Mission & Vision
Solano Pride Center builds community and provides services for Solano County’s LGBTQIA2S+ people and our allies. Solano Pride Center envisions a community where all LGBTQIA2S+ people live freely and authentically.
Do you get our weekly eBlasts on Wednesday afternoons? If not, or if you need to update your email, follow this link to register for our weekly eBlasts. Look below for some of our latest eBlasts.
Can’t find what you are looking for? Go under the Program button in the menu or go to these links:
Mental Health Resources, https://www.solanopride.org/mental-health-resources/
Support and social groups, https://www.solanopride.org/social-and-support-groups
Senior Programs: https://www.solanopride.org/senior-programs/
Youth Programs: https://www.solanopride.org/youth-programs/
HIV Prevention & Support: https://www.solanopride.org/hiv-prevention-support/
Blood Drives: https://www.solanopride.org/blood-drives/
Volunteering: https://www.solanopride.org/volunteering/
Protests & Advocacy: https://www.solanopride.org/protests-advocacy/
Studies: https://www.solanopride.org/studies/
Regional LGBTQ+ Partners: https://www.solanopride.org/regional-lgbtq-partners/
Trainings & Presentations: coming soon. Yes, we do SB 923 trainings. Email will@solanopride.org for more information.
Events:
Suisun Pride 2025: https://www.solanopride.org/suisun-pride-2025/
Pride Center Events: https://www.solanopride.org/pride-center-events/
Community Events: https://www.solanopride.org/community-events/
Suisun Pride 2024: https://www.solanopride.org/suisun-pride-2024/
59 years ago today (August 14th), in a San Francisco diner, a hot cup of coffee ignited a revolution.
Three years before Stonewall, drag queens and transgender women stood up against police harassment — and refused to back down. That August night in 1966 was loud, unapologetic, and the beginning of the movement we’re still fighting for today.
Letter from the Center:
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
| Dear friends, There are people who come into your life, and they are so present you wonder what life was like before they were a permanent part of your life. Sometimes they come into your life for a season, and sometimes they stick around to make life that much better than before. Brigid and Donna have both been on |
Dear friends,
It’s been an honor and my absolute pleasure to serve the Solano County LGBTQIA+ community through the Solano Pride Center! I’ve been fortunate to have been able to work with an amazing team of individuals who care and give their time and expertise willingly, and a dedicated staff that does deep healing work in the community through the grants, contracts, and donations that the center receives. I’m very proud of the collective impact we’ve been able to make through the many events that the pride center facilitates weekly, especially our annual pride festival, that was the biggest ever held in this county! I am grateful for all the support of those individuals and organizations. My heart is full of love and gratitude for my time with this community! I look forward to seeing much growth and being together for it!
I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to Donna Harris our longtime secretary whose wife Sandy Stelter was our longtime treasurer, who basically built this organization from the ground up those two together were the backbone. They used to have garage sales just to be able to keep the lights on. We’ve had many volunteers over the years for whom without we would never have been able to do the things that the pride center is now able to do every day. Thank you all! I’d like to say goodbye to Donna as she retires off the board and celebrate her many years of service at one of the upcoming SPC gatherings.
Lovingly, Brigid
The Trans Poster installment from the Louise Lawrence Trans Archive will be moving to SPC’s Conference Room from August 15th to September 19th!
It will be accessible from 9am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, or during other Solano Pride Center program hours (except when our neighbors are using the room). Thanks to Ms. Bob and the LL Trans Archive! It will be up this Friday for Senior Lunch!
Erin in the Morning has an article on the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, SF’s own Stonewall moment, you can read here.
“If the buttons was on the wrong side, like a blouse, they would take you to jail because they felt it was female impersonation,” said Amanda St. Jaymes, a trans woman and local hotel owner, in Susan Stryker’s 2005 documentary Screaming Queens. “We got tired of being harassed. We got tired of being made to go into the men’s room when we were dressed like women. We wanted our rights.”
Did you know that there’s a play currently going on in the City that reenacts what we know of that riot? The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot.
Presented by the Tenderloin Museum, it’s a play written by Collette LeGrande, Mark Nassar, and Donna Personna, Directed by Ezra Reaves. It’s an immersive theatrical experience… with breakfast.
“Let’s build the Queer world we all need, together”
Will McGarvey
he/they
will@solanopride.org
707.200.7916 voicemail
Stephan’s Corner
Hello Solano Pride Community!
Sometimes being part of “history” is not as exciting and fun as it feels when we cosplay or consume media about historic times.
Right now, we are surviving what will surely become an era of history with dates, actions, resistances, villains and heroes.
A good number of our leadership within the LGBTQIA+ community had an opportunity to meet with Congressman Garamendi and have dialogue around the current and future situation of being Transgender in the United States right now. It was a good meeting with positive support.
Afterward we discussed what is going on and how we need to work together, bring all of the LGBTQIA+ groups together, to share calendars and collaborate, because now is our time to take a stand, rise up and resist fascism in our country.
This is the precise action needed in this time, right now. Bold, brave, strategic collaboration.
And that is why on the 26th of July 2025, the organizations in Solano County gathered to share what we do, share calendars, and to energize one another to keep moving forward, together. United we stand, is the only answer during times like this. We must fight against fascism and erasure, to keep our community safe and create a better world for all those that are born after we are gone. As our friend Jeriann Guzman from the Serenity Center says, seven generations, that is how we should view everything we do, how will this effect the next seven generations, what a better world we will be once we adopt that indigenous sustainable mindset.
History is often remembered as moments in a time, large changes that seem to materialize out of no where or as one act of defiance that changed hearts and minds.
Historic moments are fueled by every day humans moving, meeting, talking, boycotting, protesting, organizing, and sharing space. You can do any of these things and we can do them together. You are not alone.
If you would like to join future retreats, summits or collaborations, please contact Will@solanopride.org, we want to add you, we need to work together. If we missed you this time, our collective and humble apologies and please hear our plea to join us. The more of us that rise together, the safer, stronger and more effective we become.
Thank you to the organizations that attended, I for one am motivated to work and support all of our work to resist and fight back against hate.
To volunteer contact Cristina@solanopride.org
And if you would like to join a committee or the board with Solano Pride, myself Stephan@solanopride.org or Will@solanopride.org
You can find all of our local, regional and broader partners and allies here!
Orgs that attended: Solano Pride Center, Vallejo Gay Network, Benicia LGBTQIA+, Solano Serenity Center, Solano AIDS Coalition, Louise Lawrence Transgender Archive, and Vacaville People’s Forum.
Stephan Lawrence Theodore Clifford
Board Chair and Program Chair
Did you miss some of the letters from Will this year? There are links near the end of the home page with links to every eBlast going back a couple of months, or you could find all of the 2025 Pride messages here on our Suisun Pride 25 link. https://www.solanopride.org/suisun-pride-2025/.
The recording of Will’s fall of 2024 presentation on the “Weaponization of Christianity” against our community can be found here: https://youtu.be/pVImrR6eFIc?si=vvMb8hX1I-9cdYdq
His Pride sermon at Community Congregational Church of Benicia UCC on Sunday, June 29th entitled “Expecting Diversity” can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYuvuRyUvhM&t=2s
Gen Silent and Cultural Competency Training for those serve LGBTQ+ Seniors
Wednesday, September 10th from 8:30 am to noon. (Joseph A Nelson Community Center, 611 Village Dr, Suisun City) register at this link. Free Registration now open!
Our older adult LGBTQ+ community fought the first battles for equality and are now facing fear of discrimination, bullying and abuse that many are choosing to hide their lives to survive. People are afraid to ask for the help they need. We must call it out and bring attention and awareness to this paradigm to support our elders from being hurt or silenced.
Join us for a robust discussion and brainstorming session to support our Solano County seniors! Free registration is here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/copy-of-gen-silent-a-documentary-film-community-panel-discussion-tickets-1513406021149?aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail&ref=eemail&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite
Want to help us raise funds for the Center?
SPC Panera Day in Vallejo on September 17th!
Wednesday, September 10th from 7 am to 9 pm! 169 Plaza Dr., Vallejo, CA is confirmed! Sorry the date in Fairfield didn’t work out. You can go to this link to learn more.
Here’s the low ink image you will need to print to take in with you get your meal counted towards our fundraiser.
ps. Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser will be returning on September 10-14 beginning at 6:15 pm!
Can you spare a few dollars to help keep the Center open during these trying times?
LGBTQIA2S+ Centers across the state are experiencing a drop in donations, and your support is crucial to help us continue delivering the life-saving services our community depends on.
We at Solano Pride have noticed that we have received $20,000 less in donations from the community over the last six months since the election than the previous years. We are recognizing that the uncertainty since then has definitely affected giving for our life-sustaining programs. If you are in a place to share financially right now, we definitely need your help right now. You can even set up a monthly donation of as little as $5 a month, which helps us more than you can know.
If you are giving to our General Fund to support all of our programming, you can give through our portal on Zeffy at https://tinyurl.com/Give2SolanoPride. Donate today!
Help Solano Pride Center turn candy into cash.
Thank you for supporting the Solano Pride Center! We’ll receive profits from any items you purchase below. Order more to help us reach our fundraising goal!
Copy and paste this link in your marketing emails and social media posts:
https://www.yumraising.com/secure/solanopc_solano_pride_center2/Wilwil2345/candy
This summer, the groundbreaking Hollywood feature film, PONYBOI (watch trailer here) RATED R— written by and starring intersex artist River Gallo — will premiere in theaters. It’s already won multiple international awards and debuted at Sundance 2024.
US Release Date: June 27, 2025
Starring: River Gallo, Dylan O’Brien, Victoria Pedretti, Murray Bartlett, Indya Moore
Director: Esteban Arango
Synopsis: PONYBOI is a groundbreaking new feature — the first ever written by and starring an out intersex person, River Gallo. Set in New Jersey and pulsing with heart, rage, tenderness, and defiance, it tells a raw and riveting story of identity, survival, and chosen family. RottenTomatoes Link.
There will be a local screening of Pony Boi at Cinemark Century Vallejo on Wednesday, September 17th at 7:30 pm at 109 Plaza Dr, Vallejo!
We need 50 more folx to preregister to get the showing confirmed (only charged when we get our base number of participants). https://gathr.com/events/e12e45cf/ponyboi-screening-at-vallejo-14
Attorney Laura Marquez-Garrett will be attending to answer questions and speak with people. Laura is an LGBT community member who wrote the LGBT platform of the Kids Online Safety Act which passed the Senate and failed the House due to ACLU and their big tech money claiming it would hurt Queer kids. She can address those concerns and any others. For more info on the act, visit: https://www.losangelesblade.com/2023/09/05/the-revised-kids-online-safety-act-protects-lgbtq-youth/
VGN & Louise Lawrence Trans Archive host “Upstairs Inferno: The 1973 New Orleans Gay Mass Murder.” October 11th at 7 pm at Odd Fellows Lodge, upstairs at 342 Georgia Street, in Vallejo.
“Upstairs Inferno” refers to the 1973 arson attack at the UpStairs Lounge, a gay bar in New Orleans, Louisiana, which resulted in the deaths of 32 people and injured 15 others due to fire and smoke inhalation. The event is also the subject of a 2015 documentary film of the same name, directed by Robert L. Camina, which details the tragedy and the city’s reaction. The cause of the fire, which occurred on June 24, 1973, is officially listed as “undetermined origin,” though a primary suspect was identified but never charged.
Foreign Film – Oddfish
Look for this beautiful little film back at the Empress in October. Dates to be announced.
A film about friendship and dreams, about acceptance and identity. Two friends, Björn and Hjalti, run a popular seafood restaurant in a fishing village in the Westfjords of Iceland, where they were born and raised. Hjalti is a confident family man; Björn, a reserved, single guy who has always lived in his parents’ house. They usually close their restaurant during the winter, but a good opportunity arises and they decide to grab it. At the same time, Bjorn comes out as a trans woman. Prejudice is around the corner and the friendship sways under this unexpected turn of events. With a delicate and Nordic narrative, we live the doubts and fears of a person who finally makes the step to become who she is, and of a man who was raised with strict beliefs who has to work on himself to understand and to keep close to one of the most important people in his life. The inspiration came to the director by growing up in a similar small fishing town; he has shared the writing credit with Veiga Grétarsdóttir, herself a trans woman who brings much warmth, humour and authenticity to the story.
Renay Conlin, Executive Director, Vallejo Center for the Arts
renayconlin@vallejoarts.org, 707-346-7328.
The Fairfield Hands Off group has a Facebook page you should join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1197790722132920
Other local and regional gatherings:
Wednesdays from 4:15 to 5:15 pm in front of the Vallejo Ferry building.
Thursdays at 5 pm in Benicia, Vallejo-Benicia Indivisible hosts flag waving by the Gazebo in City Park (Military & First Street, Benicia). https://www.facebook.com/events/1077820594478484/1077820677811809/?active_tab=about
Sundays at noon in Benicia, Vallejo-Benicia Indivisible hosts flag waving by the Gazebo in City Park (Military & First Street, Benicia). https://www.facebook.com/events/1077820594478484/1077820677811809/?active_tab=about
Stand Up for Democracy Vallejo: This a local Indivisible event! Stand Up For Democracy…..continue the momentum !! Benicia-Vallejo Indivisible will continue their weekly Saturday protest. Bring a friend, a sign, and your voices! Saturday mornings at 11 am at Vallejo Plaza, Admiral Callaghan Lane & Plaza Drive, Vallejo. Link to sign up.
Join Indivisible Vallejo and Benicia this Labor Day as we come together in solidarity with communities across the country. Working people built this nation, and we know how to take care of one another. We will not back down—we will never stop fighting for our families and the freedoms that ensure opportunity and a better life for all.
FOOD DRIVE – We’ll also be collecting donations for the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano—join us in helping to feed our neighbors and support families in need. -The Food Bank cannot accept glass containers, food one year past its ‘best by’ date, open or partially-used products, alcohol, food without nutrition labels, or any frozen/refrigerated foods.
Sep 1st 10:30am – 12pm (or later if interested) City Park – 150 Military W, Benicia (by the Gazebo). Link to sign up.
Trangender Law Center’s ID Please Resource for helping Trans, Intersex and GNC people change their identification cards
This guide was created to help you navigate the often confusing process of obtaining California and federal identification documents that reflect your gender and identity. It is designed to be used without the assistance of an attorney. However, in some cases it may be quickest or easiest to work with one.
The information in this guide should not be considered legal advice. This guide provides you with legal information but does not seek to apply that information to your specific situation. We’ve tried very hard to make sure that this resource is accurate and up-to-date. Still, the changing nature of laws and policies concerning identity documents makes 100% accuracy nearly impossible. It’s also important to note that this is a guide to policy, and how things are supposed to work. Unfortunately, not all judges and other government employees always implement these policies by the book.
If you have a question about your specific legal situation, feel free to contact Transgender Law Center’s Legal Information Helpdesk at http://www.transgenderlawcenter.org/legalinfo and we’ll do our best to answer your question or point you to resources that may be helpful.
https://tlcenter.app.box.com/s/3da7afk3p7dn1ngoxcz3tuy18q3u1dco
• Our friend Omar Kahn from Health Markets Insurance Agency who helps provide the Backdoor Films monthly at the Martinez Campbell Theater, 636 Ward Street, Martinez! Come on out the 4th Saturdays of the month at 8:30 pm to see a classic film, together.
Red Cross Blood Drives come to Solano Pride Center!
Not everyone can give blood…but everyone is eligible to volunteer.
There aren’t the restrictions there used to be against our community, so schedule a time to come to the Conference Room off the Main Entrance to the Center’s building… More dates to come.
See our new Blood Drives website under Programs in the menu above….
Sat, August 23rd at 1 pm. Bay FC vs. Washington Spirit presented at Oracle Park, SF.
They are attempting a record in attendance for this Ladies Soccer team at the Baseball Field! Talk to Audra Orr from our board for more information, as she and Heather are season ticket holders.
Statement on our Agency’s commitment to confidentiality in our care:
We don’t ask questions of our clients around citizenship or documentation. We never have and never will. We also do not disclose any personal or contact information about our clients without their written permission. If any public agency comes seeking such information, they will be turned away and referred to our legal representation. We are contractually obligated by the County and other funders to keep HIPAA privacy laws and protect the privacy and confidentiality of all of our clients. See our “Notice of Privacy Practices” in our Center, and on the paperwork shared during intake of all counseling and case management services.
Solano Pride Center offers counseling and psychotherapy to the LGBTQ+ community of Solano County.
There are openings available for those who wish to be seen for counseling services right now! We can even talk to you if you just want to make sense of the times we live in. We are able to see clients for up to six months at no cost to clients, helping you make sense of life as a queer person, get support coming out, or deepening your self confidence by talking about your past. Please call our confidential line to make an appointment at: 707-389-4520.
In addition Solano Pride Center is accepting application from Associate Clinicians (AMFT and ACSW) in addition to trainees needing practicum sites who are interested in providing therapy to the LGBTQ community. Please contact our Clinical Director Colin Amato at colin@solanopride.org for more info.
For more Mental Health Resources, https://www.solanopride.org/mental-health-resources/
Have you ever been near the end of your rope, and need someone to help you find the resources you need to survive? Solano Pride Center staff can help! Many of our staff know much about the County’s support system, and can help you sign up for food assistance, Medi-Cal, and even give you referrals to our sister organizations serving those in need around the county. Give Kacen Cosmos, our Associate Clinical Social Worker a jingle or email to learn more.
Social and Support Groups for many sub groups within our community.
To see all of the support and social groups, go under the home button in the menu or go to this link: https://www.solanopride.org/social-and-support-groups
Senior Programs: https://www.solanopride.org/senior-programs/
Youth Programs: https://www.solanopride.org/youth-programs/
HIV Prevention Awareness
Did you know you can get STI testing mailed to your home?
Did you know that PreP and PeP can help you remain HIV negative?
Contact me for more info! Thank you.
Cristina Zaldana
More information now in our HIV Prevention page, under the Programs in the menu above… https://www.solanopride.org/hiv-prevention-support/
Calling All Volunteers!
Calling all volunteers! If you want to be a volunteer at Solano Pride Center, please let us know!
Our next Volunteer Training is scheduled for Thursday, August 28th at 6 pm on zoom. If you are interested in volunteering, just for special events or on a more regular basis at the Center, please email cristina@solanopride.org with the best times that work for you to be trained. These trainings are necessary for anyone who wishes to volunteer at the Center, in one of our Programs, or even for short term events like our Pride celebrations being planned now! Don’t miss this informative background on how to help, knowing our best practices and Community Agreements!
VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
See our Volunteer page under the Programs menu above….
To see more Youth Programming, go to Youth Programs: https://www.solanopride.org/youth-programs/
SPC Trainings for your Team
We have Cultural competency Trainings for Schools, Teachers, Professors, Therapists, Social Workers, Case Managers, Businesses, Health Care workers, Senior Centers, and all who work with LGBTQIA2S+ people in every environment. Contact will@solanopride.org for more information about our SB 923 Training available this summer.
Ever wondered how to find all of the Queer organizations here in the Bay Area? Well, the Horizon’s Foundation has just such a list!
Here: https://www.horizonsfoundation.org/org-directory/
This Sunday (today)! Drag Brunch at 10 am to 1 pm, Downtown Vallejo
Date & Time: August 24th @ 10 am – 1 pm
Where: Bambino’s Restaurant, 301 Georgia Street, Vallejo, CA 94590
From the organizers: Bambino’s Presents: VALLEJO’S DRAG BRUNCH
Get ready to dazzle and delight at Bambino’s, where Vallejo’s Drag Brunch has placed their mark on the map! Join us for a sparkling celebration hosted by the incredible Sadie C. Sparkles and MissCherrylane. It’s a chance to embrace the vibrant spirit of the LGBTQ+ community and enjoy a brunch experience like no other. Come on down and be part of this exciting event that brings drag and queer culture to our community!
Facebook Event Link
Save the Date! Wed, Sept 3rd at 7 pm on zoom. “Current Status of Legal Protections for LGBTQIA2S+ Rights and Same Sex Marriage.“
Ary Smith from the Legal Services of Northern California presents “Current Status of Legal Protections for LGBTQIA2S+ Rights and Same Sex Marriage.” Ary and their team presents regularly to our Senior Lunch Bunch, and is always well received! (Register at https://tinyurl.com/RainbowLegal25)
HSNB Disco Night Gala Fundraising Gala
Date & Time: September 6th @ 6 pm
Where: Masonic Temple at 100 Temple Way, Vallejo, CA 94591
From the organizers: Join Us for a Fun-Filled Evening in Support of Animals in Need!
Get Your Groove On at Our Biggest Event of the Year! 🎉 Disco Night for Dogs and Cats Benefiting the Humane Society of the North Bay Dust off your bell bottoms and join us for an unforgettable evening at Disco Night for Dogs and Cats — our largest and most exciting fundraiser of the year! 🕕 Date & Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM 📍 Location: Masonic Event Center, Vallejo
Get ready to boogie down for a great cause! This vibrant, 70s-themed celebration will feature:
✨ A live auction packed with incredible items and experiences
💻 An online auction for guests near and far to participate
🎶 Disco music and dancing
🍽 A delicious buffet dinner (with vegetarian and vegan options)
🍸 A full cash bar
🌟 VIP seating options for an extra-special experience
All proceeds from the evening go directly to supporting the animals in our care at the Humane Society of the North Bay — helping us provide shelter, medical care, and loving homes to pets in need.
Whether you’re bidding on auction items, dancing the night away, or simply enjoying great food and company, your support makes a life-changing difference.
Let’s make it a night to remember — for the animals!
More Details here: https://www.hsnb.org/disco-night-gala/
Join us at our table, or at the walk!
Join us at our table in support of the Black Chamber of Commerce!
Look for our table at Fiestas Patrias! Saturday, Sept. 13th from 11 am to 5 pm, 100-200 block of Georgia St, Vallejo.
Fiestas Patrias stands as a momentous occasion in Mexico, a fervent national holiday that pays tribute to the historic independence from Spain. Much like the renowned American Independence Day on July 4th, Fiestas Patrias holds great significance in Mexican culture. Although Mexico’s commemoration does not adhere strictly to the exact date of their liberation, it stands as a testament to the resolute calling for a sovereign nation.
On the monumental day of September 16th, Father Miguel Hidalgo, the dedicated parish priest from the humble town of Dolores, rallied his fellow Mexicans in a passionate plea for the overthrow of oppressive Spanish dominion. This remarkable event, known as the Grito de Dolores (the cry), reverberates in the hearts of Mexicans nationwide. Today, this historic proclamation continues to be widely celebrated throughout Mexico, symbolizing the undying spirit of freedom and unity.
Fiestas Patrias representa una ocasión trascendental en México, una ferviente festividad nacional que rinde homenaje a la histórica independencia de México . Al igual que el renombrado Día de la Independencia de Estados Unidos el 4 de julio, las Fiestas Patrias tienen gran importancia en la cultura mexicana. Aunque la conmemoración de México no se adhiere estrictamente a la fecha exacta de su liberación, representa un testimonio del llamado resuelto hacia una nación soberana.
En el monumental día del 16 de septiembre, el padre Miguel Hidalgo, el dedicado sacerdote parroquial del humilde pueblo de Dolores, convocó a sus compatriotas mexicanos en un apasionado llamado para derrocar la opresiva dominación española. Este notable evento, conocido como el Grito de Dolores, resuena en los corazones de los mexicanos en todo el país. Hoy en día, esta histórica proclamación continúa siendo ampliamente celebrada en todo México, simbolizando el espíritu inquebrantable de libertad y unidad
Best Buck in the Bay Rodeo & Festival September 13th & 14th, 2025, in Duncans Mills, CA
With over 29 years GSGRA-BAC strives to be an active part of the LGBTQ community by hosting of fund-raising events to benefit local charities and to educate others on the Country-Western Lifestyle through Rodeo, Dance Events, and Royalty. Membership is not restricted and all who are interested are welcome to join.
GSGRA-BAC is a California 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization. https://bayarearodeo.com/
Sunday, Sept, 28th from 6-8 pm at Unity Hall at Unity of the Valley (350 N. Orchard Ave., Vacaville) Poetry Slam & Talent Show!
Bring a snack to share! Contact will@solanopride.org to join the planning team!
We are looking to find a few folx willing to help create a Vacaville LGBTQ+ Network that can create quarterly to monthly social events for the East County Queer Community!
Faith in Action programs in west and east county!
Need to contact one of our staff? Would you like to drop by to check out a book from our Queer Library? Contact us this way.
If you find yourself in crisis during this time, please call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or our partners at these crisis numbers!
• Trevor Project Crisis Line: 1-866-488-7386
• Trans Lifeline Crisis Number: 1-877-565-8860
• Solano County Mobile Crisis Number: 707-806-0866
• Solano County Crisis Stabilization Service Number: 707-428-1131
Weekly Eblasts – Links below:
Do you get our weekly eBlasts on Wednesday afternoons? If not, or if you need to update your email, follow this link to register for our weekly eBlasts.
My name is Kenyatta, and I am the founder of Learning Self-Love, a wellness-focused brand dedicated to empowering individuals through healing, self-discovery, and personal growth. I am reaching out to explore a potential collaboration with the Pride Center to support your mission through my published works and self-help tools.
I have authored several books and journals including a powerful coming out memoir and a series of self-love and affirmation journals that speak directly to individuals navigating identity, trauma recovery, self-worth, and emotional resilience. In addition, I’ve developed a 36-card Law of Attraction affirmation deck designed to uplift and motivate users of all ages and backgrounds.
These tools have already found success with mental health practitioners, educators, and personal development coaches. I believe they would be an excellent addition to your self-help curriculum or resource library particularly for the people you serve who are actively engaged in healing, empowerment, and transformation.
Warmly,
Kenyatta Edwards
Phone: 707-920-6016
Founder & CEOLearning Self-Love
Learning Self Love: A Guided Journey to Embrace, Heal, and Celebrate Yourself $9.99
Phoenix Rising: A New Journey To Self-Love: You Are Not Broken, You Are Becoming now $16.99
Pride, Pleasure and Liberation: Becoming Me, My Coming Out Story $15.95
Learning Self-Love Affirmation Cards Flip book $12.99
Learning Self 36 Deck of Alphabetical Powerful Affirmations Cards
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8MWjQc5
Solano Pride Center
The Board of the Solano Pride Center shares our sadness that the Mayor of the City of Vacaville continues to use his position to give cover for the discrimination many in our community experience there. Like we did for every city, our Executive Director sent proposed language to use in a proclamation that actually gives an account of our history of discrimination and need for civil rights protections from our elected leaders.
This year we sent the request early, and attempted to hear back when the proclamation would be shared, and have not had that time confirmed. In preparing the so-called “Proclamation,” the Mayor’s office produced a document to be signed by the Vice Mayor that was similar to those of previous years, but with no proclamation that June 2024 would be Pride Month in the City of Vacaville. We also noticed a change to the text, including the deletion of the phrase “celebrate and build”, which was changed to “while building,” without an actual declaration of Pride Month. The language is so vague that it could apply to any other community, without addressing the violence members of our community experiences every day. Every other city we have received Proclamations from have adapted the language we have offered, but has still included the historical portions because that was the point. The language the Mayor used further white washes the history of America as if our country wasn’t created with the legality of slave states and the second class citizenship of women.
Furthermore, our biggest frustrations have centered around the lack of notification of when the flag was to be raised, as we experienced in almost every other city of the county today. Because we were not notified of the time of the flag raising, our community was denied the opportunity to be in attendance and participate to mark the moment. We understand that the Pride Flag has been raised on the School Street site, and will remain except for a day to honor the Army on June 14th (veterans comprise a significant portion of our community). Though we sent our request to the whole City Council on April 17th, we have had to ask for responses rather than a friendly sharing of events. The lack of communication feels intentional.
The erasure of our community happens on a daily basis, and the policies coming out of the Mayor’s office continues to discriminate against our civil rights and treats us like second class citizens. We call upon the good people of Vacaville to remind their Mayor that his oath of office is to serve all of the city, and not just those of his particular religious tradition. Leading Vacaville together means including your LGBTQ+ family and protecting their civil rights.
Will McGarvey
Executive Director
On behalf of the Solano Pride Center’s Board of Directors, June 2024