Lavender Womyn Lesbian Group Blog

Marriage Matters To Me

via www.marriagemattersoregon.org

Join the movement for marriage equality and make your voice heard! Basic Rights Oregon invites you to record a short, one-minute video about why marriage matters to you as part of our Marriage Matters to Me education campaign.

The Marriage Matters To Me campaign has a simple goal: to lay the groundwork for marriage equality by getting Oregonians talking about the issue, why it matters to each of us, and how it impacts our lives. These heart-to-heart conversations are what can change hearts and minds—not heated political arguments.

To make that happen, BRO is filming about 1,000 short video comments of Oregonians talking about marriage equality from a personal perspective. People who record videos can then send them out e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or other media, to really kick start conversations with friends and family. It's a project that takes the conversation out of the head and into the heart. More information can be found at http://www.marriagemattersoregon.org/.

There are two Salem events coming up where a BRO organizer will give you the opportunity to record your own Marriage Matters to Me video. Join us!

SEIU Local 503
1730 Commercial St SE
Tuesday, March 16, 5:30-8 pm

Willamette University Law School
245 Winter Street SE, Room G-217
Wednesday, March 17, 4-5 pm

We also invite you to host your own Marriage Matters video party – get together 10-15 of your friends, and we'll come to record the videos! Contact aeryca@basicrights.org if you are interested.

Traffic Jam Friday - Portland

 

The Egyptian Club

3701 SE Division St.

Portland, OR

Friday, March 12, 2010 at 9:00pm - 2:30am

 

Ok...you walk into the bar and you can't tell who is with who? Traffic Jam Friday will take care of that little problem! Everyone that comes in the door will choose a glow bracelet.  

 

Here are your choices:

 

Red=Stop! In a relationship/not looking.

Yellow=Caution! Let me approach you.

Green=SINGLE! And ready to dance!

 

It's been a few years since we ran this night and it has always been very, very popular! It's a great night for all, but especially helpful for singles! Dance with DJ No-No in the Tomb, howl with The Wolfcub in the karaoke room, shoot a game of pool and hopefully meet some new friends!

Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) - Eugene

Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) is starting a new, free, LGBTQI support group in the spring of 2010. This 6-10 week group is open to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer, questioning, or intersexed survivors of either past or present sexual assault. To get more information, or to sign up to be a part of this closed group, please contact Shanta Kamath at (541)-484-9791 ext # 312 or email supportgroup@sass-lane.org

More information:

Sexual Assault Support Services of Lane County is a non-profit organization providing community education, outreach, advocacy and support to survivors of sexual violence and their families.

SASS advocates listen, believe, support, accompany, offer information and referrals and provide peer counseling to survivors of assault past and present.

Our empowerment-based, suvivor-centered approach to ending sexual violence and the forms of oppression that allow it to exist, is presented in free trainings for volunteers three times each year.

SASS maintains a 24-hour crisis line and 24-hour advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse.

Visit their website at:  http://www.sass-lane.org/

Maryland Permits Recognition of Same-Gender Marriages

Attorney General Says Maryland Law Permits Recognition of Legal Marriages of Same-Gender: Equality Maryland Commits to Advancing & Defending Protections for Couples

Equality Maryland applauded an opinion released on Feb. 24 by the Office of Attorney General Doug Gansler that states that marriages of same-gender couples validly entered into in other jurisdictions may be honored here at home. The Attorney General’s opinion relies on longstanding legal precedent that says couples who have been legally married in another state are treated under Maryland law as validly married, even if that marriage was not performed in the State of Maryland. This opinion will provide enhanced protections for couples with valid licenses. It compels state agencies to act in accord with the law and provide equal protections to couples with valid licenses. This opinion also increases the momentum behind our efforts to advance full marriage equality for all LGBT couples.

Read more...

It's Our Movement to Build!

It's been a busy week at Basic Rights Oregon — This week began with a strategy meeting for our growing marriage education campaign. Later in the week, we traveled to Eugene to start planning a local effort with community leaders! We are on the road to build the movement for LGBT equality in a big way — and this is why we need your help.

I am asking you to help us reach our goal of raising $6,500 by March 5^th! Your contribution today will help us hire three more field organizers across the state to build support for equality. By raising $6500, we will:

• Pay for travel expenses for our organizers for the next four months.
• Cover the costs of printed educational materials to help move the message of equality.

Will you join this effort with a contribution today?

If just 100 people contribute $50 each, we'll be close to reaching our goal — and one step closer to protections for the people we love and care for the most!

In solidarity,

Jeana Frazzini

PS: Did you see the great news from Maryland ?? The state Attorney General issued a decision that the state should recognize the marriages of same-sex couples performed in the five states that embrace the freedom to marry. This is another sign that our movement is making progress every day.

A Very Special Evening of Music and Dance - Corvallis

FireWorks proprietor Ocean Liff-Anderson invites you all to celebrate his birthday with a very special evening of music and dance, featuring incredible lineup of performers.

 

Saturday, March 6, 2010

7:00pm - 11:00pm

FireWorks Restaurant

1115 SE Third Street

Corvallis, OR

7pm: Gabriel Surley with Zach Konowalchuk, Atmospheric Guitar & Violin
- Gabriel Surley is a singer/songwriter and multi instrumentalist. His sound and songs come from a love for ambience, building tension and release, and using ecclectic rhythms. His descriptive storytelling explores what it means to be human and plays with the imagination. International fiddle champion Zach Konowalchuk accompanies Gabe with subtle and heartfelt improvisations. http://myspace.com/gabrielsurley

8pm: The Crescendo Show, Americana Gypsy Jam
- Nathan Porter, Kailyn Kubiak, Ricky Carlson, Gabriel Surley and Zach Konowalchuk form an unstoppable ensemble of accordion, violin, mandolin, guitars, drums, and everyone sings! From epic ballads to classic blues to rousting sea shanties, the Crescendo Show is a crowd pleaser that will get you up and dancing. http://myspace.com/thecrescendoshow

9pm: Samara and Purple Iris Belly Dance Tribe
- Samara found her passion in tribal dance with the Gypsy Caravan. In 2001 she began dancing and choreographing for Earthdance. Samara has had the pleasure of being a teacher and performer in the Oregon bellydance community for over a decade. http://samara.bijoudancer.com

930pm: Volifonix, Eugene's Favorite Funk Soul Dance Band!
- Two Brothers, Two Others, and a Samurai. An unexpected Rock/Soul wildfire from the woods of the Pacific NW. Volifonix (VFX) is a funk-fried rock band that consists of brothers guitarist/vocalist Trevor and drummer/vocalist Blake Forbess, Elijah Medina on bass. lead guitarist Joe McClain, Tomo the Samurai on saxophone. Result: artistic freedom with no bounds and pure muso-theoretical kung fu served up with a muscley groove. VFX elevates style to the highest always within the spirit of well-crafted songmanship and the all-important jam. Reckless yet focused, crazy yet smooth. VFX is the true sage of its form with an O R I G I N A L hair-on-fire approach to the hot/rock/funk genre. Eugene Weekly named Volifonix the “Best Rock Band of 2008” and their CD Oregonisms "Best Album of 2009!" http://myspace.com/volifonix

Enjoy dinner and drinks from FireWorks' new improved (and lower cost!) menu - see all the details at http://FireWorksCorvallis.com FireWorks will offer $3 wood fired pizza slices from 9pm & on. Dinner reservations strongly advised, call 541-754-6958

SOPHIA SANCTUARY'S 7TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATION

A Day of Healing, Pampering, and Empowerment by and for Women

Saturday, March 6, 2010 9:30 AM to 6 PM at the Center for Spiritual Living  390 Vernal Street*
$15-$75 sliding scale

Opening circle at 9:45 will be followed by yoga, Nia, and other workshops.
Healings and readings will also be offered, including such delights as massage, Reiki, acupuncture, reflexology, tarot readings, psychic channeling, and more.

From 1- 2:30 PM we will break for lunch and entertainment.
More healing sessions and workshops will follow the break, among them:
Ffiona Morgan, Daughters of the Moon:
Dancing with the Five Elements in Astrology, Tarot, and Paganism 2:30-3:45 PM
Isha Lerner, Astrologer: The Triple Goddess Tarot, 4-5:15 PM

All proceeds benefit Sophia Sanctuary, a non-profit women's temple.
Scholarships and work trades are available. If you would like to volunteer your services, please call Katya at 541-461-9812 or email blisskat@rio.com

You can request the most currently updated schedule of events by emailing kstingle@efn.org

*Out Coburg Road, just past Oakmont, right on Rustic then right onto Vernal.
By bus, take number 67 or 12, and get off at the stop just past Oakmont,
i.e. just past where you would get off for Oakway Mall.

Visit their website at:  http://www.sophiasanctuary.org/home.html

Hot Flash Dances - 6 Year Anniversary Party

Saturday, February 27, 2010
Barracuda, 9 NW 2nd
6-10p $8

We have an incredible lineup for you at this coming Saturday's Dance!

DJ LAUREN & DJ WILDFIRE all night
PERFORMANCES BEGIN at 8:00p

HOOP TO THE BEAT, a women's hula hoop troupe from Seattle will be partying with us throughout the night. Watch gorgeous hooping and experience the expertise of Miss Birdie, O and friends first hand. They will also be performing burlesque onstage.

JODY CROCKER, singer/songwriter and musician, will have you dancing to a mix of her original songs as well as performing cover songs during a 20-minute set.

HOT FLASH introduces and will teach you the HOT FLASH BOOGIE (think flash mob after we learn it). It's done to The Jackson's Blame It On The Boogie and is a combination of the Cupid Shuffle and some moves we learned during our Olivia resort vacation at Ixtapa Mexico's Club Med.

All this . . . and hundreds of hot sexy women . . . including go-go dancers . . . for only $8. Come show your support for Hot Flash this Saturday!

WE DO IT BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU!

Manifest Equality - Los Angeles

We believe in FULL & EQUAL RIGHTS for ALL American with no exceptions.

Manifest Equality – A unique and inspiring art and music installation celebrating and promoting full equality.

Throughout history artists have lent their creative expression to the ideas and issues that shape life in our communities, our country and our world. The MANIFESTEQUALITY Gallery gathers together a diverse array of hundreds of the nation’s most talented visual artists under one roof to celebrate that role and join with our gay (LGBT) friends, family members and co-workers to demand full and equal rights for all Americans.

The MANIFESTEQUALITY Gallery, issues an inspiring, visual call-to-action, with hundreds of artists motivating public energy toward true reform on a local, state and national level.

MANIFESTEQUALITY will be open to the public, Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 through Sunday, March 7th, 2010 between the hours of 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM with extended hours Friday - Sunday.

Go to:  http://www.manifestequality.com/ to find out more.

Protest NJ Ban Same-Sex Marriage Without Leaving Your Home!

Don't live in New Jersey? You can still take action!

This is a letter that we ask you to personalize and submit to 1 (or all!) of the 20 New Jersey senators who voted AGAINST same-sex marriage. You are encouraged to add your own twist on it, but if you still want to help and don’t have the time, you’re more than welcome to use the text as written:

Dear (Senator name),

As a (member/ally) of the LGBT community, I am writing to express my utter heartbreak and anger at your decision to overlook the liberties promised to (myself/the people I love) in (our country’s/The United States) Constitution.

To me, there is no loophole, shade of gray, or room for debate in the phrases: “unalienable rights,” “all men are created equal,” and “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” which are endowed to all as explicitly stated in The Declaration of Independence. By neglecting to acknowledge same-sex marriage in your role as a political leader, you are boldly stating that there ARE loopholes in The Constitution. That not all Americans are entitled to these rights. I find this deplorable.

(Those of us/my friends and family) in the LGBT community are mainly, like any other group of people, decent, hard-working people with families and lives not too unlike yours. (We/they) have dreams