 ALSO Youth, a local organization that supports and empowers LGBTQ+ youth and their families, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of their new Manatee drop-in center on January 21st. This milestone marks a significant achievement for the organization. The new drop-in center will provide a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth and their families, offering a variety of resources and services such as counseling, peer support, and education. The center will also provide a place where young people can connect with others with similar experiences and identities. In addition to the drop-in center, ALSO Youth has implemented essential new programs, including parent and teacher support groups. These programs aim to provide education and support for the adults in the lives of LGBTQ+ youth and to help create a more inclusive and accepting environment for all. The leadership of ALSO Youth stated: "We are so excited to share this milestone with you-- the community that made it all possible." The grand opening of the Manatee drop-in center is a testament to the hard work and dedication of ALSO Youth and the community that supports them. The organization is committed to creating a more inclusive and accepting environment for LGBTQ+ youth and their families, and this new drop-in center is an important step towards achieving that goal. In addition to the grand opening of the Manatee drop-in center, ALSO Youth is also excited to announce their upcoming annual youth prom event, which will take place on February 18th, 2023. The event, which averages over 250 kids from Sarasota and surrounding areas, is a highlight of the year for attendees and parties involved. The theme of this year's prom is a Disco Party, reminiscent of the days of ABBA and the Bee Gees, providing a fun and entertaining experience for LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-20. This event serves as an opportunity for youth to come together and celebrate in a safe and inclusive environment. If you are interested in supporting ALSO Youth, please check out their website or for more information.  Flamingals, a new group for LGBTQ+ women in Sarasota, is excited to announce that they have officially received 501c3 non-profit status. The group aims to create a supportive and inclusive community for LGBTQ women in Sarasota and raise funds for local LGBTQ+ charities. According to President Alysha, "After months of Flamingals starting to host amazing gatherings for women in the Sarasota area, the mounds of paperwork paid off! We are officially a 501c3 nonprofit! Can’t wait to see what 2023 holds for our flock!" The group's non-profit status will enable them to expand its reach and impact in the community, as well as access funding and resources to support its mission and programs and provide tax benefits for donors. The Flamingals community is open to all women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, queer, trans, questioning and straight. The group welcomes new members and encourages anyone interested in attending an event to visit their Facebook for more information about upcoming events and how to get involved. Flamingals is an exciting new addition to the LGBTQ community in Sarasota, with a unique focus on raising money for local LGBTQ+ charities. Their official non-profit status is a major milestone for the group and we can't wait to see the positive impact they will have on the lives of local women and the community as a whole with their upcoming events and activities!  CAN Community Health is excited to announce their annual Red Ribbon Gala, taking place on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Tampa Museum of Art. The event, which will be a black tie cocktail reception, dinner, and entertainment, will raise funds to support the organization's mission to provide medical, social, and educational services to those living with HIV, hepatitis C, STDs, and other diseases. The highlight of the evening will be special guest speaker, Laverne Cox, who will share her personal story and speak on the importance of raising awareness and providing support for those living with HIV and other diseases. Laverne Cox is a well-known actress, advocate, and LGBTQ+ icon. She rose to fame for her portrayal of Sophia Burset on the hit Netflix series "Orange is the New Black" and has since become an influential voice in the LGBTQ+ community. She has been an advocate for the rights of transgender individuals and has been a vocal advocate for HIV and AIDS awareness. As a transgender woman of color, Laverne Cox is particularly aware of the intersectional challenges faced by marginalized communities and is committed to using her platform to raise awareness and advocate for change. Her presence at the Red Ribbon Gala will bring an important perspective to the event and will help to raise awareness about the ongoing need for support and resources for those living with HIV and other diseases. We are honored to have her at our event and look forward to hearing her story. The funds raised from the gala will go towards opening clinics in areas where HIV and other STD-related professionals are scarce, including Arizona, New Jersey, South Carolina, Virginia, and Puerto Rico. Sponsorship opportunities are available for the gala, ranging from $100,000 to $5,000. Individual tickets for the event are priced at $500. This is a great opportunity to support an important cause while enjoying an evening of great food, entertainment, and company. Please consider sponsoring or purchasing a ticket to support CAN Community Health's mission to improve the health and wellbeing of those living with HIV and other diseases.  Attention, LGBTQ beer lovers! Wine Enthusiast magazine has just named 99 Bottles in Sarasota, Florida as one of the best beer shops in the United States, as chosen by industry professionals and experts. Located downtown at 1445 Second St., this welcoming establishment stands out for its tap list curated by a skilled team that knows how to mix it up with hype beers, classic styles, and rare releases from some of the hottest breweries around. In addition to their on-premises establishment and growler bar, they also have a unique bottle selection that's almost too pretty to drink. And if that wasn't enough, they even have a locker club that can rival any wine club. It's no surprise that 99 Bottles has received this prestigious recognition - their amazing customers, supportive local community, and talented staff have helped them get to the top. 99 Bottles, a recipient of the prestigious SarasotaOUT.com OUT Award for Favorite Bar in 2021, is a welcoming and inclusive establishment for the LGBTQ community to enjoy a wide variety of beers, wines, and delicious food. On Sunday, February 5, 2023, from 3 PM to 9 PM, 99 Bottles is hosting a fundraiser event for ALSO Youth, a local organization that supports and empowers LGBTQ youth and their families. By dining in, ordering take-out, or purchasing retail items, a portion of the proceeds will directly benefit the organization. Join 99 Bottles for a fun evening of pizza, beer, wine, and more, all while making a positive impact on the community. Learn more and plan your visit at 99bottles.net.  The 2023 LGBTQ kickball season is a great way for people of all skill levels to have fun, be active, and make new friends. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the game, there's a place for you on one of the teams. The games will be held on Saturdays at Bee Ridge Park at 10 am, and the community is always welcome to come out and cheer on their favorite teams. This year, organizers hope there will be more teams than ever, so there will be plenty of exciting match-ups to watch. After many of the games, there will also be mixers hosted at local restaurants, giving players and fans a chance to socialize and get to know one another better. These mixers are a great opportunity to make new connections within the LGBTQ community. Registration is now open for the upcoming season. Visit srqkickball.com to sign up and join in on the fun. No matter your skill level, we hope to see you there!  Maddie Barksdale, also known by her stage name Madison Thee Doll, is a local transgender icon who has been making waves on social media as a personality and influencer for a number of years. In 2017, Maddie won the award for favorite local social media personality at the SarasotaOUT.com OUT Awards, cementing her status as a beloved figure in the community. Known for her wit, charm, and honesty, Maddie has built up a large following of fans who are drawn to her authentic personality. Recently, Madison Thee Doll, achieved a major milestone in her career with the release of her first album, "Dolled Up," a mixtape that is now available on streaming platforms. Rated Parental Advisory, the album is a collection of original hip hop songs including titles like "Influence," "Thee Baddest," and "Spend Dat" that showcase Maddie's talent and the hard work and dedication she has put into her craft. In a recent post on social media, Madison Thee Doll, expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to share her music with the world, saying: "Omg I’m crying real tears right now! I work so hard to make this happen, not only did I invest so much money, but it also took a lot of dedication, time, and perseverance!" Joshua Beadle, founder of SarasotaOUT.com remarked, "I have watched Maddie blossom over the last few years, discovering who she is as an artist and I am thrilled for her new journey. She's going places!" Maddie's journey as a transgender woman and her experiences in the music industry are sure to inspire and resonate with many people, and "Dolled Up" is a testament to her talent and determination. If you're a fan of hip hop with a message, be sure to give Maddie's album a listen and support her in her career. Dolled Up is available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music.   Join Embracing our Differences on Sunday, January 22, 2023, at Bayfront Park in Sarasota, Florida, for a celebration of the organization's 20th Anniversary Exhibit Grand Opening Celebration. The event will take place from 12 PM to 3 PM and feature live performances by Jah Movement, the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe, and spoken word poets. In addition to the performances, there will be booths set up by local arts and education organizations with interactive, kid-friendly activities. Food will be available from Miss Susie’s Newtown Kitchen, Big Blue Grilled Cheese, Kilik's Kitchen, and Krewe Du Snoball food trucks. This year's theme is "Embracing Kindness," and in honor of the occasion, Embracing our Differences will recognize the artists and quoters whose works were selected for display and honor the Best-in-Show award winners. The art on display will not only celebrate the diversity of the human family, but also explore themes of kindness and acceptance, including towards those who identify as LGBTQ+. Embracing our Differences is a nonprofit organization based in Sarasota that uses art and education to promote understanding and appreciation of diversity. Its annual art exhibition and educational initiatives, programs, and resources aim to inspire and educate teachers and students. In addition to the Grand Opening Celebration on January 22, 99 Bottles will be hosting a fundraising event on Sunday, January 29. Join Embracing our Differences for pizza, beer, wine, and more as the community comes together to make a positive impact. A portion of the night's proceeds will go directly to the cause. We hope to see you at these events as we celebrate the impact, change, and unity that Embracing our Differences has created over the past 20 years and remind ourselves of the power of kindness to bring people together and create positive change in the world. "A League of Our Own" is a non-profit LGBTQ sports league that brings together members of the community for a night of bowling and camaraderie at AMF Gulf Gate Lanes on Siesta Key. In addition to being a fun and social outlet for its members, the league also raises money for various non-profits in the area. Registration for the winter season is now open, Interested individuals and teams can sign up by attending the registration event on January 9th at 6:30 PM. After registering, you'll be able to enjoy a night of free bowling. The season is set to begin on Monday, January 16th at 6:30 PM and run for 12 weeks. The fee for participating is $192.00 for the entire season and checks should be made payable to "A League of Our Own." Payment can be made at the registration meeting on Monday, January 9th or the following Monday when bowling starts. CLICK HERE to view additional FAQ's. "A League of Our Own" was voted as the favorite team in the 2022 SarasotaOUT.com OUT awards, so it's clear that this league is not only a fun way to spend a Monday night, but it's also a supportive and welcoming community for LGBTQ individuals. Don't miss out on the opportunity to join "A League of Our Own" for a night of bowling, friendship, and giving back to the community. |
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