Center Blog

The Lesbian Cancer Initiative’s 6th Annual The C-Word: Coming Together Around Cancer was a powerful evening. There was art, spoken word, education and poignant discussion of politics in light of the recent announcement of new breast cancer screening recommendations that would push the age to start regular mammography back from 40 to 50.

On November 16, The New York Times published an article about an expert panel’s decision to recommend people start mammography later in life, have mammograms less frequently, not perform self exams and possibly stop getting mammograms after age 75. The panel, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), reviewed data and concluded that the number of lives saved by mammography did not support yearly screening starting at age 40, a reversal of its 2002 recommendations for the test.

The new recommendations largely surprised the breast cancer advocacy community. In this youtube video, The C-Word attendees and speakers express deep concern and determination to keep fighting for our health in response to the USPSTF’s new guidelines about breast cancer screening.  Watch the video above.

GENDA (Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act)
By Aidan Maisonave

I recently sat in on an Empire State Pride Agenda meeting in ALbany and listened to what everyone there had to say regarding the GENDA bill – Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act). By everyone, I mean representatives from different organizations around New York State looking to make a difference by doing what they can to get this bill passed in New York State. For those of you who weren’t even aware of this GENDA bill or who don’t even know what it’s about, not to worry, you are not alone. The Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act is a bill that would protect people who identify as trans or who express their gender as something that is different from the gender they were assigned at birth. Current human rights laws are already in place that protect people in regards to housing, public accommodations, education, jobs…etc, based on their race, age, gender and sexual orientation. But nowhere in that law does it include a person’s gender identity. There are those of us who have had inadequate medical care, have been discriminated against trying to book a hotel room or eating out at a restaurant. We have been harassed at school or fired from work, all because of how we express our gender identity. Transgender people face discrimination on a daily basis, and suffer the injustice silently. Well, it is now time to break that silence. It’s time to make a stand and urge the New York State Legislature to get this bill passed. Write to your senator. Don’t know who that is? Check out this link to find out.  This is right off the Empire State Pride Agenda website. The website also has many other helpful resources: what to say to your senator, how to talk to elected officials and other ways you can get involved. If you or someone you now has a story regarding discrimination faced because of gender identity, I invite you to share your voice with your elected official. Feel free to contact me at amaisonave@gaycenter.org and I will forward your information to the appropriate member of ESPA. If these options seem a bit daunting to you, that’s ok. You can help out even by just spreading the word about this bill and informing others to get involved. Let’s not let another year, month, hour, or second, pass without having the protection of this bill made into law. There is still work to be done.

Glennda Testone, Executive Director

It is with the utmost excitement and honor that I begin my first day as the Executive Director of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. I am simply thrilled to be here, and I am also ready to immediately get to work in leading this landmark institution. The possibilities here at the Center are endless. I have the deepest respect for the Center’s history and am fiercely dedicated to continuing to provide a home for our LGBT community.

Of all the organizations that make a difference, I wanted to work at the Center for a very specific reason. At this point in my life, I first and foremost want to help people, and I have been beyond inspired by the many ways the Center does just that. Leading the Center will allow me the opportunity to guide an organization that changes thousands of lives each week. Whether it is providing support to LGBT families, a safe space for LGBT youth, substance abuse support and HIV/AIDS counseling, or life-affirming cultural programs, the Center helps people in a way that is unparalleled.

I hold the LGBT movement close to my heart. It is who I am, and it represents the people I want to fight for. Every single one of us has the opportunity to be a leader and make changes that have a bold impact on the future of the LGBT movement. As the Center’s Executive Director, I will make that my mission. I will also make it my mission to reach out, engage and empower all of you to be agents of change with me. Through the growing work of the Center, we can do this together.

Whether you’ve visited the Center once or you come regularly, I invite you to take another look at all we have to offer. I ask you to become involved in the life-changing work and programs that take place here every week. I look forward to getting to know all of you, as you are all part of the community I am so proud to represent as the Center’s new Executive Director.

I hope to see you all at the Center soon.

Sincerely,

Glennda Testone

Executive Director

In their annual “Essential New York” issue, Time Out New York asked prominent LGBT New Yorkers what they considered to be the essential New York gayborhood. Kate Lowenstein asked our new Executive Director for her opinion:

Glennda Testone, executive director of the LGBT Center:
“[The essential gay neighborhood] is the Village, in my opinion. First, obviously, because the Center is there, which draws LGBT people from all over the country. There is also the historical significance. Finally, the number one question at the front desk of the center is ‘How do I get to Christopher Street?’”

Read more: The essential New York gayborhood

Did you know that the Center has an initiative that brings together advocates from LGBT liberation and reproductive justice movements? It’s called Causes in Common, and we’re happy to announce that the third annual Causes in Common National Coalition Meeting begins today. The first National Coalition Meeting was held on May 30th, 2007 in Chicago. It was a huge success, with over seventy-five representatives in attendance. This year, on November 5th and 6th in Washington, D.C., representatives from Causes in Common member organizations will examine the history of the important intersection of Reproductive advocacy and LGBT equality, and strategize ways to move forward. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend sessions on access and allies in the Obama Administration; workshops on how to engage a new generation of activists; and work together to further develop strategies for a domestic human rights agenda.

So what does the reproductive justice movement have to do with LGBT equality, anyway? The Causes in Common website points to some significant historical connections, the legal underpinnings and shared enemies of both movements, and identifies policy intersections. Other LGBT organizations have noticed the connection as well. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force contributed to the creation of a map that ranks states on reproductive and sexual rights.

The Center is proud to be on the forefront and working towards shared goals for reproductive and LGBT equality. Find out more by visiting the Causes in Common website.