Visalia youth succumbs to suicide: Eric James Borges

From the Facebook page of EricJames

Eric James Borges, 19, of Visalia, succumbed to suicide Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Known as EricJames to his friends, he was an intern with the Trevor Project, and a Supplemental instructor at the College of the Sequoias.

Word began spreading late Wednesday among shocked and saddened friends and acquaintances. Not accepted by his birth family, EricJames was striking out on his own, trying to deal with his personal situation, but also wanting to help others. Sadly, even involvement with the Trevor Project was not enough to help him navigate the turbulent waters of young adulthood.

I met EricJames recently, at the launching of My LGBT Plus, a youth oriented resource site, based in Fresno. A brief introduction left me with the impression of a fine young man, and I regret that I did not get to know him better.

Friends have begun planning a memorial, details will be updated here as they become available.

Our condolences to the family and friends of EricJames.

If you are finding it difficult to deal with the issues of being LGBTQ, the Trevor Project is available, with peer counselors available to talk to you about problems you may be facing. Contact them at The Trevor Project, or call the toll-free hotline, at 866-488-7386. Help is available, and people are ready to listen.

UPDATE: 2:30 pm 1/12/12
EricJames’ “It Gets Better” video:

And a short movie EricJames made about love:

UPDATE: 1/13/12 0400 PST
The first of two memorials has been announced. See the newer post for information, here.

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Tulare-Kings PFLAG meeting Sunday January 15

WHY………PFLAG? BECAUSE!

When you attend this meeting be prepared for an engaging, informative, and entertaining discussion on the topic: “What PFLAG means to me.”

We have a number of interesting speakers who will be addressing this important matter, providing insight into, not only what our organization is all about, but also how it has affected their lives. There will be ideas about what our members and those in attendance expect during the year ahead.

Participation from all in attendance is encouraged. It is thought provoking…..so think about it prior to Sunday, January 15…..Why do we attend PFLAG? What does the organization mean to you?

Sunday, January 15, 2012 3 – 5 pm

Family HealthCare Network

305 East Center Street (Corner of Bridge Street) Visalia

(Use the courtyard entrance on Bridge. Pedestrian gate is in the alley.) Map: Click here

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2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 6,100 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

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PFLAG Chapter Holiday Party

ANNUAL CHAPTER HOLIDAY PARTY

Please join us for our annual holiday party, Sunday, December 18, 2011 3 PM to 5 PM, which includes a white elephant gift exchange followed by a potluck which is always wonderful and varied.

******Support Group time will precede our holiday celebration******

PFLAG Tulare and Kings Counties is supporting Food Link this season. There are many families in need of food, but donations are lower than usual. Please bring money, cash or checks payable to PFLAG Tulare and Kings Counties or Food Link, if possible. Food Link has tremendous buying power when they shop with cash.

*White Elephant Gift Exchange – We are asking people to limit their items to something they already own, but would be quite pleased to no longer do so, or something that costs &1.00 or less! There is a lot out there for just a dollar and much in our homes that becomes funny in a gift exchange. Will the bowling trophy be back this year???

Family HealthCare Network
305 East Center Street (Corner of Bridge Street)
Visalia
(Use the courtyard entrance on Bridge. Pedestrian gate is in the alley.)

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man uses Grindr to commit sexual assault

A Visalia man who police said robbed and sexually assaulted another man was arrested Monday, the Visalia Police Department reported.
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Instead Of A Hook-up, A Right Hook, and Rape

Man attacked, raped after using social networking app.

Suspect Alvarez - booking photo

The proliferation of social media provides a multitude of ways for people to make connections, allowing everything from random chats, friendships, hook ups, even long term relationships. Between the various web sites and smart phone apps, there’s something for everyone. As with every shiny new toy for the boys (and girls), however, there’s a dark side as well. One California man found out the hard way that there is a risk to meeting others at the new ‘watering hole’.

Christopher Alvarez, 23, was arrested December 5 by Visalia police after he assaulted a man he met through an unspecified “social network application”. (update 6:30 am – it’s now being reported that the method of contact was the smart-phone app Grindr)

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Bear Humor from Neil Thornton (NSFW)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPZMGPSRbQc&feature=uploademail

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