REACH LA NEWS

LaDawn Best, G2G Leadership Coordinator represented REACH LA on the “Surviving and Thriving: Identity, Sexuality and the Media” panel moderated by media activist Jasmine Cannick. The panel featured representatives from Black AIDS Institute, APAIT, Bienestar and Homo A Go Go/Queer Arts in Action to examine and raise questions about health and wellness in the LGBT community. The panel was presented as part of the 2007 FUSION: The Los Angeles LGBT People of Color Film Festival.

The REACH LA LGBTQ Youth Video Production Program is pleased to present the premiere screening of “The Pretty Boy King of Hollywood” a new documentary by Maurice Lopez a.k.a. The Pretty Boy King. This video will take you on a tour of LGBT youth events (with a pretty boy twist) throughout Southern California - guided by, our always engaging and entertaining host, The Pretty Boy King! The screening will take place on Saturday Dec 1st at 6:30 pm at the Egyptian Theater 6712 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028. This event is part of FUSION: THE LOS ANGELES LGBT PEOPLE OF COLOR FILM FESTIVAL taking place Nov 30 – Dec 2 at the Egyptian Theater. All YOUTH 21 and under GET IN FREE – so no excuses - come for the great independent films and videos, music and spoken word, activist panels, and of course the parties!

FOR MORE INFO GO TO:
www.myspace.com/prettyboyempire
FOR TICKETS AND FUSION FESTIVAL INFO GO TO:
www.outfest.org

The REACH LA LGBT Youth Video Production program is funded by the Durfee Foundation Gay and Lesbian Fund of the Liberty Hill Foundation

Today, Tyrone Carter, manager of the Ovahness Young Men’s Health program, announced the creation of a new youth development program aimed at building the capacity of young men of color through HIV and health education advocacy. The Ovahness Young Men’s Leadership program is designed to introduce political advocacy and public policy through the lens of sexual health education and HIV/AIDS prevention. Ten young men will be chosen to partake in leadership retreats, study social justice and learn about community organizing. While in the program, participants will be trained in peer health education, public speaking, group facilitation and media/video production. For an application or more information contact Tyrone Carter, 213-622-1650 x104 or tyrone_reachla@earthlink.net.

REACH LA honored both Sean and Armond with the community service award grant. Both Sean and Armond have shown commitment, leadership, dedication and commitment to their community. They have volunteered hours working for not only REACH LA, but also the community at large. These young men have constantly shown that they are beyond dependable and can take the initiative to get any job done! Sean and Armond have been instrumental in many of the ventures the Ovahness program has participated in within the last year. Their hard work and commitment is greatly appreciated and valued. Thanks Guys!!!

This event was by far one of the largest balls Los Angeles has ever seen. Held at the GAM art center, the ball boasted an attendance of over 400, plus a 24 by 12 foot stage along with a 32 foot long elevated runway. Above the stage was a thirty-foot screen showing the latest in HIV prevention public service announcements. Outside Alta Med kept the HIV rapid testing van full to capacity while upstairs the line to see a counselor about HIV/STI risk reduction wrapped around the building. It was absolutely fabulous!! (more…)

REACH LA’s Queer Youth Nation survey of LGBT youth video production celebrated its 5th anniversary year at OUTFEST by screening a selection of the some of the best shorts included in the program over the last five years. The aim Queer Youth Nation is to showcase the unique stories of LGBTQ youth of color and to inspire other young people to tell their stories through digital media. (more…)

The theater was packed as the lights faded and “I’M STILL HERE: BECOMING LEGENDARY”, REACH LA’s documentary on the L.A. House and Ball scene, was projected on to the giant screen in Hollywood’s beautiful Barnsdall theater. It was shown as a part of a compilation of film shorts from the FUSION 2006 LGBT People of Color Film Festival. This screening included extra ball footage plus interviews with some of today’s legendary and upcoming house and ball participants. The crowd was full of enthusiasm and many could not refrain from shouting with excitement! “ I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary” once again stole the show! It’s creative direction melds entertainment with education, giving viewers a glimpse into the House and Ball scene through sharing candid conversations about coming out, practicing safe sex, getting tested, plus the wonderfully artistic runway performances.

The 5th annual digital video production workshop for LGBTQ youth and their allies began this week with 14 participants and will continue through November 2007. Youth project ideas run the gamut from narrative stories of family relationships, a documentary on gender transition, a parody of gay males attraction to Cher produced with dolls as actors, LGBT discrimination in public places, and LGBTQ teen suicide. Video shorts from the workshop will be submitted to FUSION and OUTFEST LGBT Film Festivals. During the course of the workshop youth participants will learn all aspects of digital story telling from writing, and producing to editing their projects and distributing their videos.
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REACH LA’s youth staff member Frank Armenta traveled to the state capitol to participate in Queer Youth Advocacy Day, an event sponsored by the Gay Straight Alliance Network. After an eight-hour bus ride, hundreds of youth from all over the state of California gathered in Sacramento to speak on behalf of LGBT youth. Young people had the rare opportunity to speak with lawmakers and to address the needs of their community. Frank met with several legislative members to discuss ways to end discrimination and harassment in schools based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Youth were able to share their stories and express ways to help them feel safer in school. “One of the many highlights of the trip was meeting people that could relate to my experiences,” said Frank, “ I had a BLAST”!

REACH LA premiered a new documentary that focuses on creativity and self-preservation in on the Los Angeles House and Ball Community. It features interviews with LA House parents and youth involved with the Ball scene that also work as HIV prevention educators. At the FUSION opening Friday night festivities REACH LA organized a mini-ball that was a huge success and got audiences excited about the documentary screening. On Sunday December 3rd REACH LA premiered I’m Still Here: Becoming Legendary to a standing room only audience at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood and received lots of positive feedback. To top off the day “I’m Still Here won the FUSION Audience Award for Best Documentary Short at the Festival! That same day, REACH LA also offered HIV prevention awareness games, condom races, tongue billiards, and fake tattoos in the Egyptian Theater courtyard for film audiences, and arranged for free HIV testing on-site at the festival.