NEWS BRIEFS

HOUSTONIAN NAMED TO LEAD STATE GROUP

Houstonian Randall K. Ellis is the new executive director of the Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas. Until last month, Ellis was district director for state representative Garnet Coleman and had served as a policy analyst in Coleman's Austin office during the last session of the Texas legislature.

Based in Austin, the Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby (LRGL) is the largest gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender organization in Texas. LGRL works for the elimination of discrimination based on sexual orientation through lobbying, education, and research directed toward the Legislature and other state government agencies.

Ellis replaced Dianne Hardy-Garcia, who resigned in January after eight years with the organization.

On November 16-17, LGRL will host a conference in Austin on ending discrimination in Texas schools. The Students, Teachers, and Allies Making Progress (STAMP) event, "STAMP Out Hate," will take place on the University of Texas campus. For more information, access www.lgrl.org.

TWO ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER IN HISTORY SERIES

On November 11, a program on 10 pivotal years in the city will launch an ongoing history series presented by the Gulf Coast Archive & Museum of GLBT History (GCAM) and the Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center. "GLBT History: Houston's First Decade, 1975-1985" will feature activists Ray Hill and Phyllis Randolph Frye with poet Aaron Coleman.

The 7 p.m. program at Theatre Suburbia (1410 West 43rd St.) will reprise an event presented by GCAM and the Stonewall Law Association of Greater Houston last June. Stonewall Law will host the November 11 program. Requested $10 donations at the door will support both GCAM and the center. Individuals can purchase tickets in advance at www.gcam.org.

GCAM and the center plan to continue the history series by presenting new programs throughout the year.

VIGIL TO MARK NOV. 20 DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

In a year marred by 25 reported murders of transgender people, Houstonians will gather on November 20 for an evening vigil on the City Hall steps for Day of Remembrance. This year, nationwide observances of the fourth annual memorial day for trans victims of violence take on more urgency following the October 3 slaying of California teen Gwen Araujo (born Eddie).

"The impact of what's happened this year is devastating," said Vanessa Edwards Foster, Houston vigil organizer and board chair of the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition. "I've lost a personal friend and protégée to this violence; for the fourth year in a row we've seen yet another murder here in Houston, Bibi Barajas; and we've lost three transgendered teenagers in high-profile, extremely violent incidents."

More information on Day of Remembrance observances across the nation can be found at www.gender.org/remember/day.

WORLD AIDS DAY PREVIEW

A few of the organizations with plans for marking the international day of action:

On December 1, the Houston Lesbian & Gay Community Center and the Gulf Coast Archive and Museum of GLBT History will resume the Tree of Remembrance lighting ceremony. NAMES Project Houston, which folded earlier this year, once hosted this annual event. The 2002 ceremony at the center will begin at 7 p.m. NAMES Project Houston volunteers will be special guests.

DiverseWorks, the new Dominic Walsh Dancer Theater, and Hope Stone Dance will present The Illumination Project, a benefit performance on December 1. Performances will take place at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at DiverseWorks. Tickets are $25, and proceeds support the Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric AIDS Initiative and A Care Safe Place transitional living center. Other involved groups include Gay Men's Chorus of Houston.

Wells Fargo will host the annual Worlds AIDS Day luncheon benefiting AIDS Foundation Houston on December 4 at The Houstonian Hotel. Individual tickets begin at $250. Deborah A. Fiorito and Barry Mandel will chair the event.

DATEBOOK

Nov. 3 The new Imperial Court of Houston hosts Coming Out Cotillion, benefiting AssistHers and Camp Hope, at 1415 Grille & Bar, 6 p.m. $5 suggested donation.

Nov. 10. Victory Fund luncheon featuring speaker Jennifer Veiga, openly lesbian Colorado politico, at the Warwick. Noon. $60. Info and tickets: www.victoryfund.org.