The $25,000 Challenge: 64% and three days to go!

Thank you! Your support will help us ring in 2011 with our new Youth Advocacy Project, which will empower LGBT youth and their allies to create safer schools and communities throughout the North Bay.

Also in store for 2011: a variety of new and continuing support, services, and activities for the LGBT community, including:

• Intergenerational storytelling
• Grief and loss support
• Individual and family counseling
• Support for parents of LGBT youth
• Lunchtime gatherings for LGBT older adults
• Inservice training for health and social service providers
• Celebrations for LGBT people and allies

Here's how to make your year-end gift.

Thank you for standing with us.  Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve Comedy Celebration with Kevin Meaney

The Other Cafe Comedy Showcase's New Year's Eve Comedy Celebration
starring KEVIN MEANEY
Fun, Laughter, Easy & Relaxed - in beautiful Marin!
December 31st - 8:30 PM
 
 

Spectrum's friends at Osher Marin JCC want you to know about this special evening right here in Marin.
 
The Other Café Comedy Showcase Presents:
A Stand Up Comedy New Year's EVE Celebration In Marin

Say goodbye to an easy year to forget… with a spectacular comedy night to remember!

With a rare west coast appearance from comedian & star of Broadway's Hairspray and countless appearances on Jay Leno

KEVIN MEANEY!
Special guests include:
Famed comedian/juggler Michael Davis & SF Favorite Geoff Bolt and MC/host Robert Strong


Fri. Dec. 31 @ 8:30
Includes After Party & Countdown with the stars 11:15 – 12:30

NEW YEARS EVE MADE EASY
Come for the comedy~8:30
Stay for the after party~11:15 – 12:30 included with your tix

Countdown-champagne toast-desserts-fun-friends
Ample FREE parking on site and at street make this THE stress free, fun, and fabulous way to ring in 2011 with laughter and friends in beautiful Marin.

So forget the two drink minimum, bridge toll, parking fees and traffic and party with national talent right here in Marin.

DISCOUNTED TICKETS are available TO MEMBERS OF THE Other Café email list
Sign up for the discount code and get more NYE line up info at http://www.theothercafe.com/
VIP tix include champagne & reserved premier table seating

Buy Tix HERE: www.marinjcc.org
Presented in association with the Osher Marin JCC
200 N. San Pedro Rd. San Rafael
Marinjcc.org ~ 415.444.8081

The $25,000 Challenge: 60% and counting!

With just four days left of Spectrum's year-end fundraising challenge, we've raised $15,600 toward our goal of $25,000. 

Did you know that 30% of all gifts to charity are given during the last 48 hours of the year?  It's not too late to make a tax-deductible gift, and we thank you for considering Spectrum as one of the organizations you support this year.

Stay tuned, and thank you for supporting our work.

Read more about the $25,000 year-end challenge here.

The $25,000 Challenge: 56% and counting!

Thanks to the generous donation of new and old friends, we've raised $14,300 toward our goal of $25,000 by December 31st. 

To those who celebrate the holiday, Merry Christmas!  We'll be back online next Monday, December 27th.

Learn more about the $25,000 Challenge here.

The $25,000 Challenge: 52% raised with 11 days to go!

We've raised a total of $13,428 in new gifts and pledges toward our $25,000 year-end goal. Thanks to all who have given! Every gift counts -- no matter how small.

Learn more about Spectrum's $25,000 Year-End Challenge here.

Thank you, one and all, for moving us closer to our year-end goal!

The $25,000 Challenge: 40% raised with 12 days to go!

The $25,000 Challenge: We broke the $10k mark. $15,000 more to raise, 12 days to go. Click on the box to make your gift today, and thank you!

The $25,000 Challenge: 36% and Counting

We've raised nearly $9,000 of our $25,000 year-end goal! Thank you to those who have given -- we couldn't do it without you.

You can be sure of this: after twenty-eight years, Spectrum continues to be your voice for justice on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the North Bay.

You may ask yourself: Is our work still needed, after all these years? Hasn’t the world changed? Haven’t things improved?

The answer is, yes. LGBT people have made tremendous gains toward full equality, and with the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, we've made one giant leap forward.

But you and I both know that our work is not finished.

Many people are still afraid to be out at work. Marriage equality is not entirely won, and legally married same-sex couples do not receive the federal benefits that heterosexual couples get - including those who serve in the military. Each day at school, students of all ages hear anti-gay comments. And, tragically, LGBT youth sometimes take their own lives because they just can’t take it anymore.

Your investment in Spectrum’s work ensures:

• Safety, compassion, and advocacy on behalf of LGBT youth
• Friendship, care, and support for LGBT older adults
• Visibility of LGBT people and families in the community
• Leadership in promoting safer schools and workplaces
• Advocacy on laws and policies that protect LGBT people

With your support, we will continue to make it better, right here at home. Thank you for standing with us.

Read more about the $25,000 Year-End Challenge here.

A $25,000 Year-End Challenge

A $25,000 Year-End Challenge

Dear Friends,

Spectrum's work is all about standing as a beacon of light for the LGBT community in the North Bay, especially for young people who turn to Spectrum for support and guidance, and to seniors who are charting new ground for living life fully.


Russ Zink and Sean Callaway

As 2010 comes to a close, Spectrum supporters Russell Zink and Sean Callaway want to do something special to support our work.  So, we've set a goal of raising $25,000 for Spectrum by December 31st. Russ and Sean have pledged a special year-end gift of $2,500 toward this goal.

Russ and Sean are inviting you to help them meet this goal any way you can. Your gift will go directly toward promoting acceptance, understanding, and full inclusion for LGBT people of all ages in the North Bay.

Help us raise $25,000 by December 31st to support Spectrum's new Youth Advocacy Project. We'll be advocating for safe schools and legislation such as the FAIR Education Act, which ensures that LGBT people are fairly and accurately included in instructional materials.

Make your year-end gift online now using PayPal

(you don't need an account to do so)

If you prefer to make a pledge or credit card contribution to Spectrum by phone, call 415-472-1945, ext. 209. Credit and debit cards, monthly pledge payments, and one-time gifts are accepted.

To send a check:
Spectrum LGBT Center
30 North San Pedro Road, Suite 160
San Rafael, California 94903

Because Spectrum is a non-profit organization, your gift is tax-deductible. Please consult with your tax accountant to find out what type of charitable contribution would best serve your needs.

Spectrum's Federal Tax Identification number is 94-2840016.

Thank you, and Happy Holidays!

Support group for LGBTQ Youth, December 8th

The next meeting of Spectrum's support group for LGBT and questioning youth ages 14-25 will be on Wednesday, December 8th, 5:00 - 6:30 PM at Spectrum. This is a drop-in group for youth who are just coming out, or have questions about their sexual orientation or gender identity.  Facilitated by Cristin Brew, MFT, the group provides a safe and supportive environment.  For more information and directions to Spectrum, call Cristin Brew at (415) 472-1945, ext. 203. 

This season, shop Spectrum's Amazon stores!

'Tis the season to shop, and Spectrum has three ways for you to round out your holiday giving!



First, bookmark this page! When you click through to Amazon using the banner you see here, Spectrum will earn a percentage from the sale. It's an easy way to support your favorite LGBT Center!

Second, visit our book store, which carries hundreds of LGBT-themed books that have been donated to us over the past 28 years. There are some real finds here and most of our books are in near-perfect condition. And, after shipping costs, Spectrum keeps 100% of the profit on each book sale, which will benefit our programs and services.

Finally, shop the Spectrum aStore, which contains jewelry, clothing, housewares, dvds, cds and other gift items we've selected especially for our site.

All of our online shopping portals are maintained by our Intergenerational Volunteer Task Team.  Thanks to Frances and Jourdan for your fine work on our sites.

Happy holidays, and happy shopping!  Thanks for supporting Spectrum.

Make it Better, Marin

Doug Williams attended public school in Marin County. In this video, he talks about how principals, superintendents, teachers, and parents can make school a better place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students.



Thanks to Lacy Atkins for volunteering her time to shoot and edit this video for us; and of course to Doug for speaking!

If you live or work in Marin County, or attend school in Marin, and would like to shoot a "Make it Better, Marin" video contact Paula Pilecki at (415) 472-1945, ext. 209.

President Obama speaks to LGBTQ Youth

The White House has released this message from President Barak Obama to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Spectrum LGBT Center, along with many other organizations around the country, continues to work to make it better for all LGBTQ people right in our own community. Please join us in our work.

Support Group Forming for Marin LGBTQ Youth

Spectrum LGBT Center announces a new support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning young people ages 14-19. The first meeting will be on Wednesday, November 10th, 5:00 - 6:30 pm at Spectrum's offices in San Rafael.

"This group will provide a safe, supportive environment in which young people can ask questions and be themselves," says Cristin Brew, MFT, Program Director at Spectrum and facilitator of the group.  "Many teens go through a period when they have questions about their sexual orientation or gender identity, and will be reluctant to speak with a parent, school counselor, or friend.  This group is for them."

Parents, teachers, and school counselors are encouraged to pass the word on about this group to young people they feel would benefit from attending.  Download and print the flyer here.

For more information, call Cristin Brew, MFT at (415) 472-1945, ext. 203.

October 20: Spirit Day -- Wear Purple!

On October 20th, 2010, we will wear purple in honor of the LGBT youth who have committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and schools. PURPLE represents Spirit on the LGBTQ flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit. Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality.  Read more here.

Rabbi Chai Levy of Congregation Kol Shofar speaks in support of gay youth

Rabbi Chai Levy, Congregation Kol Shofar
Sermon on Torah portion of Noah
October 9, 2010

Noach Ish Tzadik Tamim Haya B’dorotav. “Noah was a righteous man in his generation.” (Genesis 6:9) He was relatively righteous compared to the corrupt and violent people who lived in his generation, but he wasn’t considered all that righteous…Why? He was eager to save himself and his family from the coming flood, but he wasn’t concerned with anybody else. He let the rest of the world be destroyed. He stood idly by the blood of his neighbor, as the Torah commands us in Leviticus (19:16) not to do. Noah has been described by our tradition as a “tzadik in peltz,” a righteous man in a fur coat, meaning someone who is only concerned with keeping himself warm, while others are freezing.

We’ve all heard in the last week or two about the terrible tragedies that have taken place among young people across the country - as a result of ridicule, bullying, or despair, in most cases, because the young person was thought to be gay. Tyler Clementi was the freshman at Rutgers University, the shy and talented musician who killed himself by jumping off the GW Bridge after his college roommate invaded his privacy and posted a video of him with another man on the internet. Here in California, Seth Walsh, killed himself after relentless bullying and taunting by his peers. He was 13 years old. 15 year old Billy Lucas in Indiana, and 13 year old Asher Brown in Texas also took their own lives, unable to bear the torment of bullies.

In this parasha of Noach, we consider that being truly righteous is not just taking care of ourselves, but looking out for others, not standing by while others’ blood is shed, while others are suffering, while others are being bullied.

You young people know what goes on at school, how kids are picked on, teased, tormented. Maybe you’ve been bullied yourselves. Or maybe you’ve even been the bully at times. I know I frequently heard kids use homophobic slurs that create an unsafe and isolating environment for people. For us adults, what message are we sending to kids when we allow bullying, homophobic language, when we don’t create safe spaces for kids who are struggling with their sexual identities, or with anything else for that matter? We too are standing idly by.

At the end of the portion, after the flood, after Noah and the animals are saved, and society starts over with a second chance, God says to humanity:

“Whoever sheds the blood of a person, so shall his blood be shed. For in the image of God, did God create the human.” (Gen 9:6) And the Torah commentators understand this prohibition of murder to also include a prohibition to not publicly embarrass a person. As the verse says, each person is created in the image of God, and to cause a person to feel ashamed of who they are diminishes them and diminishes the image of God. It can also lead to bloodshed, as we’ve tragically seen too often recently:

Suicide is among the top three killers of young people, and gay and lesbian kids are four times more likely to commit suicide. Last year, 9 out of 10 gay, lesbian, or transgender middle and high school students reported having experienced verbal and/or physical harassment.

The other thing that happens after the flood is that God creates a covenant with the earth, an agreement never to destroy the earth again. And the sign of the covenant is the rainbow. The rainbow is a symbol of gay pride, originating here in San Francisco in the 1970’s – the rainbow suggests the beauty of the diversity of humanity, that people come in all different colors and stripes, and all are created in God’s image.

And there’s also another interpretation of the rainbow as a symbol, found in Maimonides and other Jewish commentators over the centuries: The rainbow is a bow, like that used to shoot arrows. It’s a weapon, but it’s a sign of peace because it’s pointed away from the earth. It shines its true colors without the threat of violence or bloodshed.

This week, I signed a pledge on behalf of our Kol Shofar community on “Keshet” online, which means “rainbow” in Hebrew and is an organization that affirms a place of dignity and honor in the Jewish community for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. It’s a pledge to not stand idly by, and to commit to ending homophobic bullying and harassment and to speak out when we witness anyone being demeaned for their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s a pledge to commit ourselves to do whatever we can to ensure that every person is treated with dignity and respect.

I want to say to every young person or adult that bullying, including internet and facebook bullying, spreading rumors, threatening someone physically or emotionally is cruel, it’s wrong, it’s against Judaism, and it’s dangerous, life-threatening even. We grieve for those young people whose lives were cut short because of the pain and isolation that they felt in their schools and communities. Those who bullied them and those who did nothing to ease their pain have to live out their lives knowing the tragedy of the suffering they inflicted or ignored.

And to every young person here who might be the target of bullying, whether it’s homophobic bullying or any other kind of bullying, I want to say: you are created in the image of God. You are sacred exactly as you are. You are worthy of love, you are not alone, you have a wonderful life ahead of you, and your life will get better. If you feel alone, afraid, or hopeless, please talk to an adult you trust, a parent, a teacher, you can talk to me.

May our reading of Noach remind us to be truly righteous by concerning ourselves with those who are suffering, and may God’s rainbow covenant remind us of the beauty of God’s diverse creation, all of whom deserve to live in dignity and peace.

Spectrum welcomes blog posts from religious leaders of all faiths who wish to speak out in support of LGBT young people. Email your post here for consideration.

GroundSpark offers Streaming Videos Free Until December 1

In response to the recent wave of teen suicides connected to anti-gay harassment, GroundSpark is offering four of their best documentary films for free streaming during October and November.

Their hope is that you will watch these films with your family or co-workers and make a plan to take action in your community to ensure that all youth feel safe and supported.

Use these streams as an opportunity to preview the films for your school, library, PTA, congregation, community group, or upcoming conference.



Use these films to start a dialogue with the people you care about about what’s going on in their lives and how you can help.

Let’s Get Real—about middle school name-calling, bullying, and bias

Straightlaced—How Gender’s Got Us All Tied Up—how teens are confronting our culture’s ideas of “male” and “female”

It’s Elementary—Talking About Gay Issues in School—shows teachers addressing bias in K-8 classrooms

It’s STILL Elementary—a new call to action

Sign up to stream these films here.

National Coming Out Day Focuses on Youth Suicides (News Story)

Spectrum, officials draw attention to bullying, teens.
from San Rafael Patch
By Nancy Isles Nation
October 11, 2010
 
The Spectrum LGBT Center held a rally Monday to celebrate National Coming Out Day with a focus on young people and the bullying that has caused teens to commit suicide across the country.
 
Paula Pilecki, Spectrum executive director, read the names and circumstances of recent suicide victims who killed themselves after bullying.

"Gay kids are not the only ones to take their lives to suicide but they are three times more likely to," Pilecki said. "Gay teens have been struggling for quite a while."

Pilecki said she hopes to reach young people from throughout the county.

"It's time for us to come out of the closet and stand together," Pilecki said at the rally on the steps of San Rafael City Hall.

Mary Jane Burke, superintendent of Marin County schools, said it is time for everyone regardless of sexual orientation to be treated with dignity.

She said young people should be looking at dreams and toward their futures.

Vice Mayor Damon Connolly said he has two daughters at Terra Linda High and he has been talking with them about a recent suicide at their school and Proposition 8, the ban on gay marriage in California.

"There's a ray of hope here," Connolly said. We are seeing young people here and their generation gets it."

Connolly referred to two recent suicides at Terra Linda High School and Miller Creek Middle School, saying this is a problem on a larger level.

The Terra Linda incident involved a 15-year-old girl. Monday, the body of a 13-year-old Miller Creek Middle School was found by another child. Neither appeared to be related to sexual orientation but they were both reminders of the vulnerability of teenagers.

"We need to teach the right values and prevent bullying," Connolly said.

Spectrum LGBT Center marks National Coming Out Day with Call to Action

Marin County rallies to raise awareness about anti-gay bullying and teen suicide

SAN RAFAEL, CA -- In response to the tragic suicides by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth in recent weeks, Spectrum LGBT Center has issued a call to action for Marin County residents: Come out and let our youth know they are not alone.

The rally will take place on Monday, October 11th, 6:00 – 7:00 PM on the steps of San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue (between C and D Streets). The event will feature musical performances, guest speakers, and a special open mic time for youth.

The Marin rally is among thousands of national actions that will occur on October 11th, known as National Coming Out Day, which began after half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on October 11th, 1987.

Paula Pilecki, Spectrum’s Executive Director, says this year it’s especially important to gather together on Coming Out Day. “LGBT young people need to see that they are not alone, and that there are people who will stand with them, support them, and love them unconditionally,” says Pilecki. “We call on parents, educators, faith communities, and the community at large to speak out openly in support of our young people, and against anti-gay bullying and the violence it ultimately causes.”

According to a study conducted by the California Safe Schools Coalition, harassment based on actual or perceived sexual orientation is pervasive throughout middle and high schools. These students typically feel less supported than their peers by adults, teachers, and other students, and have fewer resources for coping with problems. As a result, they are more likely to experience poor academic outcomes, substance use, depression and suicide.

It is common for middle and high school students to hear anti-gay slurs between 10 and 20 times a day while they are in school. According to Pilecki, this requires significant attention from teachers and administrators who will proactively enforce zero-tolerance policies toward bullying for any reason.

Anti-gay comments are often dismissed as harmless behavior by school personnel. They fail to realize the profoundly negative effect these comments have on students who may be struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity. And, failure to address aggression toward one segment of the student population creates an unsafe learning environment for all students.”

One of the most effective ways to address this situation is to create learning environments where all young people feel safe and respected. Spectrum has created a training program that assists teachers and administrators to do just that.

“We help teachers figure out how to incorporate age-appropriate conversations about LGBT issues in the classroom, and how to talk with students about the impact of anti-gay remarks and slurs against each other,” says Pilecki.

Spectrum also manages a volunteer speakers bureau that reaches nearly 3,000 students each year. The purpose of these classroom presentations is to give students an opportunity to meet someone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, a tactic that has been proven to reduce anti-gay sentiment and reduce negative stereotyping.

“All young people desperately need compassion and understanding from the adults in their lives”, says Pilecki. “We can make it better for them. Let’s not let them down.”

EVENT INFORMATION
MARIN COUNTY CALL TO ACTION:
Come out together and make it better for all youth on National Coming Out Day

*Stand against teen suicide
*Support LGBT youth
*Create safer schools and communities for everyone

Organized by Spectrum LGBT Center, with production assistance from Shelley Champine, Local Music Vibe

Monday, October 11th, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
San Rafael City Hall, 1400 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael
Music performances by Shelley Doty, with Green and Root

About Shelley Doty: Labeled "a future legend" by one reviewer and a "guitar goddess" by another, Shelley Doty is considered one the best independent performers in the business. Watching her perform is awe-inspiring due to her masterful guitar licks, soulful voice and charismatic stage presence. As a songwriter, she creates articulate songs for today by sprinkling them with respect for the music of her youth (rock, R&B, jazz, funk). Her brand new CD "Over The Line" is now out and available via CD Baby.

About Green and Root: Their music is an intimate yet spirited mix of folk, pop and rock, with acoustic guitar based songs, dazzling harmonies and award winning songs. Their first music video for their song "Marrying You" is on the front page of www.outofthecloset.tv/music and had over 1000 downloads in one week alone. The song is also being used as the theme for a documentary film seen on QTV.

Speakers (partial listing):

Cristin Brew, Spectrum LGBT Center
Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools
Lilia Chavez, Youth Leadership Institute
Damon Connolly, San Rafael City Council
Rev. Carol Hovis, Marin Interfaith Council
Rabbi Chai Levy, Congregation Kol Shofar
Maureen Sedonaen, Youth Leadership Institute
Fresh! White, Whole Life Coach
Cynthia Wuthmann, Parent and Board Member, San Rafael Public Education Foundation

Community Co-Sponsors (partial and growing list):
Community Congregational Church of Tiburon-Belvedere
Community Healing Centers, Counseling and Psychotherapy
Community Institute for Psychotherapy
Epochalips.com - Lesbians & Allies
Local Music Vibe
Marin Peace and Justice Coalition
Youth Leadership Institute

MARIN COUNTY RALLY TO MAKE IT BETTER - OCT. 11

Come out in Marin on October 11th to make it better for ALL youth

October 11th is National Coming Out Day. Let’s rally together to:

*Support LGBT youth*

*Raise awareness about teen suicide*

*Build communities and schools that are safe for all our youth and families*

Gather with us on the steps of San Rafael City Hall

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11th, 6-7 PM

San Rafael City Hall Plaza – 1400 Fifth Avenue (between C and D Streets)

Music TBA

Confirmed Speakers (partial listing):

Mary Jane Burke, Superintendent, Marin County Office of Education

Damon Connolly, San Rafael City Councilmember

Paula Pilecki, Spectrum LGBT Center
Maureen Sedonaen, Youth Leadership Institute 

Community Co-Sponsors: Local Music Vibe

Organized by Spectrum LGBT Center 

Complete this form to have your organization listed as a community co-sponsor.

LGBTQ Seniors the focus of City Visions Radio Show -- 10/4

Spectrum's Executive Director Paula Pilecki, and Spectrum volunteer Thom Anderson, will be among the guests on City Visions Radio, KALW 9.1 on Monday, October 4th, 7-8 PM.

The topic is LGBTQ Seniors, a population more likely than their heterosexual peers to be living in isolation and poverty, and encounter discrimination. What issues do LGBTQ elders and aging baby boomers face? How can the Bay Area community help keep our LGBTQ seniors safe and out of the closet? How and who best to navigate their needs and build cultural competency across organizations?

Other guests include Seth Kilburn, Executive Director of openhouse, and Daniel Redman, Elder Law Attorney at National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Join us to explore these issues and more on City Visions on Monday, October 4th, at 7:00p.m. on 91.7, KALW, San Francisco.  KALW is San Francisco's local public radio station.

Click here to listen live.  

Call in with questions or comments during the show at (415) 841-4133 or email feedback@citivisionsradio.com anytime.