As many of you know by now, Affinity is looking for a home. We know that wherever we move to, the rent will be much higher than what we're paying now. Additionally, we need to continue to expand our program offerings in health advocacy, leadership development, and other social justice work. Please send in your $15 for 15 donations to help ensure that we can sustain this important work in the kind of space that truly meets our needs. In addition to providing gifts in multiples of 15, we encourage you to ask 15 of your friends, family, and other supporters to give as well.

We're not having Jazz n July this year, but we're still going to celebrate Affinity's 15th birthday. Mark your calendars for a special celebration on July 24th from 1:00pm until 4:00pm at Sidetrack!

Last year was the first year for Affinity's Scholar Program, a 12-month training and service learning initiative for 18 to 24 year olds who identify as African American and lesbian, bisexual, or transgender female. This year we had eight applicants for the four slots! They are being interviewed by our current Scholars and we will announce who's in the next cohort in a few weeks.

On April 29, 2010, Affinity Community Services was one of several community based organizations that provided testimony in support of a City Council resolution to take a closer look at hate crimes that are motivated by homophobia and transphobia. Click on the following links to see copies of the draft resolution and Kim Hunt's testimony:

Kim Hunt's City Council Committee on Human Rights Hearing Testimony

Flores-Tunney Draft City Council Resolution

Don't forget to add Dyke March to your Pride weekend activities. We will post the details as soon as we get them. In the meantime, you can keep up with the fundraisers and planners at:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14233764762#!/group.php?gid=14233764762&v=info.

UCAN and Howard Brown Health Center have partnered to create the LGBTQ Host Home Program as a viable housing option for homeless LGBTQ youth.  Affinity has agreed to be a partner to the program to help combat this crisis and provide youth with an opportunity to heal and thrive. We are calling upon our constituents to consider providing a safe space for an LGBTQ youth. You can find out more about the program at http://www.ucanchicago.org/site/epage/93794_682.htm.  

Start Time: Friday, June 18, 2010 at 5:00pm
End Time: Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 5:00pm
Location:Starved Rock State Park, Rt 178, Utica, Illinois

This year's camping trip will be June 18 - 20. We have reserved 11 sites. If you'd like to go, we need your name and reservation fee by 12:00pm on June 1st. There is a two-tent maximum for each site. The registration fee is $35 for members and $40 for nonmembers. The fee can be paid by check, money order or credit card. Payments can be mailed in or made in person at the office Monday - Thursday. Credit card payments can be made over the phone or via the website. For website payments, please add $3 to cover the online processing fee. For questions or clarification and to arrange to make your payment, please call the office at 773-324-0377.

One of the requirements for completion of the Affinity Scholars Program is completion of an independent research project. As this current cohort of Scholars prepares to graduate, they would like the help of constituents and allies to put the final touches on their projects. Your participation is requested for the following projects.

Queer Students of Color Research Project
Dani White is studying queer people of color in higher education institutions. Participation in the project would be anonymous and would consist of a half hour to an hour long phone interview. The results would be used as reference material for higher education institutions and to construct a curriculum guide for building affirming atmospheres and sufficient resources in schools. If you or anyone you know identifies as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, queer and/or questioning), is of color, and is currently or was previously enrolled in a higher education institution, and would be interested in participating in this project, please contact Dani White at dani.scholar@affinity95.org with the following information to set up an interview/survey slot: name, telephone number, email address, and times available for the interview.

Differences between LGBTQ Non-Welcoming and Welcoming Churches
Alexia Rice-Henry's project explores the fundamental difference between both non-welcoming churches (those who are heavily African-American populated) and welcoming churches (those of the reconciling ministries-United Methodists and other denominations). She will also explore how and if the church plays a role in the development and sustainment of the African-American lesbian and bi-sexual woman and will briefly include perspectives on marriage equality and civil unions. If you identify as a woman, please click on http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RBVGDZB to take the survey.

The application for the Scholars Program can now be downloaded from the Affinity website. The Scholars Program is a 12 month service learning and training program that includes training in nonprofit management, social justice movements, and community organizing, conducting an independent research project, planning and hosting an annual youth summit, and being paired with a mentor. Eligible individuals are African American women who are 18 to 24 years of age and identify as lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Applications are due May 31st.

To download an application, click Scholar Application (Word) or Scholar Application (PDF).

The University of Chicago's Office of LGBTQ Student Life announces the Third Annual Rainbow Graduation to acknowledge its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally graduates (College, Graduate & Professional students) of the class of 2010! This year's keynote speaker will be Kim Hunt, Executive Director of Affinity Community Services. For more information about the Office, click on http://lgbtq.uchicago.edu/index.shtml.