Center Blog

David Kato was beaten to death in Kampala, Uganda on January 26th. The school teacher and human rights defender had been targeted for years as an out gay man in a notoriously homophobic country.  His brutal death has sparked worldwide condemnation and commemorations.  In New York, the Center joined a coalition of groups convened by the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission in a vigil at the United Nations and as signatory to a letter delivered to Uganda’s ambassador to the U.N. on February 3rd. 

Whenever tragedies like this occur  I am reminded of how important the Center is to all of us who find a haven here.   And in the midst of shock and heartache, I ask that we recommit ourselves to the notion of a safe home for all of our people.  Valiant individuals and organizations – among them the Center – toil to make the world a better place.  And we hone our principles and reinvigorate ourselves in our home. 

In honor of David Kato who had no safe home – no Center – in Kampala, I offer anew the following thought: 

Within these walls, we expect to be treated with consideration and kindness.  We expect our persons, our property, and our opinions to be respected.  We expect to be free from violence and the threat of violence.  We expect our disagreements to be resolved with sensitivity and good will. 

In return, we are expected to be considerate and kind.  To respect the persons, property, and opinions of others.  To behave nonviolently.  To display sensitivity and good will in resolving disagreements.

Within these walls, we hold ourselves to a higher standard of conduct and social interaction.  We strive to make of this place a haven free of the ills and abuses we find outside it.

As we begin 2011 it’s refreshing to look back and reflect on how The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center was able to create a safe and nurturing environment for hundreds of (LGBTQ) youth ages 13 to 22, during the holiday season. The Center’s Youth Enrichment Services (Y.E.S.) program held three events in the fall and early winter. They included: “Thanks for Being Queer Turkey Dinner Event” on November 24, which served 100 youth; “Youth Holiday Event” on December 23, that served over 60 youth; and “New Year’s Event” on December 30, serving over 60 youth. The YES holidays events are part of an overall (Y.E.S.) strategy to ensure the safe and healthy development of LGBTQ youth and reduce the incidence of homelessness, HIV and substance abuse. In addition, these events provide homeless LGBTQ youth opportunities to experience milestones such as the holidays in LGBT-positive ways that mainstream settings and many of their families do not provide.

Our “Thanks for Being Queer: Turkey Dinner Event” included the first public performance by the (Y.E.S.) New Agenda dancers, who shared a performance on Native American cultural expression of LGBTQ identities. Both the “Youth Holiday Event” on December 23 and the “Youth New Year’s Event” on December 30 included refreshments funded by PepsiCo’s LGBT employee affinity group and a clothing swap/share with new and used clothing and shoes donated by Center staff. Each event also included activities, groups and games, as well as gift bags complete with “swag” from RuPaul’s Drag Race and new winter scarves, gloves, hats and bags donated by the MTV and HBO LGBT employee affinity groups.

The Center is committed to offering vital services to the young people in our community who often have no role models and no other opportunities to experience an LGBT inclusive environment. We look forward to providing these kinds of unique youth programs throughout the new year and we thank generous donors like PepsiCo, HBO and MTV for helping to make it possible.

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

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):

Introduction

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.

For me, it was the birth certificate; there it was, in black and white (well, black and light blue): my wife of 3 years as the Mother, and me as Father/Parent, with sex “F”. Myself being genderqueer, the need for my sex on the birth certificate of my child was problematic, but there was something undeniably vindicating about opening that envelope. Here our marriage is only recognized in a few states, and even here in New York, only recognized in some institutions, but we didn’t have to go through any special applications or appear in court to have this document issued correctly.

I think for all member of the LGBTQ community, there are shining moments they didn’t think were possible, last year, five years ago, or half a lifetime ago. I didn’t think the birth certificate was going to be one of those moments for me, but when it was in my hand, with an embossed seal and thick paper, it became something of which I was very proud.

Our journey into parenting was, in many ways, not very notable: We decided we wanted children (me deciding several painstakingly long years after my wife, if you ask her), we did some research, and we started trying. A few roller-coaster months later, we had the greatest news of our lives. Then the baby came, and ever since, we’ve been doing laundry. But that story leaves out the interesting parts: the research included looking for a sperm donor that I felt most closely resembled a male-bodied version of myself, and then working through the disappointment that I couldn’t be the sperm donor myself; we spent hours carefully telling family members, “We’re going to have a baby, so Kai will be a Papa!” to set our expectations for language; and perhaps most memorably, we had to carry a cryogenic tank across town, pick up sperm, and walk a mile home with a container emblazoned with “Caution: Bio Hazard” through the streets of New York.

At the beginning of this journey, I attended the first meeting of the Center Families Transgender and Genderqueer Parents and Prospective Parents group. I am a co-facilitator at the group, so I am helplessly biased in this respect, but I have had many wonderful conversations receiving support from others in all stages of parenting, giving advice on issues we’ve worked through, and sharing stories of joy and sadness. The group is as diverse as its members – discussions happen organically with someone sharing a thought, or telling a story. Perennial favorite discussion topics include family acceptance and education, parenting through foster care and adoption, what our children will call us, pregnancy in a transgender or genderqueer body, and navigating social situations and the questions of our own children.

Everyone with any interest or experience in parenting is welcomed warmly – there are babies and toddlers at the meetings, pregnant folks, parents of older children, and those thinking of parenting somewhere down the line. The group meets at the LGBT Center monthly on a Sunday late in the month – for November we’re meeting this Sunday, November 21st from 12:30 to 2pm. In January and onward, we meet on the 4th Sunday of the month, from 12:30 to 2pm.

Please come, share your story, ask questions, and join the discussion!

Kai Johnson
Co-facilitator of the Center Families Transgender and Genderqueer Parents and Prospective Parents group.
For any further questions, or to be added to the mailing list, contact ksjohnson3@gmail.com

Over the past couple months an alarming number of young LGBT people across the country have taken their own lives, and in our city hate crimes against our community appear to be on the rise. At this time we must stand together and support each other. This past Saturday, our YES (Youth Enrichment Services) program hosted a youth dance offering young people ages 13-22 a chance to do this very thing. As I walked down 13th street on my way home from Women’s Event 13, I could hear the sound of music coming from the Center, and a smile came to my face.

When I entered the Center, I was so proud of what I saw. Over a hundred youth filled our first floor beaming with confidence and pride. The Center serves as a safe space allowing each of these young people a chance to be themselves without fear or judgment. I noticed several youth who appeared to be on first dates, and I realized that the Center is the place where these young people feel safe enough to be themselves – and even bring a date! Positive energy filled the Center that night and I was reassured that our community can overcome any hate or intolerance that we face…IF we support each other.

YES participants dancing during Summer Camp

As a Center donor, you can make this possible. Every dollar that you give ensures LGBT youth a place to go, not only for crisis-intervention, but for connection to community 365 days a year. YOU allow our LGBT youth a chance to develop into healthy adults. It gets better, but in truth, YOU CAN MAKE IT BETTER, today!

The Center wants our youth to know they are part of OUR community. To do this we are asking you to purchase a Center membership for a young person today! Your gift of $70 will pay for your individual membership and offer one young person a membership making them a proud card-carrying member of the LGBT community. A generous donor has offered a matching gift for this program, so every dollar you give today will become 2! Help us make this $35,000 goal today!

Glennda Testone

On Tuesday, September 28, 2010, the New York State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health and Human Services Network (the Network), the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation and the Hunter College LGBT Institute issued a report on New York’s LGBT health and human services disparities titled, A Blueprint for Meeting LGBT Health and Human Services Needs in New York State. In addition to documenting well known healthcare concerns of the LGBT communities, the report documents evidence-based approaches and recommendations that government and non-governmental agencies can implement to achieve equity in these areas for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people throughout New York State.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (the Center) has been a member of the Network since its founding in the mid-1990’s. The Network is supported and administered by the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation and consists of over fifty LGBT-specific and LGBT-supportive nonprofit groups and organizations that provide health and social services to LGBT New Yorkers and their families.

Several current and former Center staff are acknowledged as contributors for their assistance in producing the Blueprint including Terry Boggis, Carrie Davis, Jenny DeBower and Barbara Warren. The complete report may be read at Pride Agenda or at Hunter College.

For more information: The Center’s Community Services and its antecedents have provided youth, adult and family Services to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities for over 23-years. Additional details can be found at the following – Youth: www.gaycenter.org/youth, Adults: www.gaycenter.org/health, and Families: www.gaycenter.org/families.

Braking the Cycle is one of the most incredible experiences a person can have. It was my first time participating in the ride. I was one of over 100 riders who cycled nearly 300 miles over 3 days. The bonds you create, the passion you share for a common cause-the end of HIV/AIDS, and love and care between riders and crew is unbelievably powerful.

The Center had a huge presence with its team called “Centerlicious”. So many riders expressed how much they enjoyed our team’s energy, and although I was technically the team’s Captain, our leader was really Board co-chair Gregg Passin who has done this ride for years raising more awareness and funds each and every time he participated. Centerlicious was the newest team, and along with the Center crew, we were able to directly speak to the other riders about our work at the Center and how much our life-saving HIV/AIDS programs help people. Team Eagle once again raised the most money for these vital services and repeatedly succeeded in bringing tons of fun and humor to the ride: the little eagle’s on their helmets, leather themed jersey’s and oasis rest stops were memorable. Team Flying Goats was very supportive on the road, and they deliberately choose a team name that would cause people to strike up a conversation so they could talk about HIV/AIDS. Team Google was so fast that I barely saw them on the road, and the ride would not be complete without team Black Watch.

Team Google’s presence was certainly felt though, as they served once again as our presenting sponsor – thank you!

At the end of three long days, we raised funds so the Center can continue to provide our life-saving services. Our work in the community includes HIV support groups, individual and group counseling, prevention education, leadership training and services to more than 1,000 youth a year in Youth Enrichment Services which incorporates HIV and STD prevention messages into everything we do. We created visibility over four states and raised awareness about this devastating disease. As the demand to continue and expand upon our services increases, the funds we raise are essential. Collectively, we have raised $318,000 on this year’s ride and these funds will go to directly serve our community! Because of the funds we raised, all of the Center’s HIV services are provided free of charge and are available to people of all income levels.

The ride drew to an end with a closing ceremony held at the Center. The event was hosted by lesbian country singer–and one of my best friends–Chely Wright who entertained the crowd with her beautiful songs and heartfelt words. Chely also pledged to ride with Team Centerlicious next year! Again, we thank our Presenting Sponsor, Google, for their continued support in the Center’s fight against HIV and AIDS. Thank you supporters at the closing ceremony, many of you came to the ceremony from the Marriage Equality Wedding March that took place earlier that day. It was a beautiful day of collective community, advocacy and activism.

I want to thank each and every rider, crew member, sponsor, supporter for strengthening our community!

Forever touched.

View, share and download pictures from Braking the Cycle!

Glennda Testone