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Issue 3
ISSUES
Evolutionary Acceptance 101 As mother nature battles herself between the heat of summer and the cool of winter days it is a sign the Fall is upon us. Time to dust off the back packs filling them with supplies for another school year. With attendance of Washoe County and higher education in Northern Nevada reaching another all time high (University of Nevada has now reached 17,679) UNews RNO wants to call another class in session. Exploring the truth behind the notion that conditions for the GLBT student in our education system has become better thru the ages we have asked members of the community who were in school from the 1950s-today to share their experiences. Grab your number two pencils, and let us take notes of process to Evolutionary Acceptance in our education system first hand.
What did you learn most about your years in school? I learned to cope with not being one of the "in" crowd, and that life is what you make it. -- Ted Miller Class of ’49 I learned that kids could be extremely mean. My family didn't have a lot of money, so I wasn't able to wear the latest in fashion. Classmates would put people like me down. –Lyell Collins Class of ’73 Morals, that’s I’ve learned. Wooster High School has changed me for the better I believe. —Marissa Womack Class of 2012. What was your favorite memory from your years in school? My favorite memory is being the President of the Maranatha Club. It was the Christian club on campus (of John Frances Polytech High School in Sun Valley, CA). I taught the meaning of love and tolerance even though I was not yet out of the closet. I did know some gay people. They loved that I was able to have a strong faith and include them. We taught it was by faith alone you were saved. --Frank Simplicio Class of ‘77. Most favorite memory would have to be my friendships between classmates and professors that have now turned to business relationships. – Roberto Garcia Moi Class of 2002
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Who was your favorite teacher and why? Ms. Stackhouse, my choir teacher was awesome. She demanded the highest standards from us, and we wanted to give her the best too. —Lyell Collins Class of ’73
Ted Miller
Mrs. Bier as she made the classroom fun being goofy but still down to earth. It was something I really connected with at that time of my life in school . –Scooby Meredith Class of ’94
Ms. Kathleen O’Brien. She was like a second mom to me. As she pushed me academically and personally, she never judged me with the support in everything I did and tried. –Makinna Belvoir Class of ‘08
ISSUES
What was the environment like for a GLBT student when you were in school? I did not come out in school, and can not answer what it was like for a queer student back then. –Ted Miller Class of ‘49. I don’t remember any one in high school that I graduated with ever talking about it. We where too busy thinking about the Vietnam war. Though, I do remember when I did go way to boarding school there were comments about people in which the word queer was used. –Charles Marshall Class of ’72
No, I did not come out in school. That would have been suicidal. Remember in the 1970's gay men were still being arrested for dancing with each other or being killed because they were gay. I tried to conform to society and had a girlfriend, but would have never came out. In fact, I don't even know if there was another gay person in school. – Lyell Collins Class of ―73 At Poly High, gay people were accepted. There were a few out of the closet, and were the girls best friends. I remember a few times straight guys wanted to know why girls took to the gay guys so well. There was never any hate against the gays. It was the 70's and change was in the air for all types of people. Gays were just one of them. --Frank Simplicio Class of ’77 As gay was starting to more readily visible in movies and music I still used a negative reinforcement devise whenever I had gay thoughts. Wearing a thick rubber band around my wrist to hold on to my house key I’d give myself a sharp snap which each time these thoughts would happen. –Scott Walker Class of ’87 Overall the tone was not accepting. There where rumors of who might be gay and often verbal hostilities of homophobic remarks were thrown around. Though I did not identify as being gay or understood my sexuality in high school these comments where sometimes directed to me. --Scooby Meredith Class of ‘94
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Frank Simplicio
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I left Wooster High School because of the harassment I received there for being gay. I had teachers threaten to suspend male students for being too girly. I was called names on a daily basis and sometimes physically hurt. Friends of mine where treated the same way, and the staff would look the other way. –Makinna Belvoir Class of ‘08.
ISSUES
GLBT students at Wooster High School are pretty accepting. Last year we even had a gay student body president. Still there are occasions that my friends and I run into some people that are not open enough. --Marissa Womack Class of ‘12. In summary ―High School is definitely a messed up time,‖ states Mel Shields, Washoe County School teacher of 40 years, about the experience of students during their four years in high school. Mr. Shields does agree that the environment of the GLBT student has become better since the 1950s to now. Back in the 50s to about Woodstock the word gay was not part of popular culture. This can be shown by Ted Miller‘s experience. Due to changes in media culture, identity to the idea of being queer was given. Even as the definitions of queer in school and the rest of society continues to change towards better understanding, how a student handles these perceptions will universally vary. Mel shares with U-News RNO all students go through massive physical and mental changes with their bodies during the four years of high school. As they are trying to understand the material being taught to them in the classroom they are also trying to learn what is going on with their feelings and thoughts regarding sexuality. Results of these personal learning lessons vary not only for the GLBT student, but also their straight counterparts. Mixing the experiences of queer and straight students often results in actions that years later are looked upon on as ―why did I do that‖ or ―what was I thinking?‖ So, it comes down to a reaction of biology in connection to the perceptions of society. An interesting combination Darwin might of not thought to study. The high school experience may be a distant memory for many of us, but our role in being active in changing the perceptions of society from coast to coast is important in the evolutionary process of acceptance which will be experience by future generations of potential GLBT youth. Our next lesson is how you can be part of changing the perceptions of society. Class…Dismissed.
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You Have Come A Long Way, Baby.
Community
Happy 25th Anniversary QSU ―Timothy‖ walks by the meeting room shortly before 7pm casually as if just wondering the halls of the Crowley Student Union. Out of the corners of his eyes he searches for any familiar faces he might of seen on campus. Maybe there is one shining presence to draw him past the fear, and into the meeting. Timothy does not go in on the first past. Waiting another ten minutes in the distance so that no one can see his nervous decision making he takes a deep breath feeling his heart pounding. Mustarding any ounce of courage present he walks back down the hall into the open door of the Queer Student Union (QSU) meeting. A big step not only in gaining personal confidence, but also into an environment of lifetime friendships. Though ―Timothy‖ is a fictional, the experience of many who have searched out QSU is similar. ―My first time I was scared out of my wits,‖ shares Keith Fujimoto co-chair 1996. For the past 25 years QSU has been that welcoming environment to queer students at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) creating many lifetime friendships along with wondrous personal transformations.
The name of the organization has changed since its creation back in 1985. So has the climate of recognizing and accepting the queer student body on the UNR campus. Results due to many years of effort. The first meeting was not a comforting one. ―I remember at the first meeting there were posted anti-gay signs outside the senate chambers which read ‗No Rear-Entry‘ and ‗No back door deliveries‘,‖ shares original member Patrick Bell. ―In that senate meeting, for approval it was hurtful. Some senate members openly condemned us, invoked the bible, and treated us like dirt, but others spoke out in our favor. It was a narrow vote but, we got approved,‖ continues Patrick. Many letters to the editor of the Sagebrush were also sent during this approval process. Those against the idea stated that gays did not need a social group to recruit more members to their agenda. Meanwhile, any letters in favor often where signed anonymously. Being allowed to meet in the old Women‘s Resource Center on campus (where Argenta Hall now stands) students who heard about the group-- often off campus--started to come in. Though people came in ―secretively‖ through the side back door in fear of being recognized and therefore outed/harassed the purpose of attending was important to all. ―I never knew gays existed in Reno, and thought I would have to go to SF to meet anybody,‖ shares Bell. Daniel Jacques (co-chair ‘96-‘00 and then advisor till 2009) echoes QSUs importance, ―I had no place to go. I had lost my family and I wanted to feel like I belonged to something. Becoming part of the organization became really important because I wanted to make sure that others did not suffer and feel the shame I had felt.‖ Creating a comforting environment for its members to attend and thus visibility was a challenge over the years. After the space in the Extra Credit: 5
Read About Queer Alumni Group Forming on page 9.
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Women‘s Resource Center, meetings were moved to a room in the basement of Juniper Hall to now finally the Joe Crowley Student Union. Changes in the purpose which defined the group also occurred over the years. With these growing pains, membership often waned as many students on campus felt like the organization had not yet meet their expectations. Never the less those that stayed true to QSU in the early years made important progress. For example, the creation of campus security and the escort service was partly due to the expressed concerns of members back in late 90s as anti-gay violence on campus was very prevalent. Other activities which QSU hosted included a one year candle light vigil for the Matthew Shepherd murder, days of silence for AIDS and hate crimes awareness, car washes to raise funds, and participating the Reno Gay Pride Parade with lavish floats. All of the ground work by the brave pioneers has lead to the success which QSU has created and enjoys today. Membership of QSU has grown to the point where they are recognized by ASUN, student government body, as one of the most active groups on campus. Additionally, events hosted by QSU like the Drag Show and Gay Prom have become the campus‘s biggest attended events not only for students but also the overall GLBT community of Northern Nevada. Last year‘s Gay Prom was attended by 600 people of all sexualities. Many current members fell Prom is their most successful event. ―It is wonderful to see students and members of the community sharing the joy of Prom,‖ said Melissa Motley. QSU now also works with other ASUN groups and Greek system to help put on and sponsor other events on campus during the year. Their calendar is jammed packed. As a result of their efforts and results ASUN has also provided QSU special recognition awards. Where is Queer Student Union to go from here? ―No where but up,‖ explains Robert Harding. Some like Rachael Loban look forward to QSU becoming more politically involved as there are some important issues in our society to be worked on. Melissa Motley would like to see direction to include more volunteering for the greater Northern Nevada area. ―I hope we can take QSU to a wider audience. Scouting and assisting students in high schools with mentorships and support groups,‖ she said.
With conducting so many events QSU now has a new challenge. ―There have been many hard times and late nights as it is a lot of pressure to lead a group focused on youth. There is tons of expectations to putting on many wonderful events so that students can remain involved,‖ says current President Jeremy Manke. On the calendar this year are the traditional events of the Drag Show (October 8th), Gay Prom (February), and Painting of the N rainbow colors. This year, in commemoration of the 25th Anniversary, QSU has added a Gala Celebration to the calendar of events to occur February 5th, 2011. The details of this event are still under construction. All previous members are welcome to not only attend, but submit their experiences either for on camera interviews, letters to the group, and any various news clippings they have kept. The Drag Show on October 8th has the theme, Drag Around the World. The biggest success of QSU has been the life long friendships members over the years have created. U-News RNO received many of these stories which can be summarized as being equally important to the education one received at UNR. Lasting no 6 matter the years apart nor the distances we happen to go.
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Arts & Entertainment
Sing Choir of Angles Nevada Gay Men‘s Chorus has reformed to start practicing for the ―Make the Yuletide Gay 2010 Holiday Concert‖ that will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Saturday December 11 starting at 7:30pm. The first practice of the group for this performance happened on Sept. 13th with an attendance of 14 interested men. Practices will continue every Monday for any interested singers in the community at Trinity Church from 6:309pm to learn and perfect the fifteen chosen songs of the program. U-News RNO sat down with conductor Matthew Moore to learn more about the upcoming performance ,and the importance of having this organization back into the GLBT community.
Matthew Moore conducts the members of the Nevada Gay Men‘s Choir during practice.
You have just moved Northern Nevada, correct? Yes, I moved to Carson City about 8 weeks ago. I have a friend who lives in Carson and I was looking for a change. Reno is gorgeous and I‘m thrilled with the response for the men‘s chorus! I am also the new Interim Choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal. What experience do you have with singing and being involved with a Gay Men's chorus? I was previously the Artistic Director for the New Mexico Gay Men‘s Chorus. I enjoyed helping build them back up (from 6 to more than 40 members) as well as taking their musicality to a new high. We also became a more visible part of the entire music community there. Now their chorus is truly a leader in the gay community.
What was your inspiration for creating this group? A gay chorus can really put a face on the GLBT community, and being ambassadors to the community at large. A gay performing arts group has a unique place in the world when it comes to making the GLBT community more visible. What do you see as some of the potential challenges in starting this group? Many gay choruses face some discrimination when it comes to getting performance venues and rehearsal space. We‘ve been very lucky thus far. One of the things that gay named choruses also deal with on occasion is the fear of our name. Many times a pastor or administrator has said to me ―I would love to have you sing here, but do you have to have the word gay in your name? Can‘t you just be a men‘s chorus?‖ It‘s like the musical version of ―Don‘t Ask, Don‘t Tell‖. The answer, obviously, is no!
What do you see as some of the rewards from the choir not only for yourself, but members and the community as a whole? The greatest reward is the knowledge that we make a difference in the world. Our motto is ―Changing the world through music‖ and we do that for our friendly fans by giving a fantastic, high caliber concert that can be a moving musical experience. For those not familiar with gay people we do that by presenting a positive and safe experience to see gay men doing something they love well. Some people are uncomfortable with GLBT persons – but who‘s afraid 7 of a chorus? Every time we can reduce homophobia and prejudice we help all of us, gay and straight alike.
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What has been the best memory thus far of being involved in a gay men's chorus? The most significant memories always involve the effect we have on our audiences. It‘s very humbling when people are touched by our music. Moved to tears or to deeper and greater thoughts about life. To speak to people on an emotional level transporting them from the everyday mundane is an artist‘s dream come true. What inspired you to do a winter performance? Why the song selections (one of which I noticed is Welsh)? It is always much easier to try gathering a concert audience during the holiday season. I hope that coming to the gay men‘s chorus holiday concert becomes an annual tradition for many people. Most of the pieces are related to Christmas, in both popular and religious genres (including Hanukkah and Yule if we can manage it). The Welsh lullaby you heard is from the movie ―Empire of the Sun‖. The tradition of singing lullabies to the baby in the manger is part of Christmas lore. We will also sing a lullaby in Spanish. A couple of the songs are not holiday related but simply about winter season. What would you like to say to encourage singers to join the group? It is just a fantastic experience all the way around! Not only do you get to be a performer. Come to enjoy all the benefits that come along with that. You get to be involved in a fun – but hard working – group of wonderful gay men. You get to make a difference in your community and the world! What more could you ask for? How can non-musical people in the community and non-gay men get involved with the organization? Straight men who are gay-friendly are ALWAYS welcome to sing. There are many straight men who sing in gay choruses because they have a family member or close friend who is gay. Or, just because they want to sing in men‘s chorus! For our non-musical friends the most basic way to get involved is to be a faithful audience member who comes to every concert and always bring a few friends along. An even more significant way is to be a financial donor. NGMC will be a 501(c)3 non-profit group, so that means a tax deduction for your donation. When the website is up and running there will be opportunities to help in that way as well as information about what expenses your donations help to cover. Finally, the most significant way is to volunteer. Very soon the NGMC will need a volunteer ―Friends of the Chorus‖ group. These people will help staff concerts; organize fundraising events and a myriad of other things to help the chorus. The ―Friends of the Chorus‖ help the whole operation to run smoothly allowing the chorus members to spend their volunteer hours in rehearsal so they can continue ―Changing the world through Music!‖
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NEWS
Executive Director, Matthew Free
Proud Member of..
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Volume 1 Issue 3
When in school it is not uncommon to here your peers ask, ―why am I learning this? I don‘t see any need for this knowledge when I grow up.‖ Then when we do grow up faced with various challenges either in business, relationships, and/or life questions turn to ―now why was I not taught how to deal with this in school?‖ True there is a debate of what is being taught in the education system. Many see the value of education in public schools as being low. Some politicians would even like to see the Department of Education cut. This topic I tend to not tackle at this time. What I would like to express is that years from K-12 and then college are only to provide us with the foundations of learning. From there it is up to us to continue our education, and yes as bitter as it can be at times through real world situations. Having a community for which to get involved in plays an important part.
Extra, Extra
Many see aspects of a GLBT community to provide social satisfaction, but it really goes deeper. Being involved either as a member, and if a calling is provided to lead, of an organization can teach us more about ourselves. In this issue U-News RNO learned about many of these experiences from the membership of QSU over the years, cancer patient Brenda Hill, Nevada Gay Men‘s Choir director Matthew Moore, along with contributing writers Matthew Saylor and Robert Garcia Mori. I thank all that contributed their experiences to this issue for you to enjoy. Without such courage of spirit we can not be educated, motivated, and inspired to become a better community and individuals.
UNR Q Alumni Group In it‘s continuing mission to play a part in the development of our GLBT community in Northern Nevada, U-News RNO is proud to announce the sponsorship and organizational direction to the formation of a Queer Alumni Chapter at the campus of University of Nevada, Reno. Many UNR alumni for which we have spoken to are interested in such an organization, and with this announcement all past and present students of the university are welcome to join together and help create a presence for the campus. It is the hope through the Q Alumni Group at UNR to not only connect previous students of the university, but also provide professional mentoring avenues to current students studying in and about to embark in their careers. Additionally, ways to establish larger and more scholarship funds for students will be explored. If interested in learning more and becoming part please contacts us at: 9 Creations_RNO@yahoo.com with ―Q Alumni Group‖ in subject line. We will update everyone on the progress of this organization in future issues of U-News RNO.
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Gay Boycotts? --Matthew Saylor
Business
Ugh...here we go again with the ―gay boycott debate.‖ I defy my readers to tell me why exactly this boycott debate has surfaced yet again. Not so much as to what the particulars of how companies like Best Buy and Target are connected to any recent political contributions to ―anti-gay‖ candidates for public office god knows where, but more so to the argument that the gay community‘s worst enemy is...you guessed it...the ―gay community.‖ If corporate America continues to be greedy (as we all know they are), then how can we as consumers in a capitalistic society claim to be outraged when they, the corporation we all shop at, continue to do what is in their best interests to maximize their profit while continuing to pander to our interests? Can we really act surprised or somehow make this a ―gay rights issue?‖ I just finished reading Out Magazine, in which the Human Rights Campaign rates companies based upon a litmus test of being ―gay friendly.‖ Am I really going to buy tires for my car, or choose which airline to fly on based upon these ratings? No! Will I stop shopping at Target or Best Buy because of some public monetary donation they made to some right wing whack job in the bible belt of America? No! Target has great commercials with hot guys, and its a great store to shop at. Best Buy is still my one stop shop for all things electronic as it is for millions of Americans. The only person who loses out by these petty, short term memory whistle-blowing events that the HRC loves to capitalize on, is me. I liken an HRC annual membership to that of a union representative who only shows up after your negative experience with an employer and wants to convince you they somehow were responsible for resolution to the issue when it was you yourself who did the legwork to find an amicable solution. We need to get a life and focus on what‘s important and lead by example...life is too short.
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Business Dreams --Matthew Saylor So you want to start a business?
Business
This is a great place to start...a free service provided though UNR called the Nevada Small Business Development Center: http://www.nsbdc.org. They will assign you your own counselor who‘ll advise and help you every step of the way including issues such as a business plan (or outline thereof), what type of business, i.e. home based, etc. They‘ll steer you through the paperwork process which will include the local, county and state governments. For example, if applicable, the Nevada Secretary of State‘s Office at http://nvsos.gov/. Then the local and county issues for licensure at the Cities of Reno and Sparks at http://www.reno.gov/index.aspx?page=502 and if you‘ll be doing business in the unincorporated county of Washoe that can be located at http://www.co.washoe.nv.us/clerks/business_license.php. In addition to business licenses, you also must deal with taxes at http://tax.state.nv.us/. You should have a good financial software program and I recommend the Quicken programs which will help with credit card processing, setting up business bank accounts, etc. Also, once this is all entered into the program, come tax time, you can use www.turbotax.com. Depending on your business and your target market, a website, business telephone line, business cards are all a must. I think that www.godaddy.com is the best for purchasing a domain name and then using IWeb through the Apple family of products to upload, design and maintain your website. You‘ll have to contact AT&T Business Center at 775.333.4611 to set up a phone line or you can choose one of those bundle deals through Charter. Business cards you can get 250 for free through www.vistaprint.com. Although these are the VERY basics, if you get this initial infrastructure in place, a sound business plan that‘s been looked over by an experienced professional, there‘s really no reason why you can‘t turn your dream into a reality and grow it with tender loving care to exactly what you‘ve always wanted. As I‘ve heard someone say, once you work for yourself, you‘ll never work for anyone else again.
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Health & Fitness
Breast Cancer: A Patient’s Story Mostly a model of ideal health of being a nonsmoker, non-drinker and following a moderately healthy diet Brenda Hill received the most life changing news on February 9th, 2010. Her doctor contacted her via phone as she was driving to inform her of the diagnosis of breast cancer. ―I wanted to pull off to the side of the road to carry on the conversation with the doctor because it was difficult to start digesting all of the thoughts and emotions of the diagnosis,‖ shares Brenda. ―I was so choked up on the word cancer.‖ Though she went for annual mammograms the appearance of a two centimeter lump in Brenda‘s right breast was new. As the medical team caught Brenda with her canine joy, Tucker. the tumor early it was learned that the type of cancer Brenda had was triple negative– a type of cancer that was absent in the three receptors often associated with breast cancer. Triple negative occurrence is also rare; only10-15% all tumors being of this classification. Therefore, doctors do not really understand its origins nor how to treat. To try to shed any light, Brenda even underwent the standard genetic testing. All of which came back with no mutations found for indications to breast cancer. As the tumor was new and such a large size it was deemed a very aggressive type of cancer. Treatment would entitle the same type of approach. After a clear lumpectomy was performed, Brenda underwent eight sessions of chemotherapy, and has now completed nine of 33 radiation treatments. Going through this process has definitely been a challenge for Hill. ―Cancer makes you a different person,‖ she shares. Still, she keeps on going knowing in faith she will be healed. “I felt like I was kicked out of the nest.” Ms. Hill moved to the Reno area in 1986 wanting a new life for herself and family being allowed to live as an out lesbian. She has worked as a bus driver for RTC for her most of her career here. Making many friends, and partaking in many of the events associated with the GLBT community over the years when it came to learning about her diagnosis she did not find any queer resources to rely on. Calling Nevada Hopes to even friends, very few came to her aid or could provide her the direction needed. ―You are part of a community that preaches unity, understanding, and copying,‖ she explains, ―But when I could not find any organization in our community to provide a helping hand I was very disappointed. I can not tell you how much I cried and felted isolated.‖ From Brenda‘s efforts to reach out she learned that GLBT organizations like NV HOPES were focused only on HIV/AIDS resources, and nothing yet for cancer patients. It is not only financial resources that she was inquiring assistance on, but most of all it was personal support. ―Chemotherapy hits your body like a truck. Radiation zaps you of all your energy. There were some nights I could not even get out of chair to go to the bathroom,‖ shares Brenda. ―I would just sit there crying and praying to God to help me12 through the night. All I wish for is someone to of been there with me at times like that. To be around now even it is for a half an hour to talk with me helping with chores around the
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Health & Fitness
house.‖ Fortunately, friends like Denise Cordova have come to Brenda‘s aid. Not only were the challenges of feeling isolated hard for Brenda Hill hard to deal with, but also the physical changes. ―I look in the mirror and it is just a different person. Without the hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, and even the weight gain you really have to do some soul searching. When you are stripped down to nothing it is devastating. I do not want my life to end, but to have it just stop for a short while so that I can digest all of these emotions would be nice.‖ Brenda shares with U-News RNO that she knows stopping the world is not part of the plan so she has to pick herself by the Brenda Hill before her cancer diagnosis with bootstraps everyday and keep going. daughter, and life inspiration, Robin. As she has changed her diet and started adding exercises like walking it has been her family and faith that has made her most strong in the healing process. ―Everyone‘s relationship to God is different. He does not care as long as you talk Him.‖ It has been those conversations with God which have helped Brenda with terrible bouts of fatigue and nausea. Robin Hill, Brenda‘s daughter, has been another major source of inspiration. Robin has been dealing with renal failure herself for the last ten years, and has undergone about 4,000 dialysis treatments with a kidney transplant. ―She is my hero,‖ explains Brenda, ― I see strength in her more than I do myself. I have seen Robin poked so many times that when I am in the doctors office to get my blood work done or chemo I remind myself ‗if she can do this so can I‘. Plus, I can not go before her—I have to be here for my kid.‖ Thankful not only to God, family, members of her church, and friends from work Brenda would also like to thank those organizations in Northern Nevada and the medical staff‘s of Renown and St. Mary‘s through this past year. ―I would like to send special recognition to Bobbi Gillis at Renown Health Systems for pointing me in the right direction to resources I could use.‖ Brenda hopes by sharing her story, others may find some sense of support and comfort. ―We as human beings naturally look on the outside, and we forget to care about what is in the inside qualities until something really bad happens like cancer when you are forced to look inward. Yes, every cancer diagnosis is different, but the need for compassion desired by the patient to feel loved and supported is the same. If someone was next to me the day I was diagnosis taking my hand to let me know that everything would be okay what I had to go through would have been much better.‖ Ms. Hill would also like to see more of us in the GLBT community get involved with those affected with cancer. Not only is breast cancer an important concern for the women in our community, but gay sons and brothers also part of this reality. Brenda believes that cancer, no matter the type, is an issue our community needs to start addressing in either the creation of resources in existing organizations, or the formation of new health clinics. Additionally, the creation of a volunteer helping hands group to assist those in need is desired. As these types of organizations currently are lacking, Hill does encourage everyone in the community to start giving to groups like Komen Race for the Cure (Oct 3rd for Northern Nevada). ―Even the smallest donation is important. It will go to research, social services and personal finance support to 13 help patients like me. Without this I would be our living on the streets,‖ says Brenda.
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Latino & Queer in Reno --Roberto Garcia Mori
Opinion (U-Turn)
Mi vida en Reno es ridiculo pero divertido. Let me correct any misperceptions: I am not Latino rather Peruvian American. In actuality the term ―Latino‖ is too broad. Many think that all people with heritage of South American decent fit under that category, but to me it only fits the Mexican and Salvordonian cultures. Still we seem to share similar experiences of being queer and living in the Northern Nevada area. My career makes me very busy in life, but when I have a chance I enjoy--to the fullest--what Reno and the queer scene has to offer either on my own or with close friends. My life in Reno is ridiculous but fun. Most of my friends here are of Caucasian decent and I feel that I do not need to revolve all of my socialization around a Latino based culture. I also see others with Mexican decent living in the Washoe Valley integrating quite well unlike what I have witnessed in bigger cities. Sure, in bigger cities there are more people to meet, but these locals tend to isolate themselves by their racial backgrounds more often. In Reno, our smaller community allows us to be more personable, and make stronger bonds of friendship. What is also nice to see in comparison is the Latino culture in RenoSparks as strong and very accepted by many regardless of sexual orientation. Family is very important to me. Family and our food is the strongest way of cultural expression. Often the family throws parties for our church and our closest friends. It is not uncommon for me to invite you over to enjoy our cuisine as a way to introduce you to my heritage. Like many other South American cultures, my family practices the Catholic faith. Religion, of course made coming out a difficult process to my family. Though most of the issues behind the resentment of my sexuality have been addressed over the years, the idea of not having children has hurt my mother. I broke her dreams of being a grandmother. In Latino culture not producing offspring is viewed as being effeminate rather than the masculine ideal. Still, the hurt of dashing any mothers dreams, Latino or not, is difficult for them and their gay son. Over time my mother and I have strengthened our bonds though we both agree not to mention the issue of homosexuality. Dating and finding the ideal mate is also important to me. I want to meet him and eventually introduce that person to my family. They do not have to be completely understanding nor integrated into my culture to be the proper match. Rather be loving and understanding of me. This is the type of person I want to meet my family. Though, I have not yet been in such a position I don‘t give up hope that he is in Reno, and the day of boyfriend meeting family will soon happen.
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