By Ramy Eletreby

Antioch University Launches LGBT Psychology Specialization

This fall, Antioch University/L.A. launches their new Master of Arts in clinical psychology with a specialization in LGBT studies, the first program in the nation to focus specifically on LGBT counseling theory and practice. The specialization features an innovative curriculum that strengthens the competency, clinical skills and sensitivity of students to LGBT-centered issues of pride, diversity, dignity, self-respect, self-esteem and cultural awareness.

Therapist and Antioch instructor Douglas Sadownick serves as director of the new program. “The specialization has been in a development phase for the last year and has done fabulously,” Sadownick says. “Our goal has been to develop a rigorous curriculum that aims to provide students with the skills they need to practice LGBT affirmative therapy.” The core curriculum will feature five course classes, including LGBT History and Mythology, LGBT Affirmative Psychotherapy, Issues for LGBT People of Color, Issues for Gender Variant Clients and LGBT Clinical and Community Issues.

The program celebrates its launch with a special one-night only showcase, A Queer Hip Hop Extravaganza, featuring performances by queer hip-hop artists Deadlee, Delacruz, and Salvimex on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. at the Antioch University/L.A. campus, 400 Corporate Pointe, Culver City. For more information, see www.antiochla.edu.

Gay Men’s Chorus Makes History in South America

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles billed their Sept. 18-31 trip to South America as the Building Bridges concert tour. But armed with a significantly Spanish repertoire and a letter from L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the 120 members of the chorus (a number of whom brought family) also served as good-will ambassadors during their visits to Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

During their first stop in Santiago, they attracted so much media attention that a number of concertgoers shielded their faces and ran away. Others, however, boldly walked in. “We admired their courage. It’s not like West Hollywood where it is safe to be identified as gay,” West Hollywood City Councilmember and second tenor John Duran told IN. During the “unity” song “Cancion Con Todos” the audience started singing along. “Everyone was crying,” Duran said.

Also in Santiago, chorus members met with the AIDS group Vivo Positivo and told how their discrimination laws lack remedies. The camera coverage there was the first in the history of the AIDS epidemic. In Montevideo, where the mayor accepted the proclamation from Villaraigosa presented by Executive Director Hywel Sims, a political science professor noted that between the chorus and the audience, the concert was the largest gathering of gay people in the history of Uruguay. In Brazil, some chorus members also experienced the rain forest and the famous beaches of Ipanema, about which they sang. For more information, go to www.gmcla.org.

Desperate Housewives Creator Hosts GLAAD Event

Desperate Housewives creator and executive producer Marc Cherry hosted an intimate dinner party at his home in L.A. on Sept. 30 to benefit the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and its new Youth Empowerment Media Program, which works to increase visibility of LGBT youth to advocate for more accurate media representations of their lives and issues.

In addition to the entire cast of Desperate Housewives, celebrity guests included Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman, William H. Macy and special performances by Tony Award-winner Karen Ziemba and Grammy Award winners Michael Bolton and Jody Watley.

GAPSN Celebrates 22nd Anniversary

The Gay Asian Pacific Support Network (GAPSN) will celebrate over two decades of community service with the 22nd Anniversary & Pacific Bridge Awards on Oct. 19. The evening will honor the Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California and the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team for their outstanding contributions to the LGBT Asian Pacific Islander community.

The event takes place Thursday, Oct. 19, from 6-8 p.m. at Windows Restaurant, 1150 S. Olive St., 32nd Floor, L.A. Tickets are $50 and include an open bar. For more information, contact GAPSN at info@gapsn.org.

Outlaugh 2006

America’s second annual gay comedy festival, Outlaugh 2006, held court at the Renberg Theater in Hollywood Oct. 5-7. Hosted by L.A.-based comedy troupe The Gay Mafia, the festival brought together gay comedy performers from around the world for a three-night side-splitting event. Headliners included Margaret Cho, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Bruce Vilanch, Michele Balan, The Nellie Olesons,and Vidur Kapur, among others. With two shows a night, each performance featured a blend of stand-up, improvisation, sketch and alternative comedy. All performances were taped for broadcast on Logo in January 2007. A portion of the proceeds went to benefit Being Alive

Miss Bienestar 2006 Crowned

Bienestar held their annual Miss Bienestar Transgender Beauty Pageant on Oct. 9 at the Arena Night Club in Hollywood. With the theme “Our Dreams Come True,” the pageant honored the Latina transgender community by bringing awareness to the broader community about their beauty and strength. The night of entertainment featured Latina transgenders modeling evening gowns and bathing suits, as well as sharing thoughts and ideas about HIV prevention. Every year, Miss Bienestar serves as a fundraiser for Bienestar’s Transgénero Unidos (TU) program, which focuses on HIV prevention through education and self-empowerment by providing support groups, counseling and workshops.

This year’s winners are Miss Bienstar 2006 Mariana Marroquin (pictured with Bienestar Executive Director Oscar de la O), 1st runner-up Maria Roman and 2nd runner-up Vicki Ortega.

Gay Radio Host and Gandhi’s Grandson Lead Parade for World Peace

Cary Harrison, the openly gay L.A. Progressive Radio talk show host better known simply as “Harrison,” is sponsoring Harrison on the Edge Parade for World Peace on Oct. 28 at noon, at Hollywood and Vine. Harrison and spiritual leader Arun Gandhi, the 72-year-old peace activist grandson of famed non-violence guru Mahatma Gandhi, will lead the parade. For more info, go to www.goharrison.com.

Become a Santa’s Helper for Toy Box 2006

Over the past decade, the LGBT community has contributed over 10,000 toys to the families of people impacted by HIV/AIDS. This year’s Toy Box Party on Dec. 10 will benefit the AIDS Project Los Angeles Family Toy Drive. IN Los Angeles magazine and KIIS-FM are returning as Santa's Presenting Sponsors. But Santa needs Executive Committee helpers. It’s easy: just e-mail Toy Box event chair Dana Miller at Malibudana@aol.com, make a $25 donation to APLA, and then invite all your friends to participate. You'll be listed on the online invitation, which we request you send to everyone you know. As always, the price of admission to the Toy Box Party is an unwrapped toy. Your present is food, drink, and the best holiday party of the season—the gift of knowing you’ve helped someone in need. The next issue of IN magazine will have more details.

Being Alive Celebrates Spirit of Hope

On Oct. 8, Being Alive celebrated its 14th annual Spirit of Hope Awards. “This is a special honor that recognizes individuals who have worked in the trenches, often against popular opinion, and who have used their time, money and/or talents to advance the fight against HIV/AIDS. This award is particularly noteworthy as honorees are selected entirely by people living with HIV/AIDS,” says new Executive Director Rafael Cosio. Pictured: Honorees Hernan Molina, Doreen Servati, Cosio, Chuck Williams, Patrick Rush, Eric Daar.

AIDS Walk Sets New Record

More than 30,000 walkers raised a record $3.8 million at the 10th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles on Sunday, Oct. 15.

Gay L.A. History Book Released

To celebrate National Coming Out Day, Stuart Timmons and Lillian Faderman’s major work, Gay L.A.: A History of Sexual Outlaws, Power Politics, and Lipstick Lesbians, was officially launched with a party and a series of dramatic readings on Oct. 11 at Skylight Bookstore.

Drawing on archives of documents and photographs and more than 200 new interviews, Gay L.A. charts L.A.’s unique gay history and its monumental contributions to the modern gay rights movement. The evening featured dramatic readings by priest/author Malcolm Boyd, cult diva Mink Stole, performance artist John Fleck, and actor Corey Saucier.