This summer is heating up and so are the women!! Geez, talk about fireworks. I have seen quite a colorful display at several of the Hotspots.. Sparks are bouncing off the you knows!! Well enough now about hotties, let’s move on to July Hotspots!
Like some REEL fun? The outrageous OUTFEST comes to Los Angeles once again on July 9-21. Now listen up. I know a lot of you gals looooove movies. Where else can you go and do a little smoochin’ here and there, watch a great gay/lesbo flick and be amongst others like yourself? Well for darn sakes, Outfest!! That’s what I’m talking about baby. Hold her hand or put your arm around her shoulder. If you don’t have a special someone, then get your bootie off that couch and get over there!! This is a fine place to look around and shop for her, er check out the gals. And hey, if you want to forget that love thang all together, it’s just a great place to have fun! My friends and I go all the time and we have a whale of a good time! Unless you’re like my friend Mary. When she bothers me, I just push her into the aisle. Not really! <cough. Stop, I’m laughing so hard, I’m crying> Us LN reporters can sometimes have a little fun right? <wink> What are you trying to say Dian? What I’m trying to say is people who type in different voices are very strange.. Hahahha, no really, what I’m trying to say is Outfest is a blast and well worth it. For more information go to: www.outfest.org.
And the Pride Festivals continue!! Sheesh, there must be some sort of gay agenda going on because people are really happy this Pride season! What’s it all mean??!! It just means, they’re coming out of the closet in droves and let me tell ya, people are experiencing pride in record numbers!!! SAN DIEGO PRIDE in southern California is happening this month July 19-20. This two-day event at Marston Point in Balboa Park rocks San Diego each year. And get this, Boy George is performing. Wow, talk about blast from the past. I remember everyone dressing up like him and.. Oh sorry, my bad. Just reminiscing like I often do in Hotspots. There will also be a parade starting in Hillcrest on Sunday. So head down to San Diego in sunny Cal during this weekend. For more information, go to: www.sdpride.org.
HOTTER THAN JULY is another awesome Pride Festival put on by the BLACK PRIDE SOCIETY. They will be hosting their festival in Detroit, Michigan on July 19-27!! “Our 2008 theme "Embracing Our Past, Celebrating Our Future" celebrates a legacy of pride in our community. We are proud to be one of the country's oldest pride events for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of African descent in North America. We encourage you to network, socialize, and spread the cheer of pride, and tell a new friend ‘Happy Hotter Than July’ when passing by,” says Black Pride Society. That’s right folks!! Things will be heatin’ up during this Pride Fest! Hotter than July, Hotter than right now, heck, I’m hot all ovah! Oh no you did- ent! Did I really say that?? For cripes sake, someone get me some icees! I’m burning up!! Burning up for your love.. Hey, what great lyrics for a song!!! Stop it Dian! Someone already wrote that song!!! Oh yeah. Annnnyway, for more information on Hotter Than July, type in: www.hotterthanjuly.com.
OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing for Change) is hosting a national gathering on July 30-August 3rd in Los Angeles. This great event will be held at the Hacienda Hotel near LAX. Let me tell you, these ladies have got it together! They absolutely make the world a better place for all lesbians!! You go ladies!! At their convention this year, there will be excellent keynote speakers such as Jackie Goldberg, Jewelle Gomez and Gaye Adegbalola. There’ll also be incredible workshops, fabulous entertainment and a dance and banquet! Hey listen up! If you are over 60, YOU want to be part of this group!! They are a national group of lesbians using education and public discourse to beat that darn ageism in the community and in the country. Hey, I’m not 60 yet but age is creeping up on me as fast as cheap underwear. I do know that one day I will be 60 and I know that ladies like OLOC will be making my life easier and sweeter when I get there! For more information on OLOC, go to: www.oloc.org or call: 888-706-7506.
There is one organization that really makes me feel proud and I would like to mention it here in Hotspots: THE TREVOR PROJECT. “The Trevor Helpline is the only national crisis and suicide prevention helpline for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. The Helpline is a free and confidential service that offers hope and someone to talk to, 24/7. Trained counselors listen and understand without judgment. There is hope, there is help. The Trevor Helpline has taken over 100,000 phone calls since its inception and provides various other services to youth. In 2004, The Trevor Project unveiled a program called The Trevor Survival Kit. Since then, almost 3000 educators and youth service providers have enjoyed the kit’s educational information. The Kit contains a copy of the short film Trevor, The Trevor Teaching Guide (to be used in conjunction with the short film), wallet-sized cards with The Trevor Helpline’s toll-free number, and posters that reach out to young people in need of someone to talk to. In 2005, The Trevor Project launched Dear Trevor, an anonymous online Question & Answer forum where young people can ask non-urgent questions about issues related to sexual orientation and identity. Since then we have received hundreds of letters from young people all around the world. The Trevor Project continues to extend its outreach efforts annually. We strive to educate educators, reach out to schools around the country, develop strategic relationships with organizations nationwide to better serve our youth, and, as always, to continue to save young lives and curb gay teen suicide,” says The Trevor Project. If you know a child or teen in crisis, please have them contact the help line at: 866-4-U-TREVOR.
If you have sent email to Hotspots and have not heard back from me, please accept my apology. I had to change servers. But pleeeeeease continue to send Hotspots to: hotspots@thelnmag.com!! Keep the rock alive! Peace Out! |
