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Hello LGBT+ Community! I'm writing this just after the solstice and am super excited today will have 1 minute more sunshine than yesterday! Here in Sonoma County, it's a very rainy week, perfect for indoor projects. I live in a drafty old house and today Peter helped me cover up the single pane windows with sheets of plastic. It's cool stuff, you tape it all around the window and then hit it with a blow dryer, and it tightens up so you hardly even notice it's covering your windows. Yep, we won't be able to slide the windows open or closed until spring when the plastic comes off, but that is fine because we'll save a bunch on our PG&E bill.
Exciting Speakers for Holding Spaces We’re excited to announce some wonderful activities for our LGBT community. Mark your calendars for our next Holding Spaces event on January 7th, featuring Shawn V. Giammattei, PhD. His work focuses on supporting trans and gender-diverse youth and adults, and he will be offering insights into fostering understanding and compassion. The event includes a significant Q&A portion so come prepared with questions!
We are also thrilled to welcome Remi Newman on March 4th. As the HIV and STI Clinical Health Educator at Kaiser Permanente, she will share her latest book, “Hands On: Stories of Sexuality Work, Intimacy, and Healing,” providing valuable insights and discussion.
We look forward to seeing you at these events and continuing to build a strong, supportive community together. Thank you for being part of our journey!
Honoring Our Volunteers We’re proud to introduce four incredible volunteers who have stepped forward to support our LGBT programs. A special thank you goes to Kate Roach and Sue Snodgrass, whose photography and filming skills are truly invaluable to our Holding Spaces events. Their tireless efforts in editing and sharing these moments on our Senior Center YouTube page allow our community to stay connected. If you’re interested in viewing any of the footage, including a recent panel featuring inspiring speakers from our community, please email me. We also extend our gratitude to Bob Poole, who not only manages the door at our Holding Spaces events but also contributes to selecting future speakers. His dedication is deeply appreciated. Additionally, Daniel Potapshyn supports our Gay & Bi Guys Heart Circle group by managing communications and our email list. Thank you, Daniel, for helping us stay connected!
Upcoming Events Senior Lesbians in Community (SLIC) 1st & 3rd Mon | 1:30pm LGBT+ Community Lunch: Jan 5, Feb 2, & Mar 2 | 12pm Heart Circle for Guys: Jan 5, Feb 2, & Mar 2 | 1:30pm Gay & Bi guys Mixer at BREW: Jan 30, Feb 27, Mar 27 | 4pm Gay & Bi guys Potluck at the Senior Center | Sun, Feb 15th | 2-5pm
Senior Gay Men's Potluck Invitation Join us at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center for our Senior Gay Men's Potluck on Sunday, February 15th, 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM. Last year, 65 men attended, and everyone had a wonderful time!
We invite all members of the Golden Guys, Billys, and gay & bi men not in either group to join us for this memorable potluck event. Come enjoy an afternoon filled with delicious food and delightful company at the spacious and lovely Senior Center.
We will need assistance with setup and cleanup. If you're interested in volunteering or have any questions, please email Scotty at Scotty@sebastopolseniorcenter.org Please bring your dish ready to eat, as the kitchen will not be available. This event is free, but please register HERE. We look forward to seeing you there!
With warmth, gratitude,
Scotty King (LGBT Liaison) |
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| Our LGBT+ Mission: To foster pride, connectedness, belonging, diversity and inclusion for all LGBT+ adults by providing educational, social, and recreational opportunities in the continuing pursuit of a fulfilling and healthy life. We co-create this through active volunteerism at our wide variety of in-person activities. |
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| Ways to Support Us At the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, we are dedicated to enriching the lives of our seniors through a variety of programs, services, and community events, including our LGBT+ activities. Some examples include our Harvest Cafe, free rides program, dozens of life-long learning programs, fitness and fall prevention programs; and so much more. In addition, we are a hub of resources for many Sonoma County families!
Your generosity enables us to continue providing a welcoming and supportive environment where seniors can stay active, connected, and engaged. By donating to the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, you are helping us create a vibrant community where our seniors thrive. Your support makes a difference—thank you for being a vital part of our mission.
All donations are fully tax-deductible: Tax ID: 23-7043925
If you want to direct your donation to our LGBT+ program, just put "LGBT" in the comment section when you make your gift online, in the memo on your check or if you call in your donation. Thank you for your consideration. This community keeps us going! |
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| In this Jan Issue ~ Holding Spaces ~ Gay Men’s Potluck ~ So Co community events |
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| Reach Out/Register Register: 707-829-2440 Members: Register HERE Voicemail: 707-827-8426 |
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| LGBT+ EVENTSSponsored by the
Sebastopol Area Senior Center |
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| Holding Spaces Guest Speaker ~ Shawn Giammattei |
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 Ask ALL YOUR TRANS
AND GENDER QUESTIONS Join us for a special presentation with Shawn V. Giammattei, PhD—a nationally respected clinical family psychologist and one of the leading voices in supporting transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth.
Expect an uplifting, interactive, and empowering session that leaves you inspired, informed, and supported.
Dr. Giammattei brings decades of experience helping families strengthen
connection, build resilience, and navigate gender journeys with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
As Associate Director of Mental Health at the UCSF Child & Adolescent Gender
Center, founder of the Gender Health Training Institute, TransFamily Alliance, and Quest Family Therapy, he has guided countless families toward deeper understanding and lasting well-being.
Holding Spaces is a welcoming connection group for LGBTQ+ people, grandparents, allies, and families of all ages. It’s a place to explore identity, find support, and build community—whether you’re questioning, coming out, learning or simply seeking belonging. All identities and generations are embraced, from queer elders to LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
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| Date & Time: Jan 7 | 2pm-3:30pm
Location: Wischemann Hall/Sebastopol By Donation/No one turned away |
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| | Call us at 707-829-2440 or members with a key tag code may register online. |
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| Gay & Bi Guys Mixer at BREWDate & Time: Last Friday of each month | 4pm - 5:30pm
Location: Brew – Santa Rosa | 555 Healdsburg Ave Brew has a delightful selection of coffee, beer, wine, or food choices. Brew is LGBT owned and is considered an LGBT hang out! View their website for food items HERE. |
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| LGBT+ Community Table at the Harvest CafeDate & Time: 1st Monday of mo | 12pm | Jan 5th
Location: Sebastopol Area Senior Center | Harvest Cafe | 167 N.High St
Cost: $10 Members | $12 Non-Members Join us to connect with your neighbors & make new friends. Find the weekly menu HERE. |
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| Senior Lesbians in Community (SLIC) Date & Time: 1st & 3rd Monday of each month at 1:30pm
Location: Wischemann Hall, 465 Morris St, Sebastopol
In addition to these social group meetings, there are many other events to attend! |
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| Gay & Bi Men’s Heart Circle GroupDate & Time: 1st Monday of mo | 1:30pm - 3:30pm | Jan 5th
Location: Sebastopol Area Senior Center | 167 N. High St Sebastopol
Cost: FREE Members | $5 Non-Members
Come meet your Gay, Bi, Trans male friends and neighbors! Our Heart Circle is a group of men who share, one at a time, how they are feeling. Each person speaks from the heart. |
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Saturday, January 24 | 9am - 2pm | All ages welcome!
For the first time ever, we’re opening our doors on Saturdays
Come celebrate SASC expanding to SIX days per week
Thanks to the generous support of our community and grant funders, we are thrilled to announce our Saturday hours, which are 9am to 2pm. Starting January 24, 2026.
🎶 Tour the Space + Live Music! ♟️Game Tables 🥤 Surprise Culinary Treats 🖋️ Fun Henna Tattoos! 🎨 Art Gallery Opening Reception | 12pm–2pm ~ Meet the current Artist! ✨ And so much more!
For more information, CALL 707-829-2440 |
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| OUT IN THE COMMUNITYTHESE LGBT+ ACTIVITIES ARE NOT affiliated with the Sebastopol Area Senior Center |
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Date & Time: Every Wed at 9:30am Location: Howarth Park in Santa Rosa 630 Summerfield Rd/Upper Lot |
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| Spring Lake Walk for Gay & Bi Guys
Come join us! Meet at Howarth Park (upper parking lot, free parking) on the left side near the picnic tables (near Lake Ralphine), near the trail head. We have about 20 men attending, fun walk, go fast or slow, short walk or long, OK to bring your dog. Enjoy a fun social time sitting at picnic tables next to Lake Ralphine after walk. Email me if you have questions. |
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| Sign up for these Newsletters |
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| Niteowl News for Lesbians A wonderful email news letter just for lesbians. Email Sherri to get on her list, it's terrific. niteowl7@jps.net Anyone who wants to subscribe just needs to send me an email to requesting to be put on the list.  |
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| Golden Guys
Sign up for this fun Sonoma County potluck group. An informal gathering of gay men for an afternoon potluck usually on the second Sunday of each month. To receive emails for the time and location of these monthly events, contact David at david.laudon@sbcglobal.net
The Billys
A community of open-hearted gay, bi, queer and trans men throughout the North Bay who gather for in-person Gatherings a few times a year in rural Northern California. Go HERE to sign up for their emails. (707) 545-1044
California Men’s Gatherings
California Men’s Gatherings (CMG) fosters a safe, supportive, welcoming community where men challenge themselves to develop their emotional, spiritual, social, intellectual and physical lives—with as much fun as possible along the way. GUYS who want to get their announcements of events and gatherings, or to watch gay themed movies together online and discuss them, get on this email list. Go HERE to sign up.
Binky’s List
What is Binky’s List? Besides the official listing of the California Men’s Gatherings (CMG) news and events, they also publish notices directly from members and readers. Have you wished you could tell gay men about the stuff you think they’d be interested in? Well you’ve come to the right place, because this newsletter goes out to EVERY email address in the CMG database. Binky's List is fun, informative even helpful! Go HERE to sign up.
PFLAG: We're Here to Help
PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. PFLAG provides peer-to-peer support through in-person and virtual meetings, online outreach, and a variety of additional resources and programs. Don’t miss out! Sign up today and let’s get to work: Santa Rosa Chapter | (707) 723-2844 | pflagsonomacounty@gmail.com |
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| | Are you in need of legal help? These organizations provide free services
Elder Law Clinic at Empire Law School
The Elder Law Clinic provides free legal services for senior citizens and needy persons in the Sonoma County community. Phone messages to make an appointment may be left at 707-284-7666, and someone will contact you.
Elder Law Clinic | 725 College Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 | Visit website HERE
Legal Aid of Sonoma County
LASC’s Elder Law Program serves adults age 60 and over. Their elder program provides crisis legal services for seniors at our offices in Santa Rosa and off-site for qualifying seniors who live in remote areas throughout the County. Contact our ELDER HOTLINE to see if you qualify and to schedule an appointment: 707-340-5610 |
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| Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Dial 988 Press 1 Veterans Press 2 for Spanish
Crisis Text Line Text TALK to 741741 for English Text AYUDA to 741741 for Spanish Text with a trained Counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free 24/7
Trans Lifeline Support for transgender people, by transgender people 1-877-565-8860 |
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| The Trevor Project TrevorLifeline: Available 24/7 at 1-866-6488-7386 TrevorText: Text TREVOR to 1-202-304-1200 TrevorChat: via thetrevorproject.org
SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline Peer-support and local resources for older adults 1-877-360-LGBT (5428)
The LGBT National Hotline Peer-support and local resources for all ages 1-888-843-4564 |
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