Dear Center Community,
My name is Gus Hernandez (He, Him), Senior Director of Communications & Marketing and I'm this week's guest author. October is LGBTQ History Month, and at The Center, we are excited to celebrate the rich diversity of our community throughout the month of October!
October is filled with many LGBTQ Awareness Days: International Lesbian Day is on October 8, and National Coming Out Day is on October 11. Latino AIDS Awareness Day occurs on October 15, followed by Spirit Day on October 17 and Genderfluid Week takes place from October 17-24. International Pronouns Day and LGBT Center Awareness Day occur on October 19. We celebrate Asexual Awareness Week from October 25-28, plus Intersex Awareness Day on October 26!
Each one of these special days of recognition is an opportunity to highlight different parts of our community, while celebrating our shared history. At The Center, this is something we do not just for the month of October, but throughout the whole year, working to ensure that our entire community feels welcomed, valued, and supported when they walk through our doors or attend our events.
Make History With Us! One way we make history each year at The Center is by honoring LGBTQ veterans. Thought to be the first of its kind, the Benjamin F. Dillingham, III & Bridget Wilson LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor was unveiled at The Center in 2011 after the formal repeal of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell." The LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor was conceived by City and County Commissioner Nicole Murray Ramirez, with the generous support of veterans Benjamin F. Dillingham, III and Bridget Wilson.
This November, The Center will once again be hosting the LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony on November 10th! We invite the community to attend the annual LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor (VWOH) Induction Ceremony on Thursday, November 10th, from 6pm-8pm at The Center. This will be the first time since 2019 that our LGBTQ community will gather in person for this celebratory event.
This event acknowledges LGBTQ veterans and expresses what this Wall of Honor represents – a way to honor those in our LGBTQ community who have served our country too often in silence, too often without acceptance, but always with great honor and dedication. 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, mentoring unhoused veterans, and so much more.
We are proud to announce this year's inductees:
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We hope you will join us for this moving ceremony; please RSVP at bit.ly/vwoh2022. For more information on The Center's LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor, or the induction ceremony, please contact Samantha Schwimmer (She, They), Community Engagement and Advocacy Coordinator at sschwimmer@thecentersd.org.
With Pride,
Gus Hernandez (Pronouns: He/Him)
Senior Director of Communications & Marketing
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MPOX (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's MPOX text message alert system sends real-time information about MPOX via text to San Diego County residents. To sign up, text COSD MONKEYPOX to 468-311. Visit our website at thecentersd.org/mpox/ for the latest information.
October 3, 2022 Update:
MPOX eligibility has expanded in San Diego County! MPOX vaccine is now available to the following groups:
- Gay or bisexual men, or any men or transgender people who have sex with men or transgender people.
- Persons of any gender or sexual orientation who engage in commercial and/or transactional sex (e.g., sex in exchange for money, shelter, food, or other goods or needs)
- Persons living with HIV, especially persons with uncontrolled or advanced HIV disease.
- Persons who had skin-to-skin or intimate contact with someone with suspected or confirmed MPOX, including those who have not yet been confirmed by Public Health.
MPOX vaccination appointments are available at myturn.ca.gov for those without health insurance or healthcare provider.
- To get notifications of vaccine availability, please sign up to the MPOX alert system by texting COSD MONKEYPOX to 468-311.
- MPOX cases are down globally, nationally, in the state, and locally. In San Diego, new cases have been declining over the past few weeks.
- According to the CDC, unvaccinated people with similar risk factors are 14 times more likely to contract MPOX than people who have at least one MPOX vaccine.
- People who are at risk of contracting MPOX should get two MPOX vaccine shots for maximum protection.
The Center's Efforts:
- Prevention: The Center continues to educate our community with the latest information about MPOX. We continue to field calls from community members and providing guidance to access MPOX vaccines and testing resources.
- Education: The Center's MPOX resource page on our website has information in English and Spanish, and we are sending regular updates in our E-News and on The Center’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.
- Advocacy: The Center is participating regularly in the San Diego HIV Planning Group's MPOX Task Force meeting, and will stay involved to ensure that our community is represented.
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 MPOX (VIRUELA DE MONO)
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Obtenga la información más reciente y actualizada directamente del condado de San Diego. El sistema de alerta de mensajes de texto MPOX del condado envía información en tiempo real sobre MPOX a través de mensajes de texto a los residentes del condado de San Diego. Para inscribirse, envíe un mensaje de texto con COSD MONKEYPOX al 468-311. Visite nuestro sitio web en thecentersd.org/mpox/ para obtener la información más reciente.
3 de octubre, 2022:
La eligibilidad para la vacuna contra MPOX se ha ampliado en el condado de San Diego! La vacuna MPOX ahora está disponible para los siguientes grupos:
- Hombres gays o bisexuales, o cualquier hombre o persona transgénero que tenga relaciones sexuales con hombres o personas transgénero.
- Personas de cualquier género y orientación sexual que participen en sexo comercial y/o transaccional (por ejemplo, sexo a cambio de dinero, vivienda, comida y otros bienes o necesidades)
- Personas que viven con VIH, especialmente personas con la enfermedad del VIH no controlada o avanzada.
- Personas que tuvieron contacto piel con piel o contacto íntimo con alguien con MPOX sospechada o confirmada, incluyendo casos que aún no han sido confirmadas.
Las citas de vacunación MPOX están disponibles en myturn.ca.gov para personas sin seguro médico o sin proveedor de atención médica.
- Para recibir notificaciones sobre la disponibilidad de vacunas, regístrese en el sistema de alerta MPOX enviando un mensaje de texto con COSD MONKEYPOX al 468-311.
- Los casos de MPOX han disminuido a nivel mundial, nacional, estatal, y local. En San Diego, los nuevos casos han disminuido en las últimas semanas.
- Según el CDC, las personas no vacunadas con factores de riesgo similares tienen 14 veces más probabilidades de contraer MPOX que las personas que tienen al menos una vacuna MPOX.
- Las personas que corren el riesgo de contraer MPOX deben recibir dos inyecciones de la vacuna MPOX para obtener la máxima protección.
Los Esfuerzos de The Center:
- Prevención: The Center continúa educando a nuestra comunidad con la información más reciente sobre MPOX. Continuamos respondiendo llamadas de miembros de la comunidad y brindando orientación para acceder a las vacunas MPOX y los recursos de prueba.
- Educación: La página de recursos de MPOX en nuestro sitio web esta en ingles y en español y hemos estado enviando información más reciente en nuestro E-News y en Facebook, Instagram y Twitter. Hemos actualizado nuestras preguntas frecuentes con las últimas preguntas frecuentes de nuestra comunidad.
- Abogacía: The Center esta participando en las reuniones del MPOX Task Force del Grupo de Planificación del VIH de San Diego, y The Center permanecerá involucadro para garantizar que nuestra comunidad esté representada.
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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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FREE & CONFIDENTIAL STI SCREENINGS
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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 MPOX 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 OPEN 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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Do you know someone that goes above and beyond to provide service that improves the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in San Diego? Nominate them for the Dr. A. Brad Truax Award! Each year, the San Diego HIV Planning Group recognizes individuals who have served the community and made outstanding contributions in the struggle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
¿Conoces a alguien que se esfuerza para brindar servicios que mejoren la calidad de vida de las personas que viven con VIH/SIDA en San Diego?
¡Nomína a esa persona para el premio Dr. A. Brad Truax! Cada año, el Grupo de Planificación de VIH de San Diego reconoce a las personas que han servido a la comunidad y realizado contribuciones destacadas en la lucha contra la epidemia del VIH/SIDA.
Find out more at/conoce más: https://tiny.cc/truax
To access the nomination form in English: https://tinyurl.com/truaxeng
Para hacer una nominación en español: https://tinyurl.com/truaxspa
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If you are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, please take a few moments to complete this #Out4MentalHealth survey and share it with your networks. It supports LGBTQIA+ community members in identifying system strengths and barriers based on our own lived experiences. Your responses will be utilized to help create a statewide mental health policy agenda.
Share your experiences accessing mental health care by taking the Mental Health Advocacy Priorities Survey: bit.ly/O4MHPP2022
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SDG&E recognizes that this can be a challenging time for many customers and may be able to help if you are having trouble paying your bill. You may be eligible for programs and services that can provide immediate financial assistance and help you avoid interruptions in your service. Flexible payment arrangements are available to help you pay down past due balances. Learn more at sdge.com/Payment-Arrangements.
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CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF OTHERS
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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. Check out the other exciting job listings here and apply today!
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Read the latest about COVID-19 including travel, vaccines, treatment, prevention and more. Resources to help you and yours stay healthy include:
Updates from The Center for Disease Control (CDC) including risks, vaccines, symptoms, and more.
Visit sandiegocounty.gov to schedule your vaccine and booster appointment today! Find a location and schedule appointments on My Turn.
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