Friday
December 02, 2005
SGN.org
Volume 33
Issue 48
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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
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Letters |
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| THANKS FOR THE SGN
Dear SGN, We were delighted to see our World AIDS Day Luncheon logo and announcement displayed so prominently on Friday's front page of the SGN. Thank you so much for your ongoing support and friendship. Warmly, Beth Balderston Multifaith Works VERY INTERESTING, THANKS Dear SGN, The history article by Don Poulson on Jamma Phi (1959-63) is interesting. I don't think I knew of it but I/we do have info on Dorian. And it was certainly interesting to "hear" of Leslie Robinson's experience and thoughts on getting an invite to her old college meeting and her wondering how they got her name and knew she was homosexual, and the meeting which was with alumni from colleges such as Colby, etc. What a Gay Happy Hour. And Beau is always interesting. (I think "interesting" is a valid term for all 3 articles, sorry about repeating it.) Sincerely, Billy Glover NEW CENTER FOR LGBT HEALTH Dear SGN, After calling all nine members of the Seattle City Council to ask them to support the proposed $75,000 for the combined Gay City/Verbena LGBT Health Center, (the vote was unanimous in favor of the full $75K) I received the following email response from Councilmember Richard McIver. Sincerely, Bill Dubay [Editors Note: The following is an e-mail from City Councilmember Richard McIver to local activist Bill Dubay who had contacted the council to urge them to support the new LGBT Health Center.] Bill, You are one of dozens of citizens who have written or called to ask my City Council colleagues and me to appropriate $75,000 in 2006 for capital costs for the Center for LGBT Health. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know of your support for this valuable project. Certainly the volume of emails and calls I received in its support is an indication of both the need and support within Seattle's LBGT community. As I'm sure you know by now, the Council unanimously approved this funding. Verbena and the Gay City Health Project are developing and co-locating this new health center to provide such services as free and confidential HIV and STD testing, free cancer screenings, Transgender health resource groups, support groups, referrals to health clinics and cultural competency resources. The capital costs for this project include the build-out of the rental space, the purchase of program equipment, and moving costs. While I don't anticipate any problems with this funding, the Council's action is contingent on City approval of Center provided information, including final development and operating budgets of the facility, submittal of a plan demonstrating how the agency will meet its capital campaign goals, and agreement with the agencies that establish the condition under which City funding will be providing. It is my hope and expectation that this modest investment of taxpayer dollars will permit the Center to deliver services in a more efficient and effective manner than has been the case to date. Again, I appreciate your taking the time to contact me. Richard J. McIver Seattle City Council SUPPORT SYPP Dear SGN, This is a last reminder that our Annual Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser is right around the corner on December 10th at Imperial lanes. This year's theme is SPORTSBOWLOOZA! It's going to be a rockin good time of dressing up in old school tacky sports gear, bowling till we drop, and raising money to support Seattle Young People's Project and our youth led social change projects. Please help us reach our goal of raising $15,000. There is still time to get involved! a.. Be a team captain!! Get 4 of your friends to join you in becoming a team. Just give us a call at 206-860-9606 and we'll get you all set up. All you need is your friends and some energy to raise some $money$! b.. Donate to Yasmeen or Denise's Bowl-A-Thon team. As SYPP staff we have a heated competition to see who can raise the most money. Don't worry we won't hold it against you, just pick which one of us you want to support, or you can give to us both! You can donate any amount, $100, $50, $20, or even $10 makes a huge impact. Just give us a call or email and make your pledge today! c.. Be a volunteer, we still need lots of folks to help us with setup, clean up, registration, check out, and more. Come to our volunteer orientation on Dec. 5th from 6pm-7pm at the SYPP office (2820 E Cherry St.). Please RSVP over email or by phone. We hope that you can come and show your support of youth empowerment! Much love, Yasmeen Perez SYPP Co-Director CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS SUPPORT END TO BOY SCOUT BIGOTRY Dear SGN, I wanted to share the following statements from Congressional leaders who have voiced their support for Scouting for All, a nonprofit organization working to end discrimination in the Boy Scouts of America who bar both Gay and non-theist youth and adults. For more information about Scouting for All, visit our website at www.scoutingforall.org. Sincerely, Scott Cozza President, Scouting for All [Editors Note: The following are statements from Congressional leaders who support Scouting for All's effort to end discrimination in the Boy Scouts of America. A spokesman for Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott told the SGN last month that McDermott declined to send a letter of support.] Congressman Barney Frank's statement: "I cannot attend the press conference because the House is in session and I am not able to get off the Hill. So I am sending instead this statement of my gratitude and admiration for Steven Cozza and the work he is doing through Scouting for All. I continue to be deeply disappointed that the Boy Scouts of America betrays its own professed mission of bringing out the best in young people by perpetuating this unfair and unjustified discrimination based on sexual orientation and religious belief. "Clearly, there is zero reason to think that atheists or Gay males are in any way unsuited for the work that the Boy Scouts do. I note that in its justification of the exclusion of people like me from any role in scouting, the Boy Scouts do not even allege that the problem is that of sexual abuse, but rather simply that they disapprove of us and believe that we do not meet their moral standard. And, of course, the discrimination against young males who have the independence of mind to come to their own religious conclusions with which the Boy Scouts disagree is a great violation of the spirit of freedom and tolerance that all Americans should defend. "I was disappointed that President Clinton refused to acknowledge the shortcomings of the Boy Scouts in this regard, and I call on President Bush to accept this invitation to move beyond his predecessor in this important area of human rights." Congresswoman Barbara Lee's statement: "While I am unable to attend your press conference Thursday, please accept my appreciation and support for the important work of Scouting for All. "The Boy Scouts of America policy of discriminating against homosexuals and atheists is contradictory to the Federal Government's support for diversity and tolerance and should not be condoned as patriotic, charitable, or educational. "An organization that claims that its mission is to "instill in young people lifetime values and develop in them ethical character," and to "train young people in citizenship, service, and leadership" does a disservice to our nation when it teaches young people that it is okay to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation or their religious convictions. "I hope that President Bush will denounce these discriminatory policies." Congressman Pete Stark's statement: "I stand with Scouting for All in calling for the Boy Scouts of America return to their roots of instilling the values of good citizenship and teaching life skills to all Americans who wish to join. "If, instead, the organization continues to sanction discrimination on behalf of its right-wing financial backers, then the federal government has a moral and Constitutional duty to sever all financial and symbolic ties to the organization. That would be a shame, because there are plenty of exclusive organizations in this country dedicated to intolerance, but far too few that bring kids of all backgrounds together to share in meaningful life experiences." |
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International Readers |
 
It's new!A blog created by the SGN staff so you can be heard |
"Putting on the Ritz |
The Beauty of Freedom artist's reception |
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