Lesbian News

Social and Community Spotlights | Columns and Articles

Where are all the women, you ask? We're right here!! There are thousands of lesbian women living in and visiting our desert. Our main L Spot Living page features columns and articles by and for women in Palm Springs and the surrounding desert cities along with information on the arts, politics and other things that are of interest to the lesbian community.

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Desert Pride Center

WPAN - Women in Politics

The WPAN was founded in 2006 to address the continuing need to cultivate and support female political candidates and to promote political issues that benefit women. Non-partisan and broad in scope, the WPAN welcomes all women, and men who support women's issues and women candidates, to join and become apart of this growing movement to ensure the continued representation of women in all aspects of elected government. To read their latest editorials and comments, log on to www.wpan.org

760-799-1874
P.O. Box 533
Cathedral City, CA 92235

Whats Happening NOW?

By Melinda Tremaglio

July 2008

THOUGHTS JULY 08’

This is the month we celebrate in red, white and blue fashion. We are involved in a senseless war that is costing us our future.  Some of my friends have lost their homes due to foreclosure, and tens of thousands are losing their jobs because of the corruption of corporate greed in this country. The value of my home has dropped $40,000! Still feel like celebrating?

 I’ve owned Caravan Dispatch, a flyer distribution company, since 2001. The income from my business this year has dropped fifty per cent. It’s a service offered to realtors to communicate their listings to each office and agent in the Coachella Valley. I provide pick up and distribution, which means I use a lot of gas driving around to the various offices. We are now paying well over $4.00 per gallon and it has sure made an impact on my bottom line and yours. 

We need to translate our outrage into alternative energy sources. We are decades behind because of the collusion of our government with the auto and oil lobbyists to squash, ignore, intimidate, pay-off and bribe some of our elected officials. Ethanol is not the answer.  Drilling for more oil is not the answer. The answer lies within us to say no more and stop the insanity.  We need a commitment to a sensible new energy policy.

About the writer:

Melinda was born and raised in Connecticut and entered the Army straight out of high school where she was discharged for being a homosexual. This began her journey as an advocate for fairness and equality. Melinda hosted/produced a television show in West Hollywood from 1986-1990 called "Lifestyle Update" a weekly gay and lesbian entertainment show. She served as President on the board of Homestead Hospice & Shelter, providing homes for men and women with AIDS from 1991-1994. Melinda moved to Palm Springs in 1997 and worked for Triangle Productions, 1997- 2001 in television and radio. She also served on the Pride Board from 1999-2001 and was First Vice Commander of AMVETS Post 66 from 2003-2005. She has been on the board of the Martin Luther King Memorial Committee 2002-2007and currently serves as President of the Palm Springs Area Chapter of the National Organization for Women 2001-2007. She has been volunteering for the Well in the Desert for the past 4 years.

 You can reach Melinda at melindat@dc.rr.com

The Golden Rainbow Has a Silver Lining -

By GRSC Director Harvey Stern

June 2008

As a small, relatively new nonprofit in the prolific philanthropic landscape of the Coachella Valley, the Golden Rainbow Senior Center (GRSC) faced some daunting initial challenges in meeting its mission and vision.  To best serve our target community of area LGBT elders, it became quickly apparent that collaboration—rather than competition-- with existing service agencies was the right way to success.

During an AIDS Assistance Program (AAP) fundraiser, Director Walter Reed and I began a conversation that led to a more formal subsequent meeting to explore collaborations that would benefit our clients. One issue Walter faced was that many of his clients were on disability, with too many hours of free time and too few program options at AAP.   This was an instant match with a Rainbow Center program roster that included chat groups, computer classes, a wellness program, tai chi, meditation, cooking classes, breakfast and lunch seminars, and various social activities. Our newest program, which is a direct collaboration between AAP and GRSC, is beginning Spanish, taught by popular local instructor Vinny Stoppia. (Call 760-770-5524 to register for the 10-week class which meets Tuesday and Friday afternoons, starting June 24. Cost is $100, plus textbook).  

AAP and GRSC have gone on to create a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which we commit to collaborate on as many levels as possible.  Another important MOU has been put in place with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).  The Golden Rainbow Center is pleased to have been selected by this national organization to facilitate its first internet-based community site for the age 50+LGBT community and allies. 

To read the rest of the letter, please link here, then open the document on your computer. The document has been previously scanned for viruses.

www.goldenrainbowseniorcenter.org

Q&A from LGBT Attorney BARBARA BARRETT

May 2008

Dear Local Lawyer,

I think I did a terrible thing.  I'm a 75-year-old lesbian living in a mobile home park in Desert Hot Springs. My partner of so many years died six months ago and my health is failing. I have been diagnosed with glaucoma and have difficulty seeing.   A neighbor of mine started helping me out after my partner died and he has been very, very kind to me.  He helps me write the checks for my monthly bills.  Instead of signing my name to the checks he told me it would be easier and legal if his name was put on my account.  So, off we went to the bank and I put his name on all of my accounts as a joint tenant so that he can help me write my checks.  I have about $225,000 in my accounts.

When I die I want all of my money to go to my partner's daughter (I helped raise her) and I have a will leaving everything to her.  I have this nagging feeling that somehow I did something wrong.  Did I?

                                                                     Signed,      Needy But Not Wanting To Be Stupid

To read Barbara's response and see the whole column, click here and open the file - all files have been checked for email viruses.

About the writer:

Barbara Barrett is a local Palm Springs attorney practicing in the areas of estate planning (wills and trusts), probates, gay and lesbian dissolutions, and bankruptcy.  She has been practicing since 1983 and her offices are at 555 S. Sunrise Way, Suite 217 Palm Springs, CA 92264. She is also the President of Desert Women for Equality, a group aimed at improving the lives of women in the Coachella Valley. You can send your questions to Your Local Lawyer at bbarrett92262@aol.com Please be sure to include your name and address.

Disclaimer:  The information contained in this column is for general guidance only. The application and impact of laws can vary widely based on the specific facts involved.  As such, advice given should not be used a substitute for a consultation with an attorney.  Attorney Barbara Barrett and L Spot Palm Springs recommend that before making any decision or taking any action, you consult with an attorney of your choice.