118 25 35718 https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/6cd19f73d71858b7ab60632e339be37a.pdf 1562593700d7f51c1a882975fc7b1f58 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 15, Issue 2, June 2012 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com 2012 Shenandoah Valley Pride 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 (pg. 9) • Charlottesville Women’s Choir • Conversation & Cuisine in McGaheysville • 2nd Annual Bike Ride and Wine Tasting ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 7) With your annual dues of $15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to SVGLA events. 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 ———————– Celebrate with family and friends in SVGLA! “Pride in the Park” is scheduled for Sunday, July 22 from 4:00-8:00 PM at Shelters #11 and #12 in Hillandale Park in Harrisonburg. Burgers (vegetarian and meat), snacks, and soft drinks will be provided (alcoholic beverages are not permitted n the park). Volleyball and live music will be featured. Pets and family members are welcome. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (See page 7) There is still time to be a Pride Co-Sponsor (see page 8 for details) The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Check out EV at your local pride, or better yet, volunteer! Upcoming Pride Events (as listed on Equality Virginia’s website): Capital Pride: Washington, D.C., Sunday, June 10, 2012 from 11am - 6pm, Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. For more information about the festival and other Capital Pride festivities, visit www.capitalpride.org. Sixth Annual Valley Pride in the Park: Harrisonburg (See page 1 for details) Out in the Park: Hampton Roads Pride, Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 11am, Town Point Park in Norfolk, VA. This year the festival will take place at Town Point Park in Norfolk Virginia. For more information on Out in the Park, visit the Hampton Roads Pride website at www.hamptonroadspride.net. Pride in the Park: Roanoke, Sunday, September 16, 2012, Suntrust Plaza/Franklin Rd, in between Elmwood Park and Market Street. For more information visit http://www.roanokepride.org/. Virginia Pride: Richmond. Saturday, September 29, 2012, Kanawha Plaza, Richmond Virginia. For more information about Virginia Pride, please visit http://www.vapride.org/. Pride in the Burg: Fredericksburg Pride, TBA, More information coming soon from http://www.fredpride.us/ Pride in the Park: Charlottesville, TBA, More information coming soon from cvillepride.wordpress.com. Find EV 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 August 15 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. Our next outing is Saturday, August 18 (Aug. 25 is the makeup date). Meet us 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 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 https://www.facebook.com/madisonequality Network VA: Building LGBTQQ Coalitions on Campus https://www.facebook.com/networkvirginia Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Soulforce www.soulforce.org SVGLA www.svgla.org and 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 15, Issue 2, June 2012 Page 6 �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 ministry to each other and to the world. HARRISONBURG UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS One Journey, Many Paths For more information, contact us at: http://huuweb.org and (540) 8670073 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. First Friday Community Potluck Every month (usually the first Friday) we host a potluck in a community member’s home on a rotating basis. Bring a dish to share if you can and/or sign up to host the potluck. See upcoming potlucks on page 9. Would you like to host First Friday? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �PRIDE-IN-THE-PARK VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Set Up Grill Team Decorations Clean up Crew Security Show your pride, lend us a hand. Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com to sign up Would your organization like to sponsor Valley Pride this year? We do not require financial support but we certainly welcome any contribution that sponsors can provide. Also, to encourage attendance, we ask our sponsors to consider publicizing the event via personal and organizational communication networks. INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL SPONSORS Sponsor Requirements: Allow use of name/logo for Valley Pride publicity Publicize event (optional) Provide financial support (optional) Sponsor Benefits: Information table space (bring your own table) Program recognition at the event (and the September 2012 SVGLA newsletter) Open mike for diversity statements by your organizational representative Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com to sponsor Valley Pride. �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE � Friday, June 1: Full First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions, join SVGLA as a Level II pagemember ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story at www.svgla.org) � Sunday, June 3: Charlottesville Women’s Choir, 4:30pm (see page 4 for details) � Tuesday, June 12 Conversation & Cuisine in McGaheysville, 6:30-8:30pm. At Hank’s Smokehouse, 49 Bloomer Spring Rd. � Sun., June 17: SVGLA Board Meeting, 4:00-6:00 PM. For location and directions, contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com � Friday, July 6: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harri sonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org) � Sixth Annual Valley Pride, 4:00-8:00 PM, Hillandale Park, Shelters 11 and 12. Celebrate who you are with friends, “family,” and allies here in the Valley! Sunday, July 22: � Friday, Aug. 3: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harri sonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org) � August 15 DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions for the September issue. Send advertisements and milestones to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com � Saturday Aug. 18: SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through the VDOT Adopt-AHighway program. We gather at the Little Grill for breakfast at 8am and then head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work. Sign up SVGLAssociation@gmail.com � Friday, Sept. 7: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harri sonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org) � Sunday, Sept. 16 2nd Annual Bike Ride and Wine Tasting, 8:00 AM, Harrisonburg. Fund raiser for the Valley AIDS Network (See page 5 for details). � Sunday, Sept. 16 23rd Annual Roanoke Pride In The Park, Roanoke, VA. Submit items for the monthly community events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items for the September issue by August 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 15, Issue 2, June 2012 Page 9 �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 (membership renewals due by December 1 to vote for the 2012 Board). Advance information about SVGLA events Level I membership is from July 1, 2012-July 1, 2013. 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 �IN THE NEWS... Federal Law Bans Gender Identity Discrimination In April, the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a ruling that employers who discriminate against employees or job applicants based on gender identity can now be found in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This means that employment discrimination against transgender people is illegal under current federal law. The EEOC stated that Title VII does more than protect against discrimination based on biological sex. According to the EEOC, “protections sweep far broader than that, in part because the term 'gender' encompasses not only a person’s biological sex but also the cultural and social aspects associated with masculinity and femininity.” Support for Marriage Equality Increases Among African-Americans On the heels of President Obama’s and the NAACP’s (the country’s most prominent civil rights organization) public endorsements of marriage equality, three recent polls found a significant increase in support for marriage equality among African-Americans. These include a national poll that found 59% of African-Americans say they support marriage for same-sex couples, up from 41% in earlier polls; a poll in Maryland which found that support for the state’s recently passed marriage equality law has increased by 20 percent among African Americans; and a third poll that found an 11 point increase in support among black North Carolinians. All of the polls were conducted after President Barack Obama announced his support for marriage equality. Interfaith Voices Survey on Religion, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Interfaith Voices, the nation’s leading religion news magazine on public radio is launching a multi-part series focusing on the ways that different religions address sexual orientation and gender identity issues. Take the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/interfaithvoicessurvey Quotable: "Imagine how our own families, let alone the world, would change if we vowed to keep faith with one another, strengthen one another, look for and accentuate the virtues in one another, and speak graciously concerning one another.” —Gordon B. Hinckley �Do you want to co-sponsor RENEW YOUR SVGLA SVGLA’s 6th Annual MEMBERSHIP IN JULY Valley Pride? 2012 renewal forms will be mailed to Level I members in June. Contact us ASAP at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com to have your organization’s logo and name listed free in the Valley Pride program at the event and the September newsletter. Thank you for supporting SVGLA. THANK YOU for supporting Valley Pride! See you at Valley Pride. 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 September newsletter is August 15 �������������������� Milestones 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 September 2012 issue of the newsletter, send the following by August 15 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. �������������������� � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," June 2012 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource June 2012 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2012, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 2012 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.June.2012 Volume 15, Issue 2, June 2012 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/b0a95d6de69762998f19fc967eb4b1c3.pdf d5625c0b397afa49fd5381cab4c282c7 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 16, Issue 2 June 2013 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN • ———————– Valley Events (pgs. 9-10) • PFLAG Meetings Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Supreme Court Marriage Decisions Anticipated in June: Virginia November Elections Present Stark Contrast 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. Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 • • Pride Events in Virginia • Conversation & Cuisine ———————– In March, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments on two separate marriage equality cases. These decisions are expected in late June. At Equality Virginia’s annual Commonwealth Dinner in Richmond in April, Democratic candidate for Governor Terry McAuliffe and United States Senator Mark Warner endorsed marriage equality. EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA • (Membership Form pg. 11) With your annual dues of $15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to SVGLA events. 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. • A new Washington Post poll shows that a majority of Virginia voters now support marriage equality for same-sex couples. (See poll questions and responses on page 2.) Equality Virginia and People of Faith for Equality in Virginia filed an amicus brief to strike down DOMA and Proposition 8 (read more at www.equalityvirginia.org/ blog/virginia-joins-supreme-court-brief-supportingmarriage-equality/). SVGLAssociation@gmail.com ———————– The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). �WHAT A DIFFERENCE, VIRGINIA. A recent Washington Post Poll shows that voters in Virginia today clearly support legal marriage between same-sex couples. ��Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meetings The Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance will hold weekly meetings every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00pm in the JMU Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence (550 Cardinal Drive, Harrisonburg). Young people aged 14-20 from the Harrisonburg and surrounding communities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning are welcome to attend. We aim to provide a safe and confidential space for youth to talk, listen, laugh, share, and reflect on what it's like to be an LGBTQ teen in the Shenandoah Valley. We'r e teaming up with PFLAG Blue Ridge (www.pflagblueridge.org/harrisonburg.html) to offer our YES! meeting on the same night and in the same building as the monthly Harrisonburg PFLAG meeting. Visit our website at http://www.svyesalliance.org/index.html. Have you seen the Shenandoah Va l l e y YES! Alliance's Facebook page? (www.facebook.com/SVYesAlliance) Please like us and share with your friends! Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance e-mail address: svyesalliance@gmail.com 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 September newsletter is August 15 �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. Our next outing is Saturday, August 17 (Aug. 24 is the makeup date). Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway afterward. �Community Organizations The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia acluva.org/tag/equal-rights/ Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia Equality Virginia transgenderrightsva.org/ www.equalityvirginia.org JMU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Ally Education Program www.jmu.edu/lgbta/ Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia Madison Equality JMU PFLAG Blue Ridge www.virginialogcabin.org/ www.facebook.com/madisonequality www.pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Network Virginia: Building LGBTQQ Coalitions on Campus www.facebook.com/networkvirginia Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance www.svyesalliance.org Southerners on New Ground of Virginia SVGLA southernersonnewground.org/ www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Valley AIDS Network www.valleyaidsnetwork.org Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club www.vapartisans.org/ People of Faith for Equality in Virginia Volume 16, Issue 2 June 2013 www.faith4equality.org/ Page 6 �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 ministry to each other and to the world. HARRISONBURG UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS One Journey, Many Paths For more information, contact us at: http://huuweb.org and (540) 8670073 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. First Friday Community Potluck Every month (usually the first Friday) we host a potluck in a community member’s home on a rotating basis. Bring a dish to share if you can and/or sign up to host the potluck. See upcoming potlucks on pages 8 and 9. Would you like to host First Friday in 2013 or 2014? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �CALL FOR PRIDE PARTNERS After six successful Valley Prides, the SVGLA Board has decided that starting this year the opportunity to coordinate future Pride events should be offered to other area groups and individuals interested in continuing this important community event. The Board is convinced that relying more broadly on the efforts of the whole LGBT and Ally community will in the long run expand support for future Pride events in the valley, permit more focused and effective event planning, and develop a wider sense of event ownership by stakeholders and community leaders alike. Possible partners in developing future pride events might well include individual SVGLA members, business and faith community allies, past Valley Pride sponsoring organizations, as well as organizers of other area Pride events. Please know that SVGLA will continue to work with these individuals and groups as they devise new ways to plan and organize for Pride events, but in doing so SVGLA will take a supporting role only, not an organizing or coordinating role. Individuals and groups interested in joining forces to share ideas and to explore possible action steps (both for the near term and for later on) should c o n t act S VGLA B o ard M em be r Mi ke D r u mh e l l e r (bbymis58@gmail.com). YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE! $15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card $25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page Submit items for the SVGLA community events schedule to lanedj@jmu.edu $50/issue or $175/year: Half Page $100 for a Full Page ad per issue Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Deadline for next newsletter is August 15 Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE � Sunday, June 2 Charlottesville Women's Choir - 29th annual Spring Concert. 4:00pm, at The Haven, 112 W Market St., Charlottesville. Refreshments afterward. Admission is by donation, sug gested $15 for adults & $5-10 for children. CWC is a Social Justice choir open to any woman who likes to sing. We perform songs that reflect our values that support equality for all, the environment, peace from wars & violence. We sing at local events, political ral lies, the Vegetarian Festival, the AIDS walk, the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, Contact Joan Barnett if you would like to join us next season at 434-977-0963 Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story � Thursday, June 6: PFLAG Harrisonburg Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 3 for location and contact info. � Thursday, June 6: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Friday, June 7: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for location and directions, join SVGLA as a Level II member) � Thursday, June 13: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Thursday, June 13: Conversation & Cuisine in Harrisonburg, 6:30-8:30 PM, at Union Station, 128 W. Market Street in Harrisonburg, VA. Meet us for dinner and reconnect with friends and family in the Valley. � Thursday, June 20: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Thursday, June 27: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Thursday, July 4: PFLAG Harrisonburg Meeting is CANCELED. Contact Mark Mitchell (mitchmark2@aol.com) to find out if the group will meet instead on July 11. � Thursday, July 4: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting is CANCELED for this week. � Thursday, July 11: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Friday, July 12: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org Submit items for the monthly events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items for the September issue by August 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 16, Issue 2 June 2013 Page 9 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE � Thursday, July 18: � Thursday, July 18 Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. Full pageConversation ad for &Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story Cuisine near Harrisonburg, 6:30-8:30 PM, At Hank’s Smokehouse Southern Grillery, 49 Bloomer Springs Road, McGaheysville, VA. Reconnect with friends and family in the Valley. For more information, contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com. � Thursday, July 25: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Thursday, August 1: PFLAG Harrisonburg Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 3 for location and contact info. � Thursday, August 1: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Friday, August 2: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org � Thursday, August 9: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Thursday, August 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions for September issue. Send items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com � Thursday, August 16: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Saturday, August 17: 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. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Sat.urday, August 24 � Saturday, August 18: SVGLA Board Meeting, 2-4pm. For information, contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com � Thursday, August 22 Conversation & Cuisine near Harrisonburg, 6:30-8:30 PM, At Black Forest German Restaurant at 787 E. Market Street. Join us for dinner and reconnect with friends and family in the Valley. For more information, contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com. � Thursday, August 23: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Thursday, August 30: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for location and contact information. � Thursday, Sept. 5: PFLAG Harrisonburg Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 3 for location and contact info. � Friday, September 13: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org) � 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. Make-up date in Saturday, October 19: Volume 16, Issue 2 June 2013 Page 10 �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 (MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE BY DECEMBER 1 TO VOTE FOR AND/OR SERVE ON THE 2014 BOARD). Advance information about SVGLA events Level I membership is from July—July 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 �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Check out EV at these Pride events or volunteer! Upcoming 2013 Pride Events (from EV’s website): June is National LGBT Pride Month. Equality Virginia will spread the word at Pride events about building safer communities, ending discrimination, and protecting families. Volunteer to help EV staff these events in your community. E-mail Jo Gehlbach at jgehlbach@equalityvirginia.org DC Black Pride dcblackpride.org/ May 24 Capital Pride www.capitalpride.org/festival June 9 Norfolk hamptonroadspride.shuttlepod.org/ August 10 Charlottesville www.facebook.com/cvillepride/events Sept. 13 Roanoke www.roanokepride.org/ Sept. 21 Richmond www.vapride.org/ Sept. 28 �IN THE NEWS… APA Now Headed by Gay Psychiatrist Forty years ago, the American Psychiatric Association voted to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. At that time, sexual orientation could be used to remove psychiatrists from their profession. On May 15, 2013, Dr. Saul Levin was named as the new APA chief executive officer and medical director. �������������������� Milestones 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 January 2012 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: “I believe everyone should be treated fairly…. I personally favor civil marriage for committed couples of the same sex.” —Terry McAuliffe, Democratic Candidate for Governor �2013 SVGLA Board of Directors Mike Drumheller Tim Fitzgerald Rob Johnson David Lane Michele O’Connor Jackie Walker Teresa Whitesell Level I members voted to adopt the revised organizational bylaws for the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association. EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Renew your SVGLA Membership in July. 2013 renewal forms will be mailed to Level I members in June. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," June 2013 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource June 2013 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2013, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 2013 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter. June.2013.FINAL Volume 16, Issue 2, June 2013 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/0e67095eb52ac00b498271257f3308ff.pdf 907db6f0cbf99644e30da5ae3ab5932b PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 17, Issue 2, June 2014 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Harvey Milk Honored with Forever Postage Stamp 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. The U.S. Postal Service officially revealed the Harvey Milk Forever Stamp in May. The stamp’s official first-day-of-issue ceremony took place on May 22 at the White House. The image is based on a circa 1977 black and white photograph of Milk in front of his Castro Street Camera store in San Francisco. ———————– Valley Events (pgs. 13-14)  First Friday potlucks  Capital Pride  PFLAG meetings ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 15) ———————– The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). Contact the editor SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Harvey Milk was a visionary leader who became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the US when he won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Milk’s achievements gave hope to the LGBT community in the United States and elsewhere at a time when the community was encountering widespread hostility and discrimination. His political career was tragically cut short less than a year after he took office in California when he and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone were assassinated on Nov. 27, 1978. In 2009, Harvey Milk was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. �Food for Thought: Memorable Passages in Recent Equal Marriage Decisions Bernard A. Friedman, Senior United States District Judge, Eastern District of Michigan Appointed by President Ronald Regan The state defendants’ position suffers from a glaring inconsistency. Even assuming that children raised by same-sex couples fare worse than children raised by heterosexual married couples, the state defendants fail to explain why Michigan law does not similarly exclude certain classes of heterosexual couples from marrying whose children persistently have had “sub-optimal” developmental outcomes. Taking the state defendants’ position to its logical conclusion, the empirical evidence at hand should require that only rich, educated, suburban-dwelling, married Asians may marry, to the exclusion of all other heterosexual couples. Obviously the state has not adopted this policy and with good reason. The absurdity of such a requirement is self-evident. Optimal academic outcomes for children cannot logically dictate which groups may marry. Many Michigan residents have religious convictions whose principles govern the conduct of their daily lives and inform their own viewpoints about marriage. Nonetheless, these views cannot strip other citizens of the guarantees of equal protection under the law. The same Constitution that protects the free exercise of one’s faith in deciding whether to solemnize certain marriages rather than others, is the same Constitution that prevents the state from either mandating adherence to an established religion or “enforcing private moral or religious beliefs without an accompanying secular purpose.” Michael J. McShane, United States District Judge, District of Oregon Appointed by President Barack Obama Expanding the embrace of civil marriage to gay and lesbian couples will not burden any legitimate state interest. The attractiveness of marriage to opposite-gender couples is not derived from its inaccessibility to same-gender couples. The well-being of Oregon's children is not enhanced by destabilizing and limiting the rights and resources available to gay and lesbian families. It is at times difficult to see past the shrillness of the debate. Accusations of religious bigotry and banners reading "God Hates Fags" make for a messy democracy and, at times, test the First Amendment resolve of both sides. At the core of the Equal Protection Clause, however, there exists a foundational belief that certain rights should be shielded from the barking crowds; that certain rights are subject to ownership by all and not the stake hold of popular trend or shifting majorities. If we can look for a moment past gender and sexuality, we can see in these plaintiffs nothing more or less than our own families. Families who we would expect our Constitution to protect, if not exalt, in equal measure. With discernment we see not shadows lurking in closets or the stereotypes of what was once believed; rather, we see families committed to the common purpose of love, devotion, and service to the greater community. �Food for Thought: Memorable Passages in Recent Equal Marriage Decisions John E. Jones, III, United States District Judge, Middle District of Pennsylvania Appointed by President George W. Bush This Court is not only moved by the logic that the fundamental right to marry is a personal right to be exercised by the individual, but also rejects Defendants’ contention that concepts of history and tradition dictate that same-sex marriage is excluded from the fundamental right to marry. The right Plaintiffs seek to exercise is not a new right, but is rather a right that these individuals have always been guaranteed by the United States Constitution. The issue we resolve today is a divisive one. Some of our citizens are made deeply uncomfortable by the notion of same-sex marriage. However, that same-sex marriage causes discomfort in some does not make its prohibition constitutional. Nor can past tradition trump the bedrock constitutional guarantees of due process and equal protection. Were that not so, ours would still be a racially segregated nation according to the now rightfully discarded doctrine of “separate but equal.” In the sixty years since Brown was decided, “separate” has thankfully faded into history, and only “equal” remains. Similarly, in future generations the label same-sex marriage will be abandoned, to be replaced simply by marriage. We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history. Same-Sex Marriage Support Reaches New High at 55% In the latest May 8-11 poll, there is clear evidence that support for gay marriage has solidified above the majority level. This comes on the heels of gay marriage proponents' 14th ��The Times They Are A-Changin! Arkansas: A state judge struck down the state's same-sex marriage ban, although the state Supreme Court issued a stay to halt same-sex marriages. Idaho: A federal judge ruled that Idaho's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional. It is unclear whether a stay will be issued. Illinois: Same-sex marriages will be legal as of June 1, 2014. Indiana: The State Senate passed HJR-6, which would enact a constitutional amendment to prevent same-sex marriage or civil unions if approved by voters. If the measure passes again after the 2012 elections, the measure could be on the ballot in November 2014. Michigan: A District Court judge struck down the same-sex marriage ban, although the ruling was put on hold. Nevada: The State Senate and Assembly passed a bill to repeal the state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and legalize same-sex marriage. The bill will need to pass again in 2015 to go on the ballot in 2016. Also, Sevcik v. Sandoval is now on appeal before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Oklahoma: A federal judge struck down the ban on same-sex marriage, although the decision was stayed by the governor pending an appeal. Pennsylvania: May 2014: Marriage is legal - A federal judge struck down the state's same-sex marriage ban and allowed same-sex marriages to begin immediately. Texas: A federal judge struck down the same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional, although he stayed his ruling pending appeal from the state. Utah: A federal judge struck down the ban on same-sex marriage, although the decision was stayed by the governor pending an appeal. Virginia: A federal judge struck down the same-sex marriage ban in the case Bostic v. Rainey. The ruling was stayed pending appeal. �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 community groups for anyone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning, as well as parents, family, friends, and allies. If you are a parent, family member, or friend 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 LGBTQ+ and Allies Group Meetings When: Where: Contact: Note: First Thursday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd, JMU 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 holds meetings the first Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the campus of JMU. Young people aged 14-20 from the Harrisonburg and surrounding communities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning are welcome to attend. We aim to provide a safe and confidential space for youth to talk, listen, laugh, share, and reflect on what it's like to be an LGBTQ teen 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! Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance e-mail address: svyesalliance@gmail.com 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 September newsletter is August 15 �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. Our next outing is Sat., June 21 (June 28 is the makeup date). Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway afterward. �Help SVGLA on June 21 and receive a gift card for a FREE wine-tasting at The Winery at Kindred Pointe The first three NEW volunteers who join us at the Little Grill in Harrisonburg for breakfast and help with the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup afterward will receive a gift card for a FREE wine tasting at the Winery at Kindred Pointe in Mount Jackson (donated by Christine Robinson). Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com if you have questions. www.facebook.com/TheWineryAtKindredPointe www.kindredpointe.com/#!wineryvineyard �Community Organizations American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia acluva.org/tag/equal-rights/ BC Allies (Bridgewater College) www.bridgewater.edu/student-life/activities-andorganizations/clubs-organizations-and-honor-societies Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia Equality Virginia transgenderrightsva.org/ 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 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 of Virginia SVGLA southernersonnewground.org/ www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Valley AIDS Network www.valleyaidsnetwork.org Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club People of Faith for Equality in Virginia Volume 17, Issue 2, June 2014 www.vapartisans.org/ www.faith4equality.org/ Page 10 �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Resources for our Community www.equalityvirginia.org/resources/ New to Virginia: Did you just move to the state? Follow the web link above for a primer for everything you need to know about being an LGBT person in Virginia Need Support: These are national, statewide and local resources that provide social outlets, support, health services, and advocate on behalf of the LGBT community Legal Advice: Equality Virginia provides this directory to LGBT Virginians seeking legal representation and to attorneys working with the LGBT community. Coming Out: Coming out is not only a critical component of a LGBT individual’s well-being, but of the well-being of the entire LGBT community. Support is here. Transgender Resources: Find support and information on gender marker changes and voter laws that may impact the community. EV believes in a truly inclusive commonwealth where all are equally welcomed and valued, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Looking for a Faith Community: A stronger network of affirming faith communities counters the tension between LGBT rights and religious freedom. Find affirming communities recommended by EV’s membership. Building a Family: While Virginia does not recognize relationships between same-sex couples, there are still ways to make sure that your family is protected. Although Virginia’s LGBT families may face challenges in adoption and foster care, there are resources for those looking to start the process. Facing Discrimination: Have you faced discrimination in employment or housing or have been denied service at a business? Learn more about your rights, Virginia’s laws and what is protected. Find resources and toolkits to create positive change for LGBT Virginians. Equality Virginia: Changing Laws, Changing Lives �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 ministry to each other and to the world. HARRISONBURG UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS One Journey, Many Paths For more information, contact us at: http://huuweb.org and (540) 8670073 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. First Friday Community Potluck Every month (usually the first Friday) we host a potluck in a community member’s home on a rotating basis. Bring a dish to share if you can and/or sign up to host the potluck. See upcoming potlucks on pages 10 and 11. Would you like to host First Friday in 2014 or 2015? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thursday, June 5: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the James Madison University campus in Harrisonburg. For more information, see page 5 or go to svyesalliance@gmail.com Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story Thursday, June 5: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At the Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd at James Madison University. For more information, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or by email at mitchmarke@aol.com Friday, June 6: 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 at www.svgla.org). Saturday, June 7 Capital Pride, Washington DC. For details go http://www.capitalpride.org Saturday, June 14: 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. June 14-16 Busch Gardens Gay Days Weekend, Williamsburg, VA. For more info, go to https:// www.facebook.com/events/168950043258635/ Thursday, June 19 Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-9:00 PM. Join friends and "family" in SVGLA at Taste of India 498 University Boulevard in Harrisonburg. For more information go to www.tasteof indiahbg.com This date is TENTATIVE—join SVGLA at www.svgla.org/membership.html to receive our email updates. Saturday, June 21: 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. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Saturday, June 28. Thursday, July 3: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the James Madison University campus in Harrisonburg. For more information, see page 5 or go to svyesalliance@gmail.com Thursday, July 3: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At the Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd at James Madison University. For more information, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or by email at mitchmarke@aol.com   Friday, July 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 at www.svgla.org). Saturday, July 12: Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men Bring food or beverage for 5 people. Meet at 7:00, dinner at 7:30. Meet at Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church, 717 Rugby Rd. Contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com for info. Volume 17, Issue 2, June 2014 Page 13 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thursday, July 24 Conversation & Cuisine in the ‘Burg, 6:30-9:00 PM. Join friends and "family" in SVGLA at Hanks Southern Cuisine and Barbeque on 49 Bloomer Springs Road (just off Route 33 a few miles east of Harrisonburg) in McGaheysville. For more info go to www.hankssmokehouse.com/ This date is TENTATIVE—join SVGLA at www.svgla.org/membership.html to receive our email updates. Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story   Friday, August 1: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org   Thursday, August 7: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the James Madison University campus in Harrisonburg. For more information, see page 5 or go to svyesalliance@gmail.com  Thursday, August 7: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd at JMU. Contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or mitchmarke@aol.com for more information.  Saturday, August 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, August 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Thursday, August 21 Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-9:00 PM. Join friends and “family” in SVGLA at Black Forest German Restaurant at 787 E. Market Street in Harrisonburg. For more information go to www.facebook.com/BlackforestGermanRestaurant This date is TENTATIVE— join SVGLA at www.svgla.org/membership.html to receive our email updates.  Saturday, August 23   Thursday, Sept. 4: 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. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Saturday, Aug. 30. This date is TENTATIVE. Join SVGLA at www.svgla.org for updates. Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the James Madison University campus in Harrisonburg. For more information, see page 5 or go to svyesalliance@gmail.com  Thursday, Sept. 4:  PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd at JMU. Contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or mitchmarke@aol.com for more information.  Friday, September 5: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA at www.svgla.org/membership.html) Saturday, Sept. 13 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 Submit items for the monthly events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items for the September issue by August 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 17, Issue 2, June 2014 Page 14 �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 (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)   Mailed hard copy of the newsletter  Both E-mailed version of the newsletter Level 2 Support - email your name and age to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Name #1 Name #2 Address #1: Address #2: E-mail #1: E-mail #2: All SVGLA members must be at least 18 years of age to join.  I/we verify that I am/we are at least 18 years of age. For Level I, please send this form to: SVGLA, P.O. Box 1023, Harrisonburg, VA 22803 �2014 SVGLA Board of Directors (elected by Level I members in February): Mike Drumheller Rob Johnson David Lane Jackie Walker Teresa Whitesell (appointed by the Board in March to reduce vacancies) JoAnn Benjamin Congratulations to all Board members and thank you for serving! Quotable: “This is not about passing, it never was. It’s about being YOU, no matter what society thinks – and that is beautiful.” —Sona Avedian “Hope never dies.” —Harvey Milk �LGBT Alumni Chapter at JMU The LGBT & Ally Education Program, Madison Equality, and LGBT Faculty Staff group at James Madison University have been working with JMU’s Alumni Office to create a LGBT & Ally Alumni Chapter. A focus of the chapter is on professional networking amongst alumni and recent graduates. Also, we will be developing a mentorship program with current students. Possible events for the chapter include receptions at Alumni Weekend, panels about being Out in the Workplace, GayMU Month, and participation in JMU’s Lavender Graduation. We are hoping to find more Alumni who are interested in helping to shape and launch the chapter. We are tentatively calling the group the JMU Lambda Alumni Chapter. Those interested in join the chapter can sign up through: http://goo.gl/ hwmtxQ or contact Jon Henry henryjw@dukes.jmu.edu with questions. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," June 2014 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource June 2014 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2014, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 2014 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.June.2014.FINAL Volume 17, Issue 2, June 2014 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/2e1089236727c118da47f27e118bf588.pdf 2a27844bb3833b5166ea84be78f7515a PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 18, Issue 2, June 2015 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN 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. ———————– Community Events (see details inside)  SVGLA potlucks  Youth Summer Camp  PFLAG meetings ———————– 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 Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Shenandoah Valley Pride seeks volunteers A new organization, Shenandoah Valley Pride, is hosting a pride event in downtown Harrisonburg and needs volunteers to help with planning the event. Contact SVP by email at ShenandoahValleyPride@gmail.com for more information. �Youth Leadership Camp on “Breaking Gender Stereotypes” at JMU The Office on Children and Youth at JMU is offering its first summer camp focusing on gender stereotypes and youth leadership. Students will create their own gender stories through film, poetry, and art. If you are a teen looking to better understand yourself, others, and your community, then we hope you will participate in this fun, engaging, and challenging youth leadership camp. Students will work with trained youth workers from The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program to learn organizing, communication, and leadership skills, and will also participate in JMU’s ropes and adventure course. The cost is $15, but there are scholarships available. This is an LGBTQ and trans-friendly camp. The building where it will be held has single-stall gender-inclusive restrooms and is accessible for people in wheelchairs or who have mobility challenges. Transportation can be provided for participants. Registration information: http://www.theocy.org/summer-camp/ Contact Kati Derrick with any questions at derrickc@jmu.edu or 540-568-7685. �Support our Advertisers, Empower your Community. 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. Help end violence in Virginia. SVGLA thanks local businesses and organizations that advertise in our newsletter. �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 Sept. newsletter is August 15 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. It’s great for our planet. Help us be good neighbors in our community. Our next outing is Saturday, June 20 Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway afterward. �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 Shenandoah Valley Pride www.jmu.edu/safezone/ (NEW) Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance www.shenandoahvalleypride.org www.svyesalliance.org Students Out Understanding & Loving Sisters (SOULS) at Mary Baldwin College www.mbc.edu/student_activities/clubsandorgs/#cultural Southerners on New Ground of Virginia SVGLA southernersonnewground.org/ www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Virginia Anti-Violence Project (NEW) Virginia Organizing 1.866.356.6998 (helpline) & virginiaavp.org/ www.virginia-organizing.org/issues Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club People of Faith for Equality in Virginia Volume 18, Issue 2, June 2015 www.vapartisans.org/ www.faith4equality.org/ Page 7 �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Resources for our Community www.equalityvirginia.org/resources/ New to Virginia: Did you just move to the state? Follow the web link above for a primer for everything you need to know about being an LGBT person in Virginia Need Support: These are national, statewide and local resources that provide social outlets, support, health services, and advocate on behalf of the LGBT community Legal Advice: Equality Virginia provides this directory to LGBT Virginians seeking legal representation and to attorneys working with the LGBT community. Coming Out: Coming out is not only a critical component of a LGBT individual’s well-being, but of the well-being of the entire LGBT community. Support is here. Transgender Resources: Find support and information on gender marker changes and voter laws that may impact the community. EV believes in a truly inclusive commonwealth where all are equally welcomed and valued, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Looking for a Faith Community: A stronger network of affirming faith communities counters the tension between LGBT rights and religious freedom. Find affirming communities recommended by EV’s membership. Building a Family: While Virginia does not recognize relationships between same-sex couples, there are still ways to make sure that your family is protected. Although Virginia’s LGBT families may face challenges in adoption and foster care, there are resources for those looking to start the process. Facing Discrimination: Have you faced discrimination in employment or housing or have been denied service at a business? Learn more about your rights, Virginia’s laws and what is protected. Find resources and toolkits to create positive change for LGBT Virginians. �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 September newsletter is August 15 �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. We need potluck hosts! Can you host in 2015 or 2016? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thursday, June 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 Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story  Thursday, June 4: 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   Friday, June 5: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored by SVGLA. For information, join SVGLA as a Level I or II member (See page 13 ). Saturday, June 13: 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.  Saturday, June 20: 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.  Thursday, July 2: 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, July 2: 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  Friday, July 10: 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, July 11: 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 Saturday, July 25: Shenandoah Valley Pride, If you’re interested in taking part in the planning for this com munity event, please email shenandoahvalleypride@gmail. com or join the Shenandoah Valley Pride Facebook group Volume 18, Issue 2, June 2015 Page 11 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  Friday, August 1: 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 ). Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story  Thursday, August 7:  Thursday, August 7: 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 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  Saturday, August 9:  Friday, August 15:  Thursday, Sept. 3:  Thursday, Sept. 3   Friday, Sept. 4/11 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 DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com 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 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 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 ). Submit items for the monthly SVGLA e-mail events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items for the September 2015 issue by August 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 18, Issue 2, June 2015 Page 12 �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.  �Public Support for Marriage Equality Increases: Supreme Court to Announce Ruling Soon One month before the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of states’ same-sex marriage bans, public support for marriage equality has reached a record 60%, according to a Gallup survey released in May. This is up from 55% in 2014 and is the highest Gallup has found on the question since it was first asked in 1996. Public support for legalizing marriage for same-sex couples first reached a majority in 2011, when 53% supported it. Since then, support has ranged from 48% to 55%. The five-percentage-point increase in this year’s poll, conducted in May of 2015, is the largest year-to-year climb since 2011, when public support rose by nine points. Quotable: “Everyone deserves to be loved for who they are… We are going to change the world.” —Bruce Jenner— � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," June 2015 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource June 2015 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2015, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 2015 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.June.2015.FINAL Volume 18, Issue 2, June 2015 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/c3c4e5651aa52e6e21efa6f003263cec.pdf 03a1915fe265413c8d64de4b450b0708 PDF Text 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&notes_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 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," March 2011 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource March 2011 newletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2011, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 2011 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.newsletter.March.2011 Volume 14, Issue 1, March 2011 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/c71784f29fa16db10fa8e46257491d24.pdf 9d5a60e1b53b4974d946b5508937b341 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2012 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Ray Boltz in Concert 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. Tim Fitzgerald to open the event Country music star Ray Boltz Local musician Tim Fitzgerald ———————– Upcoming Events: (pg. 6) •Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting • Equality Virginia Lobby Day Photo: •Mardi Gras Night Fundraiser for the Valley AIDS Network 2012 SVGLA Board of Directors ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 7) With your annual dues of $15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to SVGLA events. The “Family Mike Drumheller Tim Fitzgerald Rob Johnson David Lane Michele O’Connor Grayson Sless Jacki Walker Teresa Whitesell SVGLA Con- 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 ———————– nectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Upcoming Event: 9th Annual Commonwealth Dinner Saturday, April 14, 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 EV 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 Dec. 15 We’ve Adopted a Highway! SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through the Virginia Department of Transportation. It’s good cise, fun, it’s exerand it’s great for our planet. Help us be good neighbors in our community. Our next outing is Saturday, April/May ( is the makeup date). Meet us 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 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&notes_tab=app_2347471856 Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Soulforce www.soulforce.org SVGLA www.svgla.org or 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 15, Issue 1, March 2012 Page 4 �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 ministry to each other and to the world. HARRISONBURG UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS One Journey, Many Paths V a l l e y A I D S For more information, contact us at: http://huuweb.org and (540) 867-0073 N e t w o r k F u n d r a i s e r VAN is holding “Mardi Gras Night”, a silent auction and fundraising event on Saturday, February 18, 2012, 7-9 pm at the Blue Nile Ethiopian Cuisine Restaurant. Tickets for this event are $40 and include appetizers, two drinks, entertainment, and the opportunity to bid on terrific items like gift baskets, gift cards from local restaurants, an authentic Greek Dinner, gift certificates for services, and much more. These funds help support the work of VAN. The Valley AIDS Network was established in 1989 and it strives to compassionately meet the needs of individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. VAN’s goals are to move its clients toward better health and self sufficiency, to raise awareness and prevent the spread of the virus through education, and to serve as an advocate for those affected by the AIDS epidemic. As housing and medical costs increase, VAN relies on donations from the local community and fundraisers like “Mardi Gras Night” are crucial to the on-going effectiveness of VAN. For a closer look at the Valley AIDS Network and ticket information, visit our web site at http://www.valleyaidsnetwork.org. �COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE ❑ Friday, January 13: Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting & First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com) Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story ❑ Monday, January 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ❑ Tuesday, January 24 Equality Virginia Lobby Day (see details page 2) ❑ Saturday, Jan. 28: SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM SVGLA has adopted a section of highway 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 8am and then head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Sat.urday, February 4. Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com ❑ Friday, February 3: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com) ❑ Tuesday, February 14: Happy Valentine’s Day! ❑ Saturday, Feb. 18: Valley AIDS Network Fundraiser “Mardi Gras Night” (See details on page 5). ❑ Saturday, Feb. 18: Mr. Gay Harrisonburg & Mr. Harrisonburg M.I. Competition Celebrate with SVGLA Board member & Mr. Gay Harrisonburg Tim Fitzgerald and his Male Impersonator counterpart Brysan Haze as they pass their titles on to the next representatives for 2012! Doors open at 7pm; Showtime at 8pm, Downtown Music, 34 S. Main St, Harrisonburg ❑ Wednesday, Feb. 15 DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions for the March issue. Send advertisements and milestones to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com ❑ Friday, March 3: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com) ❑ Saturday, March 24: Miss Harrisonburg Newcomer & Miss Harrisonburg at Large Competition Join us as we select our new title holders to represent the community for 2012! Doors Open at 7pm & Showtime at 8pm. Downtown Music, 34 S. Main Street. ❑ Friday, April 6: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com). ❑ Saturday, April 14: Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC. Concert at JMU’s Forbes Center benefiting the Valley AIDS Network. To order tickets, go to http://www.jmu.edu/ jmuarts/forbescenter/ Submit items for the community events schedule to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2012 Page 6 �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 (membership renewals due by December 1 to vote for the 2012 Board). Advance information about SVGLA events Level I membership is from July 1, 2011-July 1, 2012. 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 �IN THE NEWS… Massachusetts Bans Gender Identity or Expression Discrimination The Massachusetts Legislature voted to pass the Transgender Equal Rights Bill. The bill adds protections to the state’s civil rights laws against discrimination in employment, housing, education, and credit based on gender identity or expression and adds gender identity and expression to the state’s hate crimes law. The bill will go into effect 90 days after it is signed by Governor Patrick. Massachusetts will become the 16th state along with the District of Columbia in prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression. Lesbian Activist Honored with Presidential Citizens Medal Janice Langbehn, who helped secure hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples across the country received the nation’s second-highest civilian honor from President Barack Obama -- the Presidential Citizens Medal. In 2007 Langbehn was kept from the bedside of her partner, who lay dying in a Florida hospital. A story about the ordeal prompted the president to instruct his administration to issue new rules requiring hospitals to abide by the wishes of patients who designate their same-sex partners for visitation rights. Walmart Adds “Gender Identity” to Nondiscrimination Policy Mega-retailer Wal-Mart has quietly added language to its employee nondiscrimination policy that forbids employment bias based on gender identity and expression. A spokesman said the change was part of a routine review of employment policies and was not related to a complaint. Quotable: "I do not think We know our own Strength until we have seen how strong Love makes us.” —Curly Girl �HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR LEVEL I SVGLA MEMBERSHIP? Renewal forms were mailed to all Level I members in July. THANK YOU for your continued support of SVGLA. LGBTA Education Program The LGBT & Ally Education Program at JMU is moving to North Campus in the East Tower of the Old Hospital. We will be moving over Thanksgiving break along with the Clinic Services, Student Wellness & Outreach and Substance Abuse Prevention. We will be located on the 5th floor and will resume office hours after Thanksgiving Break. Come visit us in our new space in room E506. 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  Ballots for the 2012 SVGLA Board of Directors will be sent to Level I members in December. Votes must be received by 1/10/12. Results will be announced at the Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting (which coincides with January’s First Friday).  �Milestone  Civil Rights Pioneer for Modern LGBT Rights Movement Dies Dr. Frank Kameny (May 21, 1925-October 11, 2011) Dr. Frank Kennedy was one of the most significant figures in the modern LGBT rights movement in the United States. In 1957, he was terminated from his position in the federal government because of his sexual orientation, which led him to a lifetime of activism for LGBT rights. In 1961, he argued his case before the US Supreme Court, and founded the Mattachine Society of Washington, one of the earliest LGBT organizations in the U.S. Kameny and Barbara Gittings co-organized demonstrations for gay and lesbian rights at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia each July 4th from 1965 to 1969, where an Historic Marker recognizes the site. They also protested the annual meetings of the American Psychiatric Association in the early 1970s. The APA voted in 1973 to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. In 2006, the Library of Congress acquired Kameny’s papers, documenting his biography and lifetime of civil rights work. In 2007, the Smithsonian Museum of American History included an exhibit of the original picket signs Kameny carried in demonstrations in front of the White House. In 2009, his home was designated a DC Historic Landmark. Also in 2009, John Berry, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, formally apologized to Kameny on behalf of the US government and presented Kameny with the Theodore Roosevelt Award, the department’s most prestigious award. In 2010, Kameny was seated at the front row of the gathering where President Barack Obama signed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act.” Also in 2010, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty unveiled street signs designating a section of 17th Street as “Frank Kameny Way” in his honor. On November 2, 2011, Kameny’s house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kameny’s early activism is featured in the documentary Gay Pioneers (www.gaypioneers.com), about the beginnings of the modern LGBT civil rights movement in the US.  Milestones 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 January 2012 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.  ��Happy Holidays and Good Tidings for 2012!  Join us at the annual SVGLA membership meeting (also the monthly potluck) on January 13, where we will announce the 2012 SVGLA Board of Directors.  � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," March 2012 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource March 2012 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2012, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 2012 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.March.2012 Volume 15, Issue 1, March 2012 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/a96c5362a055cb319b210e706abe73ac.pdf 9be809b2d7b7e4017991d240d5716605 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 16, Issue 1 March 2013 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com CALL FOR PRIDE PARTNERS 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. ———————– Valley Events (pgs. 8-9) • PFLAG Meetings • SOMETHING • Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 7) With your annual dues of $15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to SVGLA events. 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 ———————– After six successful Valley Prides, the SVGLA Board has decided that starting this year the opportunity to coordinate future Pride events should be offered to other area groups and individuals interested in continuing this important community event. The Board is convinced that relying more broadly on the efforts of the whole LGBT and Ally community will in the long run expand support for future Pride events in the valley, permit more focused and effective event planning, and develop a wider sense of event ownership by stakeholders and community leaders alike. Possible partners in developing future pride events might well include individual SVGLA members, business and faith community allies, past Valley Pride sponsoring organizations, as well as organizers of other area Pride events. Please know that SVGLA will continue to work with these individuals and groups as they devise new ways to plan and organize for Pride events, but in doing so SVGLA will take a supporting role only, not an organizing or coordinating role. Individuals and groups interested in joining forces to share ideas and to explore possible action steps (both for the near term and for later on) should contact SVGLA Board Member Mike Drumheller (bbymis58@gmail.com). The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). ��Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting The Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance is proud to announce that we will be holding our first ever youth meeting on Thursday, March 7, 2013 from 6:30-8:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence (www.jmu.edu/gandhicenter/) on the campus of James Madison University. Young people aged 14-20 from the Harrisonburg and surrounding communities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning are welcome to attend. We aim to provide a safe and confidential space for youth to talk, listen, laugh, share, and reflect on what it's like to be an LGBTQ teen in the Shenandoah Valley. We're teaming up with PFLAG Blue Ridge (www.pflagblueridge.org/harrisonburg.html) to offer our YES! meeting on the same night and in the same building as the monthly Harrisonburg PFLAG meeting. Have you seen the Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance's Facebook page yet? (www.facebook.com/SVYesAlliance) Please like us and share with your friends! Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance e-mail address: svyesalliance@gmail.com 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 �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 15 We’ve Adopted a Highway! SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through the Virginia Department of Transportation. It’s good cise, great for our planet. fun, it’s exerand it’s Help us be good neighbors in our community. Our next outing is Saturday, March 23 (March 30 is the makeup date). Meet us 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 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 PFLAG Blue Ridge https://www.facebook.com/madisonequality www.pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Network Virginia: Building LGBTQQ Coalitions on Campus https://www.facebook.com/networkvirginia Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Soulforce SVGLA www.svyesalliance.org www.soulforce.org www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Valley AIDS Network www.valleyaidsnetwork.org Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club www.vapartisans.org/ Volume 16, Issue 1 March 2013 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 ministry to each other and to the world. HARRISONBURG UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS For more information, contact us at: http://huuweb.org and (540) 8670073 One Journey, Many Paths 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. First Friday Community Potluck Every month (usually the first Friday) we host a potluck in a community member’s home on a rotating basis. Bring a dish to share if you can and/or sign up to host the potluck. See upcoming potlucks on pages 8 and 9. Would you like to host First Friday in 2013? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Ally Education Program works toward promoting James Madison University's commitment to diversity through education, support, advocacy and the fostering of equity for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Lavender Graduation is a commencement ceremony honoring JMU graduates who identify as LGBT and also recognizes individuals and groups who have helped the LGBT & Ally Education Program during the year. To be held on May 3rd, 2013 at the Festival Highlands Room at JMU from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. The reception will start at 10:00 am, followed by the formal program at 10:30. Nominate someone for an award There are two awards given during Lavender Graduation. Awards recipients can be faculty, staff, students, or community members. • The Chris L. Gatesman Service Award is given in recognition of outstanding dedication and support of James Madison University's LGBT & Ally Education Program. • The LGBT & Ally Education Program Award is presented to an individual in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the LGBT community during the past year. Their actions contributed to the creation or improvement of an inclusive, respectful and safe climate for the LGBT community. Nomination Forms: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1wiQr3mL6vfTIHkLcM_3-IwE9BF1i24NqJGD_St69ci0/viewform Award Nominations are due by: April 10th, 2013 at 5:00 PM Contact the LGBTA Program Office for more information at jmulgbta@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE ❑ Thursday, March 7: PFLAG Harrisonburg Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 2 for location and contact info. ❑ Thursday, March 7: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 3 for location and Full pagecontact adinformation. for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story ❑ Wednesday, March 13: PFLAG Staunton Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 2 for location and contact info. ❑ Thursday, March 21 Conversation & Cuisine near Harrisonburg, 6:30-8:30 PM, At Hank’s Smokehouse Southern Grillery, 49 Bloomer Springs Road, McGaheysville, VA. Reconnect with friends and family in the Valley. For more information, contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com. ❑ Saturday, March 23: SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway program. We gather at the Little Grill for breakfast at 8am and then head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work. (March 30 is the makeup date if there is inclement weather on the 23rd) ❑ Saturday, March 23: Miss Harrisonburg Newcomer & Miss Harrisonburg at Large Pageant. 8:00PM. Admission $3. The Artful Dodger at 47 Court Square, Harrisonburg. Contact Rob at rjfierce1@gmail.com for more information. ❑ Friday, March 29: Miss Gay United States Femme Fatale Pageant (Lesbian-only Beauty Pageant), 7:00PM. Admission: $12. The Holiday Inn Presidential Ballroom at 1400 East Market Street, Harrisonburg. Go to www.gayuspsystem.com for more information. ❑ Saturday, March 30: Mister Gay United States Male Illusionist Contest (Male Impersonators), 7:00PM. Admission $12. The Holiday Inn Presidential Ballroom at 1400 East Market Street, Harrisonburg. Go to www.gayuspsystem.com for more information. ❑ Thursday, April 4: PFLAG Harrisonburg Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 2 for location and contact info. ❑ Friday, April 5: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for location and directions, join SVGLA as a Level II member) ❑ Saturday, April 6 Equality Virginia’s Commonwealth Dinner (See equalityvirginia.org/dinner for details ) ❑ Wednesday, April 10: PFLAG Staunton Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 2 for location and contact info. ❑ Saturday, April 13: Miss Rhinestone Pride Pageant, 8:00PM. Admission $10. The Holiday Inn Presidential Ballroom at1400 East Market Street, Harrisonburg. For more information, go to www.rhinestonemafiaproductions.com Submit items for the monthly events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items for the June issue by May 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 16, Issue 1 March 2013 Page 8 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE ❑ Saturday, April 13: INDIGO: A Dance Party for Women. 8pm. Upstairs, Mill Street Grill in Staunton, VA DJ Jackie Gay will play the hottest dance tunes. $15.00 cover, cash bar. Must be at least 18 years old. 3rd annual event hosted by Shenandoah Valley women who want to dance and have a great time. Contact Teri Beasley at alaskabeas@yahoo.com or 540-908-1708 Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story ❑ Thursday, April 18: Conversation & Cuisine in Harrisonburg, 6:30-8:30 PM, TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED at Corgan’s Publick House, 865 Port Republic Road in Harrisonburg, VA.. Reconnect with friends and family in the Valley. See the April SVGLA email announcements list for an update on location for the April 18 C &C or contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com. ❑ Thursday, May 2: PFLAG Harrisonburg Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 2 for location and contact info. ❑ Friday, May 3: Lavender Graduation at JMU. See page 7 for details. Contact the LGBTA Education Program office at jmulgbta@gmail.com for more information. ❑ Friday, May 3: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org) ❑ Wednesday, May 8: PFLAG Staunton Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 2 for location and contact info. ❑ Wednesday, May 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions for June issue. Send items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com ❑ Saturday May 18: 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. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Sat.urday, May 25 ❑ Saturday, May 18: SVGLA Board Meeting, 2pm. For information, contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com ❑ Thursday, May 23: Conversation & Cuisine near Harrisonburg, 6:30-8:30 PM, At Hank’s Smokehouse Southern Grillery, 49 Bloomer Springs Road, McGaheysville, VA. Reconnect with friends and family in the Valley. For more information, contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com. ❑ Thursday, June 6: PFLAG Harrisonburg Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 2 for location and contact info. ❑ Friday, June 7: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org) ❑ Wednesday, June 12: PFLAG Staunton Meeting, 6:30-8pm. See page 2 for location and contact info. ❑ Thursday, June 20 Conversation & Cuisine in Harrisonburg, 6:30-8:30 PM, TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED at Black Forest German Restaurant, 787 East Market St. in Harrisonburg, VA.. Re connect with friends and family in the Valley. See the April SVGLA email for an update or confirmation on this location for June 20 or contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com. Submit items for the SVGLA community events schedule to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 16, Issue 1 March 2013 Page 9 �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 (membership renewals due by December 1 to vote for the 2013 Board). Advance information about SVGLA events Level I membership is from July—July 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 �Local Leaders Supporting Non-Discrimination These elected officials have signed Equality Virginia’s statement supporting legislation to protect LGBT public employees from employment discrimination: “I support legislation codifying the basic human right of all public employees to be free from discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.” Albemarle Stephen Koleszar, School Board Member Diantha McKeel, School Board Member Alexandria Ronnie Campbell, School Board Member Kerry Donley, Vice Mayor William D. Euille, Mayor Dana Lawhorne, Sheriff Helen Morris, School Board Vice Chair Arlington Sally M. Baird, School Board Vice Chair Jay Fisette, County Board Member Mary Hughes Hynes, County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman, County Board Member Ashland Dr. George Spagna, Vice Mayor Blacksburg Susan Anderson, Town Council Member John Bush, Town Council Member Leslie Hager-Smith, Town Council Vice Chair Cecile Newcomb, Town Council Member Ron Rordam, Mayor Michael Sutphin, Blacksburg Town Council Charlottesville Colette Blount, School Board Member James E. Brown, III, Sheriff Edmund Michie, School Board Chair Dave Norris, City Council Member Kristin Szakos, Vice Mayor Fairfax City Daniel Drummond, City Council Member David L. Meyer, City Council Member Fairfax County Sharon Bulova, County Board of Supervisors Chair John Foust, County Board of Supervisors Penelope Gross, County Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay, County Board of Supervisors Linda Smyth, County Board of Supervisors Daniel Storck, School Board Member Ilryong Moon, School Board Member Falls Church Lois Berlin, School Board Superintendent Patrick Riccards, School Board Chair Harrisonburg Richard Baugh, City Council Member Ted Byrd, Mayor Charles Chenault, Vice Mayor Kai Degner, City Council Member Abe Shearer, City Council Member Herndon Lisa Merkel, Mayor Lexington Mimi Elrod, Mayor Montgomery County Phyllis Albritton, School Board Member Mary W. Biggs, County Board of Supervisors William H. Brown, County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Matthew Gabriele, County Board of Supervisors Norfolk Thomas Smigiel, City Council Member Theresa Whibley, City Council Member Portsmouth Dr. Elizabeth Daniels, School Board Vice Chair Richmond Kimberly Gray, School Board Member Chris Hilbert, City Council Member Charles Samuels, City Council Member Parker C. Agelasto, City Council Member C.T. Woody, Sheriff Is YOUR local representative on this list? Contact tdavis@equalityvirginia.org if you want to help by adding your local leader. ��IN THE NEWS… Virginia Senate Passes Non-Discrimination Bill A bill banning employment discrimination against state employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity was passed in the Senate of Virginia with a bipartisan vote of 24-16. A House of Delegates Subcommittee tabled the bill (effectively killing it for the 2013 legislative session. This is the third year in a row that this bill has passed in the Virginia Senate and tabled in the House Subcommittee. Lesbian Activist Honored with Presidential Citizens Medal Janice Langbehn, who helped secure hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples across the country received the nation’s second-highest civilian honor from President Barack Obama -the Presidential Walmart Adds “Gender Identity” to Nondiscrimination Policy Mega-retailer Wal-Mart has quietly added language to its employee nondiscrimination policy Quotable: "I GREAT Quote in here .” —Curly Girl �Milestone  PFLAG Founder Dies, Receives Posthumous Recognition from President Obama Dr. Frank Kameny (May 21, 1925-October 11, 2011) Dr. Frank Kennedy was one of the most significant figures in the modern LGBT rights movement in the United States. In 1957, he was terminated from his position in the federal government because of his sexual orientation, which led him to a lifetime of activism for LGBT rights. In 1961, he argued his case before the US Supreme Court, and founded the Mattachine Society of Washington, one of the earliest LGBT organizations in the U.S. Kameny and Barbara Gittings co-organized demonstrations for gay and lesbian rights at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia each July 4th from 1965 to 1969, where an Historic Marker recognizes the site. They also protested the annual meetings of the American Psychiatric Association in the early 1970s. The APA voted in 1973 to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. In 2006, the Library of Congress acquired Kameny’s papers, documenting his biography and lifetime of civil rights work.  Milestones 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 January 2012 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.  � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," March 2013 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource March 2013 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2013, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 2013 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.March.2013.FINAL Volume 16, Issue 1, March 2013 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/87a83eb6abbc5713ae7d11fba507b076.pdf cc6f887654a153fa302ab82984d1f49b PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 17, Issue 1, March 2014 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Bostic v. Rainey Historic Marriage Ruling in Virginia 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. ———————– Valley Events (pgs. 9-10)  Indigo Dance Party  Rebecca Kling  Gay Men’s Chorus ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 12) With your annual dues of $15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to SVGLA events. 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). A federal court decision on February 13, 2014, found Virginia's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, but stayed enforcement of that decision pending appeal. This landmark decision ends with a conclusion worth pondering, a conclusion memorable both for its awareness of history and its emotional force. It follows below. Each of the parties before the Court recognizes that marriage is a sacred social institution. The commitment two individuals enter into to love, support each other, and to possibly choose to nurture children enriches our society. Although steeped in a rich, tradition- and faith-based legacy, Virginia's Marriage Laws are an exercise of governmental power. For those who choose to marry, and for their children, Virginia's laws ensures that marriage provides profound legal, financial, and social benefits, and exacts serious legal, financial, and social obligations. The government's involvement in defining marriage, and in attaching benefits that accompany the institution, must withstand constitutional scrutiny. Laws that fail that scrutiny must fall despite the depth and legitimacy of the laws' religious heritage. The Court is compelled to conclude that Virginia's Marriage Laws unconstitutionally deny Virginia's gay and lesbian citizens the fundamental freedom to choose to marry. Government interests in perpetuating traditions, shielding state matters from federal interference, and favoring one model of parenting over others must yield to this country's cherished protections that ensure the exercise of the private choices of the individual citizen regarding love and family. Ultimately, this is consistent with our nation's traditions of freedom. "[T]he history of our Constitution ... is the story of the extension of constitutional rights and protections to people once ignored or excluded." United States v. Virginia, 518 U.S. 515, 557 (1996). Our nation's uneven but dogged journey toward truer and more meaningful freedoms for our citizens has brought us continually to a deeper understanding of the first three words in our Constitution: we the people. "We the People" have become a broader, more diverse family than once imagined. Justice has often been forged from fires of indignities and prejudices suffered. Our triumphs that celebrate the freedom of choice are hallowed. We have arrived upon another moment in history when We the People becomes more inclusive, and our freedom more perfect. Almost one hundred and fifty four years ago, as Abraham Lincoln approached the cataclysmic rending of our nation over a struggle for other freedoms, a rending that would take his life and the lives of hundreds of thousands of others, he wrote these words: "It can not have failed to strike you that these men ask for just. . . the same thing—fairness, and fairness only. This, so far as in my power, they, and all others, shall have. " The men and women, and the children too, whose voices join in noble harmony with Plaintiffs today, also ask for fairness, and fairness only. This, so far as it is in this Court's power, they and all others shall have. Arenda L. Wright Allen, United States District Judge February 13, 2014 Norfolk, Virginia �An Evening with Artist-Educator Rebecca Kling Monday, March 17, Taylor Down Under, JMU Rebecca Kling is a transgender artist and educator who explores gender and identity through solo pieces and educational workshops. Her multidisciplinary performances incorporate conversational storytelling, personal narrative, humor, movement, video projection, and more. Kling takes the position that sharing accessible queer narrative with a wide audience is a form of activism and that understanding combats bigotry Sponsored by Madison Equality ��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 community groups for anyone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning, as well as parents, family, friends, and allies. If you are a parent, family member, or friend 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 When: Where: Contact: Note: First Thursday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd, JMU (note new location) Facilitator Mark at mitchmarke@aol.com or 540-405-1227 Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group Charlottesville When: Where: Contact: 3rd Saturday of each month, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. (note our new day and time) 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 holds weekly meetings every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the campus of JMU (note our new location). Young people aged 14-20 from the Harrisonburg and surrounding communities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning are welcome to attend. We aim to provide a safe and confidential space for youth to talk, listen, laugh, share, and reflect on what it's like to be an LGBTQ teen in the Shenandoah Valley. PFLAG Blue Ridge (www.pflagblueridge.org/harrisonburg.html) will be holding 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! Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance e-mail address: svyesalliance@gmail.com 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 June newsletter is May 15 �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. Our next outing is Sat., March 22 (March 29 is the makeup date). Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway afterward. �Community Organizations American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia acluva.org/tag/equal-rights/ 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 PFLAG Blue Ridge www.facebook.com/madisonequality www.pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance www.svyesalliance.org Students Out Understanding and Loving Sisters (SOULS) at Mary Baldwin College www.mbc.edu/student_activities/clubsandorgs/#cultural NEW Listing! Southerners on New Ground of Virginia southernersonnewground.org/ SVGLA www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Valley AIDS Network www.valleyaidsnetwork.org Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club People of Faith for Equality in Virginia Volume 17, Issue 1, March 2014 www.vapartisans.org/ www.faith4equality.org/ Page 7 ��EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. EV’s 11th Annual Commonwealth Dinner is the state’s largest black-tie gala gathering for the Virginia LGBT community and supporters. This year will be spectacular because EV will be celebrating our 25th anniversary. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment, a silent auction, a dance, and the opportunity to meet and network with other members of the LGBT community and allies. Every year at the Commonwealth Dinner, EV also recognizes OUTstanding Virginians who have represented the LGBT community with distinction and have made contributions to the equality movement. We hope you can join us at the Greater Richmond Convention Center (403 N. Third Street in Richmond) on Saturday, April 5, for this special evening. 5:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. VIP Reception General Registration & Silent Auction Opens Dinner Program Begins After Dinner Dance For more information or to make reservations, go to www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/ Find EV on the web at www.equalityvirginia.org �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 ministry to each other and to the world. HARRISONBURG UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS One Journey, Many Paths For more information, contact us at: http://huuweb.org and (540) 8670073 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. First Friday Community Potluck Every month (usually the first Friday) we host a potluck in a community member’s home on a rotating basis. Bring a dish to share if you can and/or sign up to host the potluck. See upcoming potlucks on pages 10 and 11. Would you like to host First Friday in 2014? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE See page 6 for weekly Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting Information Full pagePFLAG ad Harrisonburg for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At the Blue Ridge Hall, Thursday, March 6: Room 309, 601 University Blvd at James Madison University (note our new location). Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting. For more information, contact fa cilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or by email at mitchmarke@aol.com Friday, March 7: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org). . Saturday, March 8: 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.  Monday, March 17 Rebecca Kling, Transgender Artist & Educator. 8pm, Taylor Down Under at JMU. Sponsored by Madison Equality (www.facebook.com/madisonequality). See page 2. Thursday, March 20 Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-9:00 PM. Join friends and "family" in SVGLA at Hanks Southern Cuisine and Barbeque on 49 Bloomer Springs Road (just off Route 33 a few miles east of Harrisonburg) in McGaheysville. For more info go to www.hankssmokehouse.com/ Saturday, March 22: 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. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Saturday, March 29. Saturday, March 22: INDIGO WOMEN’S DANCE PARTY, See page 3 for details and contact info. March 24-29 COMING OUT WEEK EVENTS, Mary Baldwin College, sponsored by Students Out Understanding and Loving Sisters. See page 6 to contact SOULS for details. Monday, March 31 Awareness through Performance: Transgender Stories, Time TBA, 2105 Harrison Hall, sponsored by the JMU LGBT & Ally Education Program See page 13 for details. Thursday, April 3: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At the Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd at JMU (note our new location). For more info, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or by email at mitchmarke@aol.com   Friday, April 4: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org   Saturday, April 5: Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, 8:00 PM at the JMU Forbes Center in Harrison burg. This event is a fundraiser for the Valley AIDS Network. See page 7 for details.  Saturday, April 5: 11th 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. See page 8 for details and go to www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/ for more info and to make reservations. Volume 17, Issue 1, March 2014 Page 11 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE See page 6 for weekly Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting Information  Tuesday, April 8 FREE Seminar. Estate Planning: Why it is Important for the LGBTQ Community Full page7pm,adNorthside for Truth Out/Uganda Library, 300Wins Albemarle Square, Charlottesville. Story Learn about wills, powers of attorney & advance medical directives. Contact Jessica at (434) 219-9896 or Jessica@EstatePlanningofCharlottesville.com. RSVP to receive $50 off an Estate Plan.  Saturday, April 12: Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men Bring food or beverage for 5 people. Meet at 7:00, dinner at 7:30. Meet at Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church, 717 Rugby Rd. Contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com for info.  Thursday, April 24 Conversation & Cuisine in the ‘Burg, 6:30-9:00 PM. Join friends and "family" in SVGLA at Clementine Café in downtown Harrisonburg at 153 South Main Street. For more information go to http://clementinecafe.com/  Thursday, May 1:   Friday, May 2: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd at JMU. Contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or mitchmarke@aol.com for more information. First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org  Saturday, May 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  Thursday, May 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Thursday, May 22 Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-9:00 PM. Join friends and "family" in SVGLA at Hanks Southern Cuisine and Barbeque on 49 Bloomer Springs Road (just off Route 33 a few miles east of Harrisonburg) in McGaheysville. For more info go to www.hankssmokehouse.com/  Thursday, June 5: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At the Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd at James Madison University (note our new location). Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting. For more information, contact fa cilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or by email at mitchmarke@aol.com  Friday, June 6: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org Saturday, June 14: 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  Saturday, June 21: 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. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Saturday, June 28. Submit items for the monthly events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items for the June issue by May 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 17, Issue 1, March 2014 Page 12 �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 (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—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 �Awareness through Performance: Transgender Stories Monday, March 31 (Time TBA), JMU, Harrison Hall Room 2105 In coordination with Transgender Day of Visibility, the JMU LGBT & Ally Education Program is hosting Awareness through Performance: Transgender Stories. This is an event in which stories and experiences from members of the trans* community will be performed. We want to create a more trans*inclusive community and hope this event will provide an opportunity for those who identify as trans* to share their stories and be heard, as well as give others the opportunity to hear about and learn from the experiences of those who identify as trans*. It is important to note that this event is not meant to speak for all members of the diverse trans* community, but to promote awareness by creating a platform for those who wish to share their stories and experiences through performance. Contact the Program for more information at 540-568-5428 (JMU-LGBT) or jmulgbta@gmail.com Quotable: “And this for the 36 million people who have lost the battle to AIDS and to those of you out there who have ever felt injustice because of who you are or who you love, tonight I stand here in front of the world with you and for you.” —Jared Leto, accepting an Oscar for his performance in “Dallas Buyer’s Club” �Eastern Mennonite University Safe Space Seeks Stories Until May Dear Family and Friends of EMU Safe Space, First, we would like to thank you for your commitment to Safe Space and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) equality in your own context. We realize this work can be hard and strenuous, but also joyous and renewing. Thank you for your continued support and strength as we strive to create a more just world that seeks to empower all people. As some of you may know, EMU has committed to entering into a six month listening process around the hiring policy in regards to LGBTQ persons. Safe space has committed itself to being an active participant in this process with conversations, raising awareness, and most importantly story telling. In one of our most recent meeting we asked the question, “Why we are still committed to the mission and vision of Safe Space?” Almost everyone in attendance referenced a narrative of someone else that has been marginalized or kept from achieving their fullest potential because of policies like the one EMU has. We came to the realization that it has been in carrying those stories we have been able to find sustainable strength and encouragement, and we want our campus to hear. Now we turn to you. It has been said, the power of any movement is the ability to share a story, to share humanity. Safe Space needs some of that power as we engage this listening process. All we ask is that you write either anonymously or with your name. Write your story of pain, sorrow, hurt, and those of great joy, encouragement, and belonging as a LGBTQ person or someone who has experienced LGBTQ people. Tell us your journey of coming out, or your journey with someone else coming out. Write a poem or a song. We want to collect these stories and put them up for campus to see and/or read them for people to hear. Your story, my story, our stories are important and need to be heard. For the next two months until May we will be collecting stories from you, our community. Send them to emusafespace@gmail.com. Remember, this can be sent anonymously or with a name, the choice is yours. We hope to put up these stories for our campus to see and experience. We hope to give these stories a voice and a body to be shared as people listen. We need your voice and your story. Help us further the cry of inclusion at EMU. �LGBT Alumni Chapter at JMU The LGBT & Ally Education Program, Madison Equality, and LGBT Faculty Staff group at James Madison University have been working with JMU’s Alumni Office to create a LGBT & Ally Alumni Chapter. A focus of the chapter is on professional networking amongst alumni and recent graduates. Also, we will be developing a mentorship program with current students. Possible events for the chapter include receptions at Alumni Weekend, panels about being Out in the Workplace, GayMU Month, and participation in JMU’s Lavender Graduation. We are hoping to find more Alumni who are interested in helping to shape and launch the chapter. We are tentatively calling the group the JMU Lambda Alumni Chapter. Those interested in join the chapter can sign up through: http://goo.gl/hwmtxQ or contact Jon Henry henryjw@dukes.jmu.edu with questions. “Forte” Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. Saturday, April 5th, 8 pm Concert Hall of the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts James Madison University In this special concert, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC presents two vocal ensembles, Potomac Fever and Rock Creek Singers. They will perform some of their best material, showing off their distinctive styles. These ensembles perform 60 concerts annually from The White House to the Vice President¹s residence to venues large and small. Songs include “I Dreamed a Dream,” “Scarborough Fair” and “Danny Boy.” Ticket prices: $23–$24 and $12 for Students Advance tickets can be purchased online, at jmuforbescenter.com, by phone, at 540-5687000, or at the box office (Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and 1 ½ hours prior to performance). Major credit cards, cash, and checks accepted. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," March 2014 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource March 2014 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2014, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 2014 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA Newsletter March 2014 Final Volume 17, Issue 1, March 2014 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/be75d207a3b1f18bcb006f4ec159ffba.pdf aacd3f93193f4119e31135b7966374dc PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 18, Issue 1, March 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 2015 General Assembly Session Wraps Up: No Legislative Gains or Losses 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. ———————– Community Events (see details inside)  VAN Auction Benefit Equality Virginia reports the following from the 2015 Virginia General Assembly session: “We were successful in killing two bad bills this session, but unfortunately none of the bills that we support passed out of the House this session. Bills to protect LGBT public employees (SB 785) and to update language in the code (SB 1211) passed the Senate, only to be killed in a House subcommittee.” All of the proposed legislation specifically related to sexual orientation and gender identity issues failed in in this year’s General Assembly, including:   Women’s Dance Party  Valley Pride Planning  ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 16)     ———————– The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). Contact the editor SVGLAssociation@gmail.com  Two bills that would have allowed for blatant discrimination against LGBT individuals and families in Virginia A second parent adoption bill to ensure that all children have the protection of two legal parents 3 bills to update Virginia’s legal code to reflect marriage equality A bill to prohibit sexual orientation change efforts A bill to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state hate crime law 2 bills to prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation & gender identity A bill to study housing discrimination against LGBT people in Virginia Details of all bills EV followed during the 2015 session can be found at: www.equalityvirginia.org/equality-virginia-at-the-general-assembly ��"Out in the Boondocks" LGBTQ Valley Meet-up Group If you're a member of the LGBTQ community living in the boondocks in or around the Shenandoah Valley, come meet up with us. This is a casual group where members get together or in smaller groups for meals, movies, live performances and other events. www.meetup.com/Out-in-the-Boondocks/ Support our Advertisers, Empower your Community. SVGLA thanks local businesses and organizations that advertise in our newsletter. �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 11-13) 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 in the schedule on pages 10 and 11. 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! �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. It’s great for our planet. Help us be good neighbors in our community. Our next outing is Saturday, March 21 Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway afterward. �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/activities-andorganizations/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 PFLAG Blue Ridge www.facebook.com/madisonequality www.pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ 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 of Virginia SVGLA southernersonnewground.org/ www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club People of Faith for Equality in Virginia Volume 18, Issue 1, March 2015 www.vapartisans.org/ www.faith4equality.org/ Page 7 �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. th EV’s 12 Annual Commonwealth Dinner is the state’s largest black-tie gala gathering for the Virginia LGBT community and supporters. Attendees will enjoy live entertainment, a silent auction, a dance, and the opportunity to meet and network with other members of the LGBT community and allies. Every year at the Commonwealth Dinner, EV also recognizes OUTstanding Virginians who have represented the LGBT community with distinction and have made contributions to the equality movement. We hope you can join us at the Greater Richmond Convention Center (403 N. Third Street in Richmond) on Saturday, April 18, for this special evening. 5:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. VIP Reception General Registration & Silent Auction Opens Dinner Program Begins After Dinner Dance For more information or to make reservations, go to www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/ Find EV on the web at www.equalityvirginia.org �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 June newsletter is May 15 �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 16. 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 11-13. We need potluck hosts! Would you like to host First Friday in 2015? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thursday, March 5: 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 Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story  Thursday, March 5:  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  Friday, March 13: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored by SVGLA. For information, join SVGLA as a Level I or II member (See page 16 ). Saturday, March 14: 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.  Saturday, March 21: 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. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Saturday, Oct. 25. Saturday, March 21: Silent Auction Benefit, 7:00-9:00 PM, To support the Valley AIDS Network. Hosted by L’Italia Restaurant, 815 East Market Street in Harrisonburg. Live music by Kat and the Travelers. For information and tickets, visit www.valleyaidsnetwork.org March 26 & 27: Mr. Gay United States 2015 Pageant in Harrisonburg (see details on page 14). March 28 & 29: Miss. Gay United States 2015 Pageant in Harrisonburg (see details on page 14).  Thursday, April 2: 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, April 2: 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 Volume 18, Issue 1, March 2015 Page 11 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thursday, May 7: 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  Saturday, May 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, May 15:   Friday, April 3: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com 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 16 for how to join ).  Saturday, April 11: INDIGO WOMEN’S DANCE PARTY, Must be at least 21 years of age to enter. See page 14 for details. Contact Teri Beasley (alaskabeas@yahoo.com) with questions. Saturday, April 11: 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. Saturday, April 18: EV’s 12 Annual Commonwealth Dinner, 4:00 PM, Celebrate Equality Virginia’s 25th anniversary with LGBT folks and allies from across the state. For more information, call 804-643-4816 or go to http://www.equalityvirginia.org/event/commonwealth-dinner/ April 24-26: Women’s Weekend at Blue Haven 151 Farm, B&B, and Retreat Center. Cost: $100 per person/weekend – includes 2 nights, breakfast, bonfire, and dance/music on Saturday night. Reservations required for guest house and “glamper” lodging. "Bring your own tent" sites are $25 per tent per night. We are offering a brew and wine trail tour on Saturday for $15, not including cost of libations. www.bluehavenfarmandbb.com and 434-688-4391   Friday, May 1:  Thursday, May 7: 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 11 for how to join ). Harrisonburg PFLAG Support Group Meeting for parents, family, friends, and allies of the LGBT community. 6:30-8:00 PM At Blue Ridge Hall, Room 325, on JMU cam pus, 601 University Blvd. Meetings coincide with the YES! Alliance Shenandoah Valley Youth Group. For more information about PFLAG, contact facilitator Mark at 540-4051227 or go to www.pflagblueridge.org, or contact Mark by email at mitchmarke@aol.com Volume 18, Issue 1, March 2015 Page 12 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  Friday, June 5:  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 16 for how to join). Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story Thursday, June 4:  Thursday, June 4:  July 25 and 26: 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 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 Shenandoah Valley Pride Weekend, If you’re interested in taking part in the planning and preparations for this community event, please email shenandoahvalleypride@gmail. com or join the Shenandoah Valley Pride Facebook group Submit items for the monthly SVGLA e-mail events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items for the June 2015 issue by May 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com 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 June newsletter is May 15 Volume 18, Issue 1, March 2015 Page 13 ���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.  �Transgender Law Center announces Expansion in the South Transgender Law Center, one of the US’s leading transgender advocacy organizations, and Southerners on New Ground (SONG), the largest LGBTQ grassroots organization in the South, officially announced TLC@SONG, a collaboration of Transgender Law Center’s long history of legal, policy and trans-specific expertise and SONG’s wellrespected southern base-building and organizing shop. “As the largest regional grassroots LGBTQ organization in the South, SONG sees TLC@SONG as a way to add new capacity in the South to work against the violent attacks on trans and gender nonconforming communities with integrity and accountability to our region” said Caitlin Breedlove, SONG Co-Director. “…[O]ne-third of LGBTQ people in the entire country [live] in the South...” said Kris Hayashi, Executive Director at Transgender Law Center. “Our hope is that TLC@SONG will be a step towards supporting trans leadership in the South to win campaigns and protections that are needed.” For more information, visit: www.transgenderlawcenter.org. Quotable: “Let’s trade in all our judging for appreciating. Let’s lay down all our righteousness and be together.” —Ram Dass— �Sponsors & Volunteers Needed Shenandoah Valley Pride will take place the weekend of July 25-26, 2015. Volunteers and sponsors are needed. E-mail ShenandoahValleyPride@gmail.com to be involved with the planning. Sponsored by Shenandoah Valley Pride � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," March 2015 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource March 2015 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2015, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 2015 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA Newsletter March 2015 FINAL(1) Volume 18, Issue 1, March 2015 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/d8cda0c7eaa5ea8572ad67ab848d150f.pdf cf4d7f1528422b8e811340a3375048e3 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 19, Issue 1, March 2016 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN 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. ———————– Community Events (see details inside)  INDIGO Women’s Party  SVGLA Potlucks  Tour & Taste Benefit ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 14) ———————– The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). Contact the editor SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com 2016 General Assembly Session Wrapping Up: No Legislative Gains or Losses Thus Far… Every year, Equality Virginia monitors all legislation introduced to the Virginia General Assembly and advocates on behalf of Virginia’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. EV works to introduce and support pro-equality legislation and to oppose bills that move us backwards. Equality Virginia reports the following from the 2016 Virginia General Assembly session: “...It’s hard to believe that we began the General Assembly session supporting 17 bills and resolutions, and opposing an unprecedented 9 anti-LGBT bills. We have seen major success in defeating a majority of the discriminatory legislation put forth this session, but there is still work to be done [take action below]. Follow the link below to e-mail your legislators and take action on the remaining bills that affect our community. http://equalityfederation.salsalabs.com/o/35035/p/dia/action3/comm on/public/?action_KEY=1697 Follow the link below to receive e-mails from EV and stay updated during General Assembly session and beyond. http://equalityfederation.salsalabs.com/o/35035/p/salsa/web/commo n/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=6052 Details of all bills EV followed during the 2016 session are here: www.equalityvirginia.org/equality-virginia-at-the-general-assembly �Private party for women only. Must be 21 to enter. �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! �6th Annual Tour and Taste Annual bike ride and beer-tasting fundraiser May 21, 2016 Register online or become a sponsor www.valleyaidsnetwork.org/events 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 �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 June newsletter is May 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 26. 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 June newsletter is May 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 Employee 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 19, Issue 1, March 2016 www.vapartisans.org/ www.faith4equality.org/ Page 7 �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. EV’s 13th annual Commonwealth Dinner... is the state’s largest black tie gathering for our community. Enjoy live entertainment, a silent auction, a dance, and meet/network with others. Every year at the dinner, EV also recognizes OUTstanding Virginians who have represented our community with distinction and have contributed to the equality movement. We hope you can join us for this special event. For more information or to make reservations, go to http://www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/ 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 June newsletter is May 15 �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 or on private property, 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). See page 13 for details. 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 Thursday, March 3: 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 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 Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story  Thursday, March 3: 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   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 info, join SVGLA as a Level I or II member (See page 14). Tuesday, March 8: Shenandoah Valley Pride Planning Coffee & Cocktail Hour, 6 - 7 PM, Artful Dodger, 47 Court Sq, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. Sponsored by Shenandoah Valley Pride. Help plan Shenandoah Valley Pride, which is scheduled for Saturday, July 23. RSVP via https://www.facebook.com/events/1677041559233974/  Thursday, March 24: 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.14 for how to join). Saturday, March 26: 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.  Friday, April 1: 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 14 for how to join ). Saturday, April 2: INDIGO Women’s Dance Party (Private party for women only). Upstairs at the Mill Street Grill in Staunton, 8PM, $15 Cover, Cash Bar, MUST BE 21 TO ENTER. For questions, contact indigoparty@hotmail.com Thursday, April 7: 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 info 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 19, Issue 1, March 2016 Page 11 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thursday, April 7: 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 Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story Thursday, April 7:   Saturday, April 16 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 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/  Thursday, April 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.14 for how to join).   Thursday, May 5: 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 Thursday, May 5: 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   Friday, May 6: 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 info, join SVGLA as a Level I or II member (See page 14).  Monday, May 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Thursday, May 19: 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.14 for how to join).  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 June issue of the newsletter by May 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 19, Issue 1, March 2016 Page 12 �"Out in the Boondocks" LGBTQ Valley Meet-up Group If you're a member of the LGBTQ community living in the boondocks in or around the Shenandoah Valley, come meet up with us. This is a casual group where members get together or in smaller groups for meals, movies, live performances and other events. www.meetup.com/Out-in-the-Boondocks/ Support our Advertisers, Empower your Community. SVGLA wishes to thank local businesses and organizations that advertise in our newsletter. �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.  �Nice Apartment in “Old Town” Harrisonburg for Rent Where: 328 Franklin Street (3 blocks from downtown). There are 6 total apartments in the house (2 in the basement, 2 on the main floor, and 2 on the second floor). This is a QUIET neighborhood of mostly home owners. Apartment Specifications: Approximately 750 square feet. One bedroom, one bathroom, living room, & kitchen. Hard wood floors, off-street parking behind the house, on-site laundry (washer and dryer). Heat & water included in the rent. The apartment is in the basement, has a foyer, and has been renovated in the last 2 years, ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING anywhere in the house. $760 per month Contact Andy Powell at (540) 421-6462 or at reneewalterproperties@gmail.com �What is SVGLA’s “Conversation & Cuisine”? Once a month, SVGLA members are invited to meet at a local restaurant in the Shenandoah Valley to share a meal together and enjoy each other’s company. Join SVGLA (see page 14 for details) to receive information about Conversation & Cuisine events. The Virginia Anti-Violence Project works to address and end violence, with a specific focus on LGBTQ communities across Virginia. Call our LGBTQ Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Helpline: 1.866.356.6998 Monday-Friday 8am-8pm Quotable: “The most sacred of the duties of a government is to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens.” Thomas Jefferson �SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, July 23, 2016 Volunteers & Sponsors Needed E-mail ShenandoahValleyPride@gmail.com to be involved. This event is sponsored by Shenandoah Valley Pride � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," March 2016 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource March 2016 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2016, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 2016 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.March.2016 Volume 19, Issue 1, March 2016 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/a89ae8849299ef1ceb77cf974f1e66b2.pdf 1e61a028d5138c85e31cd50676d840f9 PDF Text Text Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2010 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 6) • Conversation & Cuisine in Staunton & H’burg Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Equality Virginia & SVGLA to co-host Town Hall Meeting in September LGBT civil rights organization, Equality Virginia, and SVGLA are co-hosting a town hall meeting for the LGBTA community in the Valley. EV will share information about upcoming legislative initiatives affecting our community in Virginia’s General Assembly, and invites LGBTA community members to participate in a town-hall style discussion. Clementine Café, a local favorite in the historic district of Harrisonburg, has generously donated space for the event. • SVGLA Board Meeting • EV Town Hall Meeting • Adopt-a-Highway Clean- up in November ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form page 7) With your annual dues of $15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to SVGLA events. Send form and payment to the mailing address above. WHEN: Tuesday, September 21, 5:30-7pm WHERE: Clementine Café (downstairs lounge), 153 South Main St. WHO: LGBTQA community in the Valley Questions? Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com *This is not a public event open to the media. 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). �Pride in the Park a Huge Success Harrisonburg Mayor Joins Festivities This summer’s 4th annual Valley Pride in the Park drew over 200 people again, and included live musical performances by blue stone sky, Heart Gets Monkey, Teresa Whitesell, The Judy Chops and a visit from Harrisonburg mayor Kai Degner. SVGLA thanks these musicians, who generously donated their time and talents, as well as our co-sponsors: MillerCoors Lesbian and Gay Employee Resource Group (LAGER), the Merck Rainbow Alliance, Best Buy, the Rocktown Rollers, Equality Virginia, the Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Committee, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waynesboro, and the Valley AIDS Network. MillerCoors Lesbian and Gay Employee Resource Group �YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE $15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card $25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page ad $50/issue or $175/year: Half Page ad $100 for a Full Page ad per issue Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com 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, Nov. 13. Meet for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway. Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �Invitation to LGBTQA Episcopalians in the Virginia Diocese A task force has been commissioned by The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia to prepare recommendations in the event the Episcopal Church approves the blessing of same-sex unions. Town Hall “Listening Process Meetings” have been set up around the Diocese to receive input from LGBTQA Episcopalians in the Virginia Diocese. The announced dates are as follows (all on Wednesdays): Sept. 29, Calvary, Front Royal, 7-9 pm Nov. 3, St. John's, Tappahannock, 4-6 pm Oct. 13, St. Paul's, Ivy, 7-9 pm Nov. 17, Richmond (Location TBA), 7-9 pm Oct. 27, St. Alban's, Annandale, 7:30-9:30 pm These meetings are immensely important to the Bishop and will be the most important single step in "the Way Forward" towards a change in policy to authorize rites of blessing for same-sex couples and an end to clergy discrimination. For more information, contact alishamking@gmail.com ���������������������� 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... ��������������������� Call for 2011 SVGLA Board Member Nominations SVGLA needs your ideas and energy. Would you like to serve on the 2011 SVGLA Board of Directors? Nominate yourself ! Name: ________________________________________ Address ________________________________________ Phone: (____)___________________________________ Email: ________________________________________ Mail nominations to P.O. Box on Page 1 or email to lanedj@jmu.edu To vote for the 2011 SVGLA Board, make sure you have renewed your Level I Membership by December 1 (see pg. 7 for membership form). �������������������� SVGLA NEEDS YOU! �Community Organizations Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia groups.yahoo.com/group/TransRightsVA/ Equality Virginia www.equalityvirginia.org Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Ally Education Program, JMU http://www.jmu.edu/lgbta/ Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia www.virginialogcabin.org/ Madison Equality JMU orgs.jmu.edu/madisonequality Network VA: Building LGBTQ Coalitions on Campus www.virginia.edu/deanofstudents/lgbt/networkVA/ Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Soulforce www.soulforce.org SVGLA SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Valley AIDS Network www.valleyaidsnetwork.org Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club www.vapartisans.org/ Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2010 Page 6 �SVGLA COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE � Friday, September 3 First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and � Sunday, September 5 AIDS Support Group Benefit Show and Silent Auction, 6:30 PM, Club 216 (609 E. Market St. in Charlottesville). Showtime is at 7:30 PM. Auction will be open until 9:30 PM. � Friday, September 10: Gay & Lesbian Happy Hour, 5:00-7:00 PM at the da Luca Café and Wine Bar (a new, gayfriendly restaurant/bar serving Italian-style tapas and great wines/beer) in the Old Trail Village Center in Crozet. For more information about the restaurant go to http://dalucacafe.com. � Friday, September 10: Women’s Dance, 8:30 PM at Club 216 (609 E. Market St. in Charlottesville). Women only until midnight. No membership required, $5.00 cover. Beer and wine available for purchase. � Saturday, September 11 Gay and Lesbian Night at Kings Dominion, 8:00PM –1:00AM. This is a benefit for Brother, Help Thyself. Tickets cost $32 in advance online and $35 at the gate. To purchase tickets online go to, http://www.kingsdominion.com/shop/shopping_corporate_partners.cfm and enter "gaynight" as the company ID to get the special BHT price. � Tuesday, September 14 SVGLA Board Meeting, 7:30-9:00PM; (for location and directions contact lanedj@jmu.edu). � Friday, September 17: GayCville Happy Hour, 5:30 PM at the X Lounge, 313 Second Street in Charlottesville (for more information call 434-244-8439) � Tuesday, September 21 LGBTQ Town Hall Meeting, co-sponsored by Equality Virginia and SVGLA, 5:30-7pm at Clementine Café, downstairs lounge, 153 South Main St.., in the historic district of Harrisonburg (see page 1 of the newsletter for details) � Tuesday, September 21 Conversation & Cuisine, 7-9 PM At Clementine Café, 153 South Main St., Harrisonburg. Immediately following the LGBTA Town Hall � Friday, October 1 First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions go to lanedj@jmu.edu) � Sunday, October 3: Charlottesville’s Second Annual Pride in the Park Potluck Picnic, 4-7 PM at Pen Park pic nic shelters. Bring food, music, kids, dogs, games, or just show up to socialize with your local GLBTQ community in the Charlottesville and surrounding areas. � Saturday, October 23 Miss Gay Harrisonburg 2010 "The Glamorous 80's” at the Ramada Inn Conference Center, 1 Pleasant Valley Road, Harrisonburg, VA. Doors open at 7PM with Showtime at 8PM. and directions go to lanedj@jmu.edu Full pageStaunton ad (for forlocation Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story � Friday, November 5 First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions go to lanedj@jmu.edu) � Saturday, November 13 SVGLA Adopt-a-Highway Service Project, 8:00AM. SVGLA has adopted a highway near H’burg through the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway program. We gather for breakfast at 8AM; at 9 AM we head out for an hour’s work. To sign up, contact us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com � Monday, November 15 Deadline, SVGLA newsletter/ad submissions. Send items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com � Friday, December 3 First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions go to lanedj@jmu.edu) Submit items for the SVGLA community events schedule to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2010 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 �Equality is Good Business The Human Rights Campaign (the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization) reported perfect scores for 305 businesses in its Corporate Equality Index: http://www.hrc. org/documents/HRC_Corporate_Equality_Index_2010.pdf HRC’s Index rated over 500 businesses based on their LGBT employment and benefits policies. Many Harrisonburg area enterprises were among those achieving perfect scores. These include: Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Bank of America Corp. Barnes & Noble, Inc. Best Buy Cracker Barrel Home Depot, Inc. J.C. Penney, Co., Inc. Marriott Int’l Inc Merck & Co. Inc. MetLife, Inc. Miller Coors Brewing Co. Nationwide Insurance Rosetta Stone Sears Holding Corp. Sprint Nextel Starbucks Target Corp. TJX Companies, Inc. (TJMaxx) Wachovia Wells Fargo & Co. In addition, three other important area institutions have adopted exemplary employment policies that align closely with those recommended by the HRC: James Madison University Rockingham Memorial Hospital Shenandoah Valley Electric Coop. �������������������� HRC Drops Target and Best Buy from “Buying for Equality” Guide The Human Rights Campaign will drop both Target Corp. and Best Buy, two companies that aided an anti-gay politician's campaign, from its annual “Buying for Equality” Guide. HRC’s VP of communications Fred Sainz said that HRC "will not encourage people to shop at either store and believes that consumers should make their own decisions after careful consideration of all of the information available to them.” The decision comes after criticism of the HRC Corporate Equality Index (from which the Buyer's Guide is derived) and whether it accurately reflects a company's record on LGBT equality. The HRC Corporate Equality Index has primarily focused on how a company treats its employees — using criteria such as partner benefits, diversity training, and anti-discrimination policies inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity — but the latest report evaluates whether an employer "exhibits responsible behavior towards the LGBT community" and "does not engage in action that would undermine LGBT equality." Both Target and Best Buy received 100% ratings on HRC's 2010 index, completed before the controversial donations were made. HRC has delayed the release of its 2011 Corporate Equality Index as it considers the methodology used to compile the report. �IN THE NEWS… California’s Proposition 8 Ruled Unconstitutional, Proponents’ Legal Arguments based on “Junk Science” U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker issued a ruling striking down the ballot initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California. Attorney David Boies, calling evidence submitted by proponents of Prop 8 “junk science,” commented: “Well, it's easy to… throw around opinions – appeal to people's fear and prejudice, cite studies that either don't exist or don't say what you say they do. But when they come into court and they have to support those opinions…under oath and crossexamination, those opinions just melt away. And that's what happened here. There simply wasn't any evidence.... [The] witness stand is a lonely place to lie…and that's what we proved. We put fear and prejudice on trial, and fear and prejudice lost.” ���������������������� Countries that recognize same-sex marriage nation-wide (and counting…) 2001 Netherlands 2005 Spain 2006 South Africa 2009 Sweden 2010 Iceland 2003 Belgium 2005 Canada 2008 Norway 2010 Portugal 2010 Argentina ���������������������� Quotable “The world is before you, and you need not take it or leave it as it was before you came in." —James Baldwin �Milestones �������������������� The following excerpt is from an obituary that appeared in the June 16 issue of The Daily News Record. Chuck Howard was an early member of SVGLA and served the organization as its treasurer for many years. His contribution to our community was on-going, substantial, and heartfelt. He will be remembered with love and admiration by all who had the opportunity to know him and to work with him. Charles "Chuck" M. Howard, Jr. (August 21, 1939 - June 15, 2010) Charles M. "Chuck" Howard, Jr, 70, of Penn Laird, VA, passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, VA. Chuck was born in Norfolk, VA, on August 21, 1939, and was a son of the late Charles M. and Myrtle Rebecca (Besheans) Howard Sr. He was a 1957 graduate of Norfolk Catholic High School, served 5-years in the U.S. Airforce, and after 27-years of service he retired from Sears and Roebuck in Harrisonburg. He was the former co-owner of Gap View Ranch and Kennel in Broadway, VA. Charles is survived by two sons, Daniel M. Howard and wife Debra of Virginia Beach, and Patrick M. Howard and wife Kathleen of Chesapeake, VA; two sisters, Gayle Zolbert of Bluffton, SC, and Joanne Battaglia and husband Robert of Virginia Beach. He is also survived by his partner, Gastavo Alvez of Penn Laird, and five grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Chuck is preceded in death by a daughter, Denise Lynn Howard Bogucki. Memorial contributions may be made to the Virginia Wildlife Center, PO Box 1557, Waynesboro. VA 22980. �������������������� Submit a Milestone 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 December 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. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," September 2010 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource September 2010 newsletter " The Family ConnectShen" published by Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2010, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 2010 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.newsletter.Sept.2010 Volume 13, Issue 3, September 2010 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/b3ca3a79c9ec7be73f2b00d540e71028.pdf 5f380bb7e73972d0b1b2f11d2b892e85 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 14, Issue 3, September 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: (pg. 10) •Mark Potok at JMU •Elkton Pride in October Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com SVGLA Website Refurbished Our website is fully operational again, and with a fresh new look. Check us out: www.svgla.org •SVGLA Board Meeting •Conversation & Cuisine in McGaheysville ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 11) With your annual dues of $15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to SVGLA events. 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 ———————– At the website, you can always find our current newsletter, membership form, complete contact information, and general information about regular SVGLA events, including First Friday, Pride-in-the-Park, and our Adopt-a-Highway service project. The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). �Thank You to our Valley Pride Sponsors! The Artful Dodger, Club 216, Equality Virginia, GayRVA, Miller-Coors LGBT Employee Group Resources (LAGER), Merck Rainbow Alliance, Rhinestone Mafia Productions, St. John’s Episcopal Church of Waynesboro, RAW Learning, the Rocktown Rollers, ROSMY— Charlottesville, Sanctuary United Church of Christ, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harrisonburg, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waynesboro, and the Valley AIDS Network Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalists One Journey, Many Paths �Pride-in-the-Park Draws a Crowd Musical Performances Highlight the Event This summer’s 5th annual Valley Pride-in-thePark drew over 200 people again, and included live musical performances by blue stone sky, Teresa Whitesell, and The Judy Chops. SVGLA thanks these musicians, who generously donated their time and talents to entertain the crowd. Want MORE EVENTS for the SVGLA community? ORGANIZE them and send us the details (deadline for next newsletter is December 15). We’ll help spread the word. Send events to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �First Annual Elkton Pride Sunday, October 9, 2011 12pm – 5pm Free Food, Children’s Activities, and Music (No Pets or Alcohol) Held on site at Merck & Co Route 340 - 3 miles South of Elkton Park in the main parking lot at Merck Shuttles will run to the Pride Event Visit www.ElktonPride.com or Sponsored by: Merck Rainbow Alliance (MRA) MillerCoors �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Virginia's Social Services Board Reopens Comment Period on Adoption Rules On August 17th, Virginia's Board of Social Services decided in an unanimous vote to reopen the public comment period on rule changes that would prohibit state licensed child placement agencies from discriminating against prospective foster or adoptive parents because of their sexual orientation. The regulations were amended and approved for final publication back in April, after striking sexual orientation from the new rules. The decision to reopen the public comment period comes after a petition was brought to the Board of Social Services. The comment period will be open for 30 days, and will start in September. Please check back with EV for details regarding the rule change. EV Celebrates the END of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL officially ends on Tuesday, September 20th! Join the Equality Virginia celebration in Norfolk. Details at www.equalityvirginia.org. Find EV 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 Dec. 15 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. Our next outing is Saturday, October 8. Meet us 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 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&notes_tab=app_2347471856 Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Soulforce www.soulforce.org SVGLA www.svgla.org or 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 3, September 2011 Page 7 �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 Mark Potok, Director, Southern Poverty Law Center “The State of Hate in America: The Radical Right Since 9/11” This presentation examines the development of the radical right in the US over the last decade, focusing on the reasons for its surprisingly rapid growth, especially since 2008. Mark Potok will address major transformations in the US, including changing attitudes towards Muslims since the 2001 attacks. Key areas of discussion include hate crimes, immigration, extreme-right terrorism, and the remarkable recent growth of political vitriol and even violence in the political mainstream. FREE, 7pm, Tues., Sept. 27, Miller Hall 1101, JMU Sponsored by the CAL Visiting Scholars Program and the Department of Justice Studies at JMU Contact web.jmu.edu/parking/ for questions about parking ��������������������� Call for 2012 SVGLA Board Member Nominations SVGLA needs your ideas and energy. Would you like to serve on the 2012 SVGLA Board of Directors? Nominate yourself here. Name: ________________________________________ Address ________________________________________ Phone: (____)___________________________________ Email: ________________________________________ Mail nominations to P.O. Box address on Page 1 or email to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com To vote for the 2012 SVGLA Board, make sure you have renewed your Level I Membership by December 1 (see pg. 11 for membership form). SVGLA NEEDS YOU! �������������������� �SVGLA COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE � Friday, September 2: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com) � Saturday, Sept. 10 andfor Lesbian Night at Wins King’s Dominion from 8pm to 1am. Story For more details, visit Full pageGayad Truth Out/Uganda http://brotherhelpthyself.org/kd.html � Tuesday, Sept. 13: Conversation & Cuisine in McGaheysville, 6:30-8:30 PM, At Hank’s Smokehouse, 49 Bloomer Spring Rd, McGaheysville, VA. � Sunday, Sept. 18: SVGLA Board Meeting, 4-5:30 PM (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com). � Tuesday, Sept. 20 DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL officially ends. Join the Equality Virginia celebration in Norfolk. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=212142515502576 � Tuesday, Sept. 27: Mark Potok, “The State of Hate in America: The Radical Right since 9/11” at 7PM at JMU, Miller Hall 1101, FREE. See details on page 8. � Friday, October 7: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com) � Saturday, Oct. 8: SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM SVGLA has adopted a section of highway 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 head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Sat.urday, October 15. Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com � Sunday, October 9: Fall Pride in Elkton, 12:00-5:00 PM, at the Merck Plant south of Elkton. See page 4 and visit www.ElktonPride.com for details. � Tuesday, October 11: NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY � Saturday, October 22 Miss Gay Shenandoah Valley Contest. For details, visit www.myspace.com/440840257 � Friday, November 4: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com) � Sunday, Nov. 20: TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE Visit www.transgenderdor.org. � Thursday, Dec. 1 WORLD AIDS DAY Visit www.vailleyaidsnetwork.org for local events. � Friday, Dec. 2: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com). � Thursday, Dec. 15 DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions for the January issue. Send advertisements and milestones to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com � Friday, Jan. 6: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, and Staunton (for location and directions contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com) � Saturday, April 14: Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, 8:00 PM, Concert at JMU’s Forbes Center benefiting the Valley AIDS Network. To order tickets, go to http://www.jmu.edu/ jmuarts/forbescenter/ 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 3, September 2011 Page 10 �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 (membership renewals due by December 1 to vote for the 2012 Board). Advance information about SVGLA events Level I membership is from July 1, 2011-July 1, 2012. 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 �IN THE NEWS… US States with Marriage Equality and Civil Unions have Lowest Divorce Rates Read the full article here: http://www.edgeonthenet.com/news/family/news//123078/ so_much_for_undermining_marriage:_fewest_divorces_in_marriage-equality_states 2010 Census Shows Significant Increase of Same-Sex Couples in Virginia In Virginia, the 2010 Census counted 20,500 same-sex couples, representing 1.2 % of all couples in the state, a 49% increase from the 2000 Census. Demographers attribute the increase to more same-sex couples being honest about their relationships. Suquamish Tribal Council Votes Unanimously for Marriage Equality The Suquamish Tribal Council in the state of Washington voted unanimously to extend marriage equality to samesex couples, the second American Indian tribe (after Oregon’s Coquille) to do so. The new law allows the tribal court to issue a marriage license to two unmarried people, “regardless of their sex,” if they at least 18 years old and at least one of them is an enrolled member of the Suquamish Tribe. APA Governing Council Unanimously Supports Marriage Equality A policymaking body of the American Psychological Association has voted unanimously to approve a resolution supporting marriage equality for same-sex couples, which could significantly impact the political debate . Heroic Lesbian Couple Saves Dozens in Norway As Norway continues to grapple with the attacks by a home-grown extremist that killed 77 people in July, a married lesbian couple rescued dozens of young people fleeing from gunman Anders Breivik. Hege Dalen and her spouse, Toril Hansen, were eating dinner on July 22nd on the other shore from Utoya Island when they heard screaming. The couple took off in their boat, picked up victims swimming away from the island and transported them to the mainland. They made four runs in all, helping rescue some 40 of Breivik's victims, despite seeing bullets hit the right side of their boat. Read the full story at http://tinyurl.com/3kfarxa Quotable: "Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences.” —Susan B. Anthony From: To Believe in Women: What Lesbians Have Done for America — A History by Lillian Faderman �HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR LEVEL I GIVEAWAY SVGLA MEMBERSHIP? A large collection of books and DVDs for/about/by gay men. Renewal forms were mailed to all Level I members in July. Please renew by December 1 to vote for the 2012 SVGLA Board of Directors. Would like to get rid of them all at once. THANK YOU for your support of SVGLA. Contact Fred Pfisterer at 540-885-0061. 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 January newsletter is December 15 ���������������������� Milestones 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 January 2012 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. ���������������������� �Milestones �������������������� The following is adapted from an obituary that appeared in the August 19 issue of The News Leader. Cynthia Gilliatt was a founding member of SVGLA and a fierce advocate for social justice for our community for many years. She will be remembered with love and admiration for her tireless devotion to our community and her glorious sense of humor. Reverend Dr. Cynthia A. Gilliatt (December 2, 1943 - August 16, 2011) The Reverend Dr. Cynthia Ann Gilliatt helped to found Integrity/Virginia during its 1998-2004 exis- tence. Integrity/Virginia was a worship-based organization that provided safe spiritual space for LGBT people in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. Cynthia also served as secretary on the national Board of Directors of Integrity/USA. She was instrumental in the founding of Safe Zones at James Madison University and served as a co-coordinator for many years. Safe Zones is a voluntary network of faculty, staff and students who promote an atmosphere of acceptance of and assistance to the LGBT community. Cynthia was an associate professor of English at JMU, Priest Associate at Emmanuel Episcopal Church and Priest-in-Charge of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Blue Grass. She was a fervent golfer, a lover of 17th century English poetry and a passionate priest whose ministry was marked by a lived commitment to give voice to the voiceless and to respect the dignity of every human being. Cynthia was ordained deacon in 1988 and priest in 1989 in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, and also served as chaplain to the Canterbury Club at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Harrisonburg. �������������������� � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," September 2011 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorites Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource September 2011 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2011, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 2011 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.September.2011.FINAL.publish Volume 14, Issue 3, September 2011 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/b98316e9b64fcfa7692f9c778f3ec5e8.pdf 661c92f23246c14925c0252bc0c11cf9 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 15, Issue 3 September 2012 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com New Organization for Youth Forms 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 (pg. 10)  Elkton Pride  LGBTQ Town Hall Meeting in Harrisonburg  2nd Annual Bike Ride and Wine Tasting ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA The Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance aims to support LGBTQ and questioning youth. This summer, a new organization was formed in the Valley. The mission of the Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance reads: “We are a proudly diverse organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and questioning youth, allies, and families who aim to serve, educate, empower, and celebrate our community by providing a safe, youth-centered, confidential space with access to support, resources, and social opportunities within the Harrisonburg and Shenandoah Valley communities.” (Membership Form pg. 7) With your annual dues of $15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to SVGLA events. Send form and payment to the mailing address above. For more information, contact the organization directly: Website: www.svyesalliance.org Level Two membership is FREE. Facebook: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance You will receive the newsletter and announcements about SVGLA events by email. Email: svyesalliance@gmail.com SVGLAssociation@gmail.com ———————– The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). �Thank You, Valley Pride Sponsors! The Artful Dodger, Best Buy, Equality Virginia, Miller-Coors LGBT Employee Group Resources (LAGER), Merck Rainbow Alliance, Rhinestone Mafia Productions, RAW Learning, River of Life Ministries, Rhinestone Mafia Productions, Rocktown Rollers, ROSMY, Sanctuary United Church of Christ, Trinity Presbyterian Church, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harrisonburg, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waynesboro, and the Valley AIDS Network. Trinity Presbyterian Church Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalists River of Life Ministries One Journey, Many Paths �Pride-in-the-Park Largest Yet Harrisonburg Mayor and City Council Member Speak This summer’s 6th annual Valley Pride-in-the-Park drew 260 people (our best attended to date) and included eloquent speeches from Harrisonburg Mayor Richard Baugh and City Council member Charles Chenault, as well as live musical performances by Scott Murray, T(im)-N-T(eresa), Courting Harlots, and The Strawmen. SVGLA wishes to thank these elected officials and musicians for generously donating their time and talents to make this year’s Valley Pride our best yet. 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 December newsletter is November 15 �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 Nov. 15 We’ve Adopted a Highway! SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through the Virginia Department of Transportation. It’s good cise, fun, it’s exerand it’s great for our planet. Help us be good neighbors in our community. Our next outing is Saturday, October 20 (Oct. 27 is the makeup date). Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway. Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �Second Annual Elkton Pride Sunday, October 7, 2012 1pm – 4pm Free Food, Children’s Activities, and Music Special music performance by Gaye Adegbalola, Blues Music Award winner and a founding member of Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women, plays guitar, harmonica and is a composer. She has recorded 10 CDs on Alligator Records and has toured widely throughout the U.S. and internationally. (No Pets or Alcohol) Held on property of Merck & Co Route 340 - 3 miles South of Elkton Park in the main parking lot at Merck Shuttles will run to the Pride Event Visit http://www.facebook.com/ElktonPride If you are interested in volunteering, contact Pam at pghelsley@gmail.com Sponsored by: Merck Rainbow Alliance (MRA) ��Community Organizations Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia groups.yahoo.com/group/TransRightsVA/ 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 https://www.facebook.com/madisonequality Network VA: Building LGBTQQ Coalitions on Campus https://www.facebook.com/networkvirginia Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Soulforce SVGLA www.svyesalliance.org www.soulforce.org www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Valley AIDS Network www.valleyaidsnetwork.org Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club www.vapartisans.org/ Volume 15, Issue 3 September 2012 Page 7 �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 ministry to each other and to the world. HARRISONBURG UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS For more information, contact us at: http://huuweb.org and (540) 8670073 One Journey, Many Paths 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. First Friday Community Potluck Every month (usually the first Friday) we host a potluck in a community member’s home on a rotating basis. Bring a dish to share if you can and/or sign up to host the potluck. See upcoming potlucks on page 9. Would you like to host First Friday? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �“D.J. Jammin’ Jackie” _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ My motto is I do all the work and YOU do all the dancing! My name is Jackie Gay and I run my own mobile D.J. business called “D.J. Jammin’ Jackie”. I have been DJ’ing since 2001 and have worked many different types of events. I will DJ anything from weddings with big crowds to private parties with smaller crowds. I have a talent to be able to read the crowd and keep people happy and dancing. I DJ with my laptop computer and I used the PCDJ RED software program that lets me easily organize my music files and be ready for your event! I purchased a new BOSE L1 System that sounds phenomenal! Not only does it sound so good, it allows you to talk over the music to be able to speak to someone beside you without screaming. I have had many compliments in that aspect. My music collection is over 6,000 songs ranging from the 1940’s to today’s top 40. I will also personalize your event by getting special music you will want to hear at your event by contacting me before the event. I charge $100.00 an hour for wedding receptions and other types of events are $80.00 an hour. Please check out my website http://djjamminjackie.wordpress.com or find me on Facebook by typing in DJ Jammin Jackie in the search bar. Feel free to email me today at DJJamminJackie@yahoo.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Friday, Sept. 7: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for location and directions, join SVGLA as a Level II member. Full pageCharlottesville ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story Pride, Lee Park in downtown Charlottesville, 2-7pm. Go to  Saturday, Sept. 15 http://cvillepride.org/ for more information. Sunday, Sept. 16: 23rd Annual Roanoke Pride In The Park, Roanoke, VA. Sunday, Sept. 16: 2nd Annual Bike Ride and Wine Tasting, 8:00 AM, Harrisonburg. Fundraiser for the Valley AIDS Network (See page 5 for details). Sunday, Sept. 16 SVGLA Board Meeting, 4-6pm. For information, contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Monday, Sept. 24: Bisexuality Day, 10-2pm, Outside Warren Hall, JMU. Contact jmulgbta@gmail.com   Friday, October 5: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for location and directions, join SVGLA as a Level II member. Sunday, October 7: Elkton Pride, 1-4 pm, See details on page 5.  October 11: National Coming Out Day, 10-2pm on the Commons, JMU. Contact jmulgbta@gmail.com for more information Saturday Oct. 20: SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through the VDOT Adopt-A-Highway program. We gather at the Little Grill for breakfast at 8am and then head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work. October 26: Intersex Awareness Day, 10-2pm on the Commons, JMU. Contact jmulgbta@gmail.com for more information Monday, Oct. 29 LGBTQ Town Hall Meeting in Harrisonburg with Equality Virginia. Clementine, 153 S. Main Street (Time TBA). Light hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. (See pg. 14)  Friday, November 2: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for location and directions, join SVGLA as a Level II member Tuesday, Nov. 6 ELECTION DAY. Vote. Make your voice heard. Tuesday, Nov. 13: Tim Miller and JMU Theatre Students performing at the Forbes Theatre at JMU in Harrisonburg. Contact jmulgbta@gmail.com for more information. Thursday, Nov. 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions for the December issue.  Thursday, Nov. 15: Transgender Day of Remembrance, 11am-1pm on the Commons, JMU. Contact jmulgbta@gmail.com for more information. Saturday, December 1: World AIDS Day. Visit www.valleyaidsnetwork.org for local events.   Friday, Dec. 7: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org) Submit items for the monthly events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items for the December issue by November 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 15, Issue 3 September 2012 Page 10 �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 (membership renewals due by December 1 to vote for the 2013 Board). Advance information about SVGLA events Level I membership is from July—July 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  � Call for 2013 SVGLA Board Member Nominations SVGLA needs your ideas and energy. Would you like to serve on the 2012 SVGLA Board of Directors? Nominate yourself here.* Name: ________________________________________ Address ________________________________________ Phone: (____)___________________________________ Email: ________________________________________ Mail nominations to P.O. Box address on Page 1 or email to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com *To serve on or vote for the 2013 SVGLA Board, make sure you have renewed your Level I Membership by December 1 (see pg. 11 for membership form). SVGLA NEEDS YOU!  �IN THE NEWS… Democratic Party Platform includes Marriage Equality The Huffington Post confirmed a report that the 2012 Democratic Party Platform will officially endorse marriage between couples of the same sex at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC . Read more at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/30/gay-marriage-democraticconvention_n_1720030.html Federal Health Care Law Bans Gender Identity Discrimination "Federal health-care programs and those funded with federal dollars are barred from discriminating against transgender people, a senior official with the Department of Health and Human Services told LGBT advocacy groups in July — a sweeping decision that will impact most health-care services across the country." From buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/memo-obamacare-will-bar-discrimination-against-tr  Milestones 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 Sep- tember 2012 issue of the newsletter, send the following by August 15 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: "Life has got to be lived— that’s all there is to it.” Eleanor Roosevelt �LGBTQ TOWN HALL MEETING IN HARRISONBURG WITH EQUALITY VIRGINIA EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Executive Director James Parrish is visiting Harrisonburg to talk about EV’s upcoming efforts and to ask for help from our community in the Valley. Monday, October 29 (Time TBA) Clementine, 153 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg Light hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. The town hall meeting is co-sponsored by Equality Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," September 2012 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource September 2012 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2012, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 2012 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.September.2012 Volume 15, Issue 3, September 2012 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/ae6d98e44131d08f05d7e0b27f4ca322.pdf 7afddddadaf6efca6d1819dd69f2d586 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 16, Issue 3 September 2013 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN 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. ———————– Valley Events (pgs. 9-10)  Elkton Pride  YES! Alliance Meetings  3rd annual Bike Tour & Wine Tasting ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 11) With your annual dues of $15.00 (Level One membership), you will receive and di to SVGLA events. 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 ———————– Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Fall Pride in the Valley Fall brings festivals, fundraisers and other fun ways to celebrate our community and show Pride in the Shenandoah Valley, from Elkton Pride (page 4) to the 3rd annual Bike Tour & Wine Tasting fundraiser benefitting the Valley AIDS Network (page 2). In November, Virginia will elect a new governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. We can show our pride in the ballot box as well. PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 5. Our voices matter. The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). ���Sunday, October 6, 2013 12pm–4pm Food Available for Purchase, Children’s Activities, and Music (No Pets or Alcohol) Special performance for kids and adults by Margie, “The Bubble Lady,” who can blow bubbles as large as 5 feet in diameter. She can even put a person in a bubble. Held on site of Merck & Co Route 340 - 3 miles South of Elkton Park in the main parking lot at Merck Shuttles will run to the Pride Event Visit www.ElktonPride.com or Sponsored by: �Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meetings The Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance holds weekly meetings every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:00pm in the JMU Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence (550 Cardinal Drive, Harrisonburg). Young people aged 14-20 from the Harrisonburg and surrounding communities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning are welcome to attend. We aim to provide a safe and confidential space for youth to talk, listen, laugh, share, and reflect on what it's like to be an LGBTQ teen in the Shenandoah Valley. We're teaming up with PFLAG Blue Ridge (www.pflagblueridge.org/harrisonburg.html) to offer our YES! meeting on the same night and in the same building as the monthly Harrisonburg PFLAG meeting. Visit our website at http://www.svyesalliance.org/index.html. Have you seen the Shenandoah Va l l e y YES! Alliance's Facebook page? (www.facebook.com/SVYesAlliance) Please like us and share with your friends! Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance e-mail address: svyesalliance@gmail.com 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 December newsletter is November 15 �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. Our next outing is Saturday, Sept. 21 (Sept. 28 is the makeup date). 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 next newsletter is Nov. 15 �Community Organizations The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia acluva.org/tag/equal-rights/ Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia Equality Virginia transgenderrightsva.org/ www.equalityvirginia.org JMU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Ally Education Program www.jmu.edu/lgbta/ Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia Madison Equality JMU PFLAG Blue Ridge www.virginialogcabin.org/ www.facebook.com/madisonequality www.pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Network Virginia: Building LGBTQQ Coalitions on Campus www.facebook.com/networkvirginia Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance www.svyesalliance.org Southerners on New Ground of Virginia SVGLA southernersonnewground.org/ www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Valley AIDS Network www.valleyaidsnetwork.org Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club www.vapartisans.org/ People of Faith for Equality in Virginia Volume 16, Issue 3 September 2013 www.faith4equality.org/ Page 7 �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 ministry to each other and to the world. HARRISONBURG UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS One Journey, Many Paths For more information, contact us at: http://huuweb.org and (540) 8670073 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. First Friday Community Potluck Every month (usually the first Friday) we host a potluck in a community member’s home on a rotating basis. Bring a dish to share if you can and/or sign up to host the potluck. See upcoming potlucks on pages 8 and 9. Would you like to host First Friday in 2014? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thursday, Sept. 5: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At the Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence on the , located in Cardinal House at James Madison University, 500 Cardinal Drive, Harrisonburg. Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Support Group. For more information, contact facilitator Mark at 540405-1227 or by email at mitchmarke@aol.com Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story  Thursday, Sept. 5 Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 5 for details (this meeting coincides with the monthly PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group). Thursday, Sept. 12 Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 5 for details. Friday, Sept. 13: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for location and directions, join SVGLA as a Level II member) Saturday, Sept. 14: Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men to socialize and to sign up for interest groups. Bring a food or beverage for 5 people. Meet at 7:00 and dinner will be at 7:30. There’s a fully-functional kitchen available, and plates, silverware, napkins, and glasses will be provided. We meet in either the Summit House (or sometimes the basement kitchen) at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church (717 Rugby Road). For more details and directions contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com.  Sunday, Sept. 15: 3rd Annual Bike Ride & Wine Tasting Fundraiser, sponsored by the Valley AIDS Network (see page 2 for details). Thursday, Sept. 19 Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 5 for details.  Saturday, Sept. 21: 24th Annual Roanoke Pride In The Park, Roanoke, VA. www.roanokepride.org/ Saturday, Sept. 21: 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. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Sat.urday, Sept. 28.  Thursday, Sept. 26: Thursday, Oct. 3: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 5 for details. PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At the Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence on the , located in Cardinal House at James Madison University, 500 Cardinal Drive, Harrisonburg. Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Support Group meeting (see page 5 for details). For more infor mation, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or by email at mitchmarke@aol.com Submit items for the monthly events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items for the December issue by November 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 16, Issue 3 September 2013 Page 9 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  Friday, October 4:  First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org Full pageELKTON ad for Truth PRIDE, noon toWins 4pm. SeeOut/Uganda page 4 of the newsletterStory for details. Sunday, Oct. 6:  Thursday, Oct. 10: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 5 for location and contact information. Saturday, Oct. 12: Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men to socialize and to sign up for interest groups. Bring a food or beverage for 5 people. Meet at 7:00 and dinner will be at 7:30. There’s a fully-functional kitchen available, and plates, silverware, napkins, and glasses will be provided. We meet in either the Summit House (or sometimes the basement kitchen) at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church (717 Rugby Road). For more details and directions contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com.  Thursday, Oct. 17: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 5 for location and contact information.   Friday, Nov. 1 First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org   Tuesday, Nov. 5 ELECTION DAY. Elections for Virginia’s next Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General are held today. Make your vote count.  Thursday, Nov. 7: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At the Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence on the , located in Cardinal House at James Madison University, 500 Cardinal Drive, Harrisonburg. Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Support Group (see page 5 for details). For more information, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or by email at mitchmarke@aol.com  Thursday, Nov. 14: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 5 for details.  Thursday, Nov. 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions for December issue. Send items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Wednesday, Nov. 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance: www.glaad.org/events/tdor2013  Thursday, Nov. 21: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See page 4 for details. Sunday, Dec. 1:  Thursday, Dec. 5: World AIDS Day: www.valleyaidsnetwork.org/   Friday, December 6 First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At the Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence on the , located in Cardinal House at James Madison University, 500 Cardinal Drive, Harrisonburg. Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Support Group (see page 5 for details). For more information, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or by email at mitchmarke@aol.com Volume 16, Issue 3 September 2013 Page 10 �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 (MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE BY DECEMBER 1 TO VOTE FOR AND/OR SERVE ON THE 2014 BOARD). Advance information about SVGLA events Level I membership is from July—July 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  �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Check out EV at these Pride events or volunteer! Fall 2013 Pride Events (from EV’s website): June is National LGBT Pride Month. Equality Virginia will spread the word at Pride events about building safer communities, ending discrimination, and protecting families. Volunteer to help EV staff these events in your community. E-mail Jo Gehlbach at jgehlbach@equalityvirginia.org Charlottesville www.facebook.com/cvillepride/events Sept. 13 Roanoke www.roanokepride.org/ Sept. 21 Richmond www.vapride.org/ Sept. 28 Elkton www.ElktonPride.com Oct. 6 �IN THE NEWS… Bayard Rustin and Sally Ride Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom In August, President Barack Obama posthumously honored two gay Americans, Bayard Rustin and Sally Ride, among those receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The White House said of Rustin and Ride: “Bayard Rustin was an unyielding activist for civil rights, dignity, and equality for all. An advisor to the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he promoted nonviolent resistance, participated in one of the first Freedom Rides, organized the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, and fought tirelessly for marginalized communities at home and abroad. As an openly gay African American, Mr. Rustin stood at the intersection of several of the fights for equal rights.” “Sally Ride was the first American female astronaut to travel to space. As a role model to generations of young women, she advocated passionately for science education, stood up for racial and gender equality in the classroom, and taught students from every background that there are no limits to what they can accomplish. Dr. Ride also served in several administrations as an advisor on space exploration.” Quotable: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” —Eleanor Roosevelt �I’m voting for this handsome devil for Governor of Virginia. Why?     [Not because he’s handsome. I’m a lesbian.] Terry McAuliffe supports marriage equality. Terry McAuliffe thinks employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is wrong and should be illegal in Virginia. Terry McAuliffe opposes fracking in the George Washington National Forest and uranium mining in Virginia. His opponent, Ken Cuccinelli, opposes marriage equality and legislation banning such employment discrimination. As Attorney General, he sought to remove “sexual orientation” from the non-discrimination policies of Virginia’s public colleges and universities. There is a lot at stake for our community in this election. Please register to vote if you are not registered. Please cast your vote for Terry McAuliffe on November 5. This is a paid advertisement by Christine Robinson. � Call for 2014 SVGLA Board Member Nominations SVGLA needs your ideas and energy. Would you like to serve on the 2014 SVGLA Board of Directors? Nominate yourself here.* Name: ________________________________________ Address ________________________________________ Phone: (____)___________________________________ Email: ________________________________________ Mail nominations to P.O. Box address on Page 1 or email to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com *To serve on or vote for the 2014 SVGLA Board, make sure you have renewed your Level I Membership by December 1 (see pg. 11 for membership form). SVGLA NEEDS YOU!  � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," September 2013 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource September 2013 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2013, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 2013 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.September.2013.FINAL Volume 16, Issue 3, September 2013 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/6dc16aafb059c710c6b71e8164e6d15c.pdf 0efefc36340a589be6c10ffdca4d8c70 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 17, Issue 3, September 2014 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN 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. ———————– Valley Events (pgs. 9-10) Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Fall Pride in the Valley Fall brings pride festivals (www.equalityvirginia.org/pride/), fundraisers and other fun ways to celebrate our community and show Pride in the Shenandoah Valley, including the  Martha Nussbaum lecture at JMU 4th Annual Tour and Taste fundraiser  Singer Namoli Brennett benefitting the Valley AIDS Network.  4th Annual Tour & Taste Fundraiser for VAN ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 11) ———————– The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). Contact the editor SVGLAssociation@gmail.com In November, Virginia will hold important elections. We can show our pride in the ballot box as well. PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4. Our voices matter. ��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 community groups for anyone who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning, as well as parents, family, friends, and allies. If you are a parent, family member, or friend 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 LGBTQ+ and Allies Group Meetings When: Where: Contact: Note: First Thursday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd, JMU 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 USUALLY holds meetings the first Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the campus of JMU. Young people aged 14-20 from the Harrisonburg and surrounding communities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning are welcome to attend. We aim to provide a safe and confidential space for youth to talk, listen, laugh, share, and reflect on what it's like to be an LGBTQ teen 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! Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance e-mail address: svyesalliance@gmail.com 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 December newsletter is November 15 �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. Our next outing is Saturday, October 18 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 next newsletter is Nov. 15 �Community Organizations American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia acluva.org/tag/equal-rights/ BC Allies (Bridgewater College) www.bridgewater.edu/student-life/activities-andorganizations/clubs-organizations-and-honor-societies Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia Equality Virginia transgenderrightsva.org/ 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 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 of Virginia SVGLA southernersonnewground.org/ www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Valley AIDS Network www.valleyaidsnetwork.org Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club People of Faith for Equality in Virginia Volume 17, Issue 3, September 2014 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. Resources for our Community www.equalityvirginia.org/resources/ New to Virginia: Did you just move to the state? Follow the web link above for a primer for everything you need to know about being an LGBT person in Virginia Need Support: These are national, statewide and local resources that provide social outlets, support, health services, and advocate on behalf of the LGBT community Legal Advice: Equality Virginia provides this directory to LGBT Virginians seeking legal representation and to attorneys working with the LGBT community. Coming Out: Coming out is not only a critical component of a LGBT individual’s well-being, but of the well-being of the entire LGBT community. Support is here. Transgender Resources: Find support and information on gender marker changes and voter laws that may impact the community. EV believes in a truly inclusive commonwealth where all are equally welcomed and valued, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Looking for a Faith Community: A stronger network of affirming faith communities counters the tension between LGBT rights and religious freedom. Find affirming communities recommended by EV’s membership. Building a Family: While Virginia does not recognize relationships between same-sex couples, there are still ways to make sure that your family is protected. Although Virginia’s LGBT families may face challenges in adoption and foster care, there are resources for those looking to start the process. Facing Discrimination: Have you faced discrimination in employment or housing or have been denied service at a business? Learn more about your rights, Virginia’s laws and what is protected. Find resources and toolkits to create positive change for LGBT Virginians. Equality Virginia: Changing Laws, Changing Lives �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 ministry to each other and to the world. HARRISONBURG UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS One Journey, Many Paths For more information, contact us at: http://huuweb.org and (540) 8670073 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. First Friday Community Potluck Every month (usually the first Friday) we host a potluck in a community member’s home on a rotating basis. Bring a dish to share if you can and/or sign up to host the potluck. See upcoming potlucks on pages 10 and 11. We welcome hosts! Would you like to host First Friday in 2015? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Saturday, Sept. 13: Charlottesville Pride Festival, 11AM-5 PM, At Lee Park in Charlottesville. Presented by the Charlottesville Pride Community Network, this family-friendly event will feature entertainment for all ages. For more information go to www.cvillepride.org Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story Saturday, Sept. 13: 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.  Monday, Sept. 15  Thursday, Sept. 18 Documentary: Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin, 7-9pm, Grafton-Stovall Theatre, JMU. For more info: http://www.jmu.edu/events/lgbta/2014/09/15-rustin.shtml Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-9:00 PM. Join friends and "family" in SVGLA at Vito’s Italian Kitchen at 1039 Port Republic Road in Harrisonburg.  Friday, Sept. 19 Women’s Get-together/Happy Hour, 5:30 PM, Escafe, 215 West Water St, C’ville. Saturday, Sept. 20 King’s Dominion Pride Day. For more information go to www.brotherhelpthyself.net/ bhts-pride-days-at-kings-dominion Tuesday, Sept. 23: The State and Marriage: Two Perspectives, 7:00 PM, At Thomas Harrison Middle School, 1131 West Market St., Harrisonburg. Sponsored by Harrisonburg’s Community Dialog Project with James Parrish (Executive Director of Equality Virginia) participating  Friday, Sept. 26 Martha Nussbaum Lecture, 4-5:30pm, Harrison Hall 2105, JMU in Harrisonburg. Con tact Larry Burton, Director of the Cohen Center, for more info (cohencenter@jmu.edu).  Friday, Sept. 26 Transgender Singer/Songwriter Namoli Brennett, 5:30-7pm, Festival Lawn, JMU. For more info go to www.jmu.edu/events/lgbta/2014/09/26-brennet.shtml  Saturday, Sep. 27:  Saturday, Sept. 27: Harrisonburg International Festival, 12:00-6:00 PM, At Hillandale Park in Harrison burg. Celebrate the Valley’s rich intercultural diversity. 4th Annual Tour and Taste, 8:30 AM, Riders will choose between a 15, 25, or 50 mile ride. Each ride will start and finish at Three Brothers Brewing in Harrisonburg. All tasters will receive a beer of their choosing at Three Brothers. All tickets include a catered lunch, tech t-shirt and live music! Bike support on the course provided by Shenandoah Bicycle Company. All proceeds go to benefit the Valley AIDS Network. For more information and to register, go to: www.valleyaidsnetwork.org/tourandtaste  Thursday, Oct. 2: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the James Madison University campus in Harrisonburg. For more information, see page 4 or go to svyesalliance@gmail.com Thursday, Oct. 2: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At the Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd at James Madison University. For more information, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or by email at mitchmarke@aol.com Volume 17, Issue 3, September 2014 Page 9 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Friday, Oct. 3: 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 11 for how to join ). Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story Saturday, Oct. 11: 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. October 17 and 18: Busch Garden’s Gay Days, For more information go to www.facebook.com/ BuschGardensGayDays Saturday, Oct. 18 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. Make-up date in case of inclement weather is Saturday, Oct. 25.  Tuesday, Nov. 4 ELECTION DAY. Make your vote count.   Thursday, Nov. 6: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the James Madison University campus in Harrisonburg. For more information, see page 4 or go to svyesalliance@gmail.com  Thursday, Nov. 6:   Friday, November 7: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd at JMU. Contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or mitchmarke@aol.com for more information. First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA as a Level II member at www.svgla.org  Saturday, Nov. 8 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  Saturday, Nov. 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Monday, Dec. 1 World AIDS Day: www.valleyaidsnetwork.org/   Thursday, Dec. 4: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the James Madison University campus in Harrisonburg. For more information, see page 4 or go to svyesalliance@gmail.com  Thursday, Dec. 4:   Friday, Dec. 5: PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM At Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd at JMU. Contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or mitchmarke@aol.com for more information. First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro (for info, join SVGLA at www.svgla.org/membership.html) Submit items for the monthly events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit advertisements, milestones, and newsletter items for the December issue by November 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 17, Issue 3, September 2014 Page 10 �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.  �SVGLA Board Member Given Award JoAnn Benjamin, International Advising Coordinator in the Office of University Advising at JMU and SVGLA Board Member, was given the 2014 Staff Diversity Enhancement Award by the Office of Access and Inclusion at James Madison University. Congratulations, Jo!  JMU Adds Gender Identity to Equal Opportunity Policy James Madison University became the first public university in Virginia to add “gender identity” to its university-wide equal opportunity policy. http://www.jmu.edu/JMUpolicy/policies/1302.shtml Quotable: “Community is when human beings come together in the shelter of each other. We are a community of beings acknowledging the dual intention of working on ourselves as an offering to others, and working with others as a way of working on ourselves. Our lives are training sessions to turn ourselves into instruments of true kindness and compassion.” —Ram Das �LGBT Alumni Chapter at JMU The LGBT & Ally Education Program, Madison Equality, and LGBT Faculty Staff group at James Madison University have been working with JMU’s Alumni Office to create a LGBT & Ally Alumni Chapter. A focus of the chapter is on professional networking amongst alumni and recent graduates. Also, we will be developing a mentorship program with current students. Possible events for the chapter include receptions at Alumni Weekend, panels about being Out in the Workplace, GayMU Month, and participation in JMU’s Lavender Graduation. We are hoping to find more Alumni who are interested in helping to shape and launch the chapter. We are tentatively calling the group the JMU Lambda Alumni Chapter. Those interested in join the chapter can sign up through: http://goo.gl/ hwmtxQ or contact Jon Henry henryjw@dukes.jmu.edu with questions. � Call for 2015 SVGLA Board Member Nominations SVGLA needs your ideas and energy. Would you like to serve on the 2015 SVGLA Board of Directors? Nominate yourself here.* Name: ________________________________________ Address ________________________________________ Phone: (____)___________________________________ Email: ________________________________________ Mail nominations to P.O. Box address on Page 1 or email to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com *To serve on or vote for the 2015 SVGLA Board, make sure you have renewed your Level I Membership by December 1 (see pg. 11 for membership form). SVGLA NEEDS YOU!  � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," September 2014 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource September 2014 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2014, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 2014 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.September.2014.FINAL Volume 17, Issue 3, September 2014 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/9bea40dd078ac119d4c6836901d61a1d.pdf 952277ab186ea2900543aa32a6941f73 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 18, Issue 3, September 2015 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN 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. ———————– Community Events (see details inside)  Gaye Adegbalola and the Wild Rutz  First Friday Potlucks  5th Annual Tour & Taste Fundraiser for VAN ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 13) ———————– Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Fall Pride in the Valley Fall brings pride festivals (www.equalityvirginia.org/pride/), fundraisers and other fun ways to celebrate our community in the Shenandoah Valley, including the 5th Annual Tour and Taste fundraiser benefitting the Valley AIDS Network. In November, Virginia will hold important elections. We can show our pride in the ballot box as well. PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 3. The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). Find information about candidates at evadvocates.org/2015-elections/ Contact the editor Our voices matter. SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �Gaye Adegbalola and the Wild Rutz Court Square Theater; Sunday, September 27, 2015 2:30 – 4:30 PM (Doors Open at 2:00 PM) $12 in advance - $15 day of show Tickets available at CST box office and website (http://www.valleyarts.org/cst-about/) Gaye Adegbalola and The Wild Rūtz, bring great songwriting and 4 strong vocalists together for blues, R&B, work songs, field hollers and spirituals — in support of empowerment and equality for all. They perform a cappella blues with percussion and occasional guitar. The Rūtz consist of Tanyah Dadze Cotton, Gloria Jackson and Marta Fuentes. These women are longtime historians, healers, visionaries and activists. They have used their voices to promote the causes of racial, GLBT, economic and women’s civil rights, such as voter registration fundraisers and in rallies to stop domestic violence. ��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 Dec. newsletter is November 15 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. It’s great for our planet. Help us be good neighbors in our community. Our next outing is Saturday, November 21 Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway afterward. �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 chapter (NEW) southernersonnewground.org/harrisonburg/ SVGLA 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 3, September 2015 www.vapartisans.org/ www.faith4equality.org/ Page 7 �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. The Second Annual Virginia Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit WHAT: TIES offers seminars and workshops for transgender individuals, significant others, parents of transgender youth, and advocates in an inclusive and supportive environment. WHEN: Saturday, October 10, 2015 from 9:00am-5:00pm WHERE: VCU University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA ROOM BLOCK: We have reserved a room block at Commonwealth Park Suites. There are a limited number of rooms. To reserve a room, please contact the hotel directly and let them know you are with Equality Virginia’s TIES conference Register for the conference 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 December newsletter is November 15 �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. We need potluck hosts. Can you host in 2016? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Saturday, Sept. 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  September12 and 13:  Saturday, Sept. 19: Saturday, Sep. 26:  Sunday, Sept. 27:  Thursday, Oct. 1:  Thursday, Oct. 1   Friday, October 2:  Sunday, October 3:  Saturday, October 10:  Saturday, Oct. 10:  Tuesday, Nov. 3 Roanoke Pride, At Elmwood Park, 706 S, Jefferson Street, Roanoke. For more infor mation go to www.roanokepride.org Charlottesville Pride Festival, 11AM-6 PM, At Lee Park in Charlottesville. Presented by the Charlottesville Pride Community Network, this event will feature entertainment for all ages. For more information go to www.cvillepride.org Harrisonburg International Festival, 12:00-6:00 PM, At Hillandale Park in Harrisonburg. Celebrate the Valley’s rich intercultural diversity. Gaye Adegbalola and the Wild Rutz. See page 2 for details. 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 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 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 ). 5th Annual Tour & Taste Fundraiser for Valley AIDS Network (see page 3 for detail 2nd Annual Virginia Transgender Information and Empowerment Summit, The summit will take place in Richmond. For more information see page 2 and to register, go to info@equalityvirginia.org 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 ELECTION DAY. Make your vote count. Volume 18, Issue 3, September 2015 Page 11 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thursday, Nov. 5: 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 Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story  Thursday, Nov. 5:   Friday, Nov. 6: 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 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, Nov. 14 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  Saturday, Nov. 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com  Saturday, Nov. 21: 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. Thursday, Dec. 3: 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 Thursday, Dec. 3: 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   Friday, Dec. 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 ). Submit items for the monthly SVGLA e-mail events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit ads and newsletter items for the December issue by Nov. 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 18, Issue 3, September 2015 Page 12 �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.  �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 White House Appoints First Transgender Official Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, the first opently transgender official appointed to the White House, serves as an Outreach and Recruitment Director in the Presidential Personnel Office. She formerly served as the Racial and Economic Justice Initiative Policy Advisor at the National Center for Transgender Equality. Quotable: “It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves….They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.” Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Family ConnectShen," September 2015 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource September 2015 newsletter "The Family ConnectShen" published by the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association (now Shenandoah Valley Equality). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2015, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 2015 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVGLA.Newsletter.September.2015.FINAL Volume 18, Issue 3, September 2015 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/1027b1a73af22e684b960cce60020f1e.jpg d39886c1ebc0b209797b179389a58ba4 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Photographic Print Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 8x10 inches Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Old Family Album" Play Photograph Subject The topic of the resource Edinburg (Va) Hospitals-Virginia-Shenandoah County Stages (Platforms)-Virginia-Edinburg Theaters-Virginia-Edinburg Theatrical productions-Virginia-Edinburg Description An account of the resource Photograph of individuals participating in the play "The Ole Family Album" held at the Edinburg Theater. This production was held on March 26, 1953 by the Madison District Auxiliary of the Shenandoah County Memorial Hospital. Proceeds were earmarked for the hospital. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Unknown Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Folder 32.8 “The Ole Family Album,” Play Photographs (8x10”), Edinburg Virginia, March 26, 1953, Edinburg Series, Mary Ann Williamson Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 23, 1956 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 20-0102-002 Edinburg Hospitals Plays Shenandoah County Theater Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/cd213b39935e6a6d76b4309f93f60d58.jpg 6ddf1b8094739cb2516a46eb88b191d5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Herb Parker Postcard Collection Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Herb Parker Postcard Collection Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Not to be republished without permission Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Language A language of the resource English Title A name given to the resource "The Peak" Massanutten Mountain, Overlooking the Spotswood Trail, Virginia Subject The topic of the resource Massanutten Mountain Description An account of the resource Postcard showing the peak of the Massanutten Mountain near Harrisonburg. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Asheville Postcard Company Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 966 Postcards https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/81e0da24fe699533977a3c03772cb022.jpg 7641dde1643c3175d21b083f66281d3e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Herb Parker Postcard Collection Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Herb Parker Postcard Collection Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Not to be republished without permission Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Language A language of the resource English Title A name given to the resource "The Point of Rocks," McAfee Knob, Virginia Subject The topic of the resource McAfee Knob Description An account of the resource Postcard showing two individuals atop McAfee's Knob in Virginia Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Postal Casualty Systems, Lynchburg VA Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1908 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 967 Postcards https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/057afc6d9b3f1d2d6a8f8de3ba2bf791.jpg c0ab6071cd9b4ea6b58c41c5f6165712 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Morrison Studio Collection Subject The topic of the resource Morrison, Hugh Jr. (1871-1950) Morrison, Louis Morrison, James Description An account of the resource In 1899 Hugh Morrison Jr. opened a photograph studio on W. Court Street in Woodstock after several years of working in the area as a travelling photographer. Between that time, and the time his grandson James Morrison closed the studio in 1988, the Morrison family captured thousands of portraits, landscapes, and buildings on film and glass negatives. In 1999 the Shenandoah County Historical Society acquired over 31,000 of these negatives from the estate of local collector Charles D. Bauserman. Volunteers from the historical society worked over the next several decades to house, number, and scan each image. This effort resulted in over two tons of Morrison plates and negatives being processed and digitized. This collection contains those digitized versions of these photographs. Through a partnership between the historical society and the Shenandoah County Library's Truban Archives access to a growing number of these images is available to the public. Current projections indicate the full collection will be available for viewing sometime in 2028. This collection does contain some images of a sexual and/or graphic nature that some viewers may find inappropriate. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Morrison Studios Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Hugh Morrison Collection, Shenandoah County Historical Society Inc. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1900-1980 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A special thanks to Tracy McMahon for her dedicated work entering metadata for this collection. A special thank you to the Shenandoah County Historical Society for their efforts to number and scan each image. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Digital images: Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC) Copyright for these images is held by the Shenandoah County Historical Society. Contact the Shenandoah County Historical Society (www.https://www.shenandoahcountyhistoricalsociety.org/) for permission to utilize images commercially, for high resolution scans, or for prints. Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Glass Negative Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 022119 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Morrison Studio Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED Title A name given to the resource "The Ralph Minew" Description An account of the resource Photo of a framed photograph of an unidentified man wearing a suit and bow tie with a starched collar. The name, "The Ralph Minew", appears to be written on the glass plate. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Undated Men Shenandoah County Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/c18fdb5065e750127c7d5038b845dbf2.jpg a6c0f17c62d9373cb879de050e497f36 https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/9e39380629e294eb6e3bb23786cb2d69.jpg 531aea609989da45a91e7989fe260354 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Record" March 1912 Subject The topic of the resource Woodstock (Va) Reformed (Reformed Church) Reformed churches-Virginia-Woodstock Periodicals-Virginia-Woodstock Description An account of the resource "The Record," a publication produced monthly by the Woodstock Reformed Church Charge. This edition is Volume II, Number 9 and is dated March 1912. It includes information about services, financial transactions, and church groups. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource "Reformed Church, Woodstock Charge" Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Folder 3.6 "The Record" Newsletter, Reformed Church, Woodstock Charge, March-June 1912, Series II: Documents, Margaret Hoffman Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 1912 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 20-0827-001 20-0827-002 Churches Shenandoah County Virginia Woodstock https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/50e86d2bff9974f9341019520ec5058d.jpg 8111e65cc9c99672e0ea762e2e897805 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Morrison Studio Collection Subject The topic of the resource Morrison, Hugh Jr. (1871-1950) Morrison, Louis Morrison, James Description An account of the resource In 1899 Hugh Morrison Jr. opened a photograph studio on W. Court Street in Woodstock after several years of working in the area as a travelling photographer. Between that time, and the time his grandson James Morrison closed the studio in 1988, the Morrison family captured thousands of portraits, landscapes, and buildings on film and glass negatives. In 1999 the Shenandoah County Historical Society acquired over 31,000 of these negatives from the estate of local collector Charles D. Bauserman. Volunteers from the historical society worked over the next several decades to house, number, and scan each image. This effort resulted in over two tons of Morrison plates and negatives being processed and digitized. This collection contains those digitized versions of these photographs. Through a partnership between the historical society and the Shenandoah County Library's Truban Archives access to a growing number of these images is available to the public. Current projections indicate the full collection will be available for viewing sometime in 2028. This collection does contain some images of a sexual and/or graphic nature that some viewers may find inappropriate. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Morrison Studios Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Hugh Morrison Collection, Shenandoah County Historical Society Inc. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1900-1980 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource A special thanks to Tracy McMahon for her dedicated work entering metadata for this collection. A special thank you to the Shenandoah County Historical Society for their efforts to number and scan each image. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Digital images: Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC) Copyright for these images is held by the Shenandoah County Historical Society. Contact the Shenandoah County Historical Society (www.https://www.shenandoahcountyhistoricalsociety.org/) for permission to utilize images commercially, for high resolution scans, or for prints. Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Glass Negative Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 018588 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Morrison Studio Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Morrison Studio Collection - Shenandoah County Historical Society Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource IN COPYRIGHT - NON-COMMERCIAL USE PERMITTED Title A name given to the resource "The Tavenner & Gravely Peach Orchard" Subject The topic of the resource Peach orchards - Virginia - Shenandoah County Fruit industry - Virginia - Shenandoah County Agricultural laborers - Virginia - Shenandoah County Description An account of the resource Large group of unidentified men and women shown at various tasks at a fruit processing site. Crates and containers are visible. The words, "The Tavenner & Gravely Peach Orchard", and the place, "Woodstock, Va." are written on the bottom of the image. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Undated Agriculture Farm Men Orchards People Shenandoah County Virginia Women Workers https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/e00779369895bfb10278a985efd5151e.pdf 27148459c22c54604cbd3f8042f77d4e PDF Text Text Volume 24, Issue 1 April 2021 www.svgla.org P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 TH E VALL EY C O N N EC TSH EN THE VALLEY CONNECTSHEN Mission Statement: The mission of Shenandoah Valley Equality is to build inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley. ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! ———————– Join SVE (Membership pg. 11) ———————– The Valley ConnectShen is published quarterly ———————– Contact the editor to advertise and/or submit event information: ShenandoahValley Equality@gmail.com ———————– ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com Find us on Facebook MOVING EQUALITY FORWARD: Another Historic Virginia Legislative Session Governor Northam signed several pro-equality bills into law, which will positively transform Virginia’s legal landscape. Some of the 2021 legislative successes include:  updating the Older Americans Act to designate LGBTQ older adults as a population with “greatest social need,” which provides equal access to aging services and resources, such as Meals on Wheels, transportation assistance, legal aid, and more  banning the LGBTQ “panic defense,” a harmful legal strategy that attempts to excuse violence perpetrated against LGTBQ people  establishing an LGBTQ+ Advisory Board to the Governor on economic, governmental, professional, educational, and cultural issues affecting LGBTQ+ Virginians, especially in rural and underserved areas  allowing confirmatory or second-parent adoption  The first step in repealing Virginia’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage  updating Virginia’s HIV law, which will decrease barriers to prevention and treatment services See details about these legislative victories at https://equalityvirginia.org/2021-legislative-victories/ �And still we wait. For a return to a more or less normal world of connection and community. Please know that after a year into this pandemic, SVE is still looking forward to a time when we can once again safely join together for regular social events. Even though that time is not yet at hand, important events (virtually, locally, and across the state) are still taking place. Please see pages 6 and 7 of this newsletter for information about local and state-wide community organizations. Please know, too, that those in the SVE community who are on Facebook have been and are receiving regular posts, including information about new laws passed during the 2021 General Assembly session, election information, and events from other local community organizations. If you are not currently receiving that information, you can join the SVE Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/60282410939 �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. The evening of celebration is FREE for everyone. For 16 years, LGBTQ Virginians from across the state have joined together with local political, business, and non-profit leaders and torchbearers to celebrate the strides towards full, lived equality. After a year unlike any other, we cannot wait to show you a new dinner unlike any other. EV will spotlight the 2021 “OUTstanding Virginians,” those who represent our community with distinction by dedicating their lives to working for equality. We are also celebrating another historic year of advocacy in the Commonwealth, and hope you will join us for this special event . Register and get your free tickets here: equalityvirginia.org/events/commonwealth-dinner-2021/ Shenandoah Valley Equality is hosting a virtual table. Please join us! �Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression Programming works toward promoting James Madison University's commitment to diversity through education, support, advocacy and the fostering of equity for all students, inclusive of all sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. sogie@jmu.edu Like us on Facebook @JMU.SOGIE Follow us on Instagram @jmu.sogie �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 ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Deadline for next newsletter is May 15 WAYS TO EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY  LIKE and FOLLOW Shenandoah Valley Equality on Facebook. We share information about local events.  JOIN SVE. Non-voting membership is FREE; voting membership is only $15/year CONNECT. After the pandemic, SVE hopes to resume our monthly potluck and dinner meet-up, quarterly breakfast, and annual equality forum.    ADVERTISE in our quarterly newsletter (see this newsletter for ad prices and sizes) SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS with your business and referrals.  TELL US about local events of particular relevance to our community; we will include them in our monthly e-calendar and quarterly newsletter FREE.  NOMINATE yourself to serve on SVE’s Board of Directors (nominations are due December 1 every year). All nominees must be voting members.  READ our quarterly newsletter, The Valley ConnectShen. Share it with a friend.  ORGANIZE, EDUCATE, AND ADVOCATE for equality, justice, and liberation. Connect with SVE Non-voting membership is FREE. Voting membership is $15 a year. You must be at least 18 to join. See pg. 11 for membership information. �Community Organizations Alliance for A Progressive Virginia apvonline.org 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 Born Perfect Virginia/Love Actually Won (community of conversion therapy survivors and allies in Virginia) www.facebook.com/LoveActuallyWon/ Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia https://www.facebook.com/michellemarie51/ Equality Virginia www.equalityvirginia.org EMU Safe Space www.emu.edu/studentlife/clubs/safe-space/ Free Mom Hugs Virginia—Shenandoah Valley facebook.com/groups/456758691888492 Friendly City Transgender Alliance www.facebook.com/Friendly-CityTransgender-Alliance-100565454864352/ He She Ze and We (P eer-to-peer support group for adult caregivers of transgender and nonbinary family members) www.heshezewe.org JMU LGBTQ Employee Group www.jmu.edu/lgbtfacultystaff JMU SOGIE Programming beinvolved.jmu.edu/organization/sogie JMU Madison Caucus for Gender Equality www.jmu.edu/caucusgenderequality/ JMU Student Organizations  Madison Equality www.facebook.com/madisonequality  Queers United for Educating STEM Together beinvolved.jmu.edu/organization/quest  Shades of Pride beinvolved.jmu.edu/organization/shadesofpride LGBT Democrats of Virginia lgbtvadem.org/ Parents and Allies of LGBTQ Students in Rockingham County Public Schools www.facebook.com/groups/241142777675519 PFLAG Blue Ridge pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Do you know of a local or state-wide organization that should be listed here? Tell us. �Community Organizations Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah LGBTQ Center www.shenlgbtqcenter.org Shenandoah Valley Equality www.facebook.com/groups/60282410939/ Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance www.shenandoahvalleypride.org Staunton Pride www.stauntonpride.org Students Out Understanding & Loving Sisters (SOULS) at Mary Baldwin College www.mbc.edu/student_activities/clubsandorgs/#cultural Southerners on New Ground—Harrisonburg southernersonnewground.org/harrisonburg/ Transgender Education Association of Northern Virginia www.tgeagw.org Vibrant Menders LGBTQ+ Action Group vibrantmendersva@gmail.com Virginia Anti-Violence Project 1.866.356.6998 (helpline) & virginiaavp.org/ Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues [State-wide intersectional social justice advocacy organization] Virginia Department of Health—Transgender Health Services and Support www.vdh.virginia.gov/disease-prevention/diseaseprevention/transgender-health-services-support/ Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club People of Faith for Equality in Virginia w w w .vapartisans.org/ www.faith4equality.org/ Additional Resources: Education/support: Bisexual and Pansexual biresource.org and robynochs.com Education/support: Asexual www.asexuality.org The National Center for Lesbian Rights www.nclrights.org The National Center for Transgender Equality transequality.org Do you know of a local or state-wide organization that should be listed here? Tell us. �2021 Elections in Virginia ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE? Key elections will be held for three state-level offices: Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General All 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates are up for election. Primary elections: June 8 General election: November 2 https://www.elections.virginia.gov/ �Friendly City Transgender Alliance Friendly City Transgender Alliance is a collective of individuals, who personally identify as Transgender and/or any form of self-expression that challenges traditional binary gender roles. As an alliance we do not define or categorize individuals’ personal expressions. www.facebook.com/Friendly-City-TransgenderAlliance-100565454864352/ �We are a lay-led, religious community offering a unique spiritual and moral witness in the Shenandoah Valley. “Standing on the Side of Love” 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 ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Deadline for next newsletter is May 15 �EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! We need your support to continue as a viable and evolving community presence working on your behalf. The goals of SVE are:     to gather and communicate important community information; to collaborate with allies and LGBTQ-friendly organizations; to organize events within the greater Valley area for social and educational networking with LGBTQ people; and to advocate for full LGBTQ equality, dignity, and inclusion in the Valley, state, and national communities. Level 1 (voting) Membership $15 per person (from July-July) Your support helps with administrative costs through the year. Members receive:  An e-mailed version of the newsletter and advance information about SVE events  A vote for members of the SVE Board of Directors (MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE BY DECEMBER 1 TO VOTE FOR AND/OR SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS). Level 1 Membership: Please include a check for $15 for each person and send this form to: Shenandoah Valley Equality, P.O. Box 1023, Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Name #1 Name #2 Address #1: ______ Address #2: E-mail #1:  _____ E-mail #2: _____ [Check Box] I/we verify that I am/we are at least 18 years of age. Level 2 (non-voting) Membership— FREE Level 2 members receive an e-mailed version of the newsletter and advance information about all SVE events. To join as a non-voting member, email your first and last name and state that you are at least 18 years of age to ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com �"Out in the Boondocks" LGBTQ Valley Meet-up Group If you're a member of the LGBTQ community living in the boondocks in or around the Shenandoah Valley, come meet up with us. This is a informal group where members get together or in smaller groups for meals, hiking movies, live performances, kayaking, and other events. If you would like to be on the e-mail list for events, send your name and e-mail address to Claire Hollady at clhollady@gmail.com Need Support? Trevor Crisis Intervention Line (LGBT+): www.thetrevorproject.org 1-866-488-7386 (available 24/7) ___________ Trans Lifeline: www.translifeline.org 1-877-565-8860 (staffed by trans* people for trans* people in crisis) _______________________________ I'm alive support chat: www.imalive.org Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741 _________________________________ _ National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 Support our Advertisers, Empower your Community. SVE thanks businesses & organizations that advertise in our newsletter. ��PFLAG Blue Ridge 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 Charlottesville Trans* Families Group Meetings When: 3r d Satur day of each month, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Where: ASG, 315 Tenth St. NE, Char lottesville, VA 22902 (corner of 10th & Jefferson) Contact: Facilitator Kar en at 434-882-3453 or karenmeandering@gmail.com 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. SIDE BY SIDE is dedicated to creating supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong, and flourish. See our website for C’ville youth group meetings http://www.sidebysideva.org/ Youth Support Line: 888-644-4390 �HCHC offers a wide variety of services, including dental care, behavioral health, care management (formerly the Valley AIDS Network), women’s health, and primary care (pediatrics through adult). Interpretation services are available for patients in all areas of health and dental services. Visit hburgchc.org or contact by phone: SCHEDULING Main Site: 540-433-4913 Dental: 540-236-3688 AFTER HOURS MEDICAL 540-433-4913 �The Virginia Anti-Violence Project works to address and end violence, with a specific focus on LGBTQ communities across Virginia. Call our LGBTQ Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Helpline: 1.866.356.6998 Monday-Friday 8am-8pm Quotable: Need Support? “Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate a person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.” Trevor Crisis Intervention Line (LGBT+): www.thetrevorproject.org 1-866-488-7386 (available 24/7) Cesar Chavez, co-founder of the National Farm Worker Association ___________ Trans Lifeline: www.translifeline.org 1-877-565-8860 (staffed by trans* people for trans* people in crisis) _______________________________ I'm alive support chat: www.imalive.org Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741 __________________________________ National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Valley ConnectShen," April 2021 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource April 2021 newsletter "The Valley ConnectShen" published by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2021, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 2021 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVE.Newsletter.April.2021 Volume 24, Issue 1, April 2021 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/14d7c058ecbeddd19f8a35cfdefc2147.pdf eb44cea57fc5e593aafa67e2e4565228 PDF Text Text Volume 19, Issue 4, December 2016 Website: www.svgla.org TH E VALL EY C O N N EC TSH EN THE VALLEY CONNECTSHEN Mission Statement: The mission of Shenandoah Valley Equality is to build inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley. ———————– Community Events (inside)  EV Day of Action  SVE Potlucks  Madison Equality’s Annual Charity Ball ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVE (Membership Form pg. 13) Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 NEW e-mail address: ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com What Next? Shifting our Gaze to State-Level Legislation & 2017 State Elections Presidential elections generate intense citizen engagement; however, it is VITAL that we focus our attention also on state-level politics, so that we are informed and engaged in two specific areas: 1. Proposed legislation affecting our community will be considered in the 2017 General Assembly session (starting in January) 2. There are extremely important state-wide and state-level elections in 2017. In November, Virginia will elect a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General. In addition, all 100 seats of the House of Delegates are up for election. Delegates serve 2-year terms. Virginia will not hold any state Senate elections in 2017. ———————– “Valley Connectshen” is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December). ———————– Contact the editor, Christine Robinson, to advertise and/or submit event information: ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com In 2016, legislators in the Virginia General Assembly considered 17 bills and resolutions that were favorable to our community and an unprecedented 9 anti-LGBT bills. None of the proposed legislation (pro or con) passed into law. How can you be informed and engaged in 2017? See pages 6-7 about how to stay informed about legislation affecting our community and ways you can advocate for equality and support fair-minded candidates. �SAVE THE DATE: Madison Equality’s annual Charity Ball WHAT: Charity Ball dance/concert/fundraiser WHEN: February 3, 2017 from 7:00-10:00PM WHERE: Madison Union Ballroom (5th floor of Warren Hall), on campus at James Madison University ADMISSION: $10 DRESS: Casual or Semiformal 2017 DESIGNATED CHARITY: CONTACT: To be Decided www.facebook.com/madisonequality or 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 Meeting Information : The location of Harrisonburg PFLAG meetings will be changing in the future; please visit www.pflagblueridge.org for current information Contact: Facilitator Mark at mitchmarke@aol.com or 540-405-1227 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 �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 ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Deadline for March newsletter is Feb. 15 Help us be good neighbors in our community. SVE has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through VDOT. It’s fun. It’s good exercise. It’s great for our planet. Join us—our next outing is Saturday, April 22. Meet us for breakfast at the Little Grill at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway afterward. We’ll provide vests, bags, and gloves. Renew Your Level I Membership SVE Level I Membership renewals were sent to all of Level I members in July. Please renew (or join) as a Level I member by December 1, 2016 to vote for (or serve on) the 2017 SVE Board of Directors. See page 13 for our membership form. �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 https://www.facebook.com/michellemarie51/ Equality Virginia www.equalityvirginia.org EMU Safe Space www.emu.edu/studentlife/clubs/safe-space/ JMU LGBTQ Employee 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.logcabin.org/chapter/virginia-northern-virginia/ Madison Equality JMU PFLAG Blue Ridge www.facebook.com/madisonequality www.pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly SVGLA) ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com & www.svgla.org Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance www.shenandoahvalleypride.org Students Out Understanding & Loving Sisters (SOULS) at Mary Baldwin College www.mbc.edu/student_activities/clubsandorgs/#cultural Southerners on New Ground—Harrisonburg southernersonnewground.org/harrisonburg/ 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 19, Issue 4, December 2016 www.vapartisans.org/ www.faith4equality.org/ Page 5 �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 7, 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 �Could Virginia become the next North Carolina for LGBT People? Governor Terry McAuliffe warns that his successor could sign legislation similar to North Carolina’s HB2. Read the article here: thinkprogress.org/ virginia-next-north-carolina-mcauliffe-hb2-73ceb2727384#.19u15eqil HOW TO BE INFORMED AND ENGAGED IN ADVOCATING FOR LGBTQ EQUALITY IN VIRGINIA Every year, Equality Virginia monitors all legislation introduced to the Virginia General Assembly and advocates on behalf of Virginia’s LGBTQ community, helping to introduce and support pro-equality legislation and to oppose bills that move us backwards. Stay informed about legislation affecting our community, and voice your support or opposition to specific bills by joining Equality Virginia’s email list for their monthly newsletter, action alerts, and events. Provide your email address to EV here: www.equalityvirginia.org/resources/ RESOURCES FOR THE 2017 VIRGINIA ELECTIONS FOR GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES Equality Virginia equalityvirginia.org LGBT Democrats of Virginia lgbtvadem.org/ Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia logcabin.org/chapter/virginia-northern-virginia/ People of Faith for Equality in Virginia http://pofev.org Virginia Organizing virginia-organizing.org/ �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 ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Deadline for March newsletter is February 15 �SVE’s First Friday Community Potluck First Friday is a monthly community potluck hosted by SVE in Harrisonburg/ Rockingham County/Staunton/Augusta County (occasionally Mount Jackson) for the LGBTQA+ community. Every month the event rotates to a different location. Bring a dish to share. Because the event is usually held in private homes or on private property, we send location information ONLY to our email list of SVE members and do not post it through social media or public email lists. To receive emails about FF and other local SVE events, you can join as a Level 2 member (for free) or as a Level 1 member (for $15). See page 13 for details on how to join. 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 (SVE’s membership requirement) to ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com – we will add you to our email list. See upcoming potlucks on pages 10-11. Volunteer to host in 2017. Email us at ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Please visit www.pflagblueridge.org for information about Harrisonburg PFLAG Support Group Meetings.  Thurs., December 1: 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. For more information contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or mitchmarke@aol.com or go to www.pflagblueridge.org  Friday, December 2: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For info, join SVE as a Level I or II member (See page 13 for details).  Saturday, Dec. 3: Benefit Drag Show, Fundraiser for the Valley AIDS Network. 7:00pm at The Artful Dodger Coffeehouse & Cocktail Lounge, 47 Court Square, Harrisonburg.  Tuesday, Dec. 6 World AIDS Day Speaker Andrew Frasier, “HIV/AIDS Trends and Treatment.” 8:00-9:00 PM at the Student Success Center, Room 4044 at James Madison University. Sponsored by the LGTBQ and Ally Education Program. Andrew Frasier is an HIV Testing counselor and phlebotomist and has extensive experience working in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy.  Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Please join us at Capital Ale House at 41 Court Square in downtown Harrisonburg. RSVP to David Lane at lanedj@jmu.edu if you plan to join us so he can make a reservation. Join SVE for updated information about C&C events (See pg.13 for how to join). Thursday, Dec. 15:  Friday, January 6 or 13: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For date and location of the potluck, join SVE as a Level I or II member (See page 13 for how to join).  Monday, Jan. 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day  Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Please join us at Cracker Barrel on 121 Pleasant Valley Road. RSVP to lanedj@jmu.edu if you plan to join us so we can make a reservation. Join SVE for updated information about C&C events by email (See page 13 for how to join). Thursday, Jan. 19: Volume 19, Issue 4, December 2016 Page 10 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  Friday, February 3: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the potluck, join SVE as a Level I or II member (See page 13 for how to join ). Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story  Friday, February 3: Annual Charity Ball, sponsored by Madison Equality at JMU; see details on page 2  Tuesday, February 7: Equality Virginia Day of Action, See page 6 for details and contact information.  February 14 Happy Valentine’s Day  Wednesday, Feb. 15: DEADLINE, SVE newsletter submissions to ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com. Submit events for the March issue of the newsletter (events for March, April, and May)  Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Please join us at Pano’s, 3190 South Main Street in Harrisonburg. RSVP to lanedj@jmu.edu if you plan to join us so we can make a reservation. Join SVE for updated information about C&C events by email (See page 13 for how to join). Thursday, Feb 16:  Saturday, April 1 14th Annual Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner is EV’s signature event and the state’s largest black-tie gala gathering for the LGBT community and our supporters. Held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Reservation information will be available in January at www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/  Saturday, April 22 : SVE Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM We gather at the Little Grill for breakfast and then head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work afterward. Join us! We provide safety vests, gloves, and bags. In case of inclement weather, the clean-up will be rescheduled.  Saturday, April 22 : “Trails 4 Tails” Dog Walk/Run Fundraiser for the Valley AIDS Network. See page 15 for details. The Valley ConnectShen invites you to submit information about community resources for the newsletter and events that would be of interest to our community for the calendar. This is a vital service; it helps to make our community stronger and improves the quality of life for individual members. Send information to us at ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Submit items for the monthly SVE e-mail events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit ads and events for the March issue (covering March, April, and May) of The Valley ConnectShen by February 15 to ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Volume 19, Issue 4, December 2016 Page 11 �"Out in the Boondocks" Support our Advertisers, Empower your Community. LGBTQ Valley Meet-up Group If you're a member of the LGBTQ community living in the boondocks in or around the Shenandoah Valley, come meet up with us. This is a informal group where members get together or in smaller groups for meals, hiking movies, live performances, kayaking, and other events. SVE wishes to thank local businesses and organizations that advertise in our newsletter. If you would like to be on the e-mail list for events, send your name and e-mail address to Claire Hollady at clhollady@gmail.com Date me! Book a Tupperware party today and earn FREE TUPPERWARE! The higher your party’s sales, the more you earn FREE! Partying since 1948! Shannon Huffman Independent Tupperware Consultant Bwaterguy05@gmail.com shannonhuffman.my.tupperware.com 540-421-7017 �EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! We need your support to continue as a viable and evolving community presence working on your behalf. The goals of SVE are:     to gather and communicate important community information to collaborate with allies and LGBTQ-friendly organizations to organize events within the greater Valley area for social and educational networking with LGBTQ people, and to advocate for full LGBTQ equality, dignity, and inclusion in the Valley, state, and national communities. Level 1 Support—$15 per person Level 1 support helps SVE 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 SVE 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 SVE 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: Shenandoah Valley Equality, 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 first and last name and state that you are at least 18 years of age to ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com You must be at least 18 years of age to join SVE. �People of Faith for Equality in Virginia is interested in finding or forming a network of faith-based social justice advocates, congregational representatives and clergy in the Shenandoah Valley. We need this group to be ready to provide supportive testimony,, letters, and your presence during the 2017 Virginia General Assembly session in January. Please contact Paula Prettyman, Director, POFEV at paula.prettyman@pofev.org or (703) 867-7560. POFEV is an interfaith network of clergy and lay people who have been working together since 2006 for equality for LGBT Virginians. Our mission is to:  Achieve equality for all Virginians regardless of sexuality, gender, and gender identity and expression  Insure all individuals and families are honored, and  Work together to create and sustain open and welcoming communities of faith To fulfill our mission, we:  Build and maintain an interfaith network of laypersons and clergy working for equality and inclusion of all LGBT Virginians in our social, political and religious life;  Challenge religiously-based intolerance by offering an alternative vision of what Virginia can be - “the beloved community” that includes and celebrates all and heals injuries based on sexuality, gender, gender identity and expression, and related forms of oppression;  Organize congregations, advocate for change, offer educational and devotional resources, sponsor workshops and forums, host interfaith worship services and other events, and maintain an active online presence to provide regular faithbased messaging for equality and justice. http://www.pofev.org/ �What is SVE’s “Conversation & Cuisine”? Once a month, Shenandoah Valley Equality members (and friends) are invited to meet at a local restaurant in the Valley to share a meal together. Join SVE (see page 13 for details) to receive information about C&C events by e-mail. The Virginia Anti-Violence Project works to address and end violence, with a specific focus on LGBTQ communities across Virginia. Call our LGBTQ Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Helpline: 1.866.356.6998 Monday-Friday 8am-8pm Quotable: “If you want to change the world, start with your own neighborhood.” Need Support? Trevor Crisis Intervention Line (LGBT+): www.thetrevorproject.org 1-866-488-7386 (available 24/7) Trans Lifeline: www.translifeline.org 1-877-565-8860 (staffed by trans* people for trans* people in crisis) I'm alive support chat: www.imalive.org Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741 —Harvey Milk— National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 �“Trails 4 Tails” Dog Walk/Run APRIL 22, 2017 at 8am, JMU Festival Patio Fundraiser for the Valley AIDS Network For more information, contact VAN www.valleyaidsnetwork.org 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 �Vote for the 2017 SVE Board of Directors  Ballots for the 2017 SVE Board of Directors will be sent in the new year to Level I members who renewed their membership by December 1, 2016. Results will be announced at the Annual SVE Membership Meeting (which will coincide with the February First Friday potluck).  Thank you for supporting us!  �Peace, Love, and Equality � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Valley ConnectShen," December 2016 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource December 2016 newsletter "The Valley ConnectShen" published by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2016, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 2016 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVE.Newsletter.December.2016 Volume 19, Issue 4, December 2016 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/b2ba344d786340dabbdee8fda348a870.pdf ce9b6b361c7eb8b08a965d73bda1a3e9 PDF Text Text Volume 20, Issue 4, December 2017 Website: www.svgla.org TH E VALL EY C O N N EC TSH EN THE VALLEY CONNECTSHEN Mission Statement: The mission of Shenandoah Valley Equality is to build inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley. ———————– Community Events (inside)  Equality in the Valley  SVE Friday Potlucks  Madison Equality’s Annual Charity Ball ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVE (Membership Form pg. 13) ———————– “Valley Connectshen” is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December). ———————– Contact the editor, Christine, to advertise and/or submit event information: ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 NEW e-mail address: ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com Historic Victories in Virginia’s Elections, “Equality in the Valley,” & the 2018 General Assembly Session The November 2017 elections yielded historic electoral victories for Virginia’s General Assembly, including the first openly transgender person, Danica Roem, and the first openly lesbian person, Dawn Adams, in the House of Delegates. Equality Virginia’s Executive Director, James Parrish, has been appointed to Governor-elect Ralph Northam’s transition team. Looking ahead: it is important to communicate with your elected representatives in Virginia (the Senate, House of Delegates, and Governor) about bills/proposed legislation during the Virginia General Assembly in 2018. Who are your representatives and how can you contact them? virginiageneralassembly.gov/ Join EV for “Equality in the Valley” on Dec. 12 in Staunton and Dec. 13 in Waynesboro. Every year, Equality Virginia monitors all legislation introduced to the Virginia General Assembly and advocates on behalf of Virginia’s LGBTQ community, helping to introduce and support pro-equality legislation and to oppose bills that move us backwards. Stay informed about legislation affecting our community, and voice your support or opposition to specific bills by joining EV’s email list for their monthly newsletter, action alerts, and events. You can sign up to receive information from EV here: www.equalityvirginia.org/resources/ �“EQUALITY IN THE VALLEY” Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6pm at Staunton Public Library (1 Churchville Road, Staunton, VA) and Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6pm at the Waynesboro Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (565 Pine Ave., Waynesboro, VA) hosted by Equality Virginia Join EV, your neighbors and friends who support equality for our communities to take action to pass nondiscrimination protections in Virginia’s General Assembly. The November elections provide an opportunity like we have never had to move equality forward. However, Delegate Dickie Bell, who represents Staunton and Waynesboro, stands in our way. Last year, only 8 of Delegate Bell’s constituents used EV’s action platform to let him know they support equality for LGBT Virginians. We need to change that, and with you, we can. The majority of Virginians support equality for our community. Staunton’s daily newspaper’s Editorial Board at The News Leader wrote “Virginia needs to catch up in guaranteeing LGBT rights” and called on local legislators to sign EV's nondiscrimination statement. www.newsleader.com/story/opinion/editorials/2017/09/29/virginia-needs-catch-upguaranteeing-lgbt-rights/714246001/ Join us Dec. 12 in Staunton and Dec. 13 in Waynesboro Together we will call on Delegate Bell to sign the legislative office nondiscrimination statement and strategize on ways to bring more voices together. You know Staunton and Waynesboro better than we do and we need your help expanding our outreach and meeting folks in the community. Remember, when we are visible — we win! Together, we will seize this moment and win in 2018. Equality Virginia: Changing Laws, Changing Lives www.equalityvirginia.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 Meeting Information : The location of Harrisonburg PFLAG meetings will be changing in the future; please visit www.pflagblueridge.org for current information Contact: Facilitator Mark at mitchmarke@aol.com or 540-405-1227 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 �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 ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Deadline for March newsletter is Feb. 15 Shenandoah Valley Equality Needs YOU. 1. JOIN SVE (or renew) as a voting member (only $15/year). We rely on your support to cover administrative and event costs, such as our annual Shenandoah Valley Equality Forum. 2. CONNECT. SVE organizes the monthly SVE Friday potluck and Conversation & Cuisine dinner in the Valley (and join us for our new “Breakfast & Cuisine” event). 3. HOST SVE’s Friday Potluck (1st or 2nd Friday) at your home, workplace, house of worship, park... You provide space, plates, utensils, soft drinks, ice, & cups — guests bring the rest. 4. ADVERTISE in our newsletter. SUPPORT our advertisers with your business. 5. SHARE information with us about (non-commercial) events of particular relevance to our community and we will include them in our monthly e-calendar and newsletter free. 6. NOMINATE yourself to serve on SVE’s Board of Directors (nominations are due Dec. 1 every year). All nominees must be voting (Level I) members of SVE. 7. READ the newsletter and stay informed about local organizations and events that sup- Connect with Our Community Voting membership is $15 a year. Non-voting membership is FREE. You must be at least 18 to join. See page 13 for our membership form. �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 https://www.facebook.com/michellemarie51/ Equality Virginia www.equalityvirginia.org EMU Safe Space www.emu.edu/studentlife/clubs/safe-space/ JMU LGBTQ Employee Group www.jmu.edu/lgbtfacultystaff JMU LGBTQ & Ally Education Program www.jmu.edu/lgbta/ JMU Madison Caucus for Gender Equality www.jmu.edu/caucusgenderequality/ LGBT Democrats of Virginia lgbtvadem.org/ Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia logcabin.org/chapter/virginia-northern-virginia/ Madison Equality JMU www.facebook.com/madisonequality PFLAG Blue Ridge pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah Valley Equality ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com & www.svgla.org Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance www.shenandoahvalleypride.org Students Out Understanding & Loving Sisters (SOULS) at Mary Baldwin College www.mbc.edu/student_activities/clubsandorgs/#cultural Southerners on New Ground—Harrisonburg southernersonnewground.org/harrisonburg/ 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 www.vapartisans.org/ www.faith4equality.org/ Do you know of a local organization that should be listed here? Tell us. �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 and public accommodations to people based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Virginia?  every year, Virginia lawmakers introduce several bills that could harm our communities?  every year, Virginia lawmakers introduce several bills that could help our communities?  Make Your Voice Heard on EV’s Day of Action and throughout the 2018 General Assembly session. Join folks from across Virginia for EV’s Day of Action at the Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad St. in Richmond, on Monday, February 5, 2018. Lobby your elected representatives for bills that will help improve the state of equality in Virginia, and participate in a day filled with networking and workshops. For the detailed event schedule and to register, go to http://www.equalityvirginia.org/dayofaction/ Equality Virginia: Changing Laws, Changing Lives www.equalityvirginia.org �We are a lay-led, religious community offering a unique spiritual and moral witness in the Shenandoah Valley. “Standing on the Side of Love” 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 ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Deadline for March newsletter is February 15 �SVE’s Friday Potluck Every month, usually on either the First or the Second Friday, SVE organizes a potluck in the Valley (usually in Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Staunton, or Augusta County) for the LGBTQA+ community. The event rotates to a different location each month and is scheduled to accommodate the volunteer host’s preference). Please bring a dish to share. No RSVP needed. Because the event is usually held in private homes or on private property, we send location information ONLY to our email list of SVE members and do not post it through social media or public email lists. To receive emails about the potluck and other local SVE events, you can join as a non-voting member (for FREE) or as a voting member (for $15). See page 13 for details on how to join. �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thurs., Dec. 7: Harrisonburg PFLAG Support Group Meeting. For parents, family, friends, and all allies of the LGBT community. 6:30-8:00 PM at Blue Ridge Hall, Room 325, on the JMU campus, 601 University Blvd in Harrisonburg. For more info. contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or mitchmarke@aol.com or go to www.pflagblueridge.org Tuesday, Dec. 12: Fundraiser supporting the Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance (see pg. 3 for details)  Dec. 12 & Dec. 13 “Equality in the Valley,” 6:00 PM at the Staunton Public Library, 1 Churchville Ave. on Dec. 12 in Staunton and Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6pm at the Waynesboro Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (565 Pine Ave, Waynesboro). Sponsored by Equality Virginia. Join EV, your neighbors and friends who support equality for our communities to take ac tion to pass nondiscrimination protections in Virginia’s General Assembly. The November elections provide an opportunity like we have never had to move equality forward. Togeth er, we will seize this moment and win in 2018. Light refreshments will be provided.  Thursday, Dec. 14:  Saturday, Dec. 16: Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Join SVE at El Charro, 1580 S. Main St. in Harrisonburg. RSVP by the day before to lanedj@jmu.edu Charlottesville Trans Families Meeting, 5:30-7:00 PM At ASG, 315 Tenth St., NE, Charlottesville (at the corner of 10th and Jefferson). For more information, contact facilitator Karen by email at karenmeandering@gmail.com or by phone at 434-882-3453  Thurs., January 4 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. For more information contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or mitchmarke@aol.com or go to www.pflagblueridge.org  Friday, January 12: SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information, join SVE (See page 12). Monday, January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Thursday, Jan. 18: Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Join SVE at Dragon Palace, 129 South Carlton Street in Harrisonburg. RSVP by the day before to lanedj@jmu.edu Saturday, Jan. 20 Charlottesville Trans Families Meeting, 5:30-7:00 PM, At ASG, 315 Tenth St., NE, Charlottesville (at the corner of 10th and Jefferson). For more information, contact f facilitator Karen by email at karenmeandering@gmail.com or by phone at 434-882-3453  Thurs., February 1: 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. For more information contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or mitchmarke@aol.com or go to www.pflagblueridge.org Volume 20, Issue 4, December 2017 Page 10 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  Friday, February 2: SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information, join SVE (See page 12).  Friday, February 2: Annual Charity Ball, sponsored by Madison Equality at JMU; see details on pg. 14 Monday, February 5: Equality Virginia Day of Action, See page 7 for details and contact information.  February 14  February 15:  Thursday, Feb. 15: Happy Valentine’s Day Saturday, Feb. 17 Charlottesville Trans Families Meeting, 5:30-7:00 PM At ASG, 315 Tenth St., NE, Charlottesville (at the corner of 10th and Jefferson). For more information, contact facilitator Karen by email at karenmeandering@gmail.com or by phone at 434-882-3453 Saturday, Feb. 24 SVE’s Breakfast & Conversation, 8:00 AM At The Little Grill, 621 N. Main St. in Harrisonburg. Meet up with Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends for breakfast. RSVP by noon on the day before to lanedj@jmu.edu.   Saturday, April DEADLINE, SVE newsletter submissions to ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Join SVE at Ruby Tuesday at 111 Burgess Rd. in Harrisonburg. RSVP by the day before to lanedj@jmu.edu 15th Annual Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner is EV’s signature event and the state’s largest black-tie gala gathering for the LGBT community and our supporters. Held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Reservation information will be available in January at www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/  The Valley ConnectShen invites you to submit information about community resources and events for the calendar. This is a vital service; it helps to make our community stronger and improves the quality of life for individual members. Empower your community. Send information to us at ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Submit ads for the March issue (covering March, April, and May) by February 15 to Christine at ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Submit items for the monthly SVE e-mail events schedule by the 25th of each month to David at lanedj@jmu.edu Volume 20, Issue 4, December 2017 Page 11 �"Out in the Boondocks" LGBTQ Valley Meet-up Group If you're a member of the LGBTQ community living in the boondocks in or around the Shenandoah Valley, come meet up with us. This is a informal group where members get together or in smaller groups for meals, hiking movies, live performances, kayaking, and other events. Support our Advertisers, Empower your Community. SVE thanks businesses & organizations that advertise in our newsletter. If you would like to be on the e-mail list for events, send your name and e-mail address to Claire Hollady at clhollady@gmail.com Contact VAN Main Phone: (540) 432-3308 Testing: (540) 432-3308 Español: (540) 908-1889 NEW LOCATION: 963 Reservoir Street, Second Floor, Harrisonburg Website: www.valleyaidsnetwork.org �EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! We need your support to continue as a viable and evolving community presence working on your behalf. The goals of SVE are:     to gather and communicate important community information; to collaborate with allies and LGBTQ-friendly organizations; to organize events within the greater Valley area for social and educational networking with LGBTQ people; and to advocate for full LGBTQ equality, dignity, and inclusion in the Valley, state, and national communities. Level 1 Membership $15 per person (from July-July) Your support helps with administrative costs through the year. Members receive:  An e-mailed version of the newsletter and advance information about SVE events  A vote for members of the SVE Board of Directors (MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE BY DECEMBER 1 TO VOTE FOR AND/OR SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS). Level 1 Membership: Please include a check for $15 for each person and send this form to: Shenandoah Valley Equality, P.O. Box 1023, Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Name #1 Name #2 Address #1: Address #2: E-mail #1: [Check Box] E-mail #2: I/we verify that I am/we are at least 18 years of age. Level 2 Membership— FREE Level 2 members receive an e-mailed version of the newsletter and advance information about all SVE events. To join as a non-voting member, email your first and last name and state that you are at least 18 years of age to ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com �SAVE THE DATE: Madison Equality’s annual Charity Ball raises funds for local non-profits working to support the LGBTQ local community. WHEN: Friday, February 2, 2018 WHERE: Madison Union Ballroom (5th floor of Warren Hall), on campus at James Madison University ADMISSION: To be Decided DRESS: Casual or Semiformal 2018 DESIGNATED CHARITY: CONTACT: To be Decided www.facebook.com/madisonequality or madisonequality@gmail.org �What is SVE’s “Conversation & Cuisine”? Once a month, Shenandoah Valley Equality members (and friends) are invited to meet at a local restaurant in the Valley to share a meal together. Join SVE (see page 15 for details) to receive information about C&C events by e-mail. The Virginia Anti-Violence Project works to address and end violence, with a specific focus on LGBTQ communities across Virginia. Call our LGBTQ Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Helpline: 1.866.356.6998 Monday-Friday 8am-8pm Quotable: “To every person who’s ever been singled out, who’s ever been stigmatized, who’s ever been the misfit, who’s ever been the kid in the corner, who’s ever needed someone to stand up for them when they didn’t have a voice of their own, this one is for you.” —Danica Roem— Need Support? Trevor Crisis Intervention Line (LGBT+): www.thetrevorproject.org 1-866-488-7386 (available 24/7) Trans Lifeline: www.translifeline.org 1-877-565-8860 (staffed by trans* people for trans* people in crisis) I'm alive support chat: www.imalive.org Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741 National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 �People of Faith for Equality in Virginia is interested in finding or forming a network of faith-based social justice advocates, congregational representatives and clergy in the Shenandoah Valley. We need this group to be ready to provide supportive testimony,, letters, and your presence during the 2018 Virginia General Assembly session in January. Please contact Paula Prettyman, Director, POFEV at paula.prettyman@pofev.org or (703) 867-7560. POFEV is an interfaith network of clergy and lay people who have been working together since 2006 for equality for LGBT Virginians. Our mission is to:  Achieve equality for all Virginians regardless of sexuality, gender, and gender identity and expression  Insure all individuals and families are honored, and  Work together to create and sustain open and welcoming communities of faith To fulfill our mission, we:  Build and maintain an interfaith network of laypersons and clergy working for equality and inclusion of all LGBT Virginians in our social, political and religious life;  Challenge religiously-based intolerance by offering an alternative vision of what Virginia can be - “the beloved community” that includes and celebrates all and heals injuries based on sexuality, gender, gender identity and expression, and related forms of oppression;  Organize congregations, advocate for change, offer educational and devotional resources, sponsor workshops and forums, host interfaith worship services and other events, and maintain an active online presence to provide regular faithbased messaging for equality and justice. http://www.pofev.org/ �Vote for the 2018 SVE Board of Directors  Ballots for the 2018 SVE Board of Directors will be sent in the new year to Level I (voting) members who renewed their membership by December 1, 2017. Results will be announced at the Annual SVE Membership Meeting (which will coincide with February’s SVE Friday Potluck).  Thank you for supporting us!  �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection Description An account of the resource This collection contains materials produced by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association). Among other items is the organization's newsletter. Shenandoah Valley Equality is dedicated to building an inclusive community for LGBTQ people in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995, it changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Equality in 2016. The organization regularly held events designed to build strong community including potlucks, breakfasts, and forums. It also published a regular newsletter and maintained a website with resources for the Valley community. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Not Evaluated The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Shenandoah County Library. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Digital File, PDF Periodical Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "The Valley ConnectShen," December 2017 Subject The topic of the resource Sexual minorities Gays - Virginia Lesbians - Virginia Transgender people - Virginia Bisexuals - Virginia Sexual minority community Description An account of the resource December 2017 newsletter "The Valley ConnectShen" published by Shenandoah Valley Equality (formerly the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association). Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Shenandoah Valley Equality Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Digital Folder: 2017, Newsletter Series, Shenandoah Valley Equality Collection, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library, Edinburg, Virginia. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Shenandoah County Library Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 2017 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource COPYRIGHT NOT EVALUATED Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context SVE.Newsletter.September.2017.pdf Volume 20, Issue 4, December 2017 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia