MAY/JUNE 2005 ISSUE
Update from AmeriCorps Staff @ W.E.
by Mike Morris and Gloria Perez
Hello Readers,
We’d like to deliver an AmeriCorps update!
Western Equality’s Youth Group
This group continues to meet at the Resource Center. We’re fine-tuning the program and have switched the days around. We will be meeting on Tuesday afternoons at 4:30 beginning June 7th. Friendly folks up to the age of 18 are welcomed and encouraged to come. We offer support, referrals, and opportunities for sharing.
Western Equality’s “Journey”
Journey to a Hate Free Millennium is a documentary that raises the awareness about hate and offers solutions toward ending hate. We’re up to 33 presentations since August 2004. We are looking forward to presenting Journey to a Hate Free Millennium throughout the summer. Please call 970-242-8949 if you are interested in learning more about “Journey”.
Western Equality’s Resource Directory
Since this directory is an ongoing project, we continue to gather information and enter it into our database. We now have listings for both Faith Based and Legal categories. We will soon have listings in the Medical and Mental Health categories. If you would like your professional services to be referred by WE, or, would like a referral, please give the office a call at 970-242-8949.
Friday the 13th Rafting Trip
See "A Boat Named Gloria" in this newsletter for the scoop…
Mesa Mall’s Sober Grad Party
We joined our fellow AmeriCorps members in volunteering our time to help youth stay safe and have fun. We’re now hip on Lip Sync and Sumo Wrestling... what a party!
Mass Causality Incident Exercise
We were able to role-play victims of a mock bus and pick-up accident where local emergency crews came to our rescue. This exercise allowed EMS personnel to practice their skills, and we were happy to help!
Mesa State College Graduation 2005 Ceremony
We ushered folks to available seating and guided them around Stoker
Stadium. This was the largest graduating class in MSC history --
congratulations to the graduates!
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Western Equality or WestCAP?
Many people in our community benefit from the work of two separate human service agencies on the Western Slope: Western Equality and WestCAP (Western Colorado AIDS Project.) We feel it's important to write a little about each agency's focus of work in order to clear up some confusion we have noticed. This confusion has occurred with regard to donations and telephone calls with requests for information and services. Although there is some overlap in what both organizations do, it is important to distinguish between them so you can be assured that when you wish to donate, seek information, volunteer, or participate in activities you are doing so with the agency of you desire.
The following paragraphs are taken from the mission statements of both agencies:
Western Equality is a broad based diverse coalition of persons who share a common dedication to dialogue and action to ensure equality and justice for all persons. We seek to educate, organize and mobilize the community at large about civil rights issues, prejudice, and discrimination primarily as they relate to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. We accept and honor our differences, nurture the diversity of our community, and work to create an environment where all persons are respected and feel safe.
WestCAP services persons living with AIDS/HIV and their families by providing information about risks, prevention, and treatment in our area. WestCAP provides complete confidentiality and our staff is dedicated to providing the most complete, accurate information available. WestCAP charges no fees for its services, which are provided without regard to age, sex, race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
We hope this was helpful,
Mike and Gloria--AmeriCorps Program Staff Members
A Boat Named Gloria
by Mike Morris
On Friday, May 13th, Mesa State's AmeriCorps Project hosted a team building exercise and rafted the Colorado River. It was a rather warm day and the flow of the river showed it-- we're talking big water, 19,000 cfs. Together, four boats traveled down the river for 13 miles. The first 12 miles were opportunities for sight-seeing, water battles, and breaking in a brand new boat.
Our boat guide promised us a ride we wouldn't forget and definitely followed through! All day we had gone through class I and II rapids and negotiated them very well considering we had a boat of mostly virgin rafters. Down river was an area named White Rapids, around class III or IV. "No problem," so we thought. As we entered the rapids there was a huge wave that was big and looked exciting. We made a beeline right for it.
It was when the boat crunched together like the letter V that the ride got really exciting. The boat shot out of the wave like a slingshot, flung to the left and flipped us out.
Here we were capsized in a raging river of liquid snow. Getting oriented was a challenge. The shock of the cold water, the fast current, and the fear of not having everybody accounted for was scary, yet exciting (for some.) No doubt, our adrenaline was flowing!
As it turned out, Gloria managed to free herself from beneath the boat and was floating solo from the rest of us. The other seven of us were clinching to the side of the capsized boat watching all the supplies defuse into the water and looking for Gloria. But, the only thing we could do was ride out the rapids.
Eventually were all rescued; seven of us by other groups that were downstream and Gloria by the AmeriCorps crew in the new boat that went through the rapids behind us.
This is how the boat, Gloria, got her name. It was her maiden voyage on the river and aided in the rescue of our Western Equality AmeriCorps member, Gloria.
All-in-all we spent about five minutes swimming the river. We did our best to retrieve all of the supplies but lucked out on certain items like shirts, hats, bananas. The dry bag with everybody's car keys was fortunately retrieved by a kayaker about ten minutes after we beached. Blessed we were, and are!
In retrospect, we had a cool ride, learned to appreciate the force of nature, learned to better secure items in a boat, and value our friends and loved ones even more.
Perhaps, in the future, this story will be told on the river in a boat named Gloria.
Grateful to be here, Mike Morris.
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Events Update
The Western Colorado Pride Picnic is June 19th! Learn more>>>
Trans Party!
June 17th / 7 pm / Western Equality Office
On May 13th a Mary Kay makeover party was held at the Western Equality office. Invitations were sent to drag performers and others in the local transgender community. Transfolk and their allies were there, and a grand time was had by all. It was agreed that a second event would be still more fun!
So, on June 17th, at 7pm we're hosting a Beach Pedicure Party -- and who doesn’t need their toesies pampered? Therefore, this event is open to the transgender community and allies of any gender or orientation. Come on down, refreshments will be served.
Drag Competitions!
July 15th and August 5th / 7pm / Western Equality Office
Last year’s OutFest proved we are absolutely swimming in incredible local drag talent! We featured 14 performers in an amazing three hour show! This year we've agreed to hold drag competitions to find the absolute best of the best, and the 4 finest drag performers will be featured at OutFest on August 27th. We will crown an Empress, an Emperor, a Queen, and a King who will perform at Outfes, which will have a Royal Ball theme.
Our pre-OutFest Drag Shows are scheduled for Friday, July 15th and August 5th, at 7pm. These shows will be held at the Western Equality Office. Please call the Western Equality office to reserve your performance slot. Back-up dancers, group production numbers, dramatic flair, and elaborate costumes are encouraged. We are looking for techies to help with these events, and for spectators to enjoy the show--tell your friends!
Summer Fun Vacations!
Lesbian Alert!
This year is the 30th Anniversary of the Michigan Women’s Music Festival. This year’s lineup includes Chris Williamson, Holly Near, and the Indigo Girls. There will be performance artists, workshops, film festivals, camping and so much more! Tickets range from $50 to $410 depending on how long you stay. Look it up online at www.michfest.com
Leather/BDSM?
Check out www.thunderinthemountains.com ... ‘nuff said
PRIDE Travel!
Interested in catching Pride festivities around the country? Check out these travel specials from Orbitz!
Colorado ManREACH is creating another gathering for rural men who love men in 2005! "Rising 2005" is a wonderful opportunity to meet other gay and bisexual men from around Colorado who are coming together to express, share, experience, discover and connect in meaningful and incredible ways about our lives. It is a heart-centered weekend (July 1-4 / register by June 18) in a safe and welcoming environment. For more information call 970-243-2437.
If you have suggestions to make our events more fabulous, would like to be a part of the planning stages of these events, or volunteer, please contact us or come to one of our board meeting potlucks. See you all soon.
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