48 25 35717 https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/6dc34dd3ca35a7755cc0878043cda5c3.pdf 8fffa64a322b7dc9f72a7323e66aa3a3 PDF Text Text Oral History Transcript 16-003 Interviewer: Zach Hottel, Truban Archives, Shenandoah County Library Interviewee: Delois Warr From Mount Jackson, Virginia Subject: Integration, Segregation, Shenandoah County Public Schools (VA) February 5, 2016 3:00 PM Zach: This is Zach Hottel with the Truban Archives at the Shenandoah County Library. It is February 5, 2016 at 3:00 PM. I am here with: Delois: Delois Warr from Mount Jackson, Virginia. Zach: We are going to talk a little bit about segregation and integration in Shenandoah County. I have asked her to start off with a little bit about her experience growing up in a segregated school and her experience with segregation. Delois: I went to school at Creekside Elementary School. We had a bus driver from New Market, Virginia who was also a taxi driver so we go to school when we could get to school. I guess he was a volunteer driver, I am not sure how that was, but we had a lot of days missed, a lot of days not getting an education. When I graduated from Creekside Elementary school, I was almost fourteen years old. We still had to wait to get to a high school to have a high school education. So we were home for about two years before my mother decided that she would see that her children got an education. She would take us to Harrisonburg to school. Then she and my dad put in to the Shenandoah County school superintendent that they would like to have transportation rather than use the family owned car that we had to take us to Harrisonburg to Lucy Frances school. At one point we were housed in guest homes in Harrisonburg and my father paid a small tuition for people to keep us. So after my mother got a county car she took about seven of us in a county car to Lucille Sims school in Harrisonburg. When my mother became ill and could no longer drive us we sat again waiting for a driver. So finally my first cousin, my mother's niece had married a young man from Harrisonburg. He moved to Mount Jackson with his wife, they had children, one or two at the time and he started taking us to Harrisonburg in the county car. Then it got crowded in the county car so the county finally gave us a small bus with three windows. The front window, the drivers side window and the passenger side window. They had wooden seats that they had attached to the walls in the back and that where we would sit. My cousin got drafted into the military, that was back in the early fifties. He had to report to the military. So then we were out of a driver again going to Harrisonburg to school. So then Jewell Harsh from New Market she was German descent, she found out what bad treatment we were getting to get an education. She went to the School Board Office of Shenandoah County and offered to drive us to Harrisonburg to get an education. So we went to Sims to continue our education. Very rough time. We would leave very early in the mornings, getting home late in the evenings. When Shenandoah County Schools were out for some reason because our bus was from Shenandoah County we had to report back to Shenandoah County. So we missed a lot of class time, a lot of extra-curricular activities. I was a cheerleader. I had to stay in Harrisonburg with people in order to be a cheerleader. I was on the drill team at school. I had to stay in Harrisonburg with people in order to be in any activity after school hours. Then Jewell Hursh did it for a while and then she got harassed about taking us to Harrisonburg. Then finally my dad had had enough. He had said that he had paid taxes all his life and he was not getting a �fair share of the taxes he was putting into the county. Neither was his chldren getting a fair education. So they decided then to welcome us to the schools in Shenandoah County by way of telling us that we were always welcome that the schools were always Shenandoah County Schools that they did not know why we did not go there. But that was beside the point even though it always was Shenandoah County Public Schools. I can remember seeing the buses come past my house to come pick my neighbor friends that were white children. But they never said, ' Well look it is a public school, why are you children going out of town to go to school? Come on we will get you in to this school. It will take some work.' But once we went there we got along fine, my brother, Teresa Durette, Hetsey Veney and I think Jimmy Regan. We all went there. I am not sure about the others. There was some rough times for me because even in grade school I was a good student and had good grades and everything and even at Sims. Once I came to Stonewall all that just fell. I can remember sitting in the back of the classroom and there was an algebra question to be answered and nobody knew it. The ones that held up their hands did not know it. I held up my hand up for I know fifteen or twenty minutes and finally the teacher told me, " That by law I had to let you answer." That stays with me still today. So by law I did answer and answered it right. And by law I wasn't supposed to have been a teacher but when I came to Stonewall but I had twenty-five credits from in Rockingham County which Stonewall you didn't need twenty-five credits to graduate but when I came to Stonewall I was a junior. For the rest of the day I asked about jobs that I knew that a lot of the kids were getting, after school jobs for half a day of school, half a day work. There wasn't any for us. I stayed in study halls all day long, back to back study halls, helping Caucasian children with homework. Even today I have three that come up to me and tell me that if it wasn't for that they would not have gotten out of school. I appreciate those children that tell me that. Then when it came time for me to get a class ring from Stonewall, you paid half the price in your Junior and then you paid the full price due in your Senior year. When it came time for my Senior year they told they did not have my class ring because my dad never paid. They told my dad that for my brother and I both. So my brother got his in the military and I never got mine and I don't miss it at all. I have knowledge that no one can take away from me, they can have the ring. We had a very few people at Stonewall that were discriminating against us and most of them were the kids were, excuse my expression, from the hills the back roads kids. The town children that I played with all my life never saw me color different. Some of the other children from New Market, they never saw me color different. They sent some National Guards in with us. They weren't used. They weren't needed. Everything went smooth. Only one guy hollered out. "Go back to Africa Niggers", and that hurt me so bad I did not even attend that guy's funeral. Over the years he had gotten nice to us but he just passed away about 2 years ago but I didn't go to his funeral. All those hurts stay with you. People don't realize that racism stays with you if you are a person of color that racism never goes away. The least little thing somebody says to you brings back the old memories. Zach: So you started at Stonewall in 1964, is that right? You were a Junior? Is that right? Delois: Yes Zach: You said they had National Guard there when you went to school? Delois: They sent two with us. They may just have been local policeman but I think they were National Guard. Something like that in case something happened. But it was fine. �Zach: That is interesting. That is not mentioned anywhere else that there were policeman or anything else. Delois: It was fine. That one guy was the only one who said something and I think a couple of his buddies were going "Hey don't do that, we know them. They are our friends." Other than that it was fine like I said. The principal at that time was Ralph Newland. I don't know what happened to my Dad's money but we never got our class rings and I don't want any. The one teacher I still remember his name, Orancey (?) he just died not long ago. I saw this obituary in the paper not long ago, from over in Page County. A couple of other things. I had a home economics teacher and I know her name. She just died. Every time I would make something in Home Economics she would make sure that it wasn't made right, she would keep bringing it back to me and telling me it wasn't right, it wasn't right, and finally a good friend of mine, she just passed away, she worshiped with me at Manor Memorial United Methodist Church. She came up to me one day and said, "I'll fix that for you but don't never let her know." She died just a couple of months ago at 100 years old in the nursing home in Shenandoah County and she never ever knew that Georgia fixed that outfit for me. A couple of other things at Stonewall. We did not have any problems in the cafeteria. We all sat, because our neighbor friends, kids we grew up with, would call out and tell us, "Hey come over here and sit." Zach: So you saw a big difference, I guess, with the students you know, between the ones that lived in town and the ones that lived way out in the country. Delois: The ones that lived in town, I grew up in an all white neighborhood in Mount Jackson, up on Dutch Lane, all white neighborhood. We were the only Black children out there. So it's just like a woman told me the other day I was at a funeral of someone I grew up with. She said, " I am so glad you treat like I am somebody. I said, "You are somebody. Don't never let anybody think that you're not." But it was just that one from out around Orkney Grade someplace out in the hills or something. It was mostly and we say that right today and my mother is eighty-nine and she can tell you it wasn't ever the kids, the young people, that discriminated. It wasn't my mothers neighbors that she grew up with in Mount Jackson. It was the big people, the business people, that are supposed to be putting the world together. What's that song, Come on people now, let's get together, love one another? It was those kind of people, the ones that my dad worked for, the big shot Holtzmans, the Paynes. And you would be surprised at the things my mother has told me, and my dad has told us since we grew up and what we have seen. The people that were discriminating against us were the ones who supposedly my dad employer and gave all his time to them. Chauffeuring them all around to business things in Roanoke, Virginia and other places where he had to go after working all day for them and then taking his time away from his family, his wife and children to chauffer them to business meetings. And they were the ones who made statements that they didn't want their Black and white kids to be going to school together because the black men would be laying up with the white girls and having babies. And it hurts us when we see the white girls hanging onto a Black man's arm today because most of the time it is the white girls hanging on to the Black men not the Black girls on to the white guys. �Zach: Now I am curious a little bit about, you know you said the people that your mother knew that you grew up with and things that were more accepting. What do you attribute that to? I guess, do you think it was because you had a personal relationship, that they knew each other? Delois: Personal. Because my mother knew everybody. My dad grew up in Mount Jackson. My mother grew up in Mount Jackson. She had and still does have lovely neighbors. She has a family that she used to clean for, had 4 girls, Hines. They ran Hardy-Virginia orchard. They were lovely to her. Never words came out of her mouth like came out of some of the old folk's mouths. Now (unintelligible). So anyway, those girls, four girls, Rosemary Rawlings (?) was one of them. They come in three of four times a month and visit my mother and sit with her. Stay hours and hours with her. They send her gifts thru the mail. They come in and make sure she has gotten them. They send her money. Christmas time she gets big bonus checks from them as appreciation for what you did for my mother and for us when we were little children. And then some of the others like a lady one year, she passed away, she used to teach school. Betty Payne. She sent my mother a set of glasses at Christmas. So every year my mother has Christmas dinner so all of us kids were there and Momma says, "I am going to set these glasses out", ( she knows we like to sneak our bottle of wine when she is not looking) "so you all can drink out of them if you all want to." So we were just admiring them. "Mom you mean she gave you these? We bet they weren't intended for you. We bet it was a mistake. They are crystal. They had come from ___?______Rhodes in Charlottesville. a big department store used to be in the old days. She called my mother on the phone 3 days later after this Christmas dinner we had. She said, "Did you get glasses from me?" and my mother said, "yes." She said do you know what they looked like? And of course my mother not having a lot of education said, well the kids all said they looked like crystal. And they liked them and they could not believe that you sent them to me. She said they weren't supposed to go to you they were supposed to go to somebody else. So mom took the glasses up there to show them to her, only one. We told mom, you are only taking one. Because we were grown then, married and grown, and we knew we could stand our ground then. She said,"Oh, they were supposed to be going to so and so, it was somebody right there in Mount Jackson. She showed Mom the box that were supposed to be Mom's and they were plastic. But we kept them. They are still in our house right today. We told Mom, they came to your house. She should have gone over there and made clear where she wanted them to go. There nothing you can do about it now. My mother cleaned there for years and years and I helped my mother clean. Chandelier, get up on nine foot ladders, never gave me anything for helping what my mother could not do when she got up there in age. But people, I talked to a lady yesterday that her mother was a secretary at Valley Fertilizer. She was talking about how well her mother liked may mother. And I said well my mother loved your mother. So it's who my mother associated with, the ones that they did not socialize with, only except for the cleaning, other than the Wallingers and the Hines. My dad at one time did six jobs. He worked for Walter's Restaurant in Mount Jackson. One of his granddaughters told me a couple of months ago, she lives up in Pennsylvania, but she was in the area at the Art Gallery in Mount Jackson, on a Friday night. She said I hated that way my grandfather treated your dad. Your dad worked hard. He worked all day long at the Valley Fertilizer. He worked over there at the Restaurant at night mopping floors and my granddaddy had coming thru the back door and had him sitting in a little bitty booth behind a wall to eat. She said that is why we left this area. It was too much hurting. Then she said I heard about you and my mother was talking about you still living in Mount Jackson. She said I heard �about you and what you are doing and you keep up the good work. She writes me constantly from Pennsylvania. Zach: Now you have mentioned about the restaurant. Were the other restaurants and other things in Mount Jackson segregated? Delois: No. We stood our ground. There wasn't anything they did about it. I guess it was because we were the only Black children in Mount Jackson. My mother's sister had five. My mother had nine. So we were the only Black kids. When we used to walk in with the white kids nobody said anything. So we never was barred from anything. Marion Everly used to run the drugstore in Mount Jackson right across from the Town Hall. We used to have to wait there for our bus to go to Woodstock. We had to walk from Dutch Lane over to wait for our bus. The drugstore had a pretty good eave out from it that would keep you blocked from rain or bad weather. He would let us stand in front of it until opening time when he would walk down from Gospel Street with his Derby hat on and his trench coat. He would go in and turn the lights on and do what he had to do. When it came time for customers to come in he would ask us to move. Could you go and stand between Harrison house and the old drugstore? Could you stand there, this might distract my customers. Zach: That was the way it was. Delois: That was the way it was. But I mean we always went in restaurants. We went in with the white kids. I guess they thought we were white. They didn't say anything. And like I said they knew us , they knew my parents. I don't know why Joe Walters had my dad eat in the kitchen. See I didn't know that until his granddaughter told me. I knew that my dad worked over there because he got scalded one time with hot water and I remember he was laid up for years and they thought he was going to lose a leg. We went to the movies in Mount Jackson. Zach: That was going to be my next question. Delois: We didn't have to got upstairs. I have never even seen the upstairs in that movie. We went and we sat with the white kids that we grew up with in town. We walked in with them and sat anyplace. Zach: Do you think that was typical of the other Black people in Mount Jackson? Delois: I think the reason was that there wasn't a lot of Blacks and we weren’t the kind of Black families that were loud. In those days our parents were, on both sides my mother's sister and her husband we were all Christians. We weren't the loud kind of Black children. I think if had of been Woodstock or Strasburg where there were more Blacks. I don't think it would have been like that. But they saw us, it's just like, hey, these are the kids that play with Mary Gordon's kids and Alma Estep's kids. Joe Estep, he ran a wrecker service and a service station, we played with all those kind of kids that owned things in town. That something we couldn't understand and that is something white children couldn't understand. If we could go every place all over town with them, why couldn't we go to school with them? They always asked that question. On Ox Road, Barbara George(?), she's Barbara Lam, she said," I still can never get over how we all played together but you all had to go to separate schools." And I said, “Neither could we." But I did like the superintendent of Shenandoah County was Dr. Hylton. I remember the last name. I remember �him saying that nobody ever stopped the children from going. That is what he told my dad. It was always Shenandoah County Public Schools and public would have meant every child. But I am proud of what I learned at Lucy F. Sims School(?). I didn't learn anything at Stonewall because at the time like I said when you aren't treated right you don't want to learn anything. I self-taught myself over the years. Zach: Why do you think there was such a difference in attitudes between the generations? You know you said the older people were more discriminatory than the younger people? Delois: I think just like today when people talk about the rebel flag and the Civil War. I think it was how they were brought up and how they were educated. I really do. I think the Holtzman men because they were friendly and nice. Bill Holtzman's dad and Bill Holtzman's uncle, ran Valley Fertilizer, they were the owners of it. I think it was their generation, how they were brought up because Bill Holtzman wasn't like that, he has never been like that. It just better and better with education. Those two little fat men, they reminded me of tubs. It was what they were brought up with. Zach: Now you said you went to Creekside Elementary in Woodstock. Can you talk a little bit about that. What type of school it was. Delois: Ok. That is really sad. Now don't you cry. I did this at Stonewall and some of the kids were crying. It's still standing on Water Street. If you go by you can see it , no, I think my husband said it has been town down. But it was a one room school. It had a coat room, a bath room, and a kitchen. Once or twice a year we would bring in our own vegetables, our own food, and have our end of the year dinner. We had one teacher. It was two sisters came from Shepherdstown, West Virginia. One taught at Strasburg and one came to Woodstock and they boarded in Woodstock and Strasburg with people. It was really tough. These were older ladies. They had a hundred kids to one room. We had to help teach. The older you got you had to help teach So when you were in the seventh and sixth grade you had to help teach the smaller kids. You graded papers. You did almost everything they did but you weren't a teacher. The floors were wooden. The maintenance men from the public schools, which were white men and they would put, and my cousin and I talked about this just the other day, we sat in those rooms it would smell like kerosene. It was like they would put oil or kerosene on the floors to give them a coating after our feet had scuffed them. And that is what we would breathe. I am surprised I am still living today at seventy-one years old. We had a pot-bellied stove. The teacher had a desk. The Lantz men would come and had a little bitty old case with a lock on it. We would earn things of the Lantz things for what we helped the teacher to do. I guess she paid for them. She would give the snacks if we helped her do stuff. Our books were raggedy, I mean, that why I say I self-taught myself. They were raggedy. It was what the white kids didn't need anymore. No covers to them. No backs to them. Pages missing. We sat at a long table. When you had social studies and if you were in 6th and 7th grade you did it together. We had to pass the book around. The teacher would say, " Now you read Page 6 and you pass it around and then Page 7 and it went all the way around like that. It was awful. Our education in grade school was awful. We did have a far better advantage at Sims although we had what the white kids didn't need anymore, it was the same thing. But it was better. We didn't have to pass the books around. We had to share them a lot. Somebody would have to take it home and read it and take their notes and then bring �it back and somebody else would take their notes. That is how we got our education like that. But Creekside we didn't have books. When we went on field trips, my dad did it with the Valley Fertilizer truck, can you imagine. Do you know what those trucks looked like in the old days? Zach: I’m sure. Delois: 1947 trucks. Fertilizer been on them. Dad would scrub them, try to get the smell off of them. Put a tarp on them, had an old canvas tarp. Dad would pick us up at Creekside and take us on an end of the year picnic at Elizabeth Furnace or Camp Lupton and let us come out there and do that or Camp Strawderman. Out desks were old and beat up. Our mended clothes, my mom had to mend our clothes, we were like the Waltons, because the desks were old, they had the little ink wells. The ink bottle would spill and come all out on your clothes because in those days we had the ink pen that you squeezed that little plastic thing to get enough ink in it and put the top on it. So anyway like I said we didn't have many books. Our report cards were used over again. Our teacher had something, it was called Witeout when I was teaching but this something in liquid form that smelled exactly like peroxide. And she if I had a report card and was giving me my semester grades and she ran out of room for writing something, she would take this little brush out of this little bottle and she would go across it and it would dissolve the writing. Then she would write over it. You would never believed it. People don't understand why when black people when something goes wrong like the Ferguson thing everybody gets really bent out of shape. It brings back that old stuff. Creekside was just awful. We were cramped in that little school at our desks. She used to push all the desks to one side and then you would have a wide aisle at certain things but then you had to ask somebody else to move so you could get out. Good thing I was skinny. It was just awful. Zach: So you saw a big difference between that and the white schools. Delois: Yes. What story do I want to use? Characteristics of the building. I am going to tell you the truth. I learned more in a Black school than I ever would have in a white school. White schools don't teach. I taught up at Ashby-Lee. I saw a lot of playing. That is why kids can't read right today. The teachers played with the kids. They didn't know where the kids were half the time. They are out of the classroom. The white kids have freedom. We didn't have freedom which probably your grandparents didn't. When they went to one-room schools. You were taught. You followed the rules. You had more values that you lived by. You educated yourself. But now the kids, I went to the library in Mount Jackson last night. I went home and told my husband, you know what, I saw 6 computers in the library. I went over there at 7:30. I went to Town Council. I had a meeting with the Mayor. I told my husband I went in about 6:30 there sat all these Mexican kids with the headphones on at a computer. Another child I found out later was________? was a volunteer in there last night, his child. A couple times I went back over and someone else was in at Bucky's, cause when the Mayor has a meeting you wait your turn and so I went back to the library and they were still sitting. Matter of fact I said, I excused myself, and I said, " Bucky when this client is ready to leave can you have her stop in the library and tell her that you are ready for me and I won't keep coming back." He said that was fine. I went back, I went back, I went back. Finally I stayed at the library and worked on the computer. Finally when I got done it was like ten minutes to eight. That is when those kids get up. I said to my husband, I go to that library done there all the time, I never see a child get a book. They are all �on a computer. I said to my husband, I don't know who to tell this to, but the man he wasn't very friendly until he found out I wasn't going to (play?) with him. He had glasses and a beard. I walked in the first time and asked him to check my card to see if it was still up to date because a lot of times I won't go to the library down there for a lot of reasons, and my card would run out and they would have to renew it. I guess it was his wife, had a toddler with her, cause I asked the little girl how old she was. She was four. She was up on the counter. When you check in and ask questions there is this woman and this child that was sitting on the counter. The man checked my card then finally he went over to the copy machine to do something and that same kid went over there and started messing with something. He told you can't do that. And I am thinking when I volunteered nobody in my finally was ever behind the counter and I was the only one behind the counter. Then when the kids all got up from the computers and left. I told my husband, "Guess what when they all stood up they stretched and they yawned. That shows me how long they long they had been sitting there playing games at a computer. Now when Ann first opened it up, I started the first children's story hour there. But I gave it up because I had. See we still go thru that with racism. Racism is still alive today. I had somebody that was always coming in. I would go down and prepare my story hour and get it all set up and everything. And I go down to do it the day I am to do it and somebody else is there doing it. Hey, I worked hard on that section for my story hour. What are you doing? So I told Ann that's it. When you leave I am leaving , so I don't do anything down there anymore. I told my husband when I was down there I encouraged children to read and get books. I don't understand they just go in and use the computer and don't use your library for nothing else. I heard they don't use them that much at school, little kids. High school kids I think use them a lot. But our grandkids in our family, my grandkids, my sister's grandkids, my brother's grandchildren, they read. They going to read. They are going to use their library wisely. It is not just a computer game thing. ZACH: I am a little curious. You said your dad the reason that he sent you to Stonewall. You said he paid taxes. To me a very practical reason why he sent you to school versus maybe more of a trying to prove a point. Is that you think that is right that maybe the reason your family wanted you to go to school was maybe more for the practical reason? Delois: No because my older sisters, older than me, two older than me wouldn't do it. They wouldn't go to the white schools. And my sister still tries to drill it into my head. " I am so glad that, she calls it ____?, my school. That's my alma mater." Then I have some Black people that have retired that live in New Market. The class from Stonewall wanted me on their committee, high school reunion. I was on it until this Black girl moved back here from Maryland after being gone for forty some years. My husband says your letting them turn your head against everything. She came one night and she said, " I see racism still around here and I am not going to be a part of none of that stuff. So I haven't been to any meetings. My husband says you are letting her turn you against things. But, it is. I see racism and I try to overlook it until someone else sees it and dwells on it, and starts putting things in my head. And all those old feelings come back. Zach: Now I am curious a little bit about, Stonewall, the name being associated with the Civil War and things. Did you then or maybe even now. What is your feeling? Delois: When we went there we didn't associate him with the Civil War. We associated him with the man on the horse who rode thru Mount Jackson as we were told we when we were kids. �Mounted his horse. That was probably a joke. They say that is were Mount Jackson came from but that is not where it came from. Well I don't know because it used to be Mount Pleasant. I did a history of Mount Jackson that we just looked at him as somebody who rode a horse and stopped here and did whatever he had to do and went on about his business. But now my daughters have all moved from here and my sons all want to live here. My daughters live over on the east coast. They can't stand white people now and they went to Stonewall. Now mind you they____ but they cannot stand white people. My one daughter just hates them. She doesn't come back for her class reunion. She doesn't want to meet anybody. When I was teaching at AshbyLee she had stopped there one day on her way in on a Friday and thought I was going to leave when she stopped there and just say ok I am going home early. I said come in and meet some of the teachers. "Momma I do not want to meet any of those white teachers. I had enough of them when you all made us go to school here. This is what they tell us, we made them go to school here. My other daughter her second son just graduated a year ago. Five scholarships. That is around Richmond Virginia. She said mom she said see what my kids got that I never got at Stonewall. She said I never got a mention. We never got plaques. We never got anything. So when it came up to Hall of Fame none of us Black kids ever got in it. She said you see what my kids got now. Her other son is sixteen and she sends me all these things in which he is mentioned. Honorable mention in Hopewell, Virginia. Town Council had him at a banquet. School Board had him at banquet. He plays football. Her other little boy he is fourteen, he gets his picture like when the realtors having a picture ad in the newspaper they use her children. She says my kids get an advantage over here, you are not getting anything over there. And you don't. You don't get anything over here but I _____. I don't worry about it. I let it go. But we didn't get mentioned at Stonewall either. I was a cheerleader at Sims. Came to Stonewall, tried out for it up there. And you know what I told them. Ok I understand my legs aren't white enough, that is fine with me though. It is just that and we got kind of upset about Dad sending us there because we did not want to be a part of the whole white thing. The neighborhood kids was fine. The whole white thing, we did not want to be a part of that anyway. But while we were there we thought we should have gotten into something. I was in the drill at school and we had at lot of programs at Sims that we were in, and like I said we had to stay in Harrisonburg in order to be in these things. Got to Stonewall, we was never in nothing. Zach: So none of the Black kids that first integrated at Stonewall were involved in any of that, extracurriculars. Delois: That is why they all left. Everybody left but me. Everybody. I am the only one. Now they are back. Jimmy Rankin is back, Bobby Rankin was back but he just passed away back in October. Theresa is back. Alfreda passed away in July she was back, she went to school with my sister. They all moved and I am the one who stayed back. And they ask me how do you get to stay back here with the knowledge that you__________ a stupid man?? And I said what do you mean by that? He worked with the highway. he came here working with the big construction company that put 81 thru from New Market to Edinburg. He traveled with them for awhile. They put 211 and 64 in and a bypass in over in Culpeper and something else over in Wardensvillle WV. I said this is a way for me to travel and see the world. Oh well. But he wanted to stay in Mount Jackson. So he stayed in Mount Jackson. We got married. He worked for Garrett, Moon, & Poole until for awhile until Poole started calling him names that Black people from the South don't tolerate. He is from Memphis. He told him he said you don't call me those kind of names or �I am walking off this job because I don't intend on being in prison in Virginia for killing a white man for that type of name. So anyway, he was off for maybe 2 months and someone from Dominion Virginia Power told him said that did you know that, and this was in seventy, said that Dominion Virginia Power can't hire any more whites until they hire a black. At that time it was VEPCO. And said go up and put your application in and 2 days later he was hired. But you see how that works because of the law. He worked there for years and years. He did for 31 years ?. There came a couple openings up for different things because he had been there a long time and they hired white boys like Ronnie Hoffman and different ones from around here in Woodstock. Hired them for the job and my husband should have been. It was told to him later by some people from Richmond, some Virginia Power people. He should have had those positions first. He did 33 years, now he won't life a finger for anybody, he only works at the Food Bank at church. My son works there now and they are giving him a hard time. I told my son stick it out. Like I stuck it out with the school system. They gave us a hard time. Another guy Arthur Alsberry they gave him a hard time cause we were only..Arther was a teacher. His mother was a reading Specialist assistant. I was Special Education mostly disturbed assistant. We had a hard time. People don't know the times that we had but I stuck it out and retired 30 some years. Zach: So I was going to ask you about that. As going in working for the school system versus when you went in as a student, what did you still experience a lot of? Delois: Matter of fact I had to sue them to get a job, discrimination. Zach: Oh you did? Delois: And then they gave me every job they could give me. I mean and this is running up and down the road. New Market Middle School, Toms Brook. This is back and forth, back and forth all day long. Then the last job they gave me, they gave me a job riding a __________bus, special education bus from Strasburg to Ashby Lee. But let me tell you how I had to do it. I had to leave Mount Jackson, get in my car and leave Mount Jackson. Park it at W. W. Robinson and get on the bus and ride back to Mount Jackson. Did it make sense? So my sister up in _______ said there are a lot of people up in this city that are highly educated, lawyers in the family that are from Pennsylvania. They will help you. They are not going to do that. So when we put in my discrimination suit. At the time Bob Danley was still Superintendent. He says, "Delois come Monday you don't bring your car to Woodstock anymore and get on that bus, you leave from your house right there in Mount Jackson. Then we a couple of things we had to straighten out, Then Billy Smitherman? was the principal. In 1980 they had an opening there to open up the new classroom for the Ashby-Lee. He said we don't hire parents at a school where the kids are being educated at. We did some more_____? You see that is what you have to watch. They don't know that when discrimination people come around they don't tell you who they are. They can walk in the door and say, 'Oh I am here to look at your library, I am checking out a book and they are watching things. That why I say I am glad Black people educate their kids right. Cause we know a lot of things that white people think that we don't know how to get around. They found out that they had about 5 or 6 teachers there that they had their kids there at the school, teachers and teachers assistants. So then that is when they were running me up and down the road to Toms Brook, 2 hours a day, New Market 2 hours a day, Stonewall 1 hour a day blah, blah, blah. And finally all that got ironed out. So then I had some other little run arounds. But then again I had �two falls at Ashby-Lee and that is what is wrong with my back. The last one was in 1999. Again another teacher from Page County was at WW, I guess he's fired from there. But they had already, Johns Hopkins had already sent a note and everything telling them what was wrong with my spine and everything. And I was off for a year and a half and I went back and did 4 hours a day. I could do it in the mornings or I could do it in the afternoons. And they came up one day and asked me how long will you be like this because I may have to hire somebody in your place. I said I don't know, but I went home and made my phone calls. Had a meeting with a certain lawyer. The day I had the meeting with the lawyer, the lawyer said you do not go back to that school no more. You can go there and get your personal belongings, but you are done with them. So I sued them again. Shenandoah County likes to be sued, I am the person who likes to do it to. I mean if you want to treat me dirty, I can treat you dirty because there is no sense in it. All that is uncalled for. You don' ask a person that has worked all those years, 'How long you going to be like this?'. Ask my doctor. Or ask me and you might ask me, 'can I ask your doctor, or ask me nicely, take me in the office. Don't come in and _________ and ask me, "how long are you going to be like this?' _________? At that time I was Library Assistant, Library Media Specialist Assistant, because of my back so I was more like did remedial work, probably just like you do here all the filing, and the phone calls and the computer and everything like that. So that was my last day at work. Then I had emergency back surgery and my back never ever did get better and still won't get better. But then you got somebody who wants to know how long you are going to be like that so I can hire somebody in your place. So but the reason I didn't go to work at the schools because I thought about how they treated me. I went to work for children. For children's sake. I have a thing on my refrigerator, "I teach for children's sake". It is not about the teachers, it is not about the principals. It is about those poor, lost kids that are lost on the wayside. What does Barack Obama say? __________ left behind. Those kids are left behind. And that is a lot of them kids that are left behind. I have them coming up every day, funerals, and every place. "Are you Mrs. Warr?" Yes. 'Do you remember me?" I don't think so. "If it wasn't for you I probably would never have had an education. I wouldn't be where I am at today." That makes me happy. Zach: That's good. Now I am curious also about churches and how that worked. Did you go to church in Mount Jackson? Delois: The Black church in Mount Jackson. The United Methodist Church in Mount Jackson did not want us. We had two churches in Mount Jackson. Cause there were quite a few people in Mount Jackson way before I was born. But when I was coming along it was just my mom and my dad and my mother's sister and her husband and their five kids. And they had, and it was still a Baptist and a Methodist and a Black schoolhouse was still standing. Phyllis Hall?? was still standing and of course old Dewey Jordan used to be the mayor of Mount Jackson, tore it all down. He didn't have a reason to but he did. But when the Black chuch was torn down, cause we are Methodists, my dad went to Mount Jackson Methodist and asked them about us coming there to worship because at that time my mother and her sister had left because the road took her house when they put the byway going out to 263 so they moved to Front Royal. They said that they didn't know, they would have to have meeting on it and kind of do some discussion on it. So my dad got hold of, cause they still had a Black church at Woodstock. So my dad got hold of the conference and asked where are our records going at from the church and the conference said it goes to the closet church to your home. So my dad went back to the Mount Jackson Methodist. He said well they sent our records over here. And they said well we have to vote on whether we �want to integrate our church. But it was called United Methodist, same way Shenandoah County Public Schools. So the conference called my dad on the phone and even wrote a letter and said New Market Manor Memorial Church in New Market is taking African-American people from New Market free. Just come on in and would you all like to go up there. And that is where we went and that is where we have been. Now I get these people at Mount Jackson Methodist saying, "I heard you sing in the choir. I heard you work with the Children’s ministry." I heard you this and heard you that. "You taking all that up at New Market and you could be doing that at our church." I said, No they didn't need me fifty, sixty, seventy years ago. They didn't need me now. Same way with the Library in Mount Jackson. I worked under Ann Thompson. I left my name down there I don't know how many times that I would like to come one time and do a story with the kids as a guest storyteller. I would like to come in, put books away. Never heard anything from Mount Jackson Museum or Mount Jackson Library. So Karen Whetzel going to let me come up there, still like to read stories to kids. One year I read, when Ann was there I used to do the Dr Seuss program with the school. And I did Socks On?? Dr. Seuss. I did that story one year, and I am not bragging on myself, I had a pack of kids that came to my section because I had over 300 pairs of socks. I went around to all my family and I got knee socks and all color socks and I had them hanging up in my section and then each child could hold on to a sock as I was reading the story. And another lady she had another section in the library for her story, she told Ann, "Did not one kid come to my area." Well you got to prepare for kids. You got to make them excited about coming in that area. When I did summer stories I would lay it out with things about summer. When I did stories on beaches I would lay it out with beach chairs and get some sand and put buckets out. You got to get kids excited about things. They tell me that at church. " You do such children's stories at church. But I have it laid out, I have it visualized for the kids. You can't sit there and give them a children's story and they are looking everywhere else because you are bored. You are just reading something off the top of your head that you don't know what you are talking about and neither do they. Matter of fact I got children’s story ? Valentine 14. I am already working on it. Zach: Now you talked about there not being many Black people in Mount Jackson. Compared to maybe your parents or grandparents lived there. Delois; Yes, my grandparents lived there. Zach: Why do you think so many Black people left Mount Jackson? Delois: You know I am thinking, Mom always told me, and I think it was true, Woodstock was larger and it had more job offerings. Because my grandfather was still there, He died in 1957 when I was little. He was still there but then his brothers and his sisters all went to D.C. or New York, Ohio, Massachusetts and way up in New Hampshire. And then he stayed and then Mom stayed, her and her sister out of her family, their brothers left they went to North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Same way with Dad, Dad had two sisters and brothers, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania. They said they didn't stay, my dad didn't tell us but my uncle did that lives in New Jersey, he told me when he was almost on his death bed that the reason why he left, he was in the military, and he found out that one of their brothers, 9 years old, died in a reformatory school back in the early forties, like 1942-43 because he was blamed for something that a white kid did back in Mount Jackson, that is why he never came back. My dad stayed. My dad was the first �one, he didn't, he let God handle things. He didn't get mad _____? somebody killed my brother blah, blah, blah. But that is what my uncle told me, but my dad never told us that story. Then my dad stayed, my mom stayed. Out of our generation there were nine of us. I am the only one that stayed. I had five. My son is the only one that is here. All of my other kids are gone. Basically there is nothing here for them. My son says that the only reason that he is here, like his dad. He has a good job working with a good company that will supply. Stand up for him with discrimination. If it was any other job my son probably wouldn't stay cause he runs things. He is the only person who runs a backhoe digger that sits those poles in the ground. He did it in Northern Virginia so when they got an opening here in Shenandoah County, about 2 years before he retired, he said, "Rodney why don't you come here and put your application in and he did. If you ever see that Dominion Power truck going by with that backhoe digger and trailer that is my son driving it. He takes this job seriously like his daddy did. My husband did 31 years at Dominion. Zach: So you think most people left because of jobs. Delois: Yes. There weren't any jobs for Blacks unless they were something they wanted to give you. But they would tell you they didn't have any openings but they would give you what they wanted to give you. Now I know that for a fact. That went way back in the sixties. Zach: Now did your parents ever talk about or did you ever experience the more overt types of racism like with the Klan and things like the more physical types of racism? Delois: Never, ever until I restored the cemetery in Mount Jackson. You heard about that project that I did. The Old Historical Black cemetery. The day we had the grand opening of it, you know I live in an all white neighborhood, I live in Dutch Lane subdivision. And my neighbor next door come over early that morning, when I had the grand opening that day at like 2:00. We had a parade in Mount Jackson and the Confederate people welcomed me having a grand opening. Al Sharpe, is that his name?, he come and gave me a nice certificate on what I have done and everything. But that morning my neighbor came over and knocked on the door and he says,"Delois, guess what, I hate to tell you this and I don't like at all, we got up this morning and on my windshield, I was going to 7-11 and get a cup of coffee, Klan flyers were stuck behind my windshield wipers and he said, “I took them down and laid them on my floorboards, went down to 7-11 and they were talking about that everybody got them. Everybody in Mount Jackson got them except me. Somebody knew what house I live in, 2861 cause we didn't get any. Then somebody in town, I don't know who the mayor was at that time, wasn't Dewey Jordan, I can't think who it was, might have been Joe Williams. Joe Williams, he said that they had a heck of a time cleaning the streets up that morning before I even knew about it. That the sheriff and all had to come up and get them all up. They had in doors. We didn't know who the person was as long as they didn't bother me and my family. They can throw all the papers they want to. Just like I said, you can't take knowledge away from anybody. Zach: In one of the interviews I did, they talked about that they used to burn crosses in Woodstock and where they did it but there was never any in Mount Jackson? �Delois: There were never any in Mount Jackson. Mom and Dad never told me anything about that in Mount Jackson. No crosses or nothing. Mom and Dad's house a white man showed it to them and built it for them. It was just a small house. Pete Lonas, he is a prominent man in Mount Jackson, brought us a lot of pictures________? I do a lot of readings about Mount Jackson. I hear this Pete Lonas. I think at one time he owned the Dellinger Funeral Home or he built it. Never heard of any of that. And that was in 2000 can you believe it, that was when I restored that and had the grand opening of the cemetery up there. And then I had a man from Harrisonburg, and he is a prominent business man up there, I see his name in the paper a lot, that called me on the phone and said, "Are you sure that there's some Civil War Black soldiers down in that cemetery?" And I said, " I don't have to answer to you for anything. I got my histories. I know what I got, I know how I researched, and everything and if he wants to go behind me and research he can but don't call and ask me anything, find it yourself. And somebody told me then,_____ Barris?, you ever heard of him? He told me that some of the people don't talk with them because they didn't want me to have this celebration about the cemetery they wanted it to be a forgotten thing. Which it was for years and years all growed up like a jungle. Nobody knew it was up there. It is right behind the Confederate cemetery. And the history behind it, where Holtzman Oil is that old house, Nelson House that was the old hospital during the Civil War and they had some Black soldiers that was on, they man have been canteened??, they may have walked with their mallets?? they may have done something with the war. They were taking them over there and putting them in that cemetery. ___________Barris and I researched and we found it out of a history book. But he told me don't talk with everybody because they don't like you digging up this stuff and recognizing your race or _____that cemetery that is a part of history. I went on and did it, it didn’t stop me. At one time I thought they were going to drive by and shoot thru my windows but that is why we keep our curtains shut. You know we have those things and my husband said, ________you get us killed and everything> But I don't worry about stuff like that. Zach: So that is really all I have question-wise. is there anything else you want to add? Delois: No. That was fine, nice. � https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/231a3820ffe8cfec88601bbd66c9e96d.MP3 e5bf791808b6192e814fe7adfd926d1c Oral History A resource containing historical information obtained in interviews with persons having firsthand knowledge. Interviewer The person(s) performing the interview Zachary Hottel Interviewee The person(s) being interviewed Delois Warr Location The location of the interview Shenandoah County Library Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound See attached file. Duration Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.) 57:10 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 DeLois Warr Oral History Interview Subject The topic of the resource Warr, DeLois Public schools - Virginia - Shenandoah County Description An account of the resource Oral history interview featuring Delois Warr conducted on February 5, 2016 for the Shenandoah County Library's Black History Month Program. In 1964 Delois became the first African American student to attend what was then Stonewall Jackson High School. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Zachary Hottel Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Shenandoah Voices Oral History Collection 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 February 5, 2016 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Transcription by Marjorie Hisey Tackett. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial (CC-BY-NC) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource MP3 File Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Recording Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2016-003 African Americans Integration Mt. Jackson New Market Schools Segregation Shenandoah County Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/400f2c783cd7feea05c4a1b5ab3f76ae.pdf 407bb33fe0ef49df7a548ce3ee87e678 PDF Text Text Volume 25, Issue 1 January 2022 www.svgla.org P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 TH E VALL EY C O N N EC TSH EN THE VALLEY CONNECTSHEN ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com Join us on Facebook Facebook.com/groups/6028241093 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. 12) ———————– Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ groups/60282410939 ———————– Contact the editor to advertise and/or submit event information: ShenandoahValley Equality@gmail.com ———————– The 2022 Virginia General Assembly Session: Sustaining and furthering progress depends on us. So much is at stake. Every year, Equality Virginia monitors LGBTQ-related legislation introduced to the Virginia General Assembly and advocates on behalf of Virginia’s LGBTQ community. EV works to introduce and support pro-equality legislation and to oppose bills that move us backward. The session goes from January 12-March 12. Your voice matters. EV amplifies the voices of LGBTQ communities by engaging thousands of Virginians in grassroots advocacy and connecting constituents with their legislators. Engage. Join EV’s email list: Stay updated on our efforts to bring equality to the Commonwealth. We will send information on how to take action to make change. Host a speaker: Connect with a transgender or non-binary Virginian in your local community from our speaker’s bureau to build understanding. Give now: Help us build a stronger movement to make positive change for LGBTQ people in Virginia. Get a ticket for EV’s Commonwealth Dinner: (See page 4 for information about the event scheduled for March 26.) https://equalityvirginia.org/get-engaged/ �The Friendly City Safe Space serves the LGBTQ+ Community in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Located on the second floor of the Ice House in Harrisonburg, VA (217 South Liberty Street, Suite 203). Visit their Facebook page (address below) for drop-in hours. FCSS seeks more volunteers. Whether you want to sign up for a time slot, host events, or help with advertising and media, FCSS has a space for you. Find FCSS on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FriendlyCitySafeSpace/ FCSS is a program of the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center. �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, including:  the 2022 Virginia General Assembly session, (which runs from January 12-March 12);  the 2022 elections for the US House of Representatives, local school boards, and city councils; and events sponsored by local and state-wide community organizations (see pages 8 and 9 of this newsletter for information). Members of the SVE community who are on Facebook have been and are receiving regular posts, including about events by other local community organizations; information about local, state, and federal elections; new laws passed during the 2021 General Assembly session; ways you can impact legislation in Virginia; and opportunities to support our communities locally and sustain and advance our movement in Virginia and nationally. If you are not receiving that information, join Shenandoah Valley Equality’s Facebook group at  www.facebook.com/groups/60282410939 �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. EV’s 19th annual Commonwealth Dinner is the state’s largest black tie gathering for our community. Enjoy live entertainment, a silent auction, a dance, and network with others. At the dinner, EV also recognizes OUTstanding Virginians who have contributed to the equality movement and represented our community with distinction. We hope you can join us for this special event. �2022 Elections Equality is always on the ballot. ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE? Key elections will be held for seats in: The US House of Representatives Local School Boards City Councils Primary election: June 21, 2022 General election: November 8, 2022 Register to vote Check your registration status Find your polling place Apply to vote absentee by mail For more information, go to vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation �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 WAYS TO EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY  FOLLOW Shenandoah Valley Equality on Facebook. 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Follow Shenandoah Valley Equality on Facebook We share information about local events and organizations, opportunities to connect, and ways to sustain and advance our progress and well-being. www.facebook.com/groups/60282410939 �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 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 Safe Space facebook.com/FriendlyCitySafeSpace/ 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. �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 �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. �Hope House of the Shenandoah The Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, in partnership with Valley Community Services Board, has received a grant to address homelessness for young people ages 18-24 who are not living with their parents or guardians. Working together, we will provide rapid rehousing, rent assistance, and optional wraparound services to help these young people develop the skills they need to thrive. This program provides housing options in Augusta County, Staunton, Waynesboro, Rockbridge County, Lexington, Buena Vista, Bath County, Highland County, Rockingham County, and Harrisonburg. For more information, email hopeshenandoah@gmail.com or call/text the Hope Line at 540 -2453321. To apply for services, visit: https://www.shenlgbtqcenter.org/hope-house Additionally, we are looking for volunteers to participate in our Youth Advisory Council. Ideally, we would like participants from across our service area which we are broadly calling "North" (Harrisonburg/Rockingham) "Central" (Augusta/Staunton/Waynesboro/Highland) and "South" (Rockbridge/ Lexington/Buena Vista/Bath). We especially need a representative of school districts from each of the three areas as well as mental health & social services providers. Participants with lived experiences of youth homelessness are also encouraged. If you or someone you know would be interested in participating, please fill out an application at this link: https://forms.gle/cK8qYhsTD1gtM8669 �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: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, then you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu � 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," January 2022 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 January 2022 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: 2022, 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 January 2022 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.January 2022 Volume 25, Issue 1, January 2022 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/93fd8b0fe68406899d2b704e42d70509.pdf 1fcd59cbb06bbb04cbd47472ecda376d PDF Text Text Volume 24, Issue 2 October 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! On November 2nd, Virginia voters will elect the next Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, all 100 members of the Virginia House of Delegates, and some local school board members (varies by locality). So much is at stake for our community. Election Information and Deadlines  (Membership pg. 13)  ———————– Visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ groups/60282410939 ShenandoahValley Equality@gmail.com ———————– Register to vote or apply for a ballot online: www.elections.virginia.gov/citizen-portal/ The deadline to register to vote is October 12.  The deadline to request a ballot to be mailed to you is Oct. 22. Your request must be received by 5:00pm.  You may vote early in person NOW through October 30 at your local registration office, Mondays-Fridays (except holidays), and on two Saturdays (Oct. 23 & 30). See who is on your ballot - follow the link below. ———————– Contact the editor to advertise and/or submit event information: Find us on Facebook NOVEMBER ELECTIONS: Equality is always on the ballot. ———————– Join SVE ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com  For details about the information above, go to: www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/calendarsschedules/upcoming-elections.html Your vote matters. �LIVING QUEER HISTORY LECTURE: A Conversation Celebrating LGBTQ History Month featuring author, activist, and public historian Dr. Gregory Samantha Rosenthal October 28, 4:00-6:00 PM EST LIVE VIA ZOOM Join us for Eastern Mennonite University’s inaugural LGBTQ+ History Month Lecture, including university- and community-based partnerships from across the Shenandoah Valley. Dr. Rosenthal will be speaking about their forthcoming book, Living Queer History: Remembrance and Belonging in a Southern City, where they discuss their own journey – coming out and transitioning as a transgender woman – in the midst of working on a community-based history project. Queer history is a living practice. Talk to any group of LGBTQ people today, and they will not agree on what story should be told. Many people desire to celebrate the past by erecting plaques and painting rainbow crosswalks, but queer and trans people in the 21st century need more than symbols—they need access to power, justice for marginalized people, spaces of belonging. Approaching the past through a lens of queer and trans survival and world-building transforms history itself into a tool for imagining and realizing a better future. Living Queer History tells the story of an LGBTQ community in Roanoke, Virginia, a small city on the edge of Appalachia. Interweaving historical analysis, theory, and memoir, Gregory Samantha Rosenthal tells the story of their own journey—coming out and transitioning as a transgender woman—in the midst of working on a community-based history project that documented a multigenerational southern LGBTQ community. Based on over forty interviews with LGBTQ elders, Living Queer History explores how queer people today think about the past and how history lives on in the present. Gregory Samantha Rosenthal is Associate Professor of History at Roanoke College and co-founder of the Southwest Virginia LGBTQ+ History Project. Sponsored by the EMU Office of DEI (CODI@emu.edu) �The Friendly City Safe Space serves the LGBTQ+ Community in the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County area. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FriendlyCitySafeSpace/ �And still we wait. For a return to a more or less normal world of connection and community. Please know that 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 9 and 10 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, upcoming 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 www.facebook.com/groups/60282410939 �The 8th annual Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit October 20-23, 2021 TIES is a free conference sponsored by Equality Virginia and the Virginia Equality Bar Association and serves the needs and interests of transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming Virginians of all ages, as well as their friends, family members, partners, and allies. Register today! The conference will be virtual. Last year’s virtual format allowed more people than ever to make connections, get information, and access resources. The event is FREE. Registration is required. To register, volunteer, and see the schedule, visit equalityvirginia.org/events/ties-2021 �2021 Elections in Virginia ARE YOU REGISTERED & READY TO VOTE? Key elections will be held for 3 state-level offices: Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General, All 100 seats in the House of Delegates, and some local school board offices General election: November 2 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 and voice your support or opposition to specific bills by joining EV’s email list for their monthly newsletter, action alerts, and events: �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 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 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 share them on our Facebook page.  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 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. 13 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 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 Safe Space facebook.com/FriendlyCitySafeSpace/ 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 �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. �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 �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 Need Support? Quotable: “Change does not roll in on wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” 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 __________________________________ —Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 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," October 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 October 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 October 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.October.2021 Volume 24, Issue 2, October 2021 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia 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/8b8859c3a73af7cf7d07c6c31fdc6e9c.pdf 40e3ee2807952c316294d9f8e43535b1 PDF Text Text Volume 23, Issue 1 March 2020 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. ———————– Community Events (inside)       ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com Find us on Facebook MOVING EQUALITY FORWARD: A Historic Virginia General Assembly Session Several pro-equality bills have passed both houses of the General Assembly and are expected to be signed by the Governor. Some of these bills include: INDIGO Dance Party SVE Potlucks Pi Day Party Trans Day of Visibility Dukes Pride Week Staunton Pride  A bill prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, and credit  A bill to ban “conversion therapy” on minors ———————–  A bill to add gender identity, sexual orientation, gender, and disability to Virginia’s hate crime law  A bill to make it easier to change the gender marker on birth certificates  A bill to repeal Virginia’s statute banning same-sex marriage and other forms of relationship recognition EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVE (Membership pg. 15) ———————– “The Valley ConnectShen” is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) ———————– Contact the editor to advertise and/or submit event information: ShenandoahValley Equality@gmail.com See more at www.equalityvirginia.org/equality-virginia-at-the-general-assembly/ ��Self-Expression Closet Accepting Donations Once each semester JMU’s SOGIE Programming accepts donations to the clothing closet. Located in the Lavender Lounge (SSC Room 1310 on campus), this is a free closet for JMU students to use. We accept gently-used binders, bras, shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, jackets, sweaters, shoes, purses/bags and other accessories (belts, hats, gloves, scarves, jewelry, etc.). Donations will be accepted between March 13-March 18. Drop off items to the labeled box in the Lavender Lounge (SSC 1310). �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. EV’s 17th annual Commonwealth Dinner is the state’s largest black tie gathering for our community. Enjoy live entertainment, a silent auction, a dance, and network with others. At the dinner, EV also recognizes OUTstanding Virginians who have contributed to the equality movement and represented our community with distinction. We are celebrating a historic year of advocacy in the Commonwealth and hope you can join us for this special event. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to: https://www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner2020/ �INDIGO: A Party for Women Private Party for Women Only Must be 21 to enter ALL Women (21 and older) welcome Saturday, March 21, 8:00 pm—midnight $15 cover to enter (cash only at the door) Music by DJ Jammin’ Jackie Mill Street Grill (upstairs), Staunton Bar (cash/credit cards accepted) Questions? Indigoparty@hotmail.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 ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Deadline for JUNE newsletter is May 15 WAYS TO EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY           JOIN SVE. Non-voting membership is FREE; voting membership is only $15/year CONNECT. SVE organizes a monthly potluck and dinner meet-up, a quarterly breakfast, and an annual equality forum. We also share information about local events. HOST our Friday Potluck at your home, workplace, local park, house of worship… You provide space, plates, utensils, and soft drinks — guests bring the rest. 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. LIKE and FOLLOW Shenandoah Valley Equality on Facebook. ORGANIZE, EDUCATE, AND ADVOCATE for equality, justice, and liberation. Connect with SVE Voting membership is $15 a year. Non-voting membership is FREE. You must be at least 18 to join. See pg. 15 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 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/ Friendly City Transgender Alliance www.facebook.com/Friendly-CityTransgender-Alliance-100565454864352/ 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/ LGBT Democrats of Virginia lgbtvadem.org/ Madison Equality JMU www.facebook.com/madisonequality PFLAG Blue Ridge pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah LGBTQ Center www.shenlgbtqcenter.org Shenandoah Valley Equality www.svgla.org 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/ 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 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/ Welcome, Friendly City Transgender Alliance! Do you know of a local or state-wide organization that should be listed here? Tell us. �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 June newsletter is May 15 �Trans Day of Visibility with ALOK: A Political Workshop and Performance Tuesday, March 31, 5:00-7:00pm Festival Highlands Room at JMU Trans Day of Visibility is an annual celebration of trans and non-binary individuals. This year's event will feature Alok Vaid-Menon https://www.alokvmenon.com/ �SVE’s monthly Friday Potluck Every month, usually the 1st or 2nd Friday, SVE organizes a potluck in the Valley for the LGBTQA+ community. Volunteer members of SVE rotate hosting the event. Guests bring a dish to share. No RSVP needed. Because the potluck is usually held in private homes or on private property, we e-mail location information to SVE members only and do not publicly share or post it through social media. To receive e-mails about the potluck and other events, join as a non-voting member (FREE) or as a voting member (for $15). See pg. 15 for information about how to join SVE. Are you willing to host the potluck in your home, workplace, community center, park, house of worship, or other setting? Hosts provide paper plates, utensils, and soft drinks. Guests bring a dish to share. Please e-mail David if you are willing to host: lanedj@jmu.edu �COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE  Monday, March 2 & 16: LGBTQ+ Support Group in Harrisonburg (ages 14 and older). Casual group for LGBTQ+ persons (facilitated by coordinators and mental health professionals). Meets monthly on the 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St., H’burg. Sponsored by Vibrant Menders: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Friday, March 6: Peer-to-Peer Support Group for YOUTH, 1st Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center Center: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Monday, March 9 & 23: Family and Friends Support Group in Harrisonburg. Family members and allies of LGBTQ+ people (all ages) welcome. Sponsored and facilitated by Vibrant Menders’ coordinators and two mental health professionals. Meets the 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:00- 8:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 W. Market St. vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Friday, March 13: SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-8:30 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See www.svgla.org/membership).  Saturday, March 14 Gender Non-Conforming and Adult LGBTQ Peer-to-Peer Support Group Meetings, held monthly on the second Saturday, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Facilitated by the ARROW Project. 4:15 pm - GNC/Trans and 5:30 pm - Adult LGBTQ. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Saturday, March 14 Pi Day Party in Staunton, 6-10pm at Cana Barn, 339 Walnut Hills Road. A night of fun, dancing, pies! Fundraiser for the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center. Take Out 250 is serv ing a delicious dinner of savory and sweet pies. Tickets must be pre-purchased at www.canabarn.com In addition to meal tickets, which include drinks, there will be a cash bar. Wear your dancing boots. More details here: https://www.facebook.com/ events/653183508556812/ Hosted by Cana Barn and the Shenandoah LGBT Center.  Sunday, March 15: Shenandoah LGBTQ Center’s Monthly Potluck, held from 5:00-7:00pm at 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Contact info:(540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Sunday, March 15: Vibrant Menders Action Group in Harrisonburg. Open to anyone who wants to help us create programming and events under our three pillars - support, visibility, and education. Meets on the 3rd Sunday of every month, 1:00 PM at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. in Harrisonburg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com.  Thursday, March 19: Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant (each person pays for their own meal). Join SVE at Ruby Tuesday in Harrisonburg. So we can reserve enough space, please RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend.  Friday, March 20: Peer-to-Peer Support Group for FAMILIES, 3rd Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.Center:(540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Saturday, March 21: Indigo Women's Party. 8:00-11:59 pm. Private dance party for women only (ALL women, at least 21 to enter). Upstairs, Mill Street Grill in Staunton, VA. Music by D.J. Jammin' Jackie. $15 cover at the door (cash only). Private bar (credit cards accepted). https://www.facebook.com/events/121012419336953/ Volume 23, Issue 1 March 2020 Page 12 �COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE  Saturday, March 28: 17th 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. This is our year! Mark your calendar for a celebration of equality. Held in Richmond. For details and to purchase tickets, visit www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/  Saturday, March 28: Support Group meeting for Families (at 4:15pm) and Support Group meeting for youth ages 16-25 (at 5:30pm), sponsored by and held monthly on the 4th Saturday at the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Support groups are facilitated by mental health professionals from The ARROW Project. Questions: (540) 4663320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  JMU Dukes Pride Week, sponsored by Madison Equality, one of JMU’s student-led LGBTQ+ organizations. Details of events TBA at www.jmu.edu/events/ March 30-April 2:  Tuesday, March 31 Trans Day of Visibility with ALOK: A Political Workshop and Performance, 5:00pm in the Festival Highland Room at JMU. Trans Day of Visibility is an annual celebration of trans and non-binary individuals. This year's event will feature Alok Vaid-Menon (https:// www.alokvmenon.com/). Sponsored by SOGIE Programming at JMU.  Friday, April 3: Peer-to-Peer Support Group for YOUTH, 1st Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center Center: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Friday, April TBA: SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-8:30 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored monthly by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the date and location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (www.svgla.org/membership).  Monday, April 6 & 20: LGBTQ+ Support Group in Harrisonburg (ages 14 and older). Casual group for LGBTQ+ persons. Sponsored and facilitated by the coordinators of Vibrant Menders and mental health professionals. Meets monthly on the 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 W. Market St., H’burg. vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Saturday, April 11: Gender Non-Conforming and Adult LGBTQ Peer-to-Peer Support Group Meetings, held monthly on the second Saturday, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Facilitated by the ARROW Project. 4:15 pm - GNC/Trans and 5:30 pm - Adult LGBTQ. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Monday, April 13 & 27: Family and Friends Support Group in Harrisonburg. Family members and allies of LGBTQ+ people (of all ages) welcome. Sponsored and facilitated by Vibrant Menders’ coordinators and two mental health professionals. Meets on the 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:008:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 W. Market St. H’burg. For more information, contact vibrantmendersva@gmail.com.  Thursday, April TBA: Shenandoah Valley Equality’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month SVE members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant (each person pays for their own meal). Join SVE for dinner (LOCATION and DATE TBA via email and SVE’s Face book group). So we can reserve enough space, please RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend. Volume 23, Issue 1 March 2020 Page 13 �COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE  Friday, April 17 Peer-to-Peer Support Group for FAMILIES, 3rd Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.Center:(540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Saturday, April 18: State-wide S.T.A.R.S. (GSA) Summit, for LGBTQ+ youth and supportive teachers and adults in Virginia. 9:00am-4:30pm in Richmond. For Details and to register, go to http://www.sidebysideva.org/stars  Sunday, April 19: Vibrant Menders Action Group in Harrisonburg. Open to anyone who wants to help us create programming and events under our three pillars - support, visibility, and education. Meets on the 3rd Sunday of every month, 1:00 PM at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. in Harrisonburg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Sunday, April TBA: Shenandoah LGBTQ Center’s Monthly Potluck, usually held from 5:00-7:00pm at 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Contact:(540) 466-3320, hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org or visit https://www.shenlgbtqcenter.org/calendar  April 24- April 26: Staunton Pride Festival. Details will be updated at www.stauntonpride.com and https:// www.facebook.com/StauntonPride/  Saturday, April 25: Support Group meeting for Families (at 4:15pm) and Support Group meeting for youth ages 16-25 (at 5:30pm), sponsored by and held monthly on the 4th Saturday at the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Support groups are facilitated by mental health professionals from The ARROW Project. Questions: (540) 4663320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Friday, May TBA: SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-8:30 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See www.svgla.org/membership).  Friday, May 1: Peer-to-Peer Support Group for YOUTH, 1st Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center Center: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Monday, May 4 & 18: LGBTQ+ Support Group in Harrisonburg (ages 14 and older). Casual group for LGBTQ+ persons (facilitated by Vibrant Menders’ coordinators and mental health profess sionals). Meets monthly on the 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 W. Market St., H’burg. Contact info: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Saturday, May 9: Gender Non-Conforming and Adult LGBTQ Peer-to-Peer Support Group Meetings, held monthly on the second Saturday, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Facilitated by the ARROW Project. 4:15 pm - GNC/Trans and 5:30 pm - Adult LGBTQ. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Monday, May 11 & 25: Family and Friends Support Group in Harrisonburg. Family members and allies of LGBTQ+ people (of all ages) welcome. Sponsored and facilitated by Vibrant Menders’ coordinators and two mental health professionals. Meets the 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:008:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com. Volume 23, Issue 1 March 2020 Page 14 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  Friday, May 15: DEADLINE, SVE newsletter submissions. Empower your community! Shenandoah Valley Equality invites you to send information for our quarterly (June-August) issue of "The Valley ConnectShen" about local LGBTQA organizations, resources, and free events.  Friday, May 15: Peer-to-Peer Support Group for FAMILIES, 3rd Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.Center:(540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Sunday, May 17: Vibrant Menders Action Group in Harrisonburg. Open to anyone who wants to help us create programming and events under our three pillars - support, visibility, and education. Meets on the 3rd Sunday of every month, 1:00 PM at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. in Harrisonburg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com.  Thursday, May TBA: Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant (each person pays for their own meal). Join SVE for dinner (DATE & LOCATION TBA via email and SVE’s Facebook group). So we can reserve enough space, please RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend.  Sunday, May (date TBA): Shenandoah LGBTQ Center’s Monthly Potluck, held from 5:00-7:00pm at 13 W. Bev erley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Check the Center’s calendar for updates at https:// www.shenlgbtqcenter.org/calendar or contact the Center at :(540) 466-3320  May 21-25: Virginia Women’s Music Festival. Held at Camp Out, a secluded natural getaway for women, located just off I-64, in Kents Store, VA. Music, dancing, games, bonfires, food, and more. Camping, cabin and RV spaces sell out early. Go to campoutva.com for details and ticket information. Note: The business office is not located at the campground.  Saturday, May 23: Support Group meeting for Families (at 4:15pm) and Support Group meeting for Youth ages 16-25 (at 5:30pm), sponsored by and held monthly on the 4th Saturday at the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Support groups are facilitated by mental health professionals from The ARROW Project. Questions: (540) 4663320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Saturday, June 20: Winchester Pride, noon-5:00pm. Details at https://www.facebook.com/events/605682566880223/ Send ads and events for the March issue of our newsletter (covering June-August) by May 15 to Christine at ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Send items for the monthly SVE e-mail events schedule and the Facebook calendar by the 25th of each month to David at lanedj@jmu.edu and Christine at ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Volume 23, Issue 1 March 2020 Page 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 Support our Advertisers, Empower your Community. SVE thanks businesses & organizations that advertise in our newsletter. ��Staunton Pride Festival April 24-26 Volunteers needed: www.stauntonpride.org/volunteer Details will be updated at www.facebook.com/StauntonPride/ & www.stauntonpride.org �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 �May 21-25, 2020 Held at Camp Out, a secluded natural getaway for women, located in Kents Store. Music, dancing, bonfires and more. Camping, cabin and RV spaces sell out early. 2020 MUSIC LINEUP Jamie Anderson • Crys Matthews • Mama's Black Sheep The Storyweavers • Wicked Jezabel • Christina Havrilla Bela Bela Rhythm Collective • Red Letter Day • Sister Funk Trio Indigie Femme • Christy Snow • Heather Mae • SONiA & disappear fear Gaye Adegbalola • Lana Puckett and Kim Person See website for information about tickets, map, worker registration & vendor registration Group campsites are available for groups of 8 or more. Tent Rentals: Set up and take down provided by CampOut Staff. http://www.campoutva.com/music-festival.html �What is SVE’s “Conversation & Cuisine”? Once a month, Shenandoah Valley Equality members (and friends) are invited to meet at a local Valley restaurant to share a meal. Each person pays for their own meal. Join SVE for free or as a voting member (see page 19) 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: “Asking you to give me equal rights implies that they are yours to give. Instead, I must demand that you stop trying to deny me rights that all people deserve.” ― Elizabeth Peratrovich, 1911-1958, Civil Rights Pioneer for Alaskan First Nations, helped pass the first non-discrimination law in the US 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 � 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," March 2020 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 2020 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: 2020, 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 2020 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.March.2020.FINAL Volume 23, Issue 1, March 2020 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/971bcc2898143a1595e8ee43c6bf0f10.pdf 8a956783ea6f9acc90a7f3c060332e08 PDF Text Text Volume 22, Issue 1, March 2019 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. ———————– Community Events (inside)  Indigo Women’s Dance Party  SVE Friday Potlucks  EV Commonwealth Dinner ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVE (Membership Form pg. 18) ———————– “Valley ConnectShen” is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) ———————– Contact the editor, Christine, to advertise and/or submit event information: ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com Keep up with us on Facebook The 2019 General Assembly Session Wraps Up The 2019 session yielded one legislative win, which extends protections to same-sex couples so they can more easily grow their families. Delegate Sullivan's assisted conception bill, HB 1979, is on the way to the Governor's desk and will become law in July. See the important letter from James Parrish, Executive Director of Equality Virginia, on the next page. Every year, Equality Virginia monitors all legislation introduced to the Virginia General Assembly and advocates on behalf of Virginia’s LGBT community. EV works to introduce and support pro-equality legislation and to oppose bills that move us backwards. Support EV’s work to connect with elected officials, strengthen our communities, create inclusive schools, increase transgender visibility, and engage with businesses. You can find details of all bills EV is followed in 2019 at: www.equalityvirginia.org/equality-virginia-at-the-generalassembly/ Stay informed about legislation affecting our community and join EV’s email list for their monthly newsletter, action alerts, and events throughout the year. www.equalityvirginia.org/resources/ �Dear Shenandoah Valley Equality, I want to thank you for showing up on day one and throughout session on a regular basis to support our efforts in the General Assembly. While we are not ending where we wanted to, we are celebrating a key legislative win which extends protections to same-sex couples so they can more easily grow their families! Delegate Sullivan's assisted conception bill, HB 1979, is on the way to the Governor's desk and will become law in July! Even though we did not achieve victories in housing and public employment nondiscrimination, we were more visible than ever during this General Assembly session. From our Kick Off event on the first day of session, to our annual Day of Action, and regular Crowd the Capitol rallies - you were there with us every step of the way. Thank you - your visibility and voice mattered! We believe we put together a robust showing of support for these bills from top to bottom in Virginia's communities and a clear path to victory.  We launched Virginia Beach for Fairness to build diverse support among residents and business owners for nondiscrimination protections in key districts.  We released polling showing that a majority of Republican voters in Virginia support nondiscrimination protections for gay and transgender Virginians in housing and public employment.  We had a Republican sponsor our Fair Housing Act bill in the House and the necessary number of Republican co-patrons to show the bill had majority support in committee and on the floor.  The Senate versions of our priority bills passed the Republican controlled Senate for the fourth year in a row with a super majority - Housing (SB 1109) 31-9 and Public Employment (SB 998) 28-12.  We collected thousands of postcards for Speaker Cox from residents across the Commonwealth who shared their own stories of discrimination and why they support nondiscrimination protections for LGBT Virginians. Despite all of this, at the end of the day Speaker Kirk Cox, Majority Leader Todd Gilbert and House General Laws Chairman Chris Peace refused to listen to their colleagues, their base, and Virginians who support these commonsense nondiscrimination protections in housing and public employment for gay and transgender Virginians. House Leadership knew we had the votes in the committee and House floor to pass these bills - that is why they denied these bills a fair hearing. At the end of last session, we developed a strategy to show that Republicans cared about these issues. Seeing that key legislators in power continue to ignore commonsense legislation that the majority of Virginians support, it is clear that new leadership is needed. Today we are starting to work towards that goal and hope you will join us in our efforts in the coming months. Yours for equality, James Parrish Executive Director, Equality Virginia �INDIGO: A Party for Women Private party for women only Must be 21 to enter ALL Women (21 and older) welcome Saturday, March 30, 8:00 pm $15 cover (cash only at the door) Music by DJ Jammin’ Jackie Mill Street Grill (upstairs), Staunton Private Bar (cash/credit cards accepted) Questions? Indigoparty@hotmail.com �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 �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 June newsletter is May 15 WAYS TO EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY JOIN SVE. Non-voting membership is FREE; voting membership is only $15/year  CONNECT. SVE organizes a monthly potluck and dinner meet-up, a quarterly breakfast, and an annual equality forum. We also share information about other local events. st nd  HOST our Friday Potluck (1 or 2 Friday) at your home, workplace, house of worship, park...You provide space, plates, utensils, and soft drinks — guests bring the rest.  ADVERTISE in our newsletter (see this newsletter for ad prices and sizes)  SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS with your business and referrals.  SHARE (non-commercial) events of particular relevance to our community and we will include them in our monthly e-calendar and quarterly newsletter FREE.  NOMINATE yourself to serve on SVE’s Board of Directors (nominations due Dec. 1 every year). All nominees must be voting members.  READ our quarterly newsletter.  LIKE and FOLLOW Shenandoah Valley Equality on Facebook.  EDUCATE, ADVOCATE, ORGANIZE, and VOTE for equality, justice, and liberation.  Connect with SVE Voting membership is $15 a year. Non-voting membership is FREE. You must be at least 18 to join. See page 18 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 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 http://www.logcabinrepublicansva.org/index.html Madison Equality JMU www.facebook.com/madisonequality PFLAG Blue Ridge pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah LGBTQ Center www.shenlgbtqcenter.org Shenandoah Valley Equality www.svgla.org 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/ Virginia Anti-Violence Project 1.866.356.6998 (helpline) & virginiaavp.org/ Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues 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/ Do you know of a local or state-wide organization that should be listed here? Tell us. �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 �International Transgender Day of Visibility, created by trans advocate Rachel Crandall in 2009, is observed every year on March 31. ITDV recognizes transgender people around the globe and the courage it takes to live openly and authentically, brings attention to the discrimination and violence trans people face, and, importantly, also celebrates our successes and triumphs. Find (or create) an event near you: https://www.equalityvirginia.org/transvisibility/ �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. EV’s 16th annual Commonwealth Dinner is the state’s largest black tie gathering for our community. Enjoy live entertainment, a silent auction, a dance, and network with others. At the dinner, EV also recognizes OUTstanding Virginians who have contributed to the equality movement and represented our community with distinction. We are celebrating 30 years of advocacy in the Commonwealth and hope you can join us for this special event. For more information or to make reservations, go to: https://www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner2019/ Equality Virginia: Changing Laws, Changing Lives �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 June newsletter is May 15 �SVE’s monthly Friday Potluck Every month, usually the 1st or 2nd Friday, SVE organizes a potluck in the Valley for the LGBTQA+ community. Volunteer members of SVE rotate hosting the event. Guests bring a dish to share. No RSVP needed. Because the event is usually held in private homes or on private property, we e-mail location information to SVE members only and do not publicly share or post it through social media. To receive e-mails about the potluck and other events, join as a non-voting member (for FREE) or as a voting member (for $15). See pg. 17 to join SVE. Would you be willing to host the potluck in your home, workplace, house of worship, or other setting? Hosts provide paper plates, eating utensils, and soft drinks. Guests bring a dish to share. Please e-mail David if you are willing to host: lanedj@jmu.edu �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Friday, March 8: 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 about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See page 18 for details). Thursday, March 21: 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. So we can reserve enough space, please RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend.   Saturday, March 30: INDIGO Women’s Dance Party (Private party for women only). Upstairs at the Mill Street Grill in Staunton, 8:00PM, $15 Cover (cash only at the door). Must be 21 to enter. ALL women 21 and older welcome. Contact Indigoparty@hotmail.com for more info. April 8-12 : JMU Dukes Pride Week, sponsored by Madison Equality, JMU’s student-led LGBTQ+ organization. Details of events TBA at https://www.facebook.com/madisonequalityjmu/ and http://www.jmu.edu/events/ Friday, April 12: SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-8:30 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See page 18).  Saturday, April 13: 16th 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. Find details and purchase tickets at: https://www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner2019/ Thursday, April 18: SVE’s 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 Vito’s Italian Kitchen at 1047 Port Republic Rd. in Harrisonburg. So we can reserve enough space, please RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend. Saturday, April 27: SVE Quarterly Breakfast, 8:00 AM Location in Harrisonburg (TBA). Meet up with Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends for breakfast. So we may reserve enough space, please RSVP to lanedj@jmu.edu by noon on the day before if you plan to join us. For information about the location of this and other events, join SVE for FREE or as a voting member (See page 18 for details).  Friday, May 10: 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 18). Volume 22, Issue 1, March 2019 Page 12 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  May 15:   Thursday, May 23: DEADLINE, SVE newsletter submissions. Empower your community. SVE invites you to send us information for our quarterly (June-August) issue of "The Valley ConnectShen" about local LGBTQA community organizations, resources, and free events and we'll include this information for free. This is a vital service; it helps to make our communi ty stronger and improves the quality of life for individual members. Send information 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 Chili’s Bar & Grill, 1752 E. Market St. in Harrisonburg. So we can reserve enough space, please RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend.  May 24-27: Virginia Women’s Music Festival. Held at Camp Out, a secluded natural getaway for women, located just off Interstate 64, in Kents Store, VA. Music, dancing, a 5k run, bon fires and more. Camping, cabin and RV spaces sell out early. Go to campoutva.com for details and ticket information. Note: The business office is not located at the campground. Saturday, Sept. 21: Shenandoah Valley Pride in Harrisonburg (details forthcoming). Volunteers and Spon sors needed. Contact ShenandoahValleyPride@gmail.com and visit www.shenandoahvalleypride.org. Sponsored by the Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance. Send ads and events for the June issue (covering June, July, & August) by May 15 to Christine at ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Send items for the monthly SVE e-mail events schedule by the 25th of each month to David at lanedj@jmu.edu Volume 22, Issue 1, March 2019 Page 13 �"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 Impulse Gay Social Club Primary Care Behavioral Health Dental Women’s Health Prenatal Care Care Management (formerly The Valley AIDS Network) hburgchc.org Coming to Waynesboro in 2019 https://impulse-gsc.com/ ��What is SVE’s “Conversation & Cuisine”? Once a month, Shenandoah Valley Equality members (and friends) are invited to meet at a local Valley restaurant to share a meal. Each person pays for their own meal. Join SVE for free or as a voting member (see page 19) 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: “I believe that telling our stories, first to ourselves, and then to one another and the world, is a revolutionary act.” —Janet Mock 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 �Affirming Religious Communities in the Valley Harrisonburg Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalists 4101 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22803 540-867-0073; office@huuweb.org; www.huuweb.org RISE: a United Methodist Faith Community 60 W. Market St., Harrisonburg 22801 540-324-3241; riseharrisonburg@gmail.com; www.riseharrisonburg.com Trinity Presbyterian Church 725 S. High Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801; 540-434-9556 stephanie@trinitypresbyterianharrisonburg.org www.trinitypresbyterianharrisonburg.org/ Stephens City Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley 6380 Valley Pike, Stephens City, VA 22655 (540) 869-6965; minister@uushenandoah.org; www.ushenandoah.org Waynesboro Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Waynesboro 565 Pine Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980 (540) 942-5507; minister@uufw.org or mpnash1@gmail.com; www.uufw.org Winchester St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Episcopal Church 1527 Senseny Rd., Winchester, Virginia 22606 (540) 667-8110; stpaulswinchester@gmail.com www.facebook.com/pg/StPaulsWinchester Want to be listed here? Take Equality Virginia’s survey: www.equalityvirginia.org/resources/faith-communities/ �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 �May 24-27 Held at Camp Out, a secluded natural getaway for women, located in Kents Store. Music, dancing, bonfires and more. Camping, cabin and RV spaces sell out early. 2019 MUSIC LINEUP Jamie Anderson • Crys Matthews • Mama's Black Sheep Bettenroo • The Storyweavers • Kristen Ford • Lisa Lim Summer Osborne • Bele Bele Rhythm Collective • Wicked Jezabel • Alma Hesson • Heather Mae Indigie Femme • Christy Snow • SONiA & disappear fear Gaye Adegbalola See website for information about tickets, map, worker registration & vendor registration Group campsites are available for groups of 8 or more. Tent Rentals: Set up and take down provided by CampOut Staff. Sleeps up to 4 for $100 and includes 2 chairs at the site. http://www.campoutva.com/music-festival.html Other items available for rent (applies to tent rental campers only): Hammock - $15 • Ice Chest - $5 � The 2019 SVE Board of Directors Eleanor Baker Deb Bixler Aaron Hagmaier David Lane Grayson Sless Jackie Walker  Thank you for supporting us!  �SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, September 21, 2019 Shenandoah Valley Pride Harrisonburg, VA Volunteers & Sponsors Needed ShenandoahValleyPride@gmail.com www.ShenandoahValleyPride.org Sponsored by the Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance � 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," March 2019 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 2019 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: 2019, 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 2019 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.March.2019.FINAL Volume 22, Issue 1, March 2019 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/762256c6bf2fdb206390a6727592e70f.pdf eae7155dc2d4772d767eab81324eea59 PDF Text Text Volume 22, Issue 2 June 2019 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)  PRIDE Events  SVE Friday Potlucks  June 11 Primary Election ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVE (Membership Form pg. 15) ———————– “Valley ConnectShen” is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) ———————– Contact the editor, Christine, to advertise and/or submit event information: ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com Find us on Facebook SVE Partners with JMU to Create the Shenandoah Valley LGBTQ Archive and Oral History Project Shenandoah Valley Equality is collaborating with James Madison University to launch a community engagement venture to document and preserve the Valley’s LGBTQ history. JMU Professor and SVE Board member (ex officio) Christine Robinson is coordinating the Shenandoah Valley LGBTQ Archive and Oral History Project, with support from the Department of Justice Studies and the Office of Digital Projects and Pedagogy in the JMU Libraries. The idea to create the archive began in a meeting of SVE’s Board of Directors in 2018. Originally, the goal was to preserve SVE’s history. SVE was founded as the Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association in 1995. In 2017, the Board voted to change the name, and to revise the mission and goals, to better reflect the organization’s diverse membership and vision. The digital archive will initially include historical documents, such as SVE/SVGLA newsletters, that can be viewed online once the website is opened for public viewing. Beginning in 2020, LGBTQ and allied organizations in the Valley will be invited to contribute materials for the archive. In addition, Robinson hopes to begin oral history interviews with community members in the Valley, with the goal of making digital recordings and/or transcripts available through the archive’s website. SVE will provide updates on the project’s progress, including invitations to share materials for the digital archive and requests for volunteers to participate in oral history interviews. �ShenanArts in Staunton presents: For tickets and other information, visit: http://shenanarts.org/angels-in-america.html ShenanArts Wins "Best in Virginia" Award from Virginia Living Magazine ShenanArts has been voted as one of the Best Performing Arts Companies in the Shenandoah Valley region by Virginia Living’s readers in the Best of Virginia 2019 reader’s survey. ��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 September newsletter is Aug. 15 WAYS TO EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY JOIN SVE. Non-voting membership is FREE; voting membership is only $15/year  CONNECT. SVE organizes a monthly potluck and dinner meet-up, a quarterly breakfast, and an annual equality forum. We also share information about other local events. st nd  HOST our Friday Potluck (1 or 2 Friday) at your home, workplace, local park, house of worship...You provide space, plates, utensils, and soft drinks — guests bring the rest.  ADVERTISE in our quarterly newsletter (see this newsletter for ad prices and sizes)  SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS with your business and referrals.  SHARE (non-commercial) 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 Dec. 1 every year). All nominees must be voting members.  READ our quarterly newsletter. Share it with a friend.  LIKE and FOLLOW Shenandoah Valley Equality on Facebook.  EDUCATE, ADVOCATE, ORGANIZE, and VOTE for equality, justice, & liberation.  Connect with SVE Voting membership is $15 a year. Non-voting membership is FREE. You must be at least 18 to join. See page 15 for membership information. �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE 2019 ELECTIONS? WILL YOU SUPPORT EQUALITY on June 11 and November 4? June 11: Virginia Primary Elections. Visit https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_elections,_2019 for information about candidates running for office Every year, EV 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: www.equalityvirginia.org/resources/ Equality Virginia: Changing Laws, Changing Lives www.equalityvirginia.org �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 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 http://www.logcabinrepublicansva.org/index.html Madison Equality JMU www.facebook.com/madisonequality PFLAG Blue Ridge pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah LGBTQ Center www.shenlgbtqcenter.org Shenandoah Valley Equality www.svgla.org 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/ Virginia Anti-Violence Project 1.866.356.6998 (helpline) & virginiaavp.org/ Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues 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/ Do you know of a local or state-wide organization that should be listed here? Tell us. �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 �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 September newsletter is August 15 �SVE’s monthly Friday Potluck Every month, usually the 1st or 2nd Friday, SVE organizes a potluck in the Valley for the LGBTQA+ community. Volunteer members of SVE rotate hosting the event. Guests bring a dish to share. No RSVP needed. Because the event is usually held in private homes or on private property, we e-mail location information to SVE members only and do not publicly share or post it through social media. To receive e-mails about the potluck and other events, join as a non-voting member (FREE) or as a voting member (for $15). See pg. 15 for information about how to join SVE. Are you willing to host the potluck in your home, workplace, community center, park, house of worship, or other setting? Hosts provide paper plates, utensils, and soft drinks. Guests bring a dish to share. Please e-mail David if you are willing to host: lanedj@jmu.edu �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Friday, June 7: 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 about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See page 15 for details). Saturday, June 8: GNC and Adult LGBT Peer-to-Peer Support Group Meetings, sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Peer-to-peer discussion facilitated by Augusta Resources for Resilience, Opportunity, and Wellness- ARROW Project. Come celebrate your joys and share your struggles. We are here to listen and sup port each other. 4:15 pm - Gender Non-Conforming & 5:30 pm - Adult LGBT Contact information: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Tuesday, June 11 Virginia Primary Elections. See https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_elections,_2019 for information. (Polling hours 6:00 am until 7:00 pm) June 14-16 & 21-23: Angels in America. ShenanArts in Staunton, VA is performing Part One of Tony Kushner’s award-winning play. Go to http://shenanarts.org/angels-in-america.html for info.  Monday, June 17: Roanoke LGBT Policy Town Hall with Equality Virginia. Policy affects LGBT people in our daily lives - in healthcare, access to housing and employment, education, and many o other areas. Come out to talk about what policies you're passionate about changing and learn how to get plugged in to advocacy opportunities. Join us and make your voice heard! See more at https://www.facebook.com/events/2352254954834424/ Saturday, June 22 Lost River Pride, 12-6 PM, At Lost River Retreat Center, 2015 Mill Gap Road, Lost River, WV (venue provided by Lost River Guesthouse). A day of art, music, food, field games, hiking, and fun. For more information, go to www.lostriverpride.com  Saturday June 29: Winchester Pride. See www.facebook.com/Winchester-Pride-882419518630234/ Thursday, June 20: 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. So we can reserve enough space, please RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend. Friday, July 12: SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-8:30 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See page 18). Saturday, July 13: GNC and Adult LGBT Peer-to-Peer Support Group Meetings, sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Peer-to-peer discussion facilitated by Augusta Resources for Resilience, Opportunity, and Wellness Project. 4:15 pm - Gender Non-Conforming & 5:30 pm - Adult LGBT Contact information: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org Thursday, July 25: SVE’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant. Each person pays for their own meal. Location TBA (Join our email list or Facebook group for updated information). So we can reserve space, RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before. Volume 22, Issue 2 June 2019 Page 10 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Friday, Aug. 2 or 9: SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-8:30 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See page 15).  August 15: DEADLINE, SVE newsletter submissions. Empower your community! SVE invites you to send information for our quarterly (Sept.-Nov.) issue of "The Valley ConnectShen" about local LGBTQA organizations, resources, and free events and we'll include this information free. This is a helps to make our community stronger and improves the quality of life for individual members. August 16-18 Annual Twin Oaks Women´s Gathering (Louisa, VA). The Gathering is a celebration of empow erment, healing and sisterhood. The weekend includes workshops, drumming, dancing, meditating, and more. Together, we refuel our collective spirit in preparation for the next task: changing the world. Cooperative childcare available; registration fees are on a sliding scale. Find out more, includ ing how to register, at www.womensgathering.org   Thurs., Aug. [TBA]: Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant (each person pays for their meal). Location TBA (Join our email list or Facebook group for updated information). So we can reserve space, RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend. Saturday, Aug. 24: GNC and Adult LGBT Peer-to-Peer Support Group Meetings, sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Peer-to-peer discussion facilitated by the ARROW Project. Come celebrate your joys and share your struggles. We are here to listen and sup port each other. 4:15 pm - Gender Non-Conforming & 5:30 pm - Adult LGBT Contact information: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org Friday, Sept. 13: SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-8:30 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See page 15).   Saturday, Sept. 14: Charlottesville Pride Festival, See http://cvillepride.org/pride-events/cville-pridefestival-2019/ or more information. Saturday, Sept. 21: Shenandoah Valley Pride in Harrisonburg. Visit www.shenandoahvalleypride.org for information. Sponsored by the Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance. Saturday, October 19: Transgender Information & Empowerment Summit (TIES), 9 AM- 5 PM. Sponsored by Equality Virginia. Hosted at a new location this year by the University of Richmond (28 Westhampton Way, Richmond, VA). For more information and to register, visit https://www.equalityvirginia.org/ties/ Tuesday, Nov. 5: ELECTION DAY See https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_elections,_2019 for information. (Polling hours are 6:00 am until 7:00 pm) Send ads and events for the Sept. issue (covering Sept.-Nov.) by August 15 to Christine at ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Send items for the monthly SVE e-mail events schedule by the 25th of each month to David at lanedj@jmu.edu Volume 22, Issue 2 June 2019 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 Impulse Gay Social Club Coming to Waynesboro in 2019 https://impulse-gsc.com/ ��How can you help EV’s work in Virginia? Pledge to make your community more LGBT-inclusive in two ways: Do you know a local business committed to non-discrimination? Contact the business owner and ask them to join Equality Means Business—it’s free and easy. Equality Means Business: EMB is an opportunity for locally-owned businesses to publicly state that they don’t discriminate against customers or employees who are gay or transgender. EMB members make a promise that their business is a safe and welcoming place for LGBT people to work and shop. Ask your favorite locally-owned business to join EMB. Here’s a link to the online membership form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexJZhNlh5yWN4DcCioa0r-fZG-t58BORTW4niPUKkpE6gj2w/view You can print and mail a PDF version of the form: virginiafairness.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Updated-EMB-Form-8-24-17.pdf To see who’s already a member, go to this link to view the directory: virginiafairness.org/equality-means-business-2/emb-online-directory/ Do you know a local elected official (city or county) who supports equality under the law? Ask them to sign EV’s statement saying so. Reach out to Local Leaders: These elected officials have signed EV’s statement supporting legislation and policies that include adding sexual orientation and gender identity in workplace, housing, and public accommodation policies: http://www.equalityvirginia.org/what-we-do/connecting-with-elected-officials/resources-for-connecting-with-local-leaders/local-leaders-for-fairness/ You can ask any locally-elected official in your area to sign the statement of support http://www.equalityvirginia.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Local-Leaders-for-Fairness-Statement-of-Support.pdf (Remember, this only applies to locally-elected leaders (city or county) �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 �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 � Thank you for supporting SVE. We rely on donations and dues-paying memberships to keep SVE operating. Renewal forms for current Level 1 (voting) SVE members will be mailed in early July. Renew by December 1 to vote for and/or nominate yourself to serve on the 2020 Shenandoah Valley Equality Board of Directors. If you are a non-voting member, we hope you will consider a voting membership or donation if you are able to contribute.  �What is SVE’s “Conversation & Cuisine”? Once a month, Shenandoah Valley Equality members (and friends) are invited to meet at a local Valley restaurant to share a meal. Each person pays for their own meal. Join SVE for free or as a voting member (see page 19) 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: “We didn’t stop. We weren’t afraid. We weren’t going to be oppressed anymore.” 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 —Sylvia Rivera, reflecting on Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741 the 1969 Stonewall Riots National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 �SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, September 21, 2019 Shenandoah Valley Pride Harrisonburg, VA Volunteers & Sponsors Needed ShenandoahValleyPride@gmail.com www.ShenandoahValleyPride.org Sponsored by the Shenandoah Valley Pride Alliance � 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," June 2019 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 2019 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: 2019, 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 2019 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.June.2019.FINAL Volume 22, Issue 2, June 2019 LGBTQ Shenandoah Valley Virginia https://archives.countylib.org/files/original/596a91caebc1a284829b4305b5bdd87a.pdf 072298d6c2ec4ac5f0d4f7938f5729ad PDF Text Text Volume 22, Issue 4 December 2019 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. ———————– Community Events (inside)  EV Day of Action  Charity Ball  SVE Friday Potlucks ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! ShenandoahValleyEquality @gmail.com Find us on Facebook Equipping Our Community: 2020 Equality Forum in Harrisonburg SVE and Equality Virginia will co-host a forum to equip our community to advocate for equality and to educate about bills pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity in the 2020 Virginia legislative session. The event will be held on Sunday, January 12, 3:00 -4:30pm at Beth El Synagogue, 830 Old Furnace Road. The panel includes: William Martin, EV’s Trans* Advocacy Speakers Bureau Join SVE Grayson Sless, Board Member of SVE (Membership pg. 15) James Parrish, Executive Director, Equality Virginia ———————– “The Valley ConnectShen” is published quarterly (March, June, September, and December) ———————– Contact the editor to advertise and/or submit event information: ShenandoahValley Equality@gmail.com Questions? ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Event updates at SVE’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/60282410939/ �SAVE THE DATE: Madison Equality’s annual Charity Ball raises funds for charity. WHEN: Saturday February 8, 2020 WHERE: Madison Union Ballroom (5th floor, Warren Hall), on campus, James Madison University ADMISSION: To be Decided 2020 DESIGNATED CHARITY: To be Decided CONTACT: www.facebook.com/madisonequality or mcgeehs@dukes.jmu.edu �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Did you know that, in Virginia...   it is LEGAL to fire someone based on sexual orientation and gender identity? it is LEGAL to evict or deny housing and service in public places based on sexual orientation and gender identity?  THIS YEAR, we have an extraordinary opportunity to move equality forward? Make your voice heard at EV’s Day of Action and throughout the 2020 legislative session. Join folks across Virginia for EV’s Day of Action, Library of Virginia, 800 E. Broad St. in Richmond, on Tuesday, February 4. Lobby your elected representatives for bills that will move equality forward in Virginia, and participate in a day of networking and workshops. For the detailed schedule and to register (FREE), go to www.equalityvirginia.org/dayofaction/ MOVING EQUALITY FORWARD �Vibrant Menders is an LGBTQIA+ action organization that developed around the happenings at the 2019 Special Meeting of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church. This group was started with the intention of bridging the gap between the LGBTQIA+ community and the Christian communities in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Vibrant Menders offers a variety of programs under its "roof," which is held up by 3 pillars: 1. Visibility: Working to help allies and LGBTQIA+ people know that LGBTQIA+ affirming Christians are in our local area. 2. Support: Offering a variety of support groups, both in person and online, for LGBTQIA+ persons, their families and friends, and allies. 3. Education: Developing resources including lecture series, book discussions, panel discussions, and websites to help to educate the community (both affirming and non-affirming persons) about the LGBTQIA+ community and the struggles they face, specifically regarding misinformation and religious-based harm. Our "home base" is at RISE UMC's space, located at 60 West Market Street in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and we are considered a ministry of RISE UMC. However, all are welcome, and we will be working with churches and LGBTQIA+ organizations and groups throughout the Valley. Contact us at vibrantmendersVA@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 ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Deadline for March newsletter is Feb. 15 WAYS TO EMPOWER OUR COMMUNITY           JOIN SVE. Non-voting membership is FREE; voting membership is only $15/year CONNECT. SVE organizes a monthly potluck and dinner meet-up, a quarterly breakfast, and an annual equality forum. We also share information about local events. HOST our Friday Potluck at your home, workplace, local park, house of worship… You provide space, plates, utensils, and soft drinks — guests bring the rest. ADVERTISE in our quarterly newsletter (see this newsletter for ad prices and sizes) SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS with your business and referrals. SHARE (non-commercial) 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. Share it with a friend. LIKE and FOLLOW Shenandoah Valley Equality on Facebook. ORGANIZE, EDUCATE, LOBBY, and ADVOCATE for equality, justice, & liberation. Connect with SVE Voting membership is $15 a year. Non-voting membership is FREE. You must be at least 18 to join. See pg. 15 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 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 SOGIE Programming beinvolved.jmu.edu/organization/sogie JMU Madison Caucus for Gender Equality www.jmu.edu/caucusgenderequality/ LGBT Democrats of Virginia lgbtvadem.org/ Madison Equality JMU www.facebook.com/madisonequality PFLAG Blue Ridge pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah LGBTQ Center www.shenlgbtqcenter.org Shenandoah Valley Equality www.svgla.org 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/ 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 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/ Do you know of a local or state-wide organization that should be listed here? Tell us. �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 monthly Friday Potluck Every month, usually the 1st or 2nd Friday, SVE organizes a potluck in the Valley for the LGBTQA+ community. Volunteer members of SVE rotate hosting the event. Guests bring a dish to share. No RSVP needed. Because the event is usually held in private homes or on private property, we e-mail location information to SVE members only and do not publicly share or post it through social media. To receive e-mails about the potluck and other events, join as a non-voting member (FREE) or as a voting member (for $15). See pg. 15 for information about how to join SVE. Are you willing to host the potluck in your home, workplace, community center, park, house of worship, or other setting? Hosts provide paper plates, utensils, and soft drinks. Guests bring a dish to share. Please e-mail David if you are willing to host: lanedj@jmu.edu �COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE  Friday, January 3: Peer-to-Peer Support Group for YOUTH, 1st Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.Center:(540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Monday, January 6: Vibrant Menders LGBTQ+ Support Group in Harrisonburg (ages 14 and older). Casu al group for LGBTQ+ persons (facilitated by coordinators and mental health professionals). Meets monthly on the 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St., H’burg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Saturday, January 11: Gender Non-Conforming and Adult LGBT Peer-to-Peer Support Group Meetings, held monthly on the second Saturday, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Facilitated by the ARROW Project. 4:15 pm - GNC and 5:30 pm - Adult LGBT. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Sunday, January 12: 2020 Equality Forum in Harrisonburg Shenandoah Valley Equality and Equality Virginia will co-host a forum to equip our community to advocate for equality and to educate about bills pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity in the 2020 Virginia legislative session. 3:00-4:30pm at Beth El Synagogue in Harrisonburg. See page 1 for additional details.  Monday, January 13: Vibrant Menders Family and Friends Support Group in Harrisonburg. Family members and allies of LGBTQ+ people (of all ages) welcome. Facilitated by VM coordinators and two mental health professionals. Meets monthly on the 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:008:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. H’burg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com.  SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-8:30 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See page 15). Friday, January 17:  Friday, January 17: Peer-to-Peer Support Group for FAMILIES, 3rd Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.Center:(540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Thursday, Jan. 16 or 23: Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant (each person pays for their own meal). Join SVE at Francesco’s in Bridgewater. So we can reserve enough space, please RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend.  Sunday, January 19: Shenandoah LGBTQ Center’s Monthly Potluck, held from 5:00-7:00pm at 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Contact the Center at :(540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Sunday, January 19: Vibrant Menders Action Group in Harrisonburg- open to anyone who wants to help us create programming and events under our three pillars - support, visibility, and education. These are planning meetings and meetings where we do debriefing. These occur on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 1:00 PM at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. in Harrisonburg. For more information, email vibrantmendersva@gmail.com.  Monday, January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Volume 22, Issue 4 December 2019 Page 9 �COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE  Monday, January 20: Vibrant Menders LGBTQ+ Support Group in Harrisonburg (ages 14 and older). Casual support group for LGBTQ+ persons (facilitated by coordinators and mental health professionals). Meets on the 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St., H’burg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Saturday, January 25: SVE Quarterly Breakfast, 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, January 25: Support Group meeting for Families and Youth under 16 (at 4:15pm) and Support Group meeting for youth ages 16-25 (at 5:30pm), sponsored by and held monthly on the 4th Saturday at the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Support groups are facilitated by mental health professionals from The ARROW Project. Questions: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Monday, January 27: Vibrant Menders Family and Friends Support Group in Harrisonburg. Family members and allies of LGBTQ+ people (of all ages) welcome. Facilitated by VM coordinators and two mental health professionals. Meets monthly on the 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:008:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. H’burg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com.  Monday, February 3: Vibrant Menders LGBTQ+ Support Group in Harrisonburg (ages 14 and older). Casual group for LGBTQ+ persons (facilitated by coordinators and mental health professionals). Meets monthly on the 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St., H’burg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Tuesday, February 4 Equality Virginia Day of Action, See page 3 for details.  Friday, February 7 : Peer-to-peer Support Group for YOUTH, 1st Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.Center Contact: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Friday, February 7 : SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-8:30 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See page 15).  Saturday, February 8: Annual Charity Ball, Madison Union Ballroom at JMU. Sponsored by Madison Equality at JMU. All proceeds go to a designated charity. See page 2. Contact Hailey McGee for more information: mcgeehs@dukes.jmu.edu  Saturday, February 8: Gender Non-Conforming and Adult LGBT Peer-to-Peer Support Group Meetings, held monthly on the second Saturday, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Facilitated by the ARROW Project. 4:15 pm - GNC and 5:30 pm - Adult LGBT. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Monday, February 10: Vibrant Menders Family and Friends Support Group in Harrisonburg. Family members and allies of LGBTQ+ people (of all ages) welcome. Facilitated by VM coordinators and two mental health professionals. Meets monthly on the 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:008:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. H’burg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com.  Volume 22, Issue 4 December 2019 Page 10 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  February 15: DEADLINE, SVE newsletter submissions. Empower your community! SVE invites you to send information for our quarterly (March-May) issue of "The Valley ConnectShen" about local LGBTQA organizations, resources, and free events.  Sunday, February 16: Vibrant Menders Action Group in Harrisonburg- open to anyone who wants to help us create programming and events under our three pillars - support, visibility, and education. These are planning meetings and meetings where we do debriefing. These occur on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 1:00 PM at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. in Harrisonburg. For more information, email vibrantmendersva@gmail.com.  Monday, February 17: Vibrant Menders LGBTQ+ Support Groups in Harrisonburg (ages 14 and older). Casual groups for LGBTQ+ persons (facilitated by coordinators and mental health professionals). Meets monthly on the 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St., H’burg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Thursday, February 20: Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant (each person pays for their own meal). Join SVE at Wood Grill Buffet in Harrisonburg. So we can reserve enough space, please RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend.  Friday, February 21: Peer-to-Peer Support Group for FAMILIES, 3rd Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.Center:(540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Saturday, February 22: Support Group meeting for Families and Youth under 16 (at 4:15pm) and Support Group meeting for youth ages 16-25 (at 5:30pm), sponsored by and held monthly on the 4th Saturday at the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Support groups are facilitated by mental health professionals from The ARROW Project. Questions: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Monday, February 24: Vibrant Menders Family and Friends Support Group in Harrisonburg. Family members and allies of LGBTQ+ people (of all ages) welcome. Facilitated by VM coordinators and two mental health professionals. Meets monthly on the 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:008:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. H’burg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com.  Monday, March 2: Vibrant Menders LGBTQ+ Support Group in Harrisonburg (ages 14 and older). Casual group for LGBTQ+ persons (facilitated by coordinators and mental health professionals). Meets monthly on the 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St., H’burg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Friday, March 6: Peer-to-peer Support Group for YOUTH, 1st Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.Center:(540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Friday, March 6 or 13: SVE Friday Potluck, 6:30-8:30 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Potluck for the LGBTQA community sponsored each month by Shenandoah Valley Equality. For information about the location of this and future potlucks, join SVE for free or as a voting member (See page 15). Volume 22, Issue 4 December 2019 Page 11 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  Saturday, March 14: Gender Non-Conforming and Adult LGBT Peer-to-Peer Support Group Meetings, held monthly on the second Saturday, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Facilitated by the ARROW Project. 4:15 pm - GNC and 5:30 pm - Adult LGBT. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Sunday, March 15: Vibrant Menders Action Group in Harrisonburg- open to anyone who wants to help us create programming and events under our three pillars - support, visibility, and education. These are planning meetings and meetings where we do debriefing. These occur on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 1:00 PM at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St. in Harrisonburg. For more information, email vibrantmendersva@gmail.com.  Monday, March 16: Vibrant Menders LGBTQ+ Support Group in Harrisonburg (ages 14 and older). Casual group for LGBTQ+ persons (facilitated by coordinators and mental health professionals). Meets monthly on the 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00-8:15pm at RISE United Methodist Church, 60 West Market St., H’burg. Contact information: vibrantmendersva@gmail.com  Thursday, March 19: Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month Shenandoah Valley Equality members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant (each person pays for their own meal). Join SVE at Ruby Tuesday in Harrisonburg. So we can reserve enough space, please RSVP to David at lanedj@jmu.edu by the day before if you plan to attend.  Friday, March 20: Peer-to-Peer Support Group for FAMILIES, 3rd Friday of every month, starting at 4:15pm. Held at the Rosenwald Community Center in Waynesboro. Sponsored by the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.Center:(540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org  Saturday, March 28: 17th 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. This is our year! Mark your calendar for a celebration of equality. Held in Richmond.. Ticket sales begin on January 1. Visit www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/  Saturday, March 28: Support Group meeting for Families and Youth under 16 (at 4:15pm) and Support Group meeting for youth ages 16-25 (at 5:30pm), sponsored by and held monthly on the 4th Saturday at the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, 13 W. Beverley St., 5th floor, Staunton. Support groups are facilitated by mental health professionals from The ARROW Project. Questions: (540) 466-3320 or hello@shenlgbtqcenter.org Send ads and events for the March issue of our newsletter (covering Dec.-Feb.) by February 15 to Christine at ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Send items for the monthly SVE e-mail events schedule and the Facebook calendar by the 25th of each month to David at lanedj@jmu.edu and Christine at ShenandoahValleyEquality@gmail.com Volume 22, Issue 4 December 2019 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 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 Support our Advertisers, Empower your Community. SVE thanks businesses & 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 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 �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 �What is SVE’s “Conversation & Cuisine”? Once a month, Shenandoah Valley Equality members (and friends) are invited to meet at a local Valley restaurant to share a meal. Each person pays for their own meal. Join SVE for free or as a voting member (see page 19) 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: “Civility is the recognition that all people have dignity that’s inherent to their person, no matter their religion, race, gender, sexuality, or ability.” ― Opal Tometi, co-founder, Black Lives Matter 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 �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 2019 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 2019 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: 2019, 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 2019 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.2019.FINAL Volume 22, Issue 4, December 2019 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/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/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/c561ad8e07fb458ddd9b7c00cd413efa.pdf cf4de36b75d980f77cb704144a673a93 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com LGBTQ Historic Places in Virginia Mission Statement: In 2014, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced The purpose of the a new National Park Service Heritage initiative to identify Shenandoah Valley Gay and Lesbian Association places and events associated with LGBTQ individuals for inis to create a safe, affirm- clusion in the parks and programs of the agency. As a result, ing, and fun environment the LGBTQ Heritage Advisory Group was created in Virginwhere members are emia’s State Historic Preservation Office and has collected inpowered to reach their formation for a LGBTQ Historic Resources Map which will full human potential. continually be updated. ———————– Community Events (see details inside)  Charity Ball  First Friday Potlucks  EV Day of Action ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 13) ———————– The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). Contact the editor SVGLAssociation@gmail.com According to the DHR (www.dhr.virginia.gov/NewDominion/ indexLGBTQ.htm), the goals of this initiative include: Engaging scholars, preservationists and community members to identify, research, and tell the stories of LGBTQ associated properties;  Encouraging national parks, national heritage areas, and other affiliated areas to interpret LGBTQ stories associated with them;  Identifying, documenting, and nominating LGBTQassociated sites as National Historic Landmarks  Increasing the number of listings of LGBQ-associated properties in the National Register of Historic Places.  DHR has posted an online form to receive suggestions, stories, or other facts about the LGBTQ movement in Virginia. The agency will use the information gathered to update the resources and the Virginia LGBTQ Heritage Map, which currently includes hospitals, restaurants, clubs, religious organizations, art galleries, and more. �SAVE THE DATE: Madison Equality’s annual Charity Ball WHAT: Charity Ball dance/concert/fundraiser WHEN: February 5, 2016, TIME TBA WHERE: Madison Union Ballroom (5th floor of Warren Hall), on campus at James Madison University COST: $10 for non-Madison Equality dues-paying members DRESS: Casual or Semiformal 2016 DESIGNATED CHARITY: To Be Announced CONTACT: madisonequality@gmail.org �PFLAG Blue Ridge Serving Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, and Surrounding Central Virginia Areas We are parents, families, friends, and allies uniting with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender loved ones to promote support, education, and advocacy. www.pflagblueridge.org PFLAGBR@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/pflagblueridge https://twitter.com/PFLAGBR PFLAG Blue Ridge offers free monthly support groups for parents, family, friends, and allies. of the LGBT community. If you are a parent, family member, friend, or ally of a gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender individual looking to increase your support, or if your loved one has recently come out to you and you are struggling to process your own feelings as well as looking for resources to help understand — we are here for you. Join us as we share our experiences, joys, concerns, and resources in a confidential and non-judgmental environment. Meeting Information Harrisonburg PFLAG support group for parents, families, friends, and allies of the LGBT Community When: Where: Contact: Note: Once a month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. (See meeting dates on pages 11-12) Blue Ridge Hall, Room 325, 601 University Blvd, JMU campus, Harrisonburg Facilitator Mark at mitchmarke@aol.com or 540-405-1227 Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group Charlottesville Trans* Families Group Meetings When: Where: Contact: 3rd Saturday of each month, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. ASG, 315 Tenth St. NE, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (corner of 10th & Jefferson) Facilitator Karen at karenmeandering@gmail.com or 434-882-3453 �Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Meetings The Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group holds a meeting once a month for LGBTQ+ and questioning folks between 14-20 years old from 6:30 to 8:00pm at Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd. on the campus of JMU. See meeting dates on pages 11-12. We aim to provide a safe and confidential space for youth to talk, listen, laugh, share, and reflect on what it's like for us to live in the Shenandoah Valley. PFLAG Blue Ridge (www.pflagblueridge.org/harrisonburg.html) also holds meetings on the first Thursday of each month in the same building. Visit our website at http://www.svyesalliance.org/index.html or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SVYesAlliance). Please like us and share with your friends! �YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE! $15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card $25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page $50/issue or $175/year: Half Page $100 for a Full Page ad per issue Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Deadline for March newsletter is February 15 Help us be good neighbors in our community. SVGLA has adopted a section of highway near Harrisonburg through the Virginia Department of Transportation. It’s fun. It’s good exercise. It’s great for our planet. Join us—our next outing is Saturday, March 19. Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway afterward. YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE! $15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card $25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page $50/issue or $175/year: Half Page $100 for a Full Page ad per issue Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Deadline for March newsletter is Feb. 15 �Community Organizations American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia acluva.org/tag/equal-rights/ Bi Gay Lesbian & Allies Against Discrimination (Blue Ridge Community College) catalog.blueridgectc.edu/ BC Allies (Bridgewater College) www.bridgewater.edu/student-life/activitiesand-organizations/clubs-organizations-and-honor-societies Coalition for Transgender Rights in Virginia transgenderrightsva.org/ Equality Virginia www.equalityvirginia.org EMU Safe Space www.emu.edu/studentlife/clubs/safe-space/ JMU LGBTQ Faculty & Staff Group www.jmu.edu/lgbtfacultystaff JMU LGBT & Ally Education Program www.jmu.edu/lgbta/ LGBT Democrats of Virginia lgbtvadem.org/ Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia www.virginialogcabin.org/ Madison Equality JMU www.facebook.com/madisonequality PFLAG Blue Ridge www.pflagblueridge.org and pflagbr@gmail.com Safe Zone JMU www.jmu.edu/safezone/ Shenandoah Valley Pride www.shenandoahvalleypride.org Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance www.svyesalliance.org Students Out Understanding & Loving Sisters (SOULS) at Mary Baldwin College www.mbc.edu/student_activities/clubsandorgs/#cultural Southerners on New Ground—Harrisonburg SVGLA southernersonnewground.org/harrisonburg/ www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Virginia Anti-Violence Project 1.866.356.6998 (helpline) & virginiaavp.org/ Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues Virginia Partisans Gay & Lesbian Democratic Club People of Faith for Equality in Virginia Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015 www.vapartisans.org/ www.faith4equality.org/ Page 6 �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, & advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Did you know that:  it is still legal to fire and not hire someone based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Virginia?  it is still legal to deny housing to people based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Virginia? Make Your Voice Heard on EV’s Day of Action Join LGBT and allied folks from across the state ion EV’s Day of Action at the Library of Virginia on 800 East Broad St. in Richmond, on Tuesday, February 9, 2016. Lobby for important bills that will help improve the state of equality in Virginia, and participate in a day filled with networking and workshops. For the detailed schedule of events and to register for EV’s Day of Action, go to http://www.equalityvirginia.org/dayofaction/ Find EV on the web at www.equalityvirginia.org Equality Virginia: Changing Laws, Changing Lives �We are a lay-led, religious community offering a unique spiritual and moral witness in the Shenandoah Valley. HARRISONBURG UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS One Journey, Many Paths We invite all who search for truth and meaning with open hearts and open minds to join us in worship, in mutual support, and in shared ministry to each other and to the world. For more information, contact us at: http://huuweb.org and (540) 867-0073 HUU is a UUA-Certified Welcoming Congregation. We declare our intention to be inclusive and expressive of the concerns of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons at every level of congregational life and to support the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people. YOUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE! $15/issue or $50/year (4 issues): Business Card $25 per issue or $80/year: Quarter Page $50/issue or $175/year: Half Page $100 for a Full Page ad per issue Contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Deadline for March newsletter is February15 �SVGLA’s First Friday Community Potluck First Friday is a monthly community potluck hosted by SVGLA in Harrisonburg/Rockingham County/Staunton/Augusta County (occasionally Mount Jackson) for the LGBTQ+ and Ally community. Every month (usually, but not always, the first Friday) the event rotates to a different location, thanks to generous volunteers who offer to host. Bring a dish to share. Because the event is usually held in private homes, we send location information ONLY to our email list of SVGLA members and do not post it through social media or public email lists. To receive emails about FF and other local SVGLA events, you can join SVGLA as a Level 2 member (for free) or as a Level 1 member (for $15). You can read about the difference on page 13. If you want to join for free, send an email with your first and last name and state that you are at least 18 years of age (SVGLA’s membership requirement) to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com – we will add you to our mailing list. See upcoming potlucks on pages 11-12. Volunteer to host in 2016. Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  Saturday, Dec. 10: Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men Bring food or beverage for 5 people. At Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church (717 Rugby Road). For more details and directions contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com. Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story  Thursday, Dec. 17: SVGLA’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month SVGLA members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant . This date is tentative. Location TBA. Join SVGLA for updated information about C&C events (See pg.13 for how to join).  Thursday, Jan. 7: Harrisonburg PFLAG Support Group Meeting. Support Group for parents, family, friends, and allies of the LGBT community. 6:30-8:00 PM at Blue Ridge Hall, Room 325, on the James Madison University campus, 601 University Blvd in Harrisonburg. Meet ings coincide with the YES! Alliance Shenandoah Valley Youth Group. For more infor mation about PFLAG, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or go to www.pflagblueridge.org, or contact Mark by email at mitchmarke@aol.com  Thursday, Jan. 7. Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group Meeting, Youth group for LGBTQ+ or questioning youth between 14-20 years old. 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, on the JMU campus, 601 University Blvd in Harrisonburg. Meetings coincide with PFLAG. For more information about the Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance, go to www.svyesalliance.org, or email Jo at svyesalliance@gmail.com  Saturday, Jan. 9: Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men Bring food or beverage for 5 people. At Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church (717 Rugby Road). For more details and directions contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com  Friday, Jan. 15: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored each month by SVGLA. For information about the potluck, join SVGLA as a Level I or II member (See page 13 for how to join ).  Monday, Jan. 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday  Thursday, Jan. 21: SVGLA’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month SVGLA members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant . This date is tentative. Location TBA. Join SVGLA for updated information about C&C events (See pg.13 for how to join).  Thursday, Feb. 4: Harrisonburg PFLAG Support Group Meeting. Support Group for parents, family, friends, and allies of the LGBT community. 6:30-8:00 PM At the Blue Ridge Hall, Room 325, on the James Madison University campus, 601 University Blvd. Meetings coin cide with the YES! Alliance Shenandoah Valley Youth Group. For more information about PFLAG, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or go to www.pflagblueridge.org, or contact Mark by email at mitchmarke@aol.com Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015 Page 10 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE  Thursday, Feb. 4: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group Meeting for LGBTQ+ or questioning youth between 14-20 years old. 6:30-8:00 PM in Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, on the JMU campus, 601 University Blvd in H’burg. For more info about the YES! Alliance, go to www.svyesalliance.org, or email Jo at svyesalliance@gmail.com Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story  Friday, February 5: Charity Ball, sponsored by Madison Equality at JMU; see details on page 2  Tuesday, February 9: Equality Virginia Day of Action, See page 7 for details and contact information.  Friday, February 12: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored each month by SVGLA. For information about the potluck, join SVGLA as a Level I or II member (See page 13 for how to join ).  Sunday, Feb. 14: Happy Valentine’s Day!  Monday, Feb. 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com  SVGLA’s Conversation & Cuisine, 6:30-8:30pm. Once a month SVGLA members and friends meet for dinner at a local restaurant . This date is tentative. Location TBA. Join SVGLA for updated information about C&C events (See pg.13 for how to join). Thursday, Feb. 18:  Friday, March 4: First Friday Potluck, 6:30-9:00 PM, Augusta & Rockingham Counties, Harrisonburg, Staunton, and Waynesboro . Potluck for the GLBT and Ally community sponsored each month by SVGLA. For information about the potluck, join SVGLA as a Level I or II member (See page 13 for how to join ).  Saturday, March 19: SVGLA Adopt-A-Highway Service Project, 8:00 AM We gather at the Little Grill for breakfast at 8am and then head out for 45 minutes of clean-up work. Join us! We provide safety vests, gloves, and bags. In case of inclement weather, the clean-up will be rescheduled.  Saturday, April 16 13th Annual Equality Virginia Commonwealth Dinner is EV’s signature event and the state’s largest black-tie gala gathering for the LGBT community and their supporters. Held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Reservation information will be available in January at www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/ Submit items for the monthly SVGLA e-mail events schedule by the 25th of each month to lanedj@jmu.edu Submit events, ads and other items for the March issue of the newsletter by February 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015 Page 11 �Call for 2016 SVGLA Board Nominations* Support our Advertisers, Empower your Community. SVGLA needs your SVGLA wishes to thank local businesses and organizations that advertise in our newsletter. ideas and energy. To nominate yourself to serve on the 2016 SVGLA Board of Directors, send your name and phone number to SVGLAssociation@gmail.org by January 15. *Level I members who have joined or renewed their membership by December 1, 2015 are eligible to nominate and/or vote. �EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! We need your support to continue as a viable and evolving community presence working on your behalf. The goals of SVGLA are:  To gather and communicate important community information.  To collaborate with allies and inclusive community organizations.  To organize events within the greater Valley area for social and educational networking with LGBT people. Level 1 Support—$15 per person Level 1 support helps SVGLA with mailing and administrative costs throughout the year. A level 1 commitment of support gets you the following: An e-mailed version of the newsletter A vote for members of the SVLGA Board of Directors (MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DUE BY DECEMBER 1 TO VOTE FOR AND/OR SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS). Advance information about SVGLA events Level I membership is from July—July     Level 2 Support — FREE Level 2 support keeps you in the loop. A level 2 commitment of support gets you an emailed version of the newsletter and advanced information about all SVGLA events. CHECK ONE of the following levels of support and complete the form below:  Level 1 Support (please include a check for $15 for each person and please send this form to: SVGLA, P.O. Box 1023, Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Name #1 Name #2 Address #1: Address #2: E-mail #1:   E-mail #2: I/we verify that I am/we are at least 18 years of age. Level 2 Support - email your name and state that you are at least 18 years of age or older to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com All SVGLA members must be at least 18 years of age to join. �Valley AIDS Network FREE HIV/AIDS TESTING  VAN offers quick and free testing here in Harrisonburg. READY TO HELP?  Consider volunteering or making an online donation. FOOD PANTRY  VAN has an on-site food pantry for those in need. We’re here to help! PROVIDING ASSISTANCE  Need help getting around? VAN offers transportation access to and from doctor appointments. Contact us Main Phone: Testing: Español: (540) 568-8838 (540) 568-8832 (540) 568-8834 Visit in person: 601 University Blvd., 3rd Floor, Suites 322/323/324, Harrisonburg, VA Mailing Address: VAN, JMU/IIHHS MCS 9108, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Website: www.valleyaidsnetwork.org �The Virginia Anti-Violence Project works to address and end violence, with a specific focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities across Virginia. Call our LGBTQ Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Helpline: 1.866.356.6998 Monday-Friday 8am-8pm Public Comment Period for Virginia Gender Marker Change Equality Virginia and the National Center for Transgender Equality have asked the Virginia Department of Health to make it easier for a transgender person born in Virginia to get their gender changed on their birth certificate. The details of the request will be posted to www.townhall.virginia.gov. Public comment will be accepted between December 14 and January 4 and may be posted online or sent to the State Board of Health. A decision will be made within 90 days of January 4, 2016. Quotable: “I have three messages. One is we should never give up. Two is you are never too old to chase your dreams. And three is it looks like a solitary sport, but it takes a team.” Diana Nyad, World Record Marathon Swimmer �The Old Furnace Artist Residency in Harrisonburg (oldfurnace.tumblr.com/) is planning to host a workshop titled Invasive: Queer Kudzu with artist Aaron McIntosh in January or February of 2016. For the workshop, participants would transpose our (queer) life stories over onto fabric kudzu leaves. The leaves will be later assembled for future exhibitions to uplift the lives, stories, and memories of queer southerners. The details of the workshop (time/location) are not yet available. If you are interested in participating or have questions, contact Jon Henry at henryjw@dukes.jmu.edu No arts background is needed or required. For more information about the artist, Aaron McIntosh, and the workshop, visit wwwinvasivequeerkudzu.com/ �Vote for the 2016 SVGLA Board of Directors  Ballots for the 2016 SVGLA Board of Directors will be sent in March to Level I members who renewed their membership by December 1, 2015. Results will be announced at the Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting (which will coincide with SVGLA’s April First Friday potluck).  Thank you for supporting us!  �Happy Holidays and Good Tidings for 2016! � 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," December 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 December 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 December 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 December 2015 FINAL Volume 18, Issue 4, December 2015 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/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/3626a5a72390c3bcd6df6fa14c82fd43.pdf f363ca83c27b87ab2a6ada595efacb9a PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 17, Issue 4, December 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. ———————– Community Events (see details inside)  EV Day of Action  Valley Pride Planning  SVGLA Potlucks ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Join SVGLA (Membership Form pg. 12) ———————– 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 Marriage Equality comes to Virginia: Governor Announces LGBT Tourism Task Force Shortly after marriage equality arrived in Virginia on October 6, 2014, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced in November the creation of an LGBT Tourism Task Force that will focus on showcasing Virginia as an LGBT-friendly destination. “We’re unified by one common goal: to make Virginia a better place to live, work, play, and raise a family,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Tourism plays an important role in attaining that goal, building communities, and helping drive the new Virginia economy. We have an opportunity to build upon the progress Virginia made this year in achieving marriage equality and ensure that visitors across the globe know that the Commonwealth is open and welcoming to all.” The task force, led by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones, will be comprised of industry stakeholders, LGBT community members and business leaders. The group will make recommendations on how to make Virginia more welcoming to the LGBT community. �Save these dates! 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 �Support our Advertisers, Empower your Community. SVGLA wishes to thank 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 10-11) 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 meeting once a month 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. 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 March newsletter is February 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, March 21 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 Feb. 15 �Community Organizations American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia acluva.org/tag/equal-rights/ Bi Gay Lesbian & Allies Against Discrimination (Blue Ridge Community College) catalog.blueridgectc.edu/ BC Allies (Bridgewater College) www.bridgewater.edu/student-life/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 17, Issue 4, December 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. 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 3, 2015. 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 �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. SVGLA’s First Friday Community Potluck Every month (usually the first Friday) SVGLA hosts a potluck in a community member’s home (the location rotates each month). Bring a dish to share. 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 Thursday, Dec. 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, Dec. 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, Dec. 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 12 for how to join ). Saturday, Dec. 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.  December 13 & 14: Lisa Aronzon Open Studio and Holiday Sale. 10am-4pm, Art Glass Sale, Glassblowing demonstrations, & Holiday Treats. 313 Park Ave., Broadway, VA. 540.435.0357, www.lisaaronzonglassstudio.com, or lisaaronzon@verizon.net  Saturday, Dec. 20   Friday, Jan. 2: Women’s Winter Solstice Holiday Party/Dance 4pm into the night. All women welcome. Let’s dance in the winter. Bring a dish to share. Lisa Aronzon’s house, 313 Park Ave., Broadway, VA. RSVP to 540.435.0357 or lisaaronzon@verizon.net 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 12 for how to join ).  Thursday, Jan. 8 Harrisonburg PFLAG Support Group Meeting. Support Group for parents, family, friends, and allies of the LGBT community. 6:30-8:00 PM at Blue Ridge Hall, Room 325, on the James Madison University campus, 601 University Blvd in Harrisonburg. Meet ings coincide with the YES! Alliance Shenandoah Valley Youth Group. For more infor mation about PFLAG, contact facilitator Mark at 540-405-1227 or go to www.pflagblueridge.org, or contact Mark by email at mitchmarke@aol.com  Thursday, Jan. 8: 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 17, Issue 4, December 2014 Page 10 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Saturday, Jan. 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 Monday, Jan. 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Tuesday, Jan. 28: Equality Virginia Day of Action, See page 8 for details and contact information.  Thursday, Feb. 5 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  Thursday, Feb. 5:   Friday, Feb. 6:  Saturday, Feb. 14: 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 11 for how to join ). Happy Valentine’s Day!  Saturday, Feb. 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  Sunday, Feb 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions. Send to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com  Friday, March. 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 (See page 11 for how to join). 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, April 18 12th 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 availa ble in January at www.equalityvirginia.org/dinner/  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 March 2015 issue by February 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 17, Issue 4, December 2014 Page 11 �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.  � In Memory of “Transgender Warrior” Leslie Feinberg, 1949-2014 Leslie Feinberg was the author of several books, including Transgender Warriors and Stone Butch Blues (1994 Lambda Literary Award), preferred the use of “ze/hir” pronouns, and described hirself as a “white, working-class, secular Jewish, transgender lesbian.” Feinberg was a member of the Workers World Party, a managing editor of Workers World newspaper, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Starr King School for the Ministry for hir social justice work. In "Casualty of an Undeclared War," Feinberg quotes Che Guevara: "At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. ... We must strive every day so that this love of living humanity will be transformed into actual deeds, into acts that serve as examples, as a moving force." Just before hir death, Feinberg quoted Karl Marx, saying that the exchange value of love is love." Leslie is survived by hir partner and spouse of 22 years, author and activist Minnie Bruce Pratt.  Quotable: “We have not always been forced to pass, to go underground, in order to work and live. We have a right to live openly and proudly...when our lives are suppressed, everyone is denied an understanding of the rich diversity of sex and gender expression and experience that exist in human society.” —Leslie Feinberg �Vote for the 2015 SVGLA Board of Directors  Ballots for the 2015 SVGLA Board of Directors will be sent in February to Level I members who renewed their membership by December 1, 2014. Votes must be received by March 15. Results will be announced at the Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting (which will coincide with SVGLA’s April First Friday potluck).  Thank you for supporting the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association! �Happy Holidays and Good Tidings for 2015! � 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," December 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 December 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 December 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.December.2014.FINAL Volume 17, Issue 4, December 2014 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/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/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/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/888f5fc3c030bc8c93eb935448eb6945.pdf 6a59ed1706945066f899f6a4116bebc3 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 16, Issue 4, December 2013 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN THE FA MILY CONNECTSHE N 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)  First Friday Potlucks  Statuesque Pageant  EV Day of Action ———————– EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY! Mail: P.O. Box 1023 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com JMU Senior Receives National LGBT Award Shelby Wiltz, a senior at James Madison University, was awarded the Richard L. Schlegel National Legion of Honor Award for Emerging Activist, which is given to a young individual who is living in the United States and has made outstanding contributions to LGBT communities. Among Shelby’s many accomplishments, she worked as a Congressional intern during the summer of 2013 in Washington, DC with House of Representatives member Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin) on a variety of policy issues, most notably the reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. Shelby’s work on this bill pertained to new provisions of the bill specifically ensuring that LGBT youth are not discriminated against and that grant recipients have the cultural competency to effectively serve these youth. In addition, this bill would provide support services for those struggling with the sexual orientation or gender identity of youth in their families. These protections are important for youth and families, given that some studies show that LGBT youth account for up to 40% of all homeless youth. 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 ———————– Congratulations, Shelby!! The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). �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: First Thursday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Where: Blue Ridge Hall, Room 309, 601 University Blvd, JMU (note our new location) Contact: Facilitator Mark at mitchmarke@aol.com or 540-405-1227 Note: Meetings coincide with Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Group Charlottesville When: 3rd Monday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Where: ASG, 315 Tenth St. NE, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (corner of 10th & Jefferson) Contact: Facilitator Karen at karenmeandering@gmail.com or 434-882-3453 Note: Meetings coincide with ROSMY Youth Group No Monday meetings for December 2013 �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 March newsletter is February 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. 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 Feb. 15 �Community Organizations American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia acluva.org/tag/equal-rights/ 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 (NEW!) JMU Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & 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 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 southernersonnewground.org/ SVGLA www.svgla.org and SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Valley AIDS Network www.valleyaidsnetwork.org Virginia Organizing www.virginia-organizing.org/issues Volume 16, Issue 4, December 2013 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 in taking a stand on EV’s Day of Action at the Library of Virginia on 800 East Broad St. in Richmond, on Tuesday, January 28, 2014. 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 �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 9 and 10. Would you like to host First Friday in 2014? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thursday, Dec. 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 Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story  Thursday, Dec. 5: Friday, Dec. 6:  Friday, Dec. 6: Saturday, Dec. 6: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. Blue Ridge Hall, Room 326, 601 University Blvd at JMU (note our new location). See page 3 for details (this meeting coincides with the monthly PFLAG Harrisonburg Support Group). 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) LGBTQ Faculty-Staff Group (JMU) Happy Hour, 6pm, Clementine, 153 S. Main St., Harrisonburg. See page 6 for contact information. The Statuesque Pageant 2014, 8pm, The Artful Dodger, 47 Court Square, Harrisonburg. Rhino Mafia Productions (See pg. 14 for details)  Thursday, Dec. 12: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details. Saturday, Dec. 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. Thursday, Dec. 19: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details. Thursday, Jan. 2: 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, January 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  Thursday, Jan. 9: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details.  Saturday, January 11: Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men to socialize and sign up for interest groups. Bring a food or beverage for 5 people. Meet at 7:00, dinner will be at 7:30. Plates, silverware, napkins, and glasses provided. We meet at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church (717 Rugby Road). For 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 March issue by February 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 16, Issue 4, December 2013 Page 9 �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE Thursday, Jan. 16: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details.  Thursday, Jan. 23: YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details. Full pageShenandoah ad forValley Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story Tuesday, Jan. 28: Equality Virginia Day of Action, See page 7 for details and contact information. Thursday, Jan. 30 Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details.  Thursday, Feb. 6: 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   Thursday, Feb. 6: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details.  Friday, February 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, Feb. 8: Men’s “Second Saturday” Potluck, 7:00-9:30 PM Potluck for gay/bi/trans-friendly men. Bring a food or beverage for 5 people. Meet at 7:00 and dinner will be at 7:30. We meet in either the Summit House (or sometimes the basement kitchen) at the Thomas Jef ferson Memorial Church (717 Rugby Road). For more details and directions contact cville_gmsc@yahoogroups.com  Thursday, Feb. 13: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details. February 14: Happy Valentine’s Day!! Thursday, Feb. 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions and ads for March issue. Send items to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com   Thursday, Feb. 20:  Thursday, Feb. 27:  Thursday, March 6:  Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details. Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details. 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 Thursday, March 6: Shenandoah Valley YES! Alliance Youth Meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM. See pg. 3 for details.  Friday, March 7: Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting and 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). The members of the 2014 SVGLA Board of Directors will be announced at the potluck.  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 Sat.urday, March 29. Volume 16, Issue 4, December 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 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 �IN THE NEWS… US Department of Treasury and IRS will Treat All Married Couples Equally for Federal Tax Purposes The United States Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service will now recognize legally married same-sex couples who wish to file their 2013 federal tax return as “married filing jointly” for federal tax purposes. Same-sex married couples who choose to jointly file will be treated as married for all federal tax purposes, including income, gift, and estate taxes. This ruling applies regardless of whether or not the couple lives in a jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex marriage. That means that legally married couples who reside in Virginia can file a joint federal tax return if they wish. Legally married same-sex couples MUST file their 2013 federal income tax return using either the “married filing jointly” or “married filing separately” filing status. The ruling does not apply to couples in registered domestic partnerships or civil unions. For taxes in the state of Virginia, individuals in same-sex marriages must still file a non-married single tax return. Consult IRS.gov or the National Association of Tax Professionals for more information. Quotable: “Prejudices are rarely overcome by argument. Not being founded in reason, they cannot be destroyed by logic.” —Tryon Edwards, American Theologian �Vote for the 2014 SVGLA Board of Directors   Ballots for the 2014 SVGLA Board of Directors will be sent in January to Level I members who renewed their membership by December 1, 2013. Votes must be received by February 15, 2014. Results will be announced at the Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting (which will coincide with March 7 First Friday potluck).  Thank you for supporting the Shenandoah Valley Gay & Lesbian Association! ��Happy Holidays and Good Tidings for 2014! � 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," December 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 December 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 December 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.December.2013 Volume 16, Issue 4, December 2013 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/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/a3e2ec3f6d688c35e886acbe341d2771.pdf 3051e9f70166b17b6be04381c00d58a5 PDF Text Text A+ Pet Siting Volume 15, Issue 4 December 2012 Website: www.svgla.org THE FAMILY CONNECTSHEN T HE FAMILY CONNECT SHEN November Elections Result in Historic Victories: • Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) was elected the first openly gay U.S. Senator (she was previously the first openly lesbian member of the U.S. House of Representatives). Baldwin’s former House seat was won by an openly gay man, Marc Pocan (D-WI) • President Obama, the first president to support marriage equality, was reelected. • For the first time, three states - Maine, Maryland, and Washington - won ballot measures supporting marriage equality. • For the first time, one state (Minnesota), rejected a ballot initiative to ban marriage equality. ———————– Upcoming Events (pg. 8) • Miss Statuesque Pageant Fundraiser •Annual SVGLA Member- ship meeting in January • Equality Virginia Day of Action in Richmond ———————– 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. Email: SVGLAssociation@gmail.com EQUALITY WINS!!! 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 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. In Virginia, however…let’s get to work (see page 4). SVGLAssociation@gmail.com ———————– The SVGLA “Family Connectshen” is published quarterly (in March, June, September, and December). �Miss Statuesque Pageant FUNDRAISER December 1, 2012, 8:30pm at The Artful Dodger, Court Square, Harrisonburg Hosted by TARA WHEELER, Miss Virginia 2008 (who competed for Miss America in 2009) and current TV News Personality for CBS19, ABC16, & FOX27. Miss Wheeler has for many years helped to raise funds for children with special needs, such as the time she shaved her head bald after raising $500,000.00 for St. Baldrick's Foundation, which funds cancer research. During the evening, the reigning Miss Statuesque, Jasmine Taylekia, will take her final walk and we will celebrate her reign. This year’s pageant is a benefit to help someone in our community, a 7 year old girl, Haley, who is living with Cerebral Folate Deficiency, Global Developmental Delay, Epilepsy, and Cortical Visual Impairment. She is in need of a Rifton Adaptive Tricycle to assist with day-to-day living. The Tricycle costs $2,000. We hope to raise as much as we can to help to purchase this for her. Whoever would like to be in the running for the Miss Statuesque Pageant title will perform two numbers. The performer who raises the most money will win the pageant and will receive a crown and sash. 100% of the funds raised will go to Haley’s family to help purchase this Tricycle for Haley. This is an amazing event for an amazing cause. Haley and her mother will be traveling from West Virginia to attend the event. If you are interested in competing for this title or making a donation to help Haley get her tricycle, please contact KJ Branner at (540)435-3887 or email at 6229603@facebook.com �Vote for the 2013 SVGLA Board  Ballots for the 2013 SVGLA Board of Directors will be sent to Level I members in December. Votes must be received by 1/2/13. Results will be announced at the Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting (which coincides with January’s First Friday).  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 Feb. 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 16 (March 23 is the makeup date). Meet us for breakfast at 8am, then we’ll tidy up the highway. Sign up at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �EV is Virginia’s state-wide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for LGBT Virginians. Milestone victories in the November give us hope; here at home we have work to do. In Virginia, Governor McDonnell allows the State Board of Social Services to discriminate against LGBT youth in the foster care system. • Longtime partners can find themselves homeless because Governor McDonnell won’t extend Medicaid spousal impoverishment protections to same-sex couples. • 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. • The leadership in the Virginia House of Delegates won’t allow any proLGBT bills out of committee for a full and open vote. • Make Your Voice Heard on EV’s Day of Action Join LGBT and allied folks from across the state in taking a stand on EV’s Day of Action and speaking up fairness at the Library of Virginia on 800 East Broad St. in Richmond, Tuesday, January 29, 2013. 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 more information on EV’s Day of Action and the schedule of events, go to www.equalityvirginia.org/evs-day-of-action/ Find EV on the web at www.equalityvirginia.org �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 4 December 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 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 8. Would you like to host First Friday in 2013? Email us at SVGLAssociation@gmail.com �COMMUNITY EVENTS SCHEDULE ❑ Saturday, December 1 Miss Statuesque Pageant Fundraiser, 8:30 PM At the Artful Dodger on Court Square in Harrisonburg. Hosted by Tara Wheeler, Miss Virginia 2008 and current TV News Person ality for CBS19, ABC16, & FOX27. All proceeds this year will go to an area youngster coping with severe neurological issues (see page 2 for details). Contact KJ Branner at (540) 435-3887 or email at 6229603@facebook.com Full page ad for Truth Wins Out/Uganda Story ❑ Saturday, December 1: World AIDS Day. Visit www.valleyaidsnetwork.org for local events. ❑ Friday, December 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 at www.svgla.org) ❑ Saturday, December 8 The River Church’s Gospel Christmas Show, 6:00pm (doors open at 5:30pm), at The River Church (formerly River of Life Ministry), 1380 Blackberry Lane, Harrisonburg. Admission is FREE. Pastor Cindy Carr will host an evening of fellowship and entertainment, featuring many favorite entertainers from the area. FREE FOOD after the show. ❑ Sunday, December 16 SVGLA Board Meeting, 4-6pm. For information, contact SVGLAssociation@gmail.com ❑ Friday, January 11: Annual SVGLA Membership Meeting and 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 at www.svgla.org). The members of the 2013 SVGLA Board of Directors will be announced at the potluck. ❑ Tuesday, January 29: Equality Virginia’s Day of Action (See page 5 for details and contact information.) ❑ Friday, February 1: 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, February 14: HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! ❑ Friday, Feb. 15: DEADLINE, SVGLA newsletter submissions for the March issue. ❑ Friday, March 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) ❑ Saturday, March 16: 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 23 is the makeup date if inclement weather on the 16th) 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 March issue by February 15 to SVGLAssociation@gmail.com Volume 15, Issue 4 December 2012 Page 8 �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 �Happy Holidays and Good Tidings for 2013! � 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," December 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 December 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 December 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.December.2012.FINAL.publish Volume 15, Issue 4, December 2012 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/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