Friend, we are still basking in the afterglow of the first in-person Pride Parade and Festival in San Diego in three years — how about you? It was indeed a time to celebrate, and the crowds lining the streets and filling the Festival area seemed to agree. And if you just can’t get enough Pride, you can catch Escondido Pride or South Bay Pride. See below for details, in addition to other events and opportunities.
(Spot lights vector created by pikisuperstar)
Are You Ready to Extend Your Leadership Skills and Expand Your Volunteerism in the LGBTQ+ Community?
PFLAG San Diego County is seeking a president to join our executive team of 3 and 7 members-at-large to create a positive thriving culture as we further our mission of Support, Education, & Advocacy.
Interested Parties may contact Admin@pflag.com
Out at the Pitch
Join San Diego Pride as they root on the Men’s San Diego Loyal Football Club, aka Soccer. The match takes place on August 6 at 7:00 pm at Torero Stadium, 5998 Alcala Park on USD’s campus. The first 3,000 fans receive a SD Loyal Pride Hat and $5 from every ticket goes back to San Diego Pride. For tickets: sdpride.org/events.
Transyouth Care Symposium
TransFamily Support Services present the 4th Annual TransYouth Care Symposium via a virtual webinar. Dates: Friday, August 5 8:00 am-noon; Saturday, August 6 8:00 am-noon; Sunday, August 14 noon- 4:00pm; Monday, August 15 8:00am-noon.
This is a comprehensive 16-hour training designed for professionals interested in providing sensitive and competent mental health and medical care for gender-diverse children, transgender youth, and young adults. They are happy to be able offer CEUs for mental health providers and nursing. While this training is designed for professionals, parents and others wanting to learn more about gender-diverse youth are welcome to attend. For tickets: transfamilysos.org/services/transyouthcare/.
Supporting Transgender and Nonbinary Youth Public Training
Join TransFamily Support Services for a free, in-person training on Wednesday, August 10 at Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. It is opened to the public and is especially recommended for parents, educators, and anyone working with youth. There is a mixer and refreshments at 6:30 pm. At 7:00 pm, Kathy Moehlig (she/her) and Evan Johnson (they/them) will commence the training, which will conclude at 8:30 pm. Please RSVP to: tinyurl.com/TFSSxLFJCC.
No AAPI Support Group In August
PLEASE NOTE: there is no AAPI Support Group scheduled for August. Join the group at the next meeting on September 11 at 3:00 pm. For questions, contact admin@pflag.com.
Hillcrest CityFest Street Fair
CityFest takes place in the heart of Hillcrest under the Hillcrest Sign (5th and University Avenues) and is a huge celebration of community spirit through music, arts, crafts, and food. Join the fun on Sunday, August 14 from noon until 11:00 pm. More information at https://www.fabuloushillcrest.com
USD School Of Law Is Here To Help
The Law School at USD has a Name and Gender-Marker Change Clinic that is virtual and free. They help transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming adults and minors legally change their name and/or gender in California. Upcoming clinic dates are August 16, September 13, October 11, and November 15 and appointments can be scheduled at 6:30 pm, 7:00 pm, or 7:30 pm. Email: transclinic.sandiego@gmail.com to schedule an appointment or for more information.
South Bay Pride Art and Music Festival
South Bay Alliance proudly presents its annual South Bay Pride Art and Music Festival on Saturday, August 27 from 11:00 am-10:00 pm. This free, family-oriented Pride event features two musical stages, DJs, dancing, children’s entertainment, great food, artists, over 100 vendors, local resources, and more. If you would like to be a vendor, please sign up at: https://southbaypride.org/vendors/. If you or your teen would like to volunteer and be an insider to the fun, please sign up at: https://southbaypride.org/volunteer/
PFLAG SDC will have a booth and we need volunteers. Please email admin@pflag.com if you can help out.
The festival is at Bayfront Park, 980 Marina Way, directly west of the I-5 and J Street exit.
Tiger’s Pictionary Benefit Fundraiser For PFLAG SDC 🎟
Join us Tuesday, September 20, 7:30 – 10:30 pm, for Tiger’s Pictionary at Number One Fifth Avenue, 3845 Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest, for a FUNraiser hosted by Sister Ida Know. Tiger’s Pictionary is a fun Pictionary game with a few twists, and is hosted every Tuesday night. Players may purchase raffle tickets that give you a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses and organizations that are raffled off by Sister Ida Know every 15 minutes. Part of the fun is that there are no teams, and when someone correctly guesses a clue, they also receive a free ticket for the raffle. The funds raised go to support a different nonprofit in the San Diego LGBTQ+ community every week. Over the past 11 years, Tiger’s Pictionary has raised over $100,000, and September 20th is PFLAG San Diego County’s night!
Can you donate a prize for the raffle and/or come down to play Tiger’s Pictionary with us? Suggestions for raffle prizes include gift certificates for restaurants, hair salons, movies, as well as board games or other fun Pride prizes. For any questions, please email admin@pflag.com. We hope to see you there!
👟 Registration Open For AIDS Walk San Diego
AIDS Walk & Run San Diego will take place Saturday September 24, and PFLAG San Diego County is registered and ready to go (once you all sign up!!) The day’s events include the opening ceremony, live musical performances, recognition of top teams and fundraisers, T-shirt distribution, a remembrance altar, and remarks from our most committed community leaders.
The AIDS Walk is San Diego’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser and the biggest non-governmental financial provider for HIV/AIDS in San Diego County. Dozens of agencies, serving thousands of clients, rely on funds raised at the annual Walk/Run to help provide essential prevention and care programs to thousands of men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS. Our visible support for this event shows people living with HIV that they are not alone.
How do I register to be part of Team PFLAG San Diego County, you ask? Please visit www.aidswalksd.org, click on Register, Join a Team, fill in PFLAG San Diego County, and you are ready to register! Registration fees have been reduced. Youth, seniors, and virtual walkers are $30 and adults are $40. There is also a place to make a donation if you wish and fundraising ideas. Any participant who raises $100+, which includes the registration fee, will receive an AIDS Walk and Run t-shirt.
Our goal is $1,000 or 10 registered participants which will enable us, again, to walk with our prestigious yellow sneaker (as pictured above).
More details in the September newsletter.
📚 PFLAG SDC Book Club
The next selection for the PFLAG SDC Book Club will be ACE: What Asexuality Reveals about Desire, Sexuality, and the Meaning of Sex. We’ll meet Tuesday, September 27, 7-8:15 p.m on Zoom for a discussion moderated by newsletter editor Louise Julig. You must register separately for each book club meeting. Use the link below to register.
Asexuality is a less-represented and often misunderstood aspect of the sexuality spectrum, so we’re excited to offer this opportunity to understand more about our asexual community members. You can find a half-hour interview with author Angela Chen from PFLAG National’s Something to Talk About..Live series at https://youtu.be/S8jdqBjz-HM
If you buy the book on Amazon, be sure to sign up for Amazon Smile first (see how at the end of the newsletter) so your purchase benefits PFLAG SDC. If you’re more of an indie bookstore person, you can find it on Louise’s Bookshop.org shop (proceeds will benefit Strong-Hearted Native Women’s Coalition as well as indie bookstores) or you can request it at any local bookstore or library. If audiobooks are more your thing, check out the indie-supporting Libro.com.
PFLAG SDC 2022 Contingent getting ready to march for the first time in three years!
Kudos All Around For Successful Pride
If there was a word that meant more than thank you, it would go to Mike Minnick, Pride Parade and Festival coordinator for PFLAG SDC. We are grateful for all the time and effort spent to make the day a success. And none of this could have happened as well without the assistance of Bill Luna. Thank you to Terrie Vorono, who patiently drove her car in the Parade and to Pride Festival volunteers Mike Minnick, Marie Minnick, Bill Luna, Vicki Luna, Elizabeth Santillanez, Renee Lande-O’Malley, Lonnie Brunini, Fernan Balsalubre, and Sherry Cohen-Richards.
The photos (more below) speak for themselves. It was wonderful being back in full swing and sharing the days’ events with PFLAG SDC and other community members.
HOWEVER, AN APOLOGY IS IN ORDER …
Whether you attended the Pride Parade in person or streamed it, you may have noticed someone who was carrying an inappropriate, offensive sign with a vulgarity. This person is not affiliated with PFLAG SDC; they joined our contingent as some people tend to do. The sign is not representative of PFLAG SDC’s mission and vision.
☎️ 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline Now In Place 📲
The nonprofit that operates the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline launched a pilot program for LGBTQ individuals, veterans, and anyone who feels they may be experiencing a mental health crisis; you may call or text 988.
One of the goals is to dramatically decrease the number of calls made to 911 in the time of crisis, as 911 wasn’t set up to address mental health needs.
Vallecitos Water District Recognizes Pride Month
In a continuing effort to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at Vallecitos Water District, located in San Marcos, the Board unanimously approved a resolution to recognize June as Pride month. This effort was spearheaded by Water District Board member Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson (she/her/hers, above), chair of the Personnel, Public Policy and Public Awareness Committee. Boyd-Hodgson said it is important to ensure members of the LGBTQI+ community are seen and feel comfortable at Vallecitos. She also headed a prior successful effort to modify the employment application to recognize non-binary as a gender identity. “It is important that we as a water agency enable existing employees to feel free to bring their best and whole selves to work in service to our community,” she added.
Congrats To VIDA Scholarship Recipients
VIDA, an organization dedicated to fostering education about HIV among young Latinos and Latinas, is proud to announce its 2022 Scholarship recipients Marcelo Romero, Francisco Soto, and Pablo Joshua Thompson. For more information about VIDA, you can see their booth at Escondido Pride at Kit Carson Park on July 30 (above), or go to vida.community.
🏳️⚧️ Hurry Up And Wait… For The 2022 U.S. Trans Survey (also includes allies)
Although the survey was to be available in March, it is now scheduled to roll out sometime in the summer. You are still requested to pre-register, which will ensure you are sent the survey as soon as it’s released
The U.S. Trans Survey (USTS) is the largest survey of trans people in the United States. The USTS documents the lives and experiences of trans people in the U.S. and U.S. territories. The request is for all trans people ages 16 and up to complete. It’s inclusive of people of all trans identities, including binary and nonbinary trans identities, and also includes allies of the trans community. It’s no secret that transgender people face discrimination and violence throughout society, from their family growing up, in school, at work, by homeless shelters, by doctors, in emergency rooms, before judges, by landlords, and police officers.
Go to https://www.ustranssurvey.org, use the button below, or look for the link on our Facebook page and website.
😍 Thank You To Our Donors! 😍
Thanks to the following individuals who donated to PFLAG SDC this past month:
Sharon Bryant
Mary Fry
Christopher Henry
Angela Wild
Jennifer Zeisse
And thanks to our regular monthly donors to PFLAG San Diego County. A monthly donation helps provide predictable sources of funding for our programs and scholarships and we appreciate it very much!
Anna Covici
Lonnie Brunini
Maureen Steiner
Michael Wasilewski
Support Groups
❗️Note: some support group information has changed since last month
Support groups will continue to meet virtually until further notice. Check individual group for details. We encourage you to contact your support group facilitator at any time, as they will remain excellent resources for information. The support group locations, dates, and times will continue to be posted on the PFLAG San Diego County Facebook page. You can join in any of the digital meetings. For Zoom links, contact each support group.
Do You Shop On Amazon?
If you have an account with Amazon, you can help our chapter every time you shop. Go to smile.Amazon.com and search for PFLAG San Diego County. For every purchase, our chapter will receive .05% of the dollar amount of the order. This may not sound like a lot, but it adds up. So turn your Amazon habit into support for PFLAG!
Our Vision
PFLAG envisions a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Our Mission
By meeting people where they are and collaborating with others, PFLAG realizes its vision through: Support for families, allies and people who are LGBTQ+; Education for ourselves and others about the unique issues and challenges facing people who are LGBTQ+; Advocacy in our communities to change attitudes and create policies and laws that achieve full equality for people who are LGBTQ+.
