Tucson Observer

Contrary to Richard Fimbres’ Republican opponent’s unfounded, scurrilous and unsubstantiated allegations, he did respond, more than two months ago (August 19), to the attacks made on him by his successor, Alberto Gutier, a longtime Phoenix Republican political operative, strategist, activist, Sergeant at Arms for the State Republican Party, and currently the Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) under Governor Jan Brewer.

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The 17th annual Lesbian Looks Film Series opens Friday October 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Gallagher Theater, U of A Student Union, with Straightlaced, a documentary about the toll that deeply held stereotypes and rigid gender policing have on all of our lives.

Also screening: the award-winning narrative short Pariah, a coming-of-age drama about a Lesbian teenager unsuccessfully juggling multiple identities to avoid rejection from her friends and family. FREE and open to the public. Co-sponsors: School of Media Arts, Hanson Film Institute, McClelland Institute for Children, Youth and Families, Gender & Sexuality Studies, School of Anthropology, Center for Student Involvement in Leadership

For more Information, contact Beverly Seckinger, (520) 621-1239, website: lgbcom.web.arizona.edu/lesbianlooks/lobbydoor.html.

TUCSON (Observer Update) – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Latino/as can celebrate their heritage through music, art, poetry, dance and film at the second annual Tucson Latin Gay Pride festival Sept. 30-Oct. 3.

Coordinated by Wingspan, the festival will highlight the theme “Familia! (Family!)” with a Latin Dance Party, a local documentary, a community forum, a cultural showcase, a resource fair and a program for area youth. The festival, which falls in the middle of National Hispanic Heritage Month and just before the beginning of Tucson Gay Pride celebrations, is designed to foster community and address concerns relevant to LGBT Latinos.

“The events are meant to bring to the forefront issues specifically affecting LGBT Latino/as, such as disproportional HIV infection rates, domestic violence and immigration,” says Oscar Jimenez, Wingspan Anti-Violence programs manager and Tucson Latin Gay Pride committee chairman. “It’s also an opportunity for LGBT Latino/as to express themselves through culture sharing, art and music and for LGBT Latino/as to show that they have a voice in the LGBT rights movement.”

As part of the celebration, Tucson filmmaker Angela Soto will document the “coming-out” stories of local Latino/as and premiere the short movie at the cultural showcase.

For the schedule of events, go online to tucsongaylatin.webs.com/schedule.htm or for information, please contact Oscar Jimenez at 954-2343 or ojimenez@wingspan.org.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Latino/as can celebrate their heritage through music, art, poetry, dance and film at the second annual Tucson Latin Gay Pride festival Sept. 30-Oct. 3.

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On Sunday, October 11, 2009, the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) will be hosting the 21st annual AIDSWALK Tucson. During this tough economy, SAAF would like to recognize the long and unwavering support of AIDSWALK’s title sponsor, Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel. Desert Diamond has been supporting AIDSWALK for 15 years and has been Title Sponsor for 8 years. It’s community involvement has been vital to SAAF’s programs and services and the people we serve. However, Desert Diamond has also been a leader in philanthropy in many other aspects of Tucson’s vibrant civil society, and it is important to honor and recognize it’s role in making Southern Arizona a better place.

AIDSWALK has always been heavily supported by Tucson’s large and small businesses, and this year we want to say a special thank you to everyone who has continued to show support even within a difficult financial climate. The financial, media and in-kind support of SAAF’s sponsors ensure that the funds raised at AIDSWALK yield the highest impact on the programs and services offered at SAAF. The commitment of Tucson’s businesses and organizations to the local community is what makes our city and region so strong. Sponsorship and opportunities for businesses to be on the mall the day of AIDSWALK are still available.

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Almost four weeks ago, Wingspan’s Board of Directors announced changes that would alter the structure of our community center.

Some were shocked. Some were dismayed. Many saw the vision of what Wingspan could become, despite these economic hard times.

Together we rallied to form committees to handle the day-to-day operations, to recruit volunteers to fill positions needed to help Wingspan rebuild, and to reach out to you, the community, for various types of support.

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Organizers of the Tucson Latin Gay Pride 2009 festival are seeking artists to perform or exhibit their creations at a cultural showcase Oct. 3.

The free event will highlight the contributions of local Latino gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender artists.

“LGBT poets, a short film, dancers, music and visual artists will all come together in one place and show their works and celebrate,” says Oscar Jimenez, chairman of the festival planning committee. “We’d like to get the word out to visual artists, poets, filmmakers and musicians to contact me to be part of this event.”

For more information, call Jimenez at (520) 954-2343 or e-mail him at ojimenez@wingspan.org
Coordinated by Wingspan, the showcase will be from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Lost Barrio as part of the festival Sept. 30-Oct. 4.

TUCSON – T-Squares, Tucson’s GLBT square dance club, is celebrating their 25th anniversary with a dance on Saturday, August 29 at the Therapeutic Recreation Center at Reid Park, 1000 S. Randolph Way.

The event begins at 4:30 p.m with refreshments at a “meet and greet”, then a pot-luck dinner at 5:30 after which square dancers will dance to live callers until 9:30 p.m. The club invites current and former dancers along with their significant others to attend this enjoyable annual event. Contact T-Squares about the dance by emailing Tsquares25@comcast.net.

The T-Squares club is a member of the International Association of Gay Squares Dance Clubs (IAGSDC) and the local Square & Round Dance Association of Southern Arizona (SARDASA). T-Squares’ diverse membership is open to all regardless of age, race, gender, religion, ethnic background, or sexual orientation. The T-Squares club dances every Tuesday evening at the Cornerstone Fellowship Social Hall at 2902 N. Geronimo Ave from 6:30 to 9:00 pm with a crash course slated for September 15th for anyone interested in taking square dance lessons with a uniquely Gay flair. For more information about T-Squares, email them at T-Squares@azgaydance.org, or visit azgaydance.org and click on “Tucson, AZ”.

Reveille Chorus has got a whole weekend of fun, August 15-16 at Woody’s, 3710 N. Oracle.

Saturday, August 15, 7:00 -10:00 p.m.: Reveille Recruiting Party! Join us at Woody’s to meet the guys and learn more about Reveille Men’s Chorus. We’ll have CD’s for sale, a 50/50 raffle, and video of our last concert “Make ‘Em Laugh, Comedy in Music.” Have a friend who sings in the shower? Or, do you have a penchant for humming show tunes? With our new rehearsal night of Mondays 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., beginning August 24, we are anticipating an increase in membership and we want you!

Keeping everyone in line (and in stitches!) is Mistress of ceremonies, Tucson’s own Black Cat, Miss Ajia Simone. Remember, it is Saturday August 15, from 7pm-10pm. Happy Hour goes until 8 p.m. so get there early and down a few with us!

Sunday, August 16, 2:00 – 9:00 p.m.: Reveille Burger Bust and Ajia’s Kitchen! Come to Woody’s again the next day for Burger/Beer Bust hosted by Reveille from 2-7pm. A freshly-cooked burger plus 6 draft beers for only $8! Tip your Reveille cook well, and our “friendlier” members may return with a favor… The coolers will be on the patio, so brave the heat with some cold beers and the Reveille men.

Then from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. have a home-cooked meal better than at Ajia’s Kitchen. Ajia will be slinging it out high and low, so watch where that yummy soul food ends up! Appropriately enough, Karaoke begins at 9pm, so stick around because I’m sure a few of us will be sloshed enough to sing. Many thanks to Frank, Dave, and all of the crew at Woody’s for allowing Reveille to host our weekend of fun!

Tucson Pride has announced the Grand Marshal’s for the 2009 Pride Parade to take place, Friday, October 9.

Organizers announced that Margaret Cho will be this year’s Celebrity Grand Marshal. Revered for her crass in-your-face style, Margaret Cho burst onto the scene in 1994 with her sitcom All American Girl and has since become one of the most prolific and critically acclaimed comedians of our time. In 1999, she chronicled her legendary struggles with network executives over her weight and ethnicity into a groundbreaking one-woman show, I’m the One that I Want, praised by Entertainment Weekly as one of the “Great Performances of the Year!” Margaret is currently starring in the all-new comedic drama series, Drop Dead Diva, on Lifetime, Sundays at 9pm ET/PT. Her latest stand up concert film, Beautiful, is airing on Showtime and will be available on DVD on November 17th. Tucson Pride is very excited to welcome Ms. Cho to the event. Margaret Cho will perform later that same evening at the Rialto Theatre.

This year’s Community Grand Marshal, Organizers said, is Desert Voices. Just ending their Platinum Season in Tucson, Desert Voices is an inclusive chorus organized to provide the opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered (LGBT) and supportive others to sing together in order to build community within & outside the chorus through our love of music; produce shows that are entertaining and musically excellent; perform music that reflects the lives of the LGBT community; promote an ongoing, positive presence and advance social change in the larger society.

This year’s Parade is moving back to 4th Avenue. The Parade begins at 6:00pm and will wrap up with a block party featuring some of this year’s Pride in the Desert entertainers as well as a surprise performance to be announced in September. Ms. Cho will join Desert Voices, this year’s Community Grand Marshal, for what is certain to be an evening full of pride and fun.