File #51824: "SVGLA Newsletter December 2015 FINAL.pdf"
Text
A+ Pet Siting
Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015
Website:
www.svgla.org
THE FAMILY
CONNECTSHEN
T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN
Mail:
P.O. Box 1023
Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Email:
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
LGBTQ Historic Places in Virginia
Mission Statement:
In 2014, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced
The purpose of the
a new National Park Service Heritage initiative to identify
Shenandoah Valley Gay
and Lesbian Association places and events associated with LGBTQ individuals for inis to create a safe, affirm- clusion in the parks and programs of the agency. As a result,
ing, and fun environment the LGBTQ Heritage Advisory Group was created in Virginwhere members are emia’s State Historic Preservation Office and has collected inpowered to reach their
formation for a LGBTQ Historic Resources Map which will
full human potential.
continually be updated.
———————–
Community Events
(see details inside)
Charity Ball
First Friday Potlucks
EV Day of Action
———————–
EMPOWER YOUR
COMMUNITY!
Join SVGLA
(Membership Form pg. 13)
———————–
The SVGLA “Family
Connectshen” is published quarterly (in
March, June, September, and December).
Contact the editor
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
According to the DHR (www.dhr.virginia.gov/NewDominion/
indexLGBTQ.htm), the goals of this initiative include:
Engaging scholars, preservationists and community members to identify, research, and tell the stories of LGBTQ associated properties;
Encouraging national parks, national heritage areas, and
other affiliated areas to interpret LGBTQ stories associated
with them;
Identifying, documenting, and nominating LGBTQassociated sites as National Historic Landmarks
Increasing the number of listings of LGBQ-associated
properties in the National Register of Historic Places.
DHR has posted an online form to receive suggestions, stories, or other facts about the LGBTQ movement in Virginia.
The agency will use the information gathered to update the
resources and the Virginia LGBTQ Heritage Map, which currently includes hospitals, restaurants, clubs, religious organizations, art galleries, and more.
SAVE THE DATE:
Madison Equality’s annual Charity Ball
WHAT:
Charity Ball dance/concert/fundraiser
WHEN:
February 5, 2016, TIME TBA
WHERE:
Madison Union Ballroom (5th floor of Warren Hall),
on campus at James Madison University
COST:
$10 for non-Madison Equality dues-paying members
DRESS:
Casual or Semiformal
2016 DESIGNATED CHARITY:
To Be Announced
CONTACT: madisonequality@gmail.org
PFLAG Blue Ridge
Serving Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and
Surrounding Central Virginia Areas
We are parents, families, friends, and allies uniting with
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender loved ones to
promote support, education, and advocacy.
www.pflagblueridge.org
PFLAGBR@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/pflagblueridge
https://twitter.com/PFLAGBR
PFLAG Blue Ridge offers free monthly support groups for parents, family, friends, and allies.
of the LGBT community. If you are a parent, family member, friend, or ally of a gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and/or transgender individual looking to increase your support, or if your loved one
has recently come out to you and you are struggling to process your own feelings as well as
looking for resources to help understand — we are here for you. Join us as we share our experiences, joys, concerns, and resources in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.
Meeting Information
Harrisonburg PFLAG support group for parents, families, friends, and allies of the LGBT Community
When:
Where:
Contact:
Note:
Once a month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (See meeting dates on pages 11-12)
Blue Ridge Hall, Room 325, 601 University Blvd, JMU campus, Harrisonburg
Facilitator Mark at mitchmarke@aol.com or 540-405-1227
Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group
Charlottesville Trans* Families Group Meetings
When:
Where:
Contact:
3rd Saturday of each month, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
ASG, 315 Tenth St. NE, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (corner of 10th & Jefferson)
Facilitator Karen at karenmeandering@gmail.com or 434-882-3453
Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meetings
The Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group holds a meeting once a
month for LGBTQ+ and questioning folks between 14-20 years old from 6:30 to
8:00pm at Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the campus of
JMU. See meeting dates on pages 11-12.
We aim to provide a safe and confidential space for youth to talk, listen, laugh,
share, and reflect on what it's like for us to live in the Shenandoah Valley.
PFLAG Blue Ridge (www.pflagblueridge.org/harrisonburg.html) also holds
meetings on the first Thursday of each month in the same building.
Visit our website at http://www.svyesalliance.org/index.html or Facebook
page (www.facebook.com/SVYesAlliance). Please like us and share with your
friends!
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 March newsletter is February 15
Help us be good neighbors in our community.
SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg
through the Virginia Department of Transportation.
It’s fun. It’s good exercise. It’s great for our planet.
Join us—our next outing is Saturday, March 19.
Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway afterward.
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 March newsletter is Feb. 15
Community Organizations
American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia
acluva.org/tag/equal-rights/
Bi Gay Lesbian & Allies Against Discrimination (Blue Ridge Community College)
catalog.blueridgectc.edu/
BC Allies (Bridgewater College)
www.bridgewater.edu/student-life/activitiesand-organizations/clubs-organizations-and-honor-societies
Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia
transgenderrightsva.org/
Equality Virginia
www.equalityvirginia.org
EMU Safe Space
www.emu.edu/studentlife/clubs/safe-space/
JMU LGBTQ Faculty & Staff Group
www.jmu.edu/lgbtfacultystaff
JMU LGBT & Ally Education Program
www.jmu.edu/lgbta/
LGBT Democrats of Virginia
lgbtvadem.org/
Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia
www.virginialogcabin.org/
Madison Equality JMU
www.facebook.com/madisonequality
PFLAG Blue Ridge
www.pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com
Safe Zone JMU
www.jmu.edu/safezone/
Shenandoah Valley Pride
www.shenandoahvalleypride.org
Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance
www.svyesalliance.org
Students Out Understanding & Loving Sisters (SOULS) at Mary Baldwin College
www.mbc.edu/student_activities/clubsandorgs/#cultural
Southerners on New Ground—Harrisonburg
SVGLA
southernersonnewground.org/harrisonburg/
www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Virginia Anti-Violence Project
1.866.356.6998 (helpline) & virginiaavp.org/
Virginia Organizing
www.virginia-organizing.org/issues
Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club
People of Faith for Equality in Virginia
Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015
www.vapartisans.org/
www.faith4equality.org/
Page 6
EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach,
& advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians.
Did you know that:
it is still legal to fire and not hire someone based on
sexual orientation and gender identity in Virginia?
it is still legal to deny housing to people based on sexual
orientation and gender identity in Virginia?
Make Your Voice Heard on
EV’s Day of Action
Join LGBT and allied folks from across the state ion EV’s Day
of Action at the Library of Virginia on 800 East Broad St. in
Richmond, on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. Lobby for important
bills that will help improve the state of equality in Virginia, and
participate in a day filled with networking and workshops.
For the detailed schedule of events and to register for EV’s Day
of Action, go to http://www.equalityvirginia.org/dayofaction/
Find EV on the web at www.equalityvirginia.org
Equality Virginia: Changing Laws, Changing Lives
We are a lay-led, religious community offering a unique spiritual and moral witness in the
Shenandoah Valley.
HARRISONBURG
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
One Journey, Many Paths
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 ministry to each
other and to the world.
For more information, contact
us at: http://huuweb.org and
(540) 867-0073
HUU is a UUA-Certified Welcoming Congregation. We declare our intention to be inclusive and expressive of the concerns of bisexual, gay,
lesbian, and transgender persons at every level of congregational life and
to support the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people.
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 March newsletter is February15
SVGLA’s First Friday Community Potluck
First Friday is a monthly community potluck hosted by SVGLA in Harrisonburg/Rockingham County/Staunton/Augusta County (occasionally Mount
Jackson) for the LGBTQ+ and Ally community. Every month (usually, but
not always, the first Friday) the event rotates to a different location, thanks to
generous volunteers who offer to host. Bring a dish to share.
Because the event is usually held in private homes, we send location information ONLY to our email list of SVGLA members and do not post it through
social media or public email lists. To receive emails about FF and other local
SVGLA events, you can join SVGLA as a Level 2 member (for free) or as a
Level 1 member (for $15). You can read about the difference on page 13.
If you want to join for free, send an email with your first and last name and
state that you are at least 18 years of age (SVGLA’s membership requirement) to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com – we will add you to our mailing list.
See upcoming potlucks on pages 11-12.
Volunteer to host in 2016.
Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE
Saturday, Dec. 10:
Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men
Bring food or beverage for 5 people. At Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church (717 Rugby
Road). For more details and directions contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com.
Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story
Thursday, Dec. 17:
SVGLA’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month SVGLA members and
friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant . This date is tentative. Location TBA. Join
SVGLA for updated information about C&C events (See pg.13 for how to join).
Thursday, Jan. 7:
Harrisonburg PFLAG Support Group Meeting. Support Group for parents, family,
friends, and allies of the LGBT community. 6:30-8:00 PM at Blue Ridge Hall, Room
325, on the James Madison University campus, 601 University Blvd in Harrisonburg. Meet
ings coincide with the YES! Alliance Shenandoah Valley Youth Group. For more infor
mation about PFLAG, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or go to
www.pflagblueridge.org, or contact Mark by email at mitchmarke@aol.com
Thursday, Jan. 7.
Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group Meeting, Youth group for LGBTQ+
or questioning youth between 14-20 years old. 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326,
on the JMU campus, 601 University Blvd in Harrisonburg. Meetings coincide with
PFLAG. For more information about the Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance, go to
www.svyesalliance.org, or email Jo at svyesalliance@gmail.com
Saturday, Jan. 9:
Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men
Bring food or beverage for 5 people. At Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church (717 Rugby
Road). For more details and directions contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com
Friday, Jan. 15:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored each
month by SVGLA. For information about the potluck, join SVGLA as a Level I or II
member (See page 13 for how to join ).
Monday, Jan. 18:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Thursday, Jan. 21:
SVGLA’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month SVGLA members and
friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant . This date is tentative. Location TBA. Join
SVGLA for updated information about C&C events (See pg.13 for how to join).
Thursday, Feb. 4:
Harrisonburg PFLAG Support Group Meeting. Support Group for parents, family,
friends, and allies of the LGBT community. 6:30-8:00 PM At the Blue Ridge Hall,
Room 325, on the James Madison University campus, 601 University Blvd. Meetings coin
cide with the YES! Alliance Shenandoah Valley Youth Group. For more information
about PFLAG, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or go to www.pflagblueridge.org,
or contact Mark by email at mitchmarke@aol.com
Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015
Page 10
COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE
Thursday, Feb. 4:
Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group Meeting for LGBTQ+ or questioning
youth between 14-20 years old. 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, on the JMU
campus, 601 University Blvd in H’burg. For more info about the YES! Alliance, go to
www.svyesalliance.org, or email Jo at svyesalliance@gmail.com
Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story
Friday, February 5:
Charity Ball, sponsored by Madison Equality at JMU; see details on page 2
Tuesday, February 9:
Equality Virginia Day of Action, See page 7 for details and contact information.
Friday, February 12:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored each
month by SVGLA. For information about the potluck, join SVGLA as a Level I or II
member (See page 13 for how to join ).
Sunday, Feb. 14:
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Monday, Feb. 15:
DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
SVGLA’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month SVGLA members and
friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant . This date is tentative. Location TBA. Join
SVGLA for updated information about C&C events (See pg.13 for how to join).
Thursday, Feb. 18:
Friday, March 4:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored each
month by SVGLA. For information about the potluck, join SVGLA as a Level I or II
member (See page 13 for how to join ).
Saturday, March 19:
SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM We gather at the Little Grill for
breakfast at 8am and then head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work. Join us! We provide
safety vests, gloves, and bags. In case of inclement weather, the clean-up will be rescheduled.
Saturday, April 16
13th Annual Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner is EV’s signature event and the
state’s largest black-tie gala gathering for the LGBT community and their supporters.
Held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Reservation information will be available in January at www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/
Submit items for the monthly SVGLA e-mail events schedule by the 25th
of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu
Submit events, ads and other items for the March issue of the newsletter
by February 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015
Page 11
Call for 2016 SVGLA
Board Nominations*
Support our Advertisers,
Empower your Community.
SVGLA needs your
SVGLA wishes
to thank local
businesses and organizations that advertise in
our newsletter.
ideas and energy.
To nominate yourself to serve
on the 2016 SVGLA Board of
Directors, send your name and
phone number to
SVGLAssociation@gmail.org
by January 15.
*Level I members who have
joined or renewed their membership by December 1, 2015 are eligible to nominate and/or vote.
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:
An e-mailed version of the newsletter
A vote for members of the SVLGA Board of Directors (MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE
BY DECEMBER 1 TO VOTE FOR AND/OR SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS).
Advance information about SVGLA events
Level I membership is from July—July
Level 2 Support — FREE
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 and please send
this form to: SVGLA, P.O. Box 1023, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
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.
Level 2 Support - email your name and state that you are at least 18 years of age or
older to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
All SVGLA members must be at least 18 years of age to join.
Valley AIDS Network
FREE HIV/AIDS TESTING
VAN offers quick and free testing here in Harrisonburg.
READY TO HELP?
Consider volunteering or making an online donation.
FOOD PANTRY
VAN has an on-site food pantry for those in need. We’re
here to help!
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE
Need help getting around? VAN offers transportation
access to and from doctor appointments.
Contact us
Main Phone:
Testing:
Español:
(540) 568-8838
(540) 568-8832
(540) 568-8834
Visit in person:
601 University Blvd., 3rd Floor, Suites
322/323/324, Harrisonburg, VA
Mailing Address:
VAN, JMU/IIHHS MCS 9108, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Website:
www.valleyaidsnetwork.org
The Virginia Anti-Violence Project works
to address and end violence, with a specific focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and queer communities
across Virginia.
Call our LGBTQ Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Helpline:
1.866.356.6998
Monday-Friday 8am-8pm
Public Comment Period for Virginia Gender Marker Change
Equality Virginia and the National Center for Transgender Equality have asked
the Virginia Department of Health to make it easier for a transgender person
born in Virginia to get their gender changed on their birth certificate. The details
of the request will be posted to www.townhall.virginia.gov. Public comment will be accepted between December 14 and January 4 and may be
posted online or sent to the State Board of Health. A decision will be made
within 90 days of January 4, 2016.
Quotable:
“I have three messages. One
is we should never give up.
Two is you are never too old
to chase your dreams. And
three is it looks like a solitary
sport, but it takes a team.”
Diana Nyad,
World Record Marathon Swimmer
The Old Furnace Artist Residency in Harrisonburg
(oldfurnace.tumblr.com/) is planning to host a workshop titled Invasive: Queer Kudzu with artist Aaron
McIntosh in January or February of 2016.
For the workshop, participants would transpose our
(queer) life stories over onto fabric kudzu leaves. The
leaves will be later assembled for future exhibitions to
uplift the lives, stories, and memories of queer southerners. The details of the workshop (time/location) are not
yet available.
If you are interested in participating or have questions,
contact Jon Henry at henryjw@dukes.jmu.edu
No arts background is needed or required.
For more information about the artist, Aaron McIntosh,
and the workshop, visit wwwinvasivequeerkudzu.com/
Vote for the 2016 SVGLA
Board of Directors
Ballots for the 2016 SVGLA Board of Directors will
be sent in March to Level I members who renewed
their membership by December 1, 2015. Results
will be announced at the Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting (which will coincide with SVGLA’s
April First Friday potluck).
Thank you for supporting us!
Happy Holidays and Good Tidings for 2016!
Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015
Website:
www.svgla.org
THE FAMILY
CONNECTSHEN
T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN
Mail:
P.O. Box 1023
Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Email:
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
LGBTQ Historic Places in Virginia
Mission Statement:
In 2014, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced
The purpose of the
a new National Park Service Heritage initiative to identify
Shenandoah Valley Gay
and Lesbian Association places and events associated with LGBTQ individuals for inis to create a safe, affirm- clusion in the parks and programs of the agency. As a result,
ing, and fun environment the LGBTQ Heritage Advisory Group was created in Virginwhere members are emia’s State Historic Preservation Office and has collected inpowered to reach their
formation for a LGBTQ Historic Resources Map which will
full human potential.
continually be updated.
———————–
Community Events
(see details inside)
Charity Ball
First Friday Potlucks
EV Day of Action
———————–
EMPOWER YOUR
COMMUNITY!
Join SVGLA
(Membership Form pg. 13)
———————–
The SVGLA “Family
Connectshen” is published quarterly (in
March, June, September, and December).
Contact the editor
SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
According to the DHR (www.dhr.virginia.gov/NewDominion/
indexLGBTQ.htm), the goals of this initiative include:
Engaging scholars, preservationists and community members to identify, research, and tell the stories of LGBTQ associated properties;
Encouraging national parks, national heritage areas, and
other affiliated areas to interpret LGBTQ stories associated
with them;
Identifying, documenting, and nominating LGBTQassociated sites as National Historic Landmarks
Increasing the number of listings of LGBQ-associated
properties in the National Register of Historic Places.
DHR has posted an online form to receive suggestions, stories, or other facts about the LGBTQ movement in Virginia.
The agency will use the information gathered to update the
resources and the Virginia LGBTQ Heritage Map, which currently includes hospitals, restaurants, clubs, religious organizations, art galleries, and more.
SAVE THE DATE:
Madison Equality’s annual Charity Ball
WHAT:
Charity Ball dance/concert/fundraiser
WHEN:
February 5, 2016, TIME TBA
WHERE:
Madison Union Ballroom (5th floor of Warren Hall),
on campus at James Madison University
COST:
$10 for non-Madison Equality dues-paying members
DRESS:
Casual or Semiformal
2016 DESIGNATED CHARITY:
To Be Announced
CONTACT: madisonequality@gmail.org
PFLAG Blue Ridge
Serving Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and
Surrounding Central Virginia Areas
We are parents, families, friends, and allies uniting with
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender loved ones to
promote support, education, and advocacy.
www.pflagblueridge.org
PFLAGBR@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/pflagblueridge
https://twitter.com/PFLAGBR
PFLAG Blue Ridge offers free monthly support groups for parents, family, friends, and allies.
of the LGBT community. If you are a parent, family member, friend, or ally of a gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and/or transgender individual looking to increase your support, or if your loved one
has recently come out to you and you are struggling to process your own feelings as well as
looking for resources to help understand — we are here for you. Join us as we share our experiences, joys, concerns, and resources in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.
Meeting Information
Harrisonburg PFLAG support group for parents, families, friends, and allies of the LGBT Community
When:
Where:
Contact:
Note:
Once a month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (See meeting dates on pages 11-12)
Blue Ridge Hall, Room 325, 601 University Blvd, JMU campus, Harrisonburg
Facilitator Mark at mitchmarke@aol.com or 540-405-1227
Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group
Charlottesville Trans* Families Group Meetings
When:
Where:
Contact:
3rd Saturday of each month, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
ASG, 315 Tenth St. NE, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (corner of 10th & Jefferson)
Facilitator Karen at karenmeandering@gmail.com or 434-882-3453
Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meetings
The Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group holds a meeting once a
month for LGBTQ+ and questioning folks between 14-20 years old from 6:30 to
8:00pm at Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the campus of
JMU. See meeting dates on pages 11-12.
We aim to provide a safe and confidential space for youth to talk, listen, laugh,
share, and reflect on what it's like for us to live in the Shenandoah Valley.
PFLAG Blue Ridge (www.pflagblueridge.org/harrisonburg.html) also holds
meetings on the first Thursday of each month in the same building.
Visit our website at http://www.svyesalliance.org/index.html or Facebook
page (www.facebook.com/SVYesAlliance). Please like us and share with your
friends!
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 March newsletter is February 15
Help us be good neighbors in our community.
SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg
through the Virginia Department of Transportation.
It’s fun. It’s good exercise. It’s great for our planet.
Join us—our next outing is Saturday, March 19.
Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway afterward.
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 March newsletter is Feb. 15
Community Organizations
American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia
acluva.org/tag/equal-rights/
Bi Gay Lesbian & Allies Against Discrimination (Blue Ridge Community College)
catalog.blueridgectc.edu/
BC Allies (Bridgewater College)
www.bridgewater.edu/student-life/activitiesand-organizations/clubs-organizations-and-honor-societies
Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia
transgenderrightsva.org/
Equality Virginia
www.equalityvirginia.org
EMU Safe Space
www.emu.edu/studentlife/clubs/safe-space/
JMU LGBTQ Faculty & Staff Group
www.jmu.edu/lgbtfacultystaff
JMU LGBT & Ally Education Program
www.jmu.edu/lgbta/
LGBT Democrats of Virginia
lgbtvadem.org/
Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia
www.virginialogcabin.org/
Madison Equality JMU
www.facebook.com/madisonequality
PFLAG Blue Ridge
www.pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com
Safe Zone JMU
www.jmu.edu/safezone/
Shenandoah Valley Pride
www.shenandoahvalleypride.org
Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance
www.svyesalliance.org
Students Out Understanding & Loving Sisters (SOULS) at Mary Baldwin College
www.mbc.edu/student_activities/clubsandorgs/#cultural
Southerners on New Ground—Harrisonburg
SVGLA
southernersonnewground.org/harrisonburg/
www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Virginia Anti-Violence Project
1.866.356.6998 (helpline) & virginiaavp.org/
Virginia Organizing
www.virginia-organizing.org/issues
Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club
People of Faith for Equality in Virginia
Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015
www.vapartisans.org/
www.faith4equality.org/
Page 6
EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach,
& advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians.
Did you know that:
it is still legal to fire and not hire someone based on
sexual orientation and gender identity in Virginia?
it is still legal to deny housing to people based on sexual
orientation and gender identity in Virginia?
Make Your Voice Heard on
EV’s Day of Action
Join LGBT and allied folks from across the state ion EV’s Day
of Action at the Library of Virginia on 800 East Broad St. in
Richmond, on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. Lobby for important
bills that will help improve the state of equality in Virginia, and
participate in a day filled with networking and workshops.
For the detailed schedule of events and to register for EV’s Day
of Action, go to http://www.equalityvirginia.org/dayofaction/
Find EV on the web at www.equalityvirginia.org
Equality Virginia: Changing Laws, Changing Lives
We are a lay-led, religious community offering a unique spiritual and moral witness in the
Shenandoah Valley.
HARRISONBURG
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
One Journey, Many Paths
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 ministry to each
other and to the world.
For more information, contact
us at: http://huuweb.org and
(540) 867-0073
HUU is a UUA-Certified Welcoming Congregation. We declare our intention to be inclusive and expressive of the concerns of bisexual, gay,
lesbian, and transgender persons at every level of congregational life and
to support the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people.
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 March newsletter is February15
SVGLA’s First Friday Community Potluck
First Friday is a monthly community potluck hosted by SVGLA in Harrisonburg/Rockingham County/Staunton/Augusta County (occasionally Mount
Jackson) for the LGBTQ+ and Ally community. Every month (usually, but
not always, the first Friday) the event rotates to a different location, thanks to
generous volunteers who offer to host. Bring a dish to share.
Because the event is usually held in private homes, we send location information ONLY to our email list of SVGLA members and do not post it through
social media or public email lists. To receive emails about FF and other local
SVGLA events, you can join SVGLA as a Level 2 member (for free) or as a
Level 1 member (for $15). You can read about the difference on page 13.
If you want to join for free, send an email with your first and last name and
state that you are at least 18 years of age (SVGLA’s membership requirement) to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com – we will add you to our mailing list.
See upcoming potlucks on pages 11-12.
Volunteer to host in 2016.
Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE
Saturday, Dec. 10:
Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men
Bring food or beverage for 5 people. At Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church (717 Rugby
Road). For more details and directions contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com.
Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story
Thursday, Dec. 17:
SVGLA’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month SVGLA members and
friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant . This date is tentative. Location TBA. Join
SVGLA for updated information about C&C events (See pg.13 for how to join).
Thursday, Jan. 7:
Harrisonburg PFLAG Support Group Meeting. Support Group for parents, family,
friends, and allies of the LGBT community. 6:30-8:00 PM at Blue Ridge Hall, Room
325, on the James Madison University campus, 601 University Blvd in Harrisonburg. Meet
ings coincide with the YES! Alliance Shenandoah Valley Youth Group. For more infor
mation about PFLAG, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or go to
www.pflagblueridge.org, or contact Mark by email at mitchmarke@aol.com
Thursday, Jan. 7.
Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group Meeting, Youth group for LGBTQ+
or questioning youth between 14-20 years old. 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326,
on the JMU campus, 601 University Blvd in Harrisonburg. Meetings coincide with
PFLAG. For more information about the Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance, go to
www.svyesalliance.org, or email Jo at svyesalliance@gmail.com
Saturday, Jan. 9:
Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men
Bring food or beverage for 5 people. At Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church (717 Rugby
Road). For more details and directions contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com
Friday, Jan. 15:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored each
month by SVGLA. For information about the potluck, join SVGLA as a Level I or II
member (See page 13 for how to join ).
Monday, Jan. 18:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Thursday, Jan. 21:
SVGLA’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month SVGLA members and
friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant . This date is tentative. Location TBA. Join
SVGLA for updated information about C&C events (See pg.13 for how to join).
Thursday, Feb. 4:
Harrisonburg PFLAG Support Group Meeting. Support Group for parents, family,
friends, and allies of the LGBT community. 6:30-8:00 PM At the Blue Ridge Hall,
Room 325, on the James Madison University campus, 601 University Blvd. Meetings coin
cide with the YES! Alliance Shenandoah Valley Youth Group. For more information
about PFLAG, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or go to www.pflagblueridge.org,
or contact Mark by email at mitchmarke@aol.com
Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015
Page 10
COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE
Thursday, Feb. 4:
Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group Meeting for LGBTQ+ or questioning
youth between 14-20 years old. 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, on the JMU
campus, 601 University Blvd in H’burg. For more info about the YES! Alliance, go to
www.svyesalliance.org, or email Jo at svyesalliance@gmail.com
Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story
Friday, February 5:
Charity Ball, sponsored by Madison Equality at JMU; see details on page 2
Tuesday, February 9:
Equality Virginia Day of Action, See page 7 for details and contact information.
Friday, February 12:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored each
month by SVGLA. For information about the potluck, join SVGLA as a Level I or II
member (See page 13 for how to join ).
Sunday, Feb. 14:
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Monday, Feb. 15:
DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
SVGLA’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month SVGLA members and
friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant . This date is tentative. Location TBA. Join
SVGLA for updated information about C&C events (See pg.13 for how to join).
Thursday, Feb. 18:
Friday, March 4:
First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg,
Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored each
month by SVGLA. For information about the potluck, join SVGLA as a Level I or II
member (See page 13 for how to join ).
Saturday, March 19:
SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM We gather at the Little Grill for
breakfast at 8am and then head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work. Join us! We provide
safety vests, gloves, and bags. In case of inclement weather, the clean-up will be rescheduled.
Saturday, April 16
13th Annual Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner is EV’s signature event and the
state’s largest black-tie gala gathering for the LGBT community and their supporters.
Held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Reservation information will be available in January at www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/
Submit items for the monthly SVGLA e-mail events schedule by the 25th
of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu
Submit events, ads and other items for the March issue of the newsletter
by February 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015
Page 11
Call for 2016 SVGLA
Board Nominations*
Support our Advertisers,
Empower your Community.
SVGLA needs your
SVGLA wishes
to thank local
businesses and organizations that advertise in
our newsletter.
ideas and energy.
To nominate yourself to serve
on the 2016 SVGLA Board of
Directors, send your name and
phone number to
SVGLAssociation@gmail.org
by January 15.
*Level I members who have
joined or renewed their membership by December 1, 2015 are eligible to nominate and/or vote.
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:
An e-mailed version of the newsletter
A vote for members of the SVLGA Board of Directors (MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE
BY DECEMBER 1 TO VOTE FOR AND/OR SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS).
Advance information about SVGLA events
Level I membership is from July—July
Level 2 Support — FREE
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 and please send
this form to: SVGLA, P.O. Box 1023, Harrisonburg, VA 22803
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.
Level 2 Support - email your name and state that you are at least 18 years of age or
older to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com
All SVGLA members must be at least 18 years of age to join.
Valley AIDS Network
FREE HIV/AIDS TESTING
VAN offers quick and free testing here in Harrisonburg.
READY TO HELP?
Consider volunteering or making an online donation.
FOOD PANTRY
VAN has an on-site food pantry for those in need. We’re
here to help!
PROVIDING ASSISTANCE
Need help getting around? VAN offers transportation
access to and from doctor appointments.
Contact us
Main Phone:
Testing:
Español:
(540) 568-8838
(540) 568-8832
(540) 568-8834
Visit in person:
601 University Blvd., 3rd Floor, Suites
322/323/324, Harrisonburg, VA
Mailing Address:
VAN, JMU/IIHHS MCS 9108, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Website:
www.valleyaidsnetwork.org
The Virginia Anti-Violence Project works
to address and end violence, with a specific focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and queer communities
across Virginia.
Call our LGBTQ Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Helpline:
1.866.356.6998
Monday-Friday 8am-8pm
Public Comment Period for Virginia Gender Marker Change
Equality Virginia and the National Center for Transgender Equality have asked
the Virginia Department of Health to make it easier for a transgender person
born in Virginia to get their gender changed on their birth certificate. The details
of the request will be posted to www.townhall.virginia.gov. Public comment will be accepted between December 14 and January 4 and may be
posted online or sent to the State Board of Health. A decision will be made
within 90 days of January 4, 2016.
Quotable:
“I have three messages. One
is we should never give up.
Two is you are never too old
to chase your dreams. And
three is it looks like a solitary
sport, but it takes a team.”
Diana Nyad,
World Record Marathon Swimmer
The Old Furnace Artist Residency in Harrisonburg
(oldfurnace.tumblr.com/) is planning to host a workshop titled Invasive: Queer Kudzu with artist Aaron
McIntosh in January or February of 2016.
For the workshop, participants would transpose our
(queer) life stories over onto fabric kudzu leaves. The
leaves will be later assembled for future exhibitions to
uplift the lives, stories, and memories of queer southerners. The details of the workshop (time/location) are not
yet available.
If you are interested in participating or have questions,
contact Jon Henry at henryjw@dukes.jmu.edu
No arts background is needed or required.
For more information about the artist, Aaron McIntosh,
and the workshop, visit wwwinvasivequeerkudzu.com/
Vote for the 2016 SVGLA
Board of Directors
Ballots for the 2016 SVGLA Board of Directors will
be sent in March to Level I members who renewed
their membership by December 1, 2015. Results
will be announced at the Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting (which will coincide with SVGLA’s
April First Friday potluck).
Thank you for supporting us!
Happy Holidays and Good Tidings for 2016!