1.
justFair Forum...
plan to attend this free and important event
tonight.
2. Out at the Movies...
watch the stars from Desperate Housewives,
General Hospital, and American Idol.
3. Take Action... Senate
vote on comprehensive sexuality education expected this
week
4. Community reception for national
anti-violence advocates...
5. Update... Campaign Finance
charges compliancy.
__________
justFair Forum -
Homophobia and Racism: Weapons of Community Destruction
Featuring: Clarence Patton, Director of the National
Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
This justFair Forum will examine how the threats
and reality of violence and hate-crimes are used to keep
people closeted, invisible and isolated. Patton will
discuss how coordinated responses to racist and
homophobic violence build stronger and more unified
communities.
justFair Forum - Homophobia and Racism
Thursday May 11, 2006
7:00-9:00pm FREE
Metropolitan State University, Founders Hall Auditorium,
St Paul
For directions and to register your attendance at this
free event:
www.outfront.org
OutFront Minnesota thanks our justFair Forum
Co-Presenters:
Soul Essence, Lavender Bridge, and the National
Coalition of Anti-violence Programs
__________
Out at the Movies
Last
time the Heights Theatre nearly sold-out for Out at the
Movies, a Lavender Magazine event benefiting OutFront
Minnesota. This month is even better as our movie,
Eating Out, features stars from Desperate
Housewives, General Hospital, and American
Idol.
Modeled after the John Hughes college comedies of the
80's, Eating Out takes a fun twist on
typical Hollywood genres by using gay characters and
gay-themed plotlines. As a result the movie has
won numerous awards at film festivals, including "Best
First Feature" at the San Francisco International
Lesbian & Gay Film Festival.
Out at the Movies: Eating Out
Thursday, May 18
Doors at 6:30pm, Movie at 7:30pm
Heights Theatre, 3951 Central Avenue NE, Columbia
Heights
Tickets: $10 in advance or $12 at the door
Includes a 2-for-1 discount on any dessert at the
Columbia Heights Dairy Queen
__________
Take Action: Senate vote on
comprehensive sexuality education expected this week
The comprehensive family life and sexuality education
programs bill (Senate
File 2977) has been included in the larger education
bill,
SF 2994. As written, this legislation prevents a
single voice from dominating the classroom, by
incorporating material that “emphasizes abstinence while
also including education about the use of protection and
contraception” and “materials that address varied
societal views on sexuality, sexual behaviors,
pregnancy, and sexually transmitted, including HIV, in
an age-appropriate manner”. This is the right
legislation to give students the vital information they
need to make sound decisions about their sexual health.
SF 2994 is expected to reach the Senate floor by May
12th, and there will likely be an attempt to force
abstinence-only language into the bill or otherwise
restrict students’ access to the information they need.
This is wrong for Minnesota. Abstinence-only education
programs have been found to increase the number of young
people having sex and decrease their use of
contraception. In contrast, well informed young people
make more conscientious decisions about their sexual
health. Comprehensive sexuality education does not
increase sexual activity among teens, but often delays
first intercourse, reduces the frequency of sex, and
reduces the number of sexual partners.
Take Action!
-
Contact your state senator to urge support for SF
2994 as it is written, because our young people need
all the information available to make their
decisions. You can find your legislative district
and the contact information for your legislator by
using our
district finder.
-
Learn more about what you can do to support
comprehensive sexuality education and confidential
health care services, including attending the “SEFL
Youth Capitol Day,” by visiting Sexuality Education
for Life – Minnesota online:
http://www.sexedforlife.org
__________
Community reception for national
anti-violence advocates
This weekend, the National Coalition of Anti-violence
Programs (NCAVP)
is hosting their annual conference in Minneapolis.
NCAVP is a broad-based coalition of GLBT organizations
working against hate and bias crimes, of which OutFront
Minnesota's Anti-Violence Program is a member. There
will be a Community Reception on Saturday, May 13th, as
an opportunity for everyone in the local community to
meet with advocates from across the country that are in
town for the conference. Join us for this FREE event to
be held at the Mission Restaurant, on the corner of 7th
Street and Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis from 6-8 pm.
__________
Update:
Campaign Finance charges compliancy
On
May 2nd, Minnesota Citizens in Defense of Marriage (MCDM)
filed a complaint against OutFront Minnesota and other
supportive groups alleging violations of state campaign
finance law in our efforts to keep the constitutional
amendment banning legal recognition for same-sex couples
from passing in the Legislature. The allegations
came just days after an AP wire story described the
failure of several organizations promoting the
"marriage amendment"--including MCDM--to properly
register with the State of Minnesota.
OutFront Minnesota is working with the other groups
named in the complaint and with the Campaign Finance and
Public Disclosure Board to provide all information
needed to resolve the matter. Minnesota Citizens in
Defense of Marriage is asking the Campaign Finance and
Public Disclosure Board to determine whether or not
OutFront Minnesota’s lobbying expenses should be
reported as spending under OutFront Minnesota Action,
the affiliated political action committee. Similar
complaints were filed against several other GLBT rights
organizations and groups of people who spoke out against
the amendment. OutFront Minnesota is working with
attorneys to ensure that the complaint is resolved.
__________
Looking for something to do?
Events of interest to the GLBT and allied community.
OutFront Minnesota's web-based community calendar is THE
place to check for events and happenings. Are you
planning an event that you want the GLBT and allied
community to know about? It's easy to
submit your event! OutFront Minnesota is proud
to offer community organizations this opportunity to
reach others.
Check it out each week for more current events!
__________
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