"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

All quotes for this section are taken from: "A Book of Bliss: thoughts to make you smile." Sourcebooks, INC. Naperville, Illinois. 2002.

Green tip of the week:

Buy locally grown produce.

This highest rates of new HIV infections occers among young people, including college students. Love yourself and get a confidential HIV test for FREE.

When: Thursday, February 14th VALENTINE'S DAY
Where: LGBT Resource Center
Time: 10:00-5:00

Half hour time slots are available now. To sign-up email Sean at swmalone@syr.edu.

*Tests are 20-minute rapid HIV tests. These are oral swabs and no blood is drawn*

Planet Orange:
Topic: Show Me the Love
Time: 7:30 pm
Day: MONDAY
Location: LGBT Resource Center

Planet Orange is a weekly discussion group for LGBTQ and Ally members of the SU/ESF campus community. This group gathers each week to discuss different topics of interest. Facilitated by Sean Maloney and Adrianne Musu this is a group no one will want to miss! For more information email Sean at swmalone@syr.edu

Cafe Q: Time: 8:00 pm
Day: Thursdays
Location: LGBT Resource Center

"Cafe Q: Valentine's Style"

Who would want to miss another exciting Cafe Q?! No one! So come enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and great company Cafe Q provides. Open to anyone and everyone, stop on by for a great time.

Totally Fabulous VI: The Final Show
Friday, February 15th
8:00 pm
Goldstein Auditorium

IT'S TIME FOR TOTALLY FABULOUS VI, HOSTED BY SYRACUSE'S LONGEST LIVED LGBT UNDERGRAD UNION - PRIDE UNION! Co-Sponsored by the Black Communication Society and Delta Lambda Phi! Join us fir tge 6th year of this annual SU sensation! Professional drag kings and queens host and perform, while student finalists compete to be 2008 Drag King and Queen of the Hill. This is an event that is NOT to be missed! Get your ticket at the Schine Box Office.

*Tips given to performers goes to Connect and AIDS Community Resources programming

Tickets can be purchased for $3.00 at the Schine Box Office

Please note the follow message from Jeffrey Carroll, an intern here at the LGBT Resource Center.

My name is Jeffrey Carroll, I am currently interning at the LGBT Resource Center, and I am attempting to create a regional LGBTQA student leader conference at SU. The goal of this conference is to provide networking opportunities for LGBTQA students in the region, and to empower and nourish their leadership skills. The vision of this conference is for it to be student led. I am seeking interested students to sit on a committee to plan and organize events. I can really use your help in this step. If you could please announce this opportunity to any student leaders in your classes/offices and send me an email with their names, or have them contact me at jscarrol@syr.edu that would be great! Also, feel free to send me your email if you are interested in knowing more about the events!

The Beyond Compliance Award will be given to any SU department, faculty, staff, student and student group that has demonstrated commitments to inclusion, made positive changes toward the direction that the BCCC mission envisions, and worked BEYOND COMPLIANCE to foster the inclusion of students with disabilities and/or to create a more disability- friendly environment on campus (e.g., Faculty who create classrooms that are models of inclusion; a student group that brought up disability issues in a profound manner in their activities). The award is intended to encourage efforts primarily among faculty, staff, students, programs, etc. who are not otherwise involved in Disability Studies or disability services.

The purpose of this award is three-fold:

• To collect, share, and disseminate the stories and ideas of fostering inclusion on campus;
• To recognize excellence in work done around the campus;
• To cultivate, excite, and promote pride in our joint work toward building an inclusive, respectful community and climate on the SU campus.

History
The Beyond Compliance Coordinating Committee (BCCC), founded in 2001, is an activist organization of Syracuse University students who are working to create and support a positive climate toward disability that values individual difference in all University settings. The BCCC has been taking an active role in advocating for changes in University policy and practice related to disability and diversity.

BCCC Mission
Disability is more than just a physical, sensory, cognitive or mental impairment. Accessibility is more than just compliance with federal and state laws. Disability is a facet of human condition, and the Syracuse University community will be enhanced by a broader conceptualization of diversity that calls for inclusion, equality, and social justice. Thus, compliance with the law is the starting point, not the bottom line. With the spirit of Beyond Compliance "at its core, the BCCC strives to work toward the following

• Reshaping Syracuse University's conception of disability to promote an understanding of disability as a form of diversity;
• University recognition and funding of the Disability Studies program;
• Creating model accommodations exemplifying the University's commitment to equality of opportunity for students with disabilities; and
• Hiring faculty and staff members with disabilities within departments across the University.

Nominating Procedure
Nominations by students, faculty, or staff will be accepted (Self-nominations are also accepted). Please use a Nomination Form to provide the following information:

• Detailed descriptions of the work performed by the nominated individual(s) or the group;
• Explanation of how the work contributed to make positive changes and helped SU to move toward the direction that the BCCC mission envisions. In this section, please also explain how the work exemplifies the element of "BEYOND COMPLIANCE (i.e., beyond what's generally required or expected).

Completed nomination forms should be no longer than three pages and include the names of two individuals who support the nomination. Nominators are encouraged to submit supplemental materials (e.g., photos, copies of written work, video footage, etc.) that can support the Award Selection Committee's understanding of the nominated work. Information contained in the nomination form and any other submitted materials may be shared with the public (e.g., at the ceremony, on the BCCC's website). Please indicate if you do not wish your submitted materials and/or letter to be used for dissemination/sharing purposes.

Nominations must be received by February 20th, 2008. The award(s) will be announced at the award ceremony that will take place at the end of Spring 2008 semester. Please email the completed Nomination Form to Corrie Burdick at mailto:cbburdic@syr.eduAND Deanna Adams at dladams@syr.edu. Please submit all other nomination materials to: Corrie Burdick, 207 Bowne Hall, Syracuse University.

For more information about the Award, please contact Corrie Burdick at 443-3458 or at cbburdic@syr.edu.

Co-Sponsors of this Award include: The BCCC (Beyond Compliance Coordinating Committee); The Center on Human Policy, Law, and Disability Studies; The disAbility Law Society of the College of Law; The Office of Disability Services; The Center on Human Policy Advocacy Board; and The Chancellor's Task Force on Disability.

QSX 400/600
May 22 - July 5, 2008
Margaret Himley, Ph.d
Robin L. Riley, Ph.d

How do sexual and gender identities come to be named and claimed in different times and places? Are masculinity and femininity practiced in the same way in Spain and the U.S.? Why, for example, do the ancient Greeks seem 'weird' by contemporary standards, and what does that mean about our understanding of sex/gender systems historically, or across cultures and geographic borders? What is it like to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) in Spain, what is LGBT life like, and where does it happen? How do folks name themselves? How are LGBT folks represented on TV and in film and through youth culture, discussed in the newspapers, presented in churches, and defined by the government? Why did Spain, a country with a long Catholic tradition, make same sex marriage legal? What values in Spanish culture and history might have made such a radical outcome possible - while the U. S., a supposedly liberal and secular country, enforces the Defense of Marriage Act? How might we study sexuality from different disciplinary and national perspectives?

Syracuse University Madrid's course in Sexualities and Social Life in Spain (QSX 400/600) is just this exploration of sexuality in Spain as well as an introduction to the transnational and multidisciplinary field of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Studies. We will begin with a broad view of sexuality and gender studies so that we have some shared theoretical and historical concepts. Then we will learn more about the immense changes Spain has gone through in a very short period of time - from an agricultural society to an urban one, from a dictatorship to a democracy, with dramatic changes in gender and sexuality. And for most of the course we will look in detail and across many contexts at sexuality and gender identity/expression in Spain, especially Madrid - through course readings, films, guest speakers, and our own observational research. We will fieldwork together, and tour Chueca, the neighborhood north of the old city known as the 'gay village' of Madrid, and a key site of Madrid's growing and affluent LGBT community.

The Fisher Center for the Study of Women and Men at Hobart and William Smith Colleges is seeking a Predoctoral Fellow for the academic year 2008- 2009 whose area of expertise falls within our theme of Animation (Making Life Graphic) and Gender.

By animation, they are interested in a broad spectrum of work, from film, comics and graphic novels through to ways performance and studio arts, science and technology and other disciplines (and interdisciplines) make life move and change. They seek dissertation scholars whose work critically engages the terms of our theme and are especially interested in candidates who would contribute to the diversity of the campus. The fellowship offers an opportunity to gain experience teaching in private liberal arts institutions while completing dissertation work, and carries a stipend of $30,000.00. Fellows will teach one course per semester, attend Fisher Center lectures and meetings, and present one colloquium. Doctoral candidates nearing completion of dissertation must submit a one-page description of scholarship, a short statement on teaching interests, curriculum vitae, arrange to have three letters of reference, and a writing sample (e.g., chapter of dissertation).

Completed applications are due by March 1, 2008 to Betty M. Bayer, Director, The Fisher Center for the Study of Women and Men at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY 14456 Information on the Center and the series can be found on our web site:

Fisher Center on the web

You are invited to be in a research study of genetic counseling and the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) population. You are eligible to participate if you are a member of the GLBT community and you have utilized genetic counseling services. We ask that you read this form and ask any questions you may have before agreeing to be in the study.

This study is being conducted by: Heather Dean, University of Minneapolis, department of genetics, cell biology and development (GCD).

This study is intended to look at the perspectives of both GLBT patients who have utilized genetic counseling services as well as genetic counselors who have counseled individuals belonging to the GLBT population. This information is intended to better characterize the genetic counseling experience of the GLBT population and therefore may help improve genetic counseling services to this demographic.

If you agree to be in this study, we ask that you complete the online survey that can be accessed through the link below. The survey inquires about your experience receiving genetic counseling services. It is a total of 28 questions and will take 10-15 minutes to complete.

Click here to take the survey online

At the end of the online survey you will be given the option to be contacted for a brief follow-up telephone interview. If you are willing to participate in the telephone interview, please provide your contact information so that we can arrange a time to talk at your convenience. The telephone interview will be asking more questions about your genetic counseling experiences.

The study has some emotional risks. The material being discussed is of a sensitive nature and may lead to evoking negative emotions. Questions regarding sexual orientation and topics such as heterosexism and homophobia may be difficult and uncomfortable for you to think about. You may withdraw from the survey or refuse to answer any and all questions that you feel are too sensitive in nature.

You will receive no compensation for your participation.

The survey is anonymous and answers cannot be traced back to respondents. The records of this study will be kept private. In any sort of report we might publish, we will not include any information that will make it possible to identify a subject.

Participation in this study is voluntary. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with the University of Minnesota. If you decide to participate, you are free to not answer any question or withdraw at any time without affecting those relationships.

The researcher conducting this study is: Heather Dean. You may ask any questions you have now. If you have questions later, you are encouraged to contact her at University of Minnesota, MMC-485 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, 612-655-7414, dean0183@umn.edu. You may also contact her advisor, Bonnie LeRoy at University of Minnesota, MMC-485 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, 612-624-7193, leroy001@umn.edu.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study and would like to talk to someone other than the researcher(s), you are encouraged to contact the Research Subjects' Advocate Line, D528 Mayo, 420 Delaware St. Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455; (612) 625-1650.

The Racial Justice Program of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeks applicants for Spring and Summer 2008 Internships. The American Civil Liberties Union is the nation's leading advocate of constitutional and civil rights. We work daily in courts, legislatures and communities to protect and expand the rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Our job is to conserve the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, America's original civic values.

OVERVIEW:
As part of the New York-based National Office of the ACLU, the Racial Justice Program aims to preserve and extend the constitutional rights of people of color. Committed to combating racism in all its forms, our advocacy includes litigation, community organizing and training, legislative initiatives, and public education. Our major issue areas include affirmative action, voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals, racial profiling, school integration and criminal justice. Issues also include the "school to prison pipeline", a disturbing national trend wherein children are funneled out of public schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The intern will assist the Racial Justice team with case development, client outreach, research tasks, public education materials, statistical analysis and other tasks as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• A strong interest in issues impacting communities of color.
• Excellent writing and communications skills.
• Ability to be self motivated and driven to see projects through to completion.
• Experience using statistical information strongly preferred.

Spring Internship:
Spring internships will begin in February and will run the duration of 12-16 weeks. The spring position is part-time with weekly hours negotiable.

Summer Internship:
Summer interships will begin in May or June and run the duration of 12-16 weeks. The summer position may be full- or part-time, although candidates available for a full-time commitment are preferred.

COMPENSATION:
The Spring and Summer internship opportunities are unpaid. Arrangements can be made for community service, work/study or course credit.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a resume, non-fiction writing sample of no more than 2 pages, and a cover letter indicating the dates and times (FT/PT) you are available, to a AWeibgen@aclu.org re: Racial Justice Internship or preferably by mail to:

Internship Coordinator
Racial Justice Program
American Civil Liberties Union Foundation
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004

We are seeking to fill these positions as early as possible, and will accept applications on a rolling basis until they are filled.