Merced LGBT Community Center

Hearing on IN LGBT Rights Begins

The long-awaited debate over expanding Indiana's civil rights laws to include protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Hoosiers is about to begin.

An initial hearing on two measures introduced by Senate Republicans starts today at 4 p.m..

Lawmakers are expected to take testimony on two proposals. Senate Bill 100 would provide protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but with exceptions for small wedding service providers and religious-affiliated organizations, including hospitals and universities affiliated with a particular faith The second, Senate Bill 344, was drafted after growing qualms over transgender issues and would grant civil rights only to gays and lesbians. It would also include somewhat broader exemptions for religious objectors.

Those on both sides of the debate have criticized the proposals.

LGBT advocates have objected to the religious exemptions, saying they treat sexual orientation and gender identity differently than other protected classes. They also insist that protections for transgender Hoosiers be included.

Religious conservatives, on the other hand, fear that any protections for LGBT Hoosiers could interfere with their Christian beliefs.

Indiana, we hold you in our thoughts today.

Remember folks, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr)

Freedom Indiana's main site has a pledge to sign and contact info for lawmakers if you want to get involved. They also have a Facebook Page for updates and to show your support. 

#GCVLoves.... Returns!

Join Rachel Cutrone as she hosts the 2016 #GCVLoves Campaign: Our chance to show some love to just a few organizations that support us! 



#GCVLoves Returns with NEW Webisodes on February 1st.

Catch up on past episodes on our YouTube Channel! 

Jewish transgender man gives birth

So many feelz for the happy daddy!




Read the whole article here!

The Gay Friendly Spy Org.

James Bond might not be gay (despite that homoerotic tease in Skyfall) but that doesn't mean that his coworkers aren't!

In fact.. a new study shows that MI5 is the most LGBT friendly employer in the UK!



To win the top spot, the British Secret Service beat out Lloyds Banking Group (second place) and the National Assembly of Wales (third place), as well as the 400 or so other groups that submitted themselves for consideration.

“Diversity is vital for MI5, not just because it’s right that we represent the communities we serve, but because we rely on the skills of the most talented people whoever they are, and wherever they may be,” MI5 head Andrew Parker said in a statement.

He also said he believes people “can only give the best they can give when they feel supported, valued, and treated with respect by their colleagues.”

The domestic counter-surveillance and security service was established in 1909 to fight German espionage. It has strived for years to shed its image as a macho organization—a perception perhaps encouraged by the Bond franchise—and establish itself as a diverse, modern establishment. Six years ago, MI5 ranked 134th in the same Stonewell index.

It’s come a long way since then, and its ranking this year isn’t the only evidence. According to MI5, 41% of service’s 4,000 employees are women, and more than half are under 40 years old.
Fingers crossed for a lesbian Jenny Bond someday....

Bi Women Writers Needed!

Are you a bi woman who likes to write?

Bi Women Quarterly is looking for article submissions!

Spring 2016: “Out at Work (or Not)”

According to a recent study, nearly half of bisexual people report that they are not out to any of their coworkers (49%), compared to just 24% of lesbian and gay people. What’s your story?
Submissions for this issue are due by February 1st.

Summer 2016: “Labels”Those of us who identify between (or outside of) gay and straight use a lot of different labels. Which one(s) do you use, and why? Do you use different labels in different contexts? Are you comfortable in your label(s)? What are the challenges/ benefits of labeling?
Submissions for this issue are due by May 1st.

Here is their current issue and here is the submission guidelines!

EVENT: M The Myth at Fulton 55

M the Myth at Fulton 55 this Thursday!

From M The Myth's website: This is a story about rebellion love. Endless love. M the Myth is a pop artist born in Fresno, CA and destined to perform. Created with both male and female energies, M the Myth is an androgynous, abundant expression of life. This being is intentional: they write, sing, and dance for joy. The live show is highly stylized, rhythmic, and surreal. Bright costumes, dramatic wigs, and heartfelt movement bring an undeniable air of radiance to the stage. It isn’t always easy. M the Myth encounters resistance. It is only when they renounce their armor – the falsity of conformity, the comfort of stagnation – that they are truly free to be. Their debut album This is M dropped in October 2015 alongside a striking video for the lead single, “LGDA”. This music is for you. Tap into M the Myth and experience your own divine: the vital love between us all.

RAINBOW ALUMNI AND ALLIES CLUB

WE’RE HERE! WE’RE QUEER! WE HAVE A NEW STUDENT BOOTH!

Please join the RAINBOW ALUMNI AND ALLIES CLUB as we present and dedicate a new booth to UNITED STUDENT PRIDE. The ceremony takes place on Wed. Jan. 20, 2016 at 5:30 PM in the Free Speech Area at Fresno State.

A short program begins at 6:00 PM; to be followed by a no-host dinner and drinks at Fresno State's The Bucket Grill & Pub. Rain or shine.

We hope to see you there. Bring a friend. And a camera.

Donations always welcome. Parking passes are required at $3 each.

LGBT Shout Out at Local MLK Rally

At the Dr.Martin Luther King Jr Birthday Rally and March in Fresno yesterday, councilman Oliver Baines gave a speech where he asked the crowd what they were doing to stop bigotry and inequality. He gave a shout out to the LGBT community and challenged churches.



Thank you Councilman Oliver Baines for having our back.

Below video is of the 2nd half of his speech.


If you want to thank Councilman Baines, here is his contact info. Let's let our elected officials know that we support them when they support us.

Phone:  (559) 621-8000

Email:    District3@fresno.gov

EVENT: Merced King & Queen of Hearts Contest

Sunday Feb 6th 
 
Doors open @ 6:00

Show starts @ 8:00

Must be 21 with I.D.

$5.00 Cover charge

Come dressed in your best Valentines attire and show us what talent you have to win the title of King & Queen of Hearts! (If you want to be in the contest please arrive before 6:30 so we can enter you in). We also will be having our 2nd drag show, if you missed the last one you will definitely not want to miss this one!

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

EVENT: Free Movie Screening

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SUNDAY JAN 24TH @7PM AT THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

UU Church of Fresno and Move to Amend present a screening of PAY 2 PLAY, a film about the corrupting influence of money in politics and what we can do to take our power back — featuring Robert Reich, Lawrence Lessig, Marianne Williamson, Noam Chomsky, Van Jones, John Nichols, Thom Hartmann and many others.

View the Trailer here: http://www.pay2play.tv/watch_now?splash=1

The Oscar Nominations Are In

 

Courtesy Huffington Post

"The Revenant" domineered the Oscar nominations when they were announced on Thursday morning, collecting a whopping 12. "Mad Max: Fury Road" nabbed 10, while "The Martian" garnered seven and "Spotlight" collected six.

There weren't any major surprises in the Best Picture category, which can house anywhere between five and 10 nominees. This year's list features eight, omitting "Carol," "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "The Hateful Eight," "Inside Out" and "Straight Outta Compton." Each of those movies managed shout-outs in other categories, though, despite Quentin Tarantino's snub for Best Original Screenplay and Todd Haynes' absence in the Best Director category.

Unsettlingly, for the second consecutive year, no performers of color are nominated. Idris Elba ("Beasts of No Nation"), Will Smith ("Concussion"), Michael B. Jordan ("Creed'), Samuel L. Jackson ("The Hateful Eight"), Jason Mitchell ("Straight Outta Compton") and Mya Taylor ("Tangerine") are among the many black actors who were shut out. Similarly, no women cracked the Best Director race -- but, sadly, that comes as no surprise.

ABC will air the Oscars live on Feb. 28, with Chris Rock hosting. See the full nomination list below.

Best Picture

"The Big Short"

"Bridge of Spies"

"Brooklyn"

"Mad Max: Fury Road"

"The Martian"

"The Revenant"

"Room"

"Spotlight"

READ THE WHOLE STORY HERE

EVENT: Love Wins Photo Shoot

 
SATURDAY FEB 6TH 11AM-2PM

Let's put the Central Valley on the map! The hashtag #LoveWins is being used to showcase supporters of marriage equality around the nation and across the world. Our #LoveWins photo shoot will put the Valley into the virtual conversation on social media just in time for Valentine's Day.

Join us at The Painted Table for free professional photos of you and your special someone plus indulge in our sweets bar.

It's a memorable time in history for us to witness marriage equality in the United States, but many others are still fighting for this right. Band with us and let's show the world that love is love and love will win!

Meet our photographer: Kiana Medina is a young, proud queer photographer. She's had over a year of experience being a professional photographer and photo editor. Her passion for capturing beautiful moments, fueled with her LGBT+ activism make her the perfect person to make this moment special.

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

EVENT: Professional OUT Women's mixHER

Professional OUT Women's January mixHER is set for Friday, 1/22 from 6pm-until at Ovidio Ristorante Italiano located at the SW corner of Bullard and Marks.

Ovidio's has an evening of entertainment set up for us, while we enjoy a delicious offering of some of the finest Italian food in Fresno. The FORCE 'EM FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTY returns to Ovidio's Lounge from 9:30 PM-12:30 AM. Come and get your dance on!
Reservations suggested!
3097 W. Bullard Ave
Fresno, CA 93711
Phone: (559) 435-1396
www.forceemband.com

So, please make plans now to enjoy a full evening of drinks, dinner and socializing! If you are not receiving our monthly POW emails, please post your email below and we'll add you to the list.

Make sure to copy the FB link and share in your networks! Professional OUT Women (POW) is a community of women that gather at monthly events, happening at rotating locations, for networking and socializing. Our goal is to be inclusive without gender boundaries and accepting of women who self identify on a wide continuum of sexual expression.

If you have any questions, would like to join our email list or would like to be more involved, please message us here...

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

VIDEO: The State Of The Union Is Gay

FUNDRAISER: United Student Pride

United Student Pride has teamed up with Tacos Marquitos once again for another fundraiser!



Wednesday January 20th

Between 12-5pm everyone who purchases food from Tacos Marquitos and presents a flyer will help support USP. We will be given 15% of the profits made.

The money raised will help fund our 3rd annual LGBT+ Commencement Ceremony in May.

If you have any questions please send a private message or email us at fresnostateusp@gmail.com

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

MEETING: Fresno Stonewall Democrats

 

 

Fresno Stonewall Democrats will meet on January 12, 2016 at Santa Fe Basque Restaurant, 3110 N. Maroa at Shields in Fresno. Dinner and social 6:00 P.M. meeting 7:00 P.M. 

Our speaker will be Dr. Joaquin Arambula candidate in the April 5 special election for the 31st Assembly District seat and the June 2016 Primary and November 2016 general election. Come and find out how you can get involved in his campaign and other election related activities. We will also be discussing other events for the 2016 year. 

Fresno Stonewall Democrats represents the interests of the lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender community in Fresno and the surrounding area through the Democratic party. 

for more information visit www.fresnostonewalldemocrats.org email ckrugman@sbcglobal.net or call 266-9237

UPDATED: Cheap Date Too! Updated Info & Ticket Link

EVENT: Rally For Justice

FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE

Join us as we rally for justice for Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Laquan McDonald, Freddie Gray, Walter Scott, Michael Brown and the countless other lives lost at the hands of police. We call for an end to state sanctioned violence and declare unequivocally that black lives matter.

The rally will be taking place before the "Remembering and Renewing King's Dream for Peace: Black Lives Matter" Celebration from 5-9pm at Fresno Pacific University.

Friday Jan 22nd 3:30pm

EVENT: Cheap Date Too!

USP Booth Dedication

PLEASE JOIN US!
Please join the RAINBOW ALUMNI AND ALLIES CLUB as we present and dedicate a new booth for UNITED STUDENT PRIDE. The ceremony takes place in the Free Speech Area.

A short program begins at 6:00 PM; to be followed by a no-host dinner at Tacos Marquitos, located behind the Bulldog Shop on the NW corner of Cedar and Barstow Avenues.

We hope to see you there. Bring a friend. And a camera. Donations always welcome. Parking passes are required at $3 each.

 

 

DONATE TODAY!
The RAINBOW ALUMNI AND ALLIES CLUB is close to raising $1,000 to complete the construction of a 36 square foot booth out of steel for UNITED STUDENT PRIDE. The front is 8’ high X 6’ wide with an opening at 3.5’ high, plus accented by a three-dimensional pink triangle at the top. The sides and back are 3.5’ high X 6’ wide each.

Any excess monies raised from this project will be used to support USP activities, such as the 3^rd annual LGBTQ Graduation Recognition Ceremony slated for May 2016.

We welcome your support. Please form attached. Thank you.