Dear Center Community,
My name is Rebekah Hook-Held (She, Her), Chief Public Affairs & Civic Engagement Officer, and I am excited to tell you about The Center's Civic Engagement efforts as we prepare to get out the vote in our community for the November 2022 General Election!
This month is LGBTQ History Month, and at The Center we celebrate the strides made in and for our LGBTQ community and how far we have come from the days when discrimination, exclusion, and lack of representation were the status quo. The progress we have made has taken resilience and bravery – and also protesting, lobbying, speaking out, showing up, and VOTING – to get to the place where we are now, where we have LGBTQ representation at the local and state levels, including champions that fight to protect and advance our LGBTQ community.
Our San Diego LGBTQ community has a rich history of voter participation and power, resulting in LGBTQ officials being elected throughout the county since the 1990's. The Center is proud to have built a nonpartisan community of voters over the past ten years. This past June, The Center turned out 73% of the voters we contacted, and our entire universe of LGBTQ voters in San Diego County had a 52% turnout. With the county’s overall voter turnout at 35%, it is clear that The Center’s efforts have an impact in mobilizing voters who care about LGBTQ issues as we continue to build our community’s voting power.
Last year, The Center joined a broad group of community stakeholders to advocate for the Voter’s Choice Act, and now, San Diego has transitioned to a Vote Center model, which means you get to choose when, where, and how you vote. Your Center is a Vote Center for the upcoming election from Saturday, November 5th to Tuesday, November 8th, 2022. Stop by to vote in person or drop off your ballot! We continue to work in coalition with organizations like Engage San Diego to empower and inform our community about the voting process and encourage participation. Studies have shown that “a substantial portion of LGBTQ+ adults have experienced barriers to voting in the past, including explicit forms of discrimination and voter suppression,” which is why we are proud that voters from throughout the county can vote at The Center, where they can feel welcomed, valued, and supported.
Serving our community as a Vote Center means we get to hear stories from youy that show us the importance of access – like the community member who became a citizen and that very day came to The Center to vote for the first time, or the senior who came to our monthly Food Bank and went back home to get her son so they could vote together at The Center, saying, “You feed us and you help us vote, too!” The Center’s focus is to serve, uplift, and empower everyone in our LGBTQ community. We will always be here for you.
The upcoming November election is a critical one; ballots have started being mailed to every voter in San Diego County, so look for yours in your mailbox and use your power to vote! We would love to have you join our non-partisan Civic Engagement efforts and uplift the voices of our LGBTQ community by volunteering for our voter outreach this election season. To sign up to volunteer, reach out to Aaron Ngan, our Civic Engagement Coordinator, at angan@thecentersd.org.
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As we face the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation throughout the nation, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and voices of influence against us, the stakes have never been higher to ensure we use our power and VOTE to create the future we all deserve.
In Solidarity,
Rebekah J. Hook-Held, M.A. (Pronouns: She, Her)
Chief Public Affairs & Civic Engagement Officer
PS: Visit thecentersd.org/vote to learn more about voting and volunteering at The Center!
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM ENGAGE SAN DIEGO
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Serving the San Diego area for over 10 years, Engage San Diego is a collaborative network of 15 social justice-focused, nonprofit groups working to increase civic and voter engagement in historically and systemically excluded communities of San Diego County. The San Diego LGBT Community Center is proud to be both the fiscal sponsor and a founding table partner of Engage San Diego.
Engage San Diego provides trainings, tools and resources to its table partners to build power in San Diego’s New American Majority communities, including but not limited to low-income families, LGBTQ+ folx, women, youth, immigrants, and AAPI, Black, and Latino/a/x communities.
Engage San Diego table partners are established and effective civic engagement and social change organizations with deep roots in the neighborhoods they serve, including the following organizations:
- ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties
- Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE)
- Alliance San Diego
- Center on Policy Initiatives
- Environmental Health Coalition
- Justice Overcoming Boundaries
- MAS-PACE
- Mid-City CAN
- Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans
- Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest
- San Diego Organizing Project
- San Diego Pride
- The San Diego LGBT Community Center
- United Taxi Workers of San Diego
- Viet Vote
With only 28 days until the end of the November General Election, Engage San Diego table partners are busy reaching out to voters. If you receive a text, call, or knock on your door from one of our table partners, know that they’re sharing critical nonpartisan information on the changes to this year’s election. Please visit sdvote.com for information on the new Vote Center system.
Thank you,
Luis Montero-Adams (Pronouns: He, Him)
Director of Engage San Diego
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October 11 is National Coming Out Day!
Check out our support groups this month as we celebrate Coming Out Day.
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Congratulations to David Vance (they/them) on joining The Center's team as Advocacy & Civic Engagement Senior Manager! David returns to The Center with extensive experience working within and advocating for LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities, first as The Center's PrEP Coordinator and The Center's Community Engagement Manager, then with UC San Diego's Antiviral Research Center and through their most recent role in Congresswoman Sara Jacobs' office. As a nonbinary person, they are proud to be part of The Center’s resilient, powerful, and diverse community, and are always inspired by our community's courage to live boldly and authentically. We are so excited to welcome back David to The Center’s team! Reach out to David at dvance@thecentersd.org.
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October 1st - October 31st, 2022
Youth 13-24: Are you ready to slay this spooky season?
Join the Hillcrest and South Bay Youth Centers' Slay-O-Ween Virtual costume contest! Participants must be between the ages of 13 to 24 (parental consent is required if you’re under the age of 18).
We have up to 400 dollars in prizes! Entries will be considered from October 1 - October 31, 2022, at 11:59pm.
Read the details for participation on our website.
Our Categories:
🏳️🌈The Queerest Costume: $100
🧵The Craftiest Costume: $100
👻The spookiest Costume: $100
‼️ Iconic Duo Costume: $100
Do you have any questions? Email us at HYC@thecentersd.org or SBYC@thecentersd.org.
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MPOX (MONKEYPOX) UPDATES & RESOURCES
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Get the latest and most up-to-date information our website at thecentersd.org/mpox/. To sign up for The County's MPOX text message alert system and receive real-time information about MPOX, text COSD MONKEYPOX to 468-311.
October 11, 2022 Update:
- MPOX vaccine eligibility has expanded in San Diego County. Visit our website to see the list of groups eligible for the MPOX vaccine. 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.
- 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.
- 30% of people who are eligible for the MPOX vaccine have received the vaccine as of mid-September.
- MPOX vaccines can now be administered in the arm, back, or shoulder.
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.
11 de octubre, 2022:
- La eligibilidad para la vacuna contra MPOX se ha ampliado en el condado de San Diego. Visita nuestro sitio web para ver la lista de grupos elegibles para la vacuna contra MPOX. 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.
- 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.
- 30% de las personas que son elegibles para la vacuna MPOX han recibido la vacuna a mediados de septiembre.
- Las vacunas contra MPOX ahora se pueden administrar en el brazo, la espalda o el hombro.
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
HIV/HCV AND STI SCREENINGS
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Start your self-care journey with our free, confidential HIV/HCV testing and STI screenings in a compassionate and sex-positive environment with connections to health care and resources. Make your appointment today - call us at 619.692.2077 or email bethegeneration@thecentersd.org to make an appointment for 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 who 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. Nominations due by October 15th.
Find out more at: https://tiny.cc/truax
To access the nomination form in English: https://tinyurl.com/truaxeng
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¿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.
Conoce más: https://tiny.cc/truax
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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PREPARE NOW FOR AN EMERGENCY LATER
Emergencies come in many forms such as wildfires, storms, earthquakes or floods. There’s no better time to prepare for an emergency than right now. Below are some tips and resources to help you plan and stay safe should an emergency happen. Visit sdge.com/emergency for emergency checklists and evacuation plan ideas.
- Develop an emergency plan. Identify a place to meet with family, safe routes and shelters, as well as what actions you will take. Discuss and practice the plan with your family, including your children and pets.
- Prepare an emergency kit for at least three days. Keep essentials on hand like water (one gallon per person per day), a first aid kit, flashlight, canned goods, medicine, clothes and cash. Stock your kit with items you and your family need, including those with a disability, seniors and your pets. Store supplies in easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks or plastic crates. For ideas, download helpful checklists at sdge.com/checklists.
- Help your neighbors. Being a good neighbor takes more than sharing the occasional cup of sugar or hosting a potluck. It’s important to help our neighbors during emergencies, especially those who are vulnerable, elderly or disabled.
- Update your SDG&E contact information. SDG&E will make every effort to communicate with you during emergencies. Go to sdge.com/MyAccount to sign in. From the My Account homepage, click on “Account,” then select “My Profile.” Here, you can make sure your contact information is up to date.
- Sign up for power outage notifications. Get notified when there is an outage in your area. Sign into sdge.com/MyAccount. From the My Account homepage, click on “Account,” then select “Notification Settings.”
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ARE YOU READY FOR A POSITIVE CHANGE?
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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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COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES
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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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