2007 NEWS
 
2007, Tuesday December 18. PFLAG Albuquerque Board of Directors invited us, members of our family, and our friends to attend a Year-End Holiday Celebration, immediately following our regularly scheduled support session. The chapter provided refreshments and beverages. It was fun! (Please remember to attend next year too!)

2007, Tuesday November 20. We hald our official Annual Meeting (reports of officers) and Potluck. We enjoyed each other's company and our home-made foods. As always, there was
more than enough food for everyone.

2007, Tuesday October 16. Our own Jim Genasci addressed some myths and stereotypes with his presentation "Gay and Lesbian Athletes Who Enrich the World,"a presentation which he first did in workshops and seminars -- on "Homophobia and Heterosexism in Physical Education, Sports and Athletics" -- at Colleges and Universities during the '80s when he taught athletics.

2007, Tuesday September 18. Our presenter was Susan S. Turner, LISW, chair of the LGBTQ Behavioral Health and Wellness Coalition -- a training , advocacy and support network of public, non-profit, and private professionals and other individuals interested in the behavioral health needs of New Mexico's LGBTQ community. (A licensed therapist, Susan herself does individual, couple, family counseling with LGBTQ (and questioning) adults and adolescents.)

2007, Saturday August 25. Our Speakers Bureau organized a "refresher" for PFLAG speakers, who represent PGLAG-ABQ on panels requested by educational institutions and other organizations; the training was an introduction for those who have wished to begin helping with panel discussions.

2007, Tuesday August 21. We heard a report from two representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union (New Mexico) about our current legislative issues and how some new (positive) laws are being supported by ACLU actions in our courts. We discussed larger issues too, and the need to resist the juggernaut of DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) laws which have been nationally, state by state, legalizing discrimination.

2007, Tuesday July 17th. We heard from The Sandia Out Professional Alliance (SOPA), a business and professional organization that focuses on promoting prosperity in the Gay Community. SOPA's goal is to strengthen the local GLBT business and professional connections as well as foster productive, enjoyable and rewarding relationships between the GLBT community, the general community and the growing number of SOPA member companies, organizations and individuals by way of networking, development, outreach and learning opportunities. To explore their member directory, check out their calendar and attend one of their monthly networking events, you can visit www.SOPANM.org.

2007, Tuesday June 19. The Albuquerque chapter of an international organization, Primetimers, told us about the group -- "The purpose of [which] is to provide mature gay and bisexual men, and their admirers, with opportunities to come together in a supportive atmosphere to enjoy social, educational, and recreational activities" (website quote). A number of our members take part in the group's activities, and we all got to hear how supportive it is for them.

2007, Saturday June 9th. We took part in the Pride Parade, and set up our table at the Fairgrounds.

2007, Tuesday May 15th ... was our 2nd annual "PFLAG and Friends Dinner," with PFLAG members providing the potluck dinner. Our friends, both personal and organizational, came and together we all had fun. We got to hear some news from our friends' organizations, and some of our friends got to know a bit more about PFLAG in Albuquerque. We now look forward to next year's dinner!

2007, Wednesday May 9th. The Religious Alliance for Inclusion and Non-Discrimination (RAIN) presented its 3rd Annual Meeting at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 601 Montano Rd NW -- "Breaking the Silence: stories from the intersection of faith and sexuality." If you missed that meeting but would like to find out where New Mexico stands in the fight for full equality for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community, you can contact: nmrain@hotmail.com

2007. Tuesday April 17th. We enjoyed discussing the progress which has been made over the past ten years. This upbeat discussion will featured us -- we found some "show and tell" items from over the past ten years (photos, clipped articles, videos, books) and shared some memories while noting how these things helped all of us ( LGBT people, families and friends).

2007. Tuesday March 20th. Two members of UNM's Queer/Straight Alliance (QSA) told us about their student-run organization. The QSA recently held a fundraiser for Common Bond's "Under 21 Group." (See February 10th)

2007. Monday March 5th. Lobby day (at the Roundhouse [Capitol Building] in Santa Fe) -- organized by Equality New Mexico. For information, click LINKS (on the previous page) and contact Equality New Mexico.

2007. Tuesday February 20th. Our meeting was about youth suicide. We have discussed it in our support groups and asked ourselves what we can do to help. New Mexico Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator Norma Vasquez Houdek spoke. She helped us become more aware of what is being done, answered questions, and told us more about what we can do to help.

2007. Saturday February 10th. UNM's Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) hosted a benefit show to raise money for Common Bond's Under 21 group. The show, "Take Me As I Am," was held in the Student Union Building Ballroom at 8pm. Performers included M.C. comedian Dana Goldberg, the Albuquerque Kings Club, and musical guests L.E. and Social Stigma.

2006. Tuesday, August 15th. Common Bond was featured: the "Under 21" group, the "Center Without Walls", and the "Drops of Rain" (donation) program. Common Bond explained the work of their Advisory Committee, established in 2000, which has helped adult co-facilitators work with GLBT youth.