LBTQ Health - YWCA Women’s Health Outreach

The 18th Rainbow Health Fair is here again! Sat. June 25th 12-4pm

2016-06-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

Come and visit us at the only health fair for the LBTQ community.
For more information go to gaycity.org/RainbowHealth

For a mammogram for people 40+, with or without insurance call 206.461.4493
Breast exams for people of all ages and genders.

New this year dental treatments for very low-income!

17TH Rainbow Health Fair, Sat. June 27th, 2015

2015-05-26T10:45:00.003-07:00

Rainbow Health Fair: free, fun, safe and queer!!

We are so excited to host the 17th annual Rainbow Health Fair on Saturday, June 27, from 1-4pm at All Pilgrims Church on Broadway and Republican at the Capitol Hill Pride Festival. At the Rainbow Health Fair, we create a safe space where people of all genders and sexualities are served by LBTQ-friendly providers and treated with respect.

Our vision:

A world where people of all genders and sexualities have access to the resources they need for optimal wellness.

Free mammograms, for uninsured individuals. Insurance is accepted.
Call for an appointment 206.461.4493
Free pap test and chest/breast exam for all ages and genders.
Free massages and acupuncture etc.
Free car tips and self defense
Free snacks and water
Lots of great information for your health and wellbeing.
OrcaLift, insurance enrollment and info

!! Win a raffle prize like tickets for SIFF, The Storm, Babeland etc.!!

We'll be posting more soon about the awesome providers we have lined up for you, check out: https://www.facebook.com/events/1002794203077761/
Save the date to come see us at Capitol Hill Pride! The Rainbow Health Fair:

free, fun, safe and queer!!

LGBT Health Care Bill of Rights

2015-02-19T14:36:00.001-08:00

LGBT health disparities will not be finished overnight.

Corey Prachniak was the instigator for a document that would explain to LGBT people what they should expect when they see a medical provider, what rights protect their access to quality care, and what they can do if they are wronged. And we based it all on one starting principal that, while simple, is also critical in our collective fight for justice:

Queer people are not receiving quality health care, and they deserve to be.

Our lives matter, our bodies matter, and our sexualities and genders matter. They matter to us, and they should matter to our providers to inform and improve care. It starts with education, and if we can't educate every doctor, nurse, and administrator in the country, we can at least educate ourselves.

Here is the link to this so important article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/corey-prachniak/lgbt-healthcare-bill-of-rights_b_6171016.html?utm_hp_ref=lgbt-wellness

Follow Corey Prachniak on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LGBTadvocacy

Know your rights

2015-01-09T13:45:00.003-08:00

As we begin the new year and consider how we want to live in 2015, it’s a great idea to consider how you want your health to be and any new health care changes coming your way. Maybe you would like to speak with a counselor about stress in your life, are expecting a new baby in the family, or are due for your first mammogram this year.
We meet with medical professionals for help and trust their expertise. But it’s also important to know your rights when it comes to your health care. HealthCare.gov shares information with us about new rights and protections we all have, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
How the health care law protects you

Creates the Health Insurance Marketplace, a new way for individuals, families, and small businesses to get health coverage
Requires insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing health conditions
Helps you understand the coverage you’re getting
Holds insurance companies accountable for rate increases
Makes it illegal for health insurance companies to arbitrarily cancel your health insurance just because you get sick
Protects your choice of doctors
Covers young adults under 26
Provides free preventive care
Ends lifetime and yearly dollar limits on coverage of essential health benefits

Here some additional rights and benefits, and information on how to protect yourself from fraud when you apply for insurance:

Breastfeeding equipment and support
Birth control methods and counseling
Mental health and substance abuse services
Appealing a health plan decision
Learn how to protect yourself from fraud when you apply for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

On top of what HealthCare.gov outlines as protections in the Affordable Care Act, there are protections and rights that directly support people who identify as LGBTQ. In 2014, LGBT HealthLink partnered with PROMO Missouri and lawyer Corey Prachniak to create the Healthcare Bill of Rights - a short document summarizing LGBTQ rights in the healthcare world now.
The creators of the Healthcare Bill of Rights write:

Your personal life and relationships affect your health more than you realize, so your doctor and other providers need to know your story.
We should all feel safe talking about our sexual partners, sex lives, sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity.

Learn how to file a complaint if you’ve faced discrimination.

See how you can find a medical provider who will respect your rights and identity.

Read how you can plan for your future care with a healthcare power of attorney.

Read the Healthcare Bill of Rights here

Learn more about the Healthcare Bill of Rights and its history here. And if you want your very own copy of the Healthcare Bill of Rights, check out the different versions available here

2014-12-19T10:15:00.001-08:00

Stress Strategies

by ywcakatie

From coping with the holidays, to dealing with the darker and shorter winter days, to the ongoing stress that results from care-giving, many of us experience stress on a regular basis and have different ways to cope with it.

Today, the Office on Women's Health and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine hosted a live conversation on Twitter about stress - they called it a #stresschat. Want to catch up on the conversation? Go here. Many different people and organizations have been participating in today's conversation on Twitter. Here are some resources people shared that I am finding helpful.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) helps us understand what
stress actually is:

Stress is a physical and emotional reaction that people experience as they encounter changes in life. Stress is a normal feeling. However, long-term stress may contribute to or worsen a range of health problems including digestive disorders, headaches, sleep disorders, and other symptoms. Stress may worsen asthma and has been linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses.

NCCAM also talks about relaxation techniques we can all use to reduce tension and address the stress we are experiencing. Different techniques include deep breathing, guided imagery and meditation. Want to learn more? Check out these five things to know about relaxation techniques for stress.

The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health says, "If you’re alive, you experience stress." How true that is.

A little bit of stress is ok, but chronic stress can have long-lasting impacts on our health. Dr. Susan Lord, a Kripalu Healthy Living faculty member and expert in mind-body medicine, says we can "transform stress by intentionally activating the relaxation response, which increases blood flow to the brain and releases chemicals that make your organs slow down." And that' a good thing.

There are seven steps she suggests to activating our relaxation response and increase our mindful living:

1. Develop self-awareness via yoga and meditation.

2. Express yourself creatively.

3. Be here now. Live in the present moment - not too much in the past or the future.

4. Find community.

5. Identify stressful thoughts and beliefs. Eavesdrop on your internal dialogue. Just noticing will prepare you to start shifting stressful thoughts and beliefs to more positive ones.

6. Do experiments: "Identify one concern you have about your life or health, and come up with a new way to deal with it."

7. Avoid judgment. Notice when you start to criticize yourself and others, and be kind instead.

These are all great tips that you can use to care for yourself. But what about when you have someone else to care for, as well? AARP talks about when caregivers experience a lot of stress - and what to do to take care of yourself and the other person you're caring for.

AARP has their own list of 10 tips. Here are just a few!

· Put your physical needs first. If you're not caring for yourself (eating well, getting enough sleep,
getting regular medical check-ups...), you wont' be in any shape to care for others.

· Ask for help.

· Get organized. Develop a system with calendars and to-do lists to help you stay on top of it all.

· Take a break. You deserve it. Really.

We all experience significant stress at some point in our lives. It is so important that we take care of ourselves, model self-care to others, and be there for others who may be going through a tough time. What are some strategies that work for you? What is one new thing you plan to try to manage the stress in your life?

Wishing you a wonderful and relaxed holiday season

and an exciting and healthy new year!!

2014-06-27T15:04:00.001-07:00

Rainbow Banner on Broadway in front of the All Pilgrims Church

Special shout out to one of our providers. Come and see her tomorrow at the healthfair.

B.E.S.T. Energy Healing

Linda Rasmussen - Vertical Energy Worldwide
Linda Rasmussen is the founder and CEO of Vertical Energy Worldwide, a self-development and training company. Since 1983, she has taught innovative tools and techniques that help individuals and teams function more authentically, energetically and effectively. Rasmussen is an accomplished speaker in the field of self-development. In the course of her career, she has created and coordinated large scale events for well-known organizations such as the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, Seattle Center, and YWCA.
Linda Rasmussen is an Elite Master B.E.S.T. (Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique) Practitioner. She is a Certified Trainer in the Gentle Art of Verbal Self Defense. She believes that all people are capable of making positive changes for their health, happiness and success.
B.E.S.T. is a light-touch energy balancing modality that helps the body heal from injury, disease and emotional distress by clearing energetic interference.

Two of our loyal volunteers

Tomorrow is the big day, great time to give Kudo's....

2014-06-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

The T-Shirts are here the party can start!!

Hereby I want to take the opportunity to thank all the folks and organizations who make this event happen!!

To start with the Rainbow Health Committee, who were a pleasure to work with and who did an excellent job putting the whole health fair together.

Jen Peters, meeting facilitator, volunteer coordinator.

Sarah Eckman, provider liason

Nixon VanJustice, logistics coordinator

Sara Jaye Sanford, administrator

Ingrid Berkhout overall oversight.

A special shout out for all the volunteers for the day off, thank you!!!!

The First Baptist Church has graciously and free given us a place to gather

for our meetings.

The All Pilgrims Church which over at least 13 years out of the past 16 years has been the most welcoming and accomondating place to have our health fairs.

The YWCA Community Affairs team, which helped with all the advertising.

Our grantors and sponsors:

The Pride Foundation

The Faygele ben Miriam Fund

The Susan G. Komen Puget Sound Affiliate

Swedish Breast Center

Dyna Care

Cedar River Clinic

Girlie Press

The Seattle Gay News

The Stranger

The Lesbian

Starbucks on Broadway and Republican

Where did our raffle items come from??

Seattle International Film Festival

Three Dollar Bill Cinema

Rat City Roller Girls

Babeland

Nixon VanJustice

Have a happy, healthy, fun and queer Pride!!

Who does not like to get a relaxing massage or a facial???

2014-06-25T15:30:00.000-07:00

Massage

Zoe Bermet is a caring and intuitive practitioner whose goal is to help your body and mind achieve a deep state of relaxation. She provides a safe and comfortable space for you to get the most out of your massage whether this your first massage or you receive massage on a regular basis. Zoe tailors each session to your individual needs; no two sessions are alike. She can work lightly or deeply depending on your preference, but approaches each session with a calm and gentle presence. She draws from a variety of styles including Swedish, myofascial release, and cranio-sacral. Zoe is a former doula and is certified in pregnancy massage. She is also trained in intra-oral massage, which is an effective treatment for people with jaw tension or TMJ disorders. She looks forward to working with you.

A hug a day keeps the doctor away!!

Massage
Ellen Sims is a gifted and Certified Craniosacral Therapist, Licensed Massage Practitioner, and Spiritual Guide. She has 19 years of health care experience beginning with her personal healing journey that lead to seeking avenues of higher education and alternatives to health and wellness. She received her trainings from Bastyr University, Bellevue Massage School, New England School of Homeopathy, and Sundust Oracle Institute. Her dedication to health care, love for life, and openness to Spirit, creates a safe and loving space for healing. The blend of medical knowledge, life experiences, and intuition make for a unique and truly holistic approach to hands-on healing. She shares this passion through teaching, speaking, writing, and within each individual session. Ellen created Divine Roots Wellness in March of 2012 with the mission of providing a safe and educational space for others to explore their own journey.

Massage
Dreamclinic is Seattle's trusted source for quality award winning massage. The clinic was founded on the belief that all people deserve to have health and well-being and furthermore that health and well-being are achievable. Dreamclinic's mission is to serve as a trusted business entity providing services and education that promote a natural approach to health.

Skin Care
Sugar Plum Spa is Western Washington's leader in Sugaring Hair Removal services and Organic Skin Care and Facials. Sugaring Hair Removal is the fastest, safest, most environmentally friendly and least painful method of hair removal on the market today. Proudly serving the LGBT communities, Sugar Plum will be providing information and special offers at the fair. We invite members of the trans community in particular, to stop by to receive information about Sugaring as removal of unwanted body hair can be a challenge or obstacle we want to help you overcome. Everyone deserves to feel great in their body and receive services in a warm and accepting environment.Sugar Plum Spa is that place."

Elder Care

Beth Davis from Home Health and Hospice will be providing information and support for folks who want to complete an Advanced Directives to Physicians document. Beth is currently working towards opening an LGBT-welcoming Adult Family Home, Pride House, to provide care and housing for those who require assistance with daily living.

Get your questions answered about health insurance, diabetes, haz.mat.

2014-06-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

Emmanuel Rivera - Haz Mat

My program’s website is www.lhwmp.org, this is part of King County. My Indoor Chemical Hazards project focus is reducing exposure and use of harsh cleaners and indoor pesticides. I provide “Cleaning with Caution” workshops throughout King County mainly focusing on underserved communities such as recent immigrants, and ESL groups.

American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association(ADA)’s mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The ADA is the leading provider of diabetes information in the country and has free educational programs for all people affected by diabetes. The ADA also works in the diabetes community with advocacy efforts and provides significant funding to the latest diabetes research. For more information about diabetes and the ADA, please visit www.diabetes.org. The Diabetes Research Group is a local nonprofit conducting research to better understand why people develop type 2 diabetes and other diseases related to obesity. Currently, the Diabetes Research Group is embarking on two new diabetes studies and are recruiting participants with diabetes or pre-diabetes, the latter a high risk condition for the subsequent development of diabetes. These groundbreaking studies, www.risestudy.org and www.gradestudy.org, will help determine the best treatment within the early stages of diabetes and approaches to potentially reverse the progression of the disease.

Emelia Udd from the YWCA Health Access department will give non-bias information about the new affordable health care act. She will be able to enroll you into Apple Health or other insurance options. Ask Amelia and get informed. You will find her at the BABES Network table.

Jonathan Irwin - Community Health Plan of Washington - CHPW

A local nonprofit organization founded by community health centers, we made a commitment more than 20 years ago: To improve the health of our communities by making quality health care accessible to all Washington State residents. As the only local, nonprofit Managed Care Organization in the state, we continue that pledge today through our mission, which is to deliver accessible managed care services that meet the needs and improve the health of our communities.

Jerusha Grey - Allstate

Allstate Maple Valley is a female staffed agency. Our number one goal is to create an environment where people of all walks of life feel respected and protected. Insurance can be confusing. We are here to stand along side our clients as an advocate as they walk through this process. We are truly in the people business. Insurance is just the vehicle that gets us there. We are excited to meet everyone at the Rainbow Health Fair. Stop by our booth and say hi.

Amariah Gonzalez - New York Life
Do you have a firm financial strategy? Wish you had a guide through the maze of planning financially for the future? If your answer is yes - or even maybe - than I welcome you to come and say hi! I am Riah Gonzalez and I specialize in financial strategy and retirement planning. As a representative of New York Life, I am able to leverage the resources of a Fortune 100 company for the optimum benefit of my clients. I look forward to shaking your hand!

La Feria de la Salud del Arcoíris

2014-06-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

La Feria de la Salud del Arcoíris:

Libre, divertido, seguro y raro !!

Estamos muy emocionados de ser anfitrión de la feria de salud este sábado, Junio 28, de 1 a 5 pm en la iglesia de peregrinos en Broadway y Republican en el festival del orgullo de Capítol Hill. En la feria de salud del Arco iris, Nuestra misión es ofrecer servicios de salud tradicionales y holísticos y la educación de los proveedores culturalmente competentes a lesbianas, bisexuales y las mujeres homosexuales y gay de genero y personas transgénero, especialmente los que tienen un acceso limitado a la atención.

Nuestra Visión:

Un mundo donde la gente de todos los géneros y las sexualidades

Tengan acceso a los recursos que necesitan para un bienestar óptimo.

Aquí esta la cosa:

Para que esto ocurra necesitamos a USTED.

Necesitamos que venga a decir Hola y tal vez incluso...

Hágase una prueba de Papanicolaou o mamografía gratis. Si, es la idea de un buen momento, pero confía en nosotros, nuestros proveedores les encanta trabajar con pacientes

LBTQ – y dijimos Gratis?

Mamografías gratis para personas elegibles de 40 años en adelante ( llamando al numero (206).461.4493 para hacer una cita) Karly habla Espagnol!!!!!!

Masajes gratis y acupuntura
Los aperitivos gratis y agua
Información para la salud y el bienestar
Los recursos de salud en Seattle y Puget Sound
Información e inscripción de seguro medicó
Modulo de abrazos!!!!!!!

Gana premio de la rifa dulce de Babeland, Three Dollar Bill Cine,

Rat City Roller Girls,SIFF Cine y mucho mas!

Nos Vemos en la feria de salud gratis del Arco iris divertido, seguro y raro!

From HIV testing to Acupuncture and Safer Sex...

2014-06-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

HIV Testing

Amber Tejada from Gay City Health Project is providing free and confidential HIV tests! These rapid tests give results only 20 minutes after they are taken. Gay City is the leading provider of HIV and STI testing in King County.

HIV Peer Support

The fabulous "babes" from BABES Network-YWCA will be answering questions about HIV/AIDS, providing education about prevention and how to manage your status, and handing out condoms! BABES is a sisterhood of women facing HIV together; they are a peer education and support network for women living with HIV.

Vital Essence Acupuncture

Michele Halfhill earned her Master’s Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Bastyr University. She is Master III Reiki, Cranio Sacral Therapy as well as studies in Alchemical Healing to help improve her patients’ well being.
Working with Michele is a collaborative effort between patient and practitioner. If you want to sooth stresses or alleviate physical ailments, Michele will work with you to diagnose your issues then design a custom treatment for your care using acupuncture, infra red heat lamp, herbal formulas, moxa, Tui-Na massage, cupping, other traditional Chinese techniques, and energy work. Michele accepts most forms of insurance. She looks forward to helping you along your path to better health and well being!

Safer Sex

SeattleGirls of Leather are a tremendous part of the Rainbow Women's Health Fair! Health care professional Candace Cantrell, President of Seattle Girls of Leather, will be answering questions about safer sex. Candace has many years of professional and personal ex-Seattle Girls of Leather experiences in alternative sexuality communities, making her a dynamic educator.

You can change your mood with food.....and more

2014-06-23T22:00:00.000-07:00

Passionate nutrition

Sally TerBeck path to the study of nutrition began in 2008 when she was diagnosed with a severe sugar addiction accompanied by a period of anxiety and depression. Her doctor prescribed a dietary shift that changed her life. After abstaining from sugar for only one month, Sally’s anxiety decreased by an incredible amount. In fact, her results were so dramatic she became excited to learn more about how nutrition could affect changes in the rest of her body and mind. Now, after years of study, Sally has learned many other ways to improve mood stability and physical health for herself and others through nutrition. At the same time she also recognizes how difficult it can be to cook healthfully for yourself and others day after day and knows the shortcuts to eating well while saving time. For the past two years Sally has been working as a therapist at Seattle Counseling Service where she teaches an ongoing Food and Mood group. Her clinical interests are food’s effect on mood, nutritional support for side effects from medications, nutrition to support brain function, digestive health, LGBTQ and women health and empowerment.

Nutrition Demonstration

Golda will be doing a nutrition demonstration in the kitchen. Join her to learn how to make a healthful and nutritious smoothie!

Naturopathic / Trans Health

Les Witherspoon, who is a naturopathic physician at Meditrinalia Naturopathic, is coming to the Rainbow to give blood pressure readings and brief consultations for health conditions. Les offers naturopathic primary care that is sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ individuals and their families and households. Les offers transgender individuals transitional medicine as well as general healthcare.

Acupuncture

Ben Dorfman is the owner and practitioner at Seattle Acupuncture and Coaching, PLLC. I use acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and Ontological coaching to help patients heal all aspects of their body at one time . I specialize in treating patients with chronic and acute emotional and physical pain. Our emotions are so much a part of how our physical body feels which is why I take great effort to treat the entire person at one time.

Every person could use a mental health check-up.....

2014-06-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

Leslie Ciechanowski - Fuzion Healing Arts
Leslie Ciechanowski, M.Ed is a holistic psychotherapist using approaches that integrate body, mind, and spirit in her work for over 30 years. She integrates numerous modalities into her healing practice such as family systemic constellations, sound healing, energy psychology, hypnosis, EMDR, transpersonal perspectives, and astrological wisdom.

Christie Driskell - Mental Health
Good mental health is every bit as important as physical health! Join Christie Driskell, LICSW of Defining Step Consulting and where she will bring her 26 years of experience once again to the Fair offering information about good Mental Health. She will be providing a basic Mental Health Check-up to help jump start your summer! Evaluations will also be available for depression, anxiety, addictions and stress. Pesky, bad mental health habits can also be undermining your day to day happiness! Learn what those are! Come by, say hello, let's talk!

Jennifer Creson - You Unfolding
Jennifer Creson is a queer femme psychotherapist in private practice in Capitol Hill, Seattle. She specializes in working with trans* and queer folks (adolescent to older adult) and their partners and families, inclusive of non-traditional relationship and family structures. She is poly and kink friendly & sex and body positive. Jennifer works with clients who have a variety of concerns, from depression and anxiety to coming out, transition or life changes. Groups she offers include a group for partners of trans* individuals, and a Body Positivity group.

Our mammogram and pap test services

2014-06-17T16:28:00.000-07:00

Mammography

YWCA Women's Health Outreach conducts a mobile mammogram for income eligible people 40 and over, who are un- or under insured, under the FREE BCCHP . This means with the new Affordable Health Care Act, you do not qualify for Apple Health, or did not sign up for the subsidized health insurance, as well as if you are an immigrant or an immigrant under 5 years in America. Congratulations for the people who obtained insurance you are very welcome as well!! The mobile mammogram coach from Swedish Hospital will be on site providing breast exams and pap tests. For an appointment call Marilyn (206) 461.4489.

Free pap test services for all

Simon AdrianeEllis, ARNP and CNM from Cedar River Clinics will be providing free pap tests and chest exams. Simon is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives, Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, and Washington State LGBTQ Birth and Family Professionals. His work on the ACNM’s Gender Bias Task Force has included co-authoring a position statement describing the role of midwives in providing care for transgender and gender variant individuals. Simon has a long history of social justice organizing around issues of racial and economic justice and LGBTQ rights, and brings these values to his work as a healthcare provider. His practice is focused on providing empowering sexual and reproductive health services across the lifespan for people of all gender identities. Last year he helped launched Cedar River Clinics’ new LBGTQ Wellness Services, expanding the clinic’s work to include management of gender affirming hormone therapy. Tasha Waller, MA will be assisting.

Doris Harris from the Breast Cancer Navigation Project will tabling and providing information on how to navigate the complex experience of having breast cancer.

Check Your Boobies will have an information table about their program. Stop by to learn how to sign up for monthly email or text reminders to check your boobies.

2014-06-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

The 16th Rainbow Health Fair posters have been spotted around town.

More of our returning favorites....

2014-06-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

Chiropractic Services

Dr. Christiana Maia and Dr. Sarah Eckman from Trilogy Chiropractic Studio will be offering digital posture analysis through an iPad app! Patients will be able to learn where their posture is misaligned and view a diagram of what a more ideal posture looks like for them. The folks at Trilogy Chiropractic Studio view chiropractic care as a way to foster proper communication between the brain and the body and to treat the cause of pain rather than the symptoms.

Astrology

Marcia Moonstar from Moon-Wise Astrology will be at the Rainbow doing mini-astrology and tarot readings! Marcia has been a practicing astrologer for over 20 years, blending mythology, experiential astrology, women's spirituality, and holistic healing with astrology. She gives clients insight into their career potentials and future possibilities.

Heart Health

Look for Hayley from The Hope Heart Institute at the Rainbow! Hayley focuses on providing heart health outreach to a variety of populations within the greater Seattle area. She will be giving out heart health information and resources to prevent heart disease the number one cause of death for women!!

Hepatitis C Testing

Bryn Hannon from The Hepatitis Education Project (HEP) will be giving free Hepatitis C tests! HEP is committed to providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by hepatitis and to helping raise hepatitis awareness among patients, medical providers, and the general public. Get yourself tested for free!

The return of some favorite providers

2014-05-30T15:41:00.000-07:00

B.E.S.T. Energy Healing

Linda Rasmussen, an Elite Master of B.E.S.T. Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique), will be doing a demonstration and providing B.E.S.T. treatment. B.E.S.T. is a gentle, light touch, energy balancing treatment that promotes relaxation and improves whole body functioning. Linda has a private practice and conducts workshops to train individuals and parents to provide basic energy balancing support to their family members and friends.

Acupuncture

Andrew Ball is a volunteer with The Alternative Health Access Campaign. Andrew runs acupuncture clinics for both Tent City 3 and ROOTS, providing medical care to the homeless population of Seattle and surrounding suburbs. His style of healthcare is focused on empowering patients to be able to better take care of themselves physically, mentally, and energetically.

Nutrition Information

Barbara Hoppe will be tabling at the Rainbow giving folks information about nutrition. Barbara is a nutritionist, health educator, and lactation consultant. She has a great deal of experience teaching about healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. This time she will have you taste the different healthy smoothies you can create! Come visit her table to learn more!

Ovarian Cancer Information

Joan Elvin, a sixteen-year survivor of ovarian and breast cancer, will be providing education and awareness materials. Joan works with the Ovarian and Breast Cancer Alliance to replace fear with fact and to empower women to know the early warning signs of ovarian and breast cancers!

Hurray the 16th Rainbow Health Fair is on it's way!!!

2014-05-27T15:56:00.002-07:00

The Rainbow Health Fair: free, fun, safe and queer!!

We are so excited to host the 16th annual Rainbow Health Fair on Saturday, June 28, from 1-5pm at All Pilgrims Church on Broadway and Republican at the Capitol Hill Pride Festival. At the Rainbow Health Fair, our mission is to offer traditional and holistic health services and education from culturally competent providers to lesbian, bisexual, and queer women and gender queer and transgender people, especially those with limited access to care.

Our vision:

A world where people of all genders and sexualities have access to

the resources they need for optimal wellness.

Here's the thing:

To make it happen we need YOU.

We need you to come by, say hi, and maybe even...

Get a free pap test or mammogram. Yeah, it's nobody's idea of a good time, but trust us, our providers love working with LBTQ patients - and did we say free?
Free mammograms for eligible people 40+ only
Free massages and acupuncture
Free snacks and water
Lots of great information for your health and wellness
Health resources in Seattle and the Puget Sound
Insurance info and enrollment
Win a sweet raffle prize from Babeland, Three Dollar Bill Cinema, Rat City Roller Girls, SIFF cinema and more!

We'll be posting more soon about the awesome providers we have lined up for you, but in the meantime, save the date to come see us at Capitol Hill Pride!

The Rainbow Health Fair: free, fun, safe and queer!!

What a success!

2013-07-03T16:45:00.000-07:00

For fifteen years, the Rainbow Women’s Health Fair has offered access to health information and health care services to Seattle’s LBTQ community. Last weekend, the health fair was held at All Pilgrims Church on Broadway in the middle of Pride Weekend – and it was a smashing success!

Many thanks to All Pilgrims Church, all our volunteers and providers, and the community for their participation. We couldn’t have done it without you! And we can’t wait until next year!

Katie Lama, LPN, providing glucose and cholesterol screenings

Doris Harris from the Breast Cancer Navigation Project

Two Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence find Rainbow Women’s Health Fair Volunteers!

Volunteers Gabi and Agnes do intakes for women getting their mammograms

Volunteers Kyle and Shan offered free hugs at the Hug Deli!

YWCA Volunteer and Rainbow Health Fair Committee Member Jen Peters and YWCA Women’s Health Outreach Program Manager Ingrid Berkhout.

More Providers at the Rainbow Women's Health Fair!

2013-06-27T14:09:00.001-07:00

The Rainbow Women's Health Fair is this Saturday, June 29th from noon to 4pm! Come stop by All Pilgrims Church on Broadway for free health modalities!

See our most recent blog posts for lists of the providers that are participating, including these fabulous folks:

Safer Sex

Seattle Girls of Leather are a tremendous part of the Rainbow Women's Health Fair! Look for them at the front entrance of the Rainbow, where they will be greeting attendees with delicious snacks. Inside, halth care professional Candace Cantrell, President of Seattle Girls of Leather, will be answering questions about safer sex. Candace has many years of professional and personal exSeattle Girls of Leatherperiences in alternative sexuality communities, making her a dynamic educator.

B.E.S.T. Energy Healing

Mammography

YWCA Women's Health Outreach conducts a mobile mammogram screening for income eligible people 40 and over, who are un- or under insured, under the WBCCHP . The mobile mammogram coach from Swedish Hospital will be on site providing breast exams and pap tests.

HIV Information

Entre Hermanos will be providing HIV/AIDS education specifically for the Latino/a community. They will be providing culturally appropriate information about disease prevention, education, support services, advocacy and community building.

Acupuncture

We have several acupuncturists coming to the Rainbow!

Taunya Mattson will be doing a five needle protocol that is used in acupuncture detoxification, and by acupuncturists without borders for stress relief in populations struck by natural disaster. These needles are non-invasive, help with relaxation, and provide a safe introduction to what acupuncture can do.

Jonathan Silliman is an East Asian Medicine Practitioner, specializing in stress relief, sleep disturbance, and emotional equilibrium. At the fair, he will be offering ear/head/hand acupuncture as well as some clothed Shiatsu massage.

Dianna Dean celebrates 10 years as an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist for the queer community. She specializes in chronic health concerns from pain conditions, respiratory, gastroenterology, and menopause, to addictions, stress, depression and other psycho emotional issues.

Pap Tests

Cedar River Cinic is providing FREE Pap tests! This will be the first year that we are able to offer this at the Rainbow. Dr. Jules Marsh from Cedar River along with Kara Harrington, ARNP student, and Amy Boone, ARNP, from Westside Family Clinic are generously offering their time to do the Paps.

Yoga

The Grinning Yogi will be doing a 45-minute yoga workshop from 1:15-2pm. Come join them upstairs for a relaxing and fun session of yoga!

Blood Pressure

Morgan Manalia, a nursing student at Seattle University, will be taking blood pressure readings and answering questions about blood pressure.

Glucose and Cholesterol Screenings

Katie Lama is a nurse with SeaMar Home Health. She also does work through the Mexican consulate to provide screenings like the glucose and cholesterol screenings that she will be providing at the Rainbow. Katie has worked with the queer and trans populations for decades and is excited to provide glucose and cholesterol screenings for attendees of the health fair.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Demonstration

Golda will be doing a nutrition demonstration in the kitchen. Join her to learn how to make a healthful and nutritious smoothie!

Breast Cancer Information

Doris Harris from the Breast Cancer Navigation Project will tabling and providing information on how to navigate the complex experience of having breast cancer.

Check Your Boobies will have an information table about their program. Stop by to learn how to sign up for monthly email or text reminders to check your boobies!

"We promised them we would tell the world."

2013-06-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

Last year, the National LGBT Cancer Network surveyed LGBT cancer survivors to learn more about their experiences in the health care system. More than 300 individuals from across the country participated in the survey and shared their stories.

After connecting with LGBT cancer survivors and conducting their research, the National LGBT Cancer Network made recommendations that fall beneath these six themes:

Stigma plays a prominent role in LGBT healthcare. (pg. 8)
The local healthcare environment determines one's experience and is highly variable. (pg. 10
Disclosure [to healthcare providers] is often related to perceived safety. (pg. 13)
Respecting LGBT patients means respecting their support teams. (pg. 17)
The pervasive expectation of gender conformity can be alienating. (pg. 21)
LGBT survivors need more culturally appropriate support and information. (pg. 24)

In the report's conclusion, they write:

Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but the healthcare system often
does, as evidenced by the many experiences reported here
by survey respondents. These experiences, while taking place
at one of the margins of the healthcare system, offer a rare
glimpse into the opportunities for change in the entire system.
A well-intentioned one-size-fits-all approach too often gives
a message of unwelcome to LGBT patients, leading those
who can avoid the system to do so, and suggesting to others
that they need to remain silent about their lives, their support
systems and their needs.

For more information and to read the recommendations, read the full report here.

Who's Who at the Rainbow Women's Health Fair, Part 2!

2013-06-13T09:15:00.002-07:00

Massage

Everest College is generously bringing six massage students to do free massages for folks at the Rainbow! Everest College focuses on high-demand, specialized curricula and is dedicated to the provision of an interactive learning environment created to support the professional career development of their students.

Health Care Reform

Community Health Plan of Washington will be providing information about their services. They are a non-profit whose mission is to deliver accessible managed care services which meet the needs and improve the health of the community. Community Health Plan of Washington is the only health plan in the state created by local community centers.

Hepatitis C Testing

The Hepatitis Education Project (HEP) will be giving free Hepatitis C tests! HEP is committed to providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by hepatitis and to helping raise hepatitis awareness among patients, medical providers, and the general public.

Pet Adoption

MEOW Cat Rescue and Adoption will be providing information about their adoption services. They promote lifelong relationships between people and companion animals, providing shelter and care for each precious life until adopted into a forever home.

Tarot Reading

Heart Health

Look for Hayley Grandine from The Hope Heart Institute at the Rainbow! Hayley focuses on providing heart health outreach to a variety of populations within the greater Seattle area. She will be giving out heart health information and resources to prevent heart disease.

HIV Peer Support

The fabulous BABES Network-YWCA will be answering questions about HIV/AIDS, providing education about prevention and how to manage your status, and handing out condoms! BABES is a sisterhood of women facing HIV together; they are a peer education and support network for women living with HIV.

HIV Testing

Naturopathic Blood Pressure

Les Witherspoon, who is a naturopathic physician at Well Steps Naturopathic, is coming to the Rainbow to give blood pressure readings and brief consultations for health conditions. Les offers naturopathic primary care that is sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ individuals and their families and households. Les offers transgender individals transitional medicine as well as general healthcare.

Midwifery

Along with Journey Midwife Services (see our previous provider post on this blog), Simon Adriane Ellis and Laura MacPherson from Essential Healthcare and Midwifery Services are coming to the Rainbow. They pride themselves on providing quality care that is affordable, accessible, and culturally responsive. In addition to care during pregnancy and birth, they offer fertility services and reproductive care across the lifespan. They will be giving information about their services at the Rainbow.

Recognizing Depression!!

2013-06-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

While great societal shifts have been taking place for the LGBTQ community, depression is still seen at a rate two and a half times the national average. When combined with gender issues, lesbians have an even higher rate of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse as well as higher smoking rates. The major reasons for these rates is thought to be a result of continued societal stress around issues of minority status, gender biases, internalized homophobia, and lack of familial and community support. Situations can also spark depression, bad health habits, social and work related stressors, bodily changes, all can be contributing factors. The brain can also develop glitches in it’s neuro-chemical and electrical functioning for no apparent reason. As a result of the new brain mapping technologies, exciting new theories and treatment options are being generated, showing great promise. Research is just now truly beginning to unravel how the brain works!

Depression is not just about feeling sad, it is a medical illness with a cluster of symptoms that persist for at least 2 weeks. According to the National Institute of Mental Health the following symptoms can describe depression:

·         Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
·         Fatigue and decreased energy
·         Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
·         Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
·         Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
·         Irritability, restlessness
·         Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including
      sex
·         Overeating or appetite loss
·         Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
      that do not ease even with treatment
·         Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
·        Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

Can Depression be prevented?

While depression is very treatable, not all depression is preventable especially with unexpected chemical malfunctioning of the brain, just as with any unexpected illness. Research does show that good health habits, good eating, exercise, limited substance use like alcohol, no cigarettes, good support systems, doing more for others, internal check of automatic negative thinking, all contribute to good mental health.

Christie Driskell, LICSW

If you want to know more, Christie will be at the 15^th Rainbow Health Fair to answer your questions.

Who's Who at the Rainbow Women's Health Fair

2013-06-05T15:01:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again! Over the next few weeks as we lead up to our 15th annual Rainbow Women's Health Fair, we will be highlighting our health fair providers on this blog.

To give you the first taste of the fabulous folks who are volunteering to make the health fair happen, here is a list of their impressive expertise that they will be bringing on Saturday, June 29th:

Ovarian and Breast Cancer Information

Smoking Cessation and Depression

An optimist by nature and tenacious by spirit, Christie Driskell will be offering several screenings, including depression and tobacco cessation. Christie has over 25 years of experience doing clinical mental health social work both within and outside of the LGBTQ community, and she will be at the Rainbow Women's Health Fair with the door open for lively discussion, empathetic listening, problem-solving, and the opportunity to shift one's perspective.

Midwifery

Emi Yamasaki McLaughlin and Caitlin Wheaton are midwives from Journey Midwife Services, which was started with the goal of increasing access to maternity care for LGBTQ folks, communities of color, and teens. Journey Midwife Services practices shared decision making with clients so that they feel empowered and informed. Stop by their table at the Rainbow to talk about resources for getting pregnant, having a healthy pregnancy, and options for natural births.

Chiropractic Services

Interested in finding out your stress and toxicity levels? Dr. Connie Amundson will be doing hormonal and nerve stress tests, as well as chemical toxicity screenings. Dr. Amundson will be using techniques such as trigger point therapy to help patients cope with their stress levels.

Elder Care

Naturopathy

Dr. Kira Baum will be at the Rainbow doing a demonstration on how to make naturopathic tinctures out of common medicinal herbs that grow right here in our city! Dr. Baum's passion is to assist people in achieving their health goals in a gentle and effective way.

15th Annual Rainbow Women's Health Fair!

2013-05-31T16:23:00.003-07:00

Rainbow Women’s Health Fair to be held June 29

Free massage? Free yoga? Free mammograms, pap tests, acupuncture, and more – all in an LBTQ-friendly setting? Sign me up!

Actually, for most of these services, no sign-up is necessary. Just come by All Pilgrims Church at Republican and Broadway between noon and 4pm on Saturday, June 29, the day of the Capitol Hill Pride Festival. That’s where the Rainbow Women’s Health Fair will be taking place. The goal of the health fair is to provide holistic and traditional health services and education from culturally competent providers to lesbian, bisexual, and queer women and genderqueer and transgender people, especially those with limited access to care. “It’s about empowering the community to take care of their health,” says Ingrid Berkhout, women’s health outreach coordinator at the YWCA. Since 2000, she has coordinated a team of volunteers to make the health fair happen each Pride.

Research shows that lesbian and bisexual women are less likely to get the preventive screenings they need, like mammograms and pap tests, and are more likely to experience some health issues, such as depression. Trans people of all genders face even more barriers to getting the health care they need. Yet there are very few health services in Seattle geared toward LBTQ women and trans people. The Rainbow Women’s Health Fair attempts to fill this gap, at least for one day each year.

Why attend the health fair? Ingrid offers a lot of reasons: “To experience alternative healthcare you might not know about. To get your vitals checked. To have fun, meet women, maybe find a provider, and get lots of information about LBT community organizations. To be proud of your health! Because if you’re not healthy, nothing really works.” All providers that participate in the fair volunteer their time and resources, and the planning committee focuses on recruiting LBTQ providers (or people with a long history of serving our community) to ensure that all services are culturally competent, as well as free, for all participants.

The Rainbow Women’s Health Fair was started in 1995 by the Seattle Lesbian Cancer Project. In later years, the fair was sponsored by Verbena Health, and after their premature demise, Ingrid and the fair moved over to the YWCA. Despite the many changes in our community, the fair is still going strong. This year’s fair will be the 15th (a few years have been skipped), and will include free yoga, massage, acupuncture, HIV tests, vitals checks, mammograms, pap smears, raffle prizes, and more, as well as interactive workshops throughout the day on topics like nutrition. Check out the YWCA’s LBTQ health blog at http://lbtqhealth-ywca.blogspot.com for updates.

If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Nina Cole at 206.461.4482 or ncole@ywcaworks.org. To schedule a mammogram appointment or for general information, contact Ingrid at iberkhou@ywcaworks.org or 206.461.4493. See you there!

-Sara Jaye Sanford, MPH (Rainbow Women’s Health Fair Volunteer)