Dear All:

As most of you know, it has been a disheartening week for us as bills AB606 and AB1056 were vetoed by our Governor. In addition, many of our elected local officials and Christian fundamentalist organizations jumped in front of the cameras this week to voice their opposition to both bills and took another swing at the over 48,000 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender persons and children living in our community. Their blatant act of discrimination this week is another attempt to closet our community in the Antelope Valley. The message they send to our children is that their sexual orientation and human rights have no place or respect in our schools or in the Antelope Valley, sending potential violence and hate crimes their way. This message is far from being Christian in nature and does not stem from love and respect for all human beings, regardless of their race, ethnic background, sexual orientation or gender.

 In response to our local leader's hateful actions, the Antelope Valley G.L.B.T. Community Center is organizing and sponsoring a candlelight vigil on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 7:30pm in front of Lancaster City Hall. As this very day is National Coming Out Day throughout America, I cannot think of a more perfect time for this event. If the opposition can obtain 40 signatures on a letter to the Governor, then I am quit sure we can organize 40 people to oppose their letter. 

 Please forward this information to as many GLBT friendly people that will be willing to come out and support our community in the Antelope Valley. We need all of the help we can get as our rights as human beings are quickly eroding away. Wouldn't it be great to see hundreds in front of Lancaster City Hall supporting our community. Do your part and attend for all our children, GLBT persons and families living in the Antelope Valley.

Attached, please find a flyer for the upcoming candlelight vigil. For further information or if you have any questions, please contact the Center at (661) 224-9344. Keep our children safe in our schools!

Best regards,

Don Barnett

Executive Director

Hope to see you there!!

The Needs of our Community:

o       HIV/AIDSspeciality care,

o       Selective women's health care,

o       Mental health counseling,

o       Addiction recovery services,

o       Domestic violence programs,

o       Counseling and testing for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases,

o       Opportunity to participate in research studies. 

o       Youth services,

o       Anti-violence works,

o       Family works,

o       Legal services,

o       Recreational and social activities,

o       Gay issues and a safe gathering place for the GLBT community.