The Announcements on this page are updated once a month. lbgt@mit coordinates a monthly e-mail newsletter through which these Announcements are distributed. To subscribe to the monthly e-mail, please submit a request to lbgt@mit.

• What's in the News- a new feature and update
• FREE2B and Web Calendar
• Leadership Retreat
• GAMIT Meeting (September 10; 6pm)
• Hope Not Hate (September 12; 7pm)
• ULC Welcome BBQ (September 13; 12:30pm)
• Rainbow Lounge Open House (September 15; 4pm)
• Student Support Groups Information Session (September 17, 4pm)
• Join the LBGT Programming Committee
• SLoanLGBT McKinsey Recruiting Reception
• GABLES Lunch (September 30; 12:10pm)
• Mark Your Calendar- Rainbow Reception (October 8; 4pm)

By Kavan Peterson, Staff Writer stateline.org (July 21, 2003)
National attention is focused on Massachusetts' highest state court, which is expected to render a decision any day now that will decide whether the state will become the first to allow gay and lesbian couples to legally wed.
The case at issue, Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, was brought by seven same-sex couples who challenge the state's refusal to grant them civil marriage licenses on grounds that the right to marry the person of one's choice is protected under the state constitution.
Lawyers involved in the case refuse to guess how the court will rule, but advocates and opponents of homosexual marriage predict a decision that will bolster the rights of gay and lesbian couples.

For more information, check out the Massachusetts Freedom to Marry Coalition website at http://www.ftmmass.org/.

FREE2B is an informative and flashy publication developed by LBGT@MIT over the summer to assist anyone in becoming more familiar with the various offerings and facets of LBGT life on MIT's campus. Featuring many photographs and quotes of and by LBGT folks at MIT, FREE2B is complete with contact information for both campus and community resources. Stop by the Rainbow Lounge (50-306) or W20-549 to pick up your own copy and a few extras for those who might benefit from a little extra information.

LBGT@MIT's online calendar is also an excellent way to publicize and learn about activities taking place on campus. Check out the newly updated version today and frequently at web.mit.edu/lbgt/events.

MIT's first annual Fall LBGT Leadership Retreat was a huge success. Held on September 5-7, in Provincetown, MA, and attend by seventeen graduate and undergraduate students, the retreat provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the LBGT community, refine their leadership skills, and to plan for the coming year. Full of many laughs, much sharing, and lots if insights and learning, an amazing and empowering time was had by all who attended. Many thanks to the Office of the Chancellor for providing funding for this amazing event.

September 10, 2003, 6:00pm - 7:30pm Rainbow Lounge (50-306)
Help make the world and MIT a better place for LBGT people. At this meeting, new members will be welcomed, officers elected, and projects discussed. Come at 6:00 for food and socialization. The meeting will start promptly at 6:30. For more information, contact GaMIT Officers at 3-5440 or gamit-admin@mit.edu.

September 12, 2003, 7:00pm - 9:00pm 54-100
Join Rep. Stephen Lynch, Islamic Society of Boston, and Boston Globe for a forum on US-Islamic relations. The Boston Town Hall is part of a broader nationwide initiative called "Hope not Hate" that seeks to facilitate broad, inclusive discussions on how the Islamic world and the United States can work together to stem growing hatred of one another. Feeling that September 11 should be reserved as a day of mourning and commemoration, we have chosen to hold "Hope not Hate" on September 12, 2003, to symbolize a rise to action out of the ashes of tragedy.
The program will be held in 54-100 and is sponsored by the Undergraduate LGBT Community and Americans for Informed Democracy. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. For more information, contact Daniar Hussain (617-899-9709) at dhussain@mit.edu or on the web at http://www.aidemocracy.org.

September 13, 2003, 12:30pm - 3:00pm MacGregor BBQ Pits
Come see old friends or meet someone new at the first-ever event from ULC (formerly FAQS). Whether you're gay or questioning, you'll find friendly LBGT people with whom to talk (no pictures, confidential).
The event will be held at the MacGregor BBQ pits and is sponsored by the Undergraduate LGBT Community. Admission is free and open to the MIT community only. For more information, contact ULC Officers at ulc-officers@mit.edu or on the web at http://web.mit.edu/lbgt/ulc/.

September 15, 2003, 4:00pm - 7:00pm Rainbow Lounge (50-306)
The Rainbow Lounge is kicking off the new school year with an open house !!! Fall 2003 hours of operation have not yet been scheduled - stop by the Open House to check out the lounge, sign out books or movies, and get fall hours information. If you can't make it by the open house, be sure to check the web next week for a complete updated listing of the fall semester schedule.

September 17, 2003, 4:00pm - 5:00pm 5-104
The support groups offer bi-weekly discussions on topics YOU want to talk about. Groups provide support and discussions for all LBGT and questioning undergraduate and graduate students - not just for coming out. Safe and confidential! Stop by the info session to get more information and meet some of the support group facilitators.
For more information, contact James Collins (258-5482) at jmcollin@mit.edu or check out information on the web at http://web.mit.edu/lbgt/support/.

Have an idea for a Program this Fall? The LBGT Programming Sub-Committee is looking for program proposals. Please email Tom Robinson (trob) if you would like funding for an event and help with event planning. The LBGT Programming Sub-Committee is comprised of Anne Pollock G, Margarita Ascencio, OME and Tom Robinson, SLP. We have funding available and are looking for ideas and interested students for the fall and spring semesters.

September 25, 2003 6:30-8pm Vox Populi (755 Boylston St.; Boston)
McKinsey & Company would like to invite interested gay, lesbian, and bisexual students from MIT (undergrad and grad) to a reception to learn more about opportunities with the Firm and to discuss issues related to being an openly gay consultant. McKinsey consultants and recruiting staff will be in attendance to share their experiences and answer questions. Dress is business casual. For more information or to RSVP (by September 24), contact Kathleen Boutin at Kathleen_Boutin@mckinsey.com

September 30, 2003, 12:10pm - 1:00pm
GABLES is the MIT glbt staff & faculty group. The lunch is an opportunity to gather in a social environment to meet and greet one another. It is also a venue to discuss issues of interest to the MIT and larger communities. Colleagues from the wider community are invited to join us.
For more information, contact David Fitzgerald (258-0235) at dfitz@mit.edu.

October 8, 2003, 4:00pm - 6:00pm East Campus (Talbot Lounge)
The Rainbow Reception is an annual celebration of MIT's LBGT community and THE social event of the fall semester for faculty, staff, and students. Please join us as we work together to build a stronger, safer community for students through conversation, light refreshments, and a little fun. A preview of "Being LBGT and at MIT: A Collection of Photographs" will occur at the Reception.
For more information, contact lbgt@mit.edu or check out the web at http://web.mit.edu/lbgt/lavender/annual-events.html.

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