On Saturday night, December 12th, the North Tower Circle
hosted HOLIDAY BREAKAWAY, a fundraiser for Gay Central Valley, which has just
acquired it's official nonprofit status as a 501(c)(3) with the IRS. The night
was a huge success, and we want to give a BIG THANK YOU to the community for
coming out and supporting us at our very first official fundraising event.
The night included performances from DivaLicious, Angelina
and Alicia, as well as Go-Go Dancers Robert, Kenny and Skylen. Sculpted holiday
gift cakes and chocolate truffles were provided courtesy of Indulgence Fresno. We
gave away free raffle prizes and gifts at the door and due to a generous
donation, we were able to raffle off two tickets to see Lady GaGa in San
Francisco. We'd like to thank James and the staff of the North Tower Circle and
all the volunteers who came out on their own time to put the evening together
and to keep things flowing perfectly all night.
Gay Central Valley operates the websites Gay Fresno,
Gay Visalia and Gay Hanford with an all
volunteer staff. We provide an online base of operations for all residents of
Fresno and the Central Valley. As we grow and expand we strive to bring more cities
in the Central Valley online to reach out to the community at large. We have,
and will continue to, sponsor and financially support groups and organizations in
need of assistance. We are an open forum for all residents of the Central
Valley to participate and interact.
Gay Central Valley looks forward to a firm and continued
dedication to supporting vital and important needs within the Central Valley
community.
Well, all the toys we collected have been delivered to much appreciative social worker elves. I give my heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated and supported this cause. A special thanks goes out to the Visalia Pride Lions Club for their support. I would also like to especially thank someone for a very generous monetary donation, they deserve a big PAT on the back!
With every ones help, in total, we were able to provide the children with 88 toys! That's 88 smiles, 88 happy hearts, and hopefully 88 kids who had a little something to be thankful for this holiday season. Thank you all for making a difference, having the compassion and willingness to reach out to those in need. Someone once told me, "those who bring sunshine into the lives of others can't keep it from themselves". You have touched my heart as well and I'm sure your good deeds will not go without reward. Thank you one and all from the bottom of my heart!!
I look forward to what we can accomplish next year!
I sure hope y'all are waiting until the last minute to drop off your toys for our holiday toy drive. I've only had 2 people drop things off! Can you believe that? There might have been others that brought toys to Lawrence Tractor, if so, thank you too. It's hard to tell if those are from co-workers or my gay little community. PLEASE get your toys to me soon, there are only 3 more days left! My deadline is December 10th. Gay Visalia was mentioned in the Valley Voice Newspaper as being a contributor to the toy drive for CWS and I would really love to show up with lots to give. Being able to show the greater community that we care about all issues, not just our own, is a great way to start to change hearts and minds. I hope to see you soon! Remember, there truly is no greater gift then the gift of giving. Thank you all!
***UPDATE: If you are heading to the Blitz this Wednesday, take a new unwrapped toy and you will be entered into a special raffle hosted by Gay Visalia. One raffle ticket for each toy donated! Thanks for your support!***
Suicide: Rates are high.
December 04, 2009 5:41 PM
BY JENNA CHANDLER
THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER
A well known national organization geared towards preventing suicide attempts among gay youth has begun an educational and awareness push in Tulare County.
It will be the first time representatives from The Trevor Project have worked in a rural, conservative area in California.
It is a partnership that the county's suicide prevention task force and the nonprofit organization say will likely reduce the number of suicide attempts in Tulare County. It will simultaneously launch the Trevor Project's efforts in reaching such a vulnerable community in other rural municipalities statewide.
"Getting to the point where you want to end your life is not OK," Dave Reynolds, a manager at the Trevor Project, said. "It is a social justice problem, it's a serious public health problem."
Established in 1988, with headquarters in Los Angeles, the Trevor Project operates with a $2.1 million budget, and relies on social networking sites and school workshops to reduce high rates of suicide attempts among the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth nationwide.
The nonprofit organization touts statistics to further its mission of promoting acceptance of gay people. Those who come from non-accepting families are up to nine times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.
The contract signed with the Tulare County Suicide Prevention Task force is for two years at the rate of $50,000 total, and paid for with funding from the Mental Health Services Act.
Representatives will be here about three days per month for the next two years.
Since January, 36 people have committed suicide county-wide, with six of them having occurred in the Porterville area. Nearly half were among people aged 35 to 50, with the youngest person being 11-years-old.
In total, 12 are listed as being motivated by relationship problems, or emotional issues or depression, according to data maintained by the Tulare County Coroner's Department.
Recent studies show that 1 in 3 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender youth will attempt suicide. Attempts are often reaction to how they are being treated in their homes, schools and religious communities.
"This is a community susceptible to suicide and suicide attempts," Noah Whitaker, a task force member said.
Such statistics are not tracked locally, but as a part of their commitment to Tulare County, Trevor Project's staff and volunteers will begin to do so, according to Whitaker.
When the task force received its funding from the Mental Health Services Act, its members determined it would be "the best group to go about handling," he said.
While the Trevor Project's suicide prevention hotline (866-4-U-TREVOR) has yet to gain popularity in Tulare County, Reynolds expects that will change. A disproportionate number of calls to the 24/7 free and confidential service come from rural areas.
He aims to work with students in potentially every school, to teach them empathy for people who are different, and the negative impacts of using words like "gay," "faggot" and "dyke."
"Young people tend to go to their friends with their issues ... before they go to adults and parents," he said. "We will equip all young people to know how to handle these tough issues when they come up."
Educators, physicians, social workers, and the like, will receive training on what triggers suicide and its warning signs.
Contact information for The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.
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.
Location:Family HealthCare Network
305 East Center Street (Corner of Bridge Street)
Visalia (Use the courtyard entrance on Bridge. Pedestrian gate is in the alley.)
Next meeting:
Date:Sunday, December 20, 2009, 3 - 5 pm
Program:Winter Solstice Holiday Potluck and White Elephant Party
We will be having our Second Annual Holiday Potluck and White Elephant Gift Exchange. If you joined us last year you should know that we had a blast. Gather all your friends and join us once again this year. Hope to see you all there. Happy Holidays!
This book is one of a three part series that captivated me. Because all three parts were not in a catalog of some book membership, I had to hunt these down to be able to finish the series. Word of caution, it may take awhile to finish all three parts if you don’t find the entire series to buy all at one time. Part one is so familiar to situations I went thru ( or any gay guys) who are uncertain of themselves, or know about themselves and are trying to find the love of their life, or those guys who are sure of themselves but fear the worst from people if they come out (especially parents). I experienced all the venues mentioned. High school is great when you and your buddies share one common thing (a penis doesn’t count). The funny tricks you pull on each other and the scary situations you don’t know how to get out of. This book was hard to put down to do my day to day stuff.
Jason Carrillo Kyle Meeks Nelson Glassman
Jock Swim Team Star Independent
Good Looks Friendly Opinionated
Beautiful Girlfriend Easygoing Defiant
Popular Intelligent Joker
Unsatisfied Confused In love
High school is hard enough as it is without falling in love with your best friend- who’s crushing on the most popular guy in school. Or feeling like your parents would throw you out if they knew you were gay. Or being afraid of who you are…
---“Believable – and touching.”—Publishers Weekly
---“Sanchez’s storytelling is fluent, direct, and authentic.” --- Lambda Book Report
Starring: Wesley Snipes – Patrick Swayze – John Leguizamo
Rating – Two Thumbs Up & a Snap!
This movie constantly comes of the dusty shelf every so often to bring a little happiness in my life. I feel this is one of those movies that would make it in the classics category such as,Some Like It Hot, (Tony Curtis and Jack Lennon with Marilynn Monroe). The humor in it is one that hasn’t gone away for me. Being a drag queen in the past, I can relate to many of circumstances, but that’s another story. This movie, for me has become a, “take me away from the world of worries” and it never lets me down. All this and aside the fact that not many male actors can look good in drag, these 3 sure fooled me. If it has been awhile since you’ve seen it, drag it out and dust it off (if you own it), If you don’t own it, rent it, you’ll be smiling and feeling good by the end.
Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo star as three “girls” who just wanna have fun in a hilarious comedy about repairing broken hearts, broken dreams and broken nails. En route from New York City to Hollywood for a drag queen beauty pageant, Noxema (Snipes), Vida (Swayze) and Chichi (Leguizamo) are forced to take an unwelcome detour when their 1967 Cadillac convertible breaks down. Stranded in the tiny Midwestern town of Snydersville, the three try to make the best of their unfortunate circumstance. And when their glitz and glamour wake up the sleepy local citizens, the stage is set for an outrageously funny weekend. Also Starring Stockard Channing and Blythe Danner, this marvelous mix of flamboyant fun and refined simpleness erupts into plenty of laughs in…
--- “The Best Comedy of the Year”---Interview
--- “Swayze, Snipes and Leguizamo are absolutely fabulous!” --- Boston Harold
The California Museum will induct Harvey Milk into it's California Hall of Fame December 1, along with 12 other Californians. From the Museum's website: "In a state of millions, it's easy to get lost. But there are some who dreamt big and who persevered in the face of adversity. These stars of arts, education, business and labor, science, sports, philanthropy and public service exemplify the best of California and will continue to inspire generations to come."
Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to political office in California, was recently honored by President Obama, with the awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2008, the film "Milk" was nominated in 8 categories, including Best Picture, at the Academy Awards. Sean Penn won "Best Actor in a Leading Role" for his portrayal of the assassinated San Francisco supervisor.
Ok people.... the Holiday Toy Drive deadline is only a week and a half away. I'm getting nervous because the response has been VERY weak. I know times are tough for some but I'm asking if possible, please just spend a few dollars to donate a new, unwrapped toy for our cause. My deadline is December 10th, so time is running out. You can drop them off at Lawrence Tractor, located at 2530 E. Main Street in Visalia or at my house (location upon request). I thank you very much for your support but I think the local children in foster care will thank you even more.
We're extremely pleased to make the formal announcement that Gay Central Valley, which operates the websites Gay Fresno, Gay Visalia and Gay Hanford has officially been granted non-profit status under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Gay Central Valley has been classified as a public charity and is qualified to receive bequests, devises, transfers and gifts.
We owe a great deal of gratitude to local attorney J Stanley Teixeira, who organized, worked and guided us through the entire process. We could not have done it without him. Stan has, from the very beginning, been a great partner and resource. He's generous, professional and most of all, a pleasure to work with. We cannot recommend him highly enough.
Gay Central Valley's non-profit status has been declared by the Internal Revenue Service to be retroactive back to January 20th, 2009. Any person or organization that has generously provided donations or contributions since January 20th, 2009 and in the future, will be able to claim them for tax purposes under section 170 of the IRS code.
Gay Central Valley's Board of Directors:
Jason Scott - CEO/President
Chris Jarvis - CFO/Treasurer
Vickye Ashton - Secretary
All members of the Board of Gay Central Valley, as well as all those who operate and contribute to our websites do so on a strictly volunteer basis. We can't thank everyone enough for all your help over the years and look forward to working together in the future.
We invite everyone to come celebrate with us on Saturday, December 12th at the North Tower Circle@2777 N Maroa in Fresno for our HOLIDAY BREAKAWAY PARTY, a fundraiser for Gay Central Valley. The night includes 3 Exclusive Holiday Drag Performances, Go-Go Dancers (male and female), Free Raffle Giveaways (Boy/Girl Secret Santa Gifts), Holiday Drink Specials, Live DJ and ComplimentaryTopsy-Turvy Sculpted Cake courtesy of Indulgence Fresno. There's a $5 Cover Charge at the door, which includes a free gift.
We've added a DONATION button below for anyone wishing to support Gay Central Valley at this time. We can also be contacted by clicking on our ABOUT US page.
As the holiday shopping season kicks off, let's all take steps to stay safe. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your goodies out of sight and locked away. Be safe out there!
If you are in the Hanford area and can help this cause, please do. Thank you!
It is that time of the year again! This time of year is for joy, cheer, and family gathering. It is a time to put aside all problems and come together to celebrate. But what about those mothers who are homeless, or are in a bad position trying to fight for their independence? What about those children? Don’t they deserve a happy holiday? Shouldn’t we give to those who are less fortunate than us? Shouldn’t we show these women that this is a community that cares? We think so and we are asking for your help. We are having a toy drive until December 24, 2009. We are asking that you bring UNOPENED and UNWRAPPED toys to my home (contact me for address) so that we may deliver these toys to the local womens’ homeless and domestic abuse shelters. If you cannot drop them off, we are planning a Christmas gathering in December in which you can bring your donations to us. Details will follow for the gathering. Please come help us make a difference in these families lives and make their Christmas just a little brighter this year! Contact Melissa for details 559-639-0327.
The University of Memphis’ GLBT Research Team is conducting a GLBT-affirmative study on Same-Sex Parenting, and we are hoping you will be interested in helping us recruit participants.
The purpose of this study is to learn about the experiences of GLBT parents in relationship to legal parenting rights. We believe this research is important in advocating for parents to be fully recognized in their family role and to not be discriminated against in family concerns.
Participants must be 18 years or older, currently be in a relationship with the same-sex partner with whom they have planned and created a family, and have at least one child under the age of 18 living in their home. The study should take approximately 20 minutes to complete online and meets human subjects approval by our university Institutional Review Board (E10-43).
If you wish to see our past work, please read about our research on the effects of anti-GLBT amendments on GLBT individuals and their families, which is available on the American Psychological Association’s website at http://www.apa.org/releases/glbt-stress-1108.html.
While I don't personally celebrate Thanksgiving, on behalf of Gay Visalia I want to wish you and yours a happy holiday!
Today, I am thankful for my wonderful family who supports, guides and inspires me. I am thankful to be surrounded by wonderful and caring people, many of which I call friends. I'm thankful our movement continues forward in hopes of a better tomorrow. I hope all of you have many things to be thankful for as well.
Don't eat too much! (but if you do..... be thankful for the food you were able to have)
So, here is the President's Thanksgiving message. Although I appreciate him thanking our military who cannot be with their families tomorrow, where is the part about some of those military personnel who can't even acknowledge their family tomorrow? He also forgot to mention the tens of thousands of people who are not able to sit down tomorrow as a family because many aren't granted that honor. Or the families who will have an empty seat at the Thanksgiving table because someone has lost their life to suicide, violence or hate? What about these families Mr. President, what about these families?
I, however, am NOT thankful for empty promises. I am NOT thankful for just another smooth talking icon. I am NOT thankful that another year of inequality has passed with little to no progress. I am NOT thankful that I have to waste another 1-3+ years fighting for my family’s dignity, respect and acknowledgement. Lest we not forget Mr. President, all the things that we are not thankful for.
Brooke --
Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, Americans across the country will sit down together, count our blessings, and give thanks for our families and our loved ones.
American families reflect the diversity of this great nation. No two are exactly alike, but there is a common thread they each share.
Our families are bound together through times of joy and times of grief. They shape us, support us, instill the values that guide us as individuals, and make possible all that we achieve.
So tomorrow, I'll be giving thanks for my family -- for all the wisdom, support, and love they have brought into my life.
But tomorrow is also a day to remember those who cannot sit down to break bread with those they love.
The soldier overseas holding down a lonely post and missing his kids. The sailor who left her home to serve a higher calling. The folks who must spend tomorrow apart from their families to work a second job, so they can keep food on the table or send a child to school.
We are grateful beyond words for the service and hard work of so many Americans who make our country great through their sacrifice. And this year, we know that far too many face a daily struggle that puts the comfort and security we all deserve painfully out of reach.
So when we gather tomorrow, let us also use the occasion to renew our commitment to building a more peaceful and prosperous future that every American family can enjoy.
It seems like a lifetime ago that a crowd met on a frigid February morning in Springfield, Illinois to set out on an improbable course to change our nation.
In the years since, Michelle and I have been blessed with the support and friendship of the millions of Americans who have come together to form this ongoing movement for change.
You have been there through victories and setbacks. You have given of yourselves beyond measure. You have enabled all that we have accomplished -- and you have had the courage to dream yet bigger dreams for what we can still achieve.
So in this season of thanks giving, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to you, and my anticipation of the brighter future we are creating together.
With warmest wishes for a happy holiday season from my family to yours,
The Advocate kicks of its People of the Year issue with Army National Guard lieutenant Dan Choi, True Blood creator Alan Ball, Chaz Bono, New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and National Equality March organizer Robin McGehee.
By Advocate Contributors
The Coalitionist: Robin McGehee
When you hear Robin McGehee speak, you may come away thinking she’s the next Harvey Milk. Sassy, straight-talking, and passionate, McGehee, a 36-year-old professor of human communications at the College of the Sequoias in central California and mother of a young son and daughter, became a rising star in the gay rights movement in 2009. She did so by insisting that grassroots activists have a seat at the table next to established power brokers like the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
The Tuesday Evening Group in Visalia is inviting you to join us on a 3 day cruise to Ensenada. All the itinerary and other information is in the attached file. If you are having problems opening the attachment, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to give you the information. My email is kwander777@hotmail.com. I hope you can join us.
This coming Tuesday, November 22nd, we will be meeting at Cafe 225 at 6:00pm for a Pre Thanksgiving feast.
