The Newsletter of First City Network — Georgia’s oldest LGBT organization. Founded 1985 Volume 35, Issue 4 • mAY - JuNe 2021 CDC: LGBT community at greater risk to experience se- vere COVID-19 symptoms BY LAUREN VELLA The Hill Members of the LGBT community are at greater risk of expe- that those who have underlying health conditions, including riencing severe symptoms of COVID-19, according to a report older adults and the immunosuppressed, are at an increased released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention risk of experiencing harsher symptoms and even death as a (CDC) Thursday� result of coronavirus� According to the report, the CDC found that members of the The agency has also released data stating that Americans of LGBT community are more likely to have underlying health color are up to almost three times as likely than white Amer- conditions that put them at an increased risk to contract the icans to die from the coronavirus� coronavirus and experience severe symptoms of the disease� The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT The report used data from the 2017-2019 Behavioral Risk rights organization, released data in 2020 that echoed these Factor Surveillance System, a collection of health surveys findings from the CDC� that gathers demographic and health-related information The report released by the organization stated that members from noninstitutionalized� U S� residents over the age of 18 of the LGBT community were at increased risk of contract- to determine health disparities� ing the disease due to a number of factors such as working "When age, sex, and survey year are adjusted, sexual mi- jobs with high COVID-19 exposure, a wealth gap and lack of nority persons have higher prevalences than do heterosex- health coverage� ual persons of self-reported cancer, kidney disease, chron- “This report affirms what LGBTQ advocates and organiza- ic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease tions have known all along: that our community is at greater (including myocardial infarction, angina, or coronary heart risk and disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 health disease), obesity, smoking, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, crisis," said Alphonso David, president of the HRC� "It is crit- and stroke," the report states� ical that health disparities in marginalized communities are The report adds that racial and ethnic minority groups who fully captured by government data collection so they can be are also members of the LGBT community are at an increased swiftly addressed�” risk of experiencing severe coronavirus symptoms compared The authors of the CDC's Thursday report stated that the to their heterosexual counterparts� In addition, members of current "COVID-19 surveillance systems" do not capture in- the LGBT community are more likely to experience discrim- formation about sexual orientation and called for more data ination and stigmatization that may increase their risk of ill- to be collected on the LGBT community and the coronavirus� ness and limit their access to proper health care, according to the agency� "Persons who are members of both sexual minority and ra- In This Issue cial/ethnic minority groups might therefore experience a convergence of distinct social, economic, and environmental Transgender Day of Visibility ���������������������������������������������������������������� 5 disadvantages that increase chronic disease disparities and The Collective......................................................................................... 7 the risk for adverse COVID-19–related outcomes," the report Queer as Folk Reboot is a Go ��������������������������������������������������������������� 7 concluded� Biden Seeks $267 Million ����������������������������������������������������������������������8 Since the early stages of the pandemic, the CDC has stated THE DON CALLAHAN R e a l E s t a t e G r o u p 912-441-4416 | [email protected] Chair's Report By Jon Kesler ways welcome� If now or at any time you wish to contribute The First City Network Committee has decided to hold off on to the center go to www�firstcitypridecenter�org or call (912) scheduling any First Saturday Socials until at least July� We 304-LGBT [5428]� have agreed to revisit this decision on our June 7th Zoom call� We are closely monitoring the local COVID numbers hoping that soon we can safely resume our First Saturday Socials� We as a committee are adamant that the safety and well being of our members is priority number 1� If you haven’t already, please get vaccinated. Not only for yourself, but to keep your friends, family, and coworkers safe. The FCN Committee has been working hard to come up with alternative events and once it is safe to do so, we hope to be able to offer these events where we can all come together� Just a reminder� We have our new website up and work- ing� The new domain name is www�firstcitypridecenter�org� Please take a few moments and check it out� Feedback is al- FIRST CITY NETWORK COMMITTEE MEMBERS First City Network, Inc� is a local, private, non-profit community service organization chartered in 1985 by concerned citizens Chair Jon Kesler seeking a gay and lesbian positive community� The mission of First Vice-Chair vacant City Network (FCN) is to enhance and sustain the well-being of LGBT Treasurer Paul Higgins individuals and their allies by providing educational, social, and Secretary vacant health-related activities, programs, and services. FCN will serve as Carla Faith Moore Michael Ploski an essential resource; advocating for civil and human rights; and Renee Penrose supporting, promoting and embracing the cultural diversity that connects us into one community. The FCN Committee of First City Pride Center meets on the PRODUCTION STAFF first Monday of each month at 6:30pm at the e DITING, LayouT & DesIGN Jon Kesler First City Pride Center, 1515 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401� CoNTrIbuTors FCN Membership All members are welcome� bIllING Jon Kesler AD Manager vacant NEXT FCN COMMITTEE MEETINGS: DIsTrIbuTIoN FCN Committee Members MAY 3RD & JUNE 7th via call in PhoToGrAPhY FCN Membership FIRST CITY NETWORK, INC. P�O� Box 2442 • Savannah, GA 31402 (912) 236-CITY (2489) • firstcitynetwork�org Submit your letter or article to Network News! Entries FIRST CITY PRIDE CENTER must be local and meet newsletter editorial guidelines� 1515 Bull Street • Savannah, GA 31401 Email: editor@firstcitynetwork�org (912) 304-LGBT (5428) • firstcitypridecenter�org First City Network’s Network News • MAy - JUNe 2021 3 FCN Membership Scan below to join or renew: This membership / contribution New Renewal Gift $ $ $ $ Family of Friends Scan below to make a $ – $ $ – $ $+ one-time donation: Name(s) Street Address City, State, ZIP Phone Number(s) or visit firstcitypridecenter.org Email Address(es) My contribution is a tribute In Memory of In Honor of Advertising Rates SIZE SPECS COLOR Name(s) Full Page 8�5" x 11" $120 Person to Notify Half Page Horizontal 7 �75" x 4�875" $75 Half Page Vertical 3�75" x 10" $75 Street Address Quarter Page 3�75" x 5�5" $55 City, State, ZIP Artwork must be submitted no later than the 13th of each month� Email editor@firstcitynetwork�org� Display my name in Network News Name(s) as above Anonymous Other: Submit art as pdf, jpg, or tiff files, sized to appropriate specifications� FCN looks forward to working with Mail application with check payable to all LGBT and LGBT-friendly “First City Network” First City Network businesses� Please mail P.O. 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P�O� Box 2442 Savannah, GA 31402 4 Biden issues presidential MARK YOUR CALENDAR proclamation for Trans- A listing of LGBT-related events gender Day of Visibility FIRST CITY PRIDE CENTER HOURS By Chris Johnson Washington blade MONDAY - FRIDAY 12 to 5 JEFFREY'S PLACE President Biden, in a first for any �U S� president, issued a for- EVERY FRIDAY 7 PM - 8 PM mal presidential proclamation recognizing the Transgender Check www�firstcitypridecenter�org/events for more details and Day of Visibility, according to an advance copy of the White instructions on how to obtain the zoom link� House document obtained by the Washington Blade� At a time when states are advancing and enacting into law measures that would essentially bar transgender girls from L.O.T.S. | LOVED ONES OF TRANS SUPPORT participating in school sports and restrict access to transi- EVERY THURSDAY 7:15 PM - 7:45 PM tion-related care for transgender youth, Biden signals sup- Check www�firstcitypridecenter�org/events for more details and port for transgender people by commending their “struggle, instructions on how to obtain the zoom link� activism and courage” and including fellow athletes and stu- dents in a list of allies� TRANSFAM SUPPORT GROUP “This hard-fought progress is also shaping an increasingly EVERY THURSDAY 6 PM - 7 PM accepting world in which peers at school, teammates and Check www�firstcitypridecenter�org/events for more details and coaches on the playing field, colleagues at work, and allies in instructions on how to obtain the zoom link� every corner of society are standing in support and solidarity with the transgender community,” Biden writes� FCPC GOES BANNANAS But Biden also recognizes long-standing issues facing the WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 6:30 PM - 10 PM transgender community, calling ongoing violence against Check www�firstcitypridecenter�org/events for more details transgender