For my second review, I picked a great restaurant that you might not even realize is there. My friend was surprised the building had a restaurant in it.

The Cosmopolitan restaurant at Fresno and G Streets is in Fresno’s Chinatown. It has a down home casual atmosphere. For lunch, you order at the counter from one of three menus, one with hot sandwiches, another with cold sandwiches, and another from the grill. If you want alcohol, you have to order it separately from the bar.

For dinner you will be seated at a table and served. The dinner menu is a little fancier with meat and pasta entrees, but Cosmopolitan remains comfort food, not a place you go to on a diet. Their side salad is exceptional. I always have mine served with an Italian dressing and a generous serving of blue cheese. It is much better than your average salad you get at a modest restaurant.

The open steak sandwich is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner, though it is served dressed up for dinner with mushrooms, onions, and blue cheese. The cheese drenched sausage with garlic bread is also a delicious decision for lunch. They also serve a great burger anytime. The onion rings and fries are the best in town. The cocktail drinks are also the most generous in town for average prices. If you want a Long Island Iced Tea, this place serves the best. Only thing to stay away from, to my knowledge, is the tri tip plate. They cut it thick and cook it medium rare, and for tri tip that means you will have a dental exercise.

Because of where it is, sadly they are closed on the weekend and only serve dinner Wednesday through Friday. You also have to be 21 to enter, but if you are in for some good old-fashioned food in a friendly environment, this is the place to go. For more info on Cosmopolitan, go to their website. http://cosmofresno.com

Give A Day - Get A Disney Day is a new program, spearheaded by the Disney Parks, to celebrate and inspire volunteerism. The program, which starts January 1st, has set a goal of enlisting one million volunteers throughout the nation to help nonprofit organizations in 2010. In return, the volunteer receives a free pass to a Disney park.

It works like this...individuals sign up on the Give A Day - Get A Disney Day Official Website, then search and select from a list of eligible volunteer opportunities with participating organizations. Once the volunteer participation with the selected group is completed, the individual obtains verification from the organization, provides it to Disney, and receives a one day pass for a Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® theme park, absolutely FREE!

Disney Parks is operating the program in cooperation with the HandsOn Network, which has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies that need their help.

Gay Central Valley has joined the list of nonprofit organizations which will participate in this important program.

Gay Central Valley is looking for volunteers to participate in such areas as...

Graphic design
Our organization is in need of logo redesign and also new logo creation. This volunteer opportunity can be completed from home.

Information distribution
Seeking assistance with distributing business cards and brochures. Items will promote our nonprofit organization. This will mainly occur in the tower district, but also other local book stores, etc. Literature to distribute can be picked up and the time frame is flexible.

Online outreach
Assistance needed with expanding our online outreach via Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, etc.
Our goal is to expend our reach outside of the Fresno/Clovis area to other communities in the central valley. This opportunity would include working in an office environment and mainly contacting existing "friends" on social networks to become involved and to expand the existing network of "friends".

Online research
As a new nonprofit organization, we are seeking assistance in locating donations of items to raffle. This volunteer opportunity would involve working in our office and contacting local and national organizations (mainly online via forms and email) to secure needed items to fundraise.

Sponsorship assistance
Seeking assistance with making telephone calls to potential advertisers. Also making phone calls to build an LGBT friendly community directory.

The program kicks off on January 1st, 2010 and runs until tickets are distributed or December 15, 2010, whichever occurs first. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in this program, visit the Give A Day - Get A Disney Day Official Website  to sign up. Any questions or information can be found on the Program Terms & Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions page. 

 

 

Lawmakers in Mexico City have approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. The Mayor is expected to sign it, however, Mexican President Felipe Calderon has said he will challenge the bill in the courts.

As a Christmas Gift to our customers, the Express is ending the cover charge on Saturday nights effective Saturday Dec, 26^th.

Merry Christmas from all the gang at the Express.

There are two ballot initiative measures in circulation related to a proposed constitutional Convention. The first measure is titled the Citizens Constitutional Convention Act and would amend the existing California Constitution to allow a simple majority of California voters to call a constitutional convention. Currently, the state legislature must authorize a constitutional convention.

The second constitutional initiative measure being circulated  is a mandate for forming a  the actual  constitutional convention  commission under the aegis of the Fair Political Practices Commission. The Commission will determine the site and dates of the convention. The deadline for submitting the constitutional initiative petition signatures to the Secretary of State for validation is January 11^th, 2010.

This constitutional convention could have adverse consequences for the restoration of marriage equality for members of the LGBT community. First, because the constitutional convention  would not be allowed to take up marriage, abortion, and some other restricted matters, and, second, because  one of the purposes of such a convention would be to raise the threshold for amending the California Constitution  from a simple majority to a two-thirds majority. This would make it virtually impossible to overturn the abolition of marriage equality that was put into the California Constitution with the passage of Proposition 8 in November of 2008.

 

This is a video montage of Gay Central Valley's first fundraiser (Holiday Breakaway) as an official 501(c)(3) organization. The event took place at The North Tower Circle on Saturday, December 12th, 2009. Complete videos of the night's events can be seen on our YouTube Page. 

With Christmas and the end of the year fast approaching, there’s no better time to donate cash or goods to any number of nonprofit organizations. Christmas in America has become crass and excessive, with a constant barrage of advertising targeted to empty our pockets on yet another material possession we probably don’t need. While people camp outside department stores for two days just so they can buy the latest tech gadget, there are a multitude of organizations which could put some of our money to much better use, helping any number of people in need. Donations are also tax deductible, but in order to be valid for the tax year of 2009, they must be made by December 31^st.

In researching nonprofit organizations in the Fresno County area, I found more than 1,400 groups and services. The specifics are varied, and include care giving, food & clothing distribution, senior services, HIV & health services and treatment, political action, education, disability assistance, shelters and animal rescue.

Following is a small sampling of nonprofit organizations which accept donations:

All About Care Provides practical, emotional, spiritual, and charitable support for persons and significant others with terminal illness, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS. All About Care sponsors bimonthly support groups for women with HIV/AIDS, for mothers of sons and daughters lost to and living with HIV/AIDS, and for children of parents with HIV/AIDS. Also offers legal referrals, community outreach, education seminars, speakers, and referral for prescription drugs.

American Red Cross Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguished itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.

Bulldog Pride Scholarship Fund
Established in 2005 by Peter Robertson [BA '92, MA '95, MBA '05] and officially recognized by the Fresno State Alumni Association in 2006, the Bulldog Pride Scholarship Fund is an endowment that provides an annuity to support students at Fresno State.

Community Link
The purpose of this corporation shall be: to promote social well-being of individuals within the community through education and entertainment; to be instrumental in promoting a better understanding of the community by networking with other segments of the general population; to promote and support the Arts and cultural exchanges, to sponsor an annual vigil against violence; to provide information to the general population though an ongoing speakers bureau; to publish a community resource directory; and to develop services and programs for the community as they arise.

Fresno Metro Ministries
Fresno Metro Ministry primarily addresses community issues that affect low-income and middle-income residents. Current major projects include health care access, hunger and food security, building caring relationships across cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and advocating for helping human services to strengthen families and individuals.

Gay Central Valley
Gay Central Valley is a local, non-profit, official 501(c)(3) LGBT resource website hub serving Fresno, Visalia, Hanford and the Central Valley of California.  Currently operating: GayFresno.com, GayVisalia.com and GayHanford.com.  Our writers/staff volunteer their time and experience for the greater good of the community, bringing us back to our slogan: "For the Community, By the Community".

Imperial Dove Court Our primary purpose is to sponsor activities in order to raise money for charity.

Marjaree Mason Center
The Marjaree Mason Center (MMC) is the only program of shelter and comprehensive supportive services for women and children victimized by abuse and homelessness in Fresno County. MMC addresses the serious and life-threatening issues of domestic violence and homelessness for women and their children by offering programs of multilevel intervention

PFLAG Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) is a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States. This vast grassroots network is cultivated, resourced and serviced by the PFLAG national office, located in Washington, D.C., the national Board of Directors and 13 Regional Directors.

Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is the nation’s leading women’s health care provider, educator, and advocate, serving women, men, teens, and families. For more than 90 years, we’ve done more than any other organization in the United States to improve women’s health and safety, prevent unintended pregnancies, and advance the right and ability of individuals and families to make informed and responsible choices.

Poverello House Poverello House is a private, nonprofit, nondenominational organization that has been serving the hungry and homeless of our community since 1973. Mike McGarvin saw a need and addressed it simply: he began handing out sandwiches on the streets. Inspired by his example, others came to lend a hand, and with the help of churches, businesses, and volunteers, the outreach grew. In 1981, through the generous contribution of a supporter, Poverello House was established in its current location on "F" Street. A major expansion and renovation was completed in 1992, adding office space, a family dining room, a shower and laundry facility, and modernizing our kitchen.

Reel Pride The mission of Fresno Reel Pride is to increase the awareness of the gay and lesbian community through the exhibition of films and videos exploring gay and lesbian themes at an annual festival in Fresno. Fresno Reel Pride, through the universal appeal of movies, works to produce a major cultural event for the entire Central Valley community designed to enhance community acceptance and understanding while adding to the diversity of a culturally rich city.

The Living Room Social support, information and referral, activities, and advocacy for people infected with, affected by or at risk for HIV/AIDS

WestCare Outreach and education for men who are at risk for HIV/AIDS

San Francisco health officials reported an alarming increase in new syphilis cases last year after years of declines.

New syphilis cases rose 55.8 percent in 2008 over the previous year, San Francisco public health officials reported.

The increase was significantly lower than the dramatic spikes reported early in the decade, when new infections increased 167 percent from 2001 to 2002. But last year's rise would seem to indicate an increase in unsafe sexual practices, which could lead to a rise in HIV infection rates.

San Francisco health experts said they have not seen an increase in new HIV cases and cannot explain the reason for it.

"We don't have a single explanation to tie it to, but we do know reported risk behaviors haven't changed dramatically," said Dr. Susan Philip, acting director of the sexually transmitted disease prevention and control services unit of San Francisco's Health Department, which published the new findings in its 2008 summary of sexually transmitted diseases.

December 2, 2009 - New York , New York - The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene commemorated World AIDS Day by releasing new data to highlight continuing challenges in the struggle to contain HIV in New York City . The number of new HIV diagnoses has not changed significantly in recent years; the total for 2008 is not yet final but appears very close to the 2007 total of 3,965. Yet the number and proportion of new diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) continues its alarming trend upwards. Preliminary numbers suggest that MSM accounted for 42% of the city’s new HIV diagnoses last year, up from 37% just four years earlier. And for men between 13 and 29 years old, that rising proportion reflects a rapid increase in actual infections – from 551 in 2004 to 706 in the partial count for 2008.

For my first review for Gay Fresno, I visited a great restaurant here in Fresno, that is new, and not in the Tower District. That restaurant is Limon. It is in the Villaggio shopping center across from the River Park shopping center.  It is quite a surprise in a neighborhood filled with mediocre chain restaurants, and to my knowledge, the only decent restaurant in the area.

Limon is Peruvian fusion.  According to the Fresno Bee, the restaurant opened in Fresno when the owners moved to the area. They also have a successful restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission District. It is quite obvious they are from San Francisco if you look at the portion sizes. They serve smaller portions, so one can have an appetizer, dinner, and dessert, without feeling bloated. This is very unlike many Fresno restaurants that serve you a mountain of food you do not really want.

When you walk into the restaurant, the atmosphere is trendy urban casual. Limon has a full bar and the mixed drinks are tasty and generous with the liquor. One has to try the Pisco Sour, the national drink of Peru. It is a bit different. However, my favorite drink is their Mojito, a very well done Mojito, in a city where bartenders often tell you they do not have the mint. To start your meal, the Jalea is very good, a mixed seafood combination, served with salsa criolla and tartar sauce. The Papa Huancaina is a must try. It is a traditional Peruvian dish of steamed potatoes with a yellow cream cheese sauce, but anything Limon makes is excellent.  So far my favorite dinner dish at Limon is the Churrasco a La Parrilla, a rib eye steak served with cabernet sauce, roasted potatoes and chimichurri. 

For my most recent visit, I had a tender, very well done pork chop over bacon cabbage hash and mushroom ragout. A good pork chop is a true test for any good cook. For dessert, I had a special, a great cheese cake with passion fruit ice cream, a different taste. The wait staff is exceptional and attends to any possible need, including keeping your water glass full. Limon is an overall spectacular experience. For further info visit their website.  http://www.limonfresno.com

(article & photos courtesy Nigel Medhurst)

On Christmas Tree Lane, amid the twinkling colored lights, with the crisp smell of wood smoke in the air, a married couple walked arm in arm, listening to the melodious sounds of a group singing their favorite Christmas carols. The couple paused to listen to the group singing about decking the halls and sleigh bells in the night. The man and woman snuggled more closely together, exchanging glances as they enjoyed the familiar music, feeling filled with that nostalgic, comfortable holiday spirit.

A song that sounded like “Winter Wonderland” suddenly became unfamiliar. The words were different: they were singing about “wedding bells” instead of “snow bells ringing.” They were singing about “marriage rights” and “lawsuits opposing Proposition 8.” The couple noticed that the choir members were all wearing rainbow colored scarves. Realization slowly dawned: these were the people they had voted against last year. The group members were hugging and loving each other and they were singing about it. Young women huddled close. One man cuddled another from behind. The man and woman held each other closely and they sung. They rejoiced. These people were not going away, the couple thought. They were not shrinking into silence, into defeat.

 

Some listeners cheered; some listeners just watched; others made quiet scornful comments and moved on down the street. The event was equally complex. It was one part political, one part seasonal celebration--just having a good old time.

“It was a group of people out here singing in the spirit of the season which is compassion and justice. That's what equality is,” Vickye Ashton, from Coarsegold, said. “Equal rights are a moral right. This was fun. It wasn't some big angry demonstration. I had a good time.”

 

Organizer Jason Scott planned the event to attract a different sort of participant. “It is not a traditional protest but people who would not be inclined to come to protest would come to this,” he said. “Marriage equality is something that gets put on the back-burner and the objective is to make people realize this is something that LGBT's live with every day.”

 

Scott added that the event was a celebration of the season and not a mockery. “It's definitely not something against the holiday. It's a way to join in the festivities and take advantage of the large crowds to raise public awareness and to not do it in an overly aggressive way,” he said. There were many traditional Christmas songs interspersed with rewritten carols that promoted the concerns of equal rights.

It was also a gathering for other groups to come out in support of equal rights. Jerry Thurston from Straight Advocates for Equality (SAFE) showed up to participate and show his support. He explained that the caroling was “a way to get in the holiday spirit but the larger objective is to support with GayFresno. Our SAFE motto is education, outreach and support. SAFE's objective is to get more vocal and supportive. Our job is to convince people to be vocal in their support.”

For others like Alison Munroe, who is new to California, the event was a way to join in with the LGBT community locally and become politically involved. “We should be able to love who we want. The government shouldn't be able to say who we love or not. Doesn't God just want us to love? We got over the racism. Essentially it's the same thing,” she said.

For others it meant a lot to have their community represented on Christmas Tree Lane. Angel, 20, a Fresno resident, received an email about the caroling event and showed up with his boyfriend and friends. “I am still mad about Prop 8 passing but it got me motivated to get out and do the work for 2012,” he said. He is fully aware of the work that lies ahead. “My number one present from Santa would be for gays to be allowed to marry,” Angel said.

This is a brief montage of events at World AIDS Day on December 1st at the Tower Theater here in Fresno. We have uploaded full videos of all performances and activities from the event, which can be viewed in High Definition by visiting the Gay Fresno YouTube Page.

The World AIDS Day Committee was: Maria Baldovinos, Rachel Bowman, Erica Caudillo, Stephanie Garcia, Toni Harrison, Stephanie McGrew, Stella Ossieladja and Yolanda Rendon. Contributing Agencies: Centerforce, FCDPH, Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Rachel's Projects, WeCare and WestCare.

AIDS day 2009 in Fresno was remembered with reverence, hope and a strong call for the education of practicing safe sex.

Nelson Vergel, the keynote speaker for the event been HIV positive for 27 years. He encouraged the crowd, “Most of us have a life expectancy of over 50 years after discovering a positive test. Take your meds and take charge of your life. There are 33 million of us but we have lost 33 million of us already. 40,000 of us get infected every year and 50% of those are under 25 years old.”

Buck Ellis, a drug rep from Atripla was displaying his product in the lobby. “When we consider an AIDS patient was on a daily regimen of 16 to 20 pills a day in the 90's then there is no reason to miss medication.”

 

“The major deterrence is lack of education. I go out to bars and there are no posters informing people about how to practice safe sex,” Tony Lane, President of Yosemite Knights. Mr. Central California Leather for 2008. Lane is a peer advocate for community Care Special Services. “We can prevent the spread of HIV,” he said.

 

The county of Fresno was represented by Norma Sanchez who was giving out condoms and information about preventing the spread of HIV. “AIDS hasn't changed,” she said. “People are still dying. We need to make people aware especially in the Hispanic and African American community. They don't get tested. They can get tested for free at the health department. We can test them within an hour.”

David Bouttavong from Planned Parenthood was informing the transgender community of their affordable hormone therapy program. “We don't want the transgender community getting their hormone medication off friends or the black market.” They also provide Rapid HIV testing.

Throughout the evening the spirit was consistent and there was hope. As Vergel said, “Don't be afraid. There is hope. There is a lot of hope. When I was first diagnosed there wasn't even a drug to take, Now I have 28 drugs to choose from.”

(Photos courtesy Nigel Medhurst. Photos, in order of appearance: Buck Ellis/Atripla, David Bouttavong, Fresno Street Mallers Band, Jamina Hackett/WestCare, Nelson Vergel, Nelson Vergel, Norma Sanchez, Fresno Flamenco & Spanish Arts Society, On Point Dance, AIDS Quilt, Reading Of Names, James Hensley, Volunteer Award, Tony Lane)

Neither is being fired because you are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender -

Looking for volunteers to help with an action in the Concord, CA area - TOMORROW, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 at 11:00am, if you have the day free or you are willing to take the day off - contact me IMMEDIATELY.  Carpool with me or follow up to the office of Rep. Miller, chairman of the committee that is delaying the mark up of ENDA.

Help testify about how vital this legislation is for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workers and their families. Employment Non-Discrimination Act (S. 1584)

We know that the most important voices to these Senators are the voices of people who live back home.  So, if you can't get free to take action tomorrow, please, look over this and take over the phone lines, fax machines and offices of these representatives - DEMAND that LGBT people be protected with @ENDANOW and that a mark-up happen before the end of the year.  DO NOT DELAY - take 10 minutes, look over this list and call, flood their fax line and schedule multiple appointments while they are home for the holidays.

Get involved - find a rep to contact HERE: http://edlabor.house.gov/about/members/

Learn about more ways to make a difference: http://endanow.com/

Sincerely,
Robin McGehee
559-287-9670
meetinthemiddle4equality@yahoo.com

Courtesy the New York Times...

ALBANY — The New York State Senate decisively rejected a bill on Wednesday that would have allowed gay couples to wed, providing a major victory for those who oppose same-sex marriage and underscoring the deep and passionate divisions surrounding the issue.

The 38-to-24 vote startled proponents of the bill and signaled that political momentum, at least right now, had shifted against same-sex marriage, even in heavily Democratic New York. It followed more than a year of lobbying by gay rights organizations, who steered close to $1 million into New York legislative races to boost support for the measure.

Senators who voted against the measure said the public was gripped by economic anxiety and remained uneasy about changing the state’s definition of marriage.

“Certainly this is an emotional issue and an important issue for many New Yorkers,” said Senator Tom Libous, the deputy Republican leader. “I just don’t think the majority care too much about it at this time because they’re out of work, they want to see the state reduce spending, and they are having a hard time making ends meet. And I don’t mean to sound callous, but that’s true.”

The defeat, which followed a stirring, tearful and at times very personal debate, all but ensures that the issue is dead in New York until at least 2011, when a new Legislature will be installed.

Read more HERE

According to a Courage Campaign Press Release, the group has concluded that more work is needed before putting LGBT marriage up for another vote.  What's needed, they say, is "more research and time to change hearts and minds before returning to the ballot to restore marriage for gay and lesbian couples in California."

Lambda Legal agreed, stating "While we're within striking distance, we're not there yet."

Equality California also believes that 2012 remains the best, next logical step. Their website states, "Many believe we should wait until we are guaranteed a victory before proceeding. We do not agree. We believe it is essential that we select an election and build a campaign for that election. We believe the 2012 election gives us the clearest path to victory."

Signature gathering has already begun in an effort to get the issue on the ballot in November of 2010. If enough signatures are gathered and approved, the equal marriage rights of LGBT Americans in California would once again be up for a vote. The 2010 effort is spearheaded by the group Love Honor Cherish in coalition with Restore Equality 2010. Approximately 1 million signatures must be gathered by April of next year.