Community Connection - LGBTQ Center of Bay County
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Page 1 Community Connection
Community Connection
1608 Bakers Court, Room 6, Panama City June 2021
Pride Month or on the flag has its own meaning? In the widely
known six-color flag, red is symbolic of life, orange
Pride Month is an entire month dedicated to the up- is symbolic of spirit, yellow is sunshine, green is na-
lifting of LGBTQ voices, celebration of LGBTQ cul- ture, blue represents harmony and purple is spirit.
ture and the support of LGBTQ rights. Throughout In the original eight-color flag, hot pink was included
the month of June, nationwide, there have tradition- to represent sex and turquoise to represent magic/
ally been parades, protests, drag performances, live art.
theater and memorials and
celebrations of life for mem- There have been many var-
bers of the community who iations on the flag. This
lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. year, the flag has been al-
It is part political activism, tered in solidarity with the
part celebration of all the Black Lives Matter protests,
LGBTQ community has including black to represent
achieved over the years. diversity, brown to repre-
sent inclusivity and light
We celebrate in June to co- blue and pink, the colors of
incide with the catalyst of the trans pride flag.
the Gay Liberation Move-
ment that was the Stonewall
Uprising. In the early morning hours of June 28,
1969, police raided a popular gay bar in N.Y.C.'s Pride Celebration: Easy ways to celebrate
West Village, The Stonewall Inn. This was com- MARCH in solidarity with people of color who
monplace for the time, but on this particular even- are speaking up against police brutality. The
ing, the patrons of the bar fought back, starting the Center has partnered with Black Voters Matters
Stonewall Riots, which went on for days. and will march in solidarity on June 27th –
across the Hathaway Bridge. Remember, Pride
The Stonewall Inn was declared a historic landmark started as a protest!
by the city of New York in 2015 and later named a VOLUNTEER Whether it's working for a phone
national monument by President Barack Obama in or text bank or attending town halls, make your
2016. voice known!
DONATE https://lgbtqcenterofbaycounty.org/
Pride Flag donate
LAUGH LOVE DANCE DRAG REPEAT
You probably knew that the rainbow flag — created
by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978 — is used as a sym-
bol of LGBTQ pride, but did you know that each col-
Page 2 Community Connection
Be There, or be Square!
Page 3 Community Connection
The Future Looks Bright for the Center
Page 4 Community Connection
NAACP HONORS EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE
Jasper Dunesand both proud and excited to announce our 2021
Outstanding Recognition Awards Program. This
Jasper is a 10th grader at Bay High School. He program is designed to celebrate, recognize
is the son of Sofia and Roger Dunesand. and honor some of our stellar youth from 8th to
“When students like Jasper are empowered to
use their voice, they can make a world of differ- 12th grade for their academic excellence, ath-
ence. Whether their positive letic talent, artistic talent, and dedication to
impact is felt at the local lev- community and faith-based ser-
el—or all the way up in the na- vice. This year we have chosen
tional government, the LGBTQ 12 young men and women to re-
Center believes in encourag- ceive awards.
ing students to get involved in Our branch believes that our na-
civic outreach and become
tion’s youth are our most valuable
active figures in their commu-
nities. There is no better ex- natural resource. Our local com-
ample than Jasper,” says the munity is blessed with so many
director of the Center. bright, intelligent, gifted, talented
and compassionate young men
Jasper spoke at this years and women. Our branch is con-
“Out in the South” event at vinced that families, schools,
FSU-PC. He spoke about the
churches, sororities, fraternities,
realities of being an “out”
transgender student in Bay County. He spoke organizations, businesses and the community
to administrators and staff with the Bay District at large play a vital role in their formation. It is
Schools and has educated and raised aware- important that we help them develop a future
ness about LGBTQ issues. Jasper is an exam- for themselves that is rooted in high expectation
ple of “good trouble” in action. His is recog- and thoughtful planning. They need our support
nized for his bravery, his intellect and his loving as they continue to grow and as they transition
heart.
into adulthood. Our branch is committed to in-
A message from Bay County Branch NAACP vesting in our youth and helping them become
President Dr. Rufus Woods: successful. It is our aim and earnest desire to
empower them to realize their dreams. They
The Bay County Branch National Association are our future leaders. We are counting on
for the Advancement of Colored People them to maximize their full potential and take us
(NAACP) has selected Jasper Dunesand, as to the next level.
one of our 2021 Outstanding Youth Awards re-
cipients. We would like to take this opportunity Dr. Rufus L. Wood, Jr. Branch President
to extend our congratulations to him. We are
Page 5 Community Connection Poet’s Corner “Nature’s Song” By: Phoenix Backus, 17, Petoskey, MI There I sat below a tree Sadly, it was only me Not that there's anything wrong I just found that among people, I did not belong There I sat humming a song The rest of the world seemingly gone Then I heard soft singing that I thought was the best I then look up to see a little nest There I sat staring at the little guest It came by me, seeming like it needed rest I picked it up to put on my knee Then covered it so only I would see There I sat and heard the buzz of a bee It too came down to sit on my knee Then came a small rabbit It laid on my knee as if it was habit There I sat and smiled down at it Then thought to myself this is where I fit As I said among people I do not belong But to feel that sense of belonging all I had to do was be kind, and sing nature's song Editor’s Note: Phoenix is my grandchild. This poem won 3rd place in the 2021 Young Writer’s Exposition - Petoskey, MI
Page 6 Community Connection
Page 7 Community Connection
Medicaid Expansion
DYK that around 3.7 56 percent of LGBTQ people have experi-
million kids under the enced discrimination in
age of 18 have an a health care setting.
LGBTQ parent? Build a Nonbiased, affordable
healthy future for your care is a must! When
family by ensuring applying for Medicaid,
they’ve got health insur- you won’t be denied
benefits based on gen-
ance. Medicaid provides free/low cost options.
der or sexual orienta-
Go to Healthcare.gov to see if you qualify.
tion. #Medicaid Matters
#Pride2021 #MedicaidMatters #Pride2021
Center Joins Minority PC in Celebrating YOUTH
Who is ready for the summer? ROGER
IS!!!
No better way to celebrate then Sum-
mer Nites! Join us every first Friday 6-
8p this summer for a kid-focused fami-
ly event in the Glenwood community.
Summer Nites, will have great food,
music and fun. For details see minori-
typc.org
Page 8 Community Connection
Older Wiser Lesbians of the Emerald Coast: OWLS
A group of women, 40 and older, who gather for monthly so-
cial events. Dining, boating, music and laughter. Join us on
Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/Older-Wiser-
Lesbians-of-the-Emerald-Coast-OWLS-106137065002834/
Richard Hathorn, affectionately known as several large bags and boxes of plush toys,
Ricky, is a long standing member and dear frisbees, beach balls and toy sand shovels to
friend of the Bay County LGBTQ community. the LGBTQ Center of Bay County. Thank you
Richard volunteers at the Green Hills Commu- Richard!! Your generosity matches your big
nity Center in Fountain, Florida. Ricky serves heart.
as Secretary. On May 22nd Ricky donated
Page 9 Community Connection
WELCOMING CONGREGATIONS IN PANAMA CITY
A welcoming congregation means striving for radical inclusion, and creating spaces that hon-
or every part of our identities, backgrounds, and experiences. If you would like to add a con-
gregation to this list please email the information to info@lgbtqcenterofbaycounty.org.
Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship of Bay County St. Andrews Episcopal Church
Lyceum of the Sacred Tree
Messiah Lutheran Church
Page 10 Community Connection
YOUR FIRST CALL FOR HELP
What is 211?
211 is a vital service leveraged by millions of people across North America. Every day, clients
contact 211 to access free and confidential crisis and emergency counseling, disaster assis-
tance, food, health care and insurance assistance, stable housing and utilities payment assis-
tance, employment services, veteran’s services and childcare and family services.
Contact 211 during a crisis for help with:
Emergency shelters
Food distribution centers
Shelter & federal assistance
Grief counseling
Helping locate family members
Clean-up crewsPage 11 Community Connection
Thank You Community Partners and SponsorsYou can also read
