Tallahassee’s Monthly LGBT Newspaper VOL. XV, Issue 10 • December 2011 BRANCHING OUT is published monthly by The Family Tree Community Center, Inc. Appearance in this publication makes no inference about sexual orientation or gender identity.
BRANCHING OUT’S mission is to be the paper of record for the LGBT community of Tallahassee, and in that capacity it seeks to inform, advocate, engage, and entertain while being a responsible representative of the LGBT community and its allies to the outside world.
Hillary Clinton Declares Gay Rights Are Human Rights News Release Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took a bold step for U.S. foreign policy (and common decency) by declaring in front of the United Nations on December 6th that it is a “violation of human rights” to commit violence or discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation. In a moving speech to the
U.N.’s human rights group in Geneva, Clinton tackled many of the common stereotypes leveled at gay people and called on other nations to eliminate laws that criminalize or marginalize homosexuals. Clinton urged the gathered leaders to “be on the right side of history” and said that LGBT men and women “have an ally in the United States of America and you have millions of friends among the American people.” You can view the entire speech online at http://www.youtube.com/TheFamilyTreeCC.
Contact Branching Out: P.O. Box 38477 Tallahassee, FL 32315 (850) 222-8555 news@branchingoutnews.com Submission Deadline 15th of Each Month
Production Team:
Andy Janecek, Executive Editor Steven Hall, Features Editor Josh Willoughby, Layout Editor Margeaux Mutz-Tso, Voices Editor Melissa Henderson, Circulation Assistant Ron Bunting, Circulation Assistant
Orlando Passes Domestic Partnership Registry News Release On December 12th, the Orlando City Commission voted unanimously to create Central Florida’s first domestic partnership registry. The registry, which takes effect January 12th, will extend vital legal protections to our families. Protections offered from the registry are restricted to Orlando City limits, but Equality Florida, a statewide advocacy organization, expects couples from across the region will be lining up to participate. When the registry goes into effect, any unmarried couple who lives, works or visits Orlando can gain the right to make medical decisions for an incapacitated partner, be notified in a life threatening emergency, visit a partner in a health-care facility and participate in the education of a partner’s children. This effort was made possible by Equality Florida, Orlando Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Committee, the Orlando City Commission, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
www.branchingoutnews.com
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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE (1-800-HELP-FLA). REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
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We thank those who make
possible!
Thank You, Tallahassee, UPC OMING for Another Great Year! COMMUNITY CENTER
EVENTS January 9: 6:30 – 8pm Board of Directors Meeting January 10: 7pm Transgender Tallahassee Gender Chat January 15: Branching Out February Submission Deadline January 23: 6:30 – 8pm Board of Directors Workshop ALL EVENTS TAKE PLACE AT THE FAMILY TREE UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED. For more information about any of these events, contact The Family Tree at 850.222.8555 or staff@familytreecenter.org.
The Family Tree has 10x10 pop-up tents available for rent. Contact staff@familytreecenter.org for more information.
We are wrapping up 2011 and are ready to spring into action for 2012! Your continued support is critical to our future growth as well as to the services that we provide to the community and beyond. The Family Tree Community Center, Inc. has kept you informed with timely information by way of Branching Out, a periodical designed to keep the community abreast of pertinent news and upcoming events. This publication is now in full color, offering those with advertisements an enhanced media option of reaching our most-loyal customer base. The Family Tree was a proud sponsor of a law review seminar, hosted by the Capital City GLBTA Democratic Caucus, relating specifically to LGBT issues and legal language and how they work together or separately. It was a successful event with participation much larger than expected. Members of both the LGBT and legal communities were filled with interest and questions for the expert panel. Tallahassee PRIDEFEST continues to grow each year. There were dozens of vendors spread throughout Kleman Plaza and thousands of dollars raised for Pride awareness in 2011. The Family Tree shared those revenues by actively participating in and supporting other Pride events in Florida and Georgia throughout the year. The PRIDEFEST Planning Committee has slated April 21 as the Pride in the Plaza date for 2012, with various activities being planned for the preceding week. The LGBT Business Partners group is already in the process of working up the 2012 LGBT Community Resource Guide and has plans for the second annual Business Expo in August, 2012. Please stay tuned for updates, come out and join us, and familiarize yourself with the businesses in our community that are LGBTfriendly. These businesses often play a large role in many events hosted by The Family Tree throughout the year, either by donating venues, goods, services, time, or through monetary contributions. Check out the LGBT Business Partners’ page on Facebook to receive updates on this and other events as they occur throughout the year. There were also floats in the Springtime Tallahassee and Tallahassee Winter Festival parades as well as informational booths at each of these events to provide free information to all those interested. We also hosted a booth at the July 4th celebration at Tom Brown Park and at many First Friday events in 2011. These visibility opportunities provide visibility for the LGBT community and help others understand the important contributions of LGBT people. The Board has slated a target date of September, 2012, to move to a more permanent and central location. The Center also acts as a call center and referral hotline, receiving calls from those who seek information. Dozens of emails are received each week. The Annual National Coming Out Day Gala was a successful event highlighting our volunteers, contributors, and supportive businesses and groups. It had a “Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are” theme and a live band to keep the festivities going and fabulous Wizard of Oz decorations. Awards were presented to members of the community for their continued support. The event was followed by an afterparty at Rehab nightclub.
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cont’d from pg. 3... The Family Tree held its annual membership meeting in October and voted on a new Board of Directors. Directors continuing terms and newly elected are: Steven Hall (2012 Chair), Andy Janecek (2012 Vice-Chair), Margeaux Mutz (2012 Secretary), Debbi Baldwin (2012 Treasurer), Barbara Ann Meyers, Glenn Belay, and Michael Joseph. In addition to the time that they donate to care for everyday operations, these Directors lead the Branching Out Production Team, the Tallahassee PRIDEFEST Planning Committee, the LGBT Business Partners group, and the Transgender Tallahassee group. The Board of Directors looks forward to continued support through the “Friend of the Tree” membership program, membership in the LGBT Business Partners group, PRIDEFEST sponsorship, Branching Out advertising, participation in “share” events at local restaurants, and through general contributions. A membership form is included in this issue with our membership levels and benefits clearly explained. To become a member for 2012, please complete the form and return it to us with the appropriate donation.
tree FRIEND OF THE
BECOME A FRIEND OF THE TREE TODAY!
See the insert in this month’s Branching Out for details!
There are many ways to make contributions all year long. Provided that there is a Super-Lube in your area, take advantage of the Super Rewards Card. These were sent in last year’s annual letter and, if you need another or if you are new to the list, simply drop us a line and we’ll send another. Show the card when making any purchases at Super-Lube (and Super Service Centers, where available) and you will receive 8% off. In addition, Super-Lube will contribute 7% to The Family Tree. Keep your card to use at each transaction - you can use it as often as you like. Want to maximize your giving to The Family Tree? Download the GoodSearch toolbar to your web-browser and you can “donate” while searching the web and shopping! To download the toolbar, visit www.goodsearch.com, scroll down the page and under the “Never Miss a Donation” section, select “Download Toolbar.” Follow the installation instructions and be sure to select the The Family Tree Tallahassee as the recipient organization! Don’t want to download a toolbar? You can “donate” just by searching the web. Use www.goodsearch.com (powered by Yahoo!), instead of another search engine, for all of your searching needs! There are also several websites and search engines that automatically contribute to The Family Tree. Utilizing these will allow you to make regular donations when you do your usual online shopping. You can purchase Family Tree Gear from CafePress (http://gear.familytreecenter.org). Additionally, you can purchase magazines, cookie dough and restaurant gift cards through our online fundraiser at http://www.efundraisingonline.com/TheFamilyTree. As always, please let us know what we can do for you or your group. We hope that you will help keep this momentum going by considering a generous year-end donation. We have a long-term vision, and your support will help get us there. Advertising space in the Branching Out is always available. Any gift you can make will help us further our cause to support the community and continue to provide a safe place and environment. To make a donation, simply send us a check in the enclosed envelope, or go online to www.familytreecenter. org. We always welcome your thoughts, your ideas, your concerns, and your participation. This is YOUR Center. On behalf of all those who benefit from having a community center, thank you! Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the upcoming year, Board of Directors The Family Tree Community Center, Inc.
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Tallahassee Prime Timers A social group for mature men, featuring gatherings, house parties, monthly dinners and weekly happy hours PrimeTimersWW.org/talprime
A Note of SPOTLIGHT ON:
THANKS PRIDEFEST 2011 Sarah and Margeaux Mutz-Tso would like to thank The Family Tree and the LGBT community for being a part of our wedding. Without the LGBT community’s support in our lives, we would not be who we are, nor capable of the love that we have for each other and all that surrounds us.
by Steven Hall • Branching Out Production Team
Tallahassee PRIDEFEST 2011 blew us away, quite literally! If you were there, especially before mid-afternoon, you experienced the unusually high winds that uprooted tents, and scattered pamphlets and brochures throughout Kleman Plaza. Members of the Pride Planning Committee and a number of dedicated volunteers worked through the rain starting around 4:30am that morning to get the park ready for the day’s events. Despite the wind, it turned into a truly beautiful day, filled with friends, new and old, music, and food. New to 2011 was the addition of Pride After Dark, a more energized nighttime performance by a number of our areas talented drag performers. Plans are well underway for PRIDEFEST 2012. We sought input from the community through surveys, meetings, and e-mailed input. You certainly responded and we’re incorporating your input into the look, feel, and logistics of 2012. While we’re not ready to formally announce the events just yet, we are certainly you’ll be able to notice the difference. Keep your calendars marked for the third week of April, with the main festival day, Pride in the Plaza on April 21, 2012. If you want to get involved, sponsor, become a vendor or make a donation to support the cause, e-mail admin@tallahasseepride.com . Here’s looking forward to another fun-filled PRIDEFEST!
SPOTLIGHT ON:
TRANSGENDER TALLAHASSEE by Margeaux Mutz-Tso • Branching Out Production Team
Transgender Tallahassee is a group founded to support those who challenge the idea of gender as binary. That support includes a second Tuesday of every month Gender Chat, a website sponsored by The Family Tree, monthly articles (Transgenderscope and Ask Margeaux) in Tallahassee’s own LGBT newspaper, Branching Out, active participation in LGBT events, and speaking engagements designed to enlighten the community on gender issues. We welcome all family members, friends or allies. Transgender Tallahassee can be found on Facebook or by calling Margeaux Mutz-Tso, facilitator, at 850-556-4693. You can also email Margeaux at margeaux@familytreecenter.org. Our Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) gathering for 2011, sponsored by Transgender Tallahassee and The Family Tree, successfully enlightened nearly 50 people to the problem of violence within the transgender community. It is our hope that the positive vibrations generated by this and future events will help to end hate and violence wherever it rears its ugly head!
BRANCHINGOUTNEWS.COM
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Community Resource Directory Community Organizations • • • • • • • • • • •
Pride Student Union PSU—FSU’s Lesbian/Gay/ Bisexual/Transgender Student Union 850-644-8804, www.fsu.edu/~sga/pride Youth Group A group for youth/teens 850-222-8555 youthgroup@familytreecenter.org Prime Timers A club for mature men over 21 850-877-4479, www.groups.yahoo.com/group/talprime Tallahassee Area Lesbian Moms rainbowshappen@lycos.com Big Bend Cares Support Group for HIV-positive members Mondays, 7-8 , www.bigbendcares.org Healthline 211 (Telephone Counseling and Referral Service) Crisis intervention and referrals 24 hours a day, 850-224-NEED (850-224-6333) Refuge House Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center www.refugehouse.com, e-mail refuge.house@tallahassee.net 24 Hr Hotline: 850-681-2111, LGBT Program: 850-395-7631 Safe Zone Tallahassee, A program designed to identify people who consider themselves to be open to and knowledgeable about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered issues, 850-644-2003 Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), 850-597-2374 North Florida Lesbians Listserve: nfll@yahoogroups.com GLAAM: Gays, Lesbians and Allies Advancing Medicine - Florida State College of Medicine, GLAAM is a student group at FSU College of Medicine that promotes equality in healthcare. — jmo09@med.fsu.edu
Religious Support All Saints Catholic Community............................................................................656-3777 Gentle Shepherd Metropolitan Community Church...................................878-3001 Nichiren Buddhism (contact Carol)....................................................................878-8467 Quaker Meeting.......................................................................................................878-3620 St. Catherine of Siena (Catholic)..........................................................................421-0447 Unitarian Universalist Church.............................................................................385-5115 St. Stephen Lutheran Church..............................................................................385-2728 United Church in Tallahassee...............................................................................878-7385 Temple Israel.............................................................................................................877-3517 First Presbyterian Church of Tallahassee..........................................................222-4505 Lake Jackson United Methodist Church 4223 North Monroe Street...................................................................................562-1759
Submit your organization for the resource directory! Email staff@familytreecenter.org or call (850) 222-8555
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Classifieds
Transgender woman seeking employment. Has experience in office and personnel management, culinary skills, computer assembly and maintenance, art, and writing. Looking for full or part time work. Please contact 850-708-7017 or email dani.paschal@gmail.com to help.
Please support the businesses that support your community!
If you’d like to include a job listing or classified ad in the next issue of Branching Out, send your ad of no more than 40 words, to news@branchingoutnews.com.
Design Enterprises
Offering Landscape Design Services
Landscape Consultation and Design for New and Existing Landscapes and Garden Patios Phone: 850‐661‐5943 E‐mail: merlinway@comcast.net
Michael Waddell
Landscape Designer Landscape Designer Consultation $65.00 Per Hour Design Fee Per Scope of Project
F&M Worship ● Got full weekends? ● Want to be casual? ● Still want to connect with God in your busy life?
Wednesday night Worship! Join us each week at 6:30 pm for support, fellowship, music, prayer, Bible study & worship!
Mid-week encouragement for the soul, friendship and love for the heart. A journey in faith should not be a guilt trip! 2439 Basswood Lane, Tallahassee 850-656-3154
www.FMWorship.com
We have a wide selection of:
Birdseed Bird Feeders Optics Nesting Boxes Birdbaths Nature Gifts
F&M Worship
● Got full weekends? ● Want to be casual? ● Still want to connect with God in your busy life? 1505-2 Governor’s Square Blvd
Wednesday night Worship!
850-576-0002
Join us each week at 6:30 pm www.wbu.com/tallahassee for support, fellowship, music, prayer, Bible study & worship!
Mid-week the soul, for the he A journe b
2439 Bassw
www.F 7
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Save the Date
April 18-21, 2012 T A L L A H A SS E E P R I D E . CO M