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AELCCA eNews December 2007-January 2008 Brrrrrrrrrrr Our Mission: To develop and sustain coalitions of bi-sexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals, their friends and families, promoting through advocacy and education a positive and healthy presence in the larger community.
In This Issue:
NOMINATIONS NOW FOR THE 12th ANNUAL LAMBDA AWARDS NOVEMBER 26– 29TH QRC WORLD AIDS AWARENESS WEEK 20th ANNUAL - WORLD AIDS DAY CANDLELIGHT CELEBRATION DECEMBER 1st JACKSON COUNTY DEMOCRATS HOLIDAY BRUNCH DECEMBER 3rd & 4th “TWO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS SESSIONS” IN THE VALLEY DECEMBER 9TH BASIC RIGHTS OREGON MEDIA SKILLS TRAINING, MEDFORD DECEMBER 29th LGBTQ HOLIDAY POT LUCK JANUARY 2nd, 2008 BASIC RIGHTS OREGON LOCAL CELEBRATION NOT STRAIGHT NOT SURE LOOKING FOR BOARD MEMBERS & OTHERS THE CENTER’S NEW BOARD MEMBERS BASIC RIGHTS EQUALITY PAC: AN UPDATE FROM SOUTHERN OREGON WOMEN’S DIVA CONNECTION: NEWS, CHALLENGE AND COMING EVENTS ONGOING ART EXHIBIT: QUIET FIRE CHILDREN’S ART CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH SESSIONS: NOT A GRAMMAR CLASS “NEW!” NEW CENTER HOURS: STOP BY AND VISIT “NEW!” FREE COUNSELING AVAILABLE AGAIN AT THE CENTER!
News You Can UseNOMINATIONS NOW FOR THE 12th ANNUAL LAMBDA AWARDS2008 12th Annual Lambda Awards “Life and Love Everlasting”
Come celebrate and honor another year of individuals and organizations who work hard to send the message that equal rights for the LGBTQ community are heard and gained. It is time to think of who should receive the Lambda Awards. When you send in your nominations, it is important that you submit the nominated recipient(s) under one of the selected categories listed below (i.e. identify the category), with an explanation (be specific) as to why the recipient(s) deserves the award. If a category and explanation are NOT provided when you submit your nomination, your submission will not be considered.
The Lambda Awards are as follows:
LAMBDA HUMANITARIAN AWARD: To recognize the individuals who through their outstanding involvement and dedication have made a significant contribution of leadership or service that has improved or enriched the lives of others and the welfare of humanity.
LAMBDA COMMUNITY OUTREACH: To recognize individuals who have made significant contributions toward understanding tolerance and acceptance of the GLBTQ community.
LAMBDA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: To recognize individuals for their unselfish and extensive accomplishments in community service- such as board members, commission or community groups, which have demonstrated a sustained commitment to the GLBTQ community.
LAMBDA HALL OF FAME AWARD: To recognize exceptional and lasting contribution with long-term impact on the GLBTQ community by sharing a generous and unselfish attitude.
LAMBDA ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: To recognize individuals or groups who have entertained us right here in the Rogue Valley.
Nominations will be accepted through December 28, 2007. Please send your nominations to abdillellis@yahoo.comor by postal mail to: Abdill-Ellis Community Center ATTN: Lambda Award Nominations P.O. Box 927 Ashland, OR. 97520 This will be our 12th year of honoring straight and LGBT people of distinction. This event is also the major fundraiser for the Center. Please attend and show your support. We’ll have a fantastic silent auction & a 50/50 raffle, so make sure you bring some extra cash &/or your checkbook to bid on the wonderful donated prizes (The Center does not take credit cards). If you have any items that you would like to donate - to the silent auction, please contact the Center at 541-488-6990, or at the contact information noted above.
NOVEMBER 26– 29TH QRC WORLD AIDS AWARENESS WEEK
All of the above events are free, open to the public and are sponsored by Southern Oregon University’s Queer Resource Center. 541-552-8328
20th ANNUAL - WORLD AIDS DAY CANDLELIGHT CELEBRATIONA Candlelight Celebration will be held at the Medford Congregational United Church of Christ - in recognition of World AIDS Day 2007.
Come join the local HIV community in music, remembrance and re-dedication to the struggle against AIDS. Event Date: Saturday, December 1, 2007 Starts: 7:00 PM Location: 1801 East Jackson, Medford, Oregon. Participants: Alan Collins AIDS Project, Red Cross, Planned Parenthood, Women With Wings and More. Contact: Bill Coyne at 541-772-1777, for more information.
DECEMBER 1st JACKSON COUNTY DEMOCRATS HOLIDAY BRUNCHSaturday December 1st BLUE CREW HOLIDAY BRUNCH
Great Food, Great Company, Great Conversation JC Democrats' Headquarters 9:30 to 11:30 AM 40 South Central, Medford (Across from the Craterian Theatre) Let us know if you are attending by Thursday, Nov. 29th Leave your RSVP message at 541 858 1050
HONORING VOLUNTEERS and FRIENDS OF JC DEMOCRATS
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! JOIN the FUN!
DECEMBER 3rd & 4th “TWO KNOW YOUR RIGHTS SESSIONS” IN THE VALLEY
Basic Rights Oregon Guest Speakers
Basic Rights Oregon’s Executive Director John Hummel and Regional Director Becky Flynn.
Basic Rights Oregon is coming to Ashland and Grants Pass for special "Know Your Rights Sessions". With 2 new laws impacting the LGBT community, soon to take effect, it's important to get educated on what this means to you.
As of January 1, Oregon’s new anti-discrimination and domestic partnerships laws will go into effect. And as of January 1, our state will be an even better place to live, work and raise a family.
Both laws were passed by our legislature and signed by Governor Kulongoski earlier this year. They represent historic achievements in the movement for equality for all Oregonians.
Let’s savor this victory for a moment. Come celebrate, learn about your basic rights under the new laws, and help plan the upcoming effort to defend them.
Free and open to the public.
And also,
TO RSVP for either December 3rd or December 4th please contact Regional Director Basic Rights Oregon, Becky Flynn, at Becky@basicrights.org
DECEMBER 9TH BASIC RIGHTS OREGON MEDIA SKILLS TRAINING, MEDFORDDo you plan to get partnered on January 2, 2008 - or will you be on hand at the County on January 2nd as a volunteer, parent or ally?
Basic Rights Oregon is excited to invite you to a planning meeting and media skills training presented by Karynn Fish, Communications Director for Basic Rights Oregon.
We are all looking forward to a day of celebration on January 2nd, when same sex couples in Oregon can register as domestic partners and, for the first time, receive the legal recognition needed to take care of loved ones.
We also know that the media will be there to cover the story for print, television and radio. Reporters will be approaching lots of different people to get different angles for their stories. This can be an intimidating experience for some of us, but it doesn't have to be! We can all learn how to tell our stories in compelling ways that will help our fellow Oregonians understand just what the law means for our families.
So please join us. Sunday, December 9th from 3:00 – 5:30 pm in Medford. When you RSVP to Becky Flynn, BRO’s Regional Organizer, you will be provided the exact location.
We will also unveil Basic Rights Oregon's Domestic Partnerships Resource Guide, and talk about plans for the big day. Basic Rights Oregon staff will be on hand to help answer questions about the procedures that will be in place at the County.
AND… there will be pie!
Space is limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible to becky@basicrights.org.
DECEMBER 16TH MEN’S POT LUCK
DECEMBER 29th LGBTQ HOLIDAY POT LUCK
Meet at Scott’s home: Barr Oaks 7:00 PM 407 Park Avenue, Medford
You are asked to bring a food dish to share and a beverage of your choice. Please RSVP by December 27th Call Scott at 772-6519 SECOND ANNUAL LGBTQ HOLIDAY POT LUCK DECEMBER 29, 2007
JANUARY 2nd, 2008 BASIC RIGHTS OREGON LOCAL CELEBRATIONIt’s estimated that at least 50 same-sex couples in the Rogue Valley will be in Medford on January 2nd to register as domestic partners. Couples may go to any County office to get registered, regardless of where they live. So if you live in Josephine or Klamath County, you absolutely may go to the Medford office.
Representatives from Basic Rights Oregon will be on hand at the Medford County Clerk’s Office to offer assistance that day, and they want to celebrate with all the newly registered couples in the evening.
Plans are underway to secure a fabulous venue for this historic day/evening celebration. Would you like to join us and celebrate together?
To all those couples who plan to register as domestic partners on January 2nd, and who want to participate in a grand celebration that evening together with their friends and with the organization whose tireless efforts helped to make it possible, please watch your emails for information on which establishment will be the fair-minded business eager to help us “throw our party”.
Questions? Feel free to contact Leslie Stone BRO Volunteer 488-9168 or email lesliestone@ashlandhome.net.
NOT STRAIGHT NOT SURE LOOKING FOR BOARD MEMBERS & OTHERSThe LGBTQ youth group, Not Straight Not Sure (NSNS) is looking for board members. NSNS, well on its way to becoming a non-profit organization, serves youth 14-24 under the direction of art therapist Delaine Due, their Volunteer Director.
If you have an interest in working with youth please call 1-800-466 -7005 extension 3 and leave a message for Delaine. You will be provided with information about the application process as a requisite to becoming a Board Member of NSNS.
The Third Annual All Ages (1-120) Alternative Prom Committee is now forming and NSNS is looking for folks interested in planning this most fabulous, fun event for 2008. Please email notstraightnotsure@hotmail.com or contact 1-800-466-7005 extension 3.
THE CENTER’S NEW BOARD MEMBERSThe following nine people are the current Board of the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center and are committed to serve:
Please contact them with your questions, comments or suggestions.
The Board meets on the SECOND and FOURTH Tuesday of each month at the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center, 208 Oak Street, Suites 112 & 113, in Ashland. Board meetings are open to the public and you all are very welcome and encouraged to attend.
BASIC RIGHTS EQUALITY PAC: AN UPDATE FROM SOUTHERN OREGONThe Basic Rights Equality PAC (Political Action Committee) works to elect fair-minded candidates who support basic rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Oregonians. I am a new member of the PAC representing you, the LGBTQQI people of Southern Oregon.
Smart PAC strategies such as careful research, directing resources to critical campaigns and pooling resources from fair-minded citizens recently made a decisive impact on the political landscape of our great state.
The PAC has a track record of outstanding success! In 2006 the PAC endorsed 38 pro-equality candidates and 34 won their election. Powerful changes occurred in the Oregon legislature in 2006 that ultimately led to the passing of the Oregon Equality Act SB 2 and the Oregon Family Fairness Act HB 2007. In addition to supporting key legislative candidates in 2006, the PAC backed the re-election of Governor Kulongoski, who in May 2007 signed both Bills into law.
On November 17 many of YOUR friends and family made a strong statement of support of the PAC and what it does by attending a fund raising event co-hosted by PAC Board Member Leslie Stone, Rhonda Loftis & Kris York, who offered the use of their home, Fanda Bender & Shelia Gam, Kirk Pederson, Cherie & Gerry Garland, and Michael Erceg. Forty people turned out… in the rain, on a dark, cold and dreary night… to hear Basic Rights Oregon’s Regional Director, Becky Flynn discuss the PAC and the profound impact it can make in the course of a year.
Addressing the supporters, Representative Peter Buckley discussed that as we go forward into 2008, it is critical for the PAC to continue to support fair-minded candidates, and that it is essential to keep a pro-equality majority in the House and Senate if we expect to keep the new laws on the books.
Part of being on the PAC Board is a commitment to a fundraising goal of $5,000 per Board member and to those who attended, your contribution helped make that goal more attainable. Thank you all so very much for your generosity. As a result of that evening, I’m a shade away from half way there!
Contributions to the Equality PAC qualify for Oregon’s Political Tax Credit. Your first donation of $50 per individual or $100 per couple is free, and will be returned to you at tax time!
We all have so much to be thankful for this year and we are about to make history on January 2, when the laws take effect. On that day Oregon will join just a handful of states in this country to legally recognize same sex relationships and provide anti-discrimination protection for the entire LGBT community. Let us remember the work that PAC did in 2006 and give them the resources to do it again in 2008!
So, drum roll please, I would like to ask the rest of you in our community to please make a donation in the spirit of last Saturday’s event, even though you were not able to attend. Your money will help elect and re-elect fair-minded candidates into office and ensure that equality remains the law of the land in 2009 and beyond. Please, please, make a contribution.
You can either click below to donate to the Basic Rights Equality PAC: Donate to the Basic Rights Equality PAC
OR
Make a check out to Basic Rights Equality PAC and drop it in the mail to me, Leslie Stone, at 1245 Orchid Street in Ashland and I’ll make sure it gets to Basic Rights Oregon’s Portland office. Be sure to include your occupation and employer’s name, city, and state as this is required by Oregon Election Law.
Thank you all so much. If you can give, it will be the right thing to do. You will make a difference.
WOMEN’S DIVA CONNECTION: NEWS, CHALLENGE AND COMING EVENTSNews from Rhonda Young Happy Thanksgiving to all you Diva's:
I can't believe Thanksgiving’s come and gone already. Seems we were just planting in the spring our gardens. Time to eat. Be with family and friends. Give thanks for all we have.
I am home now for awhile, back from North Carolina. What a beautiful state! The fall colors were just beautiful. I also was in Denver for a bit and saw snow on the Rockies.
I thought I would update you ladies to see if anyone wanted to get the Diva's moving again. We did have a great group and it would be great to start with some potlucks. That means we need folks willing to open their homes. Now I know the holidays are coming, so if you can not offer your home for a potluck in the next 2 months, what about after the first of the year? Hosting a potluck is just opening your home to some ladies for about 3-4 hours on any given day. You and I work out the details. It all is approved by you. So come on ladies help your other Diva's out. Maybe someone is just sitting at home with no place to go. Friendships are good. Anyway please let me know within the next 2 weeks if any of you will be wanting to host a potluck. Thanks so much.
Well, since I have been out of town I have not been up on stuff around town. People have been calling me on wanting to play poker, and so if you do, then we also need homes or a place to play. So let me know if any of you would like to do that.
I will be forwarding to you all any events that are sent to me. I do know that Karen Lovely is going to be singing at the Avalon in Talent on November 27 from 8-10pm and on January 19 from 2-4pm. She will be at Alex's on December 6th from 830pm to 1130pm. She is a great lady and can sing very well so go support my friend and a good friend of the community.
Remember the Lambda Awards are coming up. January 25th. at the Red Lion Inn. Please plan on attending this wonderful event put on by the Abdill-Ellis Center. Some of us book a room and spend the night that way we do not have to drive.
Remember to support the Abdill -Ellis Center. They are here for us all. If you can volunteer, please give them a call even if it’s just a few hours a month.
The girls still meet on Wednesday nights in Ashland. It would be great if they moved it to a weekend night so us from out of town could come. That would be my suggestion.
Ok ladies hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I will leave everything in your hands and see what happens.
Also remember if you are looking for a dating service visit www.tangowire.com and the Hot Flash dances in Eugene are still going on.
As Always,
Rhonda Young Leader
Rainbow Women’s Golf Club Rainbow Women's Diva Connection 541-621-5778
ONGOING ART EXHIBIT:QUIET FIRE CHILDREN’S ARTExplore children’s experiences of living with HIV/AIDS infected parents as depicted in their art and sand-tray work. Artists are from 6 to 15 years old.
Please stop by the Center on Tuesday afternoons and immerse yourself in the power of the children’s artwork. Exhibit developed by Roxanne Rae, MSW, LCSW, BCD during her years as a children’s counselor.
Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center Suite # 112 In Ashland’s Historic Armory
RemindersTHE CENTER NEEDS VOLUNTEERSThe Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center has volunteer opportunities available. Maybe now is the right time for you to get involved. It’s a way to share your knowledge and experience and help others. Volunteering will warm your spirit. Depending on where you are in your life right now, it may just be “the right thing” for you to try.
The Center also needs the help of our members to create unity at our community hub. We need you for Events, Grant Writing, Front Desk, Marketing, Fundraising, Membership, Graphic Design, and Photography AND covering the desk so that we may expand our hours again. Bring your talents.
Contact: Serena Cook (Board Chair) serenacook@hotmail.com
GAY AA ASHLAND MEETINGSOpen AA meetings are held each Monday at 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center, 208 Oak Street, (the Historic Armory Building) Suites 112 and 113. This meeting is open to everyone on the planet.
CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH SESSIONS: NOT A GRAMMAR CLASS “NEW!”Conversational Spanish, facilitated by Larry Crain and Zach Druckenmiller, is available to the community on Tuesdays in Medford and runs from 7:30 PM until 9:00 PM. These sessions are designed for people with interest in practicing the little Spanish they may have already acquired, or those with no experience who just want to jump in.
Sessions will be held at 184 Clover Lane in Medford.
Typically, Conversational Spanish Sessions include 3 or 4 individuals, who are matched with someone at their own skill level. This is not a grammar class! You won’t be memorizing verb conjugations! You will be speaking about real life happenings.
Pre-requisite for attendance: Confirm your attendance with Larry or Zach no later than the night before each session you wish to attend.
For directions contact Zach or Larry Crain at 779-9462 or David Kellogg at 324-2363, or email larry.crain@gmail.com
NEW CENTER HOURS: STOP BY AND VISIT “NEW!”Currently, Center is staffed on Tuesdays 1:00 - 4:00 PM. Contact Serena Cook, Board Chair for information regarding volunteer opportunities at the Center in order to be open additional days.
In the event that you come by the Center during posted hours and do not find the Center open, we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Things sometimes come up last minute and our volunteers may be unable to be at the Center that day.
Or visit the Center on the web at www.abdellis.org
NEW HIV RAPID TESTING: “NEW!”NEW HIV Rapid Testing: Now Free at the Center!
Free "Rapid" HIV testing and counseling with Al Solochier, R.N. from Jackson County Health Department, is now available by appointment at the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center on various Tuesdays from 5:00 - 6:00 PM. Contact Al directly at 774-8033 to set your appointment. Or you may call the Center and we will pass your name and phone number on to Al, who will then call you to arrange the appointment.
Here's some general information about the new "Rapid" HIV Testing that is available:
OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test provides a rapid HIV test result in as little as 20 minutes. It is an oral swab test.
A PRELIMINARY POSITIVE result suggests that antibodies to HIV may be present in the oral fluid. (The test can also be done on blood). Should the test be reactive, a blood sample would be drawn and sent to the state lab to confirm the reactive results. The confirmation test results take 2 weeks.
A NEGATIVE result means that the test did not detect HIV antibodies. Since it can take up to 3 months for those antibodies to appear in oral fluid or blood, we can safely say that the individual had not been infected with HIV 3 months prior to having the test done. If there was any risk activity performed during that 3 month "window period", there is the possibility that the antibodies have not been formed yet and the person needs to get tested again.
Al Solochier will go over this information thoroughly with each person during and after the test.
Testing will be available on the following Tuesdays through December, 2007: - November 27th - December 11th
2008 testing days will be made available soon. For more information on that, contact Al at 774-8033.
In the event that these days do not work for you, please remember that Jackson County Health and Human Services at (541) 774-6967 provides testing and counseling. Ask for Tina Lines.
HAVE YOU MOVED?Are you receiving the Center Post? If you are a current Member you should expect to receive the Center Post, published seasonally. Members on the move, please help us update our records by sending us your current mailing address. Email us at abdillellis@yahoo.com Thank you!
MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGESThe Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center operates for you and because of you! We thank all the wonderful contributors and supporters who month after month, year after year have seen it in their hearts to donate their time and money so that we may exist. If you are not yet a Member, support the Center by filling out a membership form and donating as much, and as often as you are able. Membership applications are available at the Center or on our web site www.abdellis.org.
Benefits of membership include discounts at these Rogue Valley businesses:
FREE COUNSELING AVAILABLE AGAIN AT THE CENTER!Abdill-Ellis provides referrals for free crisis counseling. In addition, SOU psychology interns, under the supervision of Rosemary Dunn Dalton, LCSW, will provide general counseling services at the Center. If interested in free counseling, please call the Center 488-6990.
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