Scotty’s Sebastopol Area Senior Center LGBTQ Blog
Open a New Window Every Day!
Dear Friends, Neighbors, Folks in the LGBTQ Community, and Allies,
I’m Scotty King, and in honor of National Coming Out Day, I’d like to share my story.
I used to be married to a woman, am a father of two wonderful children, and am now an out gay senior, age 64. I am writing to you in my role as the LGBTQ Liaison for the Sebastopol Area Senior Center.
October 11th is National Coming Out Day, an annual LGBTQ awareness day observed to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in “coming out of the closet.” One out of every two Americans has someone close to them who is gay or lesbian. Every person who speaks up and comes out, changes more hearts and minds, and creates new advocates for equality. The Human Rights Campaign has resources to help you come out and live openly at home, at work and in your community. For more on coming out, visit HRC's Coming Out Center.
Take this Survey Please
All of us here at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center are 100% committed to supporting our LGBTQ community! Every day we fly the rainbow flag on our building as just one of the ways that we show this support and recognition.
One of our major priorities this coming year is to grow and expand our LGBTQ programs and services. We need your input on what you’d like to see! For the past 3 years, I have especially enjoyed organizing the LGBTQ dances and June Pride month activities. But now we want to offer more. And remember, we serve all ages—not just seniors over 60.
Please help guide the expansion and growth of the LGBTQ services we offer.
PLEASE TAKE THIS SURVEY
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JXBJ6MM
In this survey, you can let us know which of these you’d like to attend: Ted Talks with LGBTQ content together, LGBTQ dances, dinner parties, trips to LGBTQ events, art shows (Diego Rivera), special speakers on LGBTQ topics, picnics, potlucks, mixers for meeting new friends, a gay / straight alliance AND MORE!
Why Do We have “Q” in the LGBTQ Letters?
Isn’t Queer a bad word?
Many of us were taunted with this word by the bullies of our youth, me included. One friend told me:
“The Q word remains a PTSD trigger for some of us who have been physically attacked by people using it as a hate term.”
Others have said that if we leave out the “Q,” we would be failing to include a big group of folks who identify as Queer; and, they might feel unwelcome at our events without seeing that letter.
What do you think?
Here is an article that describes this issue well:
“The Q Word: A Crash Course on 'Queer'”
Also, We used to say, “Gay Parade,” and “Gay Community.” We believed that “Gay” covered everyone, but then Bi, Trans and Queer folks felt left out. “Gay” did not work for them, they felt alienated. So now we say, “Pride Parade,” and “LGBTQ Community” to be inclusive of everyone.
BIG PARTY, You Are Invited, Saturday, October 23rd
We want all our LGBTQ friends to know that you are INVITED to our party, called Aged to Perfection, our annual fundraiser. This year it is an outdoor Masquerade Dance Party.
It costs $125 for this great cause, and includes a live band, food, and wine and beer. This party is inclusive of all—men can dance with men, women can dance with women. No one will think twice about that. I will be there as one of your hosts that night, and we might all dance together. Please join me, it is going to be a lot of fun! All proceeds benefit our Senior Center lunch program and kitchen remodel. We will dance the night away to a Bay Area favorite band: The Pulsators. This year, we have TWO special honorees: Linda Civitello, our Former Executive Director, and the Sonoma County Medical Association for their incredible work getting older adults and vulnerable communities vaccinated this past year— all while utilizing retired volunteer physicians and medical professionals.
Go Here for more information and to purchase tickets:
Date: Saturday, October 23rd (sales end Oct 21)
Where: The Blue Ridge Kitchen Event Center in The Barlow - 6770 McKinley St, Sebastopol, 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Cost: $125
Watch “Invisible” — Gay Women in Country Music
Thursday, October 21, 7 pm, Rialto Cinemas, Sebastopol
One Night ONLY: Contemporary Country Music is coming out of the closet! “Invisible” is the story of a group of lesbians and one transgender man who have written #1 hits for some of Country Music’s greatest stars. Some share how they kept quiet about their sexual identities for fear of how their opportunities or careers could be impacted. Others came out regardless, and in some cases faced negative consequences. Listen and witness how each of the featured individuals write, produce, and survive behind the scenes of Country Music in Nashville.
Before Castro: LGBTQ San Francisco from the 1930s to 1970
Tuesday, October 26, 5:30pm - 6:30p
Virtual Presentation with the Sonoma County Library, go Here or Here.
Advanced registration is required. Please register with your email address to receive the Zoom link one hour before the event begins.
Learn about the wild and crazy early LGBTQ history of San Francisco. Mona’s was the club in the 1930s, a place where “Girls will be boys.” In the 1950s, José Sarria would lead gay men from the Black Cat to the jail. There they stood outside and sang a tune they called “Nelly Queen” to the men arrested that night in raids on gay bars. The Daughters Of Bilitis, the first National Lesbian association, and the Pan Graphic Press, the first Gay press in the world, were founded in San Francisco in the 1950s. What was happening in the Tenderloin? What was the Vanguard Youth Street Sweep? What happened at the Compton Cafeteria Riot in 1966? It all happened before Stonewall!
Celebrating National Son and Daughter Day!
Many of you have seen the posts on Facebook, with parents posting photos of their kids with much praise. But what does this mean for kids who are non-binary? I came across this loving message for LGBTQ families, written by artist Ruthie Becker.
❤️ Shoutout today to my friends with amazing, gorgeous children for whom “daughter” and “son” aren't necessarily comfortable or well-fitting categories.
💜 Much love to my friends who love their daughters and share their pics with us! Love seeing them growing up
💙 And much love to my friends whose children's gender identities are evolving, who respect their kids' pace and privacy, and will neither “out” them nor invalidate them -- as much as they want to shout their love from the rooftops!
💛 Shoutout to my friends who are posting pictures of your amazing sons today! What a joy and a treat to see them, and to see how you adore them
💚 Extra-special love to my friends with relationships that are fluid, questioning, challenging, or otherwise under-construction; to my friends who love children and also are not parents; and to all my friends who need unconditional love and support today. I see you, and I love you!
🤎 Sometimes language is inadequate to contain the full range of how we feel and who we choose to be in this crazy world. But “love” is a good word. It is always wonderful to celebrate, and to cultivate love in ourselves. May we all be blessed with an ever-expanding capacity to love.
The Most Successful Lesbian Magazine in the World
“Franco Stevens founded Curve, the most successful lesbian magazine in the world, connecting the lesbian community, changing the way lesbians are seen by the mainstream, highlighting the transgender experience, raising awareness of attacks on LGBTQ rights and amplifying the work of lesbian activists. Franco co-founded The Curve Foundation to empower the Curve community—lesbians, queer women, trans women and nonbinary people of all races, ages and abilities. Franco has served on the board of GLAAD, was a founding board member of the San Francisco LGBT Center, and has worked extensively to promote lesbian visibility and educate media professionals on the lesbian market. Franco is the subject of the new documentary, Ahead of the Curve.
Coming Out Party in Santa Rosa November 4th
Join us for our annual Coming Out Party to celebrate our community and the amazing organizations Pride United has supported this year. Enjoy yummy food, fun drinks, and great friends! RSVP HERE
Do you Ever Stress About your Kids, Parents, or Partner?
I found this wonderful Shamanic blessing that calms me down.
′′I release my partner from the obligation to complete me. I release my parents from the feeling they failed with me. I release my children from the need to bring me pride, so they can write their own paths to the rhythm of their hearts. I don't lack anything. I cherish my essence, my way of expressing it, even if not everyone can understand me. I learn from all beings, all the time. I honor the divinity in me and you." - (from a Shamanic blessing translated from Nahuatl)
Hike 25 Miles Before the End of the Year
Who wants to do this with me? Let's participate in this challenge and hike 25 Miles before the end of the year,
Here is the link to get started with the Healthy Hiking Challenge!
This Local Gay Newspaper Called “We The People”
It’s now a website for the voice of the lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgendered community in the North Bay. It has good information, check it out Here.
Local LGBTQ-Friendly Therapists?
After numerous requests from the community, our local LGBTQ Connection has created a list of LGBTQ-friendly therapists for Napa & Sonoma Counties. They are proud to have put together this list including contact and insurance information. Go Here.
Enjoy this Gay Senior Movie: SWAN SONG
SWAN SONG follows retired hairdresser and local gay bar performer who has given up on life from the confines of his nursing home. But when Pat gets word that a former client's dying wish was for him to style her final hairdo, he sets out on an epic journey across Ohio to confront the ghosts of his past—and collect the beauty supplies necessary for the job. SWAN SONG is a comical and bittersweet journey about rediscovering oneself and looking gorgeous while doing so. Enjoy this interview with the director Here. Watch the movie trailer Here. You can rent SWAN SONG on Amazon or Youtube for $6.99.
As one review noted: “To me, the film represents the double meaning of the title character's Swan Song and the disappearance of such gay staples as the bar/entertainment venue that served as a meeting place for us queers. I recommend this movie to everyone with a deep memory of the "old days" before social media overpowered everything.”
We Need Your Volunteerism, Please
We are looking for volunteers to help us plan and organize upcoming LGBTQ events. Do you enjoy getting involved with the LGBTQ community? Would you enjoy planning a LGBTQ local trip, selecting where to meet? Would you like to help us plan a potluck, mixer, or speaker series? Please call or email me.
In addition, we are looking for volunteer drivers who enjoy driving seniors to their doctors’ appointments. Also, we’d like to find someone to help for a few hours a week helping organize files in the transportation office. Call or email me. The 10 Benefits of Helping Others
Hugs, and Good Cheer to All!
Sincerely,
Scotty King
Manager of Special Services ∙ Volunteer Driver Program ∙ LGTBQI Liaison
