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FEATURE/NEWS


Gay Asian group offers social support, camaraderie


By Dave Schwab | GSD Reporter Those who are gay, Asian,


recently arrived in town or just looking to meet new people can join Guys Like Us (GLU), a local social networking group that raises funds to support LGBT causes. What started out six years ago


as a small group of gay friends deciding to turn their weekly get-togethers into something more has since evolved into a fully networked group with broad appeal, regional aspirations and its own Website. “We started out with eight friends at someone’s house talk- ing about an Asian club where we could all hang out and bring in other people to have social events,” said current GLU presi- dent Cris Torres. “Now we’ve had as many as 300 people at a social event, and we have 500 people on our mailing list.”


GLU is a San Diego-based, so-


cial group dedicated to fostering harmony within the LGBT com- munity with a global emphasis on tolerance. Members share a com- mon interest in the Asian culture and are dedicated to fostering ethnic unity and diversity. Membership includes gay Asians and their friends, and members are devoted to providing social support, camaraderie and a positive growth environment. “We love ourselves, we love our friends, and we love our community,” notes the group in its Website’s mission statement. “And in that order, we share, party and support those less fortunate through our common interest in the community and our zeal to raise funds in support of local charities.” This past year, the group,


which is open to all ethnicities and encourages diversity, created a host of holidays and seasonal events, including Mardi Gras, Cinco De Mayo, a Volleyball BBQ at Balboa Park, an Aids Walk Wine Tasting and Halloween and December holiday parties. “We now have systems in


place so we can organize a party and execute it with one simple meeting,” said Chris Benavides, GLU’s vice president of social events. “We have simplified our fundraising so we focus our efforts on two pool parties (by SDSU and in Hillcrest) that fund our $2,000 scholarship program and make a sizeable donation to AIDS walk.”


GLU is also socially active in the San Diego LGBT commu- nity in helping Mama’s Kitchen collect food at the grocery store King Soopers as well as volun- teering to sell raffle tickets at Mama’s Day in May. Torres said a full calendar of


GLU’s events is on the group’s Website. He added GLU member- ship has proven to be especially beneficial for gay Asian men who are newcomers to San Diego. “It’s hard for them to meet other people,” he said. “They join the club, attend a few parties, meet new people and become friends.”


One of those newcomers who benefited from GLU was group VP Benavides, who can person- ally vouch for how the group helped him and his partner get settled into San Diego. Benavides talked about


facebook.com/ AIDSWalkSD


diagnosed with AIDS in San Diego County


For more information: One person every day is newly


his first encounter with GLU, which led him to become a longtime member. “I moved to San Diego five years ago this July during Pride,” he said. “GLU was having a party along the parade route. My partner was invited. Upon arrival at the party, a member welcomed us, got us drinks, showed us the food table and asked our names. During the parade, members would come up and introduced themselves and welcomed us to San Diego.” After receiving GLU’s warm-


hearted welcome and learning about the group’s charity raising, Benavides signed on. Five years later, he serves on the group’s board and spearheads the group’s events.


“The number of friends and


other introductions from Guys Like Us has made our transition to San Diego one we have not regretted. GLU has helped two guys who felt alone in this city to [become] two guys being welcomed to be part of a family. Now I pass that gift for- ward and help welcome lots of new people to San Diego and GLU.” Torres said GLU wants to be


as expansive as it is inclusive. The group is currently reaching out to Asian and other like-mind- ed organizations, even casting as far afield as the Los Angeles area looking to broaden the group’s horizons by becoming more regionally interconnected. For more information about GLU, visit guyslikeus.org or find them on Facebook by searching Guys Like Us, San Diego.t


August 12–25, 2011


GAY SAN DIEGO


ELSEWHERE IN LGBT NEWS


COMPILED BY ASHLEY GARMAN


MARYLAND SENATOR PREDICTS MARRIAGE-EQUALITY MEASURE’S OUTCOME The senate president of


Maryland, Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr., predicted that same-sex marriage would be passed by the state congress next year. Maryland’s gover- nor, Martin O’Malley, plans to sponsor the legislation, which failed last session. Miller, an opponent of


same-sex marriage, said the governor’s support would matter little because of a cer- tain state provision allowing citizens to petition recently- passed legislation in a state- wide vote. According to the Washington Times, Miller said this provision might make it “easier for wavering delegates to vote for it.” “I don’t anticipate it is go-


ing to be that dif ficult in the House,” Miller said. In this year’s session,


supporters of the bill were short of having a majority in the House by just two votes. Miller said the measure would probably have slightly better success next year. If the bill passes, a petition to put it on the November 2012 ballot is likely.


Miller believes that elec- Members of Guys Like Us at a group picnic in 2009 (Courtesy Guys Like Us)


tion will “probably be one of the largest turnouts in the state of Maryland,” but that the measure will likely fail on the ballot.


INDIAN LESBIAN COUPLE RECEIVES GOVERNMENT PROTECTION “After receiving death


threats from family members, India’s first married lesbian couple has been granted 24- hour police protection,” the Advocate reported. The cou- ple, from a small town near New Delhi, was married ear- lier this month against their families’ wishes. The women, 25-year-old


Savita and 20-year-old Veeta ran away from home after knowing each other for 15 years. They were threatened by relatives and community members and sought govern- ment protection from a district court in Gurgaon. “Our family members can


take harsh steps against us. They even threatened to kill us,” the couple told NDTV. The women have been moved to a safe house and the court notified 14 individuals that threatened the couple with “dire consequences.” Homosexuality is no longer a crime in India, but same-sex marriages are not recognized by the govern- ment.


CHARLOTTE COULD ELECT FIRST LGBT COUNCILMEMBER LaWana Mayfield is run-


ning for city council in Char- see Elsewhere, pg 6


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