GenPride Newsletter September 23

GenPride Newsletter September 23
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Newsletter Contents:

Community Programming:

  • GenPride Writers Lab resumes
  • CPR & First Aid Class for Caregivers [in-person]
  • GenPride’s Movie Club – Friday evening, Sept 23
  • Dementia Legal Planning for LGBTQIA+ Elders
  • Re-Connecting Together Support Group [in-person]
  • Qigong class starts October 7

Services and Information:

  • New Omicron-based COVID Boosters available
  • Covid-19 resources available through GenPride
  • What You Should Know About Monkeypox
  • Wellness with Pride: COVID-19 and LGBTQ+ Communities
 

Community Programming

 

Calling all authors! Join us for the Fall series of GenPride’s twice monthly Writers Lab, starting September 13.

If you have already taken some writing classes, such as GenPride’s Writers Workshop with Ingrid Ricks, this FREE twice-a-month practice lab might be perfect for you. The Writers Lab is a mutual support group for LGBTQIA+ writers who want accountability, structure, and a ‘lab space’ to test out written pieces, refine ideas, and build on your results. You’ll be expected to be an active writer: meeting deadlines, reading your written work, and gathering feedback to then incorporate into your writings for the next session.

The group meets online on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm. New members and all writing genres are welcome. Write now!

2nd & 4th Tuesdays | 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Starting Sept 13

 

First Aid & CPR Class for Caregivers [in-person]

Are you providing care for a loved one, and would like to feel more prepared in case of an emergency? Join GenPride for a free, in-person, First Aid and CPR class for Caregivers. Learn simple and basic steps for handling an emergency, including the use of an AED (automated external defibrillator). 

Norris Edwards, instructor: Recently retired (31 yrs) Seattle Firefighter/ Paramedic with a demonstrated history of working in the public safety industry. Experienced in Emergency Management, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Public Speaking, and teaching BLS and ALS skills.

When: Wednesday Sept 28, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm 

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

Registration link: http://genpri.de/cpr-training 

This class is offered for free; if you would like to have an official certification card after completing the class, there is a cost of $25 for the card. Scholarships are available.

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

*This class is open to all community members, however due to space constraints, we will prioritize people who identify as caregivers for family and/or friends. 

 

Based on an extraordinary true story, PRIDE – the Movie is a funny & heartwarming kick-off to GenPride’s monthly Movie Club. Come join us for this free online screening, presented by Seattle’s Scarecrow Video, followed by a lively after-movie discussion. 


It’s the summer of 1984. In the U.K., Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers is on strike, prompting a London-based group of gay and lesbian activists to raise money to support the strikers’ families. At first rebuffed by the union, the group decides to drive to a tiny mining village in Wales in order to make their cash donation in-person. 

Friday, Sept 23 | 6:00 – 8:30 pm

PRIDE - the movie: Official Trailer
 

Dementia Legal Planning for LGBTQIA+ Elders

Helping hands photo

Have you or a loved one received a diagnosis of dementia, Alzheimer’s or other memory loss illness? Learn what legal documents you should put in place *now* to make sure the wishes of you or your loved one are known and followed, even after the memory loss progresses.


This free, one-hour webinar discusses a simple Dementia Legal Planning Toolkit, as well as an opportunity for Q & A, and a free 1-on-1 consultation the following week with an attorney who understands the special concerns of LGBTQIA+ older adults and their caregivers.

Thursday, Oct 13 | 6:30 – 7:30 pm

 

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.  

From Michele, Support Group facilitator:  

“I recently moved to Seattle from Portland with my wife of 31 years. I have strong values and beliefs in community connection. I would like to provide a safe environment for those that want to connect after a long time away from our community. I have an extensive background in Behavioral Health, different types of recovery and a strong skill set with facilitating groups. I would enjoy the opportunity to meet those that have a desire to get together and just have simple dialogues about gratitude, visions, life stories or whatever feels right at the time. Thanks and I look forward to meeting you all.” 

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

 

GenPride starts a new Fall series of Qigong on Friday, October 7!

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!

Fridays, 10:30 – 11:30 am

Oct 7 through Dec 16

[ No class Nov 25 ]

https://genpri.de/qigong

 
GenPride Yoga Class
GenPride Strength & Balance Class

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 now a new, Omicron-based COVID booster shot is also available. And you can get both in the same doctor’s visit, if you like.

The Director of the Federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Dr. Rochelle Walensky, stated this week it is “critically important” to get vaccinated & boosted now, in October, so as to protect yourself and your loved ones against severe disease this winter.

Because COVID protection can wane over time, it’s especially important for older adults to get this new Omicron-based booster. “We are really encouraging everybody to roll up their sleeves and get this updated, bivalent vaccine,” Dr. Walensky said. Contact your medical provider or the state’s COVID vaccine website: https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/

 
GenPride Strength & Balance Class

Masks and supplies Available

Seattle-King County Public Health and the CDC are strongly urging everyone 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)

Reported cases of monkeypox (MPV) have been declining in King County in September. 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.

A limited supply of monkeypox vaccine is available locally for free. 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

 
GenPride Strength & Balance Class

This nationwide project was created to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social, economic, and health inequities and resources of LGBTQ+ adults. Twelve randomly selected individuals, who complete the survey and a participation form, will be awarded a gift card for $150.


Are you a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, non-binary, or sexual or gender diverse adult age 49 to 57 (birth year 1965-1971) residing in the United States?

We need your help with a ground-breaking project, Wellness with Pride: COVID-19 and LGBTQ+ Communities. We are partnering with Generations Aging with Pride to assess the social, economic, and health inequities and resources of LGBTQ+ adults and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these inequities.

Please visit here to complete a confidential and anonymous online questionnaire.

By completing a participation form, you are eligible for a raffle drawing awarding a $150.00 Gift Certificate to 12 randomly selected individuals. Please keep in mind your participation in the project is completely voluntary.

Individuals who participate in Wellness with Pride, and choose to also share their interest in being contacted for future research opportunities, and have a birthday that falls between the years 1965 – 1971 will be invited to participate as a member of a new group of the Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, Sexuality/Gender (NHAS) Study. 

  • If you have any questions about the project, please contact us at USPride@uw.edu.
 

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

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