Milwaukee Gaze

Officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will return to Milwaukee March 2 to present findings from their investigation into the soaring  rate of HIV infection among Wisconsin youth.

The presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, and is open to the public.

UW – Milwaukee sponsors Diversity Career Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 4.

The event is free and open to college students and professionals seeking career information and opportunities. For more information, call the UWM career development center at 414-229-4487.

Federal health officials presented findings March 2 from an investigation into Milwaukee’s rising HIV-infection rate among young African-American men who have sex with other men.

Representatives of local HIV/AIDS service organizations who attended the presentation at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center said they will use the information to try heading off a potential new wave of the epidemic in the city.

Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton joins co-hosts GSA for Safe Schools and Diverse & Resilient in convening an inaugural statewide conference on LGBT youth March 5 at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.

Titled “Engaged and Empowered: the Lieutenant Governor’s Conference on LGBT Youth,” the conference will equip participants with tools and training to ensure that LGBT youth in Wisconsin thrive in their schools and communities. Workshop topics address bullying in schools, resolving health disparities, building safe and inclusive classrooms, integrating LGBT issues into the curriculum and counseling and advocacy.

They remember her cheerfulness, her chattiness and her irrepressible sense of humor.

But most of all, the friends and family of Dana (Chanel) Larkin remember her infectious smile and generous nature.

Mistress of Ceremonies Isis Jamacia set the tone for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Drag Show: “Hello ladies, gentlemen, and gender-variant friends!” she greeted the crowd.

Jamacia, aka Warren Scherer, is program coordinator at the UW-M Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center. Jamacia has seen the show grow during her five-year reign to become the center’s largest annual event.

The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin will present its top leadership award to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett at its annual Make A Promise Dinner Gala April 17 at the Midwest Airlines Center.

“For 25 years Mayor Barrett has been a steadfast leader in the fight against AIDS,” ARCW president Doug Nelson said. “In the state Legislature he led efforts to prohibit discrimination against people with HIV, in Congress he was a leading voice to lift the ban on federal funding of needle exchange and as mayor he has protected HIV funding in the city budget even during the toughest of fiscal times.”

Pridefest organizers are seeking volunteers to help staff this year’s event, scheduled for June 11–13 at Henry Maier Festival Park. Applications can be found online at www.pridefest.com/volunteer/index.php.

PrideFest also announced new hours of operation this year, with gates opening at 3 p.m. June 11 and noon June 12 and June 13. PrideFest is the largest LGBT event in Wisconsin and is widely considered one of the best Pride celebrations in the nation.