JASMYN Black
October 2013

7th ANNUAL 
COMING OUT DAY BREAKFAST
Friday, October 11th 
7:30am - 9:30am 
The Herbert University Center 
at UNF

It's become a fall tradition and one of JASMYN's most inspiring events. The Annual Coming Out Day Breakfast attracts corporate LGBT affinity groups, others members of the business community and supporters.

Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr, who has worked more than thirty-five years for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) will deliver the keynote address at this year's event.

 

Janie Spahr describes herself as a lesbian, feminist, Presbyterian minister committed to justice issues for the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community, pursuing connections for wholeness with other oppressed communities claiming their freedom. 

 

She has served in a variety of churches and roles since her ordination in 1974. In 1982 she was instrumental in founding what is now the Spectrum Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns in Marin County, CA, serving as the Executive Director from 1982 - 1993.  This center provides support groups for LGBT youth, adults and families, and conducts a vital AIDS ministry.

 

Tickets will be available for online purchase until October 7th. They are going fast but a  few still remain. Get yours today!  Don't miss the opportunity to hear and meet this wonderful speaker and network with members of the business community supporting LGBT issues and our JASMYN youth.

 

Once again, we are grateful to Wells Fargo & Citi for serving as our Top Leaders in Diversity sponsors!

 
 
                                               wells fargo    
Feel tha' Fascination was Absolutely Fabulous!
2013 Masquerade Event Raises More than $30,000!

There were masks. There were costumes. There was great music. A fabulous online auction. And a whole lot of fun. JASMYN supporters and party-goers showed up for Feel tha' Fascination! And we thank you ALL from the bottom of our hearts!

This was the 4th annual JASMYN benefit hosted by Ginger Harris, Karma Edwards, Kerry Boatwright, Billy Wells and friends. Thanks to their dedication and the great attendance and participation, we raised more than $30,000 to go directly towards supporting JASMYN's mission. 

 

We can't wait to see what they cook up for next year!




MEET SHATAVIA

 

"JASMYN inspired me to come out and helped me develop self-esteem. Being a youth leader at JASMYN has inspired me to give back to our community. I spend a lot of my time volunteering and working to inspire others to have the courage to come out. I have also become an HIV/AIDS activist and hope to help see an end to this disease"

 

 

The donations you make to JASMYN, allow LGBTQ youth find the help they need and access the services that allow them to improve their lives. Help Shatavia and the other youth that turn to us for support. Sometimes, just knowing that someone cares can make all the difference in the world.

 

 

 

 


6th ANNUAL TEACHING RESPECT FOR ALL CONFERENCE SET FOR OCTOBER 25TH
FSCJ Downtown Campus
8:00am - 3:00pm

Are you a teacher? Do you have friends that teach? If so, you and they want to take advantage of JASMYN's Teaching Respect for All workshop. This event, now in its sixth year, provides current and prospective Elementary, Middle & High School teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators with the knowledge and tools to successfully create a school culture where all people, including LGBT people, are respected, free to express themselves  and able to reach their full potential.

 

The event is free and includes lunch and a resource package but  registration is required.  Be sure to sign up for the conference soon, as it  usually fills up..

 

This year's Keynote Speaker is Dr. Judy Chiasson of the Los Angeles Unified School District's Human Relations, Diversity and Equity office, which works with schools to create safer and more welcoming campuses for all students by reducing bias, bullying, hazing, and intergroup bias. Dr. Chiasson has a particular background in working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender concerns, and was recently honored by The Advocate magazine as a national leader in "advocating for educational access for all students."

 

"The need for this workshop in Northeast Florida is clear," said Cindy Watson, JASMYN Executive Director. "According to the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN)), 97% of students in public high school report regularly hearing homophobic remarks from their peers. And a 2009 Duval County Youth Risk Behavior Study found that approximately one-third of middle school students have been bullied at school and close to 14% of high school students seriously thought about attempting suicide. Teachers and others working with youth need this training in order to better advocate for all students."

 

 

                                              

  

JASMYN Receives Grant Renewal 

for HIV/AIDS Program

Grant is Among 10 Awarded by 

ViiV Healthcare in the South

 

Great news! We have received a two-year renewal of a grant we first received in 2011 from ViiV Healthcare, a global specialist HIV company established by GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK.L) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) to deliver advances in treatment and care for people living with HIV. JASMYN will receive $30,000 for each of the two years of the grant.
 
The grant is one of 10 made through ViiV Healthcare's Positive Action Southern Initiative, focused on supporting African-American and Latino populations in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi and Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The grants support and expand existing programs focused on linking people living with HIV and at-risk populations into prevention and care services and/or enhancing their treatment adherence and delaying disease progression. 
 
Positive Action is a global program that has funded work across the world supporting communities addressing the challenges of HIV. At JASMYN, we'll use the grant funds to continue our work to better address the challenges of linking HIV-positive youth, especially African American young gay and bisexual teens and young adults, to HIV care. The grant will allow us to reach more teens and young adults and improve the quality of their lives. 


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