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Logo of a rising rainbow sun with the rays in various Pride flag colors above text saying Arlington, MA LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission
Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters LGBTQ+ Program

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Boston recently launched an LGBTQ+ Mentoring Initiative after being awarded a grant from Mass Alliance. The pilot program matches LGBTQ+ and questioning children (ages 6-18) with an adult mentor in the LGBTQ+ community in the greater Boston area.

They are actively recruiting BIGS and LITTLES and the Rainbow Commission wanted to spread the word to members of our community interested in getting involved in either capacity. You can find more information here.

If you are 6-18 or a parent or guardian of an LGBTQ+ youth who may be interested in being a Little, please contact Lorraine@JBBBS.org.

If you're interested in being a Big, please contact Tania@JBBBS.org.

We'd love to see members of our community be able to take advantage of this great program.

Pride Banner Fundraiser

As mentioned in our last newsletter, we've begun a fundraising drive to create Pride banners for the streetlights in Arlington Center to be used for mark Pride month this year and in years to come. Thanks so much to those who already donated!

The cost for the banners are $350 each and we'd like to get 8 or more, for a minimum total cost of $2,800. As this is beyond the available budget of the Rainbow Commission, we'd like to ask for the help of community. Please consider sponsoring a banner for $350, or make a smaller donation of $200, $100, or other amount to go toward the banner fund.  These will be used for years to come. Donors will be acknowledged on the Rainbow Commission website. Please note if you wish your donation to be anonymous.

To donate, please send check, payable to the Town of Arlington and in the memo line indicate "Rainbow Commission Pride Banner Donation" and mail to:

Attn Jillian Harvey, Rainbow Commission
27 Maple Street
Arlington MA 02476

Virtual Drag Prom - Friday May 29, 6-8 pm

Bummed that Pride Prom got cancelled? So were we! But the prom must go on! Join Prom King and Queen, Jayden Jamison KA St. James and Sham Payne, for a virtual performance and then stick around to show off your outfit and play some games with us! Organized by Robbins Library. Please email kkania@minlib.net for the meeting link.

Monthly Commission Meeting this Thursday, May 21

Our monthly Rainbow Commission meeting will be held this Thursday, May 21 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm via Zoom. Our meetings are all open to the public, but you do need to sign up in advance. If you'd like to join us, please register here.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Tuesday Senior Hangout - Weekly at 2 pm

Did you know the Arlington Council On Aging hosts weekly LGBTQ+ seniors & friends virtual meetings on Tuesdays at 2PM?

To be added to the invite list and receive the Zoom meeting link, please contact MShapiro-Ide@town.arlington.ma.us. 

Other Upcoming Events

Wednesday, May 27, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting Queer Book Group (QBG)/Social Swaps Recipes
Many of us have been home more lately, which means more meals at home - so join us for a virtual recipe swap! Bring a favorite recipe to discuss and share with others & get some fresh new recipes to try for yourself! We’ll be meeting via Zoom – email Rob at rlorino@minlib.net to receive the Zoom link closer to the meeting date.

Tuesday, June 9, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
– Reel Queer Netflix Party: The Half of It
Join us for a special virtual meeting of Reel Queer, cosponsored by the Arlington Council on Aging! We’re hosting a Netflix Party and will be
watching The Half of It, with an optional Zoom discussion to follow. This film is rated PG13 and has a runtime of 1 hour & 45 minutes.

“When smart but cash-strapped teen Ellie Chu agrees to write a love letter for a jock, she doesn't expect to become his friend - or fall for his crush.”

To join a Netflix Party you’ll need a computer or laptop, a Netflix account, the Chrome browser, and to install the Netflix Party Add-On in Chrome. (https://www.netflixparty.com/) Netflix offers free 30 day trials for those who don’t have an account.

Email Rob at rlorino@minlib.net or Marci at MShapiro-Ide@town.arlington.ma.us and you will be sent the Netflix Party & Zoom links close to the time of the meeting.


LexPride Event Lineup - Take advantage of the programs from our neighboring community of Lexington. Visit their website and calendar listing for the latest information. 

Mondays, 4:00-5:30 p.m., LexPride Games
With some experimentation, we've found a really fun mix of games to play on Zoom as well as Jackbox games we can play together using our phones. Balderdash, Funny Business, Two Truths and A Lie, Fibbage, and much more!

https://zoom.us/j/857441979     Meeting ID: 857 441 979

Tuesdays, 7:00-8:00 p.m., LexPride Chat and Craft
Many of us are knitting, sewing, drawing, painting, and much else during our extended time at home. Join us to chat while we craft, or just hang out!

https://zoom.us/j/728050451     Meeting ID: 728 050 451

Wednesdays, 4:00-4:30 p.m., Meditation Break
A lot of people are feeling stressed and all sorts of other things during the pandemic. Enjoying a guided meditation is a great way to relax our minds and bodies.
https://zoom.us/j/793600314     Meeting ID: 793 600 314

Saturdays, 7:00-8:30 or 9:00 p.m., LexPride Movie Night!
This week we will watch Signature Move, a rom-com about a Muslim lesbian in Chicago who falls for a Mexican-American woman and takes up Lucha wrestling just as her mom starts to look for a husband for her.

Join us on Zoom at 7pm and we'll all start the film (available on Amazon Prime and other sources) at the same time and use the Zoom chat space to comment...and talk by Zoom afterwards!

Also recommended is the short (22-minute) film Pria, about a Muslim gay young man coming of age in Indonesia.

https://zoom.us/j/562396500


Meeting ID: 562 396 500

BAGLY Boys Lounge: First and Third Tuesdays, 5:00pm
https://zoom.us/j/350695047

BAGLY Disabilities Meeting: First and Third Tuesdays, 6:00pm
https://zoom.us/j/175498841

LYFS Teen/YA Queer Hang Space: Thursdays, 4:30-6:00pm
Have fun hanging out with friendly queer peers! Hosted by LYFS, Inc.
https://zoom.us/j/851091867

BAGLY LGBTQ+ POC Meeting: Thursdays, 5:00-6:00pm
Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/193133567

Virtual Teen Queer TV: Fridays, 4:30-5:30pm
https://www.facebook.com/events/2511620232486900/?event_time_id=2511620239153566

Parents/Guardians
Greater Boston PFLAG - Parent/Family Support Group: Second Thursdays, 7:00pm
Meetings are now virtual. Please email for details: https://gbpflag.org/wp-content/uploads/2019-09-05-GBPFLAG-Support-Group-Flyer-1.pdf

LexPride Library
Visit LexPride's website (https://www.lexpridema.org/library) to see our listings of LGBTQ+ themed books. Email us to borrow books! We can put books in an envelope or bag for contactless pickup and return.

Assistance programs in Arlington

If you are in Arlington and need help making ends meet, please see the Town's website for information regarding the Food Pantry, affordable housing, fuel assistance, sports and activities assistance, and other programs.
 

Copyright © 2020 Arlington MA Rainbow Commission, All rights reserved.


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