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Lessons Learned by Our Out Boulder Intern, Nina
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"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
 As Out Boulder's Office and Events Intern, I perform administrative tasks for the execution of events such as assessing possible venues and writing emails. Observing the day-to-day operations of Out Boulder, I surmised I would learn such practical skills, yet never expected my approach on systematic social change would be forever enriched. If I have learned anything during my mornings spent within the blue and white walls of the Pridehouse, it's to never underestimate the galvanizing power of love, nor disregard it as foolish idealism.
 Though I have studied social justice and non-violent activism for years, I had never genuinely witnessed love act as an agent of change until I started interning for Out Boulder. Out Boulder's family is all too familiar with the limitations of hate, and yet the inclusivity of love permeates through all of its operations. I witness its quiet, yet powerful presence within the laughter and smiling eyes of the staff, within how they wholeheartedly give themselves to uplift our community. In fact, I look forward to the love and optimism I encounter in the Pridehouse, because, honestly, it is difficult to find this astounding presence of light outside of its walls.
Out Boulder reminds me that it is my choice whether to sustain the darkness or to spark a match. That it is my choice whether to resign to accepting "what is" and endure oppression, or to empower myself, working towards a brighter future, unhindered by these shadows. And, finally, that choosing love as the agent is the definitive difference between the creation of darkness or light.
In solidarity,
Nina Holtz
Office & Events Intern
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Respite & Companion Volunteer Program
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 In the Respite & Companion Volunteer Program at Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, volunteers are matched one-on-one with frail older adults either living alone or with family caregivers. During weekly two-hour visits, volunteers find many ways to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the older adults they visit. As appropriate, the volunteers and their partners may share conversation, take a walk, enjoy social outings, go shopping, run errands, or simply enjoy the pleasure of each other's company. If the older adult lives with a family caregiver, your visits enable that person to take a much-needed break. Adult volunteers, male and female, are sought throughout the county. Those who have some availability during daytime hours are especially needed, though all are welcome. To learn more or to register for an upcoming training, call Rachael Oyer at 303-441-1543 or e-mail at infoRespite@bouldercounty.org.
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Bubble-wrapped: Gay Life in Boulder
Feb. 20 - Mar. 19
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"Bubble-wrapped: Gay Life in Boulder, Colorado" is a Boulder LGBTQ community portrait & story-sharing project. For this project we have collected 14 stories to show aspects of the LGBTQ experience in Boulder. This event is the release of portraits and quotes from participant at Innisfree Poetry Bookstore & Cafe, a wonderful cafe and poetry bookstore on the Hill at 1203 13th Street.
The night of Wednesday, Feb. 20 will feature the opening for the show. There will be snacks and beautiful portraits hanging on the walls. The exhibition will remain at Innisfree until March 19, 2013.
More info
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Trans and Genderqueer Support Group - Wed's
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Boulder Trans and Genderqueer Support (BTGS) offers support group meetings and social fun for people of all ages who identify as transgender and/or identify anywhere within the gender variant spectrum/sphere/torus. Our support meetings emphasize respect for peoples' experience in all types of gender variant identities, including genderqueer, third gender, trans women, trans men, trans masculine/feminine,  bi-gender, genderfluid, intersex, and of course anyone questioning/deciphering their gender identity. For the safety and comfort of our group members, our meetings are not currently open to SOFFAs (significant others, family, family, friends or allies of trans and genderqueer folks). The group is consciously welcoming to gender variant people of color and persons with disabilities and we strive to build and maintain an anti-oppressive, inclusive group culture. Please come if you want support in your experience, you want to hear from others about their experience, or maybe you just want to spend time in a group of people that is accepting of you as you are.
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Our annual RED Party is coming up! Join us at The Bitter Bar on Sunday, February 17, 6pm - Midnight. We have reserved the entire bar/restaurant for the event. $15 presale, $80 VIP tables*, $20 at the door. Party is open to all 18 years of age and beyond. Cocktail hour and mixers lounge from 6:00-7:30, red light dance floor from 7:30 to close.
There will be sweet HaPpY HoUr pricing on appetizers, select drinks and a full cash bar. We will have signature cocktails, a drag-king troupe performance, dance floor, photo-prop station and an awesome DJ (to be announced soon!). We'll be dancing all night long, this is a party you don't want to miss.
*VIP tables $80: Seats up to 6. Sexy booths, private speak-easy entrance, reserved parking spot, extra drink tickets and an appetizer exclusively available for your group.More info
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Speaking Out Training - March 2
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 Our next Speaking Out training will take place on Saturday March 2, 9am - 1pm at First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce Street. Share your story with kids in Boulder! Please RSVP to Speaking Out Coordinator Ilene Blum. Speaking Out is an all-volunteer LGBT and Allied educational speakers' bureau. We conduct approximately 60 community speaking engagements annually in local middle school, high school, and college classrooms. Speaking Out also talks with business, organizations and community groups. By utilizing storytelling and personal connections, Speaking Out's mission is to cultivate awareness and understanding of LGBT lives and experiences. After participating in the training, you will be able to present on panels at local schools and organizations with other LGBT members, with no minimum commitment. You may sign up for only the panels you are interested in and able to attend. More info and to Request a Speaker
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That's not all! Check out these other upcoming events in our community, click on the links below and find out more.
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The following are  the Pridehouse's regular office hours. If you need to visit us outside of these hours please contact our Events & Office Manager, Aubree at
apeckham@outboulder.org for an appointment. The Pridehouse is located at 2132 14th Street. Hope to see you soon!
Tue-Fri - 9 am - 1 pm
Sat, Sun, and Mon - by
appointment
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Some of the events, views and opinions expressed in the eNewsletter are solely those of their authors and/or organizations, and do not necessarily reflect an endorsement by Out Boulder. We encourage you to contact the event sponsor for more information.
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