Atlanta ACB Get-Together

The Atlanta chapter of ACB is getting together Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 6:00pm. Here is a link to the facebook page and a description of the event is included below.

Hi all, it's been a long time since we all got together.  We will have a visitor from NC, Jimmy, who will be here, and is looking forward to meeting everyone.  Also, there have been a number of new xjws in the Atlanta area who have made contact recently, and hopefully some of them will be able to join us.  Please share with anyone that I've missed.  The invite will also be advertised on the various xjw groups, so hopefully we can expect a good crowd!  Looking forward to seeing everybody!

New Orleans Meetup - 2013

August 29 – September 2 (Labor Day/Southern Decadence Weekend) Last year was the first year that we that had to cancel a conference due to a hurricane.This year we are playing the odds and giving New Orleans have one more shot. So we are welcoming everyone back to NOLA for the 2013 ACB Meetup.  We also will have a contingency plan in place should there be another hurricane bearing down on New Orleans on Labor Day weekend.

We are planning a picnic on Saturday at Audubon Park. Look for the banner from the Houston Conference. After the picnic you can explore the city on your own or form an impromptu group. Later that evening there will be a group heading down to the French Quarter for Southern Decadence. On Sunday we will meet in smaller groups for lunch and dinner. We will also take a tour of the city and probably return to the French Quarter for another round of Southern Decadence.

We are also planning a few new things this year including a souvenir exchange, photo contest, and a short "it gets better" video. All of the events are optional but I think they could be fun.

For the souvenir exchange bring something unique, less than $20 value, that represents the city you came from. It could be a pin, a book, a box of candy, something that represents you or your hometown. At the end of the weekend anyone who want to participate will get together and exchange their souvenirs.

For the photo contest there will be two categories. One for the best shot of New Orleans and best shot of a person at the conference. The winners will receive a free dinner while in New Orleans. If they have to leave early then we will send them a $25 gift card through the mail. The photos can be taken using anything: phone, camera, iPod, etc. Then upload them to the Facebook page for the meetup. At the end of the weekend the photo with the most likes in each category will be the winner. For the best shot of a person make sure they know that their picture is being taken and that you plan to upload it to Facebook. If someone is uncomfortable or does not want their picture taken please do not force the issue. Many time at the meetups there are people who have not told their families about their sexuality please respect that. We want everyone to be comfortable and enjoy themselves.

For the "it gets better" video I am planning on using my camera to get short clips of people saying how their life is better now that they are free from the religion. We can get these clips from all over New Orleans. I hope that this will show people who are afraid to leave the we are not weeping or gnashing our teeth and that there is life after the JWs.

Since this is happening during a very large gay event you should book you plane tickets and hotel soon. As of the beginning of April round trip air fare from Chicago to New Orleans was approximately $375-$400. Hotel rooms for the weekend were available from $100 and up per night depending on amenities. Use your favorite travel search engine, I prefer Kayak, and set up an alert to email you daily or weekly with travel deals.

We recommend staying in the Garden District near St. Charles Avenue. But you could also stay in the Central Business District or the French Quarter. However due to Southern Decadence the longer you wait to book a hotel, especially near the French Quarter, the more expensive your rooms will be.

The St. Charles Streetcar line runs 24/7 every 10 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the early morning hours. This streetcar line runs from Audubon Park to the edge of the French Quarter. Single rides are $1.25 and a 3-day unlimited Jazzy pass is $9. There are also plenty of taxis available.

Labor Day weekend is also Southern Decadence in New Orleans. According to

http://www.southerndecadence.net/:

“Southern Decadence started forty-one years ago as a simple going-away party. As a top gay Labor Day Weekend destination, it has evolved into one of our world’s major annual events. One of the largest annual celebrations and festivals in New Orleans, it has become known as the “Gay Mardi Gras.” People begin to arrive on the Wednesday before Labor Day, and generally don’t even think about stopping or going home until the following Tuesday. With over 100,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender participants, and an economic impact estimated to be in excess of $125 million, the city has recognized the festival’s importance with an Official Proclamation to welcome the event.”

From nature to parties there should be something in New Orleans for everyone. I hope to see everyone there.

Forums Removed

If you were wondering what happened to the forums I had to delete them. I was able to install Akismet to keep most spammers from posting to the forums but I couldn't find a reliable way to keep them from registering. At the beginning of the year we had ~40,000 registered users with roughly 100 real users. All of the spam users resulted in 9,000 posts per week that were getting filtered. Our hosting company contacted me about the excessive database usage and gave me two weeks to rectify the situation. After researching the issue, the forums were only getting valid posts about once per month and the spam users were posting 12,000 per week, the only option was to delete the forums.

If you want to interact with other ex-JWs I suggest going to facebook to the following groups:

Gay & Lesbian ex Jehovah's Witnesses - This is an open group with 566 members around the world.

Un Lazo Común - Ex-testigos de Jehová Gays - This is a spanish group that just started with 7 members.

CANCELED – New Orleans Meetup 2012

This years meetup is CANCELED due to hurricane Isaac. We have reports that much of the French quarter is without power and the Louis Armstong Airport is operating on generators. Due to the slow moving storm there is a high possibility of flooding making travel difficult. Please contact your hotels and airlines for refunds. More details to follow.

ACB Article in Edge Dallas

Our group was featured in an article on the Edge network.

When asked what he feels is the most important work of ACB, he said, "The greatest thing we can give to anyone who feels abandoned or alone, fresh out of the organization, is friendship, maybe a shoulder to cry on, an earful of advice on how to move on with their life, connect them to others, and make sure they know they are not alone."

The fulltext of the article is available here: http://www.edgedallas.com/news/local/features//133736/lgbt_ex-jehovah

San Francisco Meetup - 5/6/12

Join the San Francisco chapter for lunch and their May meetup.

When: Sun, May 6, 2012 at 2:00 PM

Where: Firewood Cafe 4248 18th St San Francisco CA 94114

CANCELED - New Orleans Meetup 2012

This years meetup is CANCELED due to hurricane Isaac. We have reports that much of the French quarter is without power and the Louis Armstong Airport is operating on generators. Due to the slow moving storm there is a high possibility of flooding making travel difficult. Please contact your hotels and airlines for refunds. More details to follow. August 31 - September 2 (Labor Day/Southern Decadence Weekend)

This year we wanted the conference to be super social. So there will be no presentations, no meetings, no fees, just FUN! On Saturday we are going to have a picnic at Audubon Park. Look for the banner from the Houston Conference. After the picnic you can explore the city on your own or form an impromptu group. Later that evening there will be a group heading down to the French Quarter for Southern Decadence. On Sunday we will meet in smaller groups for lunch and dinner. We will also take a tour of the city and probably return to the French Quarter for another round of Southern Decadence.

If you want to come to New Orleans you should book you plane tickets and hotel soon. As of the beginning of April round trip air fare from Chicago to New Orleans was approximately $375-$400. Hotel rooms for the weekend were available from $100 and up per night depending on amenities. Use your favorite travel search engine, I prefer Kayak, and set up an alert to email you daily or weekly with travel deals.

We recommend staying in the Garden District near St. Charles Avenue. But you could also stay in the Central Business District or the French Quarter. However due to Southern Decadence the longer you wait to book a hotel, especially near the French Quarter, the more expensive your rooms will be.

The St. Charles Streetcar line runs 24/7 every 10 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the early morning hours. This streetcar line runs from Audubon Park to the edge of the French Quarter. Single rides are $1.25 and a 3-day unlimited Jazzy pass is $12. There are also plenty of taxis available.

Labor Day weekend is also Southern Decadence in New Orleans. According to

http://www.southerndecadence.net/:

“Southern Decadence started forty-one years ago as a simple going-away party. As a top gay Labor Day Weekend destination, it has evolved into one of our world's major annual events. One of the largest annual celebrations and festivals in New Orleans, it has become known as the "Gay Mardi Gras." People begin to arrive on the Wednesday before Labor Day, and generally don't even think about stopping or going home until the following Tuesday. With over 100,000 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender participants, and an economic impact estimated to be in excess of $125 million, the city has recognized the festival's importance with an Official Proclamation to welcome the event.”

From nature to parties there should be something in New Orleans for everyone. I hope to see everyone there.

ACB-GSFBA White Elephant Gift Exchange Party

A Common Bond of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area is having a white elephant party. Sunday, December 18, 2011 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

If you are in the greater San Francisco bay area and would like to be added to the evite please email Sam.

Support Group for European LGBT JW's

Samuel, his story is on our site, has started a support group for European LGBT JWs. The purpose of this support group is to: - Unite the LGBT Jehovah's Witnesses Community based in Europe (we also extend our support to people from Africa, Asia and Middle East as well.) - Listen to how people are coping with their sexuality and religious background - Provide support, encouragement & positive energy - Share personal stories & experiences as a source of encouragement - Organise meet-ups and activities to establish a bond with group members - Provide information and direct people to available help groups & professionals - This group should be a place where people can be themselves, have a good time and feel energized

Languages we provide support in: English / Spanish / Italian / French / Dutch

Our e-mail

Our Facebook Support group

2011 Conference Schedule

Larry is arranging a car to pick people up. To take advantage of this you need to forward your plans in advance. Once you register for the conference we will send you Larry’s contact information. Conference registration is available at: http://www.gayxjw.org/?p=267 Thursday:

People will be coming in that whole day, it will be a very informal gathering at my home. 7pm. If you get into Houston earlier and wish to come over and hang out, just come over, or call and a shuttle car will be available to bring you over. I am planning this day loosely, as most everyone is traveling in on this day. I am sure later in the evening we will do something dinner wise in the neighborhood.

Friday:

9:00 Breakfast at House of Pies Kirby drive. This is Houstons oldest, gayest greasy spoon dinner. 11:00 -? Tours of Houston. We have tour planned of scenic Houston. Downtown Houston. Williams Tower (awesome 3 store waterfall feature) Some of Houstons most beautiful architecture. A beautiful cemetery where all of Houston's mover and shakers are buried, including the infamous Aviator, Howard Humphry Hughes. 7pm. Opening Dinner & Drinks, at my house. Dinner will be ready at 7sharp. (fresh home made chicken and pork tamales, rice and beans. 10:30pm for those who are not bar flies, anyone and everyone is welcome to stay and socialize at my house.

Saturday:

GLBT Cultural Center/Montrose Counseling Center 401 Branard St Houston, Texas 77006

9am Opening announcements 9:30-11:30 Guest Speaker Tony Carrol. (registered, licensed therapist who is speaking on the subject of cults, deprogramming. Tony specializes with the gay community. Him and his partner Bruce are huge supporters of the Gay Community here in Houston.

11:30 -1pm Lunch. Lunch at Barnabys. Awesome Gay dinner food in Houston historic Gay Montrose hood.

1:00 Sam Casas. 1:30-3:30 Guest Speaker Denise Odherty. (registered nurse and licensed counselor speaking of the subject of Self Esteem and Effective Confrontation. 3:30-4pm break 4:00-5:30 Larry Kirkwood on ACB Business and announcements of where ACB Conference 2012 will be. 7:30 -? Dinner at Ninfas. This is Houston’s best mexican food in town. Long history and awesome margaritas as well. 10:30 for those who wish to stay low key and not hit the clubs, my house is open. For those who want to experience Houston’s Gay night life, we will meet at my house 10:30 then head out.

Sunday:

11am. This year, we are introducing a new idea.....a good old fashioned get together at Baldwin Park, which is located directly across the street from my house. We will have volleyball net, picnic tables, sitting under trees that are more than 130 years old!!! If weather is not conducive the venue will be moved to inside my home. This late brunch will be included with the cost of the registration.

7pm dinner at Hollywood Vietnamese restaurant in Montrose. They serve awesome Chinese, Vietnamese and French cuisine. We can all end up back at my house or hang out in the gayborhood.

A Common Bond San Francisco Bay Area Meet Up

Don Ramon's Mexican Restaurant225 11th St San Francisco, CA

More Info (between Howard St & Kissling St) We will be having our meet up after the Folsom Fair.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=257621680944020

Hotel Information - Reserve by September 1, 2011

Time is running out to make your hotel reservations. To take advantage of our group rate you need to reserve your room by September 1st. 2011. If anyone wishes to come a few days prior, or stay a few days later, they will honor that same price for us. When you call to book this hotel, please tell them you want the rate set for AGLBT Common Bond International.

Crowne Plaza - Houston River Oaks (ask for reservations) 2712 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77098 (713) 523-8448

Also the conference is at the following address. I realized I had published the wrong address and wanted to repost the correct address.

Houston GLBT Center 401 Branard St Houston, Texas 77006

2011 Conference Details - Updated Address

October 7-9, 2011Houston, Texas

Conference fees:

$50 per person total, which includes snacks, beverages, and Saturday night dinner. You can pay online or by mail. To pay online click pay now on the Paypal link below.

To pay by mail make check, money order payable to A GLBT Common Bond International. Mail to:

A GLBT Common Bond International 3208 Jackson St. Houston, Texas 77004

When your payment is recieved, you will be notified, and a small welcome packet containing complete information about Houston, along with a map, and simple instructions will be emailed to you.

Friday, October 7, 2011

6:30pm – ???

'Meet 'n Greet' at Larry’s House.

We will send you Larry’s address when you register and pay for the conference.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

8:00am to 5:00pm

($50 per person)

Houston GLBT Center 401 Branard St Houston, Texas 77006

This year, being my home city, I have two close friends of mine, who both so happen to be therapists in the gay community. Tony and his partner Bruce are an older couple who have been together for more than 16 years, and are very involved within the Gay Community. Tony specializes with both individual and couples counseling and will probably speak to us about deprogramming from cults, and will also do an in depth workshop on couples counseling. To learn more about Tony, check out his website at www.houstontherapist.com. Tony has always had a deep seated fascination about us gay ex jw's so I suspect he will be asking more questions, than those of us in attendance.

The second guest speaker, a wonderful positive person, who is always so encouraging and is a pleasure to be around is Denise O'doherty. On my worst day, she makes me feel like i'm invincible. She too is very involved in the Houston area gay community. To see more about Denise go to her website www.relationshiptherapistrn.com. She is also a registered nurse, but her second love is counseling, and she is good at it. I am looking forward to seeing what she brings to the table. I will also be adding a couple of inspirational people to the menu as time progresses, but for the moment, these are two people very close to my heart and are looking forward to speaking at our conference. Dinner is included for Saturday night at my house.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

10:00am to 5:00pm

Picnic in the Park (~ $10 per person)

This year, I wanted to do something totally different. Instead of having a two day conference, I thought we could resurrect something from our lives, a good old fashioned 'get together.' I have a beautiful park directly across the street from my house. It has a baseball field, picnic tables, trees that are more than 100 years old, the tree limbs are so long and old, they lay on the ground, and I think this would be an awesome place to have it. So if the weather interferes, or it gets too hot, we can always walk across the street and go back to my house. I was thinking everyone could chip in $10 or so, we could get some fried chicken, potato salad, and such and have a great day together in the park.

Also you need to make your hotel reservations by September 1st to get the deal that Larry negotiated for us. Only $79 a night. If anyone wishes to come a few days prior, or stay a few days later, they will honor that same price for us. Hotel arrangements must be made prior to Sept 1st. When you call to book this hotel, please tell them you want the rate set for AGLBT Common Bond International.

Crowne Plaza - Houston River Oaks (ask for reservations) 2712 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77098 (713) 523-8448

Houston GLBT Center 401 Branard St Houston, Texas 77006