Dear Center Community,
Hello, my name is Kim Fountain (she, they) and I am the Deputy CEO at The Center and this week's E-News guest author. As we get ready to celebrate National LGBT Center Awareness Day on October 19th, I want to highlight the impact that LGBTQ centers make in changing and even saving lives in this country and around the world.
The San Diego LGBT Community Center is part of a growing network of 290 LGBTQ centers in the U.S. all working locally to ensure that our community has the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive. LGBTQ centers are the heart and the hope of each LGBTQ community they serve, providing community, health and housing resources, civic engagement opportunities, connection, and support.
When I started my work here at The Center just six months ago, I felt it was important to go back to my roots in the LGBTQ movement. In order to meet the San Diego community, I attended community events, met with representatives from partner organizations, and worked a rotating shift at The Center’s Welcome Desk. There is no better place to learn about the real-life needs, struggles, and the joys that community members bring with them when they arrive. It is brilliant to see their faces light up, even if they are still feeling tentative, when they walk through the doors and are greeted with, “Welcome to Your Center!” It reminds me of the number of times throughout my work at various LGBTQ centers that people have returned, even years later, to say, “The Center saved my life, and I wanted you to know that.”
Like LGBTQ centers around the country, your Center is not only evolving with the changes in our communities, we are proactively advocating for change at every level of society. LGBTQ centers do everything with heart, in a way that responds to what people tell us they need.
One of the most dangerous ways that mainstream culture can inflict harm is to tell us we are alone and vulnerable because there is something wrong with us: parents harm their LGBTQ children in their homes; bullies harm students in places of learning; healthcare providers invoke their freedom to not serve us, saying it goes against their beliefs. LGBTQ centers bring these issues to light, gathering community stories and honoring lived experiences so that we can create spaces within our walls where everyone is working hard to ensure the safety of anyone who walks through our doors.
This is our work – to create these spaces designed to help and protect us by asserting our humanity and showing the world our pride. Those of us who work at LGBTQ centers are part of the community and have first-hand knowledge of the real and everyday needs of our community. We provide understanding, empathy, and compassion when it’s needed most.
Around the world and even in the U.S., we are seeing anti-LGBTQ pushback primarily directed at young people and their rights. LGBTQ centers are a safe space for everyone in our community to be valued and supported. Young people who have accessed our services over the last 50 years have weathered anti-LGBTQ attacks in part because they found community here at The Center.
As the beacon for our regional LGBTQ community in San Diego, each day we actively recommit to be a more vibrant, bold, innovative, safe, and modern Center than the day before. I hope you know that you are welcomed, valued, and supported here at The Center. We look forward to providing the same protections, services, and community spaces today and for the next generations to come. Your Center is here for you!
In Solidarity,
Kim Fountain, PhD (Pronouns: She, They)
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
PS: Celebrate LGBT Center Awareness Day with us by participating in one of our Center events or discussion groups, whether virtual or in-person!
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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
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Volunteers Needed! 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 need your help reaching out to members of our community, encouraging them to vote in this election. When you volunteer with us, you will receive new Center swag such as t-shirts, tote bags, hats, and more!
To sign up to volunteer, reach out to Aaron Ngan (he/they), our Civic Engagement Coordinator, at angan@thecentersd.org.
- Rebekah Hook-Held (Pronouns: She/Her)
Chief Public Affairs and Civic Engagement Officer
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Halloween is almost here, and you know what that means - it's time for Nightmare on Normal Street!
Hillcrest’s haunted Halloween dance party and costume competition is back and will take over the Pride Flag Plaza at Normal and University on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from 5-11 pm. The event will feature a massive costume competition with over $2,000 in prizes, a gigantic dance party, a VIP area, vendors, and a monstrous bar!
The Center is thankful to the Hillcrest Business Association who has continued to produce this long-standing community tradition with proceeds going to The Center and Fabulous Hillcrest. It’s going to be a ghoulishly fabulous time!
- Ian Johnson (Pronouns: He/Him)
Senior Director of Development
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VIRTUAL COSTUME CONTEST FOR YOUTH
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Calling all youth ages 13-24! Are you ready to slay this spooky season?
Join the Hillcrest and South Bay Youth Centers' Slay-O-Ween Virtual Costume Contest and win up to $400 in prizes! Participants must be between the ages of 13 to 24 (parental consent is required if you’re under the age of 18). Read the details for participation on our website.
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. Entries will be considered from October 1 - October 31, 2022, at 11:59pm and the winners will be shared on our social media!
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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 17, 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.
- 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.
17 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.
- 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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Show yourself some love 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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RSVP today to join us this year in person for The Center's annual LGBT Veterans Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony on November 10th from 6-8pm!
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" 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. RSVP here: bit.ly/vwoh2022
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Launching October 19, 2022: Take the Pledge!
THIS IS OUR TIME: BE HEARD, BE COUNTED.
The U.S. Trans Survey is the largest survey of trans people, by trans people, in the United States. The USTS documents the lives and experiences of trans and nonbinary people ages 16+ in the U.S. and U.S. territories.
USTS reports have been a vital resource, including the reports on the experiences of people of color and reports by state. In 2015, nearly 28,000 people took the USTS. A lot has happened since then – and it’s time to conduct the USTS again in 2022.
Help us continue to be the largest, most diverse sample across all identities. Please spread the word to ensure that people of color, older people, those who live in rural areas, immigrants, Spanish speakers, those who are HIV+, and others hear about the survey. More than ever, it's important to ensure that trans voices will shape the future.
https://www.ustranssurvey.org/
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El último sueño de Frida y Diego
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El último sueño de Frida y Diego
October 29-November 6
Gabriela Lena Frank – Composer
Nilo Cruz – Librettist
San Diego Civic Theatre
1100 Third Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Special discount offer for The Center includes 25% savings on Opening Night, October 29, 2022. Regular-priced tickets available for all other performances. $10 handling fee waived on all transactions. Scan the QR code or visit SDopera.org and enter promo code CENTER on the top right hand corner.
During the celebration of Día de Muertos, surrounded by candles and the fragrance of marigolds, the great muralist Diego Rivera longs to see his deceased wife Frida Kahlo once more. Catrina, the keeper of the souls, approaches Frida in the afterlife, and explains that Diego desperately needs his beloved wife as the end of his life approaches. For only 24 hours, Frida and Diego will relive their tumultuous love through their paintings and embrace the passion they shared.
Sung in Spanish with English/Spanish text projected above the stage
After Party, Noche Mexicana!
LIVE MUSIC – FOOD – DRINKS – DANCING
Join us on the Civic Center Plaza immediately after the opening night performance for music, food, drinks, and a chance to mingle, dance, meet the artists, and make new friends!
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El descuento especial para The Center incluye un 25% de ahorro en la noche de apertura, el 29 de octubre de 2022. Boletos a precio regular disponibles para todas las demás funciones. Escanee el código QR o visite SDopera.org e ingrese el código de promoción CENTER en la esquina superior derecha.
Durante la celebración del Día de Muertos, rodeado de velas y fragancia de cempasúchil, el gran muralista Diego Rivera añora volver a ver a su fallecida esposa Frida Kahlo. Catrina, la guardiana de las almas, se acerca a Frida en el más allá y le explica que Diego necesita desesperadamente a su amada esposa a medida que se acerca el final de su vida. Durante solo 24 horas, Frida y Diego revivirán su tumultuoso amor a través de sus pinturas y abrazarán la pasión que compartieron.
Cantado en español con texto en inglés/español proyectado sobre el escenario
Después de la Fiesta - ¡Noche Mexicana!
MÚSICA EN VIVO – COMIDA – BEBIDAS – BAILE
¡Únase a nosotros en Civic Center Plaza inmediatamente después de la presentación de la noche de apertura para disfrutar de música, comida, bebidas y la oportunidad de convivir, bailar, conocer a los artistas y hacer nuevas amistades!
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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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ARE YOU READY TO MAKE A 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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