Things are brighter than ever for HIV/AIDS charity Boston Living Center (BLC), as it is set to merge with another support organization powerhouse, Victory Programs.

Things seemed bleak for the BLC after last year’s embezzlement scandal that nearly closed the organization. The BLC is the largest HIV/AIDS resource in all of New England and its closing would have affected not just employees, but all those relying on its services.

Victory Programs though, stepped in, and was able to make full restitution to both employees and vendors affected by the scandal. Victory Programs CEO, Jonathan Scott, was quoted as saying, ““The Boston Living Center is an anchor for hundreds living with HIV/AIDS who rely on its meals program and peer support everyday. No one wanted to see the Center close because of one person’s illicit activities.” 

The merger, which was highly supported by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, will reinforce Boston’s ongoing commitment to taking care of all of its citizens, even those who need more of a helping hand.

For more information on either the Boston Living Center or Victory Programs and how you can get involved, please visit their websites,

www.livingcenter.org & www.vpi.org

MassEquality will be hosting it’s first ever Icon Awards to pay tribute to the heroes of LGBT Equality. The first four reciepients of the award will be Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, philanthropist Ron Ansin, community activist Gladys Vega, and Eastern Bank.

MassEquality’s executive director Kara Suffredini said of the awards, “MassEquality will be hosting it’s first ever Icon Awards to pay tribute to the heroes of LGBT Equality. Those we are honoring on February 29 have demonstrated through their actions that they understand the necessity of doing the right thing, even if it seems unpopular. That’s what makes them icons, and that’s what makes MassEquality proud to recognize them.”

The Icon Awards will take place on Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 at 6pm at The State Room - Atop 60 State Street, Boston.

More information can be found at http://www.massequality.org/events/massequality-icon-awards

Congrats to all of the winners and thank you for all of your hard work.

It’s time to lace up your shoes and get a strike! The Gutterboys league of Northampton want you to join their weekly bowling league.

The team meets every Tuesday night starting at 6:30pm at Spare Time Bowl (525 Pleasant Street Northampton, MA 01060), for what always turns out to be more fun than a Tuesday night should be.

The weekly cost is only $15, which covers lane fees, prizes, and the end-of-year banquet. It is also a great chance to meet new people, as a lot of the guys hang out for a beer afterward!

More information can be found here http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/gutterboys-noho/

Whether you join the team or simply wanna sub, it is a Tuesday night you do not wanna miss. See you on the lanes!

On Wednesday, February 22, New England’s leading legal rights organization, GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders), will be hosting a happy hour for everyone who believes in equal justice for all.

These happy hours hosted 3 times a year in conjunction with the Mass LGBTQ Bar Association and always features a particular topic of discussion.

The discussion during this GLADHour will be transgender advocacy. GLAD’s Transgender work is paramount to their cause and is headed by Jennifer L. Levi, one the nation’s leading experts on transgender legal issues.

These events always prove to be a combination of both fun and importance, as well as a great way to connect with other like minded people.

The event will start at 6pm and be held at Bella Luna / Milky Way. There will be a cash bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres, courtesy of the event’s sponsor, Marcos E. Carreño. You can RSVP at the following link, https://www.glad.org/event/2012-gladhour-feb

Look forward to seeing everyone there!

The film awards season got you in the mood to see what is on the screen’s these days? Well round out those studio movies with some indies and shorts at Northampton’s Lesbian Film Festival.

Starting Saturday February 11th at 5:15pm, Wright Hall at Smith College, plays host to the opening film of the festival showing the feature Kiss Me, a new lesbian feature film from Sweden that is proving to be quite the hit in the States. There will also be some great short films shown as well.

The festival will continue through May 3rd and showcase films staring such talent as Olympia Dukakis, Kathleen Turner,and Richard Chamberlain.

More information can be found at the following link

http://www.OutForReel.org/

Film is one of the world’s most powerful mediums. Come out to the Film Festival on the 11th and see why!

There was some heavy competition too: Palm Springs in California, Sitges in Spain, Saugatuck in Michigan, and Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. All strong competitors but we are proud to claim victory for P’town.

Scott Gatz, the Gaycities.com CEO, had this to say about P’town’s victory,

“It’s no surprise to me that our members voted to make Provincetown the Best Resort Town 2011…just one look at GayCities guide to P’town and you’ll see it’s got everything you’d want for your escape: great food, great beaches and a great social scene. Provincetown and Palm Springs were neck and neck up til the very end. Both places offer a great escape for the traveler (and nearby locals) and are incredibly welcoming to the gay community. Our members were asked to choose their favorite resort town, and the results show just how loyal folks are to P’town.”

Congrats to Provincetown! Now let’s make it two years in a row by making 2012 just as successful!

Let’s all meet in P’town to celebrate.

See you on the shore!

Boston Pride is coming to Northhampton in a call to action! This volunteer committee promotes social justice for the LGBT Community by way of promoting open discussions and mobilizing people to take action on issues of local, national and international significance.

This event will be hosted by the Human Rights & Education Committee and will be gathering information to find a way to best serve their constituents.

Boston Pride will be partnering up with the LGBT Coalition of Western Massachusetts to put on this event. Boston Pride released a statement saying,

“We are excited to partner with our friends and co-sponsor for this event, the LGBT Coalition of Western Massachusetts. Given the great feedback we received from the community forum in Haverhill, MA, our committee eagerly looks forward to a substantive exchange of ideas from the Western Massachusetts community. We not only want the Western Mass LGBTQ communities’ feedback, but we need that feedback to help Boston Pride be a totally responsive and relevant organization attuned to the needs of our diverse LGBTQ community.”
-Jeff Gerstenblatt, Co-Chair of the HR&E Committee

This event will be open to all and will start at 7pm at the Unitarian Society in Northampton is 220 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060. Refreshements will be served.

For more information please visit http://www.bostonpride.org/humanrights/

Look forward to seeing you there!

Both cites are very proud to be on a list that showcases what everyone is Massachusetts already know, all are welcome in the Commonwealth.

Take a look at the article for yourself to see what other cities made the list.

http://news.advocate.com/post/15571734525/gayest-cities-in-america-2012

Have a great, safe, and fun weekend Massachusetts!

It’s a new year and a new chance to meet new people! There is no better event to get this year started off with than the NoHo Gay Men’s Social!

The social will take place Friday January 20, 2012 from 6pm – 9pm at the Hotel Northhampton.

There will be free hors d’oeuvres AND a cash bar. Add that in with over a hundred guys with friendly faces ready to mingle and it is a great way to spend a Friday!

More details can be found at http://www.monoho.com/social-events.html

Make sure your face is one of those friendly faces there!

The applications for both can be found at the following link:

http://www.bostonpride.org/2011/12/2012-parade-and-festival-applications-now-available/

Make 2012 the year that you have the focus of thousands are on you and your organization!

Happy New Year!