Queer Fresno

I meant to post this coverage over the weekend but I didn’t get a chance to.

This is a link to the ABC30 story covering the funeral services for Gloria and Stevie Acuna.

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=7570835

So last night was the first time I volunteered at Integration.  It was probably one of the most fun nights I've had in a long time.  I got to see what it's like for the other side, catching underaged drinkers, cleaning up the tables, and generally keeping the atmosphere fun and aggression-free. At midnight we also had a small memorial in honor of the memory of Stevie Acuna.  It was very well done and moving with just the right amount of reverence … Read More

via Queer Visalia

I can’t tell you how thankful and proud I am right now.  Last night’s INTEGRATION was probably one of the most memorable in the year and a half we’ve been running this event.  At the stroke of midnight we turned on the lights, killed the music, and spent a few minutes honoring the life and memory of Stevie Acuna.  To look out and see the mass of onlookers, with their heads bowed in silence out of respect for Stevie was probably one of the most sincere and powerful moments I can remember in a very long time.  I want to say thank you to everyone who came last night and participated in our moment of silence.  I want to say thanks to Michael Dias for putting together a beautiful memorial on stage for Stevie, and all the QN and Starline staff that helped support a difficult and complicated night. I wanted to announce Stevie’s funeral information last night but it slipped my mind so I wanted to post it here.  You can click the link below to get the schedule of services…

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Queer Fresno, INTEGRATION, and QN will be honoring the memory of Steve “Stevie” Acuna this Wednesday.  We will be publicly displaying his picture, lighting a candle to his memory, and maybe even having a small moment of silence.  Stevie was a regular at INTEGRATION and it’s pretty apparent he touched many, many lives.

R.I.P. Steven.  You will be sorely missed.

For those of you who have not heard, our community suffered a terrible loss this week.  Steve (aka Stevie) Acuna was killed by his father, who also killed his mother, before turning the weapon on himself Tuesday.  Stevie was a dancing fool and a regular fixture at INTEGRATION and only 20 years old.  I have to be honest:  I felt like the wind was knocked out of me when I heard the news last night from some of his friends.  I just talked to him a week ago and complimented him on his dancing and the great energy he brought to Starline every week.  Stevie was one of ours and he will be missed.  R.I.P.  Steve.  You were taken well before your time.

Here is a story that ABC 30 did on him yesterday.

The professional Men’s Mixer, organized by Tom Purcell, will be at Elements Ultra Lounge in northwest Fresno tonight.  Elements is located at 3045 W. Bullard on the corner of Marks and Bullard. There will be $2 drafts and half price wells and Mojitos.  Tom has always been a friend to Queer Fresno and we appreciate like-minded leaders who work and strive to make our local community stronger.  Creating spaces and opportunities for gays and lesbians to gather and network is a lot of work and sacrifice but the result is a stronger, more organized community.  If you haven’t ever checked out a Men’s Mixer you will find a group of older, professional men who enjoy cocktails and good conversation.  Rumor has it Y101 will in the house giving away prizes too.  If I were still living in Fresno, I’d be attending, that’s for sure.  :-)