An increase in the number of reported drugging and date-robberies has occurred in recent months. Alleged victims are reporting waking with a strange groggy feeling, not remembering the night before, finding wallets emptied of cash, cards, and often other household items of value missing.
The usual drugs associated with date-rape type events are Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB or G), Rohypnolis (Roofies), and less commonly Ketamine hydrochloride (K, Special K.) All of these drugs have or had legitimate uses in controlled and prescribed conditions however when combined with alcohol they may become powerful and dangerous sedative leaving the victims brain unable to save and process short-term memory into long-term memory among other and possibly more deadly effects. The victim often wakes up 6-24 hours later with no memory of the night before.
Don’t carry large quantities of cash or credit cards in your wallet, brag about the Picasso hanging in your living room, accept drinks from strangers unless you actually see the bartender pour/open it, or leave your drink out of your view even for a few seconds.
If someone buys you a drink and you feel socially awkward about turning down the cocktail try getting the attention of a friend or bartender and commenting in your own style “What a nice guy, he bought me a drink!” so there will be other people you know are aware of who is buying you drinks. Leaving a trail of witnesses may discourage a criminal from following through with a robbery or actually drugging you in the first place.
In date-rape type druggings the actually drugging often takes place with the second drink, after the perpetrator has purchased you the first drink to see if your going to make a good victim. It is also possible for someone to put something directly into your drink so always attend the drinks of your own purchase.
The best way to be safe is to go out with friends or let friends know you are out and when you should be home. Befriend the bartenders and door-persons as they are the eyes and ears of the inebriated. If you become a victim the bartender or door-person may notice you staggering out with someone, possibly intervene or at least know who you left with. This may be the best time to evaluate your designated driver options too.
Please, If you believe you have become the victim of a related crime please contact the local authority and be sure they file a report, even if they seem not to take it seriously. Another way to help is to let your community papers know what’s going on. Until the next time we see you out in the scene be safe. May your nights be memorable and have a drink for us.

Join us for WNBA Basketball action: JULY 30, 2009: MONARCHS V. SASS, AUGUST 1, 2009: MONARCHS V. LA SPARKS, Let’s get out there and show the Sacramento Monarchs what Rainbow-colored Money and Gay pride is all about. Thurs., July 30 11:30 a.m. Day Game: Monarchs square of against San Antonio on Kids Day Start. Let’s take our kids to the game. Lots of great family restaurants, movie theaters and overall family entertainment. Sat., Aug. 1 7 p.m. Evening Game: Monarchs match up against arch rivals from the South LA Sparks. A great opportunity to show California solidarity with our brothers and sisters from the south. Our families matter! our values matter! our money matters! Tickets are $10 and $20, For ticket Information: Contact Kim Seibert 916.928.3682 Buy tickets online at groupshavemorefun.com/rainbowmoneymatters. A Week of Pride @ Arco Arena Where Rainbow Money Matters

From July 15 Issue of MGW. momguesswhat.com
This year’s Pride Parade and Festival was the largest Sacramento Pride in its history with over 7,000 people attending and enjoying the festivities and entertainment. Attendees were also greeted by more than 185 vendors and almost 60 contingents in the annual Pride Parade.
Many contingents participating in the parade were local community groups. Numerous elected officials came out to show their support and pride.
Among this group were Senator Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, County Supervisor Roger Dickinson, City Council Members Rob Fong and Kevin McCarty, County Board of Education President Gretchen Bender, Sacramento Unified School District Trustee Patrick Kennedy and Natomas School Board Trustee Lisa Kaplan.
Preliminary numbers are reflecting a potential 25 percent increase over last year’s revenue.Some of the highlights of the festival included a very successful Kids Zone area, a wide variety of local entertainment and a beer garden to rival all beer gardens.
Over 2,500 people visited the beer garden to enjoy entertainment, vendors and of course beer, wine and mixed drinks. Captain Dana Mathes of the Sacramento City Police department commented on the operational side of the event and how well organized and planned it was.
Thanks to the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, the event has been a great tool for increasing the communication between the LGBTQQI community and the Sacramento City Police Department, as evidenced by the presence of the information booth staffed by out LGBT officers.
Lester Neblett, Executive Director of the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center said “This event would not have been possible without the dedicated work of those serving on the Sac Pride Executive Committee and the 180 volunteers that came out on the day of the event to help.
Sacramento has a rich and diverse LGBT community that demonstrated its Pride by attending this wonderful annual event.”Pride is the primary fundraiser for the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center. The funds raised are used to support the various programs and services offered through the Center.
The Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center offers diverse programs that include, but are not limited to serving over 100 youths per week. The mental health program alone, serves 60 people per week and it has a waiting list that averages 20. The Legal clinic helps an average of 20 people per month.
The money raised will help to guarantee the continued success of the Center and the programs that they offer.

Carl K. Naluai Jr., the longest-serving cantor in the Sacramento region and a respected figure at Congregation B’nai Israel in Sacramento, has died at age 60.
He died Wednesday after being taken by ambulance from the temple on Riverside Boulevard to UC Davis Medical Center. The cause was probably complications related to diabetes or heart problems, said his cousin, Jason Lindo.
During more than 30 years with B’nai Israel, Mr. Naluai served as both cantor and music director, taught in religious school and devoted time to adult education. He was an important part of B’nai Israel holidays and celebrations.
He served as organ accompanist at Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, composed music for Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and directed a Jewish community choir.
He composed works and spent more than a decade as artistic director for the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus.
“Carl’s influence on the members of the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus and the community at large is immeasurable,” board President Mike Tentis said. “His musical inspiration and leadership took us in new directions. We are all richer in spirit for having known him.”

CSUS: A new class is being offered this summer. It is GOVT 168 – Gay & Lesbian Politics on Tuesday/Thursday 12:00pm-1:15pm. The topics to be covered are: History of the Gay Rights Movement, Heteronormativity, Public Opinion towards GLBTs, Stereotyping, Running and Governing as an openly GLBT elected official, Assimiliationist vs. Liberationist Philosophies & Political Strategies, Gays in the Military, Impact of AIDS, Gay Rights in Congress, GLBT Legal Strategies, Gay Rights at the Supreme Court, Gay Rights in the States (anti-discrimination, hate crimes, relationship (non)recognition laws). It is going to be taught by Dr. Brian DiSarro and if he does not get more students signed up to his class it will be canceled. The more classes we have that discuss the queer culture the more people will be informed about it and the further CSUS will come in creating a friendly and accepting campus. If we can show that the students want to take classes such as these then the school will understand how important it is for these issues to be discussed and to be a part of the school. If you would like to contact Dr. Brian DiSarro here is his information: 3115 Tahoe Hall, Phone: (916) 278-3572

PURCHASE TWO TICKETS FOR THIS WEEKEND, $10 EACH! GOOD FOR JULY 17TH AND 18TH
CARHOPS IN BONDAGE Fri/Sat 8pm, July 17th through July 31st, THREE WEEKS ONLY!!! The Lambda Players Studio Theatre, 1028 R Street, Sacramento CA 95811, www.lambdaplayers for reservations, 916-444-8229 for information

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Close up video of the Slavic haters at the Sacramento Pride Parade submitted by a Community Member. Thank you!