LGBT Ventura County Community Forums

Where can I get 'No on 8' yard signs?

Prism — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:53:32 GMT

Does anyone know where I can get those 'No on 8' yard signs and bumber stickers in the Simi Valley area?

Forum: Ventura County LGBT News, Events and Information

Join me in voting NO on Prop 8

Nanette — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:16:05 GMT

Monday, October 13, 2008

I am sure that most of you understand how I feel about same gender marriage. I sent this letter to some friends and family members that I think probably do not believe in same gender marriage. I hope that you will join me in voting NO on Proposition 8 and that you will encourage your family and friends to vote NO.

I am writing this letter because I have been deeply troubled by recent ads that I have seen on T.V. It seems that the backers of California Proposition 8 have a lot of money to spend on these ads. I find them not only offensive, but also full of misinformation.

The truth is that this law will not protect marriage. But will in fact harm many wonderful families.

No church or religion is required to perform marriages between any two persons if it is against their belief.

Schools are not teaching children that they should marry someone of the same gender, but rather that they should respect the many different families in their neighborhood.

Domestic partnerships do not equal marriage.

No matter how you feel about same-gender marriage, please do not harm my family and my many friends and neighbors.

Please vote NO on Proposition 8!

Nanette Benbrook

Forum: Ventura County LGBT News, Events and Information

Chat room

Prism — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:40:50 GMT

Speaking of General Discussion....lets have some.

We have a nice little chat room here, but whenever I log on, no one is in there.

Due to my schedule, I don't usually get on the computer until around 10:30 or 11 at night, but I will try to get in there around that time each night and I hope that maybe someone else might want to meet me there for some witty banter. I do so love witty banter.

Hope to see you there!

Prism

Forum: General Discussion

Items for Silent Auction needed for No on Prop. 8 house party

Jessica — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:24:21 GMT

Hello! I am the Field Officer for the Ventura County chapter of the No on Prop. 8 campaign. My parents and I will be throwing a house party on October 26th, and want to have a silent auction to support the campaign. I am looking for any glbt-made artwork, crafts, jewelery, etc. to include in the auction. I am also looking for glbt and friends of glbt owned/operated restaurants, shops, or other businesses to donate gift certificates and/or merchandise for the silent auction. I know that there is not much time before now and then, so I apologize about this being so last minute. All of the money we get for these items will go to the No on Prop. 8 campaign. Please let everyone you know who could help about this opportunity. We will also be happy to put your business cards next to each item for people to take. If something does not sell, it will be returned. Also, an invitation will be on this site soon and all are invited to attend (the details will be on the invitation). Please contact me at jessica@noonprop8.com or by phone at (805)587-2826 if you are interested. This is going to support a great cause! We must defeat Prop. 8!!!

Forum: Ventura County LGBT News, Events and Information

Matt and Larry

Jay — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:22:54 GMT

On the night of Oct. 6^th in 1998, a young man in Laramie, Wyoming, was brutally beaten and then hog-tied to a split-rail fence where he lay for more than 18 hours. The 21-year-old, who had been left to die, was Matthew Shepard.

Six days after the savage attack, Matthew died with his family by his side.

His death was a wake-up call. Many were appalled by the horrific, senseless nature of the crime. But as time passed, we forgot. We were lulled into complacency until last winter.

On February 12^th, almost 10 years after Matthews death, our community was struck by a similar tragedy. 15-year-old Lawrence King was shot in the head by a fellow classmate in his English class. Though doctors initially thought he would survive, he was declared brain dead the next day. Lawrence died two days later.

Although Wyoming and California are hundreds of miles apart, and these tragedies are separated by an entire decade, they are tied together by common threads.

Matthew was brutally killed for being gay. To justify their crime, his attackers said they were driven to violence after Matthew hit on them. Attorneys for Lawrences shooter have used a similar line of defense. According to friends and classmates, Lawrence told them he was gay. He was sometimes harassed for his appearance and style of dress.

I was overwhelmed by the fact that such violence could take place right here in my own community. Hadnt we learned our lesson after what happened to Matthew Shepard?

The facts are still emerging in Lawrences case, but what is clear in both of these heartbreaking instances is that two lives were cut drastically short because of fear, ignorance and hatred. Neither Lawrence nor Matthew will have the opportunity to realize their dreams, to enjoy another Thanksgiving with their families, to watch a movie with friends, to pursue a career and find their places in the world.

These tragic deaths highlight the need for us to stand up and ensure young people feel safe in their schools and in their communities regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We must find a way to prepare teachers and parents to deal with school bullying and hate in our communities. We must ask ourselves, do we want to be responsible for creating an environment where gay and transgender youth live on the margins of society in fear, or do we want to lead the charge in fostering an environment where everyone is valued, accepted and nurtured?

As Californians who value fairness and just communities, we must resolve to put a stop to bias-motivated crimes and such vicious acts of intolerance. Implying that openly gay victim shares responsibility for being attacked, or that an attack was justified because of an unwanted romantic or sexual advance is totally unacceptable. We must focus on solutions so that no family and no community is touch by this kind violence and bigotry ever again. After another decade passes and we pause to remember the deaths of Matthew and Lawrence, I pray that we will live in place where no one is targeted for their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Jay Smith

Forum: Ventura County LGBT News, Events and Information

Community Service Award nominations please!!

Nominating Committee — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:51:44 GMT

Greetings!!

Soon we will be upon the 2008 LGBT Community Service Awards. Once again this year, we will celebrate in fabulous style at the Topa Tower Club, floor 21 of the Morgan Stanley building in Oxnard. Invitations will be mailed to you soon! Our party is scheduled for Thursday, December 4th.

The LGBT Community Service Awards is an important fundraiser for Ventura County Rainbow Alliance, and it's an important event recognizing those individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly to the LGBT and HIV/AIDS-affected communities of Ventura County. The list of honorees from the past 12 years is impressive!

Today, I'd like to ask you to participate in the nomination process for our 13h annual event. The categories this year include:

LGBT Community Service Award -
for service and advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community of Ventura County
LGBT Community Service Award -
for service and advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community of Ventura County
Kent Weigel Corporate Service Award -
for advocacy and support from the business sector on behalf of the LGBT community of Ventura County
Youth Service Award -
for advocacy and support on behalf of the LGBT youth of Ventura County
Drew Setterfield AIDS Service Award-
for social service or education on behalf of the HIV/AIDS affected community of Ventura County
Mark Vartanian AIDS Advocacy Award -
for legislative, political or public policy work on behalf of the HIV/AIDS affected community of Ventura County

Please answer the following questions and either email or USPS to us no later than October 31, 2008:

1. Nominee Candidate Full Name

2. Nominee Contact Information

3. Proposed Award Category

4. Your Full Name

5. Your Contact Information

6. Detailed explanation of reason for nomination. Please include complete dates, full names of individuals or organizations helped by nominee, and any other formal information that will assist the nominations committee in their decision.

Email to:

jay@lgbtventura.org

USPS to:

CSA Nominations Committee
4567 Telephone Road, Suite 100
Ventura, CA 93003

Thank you!

Jay Smith

Executive Director

Forum: Ventura County LGBT News, Events and Information

Fall rummage sale to benefit Youth Empowerment Project and Ventura Fashion Week

INFO — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:59:48 GMT

Fall Rummage Sale

to benefit the Youth Empowerment Program

Sunday, October 12

9am to 1pm

25 South Ventura Ave, Ventura

Clothing drop off is on Saturday, October 11

9am to 6pm

25 South Ventura Ave, Ventura

We are looking for all types of clothing from Vintage, 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's

Clear out your closet!

And help support our LGBT youth!

www.fashionweekventura.com

Forum: Ventura County LGBT News, Events and Information

Defeat Prop 8 and support Congresswoman Lois Capps

INFO — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:34:23 GMT

Please join

Harris Berger and Michael Quick

Karin Quimby and Jo Ann Block

and

the LGBT Community

Say No to Prop 8

and support the re-election of

Congresswoman Lois Capps

Please join us for wine and cheese and a discussion with Lois

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 w 5:30-7:30 p.m.

At the home of Harris Berger & Michael Quick

350 South G Street, Oxnard

$30 per person suggested contribution

For more information, please contact Jennifer Cooper at 805-884-0202 or jencoopersb@cox.net.

Paid for by Friends of Lois Capps

David Powdrell, Treasurer, ID#C00331389

Forum: Ventura County LGBT News, Events and Information

Gays and Lesbians must fight back

Harris D. Berger — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:27:06 GMT

As November fourth draws near the rhetoric, hate, misinformation and politicization surrounding the California same-sex marriage issue is reaching a crescendo pitch. It is my observation that intolerant political operatives masquerading as religious scholars and leaders are the ones leading the charge to enshrine state constitutional bigotry against gay and lesbian California citizens by overturning their constitutional right to civil marriage via passage of proposition 8. Why is this?

The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), a political and legal wing of the extreme right American Evangelical church movement, is serving as legal council to the proposition 8 proponents. This is the same ADF that declared Sunday September 28, 2009 to be Pulpit Freedom Sunday in which religious congregational leaders are being urged to cross the line on church politicking by weaving right-wing political endorsements and oppositions including passage of proposition 8 - into their religious services. The ADF activists want to turn our houses of religious worship into cogs in a political machine that will elect candidates of their choice. IRS guidelines forbids tax-exempt houses of worship and other non-profit groups from endorsing or opposing candidates for public office. The ADF seeks to prompt a challenge to and overturn the IRS religious guidelines in court.

So now we have a situation where politicians preach religion from the political stump and pastors push politics from the pulpit. This is madness! I do not want elected officials placing their hand on the Constitution and pledging to uphold the Bible. Conversely, I do not want pastors holding up a bible while preaching politics from the National Republican Party plank. California houses of religious worship and the California State Constitution must not be hijacked so as to exclude, demonize and humiliate a particular class of citizenry for the purpose of furthering the political agendas of intollerant, narrow-minded, power-hungry individuals.

Recently I delivered the following faith journey testimonial to the church where I am a member. I believe it is important to share it with you now because I would have been denied its delivery if the ADF had infiltrated my church.

The first step of my faith journey occurred three years ago when I met the Oxnard Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer (LCOOR) Pastor Brian Elster at a charity event. We engaged in typical introductory conversation during which he inquired as to my feelings toward faith and asked if I was a church member anywhere. Pastor Brian cared not that I was gay. He was, however, concerned that I was not in church on Sundays. He gave me his business card on which were imprinted five statements of belief:

Jesus Christ is Lord (and I am not!)

Everyone is welcome here (you, too!)

Love changes lives (not brow-beating, guilt, or coercion)

Everyone has something to offer (each person has dignity and worth)

The world needs what we have to offer (which is why our mission is so important!)

I was intensely cognizant of the non-judgmental tenor of these statements. They contradicted my perception of Christianity as unwelcoming, judgmental and, above all, condemnatory of all gays and lesbians. It was the accommodating tenor of those five statements of belief that persuaded me to meet with Pastor Brian to explore becoming an LCOOR member.

But wait, Im getting ahead of myself here. I need to backtrack in time to briefly provide you with insight into the person I was before meeting Pastor Brian.

From late adolescence onward to the present day, I occasionally suffered painful and contentious confrontations with persons who would point and shake a disparaging finger in my direction. They would point at me and say something akin to You, you fag. You need to repent or burn in queer Hell They hurled insults and pejoratives so foul I cannot repeat them to you. I even suffered physical violence at their hands.

Encounters with the finger pointers wounded me deeply. Consequentially, my heart felt the pain of being ostracized, isolated and despised. Why did the finger pointers treat me with hostile contempt? Why did they call me vile names? Why did they not understand how deeply hurtful to me their insults were? Who were they to judge me?

I came to assume it was just my misfortune in life to occasionally suffer the arrogance, ignorance, cruelty and intolerance of cowardly, abusive bullies.

During my later college years I began to fight back against the finger pointers. When they insulted me, I responded with greater insults. I continued to fight back for the next twenty-five years. Unfortunately, that brutal tit-for-tat enterprise left me with a hardened heart and an angry attitude.

Then I connected with Pastor Brian and the LCOOR and my life was transformed for the better.

Initially Pastor Brian and I enjoyed numerous philosophical discussions concerning what it meant to live a Christian life and he outlined for me basic precepts of Christian theology. Next he laid out before me the significance of Gods transformative love for all his children. He gave me numerous theological books to study. Lastly he initiated me to the concept of Gods grace in the church. By this time I had already begun attending regular Sunday worship services at LCOOR. Soon afterward Pastor Brian baptized me.

My baptism was possibly the proudest and most joyous moment of my life. My baptism initiated a process of self-examination that continues to this day. Judeo-Christian biblical principals guide and assist me in this introspective. By taking biblical spirit into my heart I now enjoy immense comfort and unquestionable assurance in the undeniable reality that God loves me exactly as he made me. Yes, thats correct! God loves me exactly as he made me!

My same-gender partner and I have been together twenty-three years. Our recent lawful California marriage has prompted some in the faith community to point the familiar disparaging finger in my direction. Three years ago, prior to taking the message of Christian-inspired civility into my heart, I would have smothered their repulsive ignorance with my roaring anger and assaulted their blatant bigotry with my profound disgust.

Today I thank these people for presenting me with an opportunity in which to test the limits of my faith. Today I see the wisdom of replacing my anger with love and replacing my brutishness with poise. Even more so, I now find it safe to welcome with open arms those persons who point the disparaging finger my way because Gods grace protectively guides me to a location just beyond the reach of their pointed fingers. Furthermore, it is my newfound insight into Gods command directing me to love my neighbor as I love myself that prompts me to greet the pointed fingers with a welcoming and sincere smile on my lips and empathetic words of understanding on my tongue. I understand your hate and I forgive you, I forgive you, I really, really do forgive you. Let us walk beside one another and learn from one another.

Obviously, my faith journey is a young journey. Nevertheless, I have learned and taken to heart certain profound and fundamental elements of Protestant Christianity. Pastor Brian Elsters sermons plus my personal scriptural study have enlightened me to the Judeo-Christian concepts and teachings that inform us how it is neither our option nor our assignment to judge one another. Rather, it is our mission to stand together shoulder-to-shoulder to spread the good news that God loves us all each and every day.

Myself and every other gay and lesbian American of religious faith would be denied the opportunity to read such faith journey testimonials in houses of worship if the ADF had its way. I believe that the ADF wields the bible as a truncheon against gays and lesbians. It is time for gays and lesbians of faith to challenge the ADF, to challenge right wing political zealots and to challenge religious charlatans preaching so-called biblically inspired hate against us. I believe Homosexuality has left the biblical closet and is currently taking its rightful place as todays most important civil right.

Respectfully,

Harris D. Berger

By Harris D. Berger

Oxnard, CA. USA

hberger@verizon.net

Reproduction by permission only.

Forum: "Family" Friendly Resources

"For the Bible Tells Me So" - Newbury Park screening

Jill — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:28:33 GMT

The Interweave Chapter

of the Conejo Valley

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

proudly presents

Daniel Karslakes award-winning documentary

for the BIBLE tells me so

Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families, we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. What does Biblical scripture really say about loving homosexual relationships? Come find out.

Join us for this moving and inspiring film, followed by discussion and refreshments.

Friday, October 3, 2008

7:00 to 10:00 PM

Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

3331 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park

(805) 492-8751 http://cvuuf.org

Interweave is a gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender (GLBT) organization affiliated with the UU denomination. It celebrates the culture and lives of its members. It is open to all people of any sexual or affectional orientation.

Forum: Older News Items [moved from Forum]

Shipping Clerk 1 postion available

Edna — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:50:36 GMT

Hello,

*Part-Time*

1 position open for shipping, packaging and receiving for small business in Camarillo.

Hrs: 1pm - 4pm Mon-Fri (flexible).

Great Experience for college and high school student.

Call Edna at 987-2975. Woman owned business for 25 years.

Forum: Employment Opportunities

Doctoral candidate needs your help!

Kris Goodrich — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:59:40 GMT

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

COUNSELING AND HUMAN SERVICES

259 Huntington Hall

Syracuse, NY 13244-2340

315-443-2266

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Kristopher Goodrich and I am a doctoral candidate in Syracuse Universitys Counseling & Human Services Department. I am currently working on a project for my doctoral degree in which I am exploring the experiences of heterosexual parents of lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) children.

My interest in conducting this research is to investigate the various factors that impact parents experiences after their children discloses their identity as lesbian, gay or bisexual. Participants will be asked to complete an online research packet, which includes demographic information and a number of brief survey instruments. The instruments should take approximately 20-25 minutes to complete. All information provided on the research survey will be kept confidential and a number of steps have been taken to guarantee privacy. These specific items are explained in the informed consent form, which is the first page of the web-survey.

If you are interested in participating in the study, or know of a person who you think would be a good participant for this project, I would ask you to forward them the following email message which includes more information about the study, including how to access the survey website.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=klSmOZak3Vr7k9esEuaVBg_3d_3d

I very much appreciate your taking out the time to read this message. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact myself at via e-mail at kmgoodri@syr.edu or phone at (315) 727-2968. My faculty advisor, Dr. Dennis Gilbride, is also available for questions or concerns via e-mail at ddgilbri@syr.edu or phone at (315) 443-2266.

Sincerely,

Kristopher M. Goodrich

Doctoral Candidate, Counseling and Human Services Department

Syracuse University

Forum: Ventura County LGBT News, Events and Information

"Because the Gays" - this is really good!

INFO — Thur, 25 Sep 2008 22:45:25 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rixkck8QnjY

Forum: Ventura County LGBT News, Events and Information

A Religious Defense of Marriage Equality lecture

INFO — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:39:24 GMT

The Inaugural Lecture in the Jim Dekker Memorial Just Peace Lecture Series

A Religious Defense

of Marriage Equality

Rev. Marvin M. Ellison, PhD

Friday, October 3, 2008

7:30 p.m.

Samuelson Chapel

California Lutheran University

60 West Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.

Same-sex marriage is controversial because it's about sex and marriage, two loaded topics in this culture. In the midst of public conflict, progressive religion can help by putting the focus where it rightly belongs: not on the gender of the partners, but on relational justice and the challenge of creating the social and economic conditions so that families can thrive, including LBGT families.

Rev. Marvin M. Ellison, Ph.D., teaches Christian social ethics at Bangor Theological Seminary. His publications include Same-Sex Marriage? A Christian Ethical Analysis (The Pilgrim Press, 2004), Body and Soul: Rethinking Sexuality as Justice-Love (The Pilgrim Press, 2003), and Erotic Justice: A Liberating Ethic of Sexuality (Westminster John Knox Press, 1996). He lives in Portland, Maine with his life partner Frank Brooks.

Sponsored by United Church of Christ, Simi Valley and

Progressive Christians Uniting, Los Angeles

CLU Sponsors: the Center for Equality and Justice; the Religion

Department; Campus Ministries; the Segerhammar Center;

the Gay Straight Alliance; and the College Democrats

A pre-lecturereception and dinner with Dr. Ellison will take place at 5:30 p.m.in Thousand Oaks near CLU

Proceeds benefit the DekkerLecture Fund.

Attendance islimited. RSVP to805-526-6001. $35/person

Questions? Contact cej@callutheran.edu or 493-3694

Forum: Older News Items [moved from Forum]

NO on Prop 8 Field Organizer

INFO — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:31:57 GMT

Field Organizer Job Description

Key qualifications and characteristics:

Demonstrated experience in grassroots organizing including experience in tactics such as in-person volunteer recruitment, and direct voter contact through door-to-door canvassing and phone banking.

Ability to recruit, motivate, train, direct, and support a multiracial team of volunteers.

Openness and thirst for learning - strong desire to excel as an organizer.

Enthusiastic desire to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.

Highly organized, detail-oriented and responsible, solution-focused self-starter.

Enormous drive to achieve measurable progress towards meaningful social change.

Excellent listening, speaking, and writing skills.

Knowledge of and great curiosity about all aspects of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

Capacity and desire to work in a multi-cultural environment where commitment to diversity based on race, ethnic origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical ability is an important institutional value.

Ability to maintain composure and a sense of humor in tense times.

Ability and desire to confront conflict in a productive, diffusive manner.

Organizer Tasks

Perform large-scale volunteer recruitment and leadership development, with an emphasis on multi-racial team building.

Recruit at least 12 specific volunteer shifts daily over the phone or in person;

Raise at least $75 during a 2 hour action doing grassroots fundraising either in-person or on the phone; and

Build and manage a team of 3 other unpaid full/part-time staff and 40 super-volunteers;

Organize volunteer-based phone banks. Create and lead phone bank and recruitment trainings and debriefs for volunteers.

Meet daily with Regional Coordinator and other staff

Create weekly workplan with tasks and numeric goals. Track and report progress.

Shares in other coalition work and office tasks as directed by Regional Coordinator.

People of color, transgender and bi-lingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Send resumes to: Becca Ahuja, becca@noonprop8.com

Forum: Employment Opportunities