Today's sunset

Patti Boman Www.Pflag.com Twitter: PflagSD pflagsdco.blogspot.com

LGBT happenings this week!

	November 29, 2010

Forward to a Friend... About Calendar Programs Resources Volunteer Donate Contact

News of Note Dr. A. Brad Truax Awards, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 3:30 pm On World AIDS Day the County of San Diego's HIV, STD and Hepatitis Branch of Public Health Services will sponsor the 21st annual Dr. A. Brad Truax Award ceremony. The Truax Award was created to honor the memory of Dr. A. Brad Truax and his many contributions to the HIV/AIDS effort in San Diego. The award is given annually to recognize outstanding efforts made by a person involved in the struggle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our community. Three additional awards will honor contributions in the areas of HIV Education, Prevention and/or Counseling & Testing; HIV Care, Treatment and/or Support Services; and HIV Planning, Advocacy and/or Policy Development. Enjoy refreshments, an award ceremony and artwork by HIV-positive artists. The event is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a candlelit walk to the Tree of Life Lighting Ceremony at the Village Hillcrest. World AIDS Day, Tree of Life Ceremony, Wednesday, Dec. 1, 6 pm Join Mama's Kitchen at Village Hillcrest on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 6 pm for the 19th annual Tree of Life Ceremony, held each year on World AIDS Day, commemorating those affected by AIDS. Mama's Kitchen will be joined by local elected and government officials and hundreds of San Diegans. Holiday music will be graciously provided by San Diego Gay Men's Chorus. Bring canned goods to donate to the Mama's Pantry Barrels! Mama's Pantry provides monthly food for individuals with HIV/AIDS. For more information, visit www.mamaskitchen.org.   Annual Community Volunteer Fair, Wednesday, Jan. 26 The Community Volunteer Fair was established in 2005 by the San Diego LGBT Community Leadership Council and is designed to provide San Diego community non-profit organizations with an opportunity to showcase their organizations and recruit for their year-round volunteer opportunities. It is also designed to make gathering information about organizations easy and painless for the hundreds of community members who make New Year's "resolutions" to volunteer. The sixth annual event will be held Wednesday, Jan. 26, 5:30-7 pm at The San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre Street. There is no cost either to participating organizations or to those seeking to volunteer. Organizations seeking to participate should contact Jessica Culpepper at jculpepper@thecentersd.org for an application. Those seeking to volunteer, just show up! Spotlight Events Food Bank, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 9 am The San Diego LGBT Community Center hosts a distribution site once a month for the Community Cares Project of the San Diego Food Bank. On the first Tuesday of every month, 9-10:30 am, visit The Center's parking lot for a "one-stop-shop." Receive emergency food, pre-screen for Food Stamps and sign up for a range of other services, including employment and medical as well as low-cost utility programs. For more information, visit the San Diego Food Bank website. Coffee & Conversation with Cool Women: Anna Joy Springer, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 7 pm Don't miss the next Coffee & Conversation with Cool Women, at 7 pm on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at The Center. Hostess Tryce Czyczynska will interview writer, visual artist and UCSD professor Anna Joy Springer. Formerly a singer in feminist punk bands, Anna Joy has also toured the country performing with the iconic spoken-word ensemble, Sister Spit. Join us for coffee, dessert and a dynamic conversation about art, feminism, punk rock and more! This event is free and open to all, but donations are always greatly appreciated. For more information, contact Abby Schwartz at (619) 692-2077, ext. 212, or women@thecentersd.org. This is a free event, but donations are always greatly appreciated.   No December Guys, Games & Grub We'll see you in January!		Support your community with a donation today!   Program Events: Youth, Seniors, Families, Men, Women, HIV Community and More   HIV Testing at The Center   HIV Behavioral Health Services & Counseling (English & Spanish)   50 and Better Together Games Group, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 1 pm   50 and Better Together Holiday Party, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 5 pm   Hillcrest Wind Ensemble, Saturday, Dec. 18, 7 pm   LGBT Caregivers & Grief Support Group, First and Third Monday of each month, 5:30 pm   Community San Diego Pride is Accepting Applications for Executive Director     GSDBA Holiday Cruise, Thursday, Dec. 2   Martini's Above Fourth Wreath Auction, Monday, Dec. 13   Click on any story to see all of the latest news     A Fabulous Menu of Year-End Giving Opportunities! No matter what strikes your passion and heart most deeply -- youth, seniors, families, housing, equality work --  there are a menu of giving opportunities to help support the 46,000 service visits for LGBT San Diegans that we provide every year! Every dollar you can give helps to support the services, projects and programs that make a difference for so many in the LGBT San Diego community. You don't have to give thousands to make a difference in lives, give what you can and together we can all keep making a difference! Thank you so much for your generosity and for all you do!     Wednesday, Dec. 1 – World AIDS Day Thursday, April 28, 2011 – Dining Out for Life Friday, May 20, 2011 – Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011 – AIDS Walk San Diego Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 – The Center's Annual Gala Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 – Nightmare on Normal Street Know someone who is right for the job? Current opportunities include:   Licensed Biligual Staff Counselor    Unlicensed Bilingual Staff Counselor   Visit us online for more details about our current openings.
The Center is located at: 3909 Centre Street San Diego, CA 92103 Our mailing address: P.O. Box 3357 San Diego, CA 92163 Phone: (619) 692-2077 Fax:(619) 260-3092 Web: http://www.thecentersd.org

The Center is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in employment and in the provision of all services. The Center provides services without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic characteristics, political belief or activity, status as a veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state and local laws.

Apple Removes Antigay App

Apple Removes Antigay App
By Advocate.com Editors

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/11/25/Apple_Approves_Antigay_App/

Apple has apparently removed the antigay app the Manhattan Declaration, which called for users to fight marriage equality, from its iTunes store. The decision comes after thousands protested the company's decision to approve the Manhattan Declaration for download in the first place. Apple has been known to reject good number of gay-related mobile apps, which is part of what frustrated many gay consumers when they learned that an antigay app had been approved.

The app, which was free for download on iTunes, included a 4,700 word declaration—the Manhattan Declaration—which "speaks in defense of the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, and religious liberty," according to its creators. It also includes a four-question survey, where users are asked, among other things, "Do you support same-sex relationships?" If you answer "yes," you'll be told you replied incorrectly.

The company's apparent decision to remove the app came without a statement from Apple, but the Manhattan Declaration is no longer on iTunes.

Fwd: Exodus Targets Young Adults, Soulforce is already there

A participant in numerous Soulforce campaigns, and the current webmaster, Brian Gerald Murphy responds to Alan Chamber's recent open letter.

Dear Friends & Partners of Soulforce,

Four years ago, health insurance changed my life forever. I was home in late November and after dinner with my parents one night, the discussion shifted to my upcoming graduation from college and my plans. A film student, I intended to pursue production jobs which means no stable health insurance. As I mulled over options with my parents we began talking about YoungLife, an evangelical Christian organization my mom worked for at the time and one which which I'd spent a great deal of time participating and volunteering.  They have excellent health insurance. They also don't hire LGBTQ people.

The discussion took a turn for the worse and I realized that in the three years since I'd come out, I thought I was being patient, thought I was giving my family space, thought I was being respectful... I realized I was being silent. My parents had not changed because I had not asked them to change.

And then it clicked.

America would not change unless someone asked it to. The world would not change unless someone asked it to.  I could be that person.

I heard of the Equality Ride weeks prior but shrugged it off. Great idea, not my place. That night in November, I knew I needed to be on the bus. I applied, was accepted, and the rest is history. Four years later (has it really been that long?) my parents are wonderful, supportive, and better than I could have even imagined. I'm grateful that I finally asked them to change and thrilled that they did.

Alan Chambers recently made it clear that in 2011 Exodus International will be aggressively asking America for something different. Their plan is to "Simplify. Amplify. Intesify." And they plan to put youth and students in the center of their target.

In the four Soulforce Equality Rides, over 100 young adults have visited 75+ anti-LGBT institutions and effected the lives of countless people. Saying that we've touched hundreds of thousands of lives is no exaggeration.

Exodus plans to reach young adults through the web, social media, YouTube, and other targeted efforts. They plan to tell them they are sinful, they plan to tell them they can change, they plan to tell them they need to change. They will tell young people that they are broken, sinful, and shameful. Thankfully, Soulforce is already there and we have a different message. We know that LGBTQ people are just as we should be! Soulforce has been making videos, connecting on Facebook, and tweeting for some time now. And we've taken our message to the front lines of religious-based oppression. We place value in young adults not as targets for conversion but as leaders, visionaries, and agents of change.

Now, more than ever, we need to make sure that we are able to continue cultivating young adults who will counter the lies and misinformation of Exodus International and other faith-based anti-LGBT groups. We need young adults who will resist the harmful actions of these groups and instead model bold, inclusive ways of being.

We need you to be part of this. Join our mailing list, refer a friend, make a donation, buy a book or a DVD for yourself or a friend, sign-up as a monthly donor, send a holiday card. Love wins, justice will prevail, and dedicated individuals like all of us will work together to usher in that new reality.

All for justice,
Brian Gerald Murphy

> View & Share comments on the blog

Brian Gerald Murphy is a filmmaker, media designer, and social activist. Brian participated in the 2007 Soulforce Equality Ride, went on to co-found Sanctuary Collective, and runs a media & design firm. He recently re-joined the Soulforce team as webmaster & web developer. You can connect with him on Twitter or his website.

Soulforce, Po Box 2499, Abilene, TX 79604, USA 

Fwd: LGBT Human Rights Hero and Advocate returns to San Diego

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here

Please Join us to Honor Bishop Christopher Senyonjo LGBT Human Rights Hero and Advocate Where: Eden 1220 University Avenue San Diego, CA 92103   When: Thursday December 2, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM PST Add to my calendar      Suggested Donation $10.00      Driving Directions Sponsored by:   Eden St. Paul's Cathedral Hale Media, Inc San Diego LGBT Pride         Integrity San Diego St. Paul's Foundation for International Relations Reconciliation The San Diego LGBT Center Young Professionals Council         California Faith for Equality UDW/ AFSCME Local 3930 Human Rights Campaign Empowering Spirits Foundation         San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council San Diego Councilmember Donna Frye  San Diego Councilmember Todd Gloria San Diego Councilmember Tony Young         PFLAG San Diego City of San Diego Human Relations Commission  Lisa Sanders  San Diego LGBT Weekly  Event Coordinators:  Linda Perine and Albert Ogle    Four out of ten Americans  believe religious teachings about homosexuality result in school bullying and teen suicide. What happens when bullying goes viral and international? Millions of dollars are being spent in places like Uganda by extremist religious groups intent on encouraging the persecution of LGBT people, their families and friends. Recently, American leaders in the "Ex-Gay Movement" tried unsuccessfully to promote a Ugandan law calling for the death penalty for LGBT people. HIV and AIDS services to the LGBT community are directly forbidden by the Ugandan government.  Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, a retired Anglican bishop, has become one of the most outspoken critics of this rising tide of religion-sponsored homophobia. Bishop Christopher is Director of the St. Paul's Center for Reconciliation and Equality, and with our support, is already creating an inclusive Ugandan community. Come and celebrate this wonderful hero who can teach us all to stand up against bullying on a global scale! RSVP NOW    Bishop Christopher will be presented with a Senate Resolution (SR51) by Senator Christine Kehoe in honor of his heroic work for the LGBT community. The resolution was made possible with the help of Equality California. A recent article in a Ugandan paper called for the bishop's hanging;click here to read more about it.  Sincerely, Linda Perine Perine Affiliates lindaperine@yahoo.com 858 775 2950

Forward email

Film to be shown at 2:30 Sun, Nov 21

Subject: "Seven Passages" film to be shown at 2:30 Sun, Nov 21

Seven Passages: The Stories of Gay Christians is a powerful DVD written and directed by Dr. Stephanie Sandberg et al. in Grand Rapids, MI. Sandberg, a drama professor at Calvin College, and her team interviewed 127 men and women in the Greater Grand Rapids area over a four-year period about what life is like for them as gay Christians. The team wrote a theater script and performed it to rave reviews and packed houses in Actors' Theater-Grand Rapids and other places, including one special performance for ministers. Some of those ministers said, You have to make a DVD of this, so they did.

http://actorstheatregrandrapids.org/original-works
http://www.thebanner.org/magazine/article.cfm?article_id=1304
http://doubtreligion.blogspot.com/2007/10/seven-passages-stories-of-gay.html
http://www.mlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2008/03/gay_christians_story_seven_pas.html
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2416701306
http://www.blockbuster.com/browse/catalog/movieDetails/435088

Upcoming AGC Programming:

• Nov 28 - No meeting (Thanksgiving Day weekend). Our best to you as we celebrate this American tradition.
  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the past three academic years, All God's Children of First Nazarene (AGC) has met almost weekly (except during some university breaks) on Sundays, 2:30-4:30, at San Diego First Church of the Nazarene, 3901 Lomaland Dr., Ellipse building, main level, Bowes Conference Room. All are welcomed. Sessions are dedicated to an open discussion of LGBT issues and faith. Participants are asked to respectfully listen to and engage in a variety of contributions to discussion in a spirit of honest inquiry. Moderators ask participants to honor the announced program topic and to be courteous to speakers.

Lgbt Advocate returns to San Diego

Please Join us to Honor Bishop Christopher Senyonjo LGBT Human Rights Hero and Advocate Where: Eden 1220 University Avenue San Diego, CA 92103   When: Thursday December 2, 2010 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM PST Add to my calendar      Suggested Donation $10.00      Driving Directions Sponsored by:   Eden St. Paul's Cathedral Hale Media, Inc San Diego LGBT Pride         Integrity San Diego St. Paul's Foundation for International Relations Reconciliation The San Diego LGBT Center Young Professionals Council         California Faith for Equality UDW/ AFSCME Local 3930 Human Rights Campaign Empowering Spirits Foundation         San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council San Diego Councilmember Donna Frye  San Diego Councilmember Todd Gloria San Diego Councilmember Tony Young         PFLAG San Diego City of San Diego Human Relations Commission  Lisa Sanders  San Diego LGBT Weekly  Event Coordinators:  Linda Perine and Albert Ogle    Four out of ten Americans  believe religious teachings about homosexuality result in school bullying and teen suicide. What happens when bullying goes viral and international? Millions of dollars are being spent in places like Uganda by extremist religious groups intent on encouraging the persecution of LGBT people, their families and friends. Recently, American leaders in the "Ex-Gay Movement" tried unsuccessfully to promote a Ugandan law calling for the death penalty for LGBT people. HIV and AIDS services to the LGBT community are directly forbidden by the Ugandan government.  Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, a retired Anglican bishop, has become one of the most outspoken critics of this rising tide of religion-sponsored homophobia. Bishop Christopher is Director of the St. Paul's Center for Reconciliation and Equality, and with our support, is already creating an inclusive Ugandan community. Come and celebrate this wonderful hero who can teach us all to stand up against bullying on a global scale! RSVP NOW    Bishop Christopher will be presented with a Senate Resolution (SR51) by Senator Christine Kehoe in honor of his heroic work for the LGBT community. The resolution was made possible with the help of Equality California. A recent article in a Ugandan paper called for the bishop's hanging;click here to read more about it.  Sincerely, Lindalindaperine@yahoo.com