Center Blog

Guest Post by Rob Zukowski

If you have ever tried to quit smoking, or had a friend or loved one who has taken on the task of giving up smoking, you know that it is not an easy undertaking. Having been a smoker for many years, and having gone through the trials and tribulations of quitting, only to return to smoking and struggle to quit again, I can attest to difficulty of reaching the goal of being smoke free.

The good news is that help was available to me. What’s better? It’s available to YOU! There are a plethora of quality services available to you. You can make phone calls to quit lines for information and you can sign up for a variety of web based services, but for LGBT and allied individuals there is another option in Manhattan’s West Village.

The LGBT SmokeFree Project, a program of the Community Services department of The Center, offers workshops and classes specifically designed to provide the support, tools and information you need to flick that very last cigarette to the curb and walk away happier, healthier and free of the financial impact that goes hand in hand with the habit.

Since 1993, The LGBT SmokeFree Project at the Center has been dedicated to helping members of the community quit smoking for good. It’s more than just another pamphlet with the same old Q&A you’ve seen before. It’s more than just a lecture. What you encounter at these classes are people like you; LGBT and allied people with the drive and desire to quit smoking and stay quit. And the best part of all, is that these people are there to share their experiences and learn from yours; it’s an exercise in giving and receiving the support smokers need to take on the task. You become a part of a collective unit of “quitters”. I can say, without question or reservation, that I have been both moved and inspired by the accomplishments, struggles and successes of those in my group.

It all begins with Not Quite Ready to Quit. This 3-hour workshop focuses on understanding nicotine addiction, increasing motivation, and eliminating roadblocks to making the decision to quit. Once you have completed the workshop, it is on to the next program – Commit to Quit. The 6-week Commit to Quit group helps you develop a quit plan, build a support system, and effectively handle relapse pressure and stay quit. One session of Not Quite Ready to Quit is required to start the 6-week program.

Adam Steiner, the SmokeFree Project counselor, knows firsthand what quitting smoking is like. Adam’s passion for helping people become smoke free isn’t only professional, it’s personal. He is currently in his 10^th year of living smoke free and it shows in his compassion. In a recent article, he said, “I took my first puff of a cigarette at age 8. I kept smoking until I was 40 years old. Luckily, I found the strength to quit. Now I spend my days helping others quit.” He goes on to say, “In addition to helping people develop a quit plan, build a support system, and effectively handle relapse pressure once they have quit smoking, the Center also works with The Manhattan Smoke – Free Partnership as a part of the New York City Coalition for a smoke free city.” Adam is a leader for smoke free people of all ages. He, along with Youth Organizers Against Tobacco Advertisement interns, advocate against tobacco marketing that targets young people. Adam is a dedicated counselor with the kind of insight and experience to help you nip your cigarette addiction in the “butt”. Pun intended.

As someone who has attended both the initial workshop and the 6-week program, I would urge you to do so. The experience, in my opinion, goes above and beyond the smoking cessation programs I have tried before. Not only did I find the content unique and being surrounded by other LGBT folks who understand the world I live in to be an extra push, but the camaraderie among group participants was an essential tool.

Imagine what it must be like to wake up on your quit day to find supportive texts or emails from the members of your group. Think about how empowering it can be to have someone reach out to you for support should that moment come when they want to reach for a cigarette.

I know what you are thinking, “does it work?” With your hard work and determination it does. Here are some follow up statements from past group participants.

“It is funny that I just received the email of the center talking about the commit to quit seminar. I quit smoking at The Center five years ago and i always send people to this smoking cessation program.”

“Yesterday, I sent a letter to the board of Directors of the Center and I mentioned this great achievement with the help of you guys. Thank you for doing this great job.”

“If you ever need someone that quit with this program to come and talk to the people in the program let me know.”

“I quit smoking in December of 2003. The ONLY reason I was successful THIS TIME, was because of your group.”

“It was non-judgmental – t was done with patience and gentleness. But I have never not smoked for a period of eight years.”

“Thank you all so much for the best program to try and get us to not smoke.”

“Finding out that there was a program available at the center, with other members of the LGBT community was the best thing for me.”

“To have a safe, welcoming environment with professional support staff and leadership, and be among peers was PRICELESS.”

“Because of the center care smoke free program and stern but gentle approach of my counselor, I was ready to take the leap, and free myself. I had the right coping skills (including nicotine patches and proper guidance) and found the whole experience a huge self esteem booster and overwhelming sense of pride.”

“The whole process has changed my opinion on what I would consider a “life-long” habit and for me, choosing smoking will never be that crutch again. This past October, 2011 marked 2 years since I have quit smoking, an accomplishment that after 14 years with the addiction I never thought I would say. I can’t endorse the program enough.”

For more information about upcoming Not Quite Ready to Quit and Commit to Quit Programs, Click Here

Guest Post by Donald Conrad

On Tuesday, February 7, we had the delightful opportunity to listen to Joshua David and Robert Hammond, co-founders of Friends of the High Line, share their extraordinary journey with us.  I say extraordinary because what they have accomplished over the last 13 years could be described as a Herculean.  Their endurance and tenacity has given the city one of the most unique park settings found in the world – the park in the sky.

Photo by Lester Echem

Had some very powerful forces succeeded, the High Line would have been obliterated from the landscape from our great city and future generations would not even remember that it had existed.  A perfect storm of influences including businesses, landowners and political figures converged to eliminate the High Line.  In fact, most people do not realize just how close we came to losing this park.  Mayor Giuliani had actually signed the demolition order to have it razed and only because David and Hammond filed a legal challenge was that order stayed.

Joshua David and Robert Hammond, Co-Founders, The High Line; Photo by Lester Echem

We must remember, however, that at that time the High Line was nothing like it is today.  It was illegal to even step foot on the abandoned elevated railway.  Fenced off and overgrown with wild brush, many city elders and landowners were pressing for something to be done with it and, unfortunately, eliminating it was favored over all other suggestions.  Enter David and Hammond.

Photo by Lester Echem

A community board meeting was scheduled in 1999 to discuss the future of the High Line.  David and Hammond, who did not know each other, had read a recent New York Times article about the line and it sparked their interest to attend the meeting.  Hammond remembers thinking that David “looked cute” and introduced himself at the end of the meeting.  Within months this relationship produced the organization known as Friends of the High Line.  Their new book, High Line: The Inside Story of New York City’s Park in the Sky, tells the rest of the history, but a history that is not yet finished.

David and Hammond are delightful individuals whose genuine passion for the High Line is quite evident as they discuss their project.  Although both are referred to as partners on the project, they are not a couple.  The two exhibited a lighthearted and comedic tone as they presented their work.  At one point Hammond put up a photograph of himself standing on the High Line and then, without the slightest hesitation, explained the photo by saying, “This has nothing to do with the presentation.  I just thought I looked hot in this photo,” to the laughter of the crowd.  The two kept the standing-room-only crowd smiling and laughing throughout their hour-long presentation.

Their presentation focused entirely on the LGBT influences that shaped the design of the park.  LGBT individuals throughout the community were involved in the planning of the park and more importantly were active participants in Friends of the High Line.  David and Hammond readily admit that without this support, the High Line would be vastly different from what it is today.  In fact, LGBT individuals in the community suggested many of the elements that make the park unique.

As David described the design meetings held with the architectural firm, Diller Scofidio + Renfro (the firm that is designing the new business district for Fire Island), you couldn’t help but envision something out of a comedy sketch.  The Friends of the High Line board would make requests for various park elements and the designers would respond with the feasibility and cost.  One such element was the glass wall of the toilets that allowed visitors outside the toilet to see hazy or cloudy images of people inside facilities.  To this, a very pro-LGBT designer responded with that very politically incorrect phrase, “That’s so gay,” though it was meant only in lighthearted jest.  He began to use the phrase in subsequent meetings and it became an ongoing joke.  Then the board asked for something no other park in the world uses, dimmer switches for the outdoor lighting, and the designer responded with, “Now that’s really gay.”  Again the audience howled with laughter.  But, think about it, who else other than an LGBT individual would think of adjustable mood lighting for a park?

Overall, the time spent listening to David and Hammond was time very well spent.  The High Line will become a treasured part of the city and we can be proud that it grew from and flourishes because of the deep roots in the LGBT community that sustain it. We owe these gentlemen a debt of sincere thanks for their efforts.

However, the work is not finished.  The third and final segment of the High Line must still be developed.  This segment will take the High Line right down along the Hudson River.  At present we can only imagine the breath-taking vistas that it will provide.  David and Hammond ask that everyone participate in finishing and maintaining the park by joining Friends of the High Line. 

For more information, please visit www.thehighline.org where you can also purchase David and Hammond’s new book, High Line, The Inside Story of New York City’s Park in the Sky.  Remember, purchasing the book through their website will ensure that all proceeds from the sale go directly to Friends of the High Line.

Center Youth Visit State Lawmakers in Albany

Center Youth Organizing (YO!) interns joined 50 other advocates in late January; they embarked on a bus trip to Albany with a mission of educating state legislators about the importance of tobacco prevention programs.

This yearly event is coordinated by the New York City Smoke Free Coalition and includes young voices from throughout New York City who meet with a host of state assembly members and senators to inform them about the need to keep robust funding for tobacco prevention programs and explain why the initiatives are so important.

The coalition’s local efforts have helped contribute to a significant reduction in New York City smoking rates; NYC has the lowest smoking rates in the nation. Unfortunately tobacco companies continue to bombard young people with advertising at local convenience stores near their schools.

Center Youth Visit Lawmakers in Albany

Center youth speak out regularly about this alarming trend at community board meetings and other forums and push for measures that would limit these manipulative and harmful campaigns which have resulted in alarming statistics: 59 percent of self-identified LGBT teenagers in NYC report using tobacco, compared to 35 percent of self-identified straight teens. State legislators were very receptive to the youth tobacco prevention message and agreed to make this a priority when looking at overall state funding.

Center Youth Visit Lawmakers in Albany

Brian Smith, the Center’s Youth Services Community Organizing Specialist said trips like this one show young people that their educational efforts truly matter:

“It’s great to see the young people take all that they’ve learned inside the walls of the Center and put it into practice in the world. They realize, ‘I can make a difference and my voice does count,’” Smith said.

The NYC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center is currently accepting new applicants for the spring 2012 internship program in our development/fundraising office. The core areas of focus will include:

•   Support Major Donor and Annual Giving efforts in the processes of prospect   identification and donor research, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship
•   Complete donor research on prospects through software analysis, historical information and public records
•   Assist in planning and supporting smaller home-based events for prospective donors
•   Draft solicitations for potential corporate & foundation partners
•   Assist with gift acknowledgement and renewal process
•   Assist in general development and fundraising events
•   Perform administrative duties, as needed

Requirements: Qualified applicants will be proficient with MS Office suite products – specifically Excel; possess an ability to work independently and maintain an attention to details and project timelines; strong interpersonal skills; and demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills. Previous experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred but not required. Knowledge and familiarity of LGBT communities and issues and high sense of responsibility and commitment to the mission of the Center required.

How to Apply: For consideration, submit a cover letter stating desired position with resume by email to jobs@gaycenter.org. Please include “Spring Development Intern” in the subject line. Materials may also be sent via fax (212) 924-2657.

Guest Post by VC August on behalf of the American Cancer Society’s Diversity Initiative; ACS is a friend of the Center’s Lesbian Cancer Initiative

You don’t usually think of a party and cancer in the same sentence. But the American Cancer Diversity Initiative is fighting the prevalence of cancer, as well  as the reluctance toward early screening for cancer, in the LGBT community in a variety of ways. One way is with the upcoming February 13^th Encore for Hope Bash.  “Our view is to raise money for the ACS diversity initiative – and all the important work we are doing — and have a great time while we’re doing it,” says Erica Blum, Manager, Distinguished events. 

The American Cancer Society is full of ideas for helping the LGBT community. Myrna Duarte and Erica Blum, both tireless advocates of the American Cancer Society (ACS) Diversity Initiative, are working hard to minimize the spread of cancer in the LGBT community.  These initiatives will be celebrated (and supported) at this pre-Valentine’s day party at Club 57, Providence NYC, 311 West 57^th Street, 6:30-10:30 PM.

The Encore for Hope Event will be fun filled with cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres flowing, while supporters take in stellar performances donated in support of the American Cancer Society’s efforts within the LGBT Community. Comedienne Judy Gold will be the emcee and Joey Aries, singer, comedian, performance artist and drag queen will be a starring act. Other notable celebrities and entertainers are The New York City  Gay Men’s Chorus, The Ben Allison Band, Sherry Vine, 2 To Fly Aerial, Manila Luzon, Sahara Davenport and celebrity DJ Choimatic.         

Lung cancer turns out to be one of the high risk cancers for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. “The smoking statistics for the LGBT population are staggering,” explains Myna Duarte, Director of Diversity Initiatives for ACS. LGBT youth have tobacco use rates as high as 59% vs 35% of non LGBT teens. “It is critical that we get to the teens before they become lifelong smokers,” says Duarte.

The American Cancer Society has launched QuitBuddy-a texting tool to help smokers kick the habit. Smokers who feel the need to light up simply send a text to their QuitBuddy and receive a text back with a tip to help them fight the urge to smoke. “Our hope is that together with our partners, we can get this tool out to the community and help lower those statistics. We need to communicate the same way the teens do. By text.” You can sign up here. 

Another challenge for the ACS diversity team is stressing the importance of early detection and screening to the LGBT community. Duarte explains, “ Lesbian and bisexual women often do not have health insurance that covers unmarried partners. Another issue is that gay and bisexual women fear discrimination and insensitivity by healthcare providers.”  With lower screening rates, cancer is often detected at later stages when it is much more difficult to treat. A common misconception by gay women and often their physicians, is the that Human Papillomavirus, HPV, which is one of the causes of cervical cancer, is not a necessary screening test for gay women.  HPV can be spread from woman to woman just as with heterosexual contact.

Many gay  and bisexual men have the same fear of discrimination as lesbians and bisexual women, and therefore they also tend not to seek consistent screening.

Transgender people have the highest incidence of lack of insurance, and therefore screening. The New York City department of health reported in a study done in 1999 that 21% of transgender people had no health insurance of any kind. To make things worse for this population, health insurance does not cover appropriate cancer screening. Transgender people have a high rate of an array of cancers — from Lung to liver cancer. The risk becomes even higher if HIV is in the mix.

American Cancer Society’s mission aims to ensure that nobody is left behind. They offer everything from survivors helping other survivors, treatment transportation funding, wig programs and more. All of these offerings are available to the LGBT community and you can learn more about it at the event, while having a great time. Don’t miss this important way to support the community and give greater meaning to the word “love” this Valentine’s Day.

VC August is the Author of The Healing Hour, a book “about love, hope and healing the heart, soul, and spirit when faced with life-changing struggles,” including Cancer.

Guest Post by Rob Zukowski

On Wednesday, February 1st the Center held its volunteer appreciation event. Kate Shaffer, the Center’s Volunteer Coordinator, organized this amazing gathering as a thank you to the many who give so much of themselves and their time in support of their community.

Having had the privilege, some years ago, to serve as the manager of the Center’s volunteer program myself, I was thrilled to see so many people enjoying the much deserved festivities. More than 100 guests, all hard-working Center volunteers, were in attendance. They enjoyed an assortment of hors d’oeuvres from the buffet table, complimentary cocktails, and danced to music by DJ Dan Darlington. A portion of the delightful delicacies were kindly donated by Los Charritos and the event design was generously provided by Roy Braeger.

Executive Director, Glennda Testone took to the stage to thank the honored guests for their hard work, dedication and commitment to Center stating, “This event is a small token of appreciation, and couldn’t even begin to match our gratitude for the exceptional contributions Center volunteers make every day.” Exceptional is right. Center volunteers make great things happen. In 2011 volunteers donated over 13,500 hours of service to 142 events and raised well over $1 million to support the Center’s programs.

Who staffed the event, you may be wondering? I am happy to say that Center staff members, from every department, volunteered their time to make this event happen and happily gave their time back to those who give so often. Yojani Hernandez, Cultural Programs Officer at the Center, was among the staff turned volunteer that night. “It was really great to support the Volunteer Appreciation event,” she said.  “With all the events and projects that volunteers make possible at the Center it felt fantastic to give a little back. We all know that nothing happens at the Center without volunteer support.”

The room was filled with an array of folks from new volunteers to long time volunteers. Six notable such individuals have been volunteering their time at the Center ranging from 10 to 22 years. I was delighted to run into a volunteer who worked for me on NYC Pride events a number of years ago. He told me, “I love the Center. Even if I can’t give as much time as I used to, I still always give what I can. I think every little bit helps.” And he’s right. Whether you can provide an hour, a week, a month or 22 years, volunteers are the heart of the Center.

The next time you drop by the Center, look around you – no matter where you go or what time of day or night it may be, it’s guaranteed that you will run into someone who is unselfishly giving their time. Volunteers work recurring shifts every day of the week and support every department at the Center.

Following news today that California’s Prop 8 has been ruled unconstitutional, the Center issued this reaction:

The Center is thrilled to hear that loving committed same-sex couples in California are one step closer to having the same opportunity for marriage equality that we enjoy here in New York.

Our Center Families team works hard every day to support more than a thousand LGBT people a year in the tri-state area who use our services to build, grow and strengthen their families.

We send a heartfelt congratulations to all those who helped make today’s Prop 8 ruling a reality and send best wishes to all LGBT families in California as they move towards gaining equality under the law.

Learn more about our Center Families Program here, and like us on facebook here.

Breaking equality news from California today.  As reported by Metro Weekly’s Chris Geidner:

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit today affirmed the August 2010 decision by U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker that California’s 2008 amendment banning same-sex couples from marriage is unconstitutional, deciding the case on narrow grounds relating to the facts of the amendment’s impact, which the court notes was to “eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California..

The case, Perry v. Brown, was brought by the American Foundation for Equal Rights and featured a contrasting team of lawyers — the conservative Ted Olson and liberal David Boies — who waged a high-stakes trial in January 2010 and a high-profile public campaign to advance the cause of marriage equality.In today’s decision, Judge Stephen Reinhardt writes for the court:

“We consider whether that amendment violates the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. We conclude that it does.”

You can read more about this historic ruling in favor of full equality for same-sex couples by linking to The American Foundation for Equal Rights.  The Center congratulates all of the people who worked tirelessly to make this a reality and looks forward to further efforts to keep this ruling in place!