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8/12/2022 0 Comments Finding LGBTQAI+ Friendly RecoveryHeidi BitsoliSunshine Behavioral Health | Editor, Author, Content Writer 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 RecoveryThere 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.
What To Look for in LGBTQAI+ RecoveryLicensing – 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:
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
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. Sourcesnamica.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 UpdateSister Ida KnowSister 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.  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.  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.  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.
11/19/2021 0 Comments Trans Day of Remembrance 2021Sister Donatella SoulFully 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 Sister Donatella SoulGuardian 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 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."  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 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 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.  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 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."  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 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.  Sister Rita BookeProtector 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. 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 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.  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.  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, |
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4075 Park Blvd. Ste 102-252,∙San Diego, CA 92103
4075 Park Blvd. Ste 102-252,∙San Diego, CA 92103
