NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005 ISSUE
Confidentially Report Hate Crimes through Western Equality
In 2005 the Colorado legislature finally added 'sexual orientation, transgender status and disability' to the Colorado Ethnic Intimidation Act of 1989 after 16 years of efforts by our lobby group and Equal Rights Colorado! Based upon the need of local law enforcement to come into compliance with the new law, Western Equality is bringing hate-crimes training to the Mesa County Sheriff's Department in cooperation with the Colorado Anti-Violence Program. This mandatory training will occur in November and December and all Mesa County Sheriffs Department personnel will be better equipped to recognize the signs of hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, same-sex domestic violence, and have better tools to prosecute perpetrators of bias-crimes. Western Equality submitted a grant proposal to the federal Office of Victims Assistance in Washington, DC to underwrite the costs of this training.
What this really means is, if you are a victim of harrassment, intimidation, threats, assualt, report it!! All reports are confidential and no information is released without the victim's permission. Western Equality is now equipped to handle those reports, and in cooperation with the Colorado Anti-Violence Program, provide a better response with law enforcement so that we are not left out of the justice system. The toll-free number for the Colorado Anti-Violence Program, 24/7, is 1(888)557-4441, and Western Equality's number is (970)242-8949. No crime against us is too small to ignore. Together we will educate, support and provide resources to make our communities safer for all.
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What Would You Like Western Equality to Do for You?
Many of the telephone calls that come into the WE office are from people asking, "Where can I go, what can I do here in Grand Junction that doesn’t involve going to a bar?" There are many of us who don’t enjoy the bar scene and would like more choices in ways to meet people and be sociable. In addition to the dances Western Equality sponsors twice a year, we will coordinate smaller more frequent events when people can get together.
What kind of activities do we enjoy doing? We go to movies and musical events, read books, have scintillating conversations over coffee or tea, hike, camp, bicycle, explore the scenic areas, plan get togethers with and for our children, go to church, get involved in political issues, do volunteer work, cook… the list is as long, even longer, as the number of people who ask the question. There is already a weekly hiking activity going on. Every Saturday morning at 10:00am people gather at the Tabaguache Trail Head/staging area to go on a moderate 2-3 mile hike. Join them.
We are forming an event committee to come up with other events and things to do. Call the office with your suggestions. Check the web site for activities. Those of you who have offered to volunteer here, call in with an activity you would like to see happen. We can work together to make it happen. There are a few locations here in town that are welcoming sites for us to have a gathering... a book club, a movie evening, a pot luck, etc. We could meet for coffee/tea and conversation at one of the gay-owned coffee shops here in town. Let’s do it!
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Colorado ManREACH is Growing
For several years the Western Colorado AIDS Project (WestCAP) has been supporting local efforts across western Colorado to build community among gay and bisexual men that steps outside of stereotypes of how men connect. This is in cooperation with similar efforts out of the Northern Colorado AIDS Project (NCAP) and Southern Colorado AIDS Project (SCAP) and the Pikes Peak Gay & Lesbian Community Center (PPGLCC) in Colorado Springs. When all these local programs bring men together from across the state, we are REACHing for a statewide sense of community, connection and support. Two gatherings took place on the Grand Mesa in the past four months. "Rising" took place over the 4th of July, and "Autumn Balance" took place the third weekend in September. Sixty-one men participated in Rising, and 55 men participated in Autumn Balance. There were heart-circles, discussion groups, ceremonial and ritualistic passages, playshops and workshops on creativity, lifestyles and meaningful topics.
ManREACH is a project that wants to evolve into a self-sustaining community-building project that brings rural gay and bisexual men together in an alcohol and recreational drug-free environment to build and nurture relationships that go beyond preconceptions, that introduce intimacy on all levels, that reduces isolation and stigma, and is just one HECKUVA GOOD TIME being with brothers! If you would like more information, or want to participate in creating healthier social opportunities for gay/bi rural men, contact Mike or Jeff at WestCAP, (970)243-2437. 2006 plans are underway!
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Western Equality is 'Radio-Active!'
In case you didn't know, KAFM 88.1 FM community radio is an incredibly safe and welcoming environment! They are definitely working to promote diversity! Stop by the Radio Room, 1310 Ute Avenue any day, and listen to "Family, Friends & Neighbors" on the last Monday, every month at noon.
Introducing the Radio Room at KAFM--
Smoke-free and intimate, the Radio Room is a true listening room for people who love music. If you have already discovered the exquisite experience of seeing a great act up close at the Radio Room, you already know what a terrific venue this is. If you haven't yet caught a show at the Radio Room, this one will make you a true believer.
Coming soon to the Radio Room at KAFM 88.1 FM:
The Williams Brothers and Donny Morales on December 3rd (acoustic blues and folk)
Beth Leachman and Margot Krimmel on Dec. 17th (Celtic Holiday show)
Next Season: We will be expanding the Radio Room concerts to include jazz, world music, classical guitar and blues as well as the traditional singer songwriters that have been prominent performers there.
Rentals: The Radio Room is available for rentals for private or public functions. Ask us about it. Call KAFM at 241-8801 ext 7.
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