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April Letter from the Editor |
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Last month I had the opportunity to attend the Equality Across America Midwest Conference in Chicago. I met several people who are incredibly active in the LGBT community and my eyes were opened to many of the problems that we, the LGBTQA community, have created for ourselves. We all have our own angles and points we want to make, yet we can’t come together with a cohesive message
We can bitch, moan and complain about our adversaries, but the one thing they continue to have over us is their ability to consolidate their message into a consistent message that continues to polarize our adversaries against us. Why can’t we come together with a consistent message? Why can’t we stop fighting amoungst ourselves for who gets to have the final word? The keyword here is ‘compromise’ and we need to come together with a consistent message ... equal rights for everyone!
The stakes here are huge! We cannot afford to sit idly in the wings while others work tirelessly to deny the LGBTQA community the equality we so deserve!
We all need to pay attention to what is going on, and get involved in fighting those who fight so tirelessly against us! Sitting home cursing and throwing things at the TV every time we lose an important legal battle doesn’t get us anywhere, we need to stand up and speak out for our rights!!
A good example is the attention that has recently been placed on high schools who have tried so hard to prevent same sex couples from attending their proms. Yet, right here in Central Illinois, CIADE recently held a prom for LGBTQA high school youth at the Embassy Suites Hotel. The prom was a complete success with students from several area schools attending the first ever event like this. Youth from across the LGBTQA spectrum attended the prom with no fear of harassment or retribution for who they are. In Tulepo, Mississippi, organizers from the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition have organized a high school prom that will feature Lance Bass, former ‘N Sync member in attendance to show his support. Even in the most unlikely places, people are standing up for what is right!!!
The time is upon us to reconcile our petty differences and come together with a common message. We are one community, older and younger, male and female, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allies. We all seek to live our lives free of harassment and discrimination. We all need to work together to bring an end to the hate and discrimination that continues to exist everywhere around us.
There are many local organizations, new and old, that exist to support the LGBTQA community. Seek them out and help them in any way you can. Let’s help keep the ball rolling and work together to end the hate and discrimation against our community.
Until next month,
Dave Barker
Publisher, Out & About |
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January Letter from the Editor |
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Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. And now that the holidays are over, it’s already time for the Illinois primaries on Tuesday, February 2.
 This past month, I had the opportunity to speak with Jacob Meister, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate. Jacob is running a hard race in the primaries to be held February 2 in Illinois. After speaking at length with Jacob, and reviewing all of his positions and opinions, I am very pleased to endorse Jacob Meister for the U.S. Senate and I hope that you will agree!! The full story and interview with Phil Reese is on pages 4-5, so I won’t repeat all that here.
It’s easy to sit back and complain about what is going on in Washington. The gridlock and endless political games have many of us upset with Democrats and Republicans alike, and everyone seems to be wary of politicians. But, then I met Jacob, a successful lawyer who isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and who has a remarkably firm grasp of ALL the issues. Of course I am concerned with LGBT issues, but let’s be honest and admit that those are not the only, or the most important, issues facing America today!!
I encourage you to please take a look at Jacob’s website at www.meisterforsenate.com and learn his positions on all the issues facing our country. Then head out on Tuesday February 2 and VOTE ... it only takes a couple of minutes and it’s the only way that we can elect someone to the U.S. Senate who will represent us responsibly and intelligently. And before you start with the “it’s just one vote, it doesn’t really matter” routine, just consider how many political races in recent history have been separated by only a few votes!!!! Every vote DOES count.
The LGBT community has come quite a ways, but there is still a long road to travel to gain the equality we deserve. When we have the chance to elect someone of Jacob’s caliber, it’s our duty to make that trip to the polls and cast our vote.
We have the chance to make history here!!! Please stand with me at the polls on Tuesday February 2 and vote for Jacob Meister, a candidate who I believe will help bring the changes we so desperately need to the U. S. Senate!!
We all want to leave the world a better place for future generations. Now we have the chance to help a committed gay candidate get elected to the U.S. Senate and really help those changes happen!!
See you at the polls!!!
Until next month,
Dave Barker
Publisher, Out & About Illinois |
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November Letter from the Editor |
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Well, it’s the holiday season once again. I always get a bit sentimental during the holidays as I reminisce about all that I truly have... a wonderful partner of 13 years, 2 beautiful daughters, a granddaughter and a brand new grandson who will be born November 6th and some great friends. I am also lucky enough to have a caring family who is supportive of me and my life’s pursuits.
The holidays are a time of family and friends, good cheer and looking forward to the quickly approaching new year. As I look back over the past year, I am incredibly grateful and humbled by the friends and support that have been there for me as I founded Out & About and the brand new Central Illinois Alliance for Diversity & Equality (CIADE) which produced the first ever Peoria Pride and already has two events planned for early 2010. We have put together a great group of motivated individuals who are as committed as I am to forming an LGBT community center for the greater Peoria area and beyond to lead the way to a brighter future for our vibrant and strong community.
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October Letter from the Editor |
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The inaugural Peoria Pride Festival on Sunday September 13 was a huge success. Thanks again to all our sponsors, supporters and those who participated, volunteered and attended. The 1,700 plus attendees of all ages, from all over Central Illinois, enjoyed a sunny day full of entertainment, shopping and camaraderie. The local media coverage followed up with positive pieces about the GLBT community. People of all ages were able to bring their families, many who had never attended a "gay" event. Same sex couples were able to walk hand-in-hand and celebrate who they are. We should all be proud of what we accomplished together.
Yet, let’s not rest on our laurels or rest at all. There is still a lot of work to be done. Many of our local non-profits and organizations that support the GLBT community need volunteers and action takers. Our community needs to be active all year long, not just at Pride!
What can you do? Find the many organizations who support and service our community and see what you can do to help. In these times of a struggling economy, organizations need volunteers to help continue their vital missions now more than ever.
We have formed a new non-profit organization, the Central Illinois Alliance for Diversity & Equality (CIADE) which produced the Peoria Pride event. Our next project for CIADE is to organize a LGBT Community Center for Peoria and Central Illinois. Our vision is to create a multi-faceted organization that can bring our entire community and host of organizations who support us together to continue what Peoria Pride started - working together to gain a broader acceptance in our community. We have huge plans that will only work with the support of EVERYONE!!! Stay tuned for more about this exciting new project. We will also have a new website up soon at www.ciadeillinois.org.
Peoria Pride showed that we have an active, vibrant LGBT community right here in Central Illinois. You don’t have to go to Chicago or other huge cities to find friends and supporters. Now is the time to come together to keep that momentum going.
Working together, we CAN accomplish great things if we keep focused on a postive future. We aren’t that far from the day when every LGBT person can feel proud of who they are without being afraid of negative repercussions from others. Together we really can stop the discrimination that still affects our community every day!!
It’s time to get out of the closet. Be proud of who you are and what we have accomplished so far... and join the fight to make life better for every LGBT person in our community!! Stand up, speak out and demand equality and acceptance.
Until next month,
Dave Barker
Publisher, Out & About Illinois |
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August Letter from the Editor |
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For the last several months, I have been a part of organizing the inaugural 2009 Peoria Pride Festival to be held Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the CEFCU Center Stage on the Peoria Riverfront from Noon-6:00 pm. To all of the other dedicated volunteers I thank you, for we can only achieve success together. I hope everyone who attends has a great time – listening to live music and entertainment, catching up with old friends and meeting new friends, relaxing in the Starbucks Coffeehouse Experience Café, and cruising the vendor and exhibit areas.
Yet, I also hope that everyone reflects on WHY we are holding this Peoria Pride event. After years of being marginalized and discriminated against, LGBT folks across the globe organized and came together to put us all on notice that some of us are actually PROUD to be a part of the LGBT community - What a powerful act! The first step in gaining respect from others is to respect yourself, which is cause for celebration!
The next step should be to support those who support the LGBT community. and our allies & supporters Peoria Pride could never be accomplished without the businesses and organizations that sponsor and exhibit at the event. I encourage all attendees to visit the exhibitors and educate themselves. Peoria has a strong LGBT support system – all of which do incredible work on limited budgets. Please give them your personal thanks and support them in any way you can.
Peoria Pride will be a full day of entertainment and fun. We will have top notch entertainment all day on the main stage and in the Starbucks Café. Food and refreshments will be available. People friendly pets on leashes are welcome. There will be an area with activities for kids of all ages, so make this a day for the entire family. For more information and complete schedule of events, please view the related article later in this issue, or visit the website at www.PeoriaPride.com. Bring your family and friends for the day and be a part of Peoria and Central Illinois history.
Peoria cordially invites the ENTIRE CENTRAL ILLINOIS LGBT community to join us in celebrating our vibrant community. The Hotel Pere Marquette is offering special "Peoria Pride" rates so you can join us at Diesel Bar on Saturday night for a Pride Celebration.
On September 13, please come out to celebrate yourself and your community, and take a minute to reflect on what that means. Be proud of yourself. I am.
Until next month,
Dave Barker
Publisher, Out & About Illinois |
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