Stonewall Alliance Chico

On February 14th, think outside the chocolate box! There are lots of different experiences people can have of love, and they're all valid. For example: Asexuality! Asexuality is not Aromanticism, and while not experiencing sexual attraction, Asexual people can experience other forms of attraction, such as: ... Romantic attraction: desiring a romantic relationship with someone. Aesthetic attraction: being attracted to someone based on how they look. Sensual or physical attraction: wanting to touch, hold, or cuddle someone. Platonic attraction: wanting to be friends with someone. Emotional attraction: wanting an emotional connection with someone. It can be tough to be Asexual in such a sexualized world, and that's why it's important to foster safe places for our beautiful Aces to exist. Happy Valentine's Day weekend to all, including our beloved Ace community! Art courtesy of Paws of Pride

There are a lot of messages out there about what we're supposed to be, do, and feel on February 14th. But we're all unique, and each of us is the best expert on who we really are and what we need to feel happy, fulfilled, and safe. That’s why we want to share some love for those members of our Aromantic community. Aromantic people find joy in their hobbies, interests and relationships with others, and we think that’s neat! Aromantic people aren't emotionless or robots. Remind...er: Experiencing attraction does not make up an individual's personality. Romantic love isn't necessary. Aromantic people can get all the love they need from their friends, family, and pets. We're wishing a very happy Valentine's Day weekend to everyone, including our Aromantic. We love you just as you are. Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week is this February 21-27th! Art Courtesy of @PawsOfPride

Boston University is looking for LGBTQIA+ Autistic adults who speak English to participate in a research study on inclusion. Their hope is to learn how being autistic and LGBTQIA+ influences people’s lives and how they participate in the community. They will use this information to help support LGBTQIA+ Autistic adults and improve inclusion in their communities. If you decide to participate, you will: Complete a brief survey about themselves ... Participate in an interview or focus group and answer questions about their identity and community participation If you wish to participate or to ask more questions about this study, please do not hesitate to reach out for more information by email to [email protected] or call/text (708)203-1592.

Break out the art supplies! This week is Valentine's week, and we are encouraging you to take part in the #LoveTransPeople campaign from Fresh Meat Productions. See post for details...

We’ve been humbled by the outpouring of support from our community during this time to help us to continue to provide necessary resources and services to our LGBT*Q+ community. As always the art community and their patrons have stepped up to raise aid through a variety of art sales. Among these wonderful art drives was Aaron Penne Artwork's called Generating Good. The combined efforts of each and every purchase of art from this drive raised more than $1100+ for Stonewall Alliance of Chico! We thank Aaron, those who purchased art from this drive, and every artist who has used their work to give back. Your creative ways to help the community are inspiring!

While this year has been difficult, we are sending you all of our love and support. We’re wishing everyone a brighter future, in 2021. May we all grow together once more! Happy New Year’s Eve,... Stonewall Alliance of Chico Image courtesy of @Chiara.ACU

Help us to thrive, so that we can all thrive... Your donations enable the Stonewall Team to provide free HIV & Hep C testing, low-cost counseling, free social & support groups, cultural competency presentations to reduce stigma and discrimination, advocacy services (such as name and gender marker change, anti-discrimination consultations, etc.), community celebrations - such as PRIDE - and so MUCH more! If you are interested in donating or becoming a sponsor, please visit us... here, to find out more about the various ways you can help: https://buff.ly/2KoIkj3 You can also help provide direct financial assistance to those who have been most impacted by institutional violence and racism including those who are Black, Brown, Indigenous, Trans*, non-binary, undocumented, or Two-Spirit persons of color by contributing here: https://buff.ly/2DJw9ty

You asked for it, and we responded! We've re-stocked our 2020 Pride Shirts and they are once again available for purchase on our website! All shirts come in royal blue and have the Stonewall Chico Pride 2020 logo on the front, with a list of our partners on the back. 15$/Each and we have a limited quantity, so act now. Please visit the direct link to our merch store, here to place your orders: Direct Link: www.stonewallchico.square.site Or visit: StonewallChico.Com under '...donate, sponsor and shop' Or visit: StonewallChicoPride.Com Please Note: We are arranging no-contact pickup for orders by phone or email. If you are placing an order and would like to pick it up at our Center, please contact us at [email protected] or leave a message at 530-893-3336 to coordinate pickup. If you would like this item shipped to you, please select the appropriate modifier from the dropdown box on the form, and pay the extra $6 for shipping and handling.

Transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming adults (ages 18 and over) you are invited to participate in a focus group about the body experiences among transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals. The study, conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, aims to lift up voices (like your own) through their affirmative research. You will be asked to complete measures regarding your body experiences, body image, minority stress, resilience, and demogra...phic items. It will take you approximately 40 minutes to complete. This study has been approved by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Institutional Review Board (IRB). Please follow this link, if you are interested: https://buff.ly/2KyjzB1

With sincerest gratitude, we send a special thank you to our donors, for your generous support of Stonewall Alliance of Chico. Your act of kindness goes a long way! Thanks to your contributions, we can provide essential services and support to our LGBT*Q+ community. We appreciate you! Stonewall Alliance Center of Chico... ________________ If you are interested in donating or sponsorship, please visit us here, to find out more about the various ways you can help: https://www.stonewallchico.com/donate

Did you know November is National Homeless and Runaway Prevention Month? NVRPM is a public campaign designed to draw attention to the often hidden lives and experiences of homeless, at-risk, and runaway youth. Throughout the month of November, we will be shining a light on how you can show support for them!... One simple way to begin is by sharing posts about NVPRM, follow a local shelter and support program on social media, donate gently used clothing and/or household goods, or sponsor a donor drive or fundraiser of your own. For more information on how you can show support, please visit: 1800runaway.org/nrvpm | Instagram.com/1800runaway And please support and follow our friends at 6th Street Center for Youth at: Facebook.com/@6thStreetCenter.org Or Youth For Change at: Facebook.com/@youthforchangebuttecounty.org #NVRPM2020 #6ThStreetCenterForYouth #YouthForChange

Did you know that more LGBT*Q+ candidates ran for political office this year than in the history of the United States? Better political representation aids in protecting our rights as citizens! We wanted to take a minute and highlight a few of these incredible people working to show up and speak out: Delaware: Sarah McBride has made history as becoming the highest-ranking transgender elected official, and the very first openly transgender person to serve in State Senate, def...eating Senator Steve Washington. Other transgender women who won at the state-level include Taylor Smalls of Vermont and Stephanie Byers of Kansas. Georgia: Kim Jackson has won in the Georgia State Senate this year, making her one of a growing number of Black LGBT*Q+ women senators to hold seats in political office. This makes Senator Jackson the first in Georgia to represent the LGBT*Q+ community, in a state sorely lagging in this area. Florida: Michelle Raynor, has been elected to the Florida State House of Representatives as a Civil Rights Lawyer within the state, she is well-known for taking on cases that involve racial and social justice. This includes her tireless work as a legal advocate for families of victims of police brutality. She plans to focus on affordable housing, stable living wages, and education, among other concerns. Tennessee: Torrey Harris and Eddie Mannis have also made history as Tennessee’s first openly LGBT*Q+ elected candidates, both elected to the House of Representatives. Rep. Harris will represent Memphis, TN having received 78% of the votes for his district. The former Mayor, Rep. Eddie Mannis, will serve on behalf of Knoxville, TN. The two (Harris [Democrat] and Mannis [Republican]) have worked to find common ground in their campaigns, in order to serve their state together. Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you, to these officials advocating for our hard-fought rights. We will be highlighting these historic candidates throughout the week, so please stay tuned!

We know today is an intense day for many people, and we wanted to remind you that we're right here beside you. Practice self-care, and know that if you have to turn off the news or tune out for a minute (or as long as you need) it doesn't mean you don't care. No matter what happens, we'll keep fighting for you all. [ by @Sa.Liiine]

Season's screamings, Chico! We're wishing you all a safe and wonderful Halloween. From all of us at Stonewall Alliance Center of Chico _________________________... (Pictured: some of our wonderful team, all dressed up) Marin - | Conner & Emma - | Ellie Butterbean & Yogi - | Natalie - | Alyssa - )

Did you miss the clinic earlier today? We have got ya covered! Check out this video from a previous session, or if you wish to meet one on one, we have appointments available by contacting us at: [email protected] or give us a call at: 530-893-3336

In between all the noise of an unprecedented election season, we wanted to take a moment to check in especially with our members of the LGBT*Q+ youth community. We know that repeated exposure to news stories and toxic political rhetoric can cause anyone a great deal of stress. To help you cope with often intense emotions surrounding this season, the Trevor Project has provided some resources and tips on self-care, adding: there is no correct way to process or respond to wh...at is going on in the world right now. It’s key to find what works best for you. (Tia Dole, PhD, CCOO). You can find the complete article and resources here: https://buff.ly/3eijE67 If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or suicidal, contact The Trevor Project's TrevorLifeline 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386. Counseling is also available 24/7 via chat every day at https://buff.ly/2MFTxvE, or by texting START to 678-678. And we remind everyone in need of a friend, space to connect, or someone to talk to, that we’re here to support you in any way we can! Our sliding scale counseling services are available through telehealth at this time, and we are accepting new clients. To connect with the team, please call the confidential counseling line at 530.809.2485 or email us, at [email protected] We also offer a number of digital events and support groups on a weekly to monthly basis, to keep you connected to the community. You can view these events by visiting us at: https://buff.ly/35NJ73A or https://buff.ly/34K9BDT Together, we’ll get through this. Images courtesy of Our Minds Matter and Idealist

Reminder: This free workshop for people in the Trans* Community (and those advocating for them who wish to learn more about this topic) takes place tomorrow, Friday, October 30th, from 12 pm to 1:30 pm! Marin will be walking participants through the process, timeline, and paperwork related to changing their legal name and gender markers on official documents. This event is online via Zoom, so be sure to create an account (it's free) prior to accessing. If you are unable to ...attend this time, please note that we will be posting a recording of a previous workshop on our Facebook page at 6 pm next Friday night. We also provide these are services regularly through our center and if you need assistance, we'd be happy to help you! If you wish to schedule an appointment for questions about the process, and further assistance, you can email us at [email protected] or give us a call at: 530-893-3336 No registration required. Zoom link will be posted at www.stonewallchico.com/TransWeek the day of the event.

Reminder: LGBT*Q+ teens ages 13-18, our Halloween themed Teen Game Night is in a couple of hours! Wear your costume (not required) and play games, as we get into the spirit of this spooky season. Beginning at 6:30 pm - Zoom Link ID:86846899710 We'll be using Zoom as a platform, so you'll want to make sure you create a Zoom account ahead of time (it's free.) Message us on Facebook, email us at [email protected] or call us at (530) 893-3336 if you need help accessing the event.

There's still time to register for any one of these free roundtable discussion sessions! All sessions will take place online via Zoom. See details and register now at stonewallchico.com/transweek Thursday Morning, 10/29, 9 am - 11 am Counselor & Mental Health Provider Roundtable Discussion/ Q&A A free roundtable discussion for people working or training in the mental health field. Share and learn with peers & experts. NO CEUs offered for this discussion session. Free to att...end. Thursday Afternoon, 10/29, 4pm - 6 pm Educator and School Staff Roundtable Discussion/ Q&A A free roundtable discussion/ Q&A session for anyone working with youth in an educational setting to share and learn with peers & experts. No CEs offered. Friday, 10/30, 8 am - 10 am Medical Providers Roundtable Discussion/ Q&A Free Roundtable Discussion on Friday morning, October 30th to share and learn with peers and experts on the important topic of healthcare and the Trans* Community. Saturday, 10/31 10 am - 11:30 am Parents and Families of Trans* Youth Roundtable Discussion A free roundtable discussion for folks like yourself to connect with one another. Share information, ask questions, find support. No CEs offered.

Hey teens, are you not sure what to do for Halloween this year? ...It's okay boo, we got you! Wednesday, October 28th from 6:30 pm to 8 pm we're hosting a spooktacular edition of Teen Game Night. This Halloween gathering is open to any LGBT*Q+ and ally teens (13-18). Wear a costume (or not, it's totally fine), and join us for online games and socializing. ... We'll be using Zoom as a platform, so you'll want to make sure you create a Zoom account ahead of time (it's free.) Message us on Facebook, email us at [email protected] or call us at (530) 893-3336 for the Zoom link.

Today is #IntersexAwarenessDay! Children born intersex are often forced into surgery without their consent so that they can be ‘fixed’. These painful surgeries, often given in secret, can cause intersex children to grow up without any knowledge of their identity. We wanted to take a moment to share one of several amazing and informative posts in honor of some of the work being done to combat these harmful attitudes and practices brought to us by the good folks at InterACT