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8/12/2022 0 Comments

Finding LGBTQAI+ Friendly Recovery

Heidi Bitsoli

Sunshine Behavioral Health | Editor, Author, Content Writer 

Heidi Bitsoli has been a content writer with Sunshine Behavioral Health since 2019, where she researches and writes articles, guides, and blog posts on mental health and addiction. Prior to that, she wrote extensively on health, medicine, business, and human-interest topics for a variety of clients. Her writings have appeared in numerous university publications, magazines, newspapers, and websites. She has a degree in English from Lake Superior State University in northern Michigan. A lifelong lover of learning, she enjoys researching and writing about the complexities of mental health.

Linked in | Facebook/Meta

You are a unique individual with your own preferences and needs, and when it comes to treatment, there is no one-size-fits-all approach that works best for everyone. This is particularly true when it comes to finding LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery. Being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community presents special challenges, and the best way to address substance abuse, treatment, and recovery is to seek recovery resources that support LGBTQIA+ clients and the unique issues they face.

What Is LGBTQIA+ Friendly Recovery?

LGBTQIA+ people face risk factors for addiction and struggles in recovery that some therapists might not understand. Finding an LGBTQIA+ friendly-recovery center, therapist, or sponsor can be game-changing for someone in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Gender nonconforming people may be prone to feelings of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, and people in recovery may struggle with co-occurring disorders like PTSD, personality disorders, mood disorders, and other conditions.

One of the key aspects of LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery is affirming therapy. In affirming therapy, the therapist or counselor validates and affirms a client’s LGBTQIA+ identity. Affirmation and validation empower the client to embrace their sexual orientation and gender identification as they are.

LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery means the staff, support crew, therapists and counselors, and peers in a treatment center or recovery program should be supportive and well-informed of the LGBTQIA+ community and the common issues people in the community face.

Why Is LGBTQIA+ Friendly Recovery Important?

There is a strong link between mental well-being and sexual orientation or gender identity. Sobering statistics suggest LGBTQIA+ adults are at least twice as likely to be diagnosed with one or more mental health issues than heterosexual adults, while transgender adults are about four times more likely than cisgender adults to have a mental health condition. And a survey of transgender people found that an alarming 40% of respondents had attempted suicide at least once.
​

The numbers don’t lie: The community needs proper mental health care to address these issues. And individuals in LGBTQIA+ recovery need LGBTQIA+ friendly-recovery resources in order to effectively address these problems and maintain sobriety and mental well-being in the long term. Comprehensive care can help resolve the myriad of additional risks and problems LGBTQIA+ people in recovery face every day. Every member of the LGBTQIA+ community seeking recovery deserves an LGBTQIA+ friendly support system that truly understands them and the stressors they face.

Finding LGBTQIA+ Friendly Recovery

​There are a few really good ways to find the best LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery resources for you. You could query using internet search engines, ask your local LGBTQAI+ center for help, or search online databases for nearby resources.

  • Search engine – Enter “LGBTQIA+ friendly-recovery” or “LGBTQAI+ treatment center” plus your location in the search bar of your preferred search engine to get a list of nearby treatment centers or recovery resources. You can also search for “LGBTQAI+ friendly therapists” or “LGBTQAI+ AA meetings” to find counseling and group therapy meetings near you.

  • Ask a local LGBTQIA+ center – Your local LGBTQIA+ community center or nonprofit organization can provide a slew of helpful resources, and you should be able to get some trusted recommendations for great LGBTQIA+ recovery and treatment options, group meetings, and therapists in your area. Use this location finder to find a center near you.
​
  • Use online databases: Databases such as SAMHSA.gov allow you to use filters to find recovery resources in your area based on location, insurance, specialties, and more.

What To Look for in LGBTQAI+ Recovery

Licensing – Make sure the recovery center, treatment program, counselor, or therapist you choose is licensed in the state they practice in.

Specialization – In addition to catering to LGBTQIA+ clients, you may want to ensure your chosen facility or program offers the options you need, like affirmative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, suicide prevention, etc.

LGBTQIA+ community – While it isn’t a requirement that an LGBTQIA+ person have an LGBTQIA+ specific recovery program, there are some benefits to it. LGBTQAI+ staff, peer groups, and therapists can understand your struggles because they’ve likely had their own similar experiences. And LGBTQIA+ clients may feel more comfortable talking about issues unique to them with someone who is also LGBTQIA+.

Free consultation – Most recovery programs offer a free consultation before you decide to work with them. This provides an opportunity to get a better idea of the program’s approach to therapy and LGBTQAI+ issues. Some questions you may want to ask during the initial consultation include:
​
  • Do you provide LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery?
  • Are any staff members in the LGBTQIA+ community?
  • How many years of experience do you have providing LGBTQIA+ recovery?

You may also want to ask questions about the type of therapy provided, how long the program is, whether there are inpatient and outpatient options, and what kind of mental health conditions they treat.

Additional LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Resources

  • The Trevor Project focuses on providing mental health resources for LGBTQIA+ youths. Contact them by phone, text, or online chat.

  • LGBTQIA+ National Help Center operates three age-specific hotlines – one each for adults, youths, and people ages 50 and over. Chat online with support volunteers or join one of their weekly moderated youth group chat rooms.

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – This resource is geared toward anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts. While not specifically directed toward the LGBTQIA+ community, experienced, supportive volunteers can help. If you are in crisis or considering self-harm, please do not hesitate to call the Lifeline.
​
  • OutCare Public LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resources – find mental health services, youth groups, shelters, support groups, primary health care, recovery programs, and more in all 50 states.

If you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community and struggling with substance abuse, addiction, or recovery, the mental health and LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery resources listed here can help you improve your life.
You may need to contact several sources before finding the right one, but with a little time and research, you can find the LGBTQIA+ friendly recovery options that are best for your needs.

Sources

namica.org - Mental Health and LGBTQI Communities: Challenges, Resources, Community Voices

samhsa.gov - Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions

Sunshinebehavioralhealth.com - Home Page 

screening.mhanational.org - How do I find LGBTQ friendly therapy?

sdsisters.org - The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

outcarehealth.org - OutCare Public LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resources 

samhsa.gov - SAMHSA 

thetrevorproject.org - The Trevor Project 

glbthotline.org - LGBTQIA+ National Help Center
 

suicidepreventionlifeline.org - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
​ 

outcarehealth.org - OutCare Public LGBTQ+ Healthcare Resource
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4/29/2022 0 Comments

Tiger's Pictionary Update

Sister Ida Know

Sister Ida Know is the 20th fully professed Sister of the San Diego  Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Sister Ida has co-hosted Tiger's Pictionary at Number One Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest, San Diego, for over a decade as of 2022.

Edited and formatted by Sister Donatella Soul

Color photo of Sister Ida Know of The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence hosting Tiger's Pictionary at Number One Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest. Photo Credit: Dirk Kowalski


Sister Ida Know of The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence hosting Tiger's Pictionary at Number One Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest.

Photo Credit: Dirk Kowalski

​Tiger's Pictionary became an important part of my ministry when it was celebrating its sixth month of giving space for people to have fun on a quiet Wednesday night, while also giving space for a small event to help raise money for several of the community support organizations in San Diego County.

Tiger, or Saint Tiger, and I like to call this San Diego's longest running, weekly FunDraiser.  Now in its 11th year, Tiger's Pictionary has raised over $100,000 for various San Diego organizations.

I enjoy Pictionary because the event fills a need to connect with people in a fun way. Sisters in many other cities have their own game nights for this type of ministry. It has been a valuable way to both be out with our community and to serve in helping others. Personally, it has helped me feel my own relevance. 
Color photo of San Diego Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Sister Ida Know hosting Pictionary Tuesdays at Number One Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest.


Sister Ida Know hosting Pictionary Tuesdays at Number One Fifth Avenue.

Photo Credit: Richard T. Reyes, Saint Angel Con Cuernos

When Covid-19 hit the world stage and forced its way across the land, people found it necessary to take much needed precautions, which included canceled events and closed businesses. Tiger's Pictionary went on hiatus and was mostly Facebook Live casted from Tiger's home.

As vaccination percentages increased and the rate of infections leveled the time came in May of 2021 to talk about bringing in-person Pictionary back. Paul Moo of the local leather community had attended and hosted Pictionary on a few occasions and he was motivated to help bring the event back to the outside patio at Number One Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest. I excitedly accepted the request to return as co-host.

There were a few differences. We sadly lost our Wednesday time slot as another event was scheduled in its place. Tuesday being open for us, we tried a few ways to make a start on this new night. Saint Tiger opened the first few events then handed the hosting duties over to Paul. Pictionary eased into a first and third Tuesday of each month and we were happy to see faces old and new. Having enjoyed ten successful game nights through the end of 2021, Tiger's Pictionary raised $2,349 for eight organizations which we are proud to serve.
San Diego Sister of Perpetual Indulgence Ida Know drawing prizes during Pictionary at Number One Fifth Avenue.


Sister Ida Know drawing prizes during Pictionary at Number One Fifth Avenue.

Photo credit: Dirk Kowalski

Tiger's Pictionary resumed successfully on the first and third Tuesday of each month through the final months of 2021 resulting in a desire to return to a weekly format in 2022. Now Pictionary starts at 7:30PM and play and prizes go on until 10PM every Tuesday at Number One Fifth Avenue.

I enjoy hosting Tiger's Pictionary. I had co-hosted for years and had stepped in as host on the occasions when I was needed. I also enjoy that Pictionary is a great opportunity for our Postulant and Novice Sisters and Guards to understand the many ways we minister to our community as members of The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. 

Early on, Tiger handed over the fundraising and gift acquisitions to The San Diego Sisters and that tradition continues. Pictionary attendees may donate in person at the event or via PayPal.

Follow Tiger's Pictionary on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PictionaryNight/

Join the fun at Tiger's Pictionary every Tuesday night, 7:30 until 10:00 at #1 Fifth Ave, 3845 Fifth Avenue, Hillcrest, San Diego, 92103
For more history regarding Tiger's Pictionary, read our blog article This Tiger Earned Her Stripes Through Community Service.
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11/19/2021 0 Comments

Trans Day of Remembrance 2021

Sister Donatella Soul

Fully Professed Member of The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Asylum of the Tortured Heart. 

​Counting nearly 400 lives lost, 2021 has become an unfortunate record year for losses in our trans and nonbinary communities worldwide.
 
The losses are due to complications of Covid-19, suicide, filicide, and murder.
 
Some of these people have been identified. Some have not. Some are known only by a single name. One is known only by an initial of a dead name.
 
The names belong mostly to trans women of color, showing us yet again how violence against women is tolerated worldwide. The countries named show us how common it is for violence to be perpetrated against trans women in Brazil, which remains the country with the highest death toll in the world for their trans population, of which 90% are sex workers. Mexico falls just behind.
 
Some of these people supported their communities through their activism, businesses, and professions. Some had supportive families, most didn’t. Some had children and grandchildren, and some were children. Some were refugees and immigrants, out of home, sex workers, victimized by family members, acquaintances, and partners, living in poverty, victims of law enforcement violence and clinical neglect. Some took their own lives rather than continue to face bigotry and psychological suffering in the military, in schools, online, in prisons, and due to social neglect.
 
The experiences of those named remind that health care access and social services need more expansion worldwide, as does human understanding and elimination of phobias and stigmas too often used as an excuse for violent attacks.
 
Beyond the causes of their deaths, all should be remembered for who they were and how they bettered our communities.
​
We remember our folx from the U.S.A.:

Haven A. Bailey, Illinois
Oliver “Ollie” Taylor, Oregon
Giselle Hartzog Hilton, Washington, D.C.
Serenity Hollis, Georgia
Danny “Pryynce Daniel” Henson, Baltimore, Maryland
Alexander Blake VanDalsen, Lafayette, Indiana
Samuel Edmund Damisn Valentin, “Pxnisher”, Puerto Rico



​We remember our Indigenous folx:

Whispering Wind Bear Spirit, Shawnee and Potawatami, York, Pennsylvania



​We remember our Black folx :

Kier Lapri Kartier, Arlington, Texas
Brianna Ulmer Hamilton, "Brinasty", Chicago, Illinois
Disaya Monaee Smith, Illinois
Dandara Brum, Brazil
Taya Ashton, Maryland
Grace Mahoro, Malawi, Africa
Novaa Ru Watson, "EJ Boykin", Lynchburg, Virginia
Tierramarie Lewis, Cleveland, Ohio
Dee Dee Thomas, New York
KC Wilson, Washington, D.C.
T. Hardin, South Carolina
Keri “Bobo” Washington, Clearwater, Florida
Aidelen Evans, Port Arthur, Texas
Tiara Banks, Chicago, Illinois
Remy Fennell, Charlotte, North Carolina
Dominique Lucious, Springfield, Missouri
Jaida Peterson, Charlotte, North Carolina
Diamond Kyree Sanders, Diamond Nicole, Cincinnati, Ohio
Kimberly “Tova” Wirtz, Baltimore, Maryland
Jasmine “Jazzy” Bright, Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Jeffrey “JJ” Bright, Ambridge, Pennsylvania
Fifty Bandz, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Dominique Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi
Bianca “Muffin” Bankz, hoped to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Atlanta, Georgia
Natasha Kieanna, Detroit, Michigan
Tyianna “Davarea” Alexander, Chicago, Illinois



​We remember our Latinx folx:

Zoella "Zoey" Rose Martinez, "Zo Zo", Seattle, Washington
Rubi Dominguez, Arlington, Texas
Tiffany Thomas, Texas
Iris Santos, Houston, Texas
Kim Ramirez, New York
Rayanna Pardo, Los Angeles, California
Chyna Carrillo, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania



We remember our South American folx:

Paulet, Guanajuato, Mexico
Gina Rodriguez Sinuiri, Peru
                                 Ivana, Peru
Alessandra Drummon, Brazil
Duda Laif, Brazil
Lucca Gomes Souto, Brazil
Kelly "Dandara" Alves, Brazil
Lorena Muniz, Brazil
J.F. Medina Hernandez, Mexico
Raquel, Brazil
Hevelyn Montine, Brazil
Nataly Lily, Brazil
Rebeca Sampaio / Raiane Santos de Matos, Brazil
Kerollyn Moroe Shampherllay, Brazil
Paola Calderon, Mexico
Luana Menndes, Luana Pereira dos Santos, Brazil
Darla, Brazil
Dodo Bezerra da Silva, Brazil
Nathaly Mendes Alves, Brazil
Lourrany Lopes Leitao, Brazil
Merida Irlanda, Mexico
Mia Morais, Brazil
Antonella, Columbia
Camila Arcila, Colombia
Natalia Maldonado, Argentina
Dayana, Colombia
Heloisa "Lora" Ferreira, Brazil
Raqueli, Brazil
Suelen Carey, Brazil
Fernanda Alvarado, El Salvador
Pamela Lorrany, Brazil
Bruna, Brazil
Valentina Gamez, Venezuela
Mia, Mexico
Gil "Gigi" Mendes, Brazil
Sabrina Martins, Brazil
Malu Mejias, Chile
Badega, Brazil
Bru Waldorf, Brazil
Fabiola Rivera, Mexico
Itu dos Santos, Brazil
Victoria "Vicky" Nunez, Argentina
Aline Sanchez, Mexico
Fatima Belen Barrios, Argentina
Roberta Silva, Brazil
Ravel Oliver, Brazil
Fabiana da Silva Lucas, Brazil
Kendra Gonzalez, Mexico
Valeria Carrasco, Mexico
Maha Moretto, Brazil
Tatiana, Colombia
Crismilly Perola, "Piu Piu", "Bombom", Brazil
Isabella Garzon Monsalve, Colombia
Natasha Galvao, Brazil
Veronica Solano, Colombia
Adriana Diaz, Colombia
Maria Eduarda, Brazil
Bebe, Brazil
Wanda Soraya De La Fuente, Argentina
Pompeia Ramos, Brazil
Shirley Mejia Sanchez, Colombia
Kalyndra Selva Guedes Nogueira da Hora, Brazil
Josselin Alejandra Hernandez, El Salvador
Daniele Silva, Brazil
Michel, Mexico
Nicolly Xavier Azevedo, Brazil
Danny Benavides, Ecuador
Ligia, Brazil
Catalaya Martinez Machado, Colombia
Dayana Cervantez, Mexico
Santiago Cancinos, Argentina
Thaynara Moraes, Brazil
Yulieth Balmaceda, Colombia
Rubia Carvalho, Brazil
Claudia Madonna Ramirez, Colombia
Karencita Mejia Nunez, Honduras
Ilas Gama Nunes Andrade, Brazil
Laura Michelle, Colombia
Kendra Torres Galeana, Mexico
Roberta Fernandes, Brazil
Eliana Castillo, Colombia
Titi das Chagas, Brazil
S. Saira Mamani, Peru
Cielo de Luca, Argentina
Reyne “Reira Saga” Fernandez Villanueva, Peru
Jaqueline Saviery Silva, Brazil
J.S. Cardoso, Brazil
Luana Morais, Brazil
Emanuelly Castro, Brazil
F. de Assis Braga de Oliveira, Brazil
Sharlotte Escobar Ramos, Mexico
Silvana Gomez Galeano, Colombia
Andresa Santos, Brazil
Monalisa Leide, Brazil
Viki Nieva, Argentina
Yara Cumady, Yara Pereira dos Santos, Brazil
Melibeth Yulitza Marchena, Colombia
Yeray “Teresa” Hurtado, Colombia
Stefany, Brazil
Josefina Cruceno, Argentina
Sofia Micaela “Mica” Catan, Argentina
Kendra Zambrano, “La Kendra”, “La Barbie”, Mexico
Milena Massafera, Brazil
Marcia Marcita, Brazil
Marcinha “Maquita” Vaz, Brazil
Fanny, Brazil
Pietra Valentina, Brazil
Jennifer Zapata, Mexico
Daniela, “Sirenita Riascos”, Colombia
La Gasparina, Puebla, Mexico
Luana Katrina, Brazil
Drika Rodrigues Sales, Brazil
Alexandra Monteiro, Alexandra Correa de Oliveira, Brazil
Taina, Brazil
Mikelly Camara, Brazil
Natali Sofia Martinez Grabados, Colombia
Fabiola Pamela Ramirez, Argentina
Lala Contreras, Nicaragua
Nicolas, Argentina
Andressa Pimentel, “India”, Brazil
Eva Carvalho, Brazil
Natasha da Paz Gomes, Brazil
Alissia Rodriguez, Brazil
Gerusa Oliveira Reis, Brazil
Diana Miranda, Paola Ferrati, Mexico
Manuella Otto, Brazil
Andrea Nestor Moreno Castillo, Colombia
Camila, Mexico
Pojuca Alves de Souza, Brazil
Nicolly Fernanda, Brazil
Luna Abascal, Getsemani Santos Luna, Mexico
Malevola Lessa, “Leticia”, Brazil
Mimii Lessa, “Yasmin”, Brazil
Natasha Santos, Brazil
Alessandra Ferrati, Bolivia
Angie Priscila Jeaniot Arevalo, Colombia
Giovanna Betancourth Vergara, Colombia
Giselle Sakai, Brazil
Keron Racah, student, Brazil
Andressa das Chaga, Brazil
Ursula A.S., “Maravilhosa”. Became internet famous internationally when she turned a sidewalk in Porto Velho into a catwalk when she saw a camera from TV Allamanda, an SBT affiliate. Rondonia, Brazil
Amandha “Mandhy” Fagundes, Brazil
Duda dos Dantos, Brazil
Lucho Avila, Argentina
Lupita Moraes da Silva, Brazil
Ygona Moura, interviewed by National Geographic in December 2020, Brazil
Dayanna Scarlett, held a Miss Teen beauty pageant title, Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico



We remember our folx from the Near East, Far East, Eurasia, Europe, and the UK:

Ella, Iran
Nuray Nuriyez, Baku, Azerbaijan
Tristan Fremont, France
Shafiq, Delhi, India
Collegai, Pakistan
T. Vijay Kumar, India
Adrieli, Rome, Italy
Ambre Audrey Istier, France
Pamela, "Pam", refugee from Congo living in Turkey
A Raza, Pakistan
Guddu Zaman, Pakistan
Ebeng Mayor, Metro Manila, Philippines
Jhie Bangkiao, Philippines
Gianna Lombardi, Italy
Aliya, India
Bubbli, Pakistan
Paula Migeon, France
Mumtaz, Pakistan
Niharika Narasimhamurthy, India
Miras Gunes, Turkey
Milo Turner, Plymouth, Devon, UK
Byun Hee-soo, South Korea
Xingshun Zhou, Echt, Limburg, Netherlands
Nicolas, France
Dimitra Kalogannis, subject of two short films including “Mr. Dimitri and Mrs. Dimitroula”, a video interview by cinematographer Tzeli Hadjidimitriou. Athens, Greece



We remember our artists, professionals, and business owners:

Sasha, designer and creator, Paris, France
Angelita Alves Correia, personal trainer, dance instructor, and online influencer, Portugal
Daisy del Carmen, editor of the video game portal Atomix; involved in many projects in the world of gaming. Tamaulipas, Mexico
Sandie Crisp, “The Goddess Bunny”, actress, famous for viral video “Obedece la Morsa” (“Obey the Walrus”) and appeared in the Marilyn Manson video “The Dope Show”. Los Angeles, California
Ivanna Macedo Silva, beauty specialist, Peru
Alexus Braxton, Kimmy Icon Braxton, hairstylist, Miami, Florida
Samantha “Sammy” Riano Morales, stylist, Tolima, Colombia
Saulette, stylist, Guanajuato, Mexico
Kadir Murat Sozubir, singer, Istanbul, Turkey
Jesus Ochandio, “La Ochandio”, actor, humorist and drag artist; cook for the La Ollita community dining room, which distributed food for two-hundred families. His life ended before he could start teaching free theatre classes at Casa Pueblo Unidos, the space for social, labor, and political training to which he belonged. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Naomi Alonso, stylist and human rights activist, Mexico
Natalia Smut Lopez, Drag Queen, San Jose, California
Piper Autumn Rivers, “Tegan Toxik”, “Tegan Last”, adult industry performer, Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, Las Vegas, Nevada
Krys Brandon Ruiz, writer of poetry and music lyrics, Lompoc, California
Lola Santos, hairdresser, Brazil
Claire Monserrat Jackson, writer and illustrator, Ohio
Ana Paula Lopes dos Santos, makeup artist, Brazil
Pooh Johnson, makeup artist "Titanizer Mua", Louisiana
Karla Ariella, belly dancer and performer, Brazil
CoCo Chanel Wortham, master cosmetologist, Dallas, Texas
Fray Mando Bautista Bodadilla, model and stylist, Mexico
Danizinha "Dani" Fontiny, model, Brazil
Valery Pereira, beauty stylist, Honduras
Ivonne Tlahuetl, hairdresser, Iztapalapa, Mexico
La Guaraca, kiosk owner, Ecuador
Elizabeth Rondon, vegetable seller, Venezuela
Erika Tatiana Martinez Garcia, small business owner selling drinks and food, Honduras
Michell Gonzalez Cortes, "Pitufa", beauty stylist, hairdresser, and salon owner, Venezuela
Cindy Jones Torres, salon owner, Philippines
Brianna Kamila Espinosa Sanchez, “Kami”, hairstylist and salon owner, Yumbo, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Juliana Santos, employed with Facebook App, Brazil
Professor Luciana Sandreli Alves, teacher, Colatina, Espirito Santo, Brazil
Dr. Patricia Targino Dutra, Basic Health Unit (UBS) of the community of Manimbu in Sao Jose de Mipibu, Brazil
Professor Fran Demetrio, Leader, Coordinator, and Researcher of LABTrans and the first trans woman teacher at the Universidade Federal do Reconcavo da Bahia, Brazil
Anannyah Kumari Alex, the first trans DJ in Kerala and the first trans person to seek election to the Kerala Legislative Assembly, India
Near, "Byuu", developer of the bsnes, higan, and ares gaming emulators and advanced the world of SNES emulation. Released their fan translation of Bahamut Lagoon reviewed as the most exciting and meticulously crafted language adaptation of a video game of this era. Tokyo, Japan


We remember our community caretakers:

B., who raised funds for a Rehab Center in Zacatecas
Emilia Herrera Obrecht, “Bau”, Mapuche trans artist and activist who was trying to help defend indigenous land from encroachment. Panguipulli, Los Rios, Chile
Vida Bruno, historian and coordinator of Policies and Promotion of LGBTI+ Citizenship for the City of Salvador; activist for human rights; co-founder of the LGBT Reference Center. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Devanny Cardiel, trans ambassador for Guanajuato, Mexico
Valentina Vera Lopez, “Kim”, collaborator and activist of Movilh-Los Lagos, The Homosexual Integration and Liberation Movement, a Chilean human rights advocacy organization which focuses on civil rights and liberties for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens. Puerto Montt, Los Lagos, Chile
Michele Almeida, student and colleague at Transvest, an NGO coordinated by city councilwoman Duda Salabert that aims to combat transphobia and facilitate the inclusion of transgender people in society. Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Jane Elizabeth McQueen, activist lawyer, writer, photographer, and wife of Isabella "Bella" Bellusci, whom we lost in 2020, Manchester, UK
Jenna Franks, involved in the Onslow County LGBTQ+ Community Center where she supported those experiencing homelessness. Jacksonville, North Carolina
Catalina Santos Arevalo, activist, Mexico
Gala Ocampo Figueroa, activist for the rights of transgender people with Diversidad Sexual en Morelos ( Sexual Diversity Collectives ), Amacuzac, Morelos, Mexico
Surya, transgender community leader in Malad. Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Sneha, social activist for trans rights in India and member of the transgender Kudumbashree unit; in 2020 stood as an independent and the only trans candidate for the kizhunna ward of Kannur Municipal Corporation, the civic administration body of Kannur. Kannur, Kerala, India
Larissa “Lara” Dieckmann, president of OLT – Orgulho e Luta Trans ( Pride and Trans Fight ); advocate for the LGBTI population; activist for rights, social assistance, and cultural valuation; promoter of the Miss Transex Niteroi pageant. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Shai Vanderpump, LGBTQ activist, New Jersey
Luisa Revilla Urcia, former mayor of the La Esperanza district of Trujillo, becoming the first transgender woman in Peru to be elected as a councilor; trans activist for health rights; awarded by the Provincial Municipality of Trujillo in recognition of services to the trans community. La Libertad, Peru
Fanny Arguello Jaqueline Sanchez Sampirolly, human rights activist, and founder of Diana Sacayan, transformarse es vivir (transforming is living) AC. The organization put forward the "Trans Identity Law" to guarantee the right to recognition of people's identity. Chiapas, Mexico
Nila Gupta, co-founder of Bi's of Colour, artist, activist, writer, cultural critic, specializing in race, class, gender, and disability issues. London, England
Andrea Gonzalez, activist, leader of the trans organization Otrans Reinas de la Noche; leader of an initiative of the Regional Human Rights Project; fellow of the State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program; collaborator with the United States Agency for International Development; and a key partner with Cristobal in Guatemala for LGBTQI+ justice work. Guatemala
Leeze Lawrence, equality advocate, journalist, producer; key member of the LGBT group Out For Independence; campaigner for the equal rights of minorities. Scotland
Luciana Moscoso, stylist and member of Red Comunitaria Trans ( Trans Community Network ), Colombia
Vanessa Zuniga, volunteer for Asociacion de Prevencion y Educacion en Salus, Sexualidad, Sida y Derechos Humanos (APREST) (Association for Prevention and Education in Health, Sexuality, AIDS and Human Rights). Honduras
Debora Loven Stayne, former president of the Ceara Transvestite Union; candidate for councilor in Juazeiro do Norte by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in 2020. Barbalha, Ceara, Brazil
Cecy Caricia Ixpata, "Morenita", produce vendor and member of Redtrans, the National Network of Trans People that brings together trans groups throughout Guatemala, Guatemala
Zashy Zuely del Cid Velasquez, makeup artist and beauty salon owner; grassroots activist with Colectivo Perla de Oriente, an organization that works to promote the rights of the LGBTI+ population in the eastern region of El Salvador and have designed emergency routes to deal with reports of attacks. San Miguel, El Salvador
Gloria Florencia Alvez Marino, activist directly involved in the creation of laws to protect LGBT+ people, sex workers, and women, including the creation of the Sex Work Law, the Right to Gender Identity Law, and the Comprehensive law for Trans Persons. Activist for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and against the sexual exploitation of girls, boys, and adolescents. In 1990 Gloria founded the first trans collective in Uruguay, called the Transvestite Coordination Board, currently the Uruguayan Trans Association. She has also worked as the Uruguayan coordinator of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Trans People (Redlactrans). Uruguay
Oliver Jackson / Poe Delwyn Black, “”Legion”, “Tommi”, activist for justice for native, Black, and LGBT+ people, Tennessee and California
Madalena Leite, former city councilor, the first trans woman to be elected in the city of Piracicaba in the interior of Sao Paulo. Thiago Barros is producing a documentary about Madelena called “Meu Nome e Madalena”. Brazil
Sophie Gwen Williams, artist, musician, and trans activist; Chair of the 343, a Belfast-based charity and Feminist-led Queer Arts Space; co-founder of 343 Radio, the first ever queer radio station in Ireland; co-founder of We Exist, an organization created to provide emergency support for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in the UK; Northern Ireland
Rayza Torriani, founder and leader of Red de Personas Trans de Bolivia (Trebol); LGBT+ rights activist; political influencer, Bolivia
Nona Moselle Conner, Program Director for Collective Action For Safe Spaces (CASS) and their DecrimNow campaign, anti-harrassment efforts, and Safe Bar Collective jobs program for trans and queer people of color; worked for Casa Ruby where she helped clients through empowerment groups that addressed sex work, sexually transmitted infection prevention, and job training. Washington, D.C.
Sophie Vasquez, particpant with EsTr Community ( El/La ) that defends the interests of the trans community in Atlanta so that they can achieve the recognition and access to social services that other groups enjoy. Atlanta, Georgia
Rany “Nynha” Merces, activist who worked to defend the rights of the trans and prisoner populations in the Belo Horizonte region; a community social educator; worked with FONATRANS – Forum Nacional de Travestis e Transexuais Negras e Negros; Miss Bahia Trans Plus Size 2021, Brazil
Danielle “Dani Achiaa B.” Boachie, Mistress Velvet, Dominatrix activist who made her mostly well-off, straight, white, male clients read Black Feminist Theory texts during sessions; executive director for the Sex Workers Outreach Project USA; director of education and training for Resilience, an Illinois-based nonprofit that advocates for survivors of sexual violence. Chicago, Illinois
Jahaira DeAlto Balenciaga, activist; member of the Ballroom community with The House of Balenciaga; advocate for equality and for victims of domestic abuse; YouTube vlogger focusing on social justice issues and inner-community conversations regarding trans women; speaker at the Ryan White Conference on HIV/AIDS at Harvard University; guest lecturer at Columbia University’s School of Social Work; speaker and organizer of the Trans Day of Remembrance. Boston, Massachusetts



We remember those 33 whose names remain unknown from:

Mexico
Brazil
Pakistan
Russia
Italy
Australia
El Salvador
​
0 Comments

9/1/2020 0 Comments

This Tiger Earned Her Stripes Through Community Service

Sister Donatella Soul

Guardian of the Googly Eye, Fully Professed Member of The Asylum of the Tortured Heart, Pictionary player.

July 26th is a date to celebrate. It is not only the day to recognize her friend's birthday, but it is also the day Tiger's Pictionary was born. That evening in 2011 turned from a small event at #1 Fifth Avenue for the dear friend's birthday party to the bar staff asking if Tiger would return for a weekly event. That event turned into a weekly fundraiser that has been going for nearly a decade - Tiger's Pictionary!
Saint Tiger on the mic hosting the weekly Pictionary fundraiser at #1 Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest, San Diego.
Saint Tiger on the mic hosting Pictionary at #1 Fifth Avenue.
Tiger says of those first Pictionary events, "People began tipping me and I felt undeserving of this because I, too, was having so much fun. I collected my first one hundred dollars in tips and donated all of it to my favorite charity in San Diego, Special Delivery."
Special Delivery San Diego logo: yellow human figure holding bag of groceries.
Click on the image above to learn about Special Delivery and to access services.
Tiger continues, "I began my initial fundraising for Special Delivery San Diego. Later, I began to add other charities to meet a variety of community needs and to fulfill requests for fundraising directly from the community."
Saint Tiger showcasing the piles of toiletries gathered by the STAT program for distribution to San Diego's homeless population.
Saint Tiger showcasing the many toiletries gathered by the STAT program that were distributed to out of home individuals in San Diego.
In 2015, Tiger founded St. Tiger's Annual Toiletries Drive. 

"I created the STAT Drive in an effort to help the rapidly growing homeless and houseless population in San Diego. Through Tiger's Pictionary and social media, I collected toiletry item donations and monetary donations to buy toiletries in bulk. These items were bagged and distributed annually directly to the homeless."
Members of the community and The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence gather at #1 Fifth Avenue before distributing toiletries to the homeless population.
Members of the community and The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence gather to distribute STAT Drive toiletries to out of home individuals.
Members of the Hillcrest community and The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence joined Tiger to distribute the STAT Drive toiletries to out of home individuals on the streets. Says Tiger of the process, "It was an incredibly moving and humbling experience every year."
Over time, Tiger sharpened the focus of the Drive on homeless students who needed assistance. The project is called the SIN Drive, for Students In Need, and operates as a fundraiser. An annual donation is made through The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
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Sister Ida Know (aka Sister Vanna Whiteface) with St. Tiger. Sister Ida assisted Tiger with Pictionary for many years.
The first few months of Pictionary experienced growing attendance and donations. Members of The San Diego Sisters were attending on a regular basis. Tiger reminisces, "It became a bit too much for me to handle on my own, so I asked the Sisters to officially become a part of it. The role of the Sisters was to collect donated gifts for our giveaways and to assist each week. In exchange, I would reserve the first Wednesday of every month as a Sister fundraiser."
Members of The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence at Tiger's Pictionary.
Members of The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with Saint Tiger during Tiger's Pictionary at #1 Fifth Avenue.
The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, The Asylum of the Tortured Heart, Sainted Tiger for her community service. The Sainting was conducted on the sidewalk in front of The Loft. Tiger describes the experience, "A Sister was visiting from San Francisco and she carried with her the ashes of the very first Sister of Perpetual Indulgence, mixed with the obligatory glitter of course. There was a brief meeting of the San Diego House, water was poured from a pitcher onto the ground for me to walk across, followed by a Blessing and Anointment with the first Sister's ashes. I was completely taken by surprise, but deeply moved and honored to become a part of the Sister family. Being Sainted strengthened my resolve to continue my work in the community."
Ms. San Diego Leather 2010
Saint Tiger during reign as Ms. San Diego Leather 2010.
The Sainting of Tiger as St. Tiger of the Holy Phuck, Patron Saint of Phelonious Phun honored her for her community support since 1989. Tiger also holds the titles of Ms. San Diego Leather 2010 and Mama's SD Tiger.
"San Diego, specifically Hillcrest, holds a huge space in my heart, and I continue to enjoy supporting our community. One of my favorite events is my annual Tiger's Comedy Drag Birthday Fundraiser. It is an absolute tsunami of fun and laughter and we raise thousands of dollars each year."
Saint Tiger gets a pie thrown in their face during a fundraiser.
Saint Tiger gets a pie in the face at a fundraising event.
"I try to keep the FUN in fundraising, the "cum" in community camaraderie, and I want each and every event I do for the community to include copious amounts of laughter and good cheer."

How has Covid-19 Affected Pictionary and Fundraising Efforts?

"Since Covid-19 risks shut down our venue [#1 Fifth Avenue], I moved Tiger's Pictionary online as a non-fundraising event, knowing that many people lost their income as a result. I didn't want them to feel guilty for not being able to donate."
"Because of the long-term relationship between Tiger's Pictionary and The San Diego Sisters, and because I love the Mission of the San Diego House and its ongoing support of the greater San Diego LGBTQ community, I offered The Sisters this continued opportunity to raise funds for their minimal overhead, and for their own charity recipients, even during the Covid-19 shutdown period. I want them to continue the great work they do in our community."
"We are now doing limited fundraising for The San Diego Sisters only.
Tiger's Pictionary has resumed in 2022 every Tuesday night between 7:30 and 10:00 at Number One Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest. For the most recent update from Sister Ida Know, click on the following link: Tiger's Pictionary Update.
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0 Comments

4/13/2020 0 Comments

Not Free to Go Outside, but Free to READ!

Sister Rita Booke

Protector of the Iliterate, Fully Professed Member of The Asylum of the Tortured Heart, The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, student of Library and Information Science.

Sister Rita Booke reading Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum to children outside the Chula Vista Public Library during Drag Queen Story Time.
Sister Rita Booke reading "Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum" to children outside the Chula Vista Public Library during Drag Queen Story Time.
     Hear ye, hear ye! Verily, I say that you need not despair! Have you an internet connection or mobile data of some kind? If you do, then you have an entire universe of books, videos, music, and more available at your fingertips. Escape into a fantasy world, read that classic piece of literature you’ve been putting off, and laugh your ass off at some old Popeye cartoons. There is a valuable community resource that I would like to tell you about to help you pass the time while self-isolating. It's available to you now, wherever you are, and all you need is an internet connection.

Archive.org : Not Just for Books, But It’s Also for Books

Internet Archive logo
     The Internet Archive found at archive.org is a non-profit online archive and library that is free to use. There, you can find books, podcasts, music, videos, photos, movies, and more. This is a fantastic resource with materials ranging from the commonplace to the obscure. Many of the items are available with a single click. Other items, similar to physical items at a library, can be checked out after creating an account (5 minutes or less to create your account and verify your email address). Like a traditional lending library, the Internet Archive sometimes has waitlists for popular items, but do not fear! During this global pandemic the Internet Archive has created a National Emergency Library, eliminating all waitlists. Their millions of books are available to you right this very minute! If you need some suggestions to get you started, I have compiled recommendations for folx of all ages. If you’re not feeling like a book, you are still in luck! Check out the article 10 Ways To Explore the Internet Archive For Free to learn about some of the other rad ways you can use the Internet Archive. One of my personal favorites is the Wayback Machine, an archive of defunct Webpages (like those that make up the Website for Space Jam, the 1996 film). Take my recommendations or leave them, but I encourage you to explore the Internet Archive to your heart’s content.
Wayback Machine logo

​A Note on Problematic Materials

    Archive.org, though it is full of many contemporary materials, is also a historical archive. History is full of mostly white, male, cisgender, heteronormative, and capitalist perspectives. While browsing the collections on the Internet Archive, you may often encounter these types of views. In fact, these perspectives can be found in many libraries. I recommend that when you encounter these items, look at them for what they are: information resources. Information in and of itself is neither inherently good nor inherently bad. Individuals may use information (or misinformation) in malicious ways, but the information in and of itself is not inherently evil.

     These are stressful times and you have every right to pass on these offensive items. You may, however, feel empowered by studying these materials as a means of arming yourself against the oppressive and limited mindsets of some. As a liberated global citizen of the 21st century, I trust you to see these materials for what they are. Read them or pass on them, but do not let them interrupt the potential for JOY that resides within this fantastic community resource.
American Library Association logo
Click the American Library Association logo to view The Freedom to Read Statement.

Your Local Public Libraries

    Check out your public library’s Website! Many are currently offering temporary library cards so you can access their digital content right away. If you already have a library card and have not yet accessed them, now is the time to check out their digital offerings. See if they have a digital catalog of their special collections as you can find some fascinating items there. You may even be able to go see it in person (once it's safe to do so, of course).

     You can access The City of San Diego Public eLibrary here and their Digital Archive here.

Nun-required Reading,
Or, Suggestions for Exploring the Internet Archive on Your Own

For Adults, Or  Those Wise Beyond Their Years

FICTION

  •  Cat's Eye     Margaret Atwood
  •  Christ the Lord : Out Of Egypt     Anne Rice
  •  The Color Purple     Alice Walker
  •  Giovanni's Room     James Baldwin    
  •  The Goldfinch     Donna Tartt
  •  The Inheritance of Loss     Kiran Desai
  •  Jam On the Vine     LaShonda Katrice Barnett    
  •  White Teeth     Zadie Smith​

ACTION, FANTASY, and SCI-FI

  •  Black River     S.M. Hulse
  •  Brown Girl in the Ring     Nalo Hopkinson
  •  The Chimes     Anna Smaill
  •  The Dragon Waiting     John M. Ford
  •  The Hobbit     J.R.R. Tolkien
  •  Watchmen     Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, Len Wein
  •  Who Fears Death      Nnedi Okorafor​

HORROR, MYSTERY, and THRILLER

  •  Amuse Bouche : A Russell Quant Mystery     Anthony Bidulka
  •  Cemetery Road     Gar Anthony Haywood
  •  Death By Surprise     Carolyn G. Hart
  •  Land of Shadows     Rachel Howzel Hall
  •  'Salem's Lot     Stephen King
  •  Summer of the Big Bachi     Naomi Hirahara​

BIOGRAPHY, HISTORY, and POLITICS

  •  Different Daughters : A History of the Daughters of Bilitis and the Rise of the Lesbian Rights Movement           Marcia M. Gallo
  •  Frida Kahlo     Hedda Garza
  •  Hatshepsut     Ryōko Yamagishi   
  •  Steps In Time     Fred Astaire
  •  The Trouble With Harry Hay     Stuart Timmons​

NON-FICTION

  • A Taste of the World : From One Community     ( Community Cookbook )     Find it here
  • The Power of Now     Eckhart Tolle
  • The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability     Miriam Kaufman, Cory Silverberg, and Fran Odette

CHILDREN, YOUNG ADULTS, and THOSE YOUNG AT HEART

YOUNG ADULT FICTION

  •  Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe     Benjamin Alire Sáenz
  •  The Boy in the Dress     David Walliams 
  •  The Giver     Lois Lowry
  •  Midnight at the Dragon Café      Judy Fong Bates
  •  Once Upon a Marigold     Jean Ferris
  •  The Vast Fields of Ordinary     Nick Burd

AMERICAN LITERATURE

  •  1984     George Orwell
  • Animal Farm     George Orwell
  • The Adventures of Tom Sawyer     Mark Twain
  • Their Eyes Were Watching God     Zora Neale Hurston
  • The Jungle     Upton Sinclair
  • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn     Betty Smith

ADVENTURE, FANTASY, and MYSTERY

  •  The 7th Knot     Kathleen Karr
  •  Beowulf     Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman
  •  Celtic Fairy Tales     Joseph Jacobs and John Dickson Batten
  •  English Fairytales     Joseph Jacobs and John Dickson Batten
  •  The Hobbit      J. R. R. Tolkien ( Prequel to The Lord of the Rings series )
  •  Peter and Wendy     J. M. Barrie
  •  Robin Hood     Paul Creswick and N. C. Wyeth
  •  The Swiss Family Robinson     Johann David Wyss
  •  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz     L. Frank Baum
  •  The World of King Arthur and His Court : People, Places, Legend, and Lore     Kevin Crossley-Holland and   Peter Malone 

NON-FICTION

  •  Friends in Feathers and Fur, and Other Neighbors : For Young Folks    James Johonnot
  •  It’s NOT the Stork! : A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends ( The Family Library )         Robie H. Harris
  •  Warriors Don’t Cry : A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High    Melba                 Pattillo Beals
  •  Zoology     Frederick Warne
0 Comments

3/27/2020 0 Comments

In Response to Covid-19: Spiritual Approaches for Coping

By Sister Kali

Sister Kali is a Spirit-Worker, Feri Initiate, Witch, Root-Worker, Reader, Spiritual Counselor, Presenter, Writer, and Artist.

Sister Kali of the San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
Sister Kali of The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
In this challenging time of the outbreak of Covid-19, the disease caused by the Novel Corona Virus, folx are often seeking means and ways to protect themselves and to ease their concerns. Having worked in Public Health as a health educator, first and foremost, Wash Your Hands!
People have been asking me, not for public health advice, but, for magical and spiritual approaches. There are neither magic spells, candle workings, sigils, nor herbal remedies that will protect from Covid-19. This does not mean there are no places for such practices, for such magical and spiritual applications work wonders as support services. 

**Consult Your Doctor If You Have Symptoms of Covid-19**

During stressful times, magical and spiritual techniques work well in addressing mental, emotional, and spiritual complexities that may arise. Let's review some options that may be easily incorporated into your daily routine while sheltered in place.

MEDITATION

Meditation is one of the simplest things to do, yet yields maximum results. Meditation brings us, and most importantly our minds, into focus, into the moment right here and now.
​
  • Sit quietly in a comfortable position
  • Focus your attention on your breath
  • Breathe normally, inhaling and exhaling
  • Count your breath, starting at one and counting through 10
  • If  a thought enters your mind, simply start counting from 1 again
  • ​Ten is not a goal, merely a focusing technique

INCENSE

Incense is an ancient device used throughout the history of humanity for effecting and affecting  environments. Incense helps to cleanse and calm a space.

**Do Not Burn Incense if You are Experiencing Respiratory Issues**

There are two types of incense that I find helpful.

Lavender & Cedar

Lavender produces a lighter smoke and is great for providing balance and promoting a peaceful home through its enticing aroma. Lavender lightens a space and creates a calming atmosphere that facilitates restfulness and deeper sleep.

Cedar disperses stagnant and negative energies and attracts positive influences. Cedar smoke purifies and cleanses while emitting a pleasant scent. Cedar is believed to revive the spirit and to help with fatigue and listlessness.

ESSENTIAL OILS

If you are unable to burn incense, lavender and cedar essential oils may be used. Essential oils can be used with a diffuser; with a few drops on top of a candle; and with a cotton ball, allowing one to inhale the properties of the oils.

Lavender essential oils can lift the spirits, lighten depression, and ease anxiety. Lavender is known to have a calming and soothing effect on the brain.

CANDLES

Candles are a lovely way to de-stress ones self and ones space. Use any candle you prefer. Candles emit a  soothing light. A white or light blue candle may be used to promote a peaceful home. These colors offer a softer, cooling effect. 

Focus on the candle and meditate or pray for what you wish to manifest in your space. You might focus on creating a calm, peaceful, and loving home; a productive work space; or overall positive and healing energies for any space you inhabit.

READING

With social distancing and sheltering in place, now is a good time to read a book.
THE FEAR BOOK by Cheri Huber is a brilliant look at how we do fear. Huber presents principles of Zen Buddhism that help guide one away from a fear based perspective of life.
The Fear Book by Cheri Huber book cover.
For fiction reading, a personal favorite of mine is THE EARTHSEA TRIOLGY by Ursula K. Le Guin. The author tells a lovely story of coming into ones own fullness of self. 
The Earthsea Trilogy book cover.
 OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT by Malidoma Patrice Somé is a brilliant autobiographical tale of the early life of a present-day African Shaman living between two worlds - western culture and his original tribal culture.
Of Water and The Spirit book cover.
Guard Inya of The San Diego Sisters of Perpetual Indugence at the Sisters' fortieth anniversary Conclave white procession through the Castro in San Francisco.
Guard Inya at the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Fortieth Anniversary Conclave White Procession through the Castro in San Francisco.
Guard Inya recommends THE DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN series by Anne McCaffrey as excellent and engrossing fiction with subtle, uplifting messages of perseverance and rising above the doubts of others.
The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey book cover.
However you decide to spend your time in isolation or quarantine, remember to take some time each day to check in with yourself and unwind. 
0 Comments

7/11/2019 0 Comments

Grey

GREY

As part of Novice Sister Gwenn N Dowtte's Novice Project, we offer this blessing of the color GREY:

Are you feeling lonely and depressed? 
Are you being pressured to make decisions? 

Embrace the Grey with GreEriya, the first familycological on the market to help you feel calm relief in this chaotic world. 

GreEriya is like nothing you have been fed before. The missile-shaped capsules are easy to swallow and come in over 50 shades of grey including 

  • Steely-Blue
  • Tea-Green
  • Mauve
  • Dust Rose
  • And Greige!
A graynbow of colors to choose from within the unassuming cool grey bottle!  One a day is recommended to relieve confusion and allow space for reflection.

Start feeling secure and confident in your well-informed decisions made in your own time. Talk to yourself about GreEriya today!
0 Comments

7/10/2019 0 Comments

Brown

BROWN

As part of Novice Sister Gwenn N Dowtte's Novice Project, we offer this blessing of the color BROWN:

Does a bear shit in the woods?  Well I sure hope so! A brown bear drops its brown poop at the base of a brown tree.  This fertilizes the tree, so it can grow big and strong and sprout leaves and fruits, which the brown bear eats, which is then digested into… poop!  And the cycle continues. Brown is the basis for the cycle of life!

Bears and trees, the most natural signs of strength we know!  Though brown is also the color of deserts, dry brush, and ashes… it is the basis of life.  It is the start and end. It is the cycle. Hidden within the stoic brown trunk of a forest tree springs moisture and life!  Without the strength of a tree’s roots, there would be no leaves, no flowers, no other colors in the world! And so we honor the color Brown for providing us with life, with nourishment, with beauty.

0 Comments

7/9/2019 0 Comments

Black

BLACK

As part of Novice Sister Gwenn N Dowtte's Novice Project, we offer this blessing of the color BLACK:

In the shadows, in the darkness, lurking behind in mystery.  Black represents all things spooky, and odd, and scary.  

Black is the color of darkness, of everything combined together yet nothing visible.  Black represents the end, the final destination, death.  

Every day we are alive is a blessing, but only because we know we will not live forever.  Life is precious because it can disappear into the darkness at any moment.  

Through the AIDS crisis in the 80’s… through Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in the 90’s… through the tragic death of Matthew Shepard in the early 2000’s… the queer community has a long history of death and darkness.  

We fight every day for our right to exist and feel safe from the darkness that others try to force upon us.  We fight for our very survival.

But in the darkest of times, we remind ourselves that as a community, we survived the AIDS crisis; We overcame Don’t Ask Don’t Tell; We rallied our strength after Matthew Shepard.  

And in the face of continued oppression, we stand together in the fight to preserve marriage equality; We stand together in opposition of the Transgender Military ban; We stand together to fight for the right to use the bathroom in public.  

Because we are strong, our community is strong, and we will not be kept down!

0 Comments

7/8/2019 0 Comments

White

WHITE

As part of Novice Sister Gwenn N Dowtte's Novice Project, we offer this blessing of the color WHITE:

White
A blank, clean slate
Start over fresh 

It can be great

A lack of color

Yet the total sum

An empty vessel

Yet the basis of all

White face reflection

White veil starting new

A great brightness

Shines upon us all

White
A blank, clean slate
Start over fresh 

It can be great

0 Comments
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