PRIDE 2013 Planning Meeting TODAY, Wednesday, May 22nd,, 6:00 – 6:30 pm at St. Mark’s, Durango.  Pride is a great success and fun time thanks to the many volunteers who help make it happen. Looking for volunteers for set up/take down of the dance (Friday, June 21st) and picnic (Saturday, June 22nd), as well as specific areas of the picnic, e.g. shifts at the 4cGLAD Info Booth, Children’s Area, Security, Beer Tent, etc.

From our western slope outreach coordinator with the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange comes news that Colorado is the third state to ban discrimination against LGBT patients. To read more about the bulletin issued last week by the Colorado Division of Insurance, please click here.

The Colorado Civil Union Act was signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper on March 21, 2013. What an exciting time for the LGBT community and our allies in the State of Colorado!  The bill will go into effect on May 1, 2013. For those seeking information on civil unions, please refer to our newly created web page, “Colorado Civil Union Act.”

Exciting news, CampOUT 2013 marks the 18th year of this fun-filled, annual event. Check out the newly designed website to learn more details about this year’s gathering and special events planned for 2013. Good friends and good times at McPhee Reservoir in Dolores, Colorado. The Four Corners Regional CampOUT event provides a friendly, safe, GLBT-affirming environment for everyone, from everywhere. Pitch a tent or bring an RV and join us for a week of making new friends, entertainment, and outdoor adventure. Get ready to enjoy our community and the great outdoors right in our backyard.

FYI – First Friday/Friday Social – January 4, 2013 – “Happy Post-Holidays!!” This First Friday Social will be back at The Lost Dog, 1150 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301, as we all gather to meet and greet post holidays, a time to share some cheer and play catch up for those who might have been traveling. It’s a busy time of year, so it will be a nice time to chill with friends and new friends. Please join us! Optional eating and drinking

From the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation

Do you live in a small town or rural community in or near McKinley, Socorro, or San Juan Counties?
Are You Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or
Questioning (LGBTQ) or Same-Sex Attracted?
Do you feel the need to cut down on your drinking or drug use?
Do you need a drink or to use drugs first thing in the morning?
Do people annoy you by criticizing your drinking or drug use?
Are you experiencing anxiety, depression, or feelings of isolation?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, we would like to talk to you.
We invite you to take part in a project to help us better understand how to help LGBTQ people, ages 18 and older, get support for mental health and substance use concerns. Again, this is a confidential, LGBTQ-affirming research study. Participants will be paid for their time and offered LGBTQ-focused support resources.

If you’re interested in learning more about the project or to see if you qualify, please contact Kate at cwillging@pire.org or 505-765-2328 or toll free at 1-855-505-PIRE.
The call is free and confidential. Your help is greatly appreciated!!!