Monday, September 27, 2010

Join us for Perfect 10 Date Auction on Sunday October 10th

Join LBT Health at the Second Annual Perfect 10 Date Auction as it is back and bigger than ever. Like Perfect 10 Speed Dating events, both Gay men, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgender individuals are welcomed to attend and participate!  This will be a night filled with the opportunity to bid on fun date packages (you can take anyone as the packages are what we bid on - not the actual people), support US and enjoy the company of wonderful people.

There is still room for one more lady auctionee. Even if you are in a relationship, come out to support LBT Health, watch the amazing performances, and have a great time.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Health of the YWCA. LBT Health links a diverse community of people with limited incomes with no cost mammograms, additional health services and education, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The event will take place Sunday, October 10th and start at 6pm.  Tickets are $5 online, and $10 at the door at Neighbors on Capitol Hill .  Your hosts for the event will be Sue Quigley and Dennis Jimerson with performances by Fuchsia Foxxx and EmpeROAR Fabulous.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Laughter Yoga Classes

For those of you that were able to attend the LBT Rainbow Health Fair we enjoyed a wonderful 'laughter circle'.  Even in the short time we practiced laughing, many of us felt we benefited from practicing laughing and experiencing the joy that laughter brings in any form.  Laughing just makes one feel good!

The Phinney Neighborhood Center offers a laughter yoga class on the 2nd Tuesday's taught by Teresa Verde based on the model that laughter has health benefits.  The Laughter Yoga class provides:

    an explanation of the tremendous health benefits, how laughter and humor are highly effective coping mechanisms, the role of laughter in the workplace and even how smiling is beneficial; followed by a joyous laughter session consisting of gentle stretching, yoga-type deep breathing and playful laughter exercises.

Like all Yoga's, Laughter Yoga practices a combination of gentle stretching, yoga-type breathing, chanting and only differs by including laughter exercises. Yoga is a body/mind/spirit connection that leaves you feeling better after the class.  You need to bring to class a willingness to laugh for no reason and water. Check out the article on One Thousand Laughs in The New Yorker August 30th issue.  www.onethousandlaughs.com

Phinney Laughter Club $5 class fee

2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm

Phinney Neighborhood Center

6532 Phinney Ave North, Seattle.

No pre-registration required.

Just drop in when you feel the need for more laughter in your life.

'Our sessions last approximately 50 minutes, beginning with a brief introduction and followed by gentle stretching, yoga type deep breathing and a series of playful laughter exercises'.

For more information contact Teresa at 206-784-9776 or onethousandlaughs@yahoo.comThanks to Phinney Neighborhood Center and One Thousand Laughs for this information.

Wishing you good health, 
 
Ms T

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Mammography Coach at Wildrose Bar on December 11th

We are excited to be having our second LBT focused screening at the Wildrose on December 11th.  Last year we had so much fun as it was the same day as the Santa Claus Pub Crawl.  There were hundreds of happy Santa Clauses dressed in a range of outfits wandering on the streets of Capitol Hill.  It added to a very festive day and this year we should experience the same fun as it looks like the Santa Claus Pub Crawl is scheduled the second Saturday's in December.

We served 16 clients last year and we would love to serve more this year!  We offered a small survey to find the topics people were interested in and found they were: health insurance, affordable housing, employment programs, educational opportunities, LBT health and nutrition.  We will repeat the survey this year adding some additional questions that will help us to serve you better.  It will be interesting to see the difference a year makes.

We thank Martha and Shelley from the Wildrose, for their generosity and for opening their doors for us.  It is the community members like Martha and Shelley that support our program so we can support our community.  We look forward to seeing you on December 11th.

December 11th

9am - 3 pm

1115 East Pike St

Mobile Mammography, Breast Exams and Pap Tests

  * No-cost mammograms, pap tests and breast exams for eligible individuals 40 and over
    * Community-based mobile screenings. To make your appointment now, contact  lbthealth@ywcaworks.org or Ingrid Berkhout.


Ingrid Berkhout
Women’s Health Outreach Program Manager
iberkhou@ywcaworks.org
206.436.8671

To good health,

Ms T

Monday, September 13, 2010

Extended Cancer Retreat for Sexual Minority Women

Take a look at this wonderful opportunity for a weekend get-a-way at Harmony Hill which overlooks Hood Canal with awe inspiring views of the Olympic Mountains.  They have been doing these retreats for years and there is no time like the present to take care of yourself.  If you know of someone that could benefit from this weekend, pass this on.  Ms T.

EXTENDED CANCER RETREAT FOR SEXUAL MINORITY WOMEN

Chris Adams, Ronnie Hacken and Denise Carrico
December 10-12, 2010

This retreat provides an opportunity for women to come together to support each other's cancer journey and experience the sisterhood that only an all-woman retreat can offer. Open to sexual minority women only; companions meeting the criteria are welcome.

This retreat is part of the Cancer Program at Harmony Hill and is offered to participants at no cost. Includes two nights stay, meals and all workshops.

To register or for more information,  info@harmonyhill.org or call 360.898.2363, Harmony Hill.

12th Annual LBT Rainbow Health Fair a great success

Ingrid Berkhout (left) and the LBT Rainbow Health Fair Team
This was the second year that the YWCA Women's Health Outreach (WHO) organized the LBT Rainbow Health Fair providing culturally competent health services to the LBT community.  We had 18 wonderful peer providers donate their services.  We were pleased that more people attended this year than last and heard about our event through word of mouth!  Friends bringing friends is a great reflection of trust for us as one such attendee mentioned through our anonymous survey.

    Thank you so much for providing such a valuable service to the community. This health fair is one of my favorite events at Pride. I came for the first time with a friend last year and, once I was here, I never wanted to leave! This year I told all my friends about it and encouraged them to attend as well. The quality and comprehensiveness of services provided is far above any other health fair that I have attended. Perhaps most surprising to me is that the women recognized me from attending last year. Thank you! Thank you for making me feel so wonderful and for creating a space where I can pursue health and healing in such a supportive and personal environment!

We intend to continue providing this outreach and education to the LBT community using this model as it has proven to be a winner.  Our morning started with coffee/tea and yummy cinnamon rolls graciously donated by Mae's Café.  We had a wonderful lunch including vegetarian options provided by Katie Zimmerman with Dykes with Knives.  During part of the day we enjoyed live music by Ronnda Cadle on her acoustic guitar.  We were well taken care of and enjoyed a wonderful day of education, visiting and feeling a part of a wonderful caring community.

We received a wonderfully supportive letter from a community member and I have included a small part which highlights many of the people that we see, the concerns they may have and what our purpose is.

    Thank you so much for doing this for our community.  For those of us that do not have insurance or do not believe in western medicine, this venue offers an easy way to get tested at a minimal of cost: your time. For me, considering I haven't had a physical, annual exam or even a blood test in 4 years, because I don't like the whole medical scene, I decided to take advantage of this fair and get checked out.

    I was determined to get the other stuff down as long as I was down here. I was feeling like I needed to take care of my body since everyone in the room was focused on healthy dykes!  Thank you so much, Ingrid and everyone that made this day a reality for me.

    Signed, just another lesbian out there that hates the medical system, cancer and not knowing what happens when – I trust I have helped someone by sharing my experience.

We thank all the peer providers that donated their time and energy!  We thank each of you that came to the 12th Annual LBT Rainbow Health Fair and hope to see you next year and encourage you (bring a friend).  We also thank Gilda's Club for providing such a warm and inviting location for us to hold this event.

To great health!

The Rainbow Health Fair Team