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Quote of the Week:
"May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go."
Weekly Green Tip:
Choose recycled napkins, paper towels, office paper and other paper products. It's been calculated that Americans toss so much office paper that a year's worth would stretch from Los Angeles to New York and stand 12 feet tall.
Dear Friends and Supporters of The Trevor Project,
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth—and adults—are virtually invisible in the federal government’s eyes. You and I know we exist, but they really do not as no federal health and demographic surveys collect data on sexual orientation or gender identity. Until they do, we’re missing out on research, programming, funding, and advocacy opportunities.
Please see the action alert below from our partners at the National Coalition for LGBT Health. Increasing the visibility of our underserved population is a top advocacy priority for The Trevor Project, so I hope that you can take a few minutes to call your representative and ensure the addition of a question about sexual orientation and gender identity onto the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the federal government's most comprehensive and influential survey.
I just took the pledge with GetEQUAL to demand equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. Check out this video from 10-year-old Will Phillips and join me in signing the call to action. http://getequal.org
Starring: Jonah Blechman – Jake Mosser – Aaron Michael Davies – Jimmy Calbots
Rating: One Thumb Up/ One Down
I haven’t many good things to say about the sequel, other than the young lean bodies of young guys was hot, but the storyline didn’t follow thru with the first. The first one actually went with parodies of other teen movies but in gay format. Part two wanted to be like “Gays Gone Wild” was more like Narcoleptics go to sleep. It had no substantial humor as the first. The attempt was there but, no, it just didn’t happen. There were no references to teen sex movies or T.V. shows as the previous movie. There was a mixture of religion and they (writers) tried to tie it in with humor but were seen more to me like the writer thumbing his nose to my religious beliefs. It’s a movie, that if you’re curious about seeing then do; but your time and money are spent better on something else.
The boys are back and they are horny as ever! Packed with celebrity cameos and total gross-out humor, this outrageous follow-up to another gay movie centers around the spring break adventures of Andy, Nico, Jarod, Griff when they enter Fort Lauderdale “Gays Gone Wild” contest ) a contest to see who gets laid the most). The frisky foursome becomes entwined in all sorts of sexual misadventures in this scandalously funny un-PC comedy.
The road to self discovery can be as easy as having an epiphany in your own bedroom or as difficult as a long trek across the nation. (If you have reached your self discovery, LUCKY YOU! I am still on my road...I’m Lost, not even a road map is helping.) This book takes you on a journey of three young men who with a little help of the other each find what their hearts desire seems to be of their identity, for as long as it lasts until they have to hit the road again. Where do these guys find their true selves? You’ll have to read the book to find out. It’s a great read and for a Coming-of-age story this book is one of my top ten reads. When you get to the end of the book, you want to cry because you know that after being involved in this trilogy this is truly the end of the series for Jason, Kyle, and Nelson.
When Jason, who lost his basketball scholarship when he came out, is asked to speak at the opening of the new gay/lesbian/transgender high school in
Los Angeles
, his boyfriend Kyle wants to come along so they can spend the summer together. Flamboyant Nelson, who’s desperately seeking a boyfriend, has a car, so the three set out on a cross country road trip. Through this wild ride, they encounter variations on the gay experience, including a couple in a long-term relationship, gay bashers, and a boy who lives as a girl. Like rainbow Boys, which School Library Journal called a book that can “open eyes and change the lives,” Rainbow Road traces the universal journey of three young men in search of themselves.
GOP State Senator Roy Ashburn's World Comes Crashing Down
Written by Chris Jarvis
Tuesday, 09 March 2010
Last week, GOP California State Senator Roy Ashburn was pulled over after leaving FACES, a gay bar in Sacramento. His driving was erratic and in the end he was charged with a DUI and with driving with a blood alcohol level higher than .08%. A male passenger in the car with Ashburn was released and not charged.
Ashburn has since issued an apology (as usual). Ashburn, divorced with children, has a very anti-gay voting record, including voting against recognizing same sex marriage from other states and opposing Harvey Milk day.
Then, it got better...Seems Ashburn was asked in 2009 by Lois Henry of The Bakersfield Californian if he was gay. His response?
"Why would that be anyone's business? Including The Californian's? I think there are certain subjects that are simply not relevant and this is one of them. It has no bearing on the job I do."
Henry pushed him, saying it was relevant because of his voting record, to which Ashburn replied that he's voted against "almost all social issues". What a guy.
Just last year he was outed on Facebook (natch) by the out gay mayor of West Sacramento. At the time, Christopher Cabaldon's post on the social networking site: "It wouldn't bother me so bad to see Roy Ashburn at Badlands with a boy if he didn't have such a bad voting record on gay rights."
And the latest, in contradiction to how things have played out in the past with closeted gay politicians, Roy Ashburn wasted no time in re-defining his identity.
"I am gay ... those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long," he said on a Monday morning radio talk show.
He defends his anti-gay voting record though, saying he's voted in line with his district and with how they wanted to be represented. While he may be technically right to represent his district with certain votes, what does it say about a man who's now explaining his record with the excuse of "integrity", when he's remained in the closet for so long and chosen to not only be a Republican but a Republican politician? There's no excuse for it. Add to that the standard "I'm a Christian please pray for me" BS that Ashburn is also peddling and you know exactly who this phony is.
G.S.A. in Dinuba is having a Fashion Show on May 7th at the Dinuba High School Auditorium, at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be bands playing also. We decided that 25% of the proceeds should go to charity. The addmission is only $5, $8 for front row seats. We're trying to sell the place out so help us spread the word and spread the love! We're having model auditions this Friday from 3-4p.m. if you know of anyone who wants to try out have them come by we're having the auditions at the auditorium as well. For more information you can contact Jessie right HERE.
Spring is around the corner and the smell of leather is in the air. No, I don’t mean from chaps or whips…. but softball gloves. (sorry to disappoint) You can also hear the pounding of cleats in the dirt. Ahhh, spring time! As many of you know there is a local LGBT-Straight Ally softball team, the Fresno Skittles. They play on Wednesday nights at the sports complex located at Jensen & West. Their first game is March 3rd at 7:00 pm, please go out and cheer them on!
I am now proud to announce the creation of their sister team, the Visalia Skittles. We are set to begin our first season in a few weeks. We will play on Friday nights at Plaza Park. Our first game will be March 19th, we hope to see and hear you out there cheering us on as well!
Both teams serve two purposes within our community. They provide a safe outlet and recreation source for sports minded enthusiasts. Plus, they get out there and mingle with mainstream society for some great exposure and interaction. It’s also a good opportunity and perfectly legal, to kick a little heterosexual ass! (in a nice way, of course)
We hope to have a fundraiser exhibition game soon to benefit Gay Fresno & Gay Visalia, divisions of Gay Central Valley, who sponsor both teams. Stay tuned for more details in the near future.
In closing, whatever town you live in or near, get out there and root for your local team. If you have questions or would like to know more about the Fresno team you can contact Liz at Escalante30@sbcglobal.net or Brooke at Brooke@GayVisalia.com for the Visalia team. If you want to expand our rainbow to your town, contact us and get something going! See you on the field, GO SKITTLES!
Oh, blessed are those who can read things such as below and still walk away smiling. As you may know Gay Central Valley is a non-profit organization now therefore is able to take part in Disney’s Give a Day, Get a Day program. That program allows people to volunteer for your organization and Disney rewards their kindness with a free pass to
Disneyland. It’s their way of promoting volunteerism within your community, to get out and make a difference. We’ve had a lot of interest and volunteers. Today, I received the following response as an anonymous volunteer inquiry. Funny they feel so strong in their convictions, yet so cowardly by not providing their information.
“How in the world is promoting gays a help to our community? I am flabergasted. You think promoting your "Rights" is a need for a cause. There are hungry people and homeless and sick children out there and you wish to take away from them for your own selfish desires, If anything to help the gays it would be that they would be made normal. You people are Truly SICK. What you have is a terrible case of SIN. Yes, we all have it, but you are bathing in it and enjoying every minute of it. And more that that you feel Disney should promote your ways to innocent lives. Do you really want others to suffer as you suffer. Think about it?”
I’m sharing this not to ruin your day as well, but to show that we still have a long, long road ahead of us. But I and Gay Central Valley will be with you every step of the way. Because I can’t resist being ornery right back, this person should be more concerned with their grammer and inability to properly spell and punctuate then the “gays” they clearly despise. My fellow sinners (ha ha) I do want you to know that I AM normal, I don’t feel SICK at all and yes, I AM enjoying every minute of it! And while I’m bathing in it, you can rest assured that I’m going to splash around a bit. Onward we go my friends….despite ignorant, cowardly, disturbed individuals.
The Episcopal Church of the Saviour, one of the few open and affirming churches in Kings County, invites you to An Afternoon of Voice and Cello.
Welcome to a stage set with variety to please a range of tastes. This group, composed of young, local musicians, presents a repertoire from the early Baroque to the 21st century.
No Tickets or reservations necessesary, admission is free. Donations welcome to benefit the Church Preservation Fund for the maintenance of our historic buildings.
GAY CENTRAL VALLEY Fundraiser @The Express In Fresno
Written by Chris Jarvis
Monday, 01 March 2010
Join Gay Central Valley @The Fresno Express on Wednesday,
March 17th for our St Patrick's Day Fundraiser. $3 Cover benefits Gay Central
Valley and it's website divisions...Beer Pong Competition...Leprechaun
Bartender...$4 Tokyo Tea...Doors Open @9pm...Come join the fun...
The Trevor Project was founded by writer James Lecesne, director/producer Peggy Rajski and producer Randy Stone, creators of the 1994 Academy Award®-winning short film, Trevor, a comedy/drama about a gay 13-year-old boy who, when rejected by friends because of his sexuality, makes an attempt to take his life.
When Trevor was scheduled to air on HBO® in 1998, the filmmakers realized that some of the program’s teen viewers might be facing the same kind of crisis as Trevor, and began to search for an appropriate support line to broadcast during the airing. They discovered that no such helpline existed, and decided to dedicate themselves to forming what was, in their view, a much-needed resource: an organization to promote acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, and to aid in crisis and suicide prevention among that group. Thus, The Trevor Project was born, and with seed funding provided by The Colin Higgins Foundation, The Trevor Helpline was established and became the first and only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.
Today, in addition to operating the crisis and suicide prevention helpline, The Trevor Project provides online support to young people through the organization’s Web site, and also provides lifesaving guidance and vital resources to educators and parents.
Dave Reynolds, MPH, CPH
Advocacy and Education Manager
Dave Reynolds is a
Pittsburgh
native with a B.A. from
Occidental
College
in
Los Angeles
and an M.P.H. from
Columbia
University
in
New York
. He is also certified by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dave’s graduate work at
Columbia
in the department of Sociomedical Sciences focused on education and program design as well as policy, research, and evaluation. During his undergraduate career, Dave served as the Special Projects Intern at The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) where he helped construct the "HIV and AIDS @ 25" Media Resource Guide which was released in June 2006 to recognize 25 years of the pandemic. He also spent four months living in
South Africa
researching HIV and AIDS prevention education in public schools in townships. A former summer camp counselor, and manager for anti-gang and academic enrichment programs in under-served
East Los Angeles
high schools, Dave is no stranger to working with young people. Most recently as part of his graduate-level work, Dave joined a research team to look at antiretroviral therapy adherence and how it relates to the communication styles of the prescribing physician. Before joining us as the Advocacy and Education Manager, Dave served as our East Coast Call Center Manager from the
Randy
Stone
East Coast
Call
Center
’s opening in August, 2007 through May, 2009. During his time at that post, he worked with our Program Director to grow and train The Trevor Helpline’s base of volunteers in suicide prevention and crisis intervention. Today, he enjoys furthering our knowledge of health issues impacting LGBT communities and loves his work with The Trevor Project’s advocacy, education and research initiatives.
Suicide prevention is the focus at the 210 Connect
Written by Joe Kersten
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
“Suicide is an epidemic in Tulare County” Bev Anderson declared during the 210 Connect this last Monday at the 210 Café located in downtown Visalia. “I’ve been shocked with not only the teens, but the adults affected.” Forty people in Tulare County alone died in 2009 as a result of suicide nearly 93% being men. Although suicide is something that can be prevented through therapy and counseling Anderson admits that “unfortunately, there is a tremendous stigma”.
Since 1994 Tulare County has averaged nearly 30 suicides a year, 2007 having the highest amount of suicides with 51. According to Sgt. Tom Wright most of the suicides involved the use of a firearm.
However much of the focus of the forum was on what can be done in suicide prevention. Included among the options of suicide prevention is a twenty for hour hotline (1-800-320-1616) that specializes in local matters, and a national hotline (1-800-273-8255).
LGBT youth in particular are at a high risk for suicide being four times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth. There are many factors that contribute to this, among them being a heightened risk of substance abuse and rejection from family and friends. The Trevor Project, who was represented at the forum, is working to provide awareness and support for sexual minority youth. Sexual minority youth who have a at least one school staff member with who they feel they can talk to are only 1/3 as likely to attempt suicide as opposed to those who don’t. Studies have also shown that sexual minority youth are less likely to attempt suicide with a strong support system behind them. The Trevor Helpline is a 24 hour helpline (886-4-U-TREVOR) is the first and only suicide hotline available to LGBTQ youth. The Trevor Project also provides resources to parents and educators in the matter of suicide prevention.
I remember my first crush like it was yesterday…I was 6 years old (I started young lol), and she was my best friend, Lexi. I never felt that sense of guilt or shame that some people in the LGBT community say they experienced due to walking outside the normal constrictions of modern society, but I did know I was different.
And to me different was ok. It made me stand out, it made me “special”, even if others choose to view my “differentness” as a bad thing, it was somehow always very safe for me to not be who people thought I should be, or do what people said I should do as a socially “normal” girl. It was both liberating and uplifting to know that I was (and am), the mistress of my own domain!
My name is Amber and I am a bisexual. I first joined this forum as a way to satisfy my urge to volunteer and give back to the community, but I also wouldn’t mind meeting other like minded people. There’s several facets to who I am and what makes me “me”, although I’m sure that feeling isn’t anything unique or proprietary. I love that everyone I meet is different, and in their own ways, special, and I love how this community just totally owns their own “differentness”. It helps me as an individual to broaden my horizons and learn new and fascinating things everyday I am blessed enough to walk this big green earth. It is a shining example of how happy people could be, if they can come to terms with who they really are and choose to live their lives in ways that make them happy. I have a personal theory that EVERYONE is at least a little gay. It’s natural, and Freud even argued that bisexuality is the most natural of states for human sexuality, because it balances out male and female energies, and promotes that inner personal balance that most of us strive to achieve. I believe that, I really, really do. It makes sense when you think about it. Not that I would ever judge or condemn anyone for their way of life, but this theory hits a personal note for me as well. Maybe that makes me biased…? Or maybe it makes me right (and by me, of course, I mean not me, but Freud).
I’m hoping to be a regular poster/writer here, and to do some local outreach and volunteer work/activism work, so I feel the best way to start is by telling you all a little about myself. I am a 26 year old who lives in
Visalia
. I have 2 perfect kids, Jeremy, 7, and Stella, 3 months. I am married to a guy I met in middle school. We’ve known each other since we were 13 years old, but only reconnected a few years ago via MySpace (I know, I know, I’m a total geek. And trust me, my nerdtasticness doesn’t end there!). I own a business, White Lotus Cosmetic Co (www.whitelotuscosmetics.com) where I hand make everything from natural, organic and recycled materials. Currently, I have a line of mineral makeup, soy candles, bath fizzies, jewelry and perfumes are coming out soon. It’s my baby, my pet, my American dream. I hope to open my store in the next couple of months (*crosses fingers*). I have a plethora of hobbies, most of which are uber geeky, like reading. I read everything about everything, but I especially love anything pertaining to chemistry, physics and Ancient Egypt. (I told you my geeky-ness was deep seated…you probably didn’t think it was so bad though, did ya?) I am totally obsessed with Hoop Dancing, and Fire Hooping. It’s great exercise and it centers me in ways nothing else really does. I love creative things. Creativity=Sanity=Happy Amber. I paint, write, and sing. I love anything having to do with foreign language, and at this point in my life, I can totally own being a geek! I guess it just suits me.
I am utterly addicted to tattoos. I don’t sleep enough. I try to be superwoman and pull off this balancing act between home, work, play and now, activism and volunteering, but I love my life and wouldn’t change a thing about it.
I’m complicated, confusing and probably not even close to who many people perceive me to be. But at least I come with general guidelines/basic instructions. Here are the highlights:
I am epileptic. It’s due to a head injury where I was hit in the head with a rock by some jack ass that tried to hit the chick behind me and missed. (I guess he thought more of his pitching abilities than he should have!) 2. I’m a constantly evolving, perfectly contained hot mess. I usually have several projects going on, but under the circumstances, I hold up quite well. This is the one major trait I can only hope to pass along to my kids. 3. While not overtly religious, I do consider myself very spiritual. If I HAD to put a label on it, I most closely identify with being Buddhist, even though I’m white. 4. I am bi-lingual; I speak fluent Spanish even though my family is Swedish and Scottish. I’m the only bilingual one in my immediate family. 5. I will always speak my mind with no regrets, even if there are occasionally consequences. So if you’re easily offended or overly sensitive, you may wanna stop reading my posts now…6. I believe in Murphy’s Law, but I also believe in good karma. 7. I don’t eat meat. It grosses me out. 8. I’m super laid back and easy going, but if you push the wrong button, you will lose appendages. 9. I’m not shy about anything. I can often be found at home in just underwear. Naked sometimes happens. It’s best to just get used to it. 10. In my private life, I have a sailor mouth that would make sailors look like Jesus. 11. You can placate me easily with chocolate, candy or vodka & insert misc drinkable liquid here _____
And there you have it! Basic instructions for your local Amber. (Small parts included, not intended for children under 18…)
I hope this article has been informative, and I hope to be returning to the forums soon, writing about things that concern you. (Yes, YOU!) So if anyone has ideas or suggestions for a future piece, please let me know. If you have a hot tip on a good story, tell me! Hearing from you all is the only real way to connect with this community and to keep coming back for more.
I'm certainly no beauty queen, but what is the training for this? Do they pull you aside at a young age and school you on the worst possible thing to say? Is NOM building an army of homophobic pageant barbie assassins? Are the prerequisites now: Blonde hair-check, fake breasts-check, ignorance spewing forth from the mouth-check. I don't get it and the scary part is.... these are role models for our young girls. Kudos to Beverly Hills for immediately taking a stance on the issue, it appears that town lives up to it's classy reputation.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Less than a year after dethroned Miss California USA Carrie Prejean stirred up controversy with her remarks against gay marriage, a similar war of words is brewing in Beverly Hills.
Beverly Hills Mayor Nancy Krasne said Wednesday she is outraged over a Miss California USA contestant who is claiming to represent the city in the upcoming pageant and who spoke out against same-sex marriage in recent media interviews. READ THE REST OF THE STORY HERE.
