Black LGBT elders to speak to community
To celebrate Black History Month, members of the local black LGBT community will gather next week to discuss the history and progression of the community.
“Elders Speak: The Organizing of the Black LGBT Community in Philadelphia,” sponsored by The COLOURS Organization Inc. and the Black LGBT Archivists Society, will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Arch Street United Methodist Church, 55 N. Broad St. The panel discussion will allow elders of the black sexual-minority population in Philadelphia to pass down their thoughts on the community to younger generations.
For more information, contact COLOURS at (215) 496-0330.
Red-carpet fundraiser for LGBT festival
If your invitation to L.A.’s Kodak Theater for next weekend’s Oscar extravaganza never arrived, you can still see the show in style at a fundraising party for a local LGBT arts endeavor.
The Traverse Arts Project, which will stage the first annual GLBT Artists Festival in May, will host a Red Carpet Party from 7:30-11 p.m. Feb. 22 at The Ethical Society Building, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, with proceeds benefiting the festival.
The party will feature an open bar serving wine, beer and cocktails, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Lui Photography will provide all guests personalized photos of their parties on the red carpet.
The Oscar telecast will begin at 8 p.m.
Tickets bought in advance are $50, or $75 at the door. Students with valid ID can purchase tickets at the door for $30. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://traversetheater.org/.
Jersey starts first needle exchange
The South Jersey AIDS Alliance has issued a call for volunteers to assist with its new needle-exchange program.
The program, which allows syringe-users to anonymously exchange used needles for clean ones, is held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the SJAA’s Oasis Center, 32 S. Tennessee Ave. in Atlantic City.
This marks the first time a legal needle-exchange program, geared to prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, has been instituted in New Jersey.
To apply to volunteer with the program, visit www.sjaids.org. Completed applications can be faxed to Georgett at (609) 348-8775 or mailed to SJAA, 19 Gordon’s Alley, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.
— Jen Colletta