News BriefsPhoto courtesy Derick Miles/Houston

HOUSTON SPLASH SETS PLANS

Houston Splash, which attracts hundreds of revelers to the city and Galveston, launches on May 1 and continues through May 5. The main event, the Red Beach Party on Stewart Beach, takes place on May 4.

One of the largest gay events in the South that attracts a predominantly African-American crowd, the eighth annual Houston Splash has a Circus Circus theme.

In previous years, Club Incognito served as central headquarters for the weekend, but Houston Splash president Derrick Miles, who also owned Incognito, closed that club in February. Activities will now take place at the Holiday Inn Select Greenway Plaza, Rich’s Houston, Club 112 Downtown, Trading Fair II, and additional venues.

In addition to the days of festivities, Black Dialogue Workshops on May 3 will include “What Do You Mean I’m Not Your Flava” and “Self-Affirmation, Respect and Integrity.” Delta Phi Upsilon will also host a poetry slam.

Check www.houstonsplash.com or call 713/842-2181 for a schedule of events and venues.

NEW LOOK

Amigos Volunteers in Education and Services, Inc. (AVES), the HIV case-management agency, unveiled an updated logo at a December 20 reception at the Children’s Museum of Houston. AVES CEO Terence O’Neill celebrated with board president Anna Martinez and supporters Bobby Lowe and Arthur Arroyos. In February, AVES received a three-year Ryan White Title I grant to continue services for Latinos living with HIV/AIDS.

BERING HOSTS PROGRAM FOR HIV SURVIVORS

On April 30, Bering Support Network begins a new six-week session in its 2003 HIV group series. The topic for this April 30–June 4 session is “Long-Term Survivors of HIV/AIDS.” Groups meet on Wednesday evenings at 7:30, preceded by a 6:30 potluck supper.

There is no participation fee. Advance registration is required. Interested individuals can contact facilitator Ken McLeod, LMSW-ACP, ACSW, at 713/526-1017, extension 208. McLeod is director of Bering Support Network, the counseling program of Bering Memorial United Methodist Church.

Future topics in the series include couples with mixed HIV status and HIV and spirituality.

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE NEARS

May 1 is the deadline for GLBT high school and college students to submit applications to the PFLAG/H.A.T.C.H. Youth Scholarship Foundation. The information packet is available at http://pflaghouston.org/scholarship.htm.

Interested students or adults may also request an application by calling 713/467-3524.

Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays Houston established the program in 1994, awarding a single four-year $4,000 scholarship. H.A.T.C.H. (a program of the Montrose Counseling Center since November 2002) combined a separate scholarship effort with PFLAG in 1998. In 2002, the foundation awarded a total of $73,500 in scholarships.

TRANS GROUPS UNITE ON APRIL 26

Lisa Mottet, National Gay & Lesbian Task Force staff attorney, will speak at the Transgender Unity Banquet on April 26 at the Hilton Southwest Hotel. The Unity Committee, the consortium of area transgender/transsexual groups, organizes this annual event.

The Unity Committee will host a noon–2 p.m. roundtable discussion for everyone in the community at the hotel. Dinner will begin at 8 p.m., followed by an awards presentation and dancing.

Some proceeds from the banquet will benefit Unity Committee programs, which in the past has included the transgender homeless shelter operated in Galveston by Community Awareness for Transgender Support (CATS). At press time, however, CATS president Cris Williams had announced the possible imminent closure of the shelter, due to insufficient funding.

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