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Community Newsletter

Dear Friends of Salus,

Monday is Transgender Day of Visibility! There are so many TDOV events happening in Lansing that we've compiled all of them on our website. We especially can't wait to see you at our Clothing Swap and Resource Fair next weekend. We will have plenty to share with everyone at both events, so please come by!

You voted and this year's Prom theme is... masquerade!! Tickets and more details will be available on April 1st, so stay tuned.

Warmly,

Frank Heveran

Program Director

Donate to Support Lansing's 2SLGBTQIA+ Community

Events at Salus

Trans Day of Visibility is on March 31st and is a time to celebrate trans people-- yourself, your loved ones, your community. We've compiled local community events, our annual Clothing Swap, and a TDOV Resource Fair to share everything happening in Lansing for Trans Day of Visibility. More details about all of these events are on our website at saluscenter.org/events/tdov

On Friday and Saturday, March 28th and 29th, the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC) and the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) are hosting an Arts Showcase at MSU.

On Sunday, March 30th, Inclusive Justice of Michigan, Equality Michigan, Gender

Identity Network, and Stand with Trans are holding a TDOV Rally on the Capitol Lawn at 2pm.

On Monday, March 31st, there will be a TDOV Celebration and Karaoke Night at The Avenue starting at 7pm with karaoke starting at 9pm.

On Saturday, April 5th from 2-6pm, we'll have a Clothing Swap at the Salus Center! You

don’t need to bring clothes to take some– everything will be free and all are welcome! If you’d like to donate clothing or accessories, bring them to the Salus Center during our Resource Hours between now and April 5th or to the Clothing Swap itself.

On Sunday, April 6th from 2-6pm, we'll have a TDOV Resource Fair at The Fledge. This will include local organizations, activities, and resources, including harm reduction

supplies, vaccinations from Ingham County Health Department, and HIV, syphilis, and Hep C testing from Lansing Area AIDS Network.

We’re hosting our third annual Trans Day of Visibility Clothing Swap on Saturday, April 5th from 2-6pm!! Come celebrate yourself and your loved ones by picking out new clothes and accessories at the Salus Center!

You don’t need to bring clothes to take some– everything will be free and all are welcome!

If you’d like to donate clothing or accessories, bring them to the Salus Center during our Resource Hours between now and April 5th or to the Clothing Swap itself.

Our Resource Hours are on Thursdays from 9am-1pm and Sundays from 1pm-3pm. Details about what we accept below; extra items will be donated after the event.

Email [email protected] to coordinate other times to drop off donations.

We will accept:
-gently used clothing
-accessories, including jewelry, hats, scarves, etc.
-gender affirming items that are new or like-new, such as binders, bras, breast forms, packers, tucking underwear, and similar items
-makeup that is new, such as eyeliner or mascara, and makeup that is like-new and cleanable, such as eye shadow, foundation, or powders
-body sprays and perfumes
-nail polish
-new or gently used shoes

We will not accept:
-used undergarments
-used gender affirming items
-clothing or other items that are worn or damaged
-used or difficult to clean makeup
-other items at the Salus Center's discretion

Connect with local organizations and access resources including HIV testing, vaccines, free tax prep, harm reduction supplies, and more!

When: Sunday, April 6th, 2-6pm

Where: The Fledge, 1300 Eureka St. in Lansing

HIV, Syphilis, and Hep C testing:

Lansing Area AIDS Network will be offering on-site rapid testing for HIV, syphilis, and Hep C.

Vaccines:

Ingham County Health Department will be offering COVID, flu, Hep A, Hep B, Tdap, and Mpox vaccines at little to no cost with or without insurance.

Walk-ups are welcome, or sign up ahead of time at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ACA62DABFBC61-55743382-tdov

If you have health insurance, bring your insurance card!

Free Tax Prep:

United Way of South Central Michigan's VITA program offers high-quality, no-cost tax preparation services for folks in our community with moderate-to-low income. VITA's new mobile unit provides free tax prep appointments to community members in their community spaces.

Walk-ins as available, or make an appointment at VITA Mobile Unit - Salus Center: Free Tax Prep

What to bring to your appointment: What-to-Bring-to-Your-Free-Tax-Preparation-App.pdf

This year's Prom theme is... MASQUERADE!

Save the date for Prom 2025 on Friday, May 30th at 8pm at The Venue!! Tickets will be available on April 1st!

Sex Ed for Everyone: Allyship is Messy

Thursday, April 10th, 6-8pm

Salus Center; live-stream option available!

Fill out the consent form ahead of time at https://forms.office.com/r/VQP39d3SFZ

Join us as we discuss an intersectional approach to allyship!

Having strong communities is more important now than ever, and having the support of allies outside of our community is critical. In this presentation, we will look at what allyship is, how we can practice it, what we want from allies, and why that makes allyship complicated.

All are welcome regardless of gender identity or expression.

Presenter: Dr. Andrea Kelley, Assistant Professor at Lyman Briggs College

Upcoming Sex Ed for Everyone Presentations:

May 8th: Risk Profiles

Groups at Salus

Support group meetings are for folks identifying or questioning within the stated identity group. Aside from TRUE, our teen group, support groups are for adults (18+) only.

Interest group meetings (anything activity-based, rather than identity-based) are open to allies and to all ages, but minors should have a trusted adult with them.

Fiber Arts for Everyone

1st and 3rd Fridays, 6-9pm

Next Meetings: 3/7, 3/21

Fiber Arts for Everyone is a safe space for queer knitters and crocheters to gather, work on projects, make connections, share ideas, and chat! Open to knitters and crocheters of all skill levels, including complete beginners.

Contact fiberarts @ saluscenter.org for any questions!

Gayme Nights

1st Wednesdays and 3rd Saturdays, 5-7pm

Next Meetings: 3/5, 3/15

We'll provide board games to play and help with learning the rules. Come make some friends and learn some new games! Everyone is welcome and we'll provide snacks and drinks. You can also bring your own games to play and teach others!

Gayme Nights are sponsored in partnership with Tabletop Gaymers. Go to tabletopgaymers.org to learn more.

Here for You

1st Thursdays, 6-7:30pm

Here For You is a supportive space for the important adults in the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.

Join us as we share the celebrations and challenges we experience showing up and holding space for the queer kids in our lives. Here for You is for any parent, grandparent, guardian, teacher, mentor, or important adult of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth who is looking for an opportunity to be in conversation and community with others facing similar experiences. All are welcome!

Contact hereforyou @ saluscenter.org for any questions.

Neurodivergent & Queer

2nd Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm

This group is for anyone with Autism, ADHD, OCD, Tourette's, Dyslexia, or any other diagnosed, self-diagnosed, or undiagnosed neurodivergent status who also identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+. We'll be meeting for general support and to discuss ways to advocate for ourselves and battle executive dysfunction as we navigate through a world that isn't designed for us. This will be a safe space for stimming, tics, and quirks!

Contact Aly at neurodivergent @ saluscenter.org for any questions

Nonbinary Support Group

2nd Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30pm, online

The Nonbinary Support Group is a place to get together with other nonbinary folks to chat, chill, vent, socialize, and get and give advice and support. Anyone who identifies outside the gender binary (nonbinary, genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, etc.) or is questioning whether they might, and is at least 18 years old, is welcome, whether they're out of the closet or not. Not for allies/family.

Meeting Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8480...
Meeting ID: 848 0151 2160
Passcode: salus

Email Kaspyr at nonbinary @ saluscenter.org for more information.

QTBIPOC Community Space

2nd Sundays, 3:30-5pm and last Mondays, 7-8:30pm

Join Salus's LGBTQIA2S+ people of color community space! This bi-monthly gathering space centers joy and community connections for queer and trans people of color. Topics are group negotiated and will include self and community-care, dating, making friends as an adult, daydreaming, hobbies, and crafting. There will also be dedicated time to "get things off your chest"! Bring your hopes for our community and let's do some scheming together!

For questions, contact QTBIPOC @ saluscenter.org

Queer Nature Club

Monthly: dates, times, and locations vary

Next Meeting: Wednesday 4/23, 12-2pm at Scott Woods Park

Queer Nature Club is a group for connecting with nature - together! We meet about once a month year-round, sometimes focused on certain themes or attending events, other times just hanging out at a local park.

This group is open to 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and allies of all ages, anyone under 18 must be with an adult at all times. No pets, please.

For questions/comments/concerns/suggestions: natureclub @ saluscenter.org

Queer Women's Support Group

3rd Tuesdays, 7:30-9pm

All LGBTQIA+ women are welcome to join to share experiences, make connections, and support one another.

Contact hilari @ saluscenter.org to learn more!

Questioning and Coming Out Support Group

1st Tuesdays and 3rd Wednesdays, 6-7:30pm

In person with a hybrid option for the 1st Tuesdays

The Questioning and Coming Out Support Group is a conversation-based group for individuals who are questioning or recently embracing their 2SLGBTQIA+ identities. The group is a share-space to encourage self-reflection and self-love in a community setting. Whether you're recently self-identifying as queer, or questioning your gendered or sexualized identities/labels, this space is a welcome space for you to come, make community, and explore.

Hybrid option available on the first Tuesdays: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81508551709

Contact questioning @ saluscenter.org for any questions

Sober & Out: Queer Lansing AA

Saturdays, 10-11am

Queer Lansing AA meets every Saturday at 10am at the Salus Center in Downtown Lansing. This is a closed meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous for anyone who has a desire to stop drinking.

For questions, please contact Brian at lansing.lgbtq.aa @ gmail.com

Transfem Support Group

1st Mondays, 7-8:30pm

2nd Wednesdays, 7-8:30pm

3rd Thursdays, 7-8:30pm

Last Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm

The Transfem Support Group is a peer support group created by and for trans women and transfem-identifying people. We hope to grow our sense of community to share connection, belonging, and support.

For more information: https://linktr.ee/LansingTrans...

Email: transfemsupport @ saluscenter.org

Learn More

Transmasc+ Support Group

2nd Mondays, 6-7:30pm, in person

4th Tuesdays, 6-7:30pm, online

Join us for monthly conversations and connections with trans men, non-binary trans masculine folks and folks who may be questioning their gender. This peer support group is meant to explore important topics like self & community care, gender euphoria, arts/creativity, toxic masculinity, transitioning, love & dating while centering the importance of Trans Joy.

Bring your good vibes, energy, and positive intentions as we cultivate a meaningful community of care & self-exploration. Meetings are for ages 18+.

Contact: Layne @ saluscenter.org

Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82057031474

TTRPG Gayme Night

Last Thursdays, 6-9pm, in person

LGBTQIA+ friends and allies are welcome to our table top role-playing game night! Whether you want to run a table or are brand new to playing, join us on the last Thursday of every month and let your imagination run wild. We'll be playing TTRPG classics like Dungeons and Dragons as well as independent games.

Vintage Pride 45+

2nd Saturdays, 2-3:30pm

Join the Salus Center for a meeting of our support group for 2SLGBTQIA+ adults ages 45 and older.

Write Hear 4 Queer

Sunday, April 6th, 11am-12:30pm

Write Hear is a generative writing workshop open to all levels who interested in literature, poetry, journaling and expressing themselves through writing.

Write Hear is an act of creating community through stopping time together to write from prompts and optional sharing. All are welcome.

Community Bulletin

If you have something to add to our community bulletin board, email Frank at [email protected] with a flier and a description of the event or opportunity!

Queer Narratives Game Jam

Bring your story to life through games!

Kickoff session is on April 11th from 5pm-8pm at the MSU Main Library, 2nd Floor West Wing @ the Digital Scholarship Lab

Learn more at https://lgbtqgamejam.hcommons....

Trans Camp at Camp Talahi outside of Howell is recruiting both middle and high school campers!

Link to register here: Trans Camp Registration
If you have questions, you can email [email protected]

Tickets available at https://thegoodneighborconcertseries.ticketspice.com/annie-bacon-and-anna-ps-in-support-of-the-salus-center

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/1493252954968065

Join the organizers of A Place for Us to learn about who we are, what we're doing, and how to get involved!

Meet and Greets:

April 13th at 11am, Salus Center

April 21st at 7pm, virtual, Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84146283000

We are currently working towards building a homeless in Lansing for LGBTQIA+ adults. We'll share our history and upcoming goals. Come support your community, meet new people, and have a good time!We're looking for grant writing & fundraising experience, non-profit experience, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ leaders, and leaders with shelter experience. All are welcome!

Have questions or access needs? Please contact us at [email protected] or you can reach Mercuri (they/them) a steering committee member via text at 517-295-3723

We are excited to ring in Star Wars Day in style at our favorite local cantina with a galactic after party featuring Lansing-based rebel, DJ Fudgie!

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Admission to the after party is included in your Hyperdrive ticket price, but additional friends are welcome to join for only the after party with a $2 cover charge at the door after 9:30 pm!

A platonic version of speed dating, speed friending is an event where people can meet and – hopefully – make friendships. If you are interested in dates, there will be indicators available to add to your name badge to let other speed frienders know that you are open to potential romantic connections! Just remember, consent is critical!

After the event, hang out with your new friends - and old friends, too! Dance to music offered by local rebel scum, DJ Fudgie! Try your luck with a 50/50 raffle, or throw in for a Light Side vs Dark Side gift basket! (Don't forget to tip your wonderful bartenders!) Raffle winners will be announced at midnight to start off May the 4th the right way!

There is no required dress code. Wear whatever is comfortable for you! (Including Star Wars costumes if you want!)

For those who are familiar with the Lansing Area AIDS Network, you have seen us offering HIV testing at various locations throughout Mid-Michigan over the 40-year history of our organization. In 2024, we expanded to include HCV testing and added syphilis testing in February of this year. It is the goal of LAAN’s Prevention and Harm Reduction program to continue these testing services – and add additional services – at no cost to the communities that we serve. While we receive funding to cover the HIV testing, we rely on the support of our neighbors to purchase any additional STI tests.

Our research lab is dedicated to promoting positive trans healthcare policy changes and improve current healthcare initiatives. As a result, we are sharing a UW IRB approved study, developed by trans and nonbinary researchers, on the experiences of trans adults regarding cancer screening, diagnosis, and other healthcare topics. Participants will complete a 30 minute survey and receive a $25 online gift card. All participant information will be confidential andanonymous.

Learn more at https://www.tnb-crew.com/paths

Do you identify as transgender or gender non-binary and are interested in gender-affirming voice care?

Sean Parker Institute for the Voice with Weill Cornell Medicine would like to understand your experience with the Attuned mobile application; the study involves a one-hour interview for which participants will be compensated.

We are currently looking for participants for the study to help us fine-tune the app so that it meets all the needs of folks who would be interested in using it. Participants will be compensated for their time, must be age 18 or older, identify as transgender or non-binary, have access to an iPhone/iPad and have no previous history of voice disorders. Those interested can contact [email protected].

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