May 6 & 7 - NJPAC’S Alternate Routes Series Annual GLBT FESTIVAL

Work! A Big Ol’ Gay Dance Party takes place onstage in NJPAC’s

Vogue Evolution from MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew

OUT, LOUD & PROUD V is a provocative evening featuring international spoken word artist/folk poet Alix Olson. Olson twice headlined HBO’s

Alix Olson, spoken word artist/folk poet

Cornelius Jones

Monte Wolfe

Tim'm T. West

Pandora Scooter, the host and guest curator of Out, Loud & Proud V, is a self-identified “QUEERMAMASAPIEN,” whose words and rhymes have inspiring effects on audiences. Her work has included everything from stand-up comedy to hip hop to folk poetry to performance art. Scooter, will premiere a new work about coming out at the performance. Among her numerous credits, including a critically acclaimed and timely anti-bullying work “Outwordly Fabulous,” this frequent NJPAC collaborator has performed multiple solo shows and four sold-out performances of Out, Loud & Proud.

Pandora Scooter, the host and guest curator of Out, Loud & Proud V

Work! A Big Ol’ Gay Dance Party will include performances by Vogue Evolution (from MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew) and house music by DJ Naeem Johnson, who will mix contemporary, urban-flavored tracks with dance classics in an effort to resurrect the height of the club era, including the glory days of The Paradise Garage, The Loft, and Newark’s own Zanzibar.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is the sixth largest performing arts center in the United States. As New Jersey’s Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted over 6 million visitors (more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit www.njpac.org for more information.

Programming has been made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.

NJPAC is a wheelchair accessible facility and provides assistive services for patrons with disabilities. For more information, call 888-GO-NJPAC.

Media Contact: JOSH BALBER, NJPAC 973-353-8051, or jbalber@njpac.org

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Campaign Objectives:
- Drive use of text message #36363 for instant access to local Newark Testing Centers
- Drive use of New Jersey HIV/STD hot line 1-866-HIV-CHECK
- Drive target community interaction and participation

Get Involved With Status Is Everything
Please join us online, upload PSAs to be featured on the Status Is Everything website – www.StatusIsEverything.org and join this much needed conversation.
Twitter: http://bit.ly/SIETwitter
Facebook: http://bit.ly/SIEFacebook
Causecast: http://bit.ly/SIECausecast
YouTube: http://bit.ly/SIEYouTube

About Status Is Everything (SIE)

SIE is an HIV Testing social marketing campaign produced by AAOGC.org it’s funded by New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services: Division of HIV/AIDS Services and the Centers for Disease Control

Status Is Everything is Newark based and aims to encourage African American men, particularly young men who have sex with men, to get HIV tested and reduce risky behaviors.

A respondent to the “Status Is Everything” campaign will be referred to one of three partnering local HIV testing centers in Newark; St. Michael’s, UMDNJ, and NJCRI. These site were selected by five focus groups of young African American gay men and offer confidential and convenient testing services.

SIE Offers 24 hour instant access to local Newark based testing center information through texting 36363 with NJ and your zip (NJ 07102). Callers to 1-866-HIV-CHECK are connected to New Jersey’s HIV/STD hotline, operated by UMDNJ Poison control center in Newark.

SIE integrated promotions include social media, text messaging, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, CauseCast.com, television commercials, buses wraps, bus interior and exterior signage, movie theater, light rail trains, billboards in downtown Newark, and StatusIsEverything.org.

About LCH Business Media and Tech Solutions (LCH)
LCH is a boutique social media firm based in Newark, NJ. that specializes in Web 2.0 Campaign Strategy and Management and Mobile Application Development

Media Contact: Kimberlee Williams, FEMWORKS, 973-494-9705.

Source: LCH Business Social Media & Tech Solutions

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

NEWARK, N.J., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ — Beginning January 2010 in Newark, African American men who have sex with men will be targeted by an HIV Testing social marketing campaign titled “Status Is Everything” organized by the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC) of Newark. “Status Is Everything” aims to encourage African American men, particularly young men who have sex with men, to get HIV tested and reduce risky behaviors. AAOGC will unveil the “Status Is Everything” brand and outreach components on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009. Funding for “Status Is Everything” is provided by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services as part of the department’s HIV prevention efforts aimed at high-risk African American men.

Preview Campaign Photo Shoot: tinyurl.com/YKSYXSM

Campaign Website: www.StatusIsEverything.org, (January 2010 Launch)

“Our focus groups with young African American gay men have shown that “Status Is Everything” must use new media to reach and impact their demographic. We will market the campaign using mobile text messaging, viral videos, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, as well as billboards and palm cards, print and online ads,” adds Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director of AAOGC. AAOGC has retained FEMWORKS, Newark’s premier multicultural marketing agency, to lead the creative and communications plans for the social marketing campaign.

The “Status Is Everything” campaign is designed to provide referrals to partnering local HIV testing centers in Newark that are preferred by young African American gay men and offer confidential and convenient testing services. A testing candidate will be able to receive referral services through their mobile device, online at www.StatusIsEverything.org, or through the New Jersey hotline 1-866-HIV-CHECK. A thorough evaluation will be conducted by the HIV Prevention Community Planning Support and Development Initiative of Rutgers University

About African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC)

AAOGC’s mission is to comprehensively serve as a resource for the well-being of Gay men of color, inclusive of, but not limited to the gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning communities through outreach, education and compassionate care. The African American Office of Gay Concerns is committed to delivering quality HIV/AIDS services to the Gay community in the Newark Area. We provide an array of services focusing on changing individual behavior. This is accomplished through our interaction with our consumers and developing an understanding of their needs. For more information about AAOGC or Status Is Everything, please call 973-639-0700 or visit www.AAOGC.org

SOURCE African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC)

RELATED LINKS
http://www.AAOGC.org

The event features a dinner and dessert buffet, open mic for youth, panel discussions and break out groups. For more information please contact, Andrew Kunka, event organizer and Co-President of the LGBTQ Caucus at Rutgers School of Law, at akunka@pegasus.rutgers.edu

This event is planned and sponsored by the LGBTQ Caucus of Rutgers School of Law—Newark, the City of Newark, Newark Pride Alliance, Newark-Essex Pride Coalition, Liberation in Truth Unity Fellowship Church, RU Pride, and Project Wow.

Event Details:

Thursday, November 5, 2009
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Rutgers School of Law, Newark
Center for Law and Justice
123 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102

Source: LGBTQ Caucus of Rutgers School of Law—Newark

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker with swear in the city's first LGTIQ commision

The Historic Event Begins at 1:00PM in the City Council Chambers at City Hall – 920 Broad Street

Newark, NJ – Newark, NJ., October 28, 2009 – You are cordially invited to join Mayor Cory Booker and The Newark Municipal Council as the members of the inaugural Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Advisory Commission take the Oath of Office on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 in the Municipal Council Chambers, Room 215, Newark City Hall, 920 Broad Street, Newark, N.J. at 12:30 p.m.

The inaugural Newark, NJ, LGBTQ Advisory Commission members are as follows:

Reverend Janyce L. Jackson
Rooney Long
Darnell L. Moore
Joseph Panessidi
Perris Straughter
Margaret L. Woods
Gary Paul Wright

Your presence at this event will be uniquely special for the members of the LGBTQ Advisory Commission members and Mayor Booker. Thanking you in advance for your support of the LGBTQ Advisory Commission and the City of Newark!

Source: Liberation In Truth Unity Fellowship Church

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

Newark, NJ – October 28, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and members of the Newark Municipal Council will swear in the City of Newark’s first-ever Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-gender and Questioning Commission, in the Municipal Council Chamber, in City Hall, today, Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at 1 p.m. First-ever LGBTQ Commission will directly address community’s needs; Seven-member board will fight harassment and discrimination.

For the first time in the City of Newark’s history, Newark is creating a Mayoral Commission to directly address the needs and concerns affecting its lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-gender community.

The seven-member commission’s purpose is to promote policies and awareness of issues concerning the cultural, social, economic, political, educational, health and general well being of LGBTQ individuals and their families.

The advisory commission hopes to bring an end to harassment, bullying, discrimination, economic and health care disparities, whether in the workplace, public, educational and/or healthcare setting and promote education, social and institutional sensitivity.

WHO: Mayor Cory A. Booker, members of the Newark Municipal Council, and the seven members of the City of Newark’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-gender, and Questioning Commission.

WHAT: Will swear in the City of Newark’s first-ever Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-gender and Questioning Commission.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 28, 1 p.m.

WHERE: City Hall Municipal Council Chamber, 920 Broad Street, Newark

Media Contact: Press Information Office –
(973) 733-8004. E-mail: Pressoffice@ci.newark.nj.us

Source: City of Newark, NJ

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.

Status Is Everything photo shoot sneak preview

“Status Is Everything” Social Marketing Campaign Targets Young African American Gay Men In Newark

NEWARK, N.J., October 27, 2009 – Beginning January 2010 in Newark , African American men who have sex with men will be targeted by an HIV Testing social marketing campaign titled “Status Is Everything” organized by the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC) of Newark. “Status Is Everything” aims to encourage African American men, particularly young men who have sex with men, to get HIV tested and reduce risky behaviors. AAOGC will unveil the “Status Is Everything” brand and outreach components on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2009. Funding for “Status Is Everything” is provided by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services as part of the department’s HIV prevention efforts aimed at high-risk African American men.

Preview Campaign Photos: http://tinyurl.com/yksyxsm
Campaign Website: www.StatusIsEverything.org, (January 2010 Launch)

“Our focus groups with young African American gay men have shown that “Status Is Everything” must use new media to reach and impact their demographic. We will market the campaign using mobile text messaging, viral videos, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, as well as billboards and palm cards, print and online ads,” adds Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director of AAOGC. AAOGC has retained FEMWORKS, Newark’s premier multicultural marketing agency, to lead the creative and communications plans for the social marketing campaign.

The “Status Is Everything” campaign is designed to provide referrals to partnering local HIV testing centers in Newark that are preferred by young African American gay men and offer confidential and convenient testing services. A testing candidate will be able to receive referral services through their mobile device, online at www.StatusIsEverthing.org, or through the New Jersey hotline 1-866-HIV-CHECK. A thorough evaluation will be conducted by the HIV Prevention Community Planning Support and Development Initiative of Rutgers University.

About African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC)
AAOGC’s mission is to comprehensively serve as a resource for the well-being of Gay men of color, inclusive of, but not limited to the gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning communities through outreach, education and compassionate care. The African American Office of Gay Concerns is committed to delivering quality HIV/AIDS services to the Gay community in the Newark Area. We provide an array of services focusing on changing individual behavior. This is accomplished through our interaction with our consumers and developing an understanding of their needs. For more information about AAOGC or Status Is Everything, please call 973-639-0700 or visit www.AAOGC.org.

Media Contact: Kimberlee S. Williams, FEMWORKS, 973-494-9705, or email kwilliams@femworksllc.com

Source: African American Office of Gay Concerns

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ComeUnity Wire is a service of FEMWORKS LLC. Issuers and not FEMWORKS LLC are solely responsible for the content, facts and accuracy of all information submitted by them for transmission or posting by ComeUnity Wire. FEMWORKS LLC does not warrant or make any representations concerning the content, accuracy, likely results or reliability of the use of the materials it transmits or posts.