November 1, 2024
Greetings, Community!
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We have a number of observances this month in November.
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| The Pride Center team is proud to reflect the community we serve. The Pride Center exists to support and advocate for the diverse LGBTQ+ community of San Mateo County. We are proud that our team’s representation reflects the community we serve. Do you want to learn more about us?
We've updated our team page with information that highlights the wide range of identities, languages spoken, and some other fun facts about us!
If you want to learn more about each staff member, the team page includes our individual bios as well! We each share our histories, and our skillsets that uniquely qualify us to support the expanding needs of the LGBTQ+ community we serve and belong to.
To see our updated team page, please click this link sanmateopride.org/ourteam/
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| Skyline College Health Fair - 10/16
Low and Emily connecting with the students and sharing upcoming events and resources
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| | StarVista - Celebrating 5 Years of Changing Lives
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Some Pride Center staff tabling: Ariana, Low, Pearl, Elana, and Ishani
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| StarVista attendees enjoy the stunning view from Skyline College's Farallon Room.
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| Thank you StarVista for inviting the Pride Center to table at your Changing Lives 2024 event. It was a pleasure and we look forward to attending again next year!
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Thank you for attending our Queeraoke event!
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for Queeraoke on Thursday, October 30th! The Pride Center was buzzing with community members in their creative Halloween costumes, and singing along to favorite karaoke tunes!
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Upcoming November Programming
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Temporary Location 11/15: FriGay Flicks- The Aggressives (Documentary)
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FriGay Flicks- The Aggressives Documentary (Not Rated) - 11/15
FILM: The Aggressives (Not Rated)
Join us at our community location in watching The Aggressives (2005)!
This event is free and open to the public. Light snacks will be provided. Doors open at 5 pm and the movie will start at 5:30 pm.
The Pride Center will be holding this at The Grove Room in Sports Basement Redwood City located at 202 Walnut Street, Redwood City, CA 94063.
About the Film:
This underrated documentary is an intimate look into the experiences of trans men and masculine-presenting Black lesbians, also known as AGs or aggressives, in New York City in the late ’90s and early ’00s. Directed by Eric Daniel Peddle, the documentary was filmed over the course of five years.
This film is Not Rated.
Content warnings include:
Nudity (mild)
Profanity (mild)
Alcohol & Smoking (mild)
Closed Captioning will be utilized for this film.
Register using this link: https://tinyurl.com/2024NovemberFriGayFlicks
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| Birds of a Feather- Birdwatching at Pillar Point Bluff
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Wake up to see the early bird catch the worm and join us to go Birdwatching at Pillar Point Bluff on Sunday, November 17th from 9am-11:30am in Moss Beach! This early excursion should allow us to see more birds and avoid some of the heavier traffic on the coast. Join the San Mateo County Parks, San Mateo County Parks Foundation, CORA and San Mateo County Pride Center as we learn about the birds along our beautiful coast. Hot drinks and breakfast snacks will be provided.
We encourage all attendees to wear closed-toed shoes that can get muddy and extra clothing layers for the breeze. For more information about the trail we will take, visit: www.smcgov.org/parks/trail/jean-lauer-trail.
We encourage carpooling with community members! There is only one parking lot with 10 (ten) spaces, with additional parking on Airport St. Please let us know if transportation support is needed. For any questions or concerns regarding the event, please contact Cristina P. Vila Ruiz at cristina@supportparks.org and Elana Ron at elana.ron@sanmateopride.org. For more information about San Mateo County’s various parks, visit: https://supportparks.org.
Accessibility Information: There is one all gender restroom located at the parking lot. The Jean Lauer Trail is approximately 1.4 (one point four) mile loop in length and on gravel roads. We will be walking about 1.4 (one point four) miles. The trail overlooks a seasonal wetland and coastal waters protected by the San Mateo County Fitzgerald Marine Reserve. It’s a moderate hike, accessible with a 5% grade and a gravel surface. The bluff is popular with local hikers, joggers, and dog-walkers.
COVID Safety Information: Because this will be an outdoor tour, masks are not required, but strongly recommended. Extra masks and hand sanitizer will be available for all.
Park Description: Pillar Point Bluff
Pillar Point Bluff offers hikers, joggers, bicyclists, and dog-walkers a chance to take in the breathtaking sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean. The 220-acre bluff top includes a section of the California Coastal Trail and offers views of Half Moon Bay and Pillar Point Harbor, agricultural lands and the world famous Mavericks surf break. The surf break is located approximately half a mile off shore due west from the Pillar Point Air Force Tracking station and is best viewed with binoculars. Ross’s Cove, the beach below the bluff, is part of the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve Fitzgerald and is located within the Montara State Marine Reserve. It has been designated as a Marine Protected Area which is the highest level of protection.
For more information about Pillar Point Bluff and its history, visit: www.smcgov.org/parks/pillar-point-bluff
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| | SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 16TH - FUSE Theatre Campfire Singalong
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Location: Out of the Barrel in San Carlos, 555 El Camino Real, Suite 150
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm
More info coming soon!
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What Programming do you want to see at the San Mateo County Pride Center?
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We’re working on building our event calendar for the rest of the year and want to hear from you! What events and programming do you want to see at the
San Mateo County Pride Center?
Are you a nature fan that likes to be outside? Are you a plant nerd who wants to meet other foliage fans? Do you want to learn how to sing and dance? Are you looking to spend an evening supporting a local business while building community? Are you a foodie who wants to swap recipes or bring something to share? The possibilities are as wide and expansive as our community. Please let us know, your input and feedback helps us serve and celebrate you better!
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| | Please use the button below to access the survey!
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Are you interested in having us as your organization/school outreach event?
Please contact Elana Ron (she/her), Lead Events and Outreach Coordinator at elana.ron@sanmateopride.org.
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Join the Pride Center's Community Advisory Board (CAB)!
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| Looking for a fabulous way to get involved in your community? Join the San Mateo County Pride Center’s Community Advisory Board (or CAB, for short)! CAB welcomes LGBTQ+ folks and allies to join. They are a diverse and representative group of volunteer members who have a passion for serving the LGBTQ+ community. They work closely with Pride Center staff to support programming, decisions, and design. Some of their awesome collaborations include San Mateo County’s first Adult Queer Prom, San Mateo County Pride Celebrations, Art Parties, and more.
CAB meets virtually on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm. This months next CAB meeting will meet on November 13.
For more info, connect with our Community Engagement & Volunteer Specialist, Low Sunga (she/they) at lowellyn.sunga@sanmateopride.org!
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| The San Mateo Pride Center is excited to be able to offer a variety of trainings and educational opportunities! To read more about the trainings that we currently offer or request a training, please visit the training page of our website.
If you have any questions about the trainings we offer, reach out to Ishani Dugar (they/xe) at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org or call 650-554-1234 (text ok).
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Please note that we do charge a fee for our trainings!
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Pronouns 101: A FREE community training
Tuesday, November 12 from 6-7:30pm on Zoom.
Transgender Awareness Week is November 13th-19th, we encourage everyone to join us and kick off the week by brushing up on your pronoun skills! Are you seeking more guidance on how to ask for, use, and practice pronouns? This Pronouns 101 workshop will help you feel more comfortable in any situation!
In this training, you’ll learn how to safely ask
someone their pronouns, break down
neo pronouns, and experience a comfortable space to
ask your questions about pronouns in general.
Accessibility Information:
This training will be conducted in English. Closed Captions are available for those that need it.
There are no prerequisites for taking this training. This training will not be recorded.
Resources will be sent out to folks that attend after the training is complete.
Questions? Email ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org
or text/call (650) 554-1234
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| | Mental Health Services at the Pride Center
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There is currently no waitlist and community member can expect to meet with a clinician promptly.
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Clinical Services include:
- Therapy: Individual, Couples/Multiples, Family, & Group sessions available! We accept HPSM/BHRS Medi-Cal or self-pay (sliding scale with income verification). Community members based outside of San Mateo County have the option of self- pay.
- Case Management: Work 1 on 1 with our knowledgeable case manager for support with housing, employment, legal, healthcare, gender-affirming care resources and providers, and more. This is a FREE resource.
Clinical services are available onsite at the San Mateo County Pride Center, hybrid or exclusively virtual. The Pride Center provides LGBTQ+-affirmative therapy within a strengths-based and person-centered framework. All our clinicians have LGBTQ+ lived and/or work experience.
Priority is given to LGBTQ+ community members based in San Mateo County, but services are available to all community members based in California.
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| | Come Volunteer with the Pride Center!
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Would you like to volunteer with the Pride Center? We never underestimate the value of donated time, and neither should you! Are you interested and available to give back? If so, please consider some of the possibilities listed below.
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Virtual and onsite volunteer roles with the Pride Center include, but are not limited to:
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If you’re interested in learning more about these or any other opportunities, reach out to Lowellyn (she/they) at Lowellyn.Sunga@sanmateopride.org (preferred) or 650-591-0133 who can help you figure out the best match for a mutually rewarding experience.
Thank you for investing in the Pride Center’s essential programs and services. We can’t do our work without you.
For more information about our volunteer program, click the button below.
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For the latest updates follow us on social media:
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Outlet's peer groups are the Monday Youth Group, Tuesday QTBIPOC group & Thursday Trans* Group.
For more information, click this link.
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The Pride Center and Stanford LGBTQ+ Health Program co-host Trans Talks, a free, monthly workshop series that centers the health and wellness of our Transgender and Gender Diverse community members. Every month, a different medical student from Stanford's LGBTQ+ Health Program will share information and lead a discussion.
Stay tuned for information about Trans* Talks next subject and meeting date!
The topic of last month's workshop was "topic". If you missed it or would like to rewatch it, please click this link-
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If you are interested in rewatching/ watching these presentations or if you are interested in seeing recordings* of other previous presentations, please use this link: tinyurl.com/transtalks-recordings.
*Please note: Some workshops aren't recorded at the presenter's request. If a workshop isn't recorded, there is usually a slideshow that can be accessed. All recordings utilize closed captioning.
If you have questions, need support or would like to suggest a topic please contact
Marilyn (she/her) at Marilyn.Fernando@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133
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If you are looking for support in changing your name on your legal documents, join our monthly name and gender marker workshops.
The format of the Name and Gender Change workshop is changing. We are moving from offering this workshop once a month to a twice a month. The Name and Gender Change workshop will now occur on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 6-7:30 PM.
Part 1 will be on the 2nd Wednesday and Part 2 will be on the 4th Wednesday. Part 1 will cover court order forms, filing instructions, and fee waivers. Part 2 will cover updating social security documents, DMV documents, passports, birth certificates, and other documents.
Upcoming dates are: November 13th & Part 2 TBD
Please reach out to info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133 if you have questions.
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Just a reminder: we offer some financial aide for the legal process and free gender affirming supplies. For more information about this, please see this link:
tinyurl.com/ngc-financial-aid
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For more information about our monthly peer support groups
for community members 18+,please click this link.
If you have any questions, please contact
Ishani.Dugar@sanmateopride.org or 650-554-1234 (text ok)
We are actively looking for volunteer co-facilitators for our Gay Men's Group, LGBTQ+ Book Club, & Trans* Group! For more information about these roles, click this link.
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Our monthly LGBTQ+ Parent group has a new meeting dates for November and December. Typically this group meets on the first Tuesday of the month.
The new meeting dates for this month is
Wed, 11/20 from 7:30PM- 8:30PM on Zoom.
This is a FREE peer support group for folks who are LGBTQ+ identified and parents of kid(s) 0-17 years old. Parents are encouraged to join us to receive support, share parenting wisdom, build community and more.
All ways of being or becoming a parent are welcome!
Accessibility information: this group meets in english and closed captioning is available
Registration is required:
tinyurl.com/smcpc-parentsgroup
Questions? Please contact Ishani (they/xem) at Ishani.Dugar@sanmateopride.org
or (650) 554-1234 (text ok
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| | | Join us for the November book club where we will discuss Never Name the Dead by D.M. Rowell (Koyh Mi O Boy Dah)
For a description of the book and content information, please click here.
This group meets monthly on the first Wednesday from 4:30-6:00 PM PST & is a hybrid meeting.
Participants have the option of meeting on Zoom or in person at the San Mateo County Pride Center (1021 S. El Camino Real). It’s open to everyone ages 18+, with folks 50+ strongly encouraged to attend!
Register using this link - tinyurl.com/smcpcbookclub
If you would like more information about the Pride Center's peer support groups, please contact Ishani (They/Xem) at Ishani.Dugar@sanmateopride.org or 650-554-1234 (text ok)
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| The book club is a partnership with the San Mateo County Public Library System and San Mateo County Pride Center. It’s open to all members of the community, including allies and friends. Community members who are invited to attend even if they haven't read the book. Come participate in the discussion!
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Based on recent wastewater surveillance data, test positivity, ER visits and hospitalizations, levels of COVID-19 infection are now high in San Mateo County.
Following San Mateo County Health recommendations, we are temporarily re-instating our on-site mask policy. Effective immediately face masks will be required while on-site at Pride Center.
We will continue to monitor virus levels and remove this temporary requirement when rates decrease/return to normal and it becomes safer to do so. As a reminder, we have face masks and COVID tests available on-site if you need them. We also continue to take other precautions including using air purifiers, sanitizing surfaces regularly throughout the day, and keeping windows open for increased air flow and circulation.
If you need support or connections to resources, during this time please do not hesitate to contact us at info@sanmateopride.org.
Thank you for your care and understanding. Stay safe everyone!
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U.S. households are now eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests. These COVID-19 Tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year.
For more information, visit this link - https://covidtests.gov/
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In community,
The San Mateo County Pride Center
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Do you enjoy/benefit from our programs and services? Are you able to/Would you like to support our essential work? We welcome and appreciate donations of any amount, big or small. It all matters. Yes, we really mean that.
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The San Mateo County Pride Center is a program of StarVista in collaboration with Outlet of Adolescent Counseling Services, and Peninsula Family Service.
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