Hello, it’s your friend Susan E. Oser.

I am a member of the NFBPWC Michigan Affiliate and the BPW/Michigan Foundation Club. I am continuing as the LGBTQ+ liaison under the Advocacy Committee umbrella.

For my main job, I teach remotely for Carrot Global which is an English as a Second Language school based in South Korea (where I lived from 2000-2003.) Sometimes I do some part-time freelance writing/ editing.

I’m also a facilitator for a group called Scrambled Eggs which is an affiliate group of Transgender Michigan, a trans ally/ transgender support group where all are welcome to connect to resources, ask questions, and network. It is also a way for me to support my transgender partner who is also a BPW member. It’s an aspect of why I wanted to continue in my liaison role.

Here is some information on the group:

https://www.transcendthebinary.org/scrambledeggs/

https://www.transgendermichigan.org/chapters/southeast

For this next term, I hope I can integrate LGBTQ+ issues in collaboration with other committees and make sure there is more of this voice at the table. I will continue to inform you and make you aware of various organizations, issues, etc., that give voice to a community that is currently being silenced at the legislative level.

You will find more information about me in the JDEI Committee section, of which I am the newly appointed chair.

Susan Oser
Advocacy LGBTQ+

IMPORTANT LGBTQ+ HOTLINES & RESOURCES FOR ALLIES TOO

• 100 Organizations Supporting Trans People in All 50 States—donations welcome: https://tinyurl.com/3vdz89e5
• Ali Forney Day Center: 212.206.0574
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 800.342.AIDS (2437), Spanish 800.344432
• TDD service for the deaf: 800.243.7889. All lines available 10:00am to 10:00pm EST, Monday through Friday.
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline: 888.843.4564
• GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): 800.246.7743
• Guide to Being an Ally to LGBTQ+ People: https://tinyurl.com/ycy8eezz
• Journalist Resource Series: Guide for Reporting on Anti-Trans Violence: https://tinyurl.com/53cbmkj8
• National Runaway Switchboard: 800.RUNAWAY (786.2929)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800.273.8255
• Transgender Michigan: 855-345-TGMI (8464)
• Trevor Project: 866.488.7386

This month’s LGBTQ+ celebrations

• August 9: Gay Uncle Day https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/gay-uncles-day/
• August 19: Trans Flag Day https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2025/08/13/transsocial-celebrates-trans-flag-day-august-19/
• August 20: Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day https://glaad.org/southern-hiv-aids-awareness-day-centering-equity-and-action-in-the-south/
• *August 24: Marsha P. Johnson’s Birthday https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/marsha-p-johnson
• August 26: Women’s Equality Day https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/womens-equality-day
• August 28: Wear it Purple Day https://www.minus18.org.au/campaigns/wear-it-purple-day/
• August 30: National Faith HIV/AIDS Day https://aidsvu.org/resources/toolkits/national-faith-hiv-aids-awareness-day-toolkit-2024/

*Marsha P. Johnson was one of the most prominent figures of the gay rights  movement of the 1960s and 1970s in New York City. Always sporting a smile, Johnson was an important advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, those affected by HIV and AIDS, and gay and transgender rights.

The P? It stands for Pay It No Mind.

For more information on this brave and influential person, go to: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/marsha-p-johnson