This is an introduction to a wonderful organization which sponsors free programs to LGBT families. If this is something folks in our area might wish to be involved with, please let The Bridge know. For more information, please read their recent Newsletter.
 
Pride and Joy Families
Email News for October 8, 2008

Register by Friday to Vote in the Presidential Election
Friday, October 10th is the last day to register to vote in the November 4th general election.  Need a voter registration form?  Contact your local Board of Elections office by phone or online. 

2009 Pride and Joy Families Weekend Conference
The Lesbia n and Gay Family Building Project, with cosponsors Family Equality Council (formerly Family Pride Coalition) and COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere), is making plans for its 2009 Pride and Joy Families Weekend Conference for LGBT* parents, prospective parents and their children in Utica, NY on April 24-26, 2009.  Like our previous conferences, held in Ithaca in 2001 and Binghamton in 2005, we expect this event to bring together LGBT-led families from all over upstate New York and beyond.  The Conference hotel is the newly-renovated Radisson Hotel in downtown Utica.
 
If you haven't already, please visit our website www.PrideAndJoyFami lies.org and complete the online RSVP to express your interest in attending (no commitment yet!).  Please also give us some ideas of the types of workshops and entertainment that you would enjoy.
 
*Lesbian/Gay/ Bisexual/ Transgender

Calendar of LGBT Family Events
Sunday, October 12, 1-3 pm – Tentative reschedule date:  Binghamton Pride and Joy Families Apple Picking.  If you would like to go apple picking at Apple Hills, 131 Brooks Road, Binghamton, please indicate your interest on the listserv or by contacting Heather Hauer by email at Hauer@PrideAndJoyFa milies.org.
 
Sunday, October 12, 1 pm– Hudson Valley COLAGE Apple Picking.  Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE) announces it yearly fun-filled, apple picking and eating event at Barton Orchards, Poughquag, NY in Dutchess County.  Hay rides, a crazy corn maze, petting zoo as well as live entertainment.  Check out the orchard’s website www.bartonorchards. com.  For further information and to RSVP, contact hudsonvalley@ colage.org.
 
Sunday, October 19, 2-4 pm – ***Regional Event** Fall Pride and Joy Family Dance, Ithaca.  Non-alcoholic event, great music with DJ, kid-friendly food for suggested price of $5 per family.  A regional Pride and Joy Families event at Common Ground, 1230 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY.  Please RSVP to your listserv or contact Heather Hauer by email at Hauer@PrideAndJoyFa milies.org or leave a message at the office at 607.724.4308, option 3. 

Sunday, October 26, 1-3:00 pm – Monthly Playgroup, Lambda Family Circle, Albany.  LGBT family group in Albany will host a hayride and pumpkin-picking.  This month’s playgroup is being organized by Suzie and Andrea.  For location and further information, send an email message to the listserve moderator at lambda_familycircle @yahoo.com. 
 
Sunday, November 9, 1-4:00 pm – Family Fun Fest, CenterFamilies of Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council, Albany.  Albany’s LGBT center will host gourd painting, cupcake decorating, story time and more! Free event. Fun for the whole family! CDGLCC, 332 Hudson Avenue, Albany.  Please RSVP by November 3rd to Q Diamond, Program Director, qdiamond@cdglcc. org or (518) 462-6138.

Saturday, November 15, 3-6:00 pm – Binghamton Pride and Joy Families Thanksgiving Feast.  Please join us at the home of Dorian and Marian for a potluck dinner with turkey and all the trimmings (you bring the trimmings!).  Please RSVP to your listserv or contact Heather Hauer by email at Hauer@PrideAndJoyFa milies.org or leave a message at the office at 607.724.4308, option 3. 
 
 
Other Noteworthy Dates
October is recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for us to raise awareness about the reality of domestic and dating violence in our community.  Visit National Coalition Against Domestic Violence at www.ncadv.org.
 
October 10-19 – ImageOut: Rochester Lesbian & Gay Film & Video Festival.  www.imageout. org

Saturday, October 11 – Happy National Coming Out Day!  How will you celebrate? On Oct. 11, 1987, half a million people participated in the March on Washington for lesbian and gay rights.   Visit hrc.org.
 
October 13-17 – 4th Annual Ally Week.  A national youth-led effort empowering students to be allies against anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling in K-12 schools.  Visit www.dayofsilence. org/ally. html.
 
Saturday, November 15 – National Adoption Day.
 
Saturday, November 8, 8 am-4 pm – Adoption Resource Network 17th Annual Conference, Rochester.  Workshops on a wide variety of adoption issues, including attachment, advocacy and cultural connectedness.  Bay Trail Middle School, 1760 Scribner Road, Penfield, NY.  http://www.hillside .com/Services/ Adoption/ conference. htm
 
Tuesday, November 4, 6 am-9 pm – Election Day.  Don’t forget to vote!   Not sure where your polling place is located?  Call your local Board of Elections office. 
 
Friday, November 21 – TransAction!  A new national day of action day to educate, celebrate and to become an ally and stand up for the rights of individuals who have faced harassment, bullying and name-calling because of their gender identity/expression .  Visit  www.dayofsilence. org/tdr.html.

What is Pride and Joy Families?
The Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project sponsors Pride and Joy Families, a network of LGBT-led families that provides social and educational activities and a sense of community to LGBT parents and their children.  The Project is dedicated to helping LGBT people in upstate New York build and strengthen their families.  It was founded in 2000 with a grant from the New York State Health Department to the Fer re Institute, Inc.  The Project offers educational programs and trainings, information and referral services, a directory of welcoming health and human service providers, and support groups for LGBT parents and prospective parents.
Subscription Information 
If you wish to unsubscribe from this Email News blast, please contact Claudia Stallman at LesGayFamBldg@ aol.com or call 607.724.4308, option 3. 

Claudia E. Stallman
Project Director
Lesbian and Gay Family Building Project
c/o Ferre Institute, Inc.
124 Front Street, Binghamton, NY 13905
607.724.4308, option 3
FAX: 607.724.8290
EMAIL: LesGayFamBldg@ aol.com
WEB: www.PrideAndJoyFami lies.org