We now interrupt your regularly scheduled crap on this blog for a little service announcement. If you have ever scrolled across those little tabs you see there across the top of the page, you may have noticed a "Your Resources" section. These are links to entities in Tuscaloosa as well as representing the state as a whole that I have deemed driving leaders of values important to our community, one of them being WAAO, or the West Alabama AIDS Outreach. WAAO currently provides services to Tuscaloosa, Lamar, Fayette, Bibb, Pickens, Greene, Hale, Walker, Perry and Sumter Counties through prevention education, testing services, as well as living assistance to those who have already tested positive. Programs like this are a vital tool in the fight against this disease which has already ravaged its way through our community and others'. I try to keep up with my readership and I know the majority includes my peers and then there are older readers as well. I fear that my generation does not fully grasp the reality of this disease because of the advances in medicine that are just a routine part of our lives. Older readers know and can attest to what they saw happen when this disease became more of an epidemic around them. Just because medicines have been developed that can keep positive men and women healthier does not change the fact that it only takes one time for this disease to affect the rest of your life. So for the first part of this PSA: Wear a condom.


Now that you have your condom on and awaiting further instruction, another way you can do your part is by partying your ass off. Yes. It helps. But you've got to do it with the right people. WAAO's funding to stay in operation comes in large from government grants, but a huge chunk that keeps it alive is its own fundraising. That's where you come in. Now since last summer, WAAO has been putting on a monthly event in T-Town called First Friday. I was wanting to do a bit on that, but as it turns out there is no First Friday this month. Now turn those frowns upside down, because instead of First Friday, it is that time of the year again for the Mystic Krewe of Druids to present the Bal Masque XVII. Funds collected from this event go directly towards WAAO and is their largest single donation every year. Last year, the Bal Masque accounted for over $25,000 towards the AIDS Outreach. There is NO dress code. People will be in black tie, business attire, Mardi Gras costumes, the works. It is an 18+ event. Yes, the ticket prices are not exactly college student friendly. That is because we do not have expendable incomes, so they are not really targeting you and me because you and I do not really write the checks that keep this program alive. There is hope though! Afterwards, the Krewe will be hosting an after-party at the Brickhouse with a singular $10 cover should you not want to attend the actual Bal. I attended the Captain's Party last year at Venice on the arm of one Miss Sheridan Grant and it is indeed a revelrous crowd. Bitches know how to throw down. And I'm not here to judge, but if you're the type looking for a daddy in your life, pencil the date in. Just sayin'. Overall, it is a great event that does great good and CampusQueer tremendously supports it, although I will not be in attendance because I will be at LSU competing with the UA Forensics Council. If you can not make this event, be sure to check out First Fridays at the beginning of every month. It is only $10 entrance at the L&N Train Station and a far better idea than carting your ass of to the bajankety Quest for a least one night. It is doing your part by way of partying. For more information, visit the Facebook event invite.



Over and Out,
CampusQueer