Live Out Loud Honors LGBT Youth at Annual Benefit

by Paul Florez
The Advocate

New York City - Live Out Loud held its Seventh Annual Young Trailblazers Benefit Gala at the Chelsea Art Museum Monday night. The event honored four high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and were each awarded a $2,500 scholarship for their activism. The evening was hosted by Broadway actor Cheyenne Jackson and included fashion designers Thom Browne, John Bartlett, and Ralph Rucci.

Since 2001, Live Out Loud programs, all free of charge, have reached more than 5,000 New York City students through panel discussions, speaker bureaus, and a workshop series. Programs usually are held in the afternoon when the school day has concluded or as part of an after-school program.

full article

Gay support groups challenge homophobia at May 15 event

from The Burlington Post

It was 17 years ago, on May 17, that the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.

On Thursday, May 15, the International Day Against Homophobia and the International Day of the Family are being celebrated together by the Halton Organization for Pride and Education (HOPE) and the Halton Chapter of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG).

The two local groups are celebrating both days as a means to "combat" discrimination of sexual orientation and gender identities for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transsexual and queer (LGBTQ) members of the Halton community.

full article

GLBT Historical Society To Celebrate The Life Of Allan Bérubé

WHAT: The life of Allan Bérubé, an American historian,activist, author and MacArthur Award-winning scholar who died in December, will be celebrated by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender(GLBT) Historical Society on May 17th from 4-7 pm. This event is free and open to the public.

WHERE: The GLBT Historical Society. 657 Mission Street, Suite 300, San Francisco. Phone: 415-777-5455.

WHEN: THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2008, 4PM - 7PM

CONTACT: Nan Alamilla Boyd. Email: alamilla@sfsu.edu. Phone: 415-441-1959

source article at gaylinknews

Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me

460,000 results came up on my Google search.

Who knew there were so many variations?

The Phrase Finder site says:

"STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES, BUT WORDS (NAMES) WILL NEVER HURT ME. - Although a physical attack may harm me, I am not bothered by cruel words or name-calling. I don't care what you're saying. This children's taunt was first listed in 'Folk Phrases of Four Counties' (1894) by G.F. Northall and is first attested in the United States in 'Miss Lindsey' (1936) by S.G. Gibbons. The proverb is found in varying forms: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but hard words cannot hurt me; Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me; Sticks and stones will break my bones, but lies will never hurt me." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" (1996) by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996).

Many of the search results talked about bullying. The Children Today article, titled “Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones -- And Words Can Hurt, Too” represented 18-year-old Heather.

"I was bullied," says Heather from Texas. "Even after 18 years, I can tell you her name, describe what she looked like, show you where she lived and tell you all the horrible things she did to me -- in detail. She ruined all my memories of fifth and sixth grade. Those two years will always be remembered as the time that Christie tortured me."

Here’s a couple other titles:

Sticks 'n stones may break my bones, but words hurt, too

Sticks An Stones Can Break My Bones BUT Words Hurt Forever (YouTube Video)

I rejoiced when I saw this article:

Sticks & Stones Can Break My Bones But Names Can Really Hurt Me!

The overall tone of the article is; not only do you harm others but also bring harm to you.

Granted, it would be a better world if we could all ignore hateful comments.

But a world without the hateful comments is far more desirable.

VIDEO: Speak out against Hate Speech

End hate speech.
It doesn't hurt just us.
It's not about censorship.
It's about having compassion.

Bones May Be Linked To Gay Serial Killer

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Indianapolis, Indiana) Cold case detective have re-opened a 13 year old murder case of an unidentified man to see if he was a victim of a serial killer who preyed on gay men in the 1990s.

The man's body was found in a wooded area in Floyds Knobs. Indiana in in 1995. Never identified, he was buried as a "John Doe".

On Monday the remains were being exhumed from a cemetery in New Albany and police say new information and modern investigation methods may help in identifying him.

Officers said they believe the man may be Jerry Williams-Comer, 34, who disappeared from Indianapolis in August 1995.

The case was re-opened after a woman who works for the Doe Network - a Web site run by amateur sleuths who try to solve cold cases.

full article

Study shows promising new approach to thwart HIV

By Will Dunham
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Researchers have pinpointed a protein in a key human immune system cells needed for the AIDS virus to infect them, and found that turning it off can greatly slow down the deadly virus.

Inactivating a protein called ITK in immune system cells called T cells reduces HIV's ability to enter these cells and replicate itself, the researchers said on Monday.

A drug based on this approach could be useful as a complement to existing drugs used to treat HIV infection, said Andrew Henderson of Boston University, one of the researchers.

full article

Principal outs gay kids, ACLU steps in

by Nick Langewis
PageOneQ

Daphne Beasley, principal of Hollis F. Price Middle College in Memphis, Tennessee, is under fire for outing at least one gay couple in her student body, according to the ACLU-backed couple and their parents.

"This is a public high school that runs on taxpayer dollars," said attorney Bruce Kramer. "As such, it is part of the government and must obey the Constitution in dealing with the students entrusted to its care each day."

"The principal's outing of these two students to their families, classmates, and teachers is unacceptable," said Hedy Weinberg, ACLU of Tennessee's Executive Director. "Its only purpose was to intimidate not only these students but all gay students at Hollis Price.

"Educators," Weinberg continued, "should be focused on educating their students and not on harassing them because of their sexual orientation or the people with whom they associate."

full article

The cost of copyright literalism

Twice in as many weeks I’ve had authors of articles contact me.

Both times, the tone of their message prompted me to remove their articles immediately.

As many of you know I’m an editor for the gay news forum on Topix. Therefore, I look for newsworthy articles and announcements online which I form links to by placing part of the article in one of my 4 blogs.

I act as a gay news “funnel of information”. Gathering gay news from an unlimited number of resources online.

In essence I am doing these people a favor by spreading their articles to a much wider audience. I don’t post the entire article and I always have a link to the original article.

Recently I posted a link to a public event announcement and the author contacted me about copyright issues. I was shocked that anyone would object to spreading the news, as wide as possible, about a public event.

I feel sorry for the event holders that someone is more worried about copyright then the number of event attendees.

Evidently some folks are more concerned with copyrights then they are the number of eyes who see what they write.

If folks want to “shoot themselves in the foot”, who am I to argue. I'll happily remove any article without hesitation.

One hate crime on campus is too many

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
editorial

The old cliche says that every cloud has a silver lining and last Friday afternoon was no exception. As storms moved into the area, campus prepared for what looked to be a dreary night. But something rather inspiring made the rain an afterthought.

Two weeks ago, a hate crime was committed against a University student walking down Green Street. The assailant screamed a hateful slur before physically assaulting the victim, who had tried to ignore it. The victim ended up in the hospital, and the perpetrator is awaiting trial.

Such an ugly incident is usually followed by fear, anger and sadness, but thanks to the efforts of PRIDE and the Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resources, students fought hate with the best weapon in the world: humanity.

Instead of lashing out, friends and members of the LGBT community confronted fellow students Friday with Hershey's kisses, flowers, information about hate crimes and perhaps most important of all, hugs.

There was nothing complicated or extravagant about the event, and perhaps that's the way it should be. After all, grappling with the complex issues surrounding bigotry and homophobia is difficult. In some cases, it's just impossible to understand. Sometimes something as simple as a hug can go a long way to make things better.

Of course, we know that hugs alone won't solve everything. While it is somewhat comforting when University figures remark at how rare an occurrence a hate crime is, it's still safe to assume that acts of hate both large and small occur everywhere, including on this campus.

Whether they are reported or not, one hate crime is one too many.

full article

The Peter can not count

Pam's House Blend

Check out Alvin's post at Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters on Peter LaBarbera's claim that homophobe pastor Ken Hutcherson "led a full one-third of Mt. Si High School students OUT of school Friday to protest the pro-homosexuality "'Day of Silence'."

For the record, Hutcherson did not lead one-third of the students out of the school. His protest only had 100 people, which was one-tenth of the number of people he wanted to be there (Hutcherson was asking for 1,000 attendees for his so-called prayer vigil.)

The school reported that 495 students did not attend school, including 85 athletes, who were excused for personal beliefs.

Father Knows Best: Having a Gay Son is Great

PFLAG Blog

“Yeah, so what?,” I asked myself.

I’d just read Would You Really Be OK with a Gay Kid? a March 21 column on the Details Magazine blog. The column contends that even progressive men, perhaps especially progressive men, have a hard time being “comfortable” with the idea of having a gay son. I actually do know a progressive man who is uncomfortable that his son is gay. My wife thinks there are many more.

I’m not so certain. After all, I know only one befuddled dad, and the column presents only three other anonymous progressive men with heebie-jeebies about gay sons. But I also met a progressive dad who accompanied his son, a high school sophomore, to our PFLAG meeting last Sunday. He wants to be more out than his son. He wants to tell everyone. He’s proud to have a gay son.

OK. There’s one progressive dad who’s not breaking out in hives about gay sons. I know another one, me. A child of the sixties, I wanted my children to march to a different drummer, and so when I learned John is gay, I clapped along with the beat.

full article

Nutter Appoints New Liaison To Gay Community

NBC10.com

PHILADELPHIA -- For the first time ever, there will be a direct liaison working with the Philadelphia Mayor's Office who knows the issues important to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

At City Hall on Monday, dozens of LGBT community members repeatedly cheered for Mayor Michael Nutter's latest appointment.

Some were calling the event historic, NBC 10's Kristen Welker reported.

Even Nutter was emotional as he introduced Gloria Casarez for the post.

"Before I completely burst out in tears, let me have Gloria come up and say a few words. Gloria?" Nutter said.

"I see it as a responsibility for all of us to stand together to make Philadelphia a true City of Brotherly Love, and I pledge to represent us with authenticity, integrity and respect," Casarez said.

The city has had a liaison to the community before, but Monday's announcement meant an expansion of the role.

"For the first time, the LGBT liaison will actually be operating out of the mayor's office, working across city government to advocate for the needs of Philadelphia's LGBT community," Nutter said.

full article

19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Sunday, April 27, 2008 – Sally Field, T.R. Knight, Rachel Griffiths, Matthew Rhys, Garry Marshall, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel, Sofia Vergara and Zoe Saldana were among the dozens of celebrities who joined the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) as it honored Janet Jackson, Rufus Wainwright, and Herb Ritts, and presented awards for Outstanding Drama Series, Comedy Series, and Reality Program last night in Los Angeles at the 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.

The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the issues that affect their lives.

At the ceremony, Ellen DeGeneres presented Janet Jackson with GLAAD's Vanguard Award, honoring media professionals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

full article

Uniting American Families Act

Unfettered Letters
Kansas City Star


Not long ago, a friend of mine went abroad on vacation and met the woman of his dreams. Within a few months, she was in this country on a “fiancée visa.”

I am happy for them, but it hurts me that my Mexican partner — a mature, law-abiding, hardworking adult with whom I have been in a committed relationship for more than 15 years — is still unable to immigrate legally to the United States.

According to the 2000 Census, more than 36,000 couples like us are experiencing similar discrimination. Many Americans are not aware that gay and lesbian U.S. citizens cannot sponsor their foreign-born partners for immigration.

U.S. immigration law is based on the principle of “family unification,” yet gay and lesbian families are not afforded this basic dignity.

The Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) currently before Congress seeks to rectify this injustice by securing the right of U.S. citizens to sponsor their partners for immigration; it does not redefine marriage, and it would not affect the Defense of Marriage Act.

I hope your readers will urge their senators and representatives to change the current discriminatory immigration policy and pass UAFA.

James Frazier
Lawrence

original article

LGBT community responds to hate crime with peaceful Hug-In

By Stephanie Benhart
Just after 1 a.m. April 12, a man screaming derogatory names at a group of students walking down Green Street attacked University student Steven Velasquez.

Velasquez, sophomore in Business, said the man screamed "faggot," assuming he and a friend walking together with two other students were members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

They continued walking and Velasquez asked, "Why does he have to be like that?"

The man then grabbed Velasquez and shoved him to the ground, which knocked him unconscious.

Incidents like these are classified as hate crimes or bias incidents, said Kaamilyah Abdullah-Span, assistant dean of students. A bias incident is motivated by membership in a particular group, whether it is ethnic, racial or sexual orientation-based, but is not punishable by law.

Hate crimes are motivated by a person's bias, but fall into criminal categories, she said.

In response to the most recent attack, a Hug-In was held along Green Street on Friday night, sponsored by Pride and the Office of LGBT affairs. The Hug-In featured LGBT community students and their allies offering free hugs to anyone walking on Green Street. They were also handing out cookies, flowers, Hershey's hugs and kisses and handbills with hate crime information.


full article

backstory

Federal Court Overturns Verdict In Lesbian Discrimination Case

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Cheyenne, Wyoming) A federal appeals court has overturned a lower court verdict that found a school district had discriminated against two former school administrators because they are lesbians.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver also set aside $160,000 award the lower court had ordered the Sheridan County School District to pay Kathleen Milligan-Hitt and Kathryn Roberts.

The 10th Circuit panel that heard the case said that when the women's contracts were not extended in 2003 there were no explicit protections for LGBT workers in the state.

full article

20/20 social experiment on same-sex public affection

Birmingham: 20/20 televised a social experiment on same-sex PDA (Public Display of Affection). One lady actually called 911 and they sent an officer to the scene. The officer told them not to do that in public.

View the video here

Dancers defy people's homophobia

By Kamika Dunlap, Staff Writer
Bay Area News

Partners take turns leading

EMERYVILLE -- They did the cha-cha, nightclub two-step and the hustle Saturday at the California State Open Same Sex Championship Title Event.

Female and male couples showed off their best moves on the Allegro Ballroom dance floor during the April Follies-themed event. Everyone from beginners to professional level dancers competed.

"I love dancing with women," said Zoe Balfour, 50. She and her partner, Catabria Phillips, are the top-ranking U.S. same-sex women's dance couple. "We are really challenging people's homophobia."

The competition was held in conjunction with Bay Area National Dance week, a 10-day celebration of free public classes, performances and open rehearsals. The week kicked off Friday,

In Europe and other places around the world, same-sex dance competitions have been popular for years. In the United States, however, same-sex couples are not allowed to compete in mainstream dance competitions and judges are penalized for judging same-sex couples. In some competitions, such as City Lights in San Jose, same-sex are allowed to participate as a dance demonstration, but not at a competitive level.

Lamberty, founder of the April Follies event, said it was set up to give same-sex couples an opportunity to dance, to compete and to grow interest in the art.

Some of the couples who participate are women dressed in traditional men's tuxedos and tails and men who dress in drag or female clothes. While dancing, couples also cross and reverse roles as they switch up leading and following.

"I'd love to be a part of the mainstream dance world," said Barbara Zoloth, 65. "But we also need a place where we can have our own dance competitions."

Zoloth is actively involved in the North American Same Sex Partner Dance Association, a nonprofit that promotes social and competitive same-sex partner dancing.

full article

Opinion: All or none

Throughout my life I've seen a lot of this "all or none" approach.

Today I saw an article where a animal rights activist felt it was "morally acceptable" to kill animal researchers. [link]

Of course, being a gay man, my first thought was about people who feel the same way towards gays (no link needed since it's a fact proven many times over).

Then I thought about people who have a different color skin, abortion doctors and disabled.

I applaud people for devotion but I'm shocked some feel killing is a viable option. Especially when it is based in religion!

Before the article I was thinking about having breakfast.

I think I'll skip breakfast this morning!

OUTtv To Create The Netherland's First Gay Lifestyle TV Network

Following their exciting new programming partnership with the here! channel in the US, OUTtv, Canada's national gay and lesbian television network, announced today that they have licensed popular programming to OUTTV Media in the Netherlands, creating the first Dutch gay lifestyle television network.

full article

Mount Si's gay-rights Day of Silence is far from quiet

By Lynn Thompson
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

More than one-third of students didn't show up for classes Friday. Principal Randy Taylor said 495 out of 1,410 students weren't at school, including 85 athletes whose parents had asked that they be excused for their personal beliefs.

About 100 people joined the Rev. Ken Hutcherson, a prominent anti-gay-rights activist, in prayer and song that questioned the dedication of a school day to what they said was a controversial political cause.

Snoqualmie police placed yellow crime-scene tape between Hutcherson's supporters and about 40 counterdemonstrators, including some former students, who tried to drown out the pastor by beating drums and chanting, "Go home."

Earlier, about 80 parents and supporters of the event, sponsored by the school's Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), stood quietly outside the school as students arrived in the morning. Some wore tie-dye scarves, and a former student waved a rainbow flag.

"We want to let students in the GSA know they have support in the community," said Lucinda Hauser, a Mount Si parent and member of the local Methodist church.

Members of the group of supporters said they did not want to confront Hutcherson or his supporters and left about 8 a.m.

The national Day of Silence was observed Friday by more than 200 high schools around the state and more than 7,000 school and colleges nationally. It has been observed nationally for the past 13 years.

Hutcherson, pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, last week called for 1,000 "prayer warriors" to join him outside the school Friday.

He and his wife also took out a half-page ad in the Snoqualmie Valley Record calling on residents to join them.

full article

Ex-student returns to Mount Si to support Day of Silence

By Lynn Thompson
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

Neil Lequia will be watching the protests and counter-protests at Mount Si High School today with more than a little emotion.

As a gay teenager growing up in the Snoqualmie Valley, he remembers "the bullies," popular, athletic boys vamping in the hall and pretending to flirt with him. He was part of the school's first Day of Silence in 2006, in part to call attention to the harassment.

Nineteen now, and two years out of high school, Lequia said, "Even being in the closet was hard there."

Lequia, who now lives in Seattle, says insisting that students and teachers talk on the Day of Silence defeats the purpose. He tells the story of a friend from Seattle's private Lakeside Academy whose Spanish teacher on the Day of Silence started a movie about violence against gays in Mexico — and then left the room.

"These are the experiences you take away from high school. They stay with you more than any one exercise in class," Lequia said.

full article

related article

2015Place.com Silent for Lawrence King, Day of Silence

In observance of the Day of Silence, this blog will be silent Friday, April 25, 2008.

Silent for Lawrence King:
Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence (DOS), a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment. This year’s DOS is held in memory of Lawrence King, a 15 year-old student who was killed in school because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward building awareness and making a commitment to address these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today."

VIDEO: Larry King speaks about Lawrence King and DOS

Larry King speaks out in support of the Day of Silence.

In the video he states "all students should be free to be themselves without the fear of name-calling, bullying or harassment. "

He ends the video with "every student deserves to feel safe in school".

Protest planned to counter Day of Silence at Mount Si High School

By Lynn Thompson
Seattle Times Eastside bureau
Washington

Mount Si High School leaders were hoping the national Day of Silence on Friday in support of gay and lesbian students would pass quietly under the radar.

That's not going to happen.

A prominent anti-gay-rights activist last week called for 1,000 "prayer warriors" to protest in front of the school Friday morning.

A coalition of groups that support gay students quickly announced a counterprotest at another location in Snoqualmie, where Mount Si High is located, to support students participating in the event.

A local church took out a full-page ad in Wednesday's Snoqualmie Valley Record in support of the school's Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), which is sponsoring the Day of Silence. The ad was meant to counter one by the Rev. Ken Hutcherson, pastor of Antioch Bible Church in Redmond, inviting residents to join his protest and declaring: "It's time for moral people to be unashamed and take a stand."

Snoqualmie's police force has asked neighboring jurisdictions to have officers standing by, although Hutcherson has vowed that his protest will be peaceful.

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Harvard Students Poised to Protest DADT

by William Henderson
New England Blade

Cambridge [STAFF] � Jacob Reitan of the Harvard College LGBT Political Coalition, announced at a forum on the electability of GLBT people to office at Harvard on Tuesday, April 22 that his organization will launch "Right to Serve," "a ground-breaking" bus tour protesting "Don't ask, don't tell."

From May 24 through May 31, students from Harvard College will embark on a week-long journey "to highlight the injustice of 'Don't ask, don't tell'," according to information at the Harvard College of Democrats Web site (harvarddems.com).

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Followup: Embattled city board member quits over remarks

By Carol • Gorga Williams
Coastal Monmouth Bureau
Asbury Park Press

backstory

LONG BRANCH — Planning Board Vice Chairman Edward Thomas, under fire because of comments he made at a March 18 meeting that critics said linked homosexuality to pedophilia, will leave the board on which he has served more than two decades.

Thomas said he is devastated to find his reputation in tatters, adding that it has very nearly driven him to suicide in the last few weeks. He said he will walk away from the Planning Board because it is in the best interests of the city.

Mayor Adam Schneider said at Tuesday night's City Council meeting that Thomas will resign — although Thomas, 45, had said earlier he considers the action a "retirement." Either way, his leaving had been sought by Garden State Equality, a statewide group that lobbies for civil rights for members of the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual communities.

"I take no particular pleasure in any of this," said Schneider, noting that Thomas has worked hard for the city for many years. "He did make a serious mistake five weeks ago. . . . It was clearly inappropriate, for which no excuses can be made. I'm sorry it came to this. I think Mr. Thomas recognizes it is not a pleasant way to end a career of public service."

full article

Gay rights group leaves Manchester Hyatt event

view backstory here

from the Union-Tribune newsroom

SACRAMENTO - A gay rights organization that's upset by Doug Manchester's funding of a same-sex marriage ban has withdrawn from an event scheduled for the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation announced that it has withdrawn from a "Pride Rocks" event scheduled for the summer at the Hyatt owned by Doug Manchester. The event celebrates gay pride.

Manchester, a local developer, contributed $125,000 to a drive to put a same-sex marriage ban before voters in November. Backers of the ban have said this week that they have gathered enough signatures to qualify the proposed constitutional amendment for the ballot.

The president of the gay and lesbian alliance , Neil Giuliano, said in a news release that Manchester's decision to fund an initiative that would "hurt loving, committed gay couples makes it impossible for us" to take part in an event that promotes his hotel.

full article

Bahrain: 'Root out gays in our schools'

By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
Gulf daily News
The voice of Bahrain

SCHOOL students could soon be spied on under a campaign to stamp out homosexuality, under demands made by MPs yesterday. Parliament also demanded that the Interior Ministry stop granting any residence permits to foreign homosexuals.

Any already here should be deported as soon as they are detected, MPs said at parliament's weekly session.

MPs also called for regular inspections to root out homosexuals at massage parlours, health clubs and hair salons.

It also called for monitoring in schools and for pupils who veer towards homosexuality to be punished.

They voted in favour of an Al Menbar bloc proposal to oblige the government to prepare a study to determine how widespread homosexuality is in Bahrain.

The proposal has been studied by the foreign affairs, defence and national security committee, which recommended it.

full article

Million Penny Drive raises funds for LGBT Community Center

By LAUREN FREDMAN
Columbia Missourian

COLUMBIA — The Center Project, an organization working to build a community center for mid-Missouri’s gay and lesbian community, is holding a Million Penny Drive with the slogan “Change ... for change!”, which will continue through May 1.

Forty collection cans were placed in Columbia businesses and throughout MU in late February. Members of The Center Project are also willing to pick up large amounts of change.

Some of the businesses that are currently participating in the penny drive are Maude Vintage Clothing and Costume, The Soco Club, Living Canvas Tattoo, Main Squeeze, 9th Street Video, Blackberry Exchange, Café Berlin International and Award Pet Supply.

Stacy Snow, current member of the board of directors of The Center Project, said that local businesses have been really supportive of The Center Project in the past. Various businesses have donated door prizes as well as raffle items for their annual community dance party, “The Atomic Dance Party,” held June 14 at the Blue Note.

Snow said The Center Project has been talking with developers and business owners to find a long-term location for the center. She said the group needs to raise $10,000 to $20,000 more to show that they are a fiscally responsible organization that will be able to maintain a community center.

Members of the Columbia group have also visited LGBT community centers in Kansas City, Mo., and Tulsa, Okla., and have attended yearly conferences about how to run an LGBT community center for the past three years.

“We have been at it for five years now,” Snow said. “We are like the little engine that could. We were ready for it to open yesterday, but it takes a lot of work.”

full article