Established in 2013 with a mission to advance voices of tolerance, equality and diversity, DreamWeek is a citywide summit filled with discussions, screenings, concerts, exhibits and mixers rooted in 12 key topics: city, sports, cuisine, health, environment, technology, education, arts, youth, spirit, justice and business. Spread across 16 days and anchored by the Martin Luther King Jr. March on January 16, the fifth annual observance includes several events tailored for LGBT community members and allies.
Sat 1/7
LGBTQ & Ally Safe Zone Training
The Center (Pride Center San Antonio) hosts a Safe Zone Training on Saturday. This training recognizes the challenges that advocates of LGBTQ friends, family members and coworkers face, and how to combat those challenges. Discussion will include dialogue on respectful language, coming out, and understanding gender identity and sexual orientation. Free, 11am-3pm Sat, Jan. 7, Westfall Branch Library, 6111 Rosedale Ct., (210) 07-9220, dreamweek.org.
Mon 1/9
The Epidemic of LGBTQ Youth Homelessness in America
Just under two years old, Thrive Youth Center provides a safe, supportive space for homeless LGBTQ youth and provides them with education and support to become productive, skilled and successful adults. The organization provides street outreach services, a drop-in center with meals, showers, counseling, and productive group talks, emergency shelter and transitional housing. The center’s DreamWeek event includes a discussion on youth homelessness and a screening of A Road to Home, director/producer Cal Skaggson’s documentary examining the challenges faced by homeless LGBT teens living in New York City. Free, 5:30-7:30pm Mon, Jan. 9, Launch SA, Phase 2, 600 Soledad St., (210) 598-6623, dreamweek.org.
Wed 1/11
The Equality Project, presented by Equality Texas
Equality Texas presents The Equality Project, a civic engagement program with an emphasis on the effects policy issues have on Texas citizens. The project provides training on how to establish relationships with state representatives and advocate for policy changes. This particular event focuses on the anticipated anti-LGBTQ legislation to come in 2017, and how to combat it by taking positive steps of engagement. This will be an opportunity to learn about employment non-discrimination, family recognition and other LGBTQ related issues. Free, 6-8pm Wed, Jan. 11, Westfall Branch Library, 6111 Rosedale Ct., (210) 07-9220, dreamweek.org.
Thu 1/19
Out In SA DreamWeek Mixer
San Antonio’s premier LGBTQ publication invites community members and allies to celebrate DreamWeek and uplift its messages of tolerance, equality and diversity at a casual mixer hosted at Bar 414 in the historic Gunter Hotel. Guests can mingle with the magazine’s contributors as well as readers, advertisers and supporters. Free, 6-8pm Thu, Jan. 19, Sheraton Gunter Hotel, Bar 414, (210) 585-9999, dreamweek.org.
