Newsletter May 2020 Important Message As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation and the potential re-opening of the economy, the GSN Board has once again made the difficult decision to suspend all events and programming scheduled during the month of May. This decision has been made with our membership in mind. We are a social organization and social distancing remains one of the best ways to save lives. Watch for E-Blasts and future newsletters for updates. Click the logo for information about COVID-19 We thank you for your patience, and we apologize for any inconvenience this decision may have caused. There is no question this is a time of great uncertainty. “Social distance becomes loving distance instead of fearful distance when we create it to protect others as well as ourselves.” - Gary Zukav Inside this Issue We believe that by supporting each other, we'll emerge from this stronger than before. President’s Message ................ 2 Maybe by fall limited activities will resume! Board and Committees ............ 2 GSN Treasurer’s Report ........... 3 10 Things to Do While Social Distancing PFLAG Information .................. 4 GSN Bowling Adventure .......... 6 Reach out to loved ones…don’t forget Mother’s Day, May 10th Publishing Triangle .................. 9 Celebrations ............................ 10 Adopt or foster a pet Services and Events ................. 11 Membership Form ................... 12 Make face masks for healthcare workers Say “Thank You” to anyone working the “front lines” during this pandemic Learn to eat healthy Our Mission Organize photos or videos The Gay Social Network of Southwest Florida, or GSN, is an organization serving the gay, lesbian, transgender, Discover your inner “om” and bisexual communities in our area. Our mission is to provide social as well Conquer home maintenance projects as informational resources to the LGBTQ community and to its friends Catch up on reading and sponsors. We encourage those who are new to Southwest Florida to Work out at home and rest utilize our organization as a means of making new contacts and meeting new friends. As GSN grows and expands, our goal is to create and If this list doesn’t “do it” for you, just Google “things to do while social sponsor social gatherings and events distancing” and the results will return hundreds of links with suggestions. that will appeal to a broad base of our membership who enjoy getting Create your own list. together. GSN BOARD President Greetings GSN, Allen Biles [email protected] I hope this finds you doing well and staying Vice President For Activities safe during these challenging times. It has Bill Owens been said that "tough times don't last, but [email protected] tough people do" and during these days of Co-Vice Presidents For Communications uncertainty we must look with hope to Jason Boeckman [email protected] better days ahead. For it is not the Douglas Kraft circumstances we face that matter so [email protected] much, as it is our response to those Treasurer circumstances. I am reminded of this David Potter [email protected] quote: “When we are no longer able to Secretary change a situation, we are challenged to Willie Nation change ourselves.” ―Viktor E. Frankl, [email protected] Man's Search for Meaning Executive Board David Givney and Kevin Fuller Maybe, like me, you've found time to really notice all the beauty that surrounds us. Daily I go for long walks in the early morning and after Mailings Steve MacArthur dinner in the late evening. Many have commented on how clear the skies Membership are and that nature is still so vibrant and alive all around us. Position Available Technical Support I hope you know that GSN is here for you, if you need someone to talk Shawn Foust with, pray with or Facetime with, we are here together for one another. Newsletter Publisher/Editor We will get through this and life will return, and we will once again enjoy Michael Doty our great times of fellowship and fun. As the nation reopens, we will keep WeCare you informed when our next GSN event will be planned. Mike Dias Rick Gazzerro Until we can be in each other’s company again, may you stay safe, be well E-MAIL CONTACTS and focused upon all that is good and right in our world. General [email protected] The best is ahead! Newsletter Sincerely, [email protected] Allen Bowling [email protected] Allen Biles Dining Adventure President GSN [email protected] Tuesday Dining Group [email protected] Member Support [email protected] Mailing Address PO Box 8413 Naples FL. 34101-8413 Website www.gaysocialnetwork.com Message Line (239) 434-1612 2 GSN NEWS SUPPORTERS/ADVERTISERS ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS AND ADVERTISERS: Daryl G. Sprouse & Armando Perez, Due to the COVID-19 situation, which has put socializing on Agency Owners We Insure hold, the GSN Board has decided to "extend" all active/grace Willie Nation memberships and advertising by 3 months, beginning April 1. The Pampered Chef Hopefully, we will be back to semi-normalcy by then. Christopher Carnrick, Be Safe! Pirate Palms B&B and Plant-Centered Retreats Larry Fleming, L H Fleming & Company, NAPLES PRIDE 2020 Real Estate Robert L. Nardi, 4TH ANNUAL PRIDE Broker/Owner JUNE 6, 11-5 PM Nardi Realty CAMBIER PARK Michael Whyte, Legacy Options PFLAG Naples Steve MacArthur, Bonita Storage Inn Shawn Foust, Need Technology Help? Joe Pereira, Home Watch and Services.com TREASURER INFORMATION Checkbook Balance as of 3/31/2020 $10,100.79 Beginning Balance $272.08 Deposits $1427.35 Pay Outs $8945.52 Ending Balance Submitted by David G. Potter, GSN Treasurer 3 GSN Dear PFLAG Naples Members and Supporters: Your health and well-being is the top priority for our PFLAG chapter. With that in mind, and based on the data and information we have received from PFLAG National, the CDC, the WHO and the Collier County Health Department, we are suspending all in-person chapter meetings and events. Even though we are not meeting in person, PFLAG Naples leaders are available to provide you support. Please feel free reach out to us as follows: Cori Craciun - [email protected], 239-963-4670 Mike Dias - [email protected], 239-774-2722 Ann Fisher - [email protected], 781-771-8068 Steve Goldenberg - [email protected], 239-774-2722 David Goldstein - [email protected], 239-455-2004 Additionally, you can visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/PFLAG-Naples-109659770680302/ and our website at: www.pflagnaples.org. You can also contact our friends and allies at GSN by email: [email protected] and Naples PRIDE by email: [email protected] In addition check out the below list of various LGBTQ-friendly hotlines that are available. Be safe and stay well in this challenging time, Your PFLAG Naples Board If you are looking for a local support network, contact one of PFLAG’s more than 400 chapters in the United States. In addition, the hotlines listed below provide services to callers across the country. Crisis Intervention/Suicide Prevention The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386 The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255 (online chat available) The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741 Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor 4 GSN The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender National Hotline: (888) 843-4564 The GLBT National Youth Talkline (youth serving youth through age 25): (800) 246-7743 Both provide telephone, online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources for cities and towns across the United States. Youth Information The National Runaway Safeline: 800-RUNAWAY (800) 786-2929 Provides advice and assistance to runaways, including resources, shelter, transportation, assistance in finding counseling, and transitioning back to home life. NRS frontline staff will also act as advocates and mediators if/as needed. The True Colors United: (212) 461-4401 The True Colors Fund is working to end homelessness among LGBTQ youth, creating a world in which all young people can be their true selves. True Colors United runs a database of service providers. S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self Abuse Finally Ends): (800) DONTCUT (366-8288) Addresses individuals coping with non-suicidal self-injury, including locally-based information, support and therapy referrals. HIV/AIDS Information AIDS in Prison Project Hotline: (718) 378-7022 (English and Spanish) This hotline, run by The Osborne Association provides HIV and AIDS information for prisoners, and accepts collect calls. National AIDS Hotline: (800) 342-AIDS (2437)/for Spanish (800) 344-7432/(800) 243-7889 (TDD) The CDC HIV Resource Library Abuses National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 (English and Spanish) (800) 787-3224 (TTY) They also have an online chat feature available. Operating around the clock, seven days a week, confidential and free of cost, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Highly trained, experienced advocates offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services in over 170 languages. Pride Institute: (800) 547-7433 Chemical dependency/mental health referral and 24/7 information hotline for the LGBTQ community. Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): (800) 656-HOPE (4673)/(800) 810-7440 (TTY) The nation's largest organization fighting sexual violence, RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.