http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/us/politics/obama-says-same-sex-marriage-should-be-legal.html?_r=1

On March 9th 2012, Wingspan has begun its search for an Executive Director by posting the job and corresponding job description on our website, wingspan.org/about-us/employment/. Taken directly from our website, the following job description summary states:

Wingspan is Southern Arizona’s LGBT community center with a mission to promote the freedom, equality, safety, and well-being of LGBT people.  The Executive Director is the primary representative of the agency in the community and is largely responsible for its success.  The incumbent will successfully administer all programs, manage staff, provide leadership in budget development and financial management reporting, and work closely with the Board of Directors to develop and implement Wingspan’s vision and strategic plan.  The Executive Director serves in a full-time, exempt status, requiring a flexible work schedule, including some evenings and weekends.

Wingspan is asking that members of the community help get the word out.  If you or someone you know may be interested in applying for the Wingspan Executive Director position, please visit the Employment section of our site for more information (see link below).
Executive Director Job Posting:

http://wingspan.org/about-us/employment/

 Wingspan Webpage:

http://www.wingspan.org

Zami Tinashe Hyemingway, Youth and Families Programs coordinator, has been working closely with 19 Gay Straight Alliances in Tucson, Marana and Apache Junction. With his support, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirit, intersex and allied youth come together to receive sexual-health, anti-violence and suicide-prevention education, and to learn more about how to advocate for themselves.

Zami’s incredible work with youth has attracted the attention of the National Gay Straight Alliance Network, as well as national leaders in the School-to-Prison organization. His focus on racial and economic justice and nonconforming gender roles has sparked so much interest within the National GSA Network that representatives are planning to visit Tucson and sit in on his workshop series during the Eon Youth Leadership retreat in June.

School-to-Prison, an organization that is committed to ensuring that marginalized youth stay out of the prison system, has hand-picked Zami and an Eon youth to attend its conference this month. There, Zami will continue to highlight the dangers faced by LGBTQ youth, who experience tremendous bullying and are disproportionately at risk to drop out of school or end up in the prison system as a result of systemic oppression.

To learn more about the National Gay Straight Alliance Network, visit their website. To learn more about how to challenge the school-to-prison pipeline, visit the School-to-Prison website.

Homeless Youth Project Coordinator Kevin Jackson

The HYC works tirelessly, with great commitment and innovation, to combat the issues of youth and young-adult homelessness in Tucson and Greater Pima County. It is making tremendous headway in reducing barriers that so many youth, particularly LGBT and other marginalized communities, face when trying to leave the streets and secure stable, safe housing.

This year, the HYC is focused on improving assistance to youth aging-out of foster care into congressionally funded after-care resources. They will be working intimately with Child Protective Services to improve their outreach materials and coordinate advocacy and support for the youth who come through centers like Wingspan’s Eon.

The committee is also working on updating and reprinting the youth-designed “Where to Find Help” brochure and the “Know Your Rights” cards. These tools help young people locate the safe, trustworthy and effective services available to them and provide valuable information on legal rights in the event they encounter discriminatory behavior on the part of any authoritative body.

“Oscar’s body of work is evidence of his passion for Wingspan’s mission to promote the freedom, equality, safety and well-being of LGBT people,” said Kara Jones, board president.

During his tenure, Oscar has produced groundbreaking work at the agency, including developing Wingspan’s rural outreach to LGBT survivors of violence and cultivating Latin@ Gay Pride. In collaboration with local organizations, Oscar has continued to spotlight the need for anti-bullying awareness and policies in Tucson schools. Over the years, he has been part of Wingspan’s expansion of its LGBT hate-crimes education and outreach to health-care professionals and members of the military and Border Patrol.

“I have been incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to give back to the organization that supported me as a young gay man. During my employment with Wingspan, I met some of the most wonderful, gifted and generous people. I am proud to have contributed to the strong national reputation Wingspan has built over the past 23 years,” Oscar said.

Oscar leaves the organization to focus on his academic and creative goals. In the interim, Program Manager Casey Condit will address responsibilities of the director. Wingspan’s dedicated staff will continue to move the organization forward while the board actively searches for a replacement.

Oscar will step down Friday, March 2. All community members and allies are invited to a farewell social for him from 6 to 8 p.m. that evening at Wingspan, 430 E. Seventh St.

Jim Leos asks you to join him in supporting Wingspan:

I was recently asked why I love living in Tucson. There are many potential answers to that question, but one of them certainly is that we have Wingspan, southern Arizona’s LGBT Community Center.

I have a long relationship with Wingspan and speak from personal experience when I talk about what this organization brings to our community.  I began going to the EON Youth Center (back then it was called Youth Group) when I was 18 years old. At the time I was in need of support  and acceptance, and I found it at Wingspan. The support and acceptance I received allowed me room to breathe, room to grow, and room to explore who I was and who I wanted to become. It put me on a path to where I am today — a proud, out, successful gay businessman who is grateful for the help Wingspan gave me and for the contributions it has made and continues to make to our community.

Yes, the LGBT community has made progress since I was a teen, but life is not necessarily easier for the youth of today. Though they are “out” in greater numbers than ever, visibility does not equal safety. According to the Gay and Lesbian Student Education Network (GLSEN), nearly 45 percent of LGBT youth were verbally harassed in school regarding sexual orientation and race/ethnicity. Unfortunately, many LGBT people describe their youth as a time filled with anxiety, isolation, and fear. It isn’t just fellow students that make the environment stressful for LGBT youth. The state of Arizona prohibits educators within the public school districts from promoting a positive LGBT identity and life within their classrooms, and youth frequently tell us they’ve experienced harassment from teachers and administrators.

Since those years that I found myself at EON, Wingspan has served thousands of at-risk and homeless youth, survivors of violence, and transgender people. It has also provided support to seniors, people of color, LGBT families, and allies. Wingspan not only impacts those who walk through the door, but also the community at large by raising awareness, professional LGBT competency, and giving a voice to the issues.. For twenty-three years and counting, Wingspan has been a critical component of what makes Tucson the kind of place that is worth living.

None of this, of course, happens by chance. Wingspan enjoys a dedicated staff and wonderful volunteers who work very hard to provide the services and support their clients need. There are many needs and wants in our community though, and current funding is just not sufficient to do it all.   In recent years, about 70 percent of Wingspan’s funding has come from government and foundation grants. Although greatly appreciated, this funding is not always reliable as recent federal and state budget cuts have proven. The reality for fiscal year 2012 is that Wingspan’s budget is short over $100,000 (almost two month’s worth of operating expenses such as rent, salaries, supplies, etc.) Community member support remains the key to ensuring a stable base on which to provide critical services and meet community needs.

That’s why I’m asking you to join with me in support of Wingspan. So many members of our community rely on your help. Please act today and return a gift in the enclosed envelope, or give securely online at wingspan.org/get-involved/donate/. Call Moureen Drury, Wingspan’s Development Operations Coordinator, at 520-624-1779 ext. 118 if you have any questions or need assistance in making your donation.

Thanks for caring enough to help make a difference.

James J. Leos

Here is Wingspan’s 2011 Financial Performance:

““WE STRIVE TO BE A SAFE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND BE THEMSELVES,” says Oscar Jimenez, director of programs at Wingspan. Wingspan is Southern Arizona’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community center. “It is the hub of LGBT culture and the welcoming center for Tucson’s LGBT and allied communities,” Jimenez says. “Wingspan is for everyone, not just the LGBT community,” Jimenez emphasizes. “So much of the movement for equality rests on the shoulders of straight allies. “Wingspan changes people’s lives. LGBT individuals may be bullied at school or at work. They may feel isolated or that the world is against them. Wingspan is a place to regroup, recharge and heal. Here they will meet people who will be instrumental in their empowerment as LGBT individuals. Society often wants to make members of the LGBT community invisible. At our center, they are validated and reminded that they have amazing value. They can then go out into the community and help make that cultural shift.”
Wingspan got its start about 30 years ago after a young man lost his life to hate violence. “unfortunately, it took a tragedy to be the catalyst,” Jimenez reflects. He knows from personal experience how much of an impact Wingspan can have on a person’s life. “I first came to Wingspan as a confused and depressed youth,” he remembers. “I was lost. I was from a small town in Southern Arizona, and there were no gay role models there. At Wingspan, I learned to accept and celebrate myself, and it had such a strong impact on my life, that I felt I had a responsibility to offer the same thing to others. I became a social worker and worked at various social service organizations in Tucson before coming to work at Wingspan five years ago.” The center offers numerous programs designed to meet the needs of the LGBT community, including anti-violence programs. “We act as an advocacy group for victims of LGBT violence, and offer community education to law enforcement, medical staff and social service providers to help them be culturally aware. We reach about 2,000 professionals a year through our community education.”

Wingspan’s youth and family programs, such as Rainbow Families and Senior Pride, offer social activities and forums. Youth ages 13 to 23 will find support, services, workshops and activities at the Eon youth center. Wingspan has a 24-hour bilingual crisis hotline, manned by volunteers, and there is an emergency shelter program for people affected by violence. The Rainbow Connect chat line is for youth not in crisis, and is operated by other young adults. Wingspan’s Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA) aims to create a wide network of support for transgender individuals; SAGA also has a new group for parents of transgender children. Funding comes from federal, state, local and county government, as well as private donations. “Private donations have become even more important in the last two years as government funding and foundation funding has decreased. We need contributions, but we also need the energy and talents of volunteers. We would not be here without volunteers. We only have a nine-person staff, and have direct contact with about 6,000 people a year (including clients, family members and professionals).” Volunteer opportunities include staffing the front desk, being an advocate for the crisis line, working at the Eon youth center and helping with special events. “We have a variety of events that need human power,” Jimenez says. “Tucson Latin Gay Pride has a weeklong calendar of events in the fall, and in November there is Transgender Awareness Week. We have a New Year’s Eve party, and in the spring, we put on the Wingspan All Ages Prom.” The annual fundraiser is the Wingspan Classic Charity Golf Tournament, held in November. To learn more or to volunteer at Wingspan, click on www.wingspan.org or call 624-1779. — Wendy Sweet”"

Check out the Out in the Desert Commercial!

The Southwest LGBT Film Society is announcing the coming of its 1st Annual “Out in the Desert”, Tucson’s International LGBT Film Festival.

The Festival, scheduled for February 17-19, and February 24-26, 2012 at the Screening Room, is a celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender films. The six-day event will showcase the best features, documentaries, shorts and musical films exploring LGBT issues and/or created by members of the LGBT community, and promises to be an exciting and diverse addition to Tucson’s Art Culture.

Film submissions to “Out in the Desert” are coming in from all over the world, as well as from local filmmakers in and around the Tucson area. Steering Committee members, Joe Sprague: Festival Director, Tom Forester: Programming Chair, Chris Canine: Sponsorship and Community Partners Chair, Han Nguyen: Communications Chair, Kris Nicola: Online Chair, Brad Spaulding: Ticket and Membership Chair and Lana Baldwin: Special Events Chair, have begun organizing to bring the best LGBT films to Tucson. The committee is currently in search of additional chair/committee members and volunteers. For more information, please visit “Out in the Desert’s” official website at www.outinthedesertff.org.

“With many years of experience in the LGBT Film Festival Circuit, I can tell you first hand that Film can and does change peoples’ lives.” – Joe Sprague, Festival Director

Fluxx is proud to host the “Out in the Desert – A LGBT Film Festival”  launch party on Wednesday January 11th at 7pm. There is NO cover charge and free food and drinks will be provided! Film screenings, festival volunteer sign up, raffle purchase tickets, passes, & memberships, and director info will be made available at the party.

http://www.outinthedesertff.org/

At FUR REAL we’ve got DJ David Biehl from the world-famous ‘Tidal Wave’ parties in Orlando spinning from 10pm-2am and this man is used to making a crowd of 1000 move so it’s gonna be hot! Special thanks to our wonderful partners at SAAF/MSHAPE for the use of their lighting and sound system and for providing our attendees with condoms, lube, and safer sex materials!

The doors open at 9pm for the contest and then it melds right into the dance after a short setup-interlude.

(21+/ID required) with 100% of the door going to the Wingspan General Fund

Check us out on our Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/276486759031171/!

But we can’t do it without you…

Wingspan’s Anti-Violence Programs cordially invites you to help celebrate 15 years of serving LGBTQ survivors of violence.  From its beginnings, as a crisis phone that served as a resource to LGBTQ survivors of domestic violence when there were no other resources, to now, a 24 hour line/ walk in advocacy that is staffed by advocates trained to support survivors of many types of violence.  The AVP has grown to be a strong community resource by way of presentations and community outreach.  Please come and take part in this anniversary event where we hope to honor those that created this invaluable resource as well as inspire our community to keep moving forward in the anti-violence movement.  Come partake in some refreshments some reflection, and some community visioning.

Date:  Thursday, December 29th

Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Location: Fluxx Studios, 414 E. 9th St.

Hosts: Wingspan Anti-Violence Programs

Please RSVP:  mlopez@wingspan.org  or ksmith@wingspan.org

Once again, the inimitable Bunny Fu Fu will be hosting the event, which will include cocktails, a four-course dinner, entertainment and dancing, a raffle with great prizes, casino fun and a champagne toast at midnight.

Whether you are thinking about attending, being a volunteer or a sponsor, you can stay up to date about the latest NIGHT THING developments by clicking here and entering your email address on the website page.

Holders of the first 50 tickets purchased by Oct. 31 will receive VIP status, with a special invitation to pre-party events, including a private bar and bash. Tickets, at $150 each or $1,500 per table, can be purchased online here or by calling 520-624-1779, Ext. 118.

Wingspan has negotiated a discount room rate of $164 (down from $269) for those who wish to stay overnight at the Starr Pass Marriott and take advantage of great spa deals to start the New Year in comfort. To reserve a room click here or call 1-800-266-9432 and mention Wingspan.

“With today’s economy being so poor, many of our youth are left unemployed. Not because they are homeless or unstable, although that’s a factor in some of their lives, but because they are either focusing on their education or they did not finish school, making it more difficult for them to find work,” says Youth Program Coordinator Zami Tinashe Hyemingway. “The winter holiday season can be really difficult for our youth because they are unable to purchase gifts for their loved ones, which is why we wanted to create an event where they can.”

The Winter Holiday Party and Thrift Store will be 4-8 p.m. Dec. 22 at Fluxx Studio & Gallery, 414 E. Ninth St.

At the Eon Thrift Store, everything will be free. “Eon receives lots of donations during this time of the year in the form of clothes, shoes, food and gift cards,” says Hyemingway. “When we get these donations, we usually give them out to our youth who are most needy and other youth who need the help. This year, we are going to continue to do that but have the youth earn them through our incentive system,” Eon Bucks.

Eon Bucks are paper $3 bills that Eon youth earn through participating in groups, leadership-development workshops, outreach and community service. The Eon Bucks allow youth to purchase snacks, time on the computer for things other than homework and job search, along with other items like picture frames and incense.

“This event offers youth the opportunity to take pride in their accomplishments in the Eon Lounge since beginning their participation, and gives them a greater sense of how their contribution to their community can positively impact them as individuals,” says Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation Health Educator Jai Smith. “By purchasing gifts through the incentives program, they see how their hard work has benefited them and, because the gifts are all donations, they see the value of generosity and how that generosity can be meaningful to individuals in our community.”

Youth will be able to earn Eon Bucks up until the Winter Holiday Party and then use them to shop. In addition, they will enjoy light refreshments. At the party, they also will be writing letters to LGBTQ youth and adults who are in prison or jail, wrap any items they purchase to give to loved ones as gifts, and watch films of their choice.

The first 40 youth to arrive at the party will receive goodie bags donated by a generous community member, and all youth who would like one will be able to receive a food box as well.

If you have any questions, contact the Eon Youth Lounge at eonyouth@wingspan.org or Youth Programs Coordinator Zami Tinashe Hyemingway at zhyemingway@wingspan.org.

Each bingo card is a $5 donation that will go directly to benefit Wingspan, Southern Arizona’s LGBT Community Center! Each bingo card has 3 playing boards so you have 3 X the chance to win!
Between Bingo rounds, see performances by Britney Star, Bianca Difonsi, Raul Martinez, Justin Denial, Mistti Kage, Rosie Cheeks, Adam Snapple and a very special performance from Kelli Blake!

Be nice this season, donate to Wingspan, and get a chance to win some fabulous prizes!

The winners of the Wingspan Steve Hall, Godat and Community Ally awards also encompass this spirit in all the wonderful ways they serve our community. “It was an honor to present these awards to the incredibly deserving recipients. Their talent, dedication and passion move our community forward,” said Oscar Jimenez, Wingspan director of programs.

Godat Award – Jennifer Hoefle

Jennifer Hoefle earned a master of arts in applied sociology from Northern Arizona University in 2001. She is an educator with 10 years’ experience, five of those as an adjunct faculty member at NAU. There she taught, among other courses, the Sociology of Sexuality and a special-topics course, Race, Class and Gender.

Since 2007 she has served the University of Arizona campus. She was the program director for Social Justice Education Programs through the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership until 2009. She currently serves as the program director for LGBTQ Affairs through the Dean of Students Office.

In that role, her responsibilities include directing the Safe Zone Training Program, running an internship program that provides students the opportunity to plan a variety of events and programs, advising Pride Alliance and collaborating on an LGBTQ Support Group.

Community Ally Award – Mari Herreras

Mari Herreras, a fifth-generation Tucsonan, is an award-winning writer with the Tucson Weekly who has been working in journalism for more than 18 years. When she’s not writing about the ugly and beautiful that make Tucson weird and wonderful, she writes with a local women’s writing collective. An anthology of their poetry and essays will be published next month.

When Mari’s not writing, she and her husband explore the city with their super-hero and musical-theater-obsessed 10-year-old son, remind each other to feed the dogs and cats and work around their old house.

In this new media day and age, Mari feels lucky not only to be employed (thank you, Tucson Weekly), but also to have a job that allows her to do what she loves most – writing and hanging out and meeting interesting people.

Steve Hall Award (shared) – Alex Lopez

Puertas Abiertas Co-Coordinator Alex Lopez was born and raised in Tucson. He began volunteering when he was in high school and was active in after-school projects. He volunteered for Tucson Pride in 2009 and connected with organizations serving the LGBT community. Alex joined the Wingspan Development Committee and assisted with the NIGHT THING New Year’s Eve event in 2010.

Active in Wingspan Anti-Violence Programs, he has helped implement the RainbowCONNECT warm line, joined in activities to promote awareness of anti-LGBT-bullying. He also is co-coordinator of Puertas Abiertas, Wingspan’s Latin@ LGBT outreach group, helping plan one social activity a week as well as special events for Puertas Abiertas participants.

Steve Hall Award (shared) – Ana Jimenez

Puertas Abierta Co-Coordinator Ana Jimenez was raised on the Mexico-U.S. border and is passionate about supporting progressive issues that create a positive border culture. Ana has volunteered with the Anti-Violence Programs crisis line for the last four years and serves as a bilingual advocate on an on-call basis when a member of the Spanish-speaking community needs assistance. She has been co-coordinator of the Puertas Abiertas Latin@ LGBT outreach group for the last year. Ana’s passion for sports and cultural events has helped led her to create varied schedule of activities that reach a diverse population.

This year, Ana co-chaired the Tucson Latin@ Gay Pride Planning Committee. As part of her efforts, she has traveled to rural communities to spread awareness of Latino LGBT identities and cultures. Ana’s goals for Puertas Abiertas include widening the program’s reach, involving more participants and expanding activities and projects that will increase the visibility of LGBT Latin@s.

This victory, and the lessons learned from the battle to achieve it, will have a lasting and far-reaching impact as other transgender-advocacy groups and their allies petition for similar policy changes in other jurisdictions.

Three SAGA members, including SAGA Program Coordinator Erin Russ, attended this historic meeting as a show of solidarity and to speak about Tucson’s experience with transgender-inclusive policies in support of the policy change.

The organization efforts before the meeting resulted in a tremendous show of support. Equality Maricopa had organizers on site handing out buttons in the transgender-flag colors with YES printed on them to every supporter in attendance. Those supporters filled the room and overflowed into the hallway. Audience members were overwhelmingly in favor of the proposal, demonstrating support by the button each wore, the audible applause for each supporting speaker, and the stone silence when the lone dissenter spoke.

Erica Kepler, a leader in the Phoenix transgender community, said afterward: “I can’t begin to describe the satisfaction I feel for having finally beaten [the opposition], after [they] took this away from us three years ago.

“We did it. Real progress. It’s been years since we’ve seen real progress, but we did it. We could not have done this on our own, and it was achieved with tremendous support from the gay and lesbian community. With good partners we can achieve great things.”

SAGA Program Coordinator Erin Russ said: “I strongly agree with Erica’s sentiment. It is a feeling I get on a regular basis when I experience the support we, in Tucson’s transgender community, receive on a daily basis from our Wingspan family and the Greater Southern Arizona LGBT community.

“I would like to echo Erica’s words: With good partners, we will continue to achieve great things!”

This year, each player will receive a dri-fit polo shirt, a soft-sided cooler bag stuffed with goodies, and an original Dave Fitzsimmons-designed T-shirt (a new one, designed by the Arizona Daily Star cartoonist just for us this year). We’ll be giving great prizes to the first-, second- and third-place teams and for both men’s and women’s longest drives and closest-to-the-green, as well as other on-course games. We’ll also enjoy a great pasta buffet dinner afterward.

This is the third year of the classic. The first two years we raised a combined $33,000 for critical Wingspan programs, and this year we are hoping to bring that total to almost $50,000. So, come join in to support Wingspan and enjoy golf, beautiful weather and fabulous friends. Find out more at www.wingspanclassic.com.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

The 7:00 pm concert is by the well-known Israeli actor and singer/songwriter Uri Banai; a portion of the proceeds will benefit WingspanAt the reception, awards will recognize LGBTQ professionals and community activists who have worked to advance civil rights for LGBTQ people in Southern Arizona.

Award recipients are:

• Carol & Kate Bradsen for their hospitality work with asylum seekers and migrant workers. See website
• Dante Celeiro for his work as a Transgender Activist , Manager of Boys R Us & Founder of Fluxx Studios. See website
• Amelia Cramer, Chief Deputy Attorney for Pima County & Former Managing Attorney for the Western office of Lambda Legal.  See website
• John Peck, Freelance Editor & Retired Senior Vice President of the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona. See website

Reception entertainment includes Oy Gay: LGBT-Jewish Coming Out Stories, presented in conjunction with Odyssey Storytelling, featuring Uri Banai; Dr. Diane Ealy, bestselling author of “The Woman’s Book of Creativity”; Ari Ginsburg, co-president of Chaverim and an original member of the Wingspan youth group; and Marc Paley, LGBT Jewish Inclusion Project coordinator and Queer Voice founding member.

Table sponsorships are still available. Purchase tickets online here or call 577-9393, Ext. 121.

In Hebrew, Keshet means both “rainbow,” a symbol of GLBT pride; and “bow,” an instrument for action.

All are welcome regardless of religious affiliation or theological belief. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Service begins at 7:00 pm. Reception to follow service. For more information about the service, contact Marc Paley at mpaley@jfsa.org.

Shower of Stoles Exhibit- Witness liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of LGBT people of faith from various faith traditions beginning at the service and continuing October 12-15 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm at 1st United Methodist Church. Contact 622-6481 or sylviats@cox.net for more information.

Free parking in adjacent parking garage – parking coupons available at the service. Reception to follow service. See map below for parking details.

Location: First United Methodist Church
Address:  915 E 4th St, Tucson
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Phone: (520) 577-9393 ext 128

Pride on Parade will be held downtown in conjunction with Second Saturdays.  The Parade begins at 8:00 pm at Congress and 6th and heads west to Stone. Check out the website for information on participating.

Why a Parade? Even today, with all of the strides that have been made towards equality, GLBT persons are far too-often pressured into keeping who they are a secret out of fear and shame. The focus of Pride on Parade is to allow GLBT persons the opportunity to be out and proud about who they are. To be part of such an event gives hope and strength to those who are struggling with acceptance, helping them to be honest about who they are when they go to work, go to school, or talk with their families. Together, we can provide our community with a place to come together and celebrate each other in an environment of safety and respect.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the AIDS virus, Tucson Pride has chosen Wendell Hicks (Executive Director Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation), Dr. Heather Moroso (Founder of Positively Beautiful), Scott Blades (Executive Director Tucson Interfaith HIV Awareness Network), and Jeffrey Scott Brown (AIDS Ribbon) as Grand Marshalls.

The Pink Party is the Official Tucson Pride Parade Party, taking place in downtown Tucson’s largest nightclub, located right on the parade route at 61 Congress Street. The perfect place for cocktails before the parade, watching the parade roll by, and celebrating afterwards.  See The Pink Party event post for more information.

Pride in the Desert has MOVED to Kino Memorial Stadium.  Gates open at 11:00 am.  Come see Shannel, RuPaul Drag U and Drag Race, and Bunny FuFu will emcee the event that includes:

• Dario
• God-des & She
• Jimmy Roland
• Jennifer Corday and the Cougars
• Whisley Rodeo
• Rolla Acosta
• Boys R Us
• Human Project
• Switchblade Parade
• Troupe Shuvani
• Lisa Otey & Diane Van Deurzen

Advanced tickets are $10 available from local bars and Fluxx Studios.  Tickets at the gate are $15.

FEVER is the official Pride Party held at Club Congress. There is no cover until 10:00 pm. This year’s proceeds benefit Positively Beautiful.