LGBTQ (and allies) Town Hall Meeting - January 31st 2009
12pm-3pm at 1343 East Barstow Avenue, Fresno (Wesley UMC in John Wesley Hall)
This is not a religiously affiliated event, the location is hosted by Wesley United Methodist Church, an open and affirming congregation for the inclusive participation of LGBT people since 1984 - so, please know ALL ARE WELCOME.
We will use this time to discuss recent events in the Marriage Equality movement in Fresno and beyond, local organizing efforts for the LGBT community, discuss future organizing efforts/needs - the major goal is to create a Fresno plan of action to help create a sustainable community that can change the social climate towards the LGBT community in the Central Valley and beyond. The agenda for the day will be emailed and this page updated, after the Jan 10th event.
If you are a local organization that works with, for, around, etc., the LGBT community in Fresno and would like to have space to offer information about the services you provide to our community - please, email or call. The organizers of this event are Jason Scott, Robin McGehee, Sara Martinez and Anthony Dietrich.
If You Ever Wondered What Emperor 35 Big Anthony Of Fresno, Ca would look like in Drag here is your one and only chance.....Join us for.......
The Imperial Dove Court de Fresno/Madera Inc. & The Court of Life, Laughter, & Love Presents Closet Ball 2009 - A Black & White Masquerade
Saturday January 17, 2009 @ The Clovis Senior Center - 850 Fourth Street in Clovis, CA
Advance Tickets $ 20 / Door Tickets $ 25 / Doors @ 6pm / Show @ 7pm
For More Information Contact:
Ball Coordinator: Grand Duchess XXXV Angelina (559) 375-2924
Emperor XXXV Big Anthony (559) 960-0149
On December 20th Join the Impact invited this nation’s LGBT community and it’s supporters, to join together for a candle light vigil called Light up the Night for Equality. This vigil was a peaceful gathering held in remembrance of the 18,000+ marriages that took place in California, the Civil rights that Proposition 8 and other initiatives like it around the country have stripped from us, and in honor of those rights that will one day be again. All over the nation the LGBT community joined together to be seen and make an impact. I am proud to say that we here in Fresno WERE able to make an impact and be counted amongst the thousands to stand up for our rights and make a difference.
It began on a Sunday morning after he greeted a group of gay rights protesters outside his church. In a spontaneous move, Franklin decided to invite the group into the morning service and asked their leaders to speak to his congregation.
A video from that morning shows Franklin onstage with the protest leaders. "I just want them to know they're not our enemies and I don't feel that from them in that," Franklin tells his congregation.
"As a person who has served on a forum with Pastor Franklin I know his conviction and I know your conviction as a church and I only ask you to respect my same conviction and ask that we work together for a better Fresno," said Robin McGehee with the Gay-Straight Alliance Network.
The next day, Franklin received an e-mail from the man who had threatened him.
"He said, 'I saw what you did by inviting those protesters onstage," Franklin recalled. "Maybe you're not as homophobic as I thought. You're not going to hear from me any longer. And you can tell the mayor I won't bother him either.'"
Fresno County Approves Needle Exchange Pilot Program
Written by Barbara Anderson - The Fresno Bee
Sunday, 21 December 2008
A monumental victory was reached this last week, when a needle exchange pilot program was approved by the Fresno County Board Of Supervisors. This success comes after a very long and difficult struggle to get the program started. The following is the report from The Fresno Bee...
By Barbara Anderson / The Fresno Bee
Intravenous drug users can legally receive clean hypodermic needles in exchange for dirty ones in a pilot program approved Tuesday by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. The one-year program, which includes substance-abuse counseling, will allow members of the Fresno Needle Exchange to move off the street and into a building where they can dispense clean needles without fear of arrest.
"We can reach so many more people," said Dallas Blanchard, who has been dispensing clean needles to injection drug users for 13 years.
All About Care is in severe need of funding, and facing a critical situation if they can't raise enough money to stay afloat. In the current economy we're losing lots of businesses, let's not lose such a vital helping hand to the community as well. All About Care / Camp Care offers support and services to those dealing with HIV/AIDS and their families.
Click HERE to make an immediate donation online...
The following statement is from Cynthia Karraker, who operates All About Care/Camp Care...
"Hello friends of All About Care / Camp Care. All About Care offers daily support to women, children, & families. Due to the quietness of HIV/AIDS many people think their support is no longer needed, but in reality we need them more now than ever. I'm very proud to share that quite often it is our assistance that makes the difference in the lives of those we serve.
As many of you know, Camp Care is very unique and we offer a life-changing experience to children and their families whose daily struggles often diminish both their desire to be well & their ability to lead a rich productive life. We offer a nurturing, loving, fun filled Camp intertwined with programs and education that inspire our children & families to become more self- confident, as well cooperative with their medical care. There is a strong healing of spirit & lifelong friendships that take place at Camp with both Campers & Volunteers alike."
Please click on Read More below to continue with this article...
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- Local News 
