The Center For Equality

November 2011

November Events
November 9Mens Night 7-9pm November 12Womens Social at Buffalo Wild Wings (Louise Ave.) 68pm November 13 PFLAG at First Congregational Church 3-5pm November 15-18Center closing at 2:00 due to training November 17Screening of Two Spirits at USD School of Law 6-8:30pm November 20Rainbow Family Movie 3-5pm November 22High School GSA All-school Gathering 6-10pm November 23-25 Closing the 23rd at 2:00 for Thanksgiving, closed the 24th and 25th November 26 Transgender Social 610pm November 26 No Doc & Discussion this month due to holiday November 28Board Meeting 5:30pm December 1World AIDS Day

Give Thanks!
Thanksgiving is here, and as an LGBT person I am excited to give thanks for all the wonderful advancements we have seen in 2011. Yes, there is still much work to be done in the fight for equality. Especially for South Dakotans who have yet to see some of the advancements states just across the border have already made. However, we cannot forget that there are still plenty of reasons to be thankful. So this Thanksgiving consider the following as you prepare to give thanks for the many blessings in your lives: In 2011 the President and the Department of Human Services issued a new policy to ensure the hospital visitation rights of LGBT partners. Hospitals that accept Medicaid or Medicare will no longer be allowed to discriminate against same-sex partners. Dont Ask Dont Don Tell was repealed! Yes, there is more work to be done here, but let us celebrate the death of this long hurtful and destructive law. President Obama publicly denounced the Defense of Marriage Act encouraging the Department of Justice to no longer enforce this discriminatory law. A repeal bill was formally launched and is currently in debate at the legislative level moving us one step closer to marriage equality. The White House is taking LGBT bullying seriously! After losing dozens of youth

to this issue the White House hosted its first antibullying summit in March. Same-sex couples were included for the first time in the national census in 2010 providing proof that were here and were queer. The census information will serve as a database of statistics to strengthen the causes of many LGBT support organizations. In January of 2011 the President ended the federal governments practice of discrimination based on gender identity. Transgender federal employees now enjoy the same rights and protections as all other federal workers. Marriage! We now have the right to marry in six states (Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont) and the District of Columbia. Ten other states allow civil unions or domestic partnerships (California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin). Was any of this news to you? If so, stay up to date on our countrys progress by visiting our website at www.centersforequalitysd.org. There youll find a ticker featuring up to the minute news from 365gay.com. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Tiffany Thomas, Director of Operations and Programming

November 2011
Sun Drop-In HIV Testing Tuesday thru Friday 3-5PM Mon Tue 1 Wed 2 Thu 3 Fri 4 Sat 5

9
Mens Night 7-9

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11 Veterans Day

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6-8 Womens Social Potluck @ new Buffalo Wild Wings on Louise

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14

HIV testing 3-5 15

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

16 Center Open 10am-2pm staff @ CDC training 23 Closed at 2pm

17 Center Open 10am-2pm staff @ CDC training 24 THANKSGIVING Center closed

18 Center Open 10am-2pm staff @ CDC training 25

19 6-10 Transgender Social - must call to register if new member 26

Center Open 10am-2pm staff @ CDC training 20 3-5 Rainbow Family Movie 21 22 HS GSA Allschool meeting 6-10

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

Center closed 12/1 World AIDS Day

Center closed

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28 5:30-7:30 Board of Directors Meeting

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HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

HIV testing 3-5

World AIDS Day December 1, 2011 Getting to Zero

Zero New HIV Infections Zero Discrimination Zero AIDS Related Deaths
World AIDS Day this year is about Getting to Zero. Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.
For December 1st 2011 right up until 2015 its envisioned that different regions and groups will each year chose one or all of the Zeros that best addresses their situation. Backed by the United Nations the Getting to Zero campaign runs until 2015 and builds on last years successful World AIDS Day Light for Rights initiative encompassing a range of vital issues identified by key affected populations. The World AIDS Campaign focus on Zero AIDS Related Deaths signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all; a call for governments to act now. For December 1st 2011 right up until 2015 its envisioned that different regions and groups will each year chose one or all of the Zeros that best addresses their situation. There are 10 goals by 2015: *Sexual transmission of HIV reduced by half, including among young people, men who have sex with men and transmission in the context of sex work; Vertical transmission of HIV eliminated and AIDSrelated maternal deaths reduced by half; *All new HIV infections prevented among people who use drugs. *Universal access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV who are eligible for treatment; *TB deaths among people living with HIV reduced by half; *All people living with HIV and households affected by HIV are addressed in all national social protection strategies and have access to essential care and support. *Countries with punitive laws and practices around HIV transmission, sex work, drug use or homosexuality that block effective responses reduced by half; *HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence eliminated in half of the countries that have such restrictions; *HIV-specific needs of women and girls are addressed in at least half of all national HIV responses; *Zero tolerance for gender-based violence. Goals list courtesy UNAIDSFor more information and media opportunities please contact [email protected]

HIV/AIDS
Awareness Days
Dec 1st: World AIDS Day. Feb 7th: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. March 10th: National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. March 20th: National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. May 18th: HIV Vaccine Awareness Day May 19th: National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. June 8th: Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day June 27th: National HIV Testing Day Sept. 18th: National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day. Sept. 27th: National Gay Mens HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day. Oct 15th: National Latino AIDS Awareness Day.

I dont want to worry anymore

Thinking about HIV? Ask for a free, confidential HIV test at the Center today Drop in at the Center 3-5pm daily, or call for an appointment: 331-1153 World AIDS Day Thursday, December 1st, 2011
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What do You Need to Know About HIV?

The first cases of AIDS were identified in the United States in 1981, but AIDS most likely existed here and in other parts of the world for many years before that time. In 1984 scientists proved that HIV causes AIDS. Anyone can get HIV. The most important thing to know is how you can get the virus.

PFLAGs Sioux Falls Chapter meets monthly on the 2nd Sunday

At the First Congregational UCC, 300 S. Minnesota from 3-5pm
(unless noted otherwise)

You can get HIV: By having unprotected sex- sex without a condom- with someone who has HIV. The
virus can be in an infected persons blood, semen, or vaginal secretions and can enter your body through tiny cuts or sores in your skin, or in the lining of your vagina, penis, rectum, or mouth.

Upcoming meeting topics: November 13: Retorts/Reactions 101 How do we respond to questions/ comments from family members, coworkers, friends and acquaintances? Guest speaker: Kathy Knoblock, PFLAG Board member December 11: It Gets Better! February 12: Diverse Families Valentine desserts served prior to the meeting March 11: Faith Leaders/PFLAG collaboration Guest speaker: Rev. Ryan Otto

* By sharing a needle and syringe to inject drugs or sharing drug equipment used to
prepare drugs for injection with someone who has HIV.

* From a blood transfusion or blood clotting factor that you got before 1985. (But

today it is unlikely you could get infected that way because all blood in the United States has been tested for HIV since 1985.)

* Babies born to women with HIV also can become infected during pregnancy, birth,
or breast-feeding.

You can not get HIV: NOT by working with or being around someone who has HIV. * NOT from sweat, spit, tears, clothes, drinking fountains, phones, toilet seats, or
through everyday things like sharing a meal.

* NOT from insect bites or stings. * NOT from donating blood. * NOT from a closed-mouth kiss (but there is a very small chance of getting it from
open-mouthed or "French" kissing with an infected person because of possible blood contact).

All meetings are open to the public, everyone welcome.

Website: www.pflagsfsd.org E-mail: [email protected]

Confidential HIV Testing

Everyone is welcome - drop in for a free, confidential HIV Test at the Center for Equality. Drop-in times have been significantly expanded and will remain consistent. Every weekTuesday through Friday from 3-5pm. You can also call 331-1153 or email us at [email protected] to schedule a time to test or pick up your test results. The Center currently offers the OraSure oral saliva test. This test takes 7-10 days to process so you will be called to come in for the confidential results. **We will be offering Same Day testing in the near future** New Open Hours! The Center is proud to announce our new open hours! We are now open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00-5:00, Thursday and Friday from 10:00-8:00. Free Drop-In HIV Testing Free drop-in HIV testing is offered Tuesday-Friday from 3:00-5:00.
Mens Night is Back!!!Wednesday, November 9 from 7-9 p.m. Come out, come out wherever you are! Were looking for all gay, bisexual or ally men interested in getting together every month to socialize, make friends, and plan fun activities just for men. Interested? Meet us at the Center every second Wednesday evening of the month from 7-9 p.m.

Groups & Events

All events held at the

Center For Equality 406 So. 2nd Ave. Suite 102

Sioux Falls (Fawick Center) unless otherwise indicated
Womens Social-Wings, Women, and Fun! at Buffalo Wild Wings (Louise Ave. location)- Saturday, November 12 from 6-8 p.m. Women, were going WILD this month! Were meeting at Buffalo Wild Wings for wings, women, and fun. Join us at our usual time, 6:00 p.m. Well meet at the hostess station to ensure we are seated together. Please RSVP so we can let the crew at BWW know how many were expecting. Theyre going to need time to prepare for this wild bunch! Rainbow Family Event- Sunday, November 20 from 3-5 p.m. Enjoy free popcorn and a family friendly movie with other LGBT families! Rainbow Family meets every 3rd Sunday of the month from 3-5 p.m. Be sure to check our website for updates on events and event locations. PLEASE NOTE THE CENTER WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY NOVEMBER 23 (CLOSING AT 2:00 PM)NOVEMBER 25.

High School Gay-Straight Alliance All-school GatheringTuesday, November 22 from 610 p.m. This event is open to all high school aged youth ages 14-18. The event is co-sponsored by the Lincoln and Washington HS GayStraight Alliances. Documentary & Discussionwill not meet in November due to Thanksgiving holiday **Not meeting in November*** Doc & Discussion is back for the fall! Educate yourself about todays important issues and meet up with other social, ethical and/or politically minded people every fourth Saturday of the month from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. Transgender Socials held every month! Please contact Tiffany or Cheryl to learn more!
(For the safety of the group and its members all interested individuals must come by referral and/or meet with Tiffany and Cheryl before joining the group.)

.Did you know the Center for Equality is using social

media? Like us and join our group on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter: CenterforEQSD

World AIDS Day December 1st

Check out our new website! Let us know what you think and what else you would like to see on the website

centersforequalitysd.org
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November 2011

Thursday, November 17 from 6-8:30 p.m. Join USD OUTlaws, NASLA, and the ACLU of South Dakota for a special screening of Two Spirits WHEN Thursday, November 17 6-8:30 p.m. WHERE USD School of Law Courtroom 414 E. Clark Street www.usd.edu/law

We are now the Center for Equality.

Our name may have changedbut our programming and services have expanded.

Take note of our expanded hours!

Center Hours Monday- closed Tuesday- Wednesday-10 am to 5pm Thursday- Friday-10am to 8pm Saturday- Programming as scheduled

CENTER HAPPENINGS News, opinion, events, and resources for the LGBTQIA community PUBLISHER The Center For Equality ADDRESS 406 So. 2nd Ave., Ste. 102 Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (Fawick Center, the old Tyler Building) WEB www.centersforequalitysd.org PHONE 605-331-1153 EMAIL [email protected] Director of Operations and Programming Tiffany Thomas Marketing and Media Specialist Nathan Maas, MA

November 2011 HIV Testing Dates

Drop in testing at the Centers for Equality Testing will be available from Tuesday through Friday from 35pm. **Call for additional appointment times.** Email: [email protected] call 605-331-1153.

HIV Services Coordinator Cheryl Bixby, Pharm.D. Administrative Assistant Karla Wenzel COUNSELOR/THERAPIST Currently accepting applications, please contact the Center for more information
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All HIV testing is free and confidential. We currently use OraSure testsin the near future we will also offer same day testing.