Lavender Womyn Lesbian Group Blog

Lavender Womyn Photography Club

The next Lavender Womyn's Photography Club meeting will be on Sunday, May 3rd from 2:30pm - 4:30pm.

 

We will continue listening and discussing the "New York Institute of Photography Fundamentals" audio series.  In the last lesson, we learned the technical aspects of the camera:  F-stop, aperture, etc.  We will continue on this topic this coming Sunday.

 

Our next assignment (if you choose to accept it) is to take several shots of the same thing, but change your F-stop each time (or was it the aperture - I don't remember).  Anyway, whatever it was, it will give you a good idea of how the F-stop (or aperture) can change the look of your photo.  

Then, this coming Sunday, on May 3rd, we'll meet at Diane's photography studio located at 189 Liberty Street inside the Reed Opera House mall. We will meet outside on the Court street side and Diane will let us in.  Be sure to bring your assignment, if you did one.  This is not a requirement, just something fun to do, if you wish.

Phone: 503-949-8009 (call if you need directions - no need to RSVP)

Everyone is welcome.  Whether you're an amature photographer, a professional photographer, or anywhere in between, you are welcome.  All you need is a love for photography.

"Meet and Greet" Lavender Womyn at Southside

The Southside Speakeasy is sponsoring "Meet and Greet" events where organizations can have a representative from their group to be at the Speakeasy, and share about their group or organization.  Lavender Womyn's opportunity is this Saturday, on May 2nd.  Becca has graciously offered to represent us, so she will be at the Speakeasy with a table setup with information about our group, and she will answer any questions.  The event will run from 9:00pm - 11:00pm.  If you get there before 9:00pm, you won't have to pay a cover charge of $3.00.  So, feel free to stop in and say "Hi" to Becca, and gather more information about Lavender Womyn. 

Southside Speakeasy is located at:  3529 Fairview Industrial Drive SE in Salem

Swine flu case "likely" at WOU

From the Statesman Journal...

Western Oregon University officials have closed the school’s campus through Monday after a probable case of swine flu was found Thursday. All classes, sports and events at the school have been canceled through Monday, WOU spokeswoman Lisa Catto said.

Earlier this week, a student tested positively for influenza A in the Student Health Center, school President John Minahan said on the school’s Web site. The Polk County Health Department was notified and a specimen was sent to the State of Oregon Health Department, Minahan said. The school was told Thursday that further testing was needed. “Indications are likely that the diagnosis is a case of the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu),” Minahan said.  Read More

Choosing Between Love and Country

A couple of weeks ago the family of Shirley Tan and her partner of 23 years was threatened by our broken immigration system.  Tan had been facing deportation.  This injustice highlighted the second class citizen status that LGBT relationships occupy today.   Married heterosexual couples have the option of sponsoring their spouses for immigration and a clear path to citizenship.

Write your legislator today in support of the United American Families Act

Tan’s case highlights the need for protections for same sex relationships.  Protections such as the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), which would allow US citizens in same-sex relationships to sponsor their partners for immigration.  It also highlights the need for swift and comprehensive immigration reform. Tan applied for political asylum in 1995, and 14 years later, the case is still pending. And hers is just one of thousands of cases filed by parents, community leaders, workers, and people from all walks of life–including members of the LGBT community.

The need for comprehensive immigration reform touches all of our lives. Tomorrow, May 1st, CAUSA Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Coalition is holding a march and rally at the Capitol to call on elected leaders to pass comprehensive immigration reform.  Join us in supporting immigrants’ and workers’ rights at the Capitol this Friday, from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. The event is being organized by CAUSA, PCUN, SEIU, and many more. Contact aubrey@basicrights.org to carpool from Portland, or rebecca@basicrights.org to carpool from Eugene.

In solidarity,

Jeana Frazzini
Executive Director
Basic Rights Oregon

P.S.

Clearly Tan’s family is not alone on this issue.  Click here to read about a local Oregonian’s struggle with uniting his family.

House Passed Hate Crime Bill

We just got the news: the U.S. House has passed the fully inclusive Matthew Shepard Act.

This was not an easy victory. But we WON in the House thanks in part to the tireless, fearless Judy Shepard, who joined me in critical last-minute meetings on Capitol Hill today.

Now the battle moves to the Senate.

We need every Senator to know we want quick action on the inclusive hate crimes bill. You've emailed, you've called, you've donated and I thank you deeply, but I hope you understand that this fight is far from over.

President Obama has pledged to sign the bill, but to get it to his desk we'll need to pass it through the Senate first. And with the lies from right-wing groups ALREADY intensifying. One group went so far as to say the bill makes "pedophiles a protected class" and is "pro-child molester" . It's not going to be easy.

Send Judy's powerful video to ten friends and ask them to write to the Senate.

Thank you so much for your commitment. I hope you'll keep up your amazing work, and help us urge the Senate to take quick action and get the bill to the president's desk.

Warmly,

Joe Solmonese
President

(courtesy of Human Rights Campaign)

Lavender Womyn Dinner party - Eugene

Saturday May 2nd

6-9PM

Kori's house

email : kori@lavenderwomyn.com

Bring a dish and/or beverage and share in the company and conversation. If you need directions, e-mail Kori.

Journey's Metaphysical Store Events - Salem

Just letting you know what's coming up at Journey's.

We need to welcome a new Massage Therapist...Pamela A. Hampton. Pamela will be here Wednesday - Saturday opposite of Bill. You can read more about her on the website.

Eileen Wood of Serenity Expressions is coming to town to teach three classes on Saturday, May 9th.

FIRST: Root Core Healing 10:30 - 1:30pm $50.00 pp

As we move forward into the new energies it is very important to clear and cleanse all imprints and emotions that are no longer for our highest good. The more you can lighten your system and bring it to a higher level of consciousness the easier your journey will be. Join me in this life altering session to help your soul and spirit to evolve free and clear of all the things that may be holding you back.

NEXT: Atlantis 3:00 - 5:00pm Love offering suggested

Join Eileen as she talks about Atlantis and how it is significant for today. She will give you an individual reading about your position during your time there and anything of importance for you to know for this time.

FINALLY: Receive Your Key For Higher Awareness 6:00 - 9:00pm $50.00

There are many doors we can open and others we can shut. Join us for an enlightening event of magic and fun where you will be given a KEY to open doors to your subconscious and enhance your awareness.

For anyone wanting to attend both classes there is a $10.00 discount.

This should be a great day full of information and fun.

RETREAT at Silver Creek Falls:

On May 22 - 24, 2009 We will be having our first retreat at Silver Falls State Park - Your Journey "INN"
This time around is for Women only. 

Healing and Education through—Creativity, Movement, Voice, Energy, Laughter, Crystals, Meditation, Contemplation, Sound, Nature, Experience.

For additional Information on these classes and more go to http://www.urjourneys.net, call 503-991-5091, or stop by the store located at:  456 Court St NE Salem, Or 97301

NAMASTE'

We Have a Choice to Make

In an impressive show of support, more than 500 business leaders gathered in Portland today to support Basic Rights Oregon Education Fund and the Safe Schools Campaign.

Thanks to their generous contributions we are now just $2,500 short of the $35,000 we need to complete the work of this critical campaign.

Too many LGBT kids suffer at the hands of a bully, leaving deep scars that take a lifetime to heal.

Help us make the dream of safe schools a reality for today's students. Click here to watch this inspiring video and contribute to the campaign to end bullying in Oregon schools today!

Your tax deductible contribution will go directly to our campaign to make Oregon schools safe for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.

 Click here to donate

Thanks for your support,

Jeana Frazzini
Executive Director
Basic Rights Oregon

The Motet Singers in Concert - Springfield

The Motet Singers, a women’s a cappella choral music ensemble

 In Concert Sunday, May 3, 2009 5:00 p.m. 

Ebbert Memorial United Methodist Church 

532 C Street, Springfield

Artistic advisor Norma Younkin has assembled a fresh bouquet of music for spring: songs by rising young Basque composer Eva Ugalde, finely-crafted arrangements by Eugene’s own Audrey Snyder Brown, celestial and triumphant motets of the Renaissance, an antiphonal “Ubi Caritas”, madrigals both sad and sweet, a lush folk song by romantic American composer Z. Randall Stroope, and surprises from Japan, Brazil, Latvia, and The Beatles. 

"With songs like these, how can we keep from singing?!" 

Members: Becky Bailey, Sara Brandt, Lisa Hellemn, Stephanie Herwig, Cialin Mills- Ostwald, Maureen Robeson, Theresa Sizemore, Audrey Snyder Brown, Amy Stapleton, Cynthia Stenger-Riplinger, Sara Swanson.

Admission: $7-regular, $5-seniors, youth-free; sold at the door. For more info, please call 541.344.5271.

Saints - Gay Men's Softball Team - Meet the Team - Salem

Friday, April 24th come and meet the Speakeasy Saints (Gay Men's Softball Team). 

Members of the Speakeasy Saints will be at the Southside Speakeasy so community members can meet them, ask questions, and find out more about the team. The next games are April 23rd (8:30 & 9:40 - Field 2) and April 30th (6:10 & 7:20 - Field 4) - all at Wallace Marine Park in West Salem. Please come out and support the team.

GO SAINTS! Please check in with Gay in Salem regularly for the latest Saints Softball news.

Information from Gay in Salem Blog.