The San Diego LGBT Community Center

The Center mourns the heartbreaking loss of Pauly Likens, a fourteen-year-old transgender teenager from Pennsylvania who was a victim of anti-trans violence. Pauly will always be remembered for her contagious laughter and her will to help others. Anti-trans legislation and policies, including the attacks on gender-affirming care for trans and nonbinary youth, have real and devastating consequences. Harmful rhetoric threatens transgender rights. Meanwhile, our trans youth are being murdered for simply existing. Youth deserve to be who they are without fear of harassment or violence. We will continue to provide a safe space for our LGBTQ+ community. Let us all practice kindness and continue to advocate for the change we wish to see in the world. 🏳️⚧️ We remind you that you are not alone. Please reach out to the following resources as necessary. -Project TRANS at The Center: Email trans@thcentersd.org -Behavioral Health Services at The Center: Email counseling@thecentersd.org | Call 619.692.2077 x208 -Crisis Support Services at The Center: Email stopthehate@thecentersd.org | Call 619.692.2077 -The Trevor Project: Call 1.866.488.7386 | Text 678-678

The Center condemns the Biden administration’s recent Executive Order on asylum seekers. The policy places stringent restrictions on people from seeking asylum in the United States, which bodes extremely harmful effects, including impacts upon LGBTQ+ individuals who are fleeing persecution. This executive order temporarily removes the rights of people who cross the border between ports of entry to seek asylum in the United States. This order goes into effect once the daily average of unauthorized entries reaches 2,500, which has already been met – meaning it has gone into effect immediately. This is a significant departure from the general process of seeking asylum in the United States, and poses a great threat to the livelihood of those attempting to escape persecution. Immigration Resources: - San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium: https://lnkd.in/gAysmCXn - Alliance SD: (619) 269-1823 - Casa Cornelia: (619) 231-7788 | Services@CasaCornelia.org

The Center condemns the Biden Administration’s recent statement against gender-affirming surgery access for transgender youth. Our staff at our Hillcrest Youth Center and South Bay Youth Center are deeply familiar with the ways that access to comprehensive gender-affirming care is of paramount importance to the wellbeing of our trans and nonbinary youth. Implementing specific limitations in access to care contradicts our understanding that medical care should never be a one-size-fits-all approach, especially concerning such a personal experience. The gender-affirming care that trans and nonbinary youth receive is backed by decades of research and by every major medical association in the United States. Accessing gender-affirming care should be a private decision made between an individual, their guardians, and their healthcare provider, not the federal government. The Center will continue to advocate for access to comprehensive, gender-affirming care for all LGBTQ+ people. #CenterSDAdvocacy

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that cities may criminalize unhoused individuals for sleeping on sidewalks and other public property, even if there is no shelter available. This decision rules that anti-encampment policies do not qualify as “cruel and unusual punishment,” and therefore may be used to fine, ticket, or arrest unhoused people. The Center condemns this decision, particularly as LGBTQ+ people and LGBTQ+ youth continue to be disproportionately impacted by homelessness. This ruling is yet another attempt to criminalize homelessness instead of addressing root causes and providing comprehensive resources. As the largest health and human services provider for the LGBTQ+ community in San Diego County, we’ve seen the negative impacts of policies that punish unhoused individuals and will continue to advocate for compassionate solutions. 📧 Email hello@thecentersd.org or 📞 call our front desk at 619-692-2077 to be connected to housing resources. #CenterSDAdvocacy

✨🌈 Get ready to be inspired this Thursday at The San Diego LGBT Community Center's inaugural LGBTQ+ Luminaries Lunch, where Barbie Q and Raquel Ita will be hosting a fantastic Drag Queen Story Hour featuring “The Library of Many Colors.” This will be an extraordinary opportunity to join a vibrant gathering of advocates during Pride season and learn about transformative leaders who shaped our community. Our event’s emcee will be none other than CBS 8 News Anchor Evan Noorani! Meet our LGBTQ+ Luminaries: ✨ Tracie Jada O’Brien: Luminary Catalyst Award ✨ Chris Shaw: Luminary Icon Award ✨ Librarians and Library Workers of San Diego: Luminary Unsung Hero Award For more information and to purchase tickets and tables, visit thecentersd.org/LGBTQ

💜 Black people account for 40% of estimated HIV transmissions, even though they make up 12% of the U.S. population. Racism, HIV stigma, discrimination, homophobia, poverty, and other barriers to health care continue to drive disparities in HIV diagnoses. Let's challenge stigma and prioritize well-being. Visit The Center for FREE HIV testing, STI screenings, and more! 📞 Call us at 619.487.9980 or email bethegeneration@thecentersd.org to make an appointment today. Walk-ins are welcome based on staff availability. To learn more, visit thecentersd.org/BTG.

🧡 The Center was proud to speak in support of the amendments to San Diego’s buffer zone law, which were ceremoniously signed into law by Mayor Todd Gloria today. These amendments make important and much-needed updates to the City’s buffer zone, which protects people accessing healthcare centers, places of worship, and school grounds from aggressive protestors. No one should be intimidated out of receiving their healthcare, including folks seeking safe and legal abortions, and trans and nonbinary folks who are seeking gender-affirming care. We are grateful to City Attorney Mara Elliott, Mayor Todd Gloria, and the City Council for supporting these amendments and protecting our community from harassment.

💜 On the 2nd anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court decision that overturned the federal right to an abortion in the United States, The Center was proud to stand in solidarity with Planned Parenthood and our local elected officials in support of reproductive justice for all. Reproductive justice is an LGBTQ+ issue — LGBTQ+ people need access to reproductive healthcare services, including gender-affirming care, sexual health services, and safe and legal abortions.

✨🌈 Presenting our Luminary Icon Award: As the founder of the Mo's Universe bar and restaurant empire, Chris Shaw (he/him) has created more than social hubs; he’s crafted sanctuaries for our LGBTQ+ community and developed diverse leaders within his enterprise who are now business partners. To read the full history, visit: https://lnkd.in/gXsErqdj ✨ Get ready to be inspired! Join us for our inaugural LGBTQ+ Luminaries Lunch, where we'll shine a spotlight on heroes in our local LGBTQ+ community. 🔗 For more information, visit thecentersd.org/luminaries

🌈 📖 Join The Center's Training Institute on June 27, 2024, for the next Mental Health Awareness Training: LGBTQ+ People and Homelessness via ZOOM. 🔗 Register at https://lnkd.in/gv_tiCAZ During this free webinar, you will learn how to: 🔹 Develop LGBTQ+ inclusive language for unhoused community members and learn about associated health disparities. 🔹 Provide safe, affirming, and competent services to LGBTQ+ people who show signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness. 🔹 Recognize signs and symptoms of mental health challenges for LGBTQ+ people who are at risk of or are experiencing homelessness. 🔹 Apply LGBTQ+ adaptations to SAMHSA’s evidence-based Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP55)—Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) protocol for behavioral health service providers.