Meningococcal C ~ get vaccinated
Meningococcal group CThe
BC Centre for Disease Control is still recording cases of infections caused by the meningococcal group C bacteria in gay men in the Lower Mainland and BC. These infections have resulted in meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain) and blood stream infections. Five of the nine cases (56%) identified since September 2004 have died from their infection. This includes 2 deaths in March and April 2005, which means that the bacteria is still being spread in the gay community.
How is the bacteria spread?
The meningococcal bacteria is spread through saliva. Most of the cases that we have seen in BC had a history of sharing joints with friends or acquaintances in the week before they became ill, and that appears to be how they became infected. Other ways the bacteria is spread includes kissing on the lips or mouth, or by sharing drinks, glasses, water bottles, eating utensils, toothbrushes or cigarettes. People can carry the bacteria and pass it to others without getting sick themselves.
How do I protect myself?The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated – especially if you share joints. Local public health departments and family doctors are offering
free meningococcal C vaccine for all gay and bisexual men. The vaccination is safe, effective and provides long-lasting protection after one week. You can also protect yourself by not taking part in activities where saliva is shared for at least one week after you are vaccinated.
How do I know if I have a meningococcal infection?
The symptoms of meningococcal infection include a severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, confusion and feeling very sick. If you have these symptoms you should go to your local Emergency Department immediately. Other symptoms include fever or a skin rash of tiny reddish-purple bruise-like spots.
For more information on the outbreak or where to get the vaccine in your area, contact your doctor, local health clinic or visit
www.bccdc.org.
LGBTQ Youth Dance - Salmon Arm
Repost from NOGLO...
YouthGLO Vernon, along with Safe Spaces in Kamloops and YouthGLO in Salmon Arm, have decided it's time for
LGBTQ youth (14-25) to have a dance. With input, and much excitment from youth in the three communities(!!), we are planning a youth dance on
Friday July 8 in Salmon Arm from 8pm to midnight.
Since this will be the first youth-only dance, we hope it can be the start of future gatherings bringining LGBTQ youth in the region together. The dance will be in Salmon Arm at the Downtown Activity Centre, in a safe, alcohol and drug free space.
We are seeking
LGBT and ally adult volunteers to help 'chaperone' the event. There would be no need to help with set up or cleaning up afterwards (unless you really wanted to). The most important thing is that we have safe, supportive adults around to help make the dance a positive and successful event.
If you are even *slightly* interested in helping out, please email Eric or Nythalah at youthglo@hotmail.com and we can answer any questions you might have about the event. YouthGLO line at 503-4724
Okanagan PRIDE Swirl Dance
PRIDE Swirl Dancemembers $10 non members $15
June 25, Time TBA
"The Laurel" in Kelowna
For more information call 250-860-8555
Technorati Tag:
/gay okanagan/
PRIDE Mixed Potluck, June 23
PRIDE Mixed PotluckJune 23 6:30 PM $5 per person
Kelowna Okanagan Mission Activity Centre 4398 Hobson Rd (@ Sarson's Road)Bring a dish to share, plate, cutlery and your beverage of choice, and hey, bring a friendFor more information call Wayne at 712 - 3108
Okanagan Pride Event - June 22
PRIDE Drop in mixed BowlingJune 22, 7:00 PM
Kelowna Lake City Bowl & Billards
100 - 2788 Hwy 97 North @ McCurdy
(not in the mall with the BRICK)The cost is $10 for 3 games including shoes
For more information call Mike at 860 - 3000
9th Annual Okanagan Family AIDS Walk
9th Annual Okanagan Family AIDS WalkSeptember 25, 2005You have lots of time to get involved and make the Okanagan Family AIDS walk a success. You can do this by being a sponsor, volunteer ot simply by donating. Take some time to think about supporting this worthwhile local effort.
See you at a Family AIDS Walk meeting soon folks.
Pride in BC and Canada
For other Pride dates check XTRA.ca website!Jun 10-18 ~
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan"Pride of the Century." Sixth annual Pride parade, fair and dance Jun 18; Family Day in the Park Jun 12.
Official Pride website.Jun 17 - 25 ~
Okanagan Valley Pride Week ( Kelowna and Vernon)
Jun 20-25 ~
Toronto, OntarioPride: 25 Years and Counting! Parade is Jun 26; Dyke March
Jun 25. Multiple stages on Church St, marketplace.
Official Pride website. Also see the
Xtra for ongoing coverage of Ottawa Pride.
Jul 25-31 ~
Montreal, Quebec 13th Anniversary. Divers/Cité 2005. Note: organizers have moved the Divers/Cité Parade from the long weekend in August to Mon, Jul 31 for an evening parade. Free outdoor shows all week.
Official Pride website.Jul 23-31 ~
Vancouver, British Columbia Pride Parade and Pride Festival takes place Jul 31.
Official Pride website. Also see the
Xtra West for ongoing coverage of Vancouver Pride.
Aug 27 - Sep 4 ~ Prince George Pride week
Sep 1 - 3 ~
Kootenay Pride (Nelson) Usually the long weekend in September. This date is not confirmed as of yet
Art Gala to kick off “Pride Festival 2005”
The Gay and Lesbian community of the Okanagan valley celebrates Pride week in June. This year Vernon’s
North Okanagan Gay & Lesbian Society is hosting an Art Gala to kick off “Pride Festival 2005” by presenting the works of gay and gay friendly artists and artisans.
There will be four categories in this show starting off with the visual artists on opening night. These visual mediums will consist of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, digital, and other artistic avenues.
Secondly, a silent auction will be set up of donated artwork where the public can bid on a piece of their liking. As well, works of art by our young people coming out in our community will be on display.
The final section of the show will consist of artisans who will display and sell their personal creations. The Pride Committee will receive a portion of the proceeds to help pay for the costs of this show and
50% of the net proceeds will be donated to the Vernon and District Hospice Society. The Art Gala will be
held in Vernon at 3401 30th avenue (next to Penny Lane) for the entire Week of Pride beginning with opening night on
Friday June 17th (7pm-11pm). Door cover charge for opening night is $5.00. For the remainder of the week, June 18th to 25th the show will be open from 11am - 4pm with a suggested donation during that time.
Noglo is looking for any gay and gay friendly artists who are interested in submitting their work or selling their crafts.
The submission deadline is June 5,6,7th 2005 after 6pm. Lat er submissions are accepted with intent conformation.
For more info call: 542-8720 or 542-4670.
In order to make this event possible
we need some able body hands to help out. These tasks range from basic tasks of picking up supplies and items to manning tables during the day. An errand, an hour, a few hours?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Karen through the Noglo phone line at 542-4670.
Dancing at Primadonna's - Gay Kelowna
Dancing at Primadonna'sWhen: Every Saturday
10 pm - 2 am
Where: Primadonna Restorante
1140 Harvey (at Gordon), Kelowna
Click here for a mapCost: $5 (after 10 pm)
More Info: email:
larmstrong@uniserve.comphone: (250) 862-8288 or (250) 764-7897
Primadonna's is holding a mini-dance every Saturday evening at 10 pm. This features club music and drinks from the full bar. The evening goes till 2 am depending on how busy it is, (ie: if there is a big ORC or Vernon dance), Primadonna's close at 11:30pm.Come out and enjoy an evening of dancing!
Vernon Dance NOGLO
Vernon Dance NOGLOSaturday June 4, 2005
8:00 pm - 2:00 am
Location: PaddleWheel Park Vernon
Email:
noglo@noglo.comPhone: Ph: 250-542-4670
NOGLO will be more than happy to organize billeting for out of town guests who wish to attend the NOGLO dances in Vernon. To request a billet please send an email to
noglo@noglo.com and include the following information:
Date of the dance you will attend.
How many in your party. (men, and/or womyn)Any accommodation requirements. (i.e. non smoking, allergies, etc.)
