In the early nineteen eighties if you were a lesbian woman and wanted to meet other lesbian women your option was limited to the few gay bars or clubs that were operating at that time. They were dirty, dark establishments in rough areas of the city; the bathrooms had stalls where doors where non-existent. These were hardly places where lesbian women could have a quiet drink, pleasant conversation and feel good about themselves. These were also “Anita Bryant” times, where some women were fearful of being outed and worried about the ramifications of being labeled a lesbian in their workplace. It was for many of these reasons that Marsha Trew believed that there was a great need for a lesbian organization as an alternative to the club scene. As Marsha was new to the city, and knew very few other lesbians, she related her ideas to Paulette Thomson. Paulette, like Marsha, felt a place was needed where gay women could meet, socialize, and feel good about their surroundings. Paulette asked some of her friends to a meeting with Marsha. The group, consisting of Marsha and Paulette, Sharyn Collis, Judith Shaver, and Val Fortey, spent the next few months organizing a first event. More at: http://www.gazeboconnection.com/history.html

This group is offered through Prism Alcohol & Drug Services, which offers free
individual, couples and family counselling, as well as groups,
specifically for LGBTQ people in Vancouver. The general phone number
for Prism is 604-658-1214.
Golden Oldies is a group for older LGBT adults (55+ -ish) who are
dealing with substance use issues. We meet on Wednesdays starting at
12:15 pm through to 1:45 pm, at the Generations Project office located
at 1033 Davie Street, Suite 610. We have been meeting since October,
and have a wonderful core group of members from diverse backgrounds.
Over that hour and a half, we have a lot of laughs, share life’s highs
and lows, discuss strategies for dealing with substance use and the
rest of life, and enjoy snacks and beverages. New members are always
very welcome, so if you think this might be for you or someone you
know, please feel free to call Ema or Al at 604-714-3480 to join up.

Contact:
Al Zwiers, MSW, RSW
Counsellor – Addiction Services

Three Bridges Community Health Centre
301-1290 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada
V6Z 1W2
tel. 604.714.3480
fax. 604.714.3481
email. al.zwiers@vch.ca

The 411 Senior’s Centre will be holding an event called Stonewall, on Tuesday, June 30th 2009 from 1-3pm. This event will be held to commemorate The Stonewall Riots, which took place in New York, June 28 1969, have become the defining event that marked the start of the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

The 411 Seniors Centre Society is an easily accessible, multipurpose social and recreational facility for seniors. It is centrally located in downtown Vancouver. Some of the services provided by the 411 Seniors Centre include: free and low cost social, educational, recreational and drop-in programs; low cost nutritional meals; free weekly blood pressure, podiatrist and medical clinics and dental clinics; low cost clothing and household items; free information and referral services; free simple income tax preparations; a mandate which promotes a series of opportunities to enhance awareness of LGTB Seniors’ cultures, issues, and needs.

Sincerely,
Lycia

Special Events Practicum Student
The 411 Seniors Centre Society
411 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1X4
Phone: 604-684-8171
Fax: 604-681-3589
lrodrigues@411seniors.bc.ca
www.411seniors.bc.ca

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And now, on to the next big event(s): The 4th Annual BOLD: Bold, Old(er), Lesbians & Dykes Conference on September 4-7 will be held at the Coast Plaza, followed by a concert with FERRON and her Band on September 7 evening at the Coast Plaza Ballroom. Both events can be viewed at http://www.soundsandfuries.com

A registration form will be found on the website if you’re attending the whole conference. Make a weekend of it — get friends & share a hotel suite, party with a bunch of lesbians from all over Canada and the US!

Full Conference Package: $175 – $240 sliding scale (pay what you can afford on scale)
Thurs eve reception
Workshops Friday morning/afternoon, Saturday morning
Friday Lunch on the patio
Friday evening Presentation with Evelyn C. White
Friday evening Dance, including Tango Demo
Saturday afternoon “Stroll in the Park”
Saturday evening dinner, entertainment, dance
Sunday Reflections Panel and closing circle

SINGLE EVENT PRICES
Mail list with payment, email address, and phone # to Sounds & Furies, POB 21510, 1424 Commercial Dr Vancouver BC V5L 5G2. Confirmation will be emailed with more details.

1. Wednesday Evening September 3 Harbour boat cruise/dinner/dancing $65
6:30 – 9:30 pm Leave from Granville Island

2. Thursday Evening Reception – 2nd Fl. Foyer 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm $10
Opening with Florence Hackett, 1st Nations Elder
Introduction to Presenters
Social: cash bar, appetizers, Dorothy Dittrich on piano

3. Friday Day/Evening $95 – $110 sliding scale
Includes morning & afternoon workshops, Friday luncheon on the patio, Evelyn C. White’s
evening presentation (Alice Walker’s biographer) 7-9 pm, followed by dancing to midnight and
a sensational Argentine Tango demo by Lilliana Kleiner and Gwen Spinks

4. Friday Evening $25 – $35 sliding scale
Evelyn C. Walker’s presentation followed by dancing, dance demo

5. Saturday morning workshops $15

6. Saturday Evening $100 – $125
Dinner, Concert with FERRON, dj’d dancing until 12:30 a.m. $100 – $125 sliding scale
Social 5:30 pm, Dinner 6 pm, Cash bar.

7. Saturday Evening $45
Concert with FERRON, dj’d dancing until 12:30 a.m. Cash Bar

8. Saturday Dance $10 – $20 sliding scale
9:15 pm admittance

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Sunday September 7, 8 pm, Doors 7:15 pm
FERRON & BAND: Jami Sieber, electric cello, Shelley Jennings, guitar, Darryl Havers, keyboards
Coast Plaza Hotel Ballroom, 2nd Floor
Lounge and patio open for pre-concert drinks
Tickets: $27 advance sold at Urban Empire 1108 Commercial Dr, Little Sisters 1238 Davie,
$32 at door