November 4th, 2009 When Equality Died Rally

  Join us for a night rally, November 4th! We will know the results of Maine's "No on 1" ballot proposition, which will dictate whether we celebrate or protest! We finish in front of "The Black Cat"/Le BarCito, where WE FOUGHT BACK against police raids even before Stonewall!

SPEAKERS TO INCLUDE:

* Marquita Thomas

* John Perez

* Father Geoff Farrow

* Eugene Hedlund (Truth & Hope)

* John Henning

*Lindsey Horvarth

MC Voice: Rick Watts

SPONSORED BY:
* Equality Network
* Love Honor Cherish
* OUT West
* Courage Campaign
* Allied Women for Equality
* Stonewall Democratic Club

Vacation or Life Expirences?

Hey I'm Cintia Ventura from Los Angeles, California. Before I start telling my stories, I'd like to thank all the people that were willing to sponsor us, from L.A. to D.C.

Washington, D.C. was an amazing place to be at, specially because it is a place that is composed and is still in the making of history. I thank all the sponsors for giving me, and the girls, the opportunity to not only get to experience history first hand by letting us be a part of history and letting us get to know history. Though many people thought and still think that we came here on vacation and I want to say that even though we did walk around, it was only for a few hours.

NEM POC Youth came to D.C. with a mission, to stand up for the LGBT Community, to have new life experiences and adjust them to and use them in other times of reflection. Having the opportunity to visit the very places that the country's founding fathers stood, talked, and made the nation's decisions was the most amazing experience I can think of.

One of the most amazing moments that I recall was when the girls and I attended the Arlington Cemetery and visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. The day that we went, there was a huge event and Lt. Dan Choi attended. I was really impacted by Lt. Dan Choi's story. Having been told the story by Laura Kanter, I was amazed to know that the U.S. was willing to lose an amazing person in times of need, just because of their sexuality.

I think that a moment that was very emotional was when we attended Camp Courage. At Camp Courage, we were able to find the story of ourselves. We were able to hear many people say their stories and were impacted by many. I think what got to me was mainly the fact that we all have our stories, yet it all comes down to finding the people that are willing to accept you for who you are and won't judge you. At Camp Courage, I found my heroes, my models. Knowing that these people have had to stand up for themselves, and have had the courage to go out and shout to the world who they are.

Once again, I'd like to thank all the people who sponsored us and made it possible for us to experience these life changing moments.

Love ,
       Cintia Ventura

History in the Making

Hello Bloggers,
My name is Carmen Chic and I just want to take a moment to share my experience and what I learned during my stay here in Washington D.C for The National Equality March 2009. First of all I want to say that this city has so many AMAZING landmarks. On our first day the Gals from L.A, I and our wonderful chaperone Anne-Marie Williams went site seeing and omg I was so EXCITED knowing that  I was walking on the same streets that our founding fathers walked on. Attending Camp Courage was so empowering made me feel that I had a community that I can relate to and meeting new people and sharing their most touching stories of where they came from and what they went through. Attending Arlington Cemetery for the Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns was by far the most emotional experience that I encounter in my trip and seeing Lt. Dan Choi and his partner kissing infront of many people really got to me and the other emotional experience was visiting and looking for a name  of a falling soilder on the Vietnam War Veteran Memorial Wall. I was so honor to participate in the march today. My voice was heard today, I went out there and let congress know that we want EQUALITY RIGHTS NOW!!! I was telling the Gals that this was our Woodstock and Stonewall of our generation. I want to thank all the donors that made it possible for us to experience this and I want to end this blog by saying this: WE'RE HERE, WE'RE QUEER, WE'RE FABULOUS, DON'T F*** WITH US! = ]

Through The Eyes of Youths

My name is Brooke Marie Washington. I've spent the past four days participating in events that led up to the National Equality March. I've attended various meetings and social gatherings that promoted the march.  Most of the speakers encouraged taking action and becoming leaders within your community. During these events, I've learned so much and had a chance to meet people from all over the United States. I met most of my fellow activists at Camp Courage. We began as strangers and ended as friends. We exchanged brilliant ideas and constructive criticisms that helped each member of my group, including myself. My voice was heard. The events that led to the march fueled my passion to walk with dreamers and believers. I smiled then, and I continue to smile now.

Human

Hello:
My name is Pamela Moore.
When I went to Camp Courage I learned how to tell stories about my life and how to talk to others. Also the National Equality March has taught me  that no matter what your sexuality is; you are a human with feeling. This has help me to understand the LGBT community better because I don't see the sexuality but I see the human. I support the LGBT community no matter how others think we are different I strongly believe we are the same. The change is coming I can't wait for EQUALITY for all my brothers and sisters no matter race or sexuality. I am thankful for the chance to be a part of the beautiful National Equality March. I feel like I understand the LGBT community better by going to the March.

P.S. we are all human no matter what our sexuality is.

Love Pamela Moore

National Equality March 2009

Today turned my cynical heart into one of hope again.  It was amazing to be surrounded by thousands (maybe 250,000) brothers and sisters along with straight allies with the same hope.  A hope of action now. 

Last night, I stood in the Madison Hotel bar with a room full of a varied LGBT folks.  Our President spoke and at times my heart leap and then would fall on the word web that was shared.  I watched how the room didn't bust into applause as the HRC audience so often did at each word of our President's speech.  Do you get a special note card or interpretation of the same speech  when you pay $250 or so a plate?

As the HRC audience stood at times and cheered often it was not the same where I stood.  I searched the room for faces that wore the California mask.  Many of us were there and the truth is we have been burnt by words and speeches.  To have the wonderful equal right of marriage then have our state government strangely manage the after wards of it all - hurts!  To lose your equal right to a fear based vote and have it supported by a "salt in the wound" court decision is enough for most to take.

Today.  Today was different.  It was all types of LGBT folks!  Folks who wanted to pay the money to go to that type of event to the local teenager who gets an allowance to homeless LGBT and everyone in between.

Today's hope for me was four women.  My gift was the L.A. Girls as they have been dubbed!  Four young women of different POC make up marching to learn to change our world. I witnessed their conversations change.  I watched when they met Lt. Dan Choi and were shocked to learn he was fired for being gay.  I witnessed as Robin and Cleve hugged and kissed welcomes into our struggle with them.  I was tickled as Stacy stood proudly with the L.A. Girls an hour before the March.  It was a kick in the pants when Rick took a photo with them and then Judith Light stood side by side with them in a picture.  To snap the picture of Judith Light with the girls was magical because Judith Light was fighting for LGBT rights before the girls were even born.   To see the L.A. Girls at Camp Courage and learning the "story of self" was exhlirating.   Torie Osborn and Lisa Powell sharing their "stories of self" and  guiding the new activists to a productive path of action was powerful!  I can go on and on but I will leave it to the gals to do so. 

Keep your eyes posted to this blog for their experiences and their new actions for this fight.

By
Anne-Marie Williams

Working on a Sunday Morning

We're going through a training, getting ready to go to Washington D.C with a group of smart gals.

Anne-Marie keeps driving me CRAZY! She's determined make us super activisst.

We're all hungry and sleepy, but super excited to fly out on Thursday.

Keep your eye out for future posts brought to you by: Your L.A POC Team =]

Laramie Project Epilogue Oct. 12! FREE Event

The Laramie Project Epilogue with Laramie Project

October 12 2009, 8:00 PM

The Laramie Project Epilogue is a staged reading of a new play being presented on Broadway and various venues across the U.S. that honors the memory of murdered gay college student Matthew Shepard. This 11th anniversary presentation seeks to bring together communities to educate, debate, inspire and raise our collective consciousness of civil rights, violence and bigotry.
This presentation addresses a topic that many people believe is not appropriate for younger children. Grand Performances staff invites members of all communities to join us for this provocative reading and to stay for the community discussion that will follow.

In October 1998 Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, severely beaten and left to die, tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. Five weeks later, Moisés Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, and over the course of the next year, conducted more than 200 interviews with people of the town. From these interviews they wrote the play The Laramie Project, a chronicle of the life of the town of Laramie in the year after the murder. THE LARAMIE PROJECT is one of the most performed plays in America today.

From Grand Performances site:
http://www.grandperformances.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/season_schedule.show_detail/s_id/311

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National Equality March 2009

http://equalityacrossamerica.org/

October 10-11 - Washington, DC
Join us in DC this October as we march with one simple demand: full equality for all LGBT people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 states.

Find the me in this video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0XLnMMNXn4

Check out the Hair cast speak and perform with the March in mind & voice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdPUER7MxJo

A Dog's Life! Should I Go to Laurel Canyon Dog Park?

Laurel Canyon Dog park is the perfect meeting place for city dogs and valley dogs to meet. They get their masters or doggie parents to drive them up a curvy road till it peaks then valley dogs turn right and city dogs turn left. Keep an eye for the sign it is on the left and then you have to make a sharp left to head down into the mini valley called Laurel Canyon Dog park.

Check out the video. You can see it is a large dog park. There is a very small, timid and small dog section off to the right as you enter. The park has some great shady spots to keep out of the sun. The park is large enough that the human can walk laps with his/her dog if they want to get joint exercise. The park is unsupervised. The limit is 3 dogs to owner.
Laurel Canyon Dog Park, 8260 Mulholland Drive Los Angeles, CA 90046 (818) 769-4415
www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facili...

This dog park has a reputation. I have to be honest.

The negative:

• I have seen over 15 dog fights there. The problem is the owners that go there (some not all) just don't pay attention. So the dogs do what dogs do. I have even seen a greyhound have it leg ripped to shreds by a black Lab that no one seemed to claim after the incident.
• My dog was attacked by a Husky-Shepard mix. The dog picked up my Terrier mutt and shook her by the neck. Not a play move that is a kill move. The owner told me through his thick French accent, that it was my fault. (Because she is a 20 pound dog) He did not apologize and just went back to the picnic tables. I walked up to him took his picture and his dogs. I did so because a number of people told me that his dog had a history of being aggressive. He left. I never saw him or the dog again.
• There are a good number of "wanna be" Hollywood types. You can tell because they are on their cell phones usually yelling their success into the phone for all to hear. There are also real celebrities and Hollywood folks there, too and they usually are quiet and to themselves - not yelling in their cells.
• Some of the owners just stand around and talk. They are not there to play with their dogs but have their dogs play and play unsupervised.
• There is attitude. I won't lie. I have seen it, heard it and had it yelled at me. Here is my thought if you are so super special why don't you have your "help" bring the dog to the park or want don't you own enough property that you don't have to come to the "commoners" dog park.
• During the work week the dog walkers bring in 5 to 15 dogs. There is no way one or two people can watch all those dogs! Mind you the limit is 3.
• When it is hot there are bugs galore and the trash cans really give you a gift of what is in their cans.

The positive:

• There are some real nice folks and dogs there! Yes, it sounds like a contradiction but the are more positive people and dogs there.
• It is a large park
• Free parking
• It is in the middle so valley friends and city friends can meet.
• Great place to throw the bag and for your little pup to run his heart out.
• There are some very nice people and dogs there at the park. It depends on the hour of the day.
• My Terrier has made some very nice friends.
• I have had some really great conversations with some super people as we both watched our dogs play and played with them.
• In the morning it is just plain pretty up there.

My L.A. Now Tip: 1) Don't drink a lot of coffee there are not restrooms for people folk there. 2) Go to the park in the morning if you can. There are less dogs and the owners and dogs in the morning are more cooperative and behaved. 3) Try not to go during the week too few dog walkers with too many dogs. 4) Here is the Ranger's phone number for the park if you need it 323.913.7390. 5)Take doggie bags to pick up your dog's rear end business.

Grand Performances 2009 Summer Series @ California Plaza

http://www.grandperformances.org/

Last night my pal and I went to see Zap Mama at the California Mart downtown on Grand Ave. It was AMAZING! As my pal and I stood and watch this great band I leaned over and told Sam, "I remember when they started building this place." Slap of reality...


The vibe was chill. This is the Los Angeles that I have grown up with and love. This is the Los Angeles that is multi-cultural, happy, generous, embracing, smart, hip, brave and just down right friendly. I enjoyed the music and the best people watching in town! What a beautiful L.A. night! Cool breeze in the air, clear, clear night and Zap Mama floating in the air against the tall sleeping ebony skyscrapers.

The vibe was so cool last night that while we were watching and listening to Zap Mama's almost two hour performance we were doubly entertained when a group of friends starting dancing near us. I caught it on video check it out!

I recommend this series: Grand Performances! Here are the details so you can pick a night to enjoy for FREE. Got to love L.A.!


California Mart or Plaza (You say tomato and I say to ma toe)
350 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Parking
$7.50 after 5 pm
There is street parking if you are comfortable with it.
Also, there is a lot across from the Plaza that is $5.

MTA
Metro Red Line is the one that will take you there. The stop is Pershing Square. Look up and follow the stairs up to the Plaza. You can't miss it. If you are confused just start walking up the hill, cross the street and take the escalator up to the music and lights.
Cost: FREE BUT bring $5 to donate. Find a RED Bucket and donate if you want to keep this vibe alive!

Calendar for the rest of the season:
08/20 - 8:00 PM: Inspiration House PoetryChoir: VoiceMusic for Whole Living
08/21 - 12:00 PM: Adaawe
08/21 - 8:00 PM: Rahim AlHaj
08/22 - 8:00 PM: Film Night: El tren fantasma (The Ghost Train)
08/23 - 8:00 PM: Film Night: Nömadak Tx
08/28 - 12:00 PM: El Colegio del Cuerpo
08/28 - 8:00 PM: El Colegio del Cuerpo








08/29 - 8:00 PM: El Colegio del Cuerpo

September
09/12 - 8:00 PM: Emily Dickinson: This and My Heart
October
10/12 - 8:00 PM: The Laramie Project Epilogue

My L.A. Now Tip: 1) Pack your own picnic. 2) Bring your own spirits but put them in plastic cups (for safety reasons) or leave in can. 3) Bring pads or low chairs. 4) Get there at least 40 minutes before to find a space. 5) Take the MTA so you don't have to worry about parking. 6) Bring a light wrap or jacket, it gets cool there at night.

LAST MINUTE FREE STUFF TONIGHT!!

Zap Mama

Born in the Congo and raised in Belgium, Marie Daulne is the voice and soul behind this wildly eclectic group of Afro-European musicians. Originally an a cappella female quintet, Zap Mama now sport a vibrant instrumental section, drawing influences from Afrobeat, indie-pop, jazz and funk.

When:
August 15 : 8 p.m.
Price:
FREE
Event Phone Number:
213.687.2159
http://grandperformances.org/
California Plaza
Neighborhood: Downtown
300-350 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071
213.687.2159

One Quick Day in Los Angeles 8/8/2009

Sunset Junction 2009

I actually remember the first meeting for the Sunset Junction. It was at Galaxa Studios. We were in rehearsal and Richard the owner had a group of Silver Lake residents discussing the potential event. That was years ago.

Now look at the festival! What a happening! If you have not been to this event it has some of the best music in town!

You can buy almost any kind of food your tummy wants then you can dance it off to a number of DJ's then rock your head up and down to some great bands!

Check out the website: http://www.sunsetjunction.org/

My L.A. Now tip: 1) wear something cool. 2) take the Metro and don't bother driving. It is impossible to get street parking. 3) Find a friend that lives in Silver Lake and stay at his or her pad and stumble back home safely!

Pink's for Sunday Breakfast! Breakfast of Champions & Tourists!

Some friends of mine from out of town came to visit. I doing my good Angelino duty took them on the quickie tourist run. Hollywood & Highland, Melrose Blvd. and PINK'S! On Saturday we drove by Pink's hoping for maybe only an hour wait. Yeah, that didn't happen. It was easily a two to three hour wait. I love my friends but being a local I was not going to wait in that line. SO! I drive by there all the time and the best time for no line is around 10 am to 11 am after that look out.

We then planned to have Pink's for Sunday breakfast! Breakfast of tourists! We waited in a ten minute line. Long enough to be pressured with guilt into buying a homeless man a bacon, chili, cheese dog. (The man has good taste.) My friends had a blast looking at all the different names of dogs and burgers. The "Rosie O'Donnell," The "Mayor Dog," so on and so on. While one was reading the names on the menu, the other was shouting the names of the celeb photos on the walls. (If Steve Martin eats there, then I eat there.)

There is something about eating junk food that early in the morning with a group of strangers. Chili dogs brings people together! We chatted with a couple from the Bay area(just like my pals) who had just dropped their daughter off for school. A great discussion of Casper's Dog and Pink's ensued. It was great! We were all bonded by the chili!

I had the Bacon Chili Dog Burrito for breakfast! Yum! (Don't tell my mother!) My friends had chili dogs, cheese dogs, chili fries and onion rings. Seriously, folks this is some good food. Pink's is great because it is a Los Angeles landmark, has some good food, is priced reasonably and is chalked full of characters.

Here is the link to check out Pink's: http://www.pinkshollywood.com/index.htm

Did you know that Pink's has been in the same location for 65 years?

Did you know that there is actually a Mr & Mrs. Paul and Betty Pink?

Okay, so here is the My L.A. Now tip: if you are going to Pink's try to get there before 12 pm.

$6 Movies

Hola Angelinos!

Here is my little secret: AMC Movie Theaters has $6 movies EVERYDAY! If you go to the movies before noon you get to see the movie for $6!

If you have an AMC MovieWatcher card you get FREE popcorn on WEDNESDAYS. Yes, a free small popcorn.

So on Wednesdays you can see a movie and have a small popcorn for ONLY $6.

A.M.Cinema
Start your day off right! A.M.Cinema is AMC's best ticket price on all shows before noon.

http://www.amctheatres.com/

What the blog is this about?

If you love this city as much as I do and want to do fun and different stuff in this city then keep posted to my new blog site.



I will have fun stuff listed like:

• summer free events


• free L.A. happenings around town


• mta fun stuff


• secret little local spots

I will also have a message board where events can be listed.