Though in some areas we've made strides, with the tragic shooting of 15-year-old Larry King back in the news, and the not so distant memory of the rash of teen suicides, we're reminded that even in this day and age, growing up gay can be tough. I have compiled a brief listing of GLBTQ resources which include everything from mental health referrals to online support and social groups in the greater Los Angeles area. One of the biggest obstacles of being GLBTQ is struggling with isolation, loneliness, and lack of support. Please make use of this list to reach out to those who can help, and share it with those who can benefit.

Happy holiday season bums. We’re gonna have advice about saving money on gifts and preparing inexpensive tasty treats, but for the moment we’d like to make sure you know how to take care of you. All the holiday frills are nice, but being broke can sometimes push you to the very edge of basic okay. Don’t stress, here is a re-cap of resources available in LA.

Ask a 20-something year-old about their living situation, and if they sigh in a manner reminiscent of the Bart Simpson phrase “I never thought it was humanly possible, but this both sucks and blows,” it’s a good indication that they still might be living at home. While it is accepted that certain life circumstances can lead to this situation, our capacity to intelligently and rationally understand this does not necessarily correlate with our emotional and psychological understanding. There is still the matter of the hurt ego, the feelings of shame, and the social stigma. Additionally, there may be a feeling of regressing to old patterns with the parents. In order to alleviate some of these anxiety producing thoughts, consider the following.

Whether it's a 30 minute search for parking or a stack of overdue bills, life has a way of throwing you curve balls. Some of these moments require deep introspection and long-term therapy to handle calmly, but we've got a few tricks to help you fake zen. So, the next time you're faced with a "just shoot me (or the guy next to me)" moment, you can channel some RFB om and chill out.

The new movie Inception has sparked a lot of interest in dreams. Dreams can actually help plug you in to a deeper level of clarity about yourself. But sometimes dreams seem like they’re written in code that only the CIA could decipher. They're a lot like poetry in the sense that the language or imagery of dreams can be about metaphor, symbols for your life. Another view of dreams is that there is a type of medicine in the dream experience itself. There are a lot of ways to approach dreams and in my view, there is no right or wrong way. It's all about what works for you. Here are some simple ways to mine some of those riches and have a good time in the process.

Life is a roller coaster; sometimes you want to laugh and other times you want to cry. The miracle of the internet connects us to people from all over the world who want to share their experiences with you in words or pictures. Whether high art or mass cultural collage, visual images have immense power. The following are a few sites that have captured our attention and kept us coming back for more. We here at RFB won't assume whether these pics and stories will make you feel sad, less alone, or the ever-popular schadenfreude. Chuckle, sob, roll your eyes, whatever. And, being a bum, you might find some time on your hands to contribute. Do it. Everyone wants to know about your pain.

Being a bum can be pretty stressful. While your employed friends moan about long hours and stuffy offices, your shoulders cramp up just thinking about trying to pay next month's rent. Don't underestimate the effect that constant stress can have on your mental and physical health. Since you probably can't afford an hour long deep tissue session, try these simple techniques to relax.