Bay Area Reporter - March 20, 2008
Cynthia Laird, c.laird@ebar.com

Locally, the Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Center and Shaking the Feather Coalition have planned a couple of events to mark the occasion.

A sunrise ceremony, conducted by indigenous leaders, healers, and cultural practitioners, will take place by the bell at San Francisco's Dolores Park, at Dolores and 19th streets. That will be followed by a panel discussion, beginning at 8:30 a.m., in the fourth floor ceremonial room at the LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street.

Organizers noted that there are many ways in which people can take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

"Today, HIV is affecting thousands of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day û the beginning of spring û is an opportunity to talk about HIV and the impact it's having on our community," said Robert McSwain, acting director of the Indian Health Service. "Many people with HIV are not aware of their status, so they may be infecting others, and not accessing treatment which could help them."

Nationally, activities marking the observance are organized by the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center. This year marks the first Bay Area attempt to form a coalition of diverse Native groups to commemorate the day.

For more information about the local events, contact Joseph Cavan at API Wellness Center at (415) 292-3420, ext. 330 or mailto:joseph@apiwellness.org.

Halloween meeting tonight

Audrey Joseph, president of the San Francisco Entertainment Commission, and Bob Davis, executive director, will address members of the Eureka Valley Promotion Association about Halloween in the Castro tonight (Thursday, March 20). The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center, 100 Collingwood Street in the Castro.

"The Entertainment Commission is not naive and we know that there will be a trek to the Castro," Joseph said in a statement, "so we will be addressing EVPA to give and get ideas for dealing with Halloween 2008. We are also working with neighboring cities to try and ensure that they also provide for their youth and keep them home for Halloween."

Black gay events

Bill Doggett, a recipient of the And Castro for All Venture Seed Fund, will host two upcoming events.

The first is an Easter beer benefit at the Edge bar, 4149 18th Street, tonight (Thursday, March 20) from 8 to 10 p.m. Doggett invites interested community members to join for this special "Soulful Thursday" Easter event, which is co-hosted by new Emperor John Weber and performance artist Fundi. The benefit will support the Venture Seed Fund project for black LGBT business professionals.

Doggett's mixer for black LGBT business professionals will take place Thursday, March 27 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street.

The event is open to corporate, small business, start-ups, and retired professionals as well as those looking to start their own business. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, e-mail mailto:bdoggett@earthlink.net.

Tessie's Easter dinner

Tenderloin Tessie will hold its Easter dinner for community members who do not have a place to go on the holiday Sunday, March 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 1187 Franklin Street at Geary in San Francisco.

Michael Gagne, president and volunteer coordinator of the board, said that donations and volunteers are needed.

The dinner features ham with all the trimmings and a gift bag. Donated items, including financial gifts, can be made through today (Thursday, March 20).

Those interested in helping out should call Gagne at (415) 584-3252.

Magnet expands HIV/STI testing

Magnet, the gay men's health center in the Castro, has expanded its HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing capacity by 50 percent, director Steven Gibson announced Monday, March 17.

Gibson said there is a great need for the center's services, and that while Magnet was originally designed to serve about 1,500 customers a year, it saw more than 4,500 clients last year. It had to turn away 1,700 others, he noted.

Magnet opened in July 2003 and last year, merged with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Because of that merger, Gibson said, the center is able to increase its hours of operation to serve more people.

Magnet's new hours are Tuesday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday from 2 to 9 p.m. Magnet now will offer HIV testing whenever it's open for business.

"Magnet's approach to health promotion plays a critical role in our efforts to help people know their HIV and STI status, get culturally competent care, and strengthen a valuable resource for gay men all over the Bay Area," said Mark Cloutier, SFAF executive director.

Gibson said that later this spring, Magnet would offer clients the opportunity to book appointments ahead of time, online. For more information, visit http://www.magnetsf.org.

Parent workshop at Hayward gay center

The Lighthouse Community Center and Our Family Coalition will co-sponsor two events that are intended to engage and empower LGBT families in the Hayward Unified School District.

The first session is Tuesday, March 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Community Center, 1217 A Street (cross street is Second Street) in downtown Hayward. Dinner and childcare will be provided. A similar event is planned for Tuesday, May 13 at the same time and location.

The events are intended to increase the support, engagement, and participation of LGBT parents (or parents who have LGBT children) in Hayward public schools, noted Patricia Kevena Fili, the center's executive director. Representatives from the community center and Our Family Coalition will be in attendance, as will school district officials. This is a chance to hear more information and to address issues or concerns parents may have.

For more information and to RSVP, call the center at (510) 881-8167 or e-mail mailto:pk@lgbtlighthouse.com.

Trans job fair

The San Francisco LGBT Community Center will host its next transgender job fair Wednesday, March 26 from 1 to 4 p.m., at 1800 Market Street. Organizers said that this event has 25 employers signed up, and that there are many more private sector employers attending the event.

Ken Stram, director of the center's economic development program, said that a new feature for next week's event is a "Dress for Success" component, where hair and makeup professionals will be on hand to help job seekers look their best to meet and greet prospective employers.

The event is part of the Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative, a collaboration between the center, the Transgender Law Center, Jewish Vocational Services, and SF Transgender Empowerment Advocacy and Mentorship.

For more information, visit http://www.sfcenter.org.

Celebrate LGBT center's sixth anniversary

"6" is the theme of the San Francisco LGBT Community Center's upcoming anniversary gala, which takes place Saturday, March 29 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Terra Gallery, 511 Harrison Street.

It was March 2002 when the center opened its doors amid a grand celebration. Over the years, the center has expanded its programs, particularly in the areas of economic development, arts and culture, and its newcomers program. The center weathered a fiscal crisis in its early days. Former Executive Director Thom Lynch, who then took over, is widely credited with turning the center's finances around, and last month, the board of directors announced that interim director Rebecca Rolfe was named new executive director. Lynch stepped down last summer to pursue other interests.

The center, formally known as the Charles M. Holmes Campus, welcomes over 9,000 visitors every month, and hosts more than 400 events. It provides a home to 14 nonprofits.

Next weekend's gala will feature Vinsantos, Kitten on the Keys, Veronica Klaus, Juanita More!, Kielbasia, and more. Tickets are $125, with all proceeds benefiting the center, and can be purchased online at http://www.sfcenter.org.

South Bay churches support blood drive ban

The Council of Churches of Santa Clara County has announced that it joins San Jose State University and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in opposing the federal Food and Drug Administration's policy that bans gay men from donating blood. The council voted unanimously at its February 29 meeting that medical policy should be driven by science, not superstition, and it agrees with the Red Cross that the current FDA policy is outdated.

The resolution in support of the supervisors and the university was brought to the council by the Reverend Michael Patrick Ellard, senior pastor at Metropolitan Community Church-San Jose.

"It's a difficult area, since one must balance the need for blood donations with the need to oppose discrimination," Ellard said in a statement. "However, if the need for blood is so great, one must wonder why the FDA is turning away donors for no medical reason."

Earlier this year, San Jose State President Don Kassing banned blood drives on campus, saying that the FDA's policy is in conflict with the school's non-discrimination policy. That was followed by the county Board of Supervisors approving a measure stating that it will work to lobby federal officials to change the FDA's policy. Openly gay Supervisor Ken Yeager did not suggest the county ban blood drives, noting that it has a level one trauma center and that the county needs to provide medical services to its residents. Yeager said that he does support San Jose State's decision.

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