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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAug-2020News andReviewsNewsandReviews August2020August2020 The Gala PRIDE & DiversityCenterTheGalaPRIDE & Diversity Center BLACK LIVES MATTER GGalaalaPridePride & & DiversityDiversityCenterCenter 1060 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 email@galacc.org 805-541-GALA INFORMATION PRESIDENT Doug Heumann: dheumann@galacc.org TREASURER Katherine Soule: ksoule@galacc.org SECRETARY David Weisman: dweisman@galacc.org BOARD MEMBERS Denise Taylor: dtaylor@galacc.org Elissa deHart: edehart@galacc.org Robert Diaz: rdiaz@galacc.org Samuel Byrd: sbyrd @galacc.org EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Michelle Call: ed@galacc.org ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Ciana Costa: ccosta@galacc.org ART CURATOR Lynn Schmidt: lynn@galacc.org NEWSLETTER Newsletter@galacc.org OFFICERS 2 PRIDE CENTER Do you have a photo you would like to share with our community? Great! We would love to share it. Send your .jpeg to Newsletter@galacc. org. Be sure to include who, what, where and when. Greetings from the Gala Pride and Diversity Center, 2020 has turned out to be a difficult year. We are separated by COVID-19, many have lost hours or their jobs and are struggling to pay rent or mortgages, and local protests have further illuminated divisions in our community of San Luis Obispo County. Black Transgender Lives are being taken at an even worse rate than last year, and mental health needs are increasing. There is hope, and there are things for you to do and ways for you to help others or get the help you need for yourself. You will find lots of useful resources and infographics in this newsletter and we urge you to seek help if you are experiencing depression and/or suicidal ideation. You are not alone! RACE Matters SLO County, the NAACP, the Diversity Coalition of SLO County and others have put together lots of good and nourishing programs accessible via social media and streaming platforms. In collaboration with SLO Tease we are beginning “Authenticity” - A Body Positive Events Series About Living Your Best Intersectional Life” that we hope you’ll enjoy over the coming months. If you’re having trouble finding how to join in, contact the Pride Center and we will help you get connected. Many of our groups are meeting online. There’s an AA Group on Sunday evenings, we hold LGBTea virtual gatherings, youth and transgender groups are going strong. You will read about our youth summer camp elsewhere in this issue. If you are feeling lonely and need to talk to someone we can definitely arrange that - please reach out! In this issue, you will also hear about PACT - the Police and Community Together Task Force put together by SLO Police Chief Deanna Cantrell and Detective Suzie Walsh (our LGBTQ+ liaison). There is also an article by Chief Cantrell about her own coming out and the reforms she is working on with the Police Chiefs Association. These were penned after the tear gas incident (they have not used tear gas again) and before the arrest of Tianna Arata and Elias Bautista. My personal belief is that the system of policing in the United States needs to be reimagined for the new millennium. However my interactions with Detective Walsh and on the PACT have been really helpful for our community - including last year when a transgender woman of color was assaulted in San Luis Obispo and SLO PD used the training they received from Tranz Central Coast to good effect. I think it’s good to read where Chief Cantrell and Detective Walsh are coming from, even as we put out clear statements when we disagree with such things as the department’s deployment of chemical weapons. In addition to support and events, we are working on advocacy locally and statewide on your behalf. LGBTQ+ folks are disproportionately affected by layoffs and evictions and along with Bend the Arc and other local organizations we are asking the Board of Supervisors to extend County moratoriums on eviction which expire on August 14th, 2020. Keeping people housed is a priority, as is extending funding for unemployment benefits. You may have noticed the Equality California Healthcare campaign we have been sharing on Facebook. We are also getting ready to launch a Get Out The Vote campaign to encourage our LGBTQ+ community to vote not only in the Presidential election, but also for local races and propositions that affect us all. Michelle 3 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4 I grew up in New Mexico, the youngest of 4 siblings, poor, underprivileged and in a household with significant violence.Both of my parents have spent time in prison, my mother for shooting my very violent stepfather during a domestic violence incident when I was nine years old. I grew up in a conservative rural community and was misguided and lost as a teen given my upbringing.In addition to my history, I was also struggling with my sexuality and fear of being outed during a time and in a place where it was not acceptable to be LGBTQ. My experience with law enforcement was limited to what I was sure was profile stops and them “taking” my mother away (I did not understand the criminal justice system at the time).To be blunt, I did not like the police in part, because of my limited and negative experience and my own lack of knowledge of what they do.Admittedly, my negative experience during traffic stops likely had to do, at least in part with my negative bias toward them. Becoming a peace officer never crossed my mind.I went to junior college and had plans to be an art teacher, however being poor, having no family that had college experience and no family that had money or knowledge to help me navigate college was a heavy burden.I quit school to work full time to survive. When I was 23, I met a guy who I thought was funny and nice at a friend’s house.Eventually in the conversation, what we both did for a living came up and he said he was a peace officer.I could not believe it.I immediately wanted to dislike him, but I had already spent some time getting to know him and liked him as a person.I expressed my dislike of peace officers and he forced me to reconcile my feelings by asking me two questions Why?And did that also include him?We continued our conversation and I learned that he worked with children of incarcerated parents (he did not know my story) which I found fascinating and to which I replied, I didn’t know cops did that, I thought you just harassed people”.We laughed and my path was changed forever. I understand the community views of policing, that they come sometimes from personal experiences, sometimes from shared experiences and sometimes from the media.I understand the role of a peace officer and the complex and difficult job they have today.And, I understand that in order to effectively police, we must collaborate with our communities and police in a way that is meaningful and inclusive of all.I have been in the business for over 27 years and we have changed a lot… and still have a need and room to grow. As a member of the California Police Chiefs Association we have taken a great step forward by acknowledging the need for change in policing while also endorsing key changes to take place including: Department policies: Nationwide use-of-force policy requirements, emphasis on de-escalation, national adoption of requirements to intercede against excessive force, protection of peaceful protests and the right to free speech and alignment with California law. Officer accountability: Formal decertification of officers for specified circumstances, the creation of a tracking system for officers that resign, are under investigation or set to be terminated, and support for mandating the Attorney General investigate deadly force incidents if requested by a local agency. Transparency: Public disclosure of police personnel files related to use of force resulting in death or great bodily injury, sexual assault and other serious job- related misconduct. Furthermore, mandating the public disclosure of all law enforcement policies. Recruitment and retention: Diversification of police recruiting efforts, increased representation of minority communities in law enforcement agencies, and improvements to psychological assessments and other standards currently utilized to identify potential police candidates. SAN LUIS OBISPO CHIEF OF POLICE 5 SAN LUIS OBISPO CHIEF OF POLICE Mental health and awareness: Support funding for programs to improve peace officers’ mental health and implementation of mandatory health and wellness checks to ensure the continued stability and safety of officers. Training: Continued expansion of training programs aimed specifically at de-escalation, alternatives to deadly force, implicit and racial bias, and cultural and community awareness. Reforms outside policing: Increased educational resources for historically disadvantaged communities to close the achievement gap, close collaboration with requisite professionals to provide appropriate response services to those in crisis, growth in vocational training and job opportunities, increased rehabilitative and re-entry services, and an emphasis on access to fair housing. We need a holistic approach that incorporates housing, education, mental health, substance abuse and vocation programs to help resolve the socio-economic and racial divide in our country.Police reform is a prominent step in the right direction, however, needs a multi-faceted approach for real success. Deanna Cantrell Police Chief 6 POLICE AND COMMUNITY TOGETHER (PACT) Police and Community Together (PACT) Created in 2017 within San Luis Obispo. From the City’s website: PACT represents a committed and diverse group of community members and advocates that have partnered with SLOPD to affect positive social change through dialogue, education and understanding. The police department has officers and staff that serve as liaisons to each of the community groups. All work together to develop training that is important for police officers and staff to experience and in turn, training for the community groups to learn about policing. PACT’s Mission Statement: PACT will develop and preserve community partnership, increase awareness and acceptance of diversity in the San Luis Obispo Police Department and community through inclusion, education and collaboration. The PACT is committed to cultivating a culturally inclusive environment where diversity is valued and respected. As part of this initiative, Detective Suzie Walsh has been assigned as the LGBTQ+ liaison to the community. Suzie has come to the Gala Pride and Diversity Center to share information and speak with group facilitators as well as following up on each complaint and answering questions. Suzie makes a note of anything concerning, whether actionable or not, so it will be on file should something happen down the line. Suzie and the PACT were instrumental in making sure the assault of a transgender woman of color in San Luis Obispo last year was not only charged as a hate crime, but also offered funding for relocation to the survivor and worked with us sharing information as fully as possible. SLO PD has also had training from Tranz Central Coast although it is definitely time to do a follow up)! PACT also has a program to meet new officers on the force, and when Michelle attended a recent one she was not only able to hear why these young diverse officers chose to get into policing, but also impart some concerns about how folks of expansive gender identities and neurodiverse individuals may need extra thought and attention. There is no doubt that LGBTQ+ communities, particularly those at the intersections, have little reason to trust law enforcement historically. There are real problems that the Black Lives Matter protests are concerned with - including police brutality, profiling, mass incarceration, overreach and more. There have been local issues, including the decision to use tear gas against protesters. However, the San Luis Obispo Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Deanna Cantrell, has been trying to learn and do better. PACT has been a step in the right direction and we have had several meetings about the current events surrounding local protests. We have not always been satisfied with the results or choices by Chief Cantrell, and are glad to have a voice to say so as we continue to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. 7 SLO COUNTY VETERAN SERVICES SLO County Veteran Services Office Hello members of the GALA Pride and Diversity Center and the LGBTQ+ Community. My name is Morgan Boyd and I am the San Luis Obispo County Veteran Services Officer. The Veteran Services Office’s primary goal is to provide support to our Community’s Veterans seeking access to VA benefits. The Veteran Services Office’s primary goal is to provide support to our Community’s Veterans seeking access to VA benefits. I, and my office, fully acknowledge that members of the LGBTQ+ Community have been historically discriminated against while serving our County. The significant amount of oppression and bigotry that many faced while in service has created a scenario where some LGBTQ+ Veterans justifiably want nothing to do with anything associated with their military service. For decades, many of our LGBTQ+ Veterans were removed from service under “other than honorable” or even “dishonorable” conditions, which potentially restricts access to valuable Veteran benefits. However, these types of discharges based on sexual orientation are no longer valid and our office can assist with a Character of Discharge Upgrade to ensure that the Veteran receives access to the benefits that they earned while serving our Nation. Furthermore, the VA recognizes ALL same-sex marriages, regardless of the Veteran’s state of residence and our office will be more than happy to add a spouse to the VA system. This is particularly important for our Veterans’ spouses if that Veteran falls terminally ill or passes away due to their service-connected disabilities. There are a whole host of benefits that some of you may be missing out on and our dedicated team at the County Veteran Services Office wants to convey that we are here to support YOU. Nationally, LGBTQ+ Veterans are some of the most underrepresented members of the Veteran community and our office hopes mitigate that in SLO County by welcoming you all with open arms. Thank you again for your service, and we truly hope to connect with you soon. For more information, or to schedule an appointment to conduct a benefits review, please call (805) 781-5766 or by visiting our website @ https://www.slocounty. ca.gov/Departments/Veterans-Services.aspx Join us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/ SLOCountyVets/ 8 PRIDE CENTER GOES GREEN Green Business Certification On July 23, 2020, The Gala Pride and Diversity Center was presented with the Green Business Certification making the Center part of the California Green Business Network of San Luis Obispo County. By belonging to this network, we have shown a commitment as a local business to sustain our low carbon footprint. To achieve this, we have begun an active recycling/green waste program, conserving energy in everyway possible, keeping a close eye on any water leaks to reduce loss, and the use of 100% biodegradable cleaning products as well as paper goods to be used here at the Center. The Gala Pride and Diversity Center is extremely proud to part of this small group of green businesses within our county as well as statewide. We believe that by doing our part in reducing waste and conserving energy the Center is on the right path to help the environment locally, statewide and throughout the world. 9 MONTHLY BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT I LOVE a great love story, and each wedding that I photograph has a great one! I run Renoda Campbell Photography, an inclusive and intimate wedding photography business in San Luis Obispo California. I serve San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties but love a destination wedding! I am that visual storyteller who loves to capture true emotion, and to photograph romantic and visually interesting photos. Every wedding couple wants to feel and look gorgeous in their images. It is my goal to capture your essence on your wedding day and for you to see your beautiful relationship in photos. I enjoy photographing your engagements, getting ready, first look and ceremony, but also love documenting your celebration and capturing your love not only with your partner, but with friends and family. I started my wedding photography business because I felt that LGBTQIA+ couples and BIPOC couples were not well represented in the mainstream wedding industry. That has been my focus for the past three years. I am a hybrid photographer (shooting in film and digital) which helps enhance the romantic quality of my images. If you are planning a wedding, let’s create some magic together. Let me photograph your amazing details, your joy and celebration on your special day. Follow me on Instagram, @renodacampbellphoto, or check out my website: https://www.photosbyrc.com. Renoda Campbell Renoda Campbell Photography Inclusive | Authentic | Romantic web: www.renodacampbellphoto.com Instagram: renodacampbellphoto pronouns: she | her | hers phone: 805.801.9480 Each month we will be spotlighting a Black and/or Queer owned business and we are delighted to start with Renoda Campbell! This year we have lots of options to ensure our diverse communities are fully counted in the 2020Census. It’s critical for us to use them. Anyone with an internet connection or a phone can self-respond by visiting www.my2020census. gov or calling 844-330-2020. #QueerTheCensus PLEASE DO THIS TODAY!!!! 10 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 11 RESOURCES 12 BODY POSI SERIES The Gala Pride and Diversity CenterandSLOTeasepresent: Authenticity”A Body Positive Online Event Series aboutlivingyourbestintersectionallife Join Michelle Call and Eve Riot as we virtually explore the following topics from 2pm- 4pm on the 3rd Saturday of the month from August 2020 through February 2021. Sat August 15th, 2pm-4pm - Drag Makeup for Beginners Let’s discuss the evolution of drag makeup and learn how to “put on your face” with local drag performers. All skin tones welcome. Sat September 19th - Anti-Racism in the LGBTQ+ Community with The Office Hour Project Join the dynamic Shimmy La Roux, Crocodile Lightning, Alex Jenny and Elise Malory as we spend some time exploring the neurobiology of biases, deconstructing "White" culture (i.e., capitalism, perfectionism, meritocracy, individualism, etc.), discussing self-reflection and self-care for allies (i.e., a compassionate approach to social justice), mapping out action plans we can take personally within ourselves, and our communities and Q&A Sat October 17th, 2pm-4pm - Beginning Boa with Bessie Snow Let’s talk about body positivity and how to use a (feather) boa as a prop. We’ll learn some basic moves, how to maintain a boa, and dive a little into the art of burlesque. Bessie Snow is a neo-classic burlesque performer. Instagram: @madamebessiesnow Pronouns: She/Her/Hers Sat November 21st, 2pm-4pm - LGBT y más What is it like to be LGBTQ+ in the Latine world? Let’s discuss the history of LGBT y más in Spanish speaking countries as well as the United States. What challenges do LGBT y más individuals face today? How are sexual orientation and gender identity experienced in the light of cultural differences? Sat December 19th, 2pm-4pm - Drag King Experience Panel Join some fabulous intersectional drag kings as they talk about their experiences and find out what their prep looks like, their best and worst performances, what makes a number popular, transgender drag experience and more! Sat January 16th, 2pm-4pm - Code Switching Join a panel of local students and community members as we talk about code switching what it means, why we do it - how can we invite inclusion and body positivity. Sat February 20th - Using Tabletop Roleplay Games to Explore Identity with Eve Riot How do we use roleplay games to explore trauma and abusive relationships, experience other genders, body types and sexualities, and get to know ourselves better? Meeting ID: Meeting ID: 876 8888 3866, for password send a note to email@galacc. org 13 THE PRIDE CENTER My husband and I have completed two real estate transactions in San Luis Obispo with Barbara Brooks. She is a consummate professional, providing expert advice and shepherding all the myriad details. We could not recommend her more highly.” Damon K. & JD M. We have worked with Barbara Brooks as buyers and sellers, and we found her to be highly professional and knowledgeable about the market and legal complexities of California real estate law.” Ted F. & Thom G. Barbara H. BrooksRealtor, Broker Associate License #01227626 BHG Haven Properties 441 Marsh St San Luis Obispo CA 93401 BarbaraHBrooks@sbcglobal.net 805.680.1389 Barbara Brooks listened to what we needed and found exactly the right home for us, within our budget. She helped us navigate the process of buying our first home with skill and compassion.” Michelle & Lewis C. Proudly serving the LGBTQ+ community over 20 years. 14 TRANZ CENTRAL COAST It’s hard to think of many benefits of the Covid-19 pandemic, but one may be an uptick in the number of young people coming out to their families as transgender. During the last two months we’ve seen a small surge in calls to Tranz Central Coast from family members seeking help dealing with a child who recently announced they were transgender or nonbinary. A couple of newly out young adults are also reaching out for support. We’re not certain if this is a trend or just a coincidence, but the pandemic seems a perfect time for young people to finally have these hard conversations with family members. They’ve been confined together for months and emotions are a little raw. It’s a time that secrets like this can finally be leaking out. We shouldn’t be naïve about this. The calls we get are from the worried and compassionate family members seeking to help their youth on this journey. We’d like to think this is the way it goes most in most families, but we know many children and young adults are punished, shamed and shunned when finally announcing their authentic gender identity. It may be a long time before some of these other people decide it’s safe to leave the closet. The pandemic has been hard for almost everyone, but it has hit trans/nonbinary people a little harder. Many of us lost friends and families when we came out. Our “chosen family” is frequently other members of our community. And now we can only see them on a computer screen. Our community has also been hit harder by the economic collapse since so many of us already were struggling in better times to find a decent job. But this surge in people seeking support is heartening and reminds us again of the importance of the work we do. We’re there when people need things such as information, support groups, doctor recommendations, or maybe just to talk. We’re also proof to struggling newbies and their families that transgender/nonbinary people can live happy and productive lives. Because of the pandemic TCC is offering its support groups online. We have a group for adults every Tuesday at 7 p.m., and a group for youth between the ages of 11 and 18 on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m. Send an email to email@galacc.org, to get a link to these meetings. Our website, tranzcentralcoast.org, has lots of valuable information. Jamie Woolf, chair, Tranz Central Coast PowerThePolls.org Please follow this link to sign up to help out in the POLLS this November. I will be there with my mask and face shield doing my part to keep our polls open and safe. The firest 5 people who sign up and want a face shield I will Gleefully provide it!! Thanks so much!! Lynn 15 SUMMER CAMP The Pride Center’s Summer Youth Program This summer I ran The Pride Center’s first ever summer youth program, a six-week camp for LGBTQ+ youth to gather safely in-person and on Zoom. Together we did crafts, watched movies, learned about LGBTQ+ history, discussed LGBTQ+ topics, did yoga in the park, and went on hikes in Poly Canyon--all while wearing masks and keeping a safe distance. During these particularly harrowing and isolating times, the group provided a space for young LGBTQ+ people from all throughout the Central Coast to connect with each other and have fun together safely. Thank you to the wonderful guest presenters from The Center, Transitions Mental Health Association, and The Central Coast Queer Archive Project! Thank you to Artemisia of Wild Heart Healing Arts for leading us in yoga and embodied movement every week, and to The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden for hosting us for a tour and succulent potting! And, of course, thank you to the incredible LGBTQ+ young people who made this summer so memorable. Mia Rolph (they,them,theirs) 16 ART AT THE PRIDE CENTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Hello! Call me the proverbial optimist but I know one day in the near future we will all be together again! We will be in The Pride Center once again. Along that vain I would like to get a couple projects done around the center and could really use a few more pairs of hands. All work will include social distancing and masks! You do not need to have any skills to help with either of these projects. Hands and a willingness to learn is all that is required! Project #1 The chairs in the library need some TLC. The arms on each one need to be sanded and repainted and reattached. All supplies will be provided. Project #2 The parking lot is in need of some new striping as well as repainting of our handicap space. Supplies will be provided. I am not really sure how long this first project will take complete but here are the times and dates I will be at the center working on it. I would LOVE some help. lynn@galacc.org Saturday August 22, 2020 - 10am - 3pm Sunday August 30, 2020 - 10am - 3pm Saturday September 5, 2020 10am - 3pm NEW ART SHOW In support of the online Body Posi presentation “ Authenticity” Starting October 2, 2020 The Pride Center will be displaying individual portraits from the Body Posi billboard project. The show will be able to be viewed on line through the website as well as in person BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Thanks so much for your support!! Lynn