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shireensaxena / Comments Off on December 17: International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers
On December 17, International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers Marks One Year Since Bodies Discovered on Gilgo Beach
WHEN: Saturday, December 17, 2011 from 2 to 4 pm
WHERE: Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan, 164 West 100th Street near Amsterdam Avenue. 1, 2, or 3 train to 96th Street.
WHO: Organized by sex worker support and advocacy groups the Red Umbrella Project and the Sex Workers Outreach Project New York. Attendees will be people currently or formerly involved in the sex trades and our friends, family, allies, and those concerned for our health and safety.
In December 2010, the bodies of four women, later identified as Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes were discovered on Gilgo Beach in Long Island, after the family of missing woman Shannan Gilbert insisted on a police investigation of her disappearance. The cases remain unsolved, and since December the remains of another six people have been discovered in the area. The Suffolk County Police Department, which is responsible for the investigation, believes that it is likely that there are multiple local killers who are preying on people who sell sexual services.
On December 17, 2011 people in the sex trade and the people who love and support us will gather at Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan from 2 to 4 pm to hold a vigil for the victims of the Long Island killers and the many other people killed every year because they trade sex and are vulnerable to violence. The event will feature community activist speakers, a candle lighting, and a reading of the names of people in the sex trade who have been murdered this year.
The International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers was first organized nearly a decade ago by sex workers in San Francisco to memorialize the people murdered by serial killer Gary Ridgway. Ridgway captured the attitude that cultivates violence towards sex workers: “I picked prostitutes because I thought I could kill as many of them as I wanted without getting caught.” At the event, we create a space that challenges this assumption by demonstrating that we have a caring community.
HAMELL ON TRIAL http://www.hamelltv.com http://youtu.be/0tWHxzEBe7w
Righteous Babe Record’s Ed Hamell a.k.a. Hamell On Trial is a one-man punk show bringing you (mostly) loud, fast music informed by politics, passion, energy, and intelligence, played by a guy with a sharp tongue and a wicked sense of humor. 2011 launches Hamell into new territory, captivating audiences not only by his award-winning performances, but also a Kerouac-esque story of social commentary shaped through years on the road.
Equipped with a battered 1937 Gibson acoustic guitar he strums like a machine gun, a politically astute mind that can’t stop moving and a mouth that can be profane one minute and profound the next, Hamell sets his sights on some classic subjects (sex, drugs, and rock and roll) and some personal ones, too. His performances invoke thoughts of the great rebellious comedians and social commentators of the past: Lenny Bruce, Bill Hicks, and even a bit of Sam Kinison. Hamell is a great mind; acoustic punk rock mixed with a traveler’s soul. There’s no way around his obscenity, but in that is a willingness to fight for the free-thinkers of the world. Hamell On Trial is a refreshing punk-rock bomb on the unsuspecting folk singer-songwriter world and above all else a preacher of common sense and truth.
LAURA JOY http://laurajoymusic.com
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Laura Joy has been known to quell dark, angry bars full of ornery old Irishmen. Drawing comparisons that range from Joni Mitchell to Ani DiFranco, Laura’s percussive finger picking and buoyant voice have graced audiences from as far as the Sun Belt to the streets of Manhattan Island. Growing up in Phoenix, Laura was raised on a steady diet of folk revival LPs and Gershwin classics. Since then, she has played in venues from Tempe, AZ to Boston, MA and busked everywhere from the 72nd St subway stop in New York City to Hyde Park in London. Last October, Laura was asked to perform at the Morristown Folk Festival in Morristown, AZ.
Laura has been featured in the Jezebel Music Songwriter Showcase at Laila Lounge in Brooklyn and was a member of NY/NJ Port Authority’s exclusive “Tunes in the Terminal” program. She has opened for Nedra Johnson and Staceyann Chin in Brooklyn (Paradigm Shift NYC’s Michfest Halfway Soirée) and shared a night at Fiddler’s Dream in Phoenix, AZ with Raina Rose and Namoli Brennet. Laura continues to organize and host the successful Paradigm Shift Artist Showcase series highlighting feminist inspired art and performance at various venues across The Lower East Side in NYC.
Laura’s most recent CD, “What I Know” was released on June 30th. The album was recorded and mixed by Dae Bennett at Bennett Studios in Englewood NJ, and was produced by Suzi Reynolds. Laura continues to play music wherever and whenever she can.
PARADIGM SHIFT: NYC’S FEMINIST COMMUNITY
Use the “F” word.
Change NYC. Change the World.
“Paradigm Shift is situated to be at the center of feminist organizing for this new era of activism.”
– Michael Kimmel, PhD: Sociologist, Author
“Paradigm Shift is on the cutting edge of our feminist community.”
– Clare Coss, Activist & Psychologist
“I can’t believe I lived 16 years in NYC without Paradigm Shift. I love the events, the community, and the mission!”
– Jennifer Baumgardner, Activist, Author & Filmmaker
Paradigm Shift NYC is the New York City metro-area’s critically acclaimed and largest feminist community group and event series. We’ve produced 40 sold out lectures, discussions, screenings, and performances featuring leaders in feminist thought, that range from artists and academics to filmmakers and policy activists. Paradigm Shift NYC events challenge and inspire attendees to contribute to the feminist movement by providing a unique and welcoming platform for expression and coalition building. In early 2011, Berkeley College commissioned Paradigm Shift to produce a four-part webinar series on domestic violence, LGBTQ community building, and creating sexual empowerment. We have partnerships with over 130 progressive organizations. TimeOut New York named Paradigm Shift “Critics’ Pick” on 12 occasions, an unprecedented honor among progressive organizations.
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shireensaxena / Comments Off on The Sexually Empowered Life: A 6-month sexuality program for women
Women need a safe space in which to heal, explore, examine and learn about their sexuality. In this unique six month program, women will be able to do the deep work on their sexual selves that can empower and affect every aspect of their being and of their lives.
This program will take place over six weekends between January and June 2012, in New York City. (Specific dates available here.) The Sexually Empowered Life involves a combination of deep work on the sexual self through discussion, coaching and self-exploration; examination of our sexual history and patterns; education about sexuality and the sexual body; and ritual, experiential learning and group support. It is a rare opportunity to dive deeply into the study and development of our own sexual selves: as we step out of cultural limitations for relationships, identity, and gender, we can examine and explore how sexual norms and sexual shame have affected or inhibited our sexuality, challenge and confront what is no longer serving us, and move into a place of full-embodiment of sexual power, desire and healthy vulnerability. Women of all sexual orientations and backgrounds are welcome.
Sexual empowerment coach, Amy Jo Goddard, M.A., facilitates this program with a progressively feminist approach that creates an environment where women can fully step into their sexual power and own the parts of themselves they have forsaken or disconnected from, while being supported by other women. Amy Jo has been a sexuality educator for over 15 years and is a published author. Having worked in various women’s and queer communities as an activist, performance artist and advocate, she maintains a deep commitment to empowering women and girls. Read more about Amy Jo’s transformational work at www.AmyJoGoddard.com.
9 Steps to a Sexually Empowered Life
A free workshop for women
Wednesday, December 7, 7-9 pm, NYC
In this workshop, learn about the 9 steps that will help you come home to your authentic sexual self and express your sexuality with integrity and joy. Hear about an amazing opportunity to grow your sexual self in a totally unique and meaningful way.
To sign up and for more info: http://sexuallyempoweredlife2.eventbrite.com/
9 Steps to a Sexually Empowered Life
A free teleclass
Saturday, Decemeber 3, 11 am-noon
In this workshop, learn about the 9 steps that will help you come home to your authentic sexual self and express your sexuality with integrity and joy. This teleclass is also an opportunity for you to learn about Amy Jo’s newly reformatted program for women, The Sexually Empowered Life, and to ask her any questions you might have about this 6-month long unique course so you can become the full sexually empowered woman you are meant to be.
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meredith / Comments Off on A Guy’s Guide to Feminism Reading with Michael Kimmel & Michael Kaufman, Authors
Join Michael Kimmel, world-renown expert on american masculinity (and Paradigm Shift featured speaker) & Michael Kaufman, co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign, the largest effort the world of men working to end violence against women, for their NYC book launch! GuysGuideToFeminism.com
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meredith / Comments Off on SWAP! Film Benefit Fundraiser Clothing Swap & Dance Party
Sat Nov 5th at 4 -11 pm
A benefit to raise production funds for a documentary about style and substance.
$10 at the door will give you access to all the clothing your little arms can carry and all proceeds will go to support the production of a new documentary, SWAP!, a film about style, exchange, community and global sustainability.
There will be a special section for male identified persons and a baby clothes section. We will even make space for dog clothes if you bring them !
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meredith / Comments Off on Call to Action Today: Facebook Rape Pages
Friends, bloggers, organizers,
I wanted to drop you a note to ask for your help with a day of action, 11/2, to pressure Facebook to take down pages that promote rape, sexual violence, and violence against women and declare these pages a violation of their Terms of Service.
A petition on Change.org, started a few months ago by Florida activist John Raines, has over 180,000 signatures; similar campaigns launched in the UK, Canada, and New Zealand bring the total number up to 200,000. In addition, Sprint, Blackberry, PBS, and other companies have insisted that their ads be taken off pages that activists have flagged as promoting rape and violence.
Facebook’s Terms of Service already ban content that is “hateful, threatening,” or contains “graphic or gratuitous violence,” and the site has also removed inoffensive content such as photos of breastfeeding mothers. However, Facebook is standing firm in their refusal to remove the pages under fire for supporting sexual violence, going so far as to say, “It is very important to point out that what one person finds offensive another can find entertaining – just as telling a rude joke won’t get you thrown out of your local pub, it won’t get you thrown off Facebook.”
Since Facebook finds pages like “Riding You Girlfriend Softly So She Doesn’t Wake Up” entertaining, we’re upping the ante. Tomorrow we’re asking people to tweet at Facebook the names of real pages that promote rape, sexual violence, and violence against women with the hashtag #notfunnyfacebook. The idea is that if more people — and yes, the media — see the bile Facebook is protecting, the site will have to cave to the pressure.
.@facebook “Riding your Girlfriend softly, Cause you dont want to wake her up” #notfunnyfacebook http://chn.ge/r9T2EV
.@facebook “Let’s have sex.. LOL jk i’m a rapist, were doing it wether you like or not” #notfunnyfacebook http://chn.ge/r9T2EV
.@facebook “Kicking sluts in the vagina because its funny watching your foot disappear” #notfunnyfacebook http://chn.ge/r9T2EV
.@facebook “1.5 Million ‘likes’ and I will rape my mom!” #notfunnyfacebook http://chn.ge/r9T2EV
.@facebook “We’re gonna have sex tonight” “Why?” “Because im stronger than you are” #notfunnyfacebook http://chn.ge/r9T2EV
.@facebook “It’s Not Rape If You Yell Surprise” #notfunnyfacebook http://chn.ge/r9T2EV
.@facebook “Whats 10 inches and gets girls to have sex with me? my knife” #notfunnyfacebook http://chn.ge/r9T2EV
We’d appreciate tweets, Facebook posts, and blog posts. Please let me know if you need a quote from us or any of the partner orgs. Thanks for all your help and all the work you do!
Shelby Knox
Director of Organizing, Women’s Rights, Change.org
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meredith / Comments Off on NOW NYC Fund’s Annual Holiday Gift Drive for Teen Girls
NOW-NYC Fund’s Annual Holiday Gift Drive for Teen Girls
Collecting: Tuesday, November 1st through Tuesday, December 13th
The National Organization for Women-NYC Fund’s Annual Holiday Gift Drive provides a brighter holiday season for teenage girls facing violence or hardship in their lives – many are living in local shelters or transitional housing in the NYC area.
Drop off YOUR donations Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm, at our office (150 West 28th Street, Suite 304 @ 7th Ave) November 1st through December 13th.
Great gift ideas:
Hair accessories | Fun bath & body products | Baby clothes or supplies (newborn – 6 mo) | Hair care products | Costume jewelry | Journals/notecards/books | Craft kits or small games | Scarves, hats, gloves, fuzzy socks | Gift cards in $10 increments to places such as Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, H&M, Forever21, iTunes, Movie Tickets, etc. **Items should be NEW or unused* *We cannot accept used clothing or linens.**
Contact:
Brielle Nalence
Program Associate
National Organization for Women, NYC
Service Fund of NOW-NYC
150 West 28th Street, Suite 304
New York, NY 10001
t. (212) 627-9895
f. (212) 627-9861 www.nownyc.org
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meredith / Comments Off on Deadline 5pm Today: Take Action for Eating Disorders Insurance Coverage
A message from :
Good morning,
The Eating Disorders Coalition has put out an important action alert for us — we have an opportunity to advocate that tragic insurance denials for eating disorders treatment be a thing of the past. Please consider adding your voice to this action by sending comments to The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by 5 PM TODAY (10/31). All comments can be emailed to externalaffairs@hhs.gov.
What it’s all about:
A key component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the requirement that all insurance plans offered through the exchanges must cover, at a minimum, a number of Essential Health Benefits. Mental health is one of these Essential Health Benefits (EHB) that must be included.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is tasked with promulgating regulations for how the EHB will be designed and implemented (aka: HHS is RIGHT NOW deciding what these “Essential Health Benefits” will ‘look like’ in the lives of each of us.)
The EDC is asking HHS to incorporate three recommendations into the EHB:
1. Eating disorders should be specifically listed in the EHB;
2. All levels of treatment including residential treatment, as recommended by the APA Guidelines, should be part of the EHB;
3. The definition of medical necessity should be broad and inclusive so that insurers cannot assign medical necessity at random.
How you can take action:
When sending your comments to HHS, please tell them:
1. You urge them to support the 3 above recommendations;
2. Share your personal experience and/or expertise that underscores why these recommendations are important. Personal stories matter to HHS.
Again, all comments should be sent to externalaffairs@hhs.gov by 5PM today. Please also send an email to kmacdonald@eatingdisorderscoalition.org to inform the Eating Disorder Coalition that you sent your comments.
Thank you so much for taking a few minutes out of your day to make an important difference. Together we will improve the lives of those suffering from eating disorders!
What an amazing experience we’ve been having. Our vision has become more obvious and more tangible. We have the potential to make significant and lasting change. We have now held our second meeting (and impromptu participation in the Washington Square General Assembly). We have some concrete needs to attend to. The first goal is to plan for Day of Solidarity to Amplify All Marginalized and Underrepresented.
Apologies to anyone who came to Liberty Square and was unable to find the group. There was some confusion due to a scheduling conflict with the group Women Occupying Wall Street and being asked by police to relocate from the Red Cube. So far it seems that there is consensus about meeting on Sundays.
For our next Sunday meeting (Oct 30th), we have decided to meet at 2pm.Location 60 Wall St.
Proposed Agenda for Next Meeting (Sunday. 2 pm at 60 Wall St.)
Common goals/Common Values.
Possible Name for the Day/Messaging
Where and how.[Nov. 19?/Dec. 3?]
March?
Rally?
Teach–Ins
Permit?
NEEDS: We’d like to find an indoor space where we can host these weekly meetings. Please be in touch if you can offer space. Concerns about accessibility and relocating beyond the Liberty Plaza region were discussed as a possibility.
We would like to secure interest from someone/some people) who would like to help facilitate, take notes, report to the GA (at Liberty Plaza and perhaps additionally to Washington Square Park) and do outreach. One or many can do all of this so long as we work together and remain transparent.
The following are notes from the meetings thus far. We look forward to your participation! See you Sunday
MEETING 2
Sunday Oct. 23rd: Planning for Day to Amplify All Marginalized and Underrepresented
We have support from Eve Ensler, Code Pink, Gloria Steinem and Liz Abzug.
Outreach to more diverse populations needed. Reaching out to groups at OWS (People of Color/Women Occupying WallSt/SpeakEasy/Divine Feminine/ Labor/Outreach/Education) and outside (Occupy the hood/ Black Women’s Blueprint/ Organizers from Slutwalk/ Women’s Media Center/ Students). These are examples of groups that we brainstormed and NOT a final list. We would like to create a coalition of groups working together.
More accessible location for meetings.
What do we want from the day? March, Rally, Permit?
Importance of ‘Step up, Step Back in our communication with each other and in the communication at OWS in general. ‘ This is an effort to allow space for everyone to speak. It involves personally assessing the number of times we speak and evaluating how necessary something is to say to the group. It also means opening the space for those who haven’t contributed.
How to be an ally/ Assess our own Privilege. Privilege-A special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a group of people or person. “an invisible package of unearned assets”—Peggy McIntosh
Avoid ‘Issue Silo-ing’
Intersectionality, – It is a theory that seeks to understand oppression as a whole, taking into account the overlap and complexities of multiple oppressions as these operate in individual lives. For instance, though a more classical view of oppression is strictly divided between race, class, gender, etc, intersectionality seeks to understand how these oppressions may operate together, strengthen or repel each other. Essentially, it is a recognition that a single human life is often the site of multiple oppressions, the effects of which cannot always be easily separated.
Possible Names/Branding/Messaging: Day of Solidarity/ Amplify All/ Amplify Intersectionality/ Inhabit Intersectionality
PS: For those who do not know, there are also gatherings happening in Washington Square Park. Right now, it is not an occupation, but that is an ongoing discussion. On Oct 23rd, it was decided to hold General Assemblies three times per week in this space.
A few of us went from our Sunday afternoon meeting to Washington Square and participated in that night’s GA. We were invited to create small group discussions to dream and state visions. We mentioned the intentions of the group meeting to amplify all voices and invited people to join. Also discussed in the small group were the following:
Solidarity with Immigrant populations.
Demand CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) be ratified
Remember the issues of the world are as crucial to acknowledge as US
Continue to occupy ideas/concepts as they prove more useful (Occupy Education/Occupy Religions etc)
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meredith / Comments Off on Webinar & Event Announcements Coming Soon!
In the meantime, please check out our blog, our co-sponsored events posted to the event calendar, and daily updates/announcements on Facebook and Twitter @PShiftNYC. Join us on Meetup too!
Suggested Donations:
$10-25 – will allow one person who is not able to pay to attend an event for free
$50-100- will help subsidize the cost of building a partnership coalition for one event
$100-250- will help subsidize the cost of one venue for one event
$500-750- will help subsidize the costs of event video production
