Marin Youth Photovoice Campaign

The Youth Leadership Institute is now seeking high-school age youth
participants for a summer-long project using photography to build
awareness of current social justice issues. This is a special invitation to encourage LGBTQQ*-identified youth to participate!

Orientation and Kick-Off Meeting Tuesday, May 24, 4 - 8 PM; dinner provided. San Rafael location (call for address).

To sign up or get more info, contact Kristen Law, MA, klaw@yli.org or (415) 836-9160, ext. 225.

Meeting a few hours every other week throughout the summer, Photovoice Campaign participants will:

*Advocate for social justice and accepting school environments by photographing and documenting your own experiences
*Work collaboratively with other youth
*Have an opportunity to learn social justice photography and get your work displayed in a community exhibit
*Promote positive change and acceptance in your school and community
*Gain skills in photography, research, and public speaking

Photovoice is for everyone - no experience needed.

*Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning.

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE FLYER HERE

SB 5 Defeated; Legislative Victory for Marriage Equality in CA

On May 3, SB 5, the Automatic Proposition Standing Bill, which would have required the state of California to defend ballot measures adopted by voters, including Prop 8, was defeated. The bill never made it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee; the five Democrats on the committee voted against the bill, the three Republicans voted for it. Anti-marriage equality advocates were solidly behind the bill; had it passed, it would have required the Attorney General to defend Prop 8. Former Attorney General (now governor) Jerry Brown and current Attorney General Kamala Harris refuse to defend Prop 8 on the basis that it is unconstitutional. The defeat of SB 5 was a legislative victory for the marriage equality movement in California.

Posted by Ruth Dell, Spectrum's Marriage Equality Correspondent

A Personal Invitation from Kate Clinton: Watch the Vlog!

Watch this video of Kate Clinton, in her personal invitation to The Glee Party on Sunday, May 22nd.

Kate Clinton brings her Glee Party to Marin County on Sunday, May 22nd, 1 PM at Hoytt Theater, Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. Tickets: $45. A benefit for Spectrum, the North Bay's LGBT center.

LA MISSION - THE MOVIE at Pickleweed Community Center, 6/8

Spectrum LGBT Center, in partnership with Canal Alliance, invites you to the first movie of the Seen Through Film Series: LA MISSION

Wednesday, June 8, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Pickleweed Community Center
50 Canal Street, San Rafael, CA

FREE EVENT - Food will be provided

DOWNLOAD SPANISH/ENGLISH FLYERS HERE (pdf)

Growing up in the Mission district, Che Rivera has always had to be tough to survive. He’s a powerful man respected throughout the Mission barrio for his masculinity and his strength, as well as for his hobby building beautiful lowrider cars. A reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic, Che has worked hard to redeem his life and do right by his pride and joy: his only son, Jes, whom he has raised on his own after the death of his wife. Che’s path to redemption is tested, however, when he discovers Jes is gay.

To survive his neighborhood, Che has always lived with his fists. To survive as a complete man, he’ll have to embrace a side of himself he’s never shown. Rated R. Starring Benjamin Bratt.

Film Presentation Supporters: Adopt A Family, Asian Advocacy Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay, Brazilian Alliance, Marin Child Care Council, Parent Voices/Parent Services Project

Media Sponsors: Univision Channel 14, Community Media Center of Marin, Nuestras Voces, Avance News, La Voz Bilingual Newspaper

Food Sponsor: Claudia Cardoza, LUSO-American Life Insurance

SEEN THROUGH FILM is a project of Spectrum LGBT Center. It explores the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people. The series includes films that will educate, provoke conversation, entertain and appeal to a diverse population.

SEEN THROUGH FILM is funded by a grant from the Marin Community Foundation.

Sonoma County Gatherings for LGBT Older Aduts

Join Spectrum for lively discussions, mutual support, sharing information, and all the while celebrating who we are.

Spectrum's social support groups for LGBT older adults have been meeting in Sonoma for nearly three years. Everyone is welcome; there is no charge. Whether you're in the closet or out, you are welcome!

The Santa Rosa Group: Meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Glaser Center), Santa Rosa.

The Sonoma Valley Group: Meets on the 3rd Friday of the month, 10:30 am - 12 noon, at Vintage House Senior Center, Sonoma.

For more information, call Gary Shepard, Spectrum's Sonoma Project Coordinator, at 707-583-2330 (message line, checked frequently).

A Gleeful Kate Clinton Slated to Perform at Spectrum Benefit

Kate Clinton is coming to San Rafael and bringing her Glee Party with her.

In a tour that she describes as "part glee and part tea" she looks at the expectation in society that all problems can be solved in one hour minus commercial breaks with a few song and dance numbers thrown in. Her performance at the Hoytt Theater will benefit Spectrum's advocacy programs for LGBT youth.

Clinton is a wise cracking politically minded comedian whose swift wit has been entertaining audiences for over 25 years. Her shows are a mix of news of the day, commentary and observational humor covering religion, politics and LGBT issues.

Humor has long been a tool in creating political change. From court jesters and Jonathan Swift in the past to Steven Colbert and John Stewart today, comedy can say things about a society that cannot be said in other ways. Clinton is part of this tradition, asking the hard questions and as she says, ãtelling the truth no on would say.ä

Comedy also breaks down the barriers between people. "People hear each other in a light moment," Clinton said. Sometimes after a show she will be approached by a member of the audience who says, "I am a Republican but I still laughed." She laughs, "Should I congratulate them?"

According to Kate we all have the opportunity to make a difference but we need to realize that political action is sexy.

"Have you gone door to door with a friend?" She quips and continues say that we need to get out and do more then just send emails. "Moving your body around" is important, create community, have potlucks, get people together she advises starting a book club where ideas are exchanged and taken out into the world.
The creation of community is part of what Spectrum is doing in San Rafael. Their programs offer support groups for LGBTQ youth ages 14-19, GSA clubs and a new collaborative project with Youth Leadership Institute to create positive high school environments for LGBT youth.

The importance of community in creating political change is not lost on Paula Pilecki, Executive Director Spectrum LGBT Center. "We can provide support for kids who have been bullied in school; we can educate parents and guardians whose kids are gay; we can work with schools to be proactive about enforcing zero tolerance anti-bullying policies; and we can advocate for legislation that will protect all students, regardless of real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. None of these activities can stand alone; we need all of it to make a difference, and we need many voices in order to be heard", Pilecki said.
Kate will be performing on May 22 at, 1:00 PM in the Hoytt Theater, Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael. Tickets are available exclusively through Spectrum at http://www.spectrumlgbtcenter.org/. (415) 472-1945, ext. 209.

Reposted from Gaysonoma.com

Quinn Conklin 03 May 2011