OutFront Minnesota E-News
a collection of news, notices, and action alerts for people concerned with GLBT issues in Minnesota

Thursday, September 22, 2005

1. Listening Sessions with GLBT People of Color... Our second meeting hopes to increase visibility and promote change within the GLBT community.
2. OutFront Minnesota expresses support for students' suit against Maple Grove schools... More GLBT-supportive school environments across Minnesota are needed to ensure equal rights for youth.
3. OutFront Minnesota Walks for Justice... An OutFront Minnesota Team Member misses the walk to help Gulf-Coast victims.
4. People of Faith Group Formed... OutFront Minnesota is teaming with the Faith Family Fairness Alliance to sponsor these monthly meetings.
5. OutFront Minnesota Community Meeting... Save the date to be a part of the campaign to stop the constitutional amendment.

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Listening Sessions with GLBT People of Color
Next meeting scheduled for September 28, 2005.

Last Thursday, September 15, was the first OutFront Minnesota Listening Session that we hope will increase visibility, dialogue, and promote change within the GLBT community for GLBT people of color in Minnesota.

Nearly 30 people were in attendance for this meeting at the YWCA, opening a productive and sometimes difficult dialogue. A second Listening Session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 28. Each of these meetings is independent of the other and you did not have to be at the first in order to attend the second.

We urge all GLBT People of Color to attend this second session, contribute your ideas, comments, and join us in building a better GLBT community for all of Minnesota.

To receive an electronic reminder a few days prior to these free sessions, pre-register your participation by visiting www.outfront.org.

If you have further questions or comments please contact:
Ann DeGroot 612-822-0127 ext.107, ADG@OutFront.org or
Scott Fearing at 612-822-0127 ext.111, Scott@OutFront.org.

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OutFront Minnesota Expresses Support for Students' Suit Against Maple Grove Schools
More GLBT-supportive school environments across Minnesota are needed to ensure equal rights for youth.

The decision by students at Maple Grove High School to file a federal lawsuit against their district in response to its repeated violation of their state and federally-protected rights was the right thing to do, says Ann M. DeGroot, executive director of OutFront Minnesota, the state's leading public policy agency for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community and its allies.

The student-initiated group called "Straights and Gays for Equality" (SAGE) has been repeatedly rebuffed in its efforts to enjoy the opportunities other student groups at their school have to organize, discuss issues, and publicize their activities, according to a complaint filed in federal district court. The group aims to improve the situation of GLBT students in the school through discussion of and education about GLBT-related issues and homophobia. Although a federal law, called the Equal Access Act, guarantees such groups the same rights afforded to all student organizations, SAGE asserts that for years district officials have denied them opportunities to put up posters, distribute information, have publicity tables, or make announcements that are routinely granted similar groups. The students also allege that by singling out a group because it might discuss issues related to sexual orientation, the district violates state non-discrimination law, as well as state and federal constitutional guarantees.

"OutFront Minnesota has long worked with students, staff, administrators, parents, and others from across the state to help districts find ways to address discrimination, harassment, and violence directed against individuals because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and student-initiated groups like SAGE have a role to play in that effort as well," said DeGroot. "Often, it is students speaking to students that can really make a difference in a school's climate. While it is frustrating that this district's actions have left these students with no choice but to head to court, we are hopeful that the outcome will help other districts recognize their responsibility to create an educational environment in which all students, including GLBT students, may effectively receive the education they are entitled to."

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OutFront Minnesota Walks for Justice

On Sunday, September 18, twenty-eight OutFront Minnesota supporters gathered at Boom Island Park for the Headwaters Foundation Walk for Justice, an annual event designed to help grassroots organizations raise money and promote social justice.

The OutFront Minnesota team, including staffers, members, and volunteers, were there in full force to walk the 5k course and build community allies. Out of the more than 130 participating teams, OutFront Minnesota was ranked in the top five fundraising teams, raising nearly $7,000 in the fight for fairness for GLBT Minnesotans.

OutFront Minnesota would like to thank the incredible team of walkers who raised money and walked. This was the first time an OutFront Minnesota team participated in the 10-year old event, and the resounding success ensures our 2006 involvement. Plan now to join next year’s team!

OutFront Team Member Misses Walk To Help Gulf-Coast Victims.

After having personally raised over $300 for her Walk for Justice, one team member ended up missing the Walk. Anne Hansen, a William Mitchell law student and member of OUT!Law, the William Mitchell GLBT student group, began Red Cross disaster training just days before the September 18th event, and will soon be deployed to the Gulf Coast to lend a helping hand to victims of Hurricane Katrina. A special thanks goes out to Anne for her successful fundraising and for her humanitarian efforts.

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People of Faith Group Formed

Are you interested in working to ensure that faith communities and people of faith are working together to create a powerful and unified movement for GLBT rights?

Please join OutFront Minnesota, Faith Family Fairness Alliance, and many others for the first People of Faith Roundtable. The Roundtable is a monthly meeting to organize interfaith support for GLBT equality and opposition to the constitutional amendment to bar all legal recognition of same-sex couples. Each month there will be guest speakers, snacks, and plenty of time for networking. Please register to attend this first People of Faith Roundtable.

The first meeting is:

• Monday, September 26, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
  St Paul Council of Churches
  1671 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105
  Guest Speakers: Reverend Anita Hill from St Paul Reformation Church and Reverend David McMahill, the acting conference minister of the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ.

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OutFront Minnesota Community Meeting
An unveiling of the campaign to stop the constitutional amendment.

• Tuesday, October 18, 6:30 - 8:30pm
  Sabathani Community Center
  310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55409

The next 13 months are critical for GLBT equality. This spring's legislative session marks the third year in a row that Minnesotans face a constitutional amendment that would ban marriage, civil unions, and all other forms of legal recognition for same-sex couples. OutFront Minnesota is leading the fight to not only stop the amendment, but to increase the power, visibility, and sheer number of people actively working for GLBT equality. By working together we can send the message to our elected officials and the rest of the country that Minnesota does not discriminate. GLBT equality is a critical part of the equation for creating a better society.

On October 18th we will unveil the campaign to stop the constitutional amendment to the community. Mark your calendar to attend this massive briefing to be held at Sabathani Community Center. The key to success in the next 13 months and beyond is your involvement in this campaign. Watch for more information in the weeks to come.

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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 this summer. 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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