Minnesota's LGBTQ+ Mental Health Providers' Professional Network

Volume II, Issue 20

The Network: The MN LGBTQA Therapists eNewsletter
9.29.09                                                           

        

LGBT Therapists logo

What's Up with The Network?

  • Happenings of the Network
  • Featured Member
  • Network Meetings
  • Groups Offered
  • Related to Therapists
  • Conferences, Classes & Workshops
  • Upcoming Events
  • Space for Rent
  • 2010 Conference Notes
  • Quote of the Day
  • NEXT ISSUE: Tuesday, October 13. Submissions due by: Fri., 10/9.

New next issue:  Featured Member Category.....Do you want to be a featured member in this eNewsletter? Let us know. Are you doing a group? Or do you work with a particular client population? Doing a workshop? Have info that other LGBTQ therapists might want to know? Advertise your business in this eNewsletter! It is a perk of your paid membership. Send us your stuff.
 
This eNewsletter now reaches 143(!) LGBTQA psychotherapists and organizations, and is growing every week!  Become a member! FIND YOURSELF ON OUR WEBSITE!

Contact the editor: irenegreene@earthlink.net
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: www.LGBTtherapists.org
Past eNewsletters are archived on our website.

Happenings of "THE NETWORK"!
*Thank you to Xavier Schmitz for your very thought provoking and educational gender workshop on Fri., 9/23. We had some lively discussion and sharing. 

*Thanks to all walked in the NAMI walk on Sat., 9/24. There were 8 of us proudly representing The Network and we made great connections with other walkers in the Rainbow Walker contingent.

Our next CEU workshop will be held in February. Watch for more info. Most of The Networks' energy will now be focused on the March Conference. (more info below.)

"The Network" & UM's GLBTA Program's Office
Conference Information & Call for Workshop Proposals!!!
Proposal Deadline: Fri., 11/6/09

Please Distribute & Post and Cut and Paste...Send to your colleagues (queer and straight)...from near and far. We have already received proposal inquiries from three other states!

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

Friday, March 26, 2010
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

The proposal deadline is November 6, 2009. Proposals available online. See info below.

General Information:
This cutting edge conference will offer over 30 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.

Download a Workshop Proposal (PDF) at either website:
MN LGBT Therapist Network at www.lgbttherapists.org
University of MN GLBTA Programs Office at www.glbta.umn.edu

For General Conference Information:
Email: mnlgbtqconference2010@gmail.com
(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

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 200+ 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!

Featured Member of THE NETWORK:
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!! 

"The Network" Meetings:

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

Next Conference Planning Meeting: 
(UM & Network Conference Committee Planning Meeting with Anne Phibbs, UM GLBT Programs Office)
DATE: Friday, October 9, 2009
TIME: 11:30-1pm
PLACE: University of MN: GLBTA Programs Office, 65 Appleby.
 
Program Committee Meeting:
Date: Friday, November 20, 2009      
Place: Common Roots Cafe Meeting Room, Mpls.
Program Committee, Chair: Bonnie Burg (bburglcsw@aol.com )
230-530: Agenda: Review Conference Workshop proposals.

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, Bonnie Berg, & 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.

 

Groups Offered:
(Group notices list for two consecutive issues.  Review past archived eNewsletters on our website for more groups.)

(1) MindBody Skills Group:
10 week psycho-educational support group based on the protocol from the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC.The focus of the groups is to teach a variety of skills based on the interaction between our mind and body. Skills include, but are not limited to, deep breathing, meditation, simple biofeedback, imagery and movement.  These skills facilitate relaxation and sharpen personal awareness in order to improve self-care choices.  The skills are useful as an adjunct to psychotherapy, as stress management, overall health and wellness and with physical conditions where stress is a component.  Each group has a teaching component, an experiential component and a sharing component. 
Group size:  5-8
Starting: October, 2009, or when there are enough people
Meets: Tuesday evenings for 2 hours
Intake appointment required
Cost:  $375 for the series. Intake is free.  Insurance is not applicable.
Facilitator: Linda C. Nelson, MA, LP.   25+ years doing individual, couples & group therapy

Call or email for flyer and more information: 612.379.2640 x15 or lcnelson2@msn.com  
Grove Psychotherapy, Inc, 219 SE Main St, Ste 400, Minneapolis, MN   55414

(2) Two Psychotherapy Groups:
 Psychotherapy Group for Men and Women
 
Description: The group is psychodynamic, focused on relational process.
 Dates: Monday evenings from 6 - 7:40 pm
 Location: Ivy Building for the Arts, 2637 27th Ave South, in Minneapolis.
 Contact: Nancy Ruppenthal, LICSW, LMFT at

Psychotherapy Group for Women
 
Description: The group is psychodynamic with integrative arts component.
 Dates: Wednesdays, 4:30 - 6:40 pm
 Location:  Ivy Building for the Arts, 2637 27th Ave. South, Minneapolis.
 Contact: Nancy Ruppenthal, LICSW, LMFT at nlruppenthal@gmail.com

(3) Journey of Self-Love and Self-Acceptance: A Support Group
Description: Psychoeducational-support group for women and men recovering from addiction and/or trauma. Concepts covered include: self-compassion, spirituality, authenticity, re-parenting the inner child, play and creativity, mindfulness, and supporting the feminine/masculine aspects of self.
 Dates: Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:45 p.m., Oct 27 - Dec 15
 Location: 333 Grand Avenue, Suite 206, St. Paul
 Cost: $30 per session
 Contact: Karen Wright, MA, LPC, 651-399-1713,  karen@benevolentjourney.com

(4) Coming Out Group for Women Who Identify as Lesbian, Bi-Sexual or as Attracted to Other Women:
14 week psycho-educational support group. Discuss feelings & thoughts about 'coming out' to self and others, sexuality, gender and sexual identity continuum, internalized homophobia and heterosexism, queer culture, and meeting & dating women.
Starting: October, 2009
Meets: Thursday evenings for 75 minutes
Intake appointment required.
Cost:  $55/session. $130/Intake appointment. Sliding scale negotiable.
Facilitator: Irene Greene, Psychotherapist. 25+ years doing individual, couples & group therapy, education and trainings.
Call or email for flyer and more information: 612.874.6442  irenegreene@earthlink.net  
100 West Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN  55404

(5) Married Men's Group: for men married to women and attracted to men:    
        
Date:   Wednesdays. This event repeats every month on the fourth Wednesday.  
Time:   4:30 pm  - 6:00 pm                                                               
Location:   Confidential - call 612-348-9100 for prescreening and location                          Notes:   For over 10 years the HIM Program of the Red Door Clinic has offered this group for men married to women and attracted to men. This program is an opportunity for married men to meet and discuss their issues in a non-judgmental, supportive atmosphere. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance. The goals of the program include alleviating isolation and fear, building peer support and sexual health information.

The location is confidential and a prescreening phone call is required prior to attending someone's first meeting.                               www.himprogram.org

(6) Lesbian Survivors of Sexual Abuse Therapy Group:
A new therapy group consisting of women who identify as lesbian and who have survived sexual abuse is starting soon. This is a closed therapy group so you will get to know and trust the other group members. Connie Studer, M.A., LMFT, is skilled at trauma resolution and will help members work through past trauma in a safe and supportive environment.
An individual intake session is required to make sure the group is a good fit for you. A minimum of 4 members will be needed to begin the group; there will be no more than 6 group members.
This group will be starting on October 3rd, Saturday, and will meet from 11:00-1:00 each Saturday.  The charge for the group is $40 each week.
Please call or email to arrange for your intake session at no charge.
Connie@hftherapy.com 612-275-1657 www.heteroflexible therapy.com

Related to Therapists: Resources Offered, Resources Requested & Job Postings:

Resources Offered:

1. Sugar Addictions & Why Diets Don't Work:
 Hello. My name is Jill Randerson. Along with my partner, Johanna, we run a company called "Shine Health Counseling". We are Holistic Health Counselors trained to help our clients make changes in their lives  through diet. We are not therapists. But see our work as being something that complements more traditional talk therapy. I am not really sure how to make this connection with your network, so am hoping to get some feedback from you. 

We give workshops on Sugar addiction, Why diets don't work etc. We also offer group and individual programs. They are all designed to help people make s smooth and easy transition from poor diets to healthy diets. We feel that our approach offers something new for your clients - we don't espouse dieting or any other form of denial. Rather we take a additive approach. We know it works as we have seen great and lasting results in our clients. 

We'd love to reach the LBGT therapist community - so that you all know we exist and what we are up to. We could be another tool that you could offer to your clients as you help them on the road to wellness. (We know from experience that depression, sugar addiction and weight gain go hand in hand). Can you let us know how we can reach your membership to let them know we exist? 

Contact me for a flyer showing what workshops we have coming up. Please let your membership know that we will waive workshop fees for any of your members. 

Jill Randerson, CHHC
Shine Health Counseling  jill@shinehealthcounseling.com
www.shinehealthcounseling.com
612 .235.4588
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resources Requested:
1.  Therapist Wanted:
I am looking for a therapist who works with Anxiety, specifically hoarding. He is a gay man. Please contact Connie Studer MA, LMFT at connie@hftherapy.com or call 612-275-1657 if you know of someone.
 
2. Referral Needed:
 I am looking for a therapist near Fairmont, MN with significant experience in CBT or IPT treatment of perinatal depression.Deborah Rich, Ph.D., LP, Founder
 Shoshana Center for Reproductive Health Psychology  
 Email: drdebrich@gmail.com
 Phone: 651-431-8506
 Fax: 651-603-8528
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Job Posting:
 Internship at Family Equality Council
Internship Announcement Background: Founded in 1979, Family Equality Council is the national organization exclusively dedicated to securing justice and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) parents and their children by advancing social justice for all families. We work to achieve social and legal equality for LGBT families by providing direct support, educating the American public, and advancing policy reform that ensures full recognition and protection under the law.
Position Summary: Family Equality Council is seeking an intern for the 2009-2010 academic year in our St. Paul, Minnesota office for a minimum of 10 hours per week. The internship is in the Department of Public Policy and Community Engagement, which provides direct support to LGBT families, builds their capacity to engage in the legal and institutional reform process, and leverages their stories to set and advance a proactive policy agenda for family creation and recognition, family-inclusive education reform, and family-inclusive discrimination and safety reform. The intern will work on a variety of projects and tasks to support the goals of the Public Policy and Community Engagement department, including: · Producing high quality publications, training curricula, and other educational materials
· Community outreach via phone, email and social media
· Event support
· Administrative and other duties as assigned Qualifications include: · Excellent written and verbal communication skills
· Attention to detail
· Strong interpersonal skills and teamwork, while also able to work independently
· Ability to complete projects in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment
· Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
· Interest in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues This is an unpaid internship. College credit may be available depending on the requirements of your college or university
To Apply:  Please forward letter of interest and resume by October 5, 2009 to Stephanie Hazen, Senior Training & Education Manager, at stephanie.hazen@familyequality.org
 In your letter, please include the days and hours per week that you are available.   No phone calls, please. For more information about Family Equality Council, please visit our website at www.familyequality.org .  


Conferences, Classes & Workshops:
(These notices will run here for two issues. Review past archived eNewsletters on our website for additional conferences & workshops.)

(1) Cyber Sex workshop:

On October 13, join Dr. Weston Edwards and Elizabeth Griffen for an in depth look at sexual compulsivity in relation to the Internet. Cyber Sex Unplugged will be a 6 hour presentation for $50 and is held in Minneapolis. Registration form is attached.

8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (lunch provided with registration fee)

Goals for the workshop:
Participants will have a basic understanding of both the sexual health model and behavioral treatment model to treat sexual addiction, compulsivity and other sexual concerns.
During the seminar, you will develop a basic understanding of internet sexual compulsivity including recognizing the multiple venues of internet compulsivity and basic treatment approaches.

You will develop basic skills to complete a sex history and increase your comfort level to talk about sexuality. In addition, you will develop skills to work with the LGBTQ community members to better help clients address cultural barriers to sexual health.

PRIDE INSTITUTE
14400 Martin Drive, Eden Prairie, MN  55344
Cell: 612-267-9371
Office: (952) 934-7554, ext. 145
(800) 54-PRIDE
www.pride-institute.com <http://www.pride-institute.com>

(2) Beyond Terminology: Gender Inclusive Sex Education:
October 29, 2009
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Webster Open Elementary School
425 N 5th Street, Minneapolis

Transgender and gender non-conforming students are in every classroom and every community. Sexual health education is often tied to a binary understanding of gender, rendering transgender people invisible, perpetuating health disparities, and obscuring information that applies to everyone's sexual health. Using gender inclusive strategies is essential in providing quality sex education. This training will help participants build gender competencies in sexual health education via a deep understanding of gender, curriculum adaptations, and the larger context of access and health disparities for trans youth.

For more information and to register, contact Jill Farris at 651-644-1447 x18 or  jill@moappp.org

Sponsored by Annex Teen Clinic, The Birds and Bees Project of Pro-Choice Resources, MOAPPP, Out4Good, Rainbow Health Initiative and Trans Youth Support Network.
(3) Body Positive Exotic Dance Classes for Queer Women and Friends:

  • Sunday September 27th 11:30am-1pm Exotic Dance Workshop   $20
    Learn to dance seductively for your partner, your person of interest, yourself or your friends. Get noticed on the dance floor!  The class will include teaching you- Walking sexy, standing sexy moves, sexy moves for wall dancing, sexy Floor moves, chair dancing ( this is dancing while using a chair as a prop- not lap dancing)  and dancing sexy with an accessory.  Wear comfortable clothes or sexy clothes. Bring heels if you like. Bring an accessory if you like- a hat, a pair of gloves, a boa, a scarf, etc. All levels of fitness and dance experience welcome. Beginners welcome. All body shapes and sizes and women of all ages are welcome! All women welcome $20  
     
    Body Positive dance classes are designed to make women feel sexy and increase their self esteem. Beginners are welcome. You do not need any prior experience to take these classes. All moves will be taught and then you can practice them at the workshop. Class is for Queer Women and friends. All women welcome. Women of all ages, all shapes and sizes are welcome.

All classes are preregistration only. These are not drop in classes. We have had a lot of interest in these classes and we expect them to fill up quickly.     Please don't wait till the last minute.
Please email for information   divariot@visi.com

(4)Clinical Training in Imago Relationship Therapy for Couples:
Description: Specific strategies in deepening and sharpening skills in effective couple and marital therapy.
 Presenter: Kathleen S. Powell, LCSW, BCD, Imago Relationship Int'l Clinical Instructor from Chicago.
 Dates: Nov. 6-7, 2009
 Location: Twin Cities
 Cost: This workshop is $295 and offers 16 CEU credits.
 Contact: Cheri Desmond May, MSW, LP, Certified Imago Therapist at 651-698-0508, or cheri#desmondmay.com

(5) Learn how to give Reiki healing to Yourself and Others, including Clients  -with or without touch!
Teacher:  Barbara MacKay Simmonds, M.A., Reiki Master-Teacher RMT

October thru December 2009 Reiki Training Schedule
Level 1:  no prerequisite                                       1 day  $165
       Oct 23, 2009        (Friday)     9  am to 6 pm  Registration Deadline: FRI Oct 9
Dec 4, 2009        (Friday)     9  am to 6 pm  Registration Deadline: FRI Nov 20

Level 2:
(Prerequisite: Level 1)                                1 day   $165
        Oct 2, 2009        (Friday)     9  am to 6 pm  Registration Deadline: FRI  Sept 18
Nov 6, 2009        (Friday)     9  am to 6 pm  Registration Deadline: FRI  Oct 23

Levels 1 & 2 for Healing and Helping Professionals:             2 days  $285  
    
Any combination of  Levels 1 & 2 dates [see prerequisites]
Registration Deadline:  2 wks prior to Level 1 Class

Advanced (ART)*:
(Prerequisite: Levels 1 & 2)                    1 day    $185 FRI  
        Oct 9  
(Friday)  9  am to 6 pm Registration Deadline: FRI Sept 25

Reiki Master-Teacher:
(Prerequisite: Advanced (ART)            2 days   $650
        Nov 20 + 21  (Friday + Saturday)  9  am to 6 pm Registration Deadline: FRI Nov 6
[2-day intensive]
       *After you have completed ART, we will confer about your taking the Master-Teacher training class.
And, if you are clear before taking ART,  please let me know so that we can schedule a class.

About Barbara~
For 24 years, Barbara has used Reiki, along with a unique blend of listening, bodywork, visualization, meditation, and movement to help people heal from traumas, including abuse, invasion, assault & surgery, and everyday "bumps and bruises."  Barbara has been teaching Reiki since 1995. She received her Reiki training from Reiki Masters William L. Rand, Frank Arjava Petter & Chetna Kobayashi, & Charlotte E. Kasl, LP. Barbara is also a Personal Life-Coach. Ask me how I use Reiki with my psychotherapy clients!

For more information, &/OR to schedule a Reiki Healing session &/OR to Obtain a Gift Certificate:
ph:  612 827-2877    
        em: barbarasimmonds@bmsreiki.com
        web: www.bmsreiki.com

(6) "Changing the Narrative of our Mental Illness"

If you are interested in the following please sign up by going to the
website: http://www.excotc.org/ and sign up for the class titled "Changing
the Narrative of our Mental Illness".

Facilitator: jeff jones, www.phoenix-mental-health.com
 
Cost: Free. Just be open to a direct democratic and open class
 
Through the use of storytelling we will explore our experiences with mental illness.  Then with the group process we will explore the individual and collective meanings that uphold the meanings of our mental illnesses.  We will then be listening for an alternative story that can tell us about our preferred way of being.

This class is both a self healing class and an exploration of social
justice issues through the eyes and minds of those of us coping with mental illness.

I will be listing the readings here as they become available:
1. Trafficking in the World of Possibilities
2. The Narrative Construction of Reality

Class date(s): Repeats every week every Monday until Tue Oct 20 2009 .
 
September 28, 2009 - 6:30pm - October 19, 2009 - 8:00pm
October 5, 2009 - 6:30pm - October 26, 2009 - 8:00pm
October 12, 2009 - 6:30pm - November 2, 2009 - 7:00pm
October 19, 2009 - 6:30pm - November 9, 2009 - 7:00pm
 
 Address:
Ivy Building of the Arts
2637 27th Ave. South Suite #216B
Minneapolis, MN, 55406

Upcoming Events:
(events for our members & our clients)
 
10th Annual McNaron Lecture:
 Rabbi Stacy Offner
 
"How Spiritual Outcasts Nurture the Soul"
Wednesday, October 14, 7:30 PM
Humphrey Institute, Cowles Auditorium
 301 19th Ave S, Mpls

The Steven J. Schochet Endowment for GLBT Studies & Campus Life is pleased to present the 10th Toni McNaron Lecture in Arts & Culture featuring Rabbi Stacy Offner, Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism. This event is free and open to the public, with a reception to follow in the Humphrey Atrium.
Rabbi Offner's lecture, How Spiritual Outcasts Nourish the Soul, will explore the parallels between outcast communities: Jews, women, and the LGBT community. Religious communities have always made heros out of outcasts while rejecting the outcast in their midst. Ever since Abraham was marginalized and shunned for being different from his polytheistic family, it has been the outcast who has given birth to new spiritual practice.
 Rabbi Offner will examine the ways in which Jews, women, and LGBT peoples have enriched the dominant culture, even as each community has the potential to exclude others in their own efforts to become normative.
 Rabbi Stacy Offner is the Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism and the Founding Rabbi Emerita of Shir Tikvah Congregation, a Reform congregation serving the Twin Cities. She is the highest-ranking female Jewish clergy in North America. Rabbi Offner became the North Star State's first woman rabbi in 1984. In 1987, she became the nation's first out lesbian to serve in a "mainstream" congregation.Please join us, and help spread the word!
For more information, please contact Beng Chang at schochet@umn.edu or 612-626-2562.

(2) Bisexual Organizing Project:       
Title:   BOP Board Meeting - All are Welcome!         
Date:   Sunday September 27, 2009    
Time:   11:00 am - 1:00 pm                                               
Location:   Dunn Bros Loring Park                              
329 West 15th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403                       
The meeting will take place in the stage area of the coffee shop.  Please join in!        

(3) MN WOMEN IN PSYCHOLOGY:

Wine & Chocolate Member Drive & Networking Event
Join us on Friday, October 2nd
 3:00 to 6:00pm
 100 2nd Street SE, Minneapolis 55414
 This event is free of charge.Nibble on chocolate and sip wine while socializing with members old, new and "becoming". Appetizers and other beverages will also be served. We will be previewing upcoming MWP events, and learning about the Mentoring Program and our amazing new website! Hear more about the Find-A-Therapist feature -- a fabulous new membership benefit!Remember the Membership Drive.

This event is an opportunity to bring colleagues and invite potential new MWP members**. For each new member referred by you between September 15th and October 15th, receive $5 off of either your 2010-2011 membership or an upcoming MWP event registration AND a special prize will go to the member who refers the most new members! Registration forms are available on the website or can be completed at the Wine & Chocolate event.
**MWP membership is available to women mental health professionals and graduate students, see the website for further information. 
RSVP by Tuesday September 29th to WmPsyclgy@aol.com or to the MWP office at 320-743-5694. Please make sure to include yourself and number of guests.
(4) MN Marches for LGBT Equality - Oct. 11
Subject: National Equality March -- Oct 11, 2009 -- Washington, DC --
The World Is Watching!

On October 11, 2009, hundreds of thousands of concerned LGBT and allied individuals will be marching in Washington DC demanding equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people across America. We feel strongly that Minnesota, with its reputation for civil justice and its comparably large LGBT population, should be represented.  Our presence at our nation's capital will show the nation that the LGBT community intends to step up the pressure on congress, to hold the Obama administration accountable for its campaign promises, and work to ensure that equality is achieved.  We intend to put Minnesota front and center with a unified contingent of local and national activists to help accomplish this goal.

Simply put, we are demanding equal protection in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states. We will accept no less and will work until full equality is achieved. We will demand the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". We will demand an Employment Non-Discrimination Act that protects everyone in the workplace. We will demand the passage of Hate Crimes legislation that protects us  from violence. We will demand the right to adopt children and raise our families like any other parents. We will demand immigration reform that recognizes same-sex couples and protects against the separation of families.

Already, scores of activists and ordinary citizens from around the country are booking travel and hotel accommodations in and around the DC area.  Group rates are available for airfare and lodging, and bus transportation can be arranged for a sufficiently large group.  But don't delay -- we have less than a month to act and ensure the momentum of this movement is maintained!

In order to facilitate the largest possible number of people attending, we are reaching out to LGBT communities and advocacy groups across the state with a simple message:  Please join us in Washington DC on October 11th.  The world is watching.

    National info:  facebook: equalityacrossamerica
    Local coordinators:  facebook: jointheimpacttc
    Email:  jointheimpacttc@gmail.com
    Phone:  612-605-5624

(5) Gay Dads Play Group:
This group is for gay dads with preschool or school age children who would like to get together for play dates with their kids. Expect to talk and chat while the kids swing, slide and generally go jungle gymming around the play equipment. Informal chats might include parenting, gay parenting, fun stuff to do with kids, potty training tips, weather, sports, arts and theatre.

To find out more visit the group's Yahoo page. If would like to be part of the group and its gatherings contact Doug Petrie at djpetrie_mpls@hotmail.com .

(6)  Rainbow Families Halloween Dance:
Join Rainbow Families for a frighteningly good time at our annual Halloween Dance.  Bring the kids (and yourself!) in costume for an evening of dancing, crafts, musical games and treats.
Date:        Saturday, October 24, 2008
Time:        6:00 - 8:30 pm
Location:   Ramsey International Arts School,
                 Nicollet at 50th Streets, Minneapolis 
Adults $6, Children $4. Maximum per family $20. Sliding fee available. No RSVPs necessary.  Open to everyone!
Interested in Volunteering on this Event? General Questions? Contact Sara at sara.leckey@familyequality.org or 617-502-502-8700 ext. 223
 

(7)   Gaylaxicon 2009:
Category:  Festivals & Fairs
When:  Friday, October 9, 2009 10:00 AM
Where:   Doubletree Hotel Minneapolis-Park Place
1500 Park Place Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55416
What/Why:
Gaylaxicon 2009 is the annual international Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Convention for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered people and their friends! The dates for Gaylaxicon 2009 will be October 9-11, 2009 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Gaylaxicon is a fantastic, and dare we say, fabulous event that gives all of us who appreciate science fiction, fantasy, horror, and comics the time to focus and socialize with other fans. We guarantee that Gaylaxicon will provide you with a greater depth and breadth of GLBT related topics than other SF conventions. You'll have the ability to converse with other fans who examine the genre through our similar queer life experiences. Gaylaxicon welcomes all fans regardless of sexual and gender identity or planet of origin.
Gaylaxicon 2009 will include: Art Show, Autographs, Cabaret, Charity Auction, Costuming, Dealers Room, Discussion Panels, Gaming, Guests, Local Events, Parties, Readings, Video Program, and more!
www.gaylaxicon2009.org

Office Space Available:
 Flexible! Attractive! Convenient! Office Space Available
Perfect for starting or growing your business!
 Rent by the hour, day or month!
 Sunny, furnished office available immediately in renovated turn-of-the century building.
 Share a warm and inviting, professional office suite with 3 other offices.
 Fax/copy machine, waiting room, porch, and private backyard and patio are among the
   amenities.+Heat/utilities are paid.
 Convenient S. Mpls location near Lyndale & 35th Street. Easy access to downtown, 35W, and 94.
FFI: Sandee at 612.823.2063.

Prime St. Paul Office for Sublet
:
Spacious, newly furnished office on Grand Avenue available for sublet 2 to 3 days per week. (My schedule is flexible - choose your preferred days.) Ideal location near intersection of Grand Avenue and I-35E in beautiful, professional building with parking lot. Includes fax and cable Internet. $140/day. Will reduce rate for subletting more than one day. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone with a part-time practice.FFI: Karen Wright, MA, LPC / 651-399-1713 /
karen@benevolentjourney.com

LGBT News Bits:
  ".....On December 12, 1994, U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders was fired from her position because of the controversy that erupted around her support for the public discussion of masturbation as an appropriate topic in school sexuality education programs (Rowan, 2000, 9)...."
"From Stigma to Sexual Health": Article on Planned Parenthood website abotu the history of masturbation       http://ow.ly/rrne

2010 Conference Notes:

(1) Do you have a LGBTQ mental health topic that is on the edge or of interest to our peers and allies? Wanta talk about it?
Present at the LGBTQ Mental Health Issues MIDWEST Conference at UM!       

Friday, March 26, 2010!
PROPOSAL FORMS ARE  NOW AVAILABLE!
Do you want to present a workshop or facilitate a panel at the Conference or know someone in the country or world who would? Workshop Proposal Applications are NOW available for download at our website:
www.lgbttherapists.org
Proposal due date is November 6, 2009


(2) 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, Conference Publicity Chair at <support@dennischristian.com

(3) 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 Committee, Chair, Bonnie Burg (bburglcsw@aol.com )
3. Community Liaison Committee, Chair, Owen Konecnik (owen@counselorminneapolis.com )
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. Think about doing a workshop proposal. WE WILL HAVE MORE COMMITTEES & DO NEED MORE HELP!

WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"When you feel at ease with yourself, you become truly free."
                                                                                                         ~ Terri Trespicio, Body+ Soul Mag


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 

Submissions to the eNewsletter, adding or deleting your name from this eNewsletter & a quick window to our website:
 Just send your referral question, announcement, member accomplishment, space available information, event, conference, workshop, group information, or other pertinent notice to enews@LGBTtherapists.org.  If you want your name added or deleted from the eNewsletter email list, use the links below.  Please note that if you do decide to delete your email, you will no longer receive general LGBT Therapists network communications, such as event announcements. If you want to become a member of this organization please visit the LGBT Therapists website.

Thank you! Irene Greene, eNewsletter Coordinator

Submissions to the eNewsletter, adding or deleting your name from this eNewsletter & a quick window to our website:
 Just send your referral question, announcement, member accomplishment, space available information, event, conference, workshop, group information, or other pertinent notice to enews@LGBTtherapists.org.  If you want your name added or deleted from the eNewsletter email list, use the links below.  Please note that if you do decide to delete your email, you will no longer receive general LGBT Therapists network communications, such as event announcements. If you want to become a member of this organization please visit the LGBT Therapists website.

Thank you! Irene Greene, eNewsletter Coordinator

Sign up for our eNewsletter  

ARE YOU A MEMBER?

 If you are not a member, please become one! Each month we gain more members! We are now near 130! YIPPEE!  Thanks always for supporting LGBT Therapists!

Questions?  Ready to pay?  Visit the new LGBT Therapists website

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