Under WTF?  A prominent AIDS group recruits two notorious homophobes to perform at benefit concert.  They would be reggae artists TOK and Beanie Man.  Why, you ask, Beanie Man sounds familiar?   Yes, he was supposed to perform at a 2004 show here in Pittsburgh at the Boardwalk.  Til yours truly made some calls to LGBTQ leaders and the Post-Gazette complaining.  In the wake of negative publicity, the show sponsors (Salem cigarettes) cancelled.   As you can imagine, homosexuals, AIDS activists and the African-American community are up in arms over this stupid decision by LIFEBeat to ignore the cadres of talented reggae artists and bring in these two bastards for an AIDS fundraiser.  Follow the link for the full story and details on how to voice your protest.

The Sanctuary People of Color Center

Kicks off

?Black Pride, Everyday?

A one year initial campaign to mobilize and engage the community increasing visibility, to register 1200 new African American LGBTQ voters in Greater Pittsburgh,

and to increase health education and awareness.

Join us at the following events!

Monday, July 24, 2006

Town Hall Meeting 3

7:00-10:00pm

Andy Warhol Museum

117 Sandusky Street

Northshore Pittsburgh, PA

Come hear about the Center?s future plans.  Mix&Mingle. Hear the Dreams of Hope Performance Troupe. Watch Isaac Julien?s Film ?Looking for Langston?, pick up your Black Paper, buy a PrideT Shirt, Register to Vote, more?.

FREE Admission.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

An Inaugural Event!

The Herman McClain Lectures

In Memory of the Late Herman McClain

with Special Guests

Bishop Yvette Flunder and Shirley Miller

Pastors&Founders, City of Refuge UCC

National Gospel Recording Artists

San Francisco, California

7:00 pm

at

Community House

120 Parkhurst at Sandusky Streets

Northside Pittsburgh

Directly across from AGH Emergency Room

Special Music Guests:

Missy, RCC Women?s Choir

FREE Admission.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Coming Out of the Closet;  A Fashion Opera

featuring former clothing designs of

Leon Sheffey & Deryck Tines

$15.00

includes Live Music performed by The Howie Alexander Trio, guest DJ,

wine&spirits, grub&dancing

8:00pm-1:00am

Botanicals Designs

4765 Liberty Avenue, Bloomfield

412.621-3233

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Meet us for a day of fitness at the gym!

at the

New Homewood YMCA

7140 Bennett Street, Homewood

11:00am-4:00pm

Free health screenings&testings, Free hot dogs&watermelon, healthy lifestyle organizations, vendors, speakers. Participate in the Unity Basketball Tournament.

Bring the family! Bring your friends! Come alone!

FREE Admission.

Sunday, July 30, 2006

?Fire? in the Park!

Good ole foot-stomping, hand-clapping, soul-stirring gospel music,

  dancing and singing in Schenley Park.

Featuring the newly organized Community Gospel Choir, Missy,

The RCC Women?s Choir, Nikki Daniel, Dreams of Hope, and others.

Veterans Pavillion

6:30pm. FREE!

For more information, tickets, to volunteer, to sing&shout

http://www.sanctuarycenter.bravehost.com or 412.391-7472 or

pghblackpride@hotmail.com

There's not a lot of loal LGBTQ activity of late as we all recuperate from the marriage amendment battle.   Plus your faithful correspondent has been struggling with allergies and is tired .... so here's a quick round up of some national stories of interest ...

Broward County, Florida school to admit a transgendered five year old and test their progressive policies.  This is a really piece of good news coming from the land of Jeb Bush (and Katharine Harris).

Under WTF?  AIDS group recruits two notorious homophobes to perform at benefit concert.  They would be reggae artists TOK and Beanie Man.  Why, you ask, Beanie Man sounds familiar?   Yes, he was supposed to perform at a 2004 show here in Pittsburgh at the Boardwalk.  Til yours truly made some calls to LGBTQ leaders and the Post-Gazette complaining.  In the wake of negative publicity, the show sponsors (Salem cigarettes) cancelled.   As you can imagine, homosexuals, AIDS activists and the African-American community are up in arms over this stupid decision by LIFEBeat to ignore the cadres of talented reggae artists and bring in these two pathetic clowns for an AIDS fundraiser.  Follow the link for the full story and details on how to voice your protest.