Join our Community Engagement Team and spend time each month giving back to Central Valley nonprofit organizations and representing the LGBTQIA community! We will spend one day a month volunteering to improve the lives of others, as a team alongside others in the Fresno area who are making a difference. Team Members will receive a free Gay Central Valley tee shirt to wear at volunteer events. Gay Central Valley  will do the leg work to set up volunteer days with friendly organizations and send you a reminder to attend and help. Our second volunteer day will be the morning of August 14th at the Valley Animal Center, where they are excited to have us training dogs to be more adoptable 8 am to 10 am, we will work with a professional dog trainer who will show us how to train a dog (we will each be assigned a dog for the session) to sit, stay, etc. so that when a potential adoptive parent comes in they get an adorable doggie that already knows his or her stuff!  GCV will bring your tee shirt and  we will all have a fun evening getting to know one another while doing some good. For more information and to sign up today to be a team member (and give us your shirt size!), send an email to our volunteer coordinator at gay@gaycentralvalley.org .

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Gay Reichs
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

I tried Jimmy's Eastside Tavern last Sunday. It replaced Long Island Bar and Grill on Kings Canyon just east of Clovis Avenue in southeast Fresno. You walk into Jimmy’s and it is relatively dark with no windows and a large bar in the middle of the room.  The outer walls are lined with comfortable green vinyl booths.  It still looks very much like Long Island minus the table clothes.  The service is super friendly and ensures that you get everything you need promptly, but they do not serve your next course until your last course is done either, unlike restaurants that shove you your meal in the middle of your appetizer.  I ordered the stuffed portabella appetizer, and the prime rib special. The stuffed portabella filled with meat and cheese was flavorful and juicy. The specials, which they only serve on Sunday, come with a soup or salad and an ice cream sundae included for only around $20. The soup of the day was gazpacho, a cold Spanish tomato soup that is very refreshing on a hot summer day.  The prime rib which I ordered medium rare was cooked to order. Though it could have been more tender, it was not too tough either.  Beside it was served very creamy mashed potatoes and a stir fried mixture of multicolored bell peppers cooked just right, warm, but not soft. For dessert came the ice cream sundae, a very rich vanilla ice cream covered in chocolate syrup.  The cocktails are of medium strength, not particularly strong, but not weak either. The food is very traditional and not particularly inspired, but still very good for the price.  For those on the far southeast side of Fresno, where it is the only upscale restaurant besides DiCicco’s, it is worth a try.

Courtesy Metro Weekly

On Wednesday, July 28, eight individuals associated with Get Equal were arrested for "Unlawful Conduct - Demonstrating in the Capitol Building," according to the U.S. Capitol Police, following a protest in which the eight stood silent with signs serving as a "reminder" to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) that she had promised a vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act this year. The eight then, as the Rotunda was being cleared of visitors and media, sat down, began pounding the marble floor and called for a vote on ENDA. Among those arrested was Zack Rosen, of the blog The New Gay.

Video: Chris Geidner
Editing: Aram Vartian

The Fresno Bee, as well as local news channels, are reporting that the driver of the SUV which rolled over on Highway 41 and caused the Greyhound Bus accident was intoxicated. It's also being reported that the bus driver was not under the influence of alcohol.

The driver of the SUV was 18 years old, and along with the other two women in the vehicle, also under the age of 21, had been at the Integration party at Starline nightclub that night. Integration is an 18 and over dance party hosted weekly at the club.

One of the most outspoken opponents of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy said Thursday that he has been discharged from the Army.

He admitted his sexual orientation publicly for the first time last year on MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show," prompting the Army to initiate proceedings to discharge him.  One part of the story is why others who have started the "don't ask, don't tell" discharge process sooner than Choi are still pending and Lt. Choi was discharged so swiftly.  On CNN it was implied that his acts of civil disobedience and arrests in uniform that may have caused the discharge.

Read more at CNN

 

                It was hot. It was probably the hottest day of the year. It wasn’t eighty degrees. It was ninety degrees. The sweat in the air seemed to make it even worse. This was the type of day that made you want to watch television. This type of day made you want to go swimming with friends. It was the kind of day in which you could only think about the night and how beautiful it was going to be outside. I wish I would have had a ping pong table in the basement or a pool in the back yard. A bunch of friends is want I wanted. I wanted so many things but it was difficult because there were other obstacles. So many obstacles.

                My mother was out in the living room snoring and I was tired of Facebook arguments and games. I was tired of being online and I had been up late already the night before. I didn’t want to get my mom upset at me by waking her up and plus she had the TV blaring. If I had changed the channel she would have woken up. So instead of waking the beast of burden I stayed in my room with nothing to do.

Twenty activists from GetEQUAL shut down the Las Vegas strip this afternoon after unfurling a banner calling on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to a vote.

Photos of the event as it happened, from 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Read more at TowleRoad

From our friends at The Living Room:

We are pleased to announce that The Living Room has entered into an agreement with Fresno County Department of Public Health to perform rapid HIV testing at The Living Room (601 E Belmont Ave. Fresno CA 9370) from 4 to 7PM on the third Tuesday of every month. We will begin the collaboration this month on July 20th.

5 Reasons to Get HIV Tested

1. Early intervention means a healthier life
The key to living a healthy life with HIV is being diagnosed early. Getting into the care of an HIV specialist is an essential part of staying healthy. Get tested and if you are positive, find an HIV specialist.

2. Knowing your status protects you both
Knowing your status allows you to protect your partner as well as yourself. Even if you are both positive, safer sex techniques are a must.

3. Knowing your status allows you to make informed decisions
Knowing your status allows you to make informed decisions regarding your future and your life.

4. Now you can ask the right questions
Knowing your body is an important part of living a healthy life. Get tested for HIV and if you are positive ask the right questions.

5. Know your status... get the most of your doctor visits
When you're not feeling well, your doctor will be better able to treat you if he has all the facts. If he knows your status, he can address the special needs your HIV demands. And it's up to you to get the most of your doctor visits.

The Boys and the Bees
 
Author Joe Babcock 
  
 
Rated: Two snaps up with a twist
 
I really liked this storyline because it took me way back to when I was in elementary school. (This, may I add, was not long ago.)I still remember the little sexual flings my and I had. My 'friends' and I didn't know really what we were doing but had a sense of belonging to each other. This story can really make a person related with inner conflicts of ones own personal identity and sexual frustration of not understanding what to make of the whole thing. (Talk about your Jekyll and Hyde personality.)
 
James loves his friend Andy. Andy is falling hard for Mark. And mark is …straight? Things are not always what they seem in a sixth grade catholic school class, as this charming and bittersweet novel shows.
Twelve-year-old Andy immerses himself in his love for comic books:when he's not thinking about Mark, the captain of the basketball team, or dodging the pinings of his childhood friend, James. Ever since adolescence made James' sexuality more apparent to his peers, Andy fears he will be exposed just by association. The only way to change his social status and get closer to Mark is to try out for the basketball team, which seems like a hopeless cause, not only because he can't play, but because he sure Mark is more interested in the popular female student all the boys are after. Mark may be a jock, but one should never assume that means he's straight…

If you would like to drive together.........contact me at scottandhope@sbcglobal.net

This is the last time Dr. Pearson is scheduled to be in California this year.  If you know anyone who would benefit from attending this workshop, please pass it along.  As you know this material is extremely well researched.

Christianity & Homosexuality
Reconciled
Workshop

Experience a break through in a safe space!

This FREE workshop will answer all your questions about the Christian faith and lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender people.(Free lunch provided)

Who should attend?
Christian lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders who nee a firmer understanding of how the Bible does not condemn them.

Straight family members  and friends who want to learn more about these issues and support their loved ones.

Nonchristian lesbian, gays, bisexuals and transgenders who would like to learn why many conservative Christian groups oppose  gay marriage and how to address these issues on a cultural basis. 

Church ministers and members who might like their church to become more LGBT-friendly. (This format is very interactive and allows participants to ask questions in a safe environment)

Sponsored by
Freedom In Christ Church of San Francisco
Facilitated by Rev. Joseph A. Pearson, Ph.D.

Date: July 31, 2010
Location:St. Mark's Lutheran Church,  1031 Franklin St.                                                   

(Parking is Free)San Francisco, CA (Lower Level Fellowship Hall)
Time:10am to 4pm

Questions? 415-970-8149

BREAKING: DC Court Rules Against Foes of Marriage Equality

In a somewhat surprising move, a federal judge has ruled that the Federal ban on gay marrage (DOMA) is unconstitutional.  Now, the wait begins to see if the Obama administration will appeal this ruling.  Read more at the New York Times.

 

I have to admit, Pride in Madrid looks like a lot of fun...including the huge circuit party...Madrid Pride also featured a performance by Kylie Minogue...after Madrid, head on over to Barcelona Pride...Gay Pride in Paris included a dance routine by men and women in hospital scrubs...What are people in New York talking about at Pride parties? Here's a 45 Second Remix...People from all over London in all kinds of locations participate in a music video for "Holding Out For A Hero"...Deborah Cox performed "Absolutely Not" at Toronto Pride... where you could also see "The Penis Guy"...and watch Tony have a breakdown in the street after his boyfriend breaks up with him...can you imagine participating in a day of Pride that takes place right in front of in front of the Colosseum in Rome?...here's a great video of highlights from the San Francisco parade...London Pride was lead by a massive rainbow flag...Cher made a surprise appearance at San Antonio Pride...where apparently their parade is at night...and let me tell you, this conversation takes place in Minnesota, but I've had more than a few conversations like this myself...also in Minnesota was Ross Matthews from The Tonight Show. He invaded the Pride festival to chat with the crowd, as well as ask what people are proud of, then introduces himself as Jasmine, and finally joins in to sing Beyonce's "Halo" 

Wow...

It's quite an experience operating a fireworks stand for one week in the middle of a Fresno Summer. We at Gay Central Valley decided some time back to try our hand at this once a year fundraising opportunity. We didn't have much of an idea what we were getting into. We had no reference since none of us have ever done it before. Still, we took on the task. To get a license to operate a fireworks stand in Fresno you have to be an official nonprofit organization, then submit your application and hope for the best. Not everyone gets chosen, and it's basically luck of the draw. Amazingly enough, we were lucky right on our first attempt.

It took weeks of planning, lots of phone calls and classes at the TNT warehouse. As June 28th approached, it seemed there was more and more detail to navigate through. Then came our first day, on Monday, June 28th, which turned out to be the hottest day of the year so far, topping out at 107 degrees. While we officially opened at Noon on June 28th, every day following was a 13 hour day, from 9am to 10pm. Our stand was situated on the barren, dirt lot at the corner of Palm & Olive. Don't get me wrong, we were thrilled to get a Tower District location, which we didn't have at first, but a big dirt lot presents its own set of obstacles. Every day we sustained through the heat and the constant dust to keep things running.  

Any sort of electricity is a luxury in a fireworks stand, which is basically a big wooden frame with shelves in the front and back, a wood door at either end, and wire mesh between you and the customers. We hooked up our generator which allowed us the use of a cash register, fans, calculators, an occasional radio, and lights once it got dark. On a dirt lot as we were, it's a fairly primitive atmosphere.

Each and every day our entire supply of fireworks had to be picked up from our storage unit at the TNT warehouse, and then delivered to the stand in boxes. There, it was taken out and set up. Then, each and every day, at the close of the day, everything in the stand has to be boxed up and moved back out, leaving nothing but the shell of the stand. That's not just unsold fireworks, but all things we needed to operate. Let's just say, it's an intensive operation. Add to that such things as additional runs to storage as you run out of items, plus runs for food, drinks, supplies, banking, etc. Although we went into the week with very little knowledge, we ended it with a lot of experience and new knowledge. Next year will be easier.

But with all the variables and details, I can easily point to one aspect of this operation that allowed us to succeed. Our volunteers. Those who selflessly gave their time and energy to this fundraising event were nothing short of AMAZING. Without them, we would have collapsed early on. And to watch them come in on a daily basis, facing the conditions we were faced with, was inspiring. Everyone pulled together and gave more than we could have hoped for. I don't want to list everyone by name here because I would inevitably neglect to mention someone and I don't want that to happen. Let me just say that the board members of Gay Central Valley cannot possibly express our gratitude to all the volunteers, as well as the individuals, groups and organizations that came together to provide us with a staff, donations, food, drink and support through this last week. While the Board of Directors of Gay Central Valley were faced with our own issues during this time, it was the volunteers and others who kept the stand up and running and made the entire effort a great success. Please accept our heartfelt thanks. And a big thanks to all in the community who chose to purchase their fireworks this year at our stand. Gay Central Valley in continuously grateful for all the community support.

Yes, we're doing it again next year, but right now we really just want to appreciate all those who stepped up to the plate to help us so that we can in turn help the community.

Standing ovation to all of you...

 

In 2005, a small group of Fresno State alumni and friends established the Bulldog Pride Fund (BPF). Its mission was and is quite simple: to provide an annuity to support scholarships.

Just five years later, donations to the BPF endowment total nearly $175,000. All made possible by the generosity of Fresno State donors, alumni and friends just like you. In fact, 2009-10 donations increased 62 percent, compared to 2008-09. What an accomplishment!

Most importantly, by this fall, the BPF will have awarded a total of $21,000 in scholarships to students based on academic achievement, financial need and community involvement.

It is my pleasure to share with you the 2009-10 Honor Roll of Donors: [CLICK HERE]. These donors provided $13,632.64 in donations between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.

You, and many people like you, are successfully transforming students’ lives at Fresno State. Thank you for your continued support.

PETER ROBERTSON, BA ’92, MA ’95, MBA ‘05

PS: This fall, the BPF will award four $2,000 scholarships ($8,000 total) for the 2010-11 academic year: Allison Zulewski, Leonel Barajas, Julia Scott; and to the student(s) performing as Fresno State’s mascot, the inaugural TimeOut Spirit Award!

GIVE TODAY. FOR TOMORROW AND BEYOND.

www.bulldogpride.org

Andrew McIntosh will be speaking at the First Congregational Church (The Big Red Church) at 2131 N Van Ness Blvd, on Friday, July 30th from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. Admission is free.

VISIT: Andrew McIntosh: Coming out while a college athlete - Facebook Page

When “out” college lacrosse player Andrew McIntosh speaks at The Red Church the evening of July 30^th, he won’t be alone. A Fresno State student planning to be in the audience has been in McIntosh’s shoes too.

Travis Stephenson, who’s a member of the university’s men’s water polo club team, came “out” as gay while playing water polo at Merced College four years ago. “Playing a sport in college and being gay is def a tough thing in my experience,” Stephenson says. “I knew throughout my college carrier I was gay, but I was soo scared to tell anyone, because Atwater and Merced are very small and very anti gay. I was considered to be the utility player of the team, I could literally play any position, and do it well. None of my teammates, with the exception of one treated me any differently.”

Stephenson was the team captain of both the swim team and the water polo team.

“Most of the team was fine with it, except one, who happened to be my best friend,” Stephenson added. “The sad thing is, he actually attends Fresno State now. He refuses to acknowledge my existence. It is sad but it is a struggle you have to go through.” 

Stephenson said that coming out had other repercussions. While playing water polo at Merced College, he also coached ‘polo at Atwater High School. Going into “my third year coaching at my alma mater, they replaced me at the very last minute (one week before practice) saying they could not get ahold of me--which was not the case--rather they found out I was gay through my assistant coach. Since I was coaching the JV boys, I’m sure the school and parents were worried.”