1. Legislative
Update... third time the charm?
2. Save the Date... for
justCelebrate! OutFront Minnesota's celebration
of our success at the Capitol this spring.
3. Volunteer at Pride...
build power through organizing.
4. Join the OutFront
Minnesota Staff! Accounting Associate position
open.
5. Workplace Alliance PridePower night...
a night with the MN Lynx.
6. Inside OutFront...
a look at Pride's around the state.
7. OutFront Minnesota
Community Calendar... what's new on our web
calendar.
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Legislative Update
Third time the charm?
Under the Minnesota Constitution, the Legislature was
required to end its regular session on Monday, May 22.
Bills not approved by that date have failed. And this
year, for the third year in a row, the Legislature has
adjourned WITHOUT approving a proposed amendment to that
same constitution that would bar any form of legal
recognition for same-sex couples and their families in
Minnesota!
As a result of our community's work, Minnesota joins
just five other states which have defeated similar
proposals. There's a lot to be proud of in this outcome.
It's time to CELEBRATE! This incredible victory, for the
third year in a row, was the result not only of
political courage by leaders in the House and Senate,
but also comes from the long hours put in by tireless
lobbyists and support staff, volunteers, and thousands
of fair-minded Minnesotans. These are the people who met
with, wrote, called, faxed, and emailed legislators
asking them to oppose this amendment; who signed
resolutions; who sent letters to the editors of their
local papers; who spoke to their faith, workplace, and
community organizations; who rallied on the lawn of the
Capitol at OutFront Minnesota's justFair Lobby Day;
and so much more!
Does this mean we're done? Sadly, no. Those who have
spent the past three years promoting this harmful
amendment have made it clear that they intend to use it
-- and our families -- as an issue in this fall's
campaign. If we ever hope to see a time when our
community is not the legislature's perennial punching
bag, we need to identify and support candidates for
elective office who are advocates for fairness and
justice for all Minnesotans, including GLBT Minnesotans.
And let's not forget -- while it's great that we won't
be facing a constitutional amendment on marriage and
civil unions this fall, it's still true that same-sex
couples in Minnesota are systematically denied access to
hundreds of protections that are routinely bestowed on
married couples. That's neither just nor fair ... but
unless we are able to make a difference in the elections
this fall, it may be years before that problem can be
addressed.
Judging from the enthusiasm with which our community,
including our allies, stepped up to the plate to defeat
this amendment, we are confident that we will meet this
challenge as well.
__________
Save the Date: justCelebrate!
on June 12
After several long months of fighting against
legislation that would write discrimination into
Minnesota’s Constitution, the GLBT and allied community
deserves a celebration! OutFront Minnesota’s
justCelebrate! will bring hundreds of OutFront
Minnesota members, volunteers, coalition partners,
community leaders, and elected officials together at the
Varsity Theater on June 12th to celebrate our success.
Save the date now for this can't-miss event, and watch
your OutFront Minnesota E-News for more information in
the coming weeks.
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Volunteer at Pride
Build power through
organizing
June 24th -25th, Loring Park
Volunteering with OutFront Minnesota at the Twin Cities
GLBT Pride Festival is the perfect way to get involved
in our work. As one of the biggest celebrations
nationally, Pride represents the single best opportunity
to build our political muscle as a community. As the
leaders in the struggle for GLBT equality in our state,
OutFront Minnesota is a popular organization with
festival goers. Our volunteers always encounter
many friendly faces, smiles, and thank-you's.
Plus, our staff thoroughly enjoys working with our
volunteers!
Whether you are new to volunteering or only have time
for one event a year, why not make volunteering with
OutFront Minnesota a part of your Pride presence?
It sure beats walking 'round and 'round Loring Park for
hours! Fill out our online volunteer application
at
https://www.outfront.org/action/register.html.
A detailed email response will be sent to you with a
listing of volunteer jobs and schedules.
Thanks, and… see you at Pride!!
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Join the OutFront
Minnesota Staff
Accounting Associate
position open
We
are looking for an experienced nonprofit bookkeeper.
As Accounting Associate, you will perform full-charge
bookkeeping for us, handle our payroll and benefits
administration, and assist with the general
administration of the office. The Accounting Associate
is a full-time member of OutFront Minnesota’s regular
staff. Play a key role in managing the resources that
support our work for justice and fairness for the GLBT
community -- Learn more at
http://www.outfront.org/jobs/jobs.html.
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Workplace Alliance PridePower Night
Friday, June 2, 2006
Join GLBTA employees and community members and groups at
the second GLBT Workplace Alliance (WPA) Night with the
MN Lynx.
Watch the Minnesota Lynx battle the Indiana Fever, or
simply, visit the GLBTA suites and mingle! There is
still time for your employee network, or GLBT group, to
host a suite! Get all of the details and register for
your suite.
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Inside OutFront
...an
insider's view of the day-to-day work of OutFront
Minnesota...
Throughout the summer, OutFront Minnesota will be
traveling the state for all the local Pride
celebrations. From Mankato to Moorhead, we'll be
coming to your town! Check out the 2006 regional Pride Calendar:
April
17-22nd - U of M SpringOut!
University of Minnesota
June
2-4th - Fargo-Moorhead Pride
Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN
4th - Second Annual GLBT Picnic in the Park
Lions Park in Pine City, MN
22nd - Annual Itasca GLBT Pride Picnic
Grand Rapids, MN
24-25th - Twin Cities Festival of Pride
Twin Cities Metro Area
July
28-30th - 9th Annual GLBTA PrideFest
Rochester, MN
August
11-13th - Minnesota GLBT Soul Essence (International
Federation of Black Prides), Twin Cities Metro Area
September
2-4th - Duluth-Superior GLBT, Queer, Allied, Intersex
Pride
Duluth, MN and Superior WI
15-17th - South Central MN PrideFest
Mankato, MN
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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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