Our hearts are broken over the tragic events at The Tree of Life congregation in Pittsburgh. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn and begin the long road of recovery from this unimaginable loss. May they find comfort and strength in the knowledge that they are not alone in their grief; that Am Yisrael, the Jewish People here in Santa Rosa and around the world, stands with them.
Please join us this Thursday for a Solidarity Interfaith Service at Congregation Shomrei Torah. Together we will mourn the dead, comfort each other and send a message of reassurance and hope; America is better than this. We do not have to live in fear. We can make a difference as people of faith.
Participating Congregations:
Congregation Beth Ami, Congregation Ner Shalom, First Presbyterian Church, Christ Church United Methodist, First United Methodist Church, The Center for Spiritual Living, St. Stephens Episcopal Church, and The Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Rosa.
The library did not immediately confirm whether the books—which included young adult novel Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan and illustrated LGBT+ history book This Day in June by Gayle Pitman—would be replaced following the incident.
Paul Dorr filmed himself burning Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan
A Facebook fundraiser launched by Justin Scott, the Iowa state director of American Atheists, has crowdfunded $1,321 to help “fill the Orange City Library with even more books that celebrate the life experiences and contributions of LGBTQ+ people.”
Separate fundraisers on GoFundMe have raised a further $2,300 to supply LGBT+ books to libraries across the US after the incident, making a total of $3,621.
Scott said in a Facebook post: “I’m thinking Paul Dorr would have been better off keeping his homophobia and transphobia to himself.
“Look at the outpouring of support—from Christians, atheists and everyone in between—that the LGBTQ+ community has received as a result of his disgusting stunt.”
Paul Dorr burned Families, Families, Families! by Suzanne Lang.
Dorr has said he has no intention of paying for the books he destroyed. He has several weeks to pay a library fine, but could be charged with fifth-degree misdemeanour theft if he does not.
The charge comes with a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and a $625 fine.
In Dorr’s Facebook Live video, he said: “I cannot stand by and let the shameful adults at the Orange City Library Board bring the next group of little children into their foul, sexual reality without a firm resistance.”
Dorr expressed the belief that people become gay because of “the harm that adults did to you as children” and urges LGBT+ people to “walk away from your degeneracy… repent and turn back to Christ.”
The burning books
Levithan’s Two Boys Kissing was ranked as the fifth most-banned book during the American Library Association’s annual Banned Books Week in 2016.
There have been renewed attacks on LGBT+ content in US public libraries in recent months.
In September, Rumford Public Library in Maine faced pressure to ban LGBT+ books including Two Boys Kissing from its display of frequently-banned books, after evangelicals claimed they were inappropriate for children.
After fleeing their homes to seek a new life in a more liberal country, refugees are often met with detention and a harsh immigration system.Three refugees, Alena Sandimirova, Edafe Okporo, and Ishalaa Ortega, spoke out about their experiences in a video for LGBT+ immigration non-profit Immigration Equality.
Alena Sandimirova
Alena Sandimirova, a lesbian who fled Russia to come to the US in 2009, explained: “I filed for asylum because I didn’t feel safe.
“Best case scenario in Russia, I would be living in the closet. You can’t hold hands, you can’t live your life out.
“It’s very dangerous, not just for yourself but for your friends and family.”
She added: “When I got asylum it was amazing. I felt protected, like in the future I will have a place to call home.”
Sandimirova is now a small business owner, working as a metal smith and a jewellery designer.
She said: “As of 2017, I’m a citizen of the United States. Coming here has allowed me to realise my full potential… and saved me from suicide.
“Refugees are some of the strongest people. Not only did they survive the country they came from, but they have the courage to learn the process, to speak up, to pursue.”
Ishalaa Ortega
Ishalaa Ortega, a transgender woman from Mexico, was a prominent spokesperson for LGBT+ rights in her state but was forced to flee the country after she was targeted by anti-LGBT politicians, and faced a wave of death threats.
She crossed the US border in 2013, and was initially sent to a detention facility.
Ortega explained: “It was very painful to be in prison when I was asking, yelling out for help. No-one would respond to me except Immigration Equality. I found this amazing organisation who stand by me through this journey.”
She eventually received her green card in 2018.
Ortega now works at a community health clinic as a case manager for people living with HIV.
She added: “We came to this country to contribute, we came to this country to help others too.”
Edafe Okporo
Edafe Okporo fled his native Nigeria after his high-profile work on LGBT+ issues led to mob violence and he was involved in a brutal beating.
He explained: “I won an award [in 2016] for grassroots advocacy for gay men to have access to healthcare services. Because of my work, it puts me in danger of persecution. That made me flee my country.”
Okporo flew to the US and sought asylum at the airport.
He said: “I told the immigration officer, ‘I fled because my life is in danger,’ and the officer told me I was going to a jail.”
Okporo was detained for five months, but was granted asylum in 2017.
He said: “I’ve been fighting to live freely as a gay man, and I felt like that was the point in my life where the tide turned around. Now I’m the director of a refugee shelter in New York City
“I am excited what will happen in the future, and I’m waiting for the day where I will become a US citizen.”
Immigration Equality Executive Director Aaron C. Morris said: “Immigration Equality’s asylee clients contribute so much to our communities.
“They are teachers, healthcare providers, artists, and activists. We as a nation should continue to embrace refugees and asylum seekers, not turn our backs on them when they need us most.
“This video highlights the dangers LGBTQ asylum seekers face in their countries of origin and shows why defending the asylum system is integral to keeping the United States a beacon of hope for people around the world.”
Story time at Cellar Door bookstore in Riverside turned into a confrontation between a parent and the store owner and it was all caught on camera. Cellar Door bookstore was hosting a story time event in which Halloween books were read by three drag queens.
During the event, the owner noticed a woman recording video and she explained to her that she couldn’t record kids without the parents’ permission. But the woman refused to stop. “She has invited the public to watch this perversion with these homosexuals,” said Los Angeles resident Genevieve Peters. “I’m sorry this is what’s happening.”
Some parents ask Peters to leave due to small children watching, but even after security guards step in, she refuses. “For the last 30 years, the homosexual agenda has been first and foremost wanting to desensitize our communities, our children, our families,” she said.
Peters was eventually removed by the police, but says she’ll be back at the next event to protest the “perverse lifestyle” of drag queens. Watch the clip.
The application process for the largest national LGBTQ+ scholarship program is opening next week.
On average, LGBTQ students accrue $16,000 more debt on than their heterosexual peers, according to a survey by StudentLoanHero.com.
Queer-identifying students enrolling in an undergraduate or graduate program for the 2019-2020 school year can can apply for a Point Foundation Scholarship, an L.A.-based organization that currently provides financial assistance to 97 students throughout the U.S.
Nearly a third of LGBTQ+ students report being discriminated against based on gender identity or sexual orientation when seeking financial assistance for higher education.
“Despite the constant attacks on our community, our LGBTQ young people are eager to develop the skills they need to fight back against discrimination and become the leaders our country so desperately needs,” Point Foundation Executive Director Jorge Valencia said. ”These students’ determination to create an equitable society that values and celebrates diversity needs to be – and can be – realized with our support.”
To receive a Point Foundation Scholarship, candidates must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, community involvement and financial need. Attention is given to applicants who have experienced marginalization and/or are working to improve the lives of marginalized groups, particularly the LGBTQ community, according to a press release.
“I am bigger than the discrimination that threatens my black Trans existence every day,” said Nik Clark, a social work student at California State University. I am somebody. I’m a leader… I’m going to change the world by living authentically and unapologetically in my truth.”
Applications for the Point Foundation Scholarships open online November 1, 2018 at www.pointfoundation.org/apply.Students may submit their application until 11:59 p.m. PST January 28, 2019. The 2019 class of Point Foundation Scholarship recipients will be announced in June 2019 for LGBTQ Pride Month.
Born in Texas and raised in Augusta, Georgia – Billy Anderson is stand-up comedian currently living in Los Angeles. Billy can be heard on Audible’s “Sounds Like America” hosted by Jackie Kashian and seen on season 3 of the syndicated program “Laughs” on Fox television. In 2017 he released his first live comedy special titled “America’s Sweetheart” through The Harmon Brothers’ VidAngel Dry Bar Comedy series. Billy has written for Cracked.Com, performed in SF Sketchfest, was a finalist in the 2016 Seattle International Comedy Competition and as of 2013 he has performed stand-up comedy in every US state.
Featuring Mike Masilotti
He recently had a video of him doing stand up get over 4 million views! Mike also enjoys going on the road and has performed stand up comedy in 9 states (Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Florida and Hawaii) and also in Canada!
He’s a regular at the Comedy Underground and in his mothers heart.
NOVEMBER 2nd SHOW Charles Krug Winery
2800 Main Street St. Helena, CA
$20 General Admission
Limited Door Tickets at $28
Complimentary Parking on-site
Wine, wood-fired pizza, charcuterie/cheese boards, other fun snacks available for purchase.
Indoor event, seating/tables provided, please no outside food or drink.
DOORS 6:00PM
SHOW 7:30PM
21+ Show Valid Photo ID Required. All Ticket Sales are Final
Ticket Refunds offered upon cancellation or reschedule of show by The Laugh Cellar. No video during the show
NOVEMBER 3rd SHOW The Flamingo Resort Hotel
2777 4th Street Santa Rosa, CA
$20 General Admission
Limited Door Tickets at $28
DOORS 6PM
SHOW 7PM
Delicious bar bites and full bar in the lounge. Table Service before and during the show.
Before the curtains go up, enjoy dinner at The Terrace Grill at the Flamingo Resort.
Show proof that you’re attending that evening’s show, and receive a complimentary dessert to share! (limit one dessert per table) DINNER RESERVATION REQUIRED: (707) 523-4745
Parking
The hotel offers complimentary parking in their lot. There is also open street parking available directly in front of hotel.
You may park in the lot across the street. However, please do not park in the front spaces of CVS or iHop.
All shows are 21+ Valid Photo ID Required. All Ticket Sales are Final Ticket refunds are only offered upon cancellation or reschedule by The Laugh Cellar.
No video during the show
On Wednesday, December 19 feel the magic of the holidays when International Champion Magician, Chin-Chin, brings you an out of this world experience. A Magical Holiday Dance Party!
Featuring:
DJ Uni
Come experience magic… outside a box. He incorporates incredible dance moves into his show… so the best way to continue the fun after the show is to have an all out magical dance party! DJ Uni will be spinning an awesome mix of house, soul, dance hits, and more.
International Champion Magician, Chin-Chin has been performing magic professionally since he was twelve years old. His unique breed of magic has captivated audiences nationwide. With an in-your-face style all his own, Chin-Chin’s magic combines unbelievable visual effects, his warm charming personality, and pure creative genius to give any audience all they can handle. Named ‘Stage Magician of the Year’ 3-Times and voted ‘Best Magician’ twice by The San Francisco Bay Guardian’s Best of the Bay Reader’s Choice Award, Chin-Chin will amaze you.
This will be a super fun event to ring in the holiday season!
FLAMINGO RESORT
2777 4th Street Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Doors 6:00PM
Show 7:00PM
Dancing starts at 8:15PM and ends at 11:00PM
$20 General Admission
Includes show + dancing
Fabulous bar bites and full bar available in the lounge.
Oooo la la….
Dine at the Terrace Grill before the curtain goes up.
The Grill will be offering a Steak and Shrimp Dinner Special for just $19.95! Present your show ticket to your server, and receive a complimentary dessert to share. Sweet!
Easy-peasy Parking
The hotel offers complimentary parking in their lot. There is also open street parking available directly in front of hotel. OK to park in the lot across the street. However, please do not park in the front spaces of CVS or iHop.
Revelers at Greater Palm Springs Pride in 2015. | Photo: Greater Palm Springs Pride
30 October 2018 12:46 GMT
Californian LGBTI heaven Palm Springs is ready to host one of the latest and much-anticipated Prides of the year.
Greater Palm Springs Pride returns for its 32nd year from 1-4 November.
After a hot Pride summer in the US, Pridegoers had to wait for more reasonable temperatures in this little gem in the Coachella Valley.
Palm Springs, in fact, reaches more than 45°C in July. Definitely not the right weather to celebrate Pride if you want that rainbow makeup to stay in place.
Temperatures are cooler in fall, with Palm Springs reaching highs of 26°C and making it the perfect Pride weather. And the 140,000+ revelers expected for the three-day festival know it. For comparison, Palm Springs only has a population of 48,142, but tourists – mainly gay men – really make the difference.
The parade and festival
Greater Palm Springs Pride 2017. | Photo: @instchrisw/Instagram
Kicking off at 10am on Sunday 4 November, the parade steps off in the Uptown Design District at Tachevah and Palm Canyon Dr. and then travels south through downtown. It ends at the entrance to the Pride Festival at Museum Way.
There are several fun-loving events over the previous three days, including the two-day Pride festival, taking place over the weekend.
On Saturday, there is the Official Palm Springs Pride Saturday Pool Party. 12 hours of sunbathing, diving and sipping cocktails by the pool.
Girls can head to the Dyke March Picnic, taking place from 12pm to 4pm. The Transgender Pride and March will take to the streets on Sunday, between 10am and 11:30am, before the general parade.
Moreover, those who want to tie the knot in Palm Springs during Pride can do so at various pop-up locations across town.
The lineup
LA electro artist Madame Gandhi. | Photo: @madamegandhi/Instagram
The acts performing at Greater Palm Springs Pride are so many you are guaranteed to find at least one artist you’re eager to see on stage.
Here are some of the artists playing this year’s Pride:
LA-based electronic music artist and activist Madame Gandhi
Empowered youth are at the forefront of building a national movement that can shape public policy for generations, the organizers explained.
They want to give power to LGBTI teens and allies through mentorship, community engagement and by directly funding grassroots programs in support of youth development.
An evening of music and history with the Bay Area American Indian Two Spirits (BAAITS) drum group, including a screening of the documentary short The Indian is Still Alive and the Indian Knows the Songs directed by BAAITS drum member Susana Caceres, followed by songs by the BAAITS drum group and an audience discussion. The evening brings together arts, music, dance, culture and traditions to help educate natives, nonnatives and all LGBTQ people. Cosponsored by BAAITS. Purchase tickets here.
An afternoon of story time for children presented by members of Bay Area American Indian Two Spirits to create visibility for LGBTQ Native peoples and to celebrate the diversity of genders, ethnicities and cultures in the Bay Area. Landa Lakes will read 47,000 Beads, a book about Two Spirit acceptance written by Koja Adeyoha and Angel Adeyoha. Ruth Villasenor will read Rainbow Crow: A Lenape Tale, a Native American legend written by Nancy Van Laan that symbolizes the values of selflessness and service to the community. Reserve free tickets here.
World Premiere
5B: A New Documentary on San Francisco AIDS History
In the mid-1980s, a ward on the fifth floor of San Francisco General Hospital became the first in the country designed specifically to deal with AIDS patients. Nursing on the ward emphasized holistic well-being, constituting a small miracle in the midst of a devastating crisis and panic. The new documentary 5B tells this story through first-person testimony of patients, their loved ones and hospital staff who volunteered to work on the ward, resulting in a bittersweet and moving celebration of quiet heroes worthy of remembrance and renewed recognition. Presented by SFFILM as the closing night of its Doc Stories festival; cosponsored by the GLBT Historical Society. Purchase tickets here.
Author Event
Harvey Milk: American Icon With Lillian Faderman
Tuesday, November 6
6:00-7:30 PM
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin St., San Francisco
Free Admission
Harvey Milk — eloquent, charismatic and a smart-aleck — was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, but he hadn’t even served a full year in office when he was assassinated by a homophobic fellow supervisor. Milk has become arguably the most famous gay man in modern American history. His death made headlines 40 years ago, but what did he accomplish during his life that explains his continued importance? Renowned LGBTQ historian Lillian Faderman will address this and other questions as she presents her new book, Harvey Milk: His Lives and Death, published by Yale University Press as part of its Jewish Lives series. Presented by the James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center of the San Francisco Public Library; cosponsored by the GLBT Historical Society. For more information, visit the Hormel Center web page.
An evening of short films created by Two Spirit people offer insight into their lives and their spirituality. Most of the films were produced through the Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project. A discussion with the filmmakers follows the screening.
Journey to the Drum (2009); 4 minutes. Filmmaker: Phoenix Lara. A short digital story about Phoenix Lara sending out a call to the Creator and their journey to the drum as a Two-Spirit person.
Renacimiento de una Bruja (2008); 9 minutes. Filmmaker: Zemaya. Many years after a Two-Spirit Xicana woman raised in the city experiences a spiritual awakening that connects her more deeply with her ancestors, she is guided to live on a country hilltop.
Traditional Indigenous Values (2009); 10 minutes. Filmmaker: Ruth Villasenor. The dissonant frequencies of colonization and Proposition 8 spark new thinking.
Tuupash (2018); 5 minutes. Filmmaker: L. Frank Manriquez. Native American song and meaning glow through a looming sky and give birth to resilience.
Two Spirits Belonging (2005); 10 minutes. Filmmaker: Rope Wolf. Spiritual connections abound throughout the Bay Area urban reservation.
The latest in our monthly “Fighting Back” series exploring contemporary queer issues in a historical context, this community forum will will highlight the living legacy of Harvey Milk and how it continues to inspire progressive, coalition-based political and electoral organizing in San Francisco and beyond. Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the assassinations of Harvey Milk and ally Mayor George Moscone on November 27, 1978, a panel of historians, veteran organizers and young activists will assess how the events of 1978 affected the progressive movement in the city and how Milk’s example continues to inspire work for positive change today. Cosponsored by the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club. Reserve your free ticket here.
The first public showing of video interviews from our ongoing San Francisco ACT UP Oral History Project documenting the history of direct-action AIDS activism in the Bay Area. The full videos will eventually be made available to researchers and will form the basis of an exhibition at the GLBT History Museum, providing new insights into the contributions of activists as LGBTQ people and people with AIDS fought against the epidemic and the lethally slow response of the government. Current project manager Eric Sneathen and veterans of ACT UP will lead a discussion after the video program. Purchase tickets here.
Visit Us