Harlan Pruden, a council member for the NorthEast Two-Spirit Society, was interviewed on the WBIA’s Out-FM, a progressive lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, two-spirit news, culture, and activism.

[Listen to the broadcast]

The original air date of this show was Tuesday, April 12, 2010 at Tuesday April 12, 2011 7:00pm. This show included an interview with Michael Tikili about a new queer group called Queerocracy, a grassroots community organization working against the bureaucracy of a government that was supposed to bring us change to promote and advance social justice. Also, youth advocates Carl Sisiliano and Kate Barnhart discuss the latest budget cuts to programs benefiting homeless queer youth. Harlan Pruden on a recently released statewide needs assessment on the two-spirit population of New State, this report is the first of its kind in the country. And finally, an update on fighting the occupation of Palestine and on the LGBT Center controversy.

Listen to an important HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Public Service Announcement.

March 20, 2011 marked the fifth annual National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NNHAAD). This day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on Native people. HIV/AIDS continues to grow in the US, affecting communities of color at a disproportionate rate. According to the 2008 Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Surveillance Report, Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders (22.8 per 100,000) and American Indians/Alaskan Natives (11.9 per 100,000) have the 3rd and 4th highest rates of new HIV infections. Furthermore, the diagnosis for HIV infection and AIDS rates increased from 2005 through 2008 among American Indians/Alaska Natives.

The purpose of this day is to: 1) encourage Native people to get educated and to learn more about HIV/AIDS and its impact in their community; 2) work together to encourage testing options and HIV counseling in Native communities; and 3) help decrease the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. It is a time to reflect on those who have passed as well as those who are currently infected and affected by HIV/AIDS - a “Celebration of Life” for all Native people.

The NorthEast Two-Spirit Society is a proud supporter of this day. At the top of this article is a link to a public service announcement that is specifically designed for the two-spirit community.

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Here is a transcript of the PSA:

Nad’le, wink’te, Ba’de, Iha’mana, adanvdo tali, He eman, s’kweakwan, or a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender Native American or First Nations, whatever name you call yourself - we are all proud two-spirit brothers and sisters. Knowing our traditions, culture and history is the only way we are going to restore our rightful place of honor and respect within our communities. Everything begins with you. That is why it is so important that we need to protect ourselves from diseases like HIV, so we will have better tomorrows for all the future generations. Take the test, and know your status.

Nā ʻŌiwi NYC and AICH present

KE KŪLANA HE MĀHŪ:
REMEMBERING A SENSE OF PLACE

Reception and Screening with Producer Connie Florez

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 6:00PM - 9:00PM

American Indian Community House
11 Broadway, 2nd Flr, New York, NY 10004
212.598.0100

Free with a Suggested donation: $5

Talk story and meet Connie Florez, producer and historian of “Ke Kūlana He Māhū: Remembering a Sense of Place,” at a welcome reception serving light refreshments and screening of the film. This documentary explores how colonialism and cultural imperialism has profoundly effected attitudes toward gender and sexuality for indigenous Hawaiians, and marginalized Hawai’i’s multifaceted gay and transgendered communites. Following the screening, there will be a selection from Florez’s current documentary project “The Glades Project,” including a Q&A panel discussion with the producer and members of the Native American Indian Communities in NYC.

Connie Florez is the CEO of Hula Girl Productions, and the Director of Film Programming for the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival, and a current board member and former Executive Director for the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation.

Co-sponsored by: Nā ʻŌiwi NYC and American Indian Community House

[download the pdf flyer]

By: ctvbc.ca
Date: Wednesday Mar. 23, 2011 1:30 PM PT

CTV’s First Story takes a snap shot of the two spirited world and speak with actor and playwright Waawaate Fobister about his new award-winning play called Agokwe.

Then we see what it takes to change genders and we meet two very different men living positively with HIV.