Congratulations to the Wingspan Anti-Violence Project for 10 years of service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (and straight) victims of violence in southern Arizona. What was started by a lesbian domestic violence victim in 1993 eventually became the Domestic Violence Project, became a Wingspan program in 1996, and eventually expanded its scope and changed its name in 2003. What was once an all-volunteer program has grown into one with three professional staff members, two interns and a whole corps of well-trained advocates. The sort of specialized services provided by the AVP aren't available anywhere else in Arizona.

It's an honor to have been involved with the AVP almost since I arrived in Tucson 4 years ago. I've co-facilitated their support group for LGBT survivors of violence for the past three and a half years. And I'm a founding member of the AVP advisory committee. It was another honor to be asked to emcee tonight's 10-year anniversary celebration, Unmasking Violence. The speakers - including two survivors - were fantastic and the drag performers put on a fab show after the intermission. Thanks to Trader Joe's for donating the delicious apple cider. It was a smallish but engaged crowd, and briefly included, among others, Tucson City Councilwoman Nina Trasoff. Thanks for coming, Nina!

And thanks to everyone else who came out (no pun intended) on a Sunday night to help celebrate ten years of making a difference in the lives of LGBT-identified people in southern Arizona.