January

LAMBDA Meeting, Tuesday, January 24 The LAMBDA Alliance will hold its weekly meeting Tuesday, January 24 at 7pm in UC Room 326 on the University of Montana campus. Join LAMBDA for a hour of discussion regarding current GLBTQI issues and game playing. Meet other people in a safe, fun environment. Please visit http://www.umt.edu/lambda/ for more information.

Womens Resource Center Meeting, Wednesday, January 25

The Womens Resource Center will hold its weeklymeeting Wednesday, January 25 at 6pm in UC Room 207 on the University of Montana campus. Any and all people are welcome to join in the discussion of feminist issues, events, exhibits and publications. Please visit www.umt.edu/wcenter for more information.

The Mentors in Violence Prevention Program Training, Thursday, January 26

Founded in 1993 by Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society, The Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Program motivates young people to play a central role in solving problems that have historically been considered "women's issues": rape, assault and sexual harassment. The MVP Program seeks to reduce the level of men's violence against women by raising awareness of the issues, opening dialogue between people, challenging thought patterns around these issues, and inspiring leadership. Until recently, few campus or community-based programs have encouraged young men to work actively on these issues. MVP motivates men and women to work together in preventing men's violence against women. MVP-Montana provides a range of services to schools and community organizations, including: training sessions for high school students, youth groups, sports teams, teachers, coaches and community-based youth workers; training for select student leaders who wish to facilitate the MVP curriculum; serving as a clearinghouse for connecting facilitators with schools or organizations that wish to sponsor the program.

Last year, WORD trained over 1100 students statewide in this bystander awareness program. The next training will take place at WORD (2525 Palmer St. Ste. 1) on January 26 from 9am to 4pm. Cost is $40. Register with Program Coordinator, Ron Liszak at (406) 543-3550 x 288, or on our website.

Panty Rock Drag Show, Friday January 27

The Womens Resource Center presents the Panty Rock Drag Show Friday, January 27 at The Palace 9pm. $5 21+, $10 for 18 to 21. This is our outrageously fun Vagina Monologues fundraiser. Come enjoy drag performances and a dance party with DJ Mermaid. Everyone is encouraged to dress in drag!

2012 Womens Policy Leadership Institute, Friday January 27 and Saturday January 28

Calling on women, from all walks of life, from all levels of policy experience to join colleagues and new friends in a two-day interactive policy conversation. This years conference will be held Friday January 27^th and Saturday Jan 28^th, 2012 in Helena, MT. Workshops will be held at the Montana Capitol & The Great Northern Hotel. New this year optional skill-building workshops on Friday and the opportunity to take part in the annual Roe v. Wade rally at the Capitol! NETWORK with elected leaders, activists and other great women working on policy issues that affect women and families. LEARN APPLICABLE SKILLS from your choice of engaging workshops on topics like organizing 101, public speaking, effective media outreach, social media and civil disobedience. HEAR FROM ADVOCATES dedicated to economic justice, civic engagement, equality for Native women, immigration justice, womens reproductive health, and more! JOIN TOGETHER WITH A DIVERSE GROUP OF WOMEN, From those who have never done something like this before to established leaders. All are welcome! Childcare, carpools & scholarships are available. Questions: contact Olivia at 543-3550, Olivia (at) montanawomenvote.org.

The Pride Foundation Scholarship for GLBTIQA students

Pride Foundation provides post-secondary educational scholarships to current and future lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and straight-ally leaders and role models from Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. In collaboration with our scholarship partners at the GSBA, we are proud to support LGBTQ and straight ally students! Together, we offer nearly 50 different scholarships, but only one application to complete. Pride Foundations LGBTQ and straight ally scholarship program is one of the largest of its kind in the country with specific scholarships for: students from various geographic areas in the Northwest, students of color, students raised by LGBT parents, and many, many more! For a complete list, please see our scholarship fund page. Our scholarships cover nearly any accredited post-secondary school or program. This includes community colleges, 4-year public or private colleges and universities, trade or vocational training, creative studies programs, certificate programs, medical or law schools, graduate studies, or other accredited degree programs. Students who have been stigmatized or isolated, because of their sexual orientation or gender identity often lack critical family, financial, and community support. Encouraging them to continue their education can be very challenging. Too often, individuals of great promise give up because they dont think anyone believes in them or cares what they have to contribute. Pride Foundation also recognizes students who may not be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, but who have contributed to the LGBT community. These may be the children of LGBT parents, or just friends of our community whose leadership skills we want to foster. Pride Foundation awarded its first scholarship in 1993 and, since then, we have awarded nearly $2.5 million to over 1,000 scholars! Together with the GSBA, we have awarded a total of $3.5 million dollars to over 1,200 students! For more information, please visithttp://www.pridefoundation.org/scholarships/overview/

*Deadline for submission: January 31, 2012

February

Off The Rack 2012

Saturday, February 4, 2012

The Wilma Theatre

In 2008 Blue Mountain Clinic launched Off the Rack, a fashion show that stretches beyond the barriers of gender and stigma with outfits that represent a theme of healthy sexuality. How do these fashion items create dialogue about healthy sexuality? Many of the artwear items are made out of condoms and other alternative textile materials. By combining humor, art, and latex Off the Rack creates community conversation and a fashion show like no other. Local artists generously donate their creativity to making the bras, dresses, suits, ties and other ensembles that make Off the Rack possible. Each February models wearing these creations take to the runway in the Wilma Theatre for the hottest fashion show in town. Off the Rack is Blue Mountain Clinic's signature fundraiser and benefits our programs.

Uncomfortable Truths Series: Race & Sexism Tuesday, February 7

The Uncomfortable Truths Series presented by UC Diversity Programming will showcase issues of Race & Sexism on Tuesday, February 7 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm in the University Center Atrium on the UM campus.

The Vagina Monologues, Saturday, February 11

The Womens Resource Center presents Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues will be held Saturday, February 11th at 7pm in the University Theatre. Tickets on sale on Griztix and in the Women's Center. Tickets will also be available at the door. Proceeds benefit Blue Mountain Clinic.

Vagina Monologues

February 18th, 2012
4:00pm - 8:30pm
Western Montana Community Center

The Western Montana Community Center and Montana Gender Alliance are proud to present the first annual MGA Gender Blender Clothing Swap at the Center.

Please bring your old clothes, misfits or things you just don't wear anymore. Please bring a favorite snack. Pizza and soda will be provided

March

LAMBDA Meeting, Tuesday, January 24 The Men Can Stop Rape Monday & Tuesday, March 1 & 2

Men Can Stop Rape is a national organization whose mission is to mobilize men to use their strength for creating cultures free from violence, especially mens violence against women. For more information please contact SARC at 243-6559 or online at umt.edu/curry/sarc.