AIDS Walk San Francisco began in 1987 as a day to honor the friends, family members, and neighbors we had lost, and to shine a light on the most marginalized members of society who were constantly ignored or treated without dignity.There’s no more powerful demonstration of the impact that HIV/AIDS has had on our community than the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which was inaugurally displayed on October 11, 1987 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. Recently, the National AIDS Memorial has become the permanent caretaker and steward of the Quilt, returning it to San Francisco where its story began. This Sunday, May 9, tune into our curated#WalkItOut playlist, and take a stroll from 11am-2pm down to the Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa! There, you’ll find exclusive pop-up displays highlighting panels of the Quilt, hosted by the National AIDS Memorial. Come see a piece of the premiere symbol of the AIDS pandemic and a living memorial to a generation lost.
UPCOMING EVENTS(more info below) May 6 – Beyond the Binary: Gender & Pronouns with Suzanne FordMay 20 – Understanding DementiasMay 26 – Over the Moon celebration*Every Mon. & Thu. – Spahr Senior GroupsEvery Tue. – Trans/Non-Binary Support Group * Social Committee Event
Covid-19 News for Seniors(see below) For the first time in a long time, I feel comfortable dropping the Covid News section down lower in these emails. We are not out of the pandemic yet, much is still uncertain, and yet all the seniors I’m in touch with are now vaccinated and seem to be educated about continued precautions. For more on continued precautions, click here. May we all be safe & well! Bill Blackburn
To join the Spahr Senior GroupMondays, 7 to 8 pm, &Thursdays, 12:30 t0 2 pm,click the purple button below the Butterfly Heart or here:
Topical Thursdays12:30 to 2 pm April 29 What Is Missing in Modern Life? We rely on zoom to meet during the pandemic. (What would we do without zoom?) Modern medicine makes our lives better. We are surrounded by conveniences we couldn’t have imagined in our youth. Yet some things have been lost in the translation to now. What would benefit us and our world that those modern conveniences have displaced? And is there a way we can find them again if we try? May 6 Beyond the Binary:Gender and PronounsMost of us grew up in a culture that claimed there were only two genders – female and male – and each came with expected behavior patterns, even though most of us didn’t fit into those narrow confines. Join us on May 6th when we’llbe joined by Suzanne Ford, the President of The Spahr Center Board of Directors, to talk about the ways people are breaking free of that gender binary and the freedom of expression that comes along with it. There may even be some liberation that comes to the rest of us though their pushing the boundaries. And yes! We’ll learn about those seemingly-tricky pronouns that will help us better interrelate with youth and others who express themselves beyond the binary! Coming soon: May 13: Nancy FacilitatesMay 20: Understanding Alzheimer’s & Other Dementias
Conversational Mondays7 to 8 pm We catch up with each other on how we’re doing and have unstructured conversations focused on listening from our hearts and deepening community.
The Social Committee has been consistently offering fun events to offset the boredom of the pandemic. They want to celebrate your birthday if you’ll let them know when it is. They offer a women’s coffee plus a number of times to gather on zoom over games and conversation. On May 26, they bring us an Over the Moon Celebration, a cocktail/mocktail and appetizer zoom group honoring the Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse. More information soon.
To sign up for their emails, click here. To see the Social Committee’s April Calendar, click: here.Watch for their calendar for May soon!
Men and Boys Mental HealthA Focus Group InvitationMen, you can help Marin County gain deeper understanding of how to structure mental health resources for us by participating in a 1-hour focus group:Ages 65+, Tuesday May 25 @ 4 pm << Note new date!Ages 45 to 64, Monday April 26 @ 6 pm Community participants will get a $25 gift card. By adding our voices, we will ensure that Gay, Bi and Transmen’s needs & perspectives be part of the response.Contact: kconnors@marincounty.org << Corrected address
Covid-19 News for Seniors BEWARE POST-VACCINATION SCAMS!Scams offering monetary and gift rewards for those taking post-vaccination surveys are efforts to fraudulently gather personal information such as credit card numbers. Moderna, Pfizer, and J&J are NOT sending out these offers. Avoid them!
FEMA Assistance Programs Related To Covid-19:FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. (No income- or citizenship-related requirements.) Call 844/684-6333. More info here. Free legal assistance to low-income people affected by the pandemic includes help with hospital bills, estate administration, problems with landlords, and much more. Call 888/382-3406. More info here.
Do you know people who may need help making an appointment for vaccines, especially if they are not online or need multi-lingual or transportation help? Please let them know of this resource:Marin Access Services Call Center1 (833) 641-1988CA Relay use 711
Caregivers and family caregivers of seniors are now eligible to be vaccinated. Let me know of these situations – bblackburn@thespahrcenter – and I can send a letter to qualify them for inoculations now, even if they don’t currently meet other qualifications for the shots.
Building Community in the Midst of Sheltering-in-PlaceSee old friends and make new ones! Join us!The Spahr Center’s LGBT Senior Discussion Groupscontinue everyMonday, 7 to 8 pm& Thursday, 12:30 to 2 pm on zoom
To Join Group by Video using Computer, Smart Phone or TabletJust click this button at the start time, 6:55 pm Mondays / 12:25 pm Thursdays:Join GroupAlways the same link! Try it, it’s easy!
To Join Group by Phone CallIf you don’t have internet connections or prefer joining by phone,call the following number at the start time,6:55 pm Mondays / 12:25 pm Thursdays:1-669-900-6833The Meeting id is 820 7368 6606#(no participant id required)The password, if requested, is 135296# If you want to be called into the group by phone, notify Bill Blackburn at 415/450-5339
California Department of Aging ResourcesThe CDA has a website that is packed with information and resources relevant to the lives of seniors in our state. From Covid-19 updates to more general care for age-related health issues, access to legal assistance to getting home-delivered meals to help with housing, you may well find answers to your questions by clicking: here.
Spahr’s skilled therapists are available to work with seniors on a sliding-scale basis. Write toinfo@thespahrcenter.org. A Bisexual Support Group is forming with The Spahr Center, facilitated by a therapist. Let Bill Blackburn know if you are interested. Whistlestop, renamed Vivalon, provides access to resources including rides for older adults. Please note: there is a 3-week registration process for the ride program so register now if you think you may need rides in the future. They also offer free classes on zoom including zumba, yoga, chair exercises, & ukulele! Click here. Adult and Aging Service’s Information and Assistance Line, providing information and referrals to the full range of services available to older adults, adults with disabilities and their family caregivers, has a new phone number and email address: 415/473-INFO (4636) 8:30 am to 4:30 pm weekdays473INFO@marincounty.org
The Spahr Center has opened its Food Pantryto seniors who need support in meeting their nutrition needs. We want to help! Items such as fresh meats, eggs and dairy, prepared meals, pasta, sauces, and canned goods are delivered weekly to people who sign up. Contact The Spahr Center for more information: info@thespahrcenter.org or 415/457.2487
Questions? Assistance? We have resources and volunteers for:grocery deliveryfood assistancehelp with technology issues such as using zoomproviding weekly comfort calls to check in on youtherapy with Spahr therapists on a sliding scale basisplus more!
Sonoma County Pride (SCP) is pleased to welcome back Graton Resort & Casino as Annual Title Sponsor of this year’s Pride celebrations and host of this year’s unique re-imagined “Beyond the Rainbow Drive-Through Parade” on Saturday, June 5. A keystone of this year’s month-long celebration, the design of this parade event acknowledges and respects the need for COVID-19 safety and social distancing by re-imagining the event as a drive-through experience. Organizations and individual contingents will occupy defined spaces for their stationary displays (floats) and celebrants, allowing attendees to drive along the parade route and experience the excitement and community of Pride in a unique and unprecedented manner. A streaming soundtrack will be available to guide and entertain parade-goers as they make their way through the space.
According to SCP, “our goal is to have no more than 20 to 30 contingents made up of local LGBTQI organizations, allies, and Sonoma County Pride sponsors. Each group will occupy a designated area in the large outdoor lot at the south end of the property to stage their stationary ‘float’, with mindful limits on the number of people allowed on-premise. As in our traditional parade, Sonoma County Pride 2021 judges will judge and choose the winning parade displays for 2021, to be announced during one of our live streams.”
Greg Sarris, Chairman of Graton Resort & Casino, is happy to offer the Resort’s support for Pride and the Sonoma LGBTQ community again this year. “Graton Resort and Casino is honored to be the Annual Title Sponsor of 2021 Sonoma County Pride. Our core values are fostering compassion, inclusiveness and understanding of all citizens in our community. I am always adamant in making sure that the LGBTQ community is not only represented but protected. As I have said before, the only thing we don’t tolerate here at the casino resort is intolerance.”
Grace Villafuerte, Vice President of SCP, echoes Sarris’ sentiment in looking forward to another year of their support and cooperation. “We are so grateful for Graton Resort‘s continued commitment to the LGBT community of Sonoma County, and their ongoing support for Sonoma County Pride, which allows us to offer a month-long series of events, that we hope will provide comfort during a time of uncertainty, a renewed sense of community, and enjoyment and peace throughout June.”
Christopher Kren-Mora, President of SCP, is confident that this adaptation to the usual Pride festivities will be a fun and memorable experience for all. “Sonoma County Pride is proud and grateful to announce that Graton Resort & Casino has determined once again to partner with our organization in presenting events for 2021 so that SCP is able to continue to be a beacon of education, solidarity, equality and unity to the community. Graton Resort & Casino has been a supporter and major contributor to Sonoma County Pride and the LGBT community for since it opened in 2013.”
Sonoma County recently has launched a standby list for coronavirus vaccination appointments.
Residents who register for the list will be notified when vaccination appointments at local clinics become available because of extra doses or unfilled appointments, said Matt Brown, a county spokesman.
Individuals will be called in the order that they registered, Brown said, and should be “ready to go” once they are notified. The calls may come from a blocked number.
To register, visit https://form.jotform.com/211016242241134. Residents will be asked to provide their name, date of birth, address, contact information and preferred language. Insurance is not required to receive a vaccine.
Petaluma City Schools (PCS) invites elementary school parents and caregivers to attend an online education session regarding supporting LGBTQIA+ students on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 6-8pm. This session, which is open to families with elementary students in other nearby school districts, will aim to provide both an introduction to relevant topics for LGBTQIA+ youth and families who may be at the beginning of their journey, as well as more in-depth information for families who have already been on this journey for a while. Spanish translation and ASL interpretation will be available.
For this gathering, we will be joined by panelists from the following local community organizations, with descriptions of relevant program offerings listed next to each:
North Bay LGBTQI Families: Community building events and school advocacy resources for LGBTQIA+ families, and monthly social and family gatherings for gender expansive youth under age 12.
Positive Images LGBTQIA+ Center: Peer support groups for youth/TAY and adults, Leadership Development Program for youth/TAY 12-24, LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency Trainings and Consultation, Community Outreach Events, Resources and Referrals.
Promotores de Amor/LGBTQ Connection: Education and resources for support of LGBTQIA+ youth in the Latinx community; peer support and youth leadership development programs for ages 14-24.
Amor Para Todos: Advocacy and implementation to create more gender and LGBTQIA+ inclusive school and community environments through things like policy and curriculum changes, gender neutral restroom signage, as well as elementary APT Student Clubs (similar to GSAs).
Petaluma TIDE: Raising awareness, coalition building and advocating for equity in school communities through dialogue and relationships.
UCLC/CUAC (United Community Learning Coalition/Comunidad Unida en Aprendizaje Colaboratorio): A working group dedicated to building a wraparound support model for the schools to address educational inequities in Petaluma.
For event security purposes this session will be presented as a webinar, and participants will have the opportunity to send in written questions via this form both before and during the event. Participants may also submit their questions by phone by calling McKinley School at 707-778-4750.
Please know that through this event we intend to offer a safe and supportive space for our LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC community members. Hate speech or disrespectful conduct of any kind will not be tolerated, and any participant displaying conduct of this nature will be removed from the event immediately. You may submit any questions or feedback you have regarding this event via the form above.
See below for call-in options, and we look forward to seeing you on the 28th!
When: Apr 28, 2021 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Virtual Parent & Caregiver Education Night on Supporting LGBTQIA+ Students
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://petk12.zoom.us/j/84338809877
Or One tap mobile :
US: +16699006833,,84338809877# or +13462487799,,84338809877#
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or +1 301 715 8592
Las escuelas de la ciudad de Petaluma (PCS) invitan a los padres y cuidadores de la escuela primaria a asistir a una sesión de educación en línea sobre el apoyo para los estudiantes LGBTQIA + el miércoles 28 de abril de 2021 de 6 a 8 p.m. Esta sesión, que se ofrece a familias con estudiantes de primaria en otros distritos escolares cercanos, tendrá como objetivo proporcionar una introducción a temas relevantes para los jóvenes y familias LGBTQIA + que pueden estar al comienzo de este camino, al igual que información más detallada para familias que ya llevan un tiempo en este camino. Habrá traducción al español e interpretación de ASL.
Para esta reunión, se nos unirán panelistas de las siguientes organizaciones comunitarias locales, con descripciones de programas relevantes al lado de cada una:
Familias LGBTQI de North Bay: eventos comunitarios y recursos de defensa escolar para familias LGBTQIA +, y reuniones sociales y familiares mensuales para jóvenes menores de 12 años de género expansivo.
Positive Images LGBTQIA + Center: Grupos de apoyo para jóvenes / TAY y adultos, Programa de desarrollo de liderazgo para jóvenes / TAY 12-24, Capacitaciones y consultas sobre competencias culturales LGBTQIA +, Eventos de alcance comunitario, Recursos y referencias.
Promotores de Amor / LGBTQ Connection: Educación y recursos para el apoyo de los jóvenes LGBTQIA + en la comunidad Latinx; programas de desarrollo de liderazgo juvenil y apoyo entre pares para edades de 14 a 24 años.
Amor Para Todos: Promoción e implementación para crear más entornos escolares y comunitarios inclusivos de género y LGBTQIA + a través de cosas como cambios en las políticas y el plan de estudios, señalización de baños neutrales en cuanto al género, así como grupos de estudiantes APT de primaria (similares a los GSA).
Petaluma TIDE: aumentar conciencia, formación de coaliciones y promoción de la equidad en las comunidades escolares a través del diálogo y las relaciones.
UCLC / CUAC (United Community Learning Coalition / Comunidad Unida en Aprendizaje Colaboratorio): un grupo de trabajo dedicado a construir un modelo de apoyo integral para que las escuelas aborden las inequidades educativas en Petaluma.
Por motivos de seguridad, esta sesión se presentará como un seminario web y los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de enviar preguntas por escrito a través de este formulario antes y durante el evento. Los participantes también pueden enviar sus preguntas por teléfono llamando a la escuela McKinley al 707-778-4750.
Tenga en cuenta que a través de este evento tenemos la intención de ofrecer un espacio seguro y de apoyo para nuestros miembros de la comunidad LGBTQIA + y BIPOC. No se tolerará el discurso de odio o la conducta irrespetuosa de cualquier tipo, y cualquier participante que muestre una conducta de esta naturaleza será retirado del evento de inmediato. Puede enviar cualquier pregunta o comentario que tenga sobre este evento a través del formulario anterior.
Vea a continuación las opciones de llamadas, ¡y esperamos verlo el día 28!
Cuándo: 28 de abril de 2021 a las 06:00 p.m. hora del Pacífico (EE. UU. Y Canadá)
Tema: Noche educativa virtual para padres y cuidadores sobre el apoyo a los estudiantes LGBTQIA +
Haga clic en el enlace a continuación para unirse al seminario web:
In keeping with our mission of ending HIV in Sonoma County we have partnered with Q.Care, a telehealth service provider so that we can offer PrEP to all that come through our doors. With PrEP, people who are HIV negative take medication once a day to reduce the risk of getting infected if they are exposed to HIV. It is an additional method that can be used with other HIV prevention strategies such as condoms.
Executive Director, Sara Brewer states, “Despite the success of marketing PrEP to gay men, there has been less effort to inform the general public. This has led to a huge disparity of awareness, access, and usage among different populations, especially people of color, women, transgender individuals, people who inject drugs, and men who have sex with men who are not integrated into the gay community.”
Even if people have heard about PrEP there are several other potential barriers such as cost, access to medical care, insurance coverage, perceived stigma and more. At Face to Face, we see the expanded use of PrEP as the highest priority in preventing new infections and are pleased to offer support to help overcome these challenges. This is an alignment with and another step in our mission of ending HIV in Sonoma County.We are truly thrilled to be able to expand our servicesin providing PrEP to our clients.
If you know someone, or if you yourself are interested in finding out information on PrEP, our prevention team offers educational services and will assist you through every step to get on PrEP. Access includes virtual doctor visits, convenient at-home labs and prescriptions delivered directly to your door. Getting on PrEP has never been easier.Contact our PrEP Navigator, Angel Ortiz at aortiz@f2f.orgor call our offices at 707-544-1581
The County of Sonoma Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) helps eligible households who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides payment assistance for renters or landlords who need help with rent and utilities. Applications can be completed online or sent in via mail.
Any community member can apply for assistance regardless of immigration status
Funds can be used to pay rent as well as past-due utility bills and home service bills
Help to pay water, electric and other utility bills.
Afternoons, Monday-Friday, by appointment only.
CURA Project
The COVID-19 Urgent Response and Aid (CURA) Project is a hub connecting Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income community members to a wide range of community-based services.
If you tested positive for COVID-19 or you are quarantining due to possible exposure, you may be eligible for emergency financial assistance.
Resource navigation and case management is available for COVID-19 testing and education, tenant rights and legal aid, food aid and delivery, and mental health services.
Renters & Homeowners
NEW Covid-19 Protections and Information
Legal Aid has prepared several resources designed to inform Sonoma County tenants and landlords about the new law.
New COVID-19 protections for tenants One-page flyer (PDF)
Tenants can send to their landlord a completed letter instructing them to apply any rent payments to the current month. Editable sample letter Monthly Rent Template Letter (PDF)
Season of Sharing (SOS) –Disaster assistance with housing costs and critical family needs applications accepted through June 30.
Supports low-to-moderate income families with dependent children, age 55 and older, disabled individuals, veterans, pregnant women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester, survivors of domestic violence and transitioning emancipated foster youth between 18 and 24.
During the pandemic, support is also available for those who have lost income due to the coronavirus.
Information about low-income rent and deposit assistance programs.
CARES Rental Assistance
For rental assistance for low-income renters and landlords, contact West County Community Services at (707) 823-1640, Friends in Sonoma Helping at (707) 996-0111, Petaluma People Services at (707) 765-8488, or Community Action Partnership at (707) 544-6911.
On March 24, 2020, the Board of Supervisors took action to approve the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Ordinance, effective immediately and for the duration of the declared Local Emergency in Sonoma County.
This ordinance creates a legal defense for tenants who live anywhere in Sonoma County and are being evicted due to non-payment of rent and who can demonstrate financial losses due to lost work or medical expenses resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. The ordinance requires that tenants who use this defense share that information with their landlord to support claims for any prospective mortgage relief.
On Feb. 9, 2021, the Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the ordinance that includes Just Cause Limitations, which closes loopholes that could have been used by landlords to evict tenants for minor lease infractions. This applies to residents who are unable to pay rent for COVID-19-related reasons and those who are able to pay rent but may have other minor lease infractions.
For instance, without Just Cause Limitations, landlords would have been able to evict tenants who were not paying rent for COVID-19-related reasons for minor lease infractions such as an unauthorized sublet or having a pet. The Just Cause Limitations does allow landlords to evict residents who are unable to pay rent for COVID-related reasons when there are demonstrable health and safety concerns or when a property is removed from the rental market.
The ordinance automatically applies to both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, although cities may elect to establish their own ordinance.
The Ordinance will continue for 60 days after the end of the emergency. Rent is not forgiven for tenants with a hardship, but landlords must work with tenants on a rent repayment program that will allow tenants to stay housed during this emergency.
Petaluma People Services Center has letter templates that can be sent to landlords if needed, in light of Eviction Defense Ordinance. Email fairhousing@petaulmapeople.org
Former Sebastopol mayor and out gay man Robert Jacob now faces 11 felony charges of child sexual assault, up from five since city police arrested him Saturday morning, April 10, according to Sonoma County Superior Court records.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office’s online “Jail Inmate Search” shows Jacob’s bail set at $620,000, a change since the Sebastopol Police Department (SPD)’s April 10 press release said he was taken to the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility and held without bail that day.
Jacob, 44, has a court date scheduled for Thursday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m., according to the Sheriff’s Office jail detainee search. He was appointed mayor for one term between December 2013 and December 2014 during his single four-year term from on the Sebastopol City Council from 2012 to 2016, according to Mary Gourley, city clerk and assistant city manager.
Jacob is also the co-founder of Sebastopol’s first cannabis dispensary, Peace in Medicine.
The court records for Robert Emmanuel Jacob list one count for sexual penetration with a child under 16 years-old, five counts of lewd acts with a child age 14 or 15 being 10 or more years older than the minor and two counts of coming into the possession of a child younger than 16 for lewd or lascivious acts.
Further, the records show one count for communication with a minor to commit an offense, one count for arranging to meet a child for lewd acts and one count for distribution of child pornography.
Sebastopol police officers reached Jacob at around 7 a.m. Saturday, April 10 in the 7400 block of Woodland Avenue and arrested him on suspicion of five felony and one misdemeanor sexual assault crimes against a minor, per the April 10 SPD statement said.
According to the press release, the police came into information on March 30 about sexual assaults that may have happened in Sebastopol from December 2019 to March 2021 and the investigation led to Jacob. Police Chief Kevin Kilgore said six officers responded, along with a lieutenant and himself, to serve the arrest and search warrant in an April 14 interview.
“The initial crimes that were mentioned at the start of this investigation all occurred in the city of Sebastopol and the investigation is ongoing to determine if there were more crimes that occurred in the city of Sebastopol,” Police Chief Kevin Kilgore said in an April 14 interview.
Kilgore said he did not know how many separate incidents may have occurred and that he could not discuss any of the evidence in the ongoing investigation involving one victim so far, “but we’ve asked that anyone who may have information related to this incident or any other incident that they contact the Sebastopol Police Department.”
The April 10 statement requested anyone with that information call SPD at 707-829-4400 for Report #21-0220.
The police chief also said he could not share further information on how Sebastopol police received the tip on March 30, nor how Jacob may have arranged to commit the alleged acts or what relationship may have existed between the former mayor and the minor during the investigation.
SPD will work with the district attorney throughout the investigation, Kilgore said.
