Special vigil Mon, Oct 11: National Coming Out Day, Napa

I am sure many of you have heard of the tragic loss of at least 6 youth around the country during the final weeks of September due to anti-gay bullying. The youngest youth was ELEVEN years old.

It is time we got together as a community and demanded that this kind of hate and harassment stop. It is time we got together as Napans to show our community--and especially those youth who feel the most pain and isolation--that they are not alone and that they are loved.

The Unity League contacted me about helping to get something happening for National Coming Out Day.
VOICES Q*Youth will be attending and helping, but this is a side project and event of the Napa community and is for everyone: straight as an arrow, queer as a 3-dollar bill and everyone in between--butches, femmes, trans, genderqueer and vanilla as icecream.

It'd be great to have you all (and your friends, family, colleagues) show up and show our youth support. Do you think we could get a ton of people together at Veteran's Park downtown (next to Downtown Joe's) on Monday at 6:30p? It would be to honor the memory of the youth who committed suicide due to anti-gay bullying and to show any other queer/questioning members of our community that they are not alone.

It would be a brief and informal "ceremony", but would be a powerful message to youth who feel hopeless.

They will only hear our message if we show up. How can we get a ton of people downtown w/ candles so our presence of love and support can be powerful?

The Facebook event page can be found here.

Napa Unity League Mixer, Mon, Sep 6, 6-8p

Monday, Labor day, September 6, 2010 is Napa's next Unity League mixer and meeting. A social gathering w/ good people, bites to eat and usually a great local winery pouring something tasty.

With a mission of enhanc[ing] the sense of community for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Questioning (LGBTQ) citizens & their families, friends and allies through: social networking, community service, health & education and social justice, the folks from the Napa Valley Unity League are the main organizers for Napa's Pride, the Academy Awards party/fundraiser and AIDS Walk Napa Valley, among many other events.

Here's the lineup for this month's meeting:

• This month we'll be celebrating Labor Day with a BBQ on the lawn above the pool at Riverpointe
• Folks from Honig Winery will be on hand to pour their wines and talk about their facility and operation
• We'll find out more about the 19th Annual Napa Valley AIDS Walk which takes place in Yountville on Saturday, October 30
• We still have a few Napa Valley Pride dog tags ($3 each or 2 for $5) and wristbands ($2 each or 3 for $5)
• Meet great folks and find out what's going on in the Napa Valley and the surrounding areas

There's a Facebook event page if you'd like to RSVP or peek at who's saying they're going.

Additionally, Josie just sent us out a special reminder about a community service project she and TJ are encouraging our support on:

I just wanted to remind people it is not too late to pick up some school supplies to donate to the Teachers Resource Center (formerly Change for Kids). Teachers have it tough these days and many spend up to $500 a year out of their own pockets so that all of their students can have needed supplies. There are still deals on paper, pens, notebooks and such at Office Depot, Target, Staples and Wal-Mart.

Bring your donation to the mixer and I will deliver it to the TRC. I talked to a teacher friend yesterday who said copy paper is really a strong need for most teachers. She is copying old textbooks to use in creative ways in her classes. Thanks in advance to all who can help.

Josie Jenkins
TJ Danser
Community Service Co-Chairs

Gay Day at Discovery Kingdom now called JUNGLE, Sat, Nov 13, 2010

Click to enlarge or click here for the full PDF

After last year's well intentioned but not hugely attended revamp of Gay Day ("Out In The Park") at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, I was wondering what might be in store for this year. Still not having heard anything, I thought they might have given up and left the big "gay day" parties to the other theme parks...

However, I was wrong. Gay Day at Discovery Kingdom is back, but revamped yet again. I guess you can't blame them for trying!

So what's in store for this year? It looks like they're learning from the past, and this year's Gay Day at Discovery Kingdom is know known as J.U.N.G.L.E. (Jointly Unified in a Nighttime Gay/Lesbian Event):

[From the official website's event page]
The park will be open to the general public from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket holders to JUNGLE can enjoy the festivities until park close at 11 p.m.

Tickets will go on sale starting in September at an early online price. Your purchased ticket to JUNGLE will also be valid during the park's public operating hours and a special wristband will provide access to the exclusive JUNGLE event.

Season Pass holders can enjoy a special Season Pass event wristband price and enjoy JUNGLE all night long. A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to our community partners.

Performances by:

• Chris Salvatore (chris-salvatore.com)
• Pollo Del Mar (Twitter.com/TheGlamazonPDM)
• Jessica and Hunter (jessicaandhunter.com)
• DJ Perry Twins (perrytwinsmusic.com)

Special appearances by:
House of Glitter, Cheer SF, Tita Aida, Rice Rockettes, DieNASTY, and CollaVoce.

Sponsored by:
Vitamin Water, Pink Banana Media, LOGO TV, Grindr, and Andre Harris Designs.

Community Partners:
Solano Pride, API Wellness, and Cheer SF.

They've also started a Facebook Page for the event with more info and ongoing updates. I hope the promoters give me free tickets to give away again! If anyone has connections, please let them know I'd love to hold a contest and promote the event.

Whatdya think? Are this year's changes enough to get you to go?

Napa Guerilla Gays head to the Fair, Weds, Aug 11

It's that time of year again! One week before school starts and today, Wednesday, August 11 is the first day of the Napa Town & Country Fair! The Town/Country Fair (not to be confused with Napa County's Fair, held around the 4th of July in Calistoga) is held mid-August, yearly in Napa City, just south of 3rd Street at the Expo.

Many long-time Napans remember fondly riding the Zipper at the Carnival, cruising Chardonnay Hall for infomercial wares, perusing the smelly livestock area (or selling livestock if you're a 4H kinda person), judging local art/food/crafts, watching a performance and buying (insert product here)-on-a-stick and loving it!

Well to make the fair a little "gayer" this year (and what's a fair without fun friends to enjoy it with), Rick has launched a Guerilla Gay mission encouraging us all to head to the fairgrounds today and soak up some of the last bits of summer:

Join the troops from the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar as we invade the Napa Town & Country Fair (on the grounds of the Napa Valley Expo at 575 Third Street in Napa) on Wednesday, August 11 for OPENING DAY!

We'll eat (of course), we'll drink (naturally), we'll visit the exhibits, we'll all hold our noses as we look at the livestock, we'll ride the rides in the carnival area (or watch as others scream and cry like little kids).

Then, at 8 p.m. we'll meet up at the brand new amphitheatre for a concert by jazz pianist David Benoit (pronounced, believe it or not, BEN-wah). Those who saw him perform with Dave Koz at the Robert Mondavi Summer Concert Series know how good this guy is! What could be better? A warm August evening, sitting with friends outdoors and listening to great jazz! And don't forget - the concert is free with your admission to the fair.

Blow off work and spend the entire day or just show up when you can. Be sure to wear your Napa Valley Pride dog tags or other camouflage and/or rainbow paraphernalia so we can spot you.

Advance tickets are available for just $8 (a 20% savings) by clicking on the "Buy Tickets" link at http://www.napavalleyexpo.com/fair.html

There is a facebook event page if you'd like to RSVP or see who's going already. Share your favorite fair (Napa or otherwise) moments in the comments.

Post "Decision Day" Guerilla Gay Mission to Carpe Diem Winebar, Weds, 8p

[Update, Aug 4, 7:30p: Event moved from Downtown Joe's to Carpe Diem]

Whether or not you are able to make it to Wednesday's "Day of Decision" rally at Veteran's Park, Napa's Guerilla Gay Bar is planning a post-rally mission at Carpe Diem Winebar at 8p:

Win or Lose - the Napa Valley Unity League, Napa Valley Equality Coalition and many other organizations are planning a "Day of Decision Rally" at Veterans Park in Napa (on Main Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets) from 6 to 8 p.m.

Following the event, troops from the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar will descend upon Carpe Diem Winebar (1001 2nd Street in Napa) for post-rally food and beverages.

Of course this Guerilla mission has a Facebook event page if you'd like to RSVP or see who's going...

Next Unity League mixer/meeting Mon, Aug 2

[Update, Sun, Aug 1, 12p: included more on what's on this month's agenda and an update to the location, see below]

The Napa Valley Unity League's famous monthly mixer and meeting will be Monday, August 2nd at its usual location, Riverpointe Napa.

What's on tap for August?

• Folks from Oakville Ranch Vineyards will be on hand to pour their wines and talk about their facility and operation
• Enjoy food prepared in the Napa Valley Unity League test kitchens (just kidding - but the food is amazing!)
• We still have a few Napa Valley Pride dog tags ($3 each or 2 for $5) and wristbands ($2 each or 3 for $5)
• Meet great folks and find out what's going on in the Napa Valley and the surrounding areas.

And some updates:

• The meeting will take place on the outside grass near the pool (south side lawn of the clubhouse building)
• Here more about:
  *Family Services of Napa Valley
  *Access Adventure
  *Marin Pride
  *Napa Guerilla Gay Bar Missions
  

Cost? Just a $5.00 SUGGESTED donation

We meet at Riverpointe Napa Valley (500 Lincoln Avenue - just across from Compadres Rio Grille) in Napa. The mixer starts around 6. A short meeting takes place starting at 7. The facebook event page has RSVP options, but you can just show up.

Carpe Diem Winebar invasion by Napa Guerilla Gays, Sun, Aug 1

Today's the day for a quick queer "invasion" of one of Napa's newest hot spots, the Carpe Diem wine bar. Carpe Diem is located at 1001 2nd Street (for old time Napans, in the old PJ's spot next to Peking Palace) and they've has some great "Sunday Funday" specials:

According to their website they offer "$3 specials, sliders, fries, draft beers etc . . . " from 4 to 6 p.m. every Sunday. Let's check it out!

This is one of Napa Guerilla Gay Bar's "fb/blog/twitter" only events, so don't expect an email blast...If you'd like to peek at or RSVP yourself, go to the event's facebook page, here.

Who's in?

Napa Pride day 3: PFLAG Pfundraiser at Mary's Pizza, Mon, June 14, 2010

So far, with a fabulous youth dance and cocktails and golf and supper and a great picnic and more, Napa Pride has been amazingly fun and centered around bringing our community together.

...and today, the fun continues with a special fundraiser to support a local organization working to expand support for those who support (or want to learn how to) our community:

• 11a - 10p (and a post-6p "meetup"): Mary's Pizza Shack PFLAG Pfundraiser, Napa
  It will be Pfabulous Pfun! As part of Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010 join us for a PRIDE PIZZA PARTY and PFUNDRAISER for (pfor?) PFLAG on MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2010 Mary's Pizza Shack will donate 20% of dine-in, take-out and delivery orders AT THE NAPA RESTAURANT all day if you present this PFLYER (click to download) when you pay your bill.
  
  [You can dine at Mary's all day with your flyer and help raise money for PFLAG, but folks from Napa's Guerilla Gay Bar will gather to eat dinner together at 6p and later. Look for us!]
  
  Don't have time to stay or have other dining plans that day? Stop by and buy a Mary's gift card, give them a copy of the flyer and they'll donate 10% to our PFRIENDS at PFLAG North Bay.
  

For a list of the rest of the 20+ events for Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010--you know, to plan out the rest of your amazing week to come--click here.

Napa Pride day 2: Queer-friendly faith, Family Picnic, Ben & Jerry's, Guerilla Gays at Pancha's

From first hand, I can tell you that last night's youth Pride dance was a hit. With around 100 youth in attendance, a live, local band (In The Know), free food and drinks and DJ Rotten Robbie...a good time was had by all--including the volunteers! I've heard equally enthusiastic reports from the golf event and supper in Yountville. And that was only day 1!

What's in store for today? Hope you're well rested. Get on the phone and get your friends and family rounded up, it's time for:

• 9:30a-10:30a: Reconciling Sunday Service, "Creating Sanctuary for All" at First United Methodist Church, Napa
  Sanctuary should not be limited to a resting place, but a deepening place and a growing place. It is our vision that as GLBT people find safe places, they will share their stories and offer their gifts in ministry. It is our hope that these stories and gifts will cause congregations to open their eyes to a wider vision… a vision that will call for action in creating ever widening sanctuary. Our Reconciling Service features the Oakland/East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus!
  
  
• 12p-4p: Pride Family Picnic at Fuller Park, Napa
  Come have a relaxing afternoon...BBQs will be prepped and ready should you decide to cook your contribution. Also, plenty of fun & games for the whole family to enjoy, like: hula hoop, water balloon toss, bocce ball. There will also be a huge raffle with fabulous prizes to be won! (City regs prohibit alcoholic beverages and smoking. "Four-legged kids" are welcome on a leash)
  
• 4p-5:30p: "Fish Out of Water" film Screening, God and Gays, Some Perspectives at First United Methodist Church
  You might think you know where the Bible stands on the subject of homosexuality, but when was the last time you actually checked? The spirited documentary Fish out of Water explores the seven Bible passages notoriously used to condemn homosexuality and justify marriage discrimination. With the help of a cartoon narrator, animated recollections of Bible passages and witty illustrations, Fish out of Water makes this polarizing subject accessible and non‐threatening.
  
• 4p-9p: Ben and Jerry's Fundraiser, Napa
  To help celebrate Napa Valley LGBT Pride 2010, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Scoop Shop in the Napa Town Center will donate 20% of your bill to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life on behalf of Team Napa Valley Unity League! Just visit them on Sunday, June 13, 2010 between 4 and 9 p.m. When you pay for your ice cream be sure to give them a copy of this flyer: click to download.
  
  
• 6p-9p: Panchas of Yountville invaded by Guerilla Gay Bar, Yountville
  Join in for cocktails and camaraderie when Napa's Guerilla Gay Bar crew heads up to Pancha's in Yountville. 

For a list of the rest of the 20+ events for Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010--you know, to plan out the rest of your amazing week to come--click here.

Napa Pride today: golf & youth dance, Sat June 12, 2010

Today is the first day of nine days and 20+ events for Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride! There's something for everyone, including today:

• Tee Up Your Pride, 4:00pm - 9:00pm
  Vintner's Golf Club, 7901 Solano Avenue, Yountville
  Arrive and register by 3:30. At 4 PM we'll team up in foursomes (for GOLF, people!) and have a shotgun start to play nine holes in a fun "scramble" format which allows golfers of all skill levels to enjoy golfing together. There will be contest holes and prizes to make it interesting for everyone, but it's a golf outing, not a tournament, so it's not competitive...until we get to the clubhouse and start drinking!
  Even if you don't golf, anyone 21 or older is invited to join us sometime between 6 and 6:30 as the golfers will hit the clubhouse for a casual supper and a no-host bar featuring beer, wine and cocktails. Non-alcoholic drinks are included with supper.
  
  
• 
  
  
  Napa Valley Pride (Youth) Dance, 7 - midnight
  2296 Streblow Dr (Robert Pelusi Recreation Building @ Kennedy Park), Napa
  21 and under, substance free event
  By becoming a confirmed guest you are automatically added to our reservation list. By being a part of the reservation you pay $7 at the door to receive a wristband. If you are not a confirmed guest the price will be $10 at the door for the wristband. The reservation list does not include those who are on the 'maybe attending' list.

For a list of the rest of the 20+ events for Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010--you know, to plan out the rest of your amazing week to come--click here.

Pride month Napa Unity League mixer Mon, June 7, 2010

It's that time of the month again, the Napa Valley Unity League is hosting their monthly mixer, and this time it's in honor of LGBTQ Pride! Come and meet a good group of local gays, gals and friend! Here are the juicy details:

Monday, June 7, 6p-8p
Napa Valley Unity League Mixer and Meeting

Join us for the June 2010 Napa Valley Unity League Mixer & Meeting. There is a TON of stuff going on!

• Folks from Elizabeth Spencer Winery in Rutherford will be on hand to pour their wines and talk about their facility and operation
• Enjoy food prepared in the Napa Valley Unity League test kitchens (just kidding - but the food is amazing!)
• PRIDE, PRIDE, PRIDE! Find out about EVERYTHING going on during Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010.
• Buy your Napa Valley Pride dog tags - $3 each or 2 for $5
• Purchase tickets for "Tee Up Your Pride" - a golf outing and/or supper taking place at Vintner's Golf Club in Yountville on Saturday, June 12
• Purchase tickets for "You Can Leave Your Hat On! - a Napa Valley Pride Celebration" with DJ Rotten Robbie. The event takes place on Friday, June 18 at the Made in Napa Valley Culinary Centre.
• Pick up a handy Napa Valley Pride 2010 postcard with a complete schedule of events on the back
• Meet great folks and find out what's going on in the Napa Valley and the surrounding areas.

Cost? Just a $5.00 SUGGESTED donation


AND HERE’S SOME BIG NEWS! If you purchase your tickets for "You Can Leave Your Hat On! - a Napa Valley Pride Celebration" during the mixer or immediately after the meeting you’ll receive the discount that expired at the end of May. That will save you between 10 and 20 bucks! This will be your LAST CHANCE for discounted tickets.

We meet at Riverpointe Napa Valley (500 Lincoln Avenue - just across from Compadres Rio Grille) in Napa. The mixer starts around 6:00 p.m. A short meeting takes place starting at 7:00 p.m.

You can RSVP or share the invitation to this meeting via Facebook.

Napa Pride dance night tickets prices go up, Tues, June 1, "You Can Leave Your Hat On!"

Friday, June 18, 2010 from 6p - midnight should be a blast! There are only a few days remaining to get discount tickets for "You Can Leave Your Hat On", the main (and all kinds of fun) dance for the 21+ crowd this Napa Pride. Get your tickets before Tuesday:

TIME is RUNNING OUT! Ticket prices for "You Can Leave Your Hat On! - a Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride Celebration" go UP in price on Tuesday, June 1. Buy your discounted advance tickets on-line RIGHT NOW at hat.napagaybar.com

Ticket prices are:

• General Admission - $20 in May / $35 in June
• VIP - $65 in May / $85 in June
• "Designated Driver" General Admission - $10 in May / $20 in June
• "Designated Driver" VIP - $40 in May / $60 in June

Want to pay with cash or check? Send an e-mail before the end of May to info@napagaybar.com. We'll reserve a spot for you and work out the details!

Remember last year's "Eat/Dance/Walk" fundraiser dance and buffet for AIDSWALK? And "Rockin' Around the..." that fabulous holiday party? "You Can Leave Your Hat On" is being hosted by the same folks and should be even more amazing on the outside patio at the Made in Napa Valley Culinary Centre.

What's included at "You Can Leave Your Hat On"?

• Dance to the music of Napa's own DJ Rotten Robbie
• Savor the optional buffet dinner prepared by Kinyon! Culinary Services
• Enjoy wines donated by some of Napa Valley's finest wineries
• Bid on fabulous silent auction lots - all to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life
• Hear your favorite songs by using the "Human Jukebox". Just make a donation to the Relay for Life and you're song will be put in the mix. The more you donate the sooner your song will play.
• Win prizes for wearing the best hat!
• Relax at the optional "After Party" with coffee and desserts prepared by Kinyon! Culinary Services and the staff at The Centre Cafe. Baristas will be on-hand to make hand-crafted drinks for $5 each

It all takes place on Friday, June 18, 2010 on the beautiful outdoor patio/courtyard at the Made in Napa Valley Culinary Centre (388 Devlin Road in Napa).

• The buffet dinner will be served from 6 to 8 p.m.
• DJ Rotten Robbie will "power up" at 7 and play until 11 p.m.
• The "after-party" begins at 10 p.m. and lasts until midnight

Other dances for Pride in the North Bay include the Twilight T-Dance (this year it moved to Sonoma County) on June 5 and the first ever Napa Pride dance for youth (21 and under, subtance free) on June 12.

For details about those and the 20+ other events happening for this year's Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride, see our write-up or visit the official site.

Gay/Lesbian Day at Great America today, May 28, 5p-2a

This almost slipped under my radar. Today, Friday, May 28, 2010 (from 5p-2a) is Gayday at Great America in Santa Clara. In addition to people watching and roller-coastering with friends in the queer community all night, they have a pretty extensive lineup of entertainment:

• Kelis
• DJ Moto Blanco
• Drag stars
• Club Papi Latin Stage
• Heklina/Trannyshack
• Cheer SF

...and more! Tickets are $60. Anyone going to Santa Clara? I should've taken the day off of work!

Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride coming June 12-20, 2010; 20+ events planned

[Update, May 28: corrected the location of the youth Pride dance to Kenney (not Fuller) Park.]

The folks behind this year's Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride have outdone themselves and scheduled 20+ events for this year's celebrations. There's bound to be something (if not many things) to get everyone involved, so get these all on your own calendars, now!

There's a "fan page" on Facebook if you'd like to follow the news, or as usual, I'll cover developments, here on The Valley's Other Fruit.

Additionally, Saturday, June 5 (10a-2p) there's a carwash fundraiser at Compadres to bring in money to fund all these amazing rainbow events.

Saturday, June 12

• 4p-9p: Tee Up Your Pride at Vintner's Golf Club
  
• 7p-11:30p: Youth Pride Dance at Pelusi Building/Kennedy Park
  

Sunday, June 13

• 9:30a-10:30a: Reconciling Sunday Service, "Creating Sanctuary for All" at First United Methodist Church
  
• 12p-4p: Pride Family Picnic at Fuller Park
  
• 4p-5:30p: "Fish Out of Water" film Screening, God & Gays, Some Perspectives at First United Methodist Church
  
• 4p-9p: Ben & Jerry's Fundraiser
• 6p-9p: Panchas of Yountville invaded by Guerilla Gay Bar
  

Monday, June 14

• 11a - 10p: Mary's Pizza Shack PFLAG Pfundraiser

Tuesday, June 15

• no events yet planned, visit napavalleypride.com for late breaking updates

Wednesday, June 16

• 2p-9p: Gott's Roadside Tray Gourmet Relay for Life Fundraiser

Thursday, June 17

• The Napa Valley Toy Company 10 & 10 Day, fundraiser for PFLAG
• 5p-9p: Chef's Market Pride Night
• 7:30p-9:30p: Downtown Joe's invaded by Napa Guerilla Gay Bar

Friday, June 18

• 6p-midnight: "You Can Leave Your Hat On!" Pride celebration, dance, food at Made In Napa Culinary Centre
  

Saturday, June 19

• 10:30a-2:30p: Pride Hike at Skyline Park
• 7p-10p: Family & "Family" bowling night at Napa Bowl
• 11p-1a: Mamma Mia sing-a-long at Cameo Cinemas

Sunday, June 20

• 10a-1p: Recovery Brunch at Characters, Napa Valley Marriott
  
• 4p-9:30p: Art Show and Poetry Reading, "Showing Our True Colors" at Bloom
  
• 4p-sunset: Ibiza Chill-Out in the Napa Valley at Bardessono
  

Hella Gay Prom IV this Sat, May 8 in Santa Rosa

Click to enlarge for details.

This Saturday marks Positive Images of Santa Rosa's fourth Hella Gay Prom:

Sat, May 8, 2010
7:30p - 11:30p
1400 West College Avenue, Santa Rosa

Join us for an evening of celebrating queer youth for being themselves!
Presale tickets will cost $17 and at the door cost will be $20.
A Night of Glamour is their theme.
More info is on the flyer, above.

Napa Guerilla Gays go to Cheers! St. Helena this Fri, May 7, 6-9p

I've been wanting to check out Cheers! St. Helena since I heard about it last year (I was drunk dialed by a gay friend of mine who clearly had a very good time), and Napa's Guerilla Gays going this week sounds like a great opportunity to check it out. Here's some of the info:

It's the once-a-month event that takes over Main Street in downtown St. Helena. On the first Friday of each month (between May and October) the stores, galleries and restaurants stay open late. Each storefront hosts a different Napa Valley winery. There's entertainment throughout the downtown corridor. People mix and mingle. It was a HUGE hit in it's inaugural season last year with over 15,000 people attending. It's a blast!

So, why not join the ground troops from the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar on Friday, May 7 when we invade Cheers! St. Helena during their first event of the 2010 season. Things get started at 6 p.m. and last until 9.

It's free to attend the event but if you want to sample wine then the cost is $35...

So, how will you know your fellow troops as you roam? Dig through your closet and drawers and find something with rainbows or camouflage - extra points for something that is BOTH rainbow and camouflage! It can be something as simple as a button. It might even be your wristband from last year's Napa Valley Pride celebration!

There isn't a specific time or meeting place, so go with some friends, and wear your rainbows and/or camouflage so the other gays can find you, too! The Guerilla Gay event has a Facebook event page, so you can RSVP (optional) and/or check out the other hotties who might be going. Cheers!

Napa Unity League monthly mixer tonight, Mon, May 3, 2010

Today, Monday, May 3, 2010 is the first Monday of the month...which means it is also the night of the Napa Valley Unity League's monthly mixer. Nibbles, wine, good people, and group news/announcements and ways to get involved:

Monday, May 3, 6 to 8 p.m. at
Riverpointe Napa Valley
500 Lincoln Avenue in Napa

We meet on the second floor of the clubhouse building

This month:

• Find out what's going on during Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride 2010 - June 12 through 20 and how you can help
• Learn more about the Napa Emergency Women's Services and their programs for the LGBT community
• Enjoy wines from our friends at Beringer Vineyards and delicious food prepared by a group of our members
• Join the Unity League's team for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life
• Receive your "orders" for the next mission of the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar
• Catch up with old friends and meet new ones

All we ask is a $ 5.00 suggested donation
to help cover food costs and room rental

See you there!

The Napa Valley Unity League holds their mixers monthly, and is the group behind the Napa AIDS Walk, the Napa Academy Awards fundraiser, Napa Pride and more.

Sacramento Queer Prom this Sat, April 24, 6-11p

This Saturday, April 24, 2010, the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center is throwing their 2nd annual Queer Prom in downtown Sacramento:

This event was created by The Center in 2009 because of the interest of the Gay Straight Student Alliances in Sacramento Area High Schools. The groups were looking for the chance for self expression outside of the traditional school proms. Last year over 160 promgoers attended. This year 200 are expected.

The night will be similar the traditional spring school proms. The room will be decorated with the Hollywood Glamor theme. DJ Jeremy Fristoe will handle tunes. Photographer Larry Lauszus will take prom pictures in an old bank vault in the building where the dance is held.

Many prom events today can cost $100 for admission in addition to tuxes, prom dresses and other expenses. The Queer Prom will have just a $10 admission fee (no formal dinner included!) and a dress code that says, Flashy or Glamourous!

Rather than traditional expectations, promgoers will be able to use their imagination and let go with outfits that they create, expressing their own self concepts for the event, without the obligation for large expenses.
And yes, there will be the traditional monitors, chaperones, and security. Well, not quite traditional security, the Sacramento Valley Leathercorps and other gay Sacramento leather groups will provide the outdoor and visible security.

The event goes from 6-11p. Awesomely, a Napa group of youth is wanting to go and arranging carpools. If you're a Napa youth who wants to go, visit that page to coordinate with other youth from Napa. (Side note, many of these Napa youth are involved in planning a similar event to take place during Napa Pride in June 2010. Clear your calendars, now!)

For more details on the event, visit the newsletter page of the Sac Gay & Lesbian Center or the event's official page on Facebook.

Solano Pride Center monthly pizza social Weds, April 21, 5:30p

embiggen for schedule and details

Solano Pride Center wants to make sure you know you're invited:

Hello All!

This coming Wednesday, April 21, is our monthly Pizza Social. We meet at Round Table Pizza at 2401 Waterman Blvd., in Fairfield at 5:30 PM. The flier below has detailed information for the rest of the year.

We'd sure enjoy seeing you there, so be sure to mark your calendar.

Take care!
David Trutanich
Solano Pride Center Board Member

In case you forgot, they do this monthly. You should go this month!

VOICES LGBTQ youth meeting Thurs, April 22, 5p

The group of queer youth and allies at VOICES Napa, has decided to meet monthly (for now, and maybe increasing eventually).

Their next support-style meeting will be this Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 5-6:30p at VOICES (780 Lincoln Avenue, Napa). For now they are calling themselves VOICES Q*Youth, although the group will be choosing their official name shortly.

The group is for Napa's LGBTQ youth and allies, ages 16-24. Please RSVP.