Hi all!
I hope everyone is enjoying the end of summer…I love this time of year…look around and see all the butterflies heading south to their Mexican destination….they remind me of those in our group, continually making transitions in their lives…and with such beauty and grace, just like those in our group!
Lots of info, so here we go!
First of all…this weekend at the Nightlight Cinema is Akron: The Movie, filmed right here in our own backyard, in Akron and Wooster! A group of us is getting together for the Sunday, Sept. 11 showing, if anyone would like to join us, you can purchase tickets at www.nightlightcinema.com Also, those who would like to join us for dinner before the movie, we will be meeting at Aladdin’s in Montrose (not Highland Square!) at 5:00 or so for dinner. There is plenty of parking and seating at that venue. Please let me know if you plan on joining for dinner by Sept. 10, and I’ll save seats for everyone who RSVPs…hope to see many friends there!
Our friends at Equality Ohio put together an informative Back to School document for parents of transgender students. Find it here : www.equalityohio.org/back-to-school-what-parents-of-transgender-kids-need-to-know/ Equality Ohio is an amazing resource for all of us who are working for equality for our kids, our families, our state, and our world…grateful for their work!
I’ve had several requests from parents and teens wanting helpful resources as they choose a college. Well, I’ve found one! Our friends at Outlook Columbus put together an excellent LGBTQ College resource guide, with additional helpful reading for those looking for college options! Check it out in the August 2016 Edition LGBTQ College Resources www.outlookcolumbus.com (found in their archives) Outlook has lots of great info for things going on all around the state of Ohio, so while you visit the site, check out all their back issues for great articles! Hmmm….OutSupport should start advertising there!!!:)
NEOhio’s 3rd Annual Game Change Conference will be at Kent State University this year on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Lots of great speakers with great opportunities to connect with area professionals working with and for LGBTQ individuals. CEUs available. Keynote speaker this year is Connie Schulz, Pulitzer Prize winning writer, and one of NEOhio’s best advocate for LGBTQ rights…you don’t want to miss this event! Registration www.eventbrite.com/e/game-change-conference-2016-registration-tickets-26518165547
SAVE THE DATE!!! The Gay Community Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation is hosting it’s 15th annual Sugar Plum Tour on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 1-5pm Visit some of Akron most decked out for the holidays homes, and know that you will be supporting the GCEF and the great work they do! As one of the grateful recipients of their grant awards last fall, OutSupport is one of many LGBTQ groups in our area that they support through fun-draisers like the Sugar Plum Tour and Silent Auction! For details, please visit www.sugarplumtour.com
This is sort of off topic, but it might be of interest for some! As you may know, this is the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service! YAY! But did you know that the National Park has several LGBTQ Heritage Sites either designated, or in the process of designation! Check out their website to find out lots of info! www.nps.gov/heritageinitiatives/LGBThistory/
Locally, the Medina High School GSA had it’s first meeting of the new school year, with over 60 students in attendance! Awesome!! They would like to invite any Allies in the Medina area (and beyond!) to their Annual Ally Coffee Break, on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 2:35-4:00pm! Details attached! This is a fantastic event to let teens know they are supported by their extended community…if you are in the area, RSVP and join in!
Speaking of GSA’s if you are a teen involved in a GSA, want to start a GSA at your school, or want to take your GSA from good to GREAT, then you have 2 options the weekend of November 5-6! Saturday, Nov. 5, Teen Pride Network will be hosting a full day of education, activities and fun for GSAs all over NEOhio in Akron! More info later, but that promises to be a great day! Sunday, November 6 , from 1-5pm, OutSupport Medina will host a similar day, with some different speakers and activities, but with the same concepts in mind! We especially want to welcome all Medina County high schools to this event, but welcome those students who can’t make it to Saturday’s event! We’ll be sending out specific details in early October, but make sure these events are on your calendar, and let your friends know!! GLSEN, Teen Pride Network, and OutSupport Medina LOVE OUR TEENS!!! And these events are all about making their high school lives safe, happy, and successful!
Keep an eye out for our new OutSupport logo, created by our own Aaron D! OutSupport is putting together our new “face” for publicity, resource fairs, etc.. We hope you like it!!
Ok…that’s it for now! Please join us on Monday, Sept. 26 for our next OutSupport meeting!
Kindest regards,
Sandy