Christina's Fundraiser was a SUCCESS!!!

This past Sunday at Beso Lounge in NYC,  1 year to the day that they met up at our 10 year High School reunion, some of Christina's friends met up again along with others to celebrate her life and passion. They held a fundraiser to earn donations for her family, her wife, and her dream.

I hear that it was a success. People won prizes from raffles and shared in memories of a wonderful person.

Jessica Shay

Beso Lounge

One of the coordinators of the event, Todd Alessandro said "Everything went so well!" He even said the painting I made for the event was a hit!  Another coordinator, Jessica Shay said "We raised a little over $3000 at the Fundraiser for Christina last night. I'm so full of love today and I just know its because she's smiling down on each and every one of us. 1+1=♥"

My painting among event goers and Coordinator Todd.

Thanks to Xtina Roldos, Alex Tull and Anthony Argo for the images!  

1 + 1 = <3

Personally, I want to say that it was a pleasure being part of this event to honor Christina. Love is Love no matter what!  


Don't forget to love me at https://www.facebook.com/gbeken#!/pages/Anything-about-Everything/156722501071355

Christina's Legacy

I myself will be donating a painting done by me for the silent donation. Please help us raise money for The Lesbian Community Care Project that Christina dedicated her life to. This member of the Cardinal Spellman Class of 2000 thanks you all for your support.

All proceeds will go towards LCCP (Lesbian Community Care Project) and assist both Christina’s and her partner, Alisha’s families’ expenses.

Wake held for Christina Santiago

The wake for an awesome person, Christina Santiago was held Thursday in The Bronx. Several classmates and members of Cardinal Spellman HS in The Bronx attended. Unfortunately, I live in Florida now and was unable to attend. I did send thoughts and prayers their way. It's so sad to be going through this and it still hasn't completely settled in.

Alot of our classmates are still expressing their shock and disbelief over her death. Many of them are preparing themselves for funeral services tomorrow and wondering how they will get through it.
In a statement, her family says they are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

Five people were killed last Saturday when a gust of wind toppled the stage before the band Sugarland was to perform.

Christina's longtime partner Alisha Brennon was injured in the collapse and remains hospitalized.

Her funeral will be held at St. Raymond's cemetery in The Bronx.

RIP Christina 4/9/1982-8/13/2011

Words help us get through it

Some of us are still trying to comprehend what happened to Christina. Sometimes in times of sadness it's best to turn to literature.  This is a nice way of thinking about when our loved ones pass. 

All Is Well 

 Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped into the next room I am I and you are you Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, Speak to me in the easy way which you always used Put no difference in your tone, Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household world that it always was, Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It it the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, Just around the corner. All is well.  

Henry Scott Holland
1847-1918
Canon of St Paul 's Cathedral

Raise money by clicking!

Do you want to help raise $10,000 for the NOH8 Campaign? Click the following link  and then “like” the Montgomery-Duban page. If they get 100,000 Facebook likes by September 1st, 2011, they will donate $10,000 to the NO H8 Campaign.
 http://www.montgomery-duban.com/

They currently have 37,000 likes as of 11:15 am August 15. The following was written by the daughter of Dennis Duban and Kevin Scot Montgomery-Duban.




A modern family making a big difference.
By Chelsea Montgomery-Duban
My name is Chelsea Austin Montgomery-Duban and I am an 18 year-old living in Southern California with my two Dads. I am genetically linked to both of my parents—through my Dad and my Daddy’s sister. When my parents decided to have me this kind of genetic linkage was extremely rare, as was a gay couple raising a kid. Eighteen years later, you would think that peoples’ mindsets towards gay families would have changed, but sadly many people still don’t seem to understand that my family is like every other family. The fact that my parents are gay has not affected my upbringing in any way. I work hard in school, I pursue many extracurricular activities and I am extraordinarily driven.
So why can’t people see that my parents are just as capable, loving and inspirational as any straight parents? I adore my Dads. They are my best friends and role models and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them. It’s because of them that I live the most amazing and blessed life. The three of us have an incredible time together and I can’t imagine having been raised by anyone else. It also makes me think that people who don’t understand my family are obviously ignorant and misguided, at the very least—I mean it’s nearly impossible not to see the love that each of us has for one another. These are the reasons I’m so passionate about achieving equal rights for every member of our great nation. I don’t see how we are any less than any one else, but I know for a fact that our family has shared more love and happiness with the world and each other than most families do in a lifetime.
For a long time we merely tried to live by example but after Proposition 8 passed in California, making same sex marriage illegal, I realized that being an example was just not enough and that I needed to take action. I needed to stand up for the people that gave me life, unconditional love and paved the way for me to live a fantastic life. That’s why in 2008 when they got married after being together for 26 years (now 29 years) I posted the video of my speech at their wedding on YouTube.

Please contribute. They are not asking for much. I ask that you do this in memory of Christina Santiago who died in stage collapse of Indiana.  

Last happy moments....

The following is what one concert goer wrote about Christina and Alisha:

My reflection of Christina Santiago is unlike any of those posted, as I did not know her nor did I personally meet her, but I was at the concert on Saturday night. After spending many hours there before the concert, walking around the fair with my sister-in-law and 9-yr old niece, of whom I accompanied to the concert, and witnessing all the people, the fans and the overall atmosphere, there are few memories that remain…one being that of two women walking down the stairs, towards the concessions, during the second-to-last song of Sara Bareilles. We were walking up, back to our seats, when we witnessed two VERY happy women coming down the stairs…big smiles and such a happy persona. One woman, who I now know to be Alicia, leaned over to my niece and made a silly comment about the large snow cone she was enjoying. I remember even looking back at them when we continued upwards and thinking of how happy they seemed and how much fun they were having. Until recently seeing the photos of the specific victims of this enormous tragedy, I didn’t realize that two of these special people were ones who actually made me..and my family… smile…for a few seconds. They both seem like amazing women who have touched so many lives. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and for Alicia’s recovery. The tragedy was/is very shocking and one that didn’t give much warning to all those impacted.

RIP Christina Santiago

UPDATE: Friends say Brennon, who was was critically injured in the accident, was having surgery Sunday night. She is expected to recover from her injuries.
"They had just moved in less than a year ago. Very nice couple, both very active participants in the community," said Derek Weglarz, victim's neighbhor.

Last night, Saturday evening August 13, 2011, a stage collapsed in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sugarland was about to take the stage when heavy winds took over and decided to take the lives of 5 concert goers and injure 45 others.
The four who died at the scene were Tammy Vandam, 42, Wanatah, Ind.; Glenn Goodrich, 49, Indianapolis; Alina Bigjohny, 23, Fort Wayne; and Christina Santiago , 29, Chicago. Nathan Byrd, 51, Indianapolis, died at Methodist Hospital early Sunday morning.
According to a timeline issued Sunday by Indiana State Police, at 8:49 p.m. -- about 25 minutes before the storm's forecasted arrival -- a strong gust of wind blew through the fairgrounds, toppling the stage setup onto those closest to the stage.
Sugarland released a statement on their website Saturday night: "We are alright after our stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair tonight. Many of our fans and friends in Indianapolis may not be. Please keep them in your thoughts, prayers, or whatever form of strength you are able to send. They need you. Thank you."
Singer Sara Bareilles, Sugarland's opening act, had just finished her set when the gusts of winds moved through. "We are shocked and saddened by this horribly tragic circumstance," she posted on her website. "My heart aches for the lives lost or injured as well as their families."

As the crowd scattered, scores of fans rushed toward the metal structure to lift it off victims.
One of these people , Christina Santiago, was a classmate of mine at Cardinal Spellman HS of the Bronx.  Many people are in shock over her passing.
Christina Santiago was Manager of Programming for the Lesbian Community Care Project. Her fiance Alisha Marie Brennon is reportedly in critical condition. Santiago was also a board member of Amigas Latinas. 
Many people heard about the collapse, as did I, and thought nothing of it. Especially when you don't expect anyone you studied with to be in Indianapolis, Indiana and to be one of four who died in such a odd accident.  Please I ask anyone who reads this to please pray for her and her family, as well as Alisha Brennon and her family.
When things like this occur, it reminds you how short life truly is and how we must appreciate everyone in our lives. My friend texted me and then called me to let me know what happened. She told me how happy Christina was about her new pet bunny and how she was potty training it. ( My friend later recalled how this convo was a year ago and how time really flies by!) According to her Facebook page Christina had said that it was a "perfect night" for the couple last night.This goes to show you how quickly life can be taken away.
Before I hung up the phone with my friend I reminded her how much I loved her and to take care of herself. You never know when things are about to happen and it never hurts to say a quick "I Love You"

RIP CHRISTINA SANTIAGO