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www.silgbtcenter.org

STATEN ISLAND LGBT CENTER

SERVING THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY

25 Victory Boulevard, at Bay Street, 3rd Floor, Staten Island, N.Y. 10301

(718) 808 – 1360 or 1351
lgbt@sihealthaction.org

All events take place at the Center unless otherwise noted. The Center is accessible by the S46, S48, S51, S61, S62, S66, S74, S76 & S78 buses and the SIRT – Tompkinsville Station, or a short walk from the Staten Island Ferry terminal.

UPCOMING:

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, June 6, 2009 – STATEN ISLAND PRIDE PARADE & FESTIVAL

Through the streets of St. George into Cromwell Recreation Center, NOON to 5:00PM

NEW UPDATES as of May 15th, 2009

UPCOMING:
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Good Vibrations

Safer Sex Toys Workshop

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Dildos. Vibrators, Sex Toys and Strap-Ons: using them and how to keep ‘em clean. In this fun and interactive workshop participants will learn how to properly care for their sex toys. Sex toys can be made from a variety of materials each with their own cleaning regimen. Come and learn something new and healthy! Bring your questions.

All are welcome to this FREE event.
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Join us as we honor Grand Marshals, Fr. Michael Delaney, openly gay pastor of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Chris Bauer, LGBT rights activist & community advocate, and founding member of Staten Island Stonewall.

Special Guest Performance by

The NYC Gay Men’s Chorus

Buffet Dinner
Music by DJ India M for Dancing
Cash Bar
Free pool party and food for children 13 and under (must register in advance)

Adult tickets: $25 per person in advance, $40 at the door.
Reservations: (718) 808-1402
For directions and free shuttle information contact the Hilton at (718) 477-2400
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Tai – Chi – Chuan Demonstration Class to Music

Newcomers to this class are welcome and encouraged to attend. Each class begins with a review. Come check it out!

Thursdays, May 21st and 26th, 2009, 8:00 PM

Learn the system of movements involving 110 muscles in the body at one time. Open up the pathways, or meridians in the body to harness and enhance life’s internal energy! All are welcome to this FREE event.

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Stress Management Workshop

Thursday, May 28th, 2009 6:00 – 8:00 PM

Learn basic stress management techniques, and stress reduction / stress relief tips.

This workshop will assist individuals suffering from stress and seeking solutions, as well as persons dealing with everyday, family, and workplace pressures. By opening up and understanding your stress you can calm yourself, clear your thoughts and quiet your anxiety.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this FREE event.

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Video Project – Participants Sought in Support of Marriage Equality

The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) is working on a project to create a series of videos of LGBT couples and their families to advocate for Marriage Fairness in NYS. They are looking for couples who live in key legislative districts like Staten Island, and are especially seeking people from district 24, currently represented by NYS Senator Andrew Lanza. Also, in order to increase the impact of this effort, they are looking for any couples who may have something in common with district 24’s elected representative, like an alma mater, community organizations, churches, etc..

Below are some of the potential ways people can get involved with the Marriage Fairness advocacy work.

· To take part in the video project
· To conduct in-district lobby visits (with NYCLU support)
· To come to Equality and Justice Day on Tuesday, April 28. (NY’s largest LGBT lobby day)
· To take part in public forums in the area
· To speak with press.

Take a look at these videos. This will give you a good idea of what the NYCLU is doing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhpdcqNB3SY&eurl=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/&feature=player_embedded

If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact Alberto Morales at the NYCLU at (212) 607 – 3377

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NEW AT THE CENTER:

POSITIVE SUPPORT: A group for HIV+ gay men, every Wednesday at 2:00 pm. For additional information & registration contact Joseph Spicer at (718) 808 – 1360.

Grief & Loss – Bereavement Support Group

On Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

For anyone who identifies as LGBT and is experiencing grief over the death of a loved one, this group offers a non-judgmental and supportive environment where you can express your feelings about your loss(es).

The purpose of this group is to:

* Decrease the isolation that grief brings
* Discuss the cycle of grief
* Provide literature on aspects of grief
* Learn from others about how they cope
* Share your stories

There is NO FEE for this service but you must call (718) 808 – 1353 to register.

Tuesdays at 7:00 PM: Narcotics Anonymous – Coming OUT in Recovery, an open, special interest group.

Every Tuesday at 7:30 PM: Come to a discussion group for LGBT Mature Adults, baby boomers and beyond! Join us in conversations about coming out and living out on Staten Island, dating in the burbs, developing new relationships, making new friends and keeping the old ones, socializing in our home community, coping with relationship break-ups, loss and bereavement issues and more.

Tuesdays at 6:30 PM: TransLife Empowerment Meeting – A community-building event for adults (18+) who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming and their allies.

NEW for YOUTH AT THE CENTER:

NEW GROUP, NEW DAY & TIME: Tuesdays – 7:30 to 8:30 PM: Reachin’ OUT – A young adult (ages 18 – 24) self-expression, peer support group offering a safe space for all LGBTQ adolescents to come and discuss issues related to their sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, dating, relationships, family, disease prevention and risk-taking behavior. Learn skills for developing a positive self-identity and coping with stigma / homophobia. Facilitated by an experienced psychotherapist. Advance registration required – call (718) 808 – 1360.

Youth Peer Tutoring – Get help with Math, Science and English in a safe, welcoming and empowering space. Call Wendy Kaplan at (718) 808 – 1353 to set up an appointment.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Free and confidential Mental Health Services are now available at the Center for:

· Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning individuals
· LGBTQ persons living with HIV/AIDS
· Parents, family members and caregivers concerned about a child or loved one who is LGBTQ
We offer individual, couples and group psychotherapy as well as psychoeducational discussion groups for people who are having difficulties (i.e. depression, trauma, sexual orientation and gender identity issues, relationship issues, HIV/AIDS related issues) and want to be seen by a LGBT-friendly and knowledgeable provider. Services are provided in a discrete, non-judgmental environment. To access services call (718) 808 – 1360.

ONGOING GROUPS:

PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) provides encouragement and support to all family members and LGBT people dealing with issues raised when a loved one comes out. [Fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 PM. For more information email: statenisland@pflagnyc.org ]

Rainbow Families – for lesbian and gay parents, their children and allies. [Third Sundays of each month at the Staten Island Children's Museum, Snug Harbor, from 10 AM to Noon.]

Rainbow & Friends – A special interest Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting for the LGBT community and friends of the LGBT community. Weekly, Thursdays, 7:00 -8:00 pm.

ONGOING SERVICES FOR YOUTH AT THE CENTER:

The LGBT Youth Drop-in Space at the Center provides a supportive, safe and welcoming space where LGBT youth can meet, connect with others, participate in activities and events, hang out, talk, text, attend educational workshops, gain access to other agency services and programs, and most importantly, be themselves. The LGBT Youth Drop-In Space is open Tues., Weds. and Thurs., from 3:00 PM until 7:30 PM and Fridays from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

Safe Space – ongoing support group for LGBT teens ages 13-17. There are two groups each week. Call The Center to register at (718) 808-1351.

Legally Queer – ongoing support group for young people ages 18-24. Meets weekly. Call The Center to register at (718) 808-1351.

BOSS (Being Out Staying Safe): This is a series of 6 workshops which addresses specific issues that LGBT youth face and takes a positive, supportive approach to sexual health and safety. BOSS uses fun, interactive activities to engage and empower youth. The workshops incorporate fact-based information about STD and HIV prevention, deal with issues of self-esteem, and provide opportunities to practice skills that will enable youth to make healthy decisions about their wellness and safety. In small groups we talk about sex, learn about safer sex and what that means for gay teens. [To register contact Wendy Kaplan at (718) 808 – 1353 or wendy.kaplan@sihealthaction.org ]

Social Network Peer Recruiters (for youth 18 to 24 years): Get trained as a peer recruiter and become part of our LGBT youth outreach team! Learn outreach skills and become an expert on HIV and STI prevention. Our outreach team is the heart of our program, helping to organize events, recruit new peers and spread the word on safer sex and HIV/STI education and prevention. All peer recruiters receive a small stipend. To register email wendy.kaplan@sihealthaction.org or contact Wendy Kaplan at (718) 808 – 1353.

NEW AT THE CENTER:

NOTE NEW DAY and TIME:

Tuesdays at 7:00 PM: Narcotics Anonymous – Coming OUT in Recovery, an open, special interest group.

Every Tuesday at 7:30 PM: Come to a discussion group for LGBT Mature Adults, baby boomers and beyond! Join us in conversations about coming out and living out on Staten Island, dating in the burbs, developing new relationships, making new friends and keeping the old ones, socializing in our home community, coping with relationship break-ups, loss and bereavement issues and more.

Tuesdays at 6:30 PM: TransLife Empowerment Meeting – A community-building event for adults (18+) who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming and their allies.

NEW for YOUTH AT THE CENTER:

Youth Peer Tutoring – Get help with Math, Science and English in a safe, welcoming and empowering space. Call Wendy Kaplan at (718) 808 – 1353 to set up an appointment.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Free and confidential Mental Health Services are now available at the Center for:

· Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning individuals
· LGBTQ persons living with HIV/AIDS
· Parents, family members and caregivers concerned about a child or loved one who is LGBTQ
We offer individual, couples and group psychotherapy as well as psychoeducational discussion groups for people who are having difficulties (i.e. depression, trauma, sexual orientation and gender identity issues, relationship issues, HIV/AIDS related issues) and want to be seen by a LGBT-friendly and knowledgeable provider. Services are provided in a discrete, non-judgmental environment. To access services call (718) 808 – 1360.

ONGOING GROUPS:

PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) provides encouragement and support to all family members and LGBT people dealing with issues raised when a loved one comes out. [Fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 PM. PLEASE NOTE: Our January 26, 2009 meeting will be a dinner meeting at Cargo Cafe, 120 Bay Street (just up the street from the LGBT Center) at 7:00 PM. For more information email: statenisland@pflagnyc.org ]

Rainbow Families – for lesbian and gay parents, their children and allies. [Third Sundays of each month at the Staten Island Children's Museum, Snug Harbor, from 10 AM to Noon.]

Rainbow & Friends – A special interest Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting for the LGBT community and friends of the LGBT community. Weekly, Thursdays, 7:00 -8:00 pm.

ONGOING SERVICES FOR YOUTH AT THE CENTER:

The LGBT Youth Drop-in Space at the Center provides a supportive, safe and welcoming space where LGBT youth can meet, connect with others, participate in activities and events, hang out, talk, text, attend educational workshops, gain access to other agency services and programs, and most importantly, be themselves. The LGBT Youth Drop-In Space is open Tues., Weds. and Thurs., from 3:00 PM until 7:30 PM and Fridays from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

Safe Space – ongoing support group for LGBT teens ages 13-17. There are two groups each week. Call The Center to register at (718) 808-1351.

Legally Queer – ongoing support group for young people ages 18-24. Meets weekly. Call The Center to register at (718) 808-1351.

BOSS (Being Out Staying Safe): This is a really fun series of 6 workshops for LGBT youth only. In a small group of no more than 8 people, we talk about sex, learn about safer sex and what that means for gay teens. [To register contact Wendy Kaplan at (718) 808 – 1353 or wendy.kaplan@sihealthaction.org ]

Social Network Peer Recruiters (for youth 18 to 24 years): Get trained as a peer recruiter and become part of our LGBT youth outreach team! Learn outreach skills and become an expert on HIV and STI prevention. Our outreach team is the heart of our program, helping to organize events, recruit new peers and spread the word on safer sex and HIV/STI education and prevention. All peer recruiters receive a small stipend. To register email wendy.kaplan@sihealthaction.org or contact Wendy Kaplan at (718) 808 – 1353.

SAVE THE DATE

Through the streets of St. George into Cromwell Recreation Center, NOON to 5:00PM

The Staten Island LGBT Center