Social and Support Groups for many sub groups within our community.
| Grief Support Group will will next meet on June 13th & 27th from 10-11:30 am on zoom through the summer. Rachel Wilson and Timothy Meyer will be the facilitators for the group that will meet on zoom on the 2nd and 4th Fridays for zoom meetings. Rachel can be contacted at rachel@solanopride.org or by phone or text at 707.681.1887. |
| The QR code: Queer Recovery The QR Code is a 12-step LGBTQ+ group for those in recovery for any addictions. The next meeting will be Sunday, June 15th at 7 pm. The group will meet in person at the Solano Pride Center’s Lobby on the 1st and 3rd Sunday evenings at 7 pm. Come to the south doors near our offices and knock to be let in. Hosted by Christopher Cortes (christopher@solanopride.org) with shared leadership from other members of the group. Anonymity will be protected. |
| A supportive gathering for those who experience Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain. Ray McIntosh will be rejoining us for another semester, and we are pleased this group will be restarted soon. Next in person group will be Friday, June 20th (1st and 3rd Fridays at 2 pm in person in the Conference Room – after Senior Lunches). Monday, June 16th at 6:00 pm on zoom. The changes are that when we start up in June we will meet 30 minutes later on zoom and after the senior luncheon instead of before. Contact Ray for more info, and know that you are not alone. Ray can be contacted at ray@solanopride.org or by phone or text at 707.408.2458. |
| MINDFULNESS GROUP at Solano Pride Center. Wednesdays from 4:30pm – 5:30pm In-person group to learn mindfulness practices. Mindfulness provides many benefits that can include: stress reduction, improved focus, and better sleep. This is an 8-week group starting June 18, 2025. Ages 18+. Email for more information or to sign up: crystal@solanopride.org. Different program for teens below. |
| LGBTQ2S+ Men’s & Masc Social & Support Group (3rd Wednesdays – June 18th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm – at the Center’s Lobby – come to the south doors and knock to be let in). We will be having an open discussion, so bring a topic to discuss! This group is for all those who identify as male/masc, and is trans inclusive, led by Will McGarvey & Milton Heath Solórzano. Contact us by email for more info at will@solanopride.org or miltonheath@solanopride.org. |
| The HIV Positive Support Group will continue as a zoom group on the 3rd Thursdays of the month, but now from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. The next group meeting is this Thursday, June 19th. Contact cristina@solanopride.org for more information. This is the first meeting, so plan on attending to share what you’d like to see in future meetings! Facilitated by Cristina Zaldana and Jim Jones. Future dates below. |
| The Gender Expansive Circle will meet again on Friday, June 20th & July 18th at 5:30 pm, in the Conference Room. (Our Offices are closed on the 4th of July) GEC meets on the first and third Friday’s of each month unless noted. First Fridays in person in the Conference Room, and third Fridays on zoon. This group is for Trans, Intersex, Non-binary, Gender non-conforming and those questioning their gender identity or expression. The group will be led by Kacen Cosmos and Cristina Zaldana! Questions can be directed to Cristina Zaldana at cristina@solanopride.org. |
| Pan-Pagan/Magickal Support Group is normally the 4th Wednesdays from 7-8:30 pm, and will meet in our Lobby on Wed, June 25th. For those with any form of neo-pagan, polytheistic, or non-abrahamic practice, to explore the intersections of queerness and pagan spirituality. Led by members of SPC Staff. Bring something from your altar to share about. Let’s talk about Beltane! |
| New Mindfulness groups for teens online begins June 30th. Mondays, 5:00pm – 6:00pm. Learn mindfulness practices in a Zoom group. Mindfulness provides many benefits that can include: stress reduction, improved focus, and better sleep. This group starts June 30, 2025 at 5pm. Ages 13 – 17. Email for more information or to sign up: crystal@solanopride.org |
| What should our next Queering Faith group topic be? |
| Movie Night at Solano Pride! We will be having a regular movie night at the center, the 4th Tuesdays of the month starting at 6pm. Feel free to being refreshments or dinner. We will be intermixing Queer history and fun. For May 27th we will be watching Milk starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, to honor Harvey’s May Birthday and kicking off our Pride festivities! Let me know if you have any questions! Sorry we had to cancel because of illness, and the Vacaville City Council meeting… No movie in June. Next up is July 29th! Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back! |
| We are also adding another Social opportunity for our whole Intergenerational community this spring! Arts & Crafts Nights will be the first Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the Conference Room in even numbered months, and Gayme Nights will be on the same nights in the odd months. These will be go through May, and we will take the summer off. Our Next gathering will be Gayme Night on Thursday, Sept 4th at 7:00 pm! If you’d like to share an art project, please contact us. Just bring any games you’d like to play or share. |
| Military/Veterans LGBTQ+ Social & Support Group: This group will take a break through the summer, and return when we have found a date and time that works for more participants. |
Other groups are being prepared, including: Women’s Group and a Bi/Pan/Omni support group. Contact will@solanopride.org if you are interested in helping facilitate any of these groups.
Online D&D Therapy Groups
This summer we are offering two Dungeons & Dragons Therapy Groups. Embark on epic adventures while building real-world confidence, social skills, collaborative problem solving tools, and emotional resilience. This group will be led by EMERGE associate therapist amber rutledge, AMFT, an experienced game master. Each session will blend creativity, fun, and therapeutic growth in a safe and inclusive space amongst peers. Whether your teen is a seasoned D&D player or brand new to the game, all players who are interested in exploring therapy options based in imagination and table-top role playing games are welcome.
• 10th-12 graders, Weds, 4-5:30pm, starts June 18th
• 7th-9th graders, Mons, 5-6:30pm, starts June 16th
For more info, contact amber rutledge, AMFT at amberr@emergegroup.cc
Dear Solano Pride Center,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Lindsey, and I’m the Project Management Intern/Advisor with Sober Livers, a peer-led community for people living with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), including those in recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD).
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I know firsthand how discrimination, stigma, and trauma can increase the risk of substance use—and how hard it can be to find recovery spaces that feel safe, inclusive, and affirming.
Alcohol use disorder affects our community at disproportionate rates, with studies showing that up to 30% of LGBTQ+ adults report binge drinking, nearly twice the national average. For many, this can lead to serious liver complications.
That’s why I’m proud to help lead this outreach. I believe in the power of sharing lived experience to reduce stigma, build connection, and offer hope to others walking a similar path.
Through our HOPE Community, Sober Livers offers virtual peer support, expert-led education, and resources that meet people where they are—whether they’re newly diagnosed, post-transplant, or exploring sobriety.
We’ve attached a printable flyer for display and an e-flyer to share electronically. If your organization is planning an event, support group, or community outreach activity where these resources could be useful, we would be glad to provide additional materials or collaborate further.
In solidarity,
Lindsey Moore (she, her)
Project Management Intern
Sober Livers www.soberlivers.org
#soberlivers. 919-622-2730
“Keep Going”
HIV Prevention Awareness
| 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 Cristina Zaldana |
Other groups are being prepared, including: Women’s Group and a Bi/Pan/Omni support group. Contact will@solanopride.org if you are interested in helping facilitate any of these groups.
Online D&D Therapy Groups
This summer we are offering two Dungeons & Dragons Therapy Groups. Embark on epic adventures while building real-world confidence, social skills, collaborative problem solving tools, and emotional resilience. This group will be led by EMERGE associate therapist amber rutledge, AMFT, an experienced game master. Each session will blend creativity, fun, and therapeutic growth in a safe and inclusive space amongst peers. Whether your teen is a seasoned D&D player or brand new to the game, all players who are interested in exploring therapy options based in imagination and table-top role playing games are welcome.
• 10th-12 graders, Weds, 4-5:30pm, starts June 18th
• 7th-9th graders, Mons, 5-6:30pm, starts June 16th
For more info, contact amber rutledge, AMFT at amberr@emergegroup.cc
Dear Solano Pride Center,
I hope this message finds you well. My name is Lindsey, and I’m the Project Management Intern/Advisor with Sober Livers, a peer-led community for people living with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), including those in recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD).
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I know firsthand how discrimination, stigma, and trauma can increase the risk of substance use—and how hard it can be to find recovery spaces that feel safe, inclusive, and affirming.
Alcohol use disorder affects our community at disproportionate rates, with studies showing that up to 30% of LGBTQ+ adults report binge drinking, nearly twice the national average. For many, this can lead to serious liver complications.
That’s why I’m proud to help lead this outreach. I believe in the power of sharing lived experience to reduce stigma, build connection, and offer hope to others walking a similar path.
Through our HOPE Community, Sober Livers offers virtual peer support, expert-led education, and resources that meet people where they are—whether they’re newly diagnosed, post-transplant, or exploring sobriety.
We’ve attached a printable flyer for display and an e-flyer to share electronically. If your organization is planning an event, support group, or community outreach activity where these resources could be useful, we would be glad to provide additional materials or collaborate further.
In solidarity,
Lindsey Moore (she, her)
Project Management Intern
Sober Livers www.soberlivers.org
#soberlivers. 919-622-2730
“Keep Going”
HIV Prevention Awareness
| 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 Cristina Zaldana |
Want to learn more about SOGIE? Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression?
Here’s the handbook!
https://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/sexual_violence/docs/sogie_handbook.pdf
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
To see all of the other programs, 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/