Brilliant set of postcards by Armistice

Below are a set of postcards that I picked up in Ann Arbor from Armistice - a Youth Manufactured Zine. All of the photos were taken and produced by youth peace activists. The project is supported by the Michigan Peaceworks and is a great example of youth activism!

If you're interested in the Zine, or in purchasing some of the postcards (they make for great gifts as I'm already discovering) check out their web site www.michiganpeaceworks.org/armistice.html or send them an email at armistice.zine@gmail.com

Youth who are interested in submitting something to the Zine can also do so via their web site - armistice.zine@gmail.com

I got a copy of their first Zine shortly after it came out and I was really impressed. I'm looking forward to future editions. I was glad to help the project out by purchasing the postcards - which they're using as a fundraiser.

Here are the postcards...

Return to the office after camp

Today is my first day back in the office after returning home from Camping.OUT 2007. As I said in my last post - camp was amazing this year. Special thanks to our incredible group of volunteers - they did a fantastic job and I really appreciate it! I also want to thank our presenters and our Trustees for their support and assistance throughout the week.

We are already getting some feedback on the camp, here are just some of the things people are saying:

“We are immensely proud of Camping.OUT. The excitement and genuine sense of freedom and liberation that the campers experience confirms the worth and value of making the occasion possible for those youth leaders."
- Jeffrey Montgomery, Triangle Foundation Executive Director

“Camping.OUT has been the best part of my summer. I’m blessed to have gotten a scholarship to come and be with all of those wonderful people who I can be myself around."
- Jessie, Camping.OUT 2007 Camper

“While the Triangle Foundation spends much of its human and financial resources responding to concerns of harassment, discrimination, and assault, the camp is perhaps the most significant pro-active work that Triangle does.”
- Jim Toy, Camping.OUT 2006 and 2007 Volunteer

“Camping.OUT was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had working with youth. Many times I was brought to tears watching our youth leaders grow. I was continuously inspired by their strength, creativity and warmth.”
- Courtney Oertel, Camping.OUT 2007 Volunteer

“Camping.OUT is such an amazing place with fantastic people! I can't wait to get the opportunity to go again in 2008, it changed my life!”
- Lee, Camping.OUT 2007 Camper

"Where else can you ride horses in the morning and brain storm on countering negative labels in the afternoon? I can't wait to go back. Here's to the day when all queer youth have the opportunity to attend Camping.OUT."
- Wendy Curry, President of BiNet USA and Camping.OUT 2007 Presenter

“Camping.OUT means longtime friendships with people who are like you. Everyone is accepting and loving – no one is left out and everyone finds friends that they can relate to.”
- Seth, Camping.OUT 2007 Camper

Again thank you to all of our volunteers and presenters. But a huge thank you to our campers! They were a great group of youth leaders and I can't wait to see the fantastic work they are doing continue and grow in the years to come.

I'll now be transitioning back into my usual work routine (after maybe taking a couple more days rest in the next couple of weeks) - which will include putting together our plans for Camping.OUT 2008. Stay tuned!

Final update from Camping.OUT 2007

Camping.OUT 2007 has officially concluded.

The campers all checked out yesterday and went home. Most of the staff left last night and the rest left this morning. I'm staying at the camp where we hold Camping.OUT for a couple of days to do some debriefing with the site and finish packing up our equipment.

On the last night we had an amazing, absolutely AMAZING, talent show! The campers showed just how multitalented and gifted they are! We were also blessed with a once in a lifetime performance by the always fabulous Jim Toy - our Camp's Counselor and a member of Triangle Foundation's Board of Advisors.

After the talent show we had a closing campfire and everyone was able to share their highlights from camp and share with the group what camp means to them. It was truly amazing to hear everyone share their thoughts and experiences.

This year's Camping.OUT was a tremendous success and we are already planning Camping.OUT 2008. Stay tuned for details on Camping.OUT 2008 coming soon...

Update #2 from camp

I can't believe how fast the week is going! The whole camp is almost over for the year!

Here are some highlights since the last update:

• Wendy Curry, President of BiNet USA, was with us for about a day. Yesterday morning she facilitated a camper-led activity discussing the bisexual community, biphobia and bi-awareness. A lot of really interesting things were discussed and the campers who led it did a great job.


• Lara Crutsinger-Perry, Acting Executive Director of the National Youth Advocacy Coalition, was with us for a few days. While she was here she facilitated, along with Mark Lachay (an attorney from Detroit), an all-camp discussion on HIV awareness. I've posted to this blog before just how important I believe this issue is for GLBT youth and I was thrilled that we were able to discuss it here at camp with someone who travels the USA facilitating these types of discussions.


• Kate Runyon, Program Director of AFSC's Michigan LGBT Issues Program, has joined us and even camped out on the beach last night. She worked with the campers to navigate the challenging topic of communicating with hostile people in...well...not hostile ways.


• Triangle Foundation's Trustees, along with Triangle Foundation's Executive Director - Jeffrey Montgomery, visited camp today and led a discussion on oppression and the stereotypes set by society. I think they all really enjoyed themselves and the campers enjoyed being able to converse with them - especially since they have such a diverse set of skills. Kudos to Roland, Board Chair, for overcoming his fears of...well...the outdoors.

Hopefully I'll be able to post one more update before I head home from camp.

Update #1 from camp

Things have been very hectic here - in a very good way!

Everyone seems to be having a great time and some really wonderful discussions have taken place. We've also had some fun kayaking, making friendship bracelets and hiking the trails around camp.

Here are some highlights:

• Simon Aronoff, currently the Deputy Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality and formerly one of our contacts at Fenton Communications, has been here all week and will remain until the campers go home. He helped facilitate a great all-camp dialogue on transgender awareness and the transgender community's involvement in the broader GLBT community.


• Triangle's very own Sean Kosofsky was able to join us for an activity period and facilitated, along with Mark Lachay, a training on how to lobby.


• On our first full day we had our annual visit from our camp licensing consultant. The visit went very well - which is great news!

Until next time...

Camping.OUT campers - enter stage right

The campers have arrived!!! Yay!!

It looks like we've got a really great group of youth leaders. We started the camp off with a traditional opening campfire. The volunteers did a great job leading some fun songs and goofy dance moves - you know - campfire stuff.

Staff training was a success!

Staff (or should I say volunteer) training for Camping.OUT 2007 is just about over. We have a wonderful crew this year!!

We've all set through a lot of workshops, discussions, role playing scenarios and well...gotten all of the non-camp appropriate jokes out of our system. We even made a late night trip to a drive-in movie - a first for many in the group.

Everyone is VERY excited about campers arriving tomorrow. They're not even here yet and I already have sand everywhere. Even with the sand invading every item I own that's here with me at camp - it just doesn't feel the same without the campers here... Tomorrow's check-in will be a truly exciting event!

Here's a photo taken during one of our staff workshops:

Camp volunteers - enter stage left

It's been a hectic and full day. Lots of meetings, lots of arrangements and LOTS of phone calls and emails... But...it's all well worth it because tomorrow the first key part of Camping.OUT 2007 officially begins....

Tomorrow - our wonderful camp volunteers will arrive to start their camp training!!

We have an amazing group of volunteers from all over the US. In fact - I'm about to leave to head to the airport to pick-up someone flying in from Miami to be a counselor.

We're only a few days away from the big moment...opening day. Stay tuned for updates as Camping.OUT 2007 officially begins!

New web site with info and actions you can take regarding DP Benefits issue in Michigan

Before I left for camp (only a couple of hours away!) I wanted to invite you to check out a new web site regarding the ruling on domestic partnerships in Michigan - http://www.protectmifamilies.org/

Triangle Foundation, Michigan Equality, ACLU of Michigan and the Michigan Consortium of Higher Education GLBT Centers have joined together to create, "Protect Our Families Michigan," a Web site dedicated to achieving equal treatment under the law for families headed by same-sex couples. The site is being launched in response to attacks by religious extremists on health insurance and other employment benefits following passage of 2004's anti-marriage amendment, Proposal 2.

Protect Our Families Michigan is your place – your place to learn about the discrimination our families face and to take action to help protect your family against that discrimination. It’s the place to tell your family’s story and read the stories of other families, just like yours, who are living, loving and growing together despite the discriminatory laws and attitudes that seek to oppress us. And it’s your tool, and ours, to help end those laws and attitudes forever.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to Camp I Go

I'm putting the final touches on preparations and packing my bags for this year's Camping.OUT! I leave tomorrow to move the preparations operation to the camp's location before our team of volunteers arrives for training this weekend.

This year's camp has twice as many campers as last year and thanks to all of your support - we were able to approve every scholarship application that we received.

When I return later this month I'll be sure to share all of the details. I'll also do my best to post updates from camp on this blog as it is in session - so stay tuned!