Amazing end to an amazing week....

Last night, the week culminated in a candlelight vigil honoring the life and legacy of Matthew Shepard. We had a wonderful lineup of speakers including: Rev. Martha Munson , Dr. Cyndy Anderson, Bob Holmes, Chris Campf, Nicole Peterson, Brian Wells, Diana Shaheen, Kim Welter, Rev. Jim Ray, and a musical tribute by Rob Joki.

Personally, I was moved by every single one of the speakers. Each of them did a wonderful job providing information and sharing personal experiences.

Here are a few pics of the speakers...




After the speakers were done there was a moving performance by Robert Dennick Joki and a candlelight vigil. Here are some pictures...


Oh yeah there was a dessert buffet and I must say GRAPES + CREAM CHEESE + CRUSHED UP BUTTERFINGERS = "OH NO SHE DIDN'T" I think I personally ate about 4 lbs of that!


Here are some pictures of the COME OUT DANCING event from the night before.



(***I just wanted to say that this was a celebration of the GLBTQ community & our AMAZING allies, so I must include this disclaimer appearance on this website does not imply sexual orientation, if any one's picture appears on this blog and you would like it removed please contact us and we will remove it immediately.****)

Pride Week...

It is hard to believe that Pride Week is more than half way complete. The events that I have attended for the Mahoning Valley Pride Week have been emotional, educational and enlightening. For me, the thing that I have felt the most is a feeling of unity. At a few of the events I have heard the phrase used, "You are family." To me that phrase has left a lasting impression. More than one attendee has said that they were worried about feeling like an outsider, but after that they said that they were welcomed and it was apparent to them that we were all a family.

If you can make it to any of our events we urge you to do so. I guarantee that you will leave feeling educated, proud, and with an overwhelming sense of family.

Progress on Planning Meetings

This past weekend we had our third planning meeting for National Coming Out Week. It was the first one we had in our new home at 1523 Poland Avenue. I think that we've made tremendous progress because of our great sponsors and the enthusiasm everyone brings to the meetings. If you would like to check out the events we have planned for the week and see the list of our sponsors go to http://www.mvprideweek.com/. Our next planning meeting will be September 28 at 1 P.M. at the new Utopia Video Nightclub. We have directions to the center on our website at http://www.mvpridecenter.org or if you have any question feel free to email us at mahoningvalleypridecenter@yahoo.com. Until next time everyone, take care.

Nicole Peterson
(Co-Chair of The Mahoning Valley Pride Center)

Craig Beach Picnic...

Yesterday was the Pride Center's annual Craig Beach picnic. It was such a great time with delicious food! We had a good turn out and everyone had a fun day! There were hotdogs, hamburgers, cheesy potatoes, pasta, hummus, tabouli, and a lot more food!

The weather was perfect and warm for swimming and enjoying the beach.

Bees could not stop us from playing games!

After sniffing ever inch of our picnic area Lucy was ready to rest. That puppy energy only lasts so long. 

Here are some people returning from swimming to feast on some lunch!

More games.

And she is out!

One Wall Down... A Few to Go

Early yesterday morning Tom and I met at the the new pride center space to paint. Brian and I picked out a nice neutral color to paint the old wooden paneling. I brought bagels, sweet tea, and water for everyone, but I also forgot to call Laura and Kay who were anxiously waiting at home for my call so they could report for painting duty. OOPS! 

Tom and I made quick work out of painting and finished a little after noon. Have a look. 

I like the color that we picked out it is a nice neutral color that really lightens the atmosphere.

After carefully taping down the drop cloth Tom carefully paints the edging. 

Here is a finished wall.

And another angle.

It is so exciting to see this space come together! Don and his friends have put so much work into making this space ready for us to use that the transformation is amazing. We are excited to start having events here. 

Speaking of events we will be having our first support group meeting here tonight!