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This year’s theme is “African Americans and the Arts.” You can learn more about Black artists and their work on the or by visiting the to see through March 17.

There are also many exciting events happening in the greater Portland area throughout the month. Here are a few of the highlights. Please note 18JAV is not sponsoring or hosting these events, and some may be hosted at venues that serve alcohol. We encourage any community members currently in recovery to use their best judgement before attending.

: Throughout the month, our local libraries will be hosting family-friendly events focused on Black history, art, and culture! You can view a full list of events on their website.

: This theater run by the Portland Art Museum will be featuring several films by Black filmmakers throughout February. If you’re interested in seeing them, purchase your tickets quickly because the shows may sell out.

(Feb 2-Mar 2): This event, hosted by Portland Community College, is free and open to the public. The festival will feature over 20 films exploring African stories and culture. Visit their website for more information on each film and details on how to attend. Some films will be available to stream online for those who cannot attend in person.

(Feb 4): The nonprofit Elevate Unity is hosting an event at Alberta Abbey to celebrate the life of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, including music, food, and discussion.

(Feb 10): This event for high school age youth will discuss Black inventors, city planning, architecture and more, culminating in a design challenge (with prizes!) for participants. This workshop is free for high school students.

(Feb 15-18): This weekend-long festival features 10 comedy showcases, two live podcasts, and over sixty Black comics from around the world. Visit their website to learn more about individual shows and purchase tickets.

(Feb 16-25): This performance by Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theatre will include an evening of dance drawing from contemporary, Diasporic, and West African dance traditions.

(Feb 23-25): This 3-day festival includes live music, dance instruction, and themed dance events throughout the weekend. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a negative rapid test the day of the event is required for attendance.

The post Celebrate Black History Month 2024 in Portland appeared first on Lifeworks Northwest.

If you’re in the Portland area and would like to find a service project to participate in on January 15, there are ample local opportunities. SOLVE Oregon has compiled a list of projects in Portland, West Linn, Hillsboro, and Vancouver, . EverOut has also put together a list of . These events have not been sponsored or vetted by 18JAV, so please use your own discretion to decide if they are appropriate for you or your family.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. King’s life and work, including his efforts to desegregate public transportation and schools, .

We wish all of our staff, clients and community members a happy holiday and we hope this day serves as a reminder that each and every one of us has the power to change our world for the better.

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If you want to support your friends in recovery this January (and all year round), here are a few steps you can take.

Supporting people who are struggling begins with being mindful of our words.

While it’s never a negative thing to pursue better health in our own lives, we need to be careful not to project our personal insecurities onto other people. Avoid making critical comments about other people’s bodies or habits, comparing yourself to them—you never know what someone else has been through or how they’re struggling. This article from The Mighty, written by a survivor of an eating disorder, . And while it’s written for an audience of people in substance use recovery, can give some insights into the types of words and situations that may trigger a relapse.

Understand that recovery is more than just a fad.

Many people use the new year as a time to “reset” their habits—cutting out alcohol or refined sugar or going to the gym for a month. Then, most of us go back to living our lives the way we did the year before. Maybe we’ll be more mindful of our everyday choices, but most of these month-long challenges aren’t intended to be permanent changes.

For those in recovery, it’s not so simple. They are trying to avoid going back to their old habits, and watching everyone else treat their struggle as a passing fad can be hurtful. Avoid treating them as if the changes they’re trying to make are an inconvenience, and don’t criticize them for taking those changes more seriously than other people in your life. Recovery is hard work, and their efforts should be recognized.

Offer support all year, not just in January.

It’s easy to commit to big changes at the start of the year, but sustaining them long-term takes a lot of time, patience and effort. If you know a friend is committed to making a major change in their life, they’ll need your support long after everyone has stopped thinking about their resolutions.

If you have a friend in recovery from addiction, try to offer substance-free spaces for them to socialize throughout the year. Or if a friend deals with depression or another mental health issue, check in with them and be ready to listen if they’re struggling. Read up on the issues they’re dealing with and how you can be a better friend or family member. Ask them what they need, instead of assuming that you know

what would be best for them. You can even join a support group for friends and family so you can get advice from others who have been in your shoes before.

Finally, remember that their need for support doesn’t end just because January is over.

Don’t be afraid to suggest professional support.

If you or someone you know is struggling right now, there is help available. Our staff is trained to provide holistic behavioral health services for clients of all ages and backgrounds. Everyone needs help sometimes, and at 18JAV we want to provide the support our clients need free of shame or judgment. Learn more about the services we offer or contact us to schedule an appointment.

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What is the mission of 18JAV? 

Our organizational mission is simple: we promote a healthy community by providing quality and culturally responsive mental health and addiction services across the lifespan throughout Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah counties. 

We take a holistic approach to behavioral health, supporting our clients as whole people rather than simply a diagnosis. That means working with patients across the lifespan, from prenatal to older adults. We also offer Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) that integrate behavioral health care with our clients’ primary medical care needs.  

What are 18JAV’s main programs and services? 

We focus on three primary types of services: mental health services, addiction treatment and prevention services. 

The mental health services we offer include both outpatient and residential care, and our clinicians are trained to work with a range of issues, including severe mental health issues. Just a few of our specialized programs include supporting families; treating children and adolescents who are struggling with a traditional school environment; and helping young people who are dealing with signs of emerging psychosis. 

Our addiction programs not only focus on substance use disorders, but also support clients struggling with problem gambling. We have multiple programs for youth and adults, and residential and outpatient sites. Clients are supported by an entire team to help them overcome their addiction and reach their personal goals. Our staff includes not just therapists, but also peer support specialists who have lived experience and personal insights to share. 

Prevention services are focused on developing healthy children, families and communities. We help families learn healthy parenting strategies, how to set children up for success, and develop important life skills of their own. 

To see some real-life examples of how our services have helped clients overcome obstacles and get their lives on track, read the success stories we’ve posted on our website. 

How can you support 18JAV’s work? 

Are you ready to help support our efforts? While you’re there, you can choose specific programs to support. It only takes a few minutes, and the support you give today will have a positive impact on our community for years to come. 

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What Exactly is a Pronoun and Why are They Important?

A pronoun can substitute for another noun or phrase in a sentence, including the words he, she, I, you, we, it, and they. The reasons someone uses specific pronouns are very personal. Someone may not feel they fit into the strict categories of male or female. They may be genderfluid, with an identity that is sometimes one gender and sometimes another. They might identify with aspects of multiple genders. Or they may simply not want to be referred to with any gendered language at all.

No matter what the reason, it’s important to respect the pronouns they ask you to use. When you misgender someone by using pronouns or labels that don’t reflect their identity, it has real consequences.

In medical and mental health settings, staff using the wrong pronouns can discourage trans patients from seeking care. The found that 50% of trans people reported having to educate providers about their identities, and 28% reported delaying necessary care due to discrimination. Making the effort to help trans clients feel comfortable can be lifesaving.

It’s also important to respect pronouns when speaking to or about your colleagues. Transgender people report widespread workplace discrimination due to their identities, and such as misgendering and being subject to gender-based stereotypes can cause stress, anxiety and depression. Part of 18JAV’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is cultivating a workplace where transgender and nonbinary employees can be themselves without worry.

How do You Use Pronouns You’re Not Used To?

If you haven’t met someone who uses they/them pronouns before, it might feel intimidating to incorporate into your everyday speech. That’s completely normal. However, most of us have used they as a singular pronoun to refer to someone of an unknown gender without even realizing it.

For example: “The mail carrier delivered my package to the wrong address. They must be new.”

When using they/them pronouns for a nonbinary person, use they when you would normally use he or she. Use them when you would use him or her. And use theirs when you would use his or hers. Because you’re only talking about one person, you would not make the verb plural the same way you would when speaking about a group of people.

Here’s an example: “Jade is nonbinary. They love working on their garden. I really enjoy talking to them about plants!”

It may feel awkward at first, but as you use this language more it becomes easier. If you’re still unsure how to use they as a singular pronoun, has more information and examples.

If you spend any time in LGBTQ+ spaces, you’ll probably encounter people using neopronouns as well, such as xe/xem/xyr, ey/em/eir, and fae/faer/faers. If you aren’t used to using them, this can be tricky! that explains how to use a wide variety of common neopronouns, along with examples. Ask the person how to pronounce their pronouns if you’re not sure, and practice using them in sentences when they’re not around. They’ll appreciate the effort you’re putting in, and you’ll be learning something new.

Some people may use multiple sets of pronouns, which they write as they/he, she/fae, he/she/they, etc. This means that person is okay being referred to with any of the listed sets of pronouns. The first pronoun may be the one they prefer, but not always. Some people like to have all sets of pronouns used equally, or for people to alternate. Some have no preference either way. This can vary from person to person, so ask if you’re unsure.

Finally, if a transgender man or woman has already asked to be referred to as he/him or she/her, use those pronouns. Defaulting to they/them for anyone who appears gender nonconforming, even when they have already shared their pronouns, can feel invalidating of their identity.

Photo courtesy of The Gender Spectrum Collection.

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While Black Business Month itself was , African American leaders have been working to highlight the hard work of Black business owners for far longer. In 1900, Booker T. Washington founded the (NNBL) – 12 years before the United States Chamber of Commerce came into being. Washington believed that economic empowerment was vital for African Americans to achieve equality, and the NNBL maintained directories of Black-owned professionals across the US. In 1966, the organization changed its name to the . It’s still in existence today, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, promoting Black entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Portland may have a reputation in modern culture as a progressive city, but it’s also had a history of racism and economic disenfranchisement in the not-so-distant past. was once a thriving community, home to most of the city’s African American population with its own prosperous business district. Unfortunately, racist city planning in the latter half of the twentieth century forced many businesses to close and residents to leave their homes.

including Interstate 5, Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum and the Legacy Immanual Medical Center resulted in Black families being evicted from their homes, which were then demolished. These projects gave rise to gentrification in the 80s and 90s, driving many of the remaining residents out of their family homes and scattering them across the city.

In 2023, shopping districts like Mississippi Avenue and Alberta Street still host many Black-owned businesses. But they no longer serve as hubs for Portland’s Black community the way they once did, and the surrounding areas now have the distinction of being known as “Historically” Black neighborhoods. While the 60s can sometimes seem like distant history, many Portlanders alive today still remember their parents or grandparents being forced to relocate due to city policy, and many have experienced the pain of being priced out of their childhood homes due to rising costs.

Nationally, the US Census Bureau has found that are owned by African Americans, despite making up 12.8% of the total US population. Black business owners are still struggling to receive the funding and resources they need to succeed. That’s why providing support by patronizing these businesses and recommending them to others is so vital to supporting the Black community. When we get to know our neighbors and support small, local businesses, it makes all of us stronger.

If you’d like to find local Black-owned businesses to patronize this August – and the rest of the year – you can visit the twice monthly in Southeast Portland or browse through the .

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The Problem with a Focus on Cultural Competence

While many books and trainings exist that aim to educate clinical staff on the culture, history and values of marginalized communities, the framework of “cultural competence” is being increasingly questioned by members of those communities. A  defined cultural competency as “the need for health care systems and providers to be aware of, and responsive to, patients’ cultural perspectives and backgrounds.”

Cultural competency is a noble goal, but the idea that it’s a skill that can be taught and mastered can discourage members of dominant social groups from continuing to learn and grow over time. The truth is, no one is ever completely competent in any culture – including their own – because culture is always evolving. There is always more to learn and more work to do on unlearning one’s unconscious bias. The assumption that simply possessing deep knowledge about another culture automatically translates into more sensitive or competent care is not necessarily true. It’s easy to memorize a list of facts, but learning to think critically and practice true empathy is much harder. A perception of competence may also lead to stereotyping members of a group, rather than approaching them as individuals with their own thoughts, feelings and perspectives.

And finally, those who are not well-versed in another culture may assume there is no way they can provide adequate care. However, it is possible to work with others from a background wildly different from one’s own, even without training in that culture, if one adopts an attitude of curiosity and self-reflection.

This is why the senior staff has spent the last year in training with Cliff Jones and Capacity Building Partnerships learning how to address our own cultural bias and that of others in order to support an environment that is inclusive, nurturing and anti-racist.  The desired outcome for this work is to support individual and collective transformation across the agency to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, and eliminate inequity and oppression.

Cultural Humility is an Ongoing Practice

So how do we move beyond the framework of “competence?” This is where the concept of “cultural humility” comes into play. The  describes cultural humility as an approach that “de-emphasizes cultural knowledge and competency and places greater emphasis on lifelong nurturing of self-evaluation and critique, promotion of interpersonal sensitivity and openness, addressing power imbalances, and advancement of an appreciation of intracultural variation and individuality to avoid stereotyping.”

So how does one practice cultural humility in a clinical setting?  suggests 3 guiding principles:

1. Committing to an ongoing process of self-awareness and inquiry. This involves reflecting on one’s own biases and stereotypes, as well as taking the time to seek out the perspectives of others with different life experiences. By making a conscious effort to seek out a wide range of perspectives, we can become aware of our own blind spots.
2. Being open to correction and willing to learn. By prioritizing the perspective and experience of a BIPOC client or colleague, clinicians can view others’ lives without judgment or imposing their own values. They must also be willing to acknowledge when they have made a mistake, embracing it as an opportunity to learn rather than becoming defensive.
3. Keeping greater social structures in mind. We are all shaped by our experiences, and a marginalized person’s perception of the world is based on interactions with their environment. Previous negative experiences with the mental health system may cause a BIPOC client to be suspicious and distrustful, for example. Instead of taking that distrust personally, clinicians should be understanding and work to minimize the power imbalance in the relationship, giving clients choices about their care and collaborating on treatment goals.

It’s important to note that cultural competence and cultural humility are not approaches that exist in opposition to one another. At 18JAV, we encourage both. All of our staff are required to complete yearly training in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice, and how best to serve diverse populations. They also are encouraged to participate in our Diversity Resource Crew to learn how they can best support their colleagues from marginalized backgrounds.

We also encourage our staff to look outside of their own experiences, to approach others with curiosity and compassion, and to be willing to listen to people who are different from themselves. By continually learning about others’ history and experiences and adopting an attitude of humility, we can provide the best possible care to marginalized clients and the best work environment for our colleagues.

If you’re interested in learning more about cultural humility and how to practice it in your own work, the University of Oregon has  with links to additional articles, videos, and other resources to help you get started.

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Despite the change in festival dates, there are still many pride events happening in Portland and the surrounding area throughout the month of June and stretching into July. Here are a few that staff might be interested in attending: 

June 10:  

June 10: 

June 12: 

June 16:

June 17:  

June 18:  (for Black community only) 4-7 pm substance free

June 24-25:  

June 25: 

June 25:  

July 7:  

July 9:  

July 15-16: 

July 15, 3:30 pm:  

July 15, 6 pm:  

July 16, 11 am: 

This list is provided as a resource. For those in recovery, you are encouraged to vet events closely to be aware of those that may have alcohol available at the venue.

The post Pride Events in Portland This Summer  appeared first on Lifeworks Northwest.

While many world cultures place an emphasis on honoring our elders, in the US, that’s not always the case. Some harmful include the ideas that they contribute little to society, they are unwilling or unable to learn and change, and that they are unable to live independently or make their own decisions.

that exposure to these ageist stereotypes can negatively affect older adults’ performance on physical and mental tasks, creating “self-fulfilling prophecies.” These negative stereotypes may also they receive from medical providers. However, positive stereotypes can boost older adults’ willingness to accept medical intervention and ability to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.

As with any other age group, adults ages 60 and older may face mental health challenges. The that 15% of older adults struggle with a mental disorder, with depression being the most common. Risk factors for developing a mental health issue at this age include:

• Reduced mobility, chronic pain or other health problems.
• Life changes, such as retirement or the death of a loved one.
• Elder abuse and neglect, which affect as many as 1 in 6 older adults.

However, depression isn’t an inevitable outcome of aging – when symptoms of depression are taken seriously and their causes are addressed, older adults can thrive. This year, the Older Americans Month theme is “.” The ACL wants to spend this month promoting flexible thinking about aging – finding ways to help older Americans remain engaged, independent and included in their communities. The organization wants to remind all of us that aging is an opportunity to find fulfillment by paving our own paths.

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The choice of May was a deliberate one, based on a few significant historical dates. Capitol Hill staffer to Rep. Frank Horton in the 1970s, wanting to recognize her Chinese grandfather. Along with countless other Chinese immigrants, he helped build the transcontinental railroad in the 1800s before being killed in an anti-Asian hate attack. May 10, 1869, is the day that the railroad was completed, also known as Golden Spike Day. May 7, 1843, is also significant as the day the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the US. 

Each year the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) chooses a theme for the month – for 2023, the theme is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” In a , the agency explained the meaning behind the theme: 

Opportunity is defined as “a set of circumstances that make it possible to do something.” Opportunity can be built, it can be accessed, it can be achieved, or it can be given. It has been the foundation of our great Nation and thus America is known to be the land of opportunity.  Each year, thousands of immigrants from all over the world come to the United States to gain access to these opportunities. No matter who you are, you can achieve anything in this country if you put your mind to it. To keep the Nation moving forward, the capable ones must lend a hand to those in need and provide an opportunity for them to advance, as well.   

If you’d like to learn more about AAPI history, the Library of Congress has highlighting different AAPI communities and their contributions throughout the years. FAPAC has also put together in honor of the month. Finally, the Portland non-profit Rise Above Hate is hosting a throughout the month that anyone can join. 

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While we’ve all heard the statistics and horror stories about alcohol addiction, one thing we often don’t hear about is the shame and secrecy that people suffering from it experience. Unfortunately, studies show that  who struggle with substance use will reach out for professional help, and the stigma around admitting one has a problem is a major contributing factor. One way that we can encourage people to seek help is by changing the way we speak about addiction.

There are a number of terms used to describe an unhealthy or excessive use of alcohol, including alcoholism, alcohol addiction, alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence and more. You’ll hear these in the media, 12-step groups and some rehab programs.  However, in a clinical setting, we use the term “Alcohol Use Disorder.”

There are two reasons why the medical community uses this term. The first is that Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is easily defined – it has a  set out by the American Psychological Association, and these are used by medical and mental health providers in the US. With this diagnosis, doctors can communicate clearly with one another and insurance. Cases of AUD can be easily classified as mild, moderate, and severe based on the number of symptoms someone experiences. This allows people to easily be referred for appropriate treatment. “Alcoholism,” on the other hand, has no strict definition and can be interpreted differently by different people.

The other reason we don’t use the terms “alcoholism” or “alcoholic” is that these labels are stigmatizing. While AUD is a condition that someone can heal and recover from, calling someone an alcoholic is dehumanizing and reduces a whole person to their struggles with addiction. Not only does this cause people who are struggling to be isolated from their community, the shame associated with the term can actually prevent people from seeking help. While some people find it helpful to self-identify as alcoholics as part of their path to recovery (for example, members of Alcoholics Anonymous), using the term should be a choice. Unfortunately, it’s easy to use this word as an insult or slur against people who are struggling, and that makes it inappropriate for a clinical setting.

In cases where someone doesn’t fit the diagnostic criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder, but still feels that their pattern of drinking causes them problems in life, the terms “unhealthy alcohol use” or “excessive alcohol use” is better than alcoholism or addiction. Medical organizations  as more than 4 standard drinks per occasion or 14 drinks per week for men and 3 drinks per occasion or 7 drinks per week for women. This could apply to someone who drinks infrequently and is not physically dependent on alcohol.

The term “alcoholic” isn’t the only word that can be stigmatizing when discussing AUD and Substance Use Disorder (SUD). There are many other terms like “drunk,” “junkie” and “addict” that can also shame people into hiding that they have a problem. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has provided guidance on language that helps reduce stigma toward people with SUD, which .

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Myth #1: Transgender identity is caused by a mental illness.

Fact: It’s true that at one time, medical professionals considered transgender identities to be a mental disorder – something that can also be said of . In recent years, every major medical and mental health organization  affirming the lived reality of trans people and endorsing access to gender-affirming care.

Providers are now instructed to  rather than a mental health issue. This change is not backed by politics or ideology, but is based on expert recommendations by researchers and clinicians who have worked with transgender patients over many decades.

Myth #2: Gender-affirming care is too easy to access.

Fact:  depending on where someone lives. In Oregon, doctors use an “informed consent” process, discussing the pros and cons with the patient and explaining any irreversible changes. There is also medical screening to detect underlying health conditions that could cause problems. In other states, a trans person might need to get a letter from a therapist to be referred to a gender specialist.

People seeking gender confirmation surgery are required to present at least one letter to their insurer  confirming their diagnosis of gender dysphoria and ability to make an informed decision about the procedure. Even after these referrals, trans and nonbinary patients can face years-long waitlists. The truth is,  that may prevent trans people from accessing care at all. Transitioning is not an impulse decision.

Myth #3: Doctors are altering young children’s bodies.

Fact: Gender-affirming care for young children does not involve surgery or hormones. Instead, they may . The child will explore their feelings in therapy, wear clothes they find affirming, and use their chosen name and pronouns at home and in school.

At the onset of puberty, they  to prevent unwanted changes to their body. These drugs have been safely prescribed to cisgender children experiencing early puberty for decades. If a child decides they aren’t transgender during this time, they can stop the medication and puberty will continue without lasting effects. This gives children and parents several years to decide if medical transition is the right decision. The  recommends waiting until at least age 14 before offering cross-sex hormone treatment.

Few transgender people have surgery before age 18, and insurance does not typically cover these procedures. While about 42,000 children and teens in the US received a diagnosis of gender dysphoria in 2021,  282 teens received gender-affirming mastectomies that year. Moreover, only 56 received any kind of genital surgeries from 2019 to 2021.

Surgeons generally only agree to operate on transgender minors when their dysphoria is so severe it presents a risk to the patient’s safety. While medical professionals continue to debate best practices, the picture trans rights opponents paint of a rushed process with little oversight is inaccurate.

Myth #4: Most trans people regret transitioning later.

Fact: Allowing someone to transition socially or medically as they desire is recognized as the best treatment for gender dysphoria. Research shows that affirming the lived experience of transgender people results in the most positive life outcomes – and that attempting to change their identity through conversion therapy is  to mental health.

The regret rate for gender-affirming care is extremely low.  found 98% of transgender teens continue to identify as trans and use gender-affirming hormones, and those who discontinued hormones might have done so for financial, medical or other reasons, not because they changed their minds about their gender.  found 82% of detransitioners did so due to external factors such as discrimination or family rejection – in other words, it was safer to go into the closet. While there are some people who realize they aren’t trans and regret transitioning, these stories are incredibly rare – estimated at . The answer to these cases is to provide more information and better mental health care for people exploring their gender, not less.

Myth #5: Trans identities are a modern invention.

Fact: Cultures throughout history have celebrated gender diversity. Many Indigenous cultures have always recognized multiple genders, collectively described by the modern term . Other non-Western cultures have their own alternate gender categories, including the  and the . While not a complete list of cultural gender identities,  provides a starting point for those wishing to learn more. Historians have even documented gender-diverse historical figures  to ancient Greece and Rome.

While there are many more myths about transgender health to explore, we hope the resources linked in this article will answer some of your questions, and we will continue to publish stories that explain these and related topics.

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Many of you may already be aware of an alarming rise in hate speech towards transgender people in the media. Earlier this month, a host from The Daily Wire went so far as to call for “transgenderism [to be] eradicated from public life.” Sadly, these verbal attacks often have real-world consequences. The Williams Institute at UCLA has found that trans people are four times more likely than cisgender people to be victims of violent crime, and FBI and other law enforcement data indicates that hate crimes against the trans community have been steadily rising for several years.

At 18JAV, we condemn hate and stand in solidarity with the transgender community. The American Psychological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, World Health Organization and dozens of other top health agencies all state that being transgender, nonbinary or gender nonconforming is not a delusion or a mental illness. Every major medical and behavioral health organization agrees that gender affirming care is necessary and lifesaving for transgender clients who desire it. As a behavioral health provider, we will follow the accepted standards of care when serving our LGBTQ clients, affirming their identities and helping them access the resources they need to thrive.

We know this is a difficult time not only for our gender diverse staff, but also those who strive to be allies to the LGBTQ community. It can be hard to know how to respond to these events. We encourage all staff to take advantage of the trainings and resources available to learn more about transgender health care, and to make an extra effort to use the chosen name and pronouns of those around you and use language that affirms their identities. As an agency, unfortunately we aren’t able to rid the world of hate and bias, but we can all do our part to support the gender diverse people around us.

Mary (she/her) and Orion (he/they)

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