To occur during the week of Valentine’s Day, this free exhibition will honor those loved and lost over the past three decades.

January 26, 2012 – San Francisco, CA – Courtesy of Under One Roof (www.underoneroof.org), the NAMES Project Foundation (www.aidsquilt.org), the AIDS Emergency Fund (www.aef-sf.org), and San Francisco businessman Petyr Kane, sections of the renowned AIDS Memorial Quilt will be shown at various locations in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood the week of February 12 – 20, 2012.

Timed in concert with Valentine’s Day when many reflect on those they’ve loved, the exhibition is the largest San Francisco showing of the Quilt since its original home on Market Street closed in 1999. Sections of the Quilt will be shown at five locations throughout the week: the primary exhibition will take place the former Tower Records store at 2278 Market Street; other locations include the Under One Roof gift shop at 518A Castro Street, Catch restaurant at 2362 Market Street (where the Quilt and Under One Roof were initially housed), Bank of America at 501 Castro Street and BODY clothing store at 450 Castro Street.

The 2278 Market Street exhibit will feature 35 12′ x 12′ ‘Blocks’, or completed quilts, each comprised of eight 6′ x 3′ memorial panels – each panel created especially for one individual stricken by the AIDS crisis. The additional Quilt exhibits will house one 12′ x 12′ Block each.

The main Market Street exhibit will be open to the public free of charge from 12:00 noon – 8:00pm from Sunday, February 12th through Monday, February 20th.  At 12:00 noon on the 12th, a traditional unfolding ceremony will be held, during which a traditional ‘reading of the names’ of those memorialized will take place.

“While the AIDS and HIV community has made tremendous progress across the last three decades in fighting this devastating disease, our battle is far from over and there is still much work to be done,” said Beth Feingold, executive director of Under One Roof. “We wanted to do something big that would draw attention back to this critical issue, and combat what we’re seeing as a decreasing concern about getting infected. We’re so grateful to all involved for their hard work in getting this event off the ground, and hope the Quilt will remind the community of the thousands of friends and loved ones we’ve lost through the years. They are still, and will continue to be, dearly missed.”

AEF executive director and NAMES Project co-founder Mike Smith says, “In a war against a disease that has no cure, The AIDS Memorial Quilt has evolved as our most potent tool in the effort to educate against the lethal threat of AIDS. By revealing the humanity behind the statistics, The AIDS Memorial Quilt helps teach compassion, triumphs over taboo, stigma and phobia; and inspires individuals to take direct responsibility for their own well-being and that of their family, friends and community.”

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How did the Rainbow Toastmasters begin?

Ken Stram was the founder. He started the club about six or seven years ago. He was the Economic Development Director at the SF LGBT Center, and thought this would be a good program to have. He eventually left the center, and Rainbow, but we are very excited that he has recently rejoined Rainbow!

Why a LGBT chapter?

To give us a safe space to speak and share our stories without fear or worry about what we say.

I’ve been to a lot of other toastmaster clubs, many are very good, but none quite like the group at Rainbow. We have had many guests visit us from other clubs, who also say Rainbow is very unique in Toastmasters.

What does a member experience in Toastmasters?

You learn how to be a better communicator and how to be a better leader. It is a self paced program, so everyone gets to learn and progress at their own pace. One of the unique parts of the toastmaster experience is the supportive, encouraging atmosphere. It’s all about building people up, focusing on their strengths.

Is Toastmaster a level like a black belt? Does one earn their Toastmaster status?

Yes, there are various levels. The first in “Competent Communicator” which is acheived after giving your first 10 speeches. There is also a “Competent Leader”, after filling a certain number of roles at meetings. (every meeting has a variety or roles – speakers, times, evaluators, etc) From there, you go on to a Bronze level, Silver Level, and ultimately DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) – the top level. Many people, once they achieve their DTM, then start all over and go through the process again. Some people are working on their 2nd or 3rd DTM.

Sounds like grad school

hehe – for some it can be. The people who are on their DTM are very motivated. Some people just do a few speeches.

What about the contests?

We have contests twice a year – one in the spring and one in the fall. The fall contest is a humorous speech contest, and an evaluation contest (evaluating a speech). When someone wins at the club level, they proceed to the Area Contest (an area is 4-5 clubs). From there is the Division Contest (a division is 4-5 areas) and from there to the district contest. We are in District D – from SF to Monterey.

In the spring is the International speech contest which involves winning speakers form around the world competing. This year, it will the International contest will be held in August, at the international convention in Orlando.

Have you had Rainbow members go onto upper level contests and how have they done?

In 2010, I made it to the District Humorous Speech contest. There were eight competitors from the District – I did not make it into the final three. We’ve had others get to Area and Division levels, but I think I am the only one that made it to the District.

Rainbow Toastmaset Mike Barsul was the 2010-2011 (our calendar year is July 1 to June 30) District Governor. He is now running to be on the Toastmaster International Board of Directors, representing Region 2 – the Pacific Northwest). The election will take place at the International Convention in Orlando, in August.

If someone is interested but afraid of public speaking, what advice would you offer?

Come check us out. You can just sit and watch, have a fun night, maybe learn something, without any pressure or obligation.

If someone wants to learn more?

They should come check out a meeting. It’s free and all they have to do is show up – no prior registration is needed. They can observe how the club work and have some fun without any obligation or commitment or need to speak. If they have questions, they can email to us info@rainbowtoastmasters.org

Are there any other LGBT Toastmaster Chapters?

I know there is a LGBT chapter in New York Pride Toastmasters www.pridetoastmasters.com/- probably a few others but not sure. Also, people can check out our website rainbowtoastmaster.org, or for more general info – toastmasters.org website

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Save the dates October 19 to 21 for the Gay Screenplay Weekend at Center on Halsted!

In the last two years, we have celebrated amazing and fresh writing for the screen by writers from across the country.

We remain hopeful that the winners of the first two fest – Detasseling by Tom Hietter and Wandering the Elysian Fields by Richmond Weems – will continue to move toward production.

When you join us for Gay Screenplay Weekend, you can meet the writers and let them know what you think!  And your attendance will also have an impact on the future of great new LGBT films.

We know you will enjoy what you see; from comedy to drama to science fiction, anything can happen on Gay Screenplay Weekend.

Writers may enter the contest from May 1 to June 30; application material is available at www.pridefilmsandplays.com.  Ten semi-finalists will be announced in mid-August, with the five finalists announced in September.

Gay Play Weekend

Five finalists have been named in the 2012 Great Gay Play and Musical Contest. All five finalists will be performed as staged readings April 13 to 15 at Center on Halsted.

“This is one of the most exciting collections of new LGBT work ever seen in one weekend,” says David Zak.  “We know audiences will love these productions, and be eager to see fuller versions of them at theaters in Chicago and across the nation soon.” The finalists are:

• At The Flash, by Sean Chandler and David Leeper, Woodland Hills, CA
• Lost in History, by Adam Siegel, Maplewood, NJ
• Hello Norma Jeane, by Dylan Costello, London, UK
• Mr. Teddy, by George Smart, Quincy, MA
• Under A Rainbow Flag, a new musical, by Leo Schwartz, Chicago, IL

Thanks to the support of Center on Halsted, Gay Play Weekend is April 13 to 15 with the following schedule:

   Friday, April 13 7:30        Lost In History

   Saturday, April 14 4:30   Mr. Teddy

   Saturday, April 14 7:30   Hello Norma Jeane

   Sunday, April 15 1:30     At The Flash

   Sunday, April 15 4:30     Under A Rainbow Flag

Tickets for each reading are $10, and will be available starting February 1, at www.brownpapertickets.com.

Read more about the five finalists and their work here.

Submissions for next year’s festival will be accepted from July 1 to August 30, and details can be found here.

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The Pride Films and Plays program Women’s Work, which celebrates screenplays and plays written by women with lesbian characters, holds immense promise for 2012.

Lesbian plays and screenplays do not have the historical continuum that gay plays have enjoyed. From Oscar Wilde to Tennessee Williams to Tony Kushner, gay plays have a virtually continuous presence.

For lesbian plays, there is a long empty period after A Children’s Hour before the work of Claudia Allen, Paula Vogel, Carolyn Cage, and others today. And that is why your support of this program is so essential.

In 2011, Vanda’s play Patient HM and Pat Branch’s screenplay Girls Out Loud won our Women’s Work contest for Best Play and Best Screenplay.

We hope this year to uncover more fine writing, which will be performed July 27 to 29 during Women’s Work Weekend at Center on Halsted.  Please mark your calendar now!

In addition, this spring we will present a series of staged readings of classic and new lesbian plays this spring. Watch for details soon!

Entries into the Women’s Work contest will be accepted from February 1 to March 30. For information, please go to

www.pridefilmsandplays.com.

Pride Films and Plays is delighted to announce the two winners of 2011 Women’s Work Contest. The Sapphics on Stage winner was Patient HM by Vanda from New York, and the Sapphics On Screen winner for Best New Screenplay was Girls Out Loud by Pat Branch from Los Angeles. The announcement was made at the Hoover-Leppen Theater at Center on Halsted at the completion of the Women’s Work Weekend.

Learn more about the semi-finalists and their scripts here.

If you are a writer who would like to submit a script to the contest, please click here for more information.

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• One-on-one job counseling with a vocational specialist in the trans community.
• Full range of our Mentorship from a successful peer professional or ally who can offer both personal support and career networking opportunities.
• A network of local trans-friendly employers looking to hire from the community.
• Employment resources.
• Legal advice on identity documentation and rights in the workplace.

Center provided services include:

Clair’s Drop-in
Every Wednesday from 1pm to 4pm at the Center, one-on-one peer based mentoring for transgender and genderqueer community members.

TEEI Job Search Planning
Every First Thursday, 3:00-4:30pm at the Center. Job searching is a job in itself! To get the job that’s perfect for you, you don’t only need to know how to do the job. You also need to know how to get the job. By the end of the workshop, each participant will have a practical job search action plan. This workshop is required for individuals beginning 1-on-1 job search support with TEEI.

TEEI Job Search Skills Workshop
Every Third Thursday, 5:30-7:00pm at the Center. (Topic varies by month including resumes, cover letters, networking skills, computer training, and interviewing skills).

Transgender Law Center Workshop
Every Fourth or Third Wednesday from 5:30-7pm. Location and topic varies by month, including How to Change Your Identification Documents, Employment Law 101, Trans Health Law and more.

Trans Community Socials
Monthly, time and location varies every month. Open to all trans and genderqueer people and allies.

Visit TEEI’s Event Calendar to learn more about our upcoming workshops and labs. Contact Clair at TEEI to get started today: clairf@sfcenter.org or 415-865-5632.

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The 2012  Travel Expo Tour is an exciting event where you can learn about new travel destinations, rediscover old ones, find glbt friendly travel providers and get information to plan your next vacation.

GLBT Travel Expo

Exhibitors will include:

Airlines
Hotels
Trains
Cruise lines
Car Rentals
Resorts
Exotic Destinations
Convention & Visitors Bureaus
Travel Magazines

Every one of them reaching out to the glbt consumer.

Attendees will be able to get the latest travel information, get special travel packages and great deals from the very best travel providers as well as win great prizes.

Face to face promotions still represent one of the best ways to promote your services. This afternoon event will draw 500-1,000 elite consumers from a great demographic group. This is the third year Steven Levenberg Productions, LLC has been producing these events. Each year these shows have had an ever expanding exhibitor base and attendance.

THE TOUR

• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida -  Thursday – February 9, 2012 -  Pride Center of South Florida.

• Miami, Florida  – Sunday – February 12, 2012 – Moore Building.

• Chicago, Illinois -  Tuesday – May 1, 2012 – Center on Halsted.

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -  Thursday – May 3, 2012 -  The William Way Center.

• New York , New York -  Saturday May 5, 2012 -  The LGBT Center.

Last year’s tour was a huge success. Each venue received a targeted crowd of between 350 to 650 targeted glbt travelers.

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The Maryland Corporate Council is the new standard in LGBT business and corporate networking. Established as a statewide non-profit organization, and dedicated to bringing together top-level LGBT corporate executives and thought leaders for networking, business advancement, educational and charitable events.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN

As a member, you will gain access to an exclusive network of Maryland professionals and executives. Share best practices, find a mentor and/or grow your business by engaging with fellow LGBT businesspeople. Membership benefits include:

• Invitations to exclusive networking events.
• Access to business and professional development seminars.
• Inclusion in our exclusive, online professional membership directory.
• Discounted admission to private corporate activities.

If you prefer to apply for membership via mail, you can download a printable copy of this page with attached membership form.

SENIOR LEADERSHIP

The Maryland Corporate Council’s board of directors includes a diverse array of LGBT business leaders from the region’s leading companies. The founding board includes:

• Christopher W. Apple, Senior Manager, Ernst & Young LLP
• Charles A. Berardesco, SVP and General Counsel, Constellation Energy
• Sophie Dagenais, Senior Fellow, Annie E. Casey Foundation
• David J. Downey, Jr., SVP/Principal, Cassidy Turley
• Ted Hart, CEO, Hart Philanthropic Services Group
• William Jones, Officer/Branch Manager, SunTrust Bank
• Scott H. Marder, Partner, Duane Morris, LLP
• Michael McManmon, Partner, Ernst & Young LLP
• Kevin Naff, Owner/Editor, Washington Blade

SUPPORT

Whether you are interested in a corporate membership for multiple colleagues or a single membership for a small business owner, membership in the Maryland Corporate Council is affordable and rewarding. We have a variety of membership levels, and you can upgrade at any time.

• Corporate Membership (10+ members): $5,000
• Business Premier (5 members): $3,750
• Business Executive (3 members): $2,500
• Business Plus (2 members): $750
• Small Business (2 members): $350
• Non-Profit (2 members): $250
• Individual membership: $150
• Under 30 or retired (single membership): $100
• Full-Time Student: $50
• Non-Member Supporter: $250

For more information or questions about membership, send e-mail to membership@marylandcorporate.org.

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5th annual Sin City Shootout Sports Festival!

Gay Sports

4,000 gay athletes will descend upon Las Vegas January 12-15 for the 5th Annual Sports Festival.  163 teams have been registered.

Tennis, Basketball, Wrestling, Softball and Body Building are just some of the sports represented.  Events will be held all weekend throughout the city including Luxor, the Tropicana and Planet Hollywood.

Don’t miss this weekend!  More Info Here.  Book Your Room Now!

Gay Las Vegas Blog

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Did you just arrive in San Francisco?  Are you having trouble connecting with the queer community?  Is it hard to meet people, make friends and get to know potential partners?  Is it hard to tell who is queer, who is queer friendly and who is not?

Need some advice?  Write to Dear Janeen

You are not alone!  Many people come to San Francisco with little or no community or friends to speak of.  A lot of gay and lesbian folks left oppressive depressed and often times abusive environments that did not support who they are.  It is a resilient and hope filled act to leave home and everything you know and come to a new place in search of yourself, community and maybe even love.  It is an act of self preservation to be able to acknowledge that the environment you are living in is not safe, is not conducive or supportive of being queer.  Congratulations for taking steps toward mental and spiritual health and wellbeing.

Now, how do I get connected, meet people and have some fun?

Step 1:  Pick up the Bay Guardian, SF Weekly, or walk down Castro or Valencia and look around.  There are great coffee shops, eateries and places to sit down, look around and say hi to people.

Step 2:  Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with a Barista, bar tender, waiter or waitress.  They have heard it all.  You will get a feeling if they are too busy or too big for their britches.  Go with your instincts.  Ask them what they do for fun.  Where do they like to hang out?

Step 3:  Pursue that hobby or interest you never got to.  Join a San Francisco gay softball team, take a course at Harvey Milk, join a political group, take an improvisation class, learn to cook.  There are plenty of queer friendly activities to join to meet people.  Doing something you love or are interested in makes you super sexy….and you don’t even have to work at it!

Step 4:  If you like bars or clubs,…..don’t get drunk.   If you want to meet people, cruse, or get to know someone, keep your consumption to a minimum.   Drunk people aren’t sexy.

Step 5:  Assess how much you like yourself. A lot?  A little?  If your not sure, call me and we can work on the most important part of your life, loving the fabulous uniqueness that is you.

Janeen Smith, MS, MFT has over a decade of experience as a psychotherapist in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area.  She works with adults and children, couples and families, and really enjoys the well-rounded and rewarding practice this gives her. In addition, she has 13 years experience in community agencies, including four years as Executive Director of a community mental health and substance abuse treatment agency.

Janeen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Consultant and Trainer in Private Practice in San Francisco and Pacifica.  Her vision is a world where people are able to heal and grow from life’s challenges, to be the person they want to be.  Her mission is to help people meet life’s challenges, overcome obstacles and discover their unique and fabulous gifts, resiliency and strength through psychotherapy, counseling and education.  She is certified in domestic violence and sexual assault and is an EMDR trained therapist.  For more information go to www.jsmithmft.com.

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A sweet children’s story of how two kangaroos: Jack and Sam, a gay couple, have their own baby by means of an egg donor and surrogacy. Using kangaroos in the story enables children to easily understand the methods related to their conception in a simple and loving way.

A Baby Kangaroo Treasure Hunt

Carmen Martinez Jover born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England in 1959. Since 1969 she lives in Mexico City. Due to her years of infertility led her to paint her roller coaster of emotions and write her autobiography. As an adoptive mother she believes that story telling helps parents share with their children how they were conceived and wrote this story to help gay couples share with their children.

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