The day opened with Oprah interviewing Lady Gaga about her commitment to empowering youth before a packed audience at Sanders Theatre. Lady Gaga then took the stand in a mock trial to testify before a panel of expert “judges” about what she hopes to accomplish with BTWF. Panelists included Deepak Chopra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, sister of Jamey Rodemeyer Alyssa Rodemeyer, Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree, Psychologist Susan M. Swearer and E! News correspondent and LGBT parent and spouse David Burtka.

“The culture of love is not going to change overnight but youth are the answer to creating a braver, kinder world,” said Lady Gaga. “This might be one of the best days of my life.”

BTWF will address issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development through research, education and advocacy. BTWF will create an environment that allows youth to safely express their individuality and one that provides them with the skills needed to encourage self-expression and promote civic engagement, and the resources and opportunities needed to implement solutions whether it be “online, on-the-road, or down the street.” With a focus on digital mobilization to create positive change, BTWF will lead youth into a braver new society where each individual is accepted and loved as the person they were born to be.

The Born This Way Foundation also announced today that Lady Gaga has made a $1.2 million personal contribution to BTWF, dedicating $200,000 to cover the foundation’s overhead costs. Barneys New York has raised more than $750,000 for the foundation through product sales from Gaga’s 2011 Holiday Workshop, and has donated an additional $100,000. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is also committing $1 million in support, with $500,000 going to the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard to lead research efforts, and the remaining $500,000 directly allocated to BTWF to support online and on-the-road efforts to engage young people in civic life and deter bullying.

“Like everything my daughter has done, this is a grassroots initiative asking for the response of the community to help build this movement and shape it,” said Cynthia Germanotta. “Therefore a safe and trusted online community will allow users to share stories about themselves and their lives. Supporters can draw courage from the words of others as they explore Born This Way Foundation’s online community.”

The John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The California Endowment and Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society are partnering with BTWF to explore the best ways to reach youth and create a new culture of kindness, bravery, acceptance and empowerment.

“MacArthur’s partnership with the Born This Way Foundation will apply what we have learned about the power and potential of digital media to reach and engage millions of young people,” said Connie Yowell, MacArthur’s Director of Education. “In classrooms and communities, online and even on-the-road, this effort will enable teachers, parents, students, and communities each do their part to promote positive civic and online participation.”

To engage youth on-the-road, the Born Brave Bus, with design assistance provided by the innovative youth from YOUmedia’s teen library space, will travel the country to serve as a place where kids can go to feel connected and learn about civic engagement opportunities. The bus, along with onsite mentors, will also accompany Lady Gaga’s next North American concert tour, providing additional resources and a safe space to convene.

“A thorough review of decades of academic research has inspired this strategy and over the next several months, we will be rolling out programs based on that data,” said Dr. David Washington, Sr. Advisor to Lady Gaga & BTWF for Philanthropy & Policy. “BTWF has brought together renowned researchers, practitioners and youth organizations and is committed to leveraging this brain trust in order to make a significant difference.”

Visit www.bornthiswayfoundation.org and join the youth-powered movement to build a braver, kinder world.

About Born This Way Foundation

Led by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, Born This Way Foundation was founded in 2011 to foster a more accepting society. The Foundation is dedicated to creating a safe community where individuality is celebrated by connecting youth with the skills, resources and opportunities they need to build a braver, kinder world. BTWF, a non-profit charitable organization, will address issues like self-confidence, well-being, anti-bullying, mentoring and career development through research, education and advocacy. Please Visit www.bornthiswayfoundation.org and join the youth-powered movement to build a braver, kinder world.

About The John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur’s $85 million digital media and learning initiative aims to determine how digital media are changing the way young people learn, play, socialize and participate in civic life. Answers are critical to education and other social institutions that must meet the needs of this and future generations. More information is at www.macfound.org/learning.

About The California Endowment To Empower Youth

The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation, was established in 1996 to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. The Endowment challenges the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for people’s health. The Endowment believes that health happens in neighborhoods, schools, and with prevention. And as such, the Endowment has embarked on a ten-year campaign to improve the health of young people residing in vulnerable, at-risk communities through stronger and innovative prevention approaches. For more information, visit The California Endowment’s homepage at www.calendow.org.

About Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society

The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University is a research program founded to explore cyberspace, share in its study, and help pioneer its development. Founded in 1997, through a generous gift from Jack N. and Lillian R. Berkman, the Center is home to an ever-growing community of faculty, fellows, staff, and affiliates working on projects that span the broad range of intersections between cyberspace, technology, and society. More information can be found at http://cyber.law.harvard.edu.

About the Harvard Graduate School of Education

Since its founding in 1920, the Harvard Graduate School of Education has been training leaders to transform education in the United States and around the globe. Today, our faculty, students, and alumni are studying and solving the most critical challenges facing education: student assessment, the achievement gap, and teacher effectiveness, to name just a few. Through the Ed School’s 13 master’s programs, two doctoral programs, and extensive executive education programs, the HGSE community is pushing the frontiers of education, and the effects of our entrepreneurship are improving the world. More information can be found at www.gse.harvard.edu.

The non-stop action, the house-packed crazy wild Pool Parties, the sexiest Go-Go dancers, the best DJs, the spectacular entertainment, the celebrities, plus the hottest girls in the world, The Dinah has enough to make any girls’ head spin!

The world’s largest girl party/music festival will turn Palm Springs into the ultimate entertainment hub delivering a spectacular slate of legendary headliners, rising pop stars, and lesbian TV celebrities.

Emceed by E!’ “Chelsea Lately” writer & roundtable guest-host, Fortune Feimster, The Dinah 2012 will be rocked with special performances from headliners Nina Sky, Grammy-Award Winning Music Legend Chaka Khan; Dance Divas Wynter Gordon (“Dirty Talk” w David Guetta), Cece Peniston (“Finally”) and Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta (“Show Me”); music’s new “it” girl, BC Jean (who penned Beyonce’s mega hit “If I were a Boy”), and up-and-coming pop talents Anjulie, Rye Rye, Meital and Porcelain Black.

Want more? How about the Charlie’s Angels of comedy: veteran comic Suzanne Westenhoefer, stand-up’s fastest breakthrough rising stars Jessica Kirson (Celebrity Apprentice and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno) and Karen Williams? Or America’s most beloved, iconic television actress, Meredith Baxter, up close & personal in an exclusive intimate Q&A session?

A Dinah’mite line-up of A-listers galore also including some of the LGBT community’s favorite lesbian celebrities on Primetime non-scripted reality & game series such as Whitney Mixter, Romi Klinger, Rose Garcia, Kelsey Grace Chavarria, Rachel Rodriguez, Francine Beppu and Sara Bettencourt from Season 2 of The Real L Word, as well as America’s Next Top Model Cycle 5’s very own jaw-dropping Kim Stolz.

Ladies get ready for the ultimate MUST-SEE, MUST-EXPERIENCE Dinah EVER!
A girl-given phenomenon, you just have to do it!

www.TheDinah.com

Join us for an afternoon of live music, food and drink specials, and the wildest parade to hit the shores of Long Beach from 1pm – 7pm. Parade starts at 3pm in front of Long Beach’s legendary Aquarium of the Pacific.

Dancers, stilt walkers, mimes, clowns – all are welcome! If you’d like to bring a group or represent a company, let us know you and/or your company is coming by completing a registration form, located here – http://lbcinema.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Mardi-Gras-2012-parade-entry-form.pdf. Participation is FREE but let us know you’re coming no later than Friday, February 10!

This free and fun community event has been made possible with support from the Downtown Long Beach Associates, Outback Steakhouse, Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza, Tequila Jack’s, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Steffano’s Pizza, and 33 Degrees.

Keep posted online at rainbowharbormardigras.com, and join us on Facebook at facebook.com/rainbowharbormardigras!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

“Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect in California, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples.  The Constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort,” Judge Reinhardt wrote.

READ THE DECISION HERE: www.afer.org/legal-filings/ninth-circuit-decision-on-prop-8

The American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) is the sole sponsor of the Perry case.

“Today the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed, as the courts have repeatedly throughout our nation’s history, that singling out a class of citizens for discriminatory treatment is unfair, unlawful and violates basic American values,” said AFER Board President Chad Griffin.  ”Like many other Americans, our plaintiffs want nothing more than to marry the person they love.  Committed, loving couples and their families should not be denied this most fundamental freedom.”

• Art Theatre (2025 E. 4th; 562-438-5435): FREE small popcorn for any showing with a Saturday receipt from a Retro Row/4th Street merchant! Daytime movie TBD; Midnite Movie: ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, featuring Original Live Shadowcast (as featured in recent AIDS benefit)!

• 4th Street Vine (2142 E. 4th; 562-343-5463): ART: Death; The Future! MUSIC: TBD FOOD: Rancho A Go-Go BBQ Truck PLUS: Costume Party COSTUME PARTY: Masquerade and Zombie appreciated, but all welcome! Start here before you head to the Zombie Walk & Street Fest (or not)

• Blu Button (2112 East 4th; 562-433-8780) Halloween-themed One-Year Anniversary with tricks and treats!

• The Feed Store (2001 East 4th; 562-433-7500): Appetizers, drinks and shopping with a purpose! Featuring jewelry from the International Sanctuary organization—which rehabilitates survivors of human trafficking by offering education, medical assistance, life skills, and marketable training in jewelry making. In Orange County, iSanctuary offers an integrated professional growth program providing survivors with the skills they need to sustain themselves, pursuing better futures filled with hope.

• Portfolio Coffeehouse (2300 East 4th: 562-434-2486): Portfolio (and Portfolio Annex) will feature ghoulish lattes, trick or treats for young and old, and live music by pop singer-songwriter Hana Kim from 8-10pm.

http://4thstreetlongbeach.com/uncategorized/last-saturdays-on-4th-october-29th-4-8-pm/

On Sunday Oct. 23, 2011 Swoop’s World radio teams up with the Expo Arts Center for “Expo Arts Center LoungEx Presents An Evening of Indie Artists With Swoop’s World.” This will be a wonderful night of great performances by three talented local indie singer/songwriters performing original music in the intimate setting of LoungEx at the Expo Arts Center in Long Beach.

The music event will feature Long Beach-based musicians Michelle Mangione and Cory Joseph Clark, as well as Los Angeles-based musician Raspin. All three of these outstanding performers have loyal followings throughout the Southland.

“We are really excited about this event. It encompasses what Swoop’s World has always been about. Supporting local artists, local business and our community,” said Swoop, host of Swoop’s World Radio. “We are hoping that this is only the beginning of recurring events that we sponsor featuring independent artists performing original material in small venues. Our goal through these events is to help these talented individuals get their music, songs, words and poetry, in front of a paying audience seeking to support and discover new talent.”

Michelle Mangione

Michelle Mangione is a songwriter/musician with a homebase in Long Beach and a fan base all over the world. Delivered with a powerful voice and bold lyrics, Mangione’s songs connect the dots between personal experience and the big picture. She then sets that picture into motion through hypnotic melodies. It’s little wonder that other musicians seek out Michelle for collaboration. She has played with such greats as saxophonist Buddy Collette, guitarist Robben Ford and co-written songs with the legendary Grace Slick.

Raspin

An accomplished songwriter, vocalist and producer, Raspin claims an ecletic misx of musical influences that include Louis Armstrong, Joni Mitchell, Harry Chapin, Cat Stevens, Dan Fogelberg, Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, Patty La Belle and Beethoven. All of which can be heard in the soulful auditory experiences he creates for audiences. The self-taught guitartist is a true entertainer who brings the stage to life with his animated movements and emotion-driven rhymthms. Blues and soul with the finesse of a classic, part hometown Chicago and part Hollywood Hills, Raspin’s music successfully blends worlds that were never meant to collide.

Cory Joseph Clark

Cory Joseph Clark has played in bands his whole life. His career as a guitar/vocal sideman has taken him on tours that stretch across the U.S. and oversees. But, forever the dreamer, Clark doesn’t let being the sideman sidetrack his goals. As a songwriter, a performer, an artist and entrepreneur he always looks to his music as the roots of his expression. In 2011, after releasing his last EP, he started a weekly singer/songwriter showcase called THE HUM HOUSE where in addition to performing himself, he books two talented acts to share the spotlight.

“We’ve had the pleasure of having each of these musicians as guests on our show. We’ve seen them perform and they are all fantastic. This will be a great show that I’m sure everyone will enjoy,” added Peter Dopulos, co-host of Swoop’s World.

Music lovers will get to enjoy sets from each of these amazing musicians at this inaugural indie music show. (Or, for a sneak peak head over to SwoopsWorld.com/Indie-Showcase to listen to the interviews and check out their music!)

The Expo Arts Center’s LoungEx presents An Evening of Indie Artists with Swoop’s World on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011 from 4:30pm-7:30 p.m. The Expo Arts Center is located at 4321 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, 90807.

As an added bonus, event attendees will also have free access to the Expo Art Center’s gallery exhibits. The doors open at 3:45 p.m. so that guest may enjoy the art exhibits prior to the show.

Tickets for the indie music event, $10 in advance or $12 at the door, are already on sale. Seating is limited so advance purchases are recommended. To buy tickets, visit http://swoopsworld.ticketbud.com/evening-of-indie-artists.

Yes Yes Yes! It’s almost time for our annual fundraising Halloween Sale Launch Party! It’s the Best of the Best of this year’s donations.

Get first pick of the unique Halloween Costumes plus Vintage, Designer & Hip clothes, Jewelry, Shoes, Bags, Accessories at incredibly reasonable prices – all before we open to the public on Saturday, October 1.

A $10 donation gets you in plus free tickets in exciting raffles and a chance to win our Mystery Prize! – available at the store or on night.
Or pay $5 at the door.

Refreshments & Nibblies included.

Hang out, shop, meet some fab people and help us help those living with HIV & AIDS in Long Beach.

See you There!

The Halloween Sale runs 7 days a week through Monday, October 31.

AIDS Assistance Thrift Store
2011 E 4th St
Long Beach, CA 90814
(562) 987-5353

The mission of PARK(ing) Day—conceived and created in 2005 by San Francisco art and design studio, Rebar—is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!