Mission:
OUTstanding Amarillo promotes empowerment and acceptance of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender population of the Texas Panhandle by initiating dialogue, providing education, and creating support systems with the ultimate goal of social change.
NALGBTCC Member
days until e
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NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE - JANUARY, 1999
PENNIES FOR PASO CAMPAIGN BEGINS
A new and innovative fund raiser benefiting the Panhandle AIDS Support Organization (PASO) will begin this month and continue through the first of February, reports Randy Phillips from PASO.
The Pennies for PASO campaign will solicit, on an individual basis, less than most people spend
for soft drinks. Cumulatively, these contributions will provide essential support and improve
public awareness of a vital service for area residents suffering from AIDS or HIV infected.
Phillips states that collection cans will be distributed at sites throughout the community.
Supporters are asked to collect pennies during the campaign period and place this loose change
in the specially marked collection cans. All monies collected during the campaign period will be
used to support PASO services.
For many years, PASO has been the primary case management service for AIDS/HIV clients in
the region. While the organization does provide some direct services, PASO coordinates and
refers clients to a number of public service agencies in order to assure the best service possible.
PASO is known throughout the region as a provider of free HIV testing.
As is the case with many AIDS service organizations throughout the country, 1998 was something
of a crisis year for PASO. For decades, AIDS/HIV programs were readily funded through
public programs such as the Ryan White Federal Fund. Although federal funding is likely to
continue, AIDS funding remains in transition, including the need for a greater reliance on local
support. The Pennies for PASO Campaign is part of an overall effort to revise and improve
PASO's fund raising system.
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The end of 1998 brought good beginnings for the pansexual community of Amarillo. While the city did not lack in bars and clubs providing outstanding meeting places and entertainment, the variety improved with the addition of two new clubs, LBJ's near Georgia and Sixth Street and Club 212 at 212 6th Street.
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Presidential Notes
(by Neal Nossaman)
TEAM SPIRIT
I am writing this column fresh after an invigorating OUTstanding Amarillo board of directors
meeting. Every meeting we have leaves me feeling hopeful, excited and ready to work. But for
me, as each day passes, that enthusiasm starts to dwindle. I've made a resolution that, at least for
OUTstanding Amarillo, my enthusiasm will not dwindle. Why am I so excited?
The purpose of OUTstanding Amarillo has always been to provide outreach and support to gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgendered young people coming to terms with their sexual orientation;
and to provide support and education for individuals and the community at large on sexual
orientation and gender identification issues. In plain old English: We are here for YOU!
Because we don't actually provide services (yet) like other agencies in town, we have realized that
we could also have a purpose in uniting and aligning agencies, groups, programs, businesses, etc.
that serve the pansexual community. We are excited about offering a community calendar that will
coordinate events and happenings that pertain to you, our reader. Starting in February we will
publicize this calendar in this publication as well as our website:
www.outstandingamarillo.org
What I hope will become of this is that our gay, lesbian, bisexual ---(pansexual) community will
become more united in spirit, supportive of each other, and stronger as a whole. We can be a
great role model for the young people we serve who are struggling in their own ways with their
sexual identification.
We want participation from you in these endeavors. We need your input, your hard work and your resources. We will be calling for volunteers for different projects and we hope you will answer the call. I know you will.
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When Pigs Fly
(editorial by Kay C. Peck)
Millions of African-Americans and other supporters of the civil right movement filled the streets of
Washington, D.C. -- by their very presence letting the world know that the time had come for
change. It was Aug. 28, 1963, and one man stood before the millions and told them that he had a
dream. Martin Luther King, Jr. has always been one of my heroes. Not because he was a perfect
man, for he was not, but because he was a man of courage. He was a man who dared to dream
and who dedicated his life to making the world a better place and himself a better man. He never
achieved perfection. He never thought he would, but how much richer are we all just because he,
and others like him, dared to try? Sometimes, just for inspiration, I like to re-read his ÒI Have a
DreamÓ speech (the original title was ÒThe Peaceful WarriorÓ). As I did so recently, I began to
ask myself, what do I dream for my own people?
I have a dream ...
... that one day a look of love exchanged in a public place need not be feared as a possible
invitation of violence from those around us.
... that a time will come when a gay or lesbianÕs quality as a parent will be judged according to
the love, care, safety and nurturing they give their children rather than the adult partner with whom
they chose to share their life.
... that others will soon be as aware and concerned about what we accomplish in the business
world, the arts, the health care professions and throughout the working world as they are about
what happens in the privacy of our bedrooms.
... that a time will come when young pansexuals need not risk ostracization from everyone and everything they love as they come to terms with their natural sexual orientation.
... that, as a community and as individuals, we will one day see with absolute clarity that we
deserve only the best and feel free to create the finest lives possible for ourselves and for our
brothers and sisters.
... that my mother, and other parents like her, will no longer feel the need to pray for the salvation
of our soul just because of our sexual orientation.
The best thing about dreams ... real dreams, true dreams ... is that todayÕs dreams can become
tomorrowÕs reality.
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Board Report
COMMUNITY CENTER TO WAIT
The OUTstanding Amarillo Board of Directors voted to wait on the establishment of a community
center during a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 6. Discussion about a possible center arose as a
result of an opportunity to cooperate with other city arts and science organizations in obtaining
and using a downtown facility.
Consensus from the board was that it would be best to pass on the current opportunity. Members felt it would be wise to wait until OUTstanding Amarillo's non-profit status is approved by the IRS. Additional time will enable the solicitation of grant and individual support and deeper research into further possibilities for center sites.
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REALLY ABOUT
a poem by Robyn Michaelson
I stand on the threshold looking in and looking out,
wondering what life is really about.
I stare at the faces filled with fear and filled with doubt,
wondering what life is really about.
I listen to the Spirit trying to scream and trying to shout,
wondering what life is really about.
Children line the streets dying in poverty and despair,
does anyone have time to care?
Gangs in the hood twirl their guns in the air, playing a dangerous game of
truth or dare, does anyone have time to care?
Problems and prejudices multiply everywhere,
does anyone have time to care?
IÕm standing here and youÕre standing there,
inches and worlds separate the space we share,
do either of us have time to care?
We stand on the border looking in and looking out,
wondering what our differences are really about.
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