Sidney A. Alvarez, a television and brand journalist, has released his debut book, Your Soulmate Expired, And That’s OK, a raw memoir about heartbreak, LGBTQ+ identity, survival, and learning to love again after the end of a twenty-three-year relationship. The book is part memoir and part guide for anyone trying to survive the loss of a love, discrimination, and sexual assault. 
 
About the book:
Alvarez offers eight tips to help recover and move forward from heartbreak. It is a survival manual written from the wreckage of a twenty-three–year relationship that ended abruptly and without closure. Through deeply personal storytelling, Alvarez recounts growing up gay in an environment where self-respect was dismantled early by family, religion, culture, and professional discrimination. 
 
Each chapter confronts a truth many avoid: 
·     Respecting Yourself 
·     Hiding Your Feelings
·     Accepting Your Own Wrongdoings 
·     Using Your TV Voice
·     Believing In Vampires
·     Understanding Relationships Have Hierarchies
·     Learning To Ask  What Value Do  People Bring 
 
This is not a story of innocence, Alvarez casts himself as the villain in his own narrative, owning his mistakes without excusing the harm done to him or others. He writes openly about mental health, suicidal ideation, religious shame, workplace discrimination, and the cost of living unseen. His honesty is uncomfortable by design.
 
"Your Soulmate Expired, And That’s OK" is now available through Amazon . Click Here.

Alvarez is not a therapist or counselor. He is a regular person who fell in love, lost himself, and at times, fell through the cracks of therapy while trying to heal. His book is not clinical advice; it is lived experience, written for others who may be trying to survive the same kind of heartbreak.
About Sidney Alvarez:

 Sidney Alvarez is a former television journalist and lifelong storyteller whose work has spanned major media markets across the United States. Known for his compassionate, human-centered approach to storytelling, Sidney has dedicated his career to giving a voice to others. Sidney grew up in both El Paso and New Orleans and currently lives in Phoenix.  

@nitrodresden specializes in capturing local LGBTQ+ community events, drag performances, and  pride celebrations.

Below is just a small sample of his photography:
   

Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing attention on the present moment—thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and environment—with a non-judgmental, accepting, and curious attitude. It acts as a mental training tool to reduce automatic, reactive habits and improve well-being. 
How to Achieve Mindfulness
    Mindfulness Meditation: Dedicate 5-10 minutes daily to sitting quietly, focusing solely on the breath, and observing thoughts without judgment.
    Body Scans: Lie down and mentally scan your body from toe to head, noticing sensations (e.g., tension, warmth) without trying to change them.
    Everyday Mindfulness: Pick a routine task (e.g., showering, brushing teeth, washing dishes) and focus intently on the physical sensations, smells, and sounds involved, rather than letting your mind wander.
    5-Minute Sensory Pause: Use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique to ground yourself in the present: notice 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, and 1 you taste.
    Acceptance & Non-judgment: When negative thoughts arise, acknowledge them as just thoughts rather than absolute truths, and allow them to pass without getting caught up in them. 

Key Principles to Remember
• Non-judgment: Observe thoughts/feelings without labeling them "good" or "bad".
• Patience: Allow experiences to unfold in their own time.
• Beginner’s Mind: Approach tasks with curiosity, as if doing them for the first time.
• Non-striving: Let go of the need to force a specific outcome, like "getting calm". 

Benefits
Regular practice can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, lower anxiety, and increase overall mental health. 

Happy Holidays to the queer community and all the allies of El Paso. Cheers to the power of family, immediate or chosen, this holiday season. May we find acceptance and the people who make our hearts feel safe. And to a new year where we feel a sense of belonging, where we strengthen our connections and where our voices continue to be heard.

We asked our past guests what their wish is for the El Paso Queer Community. Here is a link to the videos:

The Food Pantry at the Borderland Rainbow Center provides and distributes food to El Pasoans in need. Please consider donating your time or food.
    But not all donations are ideal. Here is a list of some items that would be most welcome.
• Peanut Butter- High in protein and enjoyed by children and adults alike, peanut butter is the MOST requested food donation item.
• Canned Meats- Canned chicken is a hearty and wholesome way to add protein to a quick & easy meal! Canned tuna and salmon provide essential vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Canned Beans- High in fiber and protein, canned beans are a satisfying and tasty way to add some additional substance to any meal. Remember to pick up a can opener at a dollar store to go with the gift!
• Pasta & Pasta Sauce- Filling, wholesome, kid-approved, and easy to prepare! Pro Tip: opt for pasta sauce in cans instead of glass jars.
• Canned Vegetables- Veggies are always in high-demand at food banks! They have a long shelf-life, they are nutrient-rich, fiber-dense, and they are the easiest way to add a healthy option.
• Pantry Staples- Food banks are always running low on flour, sugar, spices, salt & pepper, condiments, and cooking oils!
• Healthy Cereal- It's often kids and seniors who eat cereal for breakfast because it's fast & simple to prepare. Food banks wind up getting a lot of the sugary stuff, but it's important for both kids and seniors to start their day with vitamins, minerals, and fiber.  Powdered milk is equally important.
• Healthy "After-School" Snacks- Applesauce cups, granola bars, whole-grain crackers, etc.—wholesome foods that don't need to be prepared that a hungry kid can just grab off the shelf.

October is LGBTQ History Month. The annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer history celebrates the history of the fight for gay rights and our place in American culture. Founded in 1994, LGBTQ History Month showcases role models, builds community, and reaffirms the civil rights contributions of the LGBTQ community.
   The history of the LGBTQ community in El Paso, is both colorful and unique. For generations, LGBTQ El Pasoans have helped build acceptance and visibility of our community. Perhaps no other person in El Paso has been witness to and was able to photograph many of the events in our community over the past 40 years as our guest, Dov. E. Kupfer.
   Dov E. is known in many professional circles through his work as a professional floral designer. His knowledge of all aspects of the floral design industry have garnered him much recognition in in the local, regional and national floral communities. His design style is unique and innovative, with a signature that says it is a Designs by Dov E. creation.
    Dov. can be seen, camera in hand, at almost all our community’s events. His ability to record and chronicle the progress of the queer El Paso people has made him the de-facto historian of our community. We talk to him today about his journey alongside our community.

PFLAG's history began in 1972 when its founder, Jeanne Manford, marched with her gay son in the Christopher Street Liberation Day March holding a "Parents of Gays: Unite in Support for Our Children" sign. The overwhelming positive response led to the first support group meeting in 1973, which evolved into a national organization by 1982, initially focused on parents of gay and lesbian individuals and later expanding to include bisexual and transgender people, becoming a key advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Catalyst: 
A Mother's Support: 1972: Jeanne Manford, a New York City school teacher, marched with her son, Morty, and carried a sign showing her support for her gay child. The Response: During the march, many LGBTQ+ individuals approached Manford, asking her to speak with their parents who were often unaccepting.
Formation of a Movement
    1973: Following the march, Manford organized the first support group meeting, leading to the establishment of Parents of Gays of Greater New York, the precursor to PFLAG.
1982: The organization became a national entity, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), and was incorporated in California.
Growth and Evolution
    National Presence: PFLAG quickly grew, with chapters forming across the U.S. and an increasing distribution of information to educational institutions and faith communities.
Expansion of Mission: By 1998, PFLAG's mission expanded to include bisexual and transgender individuals, a move that was critical to its future advocacy.
Advocacy Efforts: PFLAG has played a significant role in national advocacy, from working to end the discharge of homosexual military service members to promoting safe schools legislation and combating hate crimes.
PFLAG Today
    Name Change: In 2014, the organization's members voted to make PFLAG the official name, reflecting its broader advocacy for the entire LGBTQ+ community.
Continued Mission: Today, PFLAG continues to support LGBTQ+ people and their families, aiming to create a world where every individual is safe, celebrated, and loved