[plug] Fundraiser Dinner

I know we've been delinquent in keeping posts up to date. I'm sorry about that---I'll be more attentive. Here's one now from the Wayne State Outlawyers...

Hello,

This is a letter informing of the upcoming fundraiser in support of Judge Rudy Serra. He is the only openly gay judge appointed by a governor in the state of Michigan. He is running for re-election and needs support.

The fundraiser is on Thursday, July, 27th from 5:30p.m.-7:30p.m at the Woodbridge Star Inn. To learn more about it check it out at www.woodbridgestar.com

The regular fee is $50 per person but it's only $20 for students. In order to comply with fundraiser regulations, please make the payment using a check. Please make it payable to the Judge Rudy Serra Committee.

One of the owners is a chef and will be providing food and we may also have some great baked goods from Avalon bakery. There will also be a bar.

Afterwards, we will meet at Prontos to discuss the event or to have fun as a group. Hope to see you there.

Ciao,

Michelle

President, OUTlaws

[news] schools, princes, and courts

It's always a big news day when you're gay.


First off, the American Family Association is suing Michigan State University under that tricky language in our marriage amendment that said the state can't recognize a "similar union for any purpose." It looks like they're pushing courts to say anything that whatever was previously associated with marriage (such as joint insurance or checking accounts) cannot be provided to gay couples. If so, that's going to be a lot of stuff off-limits.

By the way, I hate political action names. Gay families are families, you twits. You hold no monopoly on the term.

Second, an Indian prince (they write legends about those) has chosen being openly gay over his family's bazillion dollar inheritance. His mother said, "Henceforth, no one must refer to my name as mother of Manvendra.... If any individual or organisation dares to do so, it will invite contempt proceedings." He said, "I will not stake my claim to the property. I have found a family in the (gay) community and am happy working for the community."

I know a lot of queers who didn't tell their parents until they could afford to. It's a strain on a kid to be so calculating against the very people who are supposed to love him.

And lastly, the NY Court of Appeals (their highest court, despite the misleading name) said that lawmakers could legitimately have reasons to withhold marriage from same-sex partners. Here is a video (asx) of the oral arguments. It crashed when I played it. And here is the opinion (pdf).

Here's the interesting part: The court says the legislature could find that marriage is needed between straights and not between gays because straight relationships (involving children) are inherently less stable. That is, straight people can accidentally have kids, while gay people have to consciously do it. Isn't that the exact opposite of what most people have said, that gay relationships anonymous sex-romps and kids shouldn't be exposed to that?

The court's second proposed legislative purpose is the old one-mom-one-dad-better-for-kids line that has so many exceptions that it's curious we continue to stigmatize kids growing up in non-traditional families. It's almost as though those who push for traditional families want the self-fulfilling prophecy to come true. They want to make life harder for those "non-traditional" families because they want proof that their families are the best.

After all, families take a lot of work and stress and pain and sadness to make work. It's almost as though they weren't natural. If you're going through all that trouble, the last thing you want to see is someone doing it differently who is happier than you. It's frustrating to keep up with the Joneses when they seem to play by different rules.

[plug] Women Build!

For those who enjoy the links, eating good food, having fun and contributing to a growing good cause, Women Build! has just the answer. On Monday, July 17, 2006 at 8:30am the 2006 Women Build! Habitat for Humanity Classic will take place at the Polo Fields Golf and Country Club. Your generosity will enable us to raise the remaining funds necessary to complete our third home this summer.

The golf format is a four-woman scramble, and awards will be given for the lowest team, highest team, closest to the pin, and more. All levels of individuals ($150 per player) and teams ($600) are welcome!

Schedule
8:00am: Registration/continental breakfast
8:30am: Clinic by LPGA teaching professionals
9:45am: Shotgun start
12:00pm: Lite snack
3:15pm Lunch and awards presentation

To register, please visit website (here). Please pass this on to your family and friends.

We thank you in advance for your support. Women building character, building opportunity, building community�One Home at a time.

Sincerely,
JoAnn (email)

For more information about Women Build! visit (here).

[plug] Ladies Events

UPCOMING DANCES

July 29-Sat. 10 PM- 1 AM Women in Motion Dance Party. .Dance Revolution Studio. Ann Arbor
~~~
Sept 16-Sat 7:30-11:30 PM Isosceles Dance. DJ MAZE. Ark. 2womensdance@yahoo.com
~~~
Sept 29-Fri 7:30-11:30 PM, Bowling Green Lavender Women's Fall Dance - DJ Amy. Women only. Bowling Green, OH, dancingqueen@bglw.phoenixnwo.org
~~~
Oct 21 Sat 7:30-11:30 PM (note time change) Women Out & About
HALLOWEEN DANCE- DJ MAZE. Berkley. NUnwin1999@aol.com / 248-848-9329
~~~
Nov 11-Sat 7:30-11:30 PM OutLoud Chorus - Mixed Dance. DJ MAZE, Ann Arbor
www.aaoutloud.org

XXXXX

WOMEN OUT and ABOUT~ COMING UP
Details re: groups, events and links at
www.womenoutandabout.com

WEEKLY EVENTS~

SUNDAYS~A.L.O.R.D.E. Collective Walking Club~ 3 PM at ML KING HS's track. Detroit. (313) 865-2170.(message from Kofi ) NEW GROUP.
Wednesdays~WOMEN'S ROAD BIKE RIDES at 6 PM, Ann Arbor. Contact Catherine at cherne@umich.edu
Thursdays~ GLBTA_Michigan_FamiliesNetwork "Dinner at the lake"! Ann Arbor. Details from :kmthegreat@aol.com
FRIDAYS~LESBIAN FILM CLUB at AFFIRMATIONS at 8:00 PM
~~~~~~
BIWEEKLY~

POKER in the SUBURBS on Thursdays ~email kai7081@aol.com
LEZHIKE on weekends~email lezhikemi@aol.com
DRUMMING with WENDY wendyvalhoff@sbcglobal.net
GAY(LESBIAN too) SPIRITUAL SUPPORT GROUP, Northville .Linda: rainbowcross@comcast.net

SOON:

July 7 Lesbian Film Arts Club-AFFIRMATIONS. 7 PM Pre-Film: Zena Warrior Princess = Season 1-8 PM Film" Chasing Amy
July 7 WOMEN TOGETHER POTLUCK at Kensington Metro Park
July 7-9 WINDOVER Reality weekend.
July 9 Downriver Rainbow~LGBT Social Club will meet
July 9 OUTSKIRTS Patio Party at Darlene H.
July 14-16 WINDOVER,Windover´s 20th Birthday Party.
July 15 Rainbow House event~Texas Hold 'Em Poker
July 15-22 Gay Games (Chicago) VII Sports and Cultural

XXXXX

GENERAL INFORMATION INDEX~~ (frequently abbreviated)

A) Rocky Horror Garden Party at the Whitney
B) Arkansas Supreme Court ruling on GL foster parents
C) Site has a 2 min video. Subtle, but powerful! Ken
D) A FREE WAY to HELP our community. TAKE SURVEY.(abbreviated message)
E)Triangle's youth camp for GLBT-A~ HELP OUT Camping.OUT
F) MICHIGAN EQUALITY'S WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FUND RAISER! July 26
G) LWord-palooza is coming!!!!
H) The 27 th Annual Metra Picnic and METRA'S Anniversary Party

~~~~~~~
A) Rocky Horror Garden Party at the Whitney

July 7-Fri 6-10 PM Rocky Horror Garden Party at the Whitney, a TRIANGLE event. $20 advance or $25 door. Price includes a gourmet grill buffet, DJ and entertainment..Special cast appearance from The Rocky Horrow Show! Big door prizes. Tickets now at www.tri.org ! Need directions to the Whitney? visithttp://www.thewhitney.com/map.htm

B) Arkansas Supreme Court ruling on GL foster parents

Little Rock, Arkansas~~~ The Arkansas Supreme Court on Juy 22 upheld a lower court ruling that it is unconstitutional to bar gays and lesbians from becoming foster parents. Details from GLBTA_Michigan_Families_Network@yahoogroups.com

C) Site has a 2 min video. Subtle, but powerful! Ken

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=354057227367687976

D) A FREE WAY to HELP our community. Get involved..(abbreviated message)


Participate in an online survey for The Peninsula Group. Your answers to this unprecedented survey will help set the stage for a powerful new approach to LGBT issues in the state of Michigan. Questionns: cherylvan1@ameritech.net.Start the survey by visiting our website: www.thepeninsulagroup.org Click on the "Survey" button in the left-hand column and then click on "Take Our Survey Now." (Note: When you are asked how you found out about the survey, please select "Other" and type in "Cheryl."). Help us further by forwarding this request to all of your Michigan friends, relatives, LGBT work groups, LGBT organizations, clubs, social groups and other distribution lists.

E) Triangle's youth camp for GLBT-A~ HELP OUT Camping.OUT



Make an investment in our future by donating to the Generation OUT Scholarship Fund http;//ga1.org/ct/NdSh8151TuT7 / http://www.tri.org/events/camping.html

F) MICHIGAN EQUALITY'S WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FUND RAISER! July 26

July 26- Wed 7:30 p.m. KRISTIN HAYNIE AND THE 2005 WNBA CHAMPION SACRAMENTO MONARCHS TAKE ON THE DETROIT SHOCK! Palace of Auburn Hills.$36.00 per Ticket. More info: Nancy English at: nenglish@michiganequality.org or (517) 484-5120 to purchase tickets


G) LWord-palooza is coming!!!!

July 16 5:30-7:30 PM Are you ready for an L-Word extravaganza??? See your favorite episodes from Season 1 & 2. Running non-stop from 5:30-7:30PM Win L-Word goodies and 50/50 raffle. Character look-alike contest. Great giveaways. Meet great women and dance til you drop. All while helping supporting Women's Event - HRC. Suggested donation $5 at door.

H) The 27th Annual Metra Picnic and METRA'S Anniversary Party

The Metra Picnic will be held on Sunday, July 9th from 10am-8pm (10 hours of fun) at Salt River Park, 62000 Gratiot, bet. 28 & 29 mile roads. Join friends for a day of fun, food, and music with top DJ's spinning all day. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. And this year is the 10th annual Bush Olympic's, for teams to compete and win CASH prizes ! Check out all the unique Vendors. (Booth space still available, call for more information)Entertainment will be set up by show director NICKKI STEVENS, with CHICO'S Male dance review. For more information go to: www.metramagazine.com or call 248-543-3500 metramag@aol.com

I0 GETOUTBIKE to Harsen's Island

July 9 10am HARSEN'S ISLAND -VOTED BEST RIDE OF 2004!!!!
Algonac- meet in Farmer Jack parking lot 2600 Pointe Tremble. It's a drive, but worth it. We'll take the ferry to the island, ride our bikes out to the point and back and have lunch on the deck of a nice restaurant overlooking the river. Please mapquest!It's an easy flat easy ride with beautiful views of the river, Lake St. Clair & stately homes. Anyone wanting more info or to car pool call Linda 248-231-6981 or Diane from the Ann Arbor area. 734-678-6327 www.getoutbike.