From: neka on Feb 05 13, 13:32 (edited: Feb 05 13, 13:33)

-- PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY --

Amongst women aged 15 to 44, acts of violence cause more death and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined. Whether domestic violence, sexual abuse in schools, harassment at work or on the streets or assault as a tactic of war, women across our world face a multitude of daily threats simply to stay alive.

So many of us desperately want to step into our true power. We try to earn more, get healthier, enhance our relationships and accelerate our careers. Though achieving life’s big goals are a great focus, too often we lose track of what will really serve our soul. We forget about our capacity to help others and rise up for a greater cause.

It’s time for us to redirect our focus off of what we need to achieve and instead shift to how we need to serve.

On Feb. 14, you’ll have a radical opportunity to accelerate your service mentality. On this day, one billion women (and all the men who love them) are rising to say “no” to violence against women and “yes” to raising awareness.

According to the United Nations, one out of three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. That is one billion mothers, daughters, sisters, partners and friends who are violated.

Activist Eve Ensler and her movement, V-Day, refuse to stand by as women experience this amount of violence. Instead, they invite you to rise up and demand an end to violence — and dance.

The late dancer Gabrielle Roth once said, “Dance is the fastest, most direct route to the truth.” On Feb. 14, join activists in over 178 countries and stage a rising in your community, office, college or school for a global dance party. Organize a flash mob at a landmark, in the streets or in a mall. Have a dance party, produce a theatrical event, march in the streets, protest, strike, dance and above all, rise!

As Burmese activist San Suu Kyi has said, “When you’re feeling helpless, help someone.” Use this event as an opportunity to get out of your own way, be a part of a global movement and take a stand.

For more about this powerful cause, visit http://www.onebillionrising.org 

From: neka on Nov 09 11, 15:49

Antigay advocates in Latin America are taking the quest of so-called reparative therapy to a much darker level. For the past decade, lesbians in Ecuador have been forced into what they call torture camps aimed at making them straight.

Close Lesbian Torture Clinics - Please sign the PetitionAlthough over 30 “ex- gay clinics” have been closed this year, hundreds still remain open. These clinics which claim to “cure” homosexuality have decreased in popularity in recent years yet still remain a horrific reality for many. Escaping patients report cases of physical and psychological abuse including verbal threats, shackling, days without food, sexual abuse, and physical torture. Paula Ziritti, 24, spent two years in one such facility and for three months was shackled in handcuffs while guards threw water and urine on her. She describes numerous accounts of physical and sexual abuse. Ziritti says, “The closure of the first clinics by the government is good, but not good enough. Why is the clinic where I suffered still open?”

SIGN PETITION HERE
http://www.shoe.org/lesbian-news/read.php?ID=2094

Since Zirittu’s public disclosure, many others have been inspired to step forward and file formal complaints against these treatment centers. Please join Fundacion Causana and a coalition of other Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender groups in calling on Ecuador’s Minister of Health to immediately investigate and close the 200 “ex- gay clinics” that still remain open despite public support for their closing and reported accounts of torture and abuse.

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SHOE Feature Article submitted by: sirius and echooo

About Sirius: "All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I realize I should have been more specific. ~ Jane Wagner"

About Echooo: "life is not about the amount of breathes you take, but about the moments that take your breath away"
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Want to write featured Articles for SHOE?

Would you like to write feature articles about Lesbian Life and all that comes with it? We are looking for stuff that are FUN to read for lesbians. Every day stuff, relationship stuff, sex stuff, political stuff....

Submit your feature article here:
http://www.shoe.org/about/contact/ 

From: Sirius on Sep 13 11, 15:09

Today (Tuesday, September 13th) is the day for Grassroots action from coast to coast and country to country for those who oppose hydraulic fracturing (fracking). It's time to rise up!

We've been fighting for clean water, clean air, and sane energy policies in our local communities long enough. Join us as we take it to the top! This is a global issue, my friends that's why I am encouraging Shoes from across the globe to join in. The President needs to know that actions in our country affect the world. There is no planet B.

The National Grassroots Coalition is partnering with Josh Fox and Gasland, Credo, Democracy for America, Food and Water Watch, United for Action, and several other organizations in pushing The National Call Day to President Obama today, September 13th.

Help by announcing to your email list, website, and Facebook and other social media this major national action.

Here are the details of the call day:

Call the White House at 202-456-1111 or 202-456-1414 between 9 am and 5 pm EDT on September 13th. If the phone lines are jammed, send an email through the White House Contact page here. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact) Or, do BOTH.

Say, "Hello my name is ______, I live in (City, State) and I oppose hydraulic fracturing and I want renewable and sustainable energy policy solutions."

Of course, feel free to cater this message to your liking. The important thing is that we let President Obama know that there is a lot of opposition to fracking.

This is going to be the first action of many more to come as we, together steer this country and world to more sane and sustainable energy policies where we don’t have to poison ourselves to power our lives.

If you have questions about this event, or would like to be listed on our website, please email nationalgrassrootscoalition@yahoo.com or contact your regional coordinator.

Thanks so much! I would love to hear from you on this effort.

Siriuslee yours 

From: Sirius on Jul 29 11, 16:02

Short of support, House Republican leaders on Thursday abruptly put off a vote on their proposal to raise the debt ceiling and cut government spending.

That means you still have more time to ACT--but VERY little time.

Quoted from by blog dated Jul 28:

The House is voting TODAY on Speaker Boehner's plan to cut the deficit, which the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) says, "could well produce the greatest increase in poverty and hardship produced by any law in modern U.S. history."1

There are only hours to stop this bill in its tracks, so Congress can find a balanced plan that avoids default while protecting seniors and working Americans and making the rich pay their share.

So, we need to make sure that the phones in your Congressman's are ringing off the hook today with calls from constituents telling him to vote no on the Boehner bill. This is an important vote, and you can be sure that your congressman's office will be keeping careful track of all the calls coming in.

Please consider calling your representatives office right now, identify yourself as a constituent, and say, "I urge you to vote 'no' on the Boehner bill"?

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

According to the CBPP, the Boehner bill would require "deep cuts in the years immediately ahead in Social Security and Medicare benefits for current retirees...or wholesale evisceration of basic assistance programs for vulnerable Americans."2

And because the Boehner plan is only short-term, it's unlikely to avoid a historic downgrade in the U.S. credit rating right now.3 That will trigger higher mortgage and credit card rates—hurting already struggling families.4

The Boehner plan is no choice, it's no solution, and we need responsible Republicans to vote no.

Simply say, "I urge you to vote 'no' on the Boehner bill"? A good opportunity to speak your mind and do something. Social media pressure works folks!

Sorry for gettin' all political on your asses and all but dis' shit be important! With kind regards, Sirius 

From: neka on May 12 11, 17:07

SHOElala, the important message below has just reached us. Please sign the petition and forward it to other people you know.

Please be aware, that you too can send out ACTION ALERTS to thousands of women of the SHOE community. Together we can achieve more!

Post your ACTION ALERT here:
http://www.shoe.org/member/localboard
Select: ACTION ALERT

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Hello Shoe women,

currently the country of Uganda is considering anti-gay legislation that would make being gay or lesbian punishable by death. There is an on-line petition sponsored by allout. Would you consider posting or sending this link to Shoe members so they may add their voices against this hate? Thank-you for your consideration.

http://www.allout.org/en/petition/uganda

http://ravenscall.shoe.org
Shoe member since 2004
Canada 

From: neka on Apr 14 11, 08:48

Shortly after announcing her engagement to her girlfriend Lauren Blitzer, Chely Wright posted this Couragous Open Letter on her Website:

(SHOE News: Country singer Chely Wright announces engagement to girlfriend Lauren Blitzer
http://www.shoe.org/lesbian-news/read.php?ID=1886 )

“Love might be love; but in GOD'S eyes this kind of love is a sin...only man could ever think this is a great thing...shame on all who are Christians who are congratulating her...” (one of many hurtful response to our engagement announcement on a website called “the taste of country”)

Dear LGBT Community and Allies,

As I near the date of my one-year anniversary of coming out, my re-birth of sorts, I look back and reflect on the progress that has been made both personally and professionally as an LGBT advocate. I am proud to be engaged to the woman I love and to be planning a wedding for August in a state that will recognize our love. I am proud to be working as a spokesperson for GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network and a Board Member of the organization. I am proud to have founded my own non-profit, LikeMe, working to open the first LGBT center in Kansas City, and I am proud to be a dedicated board member of Faith in America, an organization fighting tirelessly to end religion-based bigotry towards LGBT people, particularly youth.

Coming out has made this advocacy work possible, it has enabled me to become an example for youth struggling for acceptance across the country and it has opened my own personal life up to experiences I never thought I would be able to have as a gay woman. I am so thankful for this year.

As you may know, several days ago, People magazine announced my engagement on their website. It is truly a wonderful thing for us to enjoy; that two women could happily wed and live the life all people deserve. As the hours went by we saw 60 articles come up on Google, then the next morning we saw 100, then 120. It just kept going and going. We were touched at the level of interest our engagement was receiving and happy to know that our wedding plans were being celebrated by so many.

Late last night, while looking at several of the websites that were sharing our big news, we started reading some comments that had been posted. Our friends and family, twitter friends and Facebookers were wishing us the best, sending love, acceptance and excitement through the world wide web - but the comments we were reading on sites like AOL, Yahoo and other National online media were not as friendly.

I knew when I decided to come out that I would be challenged with opposition, particularly from the cross section of people in the world who knew me best -the country music industry and country music fans. While I have had some support from people from my industry, it's been largely through private communication- only a few people have had the inclination to publicly vocalize their support for me. Over the last year, I have tried to stay focused on emphasizing the progress that we are making, rather then the setbacks we continue to face. This letter is to make everyone aware that we still have a tremendous amount of work to do- so many hearts and minds to open and so many opinions to change.

Read the rest of the letter here:
http://www.shoe.org/lesbian-news/read.php?ID=1888

 

From: neka on Mar 16 11, 16:46 (edited: Mar 16 11, 16:46)

Organizations are stepping up to aid the victims of last week's earthquake/tsunami in Japan. The world watched in horror late last week as a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck near the northeast coast of Honshu Japan and left a crisis of historic proportion in their wake.

Events are still unfolding, but the need for the basic necessities of life — food, water and medical assistance — will grow in the coming weeks and months.

A number of organizations have mobilized to provide assistance; here’s how you can help. Check out the SHOE News for full information.

Link: http://www.shoe.org/lesbian-news/read.php?ID=1852

Thank You All For Your Time and Generosity *hugs*
Your SHOE-Team
:: NEKA inside :: 

From: neka on Mar 08 11, 16:04

this action alert was sent to us by sheryl *thank you*

Sign the Petition for Marriage Equality

We want to live in a Minnesota that respects and values all people and all families. It's about being true to the values of fairness and equality that help make our state a welcoming and livable place to call home. But right now there are plans in the Legislature to resurrect old, divisive proposals targeting same-sex couples and their families with a constitutional amendment that would permanently outlaw any recognition of their relationships.

This is wrong. You can help stop it.

Sign up as a supporter of marriage equality to show your commitment to equality for LGBT Minnesotans. Help OutFront Minnesota rally diverse communities all across Minnesota to oppose this discrimination!

I SUPPORT MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Sign here: http://www.outfront.org/marriage/actioncenter/signup 

From: neka on Feb 26 11, 12:54

The Wall Street Journal has an online voting going on.
Question of the Day is:

Should gay marriage be legal in the U.S?
Please cast your vote now and spread the word.

http://online.wsj.com/community/groups/question-day-229/topics/should-gay-marriage-legal-us?commentid=2137776

Thank you :-)))
Your SHOE-Team 

From: neka on Jan 18 11, 18:06

SHOE ACTION ALERT:

South Africa: Declare 'Corrective Rape' a Hate-Crime

"Corrective Rape" is a term used to describe when a man rapes a lesbian with the aim of 'turning' her heterosexual! This heinous crime is prolific in South Africa, especially in the ‘townships.’

Sign the Petition now!

Most of the victims are tortured, grievously assaulted and sometimes murdered! They are also prone to getting HIV/AIDS from the assault, and many of them commit suicide as a result of the ‘corrective rape’!

The South African government and justice system are failing the victims of Corrective Rape by letting the perpetrators out on ridiculously low bail, and taking literally years to bring the court-cases to a conclusion. In the meantime the victims have to live with seeing and being harassed and threatened by their rapists every day, as do those who help the victims!

Want to help us win the 'corrective rape' campaign? Sign this petition then click here!
http://www.change.org/petitions/view/south_africa_declare_corrective_rape_a_hate-crime

In the last 10 years:
* 31 lesbian women have been murdered because of their sexuality
* More than 10 lesbians a week are raped or gang raped in Cape Town alone
* 150 women are raped every day in South Africa
* For every 25 men accused of rape in South Africa, 24 walk free

Despite all this, hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation are not recognised by South African law!

We call on the South African government to declare "Corrective Rape" a Hate-Crime that is punishable by the harshest sentences!

Winning this campaign depends on our ability to quickly call on thousands of supportive folks like you. After signing this petition, please click here to help us win!
http://www.change.org/petitions/view/south_africa_declare_corrective_rape_a_hate-crime

Source: Petition started by: Luleki Sizwe
Targeting: Blendynn Williams (Head of Deputy Minister's Office), Phillip Musekwa (Private Secretary, Ministry of Justice), Collen Msibi (Head of Communications, Ministry of Justice) and more...

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD and forward this Email to everyone you now. Thank You!

Sign Petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/south_africa_declare_corrective_rape_a_hate-crime