The Network eNewsletter:
Welcome. This eNewsletter goes out to members of the MN LGBT THerapists' Network and our friends & allies.
 
The Network offers an online directory for its members. Our annual membership drive is starting soon. Become a member!

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: www.LGBTtherapists.org - You will find individual listings of all of our members, their expertise, contact information, and services!

Past eNewsletters are archived on our website.

NEXT ISSUE: Tuesday, January 5. Submissions due by: Wed., 12/20. (No eNewsletter 12/22)
Contact the editor: irenegreene@earthlink.net

"The Network" & UM's GLBTA Program's Office
Conference Information
We have received over 55 incredible proposals from all over the USA & Canada. Proposal selection is very competitive. We have room for up to 40 workshops and the proposal review committee hopes to make their final decisions by late-December.
 
We will also have a Resource Fair. If you would like your organization or business to reserve a table, please let us know. Tables will go quickly.
If you would like your organization or business to have an ad in our Program Guide, please let us know.
Conference registration is online starting early January. We anticipate that the conference will sell out. We have made arrangements to expand our registration capacity to 300! MEMBERS of The Network will receive a conference registration discount!

Thursday night's opening ceremony is sponsored by The Network!

Please Distribute & Post and Cut and Paste...Send to your colleagues (queer and straight)...from near and far.

"Beyond the Boxes: Emerging Trends in LGBTQ Mental Health: A Regional Conference on Mental Health Topics as They Relate to the LGBTQ Communities"

 Conference Date: Friday, March 26, 2010 
                                    Opening Night Reception: Thursday, March 25 (presented by The MN
                                     LGBT Therapists' Network)

Conference Presented by:
The Minnesota LGBT Therapists' Network &
The GLBTA Programs Office of the University of Minnesota
Held at the University of MN - Coffman Memorial Union

General Conference Information:
This cutting edge conference will offer up to 40 workshops that will explore changing paradigms in research and clinical practice as they relate to our understandings of diverse sexual and gender identities, as well as to issues of race, class, ability and sexual practices. This one day conference is committed to challenging stereotypes and bias, providing current mental health information, expanding perspectives, and engaging participants in the areas of clinical work, research and community involvement. This conference will be of particular interest to mental health professionals, health care practitioners, researchers in the health sciences, educators, and students in these fields and is open to any and all interested lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, genderqueer and allied individuals. CEUs in these fields will be available.

Keynote Speaker:
Katherine "Kit" Rachlin, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in New York and a certified sex therapist. She is an experienced clinician as well as an energetic advocate for transgender people, their families and partners. Kit has served on the board of directors of organizations such as FTM-International and The Harry Benjamin Association/World Professional Association for Transgender Health. A member of the American Psychological Association's Taskforce on Gender Identity, she is the author of many published papers and book chapters on transgender health and well being.

For more information:
MN LGBT Therapist Network at www.lgbttherapists.org
University of MN GLBTA Programs Office at www.glbta.umn.edu (register online starting early January)

For General Conference Information:
(1) Conference Co-Chair - MN.LGBT Therapist Network:
Irene Greene, 612.874.6442 irenegreene@earthlink.net
(2) Conference Co-Chair - University of Minnesota GLBTA Programs Office: 
Anne Phibbs, Director, 612.625.8519 phib0001@umn.edu

Related to Therapy & Therapists:

Therapists Needed for NAMI Survey:
 LGBTQ Cultural Competence Survey for Mental Health Providers
NAMI Minnesota (National Ass. of Mental Illness) is asking mental health providers around the state to complete a quick online survey, developed in partnership with students from the College of St. Scholastica. 
The purpose of the survey is to begin the process of accessing the cultural competence of providers in regards to their knowledge of LGBTQ persons.

NAMI has asked for our specific participation in a quick online survey and asks that LGBT Therapist Network members indicate their membership in The Network on the survey.

Please contact Roxanne for the survey monkey address.
Roxanne Anderson
Crisis Project Director
NAMI Minnesota
651-645-2948*114 
randerson@nami.org
  www.namihelps.org
-----------------------------------------------------
Job Posting:
Position posted:  Ryan White Community Health Specialist (900328)
This posting is currently scheduled to close for application on
Wednesday, Dec. 16 2009 at 5:00PM.  
 This posting is currently scheduled to close for application on Wednesday, Dec. 16 2009 at 5:00PM. 
Peter Church Human Resources Assistant Staffing Division
Hennepin County Human Resources
612-348-2982 

Conferences, Classes & Workshops:
(These notices will run here for two issues. Review past archived eNewsletters on our website for additional conferences & workshops.)
PRISM Presents:  Living a Life I Love: Integrating sexuality and recovery: getting what you want in your relationships. Wednesdays, 6pm-8pm. Jan. 6-Feb 10.$170 for the 6 weeks. Contact Dr. Weston Edwards, 612.825.8714

Groups Offered:
Group notices list for two consecutive issues.  (Do you have a group you want to advertise here? Free. Contact us. Review past archived eNewsletters on our website for more groups.)

Upcoming Events:
(1)  MN Marriage Equality: Join a community meeting with OutFront Minnesota to talk about a campaign to pass legislation for marriage equality in Minnesota. 
  The next meeting is on Monday, December 14th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Sabathani Center in Minneapolis.

(2) "Active Steps to Spread Positive Sexual Culture in the U.S."
Sunday, December 13 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is a meeting.
 This is not a class nor a debating forum--it is meant for people who are just tired of this dead-ass society and want to figure out what we can actually DO--I am hoping to form a "New Sexual Freedom League" (there was one in the 1960s-70s in Berkeley but it petered out when one of the founders died) which will be bigger than just bi or poly or BDSM or LGBTQIA--it will be whoever cares about the general cultural attitude.
Come to the Twin Cities Mens Center, 3249 Hennepin Ave. So., suite 55 (basement, East end--wheelchair access through 33 rd St. door) or call me at 612-722-7877 if you have further questions--thanks!--Scott Bartell

(3) Bisexual Organizing Project   (BOP):
Bi's Eat In Brunch (Potluck/Informal Forum)   
Date:   Sunday December 13, 2009    
Time:   12:00 pm - 3:00 pm  Eden Prairie, MN                               Please RSVP to beancounterlars@yahoo.com   for location and directions.
Please bring a dish to pass and think of something you may want to discuss as a group (if a topic has not been pre-determined).  The Board is requesting a suggested donation of $3 per person to be given to the host to help cover incidentals      

(4)  Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers!
17th December, 2009
Sex workers around the world will call out to End Violence Against All Sex Workers!!!

Be a Featured Network Member!!!
We want to know more about our Members!  Don't be shy! Let's all share a virtual handshake.

If you would like to be a featured member in our next eNewsletter contact me, Irene Greene at irenegreene@earthlink.net or 612.874.6442  I have some questions for you to answer and you can share info about your counseling services, yourself and what being a Network member means to you.
Let's all get to know each other!! 

Want to be a conference partner or volunteer?
Your practice, business or company is invited to partner with The Network & The UM GLBTA Programs Office to help with the success of the March 2010 LGBTQA Mental Health Issues Conference.

We are looking for help with conference planning, volunteers, committee work, businesses to purchase ads for our conference program, businesses to buy table space at our Resource Fair, and companies to be major sponsors of the event.

Contact: Irene Greene (The Network) at irenegreene@earthlink.net or Anne Phibbs, (UM GLBTA Program's Office) at phib0001@umn.edu if you are interested.

We expect 300+ conference attendees and a lot of big-time conference sponsors. This promises to be a very good investment for your practice or company!  Join us!

"The Network" Meetings:

All members are welcome to join the Network Steering Committee or Conference Planning sub-committees or come to meetings!  We need help and ideas!

Next Conference Planning Committee Meetings: 
Fri., 12/11: 12-2pm at UM Coffman Union, Rm 324
Fri., 1/8: 12-2pm at Common Roots
Wed., 2/17: 9-11am at Common Roots
Fri., 3/5: 12-2pm at Common Roots
Fri, 3/19: 12-2pm at UM-Applyby Hall
 
UPOMING MEETINGS of the PROPOSAL REVIEW COMMITTEE:
Fri., 12/18: 2-5pm at UM-Applyby Hally
Sat., 1/9: 11-2pm at UM-Applyby Hall

Next Network Steering Committee Meeting:
The next meeting date to be announced. We are currently "meeting" via email.

Contact Irene @ irenegreene@earthlink.net or 612.874.6442 if you would like information about any of these above activities and/or to help.
The Network Steering Committee:  Dennis Christian, Mindy Benowitz, Phil Oxman, Owen Konecnik, & Irene Greene. (More members welcome!)

www.LGBTtherapists.org
Check out our website:www.LGBTtherapists.org  
Find your member information and check out other therapists' information.

2010 Conference Notes:

(1) Help us publicize the conference through your website.
If you have a website, would you be willing to post information about our 2010 Conference and put a link to the Network for more information? We will supply you with the content. PLEASE contact Dennis Christian, <support@dennischristian.com > 

(2) Serve on A Committee:
Network Members may participate in the Conference Planning in the following ways:
1. General Conference Planning Committee, Co-Chairs: Irene Greene (irenegreene@earthlink.net ) & Anne Phibbs, UM GLBTA Programs Office)
2. Program & Written Materials, Chair, Owen Konecnik (owen@counselorminneapolis.com )
3. Workshop Proposal Review Committee: Anne & Irene
4. Thursday Night Welcome Event Committee, Chair Dennis Christian (support@dennischristian.com )
5. Resource Fair Committee, Co-Chairs Mindy Benowitz, (mbenowitz@aol.com ) & Owen Konecnik, (owen@counselorminneapolis.com )

Sign Up.  Be Involved.  Spread the Word. WE WILL HAVE MORE COMMITTEES & DO NEED MORE

Conference Planning Committee Members:                       
MN LGBTQA Therapists' Network Members of the Committees:
Irene Greene, Conference Co-Chair
Owen Konecnik, Chair, Conference Program Materials
Dennis Christian, Chair, Thursday Opening Kick-off
Mindy Benowitz & Owen Konecnik, Co-Chairs, Resource Fair
Tom Glaser
Connie Studer
Kate Lehmann
Velma Wagner
Trisha Falvey
White Ash, web site
Phil Oxman

University of MN Members of the Committees:
UM GLBTA Program's Office:
Anne Phibbs, Conference Co-Chair
Ross Neely, web site
Beng Chang
Shawyn Lee
Sofia Ramirez
Shawn Mason  
Sarra Beckham-Chasnoff, University Counseling & Consulting Center

Community Members of the Committees:
Manzar Lari
Pam Cosby
Nicky Simon Burton, PRIDE Institute
Christy Rushfeldt, Hamline
Cheryl Mahoney, Fundraising
Thea Lee
Roxanne Anderson, NAMI
Ross Aalgaard,Westminster Counseling Center
Janelle Carle, St. Mary's 

Consultants to Date:
Sam McClure, Quorum
Loretta Worthington, Rainbow Health Initiative

We welcome more members. contact: irenegreene@earthlink.net

Tidbits
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 4, 2009  
FROM: Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director  Family Equality Council
LGBT Americans Outraged at Delay in Basic Job Rights  
In light of continuing delays in the House of Representatives, we must state clearly and unequivocally: Passing basic job protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people must happen now. At a time when our government is deeply focused on the critical issue of employment, it is inexcusable to delay action on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA <http://www.endanow.com> ). Each and every job lost to prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity needlessly compounds the unemployment challenges facing our nation. We call on Congress for the immediate passage of ENDA.  For decades now, we have called upon Congress to pass legislation to address the basic right of LGBT people to work free from discrimination at our jobs, and now Congress tells us we must wait another year. In 29 states, it remains legal to fire people based on sexual orientation and in 38 states, discrimination based on gender identity remains legal. In failing to take swift action to pass ENDA, our government allows unfettered bigotry to go unchecked, leading to the loss of jobs, fear in the workplace, economic instability, and personal hardship, while allowing employers to lose competent experienced workers. ENDA is urgently needed by our communities.  The majority of Americans consistently state their support for employment protections and voters have affirmed similar state and local measures. There is absolutely no reason for Congress to continue to delay this non-controversial bill or drop LGBT issues to the bottom of their agenda. We will not be denied basic rights any longer. Nothing is more important than protecting peoples' jobs so ENDA must pass now. Further delays are absolutely unacceptable.  
Matthew Coles & James Esseks, Co-Directors, American Civil Liberties Union LGBT Project
 Terry Stone, Executive Director, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers
 Toni Broaddus, Executive Director, Equality Federation
 Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director, Family Equality Council
 Lee Swislow, Executive Director, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
 Jarrett Tomás Barrios, President, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
 Joe Solmonese, President, Human Rights Campaign
 Rachel T. Niven, Executive Director, Immigration Equality
 Earl Fowlkes, President/CEO, International Federation of Black Prides, Inc.
 Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director, Lambda Legal
 Christian Berle, Director of the Log Cabin Republicans National Office
 Sharon J. Lettman, Executive Director/CEO, National Black Justice Coalition
 Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights
 Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
 Rebecca Fox, Executive Director, National Coalition for LGBT Health
 Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
 Michael Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats
 Gregory Varnum, Executive Director, National Youth Advocacy Coalition
 Selisse Berry, Founding Executive Director, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
 Jody Huckaby, Executive Director, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National
 Jo Kenny, Interim Director, Pride at Work AFL-CIO
 Masen Davis, Executive Director, Transgender Law Center

Office Space Available:
Office Space Sublet Available:
Absolutely beautiful, fully furnished 12x15 office space in St Paul available for sublet. The quiet office is located 7 blocks off Dale and 94 in a historic building with a lovely waiting area. Available 3 days per week, which could be negotiated. Rent is 250 monthly for three days per week. It is perfect for someone just starting out, or for someone wanting part time space in St Paul.
Please call Trisha at (612) 730-1465 if you would like more information. trish1971@usfamily.net
Trisha Falvey M.A., LAMFT.

Office space available:
Office for rent in a newly remodeled, quiet, professional building at 35thStreet and Lyndale Avenue S.  The building is designed for therapists and body workers. It has a nicely furnished waiting room, FAX and copy machine, phone line, kitchenette, hot and cold water cooler for tea etc.  There is a back yard with a vegetable garden and an outdoor sitting area. The office is 10' x14', with a built in separate area for your desk and files. It has nice natural light with operable windows and cross ventilation, hardwood floors and has good sound proofing. The rent is $500 per month.  I am open to talking about a part time arrangement.  Its available January 1, 2010.   Please contact Anita at 952-926-7063.  Or anita@anitadoyle.com  

Quote OF THE DAY:
"It's time to call the persistent clash of genders what it really is: a class conflict within a dangerously invisable and pervasive cult-like class system. Gender is indeed a group. a club, a church - but it operates as a class system, pervasively, throughout the culture.

The continued oppression of women proves only that in any binary there's going to be one up and one down. The struggle for equal rights must include the struggle to dismantle the binary."

GENDER OUTLAW: On Men, Women and the Rest of Us by Kate Bornstein, 1994

Welcome to the MN LGBTQA Therapists eNewsletter of "The Network." The Network is a MN based grass-roots group of queer & allied mental health therapists, students in mental health related fields, and community mental-health related agencies. Our group shares information and resources that impact our varied work in the mental health fields and that is unique to the particular needs of the LGBTQ communities we live in and serve. We welcome submissions to this eNewsletter that are pertinent to mental health and LGBTQ issues ! All Network members are welcome to contribute to this bi-weekly eNewsletter. Just send your referral question, announcement, member accomplishment, space available information, event, conference, workshop, group information, or other pertinent notice to irenegreene@earthlink.net .

The MN LGBT Therapist eNewsletter is sent out every second Tuesday of the month.  All responses to questions, ads, workshops, etc. should be emailed directly back to the contact person in the notice. If you want your name added or deleted from the Network email list, please contact us .  Please note that if you do decide to delete your email, you will no longer receive general Network communications, such as event announcements.

If you want to become a member of this organization please visit:  <http://www.LGBTTherapists.org >
Thank you! Irene Greene, MN LGBT Therapist eNewsletter Coordinator