1/28/12 - Grethe Cammermeyer 2/2/12

AN EVENING WITH COL. GRETHE CAMMERMEYER

 

Join us for An Evening With Col. Grethe Cammermeyer (USA Ret.): Reminiscence of Wars Foreign and Domestic.

 

Col. Cammermeyer, author of 'Serving in Silence' made into a film starring Glenn Close, will talk about her tour of duty as an Army nurse in Vietnam and her celebrated fight against 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'. 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 2nd at the Land Trust Building, Vashon, Washington

 

She won her legal battle with the Army for discharging her for being a lesbian, and in recent years has devoted herself to fighting against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".

 

Her talk is sponsored by the Vashon Heritage Museum as part of a series of presentations about women in the Vietnam War. It is being coordinated by Chris Gaynor, who currently has an exhibit at the Heritage Museum about his experience spending a year in Vietnam. His photographs, accompanied by copies of his letters home from Vietnam, make for an intense emotional experience. 

 

The event is free and open to the public. 

1/27/12 - Caregiving tips

Hi 
Caregiving for the lgbtqi community brings its own rewards and challenges, like moving down a river.  The following URL is an article that I wrote about lesbian caregiving that was published in the Seattle Lesbian.  I encourage all communities to read it.  Caregiving deserve lots of support and praise for all of their hard work - thank you to all the caregivers in our communities:

http://www.theseattlelesbian.com/family/2011/2/15/the-seattle-lesbian-caregiver-corner.html

1/24/12 - LGBT Tax Laws Event 2/6/12

The IRS Meets Community Property: Issues & Implications of Recent Federal Tax Developments for Washington Same-Sex Couples

February 6, 2012 | 7:00pm - 9:00pm Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave., Seattle, Washington Washington registered domestic partners are facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges regarding 2011 income tax filings. Join us for this informative seminar as our panel of experts discuss these unique state and federal tax issues, and provide helpful tips for this year’s filings and beyond. Co-sponsored by the Pride Foundation. Educational Now that lgbt marriage in WA state seems very close, it is a great time to learn more about the different tax laws that impact our communities so I encourage people to attend this event. Thank you to the Pride Foundation and Lamda Legal for organizing this event.  Also, thank you tonight to the QLaw Foundation for the excellent presentation on elder lgbt law at the Capitol Library.  Also, thank you to all the speakers. You may listen to a podcast of this event at:    www.q-law.org/educationcommittee

1/24/12 - LGBT Elder Law Event

LGBT elder law is an important topic for this community so I encourage people to attend this wonderful presentation offered by Project OUTreach Program of the QLAW Foundation .  It is generously funded by a grant from the Pride Foundation - thank you to them in advance.   

Event - LGBT Elder Law in the Golden Years
Date - Tuesday, 1/24/12
Time - 5.30 P.M. to 7.30 P.M.
Location - Capitol Hill Library, 425 Harvard Avenue East, Seattle 
Topics include - *Domestic partnerships and public benefits
                            *Long term care financing
                            *Legal documents e.g. wills, health directives etc.
                            *LGBT elders discrimination 
Speakers include:
1. Judi O'Kelley - Lamda Legal 
2. Lisa Brodoff - Professor at Seattle University School of Law
3. Amy Freeman - Columbia Legal Services
Moderated by June Krumpotick - Legal Voice 
Cost - free and open to the public


A podcast will be available after the event at: www.q-law.org/educationcommittee 
This is great because then we can all listen to afterwards. 

1/21/12 - Older Lesbian Event on 1/22/12

It is important to keep in touch with and make connections with people in the lgbtqi communities.  

Tomorrow, 1/12/12 there is a meeting of OLOC (Older Lesbians Organizing for Change) Puget Sound at the  Shoreline Public Library.  The event is free.  All who identify as lesbians are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

 It will be at the Shoreline Library from 1 - 5 PM.
The address is 345 NE 175th St., Shoreline, WA 98155. The library phone # is 206-362-7550.  It will start with a potluck, followed by conversation cafe style discussions.  This will be a great chance to get to know one another and plan future events, both for PS OLOC as a whole, and for neighborhood-based groups in several areas of the Sound..

If you have any questions about this event, please email  Aganita at avark@comcast.net

The local website is http://www.psoloc.org/

The national website is  http://www.oloc.org/

1/20/12 - Local lgbtqi & other resources

Feeling a sense of connection to the lgbtqi communities is important for all people who identify with this group.  Here are some wonderful local resources - I encourage you to check out their websites.  (This list is intended has more of a health focus - I will focus on social resources at a later date).
 

1. AIDS Project of the Deaf
Website - None listed
Phone and TTY - 206-328-4808
Email - APDSeattle@aol.com
This group provides referrals and support.

2. Crisis Clinic - Seattle/King County
Website -  http://www.crisisclinic.org/main.html
Community Resource Phone - 211
Crisis Line - 206-461-3222
TDD - 206-461-3219


This is an organization that provides 24 hours crisis counseling as well as community information and referrals.




3. Entre Hermanos
Website -  http://www.entrehermanos.org/
Phone - 206-322-7700
Offers variety of health and community resources for the lgbtq latino population. This includes a safe place for latina lesbians (website is http://www.entrehermanos.org/programs/mujeres-diversas and
contact is  laura@entrehermanos.org.  It also includes info on HIV/AIDS testing.

Nuestra misión -

Promover la salud y bienestar de la comunidad lésbica, gay, bisexual, transgénero, y cuestionante latina en un ambiente culturalmente apropiado por medio de la educación, prevención de la enfermedad, servicios de apoyo, abogacía, y promoción de comunidad.

 4. Gay City Health Project
Website -  http://www.gaycity.org/
Phone -  206-860-6969
Email -  info@gaycity.org
Offers variety of resources, for gbtq community, including free HIV/AIDS testing, (call 206-860-6969), and wide range of community and health resources.  
Gay City also has a resource list on their website for elders (local and national) at  http://www.gaycity.org/elders/
In addition, there is also an lgbt resource phone line at 206-323-lgbt

5. Intersex Society of North America
Website -  http://www.isna.org/
This internet resources is based in California, but they do offer support groups.  The website gives wonderful information and resources for both medical professionals and people who identify as intersex. 

6. Lifelong AIDS Alliance
Website - http://www.llaa.org/
Phone - 206-328-8979
Provides a variety of case management, HIV/AIDS testing and other resources for people impacted by HIV/AIDS.




7.  Men of all Cultures and Colors Together
Website - http://www.macctsea.org/macct/
This organization is a social and community group.

8. People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN)
Website - http://www.pocaan.org/home.html
There are two main sites for this organization in the Seattle area and they focus on providing resources and support to people of color whose lives are impacted by HIV/AIDS, including testing info.
The Seattle/King County contact is  wendell@pocaan.org or call 206-322-7061

9. Northwest Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf

Website - http://www.nwrad.org/

This is a great resource for this community, and is mainly a social resource. 


10. Seattle Counseling Services
Website -  http://www.seattlecounseling.org/
Phone - 206-323-1768
Offers a variety of resources for the lgbtq community, including counseling, groups and chemical dependency counseling.  
Check their website for updates in there services and also hours of service. 

11. Transgender Resources:
Gay City Health does a wonderful job on providing a list of community resources in the Seattle area and this info is listed at http://www.gaycity.org/transgender/



12. Trikone Northwest
Website - http://www.trikonenw.org/

This organization offers a wide variety of health and community resources for lgbtq people of Middle Eastern descent. 


 

1/19/12 - Black Lesbian Elder Project

There is a wonderful black lesbian elder project that needs us to support it - here is the link:

 http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Untitled-Black-Lesbian-Elder-Project

1/19/12 - Gay Marriage in Washington State

There are many important issues facing us at this particular time as we age.  One of these is legal representation, including marriage.  

This can result in the rights of our communities to have our chosen families (including partners) to visit us in hospital, make medical decisions for us, and be able to make our choices about our wills, including the disbursement of funds, property and possessions with our partners, rather than estranged biological family members.


Please read the following email carefully and then contact your local representative because gay marriage doesn't just have to be a distant dream, it can happen in our life times! 

 

In just a few days, the Marriage Equality bill will be debated in Olympia. The House and Senate will hear testimony on Monday, January 23 that will help determine if loving and committed same-sex couples will have the right to marry in Washington state.

 

Convincing your legislators that now is the time for full equality is crucial to the success of this bill. Your voice is important to help keep the momentum moving. Please take a moment to contact your elected officials to let them know that you believe in equality and that they should, too.

 

While we all can’t make it to Olympia to tell our stories, we can all tell our stories at home. Visit theWashington United for Marriage website and enter your zip code to find out how to contact your legislators.

 

With optimism,

Amy White

Director of Regional Operations and Leadership

Pride Foundation

 

P.S. – Pride Foundation is hosting a phone bank night on Tuesday, January 24 from 5:30-8:30 pm at UFCW Local 21 (5030 1st Ave S # 200, Seattle, WA). If you are interested in volunteering for the phone bank please RSVP to christina@pridefoundation.org.

 

SAVE THE DATE: Lobby Day takes place February 16. More details to come.

1/17/12 - Event on 1/24/12 - Legal Issues in the Golden Years

http://www.scn.org/hoot/Elder%20Law%20Flyer%20(1-10).pdf

 Location - Capitol Hill Library

Date - 1/24/12, Tuesday

Time - 5.30 PM - 7.30 PM

This looks like a wonderful event, and, it's free! 

1/17/12 - Housing - new thoughts

I thought of a few other things when selecting a safe and lgbtqi friendly location to live.  

Religion/Spirituality - if you have a specific religious preference, ensure that this part of your life will be honored and respected in a way that feels safe for you.  For example, some people may lean towards Buddhism, but the residence that they are inquiring about may be Catholic based - ask questions to ensure that this is not a fundamental part of the care that you will be receiving.  If you have specific requests for your end of life care, ensure that this will be process that will be honored by the staff.  
Some people may not have a specific religious or spiritual preference.  However, some people find as they age that it can be useful to explore this aspect of their lives, as it can offer a sense or grounding, compassion and hope.  

Pets - if you have a pet and wish to take it with you (pets can be a wonderful source of support for anyone, particularly when going through changes, including moving into a new environment), check to ensure that you will be able to bring your pet and the kinds of costs involved.  If you have a dog, you may choose to ask if there will be someone available to walk the dog.  Also, I encourage you to inquire about the availability of staff to feed the animals as well as take them to appointments, as well as the costs involved. 

Support - if in need of assistance while staying in long term care, you may try contacting the following resources listed on the Solid Ground website.  This includes a listing for people of color:

 http://www.solid-ground.org/Programs/Disabilities/LongTerm/Pages/default.aspx

Local Resources - Housing

Housing can be an issue for everyone as we age, particularly for lgbtqi folks, and more so, for people with disAbilities and people of color.  Now that the baby boomer age is aging, there is suddenly a greater awareness within the medical community and also within the lgbtqi communities that there needs to be more culturally sensitive services, including housing, for this population, including people with limited economic resources.


There are many different kinds of housing options available for seniors, and these include staying with friends or family (created or biological), staying in your own home (possibly with the assistance of caregivers and/or neighbors, friends, and/or family), or living in a skilled nursing facility (commonly referred to as "snfs" in the medical provider field).  These can include adult family homes (some will and some will not switch to Medicaid), assisted living facilities (allows for more independence) and nursing homes (which can provide more round the clock medical care).  


Senior Services-Seattle/King County     
Website - http://www.seniorservices.org/getting_assistance.aspx
Phone - 1-888-435-3377

Phone - Call Sally at 206-727-6260 for lgbtqi culturally sensitive assistance with resources, including housing issues. 

Housing link for Senior Services is: http://www.seniorservices.org/getting_assistance/housing_programs.aspx

This is a great resource because it gives info on ways to stay in your home and resources to look into moving to a new home.  

Things to consider when selecting a long term care facility include price range (is this place within  your budget, including the monthly fee, additional fees, deposit, any additional costs eg for food, entertainment, driving to doctors' appointments, activity participation etc, and will they agree to switch to Medicare - if so, after how many years).  

*I would also encourage you to see if there are any "out" people in the residence, if there are any "out" staff working there and, if there are any people of color in the facility.  Also, consider asking if you can tour the facility and, also, if you stay for a meal.  This gives you an opportunity to sample the kind of food that they offer.  If you have special dietary needs, ask if they cater to this.

*It is also important to physically visit the room that they are offering to ensure that it meets the criteria that they are offering.  For example, the room may offer a downtown location and view, but, the view may also offer loud traffic which may make it difficult to sleep.  

*Another good question to ask is there visitation policy.  I encourage you to consider selecting a residence that has an open door policy with no limits on visits or times to be in by if this is preferable for you.  You may also choose to ask if there is a guest "sleep over" policy - specifically, you may learn if you are welcome to bring  your partner or relative or friend to stay with you without the need for permission. Another option, is to bring your partner and/or friends with you and see how the staff responds to your guests.  If it is important to you, you may clarify with the staff if there is any kind of policy on whether guests may sleep in the same bed or not. 

*I encourage people of color, and immigrants, particularly those that don't speak English as a first language, to see how many people of color are working in the facility and if there are any people that speak your first language readily available.

*Other things to look for include the presence of a RN (registered nurse) or doctor on staff.  Also, check to see if they offer doctors'/medical appointments, and if there is a charge for this, and if a caregiver will be provided for this service, and if there is a charge for this.

*Recreation - ask to see a copy of their recreation schedule.  Also, ask how much residents have in selecting the facility entertainment e.g. the choice of a particular movie, etc.  If you have an interest in a new kind of activity, e.g. visiting a theater on a regular basis, you can ask if there is some kind of resident committee for this kind of input. 

*I encourage you to talk to other residents and find out what they like about the facility, what they would like to see done differently and if they would recommend it. 

*Ask if there have been any documented cases of abuse at the home and then check this with the state.  

*I encourage you to consider not signing anything until you have the contract in writing.  

*If you are searching for a home for a loved one, consider giving them several options. 

*Bring an advocate along with you when you go to visit the homes.  

Good luck!