A celebration of life hosted by the Golden State Bears honoring members Tom Hayhurst, Allan Gilbert, and Patric Hipp will be held on Saturday, Feb. 5th, beginning at 1pm. The celebration will be at the Spiritual Living Center, 723 West Clinton, between Fruit and West avenues.

We welcome food donations for the event.

     With the new out cry against bullying and violence sweeping the country, we are once again asked to revisit an age old argument: How do movies and video games affect our children? There are many people who will argue that violence and sexual themes in video games, movies, and television alter a child's perception of reality because they glorify violent behavior and sexual promiscuity, as well as the use of drugs and alcohol, There are just as many people who will argue the opposite, believing that a person isn't affected by the fictional worlds created by Hollywood and the gaming industry. Personally, I think there's truth in both sides, and as experience has taught me, life typically falls somewhere in the middle of what most believe to be true. I'd like to think there are positive lessons to be learned from the same games and movies that people claim are negative. I think we have a duty to make sure that everyone understands the difference between reality and fiction. I think its important that we teach our children to see the best and worst in every situation and to always learn and grow from the experience. This includes their day to day interaction with film, television, media, and video games.

I've seen the movies. I've played the games. To me, there's no difference in the situations they expose than we can find in books and the local news. Huckleberry Finn,Tom Sawyer, Native Son, Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, Frankenstein, A Brave New World, and Animal Farm can be found on almost every AP reading list in the country. They are considered classics by librarians the world over, and all of them contain some sort of violence, hatred, or sexual component. There are countless others that detail graphic arrays of perverse acts, murder, and disregard for human life, and yet they remain a part of the educational system. Why is it that we are comfortable with Mark Twain's use of the word 'nigger' and 'injin,' but when Tina Fey says it on the news we are outraged? (And please don't think for a second that I'm defending Tina Fey.) High school English teachers have no problem discussing the implications of "Bigger Thomas's" relationship to "Mary Dalton" and his subsequent sexual assault and murder of Mary, but they refuse to discuss the commonalities of "Kurt Hummel" of Glee to the torments of many gay and lesbian teenagers across the country? The argument is that video games and movies give life to these characters making them more real, but from the point of view of the human psyche, there is little in the universe more real to us than that created by our own imaginations. How many times have you awoken from a dream, terrified, out of breath, and scrambling for safety? How many times has your mind wandered over the images in a news article and its account of a local murder, leaving you panicked and frustrated? The human mind is a powerful thing. The difference, I believe, is not in the content or media type, but in the discussion. The fear created by a nightmare is placated by talking about it, sharing it, or "pinching" yourself. Knowing that it was only a dream makes it better. When your mind lingers on the news stories of the day, you can wrest it from your thoughts by simply moving on to another more positive activity. When a person becomes violent through video games and movies, it is because they get lost in the fantasy...and the same can be said for books.

I’ve done my fair share of watching the television show GLEE. I’m always suspicious, though, when the common voices heap so much praise on a television show. I enjoyed a few of the early episodes, mostly for Sue Sylvester, the barbed mouth with the best lines I’ve heard from the writer of a TV show in some time. Recently, though, it’s clear the show has become full of itself and it’s starting to show.

The rock band Kings of Leon were asked by the show’s creator, Ryan Murphy, if their songs could be used on the show. They declined. According to what I heard, the band had never even seen the show, so it was a simple no thank you, nothing more. Well, Murphy sort of came unglued…

Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, proposed Senate Bill 48, also known as the Fair Education Act, last month in hopes to acknowledge gay Americans in classroom textbooks and prevent gay bullying in California public schools; however, there are many opposing the bill.

“There isn’t social science that demonstrates that teaching children about the glories of the gay rights movement will reduce bullying,” Tucker Carlson said on the Dec. 17 episode of Fox News’ & Friends.

Growing up gay in the Central Valley isn’t easy. In fact, it’s tough for many young gay teens because exposure to people like themselves is a rare occurence. The high school I attended in Bakersfield did not carry books that showcased historical gay characters or gay public figures. Celebrities had yet to come-out and I had never heard the name Harvey Milk until the movie “Milk” released in theaters in 2008. And in many instances, I am the first gay person that many people in the Central Valley ever meet.

Continue reading here

I had TOTALLY forgotten how long it takes to get in drag; from padding, to corset, hoes, and then fussing with make up that just seemed to be working against me for time. and then my wig and outfit went through as Janet Jackson conveniently called it wardrobe "malfunction". Not even because I made my own jewelry, painted nails, sewn sequins and beads weeks in advance; I was more than fashionable late allows. Once there I was greeted and made to feel welcome by Reynaldo Polido AKA "Esmerelda" and Russell McCartyAKA "Margo Starr" (forgive me for not knowing titles and numbers ladies... mamma's been out of circuit too long). There was a dinner provided with ticket purchase, but drinks were separate charge, (hmm, can we say Hometown buffet?)

I sat with Ms. Lisa Marie Le Grande, his mother, and his wife, Carol. I had brought along Robert St.James, (who plans to have me sponsor him for next year Closet Ball). I had fun catching up with old friends and making new friends like "Silk".

A gay couple who were refused when trying to rent a room at a bed and breakfast in southern England have sued and won their case.

The owners of the hotel stated that since they live in the residence used as a bed and breakfast that their rights should be respected and protected. The judge disagreed, stating that the Christian couple’s rights were "inevitably circumscribed by their decision to use their home in part as a hotel."

The couple went on to say that they refused to rent to unmarried couples, period, including heterosexuals, but the judge didn’t see it that way, and awarded the couple about $2,900 each in the case.

While authorities in Minnesota will not release the nature of the emergency call that took them to the Lundsten home over the weekend, the fact remains that 18 year old Lance Lundsten has died, and authorities have confirmed it is apparently a suicide.

His friends say he was bullied at school and they suspect that is what resulted in the suicide. Facebook pages have been started as memorials.

READ MORE HERE

Gay Central Valley is thrilled to announce that we have opened an LGBT Community Center & Office in the Tower District. We are located at 1055 N Van Ness Avenue, Suite C, Fresno, CA 93728. Our 24 hour phone number is 559-325-4429 or 559-325-4GAY.

As we are just starting out we are unable to be open every day. Our current schedule is...

WEDNESDAYS            12PM-6PM

FRIDAYS                    12PM-5PM

SATURDAYS               12PM-6PM

SUNDAYS                   9AM-12PM

During open hours, we are open to the public, and offer access to information and LGBT resources both local and national, including local publications such as News Link and the CCA Newsletter. We have reference materials relating to the LGBT civil rights movement as well as print outs of recent court decisions effecting the LGBT community.

We offer free condoms and HIV/AIDS information, courtesy of the Fresno County Department of Health. We have a lounge area to relax in, socialize, read or work. We have also started a collection of books and magazines to stock our LGBT Community Library. We currently have several LGBT classic novels (Dancer From The Dance, Rubyfruit Jungle, etc.) some anthologies, nonfiction titles, and back issues of The Advocate, OUT Magazine and Instinct, as well as other titles.

While we will eventually have a community computer available, currently we have two computers available in our office, with one typically free during open office hours. We also have a conference table with 8 chairs available to local groups and organizations for meetings. Meetings must be pre-scheduled with our office and are open even on days when our office is not open, depending on availability.

The Gay In The Central Valley Art Project which we started last year is displayed and we have the materials necessary for anyone to create their own addition to this creative project. The Art Project  shines a light on what it's like to grow up in the Central Valley as a member of the LGBT Community, as well as those who support us.

On Sundays we provide coffee and donuts or other treats from 9AM-Noon. Also on Sundays Kate Henry of Gay Central Valley is happy to provide assistance to anyone regarding social justice advocacy and grant writing.

On Sunday, February 13th from 2PM-5PM we will be hosting an Open House at the Community Center with complimentary food and drink, as well as a rainbow ribbon cutting ceremony. You can find a promotional flier in this edition of News Link with all the details.

Any groups wishing to have business cards, fliers, pamphlets, etc, available at the Community Center are welcome to do so. Items can be mailed to us at the above address, or dropped off during open office hours. We also have a large mail slot in our office door through which items can be left 24 hours a day. If there is anything you would like us to pick up for you please leave a message and we'll do our best to do so.

We will also be regularly accepting donations. In another article in this edition of News Link you can read about our request for books, magazines, etc. We are also in need of LGBT art pieces, large stuffed pillows and/or bean bag furniture, shelving, brochure racks, office supplies including computer hardware and software, etc. If you would like to donate anything please let us know.

Gay Central Valley is an official 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We operate the websites www.gayfresno.com, www.gayvisalia.com, www.gayhanford.com, www.gaymerced.com and www.gaybakersfield.com . All those working for Gay Central Valley and its Divisions do so on a strictly volunteer basis. Everything raised through our nonprofit goes back into the community and toward operating expenses.

Did you know that Fresno State's Henry Madden Library has a collection of 500+ books with GLBTQ themes?

Stop by and take a look at this very special reception and open house!

$5/person, general
$1/person, high school and college students
includes refreshments

5:30 pm • Reception
6:30 pm • Program
7:00 pm • Tour

RSVP: 559/278-5790

FACEBOOK PAGE

Anderson Cooper's CNN show, AC360 will air an hour long episode tonight, Friday, January 14th, regarding the current state of AIDS.

 Watch "Hope Survives: 30 Years of AIDS," an AC360° special, at 9 p.m. ET Friday. Phill Wilson is the president and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute, a national HIV/AIDS think tank focused exclusively on black people. Follow him on Twitter.

Greater Than AIDS – a new national movement to respond to AIDS in America– is asking Americans to share their “Deciding Moments," personal experiences that changed how they think about the disease and inspired them to get involved. For many it is someone close to them who was infected. For some it was their own diagnosis. For others it was a realization that we all have a role to play. Tell us about your “Deciding Moment” by visiting: www.greaterthan.org/moment.

Censorship continues to take hold...

In Canada, the broadcast standards council has ruled that Dire Straits' 1985 hit "Money for Nothing" cannot be played on the radio unless it is played only as a censored version, leaving out the word "faggot". This decision was reached after a single caller to a radio station complained about the word they find offensive.

Does it matter that the word was used by Dire Straits in a sarcastic manner, not as a slur? Apparently not. It's another example of the line of sanity and insanity being crossed.

The council said it realized Dire Straits used the word sarcastically when the best-selling "Brothers in Arms" album was released in 1985, but said it was inappropriate.

The reasoning is that faggot is part of the latest surge in gay bashing and school bullying that has resulted in teen suicides. Of course, those instances were when actual people around the teens used the words as hate speech while in their presence, but I digress...

This comes after the ludicrous outrage displayed by GLAAD late last year after the pro-LGBT series GLEE used the word tranny in an episode featuring a production of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The article, by the way, never prints the word faggot, because, you know, that would be hate speech...

Read More Here 

First they declared Pluto wasn't a planet anymore. Now, your astrological sign, the one you've been glued to your entire life, the founding star chart that offers you guidance and gives you insight, is no more.

I've been waiting for something like this for decades.

It looks like we now have proof that this whole Zodiac, Astrological sign stuff is just a bunch of BS. Scientists (those damned scientists!) have determined that the Earth and Sun are in different positions than they were when the charts were created, some 3,000 years ago. So get ready to change your zodiac sign (most of us) to another one.

Which means those who've been subscribing to this stuff long after childhood, have been mistaken about those definitive personality traits based on the location of the stars in the sky. Maybe you're now not compatible with the person you're with since both your signs may have changed.

For those who still pay attention to horoscopes maybe this will allow us to see just how generic these descriptions are, and that human beings are complex enough to withstand definitions from any astrological sign. 

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out in the multi-billion dollar industry of astrologists and fortune tellers bilking people out of their money, but my guess is they'll find a way around it. If many of us are still silly enough to buy into this fantasy, then odds are we'll find a way to re-invent it.

Here is the New Zodiac Chart

Read More Here

Hey Community Engagement Team,

Sorry this is so last minute. I just got the request Wednesday.  We have been asked by Hands On Central California to lead a team of volunteers at the Poverello House this Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  We will be serving dinner and the event is only an hour and half long from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. This is a chance for our team to participate in a national day of volunteering, do some good in the community, and get together this month.

Please let me know if you can make yourself available at this time for this event (I know some folks have the day off). We will meet at the new Gay Central Valley office at 1055 North Van Ness, Suite C. This is just south of Olive on Van Ness.  Remember that Van Ness is one way going north in this area so you have to approach from the south, going toward Olive.

So we will meet at the new office, at 4:00 pm, car pool to the Poverello House and finish up about 6 pm.  If you want to go directly to the Poverello House, you can and meet us there no later than 4:30 pm.  There is enclosed parking, just let them know that you are there to volunteer. The address of the Poverello is 412 F Street
Fresno, CA 93706-3409.

Please reply to kate@gaycenrtralvalley.org ASAP to let me know if you can participate. Thanks so much for your willingness to make our community better! Kate

My experience at Teen Challenge began in Aug of 2007. At the age of twenty-four, I found myself facing the county prosecutor on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol after leaving a gay bar near Troy, Michigan. This was my first time getting a ticket for anything.

James Voss

"Very few people possess true artistic ability. It is therefore both unseemly and unproductive to irritate the situation by making an effort. If you have a burning, restless urge to write or paint, simple eat something sweet and the feeling will pass. Your life story would not make a good book. Do not even try."

Fran Lebowitz...The Fran Lebowitz Reader

California is following the lead of New Jersey in dealing with the current epidemic of bullying in US schools which had resulted in a high number of LGBT suicides. The New Jersey law is the strictest anti-bullying law to take effect in US schools, since it "mandates that schools have a specific point person to run anti bullying programs. The law requires, among other provisions, that educators undergo training on the issue."

Tom Ammiano, California State Assemblyman and longtime proponent of LGBT civil rights, plans to introduce a similar bill in California.

READ MORE HERE

In the new issue of The Advocate, Kerry Eleveld takes on Hillary Clinton and LGBT rights in America....

Men and women around the world were being “harassed, beaten, subjected to sexual violence, even killed, because of who they are and whom they love,” she said.

“This is a human rights issue,” Clinton told the rapt audience. She ad-libbed, recalling an oft-quoted line from a landmark speech on women’s rights at a U.N. conference in China: “Just as I was very proud to say the obvious more than 15 years ago in Beijing—that human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights—well, let me say today that human rights are gay rights, and gay rights are human rights, once and for all.”

READ MORE HERE

Although Gabrielle Giffords, a three time Democrat, remains in critical condition, the news coming out Tuesday night was optimistic...

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- One of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' doctors declared Tuesday she has "a 101 percent chance of surviving," as she made more progress, moving both arms and breathing on her own for the first time - just three days after a bullet shot through her brain.

Doctors emphasize she is in for a long recovery, and her neurosurgeon repeated his cautionary phrase of "she's holding her own."

The impact has been re-evaluated as well...

In their briefing Tuesday, doctors also reversed themselves in describing the path of the bullet. They now believe she was shot in the forehead, with the bullet traveling the length of the left side of the brain, exiting the back.

Doctors previously thought she had been shot in the back of the head. They came to the new conclusion after reviewing X-rays and brain scans and consulting with two outside physicians with experience treating combat victims.

READ MORE HERE

The following books have been donated to Gay Central Valley to help us start our LGBT Community Center Library...

CAMPUS PRIDE SERIES :: COMING OUT TO PLAY: Creating Change within Intercollegiate Athletics

REGISTER NOW

WHEN: Thursday, April 14:: 3 p.m. EST

WHO:  Special Guest: Andrew McIntosh, SUNY Oneonta Lacrosse Captain & OUT Magazine's Out 100 List 

Moderated by Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride

COST: $95 per site

Andrew McIntosh played lacrosse for the State University of New York  College at Oneonta.  While he played lacrosse, he was also captain of his lacrosse team and a vibrant student leader on campus.  Andrew will share insight into the locker room environment, competing on the field in a team sport -- all the while being out publicly on campus.  His coming out story was first published on OutSports in Feb 2010 and has been featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Advocate.  Andrew was also named into the Out 100 by OUT Magazine for his major impact on mainstream culture and the LGBT community.  This webinar provides a story of resiliency that delves into topics such as sport sociology, sport psychology and humanities.  Participants will be given authentic insight on being openly gay while participating in intercollegiate athletics. The webinar will answer questions firsthand from Andrew on how to create change within intercollegiate athletics on their campus.

FACEBOOK PAGE

CAMPUSPEAKwas founded in 1999 as an agency representing college speakers. We have since expanded into areas including curriculum development, conferencing, and webinars.  It is our mission to be a partner with campuses and with higher education organizations to improve college and university communities and the lives of students. We aim to be an agenda-setting organization within higher education.

With affordable webinars, you can expose your students, staff or organization to some of the most critical issues training available today. Best of all, it’s interactive! You interact live from your desktop with the presenter, asking questions that address your specific challenges. A perfect solution for leadership training, staff and professional development or as an affordable offering for special interest groups on your campus.

Although our local, Gay Central Valley office is currently open and operating, we're throwing a Grand Opening Open House on Sunday, February 13th from 2pm-5pm. Please join us...

The Visalia Pride Lions Club is hosting an LGBT+ Valentine's dinner and dance. There will be prizes, photo opportunities and more! Please visit their website HERE for more information. Get your tickets early so you don't miss out on this GREAT event for our community!

Gay Central Valley is seeking donations of LGBT themed books. We are working to establish a small library for our start up LGBT Community Center, which is located at our office at 1055 N VanNess Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728. Our phone number is 559-325-4GAY.

We are also seeking donations of annual magazine subscriptions to LGBT publications such as the Advocate magazine.

Items can be dropped off at our office, which is open Wed Noon-6PM, Fri Noon-5PM, Sat Noon-6PM and Sundays 9AM-Noon. There is also a large mail slot in our front office door, through which certain items can be dropped 24 hours a day. Please attach a note to any such items.

If any donations need to picked up we can do that as well. Simply call our phone number and leave a message.

Gay Central Valley is an official 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

GET YOUR TICKETS TO CCA’S ALMOST 10^TH YEAR ANNUAL TALENT SHOW!

Tues. Jan 25^th @ Roger Rocha’s Music Hall
Tickets include dinner and show. Get your tickets today!

• Directed by Fred Bologna with Master of Ceremonies Dennis Potts
• Joel Abels is slated to sing "I AM WHAT I AM" from La Cage Aux Folles.
• Nate Butler is performing "RAINBOW CONNECTION" from The Muppet Movie and "PURE IMAGINATION" from Willy Wonka.
• Matthew Mazzei and Keith Snell are playing "SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW" from The Wizard of Oz.
• And, Patrick Contreras is going perform "PURPLE HAZE" by Jimi Hendrix.

ONLINE @ www.CCAFRESNO.org

Bill Zeller, a Princeton Ph.D candidate and renowned internet programmer, died Wednesday from injuries sustained in a suicide attempt. He was 27.

Source - HuffingtonPost.com

This an amazing story. Bill left behind an extensive suicide note, over 4,000 words, describing the torture he lived with due to sexual molestation and religious persecution from his family.

Zeller was a programming whiz kid, responsible for creating applications such as Graph Your Inbox, which visualizes Gmail use over time, and myTunes, which enables users to download others' iTunes music. Zeller made the latter program while an undergraduate at Trinity College.

Let me just say something about the religious aspect of this. There's a reason that the number of atheists in America is rising. There's a reason people fight to keep church and state separate. There's a reason that we need to continue to keep religious freedom a right in this country, while at the same time allowing the discussion about the incredible danger associated with "faith".

Whether you believe in a higher being or not, it's still faith. Faith is "a belief in something for which there is no proof", and yet it has been used since the dawn of time to empower those who use it and to victimize those who choose truth over myth. Given the overwhelming evidence of prejudice, death, hatred and destruction at the hands of the faithful, it's only wise to accept that it's power be limited. There's a reason an adherence to a foundation of mythology as opposed to truth and reason, should not be the controlling voice of the land.

Bill's life story is just one example of what a foundation based on fantasy can do. Religion is, and always has been, a weapon used against those who don't agree. Faith is the reason LGBT Americans do not have equal rights in this nation.

Bill describes a period in his life when he thought he was gay, even dated and told friends about his sexuality. Inside, he knew he wasn't gay. He was straight. But he was trying to find an answer to his pain. This says a lot about how childhood trauma can affect your thoughts.

I urge you to read the entire suicide note, and then to visit the website devoted to Bill's life, taking care to examine the many, many photos which show an apparently happy, well adjusted person. According to Bill's letter, this is not even close to the truth. For someone to write such an eloquent explanation to the end of his own life is difficult to take in. It should remind everyone that you never really know someone else, and that pain is hiding all around us.

I believe that until Christians start to dialogue with others in a way which acknowledges and accepts the option that there is, in fact, no God of any kind, then we are doomed to see more cases like Bill's. Let me tell you, atheists, who have thankfully organized and ramped up very public, "in your face" campaigns recently, here and all over the world, would be less likely to do so, if Christians and those of other religions would stop pretending they know the truth, and choose to live just a little more on the side of reality than fantasy.

Click below to read Zeller's letter...

The Rainbow Delegation is a local project started by Matt Mazzei in order to bring awareness to the hardships faced by LGBT people struggling to come out and connect. The wristbands that the Rainbow Delegation provide are a way to "be seen".

Two of Mark Twain’s classic books, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” and “Tom Sawyer” are being rewritten, or should I say, censored.

Where this leads, who knows? To edit and censor books is astounding in this day and age. Censorship, whether for supposedly “moral” or “good reasons” is still censorship. Professor Stephen Railton of the University of Virginia, called this “a terrible idea”, adding that it was part of our history and a good way to get into conversations about racism within the schools.

Just how friendly and supportive is the community on Facebook?

Simone Back, 42 years old, had over 1,000 friends on Facebook. On Christmas Day she committed suicide, after posting her intentions on her Facebook page, which resulted in no one rallying to her aid. Her last posting was…

17 hours after that posting, Simone was found dead at her home.

Some friends from out of town asked for Simone’s address or phone number to get help, but those close, some within walking distance, did nothing. Others even responded angrily, calling it a “choice” or calling Back a “liar”.

That statement is key, I believe. Regardless of how many “friends” you’ve built up in an online community, that doesn’t mean you have a personal relationship with them. How many times have I heard someone say “I met him online”, to which I respond, “Have you met him in person?“…”Well, no just online. I met him online.”

Then you didn’t meet him. To meet someone is to be in the same place physically with them, to be able to touch them, see their body language, etc. There is no “other way” to meet someone.

There is definitely an inability among people now to be able to communicate. By communicating I don’t mean posting words on a device that others respond to. I mean face to face communication. It’s rare that I can even get a phone call going with someone but a text is something virtually everyone I know now will immediately read and respond to, even in the midst of a face to face conversation.

I’ve been thrown recently by the attention of those who are reacting to others in the real world, rather than the digital world of online chat or texting. I’ve had a couple of people say something to me and then literally walk away from me as I was responding. Our brains are literally getting re-programmed (in a very short period of time) to not recognize human communication. A text, though, well a text gets answered every time.

All those spending so much of their daily lives texting would probably say they’re more connected to the world. Strange definition of connected. What they’re really saying is that they prefer relationships with people they don’t have to see. That’s a step down from a real relationship, not a step up.

It also naturally carries less weight, which is one reason Simone didn’t get help. Even as everyone exalts the integrity and profound connection of online chat and texting, deep down we all realize it’s not the real world. After all, it’s fairly easy to respond to someone when you can’t see them rolling their eyes or watch as their eyes lose interest in what you’re talking about. No one is really reaching out to those 1,000 friends like Simone was trying to do. Now it‘s all about people sharing pictures of the lunch burritos or having 17 very lonely people respond to a very simple statement…”I burned the toast“.

Barbara Streisand may shy away from the public eye, but she’s a performer who still has a vision.

She is now planning to direct and star in a new version of GYPSY, in which the star will play the classic role of Mama Rose.

Last month I went off on GLAAD for going nuts over the use of the word faggot on an episode of GLEE. Even in their written discussion of the matter the word faggot was never printed, but rather censored with asterisks, just as other words like dyke were.

This is clearly nuts. It’s one thing to restrict the use of the word in schools, where bullying is a very real issue, but to censor the language for adults is idiotic.

Now comes more proof of just how ridiculous GLAAD behaved as well as a whole group of LGBT Americans who quickly jumped on the bandwagon to support censorship rather than address the SPECIFIC problem apparent at schools. And let me add, that saying “the f word” instead of saying faggot is also ridiculous.

 The latest company to come under fire for supporting anti-gay groups is Chick-fil-A. The restaurant has one location at Fresno’s River Park.

The company was called out for supporting the Pennsylvania Family Institute, and anti-gay marriage group, and has in the past been affiliated with the anti-gay group Focus On The Family.

Actress Glenn Close has been caught up in the controversy over the recent revelation of Navy videos which resulted in the termination of Captain Owen Honors. Close appeared in one of the videos and has issued the following statement in response to the controversy...

"I am distraught that my image has been used to perpetuate something that I abhor. The cynical, unauthorized use of my image in this video is deeply offensive and insulting, and was the result of a seemingly innocent request of me during a visit to the aircraft carrier over four years ago."

Glenn unwittingly appears toward the end of the video below holding a stuffed parrot during a montage to Peter Cetera's 'Glory of Love,' just after a close shot of condoms and lube.

I won't bother with a review of why Dick Cheney is one of the most evil Americans that has ever lived...if you 're not sure why I'm saying that then it means only one thing...you aren't paying attention.

So I will gladly offer up this glorious story of Dick Cheney being near the end of his options as a "human" being. (If only his abhorrent daughter Mary was at the edge as well...) He needs to seek a heart transplant and hope that it works, or he'll simply, slowly, die. I hope he chooses the last option. That is, unless he agrees to be totally removed from the powers that govern American society. If he agrees to not have any further contact with any American on a political level, then even I hope he finds a way to survive.

But who am I kidding? Cheney has no conscious, no redeeming value, and certainly no self guilt. He barely qualifies as a human after the things he's done (far worse than GW Bush and the Republican party, and that's saying A LOT).

Here's the latest...

Mr. Cheney’s heart will never beat at full strength again, doctors say. His new mechanical pump, a partial artificial heart known as a ventricular assist device, leaves patients without a pulse because it pushes blood continuously instead of mimicking the heart’s own beat. Most pulse-less patients feel nothing unusual, but the devices do pose significant risks of infection. They are implanted as a last resort either for permanent use or as a bridge to transplant until a donor heart can be found. Mr. Cheney, who has participated in some of the nation’s toughest decisions for decades, now faces a crucial one of his own: whether to seek a full heart transplant.

Maybe, once in a while, there IS some justice in the world...

Read the full story HERE

BREAKING NEWS

The case for overturning Prop 8, which was recently heard in appeal by a federal appeals court, faces a new twist. The judges in that case say they can't make a decision until they're sure that those appealing the rule to overturn the proposition have the constitutional right to do so.

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court says it can't decide if California's gay marriage ban is constitutional until the state's highest court weighs in on whether Proposition 8's sponsors have the authority to defend the ban.

In a brief order filed Tuesday, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asked the California Supreme Court to decide if the backers of ballot propositions can step in to defend voter-approved measures in court when state officials refuse to do so.

The question is central to the future of Proposition 8 because former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and then-Attorney General Jerry Brown refused to appeal a San Francisco trial judge's August decision striking down the ban as a violation of gay Californians' civil rights.

READ THE RULING HERE

A hard copy of the ruling will be available at our local office...1055 N Van Ness Avenue, Suite C, Fresno

During a debate among candidates to become the next Chairman of the Republican National Committee, this is the question that was posed...

"The traditional definition of marriage unites over 80 percent of Republicans. While certain Republican elites try to portray this large majority as being on the wrong side of history. Regardless of how you see your role as Chairperson, you are almost certain to be put in a position to defend traditional marriage by a member of the media. What is your best 30 second case for the defense of marriage between one man and one woman?"

NOM, the National Organization for Marriage, headed by the seedy Brian Brown and spoken for by the hideous Maggie Gallagher, has now come out to applaud all the candidates since every one of them stated their defense for marriage remaining in the hands of "one man and one woman".

Read More Here

I recently rented the DVD...The Kids Are Alright and watched it with my husband, James. Let me say that I highly recommend it.

The film follows two lesbian characters played brilliantly by Julianne Moore and Annette Bening. They have two children who were fathered by an anonymous sperm donor. With the oldest child just turning 18, she is urged by her younger brother, 16, to get in contact with the donor so the kids can put a face on dear old dad, played by Mark Ruffalo.

This film is not about gay parenting as much as it is about parenting, and the complexities of marriage. What I loved about this film is that while it touched on the particular issues facing same sex parents, their children and the murky waters surrounding a sperm donor of a father, it's much more about the struggles built into any marriage, particularly long term ones. Add children in the mix and it's even more difficult.

The Kids Are Alright works from the foundation of reality, that these relationships are happening, and have been happening for some time now. It explores the minefield that every marriage, opposite or same sex, must walk every day in order to survive. It's a brilliant film.

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UPDATE: THE CAPTAIN HAS NOW BEEN PERMANENTLY REMOVED FROM COMMAND...READ MORE HERE

Gay Central Valley's office will officially open this Wednesday, January 5th.

GAY CENTRAL VALLEY

1055 N VAN NESS AVE
FRESNO, CA 93728-3457

(559) 325-4GAY or 559-325-4429

Office Hours:

Wednesdays: 12pm-6pm

Fridays:  12pm-5pm

Saturdays:  12pm-6pm

These hours are subject to change as we're just getting in and getting things organized. We will do our best to expand these hours in the near future.

We will also have a Grand Opening Party in early February and will keep you posted on the details as they become available.