Dear
Friends, Welcome to the NOH8 Issue of Vital VOICE Magazine. We are so proud to be a media sponsor for the upcoming NOH8 Project St. Louis whose gallery exposition will take place April 8 – 9 at the Duane Reed Gallery in the heart of the fabulous CWE. NOH8 is a photo project and silent protest originally created by Adam Bouska and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to California’s Proposition 8 ballot measure and constitutional amendment which stopped same sex marriage. Our Senior Writer/Web Editor, Colin Murphy details how the NOH8 message has spread to the Midwest as NOH8 Project St. Louis. Money raised by the Project goes to support groups and agencies that fight for marriage equality and equal rights and privileges for all. Many thanks go to CJC Productions, LLC; participating bars that graciously lent their space for photo shoots; photographer Chris Weiss for starting us off; our Project photographer, John Elkins; and of course YOU for adding your photo to the fight for equality. The Human Rights Campaign and PROMO are indefatigable advocates who work to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. Through inspiration and engagement these organizations strive to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. For more information log onto noh8projectstl.com. One of our main goals at Vital VOICE is to always showcase everything and anyone who embodies the modern LGBT community. Our second feature by Amanda Wichern spotlights some of our community’s top creative business owners and industry toppers like Sauce Magazine’s publisher Allyson Mace and PR maven Sarah Thompson. There are so many people who make our community and the St. Louis business world go round and round. WE are happy to bring you this year’s Vita VOICE PROshop list.
It is no secret that the U.S. economy is on the mend, but as Pamela Raymond of “The Raymond Experience” explains in our third feature, it is the LGBT community who are leading the way. In this new decade, we at Vital VOICE felt it important to get the word out about the power of the “PINK” dollar. We are also honored to dedicate this March issue to our nonprofit of the month, “River City Professionals”. Scott Lapp works tirelessly to bring today’s smart, young, entrepreneur and business professionals together for great networking through their monthly cocktail hours and networking events! If you haven’t yet been to one please log onto rivercityprofessionals.org. Stay tuned—next month we are excited about bringing lesbian actress, comedienne and cabaret star, Lea Delaria to St. Louis. The Belleville native will be performing at NP April 16 and 17 so get your tickets today at brownpapertickets.com. Cheers,
Darin Slyman Publisher
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