Give OUT Day is a new national initiative that will engage hundreds of organizations and mobilize thousands of people on a single day across the country to give in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender & queer community. It is a chance for LGBTQ groups large and small, to work across the wide range of issues and activities that matter to the LGBTQ community from sports to policy change, families to the arts. It is a chance for members of the LGBTQ community and our many allies to stand up and show our support for our community together on one day. It is a chance to make history, we hope you’ll join us!

When

24 hours starting at 12 am EST on Thursday, May 9, 2013

How

Donate online through GiveOUTDay.org to support the LGBTQ community. Just search below by group name, keyword, city or zip code.  Search for “Wingspan” if you want to support YOUR Wingspan Community Center.

Can I Schedule a Donation?

Yes, you can schedule a donation to occur on May 9th.  Begin your donation now and from the section “Make this donation occur” select “On a giving day.”

For More Information

Visit the GiveOutDay Webpage for more information.

Please join us!

Co-Sponsored by:
Wingspan, UA Pride Law, The Office of LGBTQ Affairs,
Safe Streets AZ, and the Nightlife Safety Project.

When: Thursday, April 11th 2013 at 6:00 pm
Where: Wingspan Community Center, 430 E. 7th Street (Map)

 Rep. John Kavanagh has found a new home and new language for his attack on transgender people. It is now SB1045; we are dubbing it the “No Loo For You!” bill. Essentially the bill invites harassment and degradation of transgender people when they try to use a public restroom or try on clothes, by explicitly removing all protections for them state wide.

The bill will be heard before the House Committee on Appropriations today, Wednesday, at 2PM in the House of Representatives building on the north side of the plaza in front of the capital. It will be in room HHR1, which is a small room only sitting roughly 60 members of the public. We must make sure that room is packed with our people, and last week the room was completely filled by 12:45. We need people there by noon to pack the place. If you want to speak, bring something with you to put in your chair to hold it, go claim your seat, and then come out and register to speak. Seat first, then register, then socialize until the meeting starts. We need everyone there to show undeniably that we care and we will not idly sit as power hungry legislators trample on our rights.

What can we do?  

• Attend the rally at the State Capitol at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2013.  1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, Arizona, 85007. A caravan will leave Wingspan to go up at 9:30 a.m.

• Share this information with your friends and family and help get the word out in our community.

• Please call and/or write to committee members today:

Chairman: John Kavanagh (R) jkavanagh@azleg.gov  602-926-5170
Vice-Chair: Justin Olson (R) jolson@azleg.gov  602-926-5288
Lela Alston (D) lalston@azleg.gov  602-926-5829
Rick Gray (R) rgray@azleg.gov  602-926-5993
Michelle Ugenti (R) mugenti@azleg.gov  602-926-4480
Paul Boyer (R) pboyer@azleg.gov  602-926-4173
Adam Kwasman (R) akwasman@azleg.gov  602-926-5839
Chad Campbell (D) chcampbell@azleg.gov  602-926-3026

Stefanie Mach (D) smach@azleg.gov 602-926-3398
Thomas Foreset (R) tforese@azleg.gov 602-926-5168
Andrew Sherwood (D) asherwood@azleg.gov  602-926-3028

For more information, please contact:

Rae Strozzo

Southern Arizona Gender Alliance Program Coordinator, Wingspan

(520) 624-1779 x120, rstrozzo@sagatucson.org

Casey Chimneystar Condit

Programs Manager

Wingspan, Southern Arizona’s LGBT Community Center

(520) 624-1779 x127, ccondit@wingspan.org

Please download this press release and take action today!!

Press Release Say No to SB1432

The freedom to access public spaces without fear of persecution is a fundamental human right. If approved, this legislation would deny safety to countless Arizonans and disproportionately expose transgender and gender diverse people to harassment and discrimination.

                  –Casey Chimneystar Condit, Programs Manager, Wingspan

Tucson, AZ March 19, 2013, Wingspan, Southern Arizona’s LGBT Community Center, takes a stand in opposition to SB1432, a State Bill that would mandate Arizonan’s to use only the public facilities (including bathrooms, locker rooms and dressing rooms) that match their birth certificate.

What’s happened?

The Center for Arizona Policy has filed a use of public facilities (including restrooms, dressing rooms and locker rooms) bill in the state legislature that is an assault on the transgender and gender non-conforming population of this state.

There is a hearing on this bill in the AZ House Committee on Appropriations on  Wednesday, March 20^th   at 2:00 p.m. Wingspan and the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance are asking that our community come together and stand up against this legislation.

Why is this a problem?

This bill would make it a misdemeanor to use a restroom, locker room, or dressing room “that a sign indicates that the room  is for the exclusive use of persons of one sex and the person is not legally classified on the person’s birth certificate as a member of that sex. “

This bill is in conflict with the newly passed nondiscrimination law in Phoenix and the current city wide law in Tucson.  It would put transgender and gender non-conforming folks in danger of harassment and violence regardless of the restroom they use.

It will disproportionately impact transgender people and gender non-conforming people, which is selective enforcement against a harmless, struggling community.  And this isn’t just about transgendered folks, but about folks who are gender fluid/gender non-conforming who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and even our heterosexual allies!  This is discrimination that will affect our entire community.

The legislation indicates that “this act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the

public peace, health or safety.”  This legislation solves no problem.  There are no documented incidents of anyone being harmed in this state from a transgender person using a public restroom.

It is unconstitutional per the Romer v. Evans decision to write a law that specifically attacks a minority.

What can we do?  

• Attend the AZ Trans Alliance planning meeting in Phoenix tonight at One Voice Community Center (1VCC) Tuesday, March 19, 2013, at 6:00 PM to discuss this crisis. 4442 N. 7^th Ave., Phoenix, AZ.

• Attend the rally at the State Capitol at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2013.  1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, Arizona, 85007

• Come to TransAction Day at the University of Arizona Mall tomorrow, Wednesday, March 20, 2013, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM and show your support.

• Share this information with your friends and family and help get the word out in our community.

• Please call and/or write to committee members today:

Chairman: John Kavanagh (R) jkavanagh@azleg.gov  602-926-5170
Vice-Chair: Justin Olson (R) jolson@azleg.gov  602-926-5288
Lela Alston (D) lalston@azleg.gov  602-926-5829
Rick Gray (R) rgray@azleg.gov  602-926-5993
Michelle Ugenti (R) mugenti@azleg.gov  602-926-4480
Paul Boyer (R) pboyer@azleg.gov  602-926-4173
Adam Kwasman (R) akwasman@azleg.gov  602-926-5839
Chad Campbell (D) chcampbell@azleg.gov  602-926-3026

Stefanie Mach (D) smach@azleg.gov 602-926-3398
Thomas Foreset (R) tforese@azleg.gov 602-926-5168
Andrew Sherwood (D) asherwood@azleg.gov  602-926-3028

For more information, please contact:

Rae Strozzo

Southern Arizona Gender Alliance Program Coordinator, Wingspan

(520) 624-1779 x120, rstrozzo@sagatucson.org

Casey Chimneystar Condit

Programs Manager

Wingspan, Southern Arizona’s LGBT Community Center

(520) 624-1779 x127, ccondit@wingspan.org

Senior Pride will be holding a Visioning Meeting on March 7^th at Wingspan. You are invited to help shape the direction and activities for the coming year, please bring your voice to the table. Wills for Wingspan and the screening of Gen Silent are just two of the events that made 2012 a fantastic year for Senior Pride. Join us for an even better 2013!

Date: March 7^th

Time: 8:30am-10:30am

Place: Wingspan’s Welcome Center, 430 E. 7th St., Tucson, AZ 85705

The Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN) seeks a full-time Office and Volunteer Coordinator to manage the agency’s volunteer program and administrative volunteer staff, oversee the agency’s daily office operations (including maintaining databases, coordinating acknowledgement of donations, maintaining office equipment and systems, and working with vendors), provide program and fundraising support, and perform varied advanced administrative work as required.  This position manages recruitment and orientation of volunteers and coordinates with agency staff to effectively and quickly place volunteers into appropriate positions within the agency.  Must have minimum three years’ experience managing volunteer programs, substantial experience in office management procedures, excellent organization and communication skills, strong computer skills including Microsoft Office proficiency and experience with database programs, and knowledge of HIV-related issues, interfaith and multi-cultural issues. Salary DOE.  Bilingual persons and persons living with HIV encouraged to apply.  AA/EOE.  Job description is available at http://www.tihan.org/ (then click on “Job Openings”).  Submit cover letter, resume and list of three professional references to mail:scott@tihan.org.  No phone calls, please.

SAGA Member – Abigail Jensen

1.  Tell us a little bit about your coming out story.

I have the Hindu goddess Kali to thank for my transition.

I’m not sure exactly how it came about, but when I was in my mid-20’s, I decided that I was just going to have to be a guy for the rest of my life, whether I liked it or not. So, for the next 25+ years, although I sometimes fantasized about being a woman, I never thought about transitioning as a serious possibility. When I did think about it, I dismissed it as ridiculous and impossible.

In the fall of 2001 and 2002, however, I attended week long workshops in Joshua Tree, California. Part of those workshops was spent doing kirtan for several hours each day. Kirtan is part of Bhakti yoga and is the practice of singing or chanting the many names of God. Through kirtan, I became acquainted with Kali. Kali is a fearsome figure, a destroyer in fact. But, as I came to learn, she only destroys to allow the truth to emerge. Because I was then (and still am) working to live a happier, more peaceful and more loving life, I began praying to Kali for her help. I knew better than to presume that I knew what I needed, so I simply asked, “Kali, please remove all that is not real.” I said that prayer every morning during my meditation and prayers for about two years. Eventually, for no reason I can recall, I stopped. However, the impact of those prayers did not end when they did.

It was about a year after I stopped praying to Kali that, for the first time, I began to discover the stories of other trans women’s transitions on the internet and realized that transition was possible for me. Not long after, on Labor Day weekend of 2005, I was in a Native American sweat lodge, not praying for help with any particular issue as I usually did, but simply enjoying the connection to Spirit, when a voice came to me and, for the first time in my life, I thought of being a woman without shame. A month later, I dissolved my first estrogen tablet under my tongue and, as they say, the rest is history. (I will celebrate my sixth Abby Anniversary on May 14.)

Thank you, Kali, for clearing away the obstacles, so that I can live as my authentic self.

2.  What has life been like since transition?

Life after transition continues to be a challenge. I have experienced clinical depression since I was a very young child and it is still an issue in my life. But my life today is so much fuller and richer than it ever was before. I am more outgoing and at ease with myself around others. I have more friends in my life than ever before. I live without the huge burden of fear and shame about being trans that I unknowingly carried for so many years. I am involved in my community and a world of possibility lies before me.

Transition was definitely the right choice for me.

3.  What do you do in the community?  (work and with the trans community)

As of last fall, I have been an attorney for 30+ years. For the first several years, I did business law of various sorts with a firm in Seattle. In 1994, I left there, desperately unhappy. Eventually, I ended up in Prescott, Arizona and met a fellow attorney who taught me how to do criminal appeals. I’ve been doing that work since 1997. Today, I am an appellate attorney with the Pima County Public Defender’s office. (Yes, they know I’m trans and it’s no big deal.) (Doing criminal appeals means that I am appointed by the court to represent people who have already been convicted and sentenced. My job is to review their cases and ensure that the law was followed and, if it wasn’t, to convince the courts to fix it.)

In addition, with my transition, I naturally became interested in the rights of trans people. Over the years, I have advised many people on issues regarding employment discrimination, name and gender changes, marriage rights and other issues. Some of that has been accomplished through presentations on behalf of SAGA during Tucson’s annual Transgender Awareness Week, the rest primarily over the internet. I also do what I can as an advocate for trans equality, again, mostly via the internet.

Finally, since my transition, I have been involved with setting up and running several different nonprofits. One of my proudest achievements is that I am one of the founders, and still a board member, of the Prescott Area Women’s Shelter, which has been in operation since 2008 and is about to open a family shelter. (Yes, we do accept trans women at our shelter.)

4.  What are a couple fun things you would like to share about yourself?

I’m not the only trans person in my family.

I love to dance!

Desert Voices Spring 2013 concert, entitled “Noteworthy”, will take place Saturday April 6^th and Sunday April 7^th.  At the intersection of music and words is vocal music. Well-crafted words reach the intellect to inform and teach, while fine music touches the heart and stirs the soul. Join us at the Scottish Rite Cathedral for an enjoyable concert of the best (and most entertaining) texts set to the finest music.

A portion of proceeds from the concert will benefit Wingspan!

When:     Saturday, April 6^th 2013 at 7:30 pm, and

Sunday, April 7^th 2013 at 3:00 pm

Where:   Scottish Rite Cathedral, 160 S. Scott Avenue

Tickets:  Web:  www.desertvoices.org  or

Call: (520)791-9662

Tucson’s premier gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender chorus, Desert Voices is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing Arizona beautiful music and to forging a positive and resolute GLBT presence in the community.

1. the 20^th Anniversary of the AVP program,
2. the 15^th Anniversary of the SAGA program, and
3. the 19^th Anniversary of the EON program.

We thank our Tucson Mayor, Jonathan Rothschild for acknowledging Wingspan’s contribution in making our city a better place to live.

The Mayor’s proclamation is as follows:

City of Tucson Office of the Mayor Proclamation

            WHEREAS,  Now in its 25^th year, Wingspan, Southern Arizona’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual  and Transgender Community Center has served our city and region faithfully  and      

            WHEREAS,  Wingspan celebrates the joy and strength of southern Arizona’s LGBT and Allies community through its programs, forums and special events, publications and website (www. wingspan.org);

            WHEREAS,  its contributions include public advocacy about policies protecting LGBT rights,  community development, and services to the most vulnerable including, youth, victims of violence, seniors and others;

            WHEREAS, thanks partly to Wingspan’s advocacy and public profile, public sentiment and prejudices about gender diversity have changed dramatically and public support has increased for the LGBT and Allies community;

            WHEREAS, Twenty-five years ago, Wingspan  gave hope to vulnerable youth struggling with questions of identity and its unique LGBT information call line provided crucial resources to those battling AIDS and others wanting vital services and community involvement;

            WHEREAS, Wingspan’s Anti-Violence Program was initiated in 1993 because of  lack of resources for LGBT victims of domestic violence, bullying and hate crimes and since then has served thousands in need and maintains a 24-hour bilingual anti-violence crisis hotline;

            WHEREAS, 15 years ago, the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA) began through Wingspan giving health and other resources and incredible support to the transgender community;

            WHEREAS, Wingspan advocates, educates, and meets the needs of LGBT seniors, Latino/as, homeless youth, and the wider community;

            WHEREAS, since the first organizational meeting on Feb. 7, 1988, Wingspan has been a lifeline to countless individuals, developed a strong and energetic community center and has contributed to the vitality of southern Arizona;

NOW, THEREFORE, I Jonathan Rothschild, Mayor of the City of Tucson, Arizona do hereby proclaim that date be

WINGSPAN DAY

Celebrating Southwest Arizona’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center.

Opening Night Feature:

MOSQUITA Y MARI (Aurora Guerrero, 2012)

Loft Cinema

Wed Feb 13th, 7pm

Opening night features MOSQUITA Y MARI, an exquisitely-crafted coming of age tale that follows a pair of Latina teens who gradually fall in love against the backdrop of East LA. Studious, sweet-natured 15-year-old Yolanda feels the pressure to succeed under the eyes of her hard-working immigrant parents. When she meets her new neighbor, the feisty and alluring, BMX-riding Mari, Yolanda’s humdrum high school routine gets a jolt. The two girls don’t have much in common on the surface, but they become fast friends and their deep bond develops into a tension that neither one expected nor quite knows how to handle. Director Aurora Guerrero’s impressive feature film debut (which premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival) features two breakout lead performances by Fenessa Pineda and Venecia Troncoso, who perfectly embody the awkwardness and cautious desire of two teenage girls experiencing love and desire for the first time.

“An unassuming indie jewel … Ms. Pineda and Ms. Troncoso give wonderfully natural performances.” – Stephen Holden, New York Times

“First-time writer-director Aurora Guerrero beautifully captures the fluctuating dynamics of friendship between 15-year-old girls.” – Rob Nelson,Variety
The 20th anniversary season continues on Thurs Feb 28, when Lesbian Looks is delighted to welcome filmmakers Greta Schiller and Andrea Weiss to present their groundbreaking, classic documentary BEFORE STONEWALL (1984), showcased in over 75 film festivals worldwide.  The series ends on Thurs Apr 4, with Erin Greenwell’s charming debut feature MY BEST DAY, which also premiered at Sundance in 2012.

For complete details visit: lesbianlooks.org
Lesbian Looks 2013 is presented by the UA Institute for LGBT Studies, with support from the Hanson Film Institute, the School of Theatre, film and Television Visiting Artists Program, the McClelland Institute for Children, Youth and Families, the departments of Gender & Women’s Studies, Anthropology, History and German Studies, Wingspan, and the UA Office of LGBTQ Affairs.

According the Tucson Weekly website

Issues of violence and bullying against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth have recently come to public attention, but Wingspan has been offering resources for this community since the 1970s, becoming an official “resource center” in the 1980s. The mission is to “promote the freedom, equality, safety and well-being of LGBT people,” and the people at Wingspan fulfill this mission in a variety of ways. The community center itself is open during the week and offers a free library of resources and a computer center. Wingspan also offers a 24-hour bilingual crisis line for victims of violence. Programs that Wingspan coordinates serve a wide swath of the LGBT community, including programs for seniors (Senior Pride), youth (Eon Youth), the Latino community (Puertas Abiertas), transgendered individuals (Southern Arizona Gender Alliance) and families (Rainbow Families).

Wingspan is also humbled to be viewed by Tucson Weekly readers as peered with organizations like “Ben’s Bells” and “SAAF”.   The second runner up, Ben’s Bells Project, champions the strengthening of our communities through its “Ben’s Bells” project and it’s “Be Kind” initiative. The third runner up, SAAF, continues to be the only community-based organization in Southern Arizona providing case management and ancillary support services for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families, culturally appropriate prevention and education programs to reduce the rate of infection, and extensive trainings and opportunities for community members to fill critical support roles.

Tucson Weekly Top Advocacy Runners up:

2.  Ben’s Bells Project

3.  SAAF (Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation)

(L-to-R) Long-time Wingspan Supporters, Mick DeVore and Collette Barajas

The second place team was the team that won the tournament last year.  Dr. Phil Mooberry, Dr. Nick Mooberry, Dr. Tom Kramkowski, and Brian Colwill .  They each received a $40 gift certificate and a second place golf towel.  The third place team was from SaddleBrooke and consisted of Jon Lillis, Ron Tie, William Simpson and Don Erickson.  We also awarded some on-course game prizes.  “Closest to the pin” for men went to Ron Tie and for women, Stephanie Tisdale.  The men’s longest drive went to Kyle McQuown for the men and Mary Petropoulus for the women.  The “find the unstraight line drive” went to Gloria Acuna.

Many thanks to all the players that participated, to the volunteers that made it possible, and to the many generous sponsors that helped us raise over $14,000 for Wingspan.  All told, the Wingspan Classic’s four year contribution to critical Wingspan programs and services is over $63,000.

Our top sponsors this year were:  American Family Insurance, Adobe Dentistry, Golden Eagle Distributor, Law Office of Carol Lohmann, Sunstreet Mortgage, HomeSmart Realty, Mooberry Dentistry, Arizona Pride Guide, BMO Harris Bank and Olivia.  We’d like to send a special shout out to Olivia for their great support since the inception of this tournament and invite you to take a look at one of their upcoming trips.  Click here to learn more about their 40th Anniversary Music & Comedy Festival in Punta Cana.

Save the date on your calendars for next year’s tournament.  It will be on November 15th, again at the Omni Tucson National.  More information will be available soon at http://www.wingspanclassic.com/.  For more information or to let us know you’d like to be a sponsor, please send us an email to wingspanclassic@gmail.com.

“I wanted to thank Wingspan for putting together the Gen Silent showing and the panel discussion. I’m grateful so many members of our community came together to see such an important film.  If we don’t take care of each other, who will?  I understand that we, as a GLBT community, have different financial challenges. Prudential wants to understand what those challenges are too, so they asked!!!!!!  They just released a study on the GLBT community and finance. If they can understand our concerns, they can find better ways to help me help our community.”

The Prudential study of “The LGBT Financial Experience” can be accessed as a PDF file via:

Prudential LGBT Financial Experience as a PDF file

You are invited to attend the Southwest Feminists Reunite gathering to be held Saturday and Sunday, March 16-17, 2013 in Tucson, Arizona.  Please save the dates and plan to attend.

This event will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Southwest Feminist Festival Retreat that was held at the YWCA camp north of Tucson, Arizona in March 1973.  It was a powerful experience and was one of many ways that we as feminists and lesbian feminists reinvented our lives and organized for change over the next four decades.  All women are invited to attend. Please join us to celebrate women’s activism.

Southwest Feminists Reunite will include two events:

Party:  Saturday, March 16, 2013
Unitarian Universalist Church social hall, 4831 E. 22nd St. — View Map
6:00 – 8:00 pm  – refreshments, re-connecting, sharing, displays of posters, albums, pictures (if you have them please bring them!)
8:00 – 10:00 pm —  Dance, dance, dance
Cost:  A requested donation of $10-15.00 will be asked at the door to cover all costs. More if you can, less if you can’t. No woman will be turned away.

Potluck Picnic:  Sunday, March 17, 2013
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Catalina State Park, group picnic area — View Map
This is north of Tucson on Oracle Road, near the site of the 1973 Southwest Feminist Festival Retreat
12:00 pm — Potluck lunch
2:00 or so  – Reconnect, reunite, re-commit
Cost:  Catalina State park will charge an entrance fee of $7 per vehicle (maximum 4 to a vehicle)

Who is Invited: All women are invited to attend from all eras and places. We especially want to find women who lived in Tucson in the early to mid 70s. So, spread the word, forward this invitation, mail it, call your friends.

Please plan to attend Southwest Feminists Reunite on March 16-17, 2013.

To register, go to southwestfeministsreunite.eventbrite.com or send us an email to reunite@southwestfeminists.org

The start-up planning committee includes:  Leslie Carlson, Deborah Dobson, Debby Hamolsky, Pam Hyde-Nakai, Lavina Tomer, and Ann Yellott.  We will need more volunteers as we get closer to the event.

Help network!  You are welcome to forward this invitation to feminist women who would be interested.

“Out in the Desert” is Tucson’s International LGBT Film Festival.   Sponsored by

the Southwest LGBT Film Society to bring you the best in LGBT films.

Out in the Desert Film Schedule and Guide (PDF)

Date:  January 23rd to January 27th 2013

Location:  Fluxx Studio & Gallery

414 E. 9th Street

Tucson, Arizona

Out in the Desert Webpage

Carol Grimsby, Wingspan Executive Director

_________________________________________________________

NOTE: A community “meet and greet” with Carol will be scheduled in the

next few weeks.

_________________________________________________________

“This is a milestone in Wingspan’s development,” said Kara Jones, Wingspan’s Board President.  For three years, Wingspan’s Board has been operated by program staff and volunteers without an Executive Director.   Now, after a national search, Grimsby, who has 20 years of corporate and non-profit management experience, has been named by the Wingspan Board to the position.

Grimsby is the former Executive Director of a group that advocates for neglected and abused children, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in Kansas City, Mo.  She led the agency as it implemented its long term strategic plan.

In Missouri, she was active in community groups such as Women with One Voice, a non-profit dedicated to raising funds for organizations providing services for women, where she chaired the Board; and, the Human Rights Campaign (serving as political Co-chair and Faith and Diversity Chair).

A graduate of the University of Missouri (Kansas City), Grimsby owned and managed a catering company for many years and also served as the Foundation Director of the Neosho Hospital Foundation in Chanute, KS.

“Carol’s leadership skills, experience in program management, administration and development matches the demands needed to move Wingspan to its next level.  The staff, board, and volunteers look forward to working with her,” said Jones.

Grimsby begins work at Wingspan December 10.

Each year, three incredibly deserving individuals are awarded the Wingspan Godat, Community Ally, and Steve Hall awards.  This year in 2012 was no exception with Joyce Bolinger receiving the Godat award, Sharon Schubitzke receiving the Community Ally award, and Noel de la Tierra receiving the Steve Hall award.

Joyce Bolinger, 2012 Godat Award Recipient

The Godat Award was inaugurated in 1998 to recognize extraordinary long-term contributions by an individual to Southern Arizona’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Ken Godat, after whom this award was named, was the first recipient.

Joyce Bolinger, 2012 Godat Award Recipient

Joyce Bolinger is a quiet, steadfast person who has consistently devoted much of her time and energy to the LGBT community. She has promoted LGBT well-being in Tucson, as well as across the nation, and is driven by the motive to give back and make our community a better place. Joyce uses her skills and passions for the arts, fundraising, community outreach, and LGBT history to impact others.

After retiring as Deputy Commissioner of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and moving to Tucson, Joyce played an active role in the University of Arizona’s Lesbian Looks film series, organized benefit screenings, and advocated for LGBT rights through cultural arts and community forums. She specifically contributed to Wingspan by serving on the Board of Directors, supporting programs, honoring volunteers, and spearheading distribution of the agency’s newsletter. Joyce’s talents center on seeking and documenting the diverse voices in our community. She uses the spoken and written word to bring attention to LGBT causes and people. Her generosity, dedication, and humility inspire participation as she makes a positive difference.

Sharon Schubitzke, 2012 Community Ally Award Recipient

In 2001, an award was created to honor a straight ally who has made significant contributions to advance the freedom, equality, safety, and well-being of LGBT people in Southern Arizona. This award was named The Community Ally Award.

Sharon Schubitzke, 2012 Community Ally Award Recipient

For the past decade, Sharon Schubitzke has been a strong presence in the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance, particularly supporting the transgender community. She is an ally in various direct service and visibility initiatives, including hot meals for homeless youth, Senior Pride, and Transgender Awareness.

Sharon uses her training as a social worker to educate others about the nuances of LGBT identities in the aging population, professional environment, and the community at large. Her advocacy is hands-on, evident in the creation of forums for communication around transgender and elder issues. Sharon is actively dedicated to community-building through support group facilitation, project planning, and participation in public events.

Noel de la Tierra, 2012 Steve Hall Award Winner

The Steve Hall Award is named after a former volunteer and Board President who played a key role in Wingspan’s early growth, and is given to an individual who makes outstanding volunteer contributions to further Wingspan’s mission of promoting the freedom, equality, safety, and well-being of LGBT people.

Noel de la Tierra, 2012 Steve Hall Award Recipient

Noel de la Tierra exemplifies this commitment to the community of LGBT and allied youth at Wingspan. Her trustworthiness and facilitation skills contribute to the welcoming spirit of the community center. Young people rely on her to offer advice, care, and encouragement—and she always delivers with a smile. For the past three years, Noel has volunteered at the center every week and attended all major youth events.

Noel’s investment of time and friendship is cherished by Wingspan participants and staff, and she is a valued member of the Wingspan family. Her volunteerism extends to vocal and gracious appreciation of other volunteers as well. She brings authenticity and praise to the lives of those who may not often receive it, and Wingspan is thankful for her dedication.

Thursday, Nov. 8, 10-11:30

At The Jewish Community Center – 3800 E. River Rd.

Project Visibility, a national award winner, was developed by Boulder County Aging Services, and includes a DVD, structured discussion and manual with practical solutions for improving care. This event will help spread the word so that more care facilities are aware of this free training they can choose for their staff.

This presentation is co-sponsored by Pima Council on Aging,    the LGBT Jewish Inclusion Project, and Wingspan Senior Pride.

Pima Council On Aging, in collaboration with Wingspan Senior Pride and other  community agencies, offers this cultural competency training for staff at assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and home health agencies, to increase awareness of the strengths and needs of LGBT older adults.

For further information or to schedule a training for your facility,

Call PCOA at 790-7262

Results of this Community Forum will be used to steer the Coalition’s Strategic Plan, which seeks to education, collaborate and advocate for LGBTQ individuals receiving behavioral healthcare in Southern Arizona.

Select for a Flyer of the LGBTQ Community Forum taking place on October 18th 2012

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Brought to you by the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival, Pima Council on Aging (PCOA), and Wingspan Senior Pride. View the “Gen Silent” Flyer.

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Wingspan , Southern Arizona’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, will present the free film screening to help raise awareness about the needs of LGBT ‘Boomers’ and older adults, in partnership with the Tucson International Jewish Film Festival, Pima Council on Aging and other local health service providers.

‘Gen Silent,’ is a powerful film that puts a face on what experts in the film call an epidemic: lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults still afraid of discrimination in health care, and being forced to retreat back into the closet, said Kevin Maxey, a Wingspan board member and film screening organizer.

The film is especially relevant to health care professionals, long-term and in-home care providers, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults and their allies, said Sandy Davenport, a PCOA Caregiver Specialist.

A reception starts at 1:30 p.m. to enjoy light refreshments and mingle before the one-hour film screening starts at 2:00 p.m., followed by a post- film discussion of the issues at 3:00 p.m., presented by Wingspan Senior Pride and Pima Council on Aging.

For details about the free event, call Wingspan at 624-1779 in Tucson, or visit online at www.wingspan.org