LOS ANGELES -- The Shambhala Center of LA will present three workshops on "Queer Dharma and the Way of the Warrior" from Thursday, Oct. 28, through Saturday, Oct. 30.

The workshops will be its Eagle Rock facility, 963 Colorado Blvd. in L.A., and the Village at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center, 1625 Schrader Blvd. in Hollywood. (323) 993-7400.

-- Thursday, Oct. 28: 7:30 pm Gay & Lesbian Center, Hollywood.

-- Friday, Oct. 29: 7:30 pm - 9:30 PM. FREE

-- Saturday, Oct. 30: 10:00 am to 5 pm $65. For general public.

After the brutal torture of one gay man and two gay teens in New York and the multiple bully-related suicides over the past few days, our community is understandably in shock and outraged. Many of us are finding it difficult to make sense of such heinous events, but we are supporting each other through rallies and the new “It Gets Better” viral campaign.

Through this process, there is one common question that people seem to have: What’s the deal with all these homophobic bullies?

Social Media has become an important part of our society and it allows people to keep in contact with family and friends simply by the click of a button. The quick posts of random thoughts, exciting news, changes in life, or what you ate that day keeps the interaction and promotes relationship growth (even when there is distance involved).

Some people are “out” on Facebook with their family and have no problems; others face emotional pain from family responses (or lack of responses), while others try to keep their sexuality hidden away.

David and his partner, Paschal, together for more than 20 years, married during the brief period that same-sex marriages were legal in California. They’re in their 60s, in decent health and financial shape. Yet thinking about their future makes David uneasy.

With an eldercare system (if you can call it a system) that depends on younger family members shouldering responsibility for older ones, perhaps any childless and aging couple would share his concerns. But gay men and lesbians face particular challenges, David pointed out to me in a recent e-mail.