Repeal of DADT is Moving: Send This Action Today!

This week, game-changing votes in the U.S. House and Senate could make or break the fate of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal efforts in 2010. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) is expected to offer an amendment to the House version of the Defense Authorization bill that would overturn DADT. Similar action is also expected in the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday, May 26.

AND THIS BREAKING NEWS JUST CAME IN:
On Thursday (05/27), the Senate Armed Services Committee will vote on an amendment to the Defense Authorization bill, sponsored by Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and supported by Levin to repeal DADT.

The fight for repeal in 2010 hangs in the balance. A few votes could make the difference between victory and defeat. Each representative's vote will count.

And that's why we need your help right now.

Click here to find your Representative. Call today to tell him/her that waiting another year for repeal is not an option.

Ask your Member of Congress for the repeal vote on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.

Call the Switchboard at: (202) 225-3121

We are on the brink of victory, but we aren't there yet.

We can make this week’s House vote a historic win if we pull out all the stops and push even harder now. We are closer to achieving repeal than ever before.

Help us get to the finish line.

Thank you.
Visit the Servicememebers Legal Defense Network

The Stephanie Teel Band at The Vibe

San Rafael, CA - LocalMusicVibe.com presents The Stephanie Teel Band bringing you fun, danceable covers 'til late. Doors open at 8pm. Acoustic set 8:30 and dancing starts promptly at 9:30. Cover charge is $10 (21+) and fabulous happy hour drink specials run until 10pm. For more information visit http://localmusicvibe.com/vibe-june-4

This is event produced in partnership with Spectrum LGBT Center

 
The Stephanie Teel Band
Friday June 4, 2010 - Acoustic set 8:30pm/dancing 9:30pm
21+
$10 at the door
$48 reserved table (4 seats) online

The Vibe
815 W Francisco, CA 94901
415-606-7435 (cell)

Happy hour drink specials extended - 8-10pm:
$3 domestic light beer
$4 tequila & vodka shots (select varieties)
$5 Cosmos & Kamakazes

Please spread the word – San Francisco ENDA ACTION ON TUESDAY!

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act will ban employment discrimination against LGBT people across the United States – BUT ONLY IF IT PASSES CONGRESS!

Why won’t Congress vote on this fundamental civil rights bill for LGBT people? 

ENDA is stuck – and ONLY YOU can help get it moving again. We need as many people as possible to show up in front of Speaker Pelosi’s office – will you come?  Will you bring friends?

Tuesday, May 18
4:30 – 6:30 pm
7th & Mission Streets
San Francisco, CA

We need to send a LOUD MESSAGE to Congress:  PASS ENDA NOW!

We have been waiting for decades to pass a simple law that would ban discrimination against LGBT people at work. We were asked to be patient for more than a year while Congress focused on the financial crisis and health care. We were patient. We were told to lobby our representatives in Congress to get the votes necessary to pass the bill. We did the work.  

Now we need to tell Congress: STOP STALLING!

We are ready. We have the support. We want a vote on ENDA now.

If we don’t get a vote in the House very soon, we will not have time to get ENDA passed in the Senate. The President will sign ENDA into law – but only if it passes Congress. It could be years before we have another chance to enact this most basic civil rights law.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION!  JOIN US ON TUESDAY!

Equality California
Transgender Law Center
San Francisco LGBT Community Center
San Francisco Pride at Work
Equality Federation
Get Equal
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Out & Equal

P.S.  Actions are being planned around the country for a National ENDA week – to find out about ENDA events in other cities, please visit www.endanow.org.


Follow @endaNOW on Twitter for more information about action alerts near you.

A Day OUT-doors at the Theatre: Guys and Dolls, The Mountain Play

Stand up and say that you're proud to love musical theatre!

For 97 years, the Mountain Play has been presenting high quality performances at the beautiful, outdoor, 4000 seat Cushing Memorial Amphitheater on Mount Tamalpais in Marin County.

This season the classic, golden age Broadway musical Guys and Dolls will be presented.

Gather your friends, picnic and hike, bike, ride or free shuttle bus your way to the amphitheater on June 12th.

You don't want to miss this great outdoor adventure.

Come continue the tradition or start a new one!

Spectrum will have a booth at the event!

Purchase tickets online at http://www.MountainPlay.org

My Secret Self: A Story of Transgender Children

Join us for a screening of the 20/20 documentary
My Secret Self: A Story of Transgender Children
(Followed by discussion)

Spectrum Parent Support Group
For parents and caregivers of gender variant, transgender and questioning children.

Spectrum's Parent Support Group is a therapeutic group for parents and caregivers who are seeking guidance and support as they explore their own feelings, questions, and concerns. It can be difficult and lonely to grapple with raising a child who does not easily fit society’s gender roles. We invite you to join us for this facilitated discussion group.

This is an ongoing, drop-in group and is free of charge.
 
Date: June 8th, 2010
Time: 5:30-7:00pm
Location: Spectrum LGBT Center
30 North San Pedro Road, Suite 160
San Rafael, CA 94903

Questions?  Call Cristin 415-472-1945 x 203

Senior Pride Luncheon

Join Spectrum for this June Pride Celebration with LGBT older adults at The Pleasure is Mine Restaurant, 475 East Strawberry Drive, Mill Valley, CA.

Lunch is $20, including tax and tip and will include main course, coffee, tea, or soft drink, and dessert.

A special welcome for our Octogenarian friends (80+ years): Your lunch is on the house! Just let us know when you RSVP that you were born on or before June 9, 1930.

And, for every person 80 years of age or older who attends, BUDWING will donate $1 to Spectrum for each birthday you have celebrated.
After the lunch, a game of BINGO! There's no entry fee to play, but bring a favorite early photo of yourself to get a playing card (keep it decent, please). Modest cash prizes will be awarded every winner.

Spectrum's Pride Luncheon is sponsored by Shubie Gulati, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, & Brandes Investment Partners.

Date: June 9, 2010

Time: 12:00 - 2:00
RSVP by June 4th to Lynne at 415-472-1945, ext. 203.

The Pleasure is Mine Restaurant

475 East Strawberry Drive

Mill Valley, CA.
For directions call the restaurant at 415-381-6400

LA MISSION starring Benjamin Bratt

Please join community partners Marin Peace and Justice Coalition, Canal Alliance, Spectrum, Teens Turning Green and others for a Very Special evening...

Rarely does a film capture and champion the essence of the struggles of humanity on the personal, social and political levels so well as brothers Benjamin and Peter Bratt's newest work - La Mission - please see the trailer and read the descriptions and impacts here.

Join over 20,000 people on the La Mission Facebook page who are in community in support of the message and magic of this very important film.

Please join us Tuesday night in San Rafael with Director/Producer Peter Bratt and cast members in person for a Q and A after the film.

It is an experience you will treasure and want to share with your community!

WHERE: Century Northgate Theatre, San Rafael  
WHEN: Tuesday, May 11th, 7pm

We encourage advance ticket purchase, as we expect to sell out the theater please go to: Fandango

Alice Walker on La Mission:
"It is extraordinary. A film of Now, a film for us, for the emerging consciousness of what needs to happen in the heart and conscience for humanity to evolve beyond violence. All the stars. Not five or six or ten."

Working with LGBT Youth: A Seminar for MFT and LCSW Professionals

Saturday, May 8, Noon - 4:00 PM at Spectrum LGBT Center

This seminar provides an overview of clinical issues in working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Participants will learn relevant terminology, best practices, and hear from guest speakers. Participants will become familiar with how to recognize gender variance in children, identity development of gay/lesbian/bisexual youth, typical stages of 'coming out' and the impact of societal and familial homophobia/transphobia on queer youth.

Cost: $20 ($85 for CE credit).
More information at http://www.spectrumlgbtcenter.org/workshop.html
Note: you may still register online or on the day of the workshop.