February 5, 2013 OUTreach News!
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Dear OUTreach friend,
There is a lot happening in 2013 that is changing what it means to be LGBTQ or an ally. The marriage equality movement had a push forward today with the British House of Lords affirming a person's right to marry the person they love. Tonight OUTreach will sponsor a marriage equality forum, to hear what it is like to want to have a "traditional" (married parents with children) family, but have that denied.
We are also highlighting the important work being done in the state towards the elimination of legal discrimination (see below). Our next Community Forum, March 5th, will tackle that vitally important topic that impacts where you can live and work if you are LGBT.
But there's fun, too - check out photos and video of our beloved Jackson Carter, as he competes on episode six of The Biggest Loser. There's lots of work to do, but we can't get so busy that the joys in life get missed. And that's why OUTreach youth requested a...wait for it.. a "NICENESS" workshop this week!
Yes, indeed, the world is getting brighter, day by day. :)
Marian Edmonds, Executive Director
OUTreach Resource Center
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This week at OUTreach!
| | Wednesday, February 6
3:00 - 7:30 for ages 14 - 23:
Youth asked for it: A NICE Workshop! 3:30 - 4:15
The youth in the Health and Leadership class talked about healthy relationships, and over and over the questions was - "How can I be nicer?" So get ready, right before Valentine's Day, to up your niceness quotient! We will watch the video "Validation" (sneak peak below) and share thoughts and tips for improving relationships and bringing more joy into the world!
 | | Validation |
Class two in the six week series,
THIS WEEK NOTE THE TIME: 4:15 - 5:15
Field trip to Weber State University and Major Fest!
Explore WSU's Majors, Minors, and Services!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Shepherd Union Ballrooms
OUTreach field trip 5:15 - 7:00 p.m.
Want to learn more about what WSU has to offer? Undecided on a major or curious about entrance requirements for programs? Want to know what services are available to help your academic success?
Then it's time for a field trip to Major Fest!
And then dinner at the Shepherd Union Food Court! :D
Plus: free, professional counseling
with Dr. Heather Ambrose and Dr. Teri Kay for you, your parents, or all of you together! They are super-cool and fun and at OUTreach every Wednesday afternoon!
Thursday, February 7
3:00 - 7:30 for ages 14 - 23:
Sewing Class! 4:00 - 5:00
Get Fit and FAB with Avery Every Wednesday and Thursday at OUTreach!   A fun mix of dance, fitness moves (think Cross Fit - whoa!), health and nutrition, at a customized pace you can enjoy! Totally exciting: our new Kick Boxing with Jillian Michaels workout!
Cooking with Chris @ 4:30 and dinner (yay!) @ 5:30
After dinner: Our Biggest WINNER Jackson Carter WATCH PARTY! Does Jackson make it through another week?
It's down to a roll of the dice!
 | | Week 6 in Review - The Biggest Loser |
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Join us Tuesday, February 5:
Next Community Forum to address Marriage Equality
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OGDEN, UTAH - OUTreach Resource Center, a center for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and allied youth will hold a community forum to inform and foster discussion of marriage equality. The forum will be held at the Weber County Library Main Branch (2464 Jefferson St. Ogden) on February 5th at 7:00 p.m. to provide an opportunity for the general public to be informed, discuss the issue and ask questions of an expert panel, including:
- Jamila Tharp, her wife Michelle Hastings and their daughter Abigail. Jamila and Michelle are the Utah State leaders of Marriage Equality USA and the organizers of Standing on the Side of Love, Get Engaged for Marriage Equality, which will be held on Valentine's Day at the Salt Lake City County Clerk's Office. This is "an event that highlights the need to secure marriage equality for all" says Jamila Tharp (more info:
- Neca Allgood, Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Allison Black, President of Ogden PFLAG and mother of an engaged gay son
- Shane Marx, Esq. Attorney with Lauren Barros Law
- Rev. Rob Trujillo, his husband Mark Dexheimer and their son Dillan
- Jolene Abbott and Colleen Mewing, engaged couple and administrators of the Utah group Older, Wiser Lesbians (OWLS)
- Mark May, recent BYU graduate and Kevin Northrup, student, BYU and University of Utah
- Cache Burlingame, Ogden High School student
The panel will be moderated by Dr. Barry Gomberg, Director of Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity at Weber State University. This forum, like previous Community Forums is free, open to the public, and a safe place for diverse viewpoints and opinions to be expressed in a respectful environment.
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Our Biggest Winner: Jackson Carter Update!
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Watch Jackson on The Biggest Loser every Monday night! (NBC, 7:00 - 9:00)
Below: Jackson talks to Dolvett about how hard it has been, saying he never felt good enough, but Dolvett says "YOU are enough, Jackson!"
 | | Jackson, we love you! |
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Support the work of Equality Utah and help end discrimination
| | SUPPORT Statewide nondiscrimination protection amendments to include sexual  orientation & gender identity in workplace and housing.
73% of Utahns support a statewide nondiscrimination law and yet it is still legal to be fired or evicted based solely on sexual orientation and gender identity. All Utahns deserve the opportunity to provide for their families and stay in their homes without fear of being unjustly fired or evicted for real or perceived personal characteristics.
We believe that employment and housing decisions should be based on the ability to do the job, and pay the rent. Gay and Transgender Utahns are hardworking, law abiding citizens, who pay their taxes. We should all have the same opportunities to earn a living, shelter our families and contribute to society.
21 states and 15 of our local governments in Utah including Salt Lake City, Taylorsville, West Valley City, Logan, Ogden, Park City, Murray, Midvale, Moab, Salt Lake County, Grand County and Summit County, Alta, Harrisville and Springdale include gender identity and sexual orientation in their non-discrimination ordinances. Large businesses in Utah view this patchwork of protections as a barrier to continued economic growth and competitive relevance within their respective industries. It's time for Utah to regain its competitive edge.
END workplace and housing DISCRIMINATION TODAY.
As citizens of Utah we urge our state legislature to vote in favor of statewide nondiscrimination protection amendments that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
Today is the day to vote YES on this important piece of legislation.
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Davis County School Book Banning Update!
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 | | Michelle, Jamila and the children read together at our Book Banning Forum |
After Returning Book to Shelves, Utah School District Agrees Not to Remove Library Books Containing LGBT Content
SALT LAKE CITY - In the wake of its decision to return "In Our Mother's' House," a book about a family with same-sex parents to the shelves of elementary schools, Davis School District in Utah has agreed to never again remove the book based solely on its content. The agreement settles a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Utah on behalf of a mother with children in the district that had remained pending after the book's return.
Parents may still use the library's normal procedures to prevent their children from checking out particular books without removing those books altogether, but the school agreed not to remove the book from the shelves just because it features a same-sex couple. The school further agreed not to remove any book from the shelves for containing "homosexual content."
"I am happy that all parents will now have the chance to make their own decisions about their own children," said Tina Weber, the mother who filed the challenge. "Nobody should be able to tell other people's kids what they can and can't read." Read more...
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Be a part of making ALL youth Safe and Sound!
| |  OUTreach Resource Center, with significant help and support from Mormons Building Bridges, announces a new program, Safe and Sound, to provide host homes for LGBT youth who need a place to stay, as well as help for families who want to stay together.
 Did you miss our forum to officially launch this important new project? Read the Salt Lake Tribune article by Ray Parker here and the Fox 13 News report by Ben Winslow here.
Want to learn more about how you can be involved? Go to our website, ogdenoutreach.org and click on the Safe and Sound tab to read more about the program, download volunteer or host applications, and more. |
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About OUTreach
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OUTreach Resource Center, provides educational, health and enrichment opportunities and support for 350 LGBT and allied youth ages 14-23 as well as community services for LGBT and allied adults. Our projects include:
Community Safety
Safe schools and anti-bullying education
Diversity training for law enforcement and community organizations
Community events to educate and inform
LGBT awareness and cultural competency throughout community
The Make it Better Now Project
Safe at Home
Safe and Sound Host Home Program
Suicide Prevention and Education throughout community
Strengthening Families
Homelessness Youth Prevention/Education
OUTreach Center Programs
Youth Leadership Training, Self-Efficacy and Capacity Building
Health and Wellness
Life Coaching and Mentoring
Educational Advancement, Vocational Training and the Arts
The Center is open for youth ages 14-23 from 3:00 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays in the lower level of the Unitarian Universalist Church, 705 23rd Street, Ogden.
Want more info, ask questions, or become a volunteer? Visit ogdenoutreach.org, email us, or call 801-686-4528
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