Sojourn: Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity

As with all of our programming, we practice inclusivity. This year's Purim Off Ponce At the Drive-In: The Rocky Hora Picture Show is no different - we welcome ALL, even The Rocky Horror Picture Show virgins. Those who have attended a POP event in the past, you know, SOJOURN hosts a party to remember, and this year will be no different. Here's what guests can expect: ... Costumes, costumes, and more costumes! A meaningful program honoring SOJOURN's work and the 20 inspiring youth will be honored with the Michael Jay Kinsler Award. A drive-in showing of The Rocky Hora Picture Show!! And so much more! Show your support of SOJOURN by becoming a Purim Off Ponce sponsor or event host - opportunities are available now. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, so your support is appreciated! https://secure.givelively.org//purim-off-p/purim-off-ponce General admission ticket sales go live on Jan 25!

SOJOURN hosts its Friday group, Drawing from the Well, at 12 pm (EST) via Zoom. Please join us in community as we reflect on the week while drawing strength from the "well". Please share this invitation with anyone you think would benefit from convening in community.

Two months from today, Purim Off Ponce 2021 will be one of the only in-person/socially responsible events that will reach all of pleasure points. Eye candy, yummy hamantachen, singing The Time Warp, and the delight of honoring 20 people under 21! There's one week left to become a Host or Sponsor and be listed on the invitation and will guarantee your parking space. Make your commitment now!

Who has been watching our youth-led show "Sex Ed Queeries" on YouTube? You gotta tune in because "Sex Ed Queeries" is a relatable teen sex-ed web series centered around gender inclusivity, sexuality, and more - and it's really funny! Topics range from having healthy same-sex relationships to having a healthy sexual relationship with yourself. Hop over to YouTube, search "Sex Ed Queeries" and enjoy!

Do you know where your state stands on banning conversion therapy? What about other policies that discriminate against the sexually and gender diverse? At SOJOURN, we are committed to defending and to mobilizing against LGBTQ+ discriminatory policies in the South. A data-driven resource we utilize to stay informed is the Movement Advancement Project https://www.lgbtmap.org/. Right now, Kentucky is actively working to ban conversion therapy (google it and get involved), and t...hrough MAP's website, we learned: One Kentucky county out of 120 has an existing ordinance prohibiting conversion therapy for minors. Kentucky has two cities prohibiting conversion therapy for minors. To learn more about Kentucky's work to ban conversion therapy, please http://banconversiontherapyky.org/about-us/ We encourage you to visit their website to see where your state and city stand in moving the needle forward towards equality for all LGBTQ+ identifying people. If you don't like what you see, join us by taking action! #banconversiontherapy #kentuckylgbtq #lgbtqrights #equityforall #jewishlgbtq

It's Official! SOJOURN is launching Purim Off Ponce 2021! Join our SOJOURN Celebrities for "Hollywood Squeers" and get all of the details for this year's Drive-In celebration coming early Spring 2021. Register for our virtual Party Thursday, November 12 at 7:30pm here, https://us02web.zoom.us//tZ0lde-sqDoqE9T1m35hTd-UAYqz-UD0X

This Shabbat, may good come to all of us.

While we wait...put the Purim Off Ponce Launch Party on your calendar for Thursday, November 12 at 7:30p ET. The Virtual Launch Party reveals more details about Purim Off Ponce 2021, where guests have an opportunity to purchase host sponsorships for POP’s limited live drive-in event on March 13, and all viewers get to play Hollywood Squeers with SOJOURN celebrities. Register in advance for the Launch, https://us02web.zoom.us//tZ0lde-sqDoqE9T1m35hTd-UAYqz-UD0X... After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Check out Aviva Brown, a children’s author who always includes diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation and religion-stories for all families.

Congratulations to the diverse and well-qualified candidates who ran (and won) for elected office.

It may feel like that we are sliding backwards but we are also still moving forward!

What do election results mean for LGBTQ+ Georgians? Check it out here.

Elections, Support, and Happenings - https://mailchi.mp/s/this-week-with-sojourn-friends-3969389

Dearest community, Today is still uncertain. If we know what our basic needs are at this time, we can ask for support. Where are you right now? Let us know how we can help.

Friends, Take care of yourselves today. One Mussar trait that we may need to practice extra hard is patience.

Post-Election Gathering for LGBTQ & Ally Jewish Youth of Color: Regardless of the outcome of the election, this program will be a sacred and supportive processing space for LGBTQ and Ally Jewish youth of color ages 13-18 (or in grades 8-12), facilitated by Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife. RSVP here: https://www.keshetonline.org//11-05-post-election-day-gat/

We know you are going to or have voted. Here's our #1 reason why!

This Shabbat, May you Go to yourself as this week’s Torah portion offers.

We need your help! Every year at Purim Off Ponce (POP), our annual fundraiser, we honor a community member with the Michael Jay Kinsler Rainmaker Award. At this year's 15th anniversary of POP, we will be honoring 20 young people for their demonstration of generosity, creativity, and inspiration. We need your help to identify exceptional youth (age 12-20) identifying as Jewish and queer or serving as an ally to the queer community? ... Does this Jewish, queer-identifying youth actively help and inspire others through their actions and words? Does this Jewish-identifying ally help and inspire the queer community through their actions and words? Does this youth live in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia? NOMINATE THEM!! Here are the deets: *Nominations are welcome from community leaders, mentors, clergy, teachers, counselors, administrators, family (parents, siblings, aunts/uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc.), peers, or youth who can nominate themselves. *A brief application and a letter of recommendation will be requested after youth eligibility is confirmed. *There is no limit to the number of youth one can nominate. However, please prioritize your list if you are a school or organization submitting multiple nominations. *We will have a runner-up list beyond the 20 chosen. Awards will be presented at Purim Off Ponce on March 13, 2021 - Save the Date! To access the nomination form, head over to https://sojourngsd.org/pop2021/20-under-21-nominations to #priumoffponce15 #20under21