The LGBT Resource and Community Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, August 3, 2019. The Fresno Spectrum Center is currently open Tuesdays through Fridays 1pm-6pm, with the hope of expanding the days/hours. Seeking volunteers for office help.

"We're going to be doing some partnering organizations to other community organizations that are non-profit that provides services either victim services, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, immigration, sometimes maybe it's family services," said Leon Velasco-Stoll. "We're actually trying to get those partnerships here at the center."

Apart from the services, the center will provide, they also offer their building as a community space to gather for support groups.

CARNIVAL August 10th

ALL ages and gender identities are welcome to attend this public event brought to you an benefiting Trans- E- Motion, a non profit organization. Pride season is here all summer long! Get one last Family Style Summer In! Get your picture taken with Fresno State Mascot, Victor E. Bulldog! An evening full of games, face paint, music, dancing, activities, family involvement, cake walk, wine walk, dunk tank, games, carnival style food, haircut booth and more!

Board Games and Snacks! August 7th

Come play board games, and enjoy some snacks with us! No outside food, please. We have been having some pretty good turn outs for the monthly game nights. You can play with library board games, or bring your own. LGBTQ+ and Allies of all ages with positive and friendly competition views are welcome. See you there! ♥

Reel Pride 30 Kick-Off Party & Silent Auction

All Festival Members and Sponsors are invited to join #ReelPride30 for the Annual Kick-Off Party & Silent Auction at The Painted Table in Fresno's Historic Tower District, 1211 N Wishon Ave, beginning at 6:00 p.m ??✨!

Come & enjoy light appetizers prepared by Master Chef's from The Painted Table and visit our Reel Pride Lounge for signature cocktails!

Drag Bingo is an event you DON'T want to miss.

There will be refreshments and adult beverages available for sale; as we escape into about two hours of food, fun, laughs and entertainment.

Many great prizes; GRAND PRIZE: 32" Roku TV

The MC's and hostesses are:
Rosio De LaRosa
Isis De Luna

GREAT Entertainment line up:
Maxx Decco
Isis De Luna
Atown DK
Rosio De La Rosa

VIP Tables are also available, call for details.
$10 tickets get you the first pack
($5.00 for additional packs at the door)

BUNCO Night August 17th

Come out for another fun night of FPLC Bunco!!! For those of you that have been to our past events, you know they are crazy fun!!! This will be held at the Round Table Pizza, Southeast corner of First and Bullard!!!!
Saturday, Aug 17, 6PM
$20 buy-in
Pizza Provided
Beer/wine available for purchase

LGBTQ+ Meet & Greet August 28

Let us have a Meet and Greet with fellow LGBTQA Plus community members and Allies. We will be in the Banquet Room to make new friends and have a no-host dinner. Hope to see you there!

I received some exciting news last month which I want to share with all of you!

The International Book Awards announced the winners and the finalists of the 2019 INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS (IBA) on May 11, 2019. My novel, Diego’s Secret, is an Award-Winning Finalist in the LGTBQ Fiction category!

This news was especially gratifying to receive, as I never felt this book gained the attention that it so deserved. When I wrote the book, my intent was to reveal a love story between two opposites—extreme opposites, in this case.
Winston is a conservative wealthy white man and Diego is an undocumented Hispanic man born in Mexico. These two wonderful characters couldn’t be more opposite from one another. Like olive oil and balsamic vinegar, separately, they each have a purpose and together, they blend into something really wonderful.

After releasing the book, some accused me of having an agenda by writing it. They were absolutely right, I did. In all of my books I have wanted my characters to have to overcome some type of moral dilemma in their pursuit of love. I also want my readers to read something that is magical and yet, authentic. My hope is that each one of my books gives you a moment of pause, not for sympathy, but for empathy.
I was never attempting to change someone’s view on illegal immigration, but, rather, to show the reader this character’s personal story. I wanted people to experience the ‘feelings’ of the character, and his experience, like I do for the characters in all my books. Sadly, some didn’t want to feel it. Maybe Diego’s scenario is just too current for them.

We, as a nation, are polarized in some of our views and thoughts. Unfortunately, immigration is one of those polarizing points of view. Changing this is beyond my paygrade, but I can certainly take part in the conversation.

Just recently, I had someone leave me the following review: “B T Clark is one of today’s brightest and significant writers of gay genre novels. Taking taboo subjects and weaving words into some of the most beautiful novels of this generation.”
This review is exactly why I write the books that I write. I want to immerse you, the reader, into a story in which you can not only feel the pain as it is unfolding on the page, but also, experience the triumph of love winning out. In my latest release, Escaping Camp Roosevelt, I take on the issues of homelessness, sex work, addiction, and mental illness. These are dark issues—but real issues, woven into forgiveness, hope, and triumph.
Writing romance is beautiful. It allows the reader to see the dance that two people do when getting to know one another; including the butterflies they feel in their bellies with just the thought of the other person, as well as their fears of rejection and distorted thinking. We all have baggage. Life is rough, but isn’t it grand when love prevails!

A big thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read and appreciate Diego’s Secret. I can’t be more ecstatic over its latest recognition. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, now there is one more reason to read it.

LGBT Resource and Community Center
2817 N. Blackstone Ave.
Fresno, CA 93703
559-201-0859

Join us on August 3rd, 2019 for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00 AM

Social Activities
Support Groups
Informational Workshops
Your Connection to Local Resources
Space available for Group Meetings

Read more: Fresno Spectrum Center opens August 3rd

From Leon Velasco-Stoll: "Pride Panthers Coalition Inc is officially a 501(c)3! Just got the IRS certificate today! I know mom is just gleaming with joy down to me from heaven, what we worked so hard together toward is now complete."

The PRIDE Panthers Coalition is formed as a community benefit organization in order to advocate to bring awareness for the prevention of bullying,
discrimination, victimization and harassment towards the LGBTQ+ individuals, Women, and Children of same-sex parent households that often lead to bullying, hate crimes, or suicide. We also help make connections to local resources.

The projects under PRIDE Panthers Coalition are:

The Fresno Spectrum Center—Resource and Community Center
The LGBT Pink Panthers Movement of Fresno
The LGBTQ September Spectacular Resource Fair

Modesto approved a public event application and parade route for a Straight Pride Parade, whose organizers plan to protest what they view as "(Americans being) destroyed by the inherent malevolency/evil of the Homosexual/Sodomy Movement".

It is scheduled for Aug. 24th from 12pm to 4pm, ending at Graceada Park.

The flyer with a pink border states, “Join us to celebrate heterosexuality, masculinity, femininity, babies – born and unborn – western civilization, our wonderful country, Christianity — Celebrate Life!”

The man behind the effort is Modesto Chiropractor, Don Grundmann of the National Straight Pride Coalition. He has also run, unsuccessfully, for senate.

The event was raising funds via Go Fund Me, when we reached out for comment, the campaign was pulled and the following statmenet was issued:

"The campaign was removed as it violated our terms of service.

Best,
Rachel Hollis"

When reached for comment, the parks department at the City of Modesto would only comment "The event has been issued valid permits". We've reached out for further comments from the city and parks department leadership, no reply was received at time of publication. Article will be updated if a reply is received.

What can you do?!

Read more: City of Modesto approves "Straight Pride Parade"

After an impressive winter, it has finally warmed up.  Summer is here, and we all know what that means...YES... Kampout is coming!  It's just a month away, and if you are like me, you can't wait to get up the hill, sit by the creek and enjoy the beautiful weather.

The Kampout Committee has been busy since last year’s Kampout, working on bringing you another fantastic weekend, and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

This year’s theme is Kampout Goes to the Circus.  Yes, there will be bearded “ladies” and strong “men”.  The carnival, the midway...we just ask that no clowns due to legitimate fears that some have.  As always, we will be having a contest for decorating your site, and we can’t wait to see what you clever kampers come up with.  Compete by yourself...or with a group...have a lot of fun and win some great prizes

Kampout will once again be held at our alternative site, which is just across the road on the left of Texas Flat Campground.  Texas Flat is closed for the 2019 season, but we are fortunate to have a beautiful site for Kampout.

Kampout is, as always, the weekend after Labor Day...this year Sept. 6-8.  The cost of the weekend is $40 per kamper.  This covers your kampsite, 2 beer busts, the Progressive Koctail Party, Saturday dinner, 2 breakfasts, and much, much more.

You can relax, or join in all the fun and games that are planned throughout the weekend...and win prizes!!  We have the Needle in the Haystack contest, the Yacht Regatta, and the always popular Kamptown Races.  Don’t forget the fabulous Kampstravaganza Show on Saturday night.  We encourage everyone to participate in this fun show...and compete for Kampout King and Kampout Kween.

Camping in the Sierras can cost over $20 a night, just for a campsite.  Kampout costs just $40 for the whole weekend...it is definitely the best bargain for your entertainment buck.

We want to advise you, that because we are on private property, there is no garbage service.  Be prepared to “pack it in, pack it out”.  Private campfires will be allowed only if they are in an above ground (backyard type) pit.  You must also have a fire extinguisher, water bucket and shovel.  All dogs must be on a leash at all times.  This is for everyone’s safety.

So, mark your calendars.  We hope to see you all at Kampout!

For more information, see our website www.kampoutfresno.com which has all the information you could want...or check out our Facebook page.

Pride Night and Resource Fair at Chukchansi Park on Thursday, July 25th
Gates open at 6:05 pm and first pitch at 7:05 pm

Here is the link to the ticket portal where you can purchase your special tickets
for the night and help support Fresno Rainbow Pride 2020, the 30th anniversary
of the parade and festival here in Fresno:

Facebook event for more information about the event.

LGBT Fresno is beginning our first bisexual social hour(s) event. It's Bi time we got together for a chat, and some food. Where are we all hiding? I'm not hiding. I'm told we happen to blend into the Cis world more easily, therefore, it's harder to find us? Umm, ok? haha! Lets make fellow Bi friends. This will be a Bi only event for adults (18 and over), and no kids. Your Co-Hosts and Bi enthusiasts will be Sonia and Andrea. Come enjoy no-host Friday night dinner with us in the back banquet room at Denny's in Clovis on Shaw Ave. We will have Pride stickers and a raffle for our first event. We will raffle 2 tickets to Six Flags. You must be present to win.

Hope to see you there.

If you have any questions you can email Andrea at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Location is at Shaw and Clovis AVE, just West of McDonald's

Independence Day will be here before we know it. It’s always a great day for food, friends, family and fun. Oh yes, and we can’t forget….. fireworks!

LGBT Fresno has now begun selling fireworks at our stand. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we really need your support. The funds raised allows us to continue our work all over the Central Valley. So, if you are purchasing fireworks this year, please consider getting them from our stand. You can visit the Phantom website and get a $15 item FREE with purchaes of $69+ coupon instantly by clicking HERE (must print and complete). NEW this year: Pre-Order and have your order ready for pickup when you arrive.

The LGBT Fresno Fireworks Stand opens June 28th

Have a Blast this Fourth & Support Your Community Too!

Free $15 item with purchase of $69 or more!REGISTER TODAY AND GET YOUR COUPON!also signup for our daily specials email.

Go ahead, splurge on a spectacular display for your 4th of July party! So please plan to get your dazzling light displays for your Independence Day celebration and have a blast this fourth while supporting your community at the same time!

South West Corner of Shaw and Clovis (just West of McDonald's)
June 28th - July 3rd: 10am - 10pm, July 4th: 10am - 12am

This year LGBT Fresno will be selling fireworks for the 4th of July. This will be Fresno's ONLY LGBTQIA Fireworks Stand and all proceeds will go to support the efforts of LGBT Community Network, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit and their divisions.

We'll offer great deals on packages, as well as many Buy One, Get One Free offers on your favorite items!!! Make your celebration a BLAST and support your local LGBT+ community.

The Fireworks Stand (from Phantom Fireworks) will open on June 28th at 12:00pm and will then be open daily at 10 AM through July 4th. The stand closes each night at 10 PM.

Don't wait till the last minute to plan your celebration!
Pre-order, plan ahead, and make your celebration one to remember!

Location:
South West Corner of Shaw and Clovis (just West of McDonald's)

Hours:
June 28th-July 4th: 10am - 10pm

Questions? (559) 862-4559