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Greetings!
The recent rash of gay teen suicides has really been devastating for all of us in the GLBT community. You'd think that ending the bullying would be a non-controversial goal on which all facets of our society could agree. Well, you'd apparently be wrong. So-called Christian groups like Focus on the Family say that anti-bullying programs are a secret way to advance the gay agenda. Really? So Christians are now staking out the PRO-BULLYING stance? Really?
I have no idea how to stop the bullying in school. For one thing, kids are mean. And as long as neanderthal, bigoted, religiously fueled and low-information parents communicate to their children that anyone who is different is inferior and deserving of derision, then bullying will continue. We can and should raise our voices to teachers, administrators and fellow parents to raise the awareness of all who aren't clouded by religious blinders, but let's face it, some element of bullying will sadly always be there.
But while there is still much work to be done to curtail the bullying, activist and columnist Dan Savage has come up with a creative way to give distressed GLBT teen hope. It's called the "It Gets Better Project", and its a series of You Tube videos in which adult gay men and women talk about their own lives - how they too were bullied mercilessly in high school, but they ultimately found a group of like-minded friends, built families and careers and have ended up happy. They encourage gay teens to not give up - that it WILL get better.
I don't know how gay teens will respond to this message, but personally I have found them very compelling. Partly inspired with Savage's project, Ft. Worth city councilman Joel Burns spoke at an open city council meeting with his own It Gets Better message, and if you aren't crying throughout this video, then you have a heart of stone.
Another good way to support gay teens is to donate to the PFLAG/HATCH Scholarship Foundation - letting those teens know that we are investing in their futures. The Foundation is holding a fun fashion show fundraiser this Thursday at meteor, and you can read about it in the article below. Hope to see you there!
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 | Wicked Haute, a Fashion Show Fundraiser for the PFLAG/HATCH
Scholarship Foundation
Thursday, October 21st, 6 to 9 pm at meteor
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 With all the recent news about gay teen suicides, it is especially important for us to provide whatever support we can for gay teens. The PFLAG/HATCH scholarship program is a great way to do that! They holding a great fundraiser called Wicked Haute at meteor this Thursday, with a fashion show, auction and raffle. The event is free. Meteor is located at 2306 Genesee (at Fairview).
I am very proud to say that I am receiving their 2010 Extraordinary Service Award at this event. It would please me to no end to have a large contingent of lesbians in attendance,
showing our support for these wonderful organizations AND their great scholarship fund!
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| Upcoming "Don't Miss" Events
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Be sure to check the Calendar page of Social Notes for more details on each of these fine events. You'll find time, dates, location, a description of the event, along with prices and a links where appropriate. Click on over so you'll be In The Know.
- Monday, Oct. 18th: The start of Early Voting
- Thursday, Oct. 21st: Wicked Haute, a fashion show fundraiser for the PFLAG/HATCH Scholarship Fund
- Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22nd and 23rd: Barkitecture Houston
- Saturday, October 23rd: Chely Wright in Concert
- Sunday, October 24th: Christy Claxton in Concert
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| Weekly/Monthly Recurring Events
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Here's a listing of events which occur regularly - either weekly or monthly. As always, please click over to the Calendar page of Social Notes for all the details about each of these fine events. - Every Tuesday: Steak Night at The Usual
- Every Wednesday: Open Mic Night at The Usual
- Every Thursday: Free C&W dance lessons at BRB
- Third Thursday of Each Month: Book Club
- The 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month: Free C&W dance lessons at BRB
- 2nd Friday of each month: A2 40 Happy Hours
- 1st Saturday of the month: Queer Bingo
- Every Sunday: The Women's Group meets
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| "Save The Date" and purchase your tickets now for these future events!
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 Even though these events may be a few days/weeks down the road,
you need to buy your tickets and/or make your reservations NOW, girlfriend! You can find out all the details, including ticket purchase information, by visiting the Calendar Page of Social Notes
- Saturday, October 23rd: Chely Wright in concert
- Sunday, October 24th: Christy Claxton in house concert
- Saturday, October 30th: Halloween Party at Lazarus House
- Saturday, October 30th: Queen of Hearts Masquerade Ball
- Saturday, November 6th: LHI Health Fair
- Saturday, November 6th: GoGirls Music Fest
- Saturday, December 4th: Carol's Holiday Party
- Tuesday, December 14th: Bayou City Performing Arts Holiday Concert
- Friday, December 31st: Northwest Corner Presents a New Year's Eve Gay-La (open to everyone)
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| The Rant
|  This sorta snuck up on me, but today's newsletter intro ended up being a mini-Rant. And and one rant (mini or not) per email is enough. They regularly sized Rant will return in the next edition of Social Notes.
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So Long!
 Well, that's all for this week's edition of Social Notes. The wonderful women of Lesbian Health Initiative (LHI) want to let you know that they still have openings for blood and pap tests at their November 6th Health Fair, but you do need to make a reservation! Flu shots, bone density scans and more are available at the Fair on a walk-in basis.
Sincerely,
Carol Wyatt
Social Notes
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