Newsletter Contents:

Community Programming

• New Qigong class series
• Re-Connecting Together Support Group [in-person]
• GenPride Movie Club
• Dine Together with AgePRIDE and GenPride at Tin Table
• “Phoenix” – A Live Theater Debut – November 7th [in-person]

Services and Information

• New Omicron-updated COVID Boosters available
• Fred Hutch Smoking Cessation Study
• 2022 US Trans Survey
• Covid-19 resources available through GenPride
• Latest News on Monkeypox (MPV)
• Monkeypox Vaccine Clinics this weekend, Oct 22-23
• UnBIASED project engagement opportunity

Community Programming

Join instructor Kimberly Ivy, founder of Seattle’s Embrace the Moon Tai Chi and Qigong for a free, online, 10-week course: Introduction to Qigong. Qigong is a practice of contemplative movement that is one of the main branches of Chinese medicine. There are many variations of Qigong and you’ve likely seen several of them being practiced in city parks or online.

No matter the method variety, all Qigong is a health system that helps us to understand Yin/Yang philosophy, meditation, breath, and movement. All these beautiful flows harmonize the body, mind, and spirit with nature and provide many health benefits. In just a short time of practice, you’ll feel better all-around!   

This course covers fundamental methods of breathing, movement, and concentration. Between classes, you can practice with a video recording of each week’s session. No prior experience needed and all fitness levels are welcome!

Re-connecting Together Support Group [in-person]

Many of us are still struggling to come out of the isolation and loneliness caused by the pandemic; we may be grappling with loss and grief, lack of connection, productivity, and/or self-worth. You are not alone. In this group, we will create space to talk through these shared experiences, support each other, and cultivate community.  

Where: 1620 12th Ave Building, 2nd floor, Seattle, WA 98122 

When: 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm on the following dates:  

• Monday, October 24th  – “Breaking through isolation”  
• Monday, November 14th  – “Engagement and Community”  
• Monday, November 28th – Group decides the topic   
• Monday, December 12th  – Closure and next steps

Registration link: https://genprideseattle.org/together/ *

If you do not have an email or need assistance signing up, please contact us info@genprideseattle.org or 206-393-3400   

*Proof of COVID vaccination is required at time of registration

Come join us for GenPride’s monthly Movie Club with a free online screening of a gay-themed Halloween special: Gods & Monsters, presented by Seattle’s Scarecrow Video, followed by a lively after-movie discussion.

Ian McKellen stars as James Whale, the gay director of the black & white 1930s film classics: Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. Lynn Redgrave and Brendan Fraser co-star as Whale’s housekeeper and lawn boy, respectively.

As the aging director’s memories blur and merge, he strikes up a flirtatious but respectful friendship with the younger man, despite distances of class and years. Nominated for three Oscars, the film won Best Adapted Screenplay! Rolling Stone magazine called the film “…elegantly witty and haunting.”

Friday, Oct 28 | 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Dine Together with AgePRIDE and GenPride at Tin Table

Dine Together is a program to help end isolation, build community, and engage older adults in their communities.

Join us for a free, delicious prepared lunch with new friends. Join us for conversation and community. Please feel free to come alone or bring a friend. LGBTQ+ encouraged to attend. Allies welcome.

Free lunch & conversation!

WHO: Adults 55 + and their caregivers

RSVP to AgePrideCenter@uw.edu

WHEN: Monthly on Friday, from 12-1 PM

WHERE: Tin Table 915 E Pine St. Capitol Hill

*Space is limited to the first 10 RSVPs.

• November 4th, 2022 (RSVP by 11/1)
• December 2nd, 2022 (RSVP by 11/27/22)

AgePrideCenter@uw.edu, call: 206-543-2449, or check out: goldseninstitute.org/agepride

“Phoenix”- A Live Theater Debut

Join us in-person for a free, original, live theater production entitled “Phoenix” which explores overcoming adversity and making oneself anew. An intergenerational cast of five (ages 19 – 78) share personal stories, songs and scenes in a 45-minute performance, followed by a lively discussion with the audience. This NW original production will perform in GenPride’s community meeting room, in partnership with SilverKite Community Arts and a Group Arts grant from 4Culture.

Monday, Nov 7 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm

GenPride Pike & Pine Community Room

12th Ave Arts Building, 2nd Floor 

1620 12th Ave, Seattle 

Masks recommended and proof of COVID vaccination required.

Find more info about these two ongoing classes on our GenPride Event Calendar Page: www.genprideseattle.org/events

Services and Information

New Omicron-based COVID Boosters available!

It’s Fall and time for your annual Flu shot, but a new, Omicron-updated COVID booster shot is also available. Because COVID protection can wane over time, it’s especially important for older adults to get this new Omicron-updated booster.

The Director of the Federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, “We are really encouraging everybody to roll up their sleeves and get this updated, bivalent vaccine.” Getting the vaccine by Halloween will ensure you have the best protection for Thanksgiving gatherings.

Contact your medical provider or the state’s COVID vaccine website: https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/

Fred Hutch Smoking Cessation Study

Are you thinking about quitting smoking? Do it the right way by being S.A.S.S.Y.!

How many times have you tried to quit smoking? Once? Twice? A dozen times or more? Did you start smoking at an early age because of peer pressure? Is it a way to help you cope with stress? Whatever the reasons, smoking is a hard habit to quit once you begin.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Yet, already facing healthcare disparities and barriers to preventive care, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ+) community are often more likely to smoke. These disproportionate rates have continued due to a lack of lung cancer screenings (LCS) and tobacco cessation services aimed specifically at LGBTQ+ audiences. With your help, we aim to change that. 

Together with Seattle’s LGBTQ+ Center, Fred Hutch Cancer Care is recruiting members of the LGBTQ+ community to join the SASSY* study. Individuals 50+ years old and who are currently or have a history of tobacco use are needed for this volunteer study to help determine how best to provide lung cancer screening and smoking cessation services for members of the LGBTQ+ Community.

Participation will last approximately three months, including in-person and online visits, pre and post-study surveys, and interviews. Study participants will be compensated for their time.

For more information, please call 206-667-4589.

* Seattle Area Smoking and Screening studY

WHAT IS THE 2022 U.S. TRANS SURVEY?

The U.S. Trans Survey (USTS) is the largest community-led survey of trans and nonbinary people in the United States. The USTS documents the lives and experiences of trans people in the U.S. and U.S. territories. In short:

• The US Trans Survey is for all trans people age 16 and up.
• The USTS is for people of all trans identities, including binary and nonbinary trans identities.
• USTS reports have been a vital resource, including the reports on the experiences of people of color and reports by state.
• In 2015, nearly 28,000 people took the USTS, making it the largest survey of trans people in the U.S. A lot has happened since then – and it’s time to conduct the USTS again in 2022.

The US Trans Survey — live October 19 — November 21, 2022 — is conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality, the nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization winning life-saving change for transgender people, in partnership with the National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, the TransLatin@ Coalition, and the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance. The survey is conducted by a team of well-respected researchers, guided by a prestigious scientific advisory council who are experts in trans research.

For the first time in 7 years, you have a chance to be part of the largest community-led survey of trans people in the US. We hope you’ll take 60 minutes to share your story and be a part of history. By sharing our stories, we can help show people how they can support transgender equality.

In 2015, 28,000 people took the US Trans Survey. This year, 30,000+ people have already pledged to take it. We are hoping to collect the largest, most diverse sample that includes BIPOC folks, older people, those who live in rural areas, immigrants, Spanish speakers, those who are HIV+ and more.

How to participate? More info: 2022 US Trans Survey

Masks and supplies Available

Seattle-King County Public Health and the CDC are strongly urging you to mask-up when indoors or in crowds, as the latest COVID Omicron variant B.5 is still spreading through our region. 

GenPride is proud to assist and can provide you with free KN95 Masks, blue surgical masks, COVID rapid tests, hand sanitizer, and sanitation wipes. Masks and tests will be sent by U.S. Postal Service. Sanitizer and wipes can be picked up for free at GenPride’s Capitol Hill office, by appointment.

We are offering packs of items. If you need more than the quantities listed below, please contact us at: info@genprideseattle.org

Request Form for COVID Personal Protective Equipment: https://genprideseattle.org/pper/ 

Masks: Blue Surgical Mask – Quantity 10 

Masks: KN95 – Quantity 5 

COVID Rapid Tests – Quantity 2 

Hand Sanitizer – Quantity 2 **Pick-up ONLY 

Sanitation Wipes – Quantity 2 **Pick-up ONLY 

Distribution Timetable: 

• Mailings go out every Thursday 
• Pick-up is available on Thursdays by appointment only 
• For more information, contact GenPride office: (206) 800-2019

The latest news on Monkeypox (MPV)

Cases of monkeypox (MPV) have been declining in King County in October. Most cases have been reported among men who had close intimate contact with other men, but other people who share close physical contact can become infected, regardless of age, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Additional free monkeypox vaccine doses are now available and eligibility criteria has been expanded. For details, contact your medical provider or visit: kingcounty.gov/monkeypox or www.gaycity.org/hmpxv.

Poz.com also offers tips for safer sex in the time of monkeypox.

GenPride will post MPV updates on our blog:

https://genprideseattle.org/what-you-should-know-about-monkeypox

Monkeypox Vaccination Clinics this weekend, October 22 – 23

There are several clinics for getting a first or second Monkeypox vaccination this weekend. Vaccine eligibility has recently been expanded: current JYNNEOS eligibility criteria. Vaccination is free; no health insurance required.

Monkeypox Vaccination Event @ The Comeback – SODO

Get your monkeypox vaccination during Drag Brunch @ The Comeback! Spanish interpretation available.

Date: Saturday, Oct 22, 11 am to 2 pm

Location: The Comeback, 1950 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134 (indoors). NOTE: must be 21+ to enter the bar where vaccines will be provided

Transit: near the 21, 101, 131, 132, 150, 590, and 594 bus lines; as well as the 1-Line light rail route

Vaccinations are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Monkeypox Vaccination Event

Admiral Pub + Arthur’s Café – WEST SEATTLE

Get your monkeypox vaccination during a drag show @ Admiral Pub! Vaccinations will be provided across the street at Arthur’s Café.

Date: Saturday, Oct 22, 7 pm to 10 pm

Location: Arthur’s Café, 2311 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 (indoors). Ages 18+ welcome to get vaccinated.

Transit: near the 50, 55, 56, 57, 128, and 775 bus lines 

Vaccinations are offered on a first come, first served basis.

Monkeypox Vaccination Event,

Entre Hermanos – CENTRAL DISTRICT

Date: Sunday, Oct 23, 10 am to 4 pm

Register for an appointment HERE.

In-person Spanish interpretation available.

Location: Parking lot of Entre Hermanos, 1621 S Jackson St, Seattle 98144 (outdoor clinic). Ages 18+ welcome to get vaccinated.

Transit: near the 7, 9, 14, and 106 bus lines, and the First Hill streetcar

UnBIASED project engagement opportunity for LGBTQ+ and/or BIPOC

Have you ever felt unheard, misunderstood, or disregarded when speaking with your doctor? We are engaging Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals to participate in workshops to explore solutions that empower patients experiencing healthcare discrimination.

UnBIASED study is investigating a new approach to address hidden healthcare bias by improving patient-doctor communication in primary care. Technology offers an opportunity to design new approaches that can make hidden bias more visible and thus addressable.

This 5-year project, funded by the National Library of Medicine (NLMR01LM013301), is a collaboration between the University of Washington and the University of California San Diego. Their ultimate goal is to create tools to support patients and the next generation of doctors to have bias-free interactions that promote healthcare access, quality, and equity.

For compensation, you will receive a $60 VISA cash card.

Help us learn more about our community

If you have not yet done so, please consider submitting your demographic information to GenPride. It’s completely optional and all information is used for city and county summary reporting metrics. Demographic information assists us in understanding the diversity of our clients and creating programming to better serve community members like you.

https://genprideseattle.org/demographic-survey/

All GenPride Programming is free for the community, with support and funding from the City of Seattle