Center Blog

On Wednesday, December 29, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center’s Youth Enrichment Services (YES) Program was featured on the nationally syndicated The Nate Berkus Show in an episode tied to the string of recent gay bullying cases and suicides, entitled “Rebuilding Home After Tragedy.” After meeting and talking with teens at the Center, Nate Berkus made the announcement that he would make over the YES lobby. The one-hour episode included interviews with several of the Center’s inspirational young people, Wendy Walsh, the mother of the 13-year-old Seth, who committed suicide after being bullied because he was gay, Seth’s brother Shawn and an intimate conversation and performance by country music star Chely Wright. The Center was proud to be part of this groundbreaking episode that showcased the vital importance of our youth program in stopping bullying related suicides. We also send a heartfelt thank you to The Nate Berkus Show for transforming our youth space.

View Videos

Makeover Reveal

Chely Wright Performance

This morning we here at the Center were elated to watch President Barack Obama make history for our movement when he signed legislation repealing the 17 year old “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. Last weekend the U.S. Senate voted 65-31 to overturn the law following previous action by the House; this paved the way for political and military leaders to begin planning the certification and implementation process to allow gay and lesbian people to serve our county openly. Since the discriminatory law was enacted in 1993 more than 14 thousand gay and lesbian service members have lost their jobs.

The Center has heard countless stories of the brave men and women who defended our country, but were forced to hide who they are. We’ve in fact offered support services to many of these individuals who are coping with the effects of discriminatory policies and wrong-headed double standards. We’ve also hosted a number of events in recent years, giving voice to those speaking out against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and advocating for repeal of the law. This past November alone the Center hosted several programs on the topic, including a robust panel discussion with key thought leaders, a screening of the documentary, “A Marine Story,” a compelling photo exhibit, “Proud to Serve,” and a special night of book readings from LGBT Marine Corps veterans.

The Center is the premiere space for our community to come together, share ideas and plan action around the most pressing inequalities facing us, including “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” And we will continue to be that nexus for LGBT people and our allies on all of our most important issues of the day. Therefore, we applaud the President for fulfilling his campaign promise to end “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and we thank those in Congress who voted to repeal this law, particularly New York Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Charles Schumer (D-NY). The New York Times editorial board summed it up well, writing: “After the transformative vote, Mr. Obama said thousands of men and women would no longer have to live a lie in order to serve their country. As they begin this new chapter in their service, their country too will find itself transformed for the better.”

Glennda Testone

Related Posts and Links

Campbell Soady Gallery presents Proud to Serve by Jo Ann Santangelo
Military Working Authors: The Marine Corps Writers

The Center Families Program at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center has historically been the gateway for LGBTQ prospective parents in New York City and neighboring communities to learn about their reproductive rights and options.  We are now establishing a stronger support system for those currently on the journey of parenthood.  In this vision, we are working towards increasing opportunities for LGBTQ parents to engage in positive socialization and networking.  This month’s blog announces our newest Support Group: the Parent’s Support and Networking Group which grew out of thoughts, ideas, feedback, and requests from the community.  We are pleased to have our blogger for this month, Hunter College Student and Center Families Intern Pamela Mendelsohn with us.  Ms. Mendelsohn is not only the group’s facilitator; through her work she is actively influencing the growth of our families, our program, and our community.

Our New Parent Support and Networking Group at Center Families

We are very excited to announce that November 17^th 2010 marked the first meeting of our Center Families newest support group:  the Parent Support and Networking Group: a group for LGBTQ parents to connect, share experiences around parenthood, and exchange resources.  We are thrilled to continue to connect with all of you whose Center Families journey began in one of the support groups around planning parenthood or navigating pregnancy, as well the opportunity to meet parents who are new to the LGBT Center. This is a safe space for parents to discuss concerns and struggles, share wisdom and experiences, support each other through challenges, and celebrate progress and community.

The Parent Support and Networking Group will meet on the 3^rd Wednesday of each month from 7:30pm to 9pm at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center. 

On January 19^th 2011 The Parent’s Support and Networking Group will welcome our esteemed colleague Sandra Chapman, an expert on school-related issues for LGBT parents.  

We welcome your continued feedback regarding the group, your inquiries, and your participation.  We look forward to seeing you in the very near future, and wish you all great success during your parenting journey.  It is our hope that you will visit us one evening and share a little of your family with our family. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us by sending an e-mail to centerfamilies@gaycenter.org

Thank You!

Shanequa Anderson, LMSW, MPA, CASAC

Center Families Programming and Services Coordinator

&

Pamela Mendelsohn
Center Families Intern and Group Facilitator

Each and every day the Center celebrates our community and acts as a beacon of hope and safety for those who come through our doors. Standing strong, through challenges and triumphs, we welcome all into our home and into our hearts.

The 6,000 individuals who visit us each week are seeking different things. Some seek to start a family. Others arrive ready to come out. And still more seek companionship and a sense of belonging – a sense of community. No matter the reason, they all find a home. More than just a building, the Center is a safe space for all LGBT New Yorkers; not just during the holidays, but 365 days a year. As we enter into the holiday season, and I near the end of my first year at the Center, I am reminded of the gifts that the community, our community, has to offer. The LGBT community is the most fabulous, vibrant, exciting and welcoming community that I have ever been a part of. I consider it an honor to be able to work in that community every day. My experiences, whether it be meeting our supporters at the gala Women’s Event, enjoying a taste of pride at our Garden party or riding alongside the amazing bikers in Braking the Cycle, have been immensely rewarding.

During this holiday season, the Center needs your support. As we move into this next year, we take a look back and remember the tragedies that fell on our community. Our young people need our support, and now more than ever, the Center is needed to fight for equality, help those in crisis, and provide all LGBT youth with a safe place to be themselves. With your support you can help ensure a strong everlasting community for generations to come.

Please consider making a donation today

May this holiday season bring you and your loved ones health, happiness and joy.

Glennda Testone

On Wednesday, September 29, 2010 the Center testified about the impact of tobacco and smoking on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities at a meeting at Manhattan Community Board 2. Community Board 2 is one of 12 Community Boards in Manhattan and 59 across New York City that are charged with representing community interest on crucial issues of development and planning, land use, zoning and City service delivery, as well as coordination with social services and public education facilities. The following is the testimony delivered by Agapito Velz, a participant in the Center’s LGBT SmokeFree Project Social Action Group (SAG):

The SmokeFree Project

Hello, my name is Agapito Velz. I want to begin by congratulating Mayor Bloomberg, Council Speaker Christine Quinn and other City Council leadership for their contemplated ban on smoking within city beaches and parks.

In New York City, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. We have a particular problem throughout Manhattan, especially among teens and young adults.

Smoking is also a problem for my community – lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Research indicates smoking kills more LGBT people each year than hate crimes, suicide, and AIDS combined, and more lesbians die of lung cancer than breast cancer. 59% of self-identified LBGT teenagers report using tobacco, compared to 35% of self-identified straight teens. And finally, recent studies in New York state found that 70% of people living with HIV are smokers.

My personal challenges with smoking

Smoking was also my problem. I am 45-years old and have been HIV-positive for 26 years. I started smoking at the age of 14. I remember at that time wanting to fit in, feeling different and afraid. Smoking was the first substance I used to feel a part of.

Smoking has caused me many medical problems throughout the years; Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) twice, two bronchial washings, shortness of breath, low weight, chronic fatigue, many hospitalizations and low self-esteem due to feeling defeated because I could not stop.

How the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center helped me

In January, 2007, I heard about the Commit to Quit groups as part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center’s (the Center) LGBT SmokeFree Project (SFP). I signed up and showed up every week for my meetings and found the support and understanding I needed. At these meetings I was also able to open up about my struggle with other addictive substances. At the end of six-weeks I was smoke free. The facilitator asked me if I needed help with my other addictions and I said yes. He helped me find a rehab and I began treatment. I am grateful I was smoke free and was able to focus on my other addictions. Today I have 3-years and 8-months nicotine free and 3-years and 4-months drug and alcohol free. After rehab, I made my first 12-step meeting at the Center. The Center has helped me by giving me a place to go where I can find love, support and understanding. I would like to give back what was given to me so I will be volunteering in the Center’s SFP where it all began for me.

How smoking cessation programs have worked in New York

In a 2009 Evaluation preformed by RTI International of the New York State Tobacco Control Program Efforts to Promote Smoking Cessation. It was discovered that:

As of 2008, 53.2% of smokers in New York State have attempted to quit, compared to the U.S. national average of 39.0%.

New York State has achieved its lowest adult and youth smoking rates at 16.8% and 14.7 %, respectively.

There are still 2.5 million adult smokers in New York State and 75% of these smokers say they want to quit.

Conclusion

Thank you all so much for giving me the opportunity to share my story and to present data that shows just how effective our smoking cessation programs have been. We hope that we can count on your leadership to continue helping other New Yorkers with the tools they need to become tobacco free. There are still 2.5 million adult smokers in New York State and 75% of these smokers say they want to quit.

For more information: The speaker is a member of the LGBT SmokeFree Project Social Action Group (SAG) – the SmokeFree Project at the Center has been dedicated to helping members of the LGBT community quit smoking for good since 1993. The SmokeFree Project offers groups to provide important knowledge and support around nicotine dependence, cessation medications, and coping strategies for handling withdrawal. Additional details can be found at www.gaycenter.org/health/smokefree.

September was Recovery Month, an annual observance that “provides a platform to celebrate people in recovery and those who serve them (www.recoverymonth.gov).” As part of that celebration, over 70-LGBT people from the Center and its partners joined the Third Annual NY Recovery Rally at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island Park on Saturday, September 25, 2010.

September also marked the third anniversary of the opening of Center CARE Recovery, the only LGBT-specific, licensed outpatient substance abuse treatment program in New York. Since its opening in 2007, Center CARE Recovery has offered treatment services to over 800 LGBT-identified persons in recovery and over 12,000 units of service. October began with our fifth and largest Center CARE Recovery Graduation celebration.

Center staff have recently been engaged in defining and sharing with each other the six-words that best represents their vision of the Center. Through this process, our staff collaboratively selected Significant, Home, Progressive, Leader, Necessary and Fabulous. Those six-words also have a potent connection to LGBT recovery.

Substance use and abuse are a significant and sad part of our LGBT-story. Lesbians and gay men are at two to three times greater risk for alcohol and drug abuse than the general population and the continuing crystal meth crisis reinforces our need to remain vigilant about the ever-changing needs of our communities.

The Center has been home to the LGBT recovery movement from the day it first opened 27-years ago in 1983. 12-Step recovery groups were the first user groups to call the Center home and still meet here on a daily and weekly basis.

The Center was thinking progressively about LGBT recovery and the needs of our communities when it sought funding for and opened Project Connect (now Center CARE Wellness), the first NYS-funded LGBT substance abuse prevention program in 1987 and in 2007, when we opened Center CARE Recovery – the first New York State, OASAS-licensed substance abuse treatment program. And finally, the Center was thinking progressively when we opened Foundations for LGBT Recovery (FFR) to offer recovery support services in 2009.

The Center has been a leader in developing substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery support interventions for LGBT-people. In addition, the recovery process itself is one where the LGBT people in recovery must take leadership over these interventions and make change in their own lives, in the lives of those around them and in our culture

The Center, Center CARE Recovery and Foundations for LGBT Recovery are necessary because they are part of a slender network of resources to enable LGBT people who use and abuse substances to save their lives. CCR and FFR participants have taken the steps to realize how necessary they are to themselves and our communities and have worked to save their own lives

Anyone joining Center CARE Recovery for its Graduation Ceremony last week or participating in the LGBT contingent at the NY Recovery Rally felt fabulous just by witnessing what the LGBT people in recovery are achieving. We feel stronger, healthier and more whole as we become part of each other’s process of healing and that is always fabulous.

Everyone who has shared their process of recovery with the Center in some way is now part of the Center’s 27-year history of LGBT recovery.

MORE INFORMATION

The Center has offered substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery support services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities for over 23-years through programs offered by Community Services and its antecedents. Additional details can be found at the following – Center CARE Wellness,; Center CARE Recovery ; and Foundations for LGBT Recovery.