We will not be Silenced! TransJustice Mobilizes Activists from All Social Justice Movements to Take Action!

New York City, NY – May 31, 2007 TransJustice calls
on the Trans and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC)
community and allies of many movements to join them
for the 3rd Annual Trans Day of Action for Social and
Economic Justice on Friday, June 22nd. The march
starts at W. 41st St. between 9th and 10th Ave. around
4:30 p.m. TransJustice hopes to surpass the numbers of
attendance march and also the number of organizations
that endorsed the march last year.

TransJustice, a project of the Audre Lorde Project,
the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two-Spirit, and Trans
People of Color Center for Community Organizing, is a
political group by and for Transgender and Gender
Non-conforming people of color who mobilize their
community and allies to action on the pressing
political issues they face.
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“I wish there were personal stories of Arab lesbian women like me”

How many times have you told yourself:
“I wish there were personal stories of Arab lesbian women like me”

No doubt that if there were such a book, you would be among the first women to get hold of it.
We in Aswat share this feeling with you.
We believe it is very important to create such a collection for you. That is why we want our next book to be a collection of personal stories written by Arab lesbian women
What do you think about helping us create this book and helping other women who share your hesitations and doubts to be inspired by yours and other women’s stories?
Maybe you wanted to help the Arab lesbian community in the past but you didn’t want to reveal your identity.Now you can help without being revealed.Do you want to help us in making this dream come true?
Do you want to write your personal story?
In your story you can write about:
The processHow did you know you where a lesbian?When did you know for the first time?How did you feel about your sexual orientation? And why?How did your community react to it?Who was the first person you revealed your orientation to and how did s/he react?What was your family’s role?What was your friends’ role?Who helped you?To whom did you turn for help?How do you feel today about your orientation?Where do you live today and why?What are your dreams and hopes for the future?
These topics are only suggestions, feel free to write in your own style and about what matters to you.
If you feel your writing skills are weak or that you would rather write in a different language, feel free as our staff will be happy to translate or edit your writing.
Write your story because it is important!
For more details please write to ipcoordinator@aswatgroup.org

JOIN US IN THE GAY PRIDE MARCH IN NYC , THE HUNTS POINT HUSTLE & THE BRONX PRIDE

BRONX PRIDE PICNIC
June 16, 2007
Come join the Strange Fruits cast and Fruta Extrana staff at the 2nd annual Bronx Pride Picnic.
"We are thrilled to bring Bronx Pride in its second year to the Borough,? said Chanel Lopez, chair of the BPC. ?The representatives of the committee have worked very meticulously to provide an event that not only provides food, live musical entertainment and dancing, but is an ideal forum for community members to access information about businesses carrying products and services committed to strengthening the unity and support of the Bronx LGBTQ community."
Please contact us and let us know how many will be joining us at our table,

email us at: bronx.pride@frutaextrana.tv

Hunts Point Hustle 5k Race/Walk

June 17, 2007

The Sustainable South Bronx is having a fundraiser of a 5k Race/Walk on the future path of the South Bronx Greenway. Fruta Extrana TV and Strange Fruits plan to be to give our own Majora Carter, (she played Lilly Rodriguez in the soap opera), our fullest support. Please come in your finest and outrageous outfit to help show Strange Fruits? support.PS: The registration fees are on us!Please contact us and let us know if you would like to participate with Strange Fruits and Fruta Extrana TV in the 5k race/walk,email us at: hunts.point.hustle@frutaextrana.tv

THE 3rd Annual Trans Day of Action

June 22, 2007

Fruta Extrana Inc. is in full support of TransJustice's 3rd Annual Trans Day of Action for Social and Economic Justic Points of Unity; ?We call on our Trans and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) community and on all of our allies of many movements to join us for the 3rd Annual Trans Day of Action for Social and Economic Justice. We as Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color recognize the importance of working together alongside other movements to change the world we want to see. We live in a time when we see people of color, immigrants and poor people being disproportionately underserved, facing higher levels of discrimination, under heightened surveillance and experiencing increased violence at the hands of the state. It is critical that we unite and work together towards dismantling the transphobia, racism, classism, sexism, ageism, homophobia and xenophobia that permeates throughout our movements for social justice. Let?s come together to let the world know that Trans and GenderNon-Conforming rights will not be undermined and together we will not be silenced!Please contact us and let us know if you would like to join Fruta Extrana TV in the march, email us at: tgnc.march@frutaextrana.tv

Heritage of Pride Parade

June 24, 2007
This year is Strange Fruits soap opera's 10th year of broadcasting in the Bronx. We are going to celebrate this 10th year by marching first time ever in the NYC Heritage of Pride Parade. Please contact us and let us know if you would like to march with us at the parade, email us at gay.march@frutaextrana.tv

Alien Abduction

The year was 1977, the month was December, a week before Christmas, the town of Monticello, New York, somewhere in the area between 7pm and 11pm, that was when the abduction took place, They were experimenting on something, don't know, Who else got abducted that night?

Have a Gay Memorial Weekend

I am wishing all my LGBTQ service men and women over in Iraq and Afghanistan a safe and peaceful weekend. Also, our LGBTQ veterans over here in the States, may they have a safe and blissful weekend. We don’t hear much about our people out there fighting in the ditches and crevices of war in other countries but they are there putting their lives on the line like every other recruit. I wish them well and may the powers of the universe be with you!

SAVE THE DATE! Friday, June 22nd 3rd Annual Trans

Stand up for Justice! Stand up for peace! Stand up foryour rights! We call on all transgender and gendernon-conforming community members and our allies tocome, listen, march, and make history. Starting rallyat 4pm at Covenant House (460 West 41st Street, btw9th and 10th Ave.) For more info: 718-596-0342 x 18, Elizabeth Riverainfo4tdoa@alp.org or to endorse: endorsetdoa@alp.orghttp://www.myspace.com/transjusticenyc

HORRIFIC NEW PHOTOS OF IRAN'S TORTURE OF GAYS Plus, 87 Arrested in Raid on "Gay" Party

Terrifying new photos showing the effects of police lashings last month on an Iranian gay couple have been released by the Iranian Queer Organization. Details and more torture photos below.

Strange Fruit Radio is now LIVE!

http://www.strangefruitradio.com

Stop by, check out our new videos...

Charles Rice-Gonzalez

i just love andy gibbby Charles Rice Gonzᬥzdirected by Jorge B. Merced
Roy is a dark-skinned teenager in1978 and Carlos is a forty-something Papi in 2007. Their unlikely meeting is a hiccup in time brought on by a shared fascination with youth, men and pop culture. Can coincidence help these two Bronx Latinos find their footing in time and desire?
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SENSUAL COOKING

Our menu is a mouthwatering compendium of some of the best recipes from Cuba. Many of these are family recipes that have traveled from one generation to another and which our family and friends have saved with great zeal and devotion. All of our meals are prepared daily using only the finest, freshest ingredients.
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Get In Shape With Izzy
STARTING A WORKOUT PROGRAM?... a) Set small realistic goals b) Celebrate the small successes c) Plan your schedule in advance- when you?re going to workout- what you?re going to do when you get to the gymd) Confidence is important- make sure the gym is close to work or home
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GAY PRIDE
For the second year in a row, the Bronx Community Pride Center (BCPC) and the Bronx Pride Committee (BPC) officially announces the Bronx LGBT Pride Festival, which will take place on June 16, 2007 from 12pm-8pm, at Barretto Point Park in the Bronx.
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Boogie Down Dance @BAAD!
Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre presents EAR TO GROUNDArthur Aviles Typical Theatre, a Bronx-based contemporary dance company, culminates 10th anniversary season with the premiere of EAR TO GROUND FANTASIA: THINKING NATURE a full evening piece that looks at the foundations upon which cultures and ideas are formed, and the landscapes upon which an artist creates work in a transforming world. The company is led by the award-winning New York Rican choreographer Arthur Aviles and the piece includes a soundscape by Alberto Denis, video work by Damon White and costumes by Liz Prince.
Ari Gold in the Bronx
Will be performing in an exclusive Fruta Extran TV segment
TBA
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2nd Annual Bronx Pride Picnic

Bronx Community Pride Center and Bronx Pride Committee
to host Official Pride Festival at
Barretto Point Park, Bronx

NEW YORK, May 15, 2007 – For the second year in a row, the Bronx Community Pride Center (BCPC) and the Bronx Pride Committee (BPC) officially announces the Bronx LGBT Pride Festival, which will take place on June 16, 2007 from 12pm-8pm, at Barretto Point Park in the Bronx. The theme for this year’s event is “Our Second Year, A New Experience.” Teaming up with this year’s festivities are several major companies and foundations along with a plethora of vendors and service organizations catering to the LGBT community of the Bronx.

“We are thrilled to bring Bronx Pride in its second year to the Borough,” said Chanel Lopez, chair of the BPC. “The representatives of the committee have worked very meticulously to provide an event that not only provides food, live musical entertainment and dancing, but is an ideal forum for community members to access information about businesses carrying products and services committed to strengthening the unity and support of the Bronx LGBTQ community.”

Company sponsors, such as WKTU-FM, ID Lube and HX Media, will be featured throughout the afternoon. Several elected officials will be attending the event. This is the first year that gay pride in the Bronx has had an array of supporters. “The Bronx LGBT community has found its voice,” said Lisa Winters, Executive Director of BCPC. “And because of this, New York City is taking notice.”

Last year, the Bronx Pride Picnic, which was held at Van Cortlandt Park, attracted over 2000 community supporters. The event took place on Saturday, June 17, 2006.

Strange Fruits give Congrads to Charles & Arthur of BAAD!

Charles Rice-Gonzalez

In addition to being one of BAAD!'s founders and directors, Charles Rice-Gonzalez is a publicist and a writer. He is currently in the MFA Creative Writing Program at Goddard College. He has written several plays including WHAT CARLOS FEELS (1990), SCENE AT THE BRASS KEY (1992), PINK JESUS (1997), THE ARTISTS (produced in 2003) and LOS NUTCRACKERS: A Christmas Carajo (produced in 2004, 2005 and 2006). I JUST LOVE ANDY GIBB, was selected for Pregones Theater's 2005 ASUNCION Play Reading Series and won as the best play of that series. He is currently working on a novel called CHULITO about a tough, sexy hip hop-loving, 16 year old Latino, coming out and coming of age in the South Bronx and the colorful characters in the young man's vibrant neighborhood. He has read his work at BAAD!, The Downtown Bronx Café and at Pepatian productions at Pregones, The Living Room and Bowery Poetry Club. Mr. Rice-Gonzalez attended the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference and has worked with writers David Leavitt, Percival Everett, Helena Maria Viramontes and Sarah Schulman (his faculty advisor at Goddard). Mr. Rice-Gonzalez, along with his lover and partner Arthur Aviles, a Bessie Award- winning dancer/choreographer, Elizabeth Marrero, a comedienne/actress/drag king and Cassandra, a sculptor, runs BAAD! The Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, a performance and workshop space in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx they founded in 1998. Charles Rice-Gonzalez also serves on the boards of the Bronx Council on the Arts and NALAC - The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture.
Boogie Down Dance Series in the New York Times
www.BronxAcademyofArtsAndDance.org. The excitement starts Saturday, May 5! Festival includes an evening of choreographers presented by Bill T. Jones; artists in residence from DTW's Outer/Space residency at BAAD!; a special evening curated by Movement Research and the Bronx's Christal Brown; Downtown artists Ann Liv Young and Levi Gonzalez; and a series of concerts that culminate Arthur Aviles Typical Theatre's 10th Anniversary Season and HOT BREAKING NEWS!!! - a jazz/funk master class with Broadway legend Maurice Hines

BAAD!'s own Charles Rice-Gonzalez has a new play, I JUST LOVE ANDY GIBB, and it will produced at Pregones Theatre with Jorge Merced directing. It is part of the Asuncion Playwrights Project.