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
::
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE - MARCH 2000
-------------------------------------------------Youth socials renewed; 2000
Pride Week planning begins
OUTstanding Amarillo's initial efforts when the organization began over two years ago
included a emphasis on healthy activities for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (glbt) youth.
Thanks to the volunteered efforts of the new social committee co-chairs that effort is now being
renewed.
Saul Reyes and Carley S., youth representative on the OUTstanding board, have jointly
accepted responsibility as social committee co-chairs. Weekly gatherings are tentatively
scheduled to begin in April with OUTstanding planning to host some type of event each Friday.
Some weeks, young people may simply have an opportunity to gather, listen to music and just
"hang out" while some weeks will include organize activities such as attending play performances
or bowling.
Young people interested in attending or helping with these proposed socials are asked to
contact Michael Timsicko at 372-8731 ext. 103.
Reyes has agreed also to assume chairmanship of the Pride Picnic for the this coming June.
He will be working with Nelly V., chair of the event in both 1999 and 1998.
This year's picnic will be held June 24 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at Thompson Park. Initial plans
call for vender and organizational tables and booths, the return of the MCC carnival, the
proposed addition of a volleyball tournament and more. Other OUTstanding sponsored return
events include the Pride Film Festival to be held throughout that week. Gay Pride is celebrated
throughout the country during June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots when New York
City's gay community held an unplanned revolt against the oppression of the police.
Anyone interested in helping with this year's picnic or in operating a booth or vender table
can call Michael at 372-8731 ext. 103 or Kay Peck at 383-0165.
When Pigs Fly
(an editorial by Kay C. Peck)
I've found that life's best gifts come to me when I decide to give.
Neal Nossaman has a been a precious gift to my life. He and I met nearly three years ago
when OUTstanding Amarillo wasn't OUTstanding Amarillo. It was just a group of gay men and
lesbians who saw a need and wanted to do something. Glbt youth faced a difficult road, and we'd
already been there. We wanted to make that path easier ... especially considering the city's
frightening suicide rate for young men. While the system will not yet recognize the degree to
which sexual orientation contributed to this death rate, too many knew of individual cases where
social pressures faced by young gays led to a self-imposed death sentence.
Soft-spoken, gentle, caring Neal Nossaman stepped forward and took lead. He wanted to
empower, not lead, but when no one else filled the breach, he accepted the role essential to the beginning of a new organization.
Because he cares, Neal is involved in way too much for one person to handle.
OUTstanding's first president announced this month that it's time for him to step down from the
board, and make room for new energy and new commitment. He'll remain involved in
OUTstanding but he will relinquish the role of leadership that he never really wanted.
If I get nothing else from OUTstanding, it is enough to have had the opportunity to know and
love a man like Neal. Thanks Neal. Thanks for everything.
A Time to Act
Members of Amarillo's glbt community are invited to participate in a gay literary classic as
Stage Right opens try-outs for the cast of "Torch Song Trilogy" by Harvey Fierstein. This play
tells of the life and loves of a drag queen no one will ever forget. The play will be presented
Friday and Saturday nights from May 5 through 20.
Tryouts will be held at Stage Right (45th and Washington) on March 31 starting at 2 p.m.
Parts to be cast include three men between the ages of 30 and 45; another man in his late 20s;
one woman between 25 and 40; and a second woman between the ages of 45 and 70.
No previous acting experience is necessary. The open call tryouts will consist of
cold-readings from the script.
Stage Right Executive Director also expressed her apology for the cancellation of the Gay
Night at Stage Right performance of "The Clouds" scheduled for Jan. 21. Use of volunteer cast
and directors provides great opportunity for creativity and an increased likelihood of cancellations.
Despite the risk, Gay Night at Stage Right remains an evening worth experiencing.
Are You An Alcoholic?
The following is offered as the conclusion to the article "The 'Other' Gay Disease" by Paul
Harris which ran in the February issue of OUTspoken. These questions are reprinted with
permission from the Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. AA suggests that if you answer
"yes" to three or more questions, you may be an alcoholic.
1. Do you lose time from work or school due to drinking?
2. Does drinking make your life at home unhappy?
3. Do you drink to lose shyness and build up self-confidence?
4. Is drinking affecting your reputation?
5. Do you ever get into trouble with money because of drinking?
6. Does it bother you if somebody says that you drink too much?
7. Have you ever lost friends because of your drinking?
8. Do you blame your drinking on the behavior of others?
9. Has drinking decreased your ambition?
10. Do you ever want a drink "the morning after?"
11. Do you have a hard time sleeping because of your drinking?
12. Has your ability to work or study decreased since you started drinking?
13. Does drinking get you in trouble in school, on the job, or in business?
14. Do you drink to escape from problems or worries?
15. Do you drink alone?
16. Have you ever had a complete memory loss as a result of drinking?
17. Have you ever been treated by a doctor for your drinking?
18. Have you ever been arrested, locked up or hospitalized on account of drinking?
19. Have you ever felt guilty after drinking?
20. Do YOU think you have a problem with alcohol?
If you suspect you could benefit from participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, the number
listed for AA assistance is 373-4600.
Would you like to comment on an article from the news letter? Why don't you Email Us...
Or, you could post your response on the Message Board
|