Drag at the Marina Lounge tonight! | |
Dear friends,
It's been a month since DJ Pocket's first drag night at Marina Lounge, and we are glad to have found a place to have them more regularly! Come out and support the Drag Performers, as well as a local Black owned business that has made us feel at home. If we want to see more, we will need to support with our attendance and patronizing the business!
| This week, we have a couple of Fundraising Dinner events! | |
Thursday, March 13th from 5-7 pm will be a Supper Club at BackRoads Winery in Fairfield. Every month on the second Thursday, BackRoads Winery hosts a Supper Club to support local charities, and this month is our turn! The Italian Dinner is $79 and 20% of the sales come to support SPC programs!
Follow this link to register today! or follow QR code...
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If that isn't your scene, the next night is an LGBTQ+ Trivia Night at Rustwater Kitchen & Taproom on Texas Street in Downtown Fairfield. There will be prizes, and lots of fun. They have great food, and a great selection of beers, including some non-alcoholic varieties to choose from. Always fun!
Rustwater Kitchen & Taproom, 800 Texas Street, Fairfield.
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Rainbow Wonderland Adult Prom! Saturday, April 26th from 6-10 pm, a Prom for Adults 18+ of all identities & Allies hosted at The Saturday Club of Vacaville, 125 West Kendal Street, Vacaville! Sponsored by Travis Credit Union!
We are planning a fun night with food, dancing, drag queens and kings, and you! Email me at will@solanopride.org to join the planning team.
You can now get your tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/2025-rainbow-wonderland-adult-prom
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Our Sponsorship, Vendor, Entertainer and Food Vendor sign-ups are online!
Performer Application Form
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Please share the links above with potential Sponsors, Entertainers, or those who could sell items at a booth! If there are any questions, don't hesitate to email me at will@solanpride.org.
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Also, we just updated the website to have separate pages for our Support & Social Groups, Senior Programs and Youth Programs. See them at these links:
Social & Support link: https://solanopride.org/social-and-support-groups
Senior Programs: https://solanopride.org/senior-programs/
Youth Programs: https://solanopride.org/youth-programs/
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Will McGarvey
he/they
Executive Director
Solano Pride Center
will@solanopride.org
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If you would like an action to accomplish today, please write to your congressman and ask him why he won't meet with members of our community! Ask them when they will start speaking out to protect us, as they have promised. | |
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Here is some suggested text for a phone or message through his website if Rep. Garamendi is your representative. https://garamendi.house.gov/contact, or at his Fairfield office: (707) 438-1822, Vallejo office: (707) 645-1888
Dear Congressman John Garamendi,
I'm calling today to thank you for voting against the bill last year that stripped health care from military families with Trans kids. What can you do to restore that funding?
Our Solano Pride Center has been attempting to schedule a time to talk with you about the 600+ anti-Trans bills since October 2nd, 2024. When will you schedule a meeting with representatives of our community? We need you to stand up more for us against the discrimination from our own government. Please be outspoken! We need to see you raising your voice on our behalf!
Sincerely,
[your name, address and phone]
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Trans Day of Visibility, the day where all trans people become visible to the public. How fun! Serenity is hosting an event to celebrate trans individuals and their accomplishments on March 31st at the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum. | |
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Solano Pride Center offers counseling and psychotherapy to the LGBTQ+ community of Solano County.
There are openings available for those who wish to be seen for counseling services right now! We can even talk to you if you just want to make sense of the times we live in. We are able to see clients for up to six months at no cost to clients, helping you make sense of life as a queer person, get support coming out, or deepening your self confidence by talking about your past. Please call our confidential line to make an appointment at: 707-389-4520. Please contact our Clinical Director Colin Amato at colin@solanopride.org for more information.
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Senior Programs!
We will be having our next Senior Zoom meeting on March 14th. Contact marlette@solanopride.org to get the link to join the fun!
Our next Senior Lunch will be Friday, March 21st in the Conference Room at the Center. Contact Cristina@solanopride.org for more info. We will have a short presentation on self-defense for Seniors after lunch by Ary Smith from the Legal Services of Northern California presenting, with Discussion on Senior Legal needs.
To see all of Senior Programs on our website, please go under the home button in the menu or go to this link. Senior Programs: https://solanopride.org/senior-programs/
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Upcoming Social & Support Groups! | |
Grief Support Group will next meet at an in-person gathering on Friday, March 14th & 28th from 10-11:30 am in the conference room at the Center’s building. Rachel Wilson and Timothy Meyer will be the facilitators for the group that will meet in person on the 2nd and 4th Fridays, and will find another time in the early evening on another day of the week for zoom meetings. Rachel can be contacted at rachel@solanopride.org or by phone or text at 707.681.1887.
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The QR code: Queer Recovery
A secular 12-step LGBTQ+ group for those in recovery for any addictions. The next meeting will be Sunday, March 16th 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.
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A supportive gathering for those who experience Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain is temporarily on hiatus.
Ray MacIntosh will be rejoining us for another semester, and we are pleased this group will be restarted soon. Next in person group will be Friday, March 21st (1st and 3rd Fridays at 10:30 am in person in our Lobby). Monday, March 17th at 5:30 pm on zoom.
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.
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LGBTQ2S+ Men's Support Group (3rd Wednesdays – March 19th 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 watching "Paris is Burning" and discussing it. This group is for all those who identify as Male or Trans 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.
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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, March 20th. 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 Christina Ochiega.
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The Gender Expansive Circle will meet again on Friday, March 21st at 5:30 pm, in the Conference Room.
GEC meets on the first and third Friday's of each month unless noted.
This group is for Trans, Intersex, Non-binary, Gender Non-Conforming, 2 Spirit and those questioning their gender identity or expression. The group is led by Kacen Cosmos and Cristina Zaldana! Questions can be directed to Kacen Cosmos at kacen@solanopride.org.
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Pan-Pagan/Magickal Support Group is normally the 4th Wednesdays from 7-8:30 pm, and will meet in our Lobby tonight on Wed, March 26th. 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.
Led by members of SPC Staff. Bring something from your altar to share about.
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We are 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.
Our next gathering will be Arts & Crafts Night on Thursday, April 3rd 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. These will be go through May, and we will take the summer off.
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Military/Veterans LGBTQ+ Social & Support Group
(The group is moving back to the 2nd Thursdays of the month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm). Next meeting is Thursday, April 10th at the Heretic Brewery and Distillery (1052 Horizon Drive, Fairfield). We hope this group becomes a great social and support group for all active duty military or retired veterans in the queer community.
Contact the facilitators by email by following these links: Will McGarvey and Jim Dailey.
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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
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Updated Youth Programming | |
Next Up for Youth & Young Adults around the county! | |
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Engaged teen program next Thursday, March 13th from 4-6 pm
on Discord.
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Vacaville teen program on Tuesday, March 18th from 3:30-5:30 pm on Discord. | |
This month's teen and Transitional Aged Youth Prism program Fri, March 21st from 4-6 pm on Discord. | |
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No Queerios in Benicia this month, as our staff will be away that day.
To see all of Youth Programs on our website, please go under the home button in the menu or go to this link. Youth Programs: https://solanopride.org/youth-programs/
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Decoración de galletas de St. Paddy's Dia después de clase de Miércoles, 12 de Marzo. | |  |
Cookie decorating for St. Paddy's day after school on Wed, March 12th. | | |
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Calling all volunteers! If you want to be a volunteer at Solano Pride Center, please let us know!
Our next Volunteer Training will be scheduled for Wednesday, March 19th at 6 pm at the Center (knock on the south doors by our lobby and on zoom). If you are interested in volunteering, just for special events or on a more regular basis at the Center, please email cristina@solanopride.org with the best times that work for you to be trained. These trainings are necessary for anyone who wishes to volunteer at the Center, in one of our Programs, or even for short term events like our Pride celebrations being planned now! Don't miss this informative background on how to help, knowing our best practices and Community Agreements!
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VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
There is a volunteer opportunity in the HIV Prevention dept. It involves going out to off site locations where we can table and provide free testing.
The County will do the testing and we will table at these locations such as a club (like the Townhouse in Vallejo) or youth drop in spaces. I have been looking for someone that can help me with this.
In the same department of HIV Prevention, we have the Safe Sex Packets that are put together. They involve 2 condoms, 1 lube packet & a slip of paper with info on SPC. These packets are put together at home. Pick up supplies at the center & bring back completed packets 4 days later or can depend when needed. We generally need 100 to 200 to 300. You can do 100 or 200 or 300. It is up to you. This is an ongoing volunteer opportunity.
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For the Youth Dept Volunteers:
We need Team Leaders for youth with With Q-Scouts (a special after school program for LGBTQIA2S+ middle schoolers, beginning in Vallejo/Benicia). We need 2-4 adult volunteers to help with youth ages 8-12, helping with activities as team leaders. Training provided.
After 3 pm, Weekdays the Q-Scout meetings are planned and the weekends as that allows for kiddos to participate after school.
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Volunteers needed for the Senior Luncheons:
Senior luncheons are every 1st & 3rd Fridays of the Month at 12 noon.
Volunteers would come in at 11 am and help with setting up the food as it comes in, making sure everyone has what they need, helping with the presenter doing presentations, closing up making sure we leave the conference room as we found it.
Gathering the utensils needed: Forks, napkins, plates, etc
You will have help with all this so you won't be doing everything yourself.
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Admin Tasks & Holding Space: There are also some admin jobs which include organizing the office a little. Consolidating some items so we have more space, etc. Welcoming folx when multiple groups are meeting at the Center.
Our next Volunteer Training will be scheduled for Wednesday, March 19th at 6 pm at the Center (knock on the south doors by our lobby).
I will be covering all these volunteer opportunities. If you have already attended an orientation, there is no need to attend again. Let me know if you need more specifics! Contact: cristina@solanopride.org
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Will,
This Monday, we launched our 2025 Legislative Package sending a clear message to Donald Trump and his administration that the gloves are off. While the Trump Administration attempts to erase transgender people and roll back critical protections for the LGBTQ+ community, here in California, we’re advancing a bold agenda to continue protecting LGBTQ+ people and ensuring that they’re treated with dignity and respect.
This year’s priorities expand protections for LGBTQ+ Californians in critical areas, including healthcare, identity documents, family building, safe and supportive schools, worker protections, and privacy, with a particular focus on the health and safety of the transgender community within California and beyond its borders.
This year’s bills include:
AB 82 (Ward): Trans Healthcare Privacy Protections
AB 554 (González): PrEP Coverage and Access Protections
AB 678 (Lee): LGBTQ+ Housing Justice
AB 715 (Zbur): California Attorney Protection Act
AB 908 (Solache): Safe Schools for LGBTQ+ Students
AB 1084 (Zbur): Transgender Records Act
SB 59 (Weiner): Transgender Privacy Act
SB 450 (Menjivar): Adoption Protections for LGBTQ+ Families
SB 497 (Wiener): Trans State of Refuge Protections
SB 590 (Durazo): Paid Family Leave for Chosen Family
Will you directly support our work to make sure we get this legislation passed?
We’ve already started advancing these bills, and will work tirelessly alongside the LGBTQ Legislative Caucus, legislative allies, advocates, and community members to pass these protections and continue the fight for full, lived LGBTQ+ equality.
Thank you for your support,
— Tony
EQCA send an updated form of resources for Trans families here:
https://solanopride.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/March-2025-Anti-Trans-EOs_Community-Fact-Sheet.docx.pdf
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Every year BAQWA produces an anthology of members' writing as a benefit for a Bay Area Queer charity. This year proceeds from sales of TOGETHER, the 2024-25 benefit anthology, go to the Solano County Pride Center, which provides support for LGBTQ+ people in the county, offers free HIV testing, and creates Queer Pride events in cities across the county.
If you'd like to order the book online, the proceeds also help fund our important work here.
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Vallejo Gay Network Events! | |
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How will you support and be part of our community?
If you would like to host a VGN event at your home or business or even an open space like a local park contact us. The main thing is that we maintain current safety guidelines and make a safe space for everyone to feel at ease. It's all about building & sharing with the community.
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LGBTQ Book Club at Alibi Books, Downtown Vallejo
Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita May Brown
March 12th, 5:30 pm
624 Marin Street, Vallejo, CA
From the Organizers
Please join us on Wednesday, March 12 at 5:30 pm for Alibi Bookshop's LGBTQ Book Club's discussion of the classic "Rubyfruit Jungle" by Rita Mae Brown, hosted by Richard May.
Critically acclaimed, Rubyfruit Jungle launched Rita Mae Brown's career as one of this country's most distinctive writers and continues to be a powerful seminal work more than 40 years after its original publication. Bawdy and moving, the ultimate word-of-mouth bestseller, Rubyfruit Jungle is about growing up a lesbian in America - and living happily ever after.
Molly Bolt, the adoptive daughter of a dirt-poor Southern couple who boldly forges her own path in America. With her startling beauty and crackling wit, Molly finds that women are drawn to her wherever she goes--and she refuses to apologize for loving them back. This literary milestone continues to resonate with its message about being true to yourself and, against the odds, living happily ever after."
Books are available in the shop, online at bookshop.org/shop/alibibookshop, and audio libro.fm/alibibookshop
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Recurring Events in the Community
GVRD Host Mothly Senior Social Event for People Ages 55+. From the organizers: Join us for a fun and relaxed morning of socializing, coffee, and light activities! Our Senior Social takes place once a month on the second Wednesday, from 8:30 to 10:30 AM. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee, delicious pastries, and a variety of puzzles and games while meeting new friends. It's a wonderful way to start your day and make new connections in a welcoming environment. Best of all, it’s completely free! We hope to see you there! Coffee is sponsored by a local Starbucks, pastries from local businesses, and games and puzzles are provided by GVRD.
Every 2nd Wednesday of the Month - Wed, 8:30am-10:30am
Vallejo Community Center, 225 Amador St
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Benicia LGBTQ+ Network Events! | |
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Join us for a night of karaoke Wednesday, March 26th at 7pm at the Rellik. We will sing (some of us, quite badly) and spend time together out in Benicia while enjoying the fantastic cocktail or mocktail offerings from the Rellik!
Be sure to RSVP on Facebook so we know how many tables to reserve! Press image for the link.
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On April 5th, we’ll be hiking the George Miller Regional Trail! 2RP9+WW Staging Area, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Port Costa, CA 94569
Public
We are meeting for a flat, dog-friendly hike at the George Miller Regional Trail in the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, located in Port Costa near Crockett. We’ll meet 10am on Saturday April 5th at the eastern trailhead of the George Miller Regional Trail, at the address:
2RP9+WW Staging Area, Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Port Costa, CA 94569.
Important: Make sure to travel through Crockett, not Martinez. The Crockett side has the parking lot and porta potty, while the Martinez side is just a road.
This is a flat, dog-friendly (leashed) hike with beautiful views of the Carquinez Strait. The trail runs between Crockett and Martinez and is about 4 miles round-trip (just under 2 miles one way). It’s an easy, mostly flat trail with very little elevation change, all on pavement.
We’ll meet at 10 AM at the trailhead. After the hike, we may stop for coffee at Revival Coffee — a charming spot in an old church! Revival Coffee 1 Rolph Park Dr, Crockett, CA 94525.
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Black Embrace: A Podcast Supporting Black Families Navigating LGBTQIA+ Challenges
By Charlotte Richardson, DSW-C, LCSW and SPC Board Member
This podcast is dedicated to discussing the hard issues at the intersection of Black Family and LGBTQIA+ Youth. Historically the Black Community and LGBTQIA+ issues have been a point of disagreement and Black Family relationship breakdown. This podcast seeks to heal the wounds of family breakdown, create positive communication within Black Families with LGBTQIA+ Youth, and overall improve relationships and connection with Black Families and Community.
Our Clinical Director, Colin Amato, was one of Charlotte's first interviews! Don't miss it!
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/charlotte-richardson4
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PRIDEnet (https://pridenet.org), based at Stanford University and the University of California at San Francisco, conducts LGBTQIA+ health research and engages LGBTQIA+ community in creating health research that meets our needs. PRIDEnet is conducting online Community Listening Sessions, akin to focus groups, this month with Black and African American transgender and gender nonbinary community members. The goal is to learn more about the current healthcare concerns and solutions, barriers to research participation, and needs of this community. Participants get a $50 gift card. Learn more and sign up at https://tinyurl.com/CLSBAATGNC.
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Hello, Equality California and Equality California Institute partners!
As part of a project with CDPH's Office of Health Equity, Equality California Institute is conducting research into messaging for TGI access to reproductive and sexual health care, and we are hoping you might help us in finding participants to join in a confidential, paid research interview.
The goal of this project is to better understand the experiences of people who identify as gender expansive–including people who identify as transgender, non-binary, intersex, genderqueer, two-spirit, indigiqueer, and gender non-conforming–and how they communicate about themselves and their lives to their health care providers. Ideally, this research will help gender-expansive people get healthcare in an environment where providers treat them with dignity, understanding, empathy and respect.
Note that we will be prioritizing interviews with people who are not actively involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy in order to lift up gender-expansive voices who are not normally heard in these types of conversations.
These 2-hour online interviews will be conducted by gender-expansive moderators and are completely confidential. While these interviews will be recorded for research purposes, any comments participants make will not be associated with their name (or organization/employer).
People who are selected to participate and complete the interview, will receive an honorarium of $200 after the interview as a thank-you for their time.
Please share this brief survey [LINK] with individuals who may be a good fit for the interview.
Again, responses are completely confidential and are being collected solely for the purpose of ensuring we include perspectives and experiences from a wide variety of people. Please note that we can only accommodate a limited number of interviews, so not everyone who expresses interest in participating will be selected to do so.
In Solidarity,
--
Erin Arendse | Program Director
Equality California | Equality California Institute
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See our table here at the Fiesta Primavera – hosted by the Solano AIDS Coalition! | |
Ever wondered if the Center is open, or how to contact the staff member you need? | |
March 2025 Solidarity Days & Monthlong Observances
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March Monthly Observances
There are a number of days and months observed, celebrated, and honored by the LGBTQ community. While the list below is specific to LGBTQ-focused days, weeks, and months, LGBTQ people also observe and celebrate non-LGBTQ specific moments such as Black History Month, Latinx Heritage Month, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Women’s History Month, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Media coverage of these and other non-LGBTQ focused moments should include LGBTQ people and the intersections of LGBTQ people and the respective topic.
March Also Has these dates to observe:
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March: Bisexual Health Awareness Month
- Week varies in March: National LGBT Health Awareness Week
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March 1: Zero Discrimination Day
- March 8: International Women's Day
- March 10: National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
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March 20: National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
- March 31, the world observes Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) to raise awareness about transgender people.
LGBTQ+ Observances Link:
https://therustintimes.com/2018/05/18/heres-a-full-list-of-international-lgbt-awareness-dates-and-what-they-represent/#:~:text=Intersex Awareness Day (October 26): Intersex Awareness,October 26%2C 1996%2C intersex activists from Intersex
Women's History Link:https://womenshistorymonth.gov/
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