GLBTQ History? Yes, We Have One.

Like to Write?..... We're looking for Bloggers

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you like to write and would like to contribute to Enriching Connections we are looking for Bloggers. You would be writing about topics, issues and events of interest to the glbtq community in New Mexico. The posts would not always be specific to New Mexico GLBTQ Centers. Writers will have a great deal of freedom to select topics and express their viewpoint with appropriate disclaimers. If you are interested email David at dstocum@newmexicoglbtqcenters.org.

NEW MEXICO GLBTQ CENTERS CELEBRATES LGBT CENTER AWARENESS DAY

New Mexico GLBTQ Centers (NM Centers) is joining with CenterLink: The National Community of LGBT Centers to celebrate the annual LGBT Center Awareness Day, September 15, 2010. New Mexico GLBTQ Centers will hold a screening of the film Excluded, Nowhere To Go: Immigration Struggles of a Gay Bi-National Couple at the Las Cruces GLBTQ Center, 1210 N. Main St. at 7:00PM on September 15th.

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/

NEW MEXICO GLBTQ CENTERS PRESENTS JADE ESTEBAN ESTRADA IN TORTILLA HEAVEN

SAVE THE DATE

JANUARY 9,2010

NEW MEXICO GLBTQ CENTERS PRESENTS

JADE ESTEBAN ESTRADA

IN

TORTILLA HEAVEN

7:00PM AT THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

LAS CRUCES

MEET AND GREET RECEPTION FOLLOWING PERFORMANCE

"Tortilla Heaven" is a solo play performed by Comedy Central star Jade Esteban Estrada. The show is comedic yet very real story of first, second and third generations Mexicans trying to relate to one another. First generations living a humble life and making home feel more like home, second generations abandoning their roots in order to assimilate to the big city life and the third generations trying to understand it all without knowing the language of his people. When generations finally meet, speaking the same language seems to be the easy part of a difficult journey of understanding why your family is so different. Whether you love them or hate them, they are going to be there when you need help the most!

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT TORTILLA HEAVEN

"We really enjoyed meeting Jade and seeing him perform. The turn out was great and the students were very receptive."

Veronica Kann

La Casa

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA/CHAMPAIGN

 

"What Jade does is important for the community. He brings awareness of culture."

Katherine Palomino

Office of Intercultural Affairs

GREENVILLE COLLEGE

 

"Tonight was spectacular! Jade Esteban Estrada, you're not just an entertainer par excellence but one of the most sparkling personalities (all seven of them tonight) around. You truly have been a shining star for GCAM and we love you for your guidance and faith in us and what we are trying to do in this world."

Judy Reeves

Co-Chair

GULF COAST ARCHIVE AND MUSEUM OF HOUSTON

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