Zuna Institute Announces 3rd Annual National Black Lesbian Conference: 'Taking Charge: Health, Community and Family'

(Jul. 29, 2004) Sacramento, CA - The Zuna Institute board of directors has selected Dallas, Texas as the location for its 3rd Annual National Black Lesbian Conference (NBLC). Appropriately themed, "Taking Charge: Health, Community and Family," the conference will have workshops and forums that focus on education and advocacy within the Black lesbian Diaspora as well as provide a national voice on gay and lesbian issues.

The conference dates are April 7-10, 2005 in Dallas, Texas.

The Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre will serve as the host hotel and Women of Distinction, a Dallas based Black lesbian organization will serve as the official host. Proposals for workshops and presentations are currently being accepted. For more information or to register, please visit www.zunainstitu te.org.

"Our conference has multiple purposes, although convening Black lesbians nationally to create a platform for future advocacy is our primary purpose," stated Francine Ramsey, executive director of the Zuna Institute. "We realize the gathering of Black lesbians is a political statement in itself and we must use this time to share best practices to support the grassroots efforts to organize in rural and urban cities across the country. As a Black lesbian community, we must use our collective strength to combat the negative forces that say we are not equal and equality is not for everyone. Taking charge of our health, family and community means we no longer give the power of change to others. We must take charge and make change for ourselves."


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Bid By Shepard Killer For Lighter Sentence Rejected 
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff


(Cheyenne, Wyoming) The Wyoming Supreme Court Thursday rejected a final appeal by one of the killers of Matthew Shepard to have his sentence reduced. 

The court refused to hear Russell Henderson's claim that his state-appointed lawyers failed to discuss potential appeals with him.  

In a deal with prosecutors to void the death sentence Henderson pleaded guilty to murder and kidnapping the gay college student in 1998. He is currently serving two life sentences.

Last month District Judge Jeffrey A. Donnell rejected Henderson's argument. Today's decision by the Wyoming Supreme Court lets Donnell's decision stand.