August 2017 | Page 19 of 71

It’s 20 years for the Lakeside Pride Band.

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off

According to Lakeside Pride Music Ensembles co-founder Mary Wallace, “If music is your thing, you’ve really got to do it, or else you’re miserable.” Lakeside Pride celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017. The organization boasts about 210 members and consists of several units: the Freedom Band, which marches in local parades; the symphonic band, which usually mounts two concert performances annually; a jazz band; and several smaller ensembles. The organization unveiled a new logo in conjunction with the milestone, according to Board Chair Bradley Fritz.

Illinois Governor signs LGBTQ public service bill.

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off

At a time when federal protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans are being rolled back at the federal level, a bill to encourage public service by LGBTQ Illinoisans has been signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner. The LGBTQ Public Service Bill is an initiative of Equality Illinois, the state’s civil rights organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer lllinoisans. “Equality Illinois believes that when LGBTQ people are visible, we are powerful.

It’s an street party in Downtown LA!

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off

Last year, sensing a need to celebrate Downtown Los Angeles’ LGBTQ community, a group of activists and bar owners teamed up to organize a day-long party. They expected 4,000 people to show up for the happening in Pershing Square. More than 9,000 people ended up thronging the park. That response prompted the organizers of the DTLA Proud Festival to extend and enhance the celebration this year with live music, DJs, dancers and even a micro-waterpark. It takes place again at Pershing Square on Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 26-27.

LGBTQ with disabilities finally finds support.

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off

The Arc Mercer, Capitol County’s premier provider of programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), has launched a groundbreaking LGBTQ community organization for people with special needs. The group, the Special Needs Alliance for Pride (SNAP), is not just the first organization of its kind in the state of New Jersey – but the first in the entire country!

Gender Odyssey for transgender people kicks off in Seattle.

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off

This week is Gender Odyssey, the country’s largest transgender conference, and it’s right here in Seattle. Founder Aidan Key started the conference in 2001. “To help me personally find and connect with people who are going through gender transition because I was just starting my transition from female to male,” Key explained. It has since grown from 300 attendees to about 1,700. And one of the most important additions has been including programming for teens, children, and their families.

Health care should be part of the gay agenda | Opinion

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off

Did you know that gay and bisexual men get less routine health care than other men do? That lesbian and bisexual women are less likely to have a usual place to go for medical care? According to the US Transgender Survey, almost a quarter of transgender people avoid going to the doctor for needed medical care out of the fear of being mistreated.

Gay man turned down for cat adoption.

August 23, 2017 compassq Comments Off

Alex Andreou is a writer, actor and aspiring owner of a rescue cat. We’ve never met IRL but judging from his online presence, he seems like the kind of person who would give a cat a loving home. But when Andreou recently drove two hours to adopt a cat that “desperately needed rehoming,” he says he was turned down by the cat’s caregiver “for being gay.” How does that affect his ability to care for a cat?? Great question: it doesn’t! It’s called bigotry and sadly it’s thriving in 2017.