Hello Center Community!
My name is Achi Vasquez (She, Her) and I am the Program Manager of Project TRANS. I’m two months into this new role and very excited to be this week’s guest author and share more about our Transgender and Nonbinary Programs and Services!
First, did you know that Project TRANS is an acronym for Transgender Referrals, Assistance, Networking, and Services? It’s important for The Center to support our transgender and nonbinary communities with life-changing, and often life-saving programs and services. We offer in-person, virtual, and hybrid Support and Discussion groups like: Nonbinary Gender Identity & Exploration, Transgender & Nonbinary Coming Out Group, Grupo Transgenero 2000, Trans Positive Support Group, Diamonds In The Rough Support Group, Trans Masculine Discussion Group, Aromantic and Asexual Discussion Group, and more! If you are transgender, nonbinary, or questioning, we are here for you at The Center.
The newest addition to our groups is Join The Femmily, a virtual discussion group for trans women, trans feminine individuals, and those who are questioning their gender, led by a transgender woman of color. Coming from an abolitionist framework, this group looks at how existing power structures and institutions oppress our transgender and nonbinary communities. It also provides a safe space for honest discussions about day-to-day struggles, to share resources, and to help each other. We hope to move this to a hybrid of virtual and in-person meetings in the coming months.
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In addition to our Support and Discussion Groups, we provide medical advocacy to help access, navigate, and advocate for life-saving, competent transgender- and nonbinary-affirming healthcare, insurance, and providers; connect community members to legal aid to fight discrimination; help with housing with hotel and motel vouchers for those who have been displaced; secure partnerships and educational opportunities; and raise awareness and increase inclusivity by honoring Transgender Awareness Month, International Transgender Day of Visibility, Transgender Day of Empowerment, Nonbinary Awareness Week, Asexual Awareness Week, and Transgender Day of Remembrance, among others. We also highlight the Diamonds in the Rough Annual Banquet, coming up in October!
Most importantly, we work every day to increase equity for our community, to provide trauma-informed care, to be transparent, and to make every person who connects with us feel valued, supported, and welcome. We know the harm that comes from anti-transgender policies and laws, as well as ongoing violence and discrimination, and The Center and our allies are in the fight so everyone in our LGBTQ community can live safely and thrive.
If you, or someone you know is in need of The Center's Project TRANS resources, please visit our website for the monthly calendar or reach out to trans@thecentersd.org or 619.692.2077 x 162. We also have resources specifically for transgender and nonbinary youth, including our Gender Identity group at the Hillcrest Youth Center on Tuesdays.
In community,
Achi Vasquez (Pronouns: She, Her, Hers)
Transgender and Nonbinary Services Program Manager
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It’s hard to believe that in just 18 days we welcome in the 33rd annual AIDS Walk & Run San Diego! With your participation and support of AIDS Walk & Run San Diego over the years, you helped raise awareness to empower all of us to take charge of our sexual health and wellness. You've helped to share the importance of testing to know our status, treating to get to undetectable, protecting with PrEP, PEP, and condoms, and fighting stigma and fear associated with HIV and AIDS. You honored those we have lost to this terrible disease.
Join us again this year to commit to getting to zero new HIV infections in our region and help raise critical funds for The Center and local organizations that provide HIV services and prevention programs like testing, education, health care & medication, legal services, support groups, and more.
Register today, support a participant, or donate by visiting www.aidswalksd.org. I can't wait to see you on Saturday, September 24th!
- Ian Johnson (Pronouns: He, Him, His)
Senior Director of Development
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT UPDATE
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We are honored to announce this year’s list of inductees for the Benjamin F. Dillingham, III & Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor. This year we celebrate 13 remarkable individuals who have served our country and the San Diego LGBTQ community with honor. This year’s honorees' individual accomplishments include fiercely advocating to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” serving as a leader of the VA’s transgender support group, and mentoring unhoused veterans; look for more information to come as we celebrate each of this year’s inductees later this year.
The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor was conceived by City/County Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez, with the generous support of veterans Benjamin F. Dillingham, III and Bridget Wilson, and created under the leadership of Dr. Delores Jacobs, former CEO of The Center. The first of its kind to honor LGBTQ veterans, the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor was unveiled at The Center on November 10, 2011, after the formal repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell."
This year’s inductees will be celebrated at our annual inductee ceremony on November 10th, from 6-8pm in person at The Center. Save the date and we hope to see you there!
- Rebekah J. Hook-Held, M.A. (Pronouns: She, Her, Hers)
Chief Public Affairs & Civic Engagement Officer
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hMPXV (MONKEYPOX) UPDATES & RESOURCES
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Get the latest and most up-to-date information directly from the County of San Diego. The County has launched a hMPXV text message alert system which allows San Diego County residents to receive real-time information about hMPXV via text. To sign up, text COSD MONKEYPOX to 468-311. Visit our website at thecentersd.org/hmpxv for the latest information.
September 6, 2022 Update:
- The County is now administering second doses of the hMPXV vaccine. Second doses can now be scheduled on MyTurn or with your healthcare system or clinic.
- hMPXV vaccination appointments will be available at myturn.ca.gov for those without health insurance or healthcare provider.
- To get notifications of vaccine availability, please sign up to the hMPXV alert system by texting COSD MONKEYPOX to 468-311.
- hMPXV cases are down globally, nationally, in the state, and locally. In San Diego, new cases have been declining over the past few weeks.
The Center's Efforts:
- Prevention: The Center continues to educate our community with the latest information about hMPXV, and co-hosted a Community Forum last week in a sex-affirming, LGBTQ-centered space. Over 85 people attended the event, which had ASL and Spanish interpretation.
- Education: The Center is updating the hMPXV resource page on our website in English and Spanish, and we have been sending out vaccine FAQS and other information in our E-News and on The Center’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.
- Advocacy: With the help of our community members and allies who called in to support, The Center was successful in advocating for the renewal of the local state of emergency declaration at last week's Board of Supervisors meeting. The state of emergency must be reinstated every 30 days.
- The Center will participate in tonight's Virtual Town Hall about hMPXV, Tuesday, September 6, 5:30pm, led by Representative Sara Jacob and Representative Scott Peters. Kim Fountain, Deputy CEO, will represent The Center at tonight's meeting. Tune in to hear the discussion using the links below.
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We will share information every week from the County of San Diego, California Department of Health, and the CDC, and will provide information to upcoming vaccination events.
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RECURSOS Y ACTUALIZACIONES SOBRE hMPXV (VIRUELA DE MONO)
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Obtenga la información más reciente y actualizada directamente del condado de San Diego. El condado ha lanzado un sistema de alerta de mensajes de texto hMPXV que permite a los residentes del condado de San Diego recibir información en tiempo real sobre hMPXV a través de mensajes de texto. Para inscribirse, envíe un mensaje de texto con COSD MONKEYPOX al 468-311. Visite nuestro sitio web en thecentersd.org/hmpxv para obtener la información más reciente.
6 de septiembre, 2022:
- El condado ahora está administrando segundas dosis de la vacuna hMPXV. Las segundas dosis ahora se pueden programar en MyTurn o con su sistema de salud o clínica.
- Las citas para la vacunación contra hMPXV estarán disponibles en myturn.ca.gov para quienes no tengan seguro médico ni proveedor de atención médica.
- Tenga en cuenta que las citas de hoy ya están reservadas.
- Para recibir notificaciones sobre la disponibilidad de vacunas, regístrese en el sistema de alerta hMPXV enviando un mensaje de texto con COSD MONKEYPOX al 468-311.
- Los casos de hMPXV han disminuido a nivel mundial, nacional, estatal y local. En San Diego, los nuevos casos han disminuido en las últimas semanas.
Los Esfuerzos de The Center:
- Prevención: The Center continúa educando a nuestra comunidad con la información más reciente sobre hMPXV y coorganizó un Foro Comunitario la semana pasada en un espacio centrado en la afirmación sexual LGBTQ. Más de 85 personas asistieron al evento, que contó con ASL e interpretación en español.
- Educación: The Center esta actualizando la página de recursos de hMPXV en nuestro sitio web en ingles y en español y enviamos preguntas frecuentes sobre vacunas y otra información en nuestro E-News y en Facebook, Instagram y Twitter.
- Abogacía: Abogacía: Con la ayuda de los miembros de nuestra comunidad y aliados que llamaron para apoyar, The Center logró abogar por la renovación de la declaración del estado de emergencia local en la reunión de la Junta de Supervisores de la semana pasada. El estado de emergencia debe restablecerse cada 30 días.
- The Center participará en el Town Hall virtual de esta noche sobre hMPXV, el martes 6 de septiembre a las 5:30pm, dirigido por la representante Sara Jacob y el representante Scott Peters. Kim Fountain, directora ejecutiva adjunta, representará a The Centro.
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Compartiremos información cada semana del Condado de San Diego, Departamento de Salud de California, y del CDC y proporcionaremos enlaces a los próximos eventos de vacunación.
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PRACTICE SELF-CARE
WITH FREE & CONFIDENTIAL STI SCREENINGS
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Self care is self love! Show yourself some love with our free, confidential HIV/HCV testing and STI screenings. Make your appointment today - call us at 619.692.2077 or email bethegeneration@thecentersd.org to make an appointment. We are open Monday-Friday. Please note that we do not offer hMPXV testing as part of our testing services, please call 211 for testing assistance.
Testing and screening clients are required to be vaccinated and masked while in the building, but exceptions can be made on an individual basis. Please reach out to us to ensure we can accommodate your needs!
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YOUR CENTER IS HERE FOR YOU!
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The Center is in Phase 3 of reopening and, in addition to our virtual offerings, our in-person services are expanding at 3909 Centre Street, Monday through Friday, from 10am-7pm. For more information, visit our website, The Center's Facebook page, or call us at 619.692.2077.
Masks are required indoors and clients are required to be vaccinated. Flexibility for the mask requirement will be allowed for special health circumstances.
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COMMUNITY & PARTNER EVENTS
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DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
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The San Diego LGBT Community Center is one of the most rewarding places to work, renowned for dynamic and creative teamwork, professionalism, and unparalleled heart and dedication. Employees experience an amazing environment where community building, compassion, and care are uniquely combined with an insistent striving toward excellence and best practices. We are highlighting just a few of our fabulous positions below - check out the other exciting job listings here and apply today!
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Read the latest information about COVID-19 including travel, vaccines, treatment, prevention and more. Here are some resources to help you and yours stay healthy:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Panel recommends vaccines for children 6 months and older. And, The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention signed off on boosters for 5 - 11 year olds - read more.
Schedule your vaccine and booster appointment today! Visit sandiegocounty.gov to find a location and you can also schedule an appointment on My Turn.
Order your free at-home COVID-19 tests! Each residential household may order eight at-home tests and will receive them in 7-10 days. Order your test today and explore the site for at-home tests at retailers or pharmacies, free testing sites, and insurance reimbursement for at-home tests.
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