Little Rock LGBTQ PRIDE Picnic 2009

In intense heat and humidity on a Sunday in June 2009, a picnic in Little Rock, Arkansas for LGBTQ PRIDE. Here are some sights and sounds:

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Part 2:




Part 3:



Part 4:

Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009 (With Lyrics)

YouTube brings us Susan Boyle. Amazing talent!

Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit

Just because it's an American classic

Oaklawn Between Friends

Ode to Sandra Wilson

The woman that ran a federal AIDS housing program in Arkansas with an iron fist for 16 years says the war is over and she gives up. Sandra Wilson (aka Bit**, as*****, Fu***** bit**, Fu***** As*****)initially told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that her non-profit, Arkansas Supportive Housing Network, could not raise necessary matching funds for grants in this bad economy. A lie. Now the reporter knows how many of her clients, past and present, feel. Sandra apparently loves to play the victim and twists truth when defending herself against accusations.

In the '90s, her non-profit was known as AIDS Outreach of Arkansas. With a federal grant, she'd take homeless people with HIV and put them often in drug-infested apartment complexes. Horror stories were regularly heard from clients about ASHN employees popping in, going through clients' trash cans, and tossing their apartments looking for any hint of a beer can, other alcohol or drug use. Random drug tests were often frequent and abusive. Someone would show at the door and drive the client straight to the testing center without concern for the client's obligations or health. Want to lose your shelter? Then go NOW. This was a practice not used in every state, so clearly it was a policy of her own design.

As an AIDS activist, I spent ungodly amounts of time on the phone with dying clients on the verge of homelessness, about abusive treatment by Sandra's agency. Several times I'd set up meetings with supervising agencies so that they could hear what I was hearing. Homeless clients don't think about documenting abuses as they happen, so necessary supportive evidence was often lacking. Truth was also often lacking in the response of Sandra's agency, just as it was in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article.

Turns out that Sandra's agency didn't shut down due to the bad economy after all. Sunday's paper included a details about grant money mismanagement. Sandra and her board members might have been liable for well over $ 100,000 inappropriately spent.

Sandra now says Little Rock HUD office employees have been out to get her since she helped send Lola Thrower to jail, convicted of stealing grant money intended for state HIV services. Sandra said they've been on this hideous campaign for years; they had it in for her. They must have been randomly going through her trash, and tossing her agency searching for something. She failed in a pissing match with HUD, and now she's out on the street, so to speak. I'll bet she's hardly homeless with AIDS, but it seems like karma nevertheless.

Sandra was not the only one seeking justice for Lola Thrower's actions, but I guess the only one victimized for it. You know, a martyr.

HUD says 3 years of financial mismanagement caused this, and if the agency would have signed a repayment agreement, all would have been fine. How can over $100,000 in housing funds be misspent, and no one be held accountable? I say go after Sandra and her board personally for the money owed.

As for people with HIV in her program, there was a seamless transition to other agencies. Their housing assistance continues. Surprise! No complaints from clients!

Farewell Sandra. Angels in heaven rejoiced at your departure.

One Peace at a Time - Sneak Preview

DPR bill not considered today (4-1-09)