3/23/12 - lgbtq allyship group

Here are details of a Seattle lgbtq allyship group to consider getting involved with.  While I am not personally familiar with them, I know that they have reached out to PSOLOC (Puget Sound Older Lesbians Organizing for Change) which is a great sign.

 LGBTQ Allyship is an alliance of groups working for lgbtq civil rights and ensuring that all of our voices are heard.  Debbie Carlson is the Director of this group.  This organizing meeting for the upcoming discussion series (3 separate topics - see below) is next Tuesday, March 27th, 6:30 PM,  at 1518 S. Lane St. in Central Seattle, near the intersection of Dearborn St. and Rainier Ave.   



Metro - Taking the bus is a great way to get around in downtown Seattle.  If you are a senior or you have a disAbility, you can get a Metro reduced fare permit from the Metro office in downtown Seattle and then buy a monthly "pass" every month.  You can call Metro at 206-553-3000 or go to 
http://metro.kingcounty.gov/tops/accessible/reduced_fare_permit.html
to learn more about this.

Also, you can plan your trip by calling the above number or go to:
  http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/cgi-bin/itin_page.pl
(I find it useful to print out the details as well as the schedule map.  

You can ask the driver to call out when you get to your stop. 

Save Affordable Health Care during the Special Session!

Allyship's Upcoming Organizing Events: March 27th -- Queerly Classed Discussion Organizing Committee 6:30pm, 1618 S. Lane Street, #202, 98144 (Nonprofit Assistance Center) Help be a part of the team that organizes our 5th Queerly Classed Discussion Series. Our three topics will be LGBTQ Homeless Youth advocacy, LGBTQ health care disparities and Marriage Equality from a racial, gender and economic framework. For more information call 206-324-5850 ext. 19 or email Debbie at allyship@yahoo.com     Allyship is fiscally sponsored by the Nonprofit Assistance Center. Their mission is to empower communities by building strong nonprofits, community leaders and shaping institutions and policies to achieve social justice and equity.  LGBTQ Allyship LGBTQAllyship.org allyship@yahoo.com    Fight to Raise Revenue and Stop Health Care Cuts!   Dear Allyship Community,   Several weeks ago, in the most secretive fashion, Republican Senate leadership presented a completely new budget and passed it in the Senate. This budget excludes responsible and fair revenue generating proposals and it eliminates vital safety net programs like Disability Lifeline. And although the legislature has cut health care services like mental health and chemical dependency programs each year since 2007, the Republican Senate budget cuts these programs.... again.    The legislature can make the choice to raise revenue rather than cut health care programs, education and food assistance programs. THEY HAVE A CHOICE.     So do we! Take 3 minutes out of your day and email these legislators below. Urge them to raise revenue and fund Disability Lifeline, mental health and chemical dependency programs and the Basic Health Plan - programs that would particularly effect LGBTQ communities.  Below is a sample letter and contact information of key Senators. Senator Jim Kastama -- Puyallup: jim.kastama@leg.wa.gov Senator Rodney Tom -- Bellevue: rodney.tom@leg.wa.gov Senator Steve Litzow -- Mercer Island: steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov Senator Cheryl Pflug-- Maple Valley/Issaquah: cheryl.pflug@leg.wa.gov  In Solidarity, Debbie Carlsen, Director LGBTQ Allyship Making Change!   Over the last couple of months Allyship has been delivering hundreds of letters to key legislators advocating to raise revenue and fund vital health care programs. We've been out organizing in communities making the connections in both the LGBTQ communities and broader economic justice communities on how LGBTQ individuals have been effected by the economic crisis and how cutting Disability Lifeline, Basic Health and mental health and chemical dependency programs will harm homeless youth, LGBTQ Elders, low-income and the uninsured in the LGBTQ community.  Join us in making change! Volunteer today!