Center Blog

Watch for a new health series on Advocate.com this September called Ask the Doctor, hosted by Dr. Frank Spinelli, The Advocate’s healthcare columnist. The Center’s Associate Director of Center CARE Wellness, Andrés Hoyos, joined the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center’s Director of Mental Health, Katie Douglass, at today’s taping of the Ask the Doctor series.  They focused on the importance of HIV support groups and networks.

While you won’t be able to watch the video until September, you can see a photo from today’s taping below.

Andrés Hoyos of the Center, Katie Douglass of Callen-Lorde, and Dr. Frank Spinelli

We’ll let you know when the video is posted to Advocate.com in September.  In the meantime, check out these community resources:

Center CARE Wellness
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
Advocate.com Health & Fitness

Watch the Center’s Former Executive Director Richard Burns in a segment called “Center Spaces,” part of IN THE LIFE’s July 2009 episode, “Civil Disobedience.”  Watch the July 2009 episode now.

You can also watch the “Center Spaces” segment here (from youtube.com/itlmedia):

From IN THE LIFE:

This July, IN THE LIFE is proud to present part II of its Summer of Stonewall series celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Stonewall Riots, “Civil Disobedience.” We don’t know for sure what happened when police officers raided the Stonewall Inn. What is known is that on that historic night, when LGBT patrons united to fight back against harassment and brutality, a movement was born. This month, IN THE LIFE looks at how this historic act of civil disobedience ignited a movement for LGBT civil rights.

To watch now, go to: http://www.inthelifetv.org/html/episodes/75.html

Transgender Basics is a 20 minute educational film on the concepts of gender and transgender people by the Gender Identity Project (GIP).  It is now available on YouTube and DVD.  DVDs can be ordered on the GIP website.  Check it out!

Go to YouTube to comment on or share this video.

In Transgender Basics, two providers from the Gender Identity Project discuss basic concepts of gender – sex, identity and gender roles – as three transgender community members share their personal experiences of being trans and genderqueer.

The film targets service providers and others working with the LGBT community, but it also provides a fascinating glimpse into gender and identity for the general public.

Go to the Gender Identity Project’s website.

From the Center’s Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Program:

VIGIL ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009
The LGBT Community Center in Tel Aviv (Municipal GLBT Community Center, The City of Tel Aviv-Yafo) was confronted with a dreadful attack this past weekend. On

Saturday night, a masked individual entered the LGBT center and opened fire, killing two young people and wounding another fifteen. The attack came in the middle of an LGBT youth support group gathering and many victims are in their teens. Current reports indicate police may have a lead on the individual.

What can we do?

Attend activities on Wednesday — Support our LGBT family by joining the
activities on Wednesday that start at YES at 5:30. See below for details.

Send an email — We would like to express our sincerest condolences to the LGBT Community Center in Tel Aviv, and ask you to do the same. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to CenterLink at CenterLink@LGBTcenters.org and we will forward those to the Center.

Make a card — As a way to support or LGBT family in Tel Aviv, consider making a card. As the youth in the hospital may be there for a while, it would really help to lift their spirits to receive mail from you.

This may bring up a lot of emotions for you. Please see a staff member or drop-in
counselor to talk about how you are feeling.

Schedule for Wednesday, August 5—you can join for any or all of the events!
5:30 — Meet at YES for poster/sign making and processing what happened.
6:30 — Leaving YES to walk down together to Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, 57 Bethune Street.
7:00 — Vigil starts at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, 57 Bethune Street.

More information at Center Calendar.

This Tuesday (August 4) at 6 PM at the Center, the GIP, the TLDEF and the NYAGRA will be hosting the Trans Health Initiative New York (THINY), a monthly drop in advocacy group that works to provide the trans-community better access to healthcare. There is no registration required and admission is free!

There will be a MENY (Marriage Equality New York) General Meeting this Wednesday (August 5) from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. This monthly meeting features guest speakers, provides updates on MENY plans, actions and events and explains how people can get involved to make a difference!

Directly after the MENY meeting there will be a Civil Rights Front Monthly Meeting from 7:30 PM until 8:30 PM. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in getting caught up with the LGBT movement on both a state and national level. Topics that will be covered include: National Equality March, The Great National Kiss-In, Change Comes Home: Grassroots lobby month and the NY State Senate. A large portion of this meeting will be devoted to figuring out appropriate ways to recruit volunteers for the National Equality March.

On Wednesday from 8-10 PM there will be a Social Game Club Night, which will feature “That’s My Empire!”, a game of kingdoms and conquests. Don’t be late or you’ll miss your spot!

For prospective LGBTQ parents, consider attending Thursday night’s Wannabe Dads and Moms (All About Adoption) (8-10 PM).

On Saturday, August 8 from 12-5 PM the GIP will be hosting its forth annual Trans on the Sands event in Coney Island, Brooklyn! The event will be a lackadaisical day at the beach for transgender and gender non-conforming people, their families and allies. For more information, you can RSVP to this event on Facebook!

Finally, on Saturday 8/8 the Center will be featuring the second annual KinkForAll New York City event from 11 AM-6 PM. For more information on this event or for pre-registration signup click here.