MAY LGBTQ+ events & news

  Seatbelts fastened everyone? Events move so whiplash fast these days that it might be wise to have your chiropractor on speed dial. Looking for a sense of community and perhaps a few moments of tribal connection? Here we are! 

Please see the important news about the LGBTQ+ seniors in the PRIDE Parade below!

May Schedule of Events

Every Friday at 4 pm Zoom call

Taco Tuesday at 5PM see email for details

Potluck  Saturday, May 10, noon. We always need a few folks to come at 11:30 to help set up and others to stay late and help clean up, done by 1:30. Also, knowing how many tables to set up is helpful. Please RSVP to Nancy at NancyTavery@comcast.net if you are attending. Spring salads, chicken, and desserts sound great ….

Friday Zoom Speaker, Friday, May 16, 4 pm. This month, we welcome Lisa Anderson, the lobbyist for AARP Idaho, who has been doing extensive advocacy work on the federal level in Social Security.  She said, “I would happily speak to your group about social security and field questions.”

Lunch OUT on the Town, no host, Wednesday, May 28, noo Please notify Hannah at Rosebudhmd@hotmail.com if you are coming so that the restaurant is prepared. 

Steering Committee Zoom meeting Thursday, May 29 at 4 pm. Issues of concern can be passed on to us via our website address, or attend yourself, just request a link. 

There will be NO potluck in June, but oh so many PRIDE events to attend.

Many of us will be at the June 14th Spokane Pride.  The theme this year is Here To Stay.  The parade kicks off at noon in Spokane.   Some folks plan to walk in the parade, and folks who can’t walk could ride with a great group of women Jeepers. 

PLEASE, if you need/want to ride in a jeep and have not let Nancy know, email her asap at NancyTavery@comcast.net

There are many other Pride gatherings in the area this June as well. Most notably, Coeur d'Alene Pride is being held on Saturday, June 7. We will have a booth in the park and still need folks to show up for our booth in Coeur d'Alene.

There was a meeting on Saturday, April 19, of regional lgbtq+ groups to share ups and downs of their respective groups. Sixteen groups, including ourselves, were represented. Unsurprisingly, funding is a huge issue for almost everybody. It's time to get creative and band together. At the meeting, two council members presented the revised Spokane city ordinance due for review, public feedback, and passage. The revised ordinance enshrines queer rights in city policy as it relates to city employees. It offers a model for city businesses to follow, and it makes a statement on behalf of the city that it cares about the lgbtq+ community in Spokane. In a 5 to 2 vote, the ordinance passed!

Spokane Aids Network reported at the meeting that its pantry is stocked and its funding is secure for the year. If you need food assistance, please contact SAN. 

Our Zoom speaker for April was Dr. Katherine Czesak, PhD.  She offered an experiential talk about managing anxiety. People on the call left with specific tools and information. If you want to access the material presented, notify us via the website, and a link will be sent to you. Katherine's talk was well received - everyone agreed that self-care is particularly important given the stressors we are facing. 

The April potluck was well attended, with several new folks and many familiar faces. We all left well-fed, and more importantly, reminded of how not alone we are. Please join us for our monthly Saturday Potlucks.  All are welcome. 

For many in our community, these are difficult times. If there is a silver lining, it is that we do have a community. YOU belong.

Participation is affirmation! Speak up, show up, NEVER give up.

Thank god for Old People, particularly queer ones.