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| Hello Friends and Neighbors!
A heartfelt congratulations to Lucy Whitworth, honored with the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce Service to Seniors Award!
Join us Wednesday, November 5th at 2pm for our next Holding Spaces Series event, 'The Spectrum of Lesbian Identity—Butch, Femme, and Androgynous.'
Your thoughts and questions are always welcome via email.
Sincerely, Scotty King (LGBT Liaison) |
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Honoring Lucy Whitworth: Building Community for Senior Lesbians |
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On October 1, we had the great honor to present the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce Service to Seniors Award to Lucy Whitworth, whose vision and dedication have created a vibrant community for senior lesbians in our community.
In 2023, Lucy recognized the need for post-pandemic connection, so she approached our Scotty, our LGBT Coordinator, with the idea of creating a space for senior lesbians to gather, share resources, and build friendships. The first meeting drew 20 women and quickly outgrew our spaces at the Senior Center. Today, the group meets at Wischemann Hall, and their numbers have grown to an astonishing 250 members.
The group, affectionately named SLIC: Senior Lesbians in Community, now meets bi-monthly, featuring guest speakers, resource sharing, and lively discussions. They have expanded to host potlucks, hikes, movie nights, and other gatherings, all focused on connection and community.
In just two years, Lucy has built not only a group but a movement—one that enriches the lives of countless seniors by offering friendship, support, and joy. For this, we are thrilled to honor her with the Service to Seniors Award. |
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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 Nov Issue ~ Our ongoing social activities ~ 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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LGBT Holding Spaces | Embracing LGBTQ stories
The Spectrum of Lesbian Identity Butch, Femme, and everything in between
Step into an honest, lively, and deeply affirming conversation exploring the rich diversity of lesbian identity and expression. This special panel brings together three remarkable women—each representing a different place along the lesbian spectrum—to share stories, wisdom, and laughter about what it means to live authentically and with pride.
Meet the Panelists:
Why attend: This panel is not just a conversation—it’s an invitation to expand how we see gender, love, and self-expression within the lesbian community. Besides getting all your questions answered, attendees will: 🌿 Learn about the historical and cultural roots of Butch and Femme identities. ✨ Hear personal stories that reveal the humor, challenges, and triumphs of living authentically. 💬 Explore how androgyny and fluidity have shaped lesbian identity. ❤️ Gain insight into how mutual respect and understanding strengthen the broader queer community. 🌈 Celebrate the beauty and diversity of lesbian lives across generations and styles of self-expression.
What you’ll experience: ✨ Personal stories of courage, love, and pride
🌈 Insight into the Butch–Femme–Androgynous spectrum
💞 Celebration of authenticity and connection
🎤 Honest dialogue that uplifts and unites our community |
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| | Date & Time: 1st Wed of mo | 2pm-3:30pm
Location: Wischemann Hall/Sebastopol Cost: $5 Members/$8 Non-Members |
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| | Event is held OFFSITE at Wischemann Hall Advanced Registration Required 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 ~ Nov 28th | 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 | Nov 3rd, Dec 1st & 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 the twice per month 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 | Nov 3rd, Dec 1st & 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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Thank you to those who participated in our 2025 Aged to Perfection! What a night of 70s themed dress, cocktails, dancing and more! Thank you to our donors, sponsors, and all those who gave, we raised more than $170K for senior services and programs. You can see all of the photos from that evening HERE |
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| | | OUT IN THE COMMUNITYTHESE LGBT+ ACTIVITIES ARE NOT affiliated with the Sebastopol Area Senior Center |
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Make-A-Will Services Horizons Foundation will continue to offer free, LGBTQ-friendly legal will services through their partnership with FreeWill through July 2026. You’ve worked hard to build your life and your story—now’s the time to protect it. In just 20 minutes, you can legally protect your partner(s) and chosen family; ensure your wishes about your belongings, money, pets, and more are respected; and safeguard your truth and your legacy. Protect yourself, your story, and your legacy—now and always. |
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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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