A passionate group of proud, assertive teens -- Critical Voice, a queer youth coalition -- is determined to stand up to substance abuse among LGBT youth in the County of San Diego.

A partnership between San Diego's SAY (Social Advocates for Youth) and San Diego Youth Services, Critical Voice aspires to tackle the symptoms of drug and alcohol use in the LGBT community.

In this installment of Les Stuff You Should Really Know More About, we nudge you towards the sharp shirts and accessories you're seeing at this summer's sceney street parties and social hours. If the hip company you keep is already swaddled in the cotton embrace of Revel and Riot -- good on ya. If you're just arriving to the scene, read up to get smart, then go get one of your own. While we can't promise to look the other way while you slip into your new tank, we do pledge to tell you when your shoulders are getting burned.

As part of LGBT Pride month, National Public Radio (WNPR) is running a special feature on the afternoon show, Tell Me More. Guests and friends of the show, hosted by Michel Martin, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender are sharing their stories of coming out to those closest to them: family, friends and even co-workers. A series of five essays were shared, one each day this week.

It is 2:33 AM on a Thursday night. I am limbered by a double tequila nightcap. It's chasing two hours of the seasonal IPA delivered on round trays by pretty girls draped in black screen-printed singlets at a Southern California public house projecting sports affairs on large flat-screen televisions.

Upon leaving the bar, I retired home and indulged in conversation with a roommate over two, slow-burning American Spirits on a shadowed back patio. After bedroom doors closed at the other end of the hallway, I found myself alone, contemplative, desperately existential and ravenously hungry.