Bay Area Reporter - October 5, 2006
Cynthia Laird

"I am very proud of AOF's commitment to support a growing need for funding in our community," Keith stated.

More than 200 people attended a reception Thursday, September 28 at the Clift Hotel, where the beneficiaries were announced.

He added that the organization has set its sights on raising money for 15 HIV/AIDS organizations from six counties, including a new, multi-year innovation grant with the AIDS Legal Referral Panel. That grant is designed to address organizational development and sustainability issues.

"It is our belief that our pledge will serve as a catalyst for change and will stimulate additional funding to this vital legal service provider," Keith added.

In addition to ALRP, the 2007 beneficiaries are: AIDS Emergency Fund, Food For Though/Sonoma County AIDS Food Bank, the Health Trust, Huckleberry Youth Program, Lyon-Martin Women's Health Services, Magnet, Marin AIDS Project, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Pacific Center for Human Growth, Positive Health Program, Positive Resource Center, Project Open Hand, San Mateo County AIDS Program, and the Stop AIDS Project.

Keith also noted that Mercedes-Benz USA, Levi Strauss & Co., and McCann Worldgroup will continue their role as presenting sponsors of the AOF gala, which will take place February 25, 2007. Between now and then, AOF will hold a number of smaller fundraisers and sell $50 raffle tickets for a chance to win a luxury car from Mercedes-Benz USA. The winning ticket will be selected at the gala.

For more information, visit www.academyoffriends.org.

NBJC reception

The National Black Justice Coalition will host a reception to announce the formation of its new action fund Friday, October 6 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Bates House Bed and Breakfast, 399 Bellvue Avenue in Oakland. NBJC board members Keith Boykin, Jasmyne Cannick, and Earl Plante are expected to attend, along with Executive Director Alexander Robinson. Other guests include Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally (D-Compton), 16th Assembly District Democratic nominee Sandre Swanson, and Berkeley City Council member Darryl Moore, who just became a board member of the group, along with Alan-Michael Graves of Los Angeles. The event is free.

The action fund will work to promote policies that support racial justice and equality for LGBT Americans by educating and mobilizing opinion leaders, including elected officials, clergy, and members of the media, with a focus on black communities.

The action fund is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization and is affiliated with the NBJC, but separate from it.

For more information, visit www.nbjc.org.

Installation of new minister

The Reverend Greg Stewart will be installed as senior pastor of the First Unitarian Church in San Francisco Sunday, October 8 at 4 p.m. The church is located at 1187 Franklin Street, at Geary. The keynote speaker will be the Reverend Dr. Lee C. Barker, president and professor of ministry at Meadville Lombard Theological School.

Stewart, 48, who is openly gay, accepted the position earlier this year. He was profiled in the Bay Area Reporter in August and moved to the city with his partner, Stillman White, and their five children. He is the progressive church's first gay senior minister.

GAPA 35-Plus dinner

The Gay Asian Pacific Alliance's 35-Plus group is holding its monthly potluck Sunday, October 8 at 6 p.m. at a private residence in San Francisco. GAPA member Vincent Baduel invites gay and bi Asian and Pacific Islander men who are 35 and over to attend. GAPA 35-Plus is a social and conversational group and is a safe place for guys to chat, socialize, and learn from each other's experiences. The group meets for dinner, followed by a facilitated discussion of various topics. GAPA 35-Plus potlucks typically take place the second Sunday of the month.

For more information and to RSVP, e-mail Dion Wong at dion@gapa.org.

PFLAG meeting

The San Francisco chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays will hold its regular meeting Sunday, October 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church Street at Market. A support group meets for the first hour, followed by the program. This month's guest speaker is Lai-San Seto, advocacy coordinator of the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, a youth-led organization that connects school-based gay-straight alliances to each other and to community resources. Organizers said there would be a Spanish-speaking facilitator for one of the groups. An AIDS family support group also will be available. For more information, call (415) 921-8850.

Say 'no' to Columbus

Some Italian American writers and artists are once again saying "no" to the legacy of Christopher Columbus by participating in the "Dump Columbus" event Monday, October 9 at 7 p.m. at City Lights bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue in San Francisco's North Beach District.

Queer writer and artist Tommi Avicolli Mecca, co-organizer, said he objects to the legacy of Columbus, who helped subjugate a continent that was already inhabited. Beat poet Diane DiPrima will be among the featured readers and performers, along with lesbian writer Giovanna Capone.

Adult vision screening

Prevent Blindness of Northern California will hold free adult vision screenings Tuesday, October 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the agency's office, 1388 Sutter Street, Suite 408 in San Francisco. The screenings take about 10-15 minutes and can help detect signs that may indicate possible glaucoma and other vision problems. Appointments are required, and may be made by calling (415) 567-7500. For information on other screening dates and sites call (800) 338-3041.

Project Inform gala

HIV/AIDS treatment education organization Project Inform will hold its annual "Evening of Hope" benefit Wednesday, October 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Fort Mason's Officer's Club, building 1, upper Fort Mason in San Francisco. The evening includes fine cuisine, a cocktail reception, raffle, live auction, and entertainment by singer Sharon McNight.

The event will recognize Women Organized to Respond to Life-Threatening Diseases, which will be honored with the Healthcare Inspiration Award. Fred Dillon, former public policy director of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, will be recognized with the HIV Policy Leadership Award. Hank Wilson, a longtime AIDS activist and member of Survive AIDS, will be honored with the AIDS Activism Leadership Award.

Tickets to next week's event start at $150 and can be purchased online at www.projectinform.org. For more information, call (415) 558-8669.

ALRP gala

The AIDS Legal Referral Panel will commemorate 23 years of serving the legal needs of people living with HIV/AIDS at its "From the Heart" benefit Wednesday, October 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the War Memorial Building (Green Room), 401 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco.

ALRP is the only nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to provide free or low-cost legal services to PWAs in the Bay Area. Special guests at next week's reception include District Attorney Kamala Harris and Joan Haratani, president of the San Francisco Bar Association. Honorees will include attorneys Amanda L. Ebey, James W. Wood, and the law firm Latham & Watkins LLP.

The event includes wine and hors d'oeuvres, a silent and live auction featuring fabulous getaways and entertainment packages, and much more.

Tickets start at $50. For more information or tickets, e-mail development director Jim McBride at (415) 701-1200, ext. 301 or e-mail jim@alrp.org.

Mass remembers Shepard

St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church will hold a memorial Mass for slain gay college student Matthew Shepard Thursday, October 12 at 7 p.m. Shepard, 21, was savagely beaten and left on a fencepost on October 6, 1998; he died from his injuries on October 12, 1998. Two men, Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney, were convicted of his murder

Next week's service commemorates Shepard and all victims of violence and prejudice. The church is located at 1661 15th Street (at Julian), one block from the 16th Street BART station.

Hearing on Native American issues

The San Francisco Human Rights Commission will hold a public hearing on Native American issues Thursday, October 12 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors' chambers at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place.

Commission members noted the hearing would be historic and would include testimony on many different allegations raised in recent community focus groups, including federal funding cuts to Native American urban health centers, and two-spirit issues.

A report with findings and recommendations will be created from information collected from the oral and written testimonies of community members. There will be time set aside for public comment.

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