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NEWS LINK
Project of Community Link, Inc.
GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER
COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION
February 17, 2012
Issue VI, Volume XVII, Number 198
FREE monthly GLBT publication * Since 1995 * www.CommunityLinkFresno.com
Prop. 8 Ruled Unconstitutional AGAIN
“Proposition 8 serves no
purpose…other than to
lessen the status and human
dignity of gay and lesbian in
California.”
U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Ninth Circuit, 02/07/2012
On Tuesday, February 7, 2012, the
United States Court of Appeals for the
Ninth Circuit issued a ruling in Perry v.
Brown upholding the historic August
2010 decision of the Federal District
Court that found Proposition 8 unconstitutional.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
held that Proposition 8 violates the
Equal Protection Clause of the U.S.
Constitution. The Court found that
“Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and
has no effect, other than to lessen the
status and human dignity of gays and
lesbians in California, and to officially
reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex
couples,” Judge Stephen Reinhardt
wrote in the majority 2-1 opinion for the
three-member panel.
The majority affirmed a lower court's
ruling, which drew on the Constitution
and Supreme Court precedent in declaring that Proposition 8 violated the civil
rights of people in same-sex marriages.
The court's ruling hinges on the fact that
thousands of gays and lesbians were
able to marry in California in the
months leading up to the November
2008 vote on the ballot measure. The
court found that there is a higher burden
for removing rights that have already
been awarded.
Democrats, who control both legislative bodies in Olympia, accounted for
the lion's share of support for the bill.
The stage for swift passage of the measure this year was set after Gregoire, a
Democrat in her last term of office,
announced last month that she would
endorse the legislation.
Several prominent Washington-based
companies employing tens of thousands
of workers in the state also have supported the bill, including Microsoft,
Amazon and Starbucks.
Opponents were led by Catholic bishops and other religious conservatives.
Washington state governor
to sign gay marriage bill on
Monday, February 13th
Governor Christine Gregoire plans to
sign newly passed legislation on
Monday to legalize gay marriage in
Washington state , making it the seventh
with a law on the books to recognize
same-sex nuptials, her office said.
A statehouse signing ceremony in
Olympia, Washington 's capital, was
slated for 11:30 a.m. local time on
Monday. The bill won final legislative
approval from the state House of
Representatives on Wednesday by a
vote of 55-43.
The measure will not take effect
before early June. Opponents have
vowed to seek its repeal at the polls in
November, but they cannot begin collecting signatures for a petition to overturn the measure by referendum until it
is signed into law.
House approval of the Senate-passed
bill came a day after a federal appeals
court handed gay rights advocates a key
legal victory in California by declaring
a voter-approved gay marriage ban in
that state to be unconstitutional.
But same-sex marriages will not be
able to resume immediately in
California, since the court temporarily
continued an order blocking them while
litigation continues.
The American Foundation for Equal
Rights, the plaintiff in the case, celebrated the ruling.
“Today the Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals affirmed, as the courts have
repeatedly throughout our nation's history, that singling out a class of citizens
for discriminatory treatment is unfair,
unlawful and violates basic American
values,” said AFER Board President
Chad Griffin.
The Alliance Defense Fund, a selfdescribed legal alliance of Christian
attorneys focused on conservative social
issues that had fought to keep the ban in
place, immediately announced plans to
appeal the decision.
Transgender Seniors. This is a voluntary
position and the group is looking for
someone with energy and creativity. We
need to find the right person by the end
of March. The Gray Alliance is a great
place to learn about GLBT elders. Come
share our wisdom and loving hearts.
Contact Community Link at (559)
486-3464.
BINGO for Prizes
HELP WANTED!
Hell, we are
in DESPERATE NEED!
The Gray Alliance is looking for an
Intern, who is interested in working
with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and
Court of Appeals affirms
Walker’s decision
to not recuse himself
The panel also unanimously rejected
a challenge by ProtectMarriage that
Walker’s ruling should be set aside
because he failed to disclose he was in a
long term same-sex relationship.
Walker, who has since retired, ruled
after an unprecedented, two week trail
that examined the meaning of sexual
orientation and the history of marriage
and Gay rights
Our Early Birds
Thanks go out to three sponsors who
have already bellied up to the tough:
PG&E, Empress Margo Starr’s Reign of
the Imperial Dove Court, and Donaghy
Sales.
Early Bird Donors
our Pride Partners
Pride Partner Eric Biglione has
already gotten the ball rolling with our
first personal Pride Donation. Who will
be next to follow?
Fundraising Efforts
Here we go again!
The Gray Alliance will be having a
fun filled afternoon on Sunday February
26th at 2pm in the Fireside Room at the
Red Red Church, 2131 N. Van Ness
Blvd., Fresno. The group is shaking
things up a little. putting their monthly
Pot Lucks on hold for a while to try
“Games & Snacks”, a social time of
playing games laughing, getting caught
up on all the happenings and snacking
on some wonderful goodies.
The three-judge panel on the 9th U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals released its
decision more than three years after
Californians voted in favor of
Proposition 8 - banning same-sex marriages that had been legalized by a state
Supreme Court ruling.
Get your feathers and sequins out,
Start those creative juices flowing - it’s
time to plan a parade!
How will you and your group celebrate “One Nation Under The Rainbow”
with style, flair and gaiety?
If the Mayans were correct about the
world ending on December 21, 2012,
let’s go out with a BANG, a big fabulous GAY BANG!
If you want to help us plan this
“going out with style”, join us on
Wednesdays at 6:30pm. See website.
Calling all of our Sponsors
We need our “Wonder Power Twin
Unite!” superpowers to kick some serious Gay Pride Spirit into good old conservative Fresno. We will need to finalize your sponsorship agreements soon
so that we can lay our plans of fabulousness. If you or your business wishes
to get in on the ground floor or want to
put dibs on that penthouse with all the
views
contact
us
today:
[email protected], 559-486-3464 or
visit www.FresnoRainbowPride.com!
Big thanks to Rene, who portrayed
Evita at Closet Ball and donated his tips
to Pride! Tacos Marquitos is putting
together some great food deals for
Pride, The Pink Pages sales are wrapping up and all proceeds are going to
Pride. Got any other ideas? Let us
know!
Help choose a logo
Vote for your favorite logo by going
to www.FresnoRainbowPride.com and
vote for one of these two! One vote per
e-mail address please.
www.CommunityLinkFresno.com
Historic Family Feud in
Highway City
Forestiere Heirs Fight Over
Long-Standing Designation
By Dan Waterhouse
Two sets of Baldassare Forestiere's
descendants are squabbling over the
listing of their ancestor's worldfamous creation on the local register
of historic resources in what one
Fresno city official called a classic
“family feud.”
Forestiere's Underground Gardens
were placed on the National Register
of Historic Places and designated a
California Landmark in 1977. The
gardens were later placed on the local
list in 1984, almost 30 years ago.
At the time the gardens were listed, the nearly 10-acre parcel was
whole. After Baldassare Forestiere's
son Guiseppi died in 1973, the property passed to his sons Joseph and
Ricardo. In 1991, the parcel was split
in two, with Ricardo receiving the
westerly portion where the gardens
are, and Joseph receiving the somewhat larger easterly portion. Joseph's
parcel is currently held by Mary
Forestiere.
Mary Forestiere now wants to
develop the easterly 4-plus acres. She
claims she has no plans to sell the
land, and (according to a city staff
report) wants to develop an “open air
market” on the property.
She maintains there are no historic
features on her piece of land. She also
claims she had no idea the larger parcel had been placed in the local register in the 1980s until she received a
letter from Ricardo's attorney.
The attorney's letter, written in
June 2011, makes no mention of the
local listing, but only calls out the
California Historic Landmark designation.
Her claim that she didn't know the
property was on the local list until
2011 seems hard to believe, given the
gardens' historic status is mentioned
in virtually every article about them.
She also maintains she and Joseph
Forestiere never gave their approval
for the National Register listing
She's also perturbed that her plans
for the open air market became public. The public's business must be
done in public, not behind closed
doors.
Her son, Anthony Forestiere, says
“it's none of Ric's or his family's business how, when and what type of
business/development Mary wishes
to sell or lease to. This has been an
issue ever since the property was
divided 25+ years ago. Ric and his
family have always interfered with
any and all plans by Joseph and Mary
Forestiere to do anything on their
property….”
For their part, Ricardo Forestiere
and his son Marc maintain there are
historic features underneath the easterly parcel. A map prepared by Jan
Wampler, then associate professor of
architecture at MIT, in 1977 to support the National Register, California
Landmark, and local register nominations, show portions of the underground workings underlying there.
When city staff spoke with Dr.
Wampler in 2011, she said she must
have received the information from
“another source” to compile the map,
“as I clearly did not survey the area.”
Mary Forestiere claims Dr.
Wampler's “source” was Ricardo
Forestiere.
She complains that “little, if any
research was performed before the
property was listed.”
So far, the city's historic preservation commission has discussed the
squabble at three meetings. At the last
meeting, the commission unanimously agreed to continue this until an
archaeological survey is completed
for the entirety of Mary Forestiere's
parcel.
NewsLink
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
2
Editor’s Note: The Waterhouse
Report is not intended to be an editorial for the News Link, nor does it represent the opinions of Community
Link.
I object to Dan Waterhouse (News
Link January 20, 2012) saying that
"some homeless advocates want the
homeless to stay in encampments and
thus on the street." I have been an
active homeless advocate in Fresno
and have never heard anyone say such
a thing, and therefore demand a retraction by Mr. Waterhouse who is
attempting to mis-represent our position.
Homeless advocates were horrified
by the demolition of homeless
encampments by the City of Fresno in
October and November of 2011. Most
of those affected had no place to go
and ended up in some pretty dangerous and God forsaken places. The city
spent over $200,000 demolishing
these encampments and then followed
up with raids that deprived the homeless of any protection from the cold
and rain. Big Sue, who was homeless,
died on the sidewalk in front of the
Poverello House in late December.
City officials then had the audacity to
say they had no money to open up the
warming centers this year. They have
money for death and destruction, but
no money for helping the homeless?
What is wrong with this picture?
What the homeless advocates in
Fresno are promoting is a plan that
recognizes the reality on the streets
today. We know that the City of
Fresno is trying to find housing for the
homeless, we recognize that is an
important element in ending homelessness, but we believe a gap exists
and that the people who are living on
the street, without housing, need help
now.
We are supporting a Safe and Legal
campsite proposal that will de-criminalize poverty and treat homeless people with dignity and respect. These
campsites will include drinking water,
portable toilets, and trash bins. All of
this can be done for far less money
than the city is currently spending to
make their lives more miserable. You
can read more details about this proposal in the February 2012 issue of the
Community Alliance newspaper. Just
to be clear, our goal is to help the
homeless live safer and healthier lives
until they can get into permanent
housing, not to keep them in the
encampments forever.
Continued on page 6
FRESNO GLBT+ EVENT CALENDAR
FEBRUARY
17 Friday
5p
“It's A Queer Thang” Radio Show - KFCF 88.1 FM
www.communitylinkfresno.com and www.kfcf.org
17 Friday
5:30p Creative workshop & Potluck @ Fresno LGBT Center
1055 N Van Ness Ave #A, (559) 325-4429, fresnolgbtcenter.org
17 Friday
6p
Men's Mixer @ TBA
www.sunapsis.org/lgbt/mixer
17 Friday
6:30p Mariposa Azul - Meeting @ call for location
Gaby (559) 266-5650 (Spanish), mariposa-azul-fresno.com
17 Friday
9p
The Lair - Fetish Night @ the North Tower Circle
2777 N Maroa, northtowercircle.com
17 Friday
9p
Out of Order Pleasure Party @ The Phoenix
4538 E. Belmont Ave, fresnophoenix.com
17 Friday
10p
Meatball Magic @ the Red Lantern
4618 E Belmont, www.redlantern.info
18 Saturday 8p
Yosemite Knights - Beverage Bust @ The Phoenix
4538 E. Belmont Ave, www.kofmfresno.com
18 Friday
Esme's VarieTEASE @ the North Tower Circle
19 Sunday 6p
Wesley Celebration GLBTQ service @ Wesley United
Methodist Church, John Wesley Hall, 1343 E. Barstow Ave, wesleyfresno.org
20 Monday 6:30p Yosemite Knights - Meeting & Dinner @ Carrows
4280 N Blackstone Ave, www.kofmfresno.com
20 Monday 7p
Fresno Gay Men's Chorus - ractice @ Fresno LGBT
Center, 1055 N Van Ness Ave #A, (559) 325-4429, fresnolgbtcenter.org
21 Tuesday 6p
We C.A.R.E. - English Support Group @ Community
Regional Medical Center Sequoia Room E or W, 2823 Fresno St.
First-time attendees please call (559) 577-7109, wecarefresno.org
21 Tuesday 7p
Mardi Gras King & Queen contest, dinner & show
@ the Red Lantern, 4618 E. Belmont; Tom (559) 252-7583
21 Tuesday
Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras Parties
@ the Express, 708 N Blackstone Ave, thefresnoexpress.com
@ The Phoenix, 4538 E. Belmont Ave, fresnophoenix.com
@ Club Legends, 3075 N Maroa Ave, www.fresnoclublegends.com
22 Wed.
9a
Project: MALE - HIV Think Tank
@ 1584 N Van Ness Ave, (559) 287-7666
22 Wed.
6:30p Fresno Rainbow Pride 2012 meet @ TBA
(559) 486-3464, fresnorainbowpride.com
23 Thursday 7p
The Group In Fresno - Munch
www.tgifresno.org
24 Friday
9p
Imperial Dove Court - Last Friday ICP Show
@ the Red Lantern, 4618 E. Belmont, www.idcfresno.org
25 Saturday 12p
The Group In Fresno - CPR / First Aid Course
www.tgifresno.org
25 Saturday 5p
Fresno LGBTQ Youth Alliance - 2012 Winter Formal
@ First Congregational Church of Fresno, 2131 N Van Ness Blvd,
www.communitylinkfresno.com, (559) 486-3464
25 Saturday 8p
The Group In Fresno - Love-in
www.tgifresno.org
25 Saturday 9p
Special Latin Night Extravaganza Light Show @ the Red
Lantern, 4618 E Belmont Ave, redlantern.info
26 Sunday 11a
Golden State Bears - Brunch
www.goldenstatebears.org
26 Sunday 2p
Community Link's Gray Alliance - Bingo @ First
Congregational Church, Fireside Rm, 2131 N Van Ness Blvd
Liz or Lupe (559) 287-2428, communitylinkfresno.com
26 Sunday 2p
We C.A.R.E. - Grupo Educativo En Espanol @ Specialty
Health Clinic, 290 N Wyate Ln, (559) 459-5101, wecarefresno.org
26 Sunday 9p
Mariposa Azul - Divas Night @ Los Amigos,
1752 W. Shaw Ave, mariposa-azul-fresno.com
26 Sunday
A Night of a Rising Star featuring the Centerfolds
@ Club Legends, 3075 N Maroa Ave, fresnoclublegends.com
26 Sunday
Oscar Awards Party & Karaoke @ The Phoenix
27 Monday 7p
Fresno Gay Men's Chorus - Practice @ Fresno LGBT
28 Tuesday 6p
Imperial Dove Court - Talent Show @ Roger Rocka's
Dinner Theatre, 1226 N Wishon Ave, idcfresno.org
MARCH
1 - 10 Thu - Sat
Rogue Festival 2012 @ various venues
www.roguefestival.com
1 Thursday 7p
Another Voice Bible Study - LGBTQII Bible Discussion
@ First Congregational Church, Fireside Room,
2131 N Van Ness Blvd, bigredchurch.org
1 Thursday 7-8p Women's Coming Out Social & Support Group
@ Fresno LGBT Community Center,
1055 N. Van Ness Ave, suite A, fresnolgbtcenter.org
2 Friday 6p
Men's Mixer @ TBA
2 Friday 6:30p Mariposa Azul - Meeting @ call Gaby for location
(559) 266-5650 (Spanish), mariposa-azul-fresno.com
2 Friday 7p
Trans-e-motion - Social Meeting
(559) 646-5806, trans-e-motion.org
3 Saturday 5p
Trans-e-motion - Support Meeting
(559) 646-5806, trans-e-motion.org
3 Saturday 8p
Golden State Bears - Green Party & Beer Bust
@ The Phoenix, 4538 E Belmont, goldenstatebears.org
4 Sunday 1p
Golden State Bears - Meeting
4 Sunday 6p
4 Sun
10a Rainbow Parkette / Pride Plaza Spring Planting
@ the corner of Fulton St & Alhambra Ave, fresnorainbowpride.com
continued on page 3
Advertising Submission Information
Submission deadline:
1st day of the month
All submissions are to be sent via E-mail at
[email protected] All Ads must be sized to fit
our format.
Articles and Calendar infomation
All submissions should be Emailed to
[email protected] by the 1st day of the month
Letters to the Editor
Please keep letters brief and to the point; we
reserve the right to edit all letters as deemed necessary. Letters must include name and phone
number of the writer.
Advertising Rates
Once (One Month)
For Each Ad
Business card.......................$15.
1/8 page Ad..........................$30.
1/4 page Ad..........................$60.
1/2 page Ad........................$120.
Full page Ad.......................$240.
Staff
Editor........................................Jeff Robinson
Assistant Editor ....................................Kirk C
Proofreader...........................Dan Waterhouse
Research Editor...................Juan Bustamante
Accounts Receivable.............................Kirk C
Advertising Coordinator...........Jeff Robinson
Calendar Coordinator........................... Kirk C
Distribution..Lorraine Wing, Kevin Caldwell,
Daniel Corona, Tony O, Whitney W, Don
The rate for ad work is $25
Quarterly (Three Months)
For Each Ad
Business card.......................$13.
1/8 page Ad..........................$25.
1/4 page Ad..........................$50.
1/2 page Ad........................$110.
Full page Ad......................$215.
Six Months
For Each Ad
Business card.......................$10.
1/8 page Ad..........................$20.
1/4 page Ad..........................$40.
1/2 page Ad..........................$80.
Full page Ad......................$175.
Color advertising now available at an addition $100. to the above rates
Advertising Dimensions
Business card
Horizontal....................... 31/2”w x 2”h
1/8 page Ad
9 3/4”w x 1 15/16”h
2 5/16”w x 7 7/8” h
4 7/8”w x 3 7/8”h
Horizontal.......................
Vertical..........................
Box..............................
1/4 page Ad
9 3/4”w x 3 7/8”h
2 5/16”w x 16”h
4 7/8”w x 7 7/8”h
1/2 page Ad
Horizontal....................... 9 3/4”w x 7 7/8”h
Vertical.......................... 4 7/8”w x 16”h
Full page Ad
................................... 10 1/4”w x 16”h
Horizontal.......................
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MEDIA SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
Community Link will consider media sponsorships of nonprofit events that are
open and free to the community or at reduced rate for advertising for fundraising
events that include a donation/addmission charge when a writen request has been
submitted to [email protected] no less then six weeks prior to the event.
Community Link must be listed on all promotional materials including digital and
electronic media sources as a MEDIA SPONSOR. Other terms and conditions to be
negoiated on an individaul basis. For further information go to www.comunitylinkfresno.com
Content and
Advertising Policy
The News Link reserves the
right to refuse any written content and graphics that are
explicitly sexual in nature.
Including logos and advertisements. No portrayal of genitalia
or real or simulated sexual
activities are appropriate for
publication in the News Link,
Pink Pages, Pride Program or
any other Community Link
publication.
We reserve the right to edit
content and ads without notification.
Board of Directors
Jeff Robinson
Male-Cochair & CEO
Lorraine Wing
Female-Cochair
Kevin Caldwell
Secretary
Juan Bustamante
Treasurer
Liz Brown & Lupe
Gray Alliance Representatives
Rachel Wilson
David Bergant
Youth Alliance Representatives
At-Large Members of the Board of Directors:
Renee Potik, Kay Taus,
Jerry & Ron,
Rich Howard, Kirk,
Mark McKay,
Andrew Strambi
How to reach us by mail:
News Link c/o Community Link, Inc. P.O. Box 4959, Fresno, Ca. 93744
News Link's E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Community Link's E-Mail Address:[email protected]
By phone: (559) 486-3464
MARCH
continued from page 2
5 Monday 6p
GetEqual.org - Meeting @ Fresno LGBT Center
1055 N Van Ness Ave #A, (559) 325-4429, [email protected]
6 Tuesday 6p
weekly starting 7 Wed. 6:30p Fresno Rainbow Pride 2012 meet @ TBA
(559) 486-3464, fresnorainbowpride.com
8 Thursday 6p
We C.A.R.E. - Member Meeting @ Community Regional
Med. Center Pacifica Rm, 2823 Fresno St, wecarefresno.org
8 Thursday 7-9p Coming Out Support & Social Group
@ Fresno LGBT Community Center,
1055 N. Van Ness Ave, suite A, fresnolgbtcenter.org
9 Friday
6:30p Golden State Bears - Game & Movie Night
9 Friday
Fresno LGBTQ Social Group
www.gayfresno.com/social/
10 Saturday 6p
Imperial Dove Court - 3M Pageant @ North Tower Circle
2777 N Maroa Ave, idcfresno.org
10 Saturday 11p
Ladies of Seduction - Anniversary Show @ The Phoenix
11 Sunday 2p
PFLAG - Meeting @ Wesley United Methodist Church
1343 E. Barstow Ave, www.pflag.org, (559) 434-6540
11 Sunday 6:30p Imperial Dove Court - 2nd Sunday ICP Show @ the North
Tower Circle, 2777 N Maroa Ave., northtowercircle.com
12 Monday 7p
14 Wed.
9a
Project: MALE - HIV Think Tank
@ 1584 N Van Ness Ave, (559) 287-7666
14 Wed.
6p
Stonewall Democrats - Dinner & Meeting @ Carrows
4280 N. Blackstone Ave, www.fresnostonewall.com
14 Wed.
6p
Community Link's Gray Alliance - Dinner Night
Liz or Lupe (559) 287-2428, communitylinkfresno.com
15 Thursday 6p
Strings & Things @ Fresno LGBT Center
15 Thursday 7p
Another Voice Bible Study - LGBTQII Bible Discussion
@ First Congregational Church, Fireside Room,
2131 N Van Ness Blvd, bigredchurch.org
16 Friday
5p
“It's A Queer Thang” Radio Show - KFCF 88.1 FM
www.communitylinkfresno.com and www.kfcf.org
16 Friday
5:30p Creative workshop & Potluck @ Fresno LGBT Center
16 Friday
6p
Men's Mixer @ TBA
16 Friday
6:30p Mariposa Azul - Meeting @ call Gaby for location
(559) 266-5650 (Spanish), mariposa-azul-fresno.com
16 Friday
9p
The Lair - Fetish Night @ the North Tower Circle
16 Friday
10p
Meatball Magic @ the Red Lantern
4618 E Belmont, www.redlantern.info
17 Saturday 5:30p St. Patrick's Day Dinner & Party
17 Saturday
Imperial Dove Court - St. Patrick's Day
17 Saturday
St. Patrick's Day Parties
5:30p @ the Red Lantern, 4618 E Belmont, www.redlantern.info
IDC Show@ the North Tower Circle, 2777 N Maroa, www.idcfresno.org
@ The Phoenix, 4538 E Belmont Ave, www.fresnophoenix.com
@ Club Legends, 3075 N Maroa Ave, www.fresnoclublegends.com
18 Sunday 10a
Community Link - Board Meeting @ private residence
Jeff (559) 486-3464, communitylinkfresno.com
18 Sunday 6p
19 Monday 6:30p Yosemite Knights - Meeting & Dinner @ Carrows
4280 N Blackstone Ave, www.kofmfresno.com
19 Monday 7p
20 Tuesday 6p
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PICK “NEWS LINK” UP AT:
FRESNO
Brass Unicorn; Center for NonViolence;
College Community
Congregational Church; Echo Street
Cafe; The Express; First Congregational
Church; Fresno Video Exchange; Freso
LGBT Center / Gay Central Valley
office; Gazebo Gardens; Holy Family
Episcopal Church; KAOS Headquarters;
Living Room @ West Care; The North
Tower Circle; Rasputin Music; The Red
Lantern; Revue Coffee House; Tacos
Marquitos; Unitarian Universalist
Church; Wesley United Methodist
Church; Women’s Resource Center @
CSUFresno; Wildcat Enterprises; Yoshi
Now!
BAKERSFIELD
AIDS Project; MCC of the Harvest;
Casablanca; The Mint; Wildcat; Gay &
Lesbian Center of Bakersfield.
GOSHEN
Wild Willy’s
VISALIA
Visalia Pride Lions Club meetings
and PFLAG meetings.
MODESTO
Brave Bull; College Avenue Congreg.
Church; Haven Women’s Center; Queen
Bean; Stanislaus County Assistance
Project; Tiki Lounge; Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship of Stanislaus
County.
STOCKTON
Club Paradise; Delta College Pride
Center; Peace & Justice Center; San
Joaquin AIDS Foundation; San Joaquin
County Public Health Services; San
Joaquin Pride Center; University of
Pacific Pride Center; Valley Ministries
MCC.
If you’d like to help us with distribution in Hanford, Visalia, Merced /
Atwater / Turlock, or Oakhurst - e-mail
NEWSLNK!aol.com
NewsLink
Send corrections or event notices to [email protected]
3
NewsLink
4
the night. In addition to that, we are
still working with the GSA Network
to plan the ENS conference that is
happening March 24th.
Find us on Facebook, or come to
our meetings, Fridays 7pm at Big Red
Church, 2131 N Van Ness Blvd.!
By Rachel Wilson
At one of our last meetings our
group was talking about making an “It
Gets Better” video. Our group has a
large variety of different sexual orientations, and a great deal of cultural
diversity, we plan to show our many
points of view through our stories.
We also hope to show that there is
somewhere in the Valley to go if a
teen needs to talk or just wants to be
around people that will accept them as
they are. We also talked about the
changes in our lives.
Next week we plan on talking
about what draws a person to our
group and what makes them keep
coming back. Some of our kids have
been coming for many years and the
changes in their lives and personal
growth are quite apparent. Group is a
place for teens to come if they need
somewhere to belong. We may not be
exactly alike, but we share a common
struggle, the need to be accepted and
safe.
We also are continuing to prepare
for the Winter Formal that we are having on February 25th. Some of our
kids already have outfits planned for
IDC to offer a different
kind on entertainment
by Rick Adamson
If you've ever gone to a show put
on by the Imperial Dove Court at a
bar or at one of their larger functions,
you'll know that the entertainment
usually consists of female impersonators lip-synching to pop songs. The
Court has quite a number of very
good entertainers that work in this
genre, but on Tuesday February 28th
at Roger Rocka's Music Hall the
Court is sponsoring a show to feature
the talents of other members of the
LGBTQ community. It won't be totally without female impersonators of
course, it would hardly be a Court
function without them, and we will
have special appearances by the
founder of the IDC Empress I & IV
Jesse Villalobos and Chantal Empress
XXXVI of San Diego.
The show will feature dancers from
Diana's Studio of Dance and
BallroomLive, an appearance by the
Fresno Gay Men's Chorus and several of the communities favorite
singers. At the microphone as MC
will be the Talent Show's veteran host
Dennis Potts and Fresno's favorite
MC, the old broad herself, Miss Patsy
del Rey.
Tickets for dinner and show are
available for $35 per person at the
Red Lantern, The North Tower Circle
and The Phoenix or can be obtained
by calling the event chairperson, Rick
Adamson at 559-827-1926. Doors
will open at 6 p.m. The Grand Dinner
Buffet will be open until 7:45 p.m.
and the show will begin at 8. Seating
is limited so get your tickets now!
Premier show. Call the box office
(559) 485-9050 or visit www.towertheatrefresno.com.
Sunday, March 4th and Saturday,
March 10th at the Tower Theater, 815
E. Olive Ave.
Info on fresNOdanceCOllective:
www.amyquerin.com/fresnodancecol
lective/
For info on Xotica, visit www.xotica.net
Xotica at Rogue Festival
This is not your ordinary Christmas
play. It involves Jewish elves, gay
elves, and two female elves, one
being the daughter of Santa, himself.
It's full of love and comedy, based just
before Chanukah.
A whacky comedy about two
Jewish elves that work in Santa's
basement on “The List.” They hope to
one day climb out of the basement
and become toy makers to Santa.
Coming along the way are two flamboyant elves who do not know how to
keep their noses out of other people's
business and two female elves that
find love in the most unexpected way.
Come join us as we keep the season
going in this festive play involving
unordinary and extraordinary elves.
This play involves comedy, love, and
drama.
Presented by The People Next
Door Theatre Company from Fresno.
Saturday 3/3 at 4pm & 10pm, Sunday
3/4 at 5:30pm, Friday 3/9 at 5:30pm
& 8:30pm at Neighborhood Thrift,
353 E. Olive Ave. Latecomers permitted within 15 minutes; rated PG-13,
55 minutes. Admission $9.
www.pndtheatreco.com
FresNO dance COllective presents
“NOCO Rogue Show 2012”, a 6-concert series, where no two shows are
the same!
Fresno's resident professional modern dance company premiers its
evening length multi-media collaboration, 'The Eternity Project' and local
collaboration with The Xotica Show
(led by Diva X and known for their
weekly show at The Express).
2pm - Matinee, 60 minutes, with
NOCO, excerpts.
4pm - Matinee, 60 minutes, with
Guest Companies.
8pm - Premier Show, 90 minutes,
NOCO 'The Eternity Project' with
Guest Companies.
Note: strong subject matter &
imagery for Premier show.
March 4th will also feature works
by returning OK-based companyPerpetual Motion & SC-based company Vibrations Dance Company.
March 10th will also feature works
by TX-based companies Out On A
Limb & Grid Dance Theater
Productions.
Tickets: $10 Matinees, $15
“Santa's Basement”
at Rogue Festival
Photo by Terry Miller
LGBT Health Fair
Chris Jarvis - GayFresno.com
Gay Central Valley will be hosting
our first LGBT Health Fair on
Saturday, March 24th from 10AM 2PM. This year's National Lesbian
Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT)
Health Awareness Week is March 2631, 2012. Due to the Cesar Chavez
holiday, we have chosen to host the
fair on the 24th in order to allow interested State and local government programs to participate. The Fresno
that it happens on the evening of
Rainbow Bowling League is no coincidence - both Pablo and Vern bowl in
the competition. The starting time is
“around 9:30pm”, which is when the
league's games usually end. So come
out to the Cedar Lanes' Cocktail
Lounge, equipped with a full bar, and
belt out some of your favorite tunes
(maybe even showtunes) every
Thursday evening! The address is
3131 N. Cedar Ave. (southwest corner
of Shields) in Fresno.
Shabuya with their mobile karaoke
setup is also available for your party
or event, call Pablo at (559) 790-0221
or Vern at (559) 907-8081 to inquire
about rates and details.
On January 21st the Golden State
Bears' President Kevin Caldwell (in
the photo, right) presented a $400
check to The Trevor Project's Van
Vanladingham at the very intense and
heart wrenching remembrance ceremony for Eric James Borges. There
were a lot of familiar faces from all
over the Valley, and a visible police
presence as Fred Phelps and his group
had requested a permit to protest during the service. However, only one
protester showed up and was quickly
removed. The Bears' donation was
part of their 2011 Charity Fund's distribution, and The Trevor Project was
the top vote-getter from the club's
membership. The rest of the Fund will
be donated to Fresno Rainbow Pride
and Hinds Hospice.
February 4th was our "Athletic
Supporter" beer bust at The Phoenix to
to celebrate Superbowl weekend.
There were games, food and fun for
all. Those who showed up enjoyed
throwing a football at our Mr. Bear,
Jason and Mr. Cub, Alex's jockstrapped bottoms. The March 3rd beer
bust (8pm-midnight at The Phoenix,
4538 E. Belmont Ave) looks equally
fun: the theme is "Green Party"! Have
you ever found a leprechaun in someone's pants? Maybe you will! We may
also do “reverse St. Patrick's” - wear
green, get pinched! There will be hot
dogs / Polish sausages for sale for $3
County Dept. of Public Health will be
attending and providing free HIV testing on site.
The Health Fair will take place in
the parking lot of the office complex
which houses the Fresno LGBT
Community Center, operated by Gay
Central Valley. The address is 1055 N
Van Ness Avenue in the Tower
District. The Community Center is
located in Suite A.
We will take up the parking lot during the event, which provides the
opportunity for interested groups and
organizations to set up booths and
tables. We will also have entertainment and a raffle. We are also requesting a raffle prize donation from those
organizations participating, although
it is not mandatory. Participation is
free.
We are seeking out any interested
organizations to participate. If you are
interested in having a booth at this
event, please contact Chris Jarvis by
email ( [email protected]) or leave
a message at the Fresno LGBT
Community Center phone at (559)
325-4429.
Visit www.gaycentralvalley.org,
www.gayfresno.com or www.fresnolgbtcenter.org.
New Karaoke Night
A new gay-friendly karaoke night
debuted on Thursday, February 9th.
Shabuya Entertainment Co., a “family”-owned co-operation between
Pablo DeOchoa and Vern Bias, is a
new company, started just this year
and the owners have a lot of enthusiasm. They've a collection of about
12,000 songs, so everyone's bound to
find something they like. Thursday's
event had a packed room, and the fact
Yosemite Knights Bust
The Knights are having a beverage
benefit & meet and greet on Saturday
February 18th from 8 till midnight at
The Phoenix, 4538 E Belmont Ave,
Fresno. $3 buy in gets you happy hour
pricing. Hot / Polish dogs sold for $3.
Wear leather! Contact President Carol,
[email protected]
NewsLink
Club News
each, games and special green beer
and/or other green drinks. The bust
buy-in is only $3 and gets you Happy
Hour pricing until closing!.
Also, mark your calendars - we
have selected the theme for our annual Bear Frenzy weekend (August 17th19th), and it will be… drumroll…
“IRON BEAR”. Expect a lot of fun
events centered around food and food
competitions.
We're a fun group with events nearly every week, so why not consider
joining? Membership is only $25 per
year! Visit www.goldenstatebears.org
or contact [email protected].
5
NOH8 Campaign Coming
To Fresno
Big News! Gay Central Valley has
worked for months to bring the NOH8
Campaign and things have finally
worked out so GCV and NOH8 can
come together. Gay Central Valley
will host the NOH8 Campaign in
Fresno on Friday, July 13th for an
open photo shoot. The event will take
place at The Big Red Church, also
known as the First Congregational
Church, United Church of Christ
(While the event is being held at the
church, it is not a church or religious
related event)
We'd like to send out a special
thank you to Justin Kamimoto and My
LGBT Plus for collaborating with us
and donating the cost of the hotel
rooms.
Use this link for the FACEBOOK
EVENT PAGE
http://www.facebook.com/events/217262938365169/
The Event has now been posted on
the
NOH8
Campaign
Website…www.NOH8Campaign.com
On FRIDAY, JULY 13TH the
NOH8 Campaign will set up our
mobile studio at THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF
FRESNO (THE BIG RED CHURCH)
in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA!
The photo shoot on FRIDAY at
THE BIG RED CHURCH is scheduled to begin at 5:00PM and end at
8:00PM. The NOH8 Campaign would
like to thank GAY CENTRAL VALLEY and THE BIG RED CHURCH
for helping to coordinate our first
photo shoot in FRESNO!
You do not need to make reservations; it's first come, first served - and
we move quickly! When you arrive,
you will receive a numbered model
release to fill out, followed by receiving your NOH8 tattoo. We will call
numbers throughout the day, and your
corresponding release number will
signal your time to line up to have
your photo taken.
The costs of doing a NOH8 portrait
break down as follows:
SOLO PORTRAITS .......... $40.00
COUPLE & GROUP PORTRAITS
........... $25.00 per person
The NOH8 Campaign accepts cash,
most major credit cards, and checks
made out to 'NOH8Campaign'. Fees
cover services & processing for one
retouched digital print only (made
available
through
www.NOH8Campaign.com) and do
not include physical prints.
The lines moves quickly, so don't
let the RSVP's intimidate you! We
always do our best to make sure that
everyone in line by 8:00PM has a
chance to pose for their photo - and up
to this point, we haven't ever had to
turn anyone away! Anyone that would
like to join the NOH8 Campaign is
asked to wear a plain white shirt to
match the look of the signature NOH8
photos.
Celebrity Photographer & NOH8
Co-Founder Adam Bouska will be
working around the clock to photograph 5-10 frames for each person that
comes through. The final selection he
chooses will be retouched and made
available to you in about 8 weeks
through the website:
www.NOH8Campaign.com
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
ARRIVE BETWEEN 5:00PM
AND 8:00PM @
FIRST
CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH OF FRESNO
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
(THE BIG RED CHURCH)
2131 N VAN NESS BLVD.
FRESNO, CA 93704
* COME CAMERA READY *
* WEAR WHITE *
* POSE & MAKE A STATEMENT! *
Once you arrive, the NOH8
Campaign will apply the NOH8 temporary tattoo to your face, and we will
also supply you with the silver duct
tape for the photo.
Letter to the Editor
Continued from page 2
Waterhouse also claimed that
homeless advocates have made threats
of violence against Homeless Czar
Gregory Barfield and the City of
Fresno. If he has evidence to support
that serious charge, he should share it.
Otherwise, News Link should print a
correction in the next issue. I have certainly not heard any such threats and
find it hard to believe that there is any
credible evidence that they exist.
Mike Rhodes, Editor
Community Alliance Newspaper
[email protected]
www.fresnoalliance.com
From Jeffery Robinson
Community Link believes that
affordable safe housing is a must for
all human beings. The philght of
homeless people is sad and our hearts
go out to anyone living on the streets,
in shelters or in their cars.
A long term solutions has evaded us
all. As the editor of the News Link and
the CEO of Community Link I have
no easy answers to help solve this
multi demensional problem.
Please remember that we have
many GLBT young people that have
been forced from their homes and are
living on the streets and they are also
part of this homeless problem,
We all must lend a hand so that the
homeless will be treated with respect
and dignity and that their meager
belongings, keep sakes and memories
not be scooped up and thrown away.
That we find a way to provide shelter,
security, food, clean water, showers,
toilets, and trash disposal for the less
fortunate. Demand Human Dignity
for All.
Jeffery Robinson, Editor
MARDI GRAS
CELEBRATION
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Food at 7:00 pm
King & Queen
Show and Contest
at 9:00 pm
Try our
"New Orleans Hurricane"
for just $3.50
NewsLink
***************
SPECIAL LATIN NIGHT
EXTRAVAGANZA
WITH A SPECTACULAR
LIGHT SHOW
Saturday, February 25
9:00 pm to 2:00 am
6
***************************
ST PATRICK'S DAY PARTY
SATURDAY, MARCH 17
DRINK SPECIAL
CORNED BEEF DINNER
AT 5:30 PM
Earlier this month, we welcomed
100th bowler in this season's Rainbow
Bowling League! All in all, we've
now had 102 players actively participate in our biggest GLBT bowling
league to date. 23 of those are female
- nearly a quarter of all players!
And if bowling or socializing and
gossiping over drinks and food
(there's a birthday cake nearly every
single week!) is not enough, two of
the bowlers are now hosting karaoke,
immediately following the games, on
site at Cedar Lanes!
Back to the competition, though week 18 games saw the top two teams
battle it out, and in the end, Fabulous
AZN prevailed over The Contenders,
3-1 (2003-1942!), sending The
Contenders down in the standings to
4th place. However, they were both
leapfrogged by The Dam 9's (4-0 over
Strike Force) and Star Strikers (4-0
over Circle Jerks). The Star Strikers'
captain, John, reacted: “We're in second place? Say what???” It's crowded near the top, but there are still 5
weeks left to play, so EVERYTHING
could change!
As of February 10th, the standings
were:
1. The Dam 9's (Paul, Harold, Rich,
Angel) 18 pts
2. Star Strikers (John, David, Jose,
Johnny) 18 pts
3. Fabulous AZN (Les, Sunny,
Mike, Tommy) 17 pts
NewsLink
Competition Heats Up!
by Kirk, NewsLink
4. The Contenders (Ray, Joey,
Vern, Rob) 16.5 pts
5. Juicy Fruits (Diane, Lewis,
Kevin, Scott) 14 pts
6. Sugarbush & The Boys (Danny,
Barry, Brad, Judy) 13 pts
7. The Flamers (Richard, Carlos,
Eduardo, Ramiro) 11 pts
8. Strike Force (Terry, Jerry, Pablo,
Jeff) 10.5 pts
9. Weiners (Maria, Manuel, Grisel,
Viri) 9 pts
10. Circle Jerks (Joe M, Steven,
Frank, Chao) 5 pts
11. Dangerous Dames (Mary, Lori,
Michele, Joseph) 5 pts
12. The Clock Suckers (Andrew,
Kirk, Bill, Ellery) 1 pt
Best individual scores to date:
High Game Scratch - Male: 247
Terry, 246 Ray & Danny; Female: 235
Angel, 173 Diane, 168 Mary & Judy.
High Game with Handicap - M:
305 Rob, 282 Terry, 271 Brian; F: 248
Angel, 234 Michele & Diane.
High Series Scratch - M: 639
Sunny, 612 Danny, 610 Rob, 601; F:
601 Angel, 474 Diane, 422 Judy.
High Series with Handicap - M:
814 Rob, 706 Terry, 694 Danny; F:
657 Diane, 643 Angel, 621 Judy.
Average Game - M: 191 Sunny,
182 Danny, 169 Ray; F: 177 Angel,
125 Judy, 123 Diane.
Watch us play or join us every
Thursday (practice 7:15pm, games
start at 7:30pm and end around
9:30pm-10pm) at Cedar Lanes, 3131
N. Cedar Ave in Fresno. Call League's
President Rich Howard at (559) 8241417 if you've questions. And if you
want to come out and bowl, we almost
always need a substitute player or two
- games cost $13 a week, including
shoe rental.
www.communitylinkfresno.com
7
NewsLink
Fresno County Dept. Of
Public Health Interview
8
Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
was Tuesday, February 7th. I reached
out to the Fresno County Department
of Public Health with questions
regarding the annual event, as well as
the current state of HIV/AIDS. The
Fresno County Dept.. of Public Health
is located at 1221 Fulton Mall in
downtown Fresno. Phone 559-6003200. Links can be found at the end of
this article.
Black HIV / AIDS Awareness day
is Tuesday, February 7th. How long
has this day, specific to the black community, been around?
This year will mark the twelfth
annual observance of National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
There are other HIV Awareness
days specific to various communities.
Why do we need such specific days of
awareness?
The issue of HIV / AIDS impacts
every community and is important to
all of us each and every day of the
year. But the sheer volume of information on this critical topic can be
overwhelming.
An “Awareness Day” which is
geared toward a particular population
provides an opportunity to focus on
questions and answers that are especially relevant to those persons.
Are there roadblocks within certain
communities in terms of reaching out?
If so, which communities are most difficult to reach out to with education
and prevention, and why?
Challenges exist in the attempt to
reach various populations in our community. The Fresno
County Department of Public
Health (The Department) engages
with a variety of partners, including
but not limited to: media (television,
radio, print) community-based and
faith-based organizations, neighborhood groups, public and private health
care facilities, and businesses to provide accurate and current information
for consumers. The Department maintains an internet website at
www.fcdph.org and social media
venues are in development.
Collaboration with entities such as
GayCentralValley is additionally valuable because of its existing and
vibrant social media network
(Facebook, Twitter). Among consumers in the community, “face-toface” and “word-of-mouth” information obtained from reliable sources
such as FC DPH and Gay Central
Valley is also helpful.
One of the most difficult populations to reach, and one of the populations at highest risk, is that of Men
Who Have Sex With Men, termed
MSM. The Centers for Disease
Control and
Prevention (CDC) has identified
young, Black MSM as the population
most severely affected by HIV. The
Department and Gay Central Valley
welcome suggestions on ways to
engage with this group to provide
information.
We hear a lot these days about
women in the black community who
are being infected without knowledge
that they're even at risk, for instance
women who are in a committed relationship.
In 2009, there were an estimated
11,200 new HIV infections among
women in the United States. That
year, women comprised 51% of the
US population and 23% of those
newly infected with HIV.
o
Of the total number of new
HIV infections in US women in 2009,
57% occurred in blacks, 21% were in
whites,
and
16%
were
in
Hispanics/Latinas.
o
In 2009, the rate of new HIV
infections among black women was
15 times that of white women, and
over 3 times the rate among
Hispanic/Latina women.
What is the current state of HIV /
AIDS in the United States? What
groups are currently showing the
highest rates of new HIV infections?
o
CDC estimates that MSM
account for just 2% of the US population, but accounted for 61% of all new
HIV infections in 2009. MSM
accounted for 49% of people living
with HIV infection in 2008 (the most
recent year prevalence data are available).
o
In 2009, white MSM accounted for the largest number of new HIV
infections of any group in the US, followed closely by black MSM.
o
Young, black MSM were the
only risk group in the US to experience statistically significant increases
in new HIV infections from 20062009.
The Fresno County Department of
Public Health has recently expanded
its days of free, confidential testing.
What is the current weekly schedule?
The Department is located at 1221
Fulton Mall in downtown Fresno.
Rapid HIV testing is now available
Tuesdays,
Wednesdays,
and
Thursdays 8:30 am - 11:00 am and
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm.
Anonymous testing is offered on
Wednesdays 8:30 am - 11:00 am. For
Anonymous testing, the person being
tested need not give their name.
Confidential testing is available on
Tuesdays from 8:30 - 11:00 am and
1:00 - 3:30 pm, on Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 - 3:30 pm, and on
Thursdays from 8:30 - 11:00 am and
100 - 3:30 pm.
Since the process has changed so
drastically from past years, what
exactly does a Rapid
HIV test involve and how long does
it take?
In the past, standard HIV testing
methods took from one to two weeks
to receive test results.
Rapid testing allows disclosure of
test results in as little as 30 minutes.
What happens if there's a positive
result in the rapid testing?
With rapid testing there are two
outcomes: 1) negative, no HIV antibodies were detected; and
2) Preliminary positive. A preliminary positive result must be confirmed
with an additional test.
Confirmatory results will be available in one to two weeks.
What is the window period of possible infection, and how often should
people be tested?
HIV tests are antibody tests. The
term “window period” stands for the
time it takes for someone who is HIV
positive to develop antibodies which
show up in the HIV tests. The amount
of time required for this to happen
varies from individual to individual.
Most people will develop antibodies
between 2 weeks to 3 months; while
others may take up to 6 months.
Frequency of testing depends on
individual behavior. It is important to
test after engaging in behaviors
known to have an increased risk for
other words, is there an increasing
spike in unprotected sex because the
threat of death has become almost
invisible compared to what it was at
the height of the disease?
In 2009, there were an estimated
11,200 new HIV infections among
women in the United States. That year,
women comprised 51% of the US
population and 23% of those newly
infected with HIV.
o
Of the total number of new
HIV infections in US women in 2009,
57% occurred in blacks, 21% were in
whites,
and
16%
were
in
Hispanics/Latinas.
o
In 2009, the rate of new HIV
infections among black women was
15 times that of white women, and
over 3 times the rate among
Hispanic/Latina women.
o
At some point in her lifetime,
1 in 139 women will be diagnosed
with HIV infection. Black and
Hispanic/Latina women are at
increased risk of being diagnosed with
HIV infection. (1 in 32 black women
and 1 in 106 Hispanic/Latina women
will be diagnosed with HIV, compared
with 1 in 182 Native Hawaiian/other
Pacific Islander women; 1 in 217
American Indian/Alaska Native
women; and 1 in 526 for both white
and Asian women).
o
From 2006 through 2009,
estimated diagnoses of HIV infection
among women decreased from 10,851
to 9,973. It is unknown whether this
decrease is due to an actual decrease
in new HIV infections (incidence) or
whether the decrease reflects HIV
testing trends.
o
Women accounted for more
than 25% of the estimated 34,247
AIDS diagnoses in 2009 and represent
nearly 20% of cumulative AIDS diagnoses (including children) in the
United States to date. There were
8,647 AIDS diagnoses among women
in 2009 compared with 9,639 AIDS
diagnoses among women in 2006.
o
For women living with a diagnosis of HIV infection, the most common methods of transmission were
high-risk heterosexual contact6 and
injection drug use.
o
In 2008, 4,796 (28%) of the
estimated 17,374 persons with a diagnosis of HIV infection who died in the
40 states and 5 US dependent areas
were women. Deaths attributed to
HIV among women of color are disproportionately high: from 20002007, HIV infection was among the
top 10 leading causes of death for
black females aged 10-54 and
Hispanic/Latina females aged 15-54.
In the United States, gay, bisexual,
and other men who have sex with men
(MSM) comprise the group most
affected by HIV. MSM is the only risk
group in which new HIV infections
have been steadily increasing since
the early 1990s. CDC estimates that
MSM represent approximately 2% of
the US population, but accounted for
more than half of all new HIV infections annually from 2006 to 2009 56% in 2006 (27,000), 58% in 2007
(32,300), 56% in 2008 (26,900), and
61% in 2009 (29,300). Since the
beginning of the US epidemic, MSM
have consistently represented the
largest percentage of persons diagnosed with AIDS and persons with an
AIDS diagnosis who have died.
Among MSM in 2009, white MSM
represented the largest number of new
HIV infections
(11,400), followed closely by
black/African
American
MSM
(10,800) and Hispanic MSM (6,000).
Among all men in 2009, MSM
accounted for 86% of new infections
among white men, 73% of new infections among black/African American
men and 81% of new infections
among Hispanic men.
Young black/African American
MSM aged 13-29 are especially
affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
While HIV incidence was relatively
stable among MSM overall from 2006
through
2009, CDC estimates that new HIV
infections among black/African
American MSM aged 13 to 29
increased 48% during that four-year
time period, with a statistically significant 12.2% estimated annual percentage increase. The number of new
infections in 2009 among young
black/African American MSM was
more than twice that of either young
white
MSM
or
of
young
Hispanic/Latino MSM.
Fresno County Department of
Public Health
www.fcdph.org
http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/Divisio
nPage.aspx?id=3590
Black HIV / AIDS Awareness Day
Website:
http://www.blackaidsday.org/
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) Links:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/f
actsheets/us.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/i
ndex.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/ms
m/index.htm
HIV transmission. These include:
unprotected anal sex; vaginal sex; or
sharing needles for injection drug use.
Does the Fresno County Department
of Public Health also provide condoms and dental
dams at no charge to consumers?
Yes, the Fresno County Department
of Public Health offers condoms and
dental dams.
Consumers can visit DPH on testing days to pick up supplies or call
559-600-3434 for more information.
How can the Fresno County
Department of Public Health help
when someone tests positive? What
about the partners of those who
become infected?
When a client tests positive, the
Department assists the client with
referrals to medical treatment and
Partner Services is offered. Partner
Services is offered in three ways: 1)
When a client chooses to self-disclose
to his / her partner(s), Department
staff counselors can offer support and
information including testing information to give to the partners; 2) Dual
disclosure occurs when the client
informs the partner along with
Department staff present and available
to answer any questions that the partner may have; and 3) The Department
can collect partner information from
the client and Department staff will
contact the partner, without telling
them the client's name, and refer the
partner to testing or other services
they may need.
Sometimes, Partner Services is a
combination of these three options.
How does the new face of AIDS,
specifically the fact that it's become a
manageable disease, affect the public
in terms of protecting themselves? In
∏
∏
The Fresno Youth Alliance
A Group for
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,Transgender & Questioning
Teens & Young adults
A Safe and Sane Substance Free Place to BELONG!
@
8664887386
NewsLink
Teenagers &
Young Adults
13- 25 years
Meet every
Friday Night
from 7 pm
to 8:30 pm
in the
Fireside Room
@
The Big Red
Church, 2131
N. Van Ness
Blvd
For more information call
Youth Representative
& Peer Facilitator
Rachel “Banana” Wilson
@ 473-7723
or Adult Facilitator
Jeffery Robinson @ 486-3464
Or if you just need someone to
talk to right now, are having a
hard time, or are in crisis call
the Trevor Lifeline
9
∏
∏
∏
NewsLink
.
10
What's Wrong With Your
iPhone?
Boycotts, boycotts, boycotts. I'm
not a boycott person. I've lived long
enough and worked for enough corporations that I understand the level of
inequity that permeates virtually all of
them, to one degree or another. Still,
in the last couple of years I've had to
hear many in the LGBT Community
recommend and stand by protests and
boycotts of such corps as Walmart and
Target. Talk to them about it?
Pointless. Those who jump on boycotts often do it with a handful of facts
at their disposal, with a willing ignorance of what may be wrong at the
places they shop.
Virtually everyone I know who
urges and participates in boycotts all
own Apple products, often many of
them. They also replace them year
after year, even though the reasons to
do so are getting smaller and smaller
so as to be almost non-existent. Still,
you just have to replace your iPhone
every year or two, don't you?
Try this…try to talk to someone
who will boycott Walmart without
taking a breath, about the practices in
place that support their Apple addictions. There are lots of interesting
facts…
Courtesy Business Insider...
Last week, NPR's "This American
Life" did a special on Apple's manufacturing. The show featured (among
others) the reporting of Mike Daisey,
the man who does the one-man stage
show "The Agony and the Ecstasy of
Steve Jobs," and The NYT's Nicholas
Kristof, whose wife is from China.
You can read a transcript of the
whole show here. Here are some
details:
Foxconn, one of the companies that
builds iPhones and iPads (and products for many other electronics companies), has a factory in Shenzhen that
employs 430,000 people.
One Foxconn worker Mike Daisey
interviewed, outside factory gates
manned by guards with guns, was a
13-year old girl. She polished the
glass of thousands of new iPhones a
day.
The 13-year old said Foxconn
doesn't really check ages. There are
on-site inspections, from time to time,
but Foxconn always knows when
they're happening. And before the
inspectors arrive, Foxconn just
replaces the young-looking workers
with older ones.
In the first two hours outside the
factory gates, Daisey meets workers
who say they are 14, 13, and 12 years
old (along with plenty of older ones).
Daisey estimates that about 5% of the
workers he talked to were underage.
The workers stay in dormitories. In
a 12-by-12 cement cube of a room,
Daisey counts 15 beds, stacked like
drawers up to the ceiling. Normalsized Americans would not fit in
them.
Unions are illegal in China.
Anyone found trying to unionize is
sent to prison.
Daisey interviews dozens of (former) workers who are secretly supporting a union. One group talked
about using "hexane," an iPhone
screen cleaner. Hexane evaporates
faster than other screen cleaners,
which allows the production line to go
faster. Hexane is also a neuro-toxin.
The hands of the workers who tell him
about it shake uncontrollably.
Some workers can no longer work
because their hands have been
destroyed by doing the same thing
hundreds of thousands of times over
many years (mega-carpal-tunnel).
This could have been avoided if the
workers had merely shifted jobs.
Once the workers' hands no longer
work, obviously, they're canned.
One former worker had asked her
company to pay her overtime, and
when her company refused, she went
to the labor board. The labor board put
her on a black list that was circulated
to every company in the area. The
workers on the black list are branded
"troublemakers" and companies won't
hire them.
One man got his hand crushed in a
metal press at Foxconn. Foxconn did
not give him medical attention. When
the man's hand healed, it no longer
worked. So they fired him.
(Fortunately, the man was able to get
a new job, at a wood-working plant.
The hours are much better there, he
says - only 70 hours a week).
In many factories in China, which
is where most of our “stuff” comes
from, large nets have had to be placed
around high rise companies because
of all the worker suicide jumps.
So a great number of the things we
love in this country are produced in a
country with these horrendous conditions. Still, most of us prefer to condemn a couple of mainstream department stores instead of looking at the
big picture. Of course, you can still
start a boycott of Target right now by
texting your friends on your iPhone…
Prop 8 Ruling
Why is the decision so
historic and significant?
This is the first time a federal
appellate court has declared unconstitutional a law banning same-sex marriage and, in that context, explained
why marriage is so important.
'Marriage' is the name that society
gives to the relationship that matters
most between two adults. A rose by
any other name may smell as sweet,
but to the couple desiring to enter into
a committed lifelong relationship, a
marriage by the name of 'registered
domestic partnership' does not. The
word 'marriage' is singular in connoting 'a harmony in living,' 'a bilateral
loyalty,' and 'a coming together for
better or for worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to the degree of
being sacred.'”
“The official, cherished status of
'marriage' is distinct from the incidents of marriage, such as those listed
in the California Family Code. . . . We
do not celebrate when two people
merge their bank accounts; we celebrate when a couple marries.”
“Before Proposition 8, California
guaranteed gays and lesbians both the
incidents and the status and dignity of
marriage. Proposition 8 left the incidents [of marriage] but took away the
status and the dignity.”
The Court found that there was no
legitimate reason to single out gay
men and lesbians and strip them, and
them alone, of the right to marry.
“Proposition 8 serves no purpose,
and has no effect, other than to lessen
the status and human dignity of gays
and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships
and families as inferior to those of
opposite-sex couples.”
Continued on page 12
“Eminent Outlaws: The Gay
Writers Who Changed America” by
Christopher Bram; published by
Twelve, February 2012, 384 pages.
“Gypsy Boy: My Life in the
Secret World of the Romany
Gypsies” by Mikey Walsh; published by Thomas Dunne Books,
February 2012, 288 pages.
An Eye-Opening Memoir of
Growing Up Gypsy.
Mikey Walsh was born into a
Romany Gypsy family. They live in a
secluded community, and little is
known about their way of life. After
centuries of persecution, Gypsies are
wary of outsiders, and if you choose to
leave you can never come back.
This is something Mikey knows
only too well.
Growing up, he didn't go to school,
he seldom mixed with non-Gypsies,
and the caravan became his world. It
was a rich and unusual upbringing, but
although Mikey inherited a vibrant
and loyal culture, his family's legacy
was bittersweet, with a hidden history
of violence and grief. Eventually
Mikey was forced to make an agonizing decision-to stay and keep secrets,
or escape and find somewhere to
belong.
Gypsy Boy shows, for the first
time, what life is really like among the
Romany Gypsies. A surprise #1 bestseller in Great Britain, this is a one-ofa-kind memoir of a little-seen world,
one both fascinating and heartbreaking.
Mikey Walsh left the Gypsy community and moved to London. It is the
longest he's ever stayed in one place.
He taught himself to read and write
and now works at a primary school as
a teaching aid and also picks up the
formal education he missed out on as
a child.
“Pink and Blue: Telling the Boys
from the Girls in America” by Jo B.
Paoletti; published by Indiana
University Press, February 2012,
192 pages.
"When did we start dressing girls in
pink and boys in blue?" To uncover
“Titanic: The Untold Tale of Gay
Passengers and Crew” by Jack
Fritscher; published by Palm Drive
Publishing, January 2012, 66 pages.
Breaking the straight trance of
received Titanic history, San
Francisco author Jack Fritscher
reclaims gay history by writing a
pitch-perfect sex epic of gay survival.
Titanic “outs” the forbidden gay love
story of the world's most famous
cruise, featuring the Unsinkable
Molly Brown, the posh lovers
Michael Whitney and Edward
Wedding, and the working crew
including the rugged Balkan Stoker,
the redheaded Royal Purser Felix
Jones, and the ship's second carpenter
Michael Brice and Third Officer Sam
Maxwell. Titanic sank April 15, 1912,
creating a media frenzy. Fritscher
said, “In movie-newsreel footage shot
three days later on the deck of the rescue ship CARPATHIA immediately
after it docked at Chelsea Piers in
New York, a dozen of the surviving
Titanic crew, mostly sailor lads in
tight white pants hiding little, showing
lots, can be seen in very intimate
horseplay, camping around, and posing in life jackets, pretending to faint.
Of the 885 male crew on Titanic, 693,
or 78 percent, died. Altogether, 1,352
men perished. If, according to Kinsey,
one out of six ordinary men is gay,
225 gay men died. If two out of six in
the travel industry are gay, 450 gay
men died, making Titanic an overlooked but essential chapter in gay
history.” In the Titanic canon, and in
the gay literary canon, the novel has
won praise for its writing style, its precise accuracy in mixing fictional and
historical characters, and its heritage
as the first novel dealing with gay men
on Titanic. Into this historic realism,
Fritscher, writing in top erotic form,
inserts the magical thinking of gay
eros. You will never forget this story
ripped from the secret pages of a
Titanic diary! Fritscher's fast-paced
plot speeds along like a film. It has
comic dialogue, high-drama queens,
extremely able seamen, class-conscious sex, and the suspense of who
will survive this story that begins like
a musical comedy and ends with a
sinking feeling. Fritscher looks
through the prism of the Titanic
microcosm to dramatize hidden gay
In the years following World War
II, a small group of gay writers established themselves as literary power
players, fueling cultural changes that
would resonate for decades to come,
and transforming the American literary landscape forever.
In “Eminent Outlaws”, novelist
Christopher Bram brilliantly chronicles the rise of gay consciousness in
American writing. Beginning with a
first wave of major gay literary figures-Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal,
Truman Capote, Allen Ginsberg, and
James Baldwin-he shows how
(despite criticism and occasional setbacks) these pioneers set the stage for
new generations of gay writers to
build on what they had begun:
Armistead Maupin, Edmund White,
Tony Kushner, and Edward Albee
among them.
Weaving together the crosscurrents,
feuds, and subversive energies that
provoked these writers to greatness,
“Eminent Outlaws” is a rich and
essential work. With keen insights, it
takes readers through fifty years of
momentous change: from a time when
being a homosexual was a crime in
forty-nine states and into an age of
same-sex marriage and the end of
Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
Christopher Bram is the author of
nine novels, including Gods and
Monsters (originally titled Father of
Frankenstein), which was made into
an Academy Award- winning film.
Bram was a 2001 Guggenheim Fellow
and received the 2003 Bill Whitehead
Award for Lifetime Achievement. He
lives in New York City.
“Why Are Faggots So Afraid of
Faggots? Flaming Challenges to
Masculinity, Objectification, and
the Desire to Conform” edited by
Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore; published by AK Press, January 2012,
232 pages.
You may have thought you understood human nature before you read
this book; after reading it you will be
humbled by all you failed to grasp
until now." - Edmund White
"These essays come like a plunge
into a forest pool of revitalizing joy,
honesty, and common sense. Read
them. Now. No--not tomorrow. Now!"
- Samuel R. Delany
Gay culture has become a nightmare of consumerism, whether it's an
endless quest for Absolut vodka,
Diesel jeans, rainbow Hummers, pec
implants, or Pottery Barn. Whatever
happened to sexual flamboyance and
gender liberation, an end to marriage,
the military, and the nuclear family?
As backrooms are shut down to make
way for wedding vows, and gay sexual culture morphs into "straight-acting
dudes hangin' out," what are the possibilities for a defiant faggotry that challenges the assimilationist norms of a
corporate-cozy lifestyle?
Why Are Faggots So Afraid of
Faggots? challenges not just the violence of straight homophobia but the
hypocrisy of mainstream gay norms
that say the only way to stay safe is to
act straight: get married, join the military, adopt kids! Mattilda Bernstein
Sycamore reinvokes the anger, flamboyance, and subversion once thriving
in gay subcultures in order to create
something dangerous and lovely: an
exploration of the perils of assimilation; a call for accountability; a vision
for change.
Called "startlingly bold and
provocative" by Howard Zinn, and
described as "a cross between
Tinkerbell and a honky Malcolm X
with a queer agenda" by The Austin
Chronicle,
Mattilda
Bernstein
Sycamore is undoubtedly one of
America's most outspoken queer critics. She is the author of two novels,
including, most recently, So Many
Ways to Sleep Badly, and is the editor
of four nonfiction anthologies, including Nobody Passes: Rejecting the
Rules of Gender and Conformity and
That's Revolting! Queer Strategies for
Resisting Assimilation.
history. It's an historical peek into how
early twentieth-century gay folk,
learning to save their own lives,
helped invent modern homosexual
identity, diversity, and politics.
“Perfect
Light:
Personal
Writings by Gay and Lesbian
Buddhists” edited by Donald Weise;
published by Magnus Books,
February 2012, 300 pages.
Collected for the first time in more
than a decade are 22 personal essays
speaking to the spectrum of LGBT
experiences-within both American
Buddhist and LGBT communitiesincluding but not limited to the role
sex and sexuality does or does not
play in practice; the need for a spiritual component to LGBT identity; private struggles that have led one to
Buddhism, as well as struggles individuals have experienced within
Buddhist circles, such as sexism; the
influence of LGBT Buddhist forerunners on today's practitioners; dating
outside of Buddhist circles; establishing and affirming an open gay identity
within a spiritual space with ancient
traditions; the question of celibacy
and more.
Donald Weise is the publisher of
Magnus Books and has studied and
practiced Buddhism for many years.
NewsLink
Following are some of the many
new, interesting GLBT-themed
books. They are not reviews they’re book descriptions provided
by the publishers.
the answer, dress historian Jo Paoletti
looked at advertising, catalogs, dolls,
baby books, mommy blogs and discussion forums, and other popular
media to examine the surprising shifts
in attitudes toward color as a mark of
gender in American children's clothing. She chronicles the decline of the
white dress for both boys and girls, the
introduction of rompers in the early
20th century, the gendering of pink
and blue, the resurgence of unisex
fashions, and the origins of today's
highly gender-specific baby and toddler clothing.
Jo B. Paoletti is Associate Professor
of American Studies at the University
of Maryland. Visit her blog at
http://www.pinkisforboys.org/
11
NewsLink
Appeals court won't release
Prop 8 tapes
12
A federal appeals court refused
Thursday to unseal video recordings
of a landmark trial on the constitutionality of California's same-sex marriage ban but said it needed more time
to decide if a lower court judge properly struck down the voter-approved
ban.
Siding with the ban's supporters,
the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
in San Francisco ruled the public
doesn't have the right to see the
footage that former Chief U.S. District
Judge Vaughn Walker had produced
with the caveat it would be used only
by him to help him reach a verdict.
Chief Judge Walker “promised the
litigants that the conditions under
which the recording was maintained
would not change - that there was no
possibility that the recording would be
broadcast to the public in the future,”
a three-judge 9th Circuit panel said in
a unanimous opinion.
The 2010 trial over which Walker
presided lasted 13 days and was the
first in a federal court to examine if
prohibiting gay couples from marrying violates their constitutional rights.
It was open to the public and
received widespread media coverage,
so the recordings would not have
revealed any new evidence or testimony.
Walker, who has since retired and
revealed he is in a long-term relationship with another man, originally
wanted to broadcast the trial in other
federal courthouses and on YouTube.
The U.S. Supreme Court forbade
him from moving forward with that
plan after the ban's sponsors argued
that distributing trial footage could
subject their witnesses to harassment.
“The 9th Circuit correctly ruled that
when a trial judge makes a solemn
promise, as Judge Walker did by
assuring the parties that the trial video
would not be publicly released, the
judiciary must not be allowed to
renege on its pledge,” said Austin
Nimocks, a lawyer for the coalition of
religious conservative groups that
sponsored Proposition 8,
The 9th Circuit still must resolve
the more substantive issue of whether
Walker correctly struck down
Proposition 8 on federal constitutional
grounds. The appeals court panel
heard arguments on that issue a year
ago but does not face a deadline for
making a decision.
A coalition of media organizations,
including The Associated Press, and
lawyers for the two couples who successfully sued to overturn Proposition
8 in Walker's court had petitioned to
have the Proposition 8 trial recordings
made public on First Amendment
grounds.
Jack Stokes, a spokesman for the
AP, said the news organization had no
comment on the ruling.
Walker's successor as the chief U.S.
district judge in Northern California,
James Ware, agreed in September and
planned to unseal the videos. In its
Thursday ruling, the three-judge 9th
Circuit panel said Ware had erred and
ordered the recordings kept under
seal.
The panel also refused to return to
Walker a copy of the recordings that
Ware gave his colleague upon his
retirement last year. Walker had used
snippets of footage in public talks
about the value of broadcasting court
proceedings.
Gay rights advocates said they
wanted to use the recordings to try to
puncture political arguments used by
opponents of same-sex marriage.
Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black,
who serves on the board of the group
funding the effort to overturn
Proposition 8 in court, has written a
play called “8'' based on the trial transcript and interviews from the 2010
court fight that will have its Los
Angeles premiere next month.
“The fact that (the marriage ban's
backers) have gone this distance to
keep the tapes from the American public, what it has done and increasingly
will do, is inspire efforts that we will
help lead to make sure the public
knows what happened in the courtroom,” said Chad Griffin, president of
the American Foundation for Equal
Rights
Prop 8 Why
Continued from page 10
“It is implausible to think that
denying two men or two women the
right to call themselves married could
somehow bolster the stability of families headed by one man and one
woman. . . . The argument that withdrawing the designation of 'marriage'
from same-sex couples could on its
own promote the strength or stability
of opposite-sex marital relationships
lacks any such footing in reality.”
“Proposition 8 operates with no
apparent purpose but to impose on
gays and lesbians, through the public
law, a majority's private disapproval
of them and their relationships, by taking away from them the official designation of 'marriage,' with its societally
recognized status. Proposition 8
therefore violates the Equal Protection
Clause.”
The decision will give other states
pause before attempting to repeal marriage equality laws.
The Court found that laws that “singles out same-sex couples for unequal
treatment by taking away from them
alone the right to marry . . . amounts to
a distinct constitutional violation
because the Equal Protection Clause
protects minority groups from being
targeted for the deprivation of an
existing right without a legitimate reason.”
“Before Proposition 8, California
guaranteed gays and lesbians both the
incidents and the status and dignity of
marriage. Proposition 8 left the incidents [of marriage] but took away the
status and the dignity.”
“By withdrawing the availability of
the recognized designation of 'marriage,' Proposition 8 enacts nothing
more or
The unanimous decision to dismiss
Proponents' motion to vacate the judgment is the first time a federal appellate court has considered, and flatly
rejected, a judge's sexual orientation
as a reason for disqualification.
“The fact that a judge 'could be
affected by the outcome of a proceeding[,] in the same way that other members of the general public would be
affected, is not a basis for either
recusal or disqualification under
Section 455(b)(4). Nor could it possibly be 'reasonable to presume,' for the
purposes of § 455(a), 'that a judge is
incapable of making an impartial decision about the constitutionality of a
law, solely because, as a citizen, the
judge could be affected by the proceeding.' To hold otherwise would
demonstrate a lack of respect for the
integrity of our federal courts.”
You are the human resources manager and you get down to the last two
candidates for the position of blah
blah blah. You thought decisions this
difficult could never land in your lap,
but here it is …waiting for your
answer. Both applicants are outstanding and have the skills to move forward with success. You could continue with the Final Jeopardy music or
just choose the one with that extra special something. It's the fitness guy
who runs marathons when he's not
punching the time clock.
The fitness guy has tremendous discipline. He can train for five months
for an event that only lasts a few
hours. He can bypass the most fun
events during that training period
because he's got his eye on the prize
and knows he can't give in to his temptations. This is the person you want
when you have only two months to
implement the new system throughout
your corporate office. Your perfect
pick is the fitness guy.
The fitness guy is determined and
resilient. He knows what it is like to
experience Murphy's Law and has
adapted quite well. He managed to
finish all 26.2 miles of his fourth
marathon despite a nasty bout with
diarrhea that added a staccato cadence
to his race day. He's even managed to
make it to the starting line each time
after alarm clock mishaps, insomnia,
and freeway traffic congestion have
tried in vain to yaw him from his
course. Problems always seem to pop
up at the most inopportune times in
NewsLink
Hire the Fitness Guy
By Ron Blake
your nine office locations. Your piece
de resistance is that fitness guy!
The fitness guy is goal driven. He
sets his goal finish times at the outset
of his training and continuously works
toward the light adorning the end of
the tunnel. He wakes at 4AM on
weekdays to get those training runs in
before the roosters crow to wake the
rest of us. He knows that doughnuts,
coffee, and cigarettes aren't part of the
daily agenda and he steers clear of
these barnacles of badness. He has
consistently been a man with a plan
and that never hurts in business. Your
choice is the fitness guy.
The fitness guy is healthy. People
of his ilk tend not to call off work.
They tend not to take six smoking
breaks throughout the day. People of
fitness tend to be more productive,
creative, and punctual with better
memory retention and concentration
than their counterparts who aren't so
adept at fitness. The corporate suits
will smile all day long at valued attributes like that. You're holding a royal
flush with the fitness guy.
The fitness guy has excellent time
management skills. He can wake
before the sun and log twelve miles of
running before a shower and breakfast
have him out the door and to work. He
puts in an honest day's work before
engaging in a one hour weight training
session at the gym in the early
evening. It's then time to juggle the
demands of the family and domestic
duties before getting to bed for the
required eight hours of sleep.
Company projects work well with
time management. You can't pass up
this fitness guy.
As the interviewer, you want to hire
that fitness enthusiast. As the interviewee, you want to be the fitness enthusiast and you want to talk about it during the interview process. I've run five
marathons and numerous half
marathons…anyone hiring?
This health and fitness article is
brought to you by that guy with original copies. That oxymoronic guy is
Ron Blake and he can be found clearly
misunderstood
at
myblakefitness.com.
13
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∏
Fresno’s Winter Formal
The Fresno Youth Alliance presents
Winter Formal
$10 per person
Saturday, Febuary 25th, 5-9:30pm
at the “Big Red Church”
2131 N. Van Ness Blvd in Fresno
Open to the whole community
regardless of age.
Everyone is welcome to come and have a
beautiful evening of dancing, food, and of
course photographs taken all night, so everyone can show off their lovely formal wear!
Gray Alliance
is a group that knows
it may get a little harder
as we go along.
But we also know that
We Get Better
With Age!
If you are a graying
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual
or Transgender,
the Gray Alliance
is your group to be.
Come join us in fun
and companionship.
Help us plan activities
that we older folks
would enjoy. Let’s
show the community
that there’s still some
life in these old bitties.
The Gray Alliance
doesn’t just live life,
WE CELEBRATE IT!
Liz Brown (559) 287-2428 or
email: [email protected] or
Jerry Hendrix (559) 261-9080
between 5pm-8pm
IDC’s Cinderella Ball
pictures courtesy of the IDC
∏
IDC’s Closet Ball
pictures courtesy of the IDC
∏
∏
BAKERSFIELD
Men OUTSpoken
to The Improv
Men Out Spoken are trying comedy! Let's see how well CIA can preform with some improv!
If they dare take requests from the
audience, let's make our presence be
known! Let's try and keep it to clean
language and requests. Check out their
website for more details: www.ciacomedy.com.
This is dutch treat! Tickets are only
$5! After the event, we will play the
evening by ear unless someone has
posted a place that is open for suggestions!
This is an event for those who selfidentify as Male.
Friday, February 17th, 8pm at The
Ice House, 3401 Chester Ave. Meet
Dustin near the entrance before 8pm.
meetup.com/Bakersfield-LGBTQ
Rocky Horror Auditions
For the audition, prepare a song in
the style of The Rocky Horror Show
(not necessarily from the show). A CD
player, computer, and speakers will be
available for playing music (CD, flash
drive, iPod/MP3), but an accompanist
is not guaranteed. If you also play an
instrument, you are encouraged to
play at your audition (instruments will
not be provided).
Callbacks will be scheduled for
readings. NOTE: This is The Rocky
Horror Show. The show contains adult
content. Actors MUST be at least 18
years old with valid ID as proof, must
have already graduated high school by
December 2011.
Audition dates: Saturday, February
18th & 25th, 12-4pm; Sunday,
February 19th & 26th, 6-9pm.
Appointments are encouraged. If you
are unable to make any of the scheduled dates, please contact the director
for a possible alternate appointment:
David Lollar: [email protected],
or by calling (661) 477-1226.
Rehearsals starts Sunday March 4,
and run Sunday through Thursday,
6pm - 9pm until opening. Show opens
May 4 and runs to May 26. Saturdays
include midnight performance.
At
Bakersfield
Community
Theatre, 2400 South Chester Ave.
facebook.com/pages/BakersfieldCommunity-Theatre/
∏
Women's Group Game
Night: Taboo
Time for another fun & relaxing
evening out with the girls! We'll play
Taboo, thanks to Leanne and Brenda!
Taboo is a word guessing party
game published by Hasbro in 1989.
The objective of the game is for a
player to have his/her partner(s...)
guess the word on his/her card without
using the word itself or five additional
words listed on the card. Sounds like a
lot of fun!
If you can, bring some munchies to
share with the group. Sodas are available for purchase at MCC. The event
is free of charge!
This event is open to all those who
self identify as female.
Friday, February 24th, 7pm at MCC
of the Harvest, 3815 River Blvd.
Queer Bowling
Bowling just makes our queer little
hearts go pitter pat! Crowds have been
huge lately; this is THE place to
socialize, meet new people and just
have fun relaxing.
We don't have designated teams, so
we'll just see who shows up and make
sure everyone has a lane! Everyone...
is welcome to play; you can also just
watch for fun!
We show up at 6pm, which gives
everyone thirty minutes to get shoes,
food, drinks, etc, and we start bowling
promptly at 6:30pm!
You don't have to be an ace bowler;
we usually have more fun with people
who don't bowl well or often. This is
for fun! On the other hand, if you ARE
a good bowler, everyone will wanna
NewsLink
Miss Gay California USofA
Newcomer 2012
UsofA Pageants and Goddess
Production present Miss Gay
California UsofA Newcomer 2012
contest. Honoring Josephine, Miss
NCOY 2011, with Arianna Evans,
Miss Gay UsofA Newcomer 2011 and
Shae Shae LaReese, Miss Gay UsofA
Classic 2008. Over $2,000 in cash and
prizes!
$10 presale tickets, $15 at door.
Tables are now limited. Reserve yoir
table(s) quick. 4 people per table.
Message Alyssa Nicole Whitney on
Facebook to reserve.
Sunday, February 19th, 9pm at The
Nile Night Club, 1721 19th St.
https://missgayusofanewcomer.co
m/California.html
This Way" "Bakersfield" "October 13,
2012." Any design which omits any of
these terms will not be considered.
3. It's ok to submit several design
ideas. Artist must submit both color
and black & white versions of each
logo design. High resolution necessary, up to 2MB per JPG. (Must be
JPG)
4. This is a logo, not a painting.
Imagine your design on fliers, tshirts,
in ads, etc. It should be attention-grabbing and illustrate how fun the event
will be. Make it "pop."
5. Designers will surrender all
rights to logos submitted. Bakersfield
LGBTQ reserves the right to use more
than one logo in its campaign to promote the October event.
Winner receives a family four-pack
of tickets to Pride in October as the
sole remuneration. Bragging rights, of
course, are priceless.
Submissions must be made via
email to [email protected] by
March 1, 2012.
Announcement of the winning
design will be made by April 1, 2012.
https://www.facebook.com/events/
353423864686815/
Pretty In Pink Dance Party
Bakersfield LGBTQ Pride
Festival Logo Contest
Wear your best Pink Dance to
today's hits and yesterday's favorites!
Singles & Couples, 18 and over.
Everyone is welcome!
Admission includes: 2 beer or wine
drink tickets or 1 specialty drink ticket (for adults age 21+) 2 soda/water
tickets for under 21. Valid ID required
at entry. Hors d'oeuvre, sweet treats
and more. Additional cocktails: $3.00
to $5.00.
Ticket Prices: $25 per person in
advance $30 per person at the door.
For ticket information contact Peter
at 661-201-5252 or email at [email protected].
This is a fundraiser for the Gay &
Friday, March 9th, 6:30pm 10:30pm
at
Junior
League
Community Center, 1928 19th St.
293780614012834/
Calling all graphic designers! We
need you to design this year's logo for
the Pride Festival, to be held in
Bakersfield on October 13, 2012!
The board selected "Born This
Way" as the theme for this year. Please
read the guidelines below for your
design, and then subm...it your ideas
before March 1.
1. May not violate copyright of any
Lady Gaga artwork, on CD, online,
posters, fliers, etc. This includes the
font used on the album. We want an
original design, not a Gaga rip-off.
2. Must include the words: "Born
MCC Celebration Dinner for
March! Just when you thought the celebration dinners were gonna be on
Friday, we throw you a curve. For this
month ONLY, we'll celebrate on
Saturday the 10th, partly to honor
Shelby's mother, and partly to celebrate as we always do, as a family of
love.
RSVP's are particularly important
for this one. Please let Shelby know if
you're planning to attend: [email protected].
Standing On The Side
Of Love
Our speaker Cydney Henderson
will be bringing us reflections on and
a conclusion to the Standing on the
Side of Love month, inaugurated the
last Sunday in January. She will be
bringing together the various social
justice issues we have explored this
month with our theme of “Heart of the
Church”.
Sunday, February 26th, 10am at
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of
Kern County, 98 Sterling Rd.
www.uufkc.org
MCC Events
Tuesday - Friday:
7:00 to 11:30 a.m.
1:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
A
16
be on your team!
Families welcome, but we won't
have bumpers on the lanes. Adults
may be consuming alcohol; FYI.
We also invite non-bowlers to come
and cheer on your team! We need all
the support we can get! Nosh on some
nachos, or chili fries, and hollah when
bowlers get strikes! Watching is free!
There is a snack bar onsite, and the
food is similar to Westchester Bowl.
The Fish & Chips are renowned locally. Try the Sourdough Melt Sandwich!
Cost (Dutch treat): If we have ten
or more actual bowlers - $13.00 for
two hours of unlimited games, shoes
included, per person. If we do not
have at least ten bowlers - $4.60 shoe
rental per person plus $4.45 per game
for adults
When you RSVP (see website
below), if you plan to bowl, please say
so. It helps to know if we are going to
get the better deal. If you're not bowling, just indicate that you're our fans!
We've reserved four lanes, and
Whitney will wear an LGBTQ logo
shirt so newbies can find us. Look for
the Pink Gay is Good shirt! If you've
never come out for an event, we invite
you to try this one; it's always a raucous good time.
Saturday, February 25th, 6pm at
AMF Southwest Lanes, 3610 Wible
Road.
The Rocky Horror Picture
Show
Join The Velvet Darkness for RHPS
on March 16th and 17th for a St.
Patrick's Day show to remember.
Doors open at 11pm. Games start at
11:30pm. The lips sing at midnight.
Come give yourself over to absolute
pleasure. Tickets are $10 and prop kits
are $3. See you there!
Note: these shows were originally
scheduled for February.
At the Empty Space, 706 Oak St.
206391339456512/
Miss Casablanca Contest
Casablanca Nite Club presents
Miss Casablanca 2012 Pageant. Do
you have what it takes to be the next
Miss Casablanca? Three categories:
Talent, Evening Gown, Q&A. This
pageant is going to be amazing! Come
support your favourite queen! Winner
gets cash prize, sash & crown. Your
hostesses: Candy Moore and Menage.
Friday, March 30th, 10pm at
Casablanca, 1825 N St.
https://www.facebook.com/CASA
BLANCANIGHTCLUB661
New Karaoke Night
by David Clark
I'm happy to announce that I am
launching a new venture as Karaoke
Host with Mr. Paul Roache on
Monday Nights at Cataldo's Pizzeria.
All new equipment, huge song
selection, and a great inclusive and
fun atmosphere! The food is
fanta...stic and very reasonable, the
beer list is large and inexpensive so
this is the place to be on Monday
New Book To Benefit
Local Charities
Bakersfield resident, Michel
McDonald, has just published his
memoir, “Diary of a Gay Nerd”. He
will be donating parts of the profits to
local GLBT non-profits.
Being born gay isn't easy for anyone, but being born gay in a homophobic family in the 1970's made it
more difficult for Michel. Physically
and mentally abused by his family and
school bullies, he had to learn to grow
a thick skin to keep from going crazy.
The constant torment from everyone
around him drove him to several failed
suicide attempts.
Tossed aside by his family, Michel
was homeless at... the age of 15, left to
fend for himself in a trailer park in a
new city. Taken back by his family
after 6 months despite a very public
suicide attempt, only to be thrown out
of the house a year later when he was
pushed out of the closet by his mother.
Molested, raped, beat up and tossed
aside, Michel felt like life was only
going to get worse. Addicted to drugs
and alcohol, he cried out for help, but
nobody would listen, that was until he
finally met his soul mate. He no
longer sought self-destruction because
he knew life was going to start getting
better, and it did.
From Michel's blog: “When I wrote
this book I decided that I wanted to
donate 10% of all profits to charity. I
have published my book with
Amazon,
Barnes
&
Noble,
RainboweBooks.com
and
CreateSpace through Amazon and
their own website. So 10% from all
combined profits will be split between
PFLAG Bakersfield and the Gay &
There are lots of charities that I
wanted to give to, but I feel like they
get enough money from a national
audience and I felt better about giving
it to something that was more local
because they are in desperate need of
funding and I want to give them all the
help that I can give them.”
http://www.diaryofagaynerd.com
DELANO
New GSA club
There's a new advisor for the GayStraight Alliance at the Delano
Campus of Bakersfield College. The
club plans to hold distance meetings
with the Bakersfield College GSA.
More information:
facebook.com/groups/GSNofBC/
KINGS COUNTY
Visalia Pride Lions Club
Offers Student Scholarships
With a goal of serving our community, the Visalia Pride Lions Club
proudly announces the establishment
of two scholarships of $500 each for
graduating high school seniors or
transferring community college students who are LGBT or were raised in
an LGBT family. Applicants must live
in Tulare County, Hanford, or
Lemoore. The scholarship must be
used at an accredited post-secondary
institution including a college or university and trade school. The student
must have a minimum 3.0 GPA,
worked to affect change for the LGBT
community and is actively involved in
community service. Membership in a
Gay-Straight Alliance or college Pride
club will be considered, but is not
required.
The scholarship deadline is May
1st; the recipients will be notified by
the end of May. Presentation of the
scholarships will be made during the
VPLC's anniversary luncheon in June.
Application is available on the
website:
http://www.eclubhouse.org/sites/visaliapride, click
on Student Scholarships.
LODI
Crab Feed
The
San
Joaquin
AIDS
Foundation's Crab & Shrimp Feed is
its biggest fundraiser. There will be
raffle prizes, a silent auction, no-host
bar and dancing - and, of course, lots
of fun and food. Tickets are $40 each
for all you can eat crab, shrimp, pasta,
salad, bread, and no host bar. Raffle
for $500 Grand Prize and other assorted baskets.
Saturday, February 18th at the Lodi
Grape Festival grounds, 413 East
Chardonnay Hall. Doors open at 6 pm,
dinner served at 7 pm.
No tickets will be available at the
door. For tickets, call (209) 476-8533.
www.sanjoaquinaidsfoundation.org
Community Members'
Input Wanted
The Lodi Rainbow Project/True
Colors is looking for LGBTQ Lodians
to assist in formulating an autonomous
LGBTQ support group in the City of
Lodi. The Rainbow Project/True
Colors welcomes ALL LGBTQ but is
attempting to centralize Lodians
specifically. Please visit the site.
The group started as a peer-led
drop-in support group, a project of
The San Joaquin Pride Center.
Next meetings: Sunday, February
19th and March 18th, 1-3pm at the
Lodi Public Library, 201 W. Locust St.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/
LTCMessages/
MODESTO
Modesto's Monarchs'
Dinner
The Monarchs' Council of the Owl
Empire of Stanislaus County, Inc pre-
sents our annual Monarchs' Dinner for
the Reigning Monarchs, Emperor 38,
Jeff Case-Young Jackman LandreeSt.James & Empress 38, Debra Varie
Ferrel.
No-Host Cocktails @ 5pm, Dinner
from the Menu @ 6pm, Monarchs'
Meeting @ 7pm.
Only Past Monarchs with One
Guest, PLEASE! We will be on the
outside covered heated patio section
Sunday, February 19th, 5pm at
Outback Steakhouse, 2045 West
Briggsmore Ave.
Questions? E-mail Monarchs'
Council President Emperor 13,
Krickett
Myers
at
[email protected]
At the Brave Bull
Sunday, February 19th, 7:30pm our 38th Anniversary! 70's disco
theme, wet t-shirt contest, drink specials, drag show featuring The Brave
Bull-ettes!
Sunday, February 26th - Mardi
Gras Party! Mardi Gras mask contest
with a $50 cash prize! Drag show featuring The Brave Bull-ettes.
Also, the bar is bring back Thirsty
Thursdays - happy hour 8pm-10pm,
DJ Jon, drink specials!
21+ only with ID. No cover.
At the Brave Bull, 701 S. 9th St.
https://www.facebook.com/TheBra
veBull
nights starting February 13th!
I want to thank all of your support
when I was promoting Tuesday Nights
Out at Vinny's and I am looking forward to your support with this new
venture!
Come on down, have a great meal
at a great price and sing along with
me! Open to all ages.
Mondays, 6pm-9pm at Cataldo's
Pizzeria, 4200 Stine Rd.
265594863508612/
∏
Sync & Drag
College Avenue Congregational
Church wild hold its annual youth's
Sync & Drag - this time, the theme is
"1970s and 80s".
March 9th, 7pm at CACC
Sanctuary & Fellowship Hall, 1341
College Ave.
More info available closer to the
date of the event: www.cacc-ucc.org
OESCI 38th Reign Events
The Owl Empire of Stanislaus
County, Inc. as well as the Emperor &
Empress 38, Jeff & Debra has planned
outstanding and exciting fundraising
events for the 38th Reign in Modesto,
California. We are bringing back
some heavy hitting events with a few
new ones. PLEASE write these dates
on your calendars to avoid overbooking. We truly hope to see you in
Modesto, California many times this
year as Modesto begins their trek to a
wonderful year of community
fundraising.
The Owl Empire of Stanislaus
County, Inc. and the Pigskins,
Sidelines & Touchdowns Owl Court
of the 38th Reign based in Modesto,
California, USA presents Empress
April's Casino Royale & St. Patrick's
Dinner Buffet.
$8 cover charge includes 1 FREE
Bag of Casino Chips and St. Patrick's
Dinner Buffet! (additional Bags of
Chips Available for $5.00 each).
Doors open @ 4:00pm, Casino
games starts @ 5:00pm & 8:00pm, St.
Patrick's Dinner Buffet served @
6:00pm, Open entertainment show
7:00pm until 9:30pm.
Saturday, March 17th at the Brave
Bull, 701 S. 9th St,
Come to our monthly bingo!Every
4th Tuesday of the month until
October. Game time starts at 7pm.
Cards are $5 each or $20 for 6 cards.
Lots of awesome prizes you can win,
and usually all you can eat food with
the purchase of bingo cards!
February 28th and March 27th at
the Brave Bull, 701 S. 9th St.
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/Mo
desto_Imperial
NewsLink
As always, it's dutch treat; please
plan to pay for your own meal.
Saturday, March 10th, 6-8pm at
Great Castle Chinese Restaurant, 410
Union Ave.
312583608785798/
MCC Bunco Night! We have
always loved Bunco! Come join
Scotty and the rest of us as we roll'em,
roll'em, roll'em! Kids welcome; this is
an easy game to play even if they don't
know how to count!
We may or may not have fantastic
prizes, but then again, that's not the
point of getting together, now is it?
We'll update the location as it gets
closer. We hope the repairs to the
church will be completed by then.
$10 per person to play; the donation
goes to the church's "we're still here"
fund.
Saturday, March 24th, 7-9:30pm.
109530325834177/
17
∏
∏
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
ISJDE Coronation
Imperial San Joaquin Delta Empire
along with HMIM Emperor XXXVIII
Brenda Harris and HMIM Empress
XXXVIII Teena Evans present “A
Night of Mystical Escapades in the
Enchanted Forest” coronation weekend.
Friday, March 23rd - Out of Town
Show @ host hotel's main meeting
room; door 7pm, music in by 7:30pm,
show at 8pm, preference given to
reigning monarchs, current Imperial
Crown Princes / Princesses, then others as time permits; $15 admission.
Friday, March 23rd - “In The
Doghouse” After Party @ Paradise
Nightclub, 10114 Lower Sacramento
Rd., Stockton; please join Emperor
Brenda and Empress Teena for more
fun, let's do it doggie style!
Saturday, March 24th - Hospitality
@ host hotel's breakfast bar on first
floor; 11am - 2pm.
Saturday, March 24th - Coronation
@ Hutchins Street Square, Kirst Hall,
125 S. Hutchins St., Lodi; doors open
at 5pm, coronation begins at 5:59pm;
no nudity, bare bottoms or breasts;
fire, live animals and confetti are
strictly prohibites; $40 admission.
Sunday, March 25th - Victory
Brunch @ host hotel's breakfast bar on
first floor; 11am - 1am; $15 per person.
Sunday. March 25th - Victory Show
@ TBA.
The host hotel is Holiday Inn
Express, 1337 E. Kettleman Ln., Lodi.
Rates are: $99/night for 1 king or 2
queen beds. Deadline for reservations
(209-210-0150) at that rate is March
10th, mention “ISJDE” for the special
room rate.
Questions? Call Ball Coordinator,
Daniel Corona at (209) 608-2414.
STOCKTON
At a Glance: Events at the
San Joaquin Pride Center
Friday 2/17 - 2pm-6pm Bad
Romance Valentine's Party for youth
and young adults (treats, refreshments, games, movies, music in a safe
space, hate-free zone, no alcohol)
Friday
2/17
3pm-4pm
Anonymous HIV/AIDS Testing by the
San Joaquin AIDS Foundation (biweekly)
Friday 2/17 - 8pm Normandy
Group Alcoholics Anonymous meeting (weekly)
Saturday 2/18 - 7pm LGBT NA
meeting (weekly)
Wednesday 2/22 - 12pm LGBT
Senior Social Group (weekly)
Saturday 3/3 - 2pm Young Adult
Peer Drop-In Group (first Saturdays)
Wednesday 3/7 - 6pm Stockton
Pride Al-Anon Group (weekly)
Thursday 3/8 - 6pm Transgender
Support Group (second Thursdays)
All events at the San Joaquin Pride
Center, 109 N. Sutter St. Call (209)
466-7572 with any questions.
“Big Gay Musical”
Delta Pride will have its first Movie
Night! We will be watch Big Gay
Musical. Admission is free, so come
and enjoy the movie!
Wednesday, February 22nd at 6pm
at a location TBA, see website.
Formerly San Joaquin Delta
College Gay-Straight Alliance, Delta
Pride is an organization at
DeltaCollege for Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual,
Questioning and Straight allies to
meet in a hate free welcoming environment. The club is here to help
those who are either Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual,
questioning, and even straight allies
discover who they are.
Our meetings are every Tuesday at
2pm in Shima 127 at San Joaquin
Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave.
sjdeltapride.wordpress.com
Acid Disko RAVE Party
Rave of 2012 “ACID DISKO” featuring guest DJ's: "O" and "ORRIS"!
Black lights, lasers, fog, glow sticks,
$1 Shots, $5 Long Islands, Giveaways
and more! Rave on! $7 cover.
Friday, February 24th at 9:00pm
until 2:00am at Paradise Nightclub,
10114 Lower Sacramento Rd.
243936989019994/
The Red Carpet Gala
Eleganza extravaganza! Celebrate
the glitz and glamour of the 84th
Academy Awards, benefitting the San
Joaquin Pride Center.
For the first time in Stockton, the
red carpet is rolling out for
Entertainment's biggest celebration of
the year. Join the eleganza extravaganza at Downtown Stockton's premier
destination,
University
Plaza
Waterfront Hotel, and enjoy live entertainment by Wendi Maxwell & the
Tres Hot Jazz Band, appetizers,
“Predict the Oscar Winners” contest,
silent auction and much, much more.
Dress is red carpet chic.
Sunday, February 26th, 4pm at
University Plaza Waterfront Hotel,
110 W. Fremont St.
Viewing Party Tickets are $35.
Tickets can be purchased at the following locations: San Joaquin Pride
Center (109 N. Sutter St.), With
Garden Flair (2206 Pacific Ave.),
Meyers Fashion Optical (858 West
Benjamin Holt Dr.) Will call tickets
sold via PayPal.
Please call (209) 466-7572 if you
have any questions regarding this
event or ticket purchasing.
sanjoaquinpridecenter.weebly.com
Gen Silent &
Love Makes A Family
San Joaquin County premiere viewing of the amazing documentary about
LGBT seniors aging in America.
What would you do if you were old,
disabled or ill - and the person feeding
you put down the spoon and said that
you are going to hell unless you
change your sexual preference?
Sound absurd?
Social workers around the world
say it's happening every day.
Gen Silent is the criticallyacclaimed documentary from filmmaker Stu Maddux (Bob and Jack's
52-Year Adventure, Trip to Hell and
Back) that asks six LGBT seniors if
they will hide their friends, their
spouses - their entire lives in order to
survive in the care system.
Their surprising decisions are captured through intimate access to their
day-to-day lives over the course of a
year. It puts a face on what experts in
the film call an epidemic: gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender older
people so afraid of discrimination by
caregivers or bullying by other seniors
that many simply go back into the
closet.
Unlike any film before, Gen Silent
startlingly discovers how oppression
in the years before Stonewall now
affects older lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender people with fear and isolation.
Also, “Love Makes a Family” - a
photographic story of LGBT families
in all their diversity. Wine and cheese
tasting,, raffle prizes, all compliments
of
Central
Valley
Stonewall
Democratic Club. Raffle to benefit
“Love Makes a Family”.
Call Teena at (209) 953-7499 to
make your reservation. The event is
FREE, but you must call for reservation as seating is limited.
Wednesday, February 29th, 6:30pm
- 9pm at Valley Ministries MCC, 4118
Coronado Ave.
www.cvstonewall.org
Carnivale
Central
Valley
Stonewall
Democratic Club presents our 4th
annual Carnivale. Featuring an open
bar, Southern food, local dignitaries,
and a costume contest.
Individual tickets $40 on line, $45
at the door. All proceeds will go to
support Democratic candidates, who
work to advance the rights of the
LGBT community.
Sponsorships available: $100
Bourbon Street Sponsor, $250 King
Cake Sponsor, $500 Lead Float
Sponsor.
Saturday, March 3rd, 6pm-10pm at
Aspen Hall, University Park, 805 E.
Magnolia St.
Call (209) 937-9038 or visit
www.cvstonewall.org
SF Gay Men's Chorus
Concert Comes To Stockton
by Daniel Corona
The San Francisco Gay Men's
Chorus, under the artistic direction of
conductor Dr. Timothy Seelig, will be
performing in concert at Central
United Methodist Church, 3700
Pacific Avenue, on Saturday, March
10th at 7:00 PM to benefit the AIDS
Walk San Joaquin. The concert features the music of Stephen Schwartz,
including Broadway and film classics
from Enchanted, Wicked, Godspell,
Pippin and more. Sponsorship opportunities are available for this concert.
Call 608-9255 for more information.
Advance tickets are $35 for
reserved seating, $25 general admission ($40/$30 at the door) and $10 for
students and seniors. Tickets are
available at Deck The Walls, 6231
Pacific Avenue #4 (474-1591), San
Joaquin AIDS Foundation, 4330 N.
Pershing Avenue, Suite B-3 (6089255), and With Garden Flair, 2206
Pacific Avenue, (933-9009).
“We are honored to be visiting
Stockton for the first time with such
heavenly music,” said Chorus
Executive
Director,
Teddy
Witherington, adding: “Our message
is music and we thank our generous
Psychotherapy
Adult, Adolescent, Couples
Now serving Fresno & Visalia Areas
Melissa A. Cuneo, L.C.S.W.
#LCS13570
∏
NewsLink
(559) 901-5461
18
1416 W Center St
Visalia, CA 93291
21
TULARE COUNTY
See KINGS COUNTY for
“Visalia Pride Lions Club
Offers Student
Scholarships”
TULARE
GLAD Nite
GLAD Latino is the South Valley's
gay latin hot spot! DJ Orale in the
mix, $3, $4, $5 drink specials and
your host emcee Papi! Every
Thursday at 9pm at Fiesta Nightclub,
2435 S. K St.
GLAD Nite has been Visalia's
LGBT hot spot since 2007. Our
Visalia's location, the Blitz, has been
closed since December 2011 to under-
VALLEYWIDE
International Court System
Historical Project
Needs Assistance
If anyone can help provide names
and years of the College of Monarchs
for The Imperial Court of Kern
County or The Imperial Court of the
Eagle Empire (Merced), please contact Daniel Barrows of the
International
Court
System's
Historical Project Committee, at
[email protected].
Also, we need the missing monarchs for The Imperial Sequoia
Empire de Tulare and Kings (Visalia).
Right now we have: Reign 1 Emperor
El Dana & Empress Tatianna; Reign 4
Emperor El Dana & Empress Geri;
Reign 6, 7,10 Emperor Joey &
Empress Tiffany; Reign 12 Emperor
Steve & Empress Stephanie
If you know the missing names,
please
contact
[email protected]. Also, if
you know the dates the courts above
were founded and incorporated, let us
know! Thank you for your help!
Contest for GSAs
on My LGBT Plus
My Lgbt Plus is revamping the Gay
Straight Alliance Contest because of
our new outreach to high school GSA
Clubs! There are three ways to submit
a Gay Straight Alliance to win $100 to
help fund their endeavors into
schools:
1. E-mail [email protected]
with your submission! One email submission per day will be accepted.
2. Head to our Forum (www.mylgbtplus.com) and post your submission on our Contest Page. Registration
on website is required.
3. Have you tried using the status
updates on your My Lgbt Plus
Profile? Put the submission as your
status and we will count you in!
Registration on website is required.
4. Like My Lgbt Plus on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/lgbtplus) and
post your submission on our Facebook
page!
Each submission must include:
1. The name of a Central Valley
Gay Straight Alliance club.
2. A brief explanation of why you
feel that Gay Straight Alliance should
win our contest.
Voting ends on March 3rd, 2012.
www.mylgbtplus.com/gay-straightalliance-contest
Queerlandia/QueerVisalia; Brroke
Burk - GayVisalia/GayPorterville;
Justin Kaminoto - MyLGBTPlus;
Andrew Miller - PFLAG Tulare and
Kings Counties Facebook page. Lots
of information, lots of connections,
and lots of support! We look forward
to seeing everyone.
Sunday, February 19th, 3-5pm at
Family HealthCare Network, 305 E.
Center St.
http://www.pflag-tulare-kings.org
LGBT Issues
Round Table Discussion
by Myndi Hardgrave
The Tulare/Kings Service Center
Council (CTA) is hosting a discussion
on LGBT student issues. We would
like to invite you to sit at the table
with us to discuss the LGBT issues in
our schools. We also want to get your
input on the types of trainings we can
possibly provide for the educators in
our area as well as brainstorm together about other events we might be able
to promote or help with that will begin
to tackle this all too often overlooked
area of need. We hope you will consider joining our discussion. Snacks
and beverages will be provided. Our
meeting space is not huge but we
would love to have a full house. Help
us begin to make our counties safer
for ALL of our students.
Wednesday, March 14th, 5pm-7pm
at Tulare/Kings UNISERV Office,
301 W. School Ave.
105517712906495/
A New Orleans Evening
The second annual LGBT community dinner and dance will be an event
you do not want to miss. Have dinner
with your friends and dance the night
away in the "New Orleans" themed
ballroom at the Visalia Holiday Inn.
You will have an opportunity to sit in
"CafeDuMonde", win prizes, pile on
the mardi-gras beads, have your picture taken with your friends or someone special and dance in the evening
streets of a New Orleans festival we
create for you right here in Visalia! All
proceeds will support important local
projects through the Visalia Pride
Lions Club, a non-profit LGBT organization formed to serve our community here in Tulare Co.
Last year we hosted almost 200
people at the event and we expect to
have 250 this year. It will be a fantastic evening: grand ballroom with bar
available, an elegant dinner, games,
raffle, prizes and of course lots of
dancing to your favorite music. We
will be also holding a meet and greet
at 4:30pm in the hotel bar and a nohost breakfast party on Sunday morning at 9:30 for those spending the
night. Come and join us at a truly
special event that comes once a year.
No-host cocktails. Dinner and
Dance tickets $42, Dance only tickets
$15. Must be 18 years of age to attend.
Purchase tickets on line with PayPal.
Saturday, March 10th, 6:30pm at
the Visalia Holiday Inn Ballroom,
9000 W. Airport Dr.
The
Visalia
Holiday
Inn
Conference Center is once again
offering a special low price of only
$79 to stay the night in a double room.
Use the code "VPLC" when booking
to receive this special low rate. Call
559-651-5000
www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/visaliapride/index.php
80's Flashback Skate Party
Gay Visalia is renting the rink!
That's right, the entire place ALL to
ourselves! Admission is only $3.50
per person, much less than regular
cost, and it includes your skate rental.
We will also have FREE pizza and
soda, while it lasts.
So mark your calendars, grab your
leg warmers and come skate with us!
Even if you don't skate; listen to the
music, dance or just hang out with
your community.
Like, I'll totally see you there, like,
fer sure!
Wednesday,
February
22nd,
6:30pm-8:30pm at Roller Towne, 520
S. Linwood Ave.
www.gayvisalia.com
go renovation. GLAD Nite will return
to the location as “The Republik”, still
at 115 N. Locust St. on Wednesdays
starting… watch our Facebook page
to find out when!
www.facebook.com/gladnight
∏
Auditions for Avenue Q
The Fourth Wall Theatre Company
is proud to announce auditions for the
Regional premiere of “Avenue Q”.
Director / Choreographer - Chris
Mangels, Vocal Director - Charlotte
Garcia DaRosa.
All roles available. Performers
need to be at least 16 years of age.
Auditions by appointment only, walkups will be seen on a space availability basis.
Important dates: callbacks - March,
rehearsals begin May 14th, performances run July 13th - 22nd.
Set an audition appointment time.
Prepare a song of no more than 2 minutes in length. Singing from the show
is acceptable but not required. Bring
sheet music in the correct key; An
accompanist will be provided. There
will be no movement or reading at the
initial audition.
Auditions by appointment only:
Sunday, February 26th, 6 - 9pm and
Tuesday, February 28th, 7 - 9pm at the
Ruby Slipper Performing Arts
Academy, 113 S. Willis St.
To schedule an audition or get more
information, please contact Chris
Mangels at [email protected]. Please
DO NOT contact The Ruby Slipper
office for audition information.
VISALIA
LGBTQ Life On Line
in the Central Valley
PFLAG Tulare and Kings Counties
is a volunteer group of parents, family
and friends of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
(GLBT). We welcome members of the
GLBT community to our meetings
and membership. We meet on the third
Sunday of each month. Refreshments
will be served. There is no cost to
attend.
Our February program is one that
connects us all via blogging with our
favorite bloggers: Jim Reeves -
NewsLink
supporters for making this tour possible. We hope to raise much needed
funds to provide lifeline services in
the San Joaquin Valley”
The concert is presented as part of
the Chorus' 2012 California Freedom
Tour, bringing a musical message of
acceptance, freedom and hope to communities around the state. The tour is
made possible by support from the
James Irvine Foundation, The Bob
Ross Foundation and presenting sponsors, Ketel One Vodka and Bulleit
Bourbon.
Founded in 1978, San Francisco
Gay Men's Chorus was the world's
first gay-identified chorus, and
inspired the formation of an international LGBT choral movement.
SFGMC commissions new music and
develops repertoire for men's choruses
and LGBT choruses. In addition to a
home season of ten concerts, SFGMC
makes more than twenty community
appearances annually for diverse audiences, and has raised over $600,000
for community services. For more
information: http://www.sfgmc.org
San Joaquin AIDS Foundation
started in 1993, its Board of Directors
was comprised of both individuals
from the community as well as various HIV/AIDS organizations in the
county. The goal of this event is to
raise awareness and support to those
whose lives are affected by
HIV/AIDS. It is also about remembering those who have lost their battle
with this disease. The AIDS Walk,
held annually in May, is an opportunity for friends and family members to
commemorate the lives of loved ones
who have died of AIDS. Community
members and businesses are also
encouraged to show their support for
AIDS awareness in San Joaquin
County. We will be recruiting individual walkers, teams and team captains,
at the concert. Proceeds from our
events are donated to HIV/AIDS
agencies in San Joaquin County,
including, but not limited to, San
Joaquin County Public Health
Community Services, Community
Medical Centers, Inc., San Joaquin
General Hospital Infectious Disease
Clinic and San Joaquin AIDS
Foundation. The donations distributed
from AIDSWalk San Joaquin are used
to provide help to HIV/AIDS clients
with food and transportation vouchers, help with basic living needs and
assist with burial funds. AWSJ also
collaborates with these sister agencies
to raise public awareness about the
epidemic with other annual events
such as World AIDS Day and the
Art4AIDS Project in December and
National Condom Week in February.
www.awsj.org
19
∏
∏
Lesbian Events -February
to March 2012
By Angela and Pamela Brooks
Marga Gomez's “Not
Getting Any Younger”
Now through 2/25 in San
Francisco
Fridays and Saturday evenings
(times vary) at The Marsh
By popular demand and critical
acclaim Marga Gomez' Not Getting
Any Younger has been extended from
January 6 through Saturday, February
25, 2012. Gomez spills the beans in
her 9th solo show-a comedy about
lies, vanity and the good old days.
This 'coming of middle age' story
begins during an idyllic childhood
visit to a dairy cow's boudoir in the
Bronx. Afterwards, Gomez endures a
youth marked by adult hostility and is
forced to live by the maxim “children
should be seen and not heard.” She
perseveres through these soul crushing early years with the false hope that
when she's older she can order children about. For more show and pricing
info,
see
http://www.themarsh.org/marga_gom
ez.html
Cleopatra, CEO by Heidi
Duckler Dance Theatre
Now through 2/25 in Los
Angeles
Thursday, Friday, Saturdays at
8pm. Premiered on 2/9.
Exactly one year after Mubarek
was overthrown in Egypt, Cleopatra
will take over and reign from the 51st
Floor of Paul Hastings Tower in
downtown Los Angeles The Cirque du
Soleil-inspired Cleopatra, CEO. will
premiere on February 9, 2012 with an
Egyptian VIP Gala, complete with
live music, food, and drink. From the
legendary 1963 Elizabeth Taylor
movie to Stacy Schiff's new novel
Cleopatra: A Life, the distinguished
female icon of Cleopatra has returned
to take up residence right here in Los
Angeles. As athletic dancers create
magic in and around the former corporate space, the audience will experiSame location
for your vitamin
& food supplement needs
since 1955
237-8479
ence a dance performance unique to
downtown. The performance will
interweave the gender biased myths
and propaganda associated with the
icon Cleopatra as a feminist, or
femme fatale of the east, with the male
dominant corporate lineage of the oil
men of the west, for this particular
floor of the Paul Hastings Tower was
initially inhabited by ARCO Oil
Company. This new multimedia dance
performance will focus on the nature
of power and how the media shapes
our sense of history. The public is
invited, whether commuting by barge
or corporate jet, to join us in the penthouse of the Paul Hastings Tower to
experience an "over the top" feast of
dance, music and theater. Opening
night, Thursday February 9, 2012,
will coincide with an evening Gala for
audience members. Tickets will be
sold online at www.heididuckler.org
and
at
the
door.
[email protected]
Contact:
Shanda Domango Phone: 818-7848669
Email:
[email protected]
URL:
http://heididuckler.org
Vallarta Girl 2012
Feb 16-20th in Puerto
Vallarta, Mexico
Thursday through Monday
Vallarta Girl 2012 has created an
exciting weekend for our guests with
world DJs, dance parties, outdoor
hosts and ticket packages to fit everyone's budget! Billed as one of the
largest gatherings for women. Vallarta
Girl is kicking off President's day
weekend with a bang. From the Beach
Bonfire Welcome Party to The Chica
Challenge to the Bon Voyage Brunch
there is something for everyone.
Some parties are free. For tickets and
package
deals
check
out
http://www.vallartagirl.com/tickets.ht
ml
project.b. and Alyse
Finwall Dance Theater The Garage
2/17-2/18 in San Francisco
Friday and Saturday at 8pm at The
Garage 975 Howard St @ 6th St.
project.b.'s Sol y Sombra by Tanya
Bello is a series of vignettes and interludes exploring the individual's ability
to effect change on societal and cultural levels. Alyce Finwall Dance theater presents Angel, a tour de force
performance piece for two dancers.
Angel is an exploration into the
unspoken and often taboo world of
girls' and women's sexuality and
desires. Both events are part of RAW
(Resident Artist Workshop.) Tickets
$10-$20. For more information go to
https://www.brownpapertickets.com
The Crackpot Crones present THE “I HATE
VALENTINES DAY”
SHOW
2/19 in San Francisco
Sunday 5pm at The Dark Room
2263 Mission St (betw 18th & 19th)
The Crackpot Crones bring their
latest creation, THE “I HATE
VALENTINES DAY” SHOW Sketch
Comedy & Improv as a Public The
Service for the Romantically
Challenged The Crones are, Terry
Baum, slightly world-renowned lesbian playwright, and Carolyn Myers,
pioneer funny feminist, and they will
provide a public service for the
Romantically Challenged. For more
info go to http://www.crackpotcrones.com/ or https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/220566 Tickets
are $20 and available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/220566 or by
calling 1-800-838-3006 Some tickets
will be available at the door at a
reduced price, for alternative seating
on barstools. The theatre is wheelchair
accessible.
Carol Queen at Good
Vibrations
2/24 in Berkeley
Friday 5pm-7pm at 2504 San Pablo
Ave, Berkeley
AIDS Project of the East Bay Nonprofit Reception, Store Tour and
Fundraiser Mixer at Good Vibrations
FREE! Join us for a special mixer and
info night featuring our current donation partner, AIDS Project of the East
Bay! Enjoy a light reception and store
tour by staff sexologist Dr. Carol
Queen, and meet the good folks at this
wonderful organization. Inspired? You
can contribute to them directly at
check-out! (apeb.org)
Feminist Art Project: CAA
Day of Panels
2/25 in Los Angeles
Saturday 9am - 5pm at Museum of
Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los
Angeles, CA (map)
The Feminist Art Project, now in its
7th year of shining a spotlight on feminist art and its impact on art and culture worldwide, announces the schedule for a special forum at the Museum
of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los
Angeles. With an impressive list of
participants, The Feminist Art
Project's TFAP@CAA will present a
diverse set of panels that will be of
interest to anyone curious about contemporary art and ideas. The 2012
TFAP@CAA Day of Panels, Shares
and Stakeholders will take place on
Saturday, February 25 from 9am to
5:00pm in the Ahmanson Auditorium
at MOCA. The panels are co-organized by artists Audrey Chan (J.Paul
Getty Museum) and Elana Mann
(Scripps College). Shares and
Stakeholders will consider the present
and future of feminist artistic thought
and practice. The day's conversations
will reflect the greater inclusivity of a
contemporary feminist art that
embraces a multiplicity of identities
and philosophies. Topics of discussion
will include: feminist art educational
models, the roles of men in feminist
art, interventionist art strategies, radical queer art making, and feminism as
a daily humanist practice. These panels will build upon a tradition of feminism in Los Angeles through new
readings and modes of engagement
with this vital movement. Speakers
will share their perspectives as artists,
educators, curators, art historians,
filmmakers and writers who are
invested in the feminist future.
TFAP@CAA is free and open to the
public. Contact: Connie Tell Phone:
732-932-3726 Email: [email protected] http://feministartproject.rutgers.edu
Writing from Life
Experience for Lesbians
2/26 - 4/15
8 Sunday afternoons 3:30pm-6pm
at The Pacific Center, 2712 Telegraph
Ave., Berkeley
Classes will be in a wheelchair
accessible room at The Pacific Center.
Facilitated by Elana Dykewomon,
award winning author and editor (see
www.dykewomon.org)
Conversations, exercises, readings &
feedback, geared to help you shape
your self as a character. Whether your
objective is memoir or fiction, this is a
safe space where you can find form
for your story. We work on technical
aspects of writing, as well as ways to
access your raw materials. All levels
welcome! $250-350 sliding scale
Enrollment limited to 10. e-mail [email protected] for registration
and more information
Tower Health
& Diet Foods
1130 N. Fulton at Olive
In the Tower District
Tom DeBey, Realtor
NewsLink
Lic# 01474948
20
Selling or Buying a home? Call Tom...
~Specializing in the Tower District ~
Free Home Search: Towertom.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5:30 Sat 9-5 Sun 11-4 Closed Major Hoildays
559 312-5637
[email protected]
E-Babes East Bay Lesbian TGIF
3/2 in Oakland
Friday 6pm-8pm at the Terrace
Room, 1800 Madison St, Oakland,
CA
Join NCLR Executive Director
Kate Kendell, Esq. for a night of fun
for a great cause. NCLR supporters
Denise Petty, Jennifer Jones, and
Delene Bivolcic are throwing another
wonderful party to benefit our legal
and program services. You can take in
the views of beautiful Lake Merritt,
meet some new friends, and see old
friends. If you are lucky, you might
even get a date for NCLR's 35th
Anniversary Celebration on May 5,
2012. Hope to see you there!
Suggested donation: $10.00. For
more information contact Denise
Petty
at
[email protected]
An Afternoon of Ladies and
Lambda Legal
Sunday 1pm - 4pm at home of
Board member Dena Narbaitz & Rose
Hawayek, San Francisco, California
Please join national staff, current
and former board members, volunteer
leaders and other women supporters
of Lambda Legal for wine and light
hors d'oeuvres. During this fundraising event, Staff Attorney Tara Borelli
will provide an update on Lambda
Legal's work and how you can be a
part of our success! Please RSVP to
John
Herget
([email protected]) at 212809-8585, ext. 231.
Thursday - Saturday at 8pm,
Sunday 7pm at 222 Mason St, SF,
94102
Best known for winning our hearts
as Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter is an
accomplished singer who has performed to rave reviews before sell-out
crowds around the world. In addition
to her long acting career, Lynda has
the distinction of producing and starring in five highly rated network television specials, several of which were
Emmy-nominated. She has appeared
onstage with many of the world's most
popular singers, including Ray
Charles, Tom Jones, Kenny Rogers,
Bob Hope, George Benson, and Ben
Vereen. Tickets range from $45-$65
http://www.therrazzroom.com/12ap/l
ynda_c.html
NCLR 35th Anniversary
Celebration Buzz Party in
the South Bay
3/28 in Redwood City
Wednesday 6pm-7pm at 840 Wine
Bar & Cocktail Lounge, 840 Brewster
Ave, Redwood City, CA
National Center for Lesbian Rights
is so excited for our 35th Anniversary
Celebration-waiting to see you until
May 5th was simply not an option!
Join us for the pre-Celebration fun in
Redwood City. No RSVP necessary.
Bring your friends and just come on
down.
AllGirlz Tripz 3rd Annual
Black Lesbian Cruise
4/12-4/16 Miami to Key
West and Cozumel
Thursday through Monday
If a Femme-Fantasy cruise sounds
like a dream vacation to you, it's never
too early to plan ahead. Join Femmestress of Ceremonies, Comedian
Trinity Newman as you cruise the seas
from Miami to Cozumel and back.
Private and exclusive events include
all girls meet and greet, and All White
Party, dating games for singles, Rock
the Mic talent show, LMAO comedy
showcase, and a Bikini Bash beach
party in Cozumel like no other. The
Bay Area's own hip hop recording
artist, Jen-Ro, will be entertaining
you. Room prices start at $595.00 and
prices include all parties and events.
For more information on what is/is not
included, visit http://www.femme-fantasy.com/
March 13th L.A.W.N Los
Angeles Women’s Network
Mixology Competition
Five bartenders square of at 7p to
compete for a chance to go to
Brooklyn to compete in a mixology
competition there. Your votes will get
one bartender there! Go the website to
RSVP for the event.
http://laglc.convio.net/site/PageSer
ver?pagename=LAWN
March 17th Gallo Center
Modesto, California
Joni Morris –
Tribute to Patsy Cline
Joni returns to the Gallo Center for
the Arts with her nationally acclaimed
Patsy Cline Tribute. You will enjoy all
of the classic Patsy Cline songs delivered with Joni’s impeccable style and
grace. Combine that with Joni’s lavish
costumes and comedic style along
with many special guests and you will
have an evening you will not want to
miss! Several of Joni’s musical friends
will be joining her on stage to help
celebrate her new CD release, “Joni
Morris & Friends.” As Patsy herself
would often say, “Come on in, sit right
down and make yourself at home!”
For tickets log onto http://www.galloarts.org/Events/
My Country Days
Are Numbered
Pamela Brooks - GayFresno.com
My gosh, so much has been going
on and I have had a hard time not only
carving out some time to blog but also
in narrowing down the topic. I have
so many things to write on but today I
decided I wanted to let you know
about a new and major change. The
Queer Femme is leaving the country.
Yes, a totally unanticipated turn of
events came about a couple weeks
ago; I was attending a job-hunting
seminar one day and received a text
from Angela to call her on my break.
Wanda had announced that she had
decided to move to Arkansas to live
with her sister and the sister's family.
Wow. Okay, we definitely did not see
that coming.
After giving up our fantastic jobs,
leaving our loving circle of friends
and professional groups to help
Wanda through her illness, she decided to make arrangements to leave. All
I can say about that part is…well there
really nothing I can say about it. We
weren't considered in that decision so
that is all. So, as one of my old mentors used to say... “Next?!” We took
a few days to figure out what our
“next” step would be and have decided to move on to the big city. In the
job hunting course offered by Madera
County I learned that out of the top 20
hardest places to find a job in the
country, 5 or 6 of our local Central
Valley towns were at the very top. I
can testify that my skills have not been
of any use to employers around here.
For weeks recently, there were 3 jobs
available in Chowchilla. One required
agricultural background, one was a
pastor, and one was at KFC. I looked
today and the only one that was filled
was KFC. The other two are still
there. Not a lot of hope. With us
being down to one vehicle, only one
of us would ever be able to work outside of town and with no jobs in town,
it just is not a promising future. It
makes me very sad for Chowchilla
that the economy has gotten this bad
for them. More businesses are going
under and there just is no reason to
stay.
I've enjoyed a lot about my time
here and have tried to find the bright
spots in it. But faced with this new
choice, we decided it's time to move
on to Los Angeles. We have 1) been
fortunate to meet some amazing
women at Butch Voices conferences
over the last few years who live in LA,
2) we have other friends from Reno
who have moved down there, plus 3)
I've wanted for years to live nearer to
my brother who lives there too. So at
least we won't be going there without
knowing anyone. I'm sure it will offer
us different challenges from those
Chowchilla did; but life without challenges provides very few opportunities to grow and change. I'm for growing. I'm also for succeeding without
having to bloody your head from
banging it on the wall like this.
There are a lot more blogs left to
write about my experiences here in the
country so I'll still be blogging and
bringing those stories to you, but now
I'll be changing gears and going
through more changes as we work our
way into the city. What will become
of Queer Femme in the Country? I
don't honestly know, fair readers. I
plan to keep blogging but I guess I
should change the name once everything is switched around. Got any
ideas for names? You guys always
have good comments and suggestions
so feel free to share them with me.
In the meantime, the QFITC is still
officially in the country, even as I'm
on a train to LA to search for a job and
place to live. Peace out.
Pamela's blog can be found here...
http://queerfemmeinthecountry.blogsp
ot.com/
Wednesday 5pm-7pm at the
Women's Building, Audre Lord Room
2nd Fl., 3543 18th St
Join 18 Reasons and two of the
most celebrated urban farmers of our
time. Novella Carpenter (Ghost Town
Farm) and Willow Rosenthal (City
Slicker Farm) in the latest edition of
our Conversation Series. Novell and
Willow will read from their latest
book “The Essential Urban Farmer”.
There is limited capacity, so first
come, first serve. For more information
www.18reasons.org
or
http://www.womensbuilding.org/content/
Rrazz Room in
San Francisco presents
Lynda Carter
March 22nd- March 25th in
San Francisco
NewsLink
Author Reading: Novella
Carpenter and Willow
Rosenthal
21
∏
∏
∏
remains stubbornly unrepentant and
unbelieving and Luke worries his
boyfriend will be a future inhabitant of
hell. Tickets $31-33. For more info:
http://diversionary.org/
NCLR Western Regional
Conference 2012: Lead the
movement, Be the change
February 24-26 in Stockton
SOMETHING 4 EVERYONE!
Once Upon a Murder - Act
Out Mystery Theatre
Through 3/3 in Long Beach
Saturdays at 7pm at The Reef on
the Water, 880 South Harbor Scenic
Drive, Long Beach. You're certain to
enjoy an evening of hilarity and fine
dining for an affordable price.
Spectacular Long Beach city and harbor views from The Reef on the Water
make the evening one you won't forget. If you want to participate, accept
one of the roles handed out before the
evening's festivities begin and join in
the fun while at your own table. Over
dessert try to solve the mystery and
become a Star Detective. Or perhaps
the character you played was the murderer. Only one way to find out!
$49.95 includes dinner and show.
Details
on
the
show:
http://www.actoutmystery.com/upcom
ing-shows.php
Diversionary Theatre:
Next Fall
2/16 through 3/25 in San
Diego
Thursday-Saturdays 8pm, Sundays
2pm & 7pm
Diversionary Theatre is proud to
bring the Tony-nominated play, Next
Fall to San Diego. The production features Matt McGrath, who recently
starred in the Old Globe's hit production of The Rocky Horror Show. Luke
believes in God. Adam believes in
everything else. Next Fall portrays the
ups and downs of this unlikely couple's five-year relationship with sharp
humor and unflinching honesty. When
an accident changes everything, Adam
must turn to Luke's family and friends
for support... and answers. Through a
series of flash-backs, Luke, Adam,
and their friends and family grapple
with the role that faith plays in their
relationship. Luke, a devout Christian,
sees his homosexuality as a sin he
must repent for and nonbelievers as
hell bound. Adam, a gay agnostic
Friday-Sunday at University of the
Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton,
CA 95211
Hosted by the University of
California, Merced and University of
the Pacific, the Western Regional
Conference
brings
together
LGBTQIA leaders, students, faculty,
staff, alumni and community members
from the western United States.
Participants will have a chance to
learn from each other, network and
meet new friends, and learn how to be
active leaders within their communities and institutions.
NCLR Sports Project Director
Helen Carroll will be presenting in
three different sessions on February
25th, the titles of which are:
“Remembering the 'B': Bisexual
Inclusion in the LGBT Movement,”
“Legal issues Affecting Transgender
Youth, Sports and Schools,” and “Gay
Athletes Speak out.” Speakers include
Dustin Lance Black, Patricia Nell
Warren and Candice Gingrich-Jones.
Initial registration was due by 2/12 but
if
interested,
visit
www.LGBTQIA.Pacific.edu for more
information and availability.
Victory Fund Champagne
Brunch
2/26 in San Diego
Sunday 11:00am - 2pm at The
Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa,
3999 Mission Blvd, San Diego 92109
Mark your calendars. The Victory
Fund's annual Champagne Brunch in
San Diego will take place on Sunday,
February 26, 2012, at the Catamaran
Resort Hotel & Spa. Special guests
will include Christine Quinn, Speaker,
and New York City Council.
Individual tickets are $100. For information on becoming a Sponsor, Host
or Table Captain, contact Patrick
Cordova at 202-567-3314 or by email
at [email protected].
For more general information on the
event
go
to
http://www.victoryfund.org
6th Annual Bold Strokes
J. STANLEY TEIXEIRA
ATTORNEY AT LAW
∏
NewsLink
1233 W. SHAW AVENUE, SUITE 100
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA 93711
TELEPHONE (559) 225-2510
FACSIMILE (559) 225-2389
22
Books Palm Springs
LGBTQ Book Fair
3/1-3/4 in Palm Springs
BSB and Casitas Laquita present
the sixth annual Palm Springs Bold
Strokes Books LGBTQ Book Festival,
which promises to be another fabulous
reader-friendly event. If you've never
been to this festival, come join us for
a calendar favorite of our authors who
relish the chance to chat with readers
between events in a casual, affirming
atmosphere where everyone gets
involved.
For
more
info:www.casitaslaquita.com
Lake Tahoe WinterFest
Gay and Lesbian Ski Week
3/4-3/11 in Lake Tahoe
Nevada Gay and Lesbian Visitors
Bureau present their 17th annual
event. Skiers and non-skiers alike will
enjoy the beauty and fun at Lake
Tahoe WinterFest Gay and Lesbian
Ski Week 2012. Comedian Julie
Goldman will keep the party going.
plus skiing and nightly entertainment.
For itinerary, pricing, and hotel information, go to http://www.laketahoewinterfest.com/
munities and expose people to new
modes of expression. M.K. Hobson
(Native Star, The Hidden Goddess),
Katie Crouch (Girls in Trucks, Men
and Dogs), Skip Horack (The Eden
Hunter). All proceeds benefit the
Center for Sex and Culture. $5-$10
sliding scale; no one turned away for
lack of funds.
HRC Los Angeles Gala
Dinner
3/17 in Los Angeles
Saturday 5:30pm Reception,
7:30pm Dinner & Awards at the Ritz
Carlton/JW Marriott
Join co-chairs Sepi Ghafouri and
Joel Dessaules for the HRC Los
Angeles Gala Dinner to benefit the
extraordinary life changing work of
the Human Rights Campaign. 2012
program includes MSNBC's Chris
Matthews, Kathleen Mathews of the
Marriott International, and Chelsea
Handler of E's Chelsea Lately. VIP
tickets $400, Regular $275. For more
information on the event, ticket purchase, or hotel reservations, visit
http://www.hrcladinner.com/
San Francisco Gay Men's
Chorus
3/10 in Stockton
Saturday 7pm at Central United
Methodist Church, 3700 Pacific Ave,
Stockton
Presented by The California
Freedom Tour 2012, this benefit for
AIDS Walk San Joaquin will include
the first time performance of SF Gay
Men's Chorus in the Stockton area.
Tickets range from $25- $35 in
advance, $30-$40 at the door.
Student/senior pricing available.
Tickets available at San Joaquin Aids
Walk offices 4330 N. Pershing
Avenue, Suite B-3, Stockton, (209)
476-8533. Also at With Garden Flair
and Deck The Walls, both on Pacific.
Other Magazine presents
Writers with Drinks
Saturday 7:30pm-9:30pm, doors
open 7pm at The Make-Out Room,
3225 - 22nd St, SF
Enjoy this blend of high- and lowbrow humor, literature and culture that
accomplishes what Anything That
Moves and Other Magazine once did:
defy categories, bring together com-
2012 Rhino Benefit
Extravaganza
Monday 8pm at Eureka Theatre,
215 Jackson, San Francisco
Join Theatre Rhinoceros for the
Very Best in Queer Talent.
Musical Director, Dave Dobrusky
Host, John Fisher
With Tom Orr
Raffle and Silent Auction, too!
All Tickets $25
Tickets include show, food, and
drink
Ticket Hotline: 800 838-3006
www.therhino.org
METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES have “been at the
vanguard of civil and human rights
movements by addressing important
issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, and other forms of
oppression” since 1968.
BAKERSFIELD: MCC of the
Harvest, 3815 River Blvd; (661) 8738891, find us on Facebook
STOCKTON: Valley Ministries
MCC, 4118 Coronado Ave.; (209)
810-9500, www.valleyministries.com
UNITED
METHODIST
CHURCH's Reconciling Ministries
Network mobilizes United Methodists
of all sexual orientations and gender
identities to transform our Church and
world into the full expression of
Christ's inclusive love. Reconciling
congregations in the area include:
FRESNO: Wesley UMC of Fresno,
1343 E. Barstow Ave.; (559) 2241947, www.wesleyfresno.org
MERCED: UMC of Merced, 899
Yosemite Parkway, (209) 722-5777,
www.umcmerced.org
OAKHURST: New Community
UMC, 49223 Road 426; (559) 6832652, www.newcommunityumc.net
STOCKTON: Central UMC of
Stockton, 3700 Pacific Ave.; (209)
466-5046, www.cumcstockton.org
STOCKTON: St. Mark's UMC of
Stockton, 309 E. Clay Ave.; (209)
463-7071, find us on Facebook
THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF
SAN JOAQUIN (of The Episcopal
Church) resolves that it “shall support,
engage, and affirm the gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender persons, (…) in
the life and worship of the Church, as
the Diocese works toward justice reconciliation and peace.” The Diocese
of San Joaquin consists of:
ATWATER: Merced Episcopal,
meets at the Atwater Chamber of
Commerce, 1181 3rd St.; (559) 9759037,mercedepiscopal.diosanjoaquin.org
ATWATER: St. Nicholas Mission,
Atwater Community Center, 760 E.
Bellevue Rd.; (209) 658-9832, stnicholas.diosanjoaquin.org
AVERY: St. Clare of Assisi,
Highway 4; (209) 754-5381, stclaireofassisi.diosanjoaquin.org
BAKERSFIELD: Grace Episcopal
Church, meets at First Congregational
Church, 5 Real Rd.; (661) 431-9020,
www.graceepiscopalbakersfield.com
BAKERSFIELD: St. Brigid's
Episcopal Mission, 1900 Baker St.;
stbrigid.diosanjoaquin.org
FRESNO: Holy Family Episcopal
Church, 1135 E Alluvial Ave; (559)
439-5011, www.holyfamilyfresno.org
HANFORD: Episcopal Church of
the Saviour, 519 N Douty St.; (559)
584-7706, www.saviourweb.com
LODI: The Episcopal Church of St
John the Baptist, 1055 South Lower
Sacramento Road; (209) 369-3381,
http://www.stjohnsoflodi.org
MADERA: Holy Trinity Episcopal
Mission, 420 E. 4th St.; (559) 6834 0 2 3 , w w w. h o l y t r i n i t y e p i s c o palchurch.org
MODESTO: St. Paul's Episcopal
Church, 1528 Oakdale Rd; (209) 522-
3267, www.stpaulsmodesto.org
OAKHURST: St. Raphael's
Episcopal Church, meets at Fresno
Flats Historical Park, 49777 School
Rd;
(559)
683-4023,
www.SaintRaphaelsEpiscopal.org
RIVERBANK: Christ the King
Community Episcopal Church, 6443
Estelle Ave.; (209) 869-1075, christtheking.diosanjoaquin.org
SAN ANDREAS: St. Matthew's
Episcopal Church, 414 Oak St.; (209)
754-3878, www.stmatthew.diosanjoaquin.org
SONORA: St. Mary in the
Mountains, meets at Sonora Senior
Center, 540 Greenley Rd.; (209) 3520353, stmaryinthemountains.diosanjoaquin.org
STOCKTON: The Episcopal
Church of St. Anne, 1020 W. Lincoln
Rd.; (209) 473-2313, stanne.diosanjoaquin.org
TULARE: St. John's Episcopal
Parish, 1701 Prosperity Ave.; (559)
686-8048,
stjohntulare.diosanjoaquin.org
TURLOCK: St. Francis Episcopal
Church, 4510 Crowell Rd.; (209) 4177782, www.Episcopalstfrancis.org
TRACY: St. Mark's Church, meets
at First Presbyterian Church, 101
Berverdor Ave.; (209) 982-0827,
www.stmarktracy.diosanjoaquin.org
VISALIA: Continuing St. Paul's
Episcopal
Church,
meets
at
Congregation B'nai David, 1039 S.
Chinowth
St.;(559)
732-6772,
www.stpaulvisalia.diosanjoaquin.org
Policies concerning the ordination of
gays vary from region to region. The
congregations below have publicly
declared themselves welcoming to
and affirming of persons of all gender
and sexual identities.
STOCKTON: First Christian
Church, 1234 William Moss Blvd.;
(209) 982-1212, find us on Facebook
UNITED
CHURCH
OF
CHRIST's General Synod has since
1985 “declared itself to be "open and
affirming" and called upon all settings
of the church to become similarly
poised to welcome LGBT persons as
full members of the church.” The congregations who have adopted an
“Open and Affirming” covenant
include:
ANGELS
CAMP:
Union
Congregational UCC, 1141 S. Main
St.; (209) 736-4171
BAKERSFIELD:
First
Congregational UCC, 5 Real Rd;
(661) 327-1609, www.fccbakersfielducc.org
FRESNO: College Community
UCC, 5550 N. Fresno St.; (559) 4352690, www.communityucc.com
FRESNO: First Congregational
Church UCC, 2131 N. Van Ness
Blvd.; (559) 227-8489, www.bigredchurch.org
MODESTO: College Avenue
UCC, 1341 College Ave; (209) 5227244, www.cacc-ucc.org
TULARE: First Congregational
UCC, 220 W. Tulare Ave; (559) 6865528, www.ucctulare.org
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN
CHURCH IN AMERICA allows for
gays & lesbians in committed monogamous relationships to serve as clergy.
Most Lutheran congregations are not
gay-friendly, but among those we've
seen listed as being accepting are:
MODESTO: Emanuel Lutheran
Church, 324 College Ave; (209) 5234531, www.emanuellutheran.org
PORTERVILLE:
Trinity
Lutheran Church, 764 W. Henderson
Ave; (559) 784-4202, www.tlcporterville.org
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
congregations that are participating in
the “God is still speaking,” campaign
(where all are welcome). These
churches have not adopted an “Open
and Affirming” covenant though.
MURPHYS: First Congregational
Church of Christ, 509 N. Algiers Rd.;
(209) 728-3141, www.fccmurph.org
STOCKTON:
First
Congregational UCC, 3409 Brookside
Rd., (209) 951-8545, www.firstcongregationalstockton.org
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) is on
record in support of civil rights,
regardless of sexual orientation.
REFORMED JUDAISM institutions “have a long history of support
for civil and equal rights for gays and
lesbians”, “North American organizations of the Reform Movement have
passed resolutions in support of civil
marriage for gays and lesbians” and
“the relationship of a Jewish, same
gender couple is worthy of affirmation
through appropriate Jewish ritual” but
“we recognize the diversity of opinions within our ranks on this issue.”
BAKERSFIELD: Temple Beth El,
2906 Loma Linda Dr.; (661) 3227607, templebethelbakersfield.org
FRESNO: Temple Beth Israel,
6622 N. Maroa Ave.; (559) 432-3600,
www.tbifresno.org
MERCED, Congregation Etz
Chaim, meets at United Methodist
Church, 899 Yosemite Pkwy; (209)
722-0530, www.jewishmerced.org
STOCKTON: Temple Israel, 5105
N. El Dorado St.; (209) 477-9306,
ca047.urj.net
VISALIA: Congregation B'Nai
David, 1039 S. Chinowth St.; (559)
732-3139, www.congregationbnaidavid.com
MODESTO CHURCH OF THE
BRETHREN embraces “persons of
every age, race, sexual orientation
(...)”. 2301 Woodland Ave., Modesto,
(209) 523-1438, www.modcob.org
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
congregations extend a warm welcome to LGBT people and their families. We're one of the few religions
that ordain openly LGBT people.
Congregations that have gone through
the
Welcoming
Congregations
Program to become more inclusive,
include:
CLOVIS: The UU Church of
Fresno, 2672 E. Alluvial Ave.; (559)
322-6146, www.uufresno.org
MODESTO: UU Fellowship of
Stanislaus County, 2172 Kiernan Ave.;
(209) 545-1837, www.stanuu.org
STOCKTON: First UU Church of
Stockton, 2737 Pacific Ave.; (209)
466-7743, www.stocktonuu.org
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
congregations that haven't completed
the
Welcoming
Congregations
Program:
BAKERSFIELD: UU Fellowship
of Kern County, 98 Sterling Rd.; (661)
363-5421, www.uufkc.org
MERCED: UU of Merced, a
branch of UU Fellowship of
Stanislaus County, meets at Unity
Church, 305 W. 26th St.; (209) 7251541, www.stanuu.org/merceduu/
PORTERVILLE: UU Fellowship
of Porterville, 135 E. Harrison Ave.;
(559) 782-1724, uufellowship.homestead.com/UUFellowship.html
SONORA: UU Fellowship of
Tuolumne County, meets at Stage 3
Theatre, 208 S. Green St.; (209) 5338833, website: www.uuftc.org
VISALIA: UU Fellowship of
Visalia, meets at Friends Meeting
House, 17208 Avenue 296; (559) 4774214, www.uuvisalia.org
UNITY (formerly Unity Church)
states that “it is imperative that our
ministries and outreaches be free of
discrimination on the basis of race,
color, gender, age, creed, religion,
national origin, ethnicity, physical disability or sexual orientation. Our sincere desire is to ensure that all Unity
organizations are nondiscriminatory
and support diversity.”
BAKERSFIELD: Unity Center,
2001 Truxton Ave.; (661) 327-8614,
www.unityofbakersfield.org
FRESNO: Unity Church of Fresno,
315 W. Shields Ave.; (559) 227-1889,
www.fresnounity.org
MERCED: Unity Merced, 305 W.
26th St.; (209) 723-3427, find us on
Facebook
MODESTO: Unity of Modesto,
2467 Veneman Ave; (209) 578-5433,
www.unitychurchofmodesto.com
MODESTO: Prayer Fellowship of
the Valley, meets at Congregation
Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave.;
(209) 531-5644, www.prayerfellowshipofthevalley.org
SONORA: Unity Spiritual Center
in the Mother Lode, 19478 Village
Dr.; (209) 928-1385, www.unitymotherlode.org
STOCKTON: Unity of Stockton,
48 W. Poplar St.; (209) 466-0311,
www.unityofstockton.com
∏
UNITED CENTERS FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING (Science of Mind /
Religious Science)
BAKERSFIELD: Center for
Spiritual Living, 222 Eureka St.; (661)
323-3109, www.bakersfieldcsl.org
FRESNO: Center for Spiritual
Living, 723 W. Clinton Ave.; (559)
485-2676, www.cslfresno.org
FRESNO: Central Valley Center
for Spiritual Living, 2350 W. Shaw
Ave. #121; (559) 225-1860, www.cvcspiritualliving.org
OTHER NEW THOUGHT
FRESNO:
New
Thought
Community, 2060 N. Winery Ave.
#101;
(559)
448-6565,
www.newthoughtcommunity.org
FRESNO: The Oneness Center,
1752 E. Bullard Ave. #106; (559) 2608589, www.omfresno.com
VISALIA: Spiritual Awareness
Center, 117 S. Locust St.; (559) 6252441, www.spiritualawarenesscenter.com
OTHER
MODESTO: Church of the
Brethren, 2301 Woodland Ave.; (209)
523-1438, www.modcob.org
RIPON: First Congregational
Church of Ripon, 100 N. Acacia Ave;
(209) 599-3361, www.riponcongregational.org (info from PFLAG
Modesto)
Corrections: [email protected]
NewsLink
Here’s a listing of gay-friendly,
open and welcoming, accepting
churches in the Central Valley (and
the mountains).
It might just make your spiritual
life easier!
Valley Wide GLBT-friendly religion & spirituality listings
23
∏
∏
∏
∏
Your Intellectual Whore
“An effervescently gay
advice columnist”
Disclaimer: Although the author
of this syndicated column holds a
doctorate in clinical psychology, the
tongue-in-cheek advice given is for
entertainment only and is not a substitute for therapy. Barbie responds to
all emails…whether you deserve it or
not. Send your questions to Uncle
Barbie at: [email protected]
A FLEA ON THE DOG OF
HUMANITY
Dear Uncle Barbie,
I want you to know I am only writing you because some of my coworkers said that I really needed to. I really don't think I need any advice
because there is nothing wrong with
me. It's the other people around me
that have problems. The world is
screwed up, not me. When I try to get
some service at a store, they don't
know anything.
So I tell them they don't know what
Hello David,
Upon analysis of your situation, I
sense two issues here, your behavior
and your personality. Your lack of a
consistent behavioral pattern seems to
be in tandem with your transient personality traits. Although a correlation
exists between the two variables, there
is no evidence that a causational effect
is occurring. Therefore, we cannot
conclude that one causes the other.
Nevertheless, just because a causational effect has not been definitively
established does not mean that your
behavior and your personality are acting independently of one another. In
fact, I believe they coexist in an interdependent relationship--although be it
a dysfunctional one.
Regarding your personality, you
are lacking in a firmly established
identity which causes your actions to
be quite disordered and chaotic. You
seem to have an aversion to tranquility. Don't you know that the biological
formula of nature asserts that all living
organisms strive for a static state of
homeostasis. Put less scientifically,
we all have an inborn tendency to seek
out happiness. It is our nature.
MFC37347
Business Owners...
Are you reading this?
Perpetuating Stigma
In The Life investigates laws criminalizing HIV and AIDS: A Special
Report
On
Positive
Women
Stigmatized & Prosecuted.
Public television stations across the
country will begin airing Perpetuating
Stigma, an episode from the awardwinning documentary series IN THE
LIFE. This special report investigates
the injustices that arise when a person's HIV status becomes a crime,
with a focus on how women have been
stigmatized and prosecuted under
1451 W Shaw Ave.
Fresno, CA 93711
Ph: (559) 243-1809
Fax: (559) 243-1807
these laws.
Thirty-six US states and 2 US territories have laws that criminalize HIV
exposure or failure by an HIV positive
person to disclose their status.
Perpetuating Stigma features HIV
positive women whose personal stories challenge the theory behind HIV
criminalization laws and expose the
reality
of
their
impact.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced
the
“Repeal
HIV
Discrimination Act” in September
2011, sparking new conversation
about these laws. Congresswoman
Lee says, “Many states are very
extreme; they are very right-wing in
how they see people who have HIV
and AIDS.”
Last season, IN THE LIFE reported
on laws criminalizing the exposure
and transmission of HIV, focusing on
the stories of positive men. The program titled Legalizing Stigma led
public education efforts, beginning
with the first ever Congressional
Briefing on this issue.
“IN THE LIFE's decision to continue coverage of HIV criminalization,
specifically with a report on women,
is motivated by the lack of a fair
media perspective on this issue,”
states Michelle Kristel, executive
director of In The Life Media.
In The Life Media continues its
coverage of HIV and AIDS discrimination online, with the web exclusive
short, Rose v. Cahee: HIV
Discrimination in Medical Care.
When Melody Rose was diagnosed
with gallbladder disease, her doctor
told her she'd have to find someone
else to treat it. The reason: Rose is
HIV positive.
Watch this episode on line at
www.itlmedia.org
... so it does work!
Gina Keller PsyD, LMFT
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist
Psychotherapy for all ages
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call (559) 486-3464
or email us at [email protected]
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∏
So tell me, then, why do you
actively resist living your life in harmony with those around you? Are you
one of those people who has their
karmic energy poles reversed? Is it
because you have lived so long as an
adversary that you have grown accustom to it? It is almost as though you
choose to relate to others through conflict. You are like a scarecrow in the
great vegetable garden of life--you
frighten everyone away.
I admit, it is a known psychological phenomena that emotional conflict
can produce an artificial sense of
bonding. However, you have adopted
an oppositional style of interaction as
a permanent course of action. That
pattern needs to be broken. You appear
to have that special type of personality that can only be tolerated when
you're sleeping. Well, that's about all I
can do for you as an advice columnist.
Any further attitude adjustment that
needs to be done is between you and
your pharmacist.
Yours Truly, Barbie
they are talking about. They think I am
rude, but really they are the ones at
fault. I believe in speaking my mind. I
am not antisocial. Actually, I can fit in
with any crowd because I have learned
how to imitate other people. When I
am around a group of people, I just
pretend to be like the rest of them. It
works. I just wish everyone wasn't so
stupid. It is unfair that I should even
have to share the world with them. It
is so frustrating. What can I do about
this?
Signed, David K.
25
∏
HOROSCOPES by Eric Biglione
Aries
(Mar 21 - Apr 19)
Good time to reach
out and help others in
need. This will help you keep your
problems in perspective. Keep romantic endeavors above bored and clear up
any unfinished business.
Libra
WEEKLY GLBT & FRIENDLY EVENTS IN FRESNO
(Sep 23 - Oct 22)
* Mondays 10pm: Unzipped, 18+ GLBT night @ Aldo's, 617 W.
Belmont Ave, facebook.com/gilbert.navarro777, (559) 473-9362
Your ego has
taken its share of hits
lately so time to
build yourself up. Help others in need,
work on a new diet and refresh your
look. Problems from the recent past
need to come to closure.
Scorpio
(Oct 23 - Nov 21)
Taurus
(Apr 20 - May 20)
Time well spent
with friends and
socializing. Let others
know what you want and what you are
doing to achieve your goals. Try not to
be too self centered here, others have
deep feelings also.
Now is not the time
to push but to enjoy
what is going on in your life. Work on
being closer to loved ones and showing
more affection. Don't sweat the details
the bigger picture is what we're looking
for.
Sagittarius
Gemini
(Nov 22 - Dec 21)
(May 21 - June 20)
The electricity is so
thick around you; it
makes you short tempered. Do physical exercises to deflect the negativity.
Just do the work and the rest falls into
place.
Irresistible? Don't
sweat the small stuff.
It isn't worth it. Work on long term
goals and improving your surroundings. Work with others even if their
views differ. Young people help out
here.
Cancer
Capricorn
(June 21 - July 22)
(Dec 22 - Jan 19)
Avoid confrontation with relatives.
It's a no win situation. Heed the views
of others. Keep updated on your
finances and keep up communications
with others. No day dreaming here.
Leo
* Tuesdays 6:30pm: Clogging Classes @ The Dance Studio of Fresno,
7491 N. Palm Bluff Ave., cagroundpounders.com, Barry (559) 259-9904
* Tuesdays 7-8pm: LGBT Alcoholics Anonymous meeting @ Fresno
LGBT Center, 1055 Van Ness Ave, suite A, [email protected]
* Wednesdays 6:30pm: United Student Pride @ CSUFresno, meets in
USU 311, listserv.csufresno.edu/archives/usp.html
* Wednesdays 6:30pm starting in March: Fresno Rainbow Pride 2012
meeting @ TBA, call (559) 486-3464, www.fresnorainbowpride.com
* Thursdays 9:30pm: Gay-friendly karaoke @ Cedar Lanes’ Cocktail
Lounge, 3131 N. Cedar Ave., Pablo (559) 790-0221, Vern (559) 907-8081
* Wednesdays & Thursdays 8:30am-11am, 1pm-3:30pm: Confidential
HIV testing; Wednesdays 8:30am-11am: Anonymous HIV testing @ Fresno
Co. Dept. of Community Health, 1221 Fulton Mall,1st floor specialty clinic,
(559) 445-3434
* Thursdays 7:15pm: Community Link's Rainbow Bowling League @
Cedar Lanes, 3131 N Cedar Ave., (559) 824-1417 communitylinkfresno.com
* Fridays 7p - 8:30p: LGBTQI Youth Alliance @ Big Red Church, 2131
N. Van Ness Ave, www.communitylinkfresno.com
* Sundays 7:30pm: Fresbians coffee meet up at Revue Cafe, 620 E Olive
Ave, facebook.com/fresbians
* TBA: Diversity - Fresno City College GLBT group @ SO-208,
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fresno-City-College-DiversityClub/184646471583389
* GayCentralValley office / Fresno LGBT Community Center open Wed Sat 12-5pm @1055 N. Van Ness Ave, suite A, (559) 325-4429, fresnolgbtcenter.org
Corrections? E-mail: [email protected]
Pleasant news from
afar loved ones. You
can be very engaging with others. Go
for it. Finances seem strained but are
not as bad as you think. You have a lot
of unseen support in your life. You
may want to indulge yourself. Go
ahead.
(July 23 - Aug 22)
Aquarius
(Jan 20 - Feb 18)
Keep personal matters to yourself and
watch your spending. Set a financial
program and stick to it. Be willing to
share power at this time. In a way you
will be letting others do the work for
you.
Time to shine. Easy
to move around and
meet new people. Update your life a
little and plan long term goals. No
hasty moves though. Others look to
you for guidance.
Virgo
Pisces
(Aug 23 - Sep 22)
Others are taking
up a lot of your time
but you can handle it. Don't be judgmental and stubborn. You have the talent to make everyone get along. Your
instincts are spot on. Trust them.
(Feb 19 - Mar 20)
You could use some
help now. Be one on
one with others and show what you do
know. Try to be more objective and not
intuitive. It works better for now.
Spend alone time to meditate and clear
your mind of clutter.
Do you know a GLBT-friendly spot where we could
distribute NewsLink? Let us know! Call (559) 486-3464
with your contact information!
o
sn
g
in
Counseling
Associates
e
Fr
rv
ow
se
Cynthia Callaghan
N
LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
∏
NewsLink
3204 N. Van Ness Blvd, Fresno CA
559-222-ROSE
Fax 559-222-7693
26
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Cell: 559/930-9327
E-mail: [email protected]
Family Pride Coalition
PO Box 65327
Washington, DC 20035-5327
202-331-5015
familypride.org
∏
Freedom To Marry Coalition
116 West 23rd St, Suite 500
New York, NY 10011
212-851-8418
freedomtomarry.org
Gender Public
Advocacy Coalition
1743 Connecticut Ave NW, 4th Fl.
202-462-6610
gpac.org
Human Rights Campaign
1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW
Washington DC 20036-3278
800-777-4723 TTY: 202-216-1572
hrc.org
Gay Lesbian Straight
Education Network
90 Broad St, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10004
212-727-0135
glsen.org
Immigration Equality
350 West 31st Street, Suite 505
New York, NY 10001
212-714-2904
immigrationequality.org
Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation
5455 Wilshire Blvd, #1500
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-933-2240
glaad.org
Int'l Gay & Lesbian
Human Rights Commission
80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1505
New York, NY 10038
212-268-8040
iglhrc.org
Gay & Lesbian Victory
Fund & Leadership Institute
PO Box 96308
202-VICTORY
victoryfund.org
Lambda Legal
120 Wall Street, Suite 1500
New York, NY 10005-3904
212-809-8585
lambdalegal.org
Log Cabin Republicans
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, #902
Washington, DC 20006
202-347-5306
logcabin.org
National Center
For Transgender Equality
1325 Massachusetts Av NW # 700
202-903-0112
nctequality.org
National Coalition
For Lesbian Rights
870 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-392-6257
nclrights.org
Servicemembers Legal
Defense Network
PO Box 65301
Washington DC 20035-5301
202-328-3244
sldn.org
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Community United
Against Violence (San Francisco)
24 Hr. Hotline: (415) 333-HELP
The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
STOP Domestic Violence:
1-800-373-2227
The Network / La Red (Boston)
Ending abuse in lesbian, bisexual
women's and TG communities
617-742-4911; TTY 617-227-4911
National Gay & Lesbian
Task Force
8704 Santa Monica Blvd #200
Los Angeles, CA 90069
310-855-7380
thetaskforce.org
National Domestic Violence
Hotline (not GLBT-specific)
800-799-7233; TTY 800-787-3224
National Stonewall Democrats
1325 Massachusetts Av NW # 700
202-625-1382
stonewalldemocrats.org
Gay, Lesbian Bisexual & Transgender Resource - National, Sate, & Local
∏
Rape, Abuse, Incest, National
Network 1-800-656-HOPE
Trevor Helpline (GLBT youth sui
cide prevention) 1-800-850-8078
Fresno Area Resources
ARTEMIS
Recovery Club
CALIFORNIA RURAL
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
Proyecto Poderoso
1-800-242-2752
artemisrecoveryclub.com
GayCentralValley
Fresno LGBT
Community Center
1055 N. Van Ness Ave.
Suite A
Fresno, CA 93728
559-325-4GAY
Wed. - Sat. 12pm - 5pm
www.GayCentralValley.org
Community Link
Where we just don’t
tolerate diversity...
We celebrate it!
P.O. Box 4959, Fresno, CA 93744
(559) 266-LINK
[email protected]
Imperial Dove
Court
2115 Kern St., Suite 370
Fresno, CA 93721
Diversity Club
at F.C.C.
Meetings:
Fridays 2-4pm
SO-208
I
Camping
Women
For women who
Central Valley Alliance
of Atheists and Skeptics
WE DON’T BURN HERETICS
-
love the outdoors…
WE WELCOME THEM!
call 891-7725
www.cvaas.org
http://www.campingwomen.org
Fresno
Reel
Pride
The Central Valley
Annual GLBT Film Festival
559-268-2780
www.ReelPride.com
[email protected]
“You’ll just never know
what they’ll say next!”
You’ll have to tune in to find out!
KIDS LIKE US
IT'S A QUEER THANG
P.O. Box 5561
Fresno CA 93755
Fraternal order raising funds
for groups who need help
NOW
Paris: 559-355-6163
P.O. Box 4642,
Fresno, Ca. 93744
559-916-9299
www.idcfresno.org
P.O. Box 27382, Fresno, CA
93729-7382
(559) 434-6540
You are Welcome!
2:00 P.M. 2nd Sun
Wesley United
Methodist Church,
1343 E. Barstow, Fresno
STRAIGHT ADVOCATES
FOR EQUALITY
Outreach Education
Support
www.safefresno.com
∏
meetings:
first Fridays 7pm
first Saturdays 5pm
Gay parenting group
KFCF 88.1FM
3rd Friday of the month
at 5-6pm
Robin (559) 287-9670
Your Gay Hosts:
Jeff & Kirk
Professional
Men’s Mixer
1st & 3rd Fridays
at 6pm
[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/gro
up.php?gid=107149747915
[email protected]
PROJECT: MALE
FIGHTING AIDS IN
FRESNO COUNTY
1584 N. Van Ness Ave.
Fresno,CA 93728
(559) 287-7666
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/project-male
Date
TBA
Join the Listservat
www.trans-e-motion.org
@ W omen s Resource Center
Community Link’s
RAINBOW BOWLING
Thursdays 7:15pm
@ Cedar Lanes, 3131 N Cedar
Rich (559) 824-1417
Every Friday
@ 7:00 - 8:30pm
@ 2131 N. Van Ness Blvd
@ The Big red Church
486-3464
w w w.StrideWithPrideForKids.com
(559) 285-2333
www.wecarefresno.org
Frinedly Outdoor fun
Games are open to all
Meet new people!
No formalities!
Weekly Thurs. Games.
Season: March-Oct.
Info at 486-3464
19 years of Outrageous Fun
United Student
Pride
@ CSU Fresno
Meetings: Wednesdays 12-2pm
Queer Volleyball
The Fresno
GLBTQ
Youth Alliance
csufresno.edu/StudentOrgs/LGBSA/
(559) 646-5806
QVB
611 E. Belmont
Fresno, CA 93701
559-237-3420
NewsLink
Social group
for bears, cubs & fans
GoldenStateBears.org
27
∏
∏
∏
∏
∏

NewsLink www .CommunityLinkFresno.com

Transcription

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