Center Blog

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

Greetings, and welcome to our Monthly Center Families Blog!

This month, we have a Very Special Guest Blogger with us, Randi Reed! Randi is a Birth Doula in New York City and is a Center Families Partner. Randi, in collaboration with her friend and business partner Chloe Campbell, frequently present at two of our Center Families Support Groups: Planning Biological Parenthood for Women and Pregnancy Support & Networking.

Planning Biological Parenthood for Women is a group for women considering, preparing for, or currently in the process of conceiving through alternative insemination.

Pregnancy Support and Networking is a support and networking group for pregnant parents-to-be wanting to connect and share their experiences and resources with others.

On Tuesday, November 9th at 6:30pm, Center Families presents its first Pregnancy Support and Networking Night Out! Please join Center Families for an evening of supportive networking, and education for pregnant parents-to-be, surrogates, and those closest to them. Enjoy “mocktails” & “momtinis” along with music, fellowship and fun! There will be an informative presentation by our Center Families Partners Randi Reed and Chloe Campbell, who will discuss their roles as Birth Doula’s, and provide some highly requested information on topics such as breastfeeding, bonding with your newborn, self-care, and planning the birth that is right for you!

We are extremely excited to have the help, support and wealth of information that Randi and Chloe bring to the table. With that said, here is a message from Randi:
Welcoming a baby into your life is a decision in our community that takes a lot of thought and planning. One turns a corner and there might be another obstacle or challenge or an unknown fact staring at you in the face! Our LGBTQ community is not faint of heart and can rise above a challenge, but at times we need a little help, guidance, and love. Thankfully The Center has a number of great programs to help guide hopeful parents along.

That is where I come in. My name is Randi Reed and I co-founded Brown Owl Doulas with my business partner and friend Chloe Campbell. I have been in NYC for about 4 years and The Center has been with me the whole time. I have volunteered at numerous functions including Center Family picnics, Bingo Night, Lesbian Cinema Arts, Garden Party, and Woman’s Events. Needless to say I love The Center. As I started to pursue more things in life, being a doula has been a surprising passion. One year ago I started my training with DONA International which is where I met my friend and business partner Chloe Campbell. We have trained with the same instructors and found our passion and doula styles fit perfectly together. And since I work a lot with The Center, I was asked to come in and facilitate a pregnancy support meeting in June. I loved it so much I came back and Chloe and I just held our first Breast Feeding 101 workshop for the Pregnancy Support Group. There we talked about the basics of breast feeding and what a new mom should know before baby comes. We even discussed the possibility for two moms being able to breast feed which is a unique opportunity for some lesbian couples having babies in our community!
If you have never heard the word doula before you are not alone. What is a doula?
The word “doula” comes from the ancient Greek meaning “a woman who serves” and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during, and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

A Birth Doula

1. Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
2. Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
3. Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth
4. Stays with the woman throughout the labor
5. Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the information she needs to make informed decision
6. Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers
7. Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman’s memory of the birth experience
8. Allows the woman’s partner to participate at his/her comfort level

Being a doula is such a rewarding and amazing job! We love it. And we understand what a crazy world pregnancy, birth, and postpartum can be. Myself and Chloe are very excited to speak with the community more and help you with whatever questions you have. Not only do we have knowledge about labor and birth but we also have the resources to help you achieve your desires and answer your questions about pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum and more. Did I mention I am a nanny of 4 and Chloe has a 3 year old! We are always available for your questions or concerns. You can contact us at randiandchloe@gmail.com

See you November 9th from 6:30pm-9pm!! PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

Please contact Shanequa Anderson at 212 620 7310 ext 473 or sanderson@gaycenter.org for further information.

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.

The Greater New York City affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® featured the Lesbian Cancer Initiative and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center among its Community Breast Health 2010-2011 grantees in a recent series of public service announcements (PSA). These 30-second PSAs are being aired in Regal Cinemas across NYC and Long Island while a longer version is being hosted on YouTube. LCI Coordinator Cristina Moldow spoke about the breast cancer risks of medically underserved lesbian, bisexual women and transgender people (LBT) and the services the Center offers. The Lesbian Cancer Initiative is funded, in part, by the Greater New York City affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and seeks to save LBT lives, empower LBT people and ensure breast cancer quality care for our communities in New York City.

60-second Public Service Announcement

It is my absolute pleasure to tell you about a wonderful event happening at the Center right now. We have the distinct honor to welcome New York State Governor David Paterson to our home on 13th Street to sign into law the Dignity for All Students Act. Governor Paterson is one of the most dedicated and staunch LGBT allies our community has ever had in an elected state office. The Center is thrilled that the Governor has chosen to come here today to sign the Dignity for All Students Act. This long anticipated anti-bullying law is critical for the youth who come to the Center’s Youth Enrichment Services program, as it is for all LGBT youth across New York State, because it addresses the bullying and harassment that threatens their safety and security in school. The Dignity for All Students Act helps make schools the safe haven they should be for our young people as they prepare for their futures.

For more than 28 years, the Center has been much more than an organization providing critical social services to adults, more than a place which provides after school programs to New York City’s LGBT youth, and more than the place where our community comes for cultural programs or to gather for celebration. The Center is THE place our community gathers in times of crisis and THE place our government representatives come to celebrate a milestones in our quest for equality.

We at the Center applaud all those in the New York State legislature who voted for this bill, and we are especially proud and grateful to the lead sponsors of this legislation, Assembly member Daniel O’Donnell and Senator Tom Duane for their determination in getting this bill passed.
We thank Governor Paterson for his continued support of the LGBT community in its entirety. He has advanced the cause of civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals by directing all state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other jurisdictions to the full extent permitted by law, and by issuing an executive order banning discrimination in State employment on the basis of gender identity. Governor Paterson also placed landmark marriage equality legislation on the agenda for the Legislature’s extraordinary session. Though it did not pass, it was an historic vote that has emboldened Governor Paterson and advocates for same-sex marriage to fight harder to ensure that this civil right is recognized in the State of New York.

Glennda Testone

It’s hard to believe that in less than a month, we will be on our road cycling adventure for Braking the Cycle. I decided to participate in the ride not only because it is the Center, but more specifically because I see firsthand how much we help people who struggle with HIV/AIDS. I am riding with the Center team called “Centerlicious.” The team is made up of staff, board members, Center partners and friends whose commitment to our cause and movement goes beyond the standard work week; team members ride to work on a daily basis, train weekends and are fundraising round the clock for our life-saving HIV/AIDS Programs.

Center staff has ridden before but never in such a large constituency, therefore this years ride is a landmark for us! There are also additional staff, a road crew who will work en route supporting our riders on the journey. The Center is helping more people living with HIV/AIDS than ever before and the spirit of camaraderie, dedication and support that exists among the Center staff and board fuels my ride. It also fills me with pride to say that our staff’s commitment to our community is strong, and Centerlicious is the culmination of that commitment.

Please consider supporting us in our journey by donating…

Glennda Testone, rider #74

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.

This week, the Center’s Associate Director of Center CARE Wellness, Andrés Hoyos, is featured in the second part of an Advocate.com health video with Dr. Frank Spinelli. If you missed it last week, check out part one of the segment.  Watch below or at Advocate.com.

Ask the Doctor: The Power of Support Networks, Part 2: Dr. Spinelli delves further into the side of HIV treatment that is most often overlooked: mental health.  Watch now.

Below is another still from the segment:

For more information:

Center CARE Wellness
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
Advocate.com Ask the Doctor

As we announced in August, the Center’s Associate Director of Center CARE Wellness, Andrés Hoyos, is featured in a new Advocate.com health video series with Dr. Frank Spinelli. Part one of the segment, which also includes the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center’s Director of Mental Health, Katie Douglass, is online now.  Watch below or at Advocate.com.  The second part of the video will air next week, so stay tuned!

Ask the Doctor: The Power of Support Networks:  Dr. Spinelli uncovers the side of HIV Treatment that is most often overlooked: mental health.  Watch now.

Below is a photo from the taping in August:

For more information:

Center CARE Wellness
Callen-Lorde Community Health Center
Advocate.com Ask the Doctor