensland, Australia.
He was the topic of a chapter entitled “Every Day the
Rabbi Helps Gays,” in Dan Woog’s Friends and Family/
True Stories of Gay America’s Straight Allies, and authored
the chapter, “David” in A Family and Friends Guide to Sexual Orientation, edited by Bob Powers and Alan Ellis, and
has contributed an article entitled, “Praise God all the
Earth,” in Alive Now magazine.
“COMING OUT FOREVER”
Rabbi David Horowitz
Unitarian Universalist
Church of the Shenandoah
Valley
Sunday, March 20, 6-8pm
Rabbi Horowitz is married to Toby and has two children, Wendy (married to her life partner, a transgender
man, Julian) and Daniel and three grandchildren. He
lectures widely on issues dealing with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender concerns, the challenge of the radical right, as well as a variety of Judaic subjects, to academic institutions, religious institutions, and corporations throughout the United States and abroad.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley is located two miles south of Stephens City on Route 11.
For additional information, please call (540) 678-0963.
Open every day 11am to midnight
www.clementinecafe.com
Clementine is located in the historic district of downtown Harrisonburg, VA in the building which
formerly housed the Strand Theater. We are proud to be independently and locally owned and to
be part of an emerging downtown community.
Our mission is to provide quality food, music, drinks, art, films and community events in an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and accessible to everyone. We invite you to join us in reclaiming our cultural integrity...
EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach,
and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians.
Upcoming Event:
8th Annual Commonwealth Dinner
Saturday, April 16, Richmond, Marriott-Downtown
EV invites you to join The Annual Commonwealth Dinner, which is EV’s
signature annual event and Virginia’s largest black-tie gala gathering for
the Commonwealth’s LGBT community and our supporters. Each year, the
dinner attracts over 1,000 guests.
For more info, dinner@equalityvirginia.org or call 804.643.4816
Find us on the web at www.equalityvirginia.org
YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE!
$15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card
$25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page
$50/issue or $175/year: Half Page
$100 for a Full Page ad per issue
Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Deadline for next newsletter is May 16
We’ve Adopted a Highway!
SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through
the Virginia Department of Transportation.
It’s fun, it’s good exercise, and it’s great for our planet.
Help us be good neighbors in our community.
The next SVGLA adopt-a-highway day is Saturday, March 19.
Meet for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway.
Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Community Organizations
Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia
groups.yahoo.com/group/TransRightsVA/
Equality HRC
(Harrisonburg & Rockingham County) www.equalityhrc.org
Equality Virginia
www.equalityvirginia.org
JMU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Ally Education
Program
http://www.jmu.edu/lgbta/
Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia
www.virginialogcabin.org/
Madison Equality JMU
orgs.jmu.edu/madisonequality
Network VA: Building LGBTQQ Coalitions on Campus
http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id=211303515073¬es_tab=app_2347471856
Safe Zone JMU
www.jmu.edu/safezone/
Soulforce
www.soulforce.org
SVGLA
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
The Trevor Project
866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386)
Valley AIDS Network
www.valleyaidsnetwork.org
Virginia Organizing
www.virginia-organizing.org
Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club
www.vapartisans.org/
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2011
Page 5
We are a lay-led, religious
community offering a unique
spiritual and moral witness
in the Shenandoah Valley.
We invite all who search for
truth and meaning with
open hearts and open minds
to join us in worship, in mutual support, and in shared
HARRISONBURG ministry to each other and to
the world.
UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALISTS
For more information, contact us at: http://
One Journey, Many Paths huuweb.org and (540) 8670073.
SVGLA COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 15
Friday, March 18
Saturday, March 19:
SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM SVGLA has adopted a section of high
way near Harrisonburg through the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway program. Help us be good
neighbors in the community. We will gather at the Little Grill for breakfast at 8 AM and then
at 9 AM head out for an hour’s clean up work. Make-up date in case of snow: Sat., April 2.
Saturday, March 19:
Miss Harrisonburg Newcomer & Miss Harrisonburg at Large Pageant At Downtown
Music 34 (34 South Main Street) in downtown Harrisonburg. For more information contact
fierce1@svgla.org.
Sunday, March 20:
Coming Out Forever, 6:00-8:00 PM A presentation by Rabbi David M. Horowitz, current na
tional president of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). At the Unitar
ian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley located two miles south of Stephens City on
Route 11. For more information call 540- 678-0963). See also page 2 of this newsletter.
Tuesday, March 22
Conversation & Cuisine in Staunton, 6:30-8:30 PM, At the Byers Street Bistro at 18 Byers
Street. Reconnect with friends and family in Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County. For
more information, contact Mike Drumheller at bbymis@yahoo.com.
Saturday, March 26:
Bystander Intervention Training Workshop, 1-5 PM. On the JMU campus in Keezell Hall,
Room 107. Conducted by Marty Langelan, former president of the D.C. Rape Crisis Center and
author of Back Off! How to Confront and Stop Sexual Harassment and Harassers. For more
info or to sign up, contact Dr. Mary Thompson at thompsmx@jmu.edu or call 540-568-3758.
.
Friday, April 1
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and
Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com)
Friday, April 8:
Too Fabulous, 6:00-9:00 PM Fundraiser for JMU’s LGBT & Ally Education Program. At
Cally’s (41 Court Square) in downtown Harrisonburg. See page 9 of newsletter for details.
Tuesday, April 12:
Peterson Toscano performance in Harrisonburg! (See page 11 for details.)
Saturday, April 16:
EV’s Eighth Annual Commonwealth Dinner, 4:00 PM At the Richmond Marriott. For more
information or to make reservations, go to www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner
Friday, May 6:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties,
Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions go to lanedj@jmu.edu)
Monday, May 16
Deadline, SVGLA newsletter/ad submissions. Send items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Friday, June 3:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties,
Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions go to lanedj@jmu.edu)
Saturday, June 18:
And Justice For All: A Symposium on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Policies
and Programs at Virginia’s Colleges and Universities. To be held at VCU in Richmond. For
info go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Network-Virginia/211303515073?v=wall
Sunday, July 24:
Fifth Annual Valley Pride, 4:00-8:00 PM, Hillandale Park, Shelters 11 and 12, Celebrate who
you are with friends, “family,” and allies right here in the Valley!
SVGLA Board Meeting, 7:30-9:00PM; (for location and directions contact
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com).
GayCville
Happy
Hour, 5:30 Wins
PM at the XOut/Uganda
Lounge, 313 Second Street inStory
Charlottesville
Full page(for
ad
for
Truth
more information call 434-244-8439)
Submit items for the SVGLA community events schedule to lanedj@jmu.edu
Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2011
Page 7
EMPOWER YOUR
COMMUNITY!
We need your support to continue as a viable and evolving community
presence working on your behalf. The goals of SVGLA are:
•
To gather and communicate important community information.
•
To collaborate with allies and inclusive community organizations.
•
To organize events within the greater Valley area for social and educational
networking with LGBT people.
Level 1 Support—$15 per person
Level 1 support helps SVGLA with mailing and administrative costs throughout the
year. A level 1 commitment of support gets you the following:
•
•
•
Your choice—a hard copy of the newsletter mailed to your address, an e-mailed version of the newsletter, or both.
A vote for members of the SVLGA Board of Directors
Advance information about SVGLA events
Level 2 Support—No Cost
Level 2 support keeps you in the loop. A level 2 commitment of support gets you an emailed version of the newsletter and advanced information about all SVGLA events.
Check one of the following levels of support and complete the form below:
Level 1 Support (please include a check for $15 for each person)
Mailed hard copy of the newsletter
E-mailed version of the newsletter
Both
Level 2 Support (Free)
Name #1
Name #2
Address #1:
Address #2:
E-mail #1:
E-mail #2:
I/we verify that I am/we are at least 18 years of age.
Please send this form to: SVGLA, P.O. Box 1023, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Dear JMU/Harrisonburg Community Member,
We are writing to invite you to Too Fabulous, a bi-annual fundraiser that supports the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) & Ally Education Program at James Madison University. Funding for the LGBT and Ally Education Program allows it to continue in its mission of promoting JMU’s commitment to diversity through education,
support, advocacy and the fostering of equity for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
For more information on the LGBT & Ally Education Program, please visit us on the Web at www.jmu.edu/lgbta.
The 2011 Too Fabulous fundraiser will be held on Friday, April 8th from 6-9pm at Cally’s in downtown
Harrisonburg. The event features food and drinks, live jazz music, a silent auction, brief remarks by special guest
Tim Miller (internationally acclaimed performing artist), and the presentation of two awards to individuals who
have made outstanding contributions to the local LGBT community.
Please support this event in any of the following ways:
Attend the event! Tickets are $45 per person and include heavy hors d’oeuvres and two complimentary
drinks (beer, wine, or non-alcoholic beverages). A limited number of tickets will also be available to JMU students
for $30*. Tickets will be for sale starting March 14th. Please contact the JMU Student Wellness and Outreach Office (540-568-2831 or dooleybp@jmu.edu) for more info.
*Current JMU student ID must be presented at time of purchase
Student tickets do not include complimentary alcoholic beverages.
Make a donation to the silent auction! In the past, individuals and businesses have donated goods, services, gift certificates, and more. For more information on how to contribute, contact Carrie Martin at marti2cl@jmu.edu or 540-568-7892.
Nominate someone for an award! We are actively seeking nominations for the following:
The LGBT & Ally Education Award is presented to an individual in recognition of outstanding contributions to the LGBTA community during the past year.
The Chris L. Gatesman Service Award is given in recognition of outstanding dedication and support of
the LGBTA community at James Madison University. This individual’s actions contributed to the creation
or improvement of an inclusive, respectful, and safe climate on JMU’s campus.
To nominate someone for either of these awards, please submit an online nomination form at
www.jmu.edu/healthctr/swo or contact Heather Driver at driverhf@jmu.edu or 540-568-2831.
Too Fabulous is crucial to the ongoing success of JMU’s LGBT & Ally Education Program. On behalf of the 2011
Too Fabulous Planning Committee, we hope that you will consider supporting our efforts by being a part of this
event!
LGBT & Ally Education Program . James Madison University
Warren Hall Room 404, MSC 3535, 170 Bluestone Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
540.568-5428 (phone) . 540-568-8013 (fax) . www.jmu.edu/lgbta
IN THE NEWS…
Obama Administration: DOMA is Unconstitutional
The Obama Administration announced that it would no longer defend the “Defense of Marriage Act,” which
bans federal recognition of same-sex marriage. President Obama said in a December press conference that
his views on same-sex marriage are “constantly evolving.”
Hawaii Governor Signs Civil Unions Bill
Governor Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) signed a civil unions bill into law that his Republican predecessor,
Linda Lingle, vetoed the previous year. “This bill represents equal rights for everyone in Hawaii…. This, to me,
is the essence of the Aloha spirit,” said Abercrombie at the signing ceremony. The law goes into effect on
January 1, 2012.
Massachusetts Governor Bans Discrimination based on Gender Identity and Expression
Governor Patrick Duval (D-Massachusetts) signed an executive order in February protecting state workers
from discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Milestones
Huntley Robinson turned 9 years old on December 1. Brinkley Spivey will be 12 years old on March 31.
The “Family ConnectShen” is pleased to publish notices of significant events and other milestones (free of charge) for
SVGLA members. The newsletter is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). To submit a milestone (anniversary, birthday, engagement, birth, death, other) for the March 2011 issue of the newsletter, send the following
to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com: Full name and phone number (including area code, for verification purposes), type of
milestone, and a brief description in 75 words or less. SVGLA reserves the right to publish or deny submissions. Incomplete or unverifiable submissions will not be considered.
Quotable:
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;
for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness;
and for poise, walk with the knowledge that
you are never alone.”
—Audrey Hepburn
PETERSON TOSCANO
RETURNS TO HARRISONBURG!!
“Doin’ Time with Peterson Toscano”
Tuesday, April 12, 8:00PM
Grafton-Stovall Theatre, James Madison University
Co-sponsored by Madison Equality & Soulforce
As a gay man, Peterson Toscano's
Toscano journey out of the closet has been long and complicated.
After years of submitting to “reparative” therapy through counseling and even three exorcisms, in January of 1999 he finally came OUT and fully accepted himself as a gay
man. Peterson began writing and performing one-person comedies shortly after, includHouse---How
Ex--Gay Movement. In
ing Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House
-How I Survived the Ex
2007 he and Christine Bakke launched Beyond Ex-Gay (www.BeyondExgay.com) for ex-gay
survivors. Through a partnership with the social justice organization, Soulforce, and the
University of California at Irvine, bXg organized and ran the Ex-Gay Survivor Conference June 29-July 1, 2007.
Peterson has broadened his focus to include gender and transgender issues (in his play,
Transfigrations---Transgressing
Transfigrations
-Transgressing Gender in the Bible) as well as racism, privilege, the environment, and sexism (in his newest play, I Can See Sarah Palin from my Window! Lessons
Before the Second Coming.) A member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Peterson lives in Sunbury, PA with his partner, writer, Glen Retief. For more information
see www.petersontoscano.com
Co-sponsored by Madison Equality and Soulforce
AND JUSTICE FOR ALL:
A Symposium on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in
Programs and Policies at Virginia Colleges and Universities
Saturday, June 18, 2011; Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
About the Symposium:
The well publicized deaths of so many young people in recent months – and countless others -- remind us
that our work to end anti-LGBTQ bullying, bias, and other forms of violence and discrimination in academia is vital to our well-being on campus. Eliminating discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and
gender identity requires not only creating inclusive policies, but also ensuring that institutional practices
comply with those policies. The work of bringing about change within institutions of higher education demands our unyielding vigilance, ever-present strategizing, and relentless organizing. Join Network Virginia
for a one-day faculty-staff symposium. We hope you will be revitalized by what we will share and that the
phrase "...and justice for all" will, someday, truly include all of us.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
Dr. Susan R. Rankin, Pennsylvania State University, author of
The 2010 State of Higher Education for Lesbian Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People
Sessions Include:
Enlisting Allies
Establishing a Queer/LGBTQ Studies Curriculum
Establishing a LGBTQ Resource Center
Inclusive Campus Diversity Initiatives
Empowering Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni
Organizing against Bullying, Bias, Harassment on Campus Legislative Advocacy and Action
Including Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Non-Discrimination Policies
Sponsored by: Network Virginia: Building LGBTQ Coalitions for Change on Campus
Check out Network VA’s Facebook page for updates and registration information:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Network-Virginia/211303515073?v=wall