Our vision is to see a GLBTQ culture in Long Beach, CA reinvented as one that embraces meaningful relationships, community partnership, and resident ownership of the city. Our mission is to catalyze a culture of trust, leadership, and life among the diverse communities of this city. Journey with us as we try to "connect and affect" with each other and our world!
So much has happened in the last three years so if you've found your way to this blog via internet search, check out our new and current blog at http://gocatalyst.blogspot.com.
posted by Eric @ 9:01 AM
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I know it's been awhile since the last post here. I noticed an article at PressTelegram.Com dated Aug. 5, 2006 that mentions Catalyst. The article talks about Justin Rudd and the 30 minute beach clean ups and makes reference to him recognizing us. Awesome!
posted by Eric @ 10:36 PM
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Last Sunday night's Catalyst BBQ was an awesome time of reconnecting with friends and meeting new ones. 59 people from 21 different organizations and social circles got together to have a good time and to connect with others in the community.
posted by Eric @ 10:35 AM
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The AIDS Walk was a great time of sharing and hearing stories about loved ones affected by HIV and AIDS. It was also a time of increasing awareness about the devastating affects of the disease and also the need for funding and research. There's much to be done!
posted by Eric @ 4:09 PM
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Yesterday was the 7th Anniversary of the 30 minute Beach Clean ups. After the clean up, they celebrated with cake, awards & thank you's, and the monthly door prizes. To our surprise, Justin Rudd recognized Catalyst for our support of the clean ups! How awesome! This was Catalyst's first public acknowledgement. Catalyst is honored to be friends and partners with the Community Action Team and it's beach clean up program.
posted by Eric @ 12:29 PM
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This Saturday, June 17th be sure to join us as we help the CAT clean up a section of Belmont Shore at 10:00 AM for only 30 minutes. We'll be at Ocean & Granada (in front of Ripples) here in Long Beach, CA. Once you get your glove and trashbag, let's cover the section from the end of the dog beach to the pier.
posted by Eric @ 1:08 PM
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Sometimes it's hard to feel like we don't truly fit in. It's frustrating to feel like no one really knows us. Many of us just want to feel connected with a community of people who understands us. The challenge is that we will sometimes experience heartache in our search to be personally known.
What would it look like if we reinvented the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning (GLBTQ) culture in Long Beach, California over the next 30 years . . . .(click here to read the entire article).
posted by Eric @ 1:03 PM
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The AIDS Walk Long Beach is a great way to "affect" our community. There are numerous agencies that are doing incredible work to address the needs of loved ones with AIDS and HIV and they can use all the support we can give! Form a Walk Team with your friends and do this together.
posted by Eric @ 3:10 PM
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The Taming of the Shrew plays Saturdays and Sundays at 6pm, June 24th through July 16th outside the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach as part of the 8th annual Long Beach Shakespeare Festival. It's festival lawn seating, so bring a blanket or low-back chairs, and set up wherever you like. And by all means, bring a picnic! Coolers are allowed, too. You can picnic before and/or during the show. Remember to bring warm clothing for after the sun goes down because it cools down quickly by the water. This will be a great way to connect with new friends!
posted by Eric @ 3:03 PM
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I'm the founder/Executive Director of the Catalyst Network of Communities, a 501c3 non-profit social impact organization helping people and groups to connect, collaborate, and share resources. I established it in 2006.
Before that, in 2002 I was a co-founder of a faith-based non-profit called Kingdom Causes helping churches, church and lay leaders, and people of faith of diverse denominations to serve their city together. Then I began the journey of reconciling my faith and sexuality and eventually came out of the closet.
I've worked in the gay community. I've worked in the Christian community. I've worked in the gay Christian community. Now I work in THE community - helping to build bridges between diverse people and hopefully encouraging people along the journey of their own lives.
It's never about the answers we think we're seeking. It's always about the questions we are bold enough to ask ourselves. That is what truly shapes us.
