Excluded, Nowhere To Go: Immigration Struggles of a Gay Bi-National Couple follows Tony and Thomas, a gay, bi-national couple, over the past 16 years. Like all gay and lesbian Americans, Tony is excluded from the federal right to bring in his foreign partner to live legally with him in the United States. This predicament has radically shaped the course of Tony's and Thomas' lives. At the moment, their solution is to live nomadically, perpetually traveling around the world rather than living in any one nation. Their story is both tragic and brave. The film will be followed by a discussion.
"Every year we think it’s vital that people recognize the pivotal role LGBT centers play in our community," said Terry Stone, CenterLink's Executive Director. "Estimates of over 40,000 people visit centers each week and access programs and services that literally build community from the center. We have seen the effects on communities served by LGBT centers, including financial, health, wellness, and community organizing impacts, and we are excited to highlight that work through Center Awareness Day."
The theme of this year's LGBT Center Awareness Day is "Building Our Community From The Center," showcasing the integral role that community centers play in the development, unification, and empowerment of all LGBT communities. In addition to the film screening and discussion, NM Centers will be hosting a Legislative Town Hall with representatives of City Council, County Commission and New Mexico House and Senate at 7:00PM on September 16 and a benefit Art Show and Sale at the Preston Contemporary Art Center at 6:30PM on September 18.
“LGBT Center Awareness Day is about connecting communities and enriching lives which is what we work for every day,” said New Mexico GLBTQ Centers Executive Director, David Stocum.
LGBT Center Awareness Day also has a civil rights equality push on a national scope with an organized effort for municipal, county, and state proclamations honoring the day and the work that LGBT centers do, as well as efforts to get individuals everywhere engaged in "personal awareness actions" ranging from wearing a button to visiting a center.
City Council will be issuing a proclamation at its September 7th City Council meeting, and the Dona Ana County Commission will be doing the same at the September 14th Commission meeting.
“This is the first year Las Cruces has had a GLBTQ center,” stated Stocum, “we opened this past spring and are the only GLBTQ community Center in New Mexico.” He continued, “The center offers a variety of programs and services from a youth center, support groups, and library to social activities like Pride Cinema @ The Center.”
Details about LGBT Center Awareness Day are available at http://www.mycenterlink.org/
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