Join in on the fun here!

Have you heard me talk about the documentary that me and my family had the honor of telling Chloe’s story in. If you haven’t seen the documentary yet, here’s your chance to see it for FREE!!!

Please come out and watch this International Multi Award Winning Film and have it forever change your heart and soul. It will reveal what its like to be born into the wrong body and the trials and tribulations that go along with being Trans. You never know if you will need this information in your life, I wish that I did years ago. 

If you are on the fence with this issue or just DON’T AGREE AT ALL, or if you think its a choice to be Trans, then this film is a must see for you. Please come with an open heart and be apart of this with me. Bring anyone that would be interested in the debate.

Please come and support the film and in honor of my Daughter the loved and deeply missed Chloe Anne.

Description:
“TRANS” is an extraordinary documentary feature about men and women … and all the variations in between. It is about the Transgender Community, perhaps the most misunderstood and mistreated minority in America and around the world.

If you would like to see a trailer of the film or be a “Fan” go to the “TranstheMovie” Facebook page and don’t forget to hit “Like”

Thank you for your support and cant wait to see you all there! Message me with ANY questions, I hope that you can make it!

Facebook Event Page

Picture this… 

Small conservative town with churches on every other block, and two young people afraid to come out in a community where they live. That’s the gist of “The Bus,” a live production play from San Francisco and hosted by various local LGBT+ organizations. As the Central Valley as a whole evolves to bring more LGBT+ awareness and acceptance, it sounds kind of like Fresno doesn’t it?

Read more about the play here ->

What did we think of the play? Our reviews…

Jill: San Francisco’s New Conservatory Theatre Center treated us Saturday evening to The Bus, a poignant story of two boys who secretly meet in an abandoned bus, hiding their relationship from the highly conservative small town. The story is a fairly common premise: keeping a forbidden love under wraps. However, the circumstances surrounding their story make it unique, touching, heartbreaking, and ultimately tragic.

The New Conservatory Theatre Center has outdone themselves which, after last year’s performances of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, has been quite a feat. The story of The Bus was brought to life by the amazing work of each actor, demonstrating once again that this is a professional caliber theater group.

As a special treat, Eric Esquivel (pictured middle), a Fresno native, stars in the performance. It was especially rewarding for me to see him since the last time I had seen him was when he graduated from my 8th grade class. It is hard enough to wrap my head around him being “all grown up” but to see him perform with such skill was quite an experience.

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Justin: “The Bus” is a very powerful and touching play that will draw on all of your emotions – and that is what makes it truly amazing. The intensity and emotions the play brought to our Fresno audience sheds light in on issues such as of acceptance, the church and the fears of being gay in a religious community. These underlying themes resonated with our audience well into our after show discussion.

What makes “The Bus” even better in my eyes is the highlight of local talent as one of the lead characters! Eric Esquivel, a graduate from Clovis North High School, plays Jordan, the counterpart love interest to the amazing role of Ian, played by Dan Tracer. In fact, I found out Eric and I graduated in the same class, class of 2011! Small world it is, but great to see that a local performer has found new leads in the big city, and still finds time to come back to their hometown.

All in all you’ll laugh, you’ll listen and be touched by the continuing themes portrayed in the play that is very surreal to many communities around the nation. It’s not very often that you can get so much amazing talent such as the cast and crew of The Bus in Fresno, and when you do, take the chance and really enjoy it, because you definitely will.

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If you were not able to make it to Saturday nights performance, all is not lost. You can still catch The Bus at the 2:00 pm performance on May 5th at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Clovis! As a special bonus, My Lgbt Plus is sponsoring youth to attend The Bus! Send us a message on our Facebook page here and we will have a complimentary ticket waiting just for you!

INCLUDED POST-PERFORMANCE DESSERT AND COFFEE RECEPTION WITH CAST AND DIRECTOR.
SUITABLE FOR JUNIOR HIGH, HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AGE.

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THE BULLY PLAYS

Compiled by Linda Habjan • Directed by J. Daniel Herring

Fri. April 19^th • Woods Theatre • Speech Arts Building • Fresno State
One Performance Only • Limited Seating • Free Parking

The Bulldog Pride Fund is presenting one performance of “THE BULLY PLAYS” on Friday evening, April 19^th in the Woods Theatre, located in the Speech Arts Building on the Fresno State campus.

“THE BULLY PLAYS” is a collection of five plays complied by Linda Habjan. They are touching, imaginative, powerful, uplifting and funny. These five, short plays will challenge, inspire and enlighten the audience, and will help confront the issue of bullying in a constructive and creative way.

The five plays being are performed are:

• “A BULLY THERE BE” by Lisa Dillman (a bully kid in fairy tale form);
• “BEASTS” by Ernie Nolan (facing the monster of fear);
• “NOBODY NOSE (THE TROUBLE I’VE SEEN)” by Barry Kornhauser (being different);
• “HERE BE DRAGONS” by Doug Cooney (name calling); and
• “A BUNCH OF CLOWNS” by Sandra Fenichel Asher (bullys to have friends).

Directed by professor J. Daniel Herring, “THE BULLY PLAYS” features eight ensemble cast members: Leonel Barajas, Beth Hall, Mitchell Lam Hau, Samantha Hyde, Aaron J. McGee, Nick “Phoenix” Rodriguez, Kia Vassiliades, and Dillon Morgan.

All other tickets can be purchased online at www.bulldogpride.org  or via phone at 559.278-2586

Sit because stories are being told, watch the nature these youth hold themselves in as the video evolves and reflect on how in this day and age people in our community don’t feel part of our community.

Everyday I’m inspired by the actions youth take in their communities to bring awareness to our LGBT+ family and today Hillsdale High School, you have really inspired me. From bringing tears to my eyes to a smile on my face, it takes real courage for youth to be open and share their stories.

Watch the video here:

Here is a message from Shay: 

I created the petition to gain support for a LGBT Center here in Bakersfield because support for the LGBT Youth and a overall known safe space currently lacks in a community that takes pride on itself for being diverse. Although I know a full functioning center and youth programs are a ways away, I am still creating awareness and generating support for a great cause that is dear to my heart because growing up I wish I could have met people early on who I knew were like me instead of feeling alone. Although times are improving LGBTQ youth are most definitely an at-risk group. Please help support my cause in helping create a youth program here in Bakersfield.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION!

Take the survey here! 

Hello, my name is Caitlin and I am seventeen years old. I am the president of my Gay-Straight Alliance in Sanger, California. Prior to my enrollment of president, I was the club’s web advisor which involved me to get active with the social community. For example, create a website, make a Facebook and manage it, and to create and manage a Twitter account. I learned how to get interactive with other Gay-Straight Alliances as well as organizations and the Central Valley LGBTQ community. My story unlike some other teenagers is fortunate, but unfortunately I have a sad story. The day was June 30^th, 2011; there was a boy who was a close friend of mine, who developed an attraction for me, where it wasnot reciprocated on my half. It just so happened that I was in a relationship with a female, and I had been out for about a month or so, to my friends that I trusted. He decided because I was hurting him by not reciprocating my feelings, to reveal my “dark” personal secret, which was my sexual orientation to my mother by saying, “Your daughter is a lesbian, just ask her, she can’t lie to you.” I was so shocked, I didn’t know what to do, but apologize. My mother assured me that I was loved and that she didn’t love me any less and that she supported me no matter what. The next day she decided to tell the rest of my immediate family, and they all had the same response and reactions. Some even said, “Oh, we have known it for years.” It has been a year and nine months that I have been completely open and honest about my sexual orientation. Just last year, I learned about the differences in Gender, and Sexual Orientations. I knew that my sex didn’t line up with the way I present myself. I recently came out with my gender identity as Agender, which basically means, I don’t feel like I have a gender that describes me. Last year, I started working with the Gay-Straight Alliance Network, and it has been the best experience by far and I have come so far in life with it. I am glad that I have had these amazing opportunities, and I am happy with the life I live. I just hope that within’ time this world will be more accepting.

Remember…”You will date, fall in love, fall out of love, have your heart broken, just like the rest of us. You will love, and be loved, and I love you. you have an entire life fit to burst with opportunities ahead of you. Don’t ever give up, and don’t ever for one second think that you aren’t a valuable and beautiful contribution to this world.” –Rest in Peace EricJames Borges

Don’t ever give up, because you are strong, and I love you.

~Caitlin Owens-Garrett~

Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm! Tickets are sold at the door!