There's been some exciting discussions going on over the past week . . . how BiNet can reach out to the younger generation, how we should handle the same gender marriage debate, how to increase or web presence.

It seems like a good time to remind y'all - BiNet is what each one of you chooses to make of it. We are grassroots and all volunteer. We don't have a big budget or staff.

Consider joining us on the board . . . come up with a nifty title for yourself and i can help set you up with a special name tag ;)

Its funny.. I was having this sometimes exasperating discussion with a binet memeber earlier this month. she has tons of ideas and was confused why we weren't implementing more of them. Eventually, I realized there was an impression that the board secretly meets in dark, smoky quarters to plot our secret agenda . . . one that we don't share with anyone.

I had to laugh. honestly . . . . y'all see all there is to see. I volunteer my hour or so a day maintaining the list and web site, responding to email, and being involved in the glbt leadership discussion groups. Margaret manages our mail. Gary, our funds. Matt keeps us up to date on the Task Force's leadership round table. And that's about ALL we're doing.

If anyone is interested in BiNet doing more, please join us

Account Structure Update
Back by popular demand, Basic Accounts will be available to all users again by the end of the (northern hemisphere) summer. More information on the decision-making process and proposals relating to the future of Basic Accounts are in lj_2008.

New Themes
Two attractive and all-new Flexible Squares themes, "Circular" and "Circular Brown" are now available.


L to R: Circular and Brown

New V-Gifts
Give someone you care about the gift of enticement. With the new Chocolate Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream, Tea, Coffee, Curry and Sushi v-gifts, all the significant people in your life will be able to share in the longing for the tasty edibles below. Plus, it reminds loved ones you think they're really sweet, really savory or just plain satisfying.


L to R: Chocolate Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream, Tea, Coffee, Curry and Sushi

Ж-Men...but not the ones you might expect!
This week LJ Russia launched Ж-Men, a new comedy series about superheroes, inspired by the LJ communities dedicated to superheros, comics and cartoons. The title's "Ж" comes from ЖЖ, the nickname for LiveJournal in Russia.

Ж-Men's script is written by a group of LJ enthusiasts who also happen to be television professionals. Who knew? Following the premiere, five more episodes will be broadcast over the next two weeks. We hope you find the series fresh and enjoyable.

This is, of course, an experiment for LiveJournal. As always, we'd love to hear what you think!

Creating Change Wants You . . . To Go West and Build Our Movement!

Sparkplug. Community Leader. Inspiring Activist. Organizational Whiz. Major Domo. Original Thinker. Politerati. Cultural Activist. Movement Builder. You-Without-Whom-We-Would-Not-Have-Come-This-Far.

The 21st National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change wants you. Yes, you. We want you to teach your colleagues how to build LGBT power from the ground up. Come to the national gathering of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender movement sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and strut your stuff!

Creating Change touches down in friendly Denver Colorado at the January 28 – Feb. 1, 2009, gathering together over 2000 movement stalwarts who are hungry and thirsty for new ideas, best practices, stronger skills and inspiration.

A large portion of the Creating Change Conference program is planned and presented by movement heroes just like you. To propose a workshop session, a training, a caucus or networking opportunity, visit http://www. thetaskforce.org/events/creating_change/09_proposal_submissions to access the Request for Proposed Sessions.

Perhaps you want to lead a session to grapple with pressing immediate issues like the results of the 2008 elections or how the right wing is attacking LGBT families. Or maybe you have longer-term issues on your mind, like the impact of the AIDS epidemic, especially in communities of color, or building a multi-racial advocacy organization in your community. The Creating Change Conference is your chance to organize a teaching/learning session to present the lessons you’ve learned and the best practices you have developed.

Attendees at Creating Change include colleagues who are young and old; organizers and activists of color; volunteers and staff people at LGBT organizations; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender advocates and straight allies; and leaders of campus communities. Creating Change attracts people from every corner of the United States who are working on many of the issues that you care about.

Conference presenters receive a steeply discounted registration fee and the deep satisfaction of building a stronger, smarter, more powerful grassroots LGBT movement.

Creating Change Conference session proposals are due on September 30, 2008. Online proposal submission and complete information can be found at www.creatingchange.org

linebyline
A writing prompt where members respond to single phrases and use them in their posts.

plants
A community for green thumbs, botany enthusiasts and lovers of plant life.

mst3k
The LiveJournal destination for Mystery Science Theater 3000 fans.

This essay is X-Posted from BiNet USA President Wendy Curry's Blog curriedspam

Honestly, I've been less enthused about the "gay marriage" vs same sex marriage debate than I was the trans inclusive ENDA; with the ENDA battle, rights were being held up . . . With the marriage debate, it could be argued . . . as some have done . . . that the semantics (word choice) will not result in a lack of benefits. After spending time with the amazing Moira, I got to understand how some decisions are being made and can respect that.

One of the reasons so many "state DOMA" legislation's passed, IMO, was that national figures imposed their beliefs and did not listen to local voices . . . who better knew what would work in their neck of the woods. I am definitely enjoying listening to several CA voices on this list [Note: she means the very lively & interesting BiNet USA Discussion List - Click Here To Join] discuss the strategy pros and cons.

I believe the passion form the bi/trans communities on this issue comes from years of baggage and mistreatment from the gay/lesbian community. Since Stonewall (even before), bisexual and transgender individuals have been the back bone of the gay/lesbian movement. We have marched, planned the first pride marches, spoke before congress on DODT, and volunteered tireless hours to effect change for the entire GLBT community.

Yet, time after time, the gay/lesbian leaders have conveniently omitted us - from press releases, proposed legislation, web pages, magazines, etc, etc. The expressed pain comes from the long history of being welcomes when work is needed, yet shunned when convenient. In this particular case, there appears to be no reason for the omission. Does anyone really NOT know what "same sex marriage" refers too?

The gay and lesbian community does a disservice to it's own cause when they remove us from a discussion. Same gender marriage effects bisexuals and transgender individuals in a different way from gays and lesbians, which they would understand if they included us in the process.

One may argue that 2 bisexual females are in a lesbian relationship. I would counter - your individual experiences, feelings, and yes, sexuality effects your relationship. If not, why would so many gays and lesbians be afraid to date us? it's merely a "gay" relationship, right?

genx_xslacker
For everyone born between 1965 and 1976, your commnunity is here.

localgrr
The home of Local Girl's Day in Pictures.

oh_my_tatt
A place for showing off and discussing tattoos.