Next Meeting - Feb 21, 2010Transgender Issues 101 |
As many of you know, the PFLAG National office gives out thousands of dollars in scholarship money each year to lesbian, gay, bi and transgender students as well as allies. You may access the scholarship information and on-line application at: www.pflag.org/ scholarships
To qualify, students need to:
PFLAG National relies on chapters to get out information about the scholarship program to your local schools. The scholarship program is a great way to engage your local schools in a discussion about LGBT students. Recommend this scholarship to anyone you know.
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Here are new titles for the library that will be available for check out as of Dec. 20.
DVD: (2 copies available for check out)
"Testimony Time", a Positive Perspective on Homosexuality, introduction
by Pastor Lowell O. Erdahl.
Bishop Erdahl tells about his personal journey learning about sexual orientation and how his mind changed as his understanding of homosexuality grew. Erdahl's meeting and learning from gay and lesbian people, his study of biblical texts, countless books and new scientific evidence makes for an excellent educational DVD viewing and discussion opportunity.
Book titles:
"Sexual
Personae" by Camille Paglia
"Silent Lives: How
High A Price?" by Sara L. Boesser
"Stellaluna"
by Janell Cannon, a Reading Rainbow Book and ABBY Winner for children
and adults of all ages
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Washington State voters preserve domestic partnership rights: We’re thankful for the success in Washington State, where Regional Director Kathy Reim led PFLAG chapters in the fight to protect relationship recognition in the state. In this challenging ballot measure, citizens had to vote in favor of keeping domestic partnership benefits. Despite hard campaigning from our opposition, couples will continue to receive some of the benefits of marriage – a critical step in the fight for full marriage equality. Remarkably, this marked the first time a state’s voters have approved a gay equality measure at the ballot box and PFLAG was a part of this win.
The District of Columbia now will allow same sex marriage! It passed on Dec. 1, 2009.
But, the state senate of New York did not pass the bill that would allow marriage equality there. Win some. Lose some.
Click here to see where other states stand on gay marriage.
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Planning a vacation? Fly on American Airlines and support the preferred airline
of PFLAG National. PFLAG national staff gets free miles (and you do NOT lose
any bonus miles).
When booking on www.AA.com, follow these instructions:
Step One - Choose your travel dates and your best flight option.
Step Two - Login. (If you have an AAdvantage Number and a password, key it
in. If not, click "continue" without logging in.)
Step Three - Confirm your itinerary and complete passenger details. LAST STEP
- Important! - Key in PFLAG's Business ExtrAA Account Number (527590).
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GLBT Film Festival: Madison PFLAG is partnering with First Unitarian Society on GLBT Film Festival. The First University Society at 900 University Bay Drive has an active social justice committee, including a subcommittee on GLBT civil rights. They invited us to partner with them on their GLBT Film Festival, Saturday, February 26.
Come see two free films and bring your friends and family. Let's help make this a big success. Discussions will follow each film and refreshments will be available.
1:00 pm, Feb. 26: Ruthie and Connie: Every Room in the House, an intimate 2002 documentary about a deep friendship that turns to love between two Jewish grandmothers in the early 1970's.
7:00 pm, Feb. 26: Amancio ... Two Faces on a Tombstone, a 2009 documentary about the 2005 murder of a gay latino female impersonator in Yuma, AZ.
These free screenings are presented by FUS' LGBT Welcoming Congregation
Committee and co-sponsored with Q-Cinema International (an OutReach program)
and PFLAG. For more information contact FUS at 233-977 or check http://www.fusmadison.org/sj/WelcomingCongregation.shtml.
First Unitarian Society Happy Dance: Friday Feb 5, 7-9
pm
• Celebrating FUS as an LGBT Welcoming Congregation!
• Boogie to the super dance band “Ladies Must Swing”
• Snacks & Punch
• Donations for the band solicited
• Visit the LGBT Action Table
PFLAG Speakers' Bureau:
Kay is still looking for someone to lead the speakers' bureau. First one to
respond will get to be the boss.
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The first PFLAG Update of each year seems to follow a similar theme: write about New Year’s resolutions. It makes sense. Most of us are committing to shedding those final pounds, promising to spend more time at home and less in the office, or planning to make that dream vacation that they’ve been thinking about for years into a reality.
… So today, I’d like to offer you a chance to make three post-New Year’s resolutions – and I’m even willing to give you the steps you need to make these commitments a reality in 2010. If you’re ready to take on one more resolution for 2010, read on…and if you’re feeling like one of your resolutions has already gotten the better of you, here’s your chance at instant redemption.
Resolution One: Commit to taking action on the legislative issues that matter to our families. Getting this done is easier than you think. If you haven’t signed up for PFLAG’s Action Alerts, do it right now.
Resolution Two: Commit to spending 10 minutes each week doing some PFLAG reading. PFLAG National has made getting news about LGBT people and the issues they face easier than ever. Check out the PFLAG Blog, our Facebook page, the PFLAG website, and our Straight for Equality website.
Want the news to come to you? If you haven’t already done it, create a login at the PFLAG website (just go to www.pflag.org and click on Login to get started) and subscribe to our newsletters. Go to these pages to get started on keeping this resolution:
Resolution Three: Commit to supporting PFLAG’s work to move equality forward. The work that PFLAG does in our communities, our workplaces, and on Capitol Hill can’t be done without your financial support.
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Kay suggests that you might find the national PFLAG blog interesting and worthwhile: www.pflagblog.blogspot.com
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Annise Parker Wins Houston Mayoral Race in the Face of Anti-Gay Attacks: Openly lesbian candidate Annise Parker won her runoff election to become the next mayor of Houston, Texas. In the past several weeks, Parker had been the target of anti-gay attacks but voters rejected the lies and elected her to serve the nation’s fourth largest city. more...
Maryland Considers Harmful New Gender Policy for Drivers Licenses:
The state of Maryland is proposing to require an amended birth certificate
in order for a person to change gender on a driver’s license. Until
now, an applicant only had to provide a physician or psychologist’s
report to confirm that the applicant is in active treatment. more...
News Round-Up:
...details
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