Giving a voice to the voiceless is key in an ever-changing society.

One method in accomplishing that goal has been through photovoice.

University of Michigan professor Caroline Wang developed photovoice as a process by which people can identify, represent, and enhance their community through a specific photographic technique. Photovoice has been used in the past for research, education, social change, and creating effective public policy.

Beginning Dec. 12, a photovoice installation titled “Re-Visioning Family” gives a voice to transgenders and their families in Hawai‘i in a project presented by the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s Women’s Studies Program.

The installation will display 40 photographs taken by 16 study participants as part of a follow-up to the 2008 dissertation study by L.L. Ikeda-Vogel, from the School of Social Welfare. Read More

Protesters in San Francisco campaign for marriage rights for LGBT couples. Photo courtesy of AJ Alfieri-Crispin.

The election of America’s first African-American president last week helped to put an exclamation point on the the civil rights movement’s mission to bring the nation out of racial segregation. However, the California vote to pass Proposition 8, which eliminates the right of same-sex couples to marry, highlights a continuing struggle by the LGBTQ community in Hawai‘i to guarantee its own civil liberties.

Proponents for Proposition 8 were successful, with 52 percent of California voters checking “yes” on the ballot. Lobby groups such as ProtectMarriage.com, presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, and other religious organizations argue that defining marriage as a union between “any two persons” opens the door to far-reaching consequences.

The primary example that ProtectMarriage.com gives on its website is that “because public schools are already required to teach the role of marriage in society as part of the curriculum, schools will now be required to teach students that gay marriage is the same as traditional marriage, starting with kindergarteners” and that same-sex marriage would “undermine the value of marriage altogether at a time when we should be restoring marriage.” Read More

Last year, Walk the Talk Hawai‘i raised nearly $15,000 to create mobile shelters for the homeless.

This year, over one million Americans have lost their jobs and the number of families facing the realities of homelessness is increasing.

The difficult times come amidst an ongoing crisis declaration on homelessness in Hawai‘i, recognized by Gov. Linda Lingle.

In a continuing response to create shelters and raise public awareness, this year’s Walk the Talk charity event, organized by Hawai‘i Helping the Hungry Have Hope (H5), strikes an even greater chord with the community, says volunteer Curtis Kropar. Read More

Neil Gaiman’s legendary series, The Sandman, has captured the imagination of aspiring writers, comic junkies, and visual artists for over two decades and helped to give comic books unquestioned credibility in a style that put conceptualized writing over flashy artwork.

This Halloween season in Downtown Honolulu, Endless Portraits pays homage to the imagination’s most dysfunctional family: The Endless.

Hawai‘i’s own DJ Nightfox, DJ Casey and MAB host a night’s tribute to Neil Gaiman with a costume contest and art show.

Whether your favorite is Dream, Death, or Delirium, come dressed as your favorite Sandman character to to let your dark side shine.

Endless Portraits at The Mercury Bar, 1154 Fort Street Mall, Thursday, 10/30, 9 p.m.

ACROSS—Collaboration of artists and creative writers in the form of an interactive puzzle book.

ANSWER—Tinfish 18.5: The Book.

In the same fanatic plane that cryptic games like the classic crossword puzzle or Sudoku bring to people across nations, cultures and demographics comes the latest entry from Hawai‘i based publisher Tinfish Press.

The non-profit, founded by University of Hawai‘i professor Susan Schultz, has been an outlet for experimental poetry and bookmaking in the islands since 1995. All Tinfish books use recycled materials. Read More

The Honolulu chapter of Dignity USA has been providing outreach ministry for the LGBITQ community and families in the islands since 1976. This Sunday, Dignity Honolulu will commemorate the 13th anniversary of Solidarity Day to the memory of LGBITQ people who have lost their lives or have unduly suffered through physical, emotional, and spiritual violence because of who they were or who they were perceived to be. Guest homilist Carolyn Golojuch, president of the O‘ahu chapter of Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) will join the liturgy for mass and in prayer.

Solidarity Sunday Liturgy at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 539 Kapahulu Ave., Sunday 10/5, 7:30pm.

Mass at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Sunday, 10/5, 10:30am, for more information call 352-7558 or e-mail dignity_honolulu@catholic.org and visit www.dignityhonolulu.org.

We’ve just received a notice for public meetings for the Thirty Meter Telescope EIS. They will take place at the following locations:

Hawī, Oct. 6 (Mon), Kohala High School Cafeteria, 5-8 p.m.
Waimea, Oct. 8 (Wed), Kahilu Town Hall (Waimea Family YMCA), 5-8 p.m.
Kona, Oct. 9 (Thr), Kealakehe Elementary School Cafeteria, 6-9 p.m.
Ka’Å«, Oct. 13 (Mon), Ka’Å« High/Pahala Elementary School Cafeteria, 5-8 p.m.
Hilo, Oct. 14 (Tue), Keaukaha Elementary School Cafeteria, 6-9 p.m.
Puna, Oct. 15 (Wed), Pahoa High School Cafeteria, 5-8 p.m.
Honolulu, Oct. 16 (Thr), Neal S. Blaisdell Center PÄ«kake Room, 5-9 p.m.

Those who wish to testify at the meetings but require special assistance can call 1-866-284-1716 for help. Community members can also testify online at www.TMT-HawaiiEIS.org/participate/ ,
or mail comments to:

Office of Environmental Quality Control

235 South Beretania Street, Suite 702

Honolulu, Hawai’i 96813

The comment period will close on October 23, 2008.

We’d like to know what you think about the TMT issue. Please leave us a comment on Alan McNarie’s article.

State House to vote Monday on bills to gut water code [HB 2808 & 2820].
See capitol.hawaii.gov for more info on HB2808 and HB2820.