GLSEN SAFE PROM FOR ALL

When: Friday, April 29 from 7 pm-11 pm

Where: The University Club

              123 University Place

              Pittsburgh, PA 15260

              412-648-8213

Tickets cost $20.  There will be food, drinks, a photographer, and plenty of song and dance. For more info. contact GLSEN Pittsburgh at:

412-361-6996

Email: pittsburgh@chapters.glsen.org

I've seen stories popping up around the county about the inevitable situation of girls wanting to wear tuxes to their proms. In some places (which we never hear about), there's no eyebrows raised.  Others go to extreme length to stop the insanity of women wearing pants. 

It is good that Pgh simply has a place for all queer kids to not put up with that crap and enjoy the prom experience for a reasonable price.  Safe spaces should not be taken for granted and kudo to Pgh GLSEN for continuing to put this event together for Pittsburgh's kids. 

I caught this very late last night.  Great way to end a weekend.

GLCC Youth Director has been named a Finalist for the 2011 Jefferson Awards. His profile will run in the PG on Wednesday. 

His name is Ben Cook and I met him in 2003 when I was on the GLCC Board.  I distinctly remember being impressed that he gave up his Fridays to support LGBTQ youth.

He's been there on Friday nights for over ten thousand hours. Ten thousand!

I've found Ben to be an articulate, generous man.  I've had a little bit of professional contact with him and his demeanor in his work life reflects the same values that take him to the GLCC.  We once had a conversation about the experiences of LGBTQ youth who were homeless and he was very quiet when he described the Friday night pizza snack as the only meal someone would eat that day. 

We should all be very proud to have a volunteer like Ben.  His work is at the heart of the critical role the GLCC plays in the lives of Pittsburgh's LGBTQ comunity.