Date: Tue, 16 Jun 1998 17:11:48 -0700 From: Jean Richter Subject: 6/16/98 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news 1. CA: Report on Hayward gay prom; Anti-gay slur printed in high school yearbook 2. NC: News article on "Love Makes a Family" photo exhibit 3. PA: Update on civil rights initiative posted to web site ============================================================ Subject: Gay Prom '98 Where Dreams Come True Date: Fri, 12 Jun 98 17:40:07 -0700 From: k_athey Contact: Ken Athey June 13, 1998 Lambda Project/Horizon Services Inc. (510) 247-8214 (510) 716-5635 pager GAY PROM '98 DAZZLES BAY AREA YOUTH Fourth annual event draws corporate sponsor, top DJs Hayward, CA -- Dancing the night away to nationally know DJs, hundreds of Bay Area youth celebrated Gay Pride month tonight at the fourth annual Gay Prom in a drug and alcohol-free Hollywood-themed gala. The gay prom, the only event of its kind in northern California, was presented by Lambda Youth Group of Hayward, a social service agency that works to encourage life-affirming, pro-youth activities for the gay and lesbian community. This year's $15,000-plus budget was underwritten in part by the Alameda County Tobacco Control Program whose funding went to the community room where attendees could receive information on tobacco education, as well as Kaiser Permanente for their support of HIV prevention/education and other social issues. Other funds came from Alameda County Leather Corps, Cooperative Cleaning, East Bay Business and Professional Alliance, AT&T's Gay and Lesbian Employee Association (LEAGUE), and the East Bay Network. Internationally known San Francisco DJ Page Hodel was accompanied by Casey Alva, the popular Los Angeles radio personality from Groove Radio and by local DJ St. John of WILD 94.9 in spinning the records. Grant Peterson, President of the Gay Straight Educators Network (GLSEN), gave the opening address, followed by a recognition award to Betty deForest, the President of Hayward's PFLAG Chapter. One of the most popular venues of the night was the health education room, titled The Screening Room, where Bay Area health agencies presented interactive games, contests and activities designed to promote abstinence and safer sex practices. This is a unique collaboration of agencies which rarely have opportunity to work together. Prom coordinator Ken Athey formerly of the Lambda Youth Project called the event "a thrilling evening of freedom and empowerment for these often-abused youth. They have experienced an environment where it is safe to be themselves, protected and supported by over 100 adult volunteers and chaperones from the greater community." Surveys by the National Lesbian and Gay Task Force indicate that over 50% of gay males and more than 20% of lesbians have been harassed or attacked. Government health statistics reveal that up to one-third of teen suicides are committed by gay and lesbian youth who often feel isolated. Lambda Youth Group seeks to combat the factors leading to social isolation for gay and lesbian youth by offering counseling and support groups to reduce despair and increase self-respect. Lambda Youth Project, a program of Horizon Services Inc. 22688 Second St. Hayward, CA 94541 ================================================================================== Contra Costa Times, June 13, 1998 Box 5088,Walnut Creek,CA,94596 (Fax 510-933-0239)(E-MAIL: cctletrs@netcom.com) Yearbook 'slur' offends Wrestlers, coaches say a headline over a Monte Vista team photo is an anti-gay epithet; problem was dealt with sensibly, officials say By Brian Barr, TIMES STAFF WRITER [Deleted article. filemanager@qrd.org] ================================================================================== Raleigh News & Observer, June 12, 1998 Box 191,Raleigh,NC,27602 (Fax 919-829-8924)(E-MAIL: forum@rnope.nando.com)(http://http://www.nando.net/nao/) Nicole Brodeur: Candid camera, candid lives [Deleted part. filemanager@qrd.org] "The main thing in a family," Schelly said, "is the love among the people within it." That's the message behind "Love Makes a Family," a photo and text exhibit that will visit the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Raleigh this weekend. "Love Makes a Family" was created by the Family Diversity Project of Amherst, Mass., and features about 20 photos and stories of gay and lesbian families from around the country. It also will include the images and stories of gay and lesbian church members such as Schelly and Lynch. It is being funded by Triangle Community Works, a nonprofit organization that operates, among other things, the Gay and Lesbian Helpline of Wake County. The exhibit is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. The church is at 3313 Wade Ave. It is designed to "show that the definition of a family is pretty broad," said Rusty Harris-Bishop, a church member who is helping to coordinate the exhibit. "People don't recognize the validity of a gay or lesbian family," he said. "We wanted to give people the opportunity to see some alternative, loving, stable families and perhaps break some stereotypes in the process." For their part, Schelly and Lynch have been through the same struggles other families have: health problems, job changes, home purchases. The deaths of Schelly's father and Lynch's father, mother and sister. [Deleted part. filemanager@qrd.org] Nicole Brodeur's column appears Wednesday, Friday and every other Sunday. You can reach her at 829-8930, or via the Internet at nbrodeur@nando.com ================================================================================ I've posted an update to the Pennsylvania Civil Rights Initiative effort to our web site at URL: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/Alerts/States/Pennsylvania/update2.html At over 17K it's a bit too long to post here, but if you can't access the web and would like to receive the info, please email me (and let me know if you can accept attached Word files). ================================================================================ Jean Richter -- richter@eecs.berkeley.edu The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) CHECK OUT OUR INFO-LOADED WEB PAGE AT: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/