If tribal elders are lost, adults will be lost; and if tribal adults are lost, youth will be lost. long-time community activist and psychologist Dr. Don Kilhefner
What does it mean to be a gay adult in 2011? Just like the whole world, the gay community and individuals in it undergo constant transformation. This is why it is integral to the evolution of our community and the contributions we make to humanity that we keep asking ourselves pertinent questions like this one, along with others. How do we as individuals evolve as the community does? What does gay liberation mean in the 21st Century? How do we collectively care for one another and take responsibility for nurturing and developing our future leaders?
These questions are questions that I along with others will be asking attendees at a pioneering conference being presented by 100 Gay Men: The Gay Adult: Calling Ourselves into Being
on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at The Renberg Theater at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza in Los Angeles. The conference will explore the role of the gay adult - often the missing gay adult - in the life of the community and within the context of profound interdependence among ancestors, elders, adults and youth.
Seeking to explore, clarify and expand the role of gay adults to create a more vibrant, consciously empowered community, a primary goal of this event is to reinvigorate gay community involvement across generations by creating fresh opportunities for meaningful community action. Through highly interactive dialogue and collaboration among youth, adults, and elders, the day's activities will focus on re-imagining the role of gay adults as a potent, positive force in the gay community.
Four decades since the Stonewall rebellion in New York and three decades after Harvey Milk made history in San Francisco, today's gay generation is coming together to build on these legacies and redefine "Gay Liberation" for the 21st century. While legislation like Don't Ask Don't Tell has been overturned, struggles for equality in marriage continue, and a "gay generation gap" has recently emerged around issues of HIV/AIDS prevention among youth. In response to these important social challenges, 100 Gay Men is presenting this major community gathering to foster expanded community engagement through inter-generational cooperation.
Featured presenters include gay community leaders Rev. Dr. Neil Thomas, (Senior Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church, Los Angeles); Phill Wilson (Founder and CEO, The Black AIDS Institute Los Angeles); Carlos Sosa (Founder, C.I.T.Y.x1 LGBTQ Youth Group); Elton Naswood, (American Indian Community Council, Los Angeles and APLA's Red Circle Project); Larry Yang (Leadership/Core Meditation Teacher, East Bay Meditation Center, Oakland, California). The event will be moderated by Edward Hansen (former pastor of the Hollywood United Methodist Church) and Roberto Blain (Director of Talent Services, University of Southern California). In addition, the day's activities will be a performance featuring gay hip-hop recording artist Drew Mason.
100 Gay Men is a nonprofit organization located in Los Angeles, Calif. consisting of gay men who have joined together to make a difference by supporting local service projects and grassroots community initiatives. Their mission is to harness the unique talents, resources and energies of adult gay men for the betterment and continuing evolution of diverse LGBT communities. 100 Gay Men's current community work involves providing support to a number of organizations, including Wellness Works (a nonprofit holistic health and education center that provides support and training programs for HIV-positive persons, veterans, and others in need) and Rise Up & Shout! (a nonprofit gay youth mentoring program and performance showcase).
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This project is funded in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs.
TO PURCHASE TICKETS: Tickets for "The Gay Adult: Calling Ourselves Into Being -- A Day of Inter-generational Dialogue" (which includes a catered lunch) may be purchased for $75 per person via www.brownpaperbagtickets.com
A scholarship program is available for those unable to purchase tickets, with a limited number of full and partial scholarships available on a first-come first-serve basis. For more information contact: thegayadult@100gaymen.org