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April/May 2007 Vol.19, No. 3

TCC BIDS ADIEU TO A TRIO OF OUTSTANDING BOARD OFFICERS
Over our 16 years, the Triangle Community Center
has been blessed with visionary, dynamic, committed,
get-it-done representatives to our Board of
Directors. Now we are saying farewell to three distinguished
contemporary members, David Frishkorn,
Joe Guttadauro, and Maureen Mollahan. No, we
have not seen the last of them - all three will remain
members of the Center, though sadly, one is relocating
and so we see less and less of Maureen.
All three have made their mark on the TCC, and left
it a better place than they found it. Each has contributed
their
unique voice.
Maureen Mollahan served as Vice President for a
term, and she contributed so much more. Most
of you know her as one of the primary movers of
Festivus (along with Joe), but MaureenÕs behindthe-
scenes work was a factor in countless other
Center activities and programs. She and Joe were
the meet and greet team at most events, making
everyone, especially new people, feel welcome.
Along with her partner, Margaret OÕConnell, she
facilitated the WomynÕs Social, contributing many
new ideas for the monthly events. Perhaps
Maureen is at her best when soliciting donations from local businesses, whether securing
silent auction items for Festivus or refreshments for Pride.
David Frishkorn has served multiple terms, during which time he served more than his
fair share as Treasurer. During that time, he has been the
conscience of the Center, always insisting that we maintained
the highest business integrity. He was instrumental
in negotiating our lease and developing a solid relationship
with our landlord. Always a summer favorite
has been David and his husband, Jack HellabyÕs pool party
bbqs to help raise funds for the Center. David and
Jack are fixtures at all of TCCÕs social events, lending a
hand and making people feel welcome.
Joe Guttadauro has also served multiple terms, including
holding the office of President for the past three
Save These Dates
June 16
TCC’s 6th Annual Fairfield County
Pride with special guest Josh
Zuckerman.
June 22 & 23
“ When I Knew,” presented by the
Carriage House Arts Center.
Director Frank Gaffney creates another
memorable production of readings
from Robert TrachtenbergÕs celebrated
book.
Show Your Pride,
Get Involved!
Planning meetings for TCCÕs 2007
Fairfield County Pride are scheduled
for:
Sat,April 14, 4:00 PM
Sun,April 29, 400 PM
Sat, May 12, 4:00 PM
Thurs, May 24, 7:30 PM
Thurs, May 31, 7:30 PM
Sat, June 9, 4:00 PM
Anyone with the desire to help create
our best Pride ever is invited to
attend. All meetings are at TCC.
Details on page 5.
TCC Scholarship Applications
are Now Available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD
By Jen Abbott
In the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, in the West Village section
of NYC the police raided a small bar called the Stonewall Inn.The fact
that homosexuals frequented Stonewall was the only excuse that police
needed to raid it. Police raids on gay bars were not an unusual occurrence.
However, because the customers resisted this invasion, the raid
and subsequent riot sparked a movement in gay and lesbian liberation
that had never been seen before.
LetÕs conjure up an image of the Stonewall on that night thirty-eight
years ago. Picture two small and dark rooms where the air is smoky and
stale perhaps because there is only one window at the front of the bar.
Imagine people hanging out with friends, some holding their girlfriendÕs
hand or kissing their boyfriend hello without fear of persecution.
Everyone in the bar appears happy and relaxed and yet something secretive
seems to permeate the atmosphere.
A group of policemen walk into the bar and proceed to order all the patrons
to line up outside and produce identification. Some people would
be arrested for not having the correct ID but usually in a short time the
police would leave and business at the bar would go back to normal.
Not the case for this night however. Anger seemed to consume those
that had to stand by and watch their friends and lovers being arrested.
Those gathered outside the bar started yelling their frustrations at the
cops. Verbal assaults soon became physical when bottles, cans and whatever
garbage lay on the street were thrown at the policemen. Police reinforcements
were immediately called in and soon the streets were
teaming with a tactical force of policemen, complete with batons and
helmets, beating back the crowds of over four hundred people. People
with no considerable differences from the policemen, except that having
endured years of submission and frustration were now fighting for equality.
People that demanded the right to live peacefully, without judgment
or intrusion of their private lives.
In the years before Stonewall gay people lived very secretive, closeted
lives. Following Stonewall many put themselves on display and thus
risked ridicule or worse in order for the GLBT community to stride forward
towards a unified society.
As a result of the riot and in remembrance of Stonewall and the hurdles
that gays and lesbians have overcome the LGBT community worldwide
celebrates Pride each June. In NYC the parade marches from
Washington Square to the Stonewall Inn where it all began.
The word Stonewall has become synonymous with gay liberation.
On Saturday, June 16, 2007, the Triangle Community Center will host its 6th
Fairfield County Gay Pride Celebration. A time when we all come together to
pay tribute to those who stood forth on that June night at Stonewall for the
right to live openly and honorably.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 TCC UPCOMING EVENTS
Unless otherwise noted, all events are held at the Triangle Community Center, 16 River St., Norwalk, CT (enter on Mechanic St. from
Wall St.). Detailed directions are available at
www.ctgay.org/directions.htm.
GROUP SOCIAL EVENTS AND SUPPORT MEETINGS
TRIANGLE TRANSGENDER SOCIETY.
A relaxed, safe place where transgender individuals, their families and supporters,
can meet and just be ourselves. Please respect the privacy wishes of this group.
First time attendees are encouraged to contact
TtriangleTGS@yahoo.com in
advance.
Tuesday,April 3, 7:30 PM
Tuesday, May 1, 7:30 PM
WOMYN’S SOCIAL
A group for women of any age seeking to make friends and connect with the
community.
Ml3017@hotmail.com
Friday,April 6: No Womyn’s Social (Good Friday)
Friday, May 4, 7:00 PM: Dinner and a Movie
The group will be going to dinner in Norwalk, and then to the cinema for a Òlateshow.
Ó More details on the location of the restaurant & movie will follow.
Contact
JanisTCC@sbcglobal.net with questions or suggestions.
MY PRIDE MY SOUL
A social and discussion group for lesbian women of color, their friends, admirers,
and partners. The focus is on social, political and aesthetic issues in our community.
Celebrating and supporting spoken word and other artistic endeavors.
mypridemysoul@yahoo.com
Saturday,April 8, 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 5, 7:30 PM
FRIDAY NIGHT HANGOUT
Nothing to do? Come on down to the Center. We will be playing cards, watching
a great movie or just hanging around talking about life. All are welcome! jenabbott@
optonline.net
Friday,April 13, 8:00 PM
A Special Evening of Horror! Email your favorite horror movie title to
jenabbott@optonline.net. The movie with the most votes will be shown.
Also Friday,April 27, May 11 and 25, 8:00 PM.
LESBIAN LIT GROUP
Join the fun and lively discussion. Reading the book is not a requirement - showing
up ready to socialize with a great group of women is!
tinag73@gmail.com
Wednesday,April 18, 7:30 PM
HunterÕs Way Ó by Gerri Hill.
Wednesday, May 18, 7:30 PM
Under the Witness TreeÓ by Marianne K. Martin
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
BANKING BASICS
A four part practical look at the ins and outs of successful
banking presented by TCC member Eric Burkhart, Sr.
Personal Financial Rep,Washington Mutual Bank. (Each
session is a stand-alone unit, so if you have not been able
to attend the first two, weeks three and four are open to
all.)
Thursday,April 19, 7:00 PM
Week 3, Credit Card Basics. Learn the various types of
credit, the advantages and drawbacks of using a credit
card and understanding some important terms used
when discussing credit cards.
Thursday, May 17, 7:00 PM
Week 4, Lending and Loans. Understand what lending is
and how it works, why lenders lend money, when is it
smart to borrow, parts of a loan and terminology.There
will also be some basic information on how to shop for a
loan, apply for one, payment information and being late
on payments.
david.burkhart@wamu.net
GAY SPIRITUALITY IN MAINLINE RELIGIONS
Tuesday April 24h, 7:30 PM
An educational forum examining just how welcome
LGBTs are in the pews of churches. Religious leaders
from local churches are being invited to describe their
own church’s stance.
seggerman@aol.com
FAMILY PLANNING SEMINAR
June 14,Watch for Details
OUTSPOKEN YOUTH GROUP KEEPS GOING STRONG
Every Sunday, 4 - 6 PM
TCC’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning
youth support group, has not missed a single Sunday
meeting since its formation way back in 1993. Through
blizzards, Christmases, Easters and Super Bowls -- and
everything in between -- OutSpoken has been there for
teenagers from Fairfield County, and beyond. Discussions
range from coming out and relationships to the latest
movies and gay celebrity news. For further information,


please call 203-227-1755.

 

 

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 IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
LGBTQ Resources, Activities and Events Beyond TCC
NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Bar & Gay (B&G) gay nudists
PeterM21@juno.com
Bread & Roses (203) 855-1485
Connecticut Freedom to Marry Coalition 203) 791-9553
Connecticut Kids (203) 256-8414
Gay FatherÕs Group (203) 938-2881
GLSEN <
www.glsen.org> (203) 332-1480
Hartford Community Center (860) 724-5542
The Loft (White Plains,NY) <
www.loftgaycenter.org> (914) 948-2932
Love Makes a Family <
www.lmf-ct.org> (860) 525-7777
Married Lesbian Support
Grouptrucolur@aol.com, (203) 430-9227
Married MenÕs Bisexual Support Group of Hartford 860) 264-5605
Metropolitan Community Church of New Haven (203) 397-2312
National Runaway Switchboard (773) 880-9860
New Haven Gay & Lesbian Center <
www.nhglcc.org> (203) 387-2252
PFLAG (Danbury) <
www.pflag.org> (203) 797-4743
QEvents (Danbury)
qevents1@aol.com
RainbowTask Force (Unitarian Church of Westport) (203) 222-1441
Senior Lesbians Happily at Play (SLAPHAPS)
katskew@aol.com (Kathy) (203)929-8113
lceeroady@comast.net (Linda) (203)606-2640
True Colors CT<
www.ourtruecolors.org> (888) 565-5551
Transgender Friendly Nightclubs from the
Transgender Guide Online
Backstreet, 81 Pope Park Hwy.,
Hartford, CT (203) 951-0500
Be arristers , 601 Broad St.,
Hartford, CT (203) 525-2553
Chez Est, 238 Columbus Blvd.,
Hartford, CT (203) 247-3224
Choices, 8 N. Turnpike Rd.,
Wal lingford, CT (203) 949-9380
Club ONE @ The Bar With No Name, 115 Asylum St., Hartford,
CT (203) 522-4646
Maxies, 2627Waterbury Rd., Waterbury, CT (203) 574-1629
Rumors, 379 E. Main St ., Waterbury, CT (203) 574-3077
Til Dawn, 495 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT (860) 305-9695

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 GET INVOLVED AT TCC
TCC has any number of ways for its members and the community to get
involved. Please email
tccenter@aol.com to lend a hand as a TCC volunteer.
No prior experience is needed. We will tailor the opportunities to
match your skills, availability and interests. Whether itÕs working on special
events and programming, communications, membership/member relations,
fundraising, or any other area of your choosing, come join the fun and help
keep TCC the hub of activity for the LBGTQ community.
WANTED: PRIDE VOLUNTEERS
We have begun planning for the 6th Fairfield County Pride celebration on
June 16.Volunteers are needed to help plan, set up, clean up, solicit table
vendors and sponsors, put up signs, make signs, help with the food area,
direct traffic, work in the childrenÕs area, and perform a variety of other
tasks. Pride has been growing each year; in 2007 we are looking forward to
another great celebration. Please get involved! It takes people to make
each TCC event special. Contact
tccenter@aol.com and lend your voice
and energy to this yearÕs Pride!
2007-08 TCC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION NOW AVAILABLE
One way in which the Triangle Community Center fulfills its educational mission
is by awarding two college scholarships each year. College students
must complete an application packet. These applications are reviewed by
the scholarship committee, which consists of 6 volunteers representing various
aspects of the LBGT community. Applications must be RECEIVED (not
mailed by) this year’s deadline of Friday April 20, 2007. Applicants will be
notified in May if awarded. If interested the application can be found on the
TCC website.
years. He has been a stellar leader. Always calm,
finding the good in every situation. His flair for theatrical
set decoration has made him and partner
Todd Wagner a two-man decorating committee for
all of our major events, from Pride to Festivus to
Irish Wake. JoeÕs passion for theater has made a
huge contribution to the Center. For the past several
years he has worked with Elliott Arluck and
Steven Marchese to produce a play to raise funds
for TCC. His contribution to Festivus has helped
solidify it as a major annual source of funds, and a
celebration that is appreciated for all who attend.
The leadership brought to the board by these
three friends will be sorely missed. Our new board
members and officers have some very large shoes
to fill (but we know they are up to the task!). We
bid David, Joe and Maureen a fond farewell, and
are happy that we will continue seeing them
around the Center.
Revelers enjoyed a night of good cheer, celebrating the green at TCC’s
Annual Irish Wake festivities. For the first time in its history,TCC was forced
to move an event to another date due to weather, after the colossal snow
and ice storm on March 16, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 PFLAG MONTHLY MEETINGS
We invite you to come to our monthly support meetings. We share our stories
in a safe welcoming environment and promise strict confidentiality. We
meet the first Wednesday of every month at 7:30 PM at the Triangle
Community Center, 16 River St., Norwalk. For directions, go to
www.ctgay.org/directions.htm. Sandy, 203-226-0257 or email
pflagswct@yahoo.com.
PFLAG Mission
Promote the health & well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons,
their families & friends;
Provide support to cope with an adverse society;
Provide education to enlighten an ill-informed public;
Provide advocacy to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights;
Provide an opportunity for dialog about sexual orientation, and work to create
a society that is healthy and respectful of all human beings.
GLSEN’S 10TH NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE
On Wednesday, April 18, 2007, campuses all over the
country will be a little quieter, as students nationwide
will be commemorating the national Day of Silence.
They will be quiet all day to protest the discrimination,
harassment and abuseÑin effect, the silencingÑ
faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students
and their allies in schools.
The Day of Silence will be held during school hours.
Over 6,000 participants are expected to be silent on
April 18, wearing stickers and passing out Ôspeaking
cardsÕ that read:
"Please understand my reasons for not speaking
today. I am participating in the
Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting
the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
people and their allies in schools. My deliberate
silence echoes that silence, which is caused by
harassment, prejudice, and discrimination. I believe
that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting
these injustices.Think about the voices you are not
hearing today. What are you going to do to end the
silence?"
GLSENÕs 2005 National School Climate Survey found
that more than 64% of LGBT students report verbal,
sexual or physical harassment at school and 29%
report missing at least a day of school in the past
month out of fear for their personal safety.The Day
of Silence is one way students and their allies are
making anti-LGBT bullying, harassment and name-calling
unacceptable in AmericaÕs schools.
TRAINING OF TRAINERS (TOT) PROGRAM
Hosted by GLSEN-Hudson Valley
Friday, April 20th 3pm - 7 pm
Saturday, April 21st - 9am - 4 PM
Ulster BOCES, Rt. 9W, Port Ewen, NY
The GLSEN Training of Trainers (ToT) Program is a
training workshop offered to educators and community-
based organizers interested in gaining additional
tools and resources to assist them in effectively developing
trainings or education initiatives in their schools
or local communities to make schools safer and more
affirming places for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
students. Cost: $20.
Rob Conlon, 845-795-5201 or
glsenulster@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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News & Views is published bimonthly. To make an addition to the newsletter or calendar, send an e-mail to tcceditor@aol.com

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