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MetroEast News - Serving the Southern Illinois Region
Showing posts with label LGBT(I) News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LGBT(I) News. Show all posts

Thursday, April 5, 2012

5th Annual MEPSI VENDORS

MetroEast Pride
April 1 near Belleville, IL
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 metroeastpride@gmail.com or visit our website at www.metroeastpride.com

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Statewide Lobby Day April 25th

CITIZEN LOBBYISTS TO JOIN EQUALITY ILLINOIS OUTREACH
VIA Equality Illinois

March 22,2012
(SPRINGFIELD)

With same-sex marriage, hate crimes and anti-bullying proposals on the table, Equality Illinois is sponsoring a major lobbying initiative here in the capital city to let state lawmakers know of the importance the LGBT community places on these significant initiatives.
More than 200 citizen lobbyists from all over the state will join the Equality Illinois professional staff and bipartisan advocacy team in button-holing scores of House and Senate members and representatives of Executive Branch officeholders. A full day of meetings and receptions is planned.

“We want to impress on the state’s leaders, particularly in an election year, the level of passion and commitment that LGBT voters and their allies place on these issues,” said Randy Hannig, Director of Public Policy for Equality Illinois. “It is important for officials to hear from their constituents in person and to know that the Equality Illinois citizen lobbyists represent thousands more voices in their districts and throughout Illinois.”

Equality Illinois, the state’s oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization, is following many bills in the legislature, Hannig said, but among the biggest issues is the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, which would create marriage equality in Illinois. “It may take many months to build support for marriage equality, so we have to let legislators know again and again how important this is,” Hannig said.
Also on the agenda is Equality Illinois support for adding gender identity, military status and immigration status to protected classes under the state’s hate crimes law. Another crucial bill would require all Illinois schools to develop new measures against bullying and cyberbullying.

“From the passage of LGBT anti-discrimination protections in 2005 to the civil unions bill in 2010, the Illinois legislature has broadened access to equality in the state, but each of those victories was the result of hard-fought battles,” said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois. “There is so much more to
accomplish, which is why we have a permanent lobbying operation in Springfield and why we urge LGBT voters and our allies to join us for this special lobbying day.”
Buses will depart from Chicago, Oak Park, Bolingbrook, Carbdonale and Belleville. LGBT supporters who wish to participate in Equality Illinois Lobby Day, whether they plan to take the organization’s buses or travel on their own, are asked to sign up at http://tinyurl.com/MarriageEQILobbyday2012, where all participants can find more details.
Here is the information for supporters who wish to participate:
What: Equality Illinois Lobby Day
When: Wednesday, April 25
Bus Transportation: PURCHASE BUS TICKETS ONLINE
Chicago, Leaving 7 a.m. sharp from the Equality Illinois office, 3318 N. Halsted Street
Oak Park, Leaving 7 a.m. sharp from the Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church, 405 S. Euclid Avenue
Bolingbrook, Leaving 7:45-8 a.m. from Denny's Restaurant, 126 East North Frontage Road, Exit 267 off of I-55 South (Stevenson Expressway)
Carbondale, Leaving 7 a.m. sharp from the Church of the Good Shepherd, 515 S. Orchard Drive

Belleville, Leaving 8:45-9:00 a.m. from St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 115 West B St.
Schedule:
About 11 a.m. - All buses will drop off attendees at The Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 South 6th Street, Springfield. Supporters traveling on their own should meet the group there.
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Lunch and presentation on talking points and effective lobbying
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. - Reception with state Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka in the State Capitol building, Room 201
1:30 – 4 p.m. - Meeting with legislators at the Illinois State Capitol building
4:15-5:45 p.m. – Debriefing and reception sponsored by Springfield Alderman Cory Jobe
5:45 p.m. – Buses depart Springfield
Equality supporters from the entire state are welcome and encouraged to join us in Springfield!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Notable Passages: James May (65) PADUCAH


Notable Passages:  James May (65) PADUCAH
By: Michael Scott 
 (PADUCAH)
Mr. James A. May, 65, of Mayfield died Tuesday, March 6, 2012 in Marshall County, KY. He was a retired chemical engineer with Honeywell Inc.,  and a member of Trace Creek Baptist Church. 

May was the owner  of "JIM's PLACE" in Paducah, which closed its doors during the Summer of 2011.

Services for Mr. May will be 2:00P.M., Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Mr. May is survived by two daughters Marsha (Marty) Orr of Benton , Kentucky and Jamie (Chris) Ragan of Anna, Illinois; a brother Roy (Janice) May of Mayfield, Kentucky; a sister Ima Sue (Donnie) Weatherbee of Mayfield. He is also survived by two grandchildren Montana (Ray) McGregor of Paducah, Kentucky and Ty Prince of Anna, Illinois and three great-grandchildren Corey McGregor, Ian James McGregor and Savannah McGregor all of Paducah. He was preceded in death by his father Ned May; his mother Edna Carmen May Sanderson; step-father Charles Desiral Sanderson; a brother Edward May and was joined in death by his brother Gene May. 





Brad Fennel, a  performance artist  explains further: " It is unimaginable what they went through, they had engine trouble, drifted into the spillway of the dam, on the river side. One brother survived, and Jim and his other brother didn't make it. It took over a week to located Jim, they found him this past Saturday."

Services for Mr. May will be 2:00P.M., Wednesday, March 21, 2012 in the Byrn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ronnie Stinson, Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Trace Creek Church Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00-8:00P.M. on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the funeral Home .

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois Announces New Board Members.


March 13, 2012
(BELLEVILLE)


BellevillePride~ MetroEast News via MetroEast Pride

Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois Announces New Board Members.
"Congrats to MEPSI's newest Board Members Joshua Holmgren, Kate Baker, and Vengerflutta Smith." explained in a recent announcement.

Metro East Pride is preparing for the 5th Annual Festival in Belleville, and has been planned for the weekend of June 16th.
The mission of MEPSI is to To provide the Metro East Area of Southwestern Illinois community with various functions throughout the year, to promote and engage in educational, civic and cultural activities in order to enrich the lives of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, Questioning, & Allied people and the community as a whole, and to work together to achieve common goals.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Kansas City Metro

via PROMO
(KANSAS CITY, MO)
Jackson County (MO) Legislature unanimously voted to update the County Codes to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community (LGBT) from discrimination in housing and public accommodations.
Dear Equality Supporter;

Today, the Jackson County Legislature unanimously voted to update the County Codes to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community (LGBT) from discrimination in housing and public accommodations. Employment protections were already extended in 2010. The ordinance, sponsored by all nine Jackson County legislators and supported by Jackson County Executive, Mike Sanders, makes Jackson County the seventh city or county in Missouri to provide basic protections fully inclusive of both sexual orientation and gender identity.

“I am incredibly proud of what this means for the LGBT community. They have fought long and hard to see progress in this state and as a Legislator of Jackson County, I am honored to do my part in supporting the extension of protections to cover housing and public accommodations,” stated County Legislator Crystal Williams (2nd District At-Large).

In the 2010 update to the Jackson County Charter, voters approved the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes from employment discrimination. By adding protections in housing and public accommodations, Jackson County becomes the seventh local municipality or county entity to have fully inclusive nondiscrimination protections joining Kansas City, St. Louis City, Columbia, University City, Olivette, and Clayton.

“It was a pleasure working on this important update with the LGBT community,” commented County Legislator Theresa Garza Ruiz (1st District At-Large). “We represent all people of Jackson County, so it is absolutely crucial that all classes of people are protected from discrimination of this kind.”

A.J. Bockelman, Executive Director for PROMO, Missouri’s statewide advocacy organization for the LGBT community, said “Many people believe these protections already exist, but in fact you can still be fired from your job if you are gay or denied access to safe housing if you are even perceived to be a lesbian. It is a mark of progress to see Jackson County moving into the modern era and extending protections to the LGBT community.”

Yours in equality,

A.J. Bockelman
Executive Director, PROMO

Stay updated on PROMO volunteer opportunities in your area.
Sign up for our Regional Volunteer Alerts
here.

Friday, February 24, 2012

MEPSI Board Vacancies in 2012 (BELLEVILLE)

MetroEast Pride of Southwestern Illinois

(MEPSI) is holding OPEN ELECTIONS for four (4) seats on the 2012-13 MEPSI Board. Are you wanting to become more involved with the LGBT community? Want to make a difference? Here's your chance!

We request that interested parties submit a bio and brief cover letter on why they would like to join the MEPSI family prior to the March 8, 2012 deadline.

We will schedule a follow up interview with the MEPSI Board on March 13th and notify new Board members on March 14th.
( Please send bios to metroeastpride@gmail.com )
By: Vital Voice

Friday, January 13, 2012

MEPSI Seeks Event Volunteers (Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois)

Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois (MEPSI) is currently looking for volunteers for upcoming fundraisers and our Pride festival held in June. If you would like to volunteer and support your local LGBT community please contact Metro East Pride through our gmail account at metroeastpride@gmail.com
For more information: www.MetroEastPride.com 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Coming Summer 2012 - ZANDER MANDER: CLUB TALK

Coming Summer 2012 - ZANDER MANDER: CLUB TALK 
by Zander Mander on Tuesday, January 3, 2012

After being approached by three different major television production companies regarding developement of a reality TV show featuring yours truly... I thought, met with them, negotiated and eventually turned them all down. Why? Each of these teams wanted to just produce yet another show that featured all the bullshit that every reality show features. Crass entertainment filled with the shit side of the club world. I wanted to interview performers and everyone else that works within the industry that brings us all the fabtastic shows we see throughout the year at all of our favorite clubs around the country. I wanted to show the POSITIVE side of the club world.  They wanted cat fights and back stabbings.. you know all the usual shit you see on these types of shows.  So I said fuck 'em and have taken the matter in my hands.

This summer will debut the new online show Zander Mander : Club Talk. In each episode you will be introduced to a different club and the club's stars and staff. I will then interview everyone so you and I can learn and enjoy more about them. Different citys. Different clubs. Different stars.
There is a very positive side to the club world. A place where everyone really does like each other, gets along and works extremely hard to bring you the best in entertainment. I hope you will watch, laugh, cry and simply enjoy!
Until this summer XXXOOO&///2!! (hugskisses&scratchestoo!!!)
Zander Mander

Any performer/ staff / club wishing to be interviewed / featured please send me a private message with contact info.   zmqcproductions@yahoo.com

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

EQ-IL APPLAUDS SPRINGFIELD REGARDING SPOUSAL BENEFITS

www.BellevillePride.Org / MetroEast NEWS

January 10, 2012
(SPRINGFIELD)
Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, at 312-520-4919 or
Randy Hannig, Director of Public Policy of Equality Illinois, at 773-477-7173


EQUALITY ILLINOIS APPLAUDS SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY FOR ENCOURAGING PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SPOUSAL BENEFITS
  Equality Illinois, the state's oldest and largest organization advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality, issued the following statement in response to Springfield’s Joint Labor and Management Health Care Committee’s unanimous decision to reverse its earlier ruling and allow spousal health insurance benefits for city employees in a civil union:

“We commend the LGBT community and our allies in Springfield for speaking out in favor of equal treatment for each and every couple,” Randy Hannig, Jr., Director of Public Policy for Equality Illinois, said. “In the end, nearly 150 Springfield residents signed our petition urging the mayor and the Joint Labor and Management Health Care Committee to do the right thing and not discriminate against couples in a civil union.

Because of the community’s support, along with the leadership of Mayor Houston and Alderman Cory Jobe, the committee made the right decision in the end to reaffirm Illinois’ civil union law that explicitly states that all benefits available to couples in a marriage must be available to couples in a civil union.”
Equality Illinois was founded in 1991 to secure, protect and defend full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. It is the state’s oldest and largest LGBT advocacy organization.

www.EqualityIllinois.Org

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Thoughts From a Mouthy Saint: The "Joy" that's only one click away

www.BellevillePride.Org
by: Colby Kluthe, MetroEast NEWS

As I prepare my spirit for the year ahead, I usually try to start by reconnecting with where I have been, and take a breath before building up the momentum to keep walking.  Its not unlike the walk to the nearest store.  It's only 3 blocks away, but in Tower Grove- its a 1/2 mile block and uphill.  And for me, I much prefer to walk an alleyway than a sidewalk.  It's the "hidden" gem in any city.  "Where Real meets the Road" if I may imply.  -Thats another story for another time.

 I am willing to imagine that over the past year I have "liked" or "shared" or "stumbled","Tweeted" & Blogged more than 1000 links.   And more than any link I have ever shared, one I have to set apart as perhaps the best kept secret in our global community.  They have become old friends and deserve a formal introduction.  They were on hand in 2009 broadcasting about our pride celebrations in Belleville, (MP3 DOWNLOAD)so I gladly give them a nod and wish them all the best in 2012!

Joy 94.9FM Radio is a non-profit broadcast radio station in Melbourne, Vic. Australia.  Joy94 took to the airwaves in 1993, and today broadcasts and webcasts to a global audience.   For a St. Louis native, if you can imagine National Public Radio from an LGBT perspective.   While I have heard several podcast stations and webcasters in the United States, nothing can be compared to the level of programing and perspectives available here.

JOY 94.9 is an independent voice for the diverse lesbian and gay communities listened to by 216,000 people in Melbourne and more online. Access podcasts, blogs and listen online to award winning music & talk, news & current affairs, arts & cultural programs. 

The station provides over 450 free Community Service Announcements on behalf of organisations that serve and support our community. The station is fuelled by the dedication of over 200 volunteers and only a handful of paid core staff. JOY 94.9 is proudly self-funded through on air sponsorship and most importantly membership.

joy.org.au

JOY 94.9 is a member of the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia www.cbaa.org.au

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Passages: Sasha Valentino -by Kate Sosin, Windy City Times

www.BellevillePride.Org
via Windy City Times

Passages: Sasha Valentino News update posted Dec. 27, 2011 by Kate Sosin, Windy City Times   (CHICAGO)

Sasha Valentino, a legendary Chicago-based female impersonation performer, passed away on Dec. 26 after a long battle with dementia. She was 40.
Valentino was a nationally-known pageant performer, whose titles were many and whose chosen family was extensive.
"Sasha Valentino was an icon and an inspiration to us all in the Trans world," said performer Angelique Munro.
Friends and family remember Valentino as a mentor and example to many, who regularly adopted "children" into her ever-growing family and encouraged them in their goals.
In her own work, Valentino won numerous honors for her performances. She was crowned Miss Black Universe in 1996, Miss Universo Latina, Miss Sweetheart International and Miss Liberty International.
In total, friends estimate that she carried over 40 titles.
(READ MORE)


Original Story

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Holiday Dinner at LGBT Center

www.BellevillePride.org
via SAGE METRO ST.LOUIS
 
Holiday Dinner at LGBT Center

(ST. LOUIS)
You are invited to the 1st Holiday Dinner at The LGBT Center of St. Louis. This day is designed for people who need a place to spend Christmas Day. It's family time here at the Center.
The Center will be open from 9 am to 9 pm with a Holiday Dinner being served at 3 p.m. (Please bring a side dish)

Location: 4337 Manchester Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63108

RSVP by calling the LGBT Center of St. Louis 314.472.5428.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

MetroEast NEWS welcomes Aaron Phillip Ruiz

www.BellevillePride.org
by: Colby Kluthe -MetroEast NEWS


(BELLEVILLE)

MetroEast NEWS is currently undergoing an expansion in preparation for the new year, and will be adding additional writers and potentially photo contributors.  This is a necessary step to improve our reach and coverage throughout the Southern Illinois region.

We are happy to announce Aaron Phillip Ruiz will be joining us in 2012 as a contributing writer.  Ruiz is a resident of Swansea, Illinois and has attended Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville.  Aaron has also served as the Co-Editor of the McKendree Montage at McKendree University in Lebanon, IL.  Look for his first articles in the coming weeks and in our January issue. 

Friday, December 9, 2011

2012 EQIL Gala is set for Saturday, February 11

www.BellevillePride.Org
on behalf of Equality Illinois

The 2012 EQIL Gala is set for Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Hilton Chicago. Please join us for a spectacular evening! Tickets are available now. For general information about this spectacular event, please click here.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Holiday announcements from MEPSI

www.BellevillePride.org
via Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois (MEPSI)

(BELLEVILLE)
Metro East Pride of Southwestern Illinois will be offering pictures with our Sexy Santa or Ms. Claus at Club Escapade's Christmas Party. Proceeds to go towards our annual PrideFest, June 16th.  Location is at Club Escapade 133 W. Main Street 62220   www.MetroEastPride.com

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE
MetroEast Pride of Southwestern Illinois is proud to announce that it will be collecting non-perishable food items throughout the holiday season to benefit The Food Pantry at Bethany Place. Please visit one of our drop box locations: Wagner Buick GMC in Belleville, Club-Escapade Belleville, The Tan Company in Shiloh or The LGBT Center of St. Louis (FINAL PICKUP DEC 19TH).

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Illinois Teen Sentenced for Gay Bashing

www.BellevillePride.Org

BellevillePride~ MetroEast News

Illinois Teen Sentenced for Gay Bashing 
unfinishedlivesblog.com

Yorkville, Illinois- An 18-year-old man was sentenced by an Illinois court to two years in prison for his role in a violent attack upon a gay man. Marquitte West was found guilty of hate crime.

2012 Digital Directory



www.DanielMcCree.Org

Thanks for everyone's patience...

BellevillePride~ MetroEast News