Out&About's 2009 "SCANDALOUS III" Dinah Shore Event!

So, I've created my first video blog. It's my first so it's far from Oscar-worthy but I wanted to document what a great time we had in the Long Beach Pride Parade with Assemblymember Richardson who is under attack for being "homophobic" based on campaigning measures made over a decade ago.

I've met Assemblymember Richardson on more than one occassion and always at events catering to the gay and lesbian community plus she's been in the Long Beach Pride Gay & Lesbian parade for the past 9 years. Homophobic? I don't think so. What's more, her opponent Senator Jenny Oropeza, backed by openly gay Senator Sheila Kuehl (whom I adore but think she's off the mark on this one) rode in the car directly ahead of us...from what I understand this is the first time Senator Oropeza has ever even ridden in the pride parade.

--Marquita

Out&About is a soeial, networking and activist organization for lesbians. We help women connect via outdoor events, cultural outings, dance parties, conversation groups and so much more.

We periodically like to check in and see what types of events you are interested in participating in.

Travel? Where to? What time of year? What price range?

Sporting events? What type?

Support groups?

More dance parties? What type of themes?

More culinary events? Where to?

Feel free to share your interests and we'll see how we can accomodate you.

Thanks for your feedback!

It's impossible to getting 32 people all in the same picture so between these 3 you'll see pretty much everyone...lol.

Join us on our next SYNERGY outing. You do not have to be a memeber to participate. Sign up for the Out&About e-newsletter by signing up at beoutandabout.com or on the Out&About profile page.

Sinaa & Damnyo

We also met Ameera Diamond, one of the lion trainers (and she's "family" 3rd from left), after the show:

Girls In the Night really outdid themselves this year!

Monica in concert, Frenchie in concert, Dajae/Sy Smith & Shareefa in concert, Buffy the Body, Hoopz from VH1, Stacy Dash, Eva Pickford, go go dancers, A-list venues, whew!

See Marquita's pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/outandabout

Yet another SYNERGY event went over very well.

Yesterday, 10 of us went to see the Cirque Du Soleil production of "Quidam" and brilliant doesn't even begin to describe this show, the music, the singing, the acrobatics, it was absolutely awe-inspiring!

SYNERGY is only 5 months old and it just keeps getting better. We've gone to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe, the UniverSOUL Circus, the Chocolate Nutcracker and had several brunches, the last one with 35 women! Also, we've had done sporting events including tennis and flag football.

Next month, we'll be checking out STOMP! at the Pantages Theatre.

www.beoutandabout.com

I'll admit I was nervous.It was cold, raining, a work night and I had a venue on Pico that The Girls weren't familiar with. Located across the street from The Catch, people were looking at me like: How you gonna go from Beverly freakin' Hills to Across from The Catch...are you serious right now? But the place I'd found was marvelous, an urban art gallery - a spectacular venue behind a very bland facade.

There were technical glitches, the managers couldn't get the sign lit above the door, people were lost, it started to rain, it was freezing, parking was..interesting. The Catch has a huge goth crowd on Fridays and they take all the parking. Around 10/10:30 I wondered if they were really going to come. My friend who always knows the word on the street said they said they'd come so long as it didn't rain...

So imagine my panic when...it started to rain.

I had to stand in front of the building in my Mardi Gras outfit which consisted of a corset, asymetrical micro-mini, fishnets and 3 1/2" heels. I had to stand there so The Girls would know where they were going.I had to stand there for almost two hours while they worked on the neon sign. I got wet, I got cold, my feet hurt and I thought I was gonna catch flu-monia (yea, I said flu-monia).

As usual, I worried as I ran between the VIP area, the front door, the manager's office and back again but they came...they came and they danced and they drank and they frolicked and they loved-loved-loved the space. They dropped it like it was hot, they second-lined, they VIP'd, they laughed, they hugged, they (and I) had a brilliant time.

I saw someone who was once a dear friend who fell out with me but came to support...in the rain even though she'd just gotten her hair "did".

I saw people from myspace.

I saw people I haven't seen since last year.

I saw Damnyo, Soulful Twin, Microcosm of the Sun, EJ, Simply Me, Labryinth, Shana, Golden Child and 150 other folks who don't even know what myspace is.

It was a remarkable night and I thank every woman who walked through the door...

..and all the people who helped me make it happen are a paragon of friendship. Love you to death! *mwah*