LGBTQ Elders Resource Guide Launch, “Gen Silent” Screening
The Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center, in partnership with Area Agency on Aging IIIA, will launch an LGBTQ Elders Resource Guide later this month, along with a showing of the film “Gen Silent”.
The guide will serve as a tool for the LGBT community and their allies as they navigate the unique financial, health and social needs associated with the overlap of ageism with homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. The intention of this project, which was made possible with funding from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, is to also support the training of care providers employed with nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home care agencies, and other types of long-term care providers.
Release of the Greater Kalamazoo LGBTQ Elders Resource Guide
· Tuesday, August 27 at 4 p.m.
· Little Theater at Western Michigan University
The film “Gen Silent” will be screened at the event. Directed and produced by award winning filmmaker Stu Maddux, this critically acclaimed documentary invites us to walk with six LGBT seniors as they face the challenges of accessing services in the long-term health care system. The award winning documentary film, and its accompanying cultural competency training curriculum, will provide understanding and training for long term care staff in Kalamazoo County, as well as other health care professionals.
Individuals are asked to RSVP online or by phone at (269) 349-4234.
August/September KGLRC Events
Intersection of Oppression Discussion
When: 8/8 from 6-8pm
Where: FIRE, 1249 Portage Road
Join the KGLRC and FIRE Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative for a panel discussion on the intersection of oppression in the LGBT community. The panel will include Jay Kaplan, ACLU of Michigan: LGBT Project; plaintiffs from the Michigan case to restore domestic partner benefits; and Jay Maddock, Program Director at the KGLRC. They will discuss the recent Supreme Court rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act and the Voting Rights Act, focusing on the intersectional effects these rulings had on the LGBT community.
LGBT Tobacco Focus Group
When: 8/14 at 5:30pm, 8/20 at 5:30pm
Where: KGLRC
Who: The KGLRC and the Community Center Network, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Community Health, are conducting a focus group in Kalamazoo for LGBT folks who are using or have used tobacco. This project is to address the high rates of tobacco usage within the LGBTQ community and think of ways to decrease it. August 14th is open to anyone, while August 20th is specifically LGBTQ women. Participants will be provided with snacks and refreshments as well as a gift card as a thank you for their participation. Contact Jay at [email protected] if you are interested in participating with the day you will be attending.
Queer Women’s Committee Potluck
When: 8/25 from 1- 3pm
Where: KGLRC
Join the Queer Women’s Committee for their monthly potluck this month! Every month on the 4th Sunday from 1pm to 3pm. This month it will be on 8/25. All lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and ally women are welcome. For more information, email Meg at [email protected]
Shore 2 Shore Equality Ride
When: 9/4 - 9/7
Where: Starting in Metro Detroit and riding through to Saugatuck.
Join the Community Center Network on an annual bike ride from Metro Detroit to Saugatuck to raise awareness for LGBT issues! Sign up at equalityride.dojiggy.com. For more information, contact Andi Greer, Event Coordinator, at 248.677.7215 or [email protected]
Nest Bible Study
When: 2nd and 4th Mondays, 6:30-8pm
Where: Quaker Friends Meeting House (508 Denner Street)
Who: Join us for a monthly bible study focusing on LGBTQ issues. Inaugural meeting is 8/12 at the Quaker Friends Meeting House. For more information, contact Elizabeth Patterson at [email protected]
Get Ready for Fall Ball with Metro Magic!
When: Starts the week of August 19th and goes through the first week of October, Tuesday nights.
Where: Versluis / Dickinson Fields
Who: Anyone that wants to have fun and play softball! Fall Ball is starting up, and we’re looking for team members! If you want to join, contact Shaun Schoonhoven at [email protected] with your name and contact information (phone/email).
Triangle Mentorship Mentee Application due 8/31
The Triangle Mentorship Program (TMP) is the first of its kind in Southwest Michigan. The TMP offers a unique and wonderful opportunity to mentor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied students in high school. This year the program will team each mentee with one working professional mentor, who identifies as LGBT or a straight ally.
All students, and particularly LGBT youth, are in need of professional role models and caring adults. Not only will this be a fun and rewarding experience, but being a mentee will have a positive impact.
Each mentor will be required to spend one day a month with their mentee and participate in three of the four full group seasonal meet-ups, one of which will be a day long retreat on September 14, 2013. Mentees will have the opportunity to go with their mentors to work, out to lunch, to a sporting event, museum, or a number of other fun activities. In addition, there will be a required parent and student orientation in the summer.
Sign up by filling out the online form or printing out the paper application. We will be accepting youth year round, but the priority deadline is August 31.
Contact Jay Maddock at [email protected] for more information.
Annual Events
