Complete your Volunteer Registration today for OUTfest '09!

Complete your Volunteer Registration today to volunteer for OUTfest '09! OUTfest '09 is Lafayette's second annual pride festival. The event will take place Saturday, August 29th. For the registration form and more details please visit http://pridelafayette.org/outfest09vols.php

OUTfest '09, Greater Lafayette's second annual pride festival taking place 8/29/2009

On Saturday, August 29, 2009, Pride Lafayette, Inc. and partners are hosting Greater Lafayette’s second Pride celebration. OUTfest '09 is causing a stir! Go online to learn more about the event and check out what people are saying! Be part of history. Come to central Indiana and celebrate our PRIDE! More details: http://pridelafayette.org/OUTfest09/

Pride Lafayette will soon be hosting our Grand Opening and Open House to introduce our new community center to the community.

In just a couple of weeks, Pride Lafayette will be hosting our Grand Opening and Open House to introduce our new community center to the community. We will be open for the Gallery Walk on Friday, June 10th and the Mosey Down Main Street on Saturday, June 11th. We have already had an overwhelming response to being in that spot at 640 Main Street. Many curious people have wondered in and some people seeking services have found us as well. It's an exciting time.

So, how are you able to help? Tonight I was at Meijer and saw that they have Pepsi Products on sale for $3.99 for a 24 pack. We will be offering refreshments to the public and would really appreciate donations of several cases of soda and bottled water so we don't have to spend the money on these items. If you'd be willing to make this donation please either bring your donation of soda, water or cash to the community center or send your check donations to PO Box 4221, Lafayette, IN 47903 and we will purchase these supplies.

As always we appreciate you for whatever you're able to do. Volunteering, donating cash or getting the word out about our services.

Cookout Callout!

Thurs, July 31 will be a VOLUNTEER CALLOUT COOKOUT! If you have ANY interest in volunteering with our organization, PLEASE plan on attending this meeting. Bring your calendar, an appetite and open mind. We will be recruiting volunteers for OUToberfest, Purdue Football Parking, Feast of the Hunters Moon etc. LOTS of opportunities that need LOTS of people. We will have hot dogs, chips salads and sodas. You need not bring a thing.

Hope you will be able to make it!

Michael Behrens, Treasurer
Pride Lafayette, Inc.

Transgender Hearing in Washington

Hello Lafayette,

My name is Jenni and I have been invited to blog on Transgender issues. This first blog will share what is happening on Thursday June 26, 2008 in Washington D.C.. Please read the following email I received from National Center for Transgender Equality:

Dear Friends,

Today the US House of Representatives announced America's first Congressional Hearing on Transgender issues. The hearing, "An Examination of Discrimination Against Transgender Americans in the Workplace," is scheduled for Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 10:30 am in room 2175 of Rayburn House Office Building. Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ) called the hearing as Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) subcommittee of the Committee on Education and Labor.

I am really proud of the role that NCTE played in getting us to this historical day. This is not only an opportunity to be truly heard by our fellow Americans, it will help to build the foundation for significant changes in federal laws protecting transgender people from discrimination. Witness have not yet been announced.

Committee hearings are open to the public and you are welcome to attend in person if you are in the area, but please be aware that space is limited. Some hearings are broadcast on CSPAN and streamed live through their internet site.

For more information on the Committee on Education and Labor see their website: http://edlabor.house.gov/index.shtml.

In Solidarity,
Mara Keisling
Executive Director

Yours truly,

Jenni

ASC

Greetings.....

I wanted to remind people to come and participate in our biggest service project of the year. Each year Pride as a team that participates in the fundraiser for the American Cancer Society - Relay for Life. It's an all night event that begins this Friday, June 27 at 6 pm and continues until 7 am Sat., June 28th. It is held at the Lafayette Jefferson High School track. The opening lap to introduce the teams begins at around 6:30. We'd love to have you come join us. If you can't make it for that, consider come to the Luminaries Ceremony. It's one of the most powerful events you'll experience. That begins at 10 pm. Maybe you can't make it to the event, but want to help up give a great donation to the event. Please buy a luminary for $10, or go to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TRC/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeGreatLakesDivision?pg=peditor&fr_id=9726&px=2941524 to donate. We need your support to make this as successful as in years past. If you have questions, please contact me personally. Thanks! Hope to see you there! We will be there all night, so this a GREAT way for 2nd shifters to come meet us!

Happy Pride Month!

June is Pride Month across the country.  Join us in our celebration of Pride by attending one of the many events we having coming up this month.  This week features our Coming Out Discussion Group on Thursday.  This is for anyone who wants to discuss issues around coming out and understanding your identity along the sexual orientation or gender identity spectra.  On Friday we’ll be hosting the Men’s and Women’s Social Outings.  These two separate but concurrent events are for men and women of the community to meet each other and make new friends.   Please see our Community Calendar for details on these events and other upcoming events sponsored by Pride Lafayette and partnering organizations.

Last Friday's Game Night

A total of 12 people joined us for Game Night on Friday, May 9th at the Community Center. Attendees included people of all ages and a great mix of genders. The group enjoyed making their own band with the game Rock Band and played other games. Kim Williams, one of our new volunteers, joined us and passed out publicity in front of our building during the Gallery Walk. She talked to a number of community members and helped increase awareness of our organization. Thanks Kim and thanks to everyone who came by Friday! Be sure to join us for next month's Game Night on Friday, June 13th. Game Night repeats on the second Friday of each month.

Pride U: LGBTIQ Culture 101

One of our new events this summer is Pride U, a monthly educational series where we'll explore various topics we hope will be of interest to the community. Subjects will range from culture to technology to self-improvement. We'll have our first class on Tuesday titled "LGBTIQ Culture 101". The concept of "culture" in our community used to be a binding force to many. Now it can be a very controversial topic, with its mere existence being the focus of debate. Join us at 7PM at the Community Center for this lighthearted overview and discussion of LGBTIQ culture. Does it exist? How has it evolved?

The following articles will be our focus: LGBT culture | The End of Gay Culture | Zines Explore Transgender Culture Beyond Stereotypes

Game Night & Newcomer's Dinner

Join us Friday, May 9th for our next Game Night from 6-10PM. It's also the night of our first Newcomer's Dinner (RSVP required), which begins at 6:30PM. The dinner is being held the same night as Game Night to give new people a chance to meet each other and one representative of Pride Lafayette before going to Game Night and meeting several others. It's a great opportunity for those that are shy or just coming out. You'll have a chance to learn about the organization and get comfortable in a small group setting before making your first appearance at the Community Center. Just be sure to RSVP for the dinner so we know how many are coming. Email me at vicepresident@pridelafayette.org.