Queer As Folks

Franken Meets with PFund

Senator Al Franken and 16 GLBT organization leaders met with PFund on February 18 to discuss issues the community currently faces, both in Minnesota and nationwide. Franken highlighted his long and unwavering support for the GLBT community. He pointed out his work on repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, as well as his efforts on the Student Non-Discrimination Act and the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, among others. PFund Executive Director Greg Grinley said, “PFund works to provide opportunities for our grantees to raise the visibility of their work. We are incredibly grateful to Senator Franken for his support, and for taking time to hear about the critical issues our grantees are working.”

Theater + Speed Dating = Fun

On February 16, as part of Lavender’s Night at the Theater, the Guthrie Theater and Lavender Magazine teamed up with Simply Introduced to bring a little love to the Big G, featuring same-sex Speed Dating prior to the play. Participants started arriving at 5:30 for happy hour cocktails, complimentary snacks, and optional speed dating. It turned out to be a perfect preshow for Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter, which has sold out in every city it has visited so far. Telling the story of two lovers who met by chance in a train station, the production captivated the audience with its unique use of staging and multimedia.

Pride Institute Holds Open House

After completing some new and exciting remodeling projects, on March 2, Pride Institute held two open houses to allow people to tour the facility. During the tours, it announced new developments taking place at both the residential and outpatient facilities. Pride Institute is a GLBT mental health and chemical dependency care facility based in Eden Prairie. To find out more about Pride Institute, or for information on mental health and chemical dependency, visit <www.pride-institute.com>, or call (952) 934-7554.