ILove Marriage in Illinois: It's Just Time

From Chicago to Springfield, Peoria to Champaign, our 16 plaintiff couples and their children are leading the fight for marriage in Illinois. It's Just Time for Marriage Equality in Illinois! Find more info at www.lambdalegal.org/ilove

Equality Illinois Supports Marriage Equality Lawsuits While Pushing for Legislation Action

Equality Illinois Supports Marriage Equality Lawsuits While Pushing for Legislation Action
VITAL VOICE
CHICAGO—For more than two centuries, achieving America’s promise of full equality under the law has been won step-by-step through multiple routes—legislative action, executive leadership, Constitutional amendment and judicial action—which is why Equality Illinois supports Lambda Legal and ACLU of Illinois filing lawsuits on Wednesday seeking full marriage equality.

Under this two-track approach, Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization, will continue to push a legislative strategy in Springfield to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in Illinois, while the judicial remedy is being sought in the courts.  (FULL STORY)

New Regional Director and Board Members for the Daniel McCree Foundation

www.DanielMcCree.Org
via PR.com
May 29, 2012   11:21AM
(JOPLIN)

• ###FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE###

Emily Smith - St. Louis Regional Director

Colby Kluthe, Executive Director of the Daniel McCree Foundation announced Tuesday morning the appointment of three individuals to serve the foundations mission and outreach in the years ahead.

Emily Smith of St. Louis has been confirmed to serve as the St. Louis Regional Director and will be charged with the foundations public relations and outreach work within the St. Louis Region and Southwestern Illinois.

Jazan Wallace, 2012 Board member

Also confirmed by unanimous consent, the foundation shall add two new members to the board of directors to further the causes of foundation.    

Jazan Wallace of Sparta, Illinois and Amanda Beneze of Alton, Illinois will also join the foundation effective June 1st, 2012.

The Daniel McCree Foundation was established in 2007 and advocates for Suicide Prevention as well as outreach in the areas of HIV/AIDS awareness. Our Outreach projects include the Digital Directory and Monthly Publication MetroEast NEWS as well as an ongoing dialog with those who have lost loved ones too soon. The foundation also serves as the curator of the original artworks of Daniel McCree as well as preservationist of his writing collections.

Amanda Beneze, 2012 Board member

The Daniel McCree Foundation was registered in 2009 as an Illinois Charitable Trust and serves primarily within the St. Louis and Southern Illinois Region.  The foundation shall present a limited release print to community leaders at the upcoming 5th Annual Metro East Pride Festival on June 16th in Belleville, Illinois.

"I have no concerns about our leadership's ability to bring something new to the Foundation.  I am hoping a Regional Director will grab the baton and run with it.  Exactly how that manifests will be interesting." explains Colby Kluthe the foundation's Executive Director.  "The three nominees this year each bring something unique and very much within the spirit of the organization.  I am excited for our outreach projects moving forward."
www.DanielMcCree.Org

Thoughts From A Mouthy Saint: Am I really a pacifist?

Thoughts From A Mouthy Saint:  Am I really a pacifist?
by: Colby Kluthe,  Editor-MetroEast NEWS

Almost without exception, every home I have lived in has been shared with a cat.  I tend to like that they cause significantly less stress than the care for a dog.  That being said, I was recently confronted with a situation that was really an entirely new problem.   I don't think I have ever really shared a dwelling with such a small and docile creature as who has recently made itself known to me.

The cutest little field mouse has managed to find a home within the walls of the house.   Confirmed first by the slow disappearance of dog food from the bowl, and most recently as it scampered across the floor of the sun room.  In fact, as long as I keep some food in the dogs bowl, I don't ever see the thing.

As I found myself adding food the bowl, when I knew the dogs were gone all weekend I realized I had perhaps crossed a long-traditionally held line between pest and pet.   As long as the Cat found such creatures and nature simply ran its course I would not be troubled by the short lifespan of "said mouse".  However, to actually go to the store and purchase a mousetrap, or calling the exterminator simply wasn't something I was prepared to do.

For many. life in Joplin Missouri means that we are all getting by however we can, and the countless birds left homeless after the storm, means you find comfort when you realize how resourceful even they have been over the past year.     

I cant help but think:  "We are all in this together"~  It is a point of view I think you inherit once you have spent any time in Joplin.

And furthermore what gives me any more right to live somewhere than another of wonder of creation?  Am I that much more important?   I think for now at least, the answer is no.  I think each of us can find ways to live together in ways we may not have expected.

Tonight, I yelled at the mouse like the dogs when they misbehave; only to see it turn tail and hideaway once again.  So I guess I am a pacifist... or mostly.   Hey nobody's perfect.

We are destined to fall short of the mark, like when I found myself going through the house smiting houseflies one after another as if all of creation was at my determination.   I have not yet reconciled how the two concepts meet one another but perhaps somewhere in the middle is where most of us find ourselves.   Do we act when we see injustices or do we simply press the SHARE button and move on?

I think each of us have an opportunity to make even a small difference to one little creature and if we continue listening to what we already know... we may begin to see the changes we seek.   I was recently told that Daniel (Daniel McCree Foundation) would say:
"Whatever Gurl , your a perfect being Just trying to make through a not so perfect world. "

Michael Nordman named Director of Development at Equality Illinois

Political fundraising veteran named
Director of Development at Equality Illinois

CHICAGO -- Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, today announces the appointment of Michael Nordman, a veteran political fundraiser, as the new Director of Development for the state's oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization.

In his new role Nordman is in charge of fundraising, organizing events including the annual Justice of All Gala, which is the Midwest's largest LGBT fundraising party, and identifying new sources of support for the growing mission of Equality Illinois.

“As we gear up for the battle for marriage equality, continue our anti-bullying initiatives and seek fairness and equal treatment in our society for LGBT individuals and their families, we are excited to welcome Michael to our team,” Cherkasov team. “His fundraising expertise will help our voices be heard throughout Illinois on these important issues.”

In his previous positions, Nordman, 26, a native of Little Rock, Ark., has raised a total of $3.5 million for political campaigns in Chicago, the suburbs, downstate Illinois and Kentucky. He also has fundraising and marketing experience in Washington, DC.

Nordman joins a professional team of advocates at Equality Illinois with specialties in lobbying, community outreach, finance, administration and media, all with the focus of advancing LGBT equality. “We have a lean, skillful operation whose sole mission is to seek recognition of our rights,” Cherkasov said.

MEPSI PrideFest 2012 Entertainment Announced for June 16th

(BELLEVILLE)

Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois (MEPSI) has announced the entertainment lineup for the 5th annual festival to be held in downtown Belleville on June 16th.   Among the entertainers are some of our communities most widely recognized entertainers.   A new addition for 2012 is the Gateway Mens Chorus who will kick off the event at Noon.

MEPSI PrideFest 2012 Entertainment:

• Noon Gateway Men’s Chorus
• 12:45 Avery Hill Band
• 2:30 KGB: Kristen Goodman Band
• 3:30 Jen Norman
• 4:30 Summer Osborne
• 6:30 Award Ceremony/Announcement of New Board
• 7:00 Khrystal Leight (host); Mr./Miss Queen of Pride; Olivia DeMornay & Shelbie Reightback
• 8:00 Avery Hill Band
• 10:00 Thank You for Attending

Festival Emcee: Dieta Pepsi

By: MetroEast Pride

 www.MetroEastPrideswi.com

The Festival Grounds are located on WEST MAIN just west of Hwy 159.

MEPSI VENDOR ENROLLMENT Deadline is June 1st

MEPSI VENDOR ENROLLMENT Deadline is June 1st 

MetroEast Pride 
Metro East Pride 2012 - June 16th
(BELLEVILLE) 
Vendor Space is still available for our 5th Annual PrideFest, June 16th. Last year over 5,000 people attended our event in beautiful downtown Belleville. VENDOR: 10 X 10’ Space (no electricity) - $60.00; 10’ X 10’ Space w/electricity - $75.00. FOOD VENDOR: 10’ X 10’ Space w/electricity - $85.00; 10’ X 15’ Space w/electricity - $110.00¬.
Contact MEP.ALLENIRBY@GMAIL.COM

www.metroeastprideswi.com
 

Digital Directory 3rd Edition is underway! (JUNE 2012)

www.DanielMcCree.Org
BellevillePride~ MetroEast News

Our Third Edition of the Digital Directory will be published in Mid June.

Add your business or non-profit organization to our directory and reach a targeted audience for the 2012 Pride Season.   The MetroEast Digital Directory was begun last year as a low-cost alternative to print advertising.   We have been very pleased to have enjoyed more than 25,000 readers in the past year and invite anyone interested to join us as we move into the coming Pride Season.


The cost of a Sponsor Ad is $30 and includes hyperlinks to your website or fanpage in not just the Directory but also our monthly publication for one year.  Easily download the directory to your computer or embed it on your own website.

 ORDER ONLINE before June 10th to ensure your included in the upcoming directory. The 3rd Edition will be widely seen online around June 15th.    

This IS NOT the pride pages or the VITAL VOICE JUNE PRIDE EDITION.

2012 Sponsors (Orders from January 2012) DO NOT need to renew.  Instead just tell someone who may wish to join us.  Your advertising dollars are still at work in the St. Louis and Metro-East LGBT Community.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!    The Directory has been received far better than our expectations.  Current Sponsors may purchase a full-page advertisement for $30 to increase your brands profile.  Simply state "full-page" in your ONLINE ORDER.



Browse the January Edition HERE: 

January 2012 - MetroEast NEWS Digital Directory

Directory News & Events Features from Southern Illinois LGBT Community


2012 Sponsors include:  Equality Illinois, Belleville PFLAG, One Saint Louis, Sage of Metro St. Louis, LGBTCounseling.com, Kirsten Beckstrom MSW/LCSW,  Jennifer Shaw P.C. Law Firm, TransHaven, St. Louis Gender Foundation, J.Brooks Digital, SEVEN Belleville, Bethel UCC-Cahokia, Daniel McCree Foundation/ Suicide Prevention Hotline and Belleville Transgender & Friends.  
JOIN US IN SUPPORT OF EQUALITY by becoming a sponsor for our next edition of the DIGITAL DIRECTORY as well.    It may be the best $30 you spend all year long!

Payment for Sponsors are available online only and we gladly accept VISA/MasterCard, AMEX, Discover, or Bank Debit Card.    Be sure to include your business website and/or contact information with your order.
ADD ME AS A SPONSOR NOW!  


For additional information or questions email:  danielmccreeorg@gmail.com
or smartchoicestl@gmail.com   We are glad to answer any of your questions.


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MEPSI VENDOR ENROLLMENT Deadline is June 1st

MEPSI VENDOR ENROLLMENT Deadline is June 1st 

MetroEast Pride
Vendor Space is still available for our 5th Annual PrideFest, June 16th. Last year over 5,000 people attended our event in beautiful downtown Belleville. VENDOR: 10 X 10’ Space (no electricity) - $60.00; 10’ X 10’ Space w/electricity - $75.00. FOOD VENDOR: 10’ X 10’ Space w/electricity - $85.00; 10’ X 15’ Space w/electricity - $110.00¬.
Contact MEP.ALLENIRBY@GMAIL.COM

LGBT Shelter and Housing Advocacy Project Formed

LGBT Shelter and Housing Advocacy Project Formed
VITAL VOICE  (ST. LOUIS)
May 21,2012

Illinois Senate rejects anti-bullying legislation by one vote

St. Louis Public Radio
Some conservatives fear the legislation would be used as cover to lecture students on embracing homosexuality. They wanted the bill to include an "opt out" provision letting students and teachers skip any lessons that violated their religious beliefs.

Sen. Heather Steans and other supporters say the bill isn't about indoctrinating anyone. Steans could call it for another vote later.
Ill. Senate rejects anti-bullying legislation by one vote | St. Louis Public Radio www.news.stlpublicradio.org

Don't Be A Tool - Racism of the "Christian" Right

Don't Be A Tool - Racism of the "Christian" Right
by Autumn Pickard - MetroEast NEWS

I'm astonished by the complete lack of respect to the black community from the GOP. I remember what my parents would tell me about black people, and the blatant racism they had towards them. I was raised in a "christian" fundamentalist home, but I was lied to. I'm still Christian, don't get me wrong, but at the same time I realized if they could lie to me about an entire race of people, they could also be lying about the group I belong to as well. I don't talk to my family anymore, and I think my life is better because of that.  I have friends that have become my family. A beautiful rainbow spectrum of friends, some are very comfortable with labels, some wouldn't fit into a category if it was named after them, but I don't judge them because of it.

Getting back to my point though. Conservative right wing fanatical "christians" are afraid of black people in a general sense. Since they can't own, and therefore dictate someone who is different from them, they respond with fear that turns into hatred.

Being transsexual I have dealt with this my whole life, so it isn't new. I think it's a sad excuse for ignorance, and being unwilling to attempt to learn about different communities that exist in a wonderful melting pot society we call America. I haven't given up on my brothers and sisters that happen to be darker than me. I hope one day they will wake up and see their oppression of the LGBT community will never result in their acceptance within the bigoted white community, or safety from being the oppressed. To them the only function you are providing is proving whom they fear can remain repressed, and as soon as they square away the LGBT community, they will start to work on yours again.

We are victims of a reversed timeline of hate. Black people will be needed to repress women, but as soon as my sisters are silenced along with the LGBT, my brothers will be to small a group to fight back. You see, we weren't all free, or were freed at once, so they will chip away at the base until the whole notion of freedom is only a rich white man's guarantee to a rich white man.... This method of hate was first used by Adolf Hitler, and it is proven to work, well.

BellevillePride~ MetroEast News  
danielmccreeorg@gmail.com