Opening Up About Coming Out

darrel, jessica, lance, and the dog sadie

It has been more than two decades since Darrel Brenneke broke the news to his mother that he was gay, but the memory still brings him to tears. He knew his mom would worry that this was a death sentence, since it had not been that long since his brother had died of AIDS. But…

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Cracking The Code For Immigrant Students

Tucked within a quiet Kansas City community, Crestview Elementary School is pretty unassuming. But once inside the building, at 4327 N. Holmes St., it’s impossible to miss the multicultural faces in the classrooms or the international flags lining the hallway. A third of Crestview’s 520 students participate in the English Language Learners program, and 45…

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Making the World a Better Place

Artistic Director, Dustin Cates leads the Heartland Men's Chorus during a rehearsal on Thursday, December 3rd at The Folly Theater for their Holiday Concert. (Photo: Jim Barcus)

Voices in unity have a profound force. The members of the Heartland Men’s Chorus (HMC) have raised theirs for 30 years, serving as a positive force for a community that suffers, still, from prejudice, abuse and loss. They are, and are proud to be, Kansas City’s Gay Men’s Chorus. In 1986, 30 men joined together…

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