Yeah it is. Consent is Hot! April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, and this month Montrose Counseling Center is raising awareness about consent, and why it's important for you and your sex partner. We recommend before you engage in ANY sexual activity that you get consent from your partner. Sex without consent is sexual assault. That doesn't mean you have to have a checklist and sign off on everything ahead of time. Most people who actively give and get consent report that their partner(s) not only appreciate it when they talk first, they also find it arousing. As things heat up in the bedroom, you could whisper in your partner's ear, "I really want to _______. Is that okay?" Don't worry about ruining the mood. Forcing someone to do something he or she doesn't want to do will ruin the mood. By getting and giving consent, you and your partner are not only building a healthy relationship, but communicating respect for one another.

In the state of Texas, a person under the age of 17 is not able to give consent to have sex with an adult. Drugs and alcohol can impair your judgment to give or get consent. Having sex with someone who is under the age of 17, or with someone who is not sober may have profound legal consequences.

If you feel that someone performed a sex act with you without your consent or if you have been or are sexually assaulted, Montrose Counseling Center is here for you. If you need someone to accompany you to the hospital for treatment after an assault, we can send a GLBT advocate to be with you, any time. The advocate can help you if you want to report the assault to the police. Call Gay & Lesbian Switchboard at 713.529.3211 to get in touch with the advocate, 24 hours a day. Services are available regardless of immigration status.

Even if it happened a long time ago, Montrose Counseling Center has two support groups for Sexual Assault Survivors. Individual and couples counseling also is available.

If you would like to order a T-shirt with our Consent is HOT! logo (available in two colors), check out Cafe Press. Proceeds benefit Montrose Counseling Center.

We couldn't be happier about the company we keep. Thirty years ago, the same year that MCC was founded, a group of business men and women came together to create an organization that would provide a non-political forum for discussion of business and community affairs, to encourage and foster social and business relationships among the membership, and to support such educational and/or charitable causes. That organization is the Executive and Professional Association of Houston (EPAH). On Friday, April 25, they're having a 6 p.m. Social Hour at Meteor, 2306 Geneses to celebrate their 30th Anniversary. There will be light appetizers and happy hour drink prices. Everyone is welcome to join the fun and bid on incredible items at silent auction, such as lodging for a week in a Lake Thane cabin, lodging in a condo in Palm Springs, or a week in an apartment in San Francisco! EPAH has chosen Montrose Counseling Center as a beneficiary of the auction proceeds. Monies raised will go toward MCC's building fund, and in return, a room will be named after EPAH. If you are interested in finding out about room naming opportunities, please contact our Executive Director, Ann J. Robison, PhD, at 713.529.0037.

We are accepting applications for the next Gay & Lesbian Switchboard training coming up in May. Because the training encompasses three consecutive weekends, we are only able to hold the trainings a couple times a year. The next training will be held on May 3-4, May 10, and May 17-18. Volunteers must go through the entire training, and we strongly recommend that it be done in person, however if you have a conflict for some of the sessions, some of it may be made up by watching videotapes and reading the manual. The trainings held on May 17-18 are mandatory, as they include crisis intervention and role playing. Being a Switchboard Volunteer is a challenging and rewarding experience! You'll receive gratification that comes from helping callers in need, as well as giving back to your community. Contact us now to join the ranks of our amazing volunteers.

Theatre New West takes great pride in presenting Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues at Montrose Counseling Center, 401 Branard St., 1st Floor, May 9 - 31. In a unique twist and in celebration of the 10th anniversary of this theatrical phenomenon, the production will be performed by members of Houston's transgender community. Tickets are $20 and may be reserved by calling 713.522.2204.

The Vagina Monologues is a poignant and hilarious tour of the last frontier, the ultimate forbidden zone, it is a celebration of female sexuality in all its complexity and mystery. Hailed as the bible for a new generation of women, it has been performed in cities all across the world and at hundreds of college campuses, and has inspired a dynamic grassroots movement -- V Day -- to stop violence against women.


Director Joe Watts watched a documentary of a Los Angeles production of the show with an entire male-to-female transgender cast, and decided he'd like to do something similar, however he decided the Houston cast for The Vagina Monologues would not be as limited, opening the auditions up to both female-to-male and male-to-female transgender performers, as well as drag queens. "My intent is in no way meant to sensationalize the transgender community, but to give them a voice, one of better understanding, acceptance, dignity, clarity and beauty."

A preview performance will be held on Thursday, May 8 as a fundraiser for Montrose Counseling Center. Curtain time is 8 p.m., and tickets will be $35 for the benefit performance. In order to reserve your tickets for the benefit performance, you may pay online through the Network for Good website and designate your donation for The Vagina Monologues.

On May 8, Montrose Counseling Center's SPRY program is thrilled to be chosen as a community partner for the ActOUT performance of the The Gershwins' An American in Paris World Premiere at the Alley Theatre.

The wild and hilarious new musical comedy The Gershwins’ An American in Paris takes us on a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the legendary movie-musical. Reuniting Ken Ludwig, George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin – the team behind the Broadway smash Crazy For You – this new American musical tells the story of Michel Gerard, the greatest music hall singer in Paris. When Michel fails to turn up at Monumental Pictures’ Paris studio for the filming of a new musical, Studio Head Louis Goldman sends his practical, no-nonsense secretary, Rebecca Klemm, to find the missing star – and when the legendary Parisian crosses swords with the indomitable American, nothing short of fireworks ensue. Don't miss this blissful prequel to the famous movie, featuring some of the best-loved songs written by George and Ira Gershwin including: “’S Wonderful,” “They All Laughed,” “Stairway to Paradise” and many more.

Before the performance, attend a pre-curtain event with complimentary hors d'oeuvres, desserts and beverages. At 7:30, head downstairs to the performance. The ActOUT event is FREE with your ticket to the May 8 performance. Use the promo code: ActOUT when you purchase your tickets online or call the box office at 713.220.5700, then enter 1.

Ever since Montrose Counseling Center launched the SPRY (Seniors Preparing for Rainbow Years) program, we've heard that many would like to participate in organized events for GLBT seniors. The first social will be the May 8 ActOUT performance of The Gershwins’ An American in Paris. Later this month, the SPRY Social Group will attend the Bayou City Women's Chorus presentation of ECHOES of WOMEN at Bering United Methodist Church. If you would like to join us, or would like more information, please contact Ben Morgan at 713.529.0037 x350 or Delma Cummings at 713.529.0037 x363.

Mark your calendar for upcoming events...

June 1 excursion to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, admission is free
June 21 Gay Men's Chorus performance of Echoes of the Voyage at Jones Hall

Come sit, stand, or perform with us on Friday, May 9, at George's, Your Country Sports Bar at 617 Fairview. We are thrilled that Montrose Counseling Center's SPRY Program has been selected as the beneficiary of this ERSICSS show. Presented by Peasant Royals XXIV, Crystal Rae Lee Love and John Paul, the program begins at 9 p.m. We hope to see you there!

The beautiful and talented Marcia Mink Gill is celebrating her birthday with a Passover-themed party at EJ's on Friday, May 16. Marcia is well aware that Passover is in April, but she's running on Drag Time and fashionably one month late! Don't miss this ERSICSS event benefiting Montrose Counseling Center's building fund. In Ms. Mink's words, there will be:

• Coffee Talk 'n Goyem Schtick!
• 50/50 Raffle
• $5 Buhba's Blue Plate Special
• $1 Latkes
• Free Guides to Yiddish 101
• and a Jewtopia Give Away!

It all begins at 7 p.m. at EJ's, 2517 Ralph Street on Friday May 16 -- birthday party first, and then show at 8:30 p.m.

Our good friend Noel Boado is the guest of honor at Carl Han's Love Party 2008, an event featuring Tribal Lilies, China Doll, Yna Nova, and a very special appearance by Christina Lee, along with the video premiere of "Hungry for Love," a commentary about public officials getting caught with their pants down, "The Love Train," and a special video commentary, "What's Left to Say" about the current state of world affairs. Come out to Meteor, 2306 Genesee St., at 7:30 on May 17 to show your appreciation of Noel, one of our community's shining stars. According to Carl "from a dance routine in front of City Hall during the International Festival to a drag number in front of friends and family, Noel is always there to put a smile on our face." Carl Han's Love Party 2008 has selected HATCH as a beneficiary of the event. A suggested donation of $10 will be requested at the door.

Hustle Down to Funky Town, the 16th Annual HATCH Alternative Prom will be held on Friday, June 13. According to HATCH Youth Services Specialist, Deb Murphy, this is going to be a groovy year for the prom. "We've been very lucky to partner with wonderful venues in the past, like the Historic Magnolia Ballroom and the Lovett Inn, but we are looking forward to turning the first floor at Montrose Counseling Center into our very own disco for the night."

The youth already are busy getting the decorations together. Some are figuring out what they're going to wear since almost anything goes at an alternative prom. Murphy expects to see a lot of people in 70s attire this year to go along with the theme, which was inspired by Pride Houston's theme, "We are Family."

Prom is a great event in that it is fun for everyone, and it supports the HATCH program as well. The prom is free for gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning youth, and their allies, ages 13 - 20. Many don't attend their own school dances because they are afraid of being teased or even physically abused by their peers.

A special invitation is extended to GLBT adults who may not have had the opportunity to attend their own high school prom dressed as they wished or with a same-sex date. The dress code includes everything from tuxedos and formal gowns to costume and drag. Anyone over the age of 21 who wasn't able to attend his or her own prom, or anyone who would like a chance to do it over again is welcome to come for a $25 donation. You may register at the Network for Good website and designate the donation for the Prom. If you would like more information about the prom, or if you are interested in sponsoring, please contact Deb Murphy at 713.529.3590.

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate at our annual St. Patrick's Day celebration. The event was an enormous success, and we are grateful to have such wonderful support in the community. We would like to especially thank our hosts, John Danielson and Dwane Todd, along with our bar tending staff, the Four Seasons Club. Our gorgeous floral arrangements were courtesy of Hurricane Katrina transplant, Douglas Duggan of Floral Concepts 281.785.9928.

Montrose Counseling Center's SPRY Program recently received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) with the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The certificate recognizes the SPRY Program's ongoing service and commitment to older adults in the community. Pictured at right are (L to R) Marian K. Schienholtz and Neal Brown with CMHS, and Chris Kerr, MEd, LPC. Kerr was recently promoted to Clinical Director of MCC.

Support Montrose Counseling Center by buying an Until There's A Cure bracelet. Be sure to mention our name with your order and we get 25 percent of the total order. Until There's A Cure® Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness about HIV/AIDS through the sale of The Bracelet™. You can support Montrose Counseling Center by mentioning us when purchasing bracelets and other products from Until There's A Cure.