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Issue IX, Vol. XXV, No. 297 | May 2020

News and happenings for, by, about and affecting the LGBT Valley.
Project of Community Link, Inc: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Service Organization. 
EST. September 1995

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Community Link Projects

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GRAY ALLIANCE NEWS APRIL 2020
John Richardson

Gray Alliance is a group for LGBT seniors, and we get together twice a month for social functions. The second Wednesday of the month at 6 pm we meet at different restaurants.

Due to the serious nature of the COVID-19 virus, all Gray Alliance events are canceled until further notice. Our age group is especially vulnerable. 

 

We have a potluck the final Sunday of the month at the First Congregational Church Fireside Room from 2-4 pm. It’s located at the south end of the church at 2131 N Van Ness Blvd in Fresno. Please note that although we are using a church facility, Gray Alliance has no religious affiliation. We will not be meeting Sunday, May 31, 2020.

 

If you have any questions, please call John Richardson at 559-260-1565.  Hope to see you soon!

YOUTH ALLIANCE NEWS MAY 2020
David McGee 

 

Spring in the Central Valley is reaching its end as warm weather starts to take over.

 

Central Valley residents will probably have a few more days of 80-degree weather here and there, and then we’ll start to see the thermometer climb. For the members of our LGBTQ Youth Alliance, home schooling and social isolation continue. The governor’s orders continue to require that people shelter-in-place. It looks like the shelter-in-place orders will continue in California until the end of May. Our youth group cannot meet and appear to have little contact through social media.

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If our Youth Alliance could meet we would want to know how everyone is doing at home. We would want to hear all the stories of fun activities our youth have engaged in and all the stories of not-so-fun activities they’ve engaged in. We would be asking them what they do in order to deal with the tedium and boredom of staying home all day. We would want to know how our youth group members are doing with their home schooling projects. We would want to know what plans they have once the shelter-in-place orders are lifted.

 

Normally, this time of year, our youth are using part of their Friday evening meetings to plan for the upcoming Fresno LGBTQ Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival, which takes place on the first Saturday of June. This year, the Pride event was going to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

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Instead, the event has been postponed until it is safe to have a large gathering of people once again.

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Until it is safe to come out of our homes, the members of the LGBTQ Youth Alliance will continue to shelter-in-place. No one wants to get sick. We all want to be able to meet again in the future with a plan for weekly meetings with social distancing. We may be told to cap the number of attendees for our Friday night meetings. We may have to meet outside somewhere.

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But we have high hopes that we will once again be able to meet!

 

The LGBTQ Youth Alliance has traditionally met on Friday evenings, at 7 PM, in the Fireside Room of the Big Red Church, located at 2131 N. Van Ness, in Fresno. Our goal is to restart our weekly meetings once we are given permission to meet! Until that time, we will continue to post occasionally on Facebook so that folks know we haven’t gone away! We look forward to the day we can once again meet face-to-face!

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Local

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BE SAFE, BE WELL

Toni Harrison 

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It seems like day 5,567 of sheltering in place, working from home for some of us and masks and gloves when we go anywhere.  It is hard to maintain a smile and happiness during this time when it all seems so scary.   

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The events of spring and summer that we all look forward to are being cancelled and while it is both sad and unfortunate those decisions to cancel events are made after many discussions and concerns, but it comes down to wanting to make sure the community is safe and as healthy as it can be.  We won’t have to do this forever and when it is over we can all go out and have a party.   

It isn’t just events being cancelled but we can’t go to the barber/hairdresser, get a haircut, brows waxed or mani-pedi’s done.  Right now my hair is the longest it has been since high school, I have a full unibrow and when I get a pedicure they will need a set of hedge clippers to cut my nails.   

My dog looks like she put on 30 pounds but that is just her hair curling up and growing out.  I spend too much time on Amazon ordering things, only to discover they are being shipped from China and when they come I have to put them in quarantine before I take them out of their packing.   

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Life is just different now, but not necessarily for the worst.  If lucky we have friends and family to talk to, to cuddle with or watch movies with.  A virtual hug can go a long way, even though we aren’t sitting on a couch together we can still watch a movie together.  Our laptops and phones are a blessing right now and you can have friends who are thousands of miles away and still “hang out” together. 

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If you are in need of someone to talk to we at The Living Room are ready and eager to talk to you.  Please don’t isolate to the point of depression.  While are office is open we are not allowing people inside the building unless an appointment is made in advance.  Our drop-in center is closed, lunch programs and support groups are temporarily suspended.  If you need support or services again, please call us, our number is (559) 486-1469. 

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We are in this together, let’s lean on each other for support.

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The grassroots team and volunteers of the Fresno Spectrum Center are seeking the aid of the community. Many funding sources and opportunities have been redirected and/or lost due to COVID-19. Thus, possibly forcing the store front closure by end of July 2020.

 

Leon Velasco-Stoll Founder and Chairperson of the Fresno Spectrum Center states, “We are going to try as much as we can to find funding sources that can cover monthly expenses, that during COVID-19 closures, continue to arrive; so, we are hoping the community will help as much as possible. We have tried charitable fundraisers on social media like #GivingTuesday, but because of COVID-19 it was unsuccessful this time. Other means of fundraising is unavailable due to social distancing.” 

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The work the team continue to offer are services that can be done even though the store front is closed.  

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  • Spectrum Story Hour is LIVE FEED on their Facebook page. 

  • Food delivery in partnership with Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church to community members/families unable to leave their homes. 

  • Providing fabric for individuals/groups making masks, as well as making masks for those in need. 

  • Connecting community members to local resources via the phone, instant messenger, or email. 

  • The team is looking into establishing other groups and meetings through ZOOM. 

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In regard to the annual event, the LGBTQ2+ and ally’s, September Spectacular Resource Fair, the Community Advisory Board and Planning Committee has decided to cancel this year’s event due to the concerns of health and safety of our community. We will be looking forward to planning it for 2021. 

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If anyone wishes to help, The Fresno Spectrum Center can be contacted: 

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The Fresno Spectrum Center           Email: ppcinc19@gmail                559-319-8471 

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Announcing our COVID Relief Fund

$40k in direct aid to our LGBT+ Community Members who are struggling.

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In partnership with SJVHF, we are grateful to announce our COVID Relief Fund.  If you or someone you know has been impacted by COVID, please apply for direct aid.  Help is available for Source clients to help with lost income, buying food, paying utilities, and other necessities of life.  Times are very tough right now and we are grateful to help as much as we can.  Funds are limited.  Applications are being reviewed in the order received.  

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This funding is available to Tulare and Kings County residents only and is intended to support LGBTQ folks, their families, and their allies.
 

Apply Here

REACHING OUT TO LGBTQ SENIORS

 

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the stay at home orders in the valley now entering its 8th week of shelter at home. Some of our community members are running short on groceries and can not and should not be going out in public to restock their refrigerators and pantries.

 

Community Link, Inc. Is partnering with Our Saviour Lutheran Church of Fresno to assist our LGBTQ Seniors. The Gray Alliance, our program of social/ support services and activities for our graying members of our community, is trying to help our older community memebers who may need assistance with food.


This virus is dangerous to those 65 and older and those with serious health issues. The church with our combined volunteers have been willing to take needed supplies to those who are at risk and/or are 65 and older.

 

Community Link reached out to Pastor Bill Knezovich of Our Saviours Lutheran Chuch to work with them to assist our LGBTQ Seniors with food needs.

 

During the quarantine we will br reaching out to at risk individuals in the LGBTQ community throughThe Gray Alliance and the church to see who needs help and what is needed.
 

Shirley Alexander....559-269-7479 who has helped guide our Gray Alliance Group for many years, has been worried about older LGBTQ folks who are left alone, and may need some help with food.

 

 Our volunteers will mainly be running stuff to those in need. Dropping off needed supplies on the front porch, walking at least 6 feet away and calling the person that the supplies have arrived.

 

We definitely dont want our volunteers entering the home, have our senior ride with them to go shopping or running them around on errands.

 

If you need help due age or health issues or you know an LGBT Elder in need please reach out to Shirley.

 

If you would like to volunteer or make a financial donation to our senior food pantry please contact Community Link at clinkinc@aol.com or call Community Link at 559-266-5465.

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National

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Street Protest

PULSE MEMORIAL VANDALIZED BY WHITE SUPREMACISTS

The LGBTQ center's phone lines were cut as well.
Bil Browning
Reposted from LGBTQNation.com

 

A memorial to the victims of the Pulse nightclub mass shooting was vandalized by white supremacists. The mural is located on the side of the Orlando LGBTQ organization, The Center.

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A white nationalist hate group, The Patriot Front, appears to be responsible. Stickers from the group were placed on the mural.

continue reading at LGBTQNation.com

AMAZON PAID A GAY RESTAURANT TO MAKE 10,000 FREE MEALS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

David McGee

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To help out during the coronavirus epidemic, retail giant Amazon paid $200,000 to a queer eatery, Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant, to deliver 10,000 free meals to police, first responders, and the needy in Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia. According to the eatery, Amazon’s donation has helped the establishment bring back its furloughed workers in order to make 400 meals a day for the month of May. An Amazon spokesman stated the donation was offered in order to thank neighbors who keep the area safe and to care for the neighbors who need extra support at this time.

 

Source: lgbtqnation.com

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JIM BAKKER IN TROUBLE FOR SELLING CURE FOR COVID-19

David McGee

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Televangelist Jim Bakker, who went to jail decades ago on fraud charges for scamming his television congregation, is back in trouble for the same thing. Bakker is being sued by the state of Missouri for selling a “Silver Solution” product that supposedly cures COVID-19, SARS, sexually transmitted infections, and prevents HIV infection. His lawyers argue that Bakker’s concoction was divinely inspired and is therefore protected by his religious freedom.


Source: lgbtqnation.com

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HRC ENDORCES JOE BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT

David McGee
 

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s most prominent LGBTQ advocacy organization endorsed Joe Biden for President on May 5, 2020. HRC’s announcement came on the eighth anniversary of Biden’s appearance on Meet the Press, where he endorsed marriage equality. HRC President Alphonso David said in a press release, “Vice President Joe Biden is the leader our community and our country need at this moment.”

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Source: advocate.com

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ANDY COHEN CALLS OUT FDA FOR ANTI-GAY GUIDELINES

David McGee
 

TV Personality Andy Cohen recently reported that as a survivor of COVID-19 he signed up to donate blood/plasma for medical purposes. He said his offer was refused due to outdated anti-LGBTQ guidelines that the FDA continues to embrace. Cohen called the guidelines discriminatory and outdated. The LGBTQ organization, GLAAD, thanked Andy in a tweet for confronting the FDA on its outdated guidelines.

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Source: eonline.com

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LITTLE RICHARD DIES AT AGE 87

David McGee
 

Little Richard, the self-proclaimed “architect of rock ‘n’ roll,” who built his ground-breaking sound with a blend of boogie-woogie, rhythm and blues, and gospel, died on Saturday, May 10, 2020, at the age of 87. Richard was known for his flamboyant stage presence and energized vocals. His family reported he succumbed to bone cancer.

 

Source: reuters.com

INDIANA RESTAURANT IS USING DRAG QUEENS TO DELIVER FOOD TO CUSTOMERS

Customers can't get enough of the dinner and small personalized show complete with hand masks, gloves, and proper social distancing.
Bil Browning
Reposted from LGBTQNation.com

 

The Michigan City, Indiana restaurant Fiddleheads is now offering Dragside Pickup.

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Customers can order online or telephone and when they arrive to pick it up, a drag queen will bring it to their car.

continue reading at LGBTQNation.com
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International

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CURRENT POPE DONATES MONEY TO GROUP OF TRANS SEX WORKERS

Pope Francis gave money to 20 Latin American sex workers in need of shelter and medical care. Meanwhile, former-Pope Benedict connected gay marriage to the anti-Christ.

David Villareal
Reposted from LGBTQNation.com

 

Current Pope Francis and his predecessor, former Pope Benedict XVI, both made headlines recently, contrasting the religious leaders’ different approaches to queer people.

 

While Francis made a notable show of support for queer people by recently donating money to a group of transgender sex workers trying to survive the epidemic, Benedict gave an interview for an upcoming biographical book in which he connected same-sex marriage to the antichrist, the prophesized embodiment of worldly evil expected to try and replace Jesus Christ right before the world’s end.

continue reading at LGBTQNation.com

GERMANY JUST BANNED EX-GAY THERAPY.

The "therapy" methods include not shaking hands with anyone of the same gender, beating a pillow, cuddling with another man "platonically," and not listening to music.
David Villareal
Reposted from LGBTQNation.com

 

On Thursday, the German parliament (the Bundestag) passed a ban on ex-gay therapy for minors, punishing anyone who offers the widely debunked practice of psychological torture with one year in prison or a fine of $32,000, but one political party wants the ban to go even further.

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The law forbids the use or advertisement of any therapy that purports to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity for minors.

Traveling in Germany
continue reading at LGBTQNation.com
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Enlighten Me

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CHANGE IS INEVITABLE, SO LEARN TO ADAPT

Mark Lang
 

Nothing in this world is permanent. Everything changes. That is the way of life. It is the natural order of things. If you understand the earth’s history, you realize that any species that did not adapt to change became extinct. Nature is in a perpetual motion of change.

The environment is not exactly as it was yesterday. Oh, sure, it may look the same from a distance. However, upon closer inspection, one sees that there are minuscule transformations taking place regardless of the season. The trees, bushes, yards, clouds, and creatures are all in constant flux. Even the buildings and streets are slowly breaking down.

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It is completely irrational, therefore, to expect things in your life to stay the same. Children grow up, friends come and go, jobs change, etc. To desire permanence is to hope for the impossible. It is comparable to trying to stop the passage of time. Such desires only lead to frustration and cause emotional suffering.

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Far better it would be to graciously accept the inevitability that everything in life naturally transforms into something else. Summer turns to fall, people age, loved ones depart, and so it goes. Surrender to the laws of nature, and let your heart be at peace.

When you recognize this fact of life, you can better cope with the unexpected. Perhaps you suddenly lose your job, or your life partner leaves you for someone new. Whatever the unforeseen event might be, if you acknowledge that nothing in life stays the same, you are better equipped to emotionally and spiritually adjust to the new situation. Nothing lasts forever. Permanence in this world is an illusion. Take a deep cleansing breath and accept that fact.

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Refusing to accept the inescapable changes in life inevitably results in problems. An instance that readily comes to mind is the way society seems to be obsessed with looking younger. It’s as though adults want to turn back the hands of time and return to an earlier state of existence. Not possible!

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Facelifts, anti-aging creams, and hair coloring to take away the gray are all futile attempts to fight against nature. No wonder there are times when we feel in conflict with ourselves. When we fight nature, we fight ourselves. As an alternative, try going with the flow. Age graciously and be an example of serenity. Instead of modeling youthful vanity, model calm acceptance.

The political arena is ripe with individuals who resist change and progress. Some speak of their burning desire to return to the good-old-days when they were younger. They seem to forget that the so-called good-old-days were not always so good. Any period in the past was originally radically new and part of the changing times that were moving forward, not backward. Longing for the past is analogous to trying to drive a car by looking in the rearview mirror. Such actions are awkward at best and reckless at worst. They often result in collisions.

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Just look at some of the world governments. Inevitably, there are some leaders (usually dictators) who dig in their heels and refuse to give up power. They resist the will of the people and, more importantly, the natural flow of progress.

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It seems we cannot talk about politics without including religion. Here, too, we see a fear of change and a flight to past times—at least among the more conservative religious groups. What exactly are the conservatives trying to conserve—the past?

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It is ironic, almost humorous, how some Christian conservatives sharply criticize and judge the new ways, beliefs, fashions, and lifestyles of people today. Why is this ironic? Well, because one only need look at biblical history to learn that Jesus was a liberal! He held revolutionary beliefs, disagreed with the conservatives of that time, promoted changing the old ways, and constantly spoke of love and peace. Face it—Jesus was a long-haired hippie! (By the way, if you are not laughing right now, you are probably a conservative.)

Something to meditate on today. Live according to the natural order of things. Stop resisting inevitable change. You are growing older—just accept it! Stop struggling. Go with the flow of nature. All things change. Notice this in the environment around you. Go outside. Walk through the woods, City Park, yard or garden. Irrespective of the season, be aware of the changes in your environment.

Perhaps you could visit the same spot or piece of ground each week to note the specific changes. Notice what is new and different, the growth, temperature, wind changes, etc. Be a part of the progress.

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New Wellness

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TOGETHER 

Ron Blake 
 

It was a warm late afternoon in early October 2000 in northwestern Indiana. The sun was squinting through the colored leaves of the park’s trees. All sixteen of us were together relaxing on the ground before we boarded the bus and headed back to the school. 

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We just finished up our last cross country practice of the regular season. The exciting sectionals tournament would begin in two days. You’d think this was the time for me as the coach to give the usual inspiring pep talk for this team of high school athletes. But that’s not what I did.  

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I stood up and fondly looked one-by-one at each dynamic kid sitting on that freshly mown grassy ridge overlooking the glittering lake. The boys ranged in age from 14 to 18. Their personalities were as varied as the vibrant fall foliage. 

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I silently reflected on the incredible memories of our odyssey’s last four months. We logged hundreds of miles on trails, sidewalks, and hills in all sorts of weather. And hours of bus rides to and from our events. Trips that involved naps, raucous celebrations, and dejection following stinging defeats. 

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There were tasty pasta dinners the nights before each meet during the season. This traditional culinary circuit included tours at the homes of numerous runners on the team. The benevolent parents served spaghetti with meatballs and there was occasionally a side of mayhem and mischief from the synergistic pack of wild teenage boys. 

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There were arguments. There were birthdays. There were breakups with girlfriends. The ups and downs. The smiles. The tears. It was life with our group. 

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On this October day, I also looked toward tomorrow. No. Not a week from this moment. Not even a year from this moment. I tried to imagine life many years and even decades down the road. Imagining how thrilling that would look like for us. Imagining where we would all be.  

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And then I came back to that very place. The present. Standing before this band of brothers in that park. I asked for their attention and prepared to find the words to match the moment. Sometimes there’s no way to know what you will say. You let the moment guide you. It’s better that way. 

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I was not giving a rah-rah speech. I simply told them to look around at our group. To look at each individual gathered in that location. For some reason we were all put there as a team. And then I went on to say…this might be the last time we would all be together. Enjoy these remaining days. 

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After that season and after coaching there for years; something unexpected happened. I moved away to California and began a new chapter in my book. Over the next several seasons all of the guys would go on to graduate from high school. They entered college, the military, and just the real world itself. 

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Within only six years after that particular cross country season, I would receive phone calls on separate occasions informing me that two of our teammates had died. I remember just days after attending the second funeral, I sat quietly by myself. I was searching and searching for answers. For some comfort. And I finally found it in an image frozen in time. 

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Sixteen of us were all sitting around on the park’s lush manicured grass. Smiling. Laughing. Joking. The sun shining down on us on that amazing autumn afternoon. The lake reflecting the beauty of the day. The warm breeze blowing through the colored leaves. We were basking in our moment.   

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That was the last time we were all in the same spot at the same time. I will always have that moment. We will always have that moment. We were all together. It was perfect. It will always be perfect. 

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This story of we’ll always have that day is brought to you by that guy grateful for our perfect season. That guy embracing echoes of eternity is Ron Blake and he will forever be their Coach at rblake5551@hotmail.com

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Uncle Barbie

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Your Intellectual Whore
"An effervescently gay advice columnist."
 

Disclaimer: Although the author of this syndicated column holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, the tongue-in-cheek advice given is for entertainment only and is not a substitute for therapy. Barbie responds to all emails...whether you deserve it or not. Send your questions to Uncle Barbie at:
askunclebarbie@aol.com

A PERVERTED PLAYGROUND IN THE HUMAN PSYCHE

 

Dear Uncle Barbie,

I was verbally abused and occasionally touched in a sexual way as a child by members of my family. Now, as a grown woman, my sexual experiences have been in a BDSM (bondage, sadomasochism) relationship. I enjoy being submissive and sexually abused. Is this because of my childhood or just the type of sex I enjoy?

Signed, Ms. Puzzled

 

Hello Ms. Puzzle,

I’m sorry to hear about the verbal abuse and incest that you experienced in your family. Unfortunately, that type of familial problem is all too common in our society (and globally, too, for that matter). When incestuous relationships are multigenerational (in other words, having gone on for many generations), the family members may start to think that this type of behavior is acceptable--especially if they were raised that way, learning from parents and grandparents. When this happens, the dysfunctional dynamics of the sexual behavior can start to feel “normalized” within the confines of that particular family. Although the abuse is still destructive, it often becomes a predictable pattern, which can be mistaken as a “normal” familial experience by the participants.

 

Based on your question, it sounds as if you have already made great strides in understanding the abuse and hopefully have started your healing process. The fact that you have identified the inappropriate behavior in your family as abuse tells me that you recognize that it was destructive. Now, perhaps, you are also better able to understand and recognize the destructive patterns of behavior in your current sexual relationships that involve bondage, sadism, and masochism (BDSM). I’m not saying that all S&M activities are destructive for everyone. However, in your particular case, you might want to closely look at your motivation for saying, “I enjoy being submissive and sexually abused.” If you don’t mind my rephrasing your statement a little, perhaps what you really mean to say is that you are used to being abused.

 

Here is how I understand the process of how people form sexual associations. We learn to make associations based on our personal experiences. (By the way, developing a sexual association is a much different process from developing a sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is based largely on genetics, biochemical, and pre-natal developmental interactions that later amalgamate in concert with social learning). So, when you learn to make an association whereby you pair pain with pleasure, you are basing this association on past sexual behaviors that have become familiar (and therefore comfortable) to you. Basically, what I am trying to explain here is that you seem to have linked up the experience of abuse with the experience of sexual expression. You have been taught since childhood to sexualize an abusive situation.

 

Now, in your adult life, you look for these “comfortably familiar” experiences because you not only feel content with what is predictable, you also feel a certain false sense of control with what you perceive to be a ordinary sexual experience. After all, you did say that you “enjoy being sexually abused.” A couple of sentences back, I used the phrase, “false sense of control.” I chose those words because you are really not in control of your S & M encounter. Rather, you are surrendering your personal power over to the other person/s. (From what I have been told by people who practice S & M, the exchange of power and control is usually shared equally between the individuals involved. Of course, those people I talked to were only sharing their personal experiences, and not speaking for all people who practice sexual bondage. So I’m sure there is some degree of variation.)

 

You asked, “Is this because of my childhood or just the type of sex I enjoy?” Actually, it is both. You apparently enjoy this type of sex because you formed sexual associations to S & M experiences that stem from your roots as an abused child. The really big question, which you did not ask, is how to express your sexuality in a healthier way. I suggest breaking the old pattern of S & M bondage and developing some brand-new sexual associations to romantic intimacy that involves gentleness, tenderness, and kindness. Obviously, this change will take a lot of time and therapy. And since the type of therapeutic support you require goes beyond the boundaries of this advice column, I strongly suggest you seek individual (as well as group) counseling from your local mental health service center. I recommend Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy because, based on research studies, it tends to be the most effective form of therapy for your type of situation.

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Shout, Shout, Let It All Out, Barbie

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Horoscopes

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Astrology Map

ARIES (Mar 21 - Apr 19)
Your life appears to be in slo mo right now. This is a time to plan and not for actions. It will give you direction so you an move forward. 

TAURUS (Apr 20 - May 20)
Life has eased up on you for now so go full steam ahead and do what you need to do. Then pat yourself on the back. 

GEMINI (May 21 - June 21)
Your nerves are just too fried to make any rational decision. Lots of activity but not the results you are looking for. It might be best to wait awhile when your mind is more clear. 

CANCER (June 22 - July 22)

Good time for planning long term goals. What you put in is what you get out. That's it. No burnout here. 

LEO (July 23 - Aug 22)
This is a time you need to just kick back and let life happen. The key here is to enjoy friends and yourself. 

VIRGO (Aug 23 - Sep 22)
This is not a really happy time. You feel you are being pulled in different directions at the same time. Stressful yes. Retreat and entertain yourself.

LIBRA (Sep 23 - Oct 22) 
You really don't know want to think right now. Your mind is on overload. Try not to think too much and use your emotions to guide you here. Tricky yes but it will get you through it. 

SCORPIO (Oct 23 - Nov 21)
Moderation is a key word for you here. You feel intuitive and can be judgmental. Lighten up and enjoy your center. 


SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Today doesn't seem to be going very well so plan for tomorrow. Pamper yourself and do some self indulging. 

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 - Jan 19) 
Hard work and innovation pay off now. Seek help here to get you over some rough patches ahead. Seek help from friends. 

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 - Feb 18) 
You feel people are imposing on you more than you want. This is your time to be yourself and not take on other;s problems. Draw that line in the sand. 

PISCES (Feb 19 - Mar 20) 
You're a ball of fire here. Be careful of burnout and pick and choose what you want to do. Your physical ability is very high now.  

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Not To Be Missed

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After a month of lockdown due to COVID-19, News Link readers may be bored and wanting something new to do. Since most venues across the state are closed, perhaps a virtual tour is in order. Individuals can find websites on the Internet that list virtual tours that can be accessed via computer, laptop, or electronic pads. Readers can Google or Bing various virtual tours. The Washington Post, for example, lists 12 historic sites an individual can tour virtually from home, such as:

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ï‚· The Louvre Museum, Paris—The Louvre Museum is the world’s most visited museum.

It can be crowded and noisy. But virtual tours exist of the Egyptian Antiquities

collections, remains of the Louvre’s moat, and the Galerie d’Apollon.

 

ï‚· The Sistine Chapel, Rome—Visitors can tour the interior artworks of the chapel,

including its renowned ceiling and artwork by Michelangelo.

 

ï‚· The Guggenheim Museum, Los Angeles—The Guggenheim offers access to its entire

contemporary arts collection as well as the museum’s iconic architecture, sprawling

design and any of its galleries.

 

ï‚· Yosemite National Park—While parts of the park are still open, a website allows visitors

to tour iconic landmarks, such as the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, the top of Half

Dome, and Yosemite Falls.

 

ï‚· The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam—The largest collection of Van Gogh works in the

world is housed at the Van Gogh Museum, in Amsterdam.

 

ï‚· The Great Wall of China—China’s most famous attraction offers virtual tours of some of

the most visited sections of the wall. The wall itself is 3,000 miles long. The virtual tour

offers a reprieve from the crowds that normally come from all over the world to see this

2,000-year-old marvel.

 

ï‚· The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History—The Smithsonian is offering

virtual tours that let visitors take a self-guided, room-by-room trip through the museum’s

slate of exhibits.

 

ï‚· Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming—This virtual tour takes visitors through the first

national park, Showing Wyoming’s most treasured sites including its canyons, hot

springs, and geysers, including the most famous geyser, Od Faithful.

 

ï‚· The Museum of Modern Art, New York—The MoMa is one of over 500 museums and

galleries that Google Arts and Culture has partnered with to offer an interactive

experience of the gallery space.

 

ï‚· The San Diego Zoo—The most visited zoo in the country is known for its open-air,

cageless natural habitats and is famous for being one of the few zoos in the country that

spearheaded conservation efforts for giant pandas. The San Diego Zoo has set up live

streams of its habitants so that anyone can view the koalas, baboons, and penguins from

home.

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ï‚· The British Museum—The world’s oldest national public museum is another space that

has partnered with Google Arts & Culture to showcase a virtual, interactive gallery.

Visitors can roam the halls and see famous objects such as the Rosetta Stone, the

Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies.

 

ï‚· The Metropolitan Opera House, New York—The Met will host nightly encore

performances of its most iconic shows throughout its season. The free streams will go

live at 7:30 PM each day and will be available for 20 hours after the performance.

 

We recommend these tours, and any others that an individual can discover online, as an alternative to watching reruns of movies and TV series while we are all sheltering-in-place at home. It’s a great way to see these sights without all the crowds! Give it a try!

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Events

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PRIDE INSIDE
Saturday, May 23 at 11 AM - 1 PM
Pride Inside is a virtual event that will be debuting on May 23rd from 11am to 1pm.
There are going to be plenty of special guests, interviews, performances, and fun! Just because we're stuck at home doesn't mean we can't still come together.

Check our page for more updates and info!
facebook.com/events/674530723379348

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The 30th Annual Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade and Festival may be postponed but we can still all come together (at a distance) to celebrate.

We’re going to need our community more than ever. Stay tuned here and on Instagram for more details of what we have planned for June 6th and how YOU can be a part of it.
facebook.com/rainbowpridefresno

Contact Us

P O Box 4959, Fresno, CA 93744

newslnk@aol.com  |  Tel: 559-266-5465

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News and happenings for, by, about and affecting the LGBT Valley.
Project of Community Link, Inc: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Service Organization. 
EST. September 1995

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