News Briefs

A brief rundown of LGBT news across the world.

Grants available for agencies serving LGBT community

Phoenix — Agencies that serve the LGBT community in Maricopa County are invited to apply for grants to be awarded by the Phoenix Pride Community Fund.

Non-profit organizations may submit funding requests ranging from $2,500 to $15,000. The one-year Organization Capacity Grants are intended to strengthen the organizations and enhance or sustain programs serving the LGBT community.

This is the third cycle of grants offered by the Phoenix Pride Community Fund, an endowed charitable fund held and managed at the Arizona Community Foundation.

The deadline for submitting grant applications is 5 p.m. Oct. 19. Applications may be submitted online at www.azfoundation.org/grants.

Children of gay couples sought for study

Tempe — A student at Arizona State University is seeking adult children of LGBT couples for a study she's completing.

Marina Viola, a senior at ASU's Honors College, said she decided to work on a thesis about children who grew up with two dads or two moms after she found a lack of research on the topic.

"No study has really asked this population how they feel about how they grew up," she said. "I want to give these individuals a voice."

For her project, Viola hopes to find 10 people around the age of 21 who can reflect on the experience of being raised by gay parents and how it's influenced them.

Viola said she has personal experience with the topic. After her parents divorced when she was 6 years old, Viola said she lived with her mother and her female partner for 12 years in Seattle. "I have never met anyone else with an upbringing like mine," she said.

For her project, Viola hopes to find 10 people around the age of 21 who can reflect on the experience of being raised by gay parents and how it's influenced them.

To contact Viola, call 206-295-7776 or email mlviola@asu.edu.

End of DADT observed with gathering in Phoenix

Phoenix — About two dozen local activists gathered on Sept. 20 near Sen. John McCain's office to mark the end of the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

The group gathered in the early evening along Camelback Road in central Phoenix, waving signs and U.S. and rainbow flags at passing motorists. The location was significant since McCain was the leading voice opposing the repeal of DADT last year.

The event was organized by Human and Equal Rights Organizers (H.E.RO.), the local grassroots organization that lead the local campaign to repeal DADT and challenged McCain on his position. It was one of several events around the nation marking the end of the policy.

Hospice of the Valley starts LGBT grief group

Phoenix — An LGBT grief group sponsored by Hospice of the Valley will start meeting on Oct. 6.

The group, called Healing Rainbows, is for members of the LGBT community who have experienced the death of a partner, family member or friend.

The group will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for six Thursdays. Meetings will be at the Wellness Community, 360 E. Palm Lane, Phoenix. Registration is required by calling 602-636-5390.

Meanwhile, Hospice of the Valley is seeking volunteers to assist patients and support their families.

For information, call 602-636-5390.

Two from community honored as Hispanic leaders

Phoenix — Jimmie Munoz and Joseph Larios are among the people recognized as 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40 for 2011.

Munoz was a member of the Roosevelt School Board from 2006 to 2010. In 2008 and 2010, he ran for the Arizona House of Representatives from District 16. He is administrative assistant at Phoenix Pride.

Larios works with the campaign for Daniel Valenzuela, a candidate for Phoenix City Council from District 5.

The 40 Under 40 promotes Hispanic leaders under the age of 40 with the goal of getting more young people involved in making contributions. The program is sponsored by Chicanos Por La Causa, a community development corporation based in Phoenix.

The men were recognized at an awards luncheon Sept. 21 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix.

Two Spirits to be screened at 1 Voice Community Center

Phoenix — The movie Two Spirits will be screened at 6 p.m. Oct. 15 at the 1 Voice LGBT Community Center.

Two Spirits is the story about the murder of 16-year-old Fred Martinez, who was part of the Navajo tradition of "two-spirit" — born as a male with a feminine nature.

Admission is $5. The community center is at 4442 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix.

Afeelya Bunz plans to end drag act at end of 2011

Phoenix — One of Arizona's busiest drag queens says the show will be over at the end of the year.

In a Facebook posting titled "The End Has Come," Rich Zavala announced that he is retiring his drag alter ego, Afeelya Bunz.

"I honestly believe I have reached the top of my drag hobby," Zavala wrote. "I have decided to stop doing drag at the end of the year ... I'm hanging up the wigs and heels. This will allow me to focus more on Rich, which is a good thing."

Zavala started the drag act in 2002 to help friends with fundraisers. Bunz starred in bar drag shows, hosted events across the state, was a regular on the pageant circuit and collected community awards.

Plans for a farewell show were not revealed, but Zavala said Bunz will be "going out with a bang, Oprah-style." -E

Correction

In a story about AIDS Walk in the Sept. 15 edition, the address for Phoenix Shanti was incorrect. The address is 2345 W. Glendale, Phoenix.