A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL EVENTS

About 4 years after I was diagnosed with HSV-2, I finally attended a
social H event. I couldn't believe it had taken me that long! I never
had so much fun in my life, and I became something of an H event
junkie. It was hard to believe how many interesting, cool, friendly,
caring, NORMAL people I met at the H events from all walks of life, of
every cultural background and point of view. The live-ness of the
support meetings, local socials, and big national H gatherings really
brought home the fact that NONE OF US IS ALONE!

Back then, and for many, many years after, the main way to find out
about the events was through the Yahoo Groups - the main form of social
communication among the members of the H community. The events were
also usually announced through the local support and social groups, in
their meetings and via their email lists. The whole H community hung
together and helped one another, like a giant, country-wide family. The
leaders of each organization collaborated and cooperated with one
another to get the word out. We attended one another's events, met
lifelong friends, and even the loves of our lives.

To a large extent, this is still happening today!

It's in this spirit of solidarity and camaraderie that the planners of
St. Pete 2009 are organizing and focusing this year's St. Pete national
beach event. Everyone is welcome, regardless of where you're from, and
to whom your "allegiances" lie. We hope your true allegiance is to the
H community as a whole, and that you'll come out to meet and play with
the 200-300 of us who usually attend St. Pete in November!

The St. Pete 2009 website will be launched in a very few days, and
another post will follow with its web address soon. Hang in - we're
almost there!
_______________________________

MPWH MEMBERS: AN ALERT

As a courtesy to MPwH, I must inform MPwH members about a communication
I received from MPwH administration, implying a connection between the
St. Pete event and potential termination of your MPwH account.

As I had difficulty understanding the exact meaning of these
statements, as well as the exact behavior of MPwH members that violates
the MPwH Terms of Service, I wrote MPwH for clarification 7 days ago,
but never received an answer. Therefore, I urge MPwH members to find
out for sure, yourselves, what MPwH does not allow you to do, ON AND
OFF the MPwH website, regarding St. Pete, or any other non-MPwH
activity.
_______________________________

Be safe, happy, and in love with life! I hope to see many members of
the H community on the beaches and ballrooms of St. Pete in November!

(So excited I can hardly stand it...)

Cat >"<
Lead Planner, St. Pete 2009


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