Group Outing TBD

I need your help to plan out this month's outing for the group.

Every 3rd Wednesday of the month we go out as a group to a local venue where we can go hang out, talk and learn more about each other. So far in the 5 months that this group has been going we've gone out to dinner, bowling and go-cart racing.

But what's next!?

I've had a lot of ideas thrown at me but I can't pick one for August. That is why I am asking my fellow blog readers for some help.

Leave a comment for this entry with the name of the place you think we should go this month. There are only a few guidelines you should take in consideration before you send in your comment:

1. Make sure the place has enough room for a large group (anywhere between 10 and 20)
2. The place has to be in or around Long Beach. Gas prices! (enough said)
3. We should be able to stay there past 9:00pm.

Aside from all of that any place that we go to will be fun and gay!

So, send in your comments and suggestions and I'll post were we'll go in a couple of weeks!

Have Fun With Your Choices!

I Wish The U.S. Had Commercials Like This!

This new ad for Heinz is currently running in the UK. What can we do to help them make an American version? Heinz just got my loyalty in a big way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrXLlYweows

June 25th Hot Topic

Let’s Talk About Sex Baby! Okay, I’m sure we all know about sex. We’ve see it on TV, we’ve read about it, and most likely done it. But have we really talked about? This group will talk about myths around sex, gay sex, lesbian sex, all kinds of sex. We will also touch on healthy relationships, getting tested, speaking to your doctor about sex and much, MUCH more. Group starts at 7:00pm every Wednesday and is over by 8:30pm. Everyone mingles afterwards until the Center closes at 9:00pm. Hope to see you there!

TwentySomething Gets Kinky

The TwentySomething group will discuss "How to Bottom" in more detail than you ever knew possible. Why? Well, men don't usually talk about themselves openly let alone about bottoming, so we're making a group topic ABOUT just that.

This how-to topic will cover issues like anal health, how much lube is ENOUGH lube, how to increase pleasure without decreasing safety, and positions that work for you. Join me and the TwentySomething group to take a step into the kinky side.

Light snacks will be provided and there will be plenty of time for questions and answers. If you have them now, feel free to call me at (562) 434-4455. I'll be in that Wednesday at 1:00pm getting ready.

Maybe this one workshop is too much for you?

Join us every other Wednesday for our TwentySomething group for gay men and women to discuss topics that are important to you!

Do You Know Someone Who's Positive?

Who do you know someone that has HIV? Last night I had someone ask me for advice on how to treat someone they knew who recently shared with them that they were HIV positive.

I have friends, some who I've just met and other that I've known for a while who are positive, so for me it came natural to say, "Treat them the way you would any other friend. The only difference is, this one friend in particular trusted you enough to share a big part of his life with you."

And that's the way I see it. If someone you know tells you that they're HIV positive or if they go to you the day they find out, it's a big deal. This person is trusting you more than others in their life. Now, how do you deal with something that big? Do you see them different now? Do you feel sorry for them? Do you feel grossed out? Or does it not affect your friendship? I would love to know what you think.

So with that said I'm putting this question out there. How would you responde if someone close to you told you that they were HIV positive. Tell me how you would deal with something like that. Share how you dealt with it when someone told you that they were positive. Post a comment for all of us to read and better understand what people out there think about.

What better advice can I give than actual stories and examples from our own community.

Thanks Everyone!!

VOLUNTEERING AT THE CENTER

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO GO CLUBBIN’?

Have you ever gone out to the night club and wondered, “Gee, I need condoms…” Well, maybe not in those exact words, but I’m sure it would help to have some right there where your chances of getting lucky are high up there on the scale.

Volunteers for this program go around Long Beach where men and women hang out passing out condoms and dental dams to anyone who wants to speak to us. It can be a lot of fun if there’s a good group of people and most of the local clubs and bars know about us so getting in is usually free or we get some kind of hook up.

My resolution for 2008 is to change it up a bit. I was thinking about taking it to places that the Center has never been and REALLY make an impact. We really need people who can think outside the box, see new ways of reaching the community and most importantly understand what the community needs.

If you are this person or if you know someone please call me, e-mail me or post a comment and we can get the ball rolling on starting the Long Beach Outreach Posse!! There’s a training coming up the second week in March were you get your gear and you get to meet the rest of the volunteers. Men and women are more than welcome, but of course you must be at least 18 and at least 21 if you’re going to be doing bar/club outreach!!

Look forward to hearing from you!!!

New Staff on Board

Hello Everyone!!!

This is my first month here at the Gay & Lesbian Center of Long Beach and I'm very exited to be part of this team. My official title here is Community Health Educator, but with my friends and on the street I'm the "Sex Guy." No, not because I have a lot of sex but because I'm very open to talk about sex, safe sex mainly, and sometimes with people I hardly even know.

That's why this job, in particular my blog, is so perfect. You'll get to read something about fun sex myths, HIV updates, current events in the gay & lesbian community, and of course serious topics about what is going on in the gay world down here in Long Beach.

Feel free to e-mail me at heat@centerlb.org with your questions or comments, or topic ideas for my newest blog. I'd love to here from you and make new connections, e-friends and get a better idea of what the LGBT community in Long Beach is all about.

Until Next Time!

Ish