Join us for eventsthroughout the month of September, from the Teen Film Festival premiere to Salsa dance lessons. All events are free and you don’t need a library card to attend; registration is required for select events. See you soon!
Kids
Santa Rosa Firefighters Story HourJoin your local firefighter for an exciting book reading and check out one of the fire department’s special emergency vehicles! For grades K-3. At three libraries: Rincon Valley, Roseland, and Northwest Santa Rosa.
The Imaginists: SueñosWhere do we go when we sleep? Find out in Sueños, the Imaginists’ new bilingual show exploring the fantastical world of dreams. For grades K-6. At five libraries: Central Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park Cotati, Northwest Santa Rosa, and Windsor.
Teens
Teen Film Festival PremiereJoin us on the red carpet for an in-person screening and awards ceremony at the Rincon Valley Regional Library on Wednesday, September 10, at 5:30 pm! Enjoy the short films while you snack on popcorn and refreshments. All are welcome to attend.
Make Your Own EarringsLearn technical skills and use quality beading materials to make—and take home!—a pair of drop dangle earrings. All supplies included. For grades 7-12. At four libraries in September: Rohnert Park Cotati, Northwest Santa Rosa, Windsor, and Sonoma Valley.
Adults
Computer Basics: Mouse & KeyboardDo you or someone you know need help navigating computers? In our Computer Basics: Mouse & Keyboard workshops, participants will learn various mouse clicks, basic command keys, and how to navigate a computer keyboard. Computers provided. At six libraries in September: Windsor, Sonoma Valley, Cloverdale, Rincon Valley, Petaluma, and Sebastopol.
History of Salsa & Dance LessonDiscover the history and influences of Salsa dancing, then learn basic steps while listening to top hits! No dance experience required. Join the fun at three libraries: Rincon Valley, Windsor, and Petaluma.
Celebrate Latin American Roots in September and October—and all year long!—with Sonoma County Library, where celebrating our community is more than a month. Explore books for kids, teens, and adults here.
A Reminder from Your Library
All libraries will be closed on Monday, September 1.We look forward to seeing you when we reopen on Tuesday, September 2!
Library News
The History & Genealogy Library will close temporarily in September for HVAC work. The library will close at the end of the day on September 13 and reopen on October 7. For more information, visit sonomalibrary.org/HistoryGenealogy
Thank you for being a member of the Sonoma County Library community. Visit us online or in person at one of our libraries. Be sure to check out open jobs at Sonoma County Library here. Questions? Please call your local library or click here to send us a message. Eventos en septiembre Acompáñanos a disfrutar de eventos durante todo el mes de septiembre, desde el estreno del Festival de Cine para Jóvenes hasta las clases de baile salsa. Todos los eventos son gratuitos y no necesitas una tarjeta de biblioteca para asistir; es necesario registrarse para ciertos eventos. ¡Nos vemos pronto!
Niñes
Cuentos con los bomberos de Santa Rosa¡Acompaña a tu bombero local en una emocionante sesión de lectura y explora uno de los vehículos de emergencia especiales del departamento de bomberos! Para grados K–3. En tres bibliotecas: Rincon Valley, Roseland y Northwest Santa Rosa.
Los Imaginistas: Sueños¿Adónde vamos cuando dormimos? Descúbrelo con Sueños, el nuevo espectáculo bilingüe de los Imaginistas que explora el fantástico mundo de los sueños. Para grados K–6. En cinco bibliotecas: Central Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park Cotati, Northwest Santa Rosa y Windsor.
Jóvenes
Estreno del Festival de Cine para Jóvenes¡Acompáñanos en la alfombra roja para una proyección presencial y la ceremonia de premiación en la Biblioteca Regional de Rincon Valley el miércoles 10 de septiembre a las 5:30 pm! Disfruta de los cortometrajes comiendo palomitas de maíz y tomando refrescos. Todas las personas están invitadas.
Crea tus propios aretes¡Aprende técnicas y utiliza materiales de calidad para crear unos aretes colgantes que podrás llevarte a casa! Todos los materiales serán proporcionados. Para grados 7–12. En cuatro bibliotecas durante septiembre: Rohnert Park Cotati, Northwest Santa Rosa, Windsor y Sonoma Valley.
The June Mahmoud Vs Taylor Supreme Court Ruling has an effect on our school districts and our LGBTQIA+ youth, families and staff. Below and here is an advocacy letter template that you can use, share and send out to your local school superintendents, administrators, teachers and board members; to advocate they proceed forward in the most inclusive way. Within the letter, please note that there are helpful sample annual general notification and opt out forms as well.
The school districts that this advocacy letter has already been sent to currently are: Old Adobe Union School District, Petaluma City Schools, Waugh School District, Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District, Santa Rosa City Schools and Harmony Unified School District.
We appreciate you all joining us to support our LGBTQIA+ community, especially those who are trans and who are being especially targeted. Love and advocacy do and will win.
Hola a todes,
Espero que estén teniendo una buen fin de semana. El fallo de la Corte Suprema en el caso Mahmoud Vs Taylor de junio tiene un impacto en nuestros distritos escolares y en nuestra juventud, familias y personal LGBTQIA+. A continuación y aqui, encontrarán una plantilla de carta de incidencia que pueden usar, compartir y enviar a sus superintendentes escolares locales, administradores, maestros y miembros de la junta; para abogar porque sigan adelante de la manera más inclusiva posible. Dentro de la carta, tengan en cuenta que también se incluyen ejemplos útiles de notificación general anual y formularios de exclusión.
Los distritos escolares a los que ya se ha enviado esta carta de incidencia son: Old Adobe Union School District, Petaluma City Schools, Waugh School District, Cotati Rohnert Park Unified School District, Santa Rosa City Schools y Harmony Unified School District.
Agradecemos que se unan a nosotros para apoyar a nuestra comunidad LGBTQIA+, especialmente a las personas trans que están siendo particularmente atacadas. El amor y la defensa ganan y seguirán ganando.
Dear Wonderful Superintendents and Administrators,
I hope the school year is off to a good start for you all.The Supreme Court Mahmoud vs Taylor ruling in June has led to some myths about what is not allowed anymore in schools and how schools must proceed. We wanted to share the inclusive action that the Howell Mountain Elementary school district in Napa County recently took and ask that you all consider following suit.Howell Mountain Elementary school district voted not to adopt an opt-out form specifically for LGBTQIA+ curriculum. Instead, the board directed the superintendent to send a general annual notice (example annual notice) reminding parents of their right to request, in writing (example religious opt out request), that their child be excused from any curriculum they believe conflicts with their religious beliefs. This notice did not single out LGBTQIA+ instruction. The board’s decision came in response to community concern that singling out LGBTQIA+ content with its own opt-out form would be stigmatizing and discriminatory. The statement emphasized that the district “respects and values the LGBTQIA+ community” and chose not to adopt a form targeting them. Also, one annual general notice versus many throughout the school year relieved the workload for school administrators and teachers.Here is a helpful resource from the ACLU, Equality California, National Center for Youth Law and Public Counsel. Following are more helpful resources and guidance from the CDE, F3 Law Firm and CSBA to ensure our schools are a safe and welcomed space for all, after the Mahmoud ruling.The above resources note:Existing state law still stands – Public schools in California must still provide a welcoming and inclusive education for all students. This includes, but is not limited to, compliance with affirmative inclusive education requirements such as the FAIR Education Act, the California Healthy Youth Act, AB 1078 and Ethnic Studies requirements. California law mandates that instructional materials “accurately portray the cultural and racial diversity of our society” including the role and contributions of LGBTQIA+ people and ensures the continued use of adopted curriculum even when containing inclusive and diverse perspectives. California’s antidiscrimination laws, including protections on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, also remain in effect. Schools requirements to provide religious opt-outs and how to proceed – Any notices informing parents of their right to religious opt-outs or associated forms must be content-neutral and should not single out LGBTQIA+-related content or otherwise stigmatize LGBTQIA+ identities. If schools elect to annually notify parents about their general practices of providing inclusive curriculum, they should do so holistically and not single out LGBTQIA+-related content. Appropriate opt-out processes will require parents to take affirmative steps to exercise their right to religious opt-outs, such as notifying the school of their religious objection in writing. What types of “instruction” this decision impacts – Mahmoud focused specifically on the use of books for “instruction.” The decision does not require any censorship of books on the shelf in the classroom or in the library, including LGBTQIA+ inclusive books or books containing potentially religiously objectionable topics. Censorship of materials in school libraries and classrooms based on LGBTQIA+ content is still prohibited by California law. Additionally, nothing about this decision impacts students’ long-standing rights to be themselves at school, to talk about LGBTQIA+ related issues, or to form LGBTQIA+ themed student clubs on the same terms as other extracurricular student clubs.This decision providing the right to religious opt-out accommodations in public schools is not only applicable to LGBTQIA+ related content – While Mahmoud involved LGBTQIA+ inclusive storybooks, the Court’s decision is not limited to LGBTQIA+ inclusive content. Therefore, school leaders should aim to craft general religious accommodation opt-out processes that do not focus on LGBTQIA+ content, nor should they “silo” LGBTQIA+ content within the curriculum. The dire truth is that our LGBTQIA+ students, especially those who are transgender, are under attack. Basic rights, health care access and now representation in schools are trying to be stripped away, with a goal being, the erasure of the transgender community. It is California law and the role of our school leaders and mission of our school districts to ensure all students feel safe and thrive.Thank you for your time. At your convenience, please let us know if you will proceed to follow suit of Howell Mountain Elementary school district to ensure LGBTQIA+ students, staff and families are not stigmatized, discriminated against and singled out.Con amor,Amor Para Todos (APT)Sage Casey FoundationCompass Parents Rainbow Families ActionCelebrate Love CRPPositive ImagesOn The Margins, IncCentering Disability Love and Light SoCoLGBTQ ConnectionPFLAG Santa Rosa/Sonoma Co
Estimados Superintendentes y Administradores,
Espero que el año escolar haya comenzado bien para todos ustedes.La decisión de la Corte Suprema en el caso Mahmoud vs. Taylor (junio) ha generado ciertos mitos sobre lo que ya no está permitido en las escuelas y cómo deben proceder los distritos escolares. Queremos compartir con ustedes la acción inclusiva que tomó recientemente el distrito escolar Howell Mountain Elementary en el condado de Napa y pedirles que consideren seguir su ejemplo.El distrito Howell Mountain Elementary votó por no adoptar un formulario de exclusión (“opt-out”) específico para el plan de estudios relacionado con LGBTQIA+. En su lugar, la mesa directiva instruyó a la superintendenta a enviar un aviso anual general (ejemplo de aviso anual) recordando a los padres su derecho de solicitar, por escrito (ejemplo de solicitud de exclusión religiosa), que su hijo/a sea dispensado/a de cualquier contenido que entre en conflicto con sus creencias religiosas. Este aviso no señalaba de forma aislada la instrucción LGBTQIA+. La decisión de la mesa directiva respondió a la preocupación de la comunidad de que destacar específicamente los contenidos LGBTQIA+ con su propio formulario de exclusión sería estigmatizante y discriminatorio. En su declaración, el distrito enfatizó que “respeta y valora a la comunidad LGBTQIA+” y decidió no adoptar un formulario dirigido únicamente a ellos. Asimismo, un aviso general anual en lugar de muchos a lo largo del año escolar alivió la carga de trabajo de los administradores y maestres.Adjuntamos un recurso útil preparado por la ACLU, Equality California, National Center for Youth Law y Public Counsel. A continuación incluimos también más recursos y orientación del CDE, F3 Law Firm y CSBA para asegurar que nuestras escuelas continúen siendo espacios seguros y acogedores para todos después del fallo Mahmoud.Los recursos anteriores señalan lo siguiente:La ley estatal vigente sigue en pie – Las escuelas públicas en California aún deben ofrecer una educación inclusiva y acogedora para todos los estudiantes. Esto incluye, pero no se limita a, el cumplimiento de los requisitos de educación inclusiva y afirmativa, como la FAIR Education Act, la California Healthy Youth Act, la AB 1078 y los requisitos de Estudios Étnicos. La ley de California exige que los materiales de instrucción “representen con precisión la diversidad cultural y racial de nuestra sociedad”, incluyendo el papel y las contribuciones de las personas LGBTQIA+, y garantiza el uso continuo de planes de estudio adoptados aun cuando contengan perspectivas inclusivas y diversas. Las leyes estatales antidiscriminación, incluyendo protecciones basadas en el género, identidad de género, expresión de género y orientación sexual, siguen en vigor.Requisitos escolares para proporcionar exclusiones religiosas y cómo proceder – Cualquier aviso a los padres sobre su derecho de exclusión religiosa o formularios asociados debe ser neutral en cuanto al contenido y no debe señalar específicamente los temas relacionados con LGBTQIA+ ni estigmatizar a las identidades LGBTQIA+. Si los distritos eligen notificar anualmente a los padres sobre sus prácticas generales de ofrecer un currículo inclusivo, deben hacerlo de manera integral y no destacar de forma aislada el contenido LGBTQIA+. Los procesos de exclusión apropiados requieren que los padres tomen medidas afirmativas para ejercer su derecho a la exclusión religiosa, como notificar a la escuela por escrito sobre su objeción religiosa.Qué tipo de “instrucción” se ve afectada por esta decisión – El caso Mahmoud se enfocó específicamente en el uso de libros como parte de la “instrucción”. La decisión no exige la censura de libros disponibles en los salones o bibliotecas, incluyendo libros inclusivos LGBTQIA+ o libros con temas que puedan resultar objetables desde un punto de vista religioso. La censura de materiales en bibliotecas escolares y salones basada en contenido LGBTQIA+ sigue prohibida por la ley de California. Además, nada en esta decisión afecta los derechos ya existentes de los estudiantes a ser ellos mismos en la escuela, a hablar sobre temas relacionados con LGBTQIA+ o a formar clubes estudiantiles temáticos LGBTQIA+ en igualdad de condiciones que otros clubes extracurriculares.La decisión sobre el derecho a exclusiones religiosas no se limita al contenido LGBTQIA+ – Aunque el caso Mahmoud involucró libros inclusivos LGBTQIA+, la decisión de la Corte no se limita a ese contenido. Por lo tanto, los líderes escolares deben diseñar procesos generales de exclusión religiosa que no se enfoquen en temas LGBTQIA+ ni los aíslen dentro del currículo.La dura realidad es que nuestros estudiantes LGBTQIA+, especialmente quienes son transgénero, están bajo ataque. Se intenta despojarlos de derechos básicos, del acceso a la atención médica y ahora también de su representación en las escuelas, con el objetivo de borrar a la comunidad transgénero. La ley en California, así como el papel de nuestros líderes escolares y la misión de nuestros distritos escolares, es garantizar que todos los estudiantes se sientan seguros y prosperen.Gracias por su tiempo. Cuando sea posible, les pedimos que nos informen si procederán a seguir el ejemplo del distrito Howell Mountain Elementary para asegurar que los estudiantes, el personal y las familias LGBTQIA+ no sean estigmatizados, discriminados ni señalados.
On average, there are 73 deaths by suicide each year in Sonoma County, making it the ninth leading cause of death. The Sonoma County suicide rate of 14.3 per 100,000 residents is considerably higher than the California rate of 10.5.
“While there are likely several reasons for the higher-than-average suicide rates in Sonoma County, we know that loneliness can increase the risk for suicide, and we’re living in a very lonely time for many people,” says Melissa Ladrech, Mental Health Services Act coordinator.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who released a report last year on what he has named the epidemic of loneliness and isolation in our country, has been quoted as saying, “The experience of loneliness is an incredibly common one … one in two adults in America struggles with loneliness. To really address it, we have to make social connection a priority in our lives and in society more broadly.” He has also stated that feeling lonely and lacking connection can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
In October 2022, the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, which is committed to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and providing education and training on suicide prevention, brought together community partners to create the “Life Worth Living: Sonoma County Suicide Prevention Alliance.” The Alliance has since developed a Sonoma County Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, which includes a call to action, a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention, local data and specific strategies to reduce suicide deaths in the county. In September 2023, the Alliance also began holding annual ‘Connection is Prevention’ community events.
Three Connection is Prevention events are planned for this September to bring resources, connections and fun for the whole community. Each event is free and open to the public, will emphasize the essential role that human connections play in maintaining good mental health and nurturing a supportive community, and will offer enjoyable and informative activities for the whole family.
The first event will take place Saturday,September 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Old Court House Square in Santa Rosa. Attendees can enjoy the Bibliobus Mobile Library, Children’s Museum on the Go, free paletas, food trucks, raffle prizes, swag bags, and more. More than 35 organizations will set up tables and provide resources, and Board of Supervisors Chair David Rabbitt will present a proclamation designating September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
“It’s been very disturbing to learn how prevalent suicide and self-harm are in Sonoma County,” says Chair Rabbitt. “I hope everyone will consider attending one of these special events put on by our Behavioral Health division to celebrate mental well-being and meaningful connections.”
If you or someone you care about is in emotional distress or thinking about suicide, help and support are available: Call 988. For help identifying local resources, call 211.
A week before the league begins, we are hosting an informational and sign-up night. On Tuesday, August 26th, at 6:30 pm, anyone interested in the league, seeking more information, or ready to sign up is invited. We will assist people with the sign-up process and answer any questions. Additionally, we will discuss the rules and accept nominations for league officer positions. The official league positions are:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Sergeant at Arms
Social Media Coordinator
Games Coordinator
We will officially vote on the new positions on the first night of bowling on September 2, 2025.
If you have a team of four, only one person should attend to provide input on the rules we discuss. All four team members are welcome.
If you need to find a team or are a team that needs a player, this sign-up event is perfect for connecting with new people.
Location:
Bowlero/Double Decker Lanes
300 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park
***In the bar area***
League Details
The league officially starts on Tuesday, September 2nd at 6:30 pm. We ask that people arrive at the bowling alley by 6:15 pm so we can vote on the league officials and the rules. League details are below:
Bowling Details
• Inclusive & Welcoming Weekly Space • 16-week Season • $25/Week
• $25 Sanction fee – one time and covers this season and the winter season
• Week 16 Fun Tournament • Each team is guaranteed to win money at the end of the season!
Each week, Shelly will have team envelopes at the bowling alley. Please ensure you put your money ($25 per person, $100 per team) into the envelope and give it to Shelly by the end of your first game each week. The total cost of the league is $376 per person plus $25 for sanctioning cards. You can pay with cash or check (checks made payable to Bowlero). Please try to bring cash, as the ATM at the alley can be temperamental. International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO)
Each bowler in the Sonoma County Pride Bowling League automatically becomes a member of the International Gay Bowling Organization. This membership allows bowlers to earn awards for their achievements and compete in LGBTQA+ tournaments across the US, including those in San Francisco, San Jose, and Sonoma County (summer 2026). Your IGBO membership is paid through games played during our league nights. For more information about IGBO, visit https://www.igbo.org/.Side Pot Games
During our bowling nights, we offer two extra games you can join. These weekly games are organized by two of our bowlers (THANK YOU Jean and John). The games and their costs are:
Poker – It costs $5 a week, and it counts for all three games. For each strike you bowl, you receive 2 cards. For each spare, you receive 1 card. At the end of each game, you use the cards to make your best 5-card poker hand. If you’re unfamiliar with how to play poker, don’t worry, we’ll help you. The winner of each poker game typically wins between $20 and $35 per hand. Part of the proceeds from each week’s games go toward paying for IGBO memberships for bowlers.
Brackets – In brackets, you are randomly paired against another bowler, and at the end of each game, your score (including handicap) is recorded. The winner of the first game advances to the second round. The winners of the second games are guaranteed money and move on to the third round. If you win the final bracket, the bowler usually receives between $20 and $25. You can participate in multiple brackets, and each bracket costs $5.
Both poker and brackets are voluntary weekly games. You can participate every week or just occasionally. They are both enjoyable ways to socialize and have the chance to win some extra money each week.
Brunch Bowling Details – DATE UPDATE
Our third and final pop-up event of the summer is being pushed back one week. Our August event is now going to be Sunday, August 10th
, at 11:00 am
. Details below. Please let us know as soon as possible if you will be attending, so we can ensure there is enough space for everyone.Who is the event for?
The event is open to anyone. You can be a current Pride League bowler, a previous Pride League bowler, interested in joining the Pride League in September, someone looking to make new friends, or someone who wants to have fun in an LGBTQA+ dominated space. There is no experience needed and it is just a fun pop-up event. Cost of the event?
The cost for the event is $20 per person, which includes 3 games of bowling. Bowlero is covering the cost of your shoe rentals, so you don’t have to worry about that extra expense. Consider bringing some extra cash ($5-$10) because we may have a couple of additional fun side things (like poker).
***No food or beverages are included, but available for purchase***Location?
Bowlero/Double Decker Lanes
300 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert ParkWhat to expect?
Each lane will have up to 4 bowlers. You can be part of a group you come with or we can help match you with some fun folks. The goal is for people to have a fun time and enjoy brunch bowling together. Sign-Up
To sign up, please respond to this email with your name and the number of people attending with you. This will help ensure we have enough lanes reserved. Bowlero is opening a little early for us on pop-up Sundays to make sure we have space. Please feel free to share this email and this event with others you think would enjoy it.
We look forward to seeing everyone in just a couple of weeks.
Estamos muy emocionados de compartir nuestro nuevo horario y nos sentimos muy agradecidos de ser parte de esta increíble comunidad. Esperamos verlos a todos en persona cuando comencemos con las reuniones actualizadas del Grupo a partir del miércoles 6 de agosto, de 6:30 PM a 8:30 PM.
¡Ven y sé parte de este camino, no podemos esperar para verte allí!
Please join us for an important immigrant rights seminar. This meeting is for all members and allies of the Asian and Pacific Islander community and everyone else who cares about and desires to learn about immigrant rights.
You will hear from local activists and immigrant rights attorney. The information that will be shared is IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE, not just those who are undocumented or know someone that is. Only when all of our community members are informed and know their rights, can our at-risk community be protected.
To make it convenient for all to attend, this seminar will be available both IN-PERSON and ON ZOOM.
Organized by the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of North Bay (AAPIC), the Sonoma County Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS).
Supported by the Sonoma County Rohnert Park-Cotati Regional Library.
Program
Know Your Rights: Understanding Your Constitutional Protections
Immigrant Legal Status and Rights
North Bay Rapid Response Network
Q&A
More Information
Free admission – Pre-registration is recommended.
Presentation will be in English.
Program starts promptly at 10:30 am. (Doors open at 10:00 am for check-in).
Rodel E. Rodis has been a practicing California attorney since 1980, with a special emphasis on immigration law. He had also been an instructor of Philippine History and Filipino American history in the School of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University and at Laney College (1972-1978). He is the first Filipino American elected to public office in San Francisco serving four terms as a member of the San Francisco Community College Board (1991-2009).
Prior to his election, Rodel was appointed to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission where he served as its president from 1987-1991. After his election to the College Board, he was appointed to the San Francisco Civil Grand Jury (2011). He also wrote a weekly column at the Philippine News (1987-2002, at Asian Week and at the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Inquirer.net). He is also the author of “Telltale Signs of Filipinos in America” (INA Press, 1992). He was also the co-founder of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA.com) and its legal counsel since its founding in 1997.
Priyanka Pokharel
Priyanka is a Staff Attorney at VIDAS (Vital Immigrant Defense Advocacy) in Sonoma County, specializing in immigration law. She holds an LL.M. from the University of Michigan and has worked with government bodies, international organizations, and nonprofits to advance the rights of marginalized communities, particularly women and displaced individuals. Before VIDAS, Priyanka practiced as a Human Rights Attorney in Nepal, focusing on legal reform, policy advocacy, and direct representation for individuals facing systemic discrimination. She also contributed to research on gender dynamics and human rights during Nepal’s Maoist-led Civil War.
At VIDAS, Priyanka focuses on removal defense as well as family-based petitions, U visas, VAWA, adjustment of status, work permits, and non-immigrant visas. Passionate about gender equity and immigrant rights, she actively engages in policy discussions and systemic legal reforms. Priyanka speaks Nepali, English, and Hindi.
Vicki Smith
Vicki Smith has been a North Bay Rapid Response Network steering committee member since its start in 2017. In June 2017 she trained as a Legal Observer for ICE raids and has been actively involved in North Bay Rapid Response Network Accompaniment. Vicki is a founding member of QAA, Queer Asylum Accompaniment, helping LGBTQI asylum seekers get resettled in Sonoma County.
Vicki earned her TESOL certificate in 2008 from SSU and taught ESL from the mid-90s to 2019 primarily to our Sonoma County Mexican and Central American immigrants at the Graton Day Labor Center and in an adult ESL evening program at Sheppard School in Santa Rosa.
Vicki worked extensively with Salvadoran refugee organizations in the 1980s. She journeyed to Rome in 2018 with the Salvadoran refugee community for Monsignor Oscar Romero’s canonization. In 1999 she and her partner adopted two teenage Honduran sisters whose father had been deported from Santa Rosa. She supported their father while he was in detention and after his deportation. Vicki’s daughters, now almost 40, are through the documentation/immigration process and are naturalized citizens.
Public broadcasting has played a notable role in contributing to the national discourse on LGBTQ+ rights since at least the early 1960s, predating even the establishment of the Public Broadcasting Service on November 3, 1969. That is because stations such as KQED were already in existence by that time. KQED was the sixth public television station in the United States, signing on for the first time in 1954.
Here is a look back at some historic LGBTQ+ moments on public media:
1961 – The First Television Documentary About Homosexuality Broadcast in the U.S.
The first television documentary about homosexuality broadcast in the U.S. was The Rejected, which initially aired on KQED TV in San Francisco on September 11, 1961. The program featured discussions with experts from various fields, including a psychiatrist who argued against the notion of homosexuality as a mental illness. That was a radical stance for the period. The documentary was groundbreaking in its explicit focus on homosexuality at a time when the topic was largely avoided or portrayed negatively in mainstream media.
1962 – First Out Lesbian on a Show Discussing Lesbianism
KTTV in Los Angeles, which was an independent station from 1954–1986, ran a series called Argument that included an episode “Society and the Homosexual.” It featured one of the first ever out lesbians on television discussing lesbianism.
1965 – American Sexual Revolution Founder Albert Ellis on Stations Nationwide
Psychologist and psychotherapist Albert Ellis (1913–2007) is widely viewed as one of the primary founders of the American Sexual Revolution that resulted in more nuanced views toward sex and morality. His work paved the way for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. Ellis’ views on homosexuality changed over the years, with him concluding at first that it was not inherently good or evil and later that everyone should, as his 2001 book held, enjoy Sex Without Guilt. Eight years before the American Psychiatric Association declared that homosexuality was not a mental disorder, Ellis appeared on National Educational Television (a precursor to PBS) on the “Every Tenth Man” episode of the series Other Voices.
1966 – Balanced View of Homosexuality
WPBT in Florida ran a locally produced program called The Homosexual that discussed the topic from various angles, including law enforcement and gay activism.
1970 – Largest Gathering of LGBTQ+ Leaders to Date on Television
WNDT via the series Newsfront ran an episode on June 24, 1970, just four days before the first gay Pride parade known as the Christopher Street Liberation Day March in New York City. The program included seven gay liberation leaders, believed to be the largest such gathering for a widely viewed television show.
1973 – First Openly Gay Person on Television as Part of a Family Unit
Arguably the most influential LGBTQ+ moments on PBS occurred during the 12-hour documentary series An American Family. The series is believed to be the first ever reality show, and it followed the lives of the Loud family in Santa Barbara, California. Lance Loud (1951–2001), the oldest of the family’s five children, made history by becoming the first continuing character on television who was openly gay. Unlike the previous mentioned shows, this series had a huge viewership for the time (an estimated 10 million) ran from coast to coast, and was broadcast at airtimes that allowed multiple generations to watch.
1982 and 1983 – Major National Stars in Productions With Prominent LGBTQ+ Themes
In 1982, the year that the acronym AIDS was officially adopted and fear over the illness was gripping the nation, the series American Playhouse ran a program called the “Fifth of July,” starring Richard Thomas, then known to nearly all television viewers as the star of the hit show The Waltons. In this program he played a gay paraplegic Vietnam veteran who lived at his family home with his boyfriend.
In 1983, yet another major national star, Milton Berle, headed up the cast of the American Playhouse production, “Family Business.” Berle played a wealthy man who is dying and wishes to make amends with his sons, one of whom is openly gay.
1989 – Helping Preserve the Legacy of James Baldwin
An early program as part of the American Masters series was “James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket.” It chronicled the life of the openly gay writer and civil rights activist who had died just two years before.
1991 – First Nationwide Airing of a Major Documentary About and By Gay Black Men
PBS ran the powerful 1989 documentary Tongues Untied produced by Marlon Riggs (1957–1994) despite national controversy that had everyone from conservative religious leaders to Republican U.S. Senators to right-wing presidential candidates criticizing the film before it even ran. The poetic film years later, in 2022, was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
1992–2012 – First and Longest Running National LGBTQ+ Television Program
Airing for 20 years, In the Life—created by Emmy-award-winning producer John Scagliotti— was the first and longest running national LGBTQ+ television program in history. Guest hosts included Gavin Newsom, Madonna, RuPaul, and countless others who went on to even greater prominence. Segments also addressed individuals of historical significance, such as jazz musician and bandleader Billy Tipton (1914–1989), who is now viewed as a pioneering transgender man. While many of the other mentioned programs have been lost over time, thankfully the UCLA Library’s Film & Television Archive has preserved all episodes of In the Life: https://bit.ly/463cJL3
Scagliotti was interviewed about the history of the series, and why he elected to work with PBS. That too is archived and may be viewed at https://bit.ly/3GHN7cg
These are just some of the important programs directly concerning the LGBTQ+ community that have run on PBS and related stations. They do not even take into account the widely viewed shows promoting acceptance and diversity that originated on public broadcasting, such as Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, The Electric Company, Zoom, and Sesame Street that influenced generations of kids and their parents.
PBS has been both a mirror to LGBTQ+ rights, reflecting cultural and legal changes over the decades, and an educational tool that has helped shape the viewpoints of its audiences. The responsibility of that latter role has not been taken lightly, and especially for children’s programming. Child psychologists and educators, for example, were extensively consulted by the creators of Sesame Street to ensure the series is both educational and engaging. Focus groups were also organized to evaluate the content and to make sure that the show represented diverse experiences and perspectives.
Such lengthy and painstaking work along with community involvement seems worlds away from Trump’s accusation that PBS and NPR programming is “politically biased.” The effort to silence public media is itself biased. President Trump has called PBS and other major media outlets the “enemy of the people,” which is what Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin leveled against those who dared to oppose him.
PBS has had the backs of the LGBTQ+ community for years. It is time to pay it back to this most prominent provider of educational programs in the U.S.
Donate to KRCB, your local PBS affiliate, located in Rohnert Park
While this year has brought deep challenges — including harmful federal policies that threaten our safety and well-being — we know that joy, connection, and care are acts of resistance. They are vital to our survival. That’s why today, we’re overjoyed to share a bright moment of our own: Positive Images is moving to a new home!
For nearly a decade, we’ve welcomed you into our space on Montgomery Drive — a place where we laughed, cried, found community, and held each other through it all. But we’ve outgrown it. Our community deserves a center that matches our dreams: more spacious, more accessible, and ready to hold even more love.
This new center will be so much more than a building. It will be a beacon of light for our community — a place where transness is celebrated, where immigrant communities are valued and protected, and where queer joy and belonging thrive. In the face of darkness, we continue to create our own light. We believe no policy or politician can dim our brilliance. And this move is a testament to that — a bold step toward building the LGBTQIA2S+ center our community deserves.
We invite you to be part of this journey with us. If you’re able, please consider making a gift to help us build and sustain this new space. Every dollar goes directly to creating a safer, more affirming home for all of us.
Thank you for standing with us, for believing in joy as resistance, and for helping us turn this dream into a reality. With fierce love and excitement, The Positive Images Team
Queride Comunidad,
Aunque este año ha traído desafíos profundos — incluidas políticas federales dañinas que amenazan nuestra seguridad y bienestar — sabemos que la alegría, la conexión y el cuidado son actos de resistencia. Son vitales para nuestra supervivencia.
Por eso hoy, compartimos con muchísima emoción un momento brillante: ¡Positive Images se está mudando a un nuevo hogar! Durante casi una década, les hemos dado la bienvenida en nuestro espacio en Montgomery Drive — un lugar donde reímos, lloramos, encontramos comunidad y nos cuidamos mutuamente. Pero ya nos quedó chico. Nuestra comunidad merece un centro que refleje nuestros sueños: más amplio, más accesible y listo para abrazar aún más amor.
Este nuevo centro será mucho más que un edificio. Será un faro de luz para nuestra comunidad — un lugar donde se celebra la transgeneridad, donde valoramos y protegemos a nuestras comunidades inmigrantes, y donde florecen la alegría queer y el sentido de pertenencia. Ante la oscuridad, seguimos creando nuestra propia luz. Creemos que ninguna política ni polítique puede apagar nuestro brillo. Y esta mudanza es un testimonio de eso — un paso valiente hacia la construcción del centro LGBTQIA2S+ que nuestra comunidad merece.
Te invitamos a ser parte de este camino con nosotres. Si puedes, considera hacer una donación para ayudarnos a construir y sostener este nuevo espacio. Cada dólar va directamente a crear un hogar más seguro y afirmante para todes.
Gracias por estar con nosotres, por creer en la alegría como resistencia y por ayudarnos a convertir este sueño en realidad. Con amor feroz y muchísima emoción, El equipo de Positive Images
Follow the journey on Instagram with our weekly vlogs! ¡Sigue el viaje en Instagram con nuestros vlogs semanales!
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