The Center For Equality

December 2011

December Events

December 1World AIDS Day Dec 1-7:00 WAD Service

Giving Wisely This Holiday Season

This time of year we are all bombarded with donation requests from organizations and charities hoping to take advantage of the giving spirit that Americans embrace during the holiday season. Non-profit organizations are certainly not shy about asking for your help this season, which is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, tis better to give than to receive, right? And the joy of helping (no matter how small our contribution) always provides a much larger payback to the giver. What could be better than the warm-fuzzy we experience when we have done our part to help make this world a better place? However, it is important to educate ourselves as to the missions, policies, and practices of the charitable organizations that seek to win our hard -earned, LGBT dollars. The last thing most would want to do is inadvertently financially support an organization that does not in turn support our own beliefs or who we are as people. This year we have made it easier for all of you philanthropists to give wisely. Below is a list of organizations that support LGBT people and their families. So consider avoiding the little red bucket this year and save your coins for one of the following non-profits instead: The Trevor ProjectThe Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. Every day, The Trevor Project saves lives through its free and confidential helpline, its website and its educational services. The cornerstone of The Trevor Project is the 18-minute film "Trevor", a comedy/drama about a gay 13year old boy named Trevor who, when rejected by friends and peers because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life. The "Trevor" creators established The Trevor Helpline in 1998 to coincide with the airing of "Trevor" on HBO. The Trevor Helpline has taken over 15,000 phone calls since its inception and provides various other services to youth. SAGE - SAGE is the world's oldest and largest non-profit agency dedicated to serving and advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors. Since its inception, SAGE has pioneered programs and services for seniors in the LGBT community, provided technical assistance and training to expand opportunities for LGBT older people across the country, and provided a national voice on LGBT aging issues. Point FoundationSince its founding in 2001, Point Foundation has supported over 150 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) college students with an integrated mix of scholarship funds, mentoring, and leadership skills and community service training. Known as Point Scholars, these young people were at risk of not completing or even starting their college education because they had been, among many things, verbally and/ or physically harassed or assaulted by fellow high school students and/or rejected emotionally and financially by their family, friends, and communities solely because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. PFLAGFounded in 1972, PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, cont pg 3

@ First Congregational Church

Dec 97-9:30 Youth Holiday Movie Night (ages 14-18) Dec 10-6-8 Womens Social, 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Party Dec 14-7-9 Co-ed Bowling @ Eastway Dec 17-6-10 Transgender Social Dec 18-3-5 Rainbow Family Event - Cocoa and Christmas Dec 19-5:30-7:30 Board Meeting Dec 20 Hanukkah Dec 2028 sunset to sunset Dec 24-Christmas Eve Dec 25-Christmas Day Dec 26-Center Holiday Dinner 6-8 Dec 31New Years Eve January 1, 2012New Years Day

December 2011
Sun Drop-In HIV Testing Tuesday thru Friday 3-5PM Mon Tue Wed Thu 1 World AIDS Day
7:00 WAD Service @ First Congregational Church HIV testing 3-5 HIV testing 3-5

Fri 2

Sat 3

9
7-9:30 Youth Holiday Movie Night (ages 1418) HIV testing 3-5

10
6-8 Womens Social Potluck - 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Party

11

12

HIV testing 3-5 13

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

14
7-9 Co-ed Bowling @ Eastway Bowl

15

16

17 6-10 Transgender Social - must call to register if new member

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

18 3-5 Rainbow Family Event Cocoa and Christmas

19 5:30-7:30 Board of Directors Meeting

20 Hanukkah begins at sunset

21 Hanukkah

22 Hanukkah

23 Hanukkah

24 Hanukkah Christmas Eve

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

25 Hanukkah Merry Christmas!

26 Hanukkah Center Holiday Dinner 6PM

27 Hanukkah

28 Hanukkah ends at sunset

29

30

31 New Years Eve

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

Closing at 2PM

Closing at 2PM

Giving Wisely This Holiday Season cont from pg 1 tation, gender identity or expression.

strives to assure that each member of every school to enlighten an ill-informed National Center for Lesbian community is valued and public; and advocacy, to Rights - Founded in 1977, the Our mission is advancing hurespected regardless of sexman rights for everyone, every- ual orientation or gender end discrimination and to National Center for Lesbian where to end discrimination secure equal civil rights. Rights (NCLR) is a national identity/expression, and to based on sexual orientation, PFLAG provides opportu- legal organization committed develop K-12 school clinity for dialogue about sex- to advancing the civil and hu- gender identity, or gender exmates where difference is pression. ual orientation and gender man rights of lesbian, gay, bivalued for the positive conidentity, and acts to create a sexual, and transgender people tribution it makes in creatHuman Rights Campaign society that is healthy and and their families through litiing a more vibrant and diFoundationThrough rerespectful of human divergation, public policy advocacy, verse community. search, educational efforts and sity. and public education. outreach, the Human Rights Among the organization's National Gay and LesNCLR is a public interest law Campaign (HRC) Foundation signature initiatives: encourages gay, lesbian, bisexbian Task Force firm which litigates precedentual and transgender Americans No Name Calling Week; Founded in 1973, the Nasetting cases at the trial and to live their lives openly and Day of Silence; tional Gay and Lesbian appellate court levels; advoTask Force Foundation cates for equitable public poli- seeks to change the hearts and Think B4 You Speak (NGLTF) works to build cies affecting the LGBT com- minds of Americans to the side campaign in partnership the grassroots power of the munity; provides free legal as- of equality . with the Ad Council; and lesbian, gay, bisexual and sistance to LGBT people and support for student advoPrograms funded in part or in transgender (LGBT) comtheir legal advocates; and concates nationwide. full through the HRC Foundamunity. We do this by train- ducts community education on tion include: The HRC ComYour local LGBT commuing activists, equipping state LGBT legal issues. ing Out Project, which encour- nity centers and/or your and local organizations with We serve more than 5,000 les- ages GLBT and straightlocal high school, college the skills needed to organbian, gay, bisexual, and trans- supportive Americans to come and youth LGBT clubs/ ize broad-based campaigns out and live openly; The HRC groups. to defeat anti-LGBT refer- gender people and their families in all fifty states each year, Family Project, which empowenda and advance proMore information about the including LGBT seniors, immi- ers members of the GLBT LGBT legislation, and first nine charities listed can community to take action to grants, athletes, and youth. building the organizational protect their families; The be found at charitynavigacapacity of our movement. Our impact litigation serves all HRC Historically Black Coltor.org. LGBT people in the United leges and Universities OutOur Policy Institute, the States. There you can also directly reach Program, which trains movement's premier think tank, provides research and International Gay and Les- student activists to sustain dia- donate to each of these orbian Human Right Comlogue, build viable student-led ganizations making policy analysis to support making a difference easmission -Founded in 1991, GLBT organizations; The the struggle for complete ier than ever! the International Gay and Les- HRC Religion and Faith Proequality and to counter bian Human Rights Commis- gram, The HRC Research Cenright-wing lies. As part of a For more information ter, and The HRC Workplace broader social justice move- sion (IGLHRC) is a leading about LGBT community international organization dedi- Project. ment, we work to create a centers and/or LGBT cated to human rights advonation that respects the diyouth organizations in your GLSENFounded as a naversity of human expression cacy on behalf of people who tional organization in 1994, the area please contact experience discrimination or and identity and creates info@centersforequalitysd. abuse on the basis of their ac- Gay, Lesbian and Straight opportunity for all. tual or perceived sexual orien- Education Network (GLSEN) org.

THE CENTER FOR EQUALITY WISHES YOU AND YOURS HAPPY HOLI3

World AIDS Day December 1, 2011

Getting to Zero
Zero New HIV Infections Zero Discrimination Zero AIDS Related Deaths
World AIDS Day this year is about Getting to Zero. Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.
For December 1st 2011 right up until 2015 its envisioned that different regions and groups will each year chose one or all of the Zeros that best addresses their situation. Backed by the United Nations the Getting to Zero campaign runs until 2015 and builds on last years successful World AIDS Day Light for Rights initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations. The World AIDS Campaign focus on Zero AIDS Related Deaths signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all; a call for governments to act now. For December 1st 2011 right up until 2015 its envisioned that different regions and groups will each year chose one or all of the Zeros that best addresses their situation. There are 10 goals by 2015: *Sexual transmission of HIV reduced by half, including among young people, men who have sex with men and transmission in the context of sex work; Vertical transmission of HIV eliminated and AIDSrelated maternal deaths reduced by half; *All new HIV infections prevented among people who use drugs. *Universal access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV who are eligible for treatment; *TB deaths among people living with HIV reduced by half; *All people living with HIV and households affected by HIV are addressed in all national social protection strategies and have access to essential care and support. *Countries with punitive laws and practices around HIV transmission, sex work, drug use or homosexuality that block effective responses reduced by half; *HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence eliminated in half of the countries that have such restrictions; *HIV-specific needs of women and girls are addressed in at least half of all national HIV responses; *Zero tolerance for gender-based violence. Goals list courtesy UNAIDSFor more information and media opportunities please contact [email protected]

HIV/AIDS
Awareness Days
Dec 1st: World AIDS Day. Feb 7th: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. March 10th: National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. March 20th: National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. May 18th: HIV Vaccine Awareness Day May 19th: National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. June 8th: Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day June 27th: National HIV Testing Day Sept. 18th: National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day. Sept. 27th: National Gay Mens HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day. Oct 15th: National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.

I dont want to worry anymore

Thinking about HIV? Ask for a free, confidential HIV test at the Center today Drop in at the Center 3-5pm daily, or call for an appointment: 331-1153 World AIDS Day Thursday, December 1st, 2011
4

Confidential HIV Testing

Everyone is welcome - drop in for a free, confidential HIV Test at the Center for Equality. Drop-in times have been significantly expanded and will remain consistent. Every weekTuesday through Friday from 3-5pm. You can also call 331-1153 or email us at [email protected] to schedule a time to test or pick up your test results. The Center currently offers the OraSure oral saliva test. This test takes 7-10 days to process so you will be called to come in for the confidential results. **We will be offering Same Day testing in the near future** Center Open Hours! We are open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:005:00, Thursday and Friday from 10:00-8:00. Free Drop-In HIV Testing Free drop-in HIV testing is offered Tuesday-Friday from 3:00-5:00. HIV testing is confidential.
Holiday Potluck- Monday, December 26 from 68 p.m. You survived Christmas! Now celebrate by joining your friends for more merriment and good food! Side dishes and desserts to share are welcome. The Center will provide the roast beast. :) 2nd

Groups & Events

All events held at the

Center For Equality 406 So. 2nd Ave. Suite 102

Sioux Falls (Fawick Center) unless otherwise indicated Womens Social: Annual Ugly Sweater Party - Saturday, December 10 from 6-8 p.m. Rainbow Family EventSunday, December 18 from 3-5 p.m.

High School Gay-Straight Alliance Christmas Movie Night- Friday, December 16 from 7-9:30 p.m. It doesnt get any better than hot cocoa and classic Christmas movies! This event is open to all high school aged youth ages 14-18. The event is co-sponsored by the Lincoln HS Gay-Straight Alliance. Documentary & Discussion- will not meet in December due to the Christmas Holiday **Not meeting in December*** Doc & Discussion is back for the fall! Educate yourself about todays important issues and meet up with other social, ethical and/or politically minded people every fourth Saturday of the month from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. Transgender Socials held every month! Please contact Tiffany or Cheryl to learn more!

Bring the best of your worst ***JOIN US THIS ugly holiday (or just plain MONTH FOR FUN hideous) themed sweaters! CHRISTMAS CRAFTS AND DELICIOUS HOT Contact Tiffany for more COCOA!*** information, 331-1153. Rainbow Family meets every 3rd Sunday of the month from 3-5 p.m. Co-Ed Bowling - Wednesday, December 14 from 7-9 p.m. (Eastway Bowling Alley) No need to bring your A game. Were playing just for fun! Whether you bowl a 300 or spend most of your time in the gutter join us for a striking good time.

Be sure to check our website for updates on events and

.Did you know the Center for Equality is using social

media? Like us and join our group on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter: CenterforEQSD

World AIDS Day

December 1st

Check out our new website! Let us know what you think and what else you would like to see on the website

centersforequalitysd.org
5

December 2011

Center Hours Monday- closed Tuesday- Wednesday-10 am to 5pm Thursday- Friday-10am to 8pm Saturday- Programming as scheduled Sunday- Programming as scheduled PFLAGs Sioux Falls Chapter meets monthly on the 2nd Sunday - First
Congregational UCC, 300 S. Minnesota from 3-5pm (unless noted otherwise)

November 2011 HIV Testing Dates Drop in testing at the Centers for Equality available Tuesday through Friday from 3-5pm. **Call for additional appointment times.** Email: [email protected] call 605-331-1153. All HIV testing is free and confidential. We currently use OraSure testsin the near future we will also offer same day testing. CENTER HAPPENINGS News, opinion, events, and resources for the LGBTQIA community PUBLISHER The Center For Equality ADDRESS 406 So. 2nd Ave., Ste. 102 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (Fawick Center, the old Tyler Building) WEB www.centersforequalitysd.org PHONE 605-331-1153 EMAIL [email protected] Director of Operations and Programming Tiffany Thomas Marketing and Media Specialist Nathan Maas, MA HIV Services Coordinator Cheryl Bixby, Pharm.D. Administrative Assistant Karla Wenzel COUNSELOR/THERAPIST Currently accepting applications
6

Upcoming meeting topics: December 11: It Gets Better! *Hot cider and cookies will be available If you are in search of a gift for that "hard-to-buy-for" friend or relative, do consider making a donation to PFLAG on their behalf. If you are unable to come to the meeting on Sunday, you can mail me a check 5500 S. Spyglass Circle, SF, SD 57108. If you want to include the recipient's name, I would be glad to send off a letter to them. February 12: Diverse Families Valentine desserts served prior to the meeting March 11: Faith Leaders/PFLAG collaboration Guest speaker: Rev. Ryan Otto All meetings are open to the public, everyone welcome. Website: www.pflagsfsd.org E-mail: [email protected]