We just wanted to take this time to remind you The Greater Dayton LGBT Center’s Annual meeting is April 15th, 2012 to be held at M.J.’s Community Room at 3pm.
During this annual meeting we nominate and elect new board members which will serve for a three year term. The board consist of 13 members and we currently we have openings for a couple of seats. If you would like to apply, simply email your desire to our president: joshua.west@daytonlgbtcenter.org by April 7th. In your note to him you should also explain why you would like to join the board as a way to introduce yourself. ALL ARE WELCOME!

The Miami Valley LGBT Pride Committee has begun to work diligently on planning your 25th Anniversary of pride celebrations in Dayton and the Greater Miami Valley. We plan to treat this Silver Anniversary with all the pomp – circumstance and celebrations that a Silver event deserves!

We begin our celebrations on May 5th at 6:30pm with our Roof Top Rubi event. This is our Royal Red Carpet Event being held at the Firefly Building, 123 Webster Street, Dayton hosted once again by the incomparable Ann Roberts and John Smith. Tickets for this fundraising event are $20 for an individual ticket with cash bar. In honor of our 25th anniversary our VIP tickets are $125.00 which admits two, includes drinks and swag bag. Of course this evening features a Monte Carlo and the highlight of this evening will feature the wonderful talents of the fabulous Rubi Girls. If you attended last year you know this is an event you will not want to miss.

The Annual Pride Picnic takes on a new date and a greater feel as the Gay Volleyball group join and lead in all the festivities. This year we will picnic together on May 28th from noon till 4pm at Taylorsville Reserve, in Vandalia. The activities include: Volleyball, cards, board games, this is a fun filled event you will not want to miss. So bring the whole family and enjoy a day out.

Next up is our exciting Pub Crawl. On Thursday May 31st the hangover begins at the Right Corner at 10pm and traveling to each of the bars on the quad. Each bar is planning a special show and drinks, let the fun begin!!

As a big change up this year the Annual Pride Dinner will take place on Friday June 1st beginning at 5:30pm with a business expo and cocktail hour. Since we began celebrating pride in the 80’s here in the Miami Valley, our entire evening will take on an 80’s theme. So dig deep in your closet or visit a thrift store because the dress for the evening is also straight out of the 80’s. The evening gets underway with fantastic entertainment led by local comedian Vincent Holiday. Our keynote speaker is none other than our very own local historian and former Gay Center Board Member, Leon Bey. Our special entertainment for the evening will be provided by some very special friends that you know and love. Tickets may be purchased via our website at http://daytonlgbtcenter.org/?page_id=13

Our headline event begins Saturday June 2nd with Breakfast served at 9am courtesy of M.J.’s Café. Line up for the pride parade is 11am with check in for the parade meeting at the Natalie Clifford Barney Historical Marker in Cooper Park on Saint Clair Street. The parade steps off at noon as we travel through the streets to celebrate at Courthouse Square for a fabulous festival of entertainment, food, and frivolity. Entertainment for the day will be provided by our own entertainment royalty along with many dignitaries. Food, Beer, and Craft vendors alike will be on hand to round out a wonderful day. So make your plans to join us June 2nd for this fabulous day of Pride in the Greater Miami Valley.

A small group of 10 people met on Thursday December 29th to further discussions on our Pride Celebrations to be held in June. This year we celebrate our 25th Anniversary of Pride Celebrations in the Dayton Area. Some committees were established but others still need volunteers. If you would like to volunteer your time at the pride celebrations or help with the planning, please contact Bret.Wendel@daytonlgbtcenter.org or info@daytonlgbtcenter.org and you will be notified when our next meetings will be. We do seek all the help we can get.
In the course of the meeting we discussed many fundraising ideas and opportunities. Of course fundraising can always be our largest challenge so we seek as many that can assist in this task as possible.
The 1st pride celebration in the Dayton Area was held in the 80’s so we will make our Pride Dinner for 2012 an 80’s theme party. So break out your favorite 80’s clothing or put an 80’s outfit together to wear. Don your gay apparel for a great night of fun as we share in our rich histories and exciting entertainment.
We next meet on January 22nd at 2pm for the “Big Gay Meeting”, the “Pride” meeting will take place at 3pm at MJ’s Community Room. See You Then!

The holidays are ahead with many wonderful opportunities to share in the spirit of the season. We kick off the season with the family Holiday, Thanksgiving. Saturday night, November 19, 2011 the annual Greater Dayton LGBT Community Thanksgiving Dinner is offered for all our family and friends.

The LGBT family & friends plan to gather at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church at 101 Huffman Ave in Dayton to share with all this “Family” Holiday. The sponsors of the Thanksgiving will provide the ham, turkey and all the fixing’s. Bring a salad, dessert or side dish to share – the event sponsors will have the main entrees, tableware and beverages.

The evening begins at 5:30pm with a social hour followed by dinner at 6:30pm. After dinner we will share in a program with community announcements and entertainment by the Rubi Girls.

This is a free event for all LGBT family and friends.

On November 20th join us for the “Big Gay Meeting” as we all work together to strengthen and lead our community.

Visit our calendar for all events and times of events throughout our gay community.