Sometimes Life Just Needs a Little Plaid

Well, if I thought October was a lost month, November is swiftly jumping on the same bandwagon. Yeehaw! But, I'm on time enough to know yesterday was the Marine Corps Birthday (something you memorize your first year w/a Marine) which means today is Veteran's Day and a good time to share a couple of ways we celebrate year round.

First up is Knit Your Bit. I repeatedly post this link because it's a great one. First launched in 2006 by the National WWII Museum, this campaign has grown to have a tremendous reach with over 30,000 scarves donated to veteran centers. Visit their website and grab a couple of free patterns (both knit and crochet) and get going. They even have a Facebook group you can join.

Second is one of my favorite organizations Soldiers' Angels Sewing and Crafting team. If you like to sew more than knit or crochet there's plenty of craft items to make and donate. Including: No-Sew Blankets,  Lap Blankets. Beanies, Wheelchair/Walker Totes, Ditty Bags,  Trach/Stoma Bibs, Catheter Bag Cover, Cool Scarves, Sand Scarves, and Drawstring Pillowcase Bag. Instructions for each item are available on the team page.

Third is Scarves with a Purpose. What can I say? I'm a crocheting fool. This way I can donate my handiwork to the homeless and not clutter up the house. It's a win/win. More patterns available at the site.

What more excuse do you need to go out and buy yarn year round?

Would you like to help those impacted by Hurricane Sandy but are unsure how? Despite any personal feelings regarding Red Cross blood donation policy and the current "deferral" when it comes to "Men Who Have Had Sex With Men (MSM)", please consider donating if eligible. And, if you are unaware of the current policy, please take a moment to learn more.

The Red Cross is urging immediate blood and platelet donations to support the blood needs of those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Make an Appointment Now .

Visit LGBTMap.org and see.

From their website: Equality Maps provide quick and easy summaries of laws that affect LGBT Americans on a state-by-state and issue-by-issue basis. The maps present information on laws in areas from employment discrimination and relationship recognition to hate crimes protections and anti-bullying laws.

From the website:

Every year thousands of people suffer from sudden cardia arrest. Would you know what to do? Try the Save a Life Simulator" from the HeartRescueNow.com website.

Continuing my sharing of links I love, here's some info on LGBT aging, including the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging and their handy, Resources in Your Area link.

Stop by the SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) Website as well.

Here's some info from their site:
Despite advances in LGBT civil rights, many older adult care providers never stop to consider that their older clients may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) - and even those who do may not know how to provide services in culturally-sensitive ways. As a result, LGBT older adults often avoid seeking needed services out of fear of discrimination. The tendency for LGBT older adults to go "back in the closet" is particularly pronounced in situations where they are most vulnerable - such as when accessing home health care or residing in assisted living or residential care facilities. One study indicated that LGBT older adults may be as much as five times less likely to access needed health and social services because of their fear of discrimination from the very people who should be helping them. This type of social isolation has an enormous impact in the health and well-being of LGBT older adults. With LGBT older adults twice as likely to live alone than heterosexual older adults, more than four times as likely to have no children, the informal caregiving support we assume is in place for older adults may not be there for LGBT elders.

When's the last time you visted the Human Rights Campaign Website?

Click on the link for info regarding Coming Out, Marriage, Parenting, Federal Advocacy, and many other topics of interest.

Earlier this week I posted a link to a directory search in Southeastern Michigan. Today I'm pleased to update with a much broader searchable directory from the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association Website.

Click here to search for primary care providers, specialists, therapists, dentists, and other health professionals in your city/country.

Courtesy of the Affirmations Michigan website:

Selecting a health care practitioner can be difficult. Picking one that you know will be LGBT-friendly takes some of the fear out of that process. At Affirmations, we've created LGBT standards of practice for the health care community and have built a database of practitioners who agree to abide by those standards. We have over 100 doctors, dentists, chiropractors, counselors and others on our LGBT-friendly referral list, available online. For more information, contact London Bell, Health Services Coordinator at 248-398-7105 x218.

Visit their link for a list of Discussion & Support Groups including Transgender Life Support, Polyamory, and Caring Caregivers.

The Affirmations Helpline provides peer counseling, empathy and community resources for the LGBT community Call them at 1-800-398-GAYS.

Neato: Interfaith LGBTQ Toolkit - Resources to empower Michigan faith groups to strengthen their welcoming, advocacy and service on behalf of people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ)

WHO SHOULD USE THIS TOOLKIT? Religious leaders, people from LGBTQ communities, and organizational representatives will find this Toolkit useful. It provides a broad range of resources for faith groups who seek to become more inclusive and justice driven, for LGBTQ persons looking for resources, and for organizations interested in partnering with faith groups for social change.

Check it out - it's more than just a Michigan Resource http://www.uujustice.org/LGBTQ_Toolkit_Final_1-12.pdf