Coming Out As An Ally

A coalition of local groups encourages “Coming Out as an Ally” during National Coming Out Week, October 5 through 12. Offered throughout the week are events designed to dispel myths about gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people, and to raise awareness about GLBT rights, culminating in a candlelight vigil to observe the tenth anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s murder.

Events include:

· October 6 & 7: Informational tables in YSU’s Kilcawley Center

· October 8: Two showings of the film For the Bible Tells Me So, in Kilcawley Center’s Presidential Suites from 12-3 p.m. and at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on Elm St. from 6-9 p.m. A panel discussion with local religious leaders will follow each showing of the film.

· October 9: Denim Day. Members of the GLBT community and allies wear denim in a show of unity.

· October 9: Two showings of The Laramie Project, in Kilcawley Center’s Presidential Suites from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and in its Gallery from 5-8 p.m. A discussion session will follow each showing of the film.

· October 10: Two showings of the documentary Freeheld in Kilcawley Center’s Gallery at 12 p.m. and at the First Unitarian Universalist Church at 6 p.m.

· October 10: A Night “Out” at Utopia Video Night Club at 10 p.m.

· October 12: Candlelight vigil honoring Matthew Shepard at 6 p.m. on the steps of the First Unitarian Universalist Church. A dessert pot luck will follow the vigil.

All events co-sponsored by YSUnity (YSU’s gay-straight alliance), Campus Recreation and Student Programming, Mahoning Valley Pride Center, Youngstown PFLAG (Parents, Friends & Families of Lesbians and Gays), Utopia Video Night Club, Partners for Workplace Diversity, and the First Unitarian Universalist Church.

For more information, check out our website www.mvprideweek.com or contact Brian Wells at bpwells@ysu.edu or at 330-941-2308.

Sweet Vinny

Louis made a video of Vinny...

Help us find him a home!  Please repost one of my blogs or one of Louis' blogs (http://louisj80sgarden.blogspot.com) to help us find a forever family for Vinny!!

Kisses

I grew up in an animal-loving home. I was fortunate for parents who let me have a variety of pets including: dogs, a parakeet, a turtle, lizards, hermit crabs, and a duck who thought he was a dog and liked to chase cars (unfortunately, this led to his demise when he was older and got hit and killed by a school bus!).  I have grown up with a love for animals and, like my mom, am a sucker for an animal in need.

That being sad...my boss approached me with those “Puss in Boots” eyes the other day.  She said she forwarded me an email, but she didn’t want me to feel obligated and quickly ran away.  (OK, I don’t know if that’s how it actually happened, but that’s how I have it scripted in my mind!)

Long story short, Louis and I are fostering a pit-mix that was hit by a car.  He was in awful shape and needs lots of TLC.  Somehow he ended up in the right place after being hit and that is near the car of a caring, compassionate person who was able to get him to a vet and they were able to get him fixed.  They had to place a pin in his hip and they were able to clean up some of his abrasions. They also neutered him while he was already under anesthesia. Lastly, he’s being treated for all kinds of worms.  Poor thing. 

Enter from stage left Louis and Brian.  We went to pick up this poor little boy 

yesterday and he was so shy and timid.  He was thinner than Amy Winehouse after a crack-binge.  He was very timid and the vet tech said he had been a little “growly” but he would stop if you gave him food.  He had an incision about 10 inches long on his hip from where the pin was put in and he had scrapes and bruises everywhere.  He’s on crate-rest for 6 weeks.

He got in the car with us no problem and was obviously a little nervous with us on the drive home.  He was so cute looking out our back windows like a little kid on a vacation.  Louis gave him a treat and, in turn, got a kiss on the cheek! We brought him home and let him sniff around the house.  We talked to him a lot and gave him many treats. I sat on the floor to be closer to him and he came right up to me and started giving me kisses!  I felt as if he was saying to us “Thank you for caring about me!”

We made him a comfortable spot in Charlie’s old crate and put him in there so we could introduce him to our pups.  Charlie and Sofia are accustomed to other dogs being in and out of our house and were excited to see him and their tales wagging!  I think they like the idea of having a foster brother!!  Lucy, on the other hand, isn’t as comfortable with strange dogs in our house and was a yap-bucket!!  Her tail was wagging the entire time and she is now comfortable with Vinny being a part of our pack.

Since arriving about 18 hours ago, Vinny has become so friendly is full of kisses!!  He can’t put much pressure on his hind leg (where the pin was placed), but he still manages to get around well when he needs to go outside or wants to explore our home.  Vinny has many challenges ahead of him, but he is going to make a great little boy for a family who is willing to give him the love and affection he so desperately needs and deserves!!  If you think you would like to be Vinny’s forever family, please email me at bpwells@ysu.edu and I will forward your name on to the organization which is helping this poor little guy find a home!  Otherwise, please repost my blog or Louis’ blog (http://louisj80sgarden.blogspot.com) to help us find Vinny a loving family who will be able to love him in his time of need and accept his love and kisses.