Faces of Spectrum / Las Caras de Spectrum

Faces of Spectrum is a project designed to raise the visibility of LGBT community members and their straight allies in the North Bay.

Spectrum LGBT Center would like to thank the volunteers that have been instrumental in making this project a reality. Thank you to Wade for being the first Face of Spectrum and allowing us to share his story, to Nik Wilhelm for graciously taking some amazing photos, to Becks Hawkins of Dirty Hippie Feet Design for generously giving us brilliant graphic design and artwork, and Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne, PhD for her translation services.

Faces of Spectrum in English and Spanish!

 

 

 

Be on the lookout for the Faces of Spectrum around the North Bay!

Golden Gate Ferry adds extra service for the Pride Parade/Celebration

Ply the Bay Aboard GOLDEN GATE LARKSPUR FERRY to the 40th Annual San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade

Sunday, June 27, 2010

The San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade takes place on Saturday, June 26 (noon to 6 pm) and Sunday, June 27, 2010 (noon to 7 pm) at the Civic Center, San Francisco. This year's theme is "40 AND FABULOUS."

On Sunday, June 27, the Pride Parade takes place on Market Street, starting at 10:30 am and ending at the Civic Center celebration area. The San Francisco Pride Celebration is packed with a wide variety of exhibitors, artists, music of all kinds, performers, dance stages and venues, and fun. There really is something for everyone. Admission is free.

GOLDEN GATE LARKSPUR FERRY – ONE ADDED TRIP - SUNDAY, JUNE 27 only
One Larkspur-San Francisco ferry trip will be added to depart the Larkspur Ferry Terminal at 8:45 am and arrive at the San Francisco Ferry Terminal, behind the Ferry Building at 9:35 am. The Larkspur Terminal is located at 101 East Sir Francis Drake, Larkspur. 

More info: http://goldengate.org/news/ferry/prideferry.php

LGBT Business Mixer in Marin - June 29th

Connect with other LGBT business owners at Spectrum's Business Mixer on Tuesday, June 29th, 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Find out about forming a professional network for LGBT business owners right here in Marin County. Enjoy a no-host bar, and light appetizers compliments of Dan Miller, owner of the Panama Hotel. $5.00 at the door.

For more information, contact Paula Pilecki at (415) 472-1945, ext. 209.

Caregivers: A free film and discussion

A free workshop especially for LGBT caregivers, or caregivers of an LGBT person.


Two dates and locations:
Monday, June 21, 10:30 am - 12:00 noon
San Geronimo Valley Community Center
6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Geronimo
(includes lunch after the film)

Saturday, June 26, 1:00 - 2:30 PM
The Redwoods
40 Camino Alto, Mill Valley
Refreshments provided

-Featuring the film CAREGIVERS, an HBO documentary telling the story of five caregivers

-Discussion with Deanna Randall, Family Care Specialist at Alzheimer's Association, Northern CA Chapter, who will answer your questions about caring for a friend or loved one who is experiencing memory loss

-Resource materials from other Bay Area agencies that provide services for caregivers.

RSVP to Lynne Teismann at Spectrum - (415) 472-1945 ext. 202.

An Open Conversation with 5th Graders

On June 3rd, I had the privilege of working with four classes of 5th grade students at one of the San Rafael elementary schools. Standing in front of a sea of 10 and 11 year olds is beyond intimidating. After about five minutes of nerves at the beginning of each class, I relaxed into the brilliance of talking with them for an hour. These kids were amazing.

I had two phenomenal volunteer speakers with me from Spectrum’s Speakers Bureau program. One speaker told of his experience being the 5th grader that teased other presumably gay boys and growing up to be the "out" high schooler who was teased on a daily basis because he was gay. The other speaker told of her experience having been born and raised male, joining the Marine Corps, and eventually transitioning to female. Can any of you imagine being in 5th grade and having someone stand in front of you and say, "I was born a boy, but now I’m a girl?" Or, having someone stand in front of you and say, "I will never be able to take back the pain I caused some of the boys that I teased that did grow up to be gay men, but I can try to make better decisions now." There is no way that ever would have been my reality in 5th grade!

The young people at this school blew my mind. We had conversations about bullying, teasing, harassing, how it feels to be teased, how it feels to be the teaser, and how we can all work together to make the school safer for all students, including those who are LGBT.

I think that my favorite take-away memory is from a young person in the last group of the day. We asked the group, “How do you think someone feels when they are being teased or bullied?” One young person said, "It's just like People magazine. When someone like Brad Pitt does something kind of silly, People magazine jumps all over him. They put it all over in their magazine. A lot of Americans get really excited because they can feel better about themselves knowing that someone really famous like Brad Pitt did something silly. But, sometimes I wonder if anyone stops to think about how it makes Brad Pitt feel. It might really hurt his feelings."

It was such a great experience. Time and time again, I am so grateful that I am able to work here at Spectrum and be part of an organization that really is doing groundbreaking work. Every day, I feel like we are creating a safer community right here in Marin County for all LGBT people.

I think that the 5th grade students said it best: "It feels icky to be bullied so we should all look out for each other and take care of each other."

Casey Halcro coordinates Spectrum's Speakers Bureau and Youth programs.  Her email address is casey@spectrumLGBTcenter.org

Spectrum LGBT Center

Underserved and At Risk: Working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults

A workshop for Mental Health and Social Service Providers

Saturday, July 10
12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM
Spectrum LGBT Center
30 North San Pedro Road, Suite 160, San Rafael

Cost: $20 per person; $85 for Continuing Education Credit*

Lunch will be provided.

 

*This workshop meets the qualifications for 4 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Provider number 4598. CE contact hours: Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP15508, for 4 contact hours.

RSVP to Cristin Brew, MFT, (415) 472-1945, ext. 203 or register online at http://www.spectrumlgbtcenter.org/

OVERVIEW: An estimated 8,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults (60+) live in Marin County. They are hidden, isolated, and underserved. They do not access the services that are available to all seniors in Marin, and when they do, they do not talk about their lives. Compared to their heterosexual peers, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults are more likely to live alone, less likely to have adult children and partners, less likely to be connected to family of origin, and do not have pension, social security survivor, and other federal benefits.

This workshop provides an overview of clinical issues related to working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Participants will learn relevant terminology, best practices for working with LGBT older adults, and hear from guest panelists who are LGBT older adults. At the end of the workshop, you will:

• understand basic terminology related to working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults
• learn about the ten practical suggestions that will make your services more accessible to LGBT older adults, whether or not these clients “come out” as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender
• recognize the factors that put LGBT older adults at greater risk than their heterosexual peers for poor physical and emotional health
• learn about community resources that can assist you, and your agency, with serving LGBT older adults

Register by July 8th to guarantee a space. 

Faces of Spectrum

Faces of Spectrum is a new project designed to raise the visibility of LGBT community members in the North Bay.

We would like to thank the volunteers that have been instrumental in making this project a reality. Thank you to Wade Flores for being the first Face of Spectrum and allowing us to share his story, to Nik Wilhelm for graciously taking some amazing photos, to Becks Hawkins of Dirty Hippie Feet Design for generously giving us brilliant graphic design and artwork, and Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne, PhD for her translation services.

Be on the lookout for the Faces of Spectrum in the North Bay!

In English and Spanish!

Spectrum would like to highlight all of the different folks that we work with here in the North Bay and we need your help! We would love to have you be the next “Face of Spectrum.” What that entails is allowing us to use your story and a photo of you. Please call or email Casey Halcro at 415-472-1945 x 213 or casey@spectrumlgbtcenter.org if you are interested in being the next “Face of Spectrum.”