Oak Ridge Today

Presentation: Laws & children of different sexual identities

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On Tuesday, February 7, the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge will host John Jaruzel and Anne Backus, co-chairs of Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Oak Ridge, and Nathan Higdon, CFO of Knox Pride, to discuss laws and children of different sexual identities.

This hybrid Lunch with the League event (available in person and virtually via Zoom), will be held at 12 p.m. Tuesday at the Unitarian Universalist Church Social Hall in Oak Ridge. A lunch from The Soup Kitchen will be available for purchase or bring your own lunch. Coffee and tea will be provided. If you cannot attend in person, you can use the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85481905266.

Since moving to Oak Ridge seven years ago, John Jaruzel has continued his advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community in East Tennessee, a press release said. As treasurer of the AIDS Housing Project in South Knoxville, he helps provide low-cost housing for people dealing with HIV/AIDS. He co-chairs PFLAG Oak Ridge, is on the Grants and Allocation committee of the East Tennessee Ryan White Planning Council, and volunteers with the Bearden Central Baptist Church outreach group Samaritan Ministries doing HIV prevention outreach.

[Read more…]

Panel on Monday to discuss building welcoming, inclusive community

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Anne Backus

Anne Backus

A Monday panel will focus on building a welcoming and inclusive community, a press release said. The discussion will be hosted by Women’s Interfaith Dialogue, and the panel will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, March 5, at the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge.

The Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge is at 101 West Madison Avenue.

“The meeting will feature a panel discussion of issues impacting LGBTQ members of our community and efforts to make our community more welcoming and inclusive,” the press release said.

The panel will include three Oak Ridgers: John Jaruzel, Anne Backus, and Jessica Ammendolia.

Here is more information from the press release: [Read more…]

Bring a dish to share at the September PFLAG meeting

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PFLAG will hold its September on Monday, September 11, in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge. Members, friends, and newcomers will have a chance to meet and greet and catch up beginning with a potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m., a press release said. The church is located at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

During the meeting, there will be time to brainstorm on current and upcoming activities. Also planned is a discussion of transgendered service members and recent tweets and events.

The PFLAG mission is to provide opportunities for dialogue about sexual orientation, gender identities, and to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity, the press release said. [Read more…]

First Methodist Church to host June PFLAG meeting

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“Come, Learn about Knox Pride” will be the topic at the next PFLAG meeting to be held on Monday, June 5, in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church. Social time will begin at 6:45 p.m., followed by the meeting from 7 to 8 p.m., a press release said. The church is located at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge. “Please use the Vienna Road entrance,” the press release said.

The group will share stories of Pride Fests, and prepare for the Knox Pride celebration on June 17. Materials will be available for those who want to display their artistic side and make posters or decorations for the East Tennessee PFLAG booth sponsored by the regional PFLAG groups, the press release said. Everyone is welcome to attend, the release said.

The PFLAG mission is to provide opportunities for dialogue about sexual orientation, gender identities, and to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity, the press release said. [Read more…]

Recognize Our Diversity the topic at PFLAG meeting on Monday

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Attendees at the next PFLAG meeting will have a chance to join with local high school students to try “Walk the Line,” an activity that is an illustration of both the advantages, as well as disadvantages, each person has in society, a press release said. The meeting will be held on Monday, May 1, in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church. Social time will begin at 6:45 p.m., followed by the meeting from 7 to 8 p.m. The church is located at 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

The activity will be a practice run for a session at the up-coming Youth Pride Fest 2017 on Saturday, May 6. From noon to 6 p.m. activities are planned to celebrate the diversity of all youth and support LGBTQ Youth and their Friends and Allies. All middle and high school age youth are invited. No registration necessary. Come ready to have fun and make new friends, the press release said. To learn more, go online to youthpridefest.weebly.com. [Read more…]

Professor to discuss gay civil rights movements on Monday

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Roane State Community College professor Don Windham will be the guest speaker at the Monday, April 3, PFLAG meeting. In his presentation, Windham will explore the rise of early gay civil rights movements beginning with the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis to today, a press release said. The public is invited.

The meeting will be held at the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge located at 101 West Madison Lane. Social time will start at 6:45 pm. The meeting will be from 7-8 p.m.

Windham has been professor of psychology at Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge since 1990, the press release said. He has a doctorate in psychology from the University of Tennessee. [Read more…]

ORUUC to host February PFLAG meeting

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Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will host the February PFLAG meeting on Monday, February 6. Upcoming Tennessee legislation affecting the LGBTQ community will be the topic, a press release said.

Social time will begin at 6:45 p.m. The meeting will be from 7 to 8 p.m.

ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike (close to traffic light #2.) The community is invited to attend, the press release said. [Read more…]

Students from UT Pride Center to give update at PFLAG meeting today (Nov. 7)

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Students from the Pride Center at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville will share what’s happening (or no longer happening) on the UT campus at the Monday, November 7, PFLAG meeting. The community is invited, a press release said.

The meeting will be held at Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge, which is located at 101 West Madison Lane. Social time will start at 6:45 p.m. The meeting will be from 7-8 p.m. There will be time to talk with the Pride students following the meeting, the press release said. [Read more…]

Are We There Yet? A glance in rearview mirror on winding journey to liberty, justice, equality

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Gina Grubb and Beth Meyer

Submitted

“Are We There Yet? A glance in the rearview mirror on the winding journey to liberty, justice and equality” will be the topic of the next Oak Ridge PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meeting.

The meeting, held at the new Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike on Monday, April 6, is open to all who are interested. Social Hour will begin at 6:45 p.m., with the meeting scheduled from 7-8 p.m.

Partners Gina Grubb and Beth Meyer will share their perspectives and  experiences as gay rights activists during the past 16 years. Grubb is a native Oak Ridger and served nearly 15 years in the Oak Ridge Police Department. She is currently a STEM and science teacher at Eagleton Middle School in Blount County. Meyer has lived in Oak Ridge for 23 years and teaches fourth grade at Webb School of Knoxville. [Read more…]

Helen Ross McNabb coordinator to discuss Safe Place outreach on Monday

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Safe Place Logo

The residential program coordinator for the Helen Ross McNabb Center will discuss Safe Place outreach efforts of businesses and community volunteers during a Monday evening meeting in Oak Ridge.

Desiree Miller will be the guest speaker at a Monday evening meeting of Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG, at the First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge, a press release said.

“Miller will share information about Safe Place outreach efforts of businesses and community volunteers in the Knoxville area seeking to establish a network of easily accessible places (schools, fire stations, libraries, youth-friendly businesses, etc.) to which children and teens can turn when they are in need of help,” the press release said. [Read more…]