PFLAG IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH OVER 250,000 MEMBERS AND ALMOST 500 CHAPTERS IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD

ISSUE VOLUME 07 17 JULY 2010 www.pflag.com [email protected]

ON THE FOREFRONT

SAN DIEGO PRIDE IS HERE!

See you all there in Hillcrest for the Come to our Meeting Please join us for our General Meeting on Monday, July 26 at Pride festivities! 7:00 pm for an informative evening on the latest HIV trends, lo- Thank you for your cally, nationally and globally. Walgreens pharmacist, Dr. Jason continued support Bailly, who has had 12 years fi eld experience in HIV Pharmacy of PFLAG San Diego Chapter. and Ian Morton who is both a licensed and certifi ed pharmacy Continued page 5 OFFICERS, COMMITTEES & VOLUNTEERS Membership Application Current Positions † New † Renewal † Change of Address Co-Presidents Newsletter † Please contact me for volunteer opportunities Patti Boman Sherry Cohen-Richards, (619) 227-6092 Editor Confi dentiality is respected. Your donation is tax [email protected] Linda Bessemer, Laura deductible (Tax ID 33-05-12868) Partido & Flowers Group Barbara Bodine Printing Make checks payable to: 619-651-1726 [email protected] Library PFLAG San Diego, Terrie Vorono PO Box 82762, [email protected] Past President San Diego, CA 92138 Karen Thompson 858-842-7005 Programs Type of Membership [email protected] Karen Thompson

Vice-President Scholarship † Individual ...... $25 † Household ...... $35 Sherry Cohen-Richards Olivia Dorman † Business ...... $40 † Supporting ...... $50 858-292-7111 † Contributing .....$100 † Lifetime ...... $1000 [email protected] Spanish Interpreter † Other ...... $______Maria Cortinas † Accept my donation, please do not list. Recording Secretary 760-758-3294 Olivia Dorman Please fi ll out, clip and mail this form 619-469-1924 Speakers’ Bureau Name ...... [email protected] Terrie Vorono [email protected] Address ...... Corresponding 858-483-8310 City ...... Secretary Phyllis Van Wanseele Transgender State...... ZIP ...... 619-443-6132 Coordinator Email ...... [email protected] Evelyn Lindenmuth 619-300-0396 Phone...... Date ...... Treasurer Mark Thompson Refreshments or go online www.pfl ag.com 619-339-5843 Phyllis Van Wanseele Membership forms available at www.pfl ag.com [email protected] Website GET YOUR PRIDE GEARR Greeter Robert Sachristan Lonnie Brunini [email protected] Visit our online store & show yourr [email protected] support, purchase from PFLAG. Board Members Membership Patti Boman, Barbara http://www.cafepress.com/pfl agsd Bobbi Harwood Bodine, Karen Thompson, 858-453-3249 Sherry Cohen-Richards, [email protected] Olivia Dorman, Phyllis Van Wanseele, Mark Thompson, Info Line Ron Goetz, Terrie Vorono Support/Outreach Barbara Bodine Robert Sachristan CreativeWorks 888-398-0006 PFLAG San Diego Graphic Design PO Box 82762 619 569-2677630 - 0498 San Diego, CA 92138 Tax ID #33-0512868 Current Events SUPPORT GROUPS July 12 Premiere of the docu- NORTH COUNTY COASTAL Monday mentary, Mi Familia PFLAG Support Group (see article) Meets every fourth Sunday, at 2:00 pm, Pilgrim United North County Inland Church of Christ, Pilgrim Hall, 2020 Chestnut, Carlsbad. July 25 July 12 Sunday Contact Larry Gerling, (760) 224-2178. Monday PFLAG Support Group PFLAG Support Group North County Coastal NORTH COUNTY INLAND East County July 25 Meets every second Monday, at 7:00 pm, Ciao Bella Hair July 13-24 Sunday Salon building, 12160 Alta Carmel Court, Rancho Bernado. LGBT Exhibit at City PFLAG Support Group This is a new night, time, and place. If you need directions, Hall (see article) South Bay go to www.ciaobellainc.com.

July 16-18 July 26 Contact Sue Fine, (858) 673-4560 or Friday-Sunday Monday pfl [email protected]. PRIDE Festival and San Diego PFLAG activities (see article) General Meeting EAST COUNTY

July 19 July 31-August 1 Meets every second Monday, at 7:00 pm, Summit Unitarian Monday Saturday-Sunday Universalist Church, 8778 Cottonwood Avenue, Santee. Mi Familia Support San Diego Gay Men’s Contact Ron Goetz, (619) 588-2342 or Group Chorus (as of this writ- [email protected]. ing, tickets were dwin- dling fast; concert is MI FAMILIA (Spanish) July 24 music from Abba) Saturday Meetings are the fi rst and third Monday of the month at The Center. Mission Statement Contact Carolina, (619) 692-2077 Ext. 116.

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, , TRANSGENDER SUPPORT bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through Support, to cope with an adverse society; Education, For more information on the Transgender Support Group to enlighten an ill-informed public; and Advocacy, to end dis- crimination and to secure equal civil rights. Contact Kathe Dunn, [email protected].

PFLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orien- SOUTH BAY tation and acts to create a society that is healthy and respect- ful of human diversity. Meets every fourth Sunday, at 1:00 pm, Please call or email if you plan to attend, (Chula Vista)

Contact Martha Cardenas, (619) 947-4612, contact: Luan D. Andrews, M.A. mar@fi rstuusandiego.org

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST National PFLAG, Washington, DC MFC 19321 (202) 647-8180, www.pfl ag.org

3252 HOLIDAY COURT y SUITE 106 y LA JOLLA, 92037-1807 (858) 552-8181 FAX (858) 552-0205 3 SISTER GRAMICK A BIG HIT house t-shirts and buttons need at least 10 partici- COME ONE, COME from other eras, found lo- pants in order to walk with ALL; NOT TO BE cally and nationally. This is the PFLAG tennis shoe a sampling. There’s much sign. It is a badge of hon- MISSED more to see. City Hall is or. located at 202 C Street, From July 13-24, San Di- downtown. Go to www.AIDSwalksd. ego City Hall will be hosting org, click on teams, then an exhibit depicting the his- Credit where credit is due. click on 2010 AIDS Walk tory of the LGBT commu- This was the brainchild of and Run Teams; scroll nity. Entitled A Celebration City Commissioner Nicole down to PFLAG San Di- Sis-SSis- of San Diego LGBT His- Murray Ramirez. Many ego. ter Jeannine GramGram- tory, it is being presented thanks go to Nicole. ick spoke of her strug- by Lambda Archives of San It’s $35 to participate and gles with the Catholic Diego and the Harvey Milk $25 for 60+. As always, Church (i.e, Vatican) Diversity Breakfast. The SAVE THE DATE feel free to give as much for speaking up and ac- exhibit will feature approxi- aass you’d tively helping the LGBT mately 1100 square feet of lilike. community. How- historical LGBT community IIff you ever, with her sense of treasures and will also fea- ddon’t humor and style, the ture an LGBT national and wwish to presentation was most local timeline starting in the walk,w interesting. We were 1970s to the present. Other youyo can pleased to have over displays will include LGBT donatedo 150 people in atten- related performers, sports moneym dance. Most copies of culture, military, marriage AlthoughAlth h it’sit’ nott untiltil Sep-S to our team. More info will her documentary, in and faith, HIV/AIDS, civil tember 26, it’s not too early be in next month’s news- good conscience, were rights, diversity, youth, the to think about participating letter. sold. A bigger than origins of Pride, politics, in the 21st Annual AIDS usual cookie social and community leader- Walk. Every year, PFLAG took place mid-way ship. The display cases will San Diego has a team; we through the program.

Prior to Sister Gram- CONSTANCE UPDATE PART IV ick’s presentation, In the last three news- Civil Liberties Union) sued there was a reception lletters,e we reported on Constance’s behalf; we held for the Board oon Constance Mc- still don’t have the info when Members of the groups MMillen, 18, who was the trial will take place. and those individuals bbarred from taking who sponsored the hher girlfriend to her Constance was duped into evening: Call to Action, pprom and wearing a going to a fake prom, while Dignity San Diego, tutuxedo at Itawamba other students enjoyed Mary Magdalene Apos- AAgricultural High an offi cial prom. On May tle Catholic Commu- Constance as Grand Mar- shal of the NYC School in Fulton, Missis- 8, there was a “Second nity, Dr. Orlando Espin, sippi. The ACLU (American Chance” prom open to all Marie Boman, Brandy Parade Holland, Phyllis Van Wanseele, Mark and Karen Thompson, Judy Show and Doug Paulson, Mi your Familia (The Center), and PFLAG San Diego. A huge thank you for support. making the evening possible. Please see Buy ad other acknowledge- ments on the last page. space!

FROM THE COVER CONTINUE TO ENJOY CITYFEST technician who has OUR SCHOLARHIP COMING SOON had 15 years HIV experience in preven- ESSAYS On August 8 from noon-8:00pm, City- tion and pharmacy This month, we are fea- services, will speak Fest, the 27th Annual turing Taylor Bazley and Hillcrest Street Fair, will on: Infection, Re- Nicole Levin. take place under the sources & Treatment Hillcrest sign. CityFest Option Update. This Taylor Bazley is the recipi- celebrates community talk will explore where ent of the John Bessemer spirit with music, arts Memorial Scholarship. and crafts, lots of food, new infections are Even though that should This scholarship is in mem a celebratory lantern being seen, how you be the “norm,” it makes ory of John Bessemer, who parade at dusk, and re- can be involved in the him a hero. Here is Taylor’s was a dedicated PFLAG dedication of the neigh- community through essay: borhood sign. Join support and volunteer- dad. PFLAG San Diego is over 100,000 people proud to have sponsored “Receiving this scholarship in beneath the Hillcrest ing, and what changes this scholarship since there have been in of its self will not be enough Sign at the largest 2002. It is always a plea- for me to attend college. neighborhood street HIV medications in the sure to have John’s wife, However this scholarship is fair of its kind. CityFest past 5-10 years. PFLAG past president, vital to me because it makes will feature a Grand Linda Bessemer, there up a network of scholarships, Stage, a massive open Please remember that every year to honor the grants, and loans which I will air beer garden on we are back at First recipient. need to receive in order to University Avenue, a United Methodist pay for the school that I want kids’ carnival, mechani- Taylor just graduated from to attend. I have already been cal bull, and dunk tank, Church, 2231 Cami- to name a few of the San Diego High School of accepted to UCLA as part no del Rio South in of their class of 2014 (as an activities. Mission Valley. Science and Technology. economics major) and if I can He is planning on major- fi nd enough fi nancial aid, plan ing in Economics at UCLA After our presenta- on attending. If I receive this in the fall. A noteworthy scholarship it would become T-SHIRTS FOR SALE tion, we will have our mention is that Taylor at- part of my network of fi nancial cookie social and sup- tended his homecoming aid that will allow There are a few of our port groups. dance with a male date. spiffy PFLAG t-shirts Continued on page 6 for sale. If you want one for the parade, please call to reserve one (it will be brought high school youth from all and Lt. Dan Choi at New as same-sex couples. to the parade): Sherry over the state of Mississip- York City’s Gay Pride Pa- Cohen-Richards, 858- pi. It was a big success. The last four months have 292-7111. Suggested rade. donation is $15.00 been both a diffi cult time (highly suggested). On June 22, Constance at- According to the ACLU, and a thrilling time for Con- tended an LGBT Pride re- some school districts stance. She came out in ception at the White House. learned their lesson from eighth grade and never re-- She did meet President Itawamba Agricultural High ally considered herself ann Obama for “about fi ve sec- School/Constance and activist. In her mind, she onds.” She spent a day on didn’t challenge students Capitol Hill advocating on from attending their proms Continued on page 6 behalf of LGBT students. Also while she was in DC, she met with Senator Al Franken, lead sponsor of judy Briggs the Student Non-Discrimi- nation Act. Then it was on to . ARTIST Portraits Pets Landscapes Abstracts First, she spoke at NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Pride Week BBQ. Next, she shared Grand Marshall 5 honors with Continued from page 5 to make their lives success- ISCOR provides political ful and rewarding. I want to knowledge and mediation MI FAMILIA me to attend college, and will help others see adversity as skills to work in developing ultimately allow me to achieve a strength, not a weakness. nations. Public Health plays PREMIERE the other goals I have in my With the right education and an integral part by providing life. I want to not just obtain a my natural motivation and the fundamentals of commu- On Saturday, July 24, higher education in order to strength I know my goals will nity planning and building. at 6:00 pm, the pre- receive a good paying job, but be attained.” miere of Mi Familia will I want to use my education to Together, these fi elds of study take place at the The become a public servant and provide the best prepara- LGBT Center, 3909 use my upbringing to provide tion for my career goals. I Centre Street, Hillcrest. me with a unique perspective hope to gain several years This is a documentary that will help shape future of experience as an RN about families who love public policy and make our before obtaining a Masters their LGBT children. A world a better place. in Public Health. Eventually joint project of The Cen- I hope to work for Doctors As an LGBT student, I Without Borders or the United ter’s Latino Services deserve this scholar- Nations. In the meantime, I Program and PFLAG, ship because I volunteer regularly with clinics Mi Familia was fi lmed in have had to and related organizations Spanish and is shown work hard to to build my skills and keep with English subtitles. overcome manyny making a positive impact. The Tickets are $5 at the obstacles to gett San Diego PFLAG Scholar- door. For more infor- to my pres- ship will allow me to continue mation, contact Caro- ent point, TheT recipient my volunteer commitments and complete my coursework lina Ramos at (619) and I have oof the Rob still been without the need to work to 692-2077, ext. 116, or BBenzon Me- cramos@thecentersd. able to take a support myself. proactive role in mmorial Schol- org.. helping make my arsarship, in its As an LGBT student, I school and commu-mu- 5th year, was Nicole deserve this scholarship nity a better place.e. My Levin. The scholarship because of my dedication CONSTANCE mother and I have sufferedff d honors the memory of Rob to global LGBT advocacy hardships, still I chose to Benzon and was presented – I helped organize a pride UPDATE (CON’T) take this adversity and make by Board Members of the parade in Ljubljana, Slovenia, it a motivating factor not an Rob Benzon Foundation, volunteered for the No on 8 affl iction. Being raised by a Steve Hawley and Dan campaign in California, advo- was simply being cated for the community with single mother without the help Ferbal. Rob was an LGBT herself. “I think it’s of a father has enabled me to the Queer Group at Deakin really just because of become independent. Being advocate and is fondly University while studying in the way I have been a minority within almost every remembered. Melbourne, Australia, and raised. I have always school I have attended has participated in the fi rst-ever been raised to stand up given me tolerance. Being Nicole is in her last year at LGBT outreach by the U.S. for myself and I have gay in a very homophobic so- SDSU and will graduate in federal government. As a always been cietyc has given me patience. December, 2010. Her es- bisexual student I can better I want to become a public say is as follows: fi ght for the rights of the un- servants so I can make posi- derprivileged because I am in tiveti changes and help people “Growing up in Russia and a marginalized group myself. throughth diffi cult times much the Ukraine as an American This not only enhances my likeli my mother and I have expatriate, I witnessed fi rst- goal of working with refugee beenb helped. I already have hand the effects of health and populations but also gives me createdc positive changes for wealth disparities in develop- an international perspective mym school by using my class ing nations. I realized that I that I can utilize as an activist presidencyp (2007-2010) and wanted to dedicate my life for local LGBT rights.” mym student body council posi- to humanitarian work at age tionti (2007-2010) to implement fourteen when I befriended raisedi dtb to be proud df of newn programs that allow dis- an elderly homeless woman. ONE WORLD, ONE myself — so a combi- advantaged and under repre- Her determination to survive sented students to have their inspired and continues to nation of those. I really voices heard and to be able HEART, ONE PRIDE couldn’t do anything motivate me towards a career to work off their admissions in healthcare advocacy. With else if I was going to be to senior events so that they It’s that wonderful time of this in mind I am pursuing the year when the San true to myself,” McMill- can have the ability to enjoy degrees in Nursing and Inter- len said. Give a pat the same high school experi- national Security and Confl ict Diego community comes on the back to Con- ence as students with more Resolution (ISCOR) with a together to celebrate the stance’s parents, too. money to be able to attend all minor in Public Health. Nurs- LGBT community with the of the events. I want to give ing gives me practical skills 36th Annual Pride Celebra- people hope and resources that can be used worldwide. tion. This year the theme PARADE ROUTE BEGINS AT NORMAL AND UNIVERSITY is “One World, One Heart, One Pride.” It was chosen because “it reminds us that none of us will be equal until we are all equal.” Park BlvdBlvd., across from in his own rightright, will be President’s Way. Plan on the Grand Marshal. The If you cannot walk and being at our contingent site Celebrity Grand Marshal need to ride in the parade, by 10:15 so we can hurry is Cloris Leachman, who University please contact Karen up and wait together. As of needs no introduction.introduction. Thompson immediately, as right now, we do not know space is limited: 858-679- where PFLAG will be sta- 9943. tioned, but an email prior to the parade will be sent. The fi rst event on the Pride If you don’t have email, hit parade (and it’s free!) you can ask at the informa- takes place on Friday, tion booth, located around July 16 from 6:00-7:30 University Avenue and pm — LGBT Pride Spirit of Normal Street (about one Stonewall Rally. This rally block from the bus drop off had disappeared for a few point), C) wear comfortable years but it’s baaaaack! shoes, D) put lots of sun It will take place at the block on, E) wear a hat, F) TheThe PridePride FestivalFestival startsstarts at 163 festival location, Laurel and take water, G) bring a cam- noon on Saturday, right af- Sixth Avenue in Balboa era, H) make PFLAG signs ter the parade, at Marston Park. The rally will feature and bring them, I) wear as Point (6th and Juniper) and inspirational speakers and much PFLAG clothing and continues until 10 pm. On awards presentations for paraphernalia as you own. Sunday, it runs from 11:00 the recipients of the 2010 am-8:00 pm. Admission Spirit of Stonewall awards, The parade (1.5 miles) is $15 for one day and 6th Avenue which honor individuals begins at University Av- $25 for a two day pass. and organizations that enue and Normal Street, have made signifi cant, continues west on Univer- Our PFLAG booth is on the positive impacts on San Di- sity, south on 6th and ends main drag. There are 300 ego’s LGBT community. at Ivy Lane. If you’ve never exhibitors, live entertain- participated in the parade, ment, food booths, beer The is you will have quite a thrill, gardens, children’s garden, Saturday, July 17 at 11:00 as the crowd goes crazy art exhibits, and much am. WHAT YOU NEED when we pass by. There more. Eve (no relation to TO KNOW BEFORE YOU are 150,000 spectators, Adam in this context) is the LEAVE YOUR HOME many showing their appre- headliner for Saturday and FOR THE PARADE: A) ciation to PFLAG. Devo, the headliner for This year, San Diego Pride Sunday,Sunday, with BlakeBlake LewisLewis will be requiring anyone To brag, this event is the marching/riding in the best attended and largest parade to sign a release single day event in San Di- form saying that it’s okay ego. Another bragging right Parade for your picture to be used is that it’s the fi fth largest Ends (i.e., TV or newspaper). Gay Pride Parade in the at Balboa We will distribute them at U.S. Being that we are Park our meeting location. B) such hot shots, we always You will be in a mass buss/ attract the best Grand people jam if you don’t get Marshals, and this year is as Sunday’sSd’ special il guest. t to the old Balboa Naval no exception. The LGBT You can get more info and Hospital early to catch the community is honored that buy tickets at www.sd- free shuttle buses to the Stuart Milk, Harvey Milk’s pride.org. 7 parade site. It’s located on nephew and an activist CURRENT PFLAG THANKS YOU FOR IN MEMMEMORIAMORIA EVENTS PFLAGPF San YOUR EXTRA HELP! DiDiego,e as Contributing Membership Terrie Vorono for being the wwelle as the August 2 LGLGBT com- Monday refreshment committee of Jon McWhorter & Rodney one mumunity at Mi Familia Support Wendler llarge,arg was Group sadsaddened to To the “foot soldiers” To the Sister Gramick learn of the death of Ray- “worker bees” who con- August 8 who made the evening mond Portillos Leon. with Sister Gramick pos- tributed in many ways Sunday sible Ray was 22 years old and CityFest (see article)) Barbara Bodine had a very diffi cult life for Patti Boman, without Monica Gomez most of those years. He whose dedication, per- Mark Thompson managed to rise above the sistence, and hard work, Teddie Anderson hardships, which is why his the event would not have Geoff Anderson death was so shocking. He taken place Lonnie Brunini was a community activist, Louie Chavez but for those in PFLAG, we knew him from his appear- Carolina Ramos, for mak- Maggie Carlson ing The Center available ance in our documentary, Lulu Martin Holding Families To- to us and all the set up Chris Vogt gether. that was involved Clive Dorman Sue Johnson PFLAG was one of the Olivia Dorman for orga- Sherry Cohen-Richards sponsors for his memorial nizing and hosting the vigil that was held on June Board reception 22.