Openhouse, the agency that provides housing and services for LGBT seniors, has announced a series of town hall meetings with Executive Director Karyn Skultety, Ph.D.
In the organization's August newsletter, Skultety, who identifies as bisexual, encouraged seniors and others who are interested to attend one of several sessions and hear about Openhouse's latest housing development, at 75-95 Laguna Street.
"The project is currently ahead of schedule with an anticipated open date sometime in April 2019," she wrote. "In addition to our plans for a successful lease-up of the 79 units of affordable LGBTQ-welcoming senior housing, we have big plans for service expansion and continuing our work to meet the needs of the LGBTQ seniors across the Bay Area."
Skultety said the town halls, which she also held last summer, will give her a chance to update the community and hear from people.
"Most importantly, it will give you a chance to share ideas, ask questions, provide feedback and give me another important opportunity to learn from your experience at Openhouse," she wrote.
Town hall meetings will be held as follows: Monday, August 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 501 Castro Street during men's group, though all are welcome; Tuesday, August 21, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at 55 Laguna Street; Thursday, August 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Bob Ross LGBT Senior Center, 65 Laguna Street; and Tuesday, August 28, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at 55 Laguna Street. (The August 21 meeting will also be streamed on Openhouse's Facebook page.)
For more information, visit http://www.openhouse-sf.org.
San Mateo Pride center events
The San Mateo County Pride Center will hold an intergenerational beach lunch Saturday, August 11, from noon to 3 p.m. at Rockaway Beach in Pacifica.
The center will have food and drink, including vegetarian options. People are encouraged to bring snacks. The event is alcohol- and substance-free.
To RSVP, contact Andres Loyola, peer support worker, at [email protected] or (650) 591-0133, ext. 151 or visit https://www.facebook.com/events/183135732552950/.
In other news, a gender and name change clinic will be held Saturday, August 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pride center, 1021 South El Camino Real in San Mateo.
The center is joining with volunteers from Bay Area Legal Aid for a second name and gender marker change clinic. People can meet with an attorney or another volunteer for guidance in the process.
There is no cost and Spanish-speaking volunteers will be available.
Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to case manager Alex Golding at (650) 465-6795.
Finally, the center is accepting applications for its new community advisory board.
The group will meet monthly and work together to oversee all Pride center program design and implementation. It will also work on outreach efforts to increase visibility.
Those interested in applying can email [email protected] or pick up a copy at the center (address above).
Drag queen storytime in San Jose
Over the Rainbow, a drag queen storytime event for kids, will take place Saturday, August 18, at 11 a.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. San Jose Public Library, 150 East San Fernando Street in San Jose.
Drag queen host Talon Marks will help celebrate Silicon Valley Pride at this family-friendly event, and share age-appropriate stories and songs with children and families of all ages. Stories will highlight inclusion, diversity, and friendship. Children can also ask questions.
A second event is planned for Saturday, September 15, at 11 a.m. at the same location.
Contact the reporter at [email protected].