The $25,000 Challenge: WE DID IT!

Thanks to your generous support, we raised $26,168 during our year-end giving challenge.  With your help, we surpassed the $25k goal.  Thank you!

On December 10th, Spectrum supporters Russ Zink and Sean Callaway issued a challenge to our community.  They set a goal of raising $25,000 in year-end gifts for Spectrum, and donated the first $2,500 toward that goal.  By December 31st, we were still $3,400 away from our goal, so we extended the deadline into January. Today -- just six weeks after Sean and Russ issued the challenge -- we surpassed our goal by over $1,000. 

Thanks to the magic of social media and email, we didn't spend a dime on printing or postage.  That means more money will go toward supporting our Youth Advocacy Project, which is promoting safer schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning middle and high school youth.

Thanks to Russ, Sean, and those of you who followed their lead in making a contribution to Spectrum. We couldn't do our work without you!

The $25,000 Challenge: 64% and three days to go!

Thank you! Your support will help us ring in 2011 with our new Youth Advocacy Project, which will empower LGBT youth and their allies to create safer schools and communities throughout the North Bay.

Also in store for 2011: a variety of new and continuing support, services, and activities for the LGBT community, including:

• Intergenerational storytelling
• Grief and loss support
• Individual and family counseling
• Support for parents of LGBT youth
• Lunchtime gatherings for LGBT older adults
• Inservice training for health and social service providers
• Celebrations for LGBT people and allies

Here's how to make your year-end gift.

Thank you for standing with us.  Happy New Year!

Make it Better, Marin

Doug Williams attended public school in Marin County. In this video, he talks about how principals, superintendents, teachers, and parents can make school a better place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students.



Thanks to Lacy Atkins for volunteering her time to shoot and edit this video for us; and of course to Doug for speaking!

If you live or work in Marin County, or attend school in Marin, and would like to shoot a "Make it Better, Marin" video contact Paula Pilecki at (415) 472-1945, ext. 209.

BODY COUNT AT SIX

School has been in session for only a month, and already the news this week carries the sad stories of six gay kids who have killed themselves in the face of outrageous and unrelenting taunting. We each need to take an aggressive stand to stop this bullying today.

Seth Walsh, 13 y.o., dies today after hanging himself in a tree, when he couldn't handle the nonstop, anti-gay bullying at his middle school in Tehachapi, CA.

Asher Brown, 13 y.o., killed himself with a 9mm Beretta in Texas last week after enduring what has been described as constant, anti-gay harassment at his middle school.

Tyler Clementi, 18 y.o., plunges to his death in the Hudson River last week after his roommate at Rutgers University secretly films him having sex with another guy, and streams it on the Internet.

Justin Aaberg, 15 y.o., kills himself in Anoka, MN, in July, after bullying at his high school, compounded with a recent breakup.

Billy Lucas, 15 y.o., was perceived to be gay by students at Greensburg High School, was called a "fag" and told that he didn't "deserve to live". Two weeks ago, he went into his barn at their home in Indiana and hung himself.

Eric Mohat, 17 y.o., of Mentor, OH was harassed so mercilessly in high school that when one bully said publicly in class, "Why don't you go home and shoot yourself, no one will miss you," he did, earlier this year.

--Chris Kryzan

******************
Chris Kryzan volunteers for Spectrum's Speakers Bureau, which reaches nearly 3,000 students in Marin County schools each year. The goal of the Speakers Bureau is to create safe and inclusive classrooms for all students by shattering stereotypes about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Volunteer speakers share their personal stories and challenge students to avoid language and actions that promote bigotry, discrimination, and violence against other students. For more information, visit www.spectrumlgbtcenter.org.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the LGBT Community: A Workshop for Service Providers

Saturday, November 13
10 am - Noon
Spectrum LGBT Center
Cost: $20; $40 for continuing education credits*
RSVP to Cristin Brew, MFT, (415) 472-1945, ext. 203 or register now.

Presented by Spectrum LGBT Center, with guest speakers from Community Violence Solutions and the Center for Domestic Peace (formerly Marin Abused Women Services).

Domestic violence is not unique to the heterosexual community and in fact occurs at approximately the same rate in LGBT communities. Domestic violence can occur between intimate partners, in the home or in families and LGBT people (especially youth) are at a greater risk of experiencing violence in the home. LGBT victims of domestic violence or sexual assault face the same issues as any other survivor and also face unique challenges due to societal homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism.

This workshop provides an overview of issues related to domestic violence and sexual assault in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Learning Objectives: • Describe the dynamics within abusive same sex relationships • Cite similarities and differences between heterosexual and LGBT domestic violence and sexual assault • Recognize barriers to addressing LGBT domestic violence and sexual assault • Strengthen assessment and intervention skills in work with LGBT survivors and aggressors


About the instructor: Cristin Brew, MFT has been working with the LGBT population for the past ten years at Spectrum. Cristin received her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University and also has a degree in Early Childhood Education.

*All courses meet the qualifications for 2 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 2 contact hours.

Working With Transgender Clients: A Workshop for Mental Health and Social Service Providers

Saturday, September 18
12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM
Spectrum LGBT Center
30 North San Pedro Road, Suite 160, San Rafael

$20 per person
$85 for Continuing Education Credit (for MFTs, LCSWs & nurses)*

RSVP to Cristin Brew, MFT, (415) 472-1945, ext. 203
or register online here

Light lunch will be provided

While transgender people have been around for as long as people have been existed, the term “transgender” is relatively new and our social dialogue about gender identity is just beginning. This seminar provides an overview of clinical issues in working with transgender clients. Participants will learn relevant terminology, best practices, and hear from guest speakers. Join us in a safe environment to learn more about gender identity, gender variance, transsexuals, cross dressing, drag performance, intersex people, and more. Segments of the film Diagnosing Difference will be viewed and discussed.

Training objectives:

• Providers will have the opportunity to examine their own experience and understanding of gender.
• Providers will have an increased understanding of the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity and will learn about various transgender identities. 
• Providers will have greater knowledge of the barriers that transgender clients face in accessing services and how transphobia impacts mental health.
• Providers will have greater knowledge of resource and referral information for transgender clients. 

*All courses meet 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.

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. 

My Secret Self: A Story of Transgender Children

Join us for a screening of the 20/20 documentary
My Secret Self: A Story of Transgender Children
(Followed by discussion)

Spectrum Parent Support Group
For parents and caregivers of gender variant, transgender and questioning children.

Spectrum's Parent Support Group is a therapeutic group for parents and caregivers who are seeking guidance and support as they explore their own feelings, questions, and concerns. It can be difficult and lonely to grapple with raising a child who does not easily fit society’s gender roles. We invite you to join us for this facilitated discussion group.

This is an ongoing, drop-in group and is free of charge.
 
Date: June 8th, 2010
Time: 5:30-7:00pm
Location: Spectrum LGBT Center
30 North San Pedro Road, Suite 160
San Rafael, CA 94903

Questions?  Call Cristin 415-472-1945 x 203

We All Count: The 2010 Census is Here

From Credo Action's website

The census tells the story of who we are as a nation, and that includes LGBT people — but only when we participate, and only when we're fully counted. Thanks to the collection of unmarried partner data, a more complete picture of who we are has emerged. For example, we know that:

•Same-sex couples live in 99% of all US Counties.

•LGBT parents live in 97% of all US Counties.

•Black and Latino same-sex couples are raising children at almost the same rates as their heterosexual peers, but on lower incomes ($10,000/yr less).

Still, there is no question on the 2010 census that asks individuals if they are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender — and LGBT questions are not included in almost all other major federal surveys.

It's a big problem. The census, which counts everyone living in the United States every ten years, provides the data that is used to determine funding and policy priorities at the national and state level.

Being counted isn’t just a numbers game, but a question of whether the LGBT community gets access to the resources that support our health, economic well-being, safety and families. The LGBT community must be visible--and that means participating in the census, but it also means being counted fully.

That's why the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, together with CREDO Action, has launched Queer the Census. We must ensure that LGBT people are accurately counted in the next census — and we need your help to make it happen. Here's how:

1. Sign the petition to the right to pledge your support of a census that counts everyone!

2. Get the Queer the Census sticker and use it to seal the back of your census envelope.

3. Spread the word about the Queer the Census campaign.

4. Make a contribution to support the campaign.

You can get your very own FREE Queer the Census sticker at http://act.credoaction.com/sticker/queerthecensus/. CREDO Action is partnering with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to make sure the census counts everyone. Order your sticker now and use it to seal the back of your census envelope when it arrives in the mail.

The sticker is free. Stickers are 4.5" x 6" (about the size of a postcard). Make sure you order your sticker before midnight March 22nd so you get it in time to mail with your census form on April 1st!

My Child is Gay. What Do I Do?

Support group now forming for parents and caregivers of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning children of any age.

San Rafael, California – Spectrum Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Center of Marin County is offering a free support group for parents and caregivers of children who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 12, 6:30 – 8:00 PM at Spectrum, 30 North San Pedro Road, Suite 160, San Rafael.

“Whether your child has been ‘out’ to you for twenty years, or their sexual orientation or gender identity is still in question, this group provides a safe space for parents and other caregivers to explore their own feelings and concerns,” says Cristin Brew, MFT, Program Director at Spectrum LGBT Center.

Based in San Rafael, Spectrum LGBT Center provides resources and services to promote acceptance, understanding, and full inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

Research conducted over the past twenty years has shown that sexual orientation – a person’s emotional connection and attraction to another person – develops early. Both gay and straight children tend to develop their first attraction to another person at around age 10. Adolescents are much more likely to be open about their identity when they are not afraid of rejection, ridicule, or negative reactions from family and friends.

However, many parents feel uncertain when they learn their child is gay. They may not know how to react or support their child. They may have conflicting feelings about whether or not they should support their child, because they do not adequately understand what it means when their child tells them they are gay.

Current research conducted by the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University, demonstrates that LGBT young people who are rejected by their parents and caregivers are at very high risk for suicide or depression. They are also more likely than their straight peers to use illegal drugs.

“This new research from the Family Acceptance Project demonstrates the significance of parental acceptance or rejection toward a child who comes out to them as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender,” says Paula Pilecki, Executive Director of Spectrum. “Parents need a place to process their own feelings and discomfort, especially when they believe being gay or transgender is wrong.”

Since 1982, Spectrum has provided resources and support to LGBT youth through a weekly drop-in support group called Rainbow’s End. An estimated 25,000 youth ages 14-25 have found acceptance and friendship as a result of Spectrum’s work.

Parents, too, have turned to Spectrum for guidance when their children have revealed their sexual orientation or gender identity to be something other than what was assumed.

"I understand the turmoil parents might experience when they find out their child is gay," says Cynthia Wuthmann, parent of a gay son and volunteer for Spectrum's Speakers Bureau. "Parents need a safe place to process their own fears and feelings as they come to a greater understanding of how to best support their children during such a significant time."

ABOUT SPECTRUM’S PARENT SUPPORT GROUP:
Beginning in January 2010, Spectrum’s Parent Support Group will meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30 – 8:00 PM at Spectrum, 30 North San Pedro Road, Suite 160, in San Rafael. Facilitated by Erin Gray, M.S., MFT Intern (Supervisor Nancy Gump, MA, MFT, MFC25530). The group is open to parents and caregivers of children of any age who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity. To learn more, contact Cristin Brew, MFT, at (415) 472-1945, ext. 203.
####
Spectrum provides community leadership in promoting acceptance, understanding, and full inclusion for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. For more information visit http://www.spectrumlgbtcenter.org/.

Spectrum LGBT Center
30 North San Pedro Road, Suite 160
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 472-1945

Hate Crimes Bill Passes

Historic First Federal Protections of Transgender People

(October 22, 2009, Washington, DC) In an historic move, the United States Senate, by a vote of 68 to 29, joined the House of Representatives in passing The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which will be the first federal law to include gender identity and transgender people. Once signed by the President, this law will add sexual orientation, gender identity, gender and disability to the categories included in existing federal hate crimes law and will allow local governments who are unable or unwilling to address hate crimes to receive assistance from the federal government. President Obama has indicated that he will sign the bill into law.

"Transgender people have been waiting so many years for assistance from the federal government in addressing the rampant and disproportional violence that we face," noted Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. "Today we move one step closer to our goal of ending violence motivated by hatred. Everyone in America deserves to live free of fear and of violence. We know that the dedicated leadership and hard work of Senator Kennedy and Representative Conyers and many other legislators made the passage of this bill possible. Words can't really express our gratitude for their commitment to equality for all people."

In the past, federal law has only mentioned gender identity in a negative context, such as explicitly excluding transgender people from the Americans with Disabilities Act. The passage of the hate crimes bill marks a significant turning point from the days in which the federal government contributed to the oppression of transgender people to today when federal law takes action to protect our lives.

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act will have a number of positive impacts. First, it will help educate law enforcement about the frequent hate violence against transgender people and the need to prevent and appropriately address it. Second, it will help provide federal expertise and resources when it is needed to overcome a lack of resources or the willful inaction on the part of local and/or state law enforcement. Third, it will help educate the public that violence against anyone is unacceptable and illegal.

Transgender people continue to be disproportionately targeted for bias motivated violence. Thirteen states and Washington, DC have laws which include transgender people in state hate crimes laws.


About NCTE

The National Center for Transgender Equality is a national social justice organization devoted to ending discrimination and violence against transgender people through education and advocacy on national issues of importance to transgender people. By empowering transgender people and our allies to educate and influence policymakers and others, NCTE facilitates a strong and clear voice for transgender equality in our nation's capital and around the country. The National Center for Transgender Equality is a 501(c)3 organization.

Tel Aviv: Not so far away, after all

By Casey Halcro, Youth Programs Coordinator Spectrum LGBT Center

August 4, 2009

Tucked away in my quiet little suburban Marin County cocoon, not but a stone’s throw away from San Francisco (known for being the Gay Mecca of the U.S.), the Sunday morning news hit me hard. Glancing over the headlines, I noticed that something had happened in Tel Aviv. That’s at least three universes away, right? It didn’t take long for my sleepy Sunday morning brain to string it all together: “Two killed as gunman mows down youths in Tel Aviv gay center.”

Three universes away my people were killed! This was a jolting reminder that I do what I do at Spectrum because there is always more work to be done. Tel Aviv may feel like three universes away, but on Sunday it may as well have been in my back yard.

I remember, just before Valentine’s Day in 2008, reading that a 15-year-old gay boy named Lawrence King was shot in the head while sitting in his school’s computer lab in Oxnard, California. Oxnard, California is just a short 6.5 hours away from me – not three universes.

In October 2002, 17-year-old Gwen Araujo was killed by four men after they discovered her transgender identity. This happened in Newark, California – about an hour away from where I live now.

In October 1998, just one year before my high school graduation, I read about Matthew Shepard, who was beaten and left for dead because he was gay. At the time, I was living in Montana. The horrific crime against Matthew Shepard happened in Wyoming, a state bordering mine…not three universes away.

On New Year’s Eve of 1993, 21-year-old Brandon Teena was raped and murdered in Lincoln, Nebraska. His killers, enraged when they discovered Brandon’s transgender identity, also shot and killed two other people who were trying to protect him.

And now, we mourn the deaths of two more young people, ages 24 and 17; and hope the best for eleven others who were wounded in the most brutal attack on LGBT people in Israel’s history.

Three universes away may as well be our own back yard.

From here in California, Spectrum wants our brothers and sisters in Tel Aviv to know that we stand with them in solidarity. We will NOT stop fighting for equal rights, social justice, and inclusive acceptance of LGBT people; the ones here in our own backyard, the ones three universes away, and all of the ones in between. We continue to work hard on a daily basis to educate, dispel myths, empower acceptance, and promote understanding for all LGBT people. Our own LGBT youth groups will continue to meet, create safe space for ourselves and others, and educate the community surrounding us.

We extend our condolences to the staff and participants of The Aguda (Hebrew for ‘gathering’) Community Center in Tel Aviv, and to the families of those who were killed and wounded.

Contact Casey Halcro at casey@spectrumlgbtcenter.org, or (415) 457-1115 x 213.

The Aguda is an LGBT community center like many in places all over the United States and the world. Nearly 30 years old, The Aguda is housed in the basement of an apartment complex. More information about The Aguda can be found at http://glbt.org.il/ (website is in Hebrew), and the English translation of their website can be viewed using this link.

Please Take Action and Demand KRXQ Radio Hosts Rob Williams and Arnie States Apologize for Encouraging Violence Against Transgender Children

Please Take Action and Demand KRXQ Radio Hosts Rob Williams and Arnie States Apologize for Encouraging Violence Against Transgender Children

June 2, 2009— In a lengthy May 28 tirade on the Rob, Arnie & Dawn in the Morning radio show heard in Sacramento, California on KRXQ 98.5 FM and Reno, Nevada on KDOT 104.5 FM, hosts Rob Williams and Arnie States verbally attacked transgender children. While discussing a recent story about a transgender child in Omaha, Nebraska and her parents’ decision to support her transition, the two hosts spent more than 30 minutes explicitly promoting child abuse of and making cruel, dehumanizing and defamatory comments toward transgender children.

You can listen to the entire segment beginning at 4:48 by clicking this link:
http://robarnieanddawn.com/

Among the comments made by the hosts:
ROB WILLIAMS [11:12]: This is a weird person who is demanding attention. And when it’s a child, all it takes is a hug, maybe some tough love or anything in between. When your little boy said, ‘Mommy, I want to walk around in a dress.’ You tell them no cause that’s not what boys do. But that’s not what we’re doing in this culture.

ARNIE STATES [13:27]: If my son, God forbid, if my son put on a pair of high heels, I would probably hit him with one of my shoes. I would throw a shoe at him. Because you know what? Boys don’t wear high heels. And in my house, they definitely don’t wear high heels.

ROB WILLIAMS [17:45]: Dawn, they are freaks. They are abnormal. Not because they’re girls trapped in boys bodies but because they have a mental disorder that needs to be somehow gotten out of them. That’s where therapy could help them.

ROB WILLIAMS [18:15]: Or because they were molested. You know a lot of times these transgenders were molested. And you need to work with them on that. The point is you don’t allow the behavior. You cure the cause!

ARNIE STATES [21:30]: You got a boy saying, ‘I wanna wear dresses.’ I’m going to look at him and go, ‘You know what? You’re a little idiot! You little dumbass! Look, you are a boy! Boys don’t wear dresses.’

ARNIE STATES [29:22]: You know, my favorite part about hearing these stories about the kids in high school, who the entire high school caters around, lets the boy wear the dress. I look forward to when they go out into society and society beats them down. And they end up in therapy.

To her credit, co-host Dawn Rossi stood up to Williams and States during the segment.

Despite her apparent lack of familiarity with transgender issues, Rossi repeatedly defended transgender people and made an on-air apology for her colleagues’ defamatory remarks.

TAKE ACTION NOW!
Please contact KRXQ management in Sacramento, California, where the show is produced and demand that radio show hosts Rob Williams and Arnie States publicly apologize. Call on KRXQ to hold Williams and States accountable for their remarks and establish clear standards to ensure their media platform will not be used to condone or promote violence against any parts of the communities they serve.

Contact:
John Geary
Vice President & General Manager
KRXQ-FM
(916) 339-4209
jgeary@entercom.com

Arnie States
On Air Personality
KRXQ-FM
(916) 334-7777
rad@robarnieanddawn.com

Rob Williams
On Air Personality
KRXQ-FM
(916) 334-7777
rwilliams@entercom.com

Please forward this info to any of your friends and others who may also wish to take action. When contacting KRXQ, please ensure that your emails and phone calls are civil and respectful and do not engage in the kind of name-calling or abusive behavior.

Read the latest updates on this Call to Action at GLAAD.

Bay Area Get Together for Gender Variant Kids & Families

What: Picnic in the Park

Where: Corte Madera Town Park, Corte Madera, CA

When: 11-ish to 2-3-ish, Saturday June 20th

Who: Families with children anywhere on the gender variance spectrum. If you live near the Bay Area or plan to be in town that weekend, we'd love to have you join us.

More What: This will be a great chance to gather, enjoy a nice lunch in a beautiful park that has play structures for both younger and older kids as well as playing fields for any other types of activities. We're hoping that this Southern Marin County location will be central-ish for the families living in the Bay Area or who live a bit further and would like to join us that day.

What to Bring: A picnic lunch for your family and snacks to share, if you like. Any kind of park like playing things. Should we organize some games?

What to do Next: Please let us know if you think you'll be able to make it and how many of you there will be. We want to be sure to secure a spot in the park big enough to accommodate all of us. We'll send reminders and any additional details closer to the date.
Contact Lisa with questions or to RSVP: lisant@mindspring.com

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. This day was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November every year all over the world to honor Rita Hester, whose murder in 1998 kicked off the Remembering Our Dead web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999.

Please join us in remembering those we have lost and spreading awareness about the horrors that members of the Transgender community experience every year. We hope that by breaking the silence surrounding what has been happening to people simply because they don't fit specific gender norms, people will start to realize that this sort of hatred is happening and that something needs to be done about it.