Where's all my thick gurls? This Thursday evening you can be a part of the nationwide event Dining Out For Life right here in Tuscaloosa to help benefit WAAO and AIDS Alabama. While Birmingham has usually been the closest place to go for this event, we are very lucky and proud to have OPUS in downtown Northport open their doors for us this year. Be a part of the fight against AIDS just by having dinner. Show up ready to eat between 5pm and 10:30pm Thursday, April 28, and at least 25% of your ticket will be donated to WAAO and AIDS Alabama respectively. Bring all your friends and let's make a night of it; not only showing support for WAAO, but also for OPUS for joining us in our cause. Check out the FB event page by clicking on the event poster and RSVP now! I will see you there!


Over and Out,
CampusQueer

Negative. That's right queerlings, the results are in and your queer on campus is HIV negative and happy. Now there wasn't some huge shadow around the idea for me, but since the SOC 360 class and WAAO teamed up to make testing available at the Ferg yesterday and today, I knew there was no other choice. Free testing is provided always by the West Alabama AIDS Outreach here in Tuscaloosa, but with it being made so convienent as just a few hundred yards from where I sit now, I had to oblige. I always speak for HIV/AIDS awareness, so I have to practice what I preach. This was my second test to date and much easier and less faint-worthy than last time. I had to give blood. Ick.

A lot of people my age like to talk about what they think HIV/AIDS is. A lot of people like to talk about people who are living with what has now become a manageable disease with proper healthcare. But not many people my age are even sure of their status, much less the facts of a disease clouded by stigmas and hearsay. The only way to know is to get tested. Don't go to the Student Health Center. Bad decision. They will drip your blood dry and blow up a huge testing charge on your student bill. And from what I hear, confidentialtiy does not run high. If you haven't been tested in the last year, but have been getting your moist debbie cake ravaged, get tested. Protect yourself and protect the people with whom you share yourself. As I always say, "What's scarier? Getting the test and knowing for sure? Or not knowing and making it worse for yourself and others?" There is power in prevention and early detection.


Over and Out,
CampusQueer

It's been almost a week since we stormed the Bama with a Mardi Gras show unlike any other in the T. I had an amazing experience entertaining all who came and meeting people from all over. The best part is knowing that it all went to the West Alabama AIDS Outreach which makes a difference right here at home for people living with HIV/AIDS as well as raising awareness and offering free, confidential testing.

Before anything else, some people in my life need a huge moment of appreciation. My dancers: Lance Wilson, Steven Fleck, Jon Hart, Cody Flemmings, and Miss Chris Varallo who stepped in a week before the show, worked so hard and dealt with my BS from beginning to end and helped build the performance into what you saw on stage. Travis Mackey, who provided key pieces, kept us on track constantly, and was my stage mother. Robby Johnson and Brian, you kept me together and inspired me to do my absolute best. And thank you to everyone in the MKD who gave me this opportunity to share with them, especially Michele Massey, Ray Taylor, Jill Parsons, Drew Williams, Gil Mobley,  Rick Funk. I love what you guys do!

What was really special was seeing what this night brought out in people. It brought them together with old friends, new friends, people from all over. It gave some people the opportunity to do what they were born to do - perform. And most importantly it was a night for celebrating who we are as a community.


 I hope you were there to share in the revelry! I live for the jello shot throws, Bambi Kira's Lady Marmalade, beads, beads, beads, and the captains' Born This Way walk going nuts with some of my favorite people. I will see you next year and am reserving my spot on the stage should they accept. ;)
My gold lamay booty shorts need another trip 'round the block.



Over and Out,
CampusQueer

Hey queerlings! This Sunday is a very special event in Birmingham presented by the Magic City Choral Society at the Alys Stephens Center in the Jemison Concert Hall from 6pm - 7:30pm. It is a huge concert that will benefit several HIV/AIDS awareness and service groups including AIDS Alabama, Birmingham AIDS Outreach, West Alabama AIDS Outreach, and UAB's 1917 Clinic. CampusQueer specifically supports WAAO locally, but each of these groups do great work and need our support. This is the information on the FB event that can give you better information than I:

     "The Red Ribbon Gala starring Kristi Tingle Higginbotham, Emily Herring, our all-star band, and both choruses of the Magic City Choral Society with Bettina Boateng of NBC 13 as Master of Ceremonies is the first annual concert benefiting AIDS Alabama, Birmingham AIDS Outreach, West Alabama AIDS Outreach, and UAB's 1917 Clinic.

The evening will be full of pop and broadway classics, new and old. Plus, the choruses will debut "TV Land... - A Choral Symphony," our first ever commissioned piece! You'll hear your favorite TV themes from "I Love Lucy" to "Law and Order" mashed up like you've never heard them before – and may never again. It's going to be a great evening, and it's all for an important cause, funding the organizations that fight HIV and AIDS right here in Alabama through local services and around the world through research.

Tickets start at $25.
Patron tickets are $100 and include a catered meet and greet pre-concert reception in the patrons lounge and your choice of seating anywhere in Jemison Concert Hall.

Call 205.975.2787 for tickets today!"

 You can RSVP here and learn more about the Magic City Choral Society here. I will be in Birmingham and really hope to make it. Perhaps I will see some of you there! If you can't make this event, there are many, many others for you to be able to contribute. Visit the Resources tab at the top of the page and find the WAAO tab. There is a link to the WAAO FB page to keep you updated on events in Tuscaloosa to benefit HIV/AIDS research. There are some GREAT events coming up including the biggest, baddest HalloQueen bash of them all! More details to come. It's never too early to start becoming proactive. We all make a difference when we work together.


Over and Out,
CampusQueer