4th of July potluck, was held on Sunday the 7th
The potluck for the 4th of July was fabulous, and fun and good food was had by all. Thank you to the people who were able to bring food appropriate for the diet-restricted among us!
The potluck for the 4th of July was fabulous, and fun and good food was had by all. Thank you to the people who were able to bring food appropriate for the diet-restricted among us!
The “Celebrating Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals and Their Supportive Communities” program in September 2024 is part of broader efforts to celebrate, acknowledge, and empower transgender and nonbinary people throughout the year. Various organizations and institutions focus on advocacy, awareness, and support for transgender individuals, addressing issues like violence, discrimination, and inclusion.
The September 15th program celebrates trans and nonbinary people and discusses a recent acclaimed book about their experiences. The book Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families is a sweeping celebration of the life stories of 35 trans and nonbinary people, as well as their partners, parents, children, siblings, and chosen family members, providing a glimpse into their real lives, challenges, and triumphs. One of the people portrayed in Authentic Selves is Robert Williams, a young nonbinary person who grew up in Mississippi and South Carolina and was fortunate to enjoy the love and support of their parents and their liberal Episcopal church. Robert is also related to a UUFSC member, who recently interviewed Robert and their parents for this program. We will be watching the video of that interview and reading a short passage from the foreword to the book in celebration of trans and nonbinary people and in anticipation of the Silver City Pride Festival on September 21st.
For more information on events and how you can participate or support, you can visit resources like the National Center for Transgender Equality or the LGBTQ Resource Center at the University of Missouri.
The “UU the Vote” initiative, led by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), has been actively organizing to address key issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community in the 2024 election cycle. This campaign, which has been ongoing since its first major push in 2020, aims to mobilize voters and advocate for democracy and justice on multiple fronts, including LGBTQIA+ rights.
In 2024, UU the Vote is significantly ramping up its efforts, planning to recruit over 10,000 volunteers from 500 congregations to reach out to 3 million voters across the United States. The initiative is focusing particularly on key states such as Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Georgia, among others. These efforts include supporting ballot initiatives that are crucial for reproductive justice and ranked-choice voting, as well as continuing partnerships with groups that focus on anti-racism and LGBTQIA+ rights.
The initiative emphasizes the importance of democracy as a core Unitarian Universalist value, viewing electoral participation and justice as vital expressions of their faith. UU the Vote also offers a variety of resources and events designed to educate and empower volunteers and voters, aiming to foster a broad coalition capable of pushing for progressive changes in the U.S. political landscape.
For more detailed information on how to get involved with UU the Vote, their strategies for 2024, and their focus on issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community, you can visit their official site at UU the Vote and the UUA’s news releases on their official page.
In September 2023, the event “Pride Not Prejudice” showcased a vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture and addressed current legal issues and challenges facing the community. The Sausalito Center for the Arts hosted an art exhibition from June 12 to July 7, aligning with LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. This exhibition was not just an artistic endeavor but also a cultural statement, intertwining the classic themes of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” with the modern struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQIA+ community. The event featured works from numerous artists, each exploring themes of love, authenticity, and societal acceptance (Sausalito Center For The Arts).
Parallel to this cultural celebration, the Healthy Lee’s “Pride Not Prejudice Conference” in Southwest Florida focused on promoting health and wellness within the LGBTQIA+ community. Held on June 28, 2023, the conference aimed to educate and train healthcare professionals on the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals, featuring speakers who discussed a range of topics from domestic violence in the community to best practices for inclusion and diversity in healthcare settings (Cape Coral Breeze) (HealthyLee).
These events highlight the ongoing efforts across various sectors to address and support the needs and rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, emphasizing both cultural celebration and practical support through education and health initiatives.
A number of people twisted and shouted at our Special Sock Hop event held on June 7, 2024! We danced to live music from the talented Blues Dawg. Some people came dressed for the decade, while others ‘came as they were’. The Social Justice Team reports that as a fundraiser, it was successful!