Hi everyone!
It’s been awhile but I’ve dusted off the cobwebs on the old guitar and plan to have tons of fun Saturday night at an old time coffeehouse to benefit Nashville’s gay community center Out Central. Jill Sissel & Liz Ficalora will be there and others perhaps too…If you haven’t visited Out Central this is the perfect time. Lots of people have put in a lot of work to make it a great welcoming space for everybody. Here’s the directions and a link for more info. Hope to see you there!
http://www.outcentral.org
OutCentral is conveniently located at 1709 Church Street (between the Cafe at OutLoud! and Blu’s) in Nashville, Tennessee. Those travelling through the downtown area on I-65 should exit at Church Street. North-bound travellers should turn LEFT onto Church Street. South-bound travellers should turn RIGHT onto Church Street.
PARKING IS AVAILABLE on the street (pay before 6 p.m.) and behind OutCentral (free). After 5 p.m., visitors are also allowed to use the U.S. Post Office parking lot. DO NOT PARK in private lots, like the one located at 1717 Church Street. You will be towed 24/7. We are currently open only for Special Events and by Appointment.

http://www.outcentral.org/?q=content/map-directions

Peace & Love,
valerie reynolds

Rusty Gordon lost her fight last night (progressive supranuclear palsy) and passed away after a brief time with hospice.

You may remember Rusty from any or all of the following: She was a music producer for many years (Rustron Productions and Publishing]; produced one of the first-ever women-only women’s music festivals (Yale University, 1972); started the Whimsey Political Clearinghouse for women (1967); heavily involved with NOW (1970 onwards); helped start the Florida LGBT Democratic Caucus (1995), with which she held various offices; involved with many LGBT causes through Equality Florida and other groups; and was named as a Feminist Who Changed America and awarded the Veteran Feminists of America medal (2008). Most recently the Palm Beach County Democratic Committee established the Rusty Gordon Award, to be given to people who have exhibited extensive commitment to local community activism.

She is survived by her life partner Davilyn “Davy” Whims.

A memorial is being planned for early December in the West Palm Beach area.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2009

CONTACT: Tanner Efinger, 978-604-0942

Equality Across America statement on the
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Today President Barack Obama signs into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. This is the first time federal action has been taken to protect people who are violently victimized for their gender identity or sexual orientation. However, this expansion of federal hate crimes protections to cover sexual orientation and gender identity sends a mixed message.

“It’s good that the U.S. government has finally taken action to deter hate crimes against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. But by continuing to permit or even require discrimination against LGBT people in our relationships, in public service and in the workplace, the government fuels the very bigotry that results in violent attacks,” said Tanner Efinger of Equality Across America.

Passage of the Act shows that escalated protest over the past year, such as at the National Equality March (NEM) on October 11th, is putting significant pressure on Congress to address anti-LGBT discrimination.

“We applaud and congratulate Matthew Shepard’s mom, Judy, who has inspired so many over the last eleven years and did so again when she spoke at the National Equality March, this October,” said Robin McGehee, co-director of the NEM. “She has truly shown what being a fierce advocate for equality and justice is truly about, even after facing such a horrible tragedy based in hate.”

Equality Across America will use this federal action to redouble our efforts to mobilize forces in all 435 Congressional districts to fight for full equality in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

# # #

Women’s Media Center Announces
Selection of New President Jehmu Greene
Former Rock the Vote Head is an Alumna of the WMC’s Prestigious Progressive Women’s Voices Leadership Program

October 28, 2009 (New York, New York) — The Women’s Media Center (WMC), a leading media advocacy and training organization announces today that its board has unanimously chosen a new president: Jehmu Greene. Founded in 2005 by Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, and Robin Morgan, The Women’s Media Center works to make women more visible and powerful in the media, and is a nationally prominent voice fighting sexism and bias.

“We are thrilled to have someone as accomplished, talented and visionary as Jehmu Greene as our next president,” said WMC Board Chair Helen Zia, “with her proven commitment to progressive social change and feminist principles. We are very proud that she will be building on the strong foundation established by Carol Jenkins, our founding president, to lead The Women’s Media Center to the next level.”

Throughout her career, Jehmu Greene has skillfully worked with the media to build powerful social justice movements. A frequent commentator on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and elsewhere, Greene helmed Rock the Vote, the largest youth voter registration group. Under her leadership, its membership grew from 1500 to over 1 million. Earlier this year, Greene participated in the WMC’s nationally recognized leadership and media training program, Progressive Women’s Voices, which has trained over 60 progressive thought leaders who have achieved over 4000 media hits in the two years that the program has existed.

“The Women’s Media Center is breaking down barriers and leading the way to make sure that women’s voices are powerfully represented in the ever-changing media landscape,” said Greene. “Participating in the Progressive Women’s Voices program enabled me to amplify my advocacy efforts. I am thrilled to join an incredible group of feminists working to harness the power of the media to create positive social change from the boardroom to the broadcast booth.”

A native of Austin, Greene got her start working in the fertile ground of Texas politics including an early stint with Governor Ann Richards’ campaign in 1994. Greene later played key roles at both the Center for Policy Alternatives and the Democratic National Committee, where she ran the women’s office. An advisor and national surrogate for the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, Greene has worked on over 20 political campaigns at the local, state and national level. The recipient of many awards from organizations including Essence Magazine, the National Conference for Community and Justice, the National Council of Research on Women, the American Association of University Women and others, Greene has served on numerous boards of directors for various media, politics and social justice organizations.

Greene follows The Women’s Media Center founding president Carol Jenkins, who has led the WMC for the past four years. An Emmy award-winning former journalist and documentary producer, Carol Jenkins is a writer, media analyst and media consultant. Jenkins will continue with the WMC in the role of senior advisor and founding president emerita.

“The WMC is extraordinarily fortunate to have this gifted young woman as our next leader,” said Carol Jenkins. “I am a long-time admirer of Jehmu’s incredible work-so I can watch with pride, pleasure and confidence as the organization grows exponentially. The fact that she’s one of our own makes it perfect.”

Ms. Jenkins leaves the WMC to focus on the health of women and girls in the U.S. and developing countries and will continue to advocate for an inclusive media. She serves on the U.S. board of The African Medical Research Foundation (AMREF), the largest health organization on the African continent. Jenkins is also the co-author, with her daughter, Elizabeth Hines, of Black Titan: AG Gaston and the Making of an African American Millionaire, a biography of her uncle and winner of Best Non-Fiction Book from the American Library Association’s Black Caucus.

A celebration to honor Carol Jenkins’ work and welcome Jehmu Greene to The Women’s Media Center will be held in New York’s Phillips Club on November 2. Jehmu Greene will become president of The Women’s Media Center on November 16. For more information about the celebration, to buy tickets, or to interview Jehmu Greene or Carol Jenkins, please contact Tristin Aaron or Rebekah Spicuglia, (office) 212-563-0680; (Tristin cell) 718-938-4078; (Rebekah cell) 415-290-2970; tristin@womensmediacenter.com; rebekah@womensmediacenter.com.

###

.

Hi Everyone,

The Women’s Book Group will meet Sunday, November 8, at 3:00 pm to discuss The Secret Keeping by Francine Saint Marie.

“Dr. Helaine Kristenson is the leading authority in the field of psychosexual relations and the best-selling author of the how-to bible, “Keeping Mr. Right.” Professionally, she deals with secrets of the heart everyday. Privately, she even has a few of her own to keep her busy. What’s so Top Secret? Her seven-year relationship with notorious super-model, Sharon Chambers…a one very hot union that lately has become something less than perfect.
Wandering unwittingly into the middle of their tangled web is disillusioned investment strategist, Lydia Beaumont, a sleeping beauty who’s just about to wake up.
Add to the resulting fray a dozen lawyers, a handful of corporate executives and a gaggle of overzealous reporters and you’ve got one highly public love triangle. And the more private a woman is, the more exposed she becomes.
THE SECRET KEEPING is a high stakes, fast paced romance, where the moral of the story is that money can indeed buy you love…if it’s invested wisely.” (Book Jacket)

This is the first book in a trilogy and OutLoud will be glad to order the second book, Fortune is a Woman and the third, The Stolen Kiss, for you. Sorry, but they will not be eligible for the book group discount.

Don’t forget, there will be no meeting in December.

Hope to see you at the meeting and, as usual, you don’t have to finish or even read the book to attend. But if you don’t read this one, you will miss out on of the most entertaining books of the year.

Brenda B.

This was posted on Facebook by the NEM…

In the opening of the Rally after the march, Rev Troy Perry read this letter written to all of us from Archbishop Desmond Tutu