The GA Summerfest 2016 Starts Tomorrow

The GA SummerFest starts tomorrow Friday June 3rd and will continue through Sunday June 12th with the theme "The Summer of Love".

The SummerFest will be opened by an inaugural speech by the GA Lead Weylin Vale at 4PM SLT at the festival sim (SLurl).

After the speech the opening party will follow at 5PM SLT with two live singers, Samm Quendra and Clyde Barrow, and after them the Romanum and Blue Ball parties.
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Secret message to Tomais, should we perhaps drop our search for the perfect male mesh head temporarily to set up the Bock in SecondLife thing-a-magee...?

Gay Archipelago SummerFest 2016

27th April 2016

To: All LGBTQIA + S and friendly people, vendors, and groups on the grid

From: Weylin Vale, GA Lead

Re: GA Summerfest 2016 Sponsorship & Store Holder Invite

Good day all,

One of the missions of the Gay Archipelago is to coordinate grid-wide activities. That nine year tradition will continue on our watch.  Planning is underway for GA Summerfest 2016 which is scheduled for June 3rd to June 12th 2016 and I personally want you to be a part of this one.

This is your invitation to become a sponsor and a part of a great community event. The Festival comes after months of preparation and planning from a highly dedicated team.  Our last event, Winterfest attracted over 55,000 residents - so we are expecting to entertain very large numbers of people again from all over SL.

The GA has received this private Full Region Island Sim kindly donated by Lucretia Brandenburg which will be dedicated to such things as the Village Stores (vendors, merchant and organizations gathered together to promote their goods and services to the visiting public); the Entertainment Stage (for live performances, cabaret shows and dances); and various activities for everyone to enjoy.  We are dedicated to providing the widest variety of activities to suit every taste - all in a welcoming, all-inclusive environment!  As a sponsor, your SIM, business or organization will get great exposure to an always appreciative crowd.

Radio coverage will be from Universe Radio.

We've significantly cut the prices for GA Summerfest Sponsorship as we strive to promote and provide our community with an event that everyone can participate in and enjoy.    The sponsorship packages follow.

SUMMERFEST 2016 "THE SUMMER OF LOVE" PACKAGES:
(The primary difference is the shop size, location and the personal event)

* BRONZE SPONSORSHIP * L$ 2,500
- Small sized sponsor store - with 50 prims available for you to display products/services/information
- Opening party dedicated to the Festival Sponsors on the "The Summer Of Love" festival sim on June 3rd 2016
- Special mentions by the DJ
- Advertisement of your logo on the Sponsor wall during the Festival.
- Advertisement of your logo on the Sponsor board at the opening party, special mentions by the DJ
- A two hour event scheduled at available times where your estate or shop is the sole sponsor
- Notices and announcements to all GA groups during your event
- Advertisement of your logo on the board at the closing party, special mentions by the DJ

* SILVER SPONSORSHIP * L$ 5,000
- Medium sized sponsor store - with 100 prims available for you to display products/services/information
- Opening party dedicated to the Festival Sponsors on the "The Summer Of Love" festival sim on June 3rd 2016
- Special mentions by the DJ
- Advertisement of your logo on the Sponsor wall during the Festival.
- Advertisement of your logo on the Sponsor board at the opening party, special mentions by the DJ
- A two hour event scheduled at available times where your estate or shop is the sole sponsor
- Notices and announcements to all GA groups during your event
- Advertisement of your logo on the board at the closing party, special mentions by the DJ
- 30 second spot on Festival radio (Universe Radio) during non DJ times.

* GOLD SPONSORSHIP * L$ 10,000
- Large sized sponsor store - with 150 prims available for you to display products/services/information
- Advertisement of your logo on the Festival posters and promotional banners.
- Opening party dedicated to the Festival Sponsors on the "The Summer of Love" festival sim on June 3rd 2016
- Special mentions by the DJ
- Advertisement of your logo on the Sponsor wall during the Festival.
- Advertisement of your logo on the board at the opening party, special mentions by the DJ
- A two hour event scheduled at peak times where your estate or shop is the sole sponsor
- Notices and announcements to all GA groups during your event
 - Advertisement of your logo on the board at the closing party, special mentions by the DJ
- 30 second spot on Festival radio (Universe Radio) during non DJ times.

* PLATINIUM SPONSORSHIP * L$ 15,000
- Extra large sized sponsor booth -200 prims available for you to display products/services/information  
- Advertisement of your logo on the Festival posters and promotional banners.
- Opening party dedicated to the Festival Sponsors on the "Summer of Love" festival sim on June 3rd 2016
- Special mentions by the DJ
- Advertisement of your logo on the Sponsor wall during the Festival.
- Advertisement of your logo on the board at the opening party, special mentions by the DJ
- 2 two hour events scheduled at peak times where your estate or shop is the sole sponsor
- Notices and announcements to all GA groups during your event
- Advertisement of your logo on the board at the closing party, special mentions by the DJ
- 30 second spot on Festival radio (Universe Radio) during non DJ times.
(Naturally Platinum is on the main landing point, dance arena, and theater. This gives you an idea of how the layout will be)

Visitors love a freebie, so we do ask where possible that every store holder put out a gift, great way to get folks shopping in your store or visiting your estate.

GA ESTATE MEMBER BENEFITS
A rebate voucher of L$1,000 will be given to all estates on payment of sponsorship.
Members can hold estate events during the week additional to their weekend party(s)

We shall also be opening up the calendar for round one of the event bookings next week. To book the events however you must have a DJ and Host locked in at the time of booking, if you need a DJ or Host please let us know as we have many on reserve.

BOOKING YOUR STORE... Easy this year, we have a model of the village above the festival sim, each store has a payment terminal outside. Just click and pay and your done.

Go here to book your store at the mock-up of the SummerFest (SLurl)􀀀

Q. SO I PAID WHATS NEXT???????
A. Fill in the attached form and return to WeylinVale
􀀂
For further information contact one of the festival event team today
Weylinvale - Festival Lead
Chade Dagger- - Festival Build
Situazian - Festival PR
Crito Galtier - Entertainment Manager
______________________________________________________________
After having booked your store by paying at the mock-up, copy the following into a note card and send it to Weylin Vale.

Welcome Sponsor and GA Member Estates!

Thank you for your continued support to the Gay Archipelago. Please provide us with the following information and return it to WeylinVale (GA Lead).

It would be greatly appreciated if you use low script / low lag vendors during the event. (We recommend Casper)

Our thanks!

Weylin
GA Lead

________________________________________________________________________

Name of sponsor:

Name of owner(s):

Type of sponsor (Vendor / Non for Profit / Estate / GA Estate):

Please place your logo here, must be full perm and non transparent (512x512 is preferred):

Please tell us about you:

Do you have a website or blog?:

URL of website or Blog:

Landmark or SURL of your store/estate:

Silver, Gold and Platinum sponsors please send your 30 second MP3 advertisement for Festival Radio to; weylin.vale@gmail.com

Which sponsor package have you paid for :
Bronze:     2500L
Silver:       5000L
Gold:      15,000L
Platinum: 20,000L

Would any of your members like to assist us with Summerfest 2016 planning and execution?

Please contact Weylinvale or Crito Galtier to make your party bookings.

Gay Archipelago: Recent Developments

While I have been taking a time-out from blogging for personal reasons, which I am sure will sooner or later spill into a post or maybe 263 of them.., life as we know it has gone on as if nothing had happened. (Now ain't that strange?)

A while back the Gay Archipelago welcomed three new member sims into their fold.

I am assured by several friends in the know at the Gay Archipelago that although the revised membership criteria that have been adopted may be different, they are by no means lower than previously.

About a week ago I received notification of a notice that reads:

GA SAYS NO TO NEGATIVITY AND LACK OF PARTICIPATION

The GA represents solidarity in the LGBT community, existing to promote and support member sims. A positive outlook and a desire to participate in GA events and cooperation with other members and the group as a whole are basic requirements. Regretfully, not all have such a positive outlook or wish to be a part of this. We are asking that Pine Valley Resort and Pandore leave the GA of their own accord or be ejected as of tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Weylin
Dextrum
Chade
Nikolai
Hiro

Whether or not the above mentioned sims had actually themselves decided to leave the Gay Archipelago before they were asked to leave or be ejected is a matter of contention.

As far as I am aware both Pine Valley Resort and Pandore left the Gay Archipelago within the designated timeframe. It is of particular interest to note that Pandore was one of the founding sims of the Gay Archipelago.

A couple of days ago I was also informed that Ohiomike Lockjaw had decided to withdraw his Lockjaw Isles from the Gay Archipelago. Ohiomike's decision interestingly enough has some repercussions on one of the members in the lead team, who will now have to find a new roll on another member sim to continue being a member of the lead team.

So, summing up the Gay Archipelago has won some new member sims and lost the same number. However I am told, by usually well informed sources, that the Gay Archipelago has av many as fifteen or more applicants who are awaiting approval on their membership applications.

Update on the GA Kerfuffle - Updated

Due to my mood swings and the fact that I managed to grind two of my teeth to pieces during my sleep, I have been remiss in my duties of informing you about some events in the Gay Archipelago after my latest post.

So here is an update on what has happened, as far as I am informed.

ricogenu (formerly known as Rico Bluestar), who was appointed as PR Lead by the GA Lead Weylin Vale a while back, has resigned from office after an altercation with Chade Dagger, the simultaneously appointed Treasurer. The two have differing versions of what actually happened, so I will leave it to them to give their versions in the comments should they wish to do so.

The following sim-owners have left Gay Archipelago (there may be more, I seem to have lost my note card on this):
Garth Raleigh,
Mitch Underby,
Othon Weiland,
Draghan Marksman,
Myles Capalini and - following ricogenu's resignation -
Evan Greymyst (5 sims) and
ricogenu (2 sims, co-owned with Evan Greymyst)
--- Update---
Ricky Silentghost,
Harrison Constantine and
Evan Rutledge (2 sims)

Nikolai Warden: Upset But Staying

Nikolai Warden, another of my many friends in the Gay Archipelago - on both sides of the current conflict - has left a comment with his point of view on my friend Hiroku Kamachi's blog post The Mind of Hiro: "Pearls From Swine". The comment was made on July 17 and was published today.

"Hiro, you and I have known one another a long time. I think you know that I am a fairly reasonable fellow. Though the estate I help manage chose to leave the GA, I and one of the other managers there chose to remain on the GA admissions committee as you know. I will tell you though, as I told Weylin and Chade, that the way the appointments were made was a shock to any who have been in the GA for more than a couple of years.

For a festival team to be put together is different from a board of directors, and different from appointing a PR Lead and Vice Lead … to those of us who have seen quite a few administrations in terms of GA Lead, all of that was a shock. The way it has always been done is that any major decisions have gone through the owners group. Forming an advisory board is a major change in the way things are done, and to us old timers, that decision itself should have gone through the owners group for approval. The decision to write rules and bylaws also is something that the owners group should have voted on, in my opinion.

GA Lead, (and by extension, the relatively new role of Vice Lead), and PR Lead have traditionally been done by candidates putting their names to the owners group and a search committee conducting interviews and the search committee making a decision. Now I realize that the duties of the lead, as outlined by the previous search committee, are a bit vague in “putting together teams” or such, I haven’t the exact wording in front of me. I also realize there are very general guidelines and no rules or bylaws, which has always been intentional. The owners have always been in charge, whether they are active or apathetic really, with the Lead as a spokesperson and detail person to carry out the wishes of the owners group. If the owners group does not give feedback, the Lead takes the lead.

Weylin is the seventh GA Lead with whom I have had dealings. When Myles Capalini, one of the owners who chose to withdraw from the GA, took over as Lead a number of years back, he was told by the outgoing Lead to let the owners THINK they have a say and that it is a democracy, but run the GA as a dictatorship, which is just how that person HAD run it. He and Myles butted heads over this issue to the extent that Cabria left the GA and only returned due to Garth Raleigh’s leadership. Garth stepped down as Lead quite some time ago. Since his departure, owners meetings have been sporadic and the GA has changed. Weylin making decisions that have ALWAYS gone through the owners group came across, to those of use who have seen more than a few GA Leads come and go, as the worst of the old dictatorial sort of dismissal of the owners group by the Lead, going back 4 or 5 years when there was such contention regarding how the GA was being managed.

I cannot speak for others who were upset by how the appointments were handled, and I do understand Weylin’s rationale for doing so. To dismiss the uproar with the notion that it is people who do not like Dextrum and were upset because he was appointed Vice Lead is grossly inaccurate. I was upset, others were upset, and I for one did not know Dextrum at all before he applied for GA membership. I heard the objections against him, I interviewed him at length, and found no reason to vote against his admission into the GA. I have no real issue with him being Vice Lead. It would have been better if all this had been put to the owner’s group and any interested in the Vice Lead and PR Lead positions had a chance to express such interest, and the owners had had some say, as it has always been done. It is not OMG DEXTRUM IS VICE LEAD???? NO WAAAAY YOU CANNOT DO THAT! It is more a matter of err … that is not how things are traditionally done, and really, the formation of a board of directors should have been presented to the owners group and voted on."

Weylin Vale: "Unsubstantiated Gossip"

Today the GA WeBlog posted this statement by Weylin Vale, which is the first public reaction by the new GA Lead team on the events that have unfolded over the last few days.

"Good Day GA

Board Appointments and Estate Resignations.

On taking over the role of Lead I was informed by a previous lead and elder of the GA community that I should now put together my administration, there are no By-Laws to govern how this is done so as with my real world committees, appointments have been made purely on merit and suitability for the roles. Careful consideration was given to each role based upon experience, longevity in SL and trust.

Second Life in many ways is a small community and, as with all communities, personal disputes can arise and still cause difficulties years later. In this case, a past dispute, caused a member to decide to remove his estate from the GA. Another couple of members with close links to that estate decided to also leave the organization.

It is important to understand that these members were not asked or compelled to leave. They simply made a decision to leave the GA because they did not support the much needed changes. Changes that were urgently required to invigorate the GA, return it to its core mission and to prevent the loss of 12 member estates in the short term and, possibly, many more in the year ahead.

I am not going to name names or dwell on what has happened, neither will I fuel blog posts that are basically just unsubstantiated gossip based on the personal biases of one or two others. I am here to perform a job, as are those I have made a part of the administration team, part of that job is to work on producing Summerfest 2015, something that is fast approaching and also to future proofing the GA as we move forward.

Part of this has been to work on a new web presence and secure the domain name for the Gay Archipelago, this will include an interactive calendar to help member estates promote events. Also the GA’s promise to member estates is to be a community that promotes estates and raises traffic, something we need to do better, with a dedicated membership Director and admissions team I believe we can achieve better results.

More Festival Events.

With a permanent festival team and Director we are looking to move to seasonal quarterly festivals with the addition of the Autumn Hunt (showcasing all estates and merchants) culminating in a Halloween Party that will cross all the time zones. A spring equinox festival is also on the planning board.

So please rest assured, our mission statement has not changed, we are just putting weight behind our promises, the GA board along with the Treasury will be run transparently and I along with all the members of the team are here to answer any of our member estate owners questions (and dispel any myths). All major changes will continue to be presented at the estate owners meetings for approval and comment.

Together we are the GA community

Weylin-Vale

GA Lead"

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I am of course mortified (Not so much, no!) to be referred to as publishing "blog posts that are basically just unsubstantiated gossip based on the personal biases of one or two others", but would like to state that what some people call "unsubstantiated gossip based on the personal biases of one or two others", others call information from multiple usually well informed and independent sources.

It is true, I did report factually incorrect information concerning the GA Leads call to the meeting. This misinformation has been corrected.

It is worth noticing that the GA Lead in his statement stresses that "All major changes will continue to be presented at the estate owners meetings for approval and comment.". In hindsight, it would perhaps have been better if this had also applied to the composition of the new GA Lead team.

Later today, or perhaps tomorrow, I plan on publishing what information I have obtained concerning sim-owners/regions/estates that have already left or are leaving the Gay Archipelago.

Has There Been A Coup In the Gay Archipelago? (Corrected 2015-07-15) (Updated 2015-07-16)

The Gay Archipelago (GA) is an association of landowners of multiple diverse LGBT/LGBT-friendly sims in SecondLife. They conduct Archipelago-wide events, and welcome LGBT newcomers into SecondLife.

"G Dragon Coup d'etat" by Sui-Kunoichi

The GA is governed by The Owners Group, which consists of the sim owners themselves or their appointed representatives.

Hitherto - i.e. until yesterday - the leaders of the governing body (the GA Lead, the Vice Lead and the PR Lead) have historically always been vetted by and voted upon by the The Owners Group.

According to information from several well informed sources Weylin Vale, the current Lead of GA, announced a meeting on Saturday at 11 PM SLT set to take place only eight hours later on Sunday at 7 AM SLT. (Correction 2015-07-15: This information was incorrect, please see the my later post  Bock in SecondLife; Re:Coup Or Not In the GA?. My sincere apologies to all involved and to my readers.) Update 2015-07-16: Myles Capalini On "Suddenness" & More, where you will find that the date of the meeting was announced early, but not the time.

The purpose of the meeting was purportedly about the upcoming GA SummerFest 2015.

At the meeting yesterday Weylin Vale unexpectedly announced to the owners group that he had appointed the following positions
Vice Lead - Dextrum Boucher

PR Lead - Rico Bluestar,

Treasurer - Chade Dagger,

IT Director - Hiro Dagger-Clemenceau,

Membership Director - To Be Announced and

2015 Festival Director - Caeru Dubrovna.

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As I understand it, this sudden and unexpected deviation from previous procedure by the GA Lead has raised concerns among many sim owners in the GA on the future direction of the organization and whether or not they wish to remain a part of it. 

I will try to keep you updated on further developments as they unfold.

GA Announces New Lead and Vice Lead

Today I received some long awaited news from the Gay Archipelago group.

Several months ago Rico Bluestar stepped down as Lead of the GA, since then there has been a selection process in the owners group to find a new Lead to replace him. The selection has now come to a successful conclusion with today's announcement.

The new lead-team of the Gay Archipelago will consist of Chris Magic as Lead, Weylin Vale as Vice Lead and with Parvin (Xcept Atlas) continuing as Public Relations Lead.

The new GA Lead-team courtesy of the GA WeBlog
Chris (center), Parvin (left) & Weylin (right)

Today's full press release:

Three years ago we mourned the passing of our founder, Fabrice Snook. Days ago we grieved with our friends when we learned that Avacar Bluestar had also left our Earth. 

Today, we welcome long overdue good news, the appointment of a new Gay Archipelago Lead and the creation of a new role, the GA Vice Lead.  They will join the current GA Public Relations Lead to serve our growing community.

We are proud to announce that after months of searching and vetting candidates for the positions the leadership committee completed their arduous task and have selected our new GA Lead and GA Vice Lead. 

Our GA Lead, Christope Magic, of Britain, has a long history of service to the Gay Archipelago and our LGBT community.   His roles include events manager for GA Summerfest 2014 and Winterfest 2014, our master of ceremonies for Miss Wigstock, a performer with Corinthia Isle Concerts, owner of the Remix Room, DJ, and host. 

Our GA Vice Lead, Weylin Vale, of Australia, brings real life LGBT event management experience to our team.  His resume includes participating, event managing and a Director of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, as well as event management for multiple governmental agencies. In Second Life he is owner of the sim Lycan Moon, a club owner, DJ, and established member of our community.

Together with our current GA PR Lead, Xcept Altas, of the USA, these appointments will give our community access to leadership without the boundaries of timezones, and clear, consistent responses to hurdles we will overcome together.

They are tasked with promoting unity and inclusion across our diverse international LGBTIA Second Life community. Each are committed to utilizing their skills to foster acceptance, offering support, and guiding teams and volunteers so that we may plan for and together embrace our future.   

Gay Archipelago brand represents our shared values, the knowledge that we are stronger together, and our belief that we can assist our member estates and our community, as well as our supporters, to live and grow in an environment that is tolerant and accepting of our common goals.

We thank the leadership committee; Garth Raleigh, Savannah Christensen, Leroy Voorhees, Evan Greymyst, Sangi Phaeton, and Draghan Marksman, for their service. Their diligence and care has given us leaders who will set us on a defined path towards tomorrow. 

In a two short weeks we will celebrate together as a community at our annual Winterfest. Please join us in welcoming our leads as they embrace their new roles.  

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” [Address in the Assembly Hall at the Paulskirche in Frankfurt, June 26 1963] ― John F. Kennedy

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Greetings GA. 

I would like to introduce myself as your new GA Lead. Thank you so much to the GA Lead search committee, for all their hard work and time over the last few months. Thank you to Parvin for his hard work and amazing dedication to the GA, as interim Lead. You are truly awesome, never change. Today, i accepted the chance to guide the GA into the future. I feel very honored, and humble to be given this amazing opportunity. I have a huge task ahead of me, but one i will gladly take. I will not being doing this alone. Weylin who will be my vice lead, along with Parvin who will stay as PR Lead. Together, we will strive to constantly improve, strengthen your experience as member estates, sims and owners. 

Every estate, sim, owner will play an important role in the future of the GA. You are all vital to the GA. Without you, there is no GA. You will be heard, your voices are what we need to bring forward the organization. Let us work as a team, in harmony.  Together, we are one. United we stand. As the Lead team, settle into our new roles, please do bear with us over the coming weeks. I look forward to meeting you all to start this journey together.  Never change, be you.  Stay fabulous. 

This is your GA. Thank you, for your amazing support. 

"The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance" ― Brian Tracy

 Sincerely,
 Chris Magic

Second Pride Hugs - Day 8 (Updated)

Yeah I know, this time it's only my family and a friend, but I had a rough day yesterday.

And if anyone should want to bitch about my Tomais making a second appearance in the Hug-fest, let me inform you that it is my blog and I make the rules. Tomais is back again because I can, because I want him to be and because there is nothing in my rules against it and never will be! ¿Comprende?

Garrett Smith-Lundquist

Guyke Lundquist-Smith

Boris Twist

Tomais Ashdene

UPDATE

As I just found a hug from Day 6 that I had previously had misplaced in my photo album I am adding it to this post.

Weylin Vale

The Final Day of Second Pride 2013

I am sorry for posting this so late, but yesterday was a very long and happy day!

Here are some pictures and comments from four of the last six events. I could not make it to the final events due to extreme fatigue (I was falling asleep over my keyboard). Just for the record, I am NEVER going to dance again ever, or at least not for a month...

My final opinion on this years Second Pride will most likely be published sometime during the week. Now without further ado, please enjoy!

DJ Edwin Nakin, 10 AM-noon @ Camelot

DJ Edwin is a little fairy

Julius Antonius (Joe Lycomedes) in cowboy hat

DJ Regi with host Ty, noon-2 PM @ Courtyard Area

As yet unknown  beauty

Cupric grooving

Dodo in new underwear yet again!
He informs me that he has about 30 options in those pants

As yet unknown beauty

Jamie Creely

DJ LLedge 2-4 PM @ Blue Wave Area

Lee and his hubby Weylin

Cocktails Party 4-6 PM DJ Wes @ Main Stage

Weylin and some hot bull studs

Weylin shows his moves

Yours truly, doing my thing

DJ Regi @ Second Pride

I have known Regi Yifu since the very early days. We are both seasoned veterans who have been around the block a few times. In the old days Regi mostly used his creativity to build, create and design the most amazing accessories, clothes and interesting, funny or useful contraptions.

A couple of years ago Regi started DJ-ing with great success and also began organizing with his now immensely famous (at least in gay SecondLife) "Splash parties" (pool parties).

I arrive at the venue with Weylin,
Spanki is already going steady with the flags

Zim, myself, Weylin and Spanki

Spanki and his friend who's name starts with a C

The young men these days... they have such cute butts (sigh)

DJ Regi to the left, Drew to the right and an unknown stranger tebowing between them

Zim & my new friend Huntington ("Hunt")