There are four social, drop-in discussion groups available in Marin, Sonoma, and Napa. These are special places for LGBT older adults. What constitutes an ‘older adult’ you ask? We leave that up to you, but attendance is typically people whose age is 50+.

All groups are free of charge and all occur on a monthly basis. You are welcome to visit any group that appeals to you, regardless of where you live. Since these are drop-in groups, you may come once or every time. You don’t need to be a member or join anything. These are NOT therapy groups.

MARIN COUNTY: Spectrum’s Senior Discussion group meets in Novato

When: First Tuesday of each month, 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Where: Maragaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Road, Novato, Room 3
Brown Bag Lunch (optional) 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM – Coffee and Cookies Provided
Facilitated Discussion 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Facilitated by Nancy Flaxman, MSW

Description: The group gathers informally for a brown bag lunch (optional) and then continues with a different topic for discussion each month. Whether you are in the closet or out, partnered or single, shy or outgoing, we hope you will join us for this opportunity to get to know each other and build community.

We thank Margaret Todd Senior Center and Episcopal Senior Communities for sponsoring our meeting place and valuing the participation of LGBT seniors.

DIRECTIONS: De Long Exit of 101; Take De Long west (De Long will eventually become Diablo) all the way to the end. That is Hill Rd. Turn left on Hill. After the school, you will see Margaret Todd on your left.

NAPA COUNTY: Napa When: First Tuesday of each month, 10:15 am – 12:00 PM Where: Queen of the Valley Community Center, 3448 Villa Lane, Napa 10:15 AM to 10:30 AM: Arrival, coffee and pastries provided

Facilitated Discussion 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Facilitated by Ian Stanley, Director, LGBTQ Connections Napa

Description: Join us for a very casual, fun, and relaxed group discussion with different topics each month. There is often a film featured, followed by relevant discussion. Plenty of street & lot parking, wheelchair access, and located on major transportation routes. Whether in the closet or not, we’re discreet and confidential. For more information, call 707-583-2330 (24 hour confidential voice message line, checked regularly).

This group is made possible with funding from Napa County Health and Human Services and hosted in partnership with LGBTQ Connection Napa and Spectrum LGBT Center.

SONOMA COUNTY: Santa Rosa When: Fourth Tuesday of the month, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: Glaser Center at UUCM, 547 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa Social time 1:00 – 1:30 PM; facilitated discussion 1:30 – 3:00 PM

Facilitator: Rotates on a volunteer basis
The group is not affiliated with any religious denomination.

Description: Join us for lively discussions, mutual support, sharing information, and all the while celebrating who we are. Everyone is welcome; there is no charge. Whether you’re in the closet or out, you are welcome!

SONOMA COUNTY: City of Sonoma

When: Third Friday of the month, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

Where: Vintage House Senior Center, 264 1st Street East, Sonoma

Social time 10:00 – 10:30 AM; facilitated discussion 10:30 – 12:00 Noon

Coordinators: Gary “Buz” Hermes (707) 227-6935 and Janice Farrell (415) 608-5792

Description: All ages and abilities welcome! Come join us and feel free to bring a friend or neighbor. After the group, some of us go to lunch at a local restaurant; join us!

Spectrum hosts and collaborates with a variety of programs, groups, and activities for the LGBT community.

Below are descriptions of Spectrum programs open to the public.

Youth Program

Rainbow’s End is a weekly drop-in facilitated social support group for 14-19-year-olds.

This group is a safe space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth to gather each week for friendship, support, and discussion.

The group meets every Thursday evening from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm at Spectrum in San Anselmo.

Drop-in Center For Youth: on Wednesdays at Spectrum from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

Feel free to come anytime between those two hours and hang out with your friends, play games, socialize, or even just do homework. Can’t wait to see you all there!!!

Gay/Straight Alliances are school-based clubs organized by students with technical assistance from Spectrum.

They meet weekly on their campuses to promote safety and acceptance for queer and questioning youth on high school campuses.

Here’s your last chance to help Rainbow Health Initiative and the National LGBTQ Task Force spread the word about the National Voices of Health 2015 Survey!

We are excited to share the final findings of this survey to strengthen your statewide health equity and support LGBTQ community needs.

We encourage everyone to utilize this information to facilitate greater awareness in your state and nationwide!

National Voices of Health Survey (English): http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/nationalvoh15

“Make Queer Health Count by taking the National Voices of Health 2015 survey. Rainbow Health Initiative, in partnership with the National LGBTQ Task Force, is using this survey to create a national snapshot of LGBTQ health access, experiences, and disparities. Share your experience and help us fight for LGBTQ health equity in our communities.”

National Voices of Health Survey (Spanish): https://es.surveymonkey.com/s/VOH2015ES

“Tu salud cuenta!” Participa en el CENSO “National Voices Of Health 2015 Survey” y la Inciativa de Salud Arcoiris (Rainbow Health Iniciative) en con junto con la Mision Movimiento LGBTQ que estan usando este CENSO para investigar y conocer como es el acceso nacional a la salud de la Comunidad LGBTQ las differencias, desigualdades e inconsistencias, comparte tus experiencias y ayudanos a luchar por la salud LGBTQ y la igualdad en nuestras comunidades.”

We do encourage you to take the survey before you send it out so you know what you’re sharing. Please feel free to use this link on social media as well. We will be posting the links on our Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages. #QUEERHEALTHCOUNTS

Data sets will be enhanced by the increased number of survey participants; the more folks who participate, the stronger the data sets.

Let’s work together to contribute to a better understanding of LGBTQ health in our communities.

If you have any questions, suggestions or need additional information, please feel free to contact us.

 Spectrum LGBT Center (Spectrum) and Marin AIDS Project (MAP) to Merge Under a Single Umbrella Organization, while Retaining Separate Programs and Services

The Boards of Directors of Spectrum LGBT Center (Spectrum) and Marin AIDS Project (MAP) have announced that the two longstanding Marin County human services agencies will merge under a common non-profit umbrella organization while maintaining their separate programs and services.

“Spectrum will remain Spectrum, and MAP will remain MAP,” said MAP’s Executive Director Jennifer Malone, “but by combining at the organizational level we will streamline administrative costs, enhance the services of both agencies and leverage our programmatic impact in the community”.

Malone further notes that community input is being sought as the new organization proceeds with the merger process.

Malone explains that the merger is the culmination of leadership discussions held during the second half of 2014 that focused on ways the organizations could increase their impact and results through a shared organizational structure.

In the new structure, Spectrum, MAP, and Irwin Street Counseling, MAP’s counseling program that serves the entire LGBTQ community, will maintain separate programs, services, and networks of supporters.

Spectrum’s programs for LGBTQ youth and older adults will continue and MAP will also continue its full array of programs and services as the organizations work in collaboration to support and enhance each other.

In addition to the merger, Spectrum is announcing a leadership change. Paula Pilecki has retired from her 16-year tenure as Spectrum’s Executive Director.

She will continue to offer consultation and support through the transition and a Spectrum program manager will be hired in the near future. Ms. Pilecki will be honored for her years of leadership and achievement at a retirement party in March.

Jennifer Malone, Executive Director of Marin AIDS Project since 2004, will serve as Executive Director of the merged organization. The members of the boards of Spectrum and MAP will come together to form the board of the new organization which has yet to be named.

According to Malone, the merger can be seen as a reunion. Spectrum and MAP were each born from the vision of their shared founder, the Rev. Janie Spahr. In 1982 Rev. Spahr launched the Ministry of Light, the first non-judgmental support services for LGBT people in Marin County which was later renamed Spectrum LGBT Center.

In 1984, in response to the emerging AIDS epidemic in Marin County, she spearheaded the creation of the Marin AIDS Support Network which grew to become the Marin AIDS Project.

At MAP’s 30^th Anniversary Celebration in October, Rev. Spahr spoke, saying while much has changed since the early 1980s, much remains the same and “the work is not done”! Malone says it is with this knowledge that the merged organization dedicates itself to serving the Marin community.