The only event of its kind in Southern California, the Center’s free annual Mind, Body & Soul conference offers an array of workshops that promote health and well-being for lesbians and bisexual women.

Longtime activist Jewel Thais-Williams, founder and director of the non-profit Village Health Foundation, will be a featured speaker at this year’s conference on Saturday, Sept. 25, and Bianca D. M. Wilson, Ph.D., will deliver the keynote address. Sex educator and columnist Carol Queen will be a presenter.

The conference includes informative workshops on topics such as building healthy relationships; coming out to doctors; substance abuse; and sexual health.

The daylong conference, which includes a free continental breakfast and a free lunch, ends with a reception in the outdoor courtyard. Free child care is available with an RSVP by Friday, Sept. 17.

“Before I came to the Center, I had a myopic view of life—mostly focused on my own age group. But working with older adults has really expanded my outlook,” says Steve Gratwick, manager of the Center’s Seniors Services department, which provides a wide variety of social and support services for those age 50 and older.

“As a social worker, I help clients find solutions to quality-of-life issues, including problems with housing, medical care and employment. What’s great about doing this work at the Center is that frequently the vital services they need are here, including: medical care, counseling, career services, and legal aid. These are in addition to the social programs and activities we offer through our Seniors Services department.  

 
Steve Gratwick, right, talks to a client about resources for creating a will.

By age 50, people have extensive life stories—and I’ve been inspired by so many of the ones I hear from my clients. I think the LGBT community in Los Angeles is more dynamic than any other place in the universe, and much of that energy is here at the Center. At any age, this is an amazing place to be.”