I was fortunate enough to attend a screening of the documentary film "For the Bible Tells Me So" last night. This is an amazingly powerful film that I'm sure many of you have already seen. For those of you who may not have seen it, please please please do so.

"For The Bible Tells Me So" is a documentary about the intersection and subsequent conversation of homosexuality and religion. Please visit the site for more information http://www.forthebibletellsmeso.org

In addition to viewing the film last night, a local family whose story was told in the documentary was present and kindly took questions after the viewing. Mary Lou and her husband have become activists since their lesbian daughter's suicide. 

Should you decide upon researching the film that you would be interested in seeing it, "For The Bible Tells Me So" is available for download on their website, and also from Blockbuster and Netflix.

If there is anyone that is interested in hosting a viewing of the film for family members or friends that could particularly benefit from the film's message, please contact us as the Wallners have graciously and generously offered to attend such screenings in an effort to further discussion, education, and understanding. 

This is an important film, specifically in our geographic Bible Belt locale. Please support this film and all families who have struggled with this and who continue to do so.

  ~Angie 

It's been awhile, so let me give you the basic run down of recent happenings.

We've met with another group of individuals who are willing to serve as contributors to our effort, in one way or another.  This has expanded our resource network in a big and incredibly advantageous way!  I believe we have a line on some legal resources, as well as some potential financial contributors--which is what we need most right now.

Additionally, on a recent personal trip to Memphis, we stopped by the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center.  Please visit their site at http://mglcc.org. We met and spoke with one of their board members, who gave us an idea of their past, their present, and their future.  They have been in existence for 19 years.  19 years!  They started as an online presence like us, and just had their 5 year anniversary in their building.  The MGLCC is also moving towards offering counseling services in addition to all they already do.  We found our impromptu meeting to be informative and very inspiring.  I for one can't wait until we're celebrating our 5 year anniversary in our center!

And in perhaps our most exciting news, we've been asked to present a workshop at the Welcome the Children project's annual conference.  We will be speaking to teachers, health care providers, etc in an attempt to help those in those positions be more aware and sensitive to the LGBTQ community, and their families, friends, and loved ones.  This is a great opportunity for us, and is exactly the kind of education and service we strive to provide.  The workshop will be held April 30-May 2, and any of those interested in joining our panel or attending the conference please send us an email and we'll get you the information.

Angie 

I wanted to take this opportunity to post an update and progress report.  As you can see, we've got an amazing new site up and running--much thanks to our generous Cali friend, L!

Now that our new site is up and relatively functional, we've started sharing it with more and more people--and I can't tell you how appreciative I am of the overwhelmingly positive and supportive response.  We have even helped our first patient, received our first donation, and had multiple additional pledges!  

So where are we in our process?  We've reserved our name and filed our Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State's office--we are officially incorporated as the non-profit Arkansas LGBTQ Resource, Inc.  We have set up our post office box for an official mailing address, and we've set up a bank account for all those donations we're sure will come rolling in.  We're currently working on forming our Board--which we would like to have include a legal advisor, a financial advisor, a web developer, a fundraising director, in addition to the Executive Director position.  As you read this, if you have an interest in filling any of these roles or know of someone you think would be interested, please contact us.

We're working on our business plan, we're beginning to work on by-laws, we're seeking a donation of $750 (not yet tax-deductible) so that we can file for our 501(c)3 status, and we're seeking grant writers who can assist us as we continue to move forward.

So as you can see, we're very busy and loving every minute of it!  As overwhelming as it can be at times, it's just as inspiring if not more so.  If there are more of you out there that want to be a part of this process and help us build, please don't hesitate to contact us!  We'll gladly put you to work.

Thanks for stopping by!

Angie

And so we hope. We know 'they' are out there. I am one of “they,” and I am here.  What is this all about? It's about our new online community and counseling center, specifically for those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and queer—and their loved ones. We are in Little Rock, Arkansas, and you are correct if you think resources must be limited here for “us gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and queer people.”

This is your forum - to let us all know what's happening, what needs there are in the community, your personal stories so we can connect with one another, and what concerns us all either politically, socially, or otherwise in our great and diverse LGBTQ community.

So, why build the site? As a member of this often overlooked (because if we don't talk about “them,” “they” don't exist) population, I recognized the intense need. In the course of my research and work, I have seen too many kids feeling left behind, being left behind, or just plain feeling left out and “wrong” because of who they love. There are staggering statistics that speak to the risks this presents to these kids....up to six times more likely to attempt suicide, 73% of homeless lesbian and gay youth reported parental disapproval of their sexual orientation as a reason for their homelessness, in a 2003 study 30% of sexual minority youth reported dating violence (compared to only 9% of their heterosexual peers)...and unfortunately the list goes on and on. And that's the passion behind the “why” for me.

What would we like this to become? Eventually, years down the road, we envision a physical building that houses these services. LGBTQ-identified and other clinicians trained in the issues specific to the LGBTQ population; support groups, education—relationships, health, social events—perhaps a prom LGBTQ  kids can go to with whomever they want to without fear of physical or verbal harassment; that's what we envision. A place that will accept LGBTQ people, their loved ones, and recognize them as the equals we all are.

So if you identify as LGBTQ, have a loved one who is LGBTQ-identified, or just have respectful questions regarding this population, this place is for you. We will help you in anyway we can. 


~Angie Bowen
Co-Founder

Posted by Arkansas LGBTQ Resource at 10:24 PM 0 comments