LGBTQIA+ Connect Group

Please join us on Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 6 PM EST, 5 PM CST, 4 PM MST, 3 PM PST for Zzzzzzzzzzz Spotlight On Sleep - a discussion with Dr. Beth Biggee, Board Certified Integrative Medicine Physician, Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician, Board Certified Rheumatology Physician and Board Certified Lifestyle Management Physician.

Why does the quality and quantity of our sleep matter?  How does your sleep contribute to your overall function?  Is there a mind-body connection to sleep hygiene?  Does inflammation intersect with disturbances in sleep?  Why do your Sleep and Circadian rhythms matter? How do you first notice that your sleep patterns are either contributing or impeding your optimal health? 

Please save the date for this very special discussion with a committed warrior in the field of integrative and holistic health,  Dr. Beth Biggee,  around a topic that contributes so greatly to our wellness.

Thanks for submitting your sleep questions. Beth has them and questions are now closed.  Join us on May 18th for conversation on:

1. axial spondyloarthritis, makes it so that the pain in my spine/sacroiliac joints is most noticeable when I am not moving/active. In the day I can manage this with frequent walking breaks, sit/stand desks, etc. very painful when trying to relax to sleep. Any suggestions for propping with pillows, sleeping positions, etc?
2. What came first, the chicken or the egg?  Is it my auto immune conditions that create poor sleep or does my poor sleep contribute to my symptoms?
3. is there any way to blood test or diagnostically measure my sleep efficiency? Or is that just for those that have apnea?
4. Is blue light exposure really that important?
5. Are there any medications that I can take for a very short term to reset my sleep cycle?
6. What are circadian rhythms?   
7. Is sleeping too much just as unhealthy as sleeping too little?
8. what is the number one step I can take to improve my sleep quality?

“Sleep is the best meditation.” – Dalai Lama

Please join the LGBTQIA Connect Group on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 6 pm EST, 5 PM CST, 4 PM MST, 3 PM PST for "Late Pride is the Best Pride and Pride History Trivia"

FUN.

We are going to do a second annual lightening round of pride history trivia and the winner will be crowned this year's LGBTQIA+ Live Yes Connect Queer History Bee Winner. Group member Mercedes won last year!  This year a Bonus point for naming a nonprofit and explaining its good work in your home area.   As with last year we will mail a prize to the annointed winner. Special outreach to never attended members.  We are welcoming, fun and supportive.

Be the community you want to have.

This is for the ones who never gave up.
The ones who carried dreams of love
bigger than anyone thought possible
and who made it possible.
The ones who showed up
so we could show out,
today and every day.

 Mercedes Lucero

Please join the LGBTQIA Connect Group on Sunday, September 21, 2025  at 6 PM EST, 5 PM CST, 4 PM MST, 3 PM PST  for  Queer Family Cookbook:  What we cook and why we love it. 

Help us create our own queer joy of cooking.

As of May 1, 2025, we are accepting your submissions (anything:  appetizers, main courses, meat, vegan, your pet food recipes and treats, desserts, coffees, teas, candy). Send your submissions to [email protected].  Submission are open from May 1, 2025 to August 15, 2025.

Our thanks to group member Nathanael for the upcoming editing and art work and to Erika for helping with titling.

Our finished foodie product will be available digitally or by print to our group members.   

What are the culinary favorites in your life? What is a fun anecdtode that makes this dish part of your history, repertoire, or healing?  

Submit to to Ro at [email protected]. 

You can send a picture of a recipe card, a word document, typing inside an email, photo of scratch paper, anything.  Don't worry abour formalizing it. We are using an editing interface to format your contributions once we get them.

Why is this recipe important to you? 

Who passed this on to you or are you the original creator?

Who will you pass this recipe to?

Do you have a picture to go along with it?  Perhaps you making the item, or of the item, or artwork, or anything that reminds you why this creation gives you joy.

Cook on.