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June/July 2007 Vol.19, No. 4

F A I R F I E L D
COUNTY
PRIDE 2007
GETS A NEW
LOOK AT A
NEW LOCATION
Saturday June 16, 2007 the Triangle Community Center
presents the
6th Annual Fairfield County PRIDE
12:30 – 5:30 PM, St. Paul’s on the Green, Norw a l k
“ Where Out is Always In”
Rain or shine, come out and join us! This year we have something
new to celebrate at PRIDE, a new location and co-sponsor, St.
Paul’s on the Green.
PRIDE serves as a central event where we can openly acknowledge
and share our individual selves and our relationships with
family, friends and the community at large. Our new location truly
expresses this year’s theme and TCC’s tagline: where out is always
in!
The 2007 PRIDE committee has lined up singer-songwriters Karen
Grenier from Provincetown, local sensation Jen Taylor and a special
appearance by Real TV’s host and creator Josh Zuckerman. And
of course, returning again is the Imperial Sovereign Court of All
Connecticut.
From NYC and points south (I-95N), t a ke exit 16, t u r n left at the stop sign
onto East Av e . , and proceed a few blocks to St. Paul's on the Green, 60 East Av e .
From New Haven and points North (I-95S), t a ke exit 16, t u r n right at the stop
s i g n , and proceed as abov e. Look for PRIDE volunteers to direct you to park i n g .
N e w s
V i ews
Josh Zuckerman brings his charismatic stage presence
and strong, truthful lyrics to PRIDE 2007.
Triangle Community Center and
present
JUNE 22 & 23, 8pm
The evening begins with a wine and cheese reception.
Tickets $20.
For reservations call 203-229-9797
Carriage House Arts Center: Cranbury Park,
300 Grumman Ave. & Kensett Ave. Norwalk, CT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 TCC: Heading in New Directions
By George Anderson
For more than a year, the Board of Directors of the Triangle
Community Center has been involved in a series of activities
dedicated to thinking about the future of the Center. There
have been a series of mini-retreats and Marianne Seggerm a n
attended a national conference of LBGT community centers.
Our new brand identity, logo and tagline, “Where Out is Always
In.” was a direct result of these sessions.
We have learned the emergence of technology, the rise in spec
ial-purpose political interest groups, and the more general societal
acceptance of our community have forced community cent
ers around the country to ask, “How can we continue to be of
service to our community?” This issue of relevance is an important
one, as community centers are no longer the sole source
of health info rm a t i o n , social networking and political advocacy.
Still, we realize there is much to be offered by our community
center. At a recent retreat, the board identified Three Areas
of Relevance still vital to our community:
? Delivering Education: The need still exists to educate
the community at-large and our own community on the unique
issues -- health, financial or emotional -- faced by LBGT individua
ls.
? Building Community: There is an important need to
unite and build our community through various fo rms of netwo
rking
? Strengthening our Voice: The need to advocate, endorse
and support those who support our community is also vital.
At the upcoming PRIDE event, we will be actively soliciting your
input on these and two other issues we plan to address in
2007:
? Connecting with our membership, and
? TCC’s physical space.
Watch for special, clipboard bearing TCC volunteers, who will
be asking you to respond to a brief questionnaire. In lieu of a
Town Meeting, an event that has been held in past years to
solicit the views of our community, we felt that a live contact at
PRIDE would reach more people and give us a diverse range of
opinions and input.
Please know your Center and it’s Board are striving to tra n sfo
rm itself and remain a vital part of LGBT life in Fairfield
County. We look forward to seeing you in the future.
Congratulations to This Year’s
TCC Raffle Winners!
TCC’s annual raffle drawing, held on April 2, yielded the following
winners:
4th Prize: Brunch for 2 at Rye Town Hilton.
Ann H. of Stamford
3rd Prize: Brunch for 2 at Renaissance Hotel.
Margaret S. of Stamford
2nd Prize: New York City Getaway package for 2 at the Affinia
50 All Suites Hotel.
Kim H. of Wilton
1st Prize: 2 round trip airline tickets to Switzerland via Swiss
International Air Lines.
Regina S. of Harrison

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Unless otherwise noted, events take place at the Center, 16 River St., Norwalk,CT
(enter on Mechanic St. from Wall St.). Detailed directions
are available at www.ctgay.org/directions.htm. See more TCC events and groups on Page 5.
Spice up your poolside attire, firm up those abs, and get ready to make a
SPLASH! Once again David Frishkorn and Jack Hellaby have graciously offered
their pool and deck for a summer pool party and BBQ. The date will be in
August – check www.ctgay.org for details. You don’t want to miss this party – it
is always one of the events of the summer to see and be seen!
WOMYN’S SOCIAL
A group for women of any age seeking to make friends and connect
with the community. Ml3017@hotmail.com
Come out to enjoy these summer evenings
with new and old friends!
Friday, June 1, 7:30 PM,
Womyn’s Social gets cultured at the
1st Friday Black Rock ArtWalk.
Meet at the Black Rock Arts Center parking lot,
2838 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, CT.
Afterwards we will hit the town for bowling,
shooting pool or dancing at the Brook Café. The group will decide!
winslow707@aol.com
Friday, July 6, 7:30 PM,
Womyn’s Social goes organic at BLOODROOT,
a feminist restaurant and bookstore.
If you think you don’t like vegetarian food, get ready for a real treat!
85 Ferris St., Bridgeport, CT. www.bloodroot.com.
JanisTCC@sbcglobal.net
TCC News & Views June / July 2007
Unless otherwise noted, events take place at the Center, 16 River St.,
Norwalk,CT (enter on Mechanic St. from Wall St.). Detailed directions
are available at www.ctgay.org/directions.htm. See more TCC events and groups on Page 5.
Carriage House Arts Center And
Triangle Community Center Team Up
For An Encore Presentation Of
‘ When I Knew’
June 22 & 23, 8 PM
By popular demand, the Carriage House Arts Center
and Triangle Community Center will present two
encore performances of last year’s smash hit “When
I Knew”*; a collection of smart, hilarious and often
poignant stories about that revelation for all gay men
and women: when they first knew.
Compiled and edited by acclaimed fashion and
celebrity photographer Robert Trachtenberg,“When
I Knew” is a vibrant and witty celebration of that
sometimes glorious, sometimes painful, but always
captivating moment when everything suddenly
makes sense. Director Frank Gaffney has adapted
the book into a new multi-media presentation that
promises to enlighten and entertain. Last year’s performances
were sell-outs, so make your reservations
now at 203-229-9797.
This marks TCC’s 11th fundraising theatre production
and our second year of partnership with the
Carriage House Arts Center.A second TCC production,
“ Sordid Lives,” will be staged in October. Visit
www.carriagehousear tscenter.org for a schedule of
their exciting 2007 season.
*This show is recommended for mature audiences.
3
Lesbian Lit Group
Must-read summer fare!
Wednesday, June 20, 7:00 PM
“ A Season of Change,” by DC Elmore
Wednesday, July 18, 7:00 PM
“ Fresh Tracks,” by Georgia Beers
Tinap73@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 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
G ay Father’s 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
Ma rried Lesbian Support Grouptrucolur@aol.com, (203) 430-9227
Ma rried Men’s 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 (Danbu ry) <www.pflag.org> (203) 797-4743
QEvents (Danbury) qe vents1@aol.com
Rainbow Task 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
TCC News & Views June / July 2007
LGBTQ Resources,Activities and Events Beyond TCC
Transgender Friendly Nightclubs from the
Transgender Guide Online
Backstreet, 81 Pope Park Hwy.,
Hartford, CT (203) 951-0500
Be arristers , 601 Broad S t.,
Hartford, CT (203) 525-2553
Chez Est, 238 Columbus Blvd.,
Hartford, CT (203) 247-3224
Choices, 8 N. Turnpike Rd.,
Wal lingfor d, CT (203) 949-9380
Club ONE @ The Bar With No Name, 115 Asylum St., Hartford,
CT (203) 522-4646
Maxies, 2627 Waterbury 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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 Every Sunday, 9-10 AM Alcoholics Anonymous, Don 203- 762-9964
Every Sunday, 4-6 PM Outspoken, TCC’s LGBTQ youth support group. 203-227-1755
Friday, June 1, 7:30 PM Womyn’s Social, 1st Friday ArtWalk, Black Rock Arts Center,
Bridgeport, CT winslow707@aol.com Saturday, June 2, 7 PM
My Pride,My Soul, for women of color and their friends and families. mypridemysoul@yahoo.com
Tuesday, June 5, 7 PM Triangle Transgender Society, TCC.TriangleTGS@yahoo.com
Wednesday, June 6, 7:30 PM PFLAG Monthly Meeting, TCC. 203-226-0257,
pflagswct@yahoo.com Saturday, June 16, 12:30-5:30 PM
TCC’s 6th Annual Fairfield County PRIDE, St. Paul’s on the
Green, 60 East Ave., Norwalk. TCCenter@aol.com Wednesday, June 20, 7 PM
Lesbian Lit Group, “A Season of Change,” by DC Elmore,TCC.
Tinap73@gmail.com Friday and Saturday, June 22 & 23, 8 PM
“ When I Knew,” Carriage House Arts Center, Cranbury Park,
Norwalk.Tickets are $20. For reservations call 203-229-9797.
Friday, June 29, 8 PM Friday Night Hang Out, TCC. jenabbott@optonline.net
Tuesday, July 3,7 PM Triangle Transgender Society, TCC. TriangleTGS@yahoo.com
Friday, July 6, 7:30 PM Womyn’s Social, dinner at BLOODROOT Restauant and Bookstore
85 Ferris St., Bridgeport, CT. www.bloodroot.com.
JanisTCC@sbcglobal.net Saturday, July 7, 7:30 PM
My Pride,My Soul, TCC. mypridemysoul@yahoo.com
Wednesday, July 18,7 PM
Lesbian Lit Group, “Fresh Tracks,” by Georgia Beers,TCC.
Tinap73@gmail.com
August
Pool Party & BBQ. Details to be announced.
TCC and Business Networking
Organization Form Alliance to Support
LGBT Professionals
Business Networking International (BNI), the
largest business networking organization in the
world, in announcing the formation of the first ever
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,Transgender (GLBT) BNI
group, is in discussions with the Triangle
Community Center to reach out to Fairfield
County’s GLBT community. Michael Mahoney, who
works in the Fairfield office of Merrill Lynch, had
the idea to create an entrepreneurial networking
group among the growing numbers of GLBT entrepreneurs
in Fairfield County with extensions into
Westchester and New Haven counties as well.
“ We are hoping that this group attracts anyone in
the GLBT community who is in business, is an
entrepreneur, and wants to network and do business
with people who are like-minded,” Mahoney
said.The BNI chapter plans to advertise in the TCC
newsletter as a way to reach Southwestern
Connecticut’s GLBTs. Already members have indicated
an interest in developing a Gay Yellowpages
or similar publication promoting GLBT issues, services
and businesses.
Mahoney estimates that there are hundreds of
GLBT residents in Fairfield County who have very
successful businesses. By forming a BNI group, the
GLBT community can come together to meet and
support the growing needs of the community.This
might help expand the TCC community itself and
provide the business and professional base to support
the more substantial programming TCC is
seeking to develop. Four of the first 12 chapter
members are TCC members, including current
Board member Dr. Brian A. Schwartz.
The Fairfield County Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgender BNI group will be meeting every
Tuesday morning at 7:00 at the Merrill Lynch office
in Fairfield, 1499 Post Road on the second floor.
For further information and to find out how to join
the group, please call Theresa Bildt at 203-487-
6304 or Michael Mahoney, Asst.VP at Merrill Lynch,
at 203-254-6956.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 HIV “Superinfection” Can Lead to New HIV
Strains Resistant to All Drugs HIV-positive individuals can potentially become “superinfected” with
new, drug-resistant strains of HIV-1 through unsafe sexual practices, according to a paper
published in the May 1 issue of The Journal of
Infectious Diseases. Gary Blick, MD, of Circle Medical LLC, and colleagues describe how
infection with a second strain of HIV, known as
“ superinfection”, can also lead to evolution of new, highly multi-drug
resistant “recombinant” strains of HIV-1 when these newly introduced
strains recombine with the original strain of HIV
-1 in someone who is already infected. This finding calls into question the increasingly popular
sexual practice of “serosorting”, whereby HIV-positive individuals seek
out other HIV-positive sexual partners for unsafe sexual activities in an
attempt to reduce sexual transmission of HIV to uninfected people and
increase intimacy between HIV-positive partners.
Dr. Blick says, “HIV-positive individuals who engage in serosorting, unsafe
sexual intercourse with other HIV-positive individuals, run the risk of
becoming superinfected with drug-resistant HIV and producing recombinant
strains of HIV that may be even more dangerous and drugresistant
than the strains of HIV they already harbor. These new strains
can render the drugs they are currently taking useless in controlling
their HIV and, in turn, can be passed on to other individuals via unsafe
sexual activities.” While serosorting may reduce HIV transmission to
uninfected individuals, “this paper illustrates that the practice of
serosorting among two HIV-positive individuals may have serious,
potentially devastating consequences.” Dr. Blick and his associates have
called on healthcare professionals and public health workers to counsel
HIV-1-positive individuals about the need to continue practicing safer
sex to avoid these newly discovered risks.
For more information contact Dr. Gary Blick, Medical and Research
Director, Circle Medical, LLC, 203-852-9525,
BlickMD@CircleMedical.org
Dr. Blick will be honored by the LIVE Foundation at the 5th Annual LIVE event
on Sunday, June 3rd at g/r/a/n/d in Stamford.
www.pflag.org
pflagswct@yahoo.com
6
GLSEN Small Grant Program
GLSEN Connecticut is offe ring grants of up to $200 to
students, staff, and teachers in Connecticut schools.
These grants are intended to be spent on projects,
events, or curriculum materials that will help to make
schools safer for all students, regardless of sexual ori e ntation
and gender identity/expression. If you would like
an application for a small grant, please glsenct@eart hlink.
net with “Small Grant Application Request” as the
subject line, and it will be emailed to you.
Mentoring Opportunities
TrueColors is looking for adults who want to mentor
a LGBT youth.There are about 20 kids on a waiting list
- they are waiting just for you! Particularly needed are
mentors in the Storrs area, in the Waterbury area and
in the Danielson area - but wherever you live a kid is
waiting! If you have a couple of hours a week to
spare, you could make a profound difference for a
young person in your area. For more information or
for a mentoring application, please call Kamora at 860-
649-7386, ext 203.
Safe Schools Coalition
Do you teach a course or have you taken a course in
a school of education that spent at least one session
addressing sexual diversity, LGBT issues or anti-LGBT
bullying? We'd love to see the syllabus.
If you are the instructor or know of a program, you
can help the Safe Schools Coalition build a database to
support other schools of education. Full credit will be
given to the course’s developer and institution. Send
your syllabus and contact information, or your questions,
to beth@safeschoolscoalition.org
GayTrivia: 1) This actress received a best-supporting
actress award for her work in a Martin Scorsese
movie. 2) This actor, a major figure in British acting
circles, is best known to American viewers for his
work as the title character in a classic mini-series. He
had, unlike so many of his peers, not been open about
his sexuality but as he recently entered a civil partnership
with a man he's out now.

 

 

 

 

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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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