Carson Beach (South Boston), Sunday, February 26th @ Noon.

On Sunday, February 26th a crowd of diverse individuals will face freezing temperatures and plunge into the icy cold waters of Boston Harbor for a great cause; to raise funds for GMDVP and to raise awareness of the reality of domestic violence in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) communities. The event starts at 11:30 with the plunge to occur at 12 noon at Carson Beach in South Boston.

Continuing with tradition, most plungers will dress in fun costumes, ranging from drag queens to penguins to Elvis Presley. According to Curt Rogers, GMDVP Executive Director, “We work with the very serious issue of domestic violence 365 days out of the year. When we raise funds, we like to have a little fun.”

“This is a very real crisis for many in our community” says Adam Dailey, a Boston based chemist who has plunged as Super-Speedo Boy. “It is not just a straight problem, it is our problem.” The winter plunge is a great way for the community to support GMDVP, with plungers raising funds similarly to a standard walk-athon. Last year, the Winter Plunge raised over $12,000 for GMDVP.

Join as a Plunger!

Plunging is fun and easy.

This year we will continue growing the plunge and hope to have 25 plungers, a larger crowd of spectators, emcee from FreshFruit Productions and we are inviting a funky brass band to follow us out to the water.

We ask potential plungers to remember that this event is foremost a fundraiser for GMDVP. Yes, we have a fun time doing it (some of dress in outrageous costumes and/or drag) and we do generate a considerable amount of press coverage. But the primary goal of the event is to raise funds.

We ask that each plunger to raise $500 from their family and friends in support of their plunge. We have ways of supporting plungers in doing so by helping write/send out letters and by setting up individualized fundraising webpages. However, while we ask everyone to have a goal of at least $500, the minimum requirement we ask of plungers is $100 — so don’t be scared off by the fundraising (However, several plungers will easily raise around $1,000 because it is so easy — really!).

Time commitment on the day of the plunge is 10:45am – 1pm. There is a large newly renovated bathhouse that we use for a comfortable place to change and dry off before and after.
If you think you would like to join us this year, send an email to CRogers@gmdvp.org (or call the GMDVP office at 617-354-6056) and we can answer any questions and get you set up for fundraising.

Support us with a Donation!

If you’re unable to plunge yourself, please consider making a donation here.

Join us as a Spectator!

If you are not jumping in the water, at least come out for a good laugh!

The Ice Queen and friends will once again gather at Carson Beach in South Boston and fling themselves into the cold wild wintry waves of Boston Harbor. Come out for the fun and cheer us on!

Plunge takes place at Carson Beach, South Boston (next to the EXPO Center)
Sunday, February 26, 2012.
We gather at Carson Beach Bathhouse (look for the balloons) at 11:30 and plunge at 12:00.

Don’t be late ~ we don’t stay in the water for long!

Parking is available and the beach is T accessible.

Call GMDVP at 617-354-6056 for directions.

Contacts:
Curt Rogers
EM: crogers@gmdvp.org
PH: 617-354-6056

 On April 16, 2012, you could be one of the runners crossing the finish line of the 116^th Boston Marathon, achieving a personal goal that few people will achieve in their lifetimes and raising critically needed funds for GMDVP.

Charitable marathon entries were generously made possible by the John Hancock Boston Marathon Non-Profit Program. In exchange for official marathon entries, GMDVP marathon runners will each commit to raising funds to support GMDVP’s work with victims and survivors.

GMDVP will provide both running and fundraising support to help keep you motivated and on track to successfully run the Boston Marathon.

There are only a few spots available. If you think you would like to join GMDVP’s Marathon team, call 617-354-6056 or email crogers@gmdvp.org for more information.

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

]]> http://gmdvp.org/2011/09/12th-annual-halloween-fundraiser/feed/ 0 http://gmdvp.org/2011/09/community-gathers-mourn-victims-domestic-homicide/ http://gmdvp.org/2011/09/community-gathers-mourn-victims-domestic-homicide/#comments Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:41:31 +0000 gmdvp http://gmdvp.org/?p=847 Written by Lester Black
The Daily Free Press
The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University

Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community remembered domestic homicide victims Thursday night with a candlelight vigil at the Boston Common.

The murder of Winthrop resident Casey Taylor in August, the third gay male to be killed by domestic violence in Mass. in five months and the seventh since 2010, spurred LGBTQ leaders to organize the vigil.

“After Casey Taylor’s death we thought, this is the third one this year, what is going on?” said Toni Troop of Jane Doe, Inc.  “It’s our responsibility to make the community more aware.”

Rep. Liz Malia, of Jamaica Plain, spoke underneath the Boston Common Bandstand with other community activists about the need for more conversation and open dialogue with the LGBTQ community about domestic violence.

“LGBTQ people, just like straight people, deserve a relationship free of violence,” Malia said.

Underreporting and a lack of information about domestic violence plague the LGBTQ community, said Iain Gill of the Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project.

“Only 24 percent of LGBTQ people polled in Mass. said they could name a resource that could help them if they were a victim,” he said. Read full article.

The domestic violence homicides in the gay community that have occurred in the state over the last few months are alarming advocates who said that more focus must be put on the issue that affects not just one type of relationship.

“Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate,” said Iain Gill of the Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project. “The only difference is the barriers and lack of resources and homophobia from providers.”

Advocates from various groups planned a vigil at the Boston Common Thursday night in response to the domestic violence homicides in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. Read the fully story.

When: Thursday, September 22
Where: Boston Common Bandstand
Time: 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm

GMDVP joined with a coalition of domestic violence organizations, including the The Network/La Red, HarborCOV (Communities Overcoming Violence), Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), The Violence Recovery Program at Fenway Health, and the GLBT Domestic Violence Coalition to address the uptick in domestic violence homicides in the GLBTQ community.

Sign up to attend:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=173441386066671

Boston/Winthrop, MA – The recent homicide of Casey Taylor has rocked the LGBTQ community.  Winthrop resident, John Lacoy, stands accused of killing Casey Taylor in his bedroom and then hiding the body beneath his porch for weeks. Read full story.

LGBT domestic violence awareness: wwlp.com

On Saturday, June 11th from 11 am to 1 pm, GMDVP will host its 12th Annual Pride Brunch at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams (142 Berkeley Street). The event is directly on the Parade Route. Guests are able to support a worthy cause, while enjoying Boston’s Pride Celebration. Tickets are $45 per person and include gourmet brunch, Prosecco, and a variety of flavored mimosas. Purchase your tickets today!