Diversionary Hosts THE PRIDE Panel Discussion, 4/13

In conjunction with it's current production of The Pride, Diversionary Theatre has assembled a panel of LGBT leaders for a conversation about the journey to find pride as audiences explore the differences between what it meant to be gay in the 1950's and today.

The Pride highlights the torment and social stigmas that same-sex lovers have endured by spotlighting the past half-century. It is a poignant portrayal of shifting societal views intricately woven in scenes that jump between 1958 and 2008. The play is an exploration of how the actions of history have a direct impact on our freedom to be out and proud today. How have views changed and what was it like to be gay in 1958? With great freedom comes greater responsibility, how does the LGBT community give back and show their 'pride'? What are the repercussions of moving from the repression of 1958 to the sexual liberation of today? 

Panel leaders include, Christopher Mills (Major Gifts Officer at San Diego LGBT Community Center), Bill Kelly and his partner Bob Taylor(Contributing writer for Rage Magazine and celebrated philanthropists in the LGBT community). Jim Zians, Ph.D (Director of The Edge Research Project & The Fastlane Research Project at UCSD)

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

'Being Proud: Then and Now' Stories of Pride and Sacrifice

Friday, April 13, 2012

Panel @ 7:00pm in the lobby

8:00pm show, The Pride

Panel attendance is free; tickets to the show are $33

Panel Guests Include:

Christopher Mills, is the Major Gifts Officer at San Diego LGBT Community Center. Christopher is passionate about fundraising for LGBT causes and giving back to the community. He has been a Fundraising Director on several political campaigns including Betsy Markey for Congress, Kathleen Falk for Governor, Betty Sutton for Congress, Jim Stork for Congress and Diane Prescott for Congress.

Bill Kelly and Bob Taylor, are celebrated philanthropists in the LGBT community and 2011 Dignity Award winners. Both respected veterans, Bill Kelly and Bob Taylor continue their legacy of service today through philanthropic work at San Diego Human Dignity Foundation and numerous other outstanding charitable organizations helping our community. Bill and Bob's commitment to improving the quality of life for LGBT seniors served as an inspiration in the development of the multi-year initiative Aging with Dignity which, in its first phase will include raising $250,000 over a two year period to support the establishment of a full-time LGBT senior advocate office at the Center. This position will provide immediate care and connection and also serve as a collection point for more data to determine the most pressing needs of LGBT seniors. Partners for more than 32 years, MR. Kelly and Mr. Taylor live by the motto, "Just you! Just me! Together we!"

Jim Zians, Ph.D. is currently the Project Director of The Edge Research Project & The Fastlane Research Project at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Zians is also a part-time instructor at SDSU for the Graduate School of Public Health. Dr. Zians received his bachelor's degree at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and he received a master's degree in Communications from American University in Washington, D.C. He received a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Alliant International University/California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego. Dr. Zians is a consultant in the San Diego area. He worked with the Alliance Healthcare Foundation where he served as Director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Senior Health Care Needs Assessment Project. Dr. Zians was also the principal investigator for the San Diego County Transgender Needs Assessment, a project of Family Health Centers of San Diego. Dr. Zians also works with local drug and alcohol treatment centers in San Diego County. Dr. Zians has served on the San Diego County HIV Prevention Community Planning Board. He is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers or MINT, and he is a local representative of the HIV Prevention Behavioral Social Science Volunteers (BSSV), a joint program of The American Psychological Association and the CDC.

'Being Proud: Then and Now' Stories of Pride and Sacrifice. Friday. April 13, 2012 at Diversionary Theatre 4545 Park Blvd. San Diego CA 92116. The panel is free with admission to the show. Ticket prices are $33.00.

For more information, call the Diversionary box office at 619.220.0097 or visit www.diversionary.org.

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