Did you know that in September we also celebrate Bi+ Visibility Week? Bi+ Visibility Week is observed annually from September 16-23, culminating in Bi+ Visibility day, which is celebrated on September 23rd. For more about the history of Bi+ Visibility Day/Week please click this link. Bi+ Erasure is still an unfortunate reality that exists in our community that acts to stigmatize, hide and forget the experiences of our Bi + community members. Its integral that we continue to advocate for the inclusion of our Bi+ and Trans* siblings in all LGBTQ+ spaces to ensure that their experiences and voices are honored and celebrated.  
 

Validation is a form of suicide prevention. According to the Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, 21% of the Trans* and Non-Binary youth surveyed said that they attempted taking their own life because none of the people that they live with respected their pronouns. Studies continue to prove that using a person’s correct name and pronoun decrease suicidality significantly. Imagine the positive cascading effect when we take our advocacy effects further.  
 

The same study showed that LGBTQ+ Youth said the top 4 topics that would be helpful for the people in their lives to know more about are: 

1. Support/ Acceptance (82%)  
2. Gender Identity (78%) 
3. Sexual Orientation (77%)  
4. Pronouns (74%) 

​Discussions and trainings are a form of suicide prevention. 

If you need support, please know that the Pride Center is here for you. In addition to the clinical services that we provide, we also offer trainings, peer support groups & resources (both in person and online). We will meet you where you are emotionally & mentally and do our best to support you. Please know that if we are unable to support you in the way that you need, we will do our best to connect you with organizations that can. Again, you are not alone. The Pride Center and organizations throughout the county & beyond are here to support you.  

Our center's existence was fought for; our charge is to fight for your existence too.

Queeraoke!

Thank you to everyone who came to our FIRST EVER Karaoke night! Queeraoke was an amazing night filled with lots of community support, talent and entertainment! Did we mention there were some out of this world snacks?! Big love and special thank you to our friend, the talented Krystle CanSINGo for hosting this special event. We hope to hold another karaoke night again in the future!  Stay tuned for more information! 

We need volunteers like you to keep events like Karaoke and movie nights thriving. For more information about volunteering, scroll down :) 

If you are hosting a resource fair or another event & would like to invite us to table or attend, please reach out to Elana.Ron@sanmateopride.org or 650-591-0133.

Important information about the Pride Center's Upcoming schedule 

As a reminder- The Pride Center's doors are now open Tuesday- Thursday from 11:30 AM- 6:30 PM. We will still continue to offer services 5 days a week! 

We're Hiring! 

We're excited to announce that we currently have three job openings:
 

• LGBTQ+ Clinical Administrative Coordinator and Mental Health Clinician
• LGBTQ+ Mental Health Front Desk Specialist
• LGBTQ+ Case Manager

The San Mateo County Pride Center provides a diverse range of services for LGBTQ+ Community members in San Mateo County! Join our team.
Scroll down for more information about these positions. 

Please share widely!

POSITION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES:

The LGBTQ+ Clinical Administrative Coordinator and Mental Health Clinician oversees the administrative needs of the clinical program including, but not limited to, intake coordination, updating protocols and procedures, and promotion of the clinical program. The LGBTQ+ Clinical Administrative Coordinator will work in tandem with the LGBTQ+ Clinical Supervision Coordinator as well as have the support of the Pride Center’s Marketing and Communication Engagement Lead to best support the clinical program, team, and clients. This position will also provide a limited caseload of therapeutic services which may include therapy (individual, family, couples/multiples, and group), case management, assessment, advocacy, treatment planning, and coordination for assigned clients in an out-patient community mental health setting. In their role as Mental Health Clinician, they will develop treatment plans to enhance clients’ ability to resolve issues and monitor progress toward making the necessary changes to improve their situation or crisis. 

This position also includes being a flexible member of a team offering LGBTQ+ psychoeducation, consultation, and events for the community. The LGBTQ+ Clinical Administrative Coordinator and Mental Health Clinician attends Pride Center staff meetings and supports the overall mission and vision of the Pride Center. Clinical supervision (if needed) and training will be provided in addition to the support of the Center Director and Center Manager. 

POSITION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: 

The LGBTQ+ Case Manager will provide affirming, strength-based holistic case management services to LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Most of the clients served will be from marginalized, stigmatized, and vulnerable populations and may have co-occurring disorders and trauma. The LGBTQ+ Case Manager will use an intersectional lens to conduct thorough assessments of clients’ needs and connect clients to appropriate local community resources to support their health and wellbeing.
 

Case management is a collaborative process that involves the coordination of community-based services and resources to provide support to individuals, partners, and families in need. The goal of the case management program is to enhance participants’ abilities to resolve issues, overcome obstacles, and lead fulfilling, productive lives. The LGBTQ+ Case Manager works closely with participants to create a client-centered, customized service plan that considers each person’s unique strengths, needs, and circumstances.

POSITION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

As an LGBTQ+ Community Center that supports the overall mental health and substance use needs of our community, the LGBTQ+ Peer Mental Health Administrative Specialist plays an essential role by supporting the administrative needs of the center as well as staffing the front desk to welcome visitors into our space in a supportive and welcoming way.  This position requires both administration skills and a foundational understanding of mental health either through education or lived experience. The LGBTQ+ Mental Health Peer Administrative Specialist helps funnel inquiries (whether in person, via phone, or email) and connects clients, community members, and organizations to the appropriate team members and programs within the Pride Center. Working with the Center Manager, they help manage the needs of the physical center such as assisting with onsite scheduling, ordering supplies, and tracking daily visitor demographics. When needed, the LGBTQ+ Peer Mental Health Administrative Specialist provides additional administrative support to the team leads such as the Center Director, Center Manager, and the two LGBTQ+ Clinical Coordinators. 

To learn more about the positions, please click this link or the button below

Openings for Mental Health Services at the Pride Center

If you have questions, please contact clinical@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133

To learn more about the mental health services provided by the San Mateo County Pride Center, please click this link or the button below

SPECIAL EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER!

FriGay Flicks: Pariah

Friday, September 15 at 6:30 PM onsite at the Pride Center
 

The Pride Center is proud to announce FriGay Flicks are back! Join us for a safe and sober event to watch the critically acclaimed film, Pariah, on Friday September 15th at the San Mateo County Pride Center. This event is free and open to the public. Light snacks will be provided. Doors open at 6:30pm and the movie runs from 7-9pm. The Pride Center is located at 1021 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, 94402.  Our building is located at 11th and El Camino.

About the Film: Teenage Alike (Adepero Oduye) lives in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood with her parents (Charles Parnell, Kim Wayans) and younger sister (Sahra Mellesse). A lesbian, Alike quietly embraces her identity and is looking for her first lover, but she wonders how much she can truly confide in her family, especially with her parents' marriage already strained. When Alike's mother presses her to befriend a colleague's daughter (Aasha Davis), Alike finds the gal to be a pleasant companion.

Content Warnings: This film is Rated R and not suitable for audience attendees under 14. Viewer discretion is advised. Content warnings include:

• Sexual and racial slurs
• Sexual innuendos
• Implied sexual engagement
• Profanity
• Smoking
• Underage alcohol use

RSVP at: https://tinyurl.com/FriGayFlicks2023 or click the button below. For accessibility information, click this button. 

Questions? Please contact info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133

Let’s get crafty with Crafternoons! Join the Pride Center and Dragonfly Community Arts on Thursday, September 28th from 4:30-6:30pm as we practice mindfulness meditation and wire-wrapping jewelry with our special guest artist Christine Tafoya! In honor of September Suicide Prevention Month, let's connect, craft, and be in community! No previous art skills are required!
 

About Christine Tafoya: Christine Tafoya has over 40 years of experience as a spiritual healer and energy worker. As the youngest in her family, Christine comes from a Native American background and generations of healers. She is a passionate visionary artist who infuses love and light into her work. Christine uses many different techniques including card readings, hands-on energy work, and her own spiritual intuition to help others find their own insights and awakenings. 

Christine has an affinity for crystals and has extensive knowledge of their properties. Whether you are looking to open your heart, balance your chakras, or create positive energy, Christine can help you find the crystals that will help you on your journey. She will teach and guide you on how to incorporate these stones and crystals into dreamcatchers, bracelets, and wire-wrapped jewelry you can take home with you.

 “I am very passionate about my work,” says Christine. “I feel I am here to help usher in a greater level of love which we as a human race are so in need of.”

If you or someone you know is in need of mental health services or more, please visit: sanmateopride.org/programs/mental-health-services-2/. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact info@sanmateopride.org

To register to attend, use this link or click the button below. Registrants are able to receive free art supplies for this event.

New Resource- SOGIE: ABC's of LGBT+

Last month we released our latest community resource: SOGIE: The ABC's of LGBT+/ SOGIE: Los ABC's de LGBT+.

This resource brochure was created for Latinx and Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ Allies and beyond to support inclusive conversations about gender identity/expression and sexual orientation for all. This resource was created through the collective partnership between the San Mateo County Pride Center and Adolescent Counseling Services: Outlet. Available for download and printing, this resource is available in both English and Spanish.

Nuestro folleto de recursos fue creado para Aliados LGBTQ+ Latinx y de Habla Hispana y más allá para apoyar conversaciones inclusivas sobre identidad/expresión de género y orientación sexual para todos.Este recurso se ha creado gracias a la asociación colectiva entre el San Mateo County Pride Center y Adolescent Counseling Services: Outlet. Este recurso, que puede descargarse e imprimirse, está disponible en Inglés y Español.

If you have any questions, please contact our Lead Trainer and Events Coordinator, Azisa Todd (they/she) at azisa.todd@sanmateopride.org or give us a call at 650-591-0133.

Thank you to Yoselin Lopez (she/her) for her graphic design and Spanish translation support in the creation of these brochures!

To access the brochures, please click the link below.

Trainings at the Pride Center

A reminder about trainings

To request a training with the San Mateo County Pride Center or learn more about our current offerings, please contact our Lead Trainer Azisa Todd (they/she) at azisa.todd@sanmateopride.org or 650-591-0133.
 

Please note that we require a minimum of 1.5 hours to present our trainings to ensure there is ample time for a Q&A, an essential portion of each training. Due to high demand, we require at least 3 weeks’ notice in advance to schedule trainings.

For a full description of the trainings that we currently offer, please click this link or the button below.

Join us on Thursday, September 7 at 7 PM (next Thursday!) for a webinar about creating a more expansive, welcoming world. Please note: this is the final time we're hosting this training this year. You don't want to miss it!

Rainbow Kids is a project of Community Equity Collaborative in partnership with the San Mateo County Pride Center and with funding from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. For more information, contact Jen Sheldon at jennifer@communityequitycollaborative.org.

Please use the button below to register to attend this training.

Looking to host a meeting at the Pride Center?

Interested in hosting your group, holding a meeting or hosting an event at the Pride Center? We are a resource for you! In addition to hosting gatherings onsite, we have hybrid resources as well. Please fill out our Onsite Community Gathering Request Form by clicking the button.

Questions? Please contact Low Sunga (she/they) at lowellyn.sunga@sanmateopride.org, Azisa Todd (they/she) azisa.todd@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133. We will do our best to work with you to make your request a reality.

Come Volunteer with the Pride Center! 

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. 

Virtual and onsite volunteer roles with the Pride Center include, but are not limited to: 

• Supporting with community events 
• Assisting with development goals 
• Youth or Older Adult specific programming 
• Become a peer group facilitator 
• Social media support 
• Join or Community Advisory Board

If you’re interested in learning more about these or any other opportunities, reach out to Elana (she/they) at Elana.Ron@sanmateopride.org or 650-465-2407 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.

PENINSULA FAMILY SERVICE UPDATES

If you would like information about how to become a volunteer peer counselor or have general questions about Older Adult Programming, please contact Info@sanmateopride.org or 650-591-0133

Outlet Updates

Outlet will be resuming their weekly online social groups next month!

The following groups will start meeting again the week of September 4th! Please note their individual start dates taking into consideration the upcoming holiday.
 

• ​Monday LGBTQIA+ Youth Group (Start Date: September 11)
• Tuesday QTBIPOC Group (Start Date: September 5)
• Thursday Trans Group (Start Date: September 7)

To sign up for one or more of our social groups, please fill out Outlet’s Group Form- tinyurl.com/OutletGroupForm or click the button below

Questions? Email outletprogram@acs-teens.org or call 650-424-0852 ext. 107

Trans* Talks

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.

August's topic was: Fatphobia and Nagivating Top Surgery, which wasn't recorded at the presenter's request. A slideshow is available for this workshop. 

Stay tuned for information about September's topic!

If you are interested in seeing recordings* of previous Trans* Talks, please use this link: tinyurl.com/transtalks-recordings. 
 

*Please note: Some workshops aren't recorded at the presenters 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
Nathalie (she/her) at nsaraig@stanford.edu or call 650-591-0133

Acting Opportunity from Stanford Medicine

The Stanford School of Medicine is working to expand their LGBTQ+ curriculum. One way that they're hoping to do this is by recruiting Trans*-identified actors to portray patients for student evaluations. Please share widely. This is an important opportunity to create visibility in the medical field.

This is a paid opportunity!  If you or someone you know is interested, please upload your photo and resume to https://bit.ly/2q2jM0S 

Questions? Please contact Dr. Laniakea at laniakea@stanford.edu or call 650-591-0133

Clinical Updates

If you are looking for support in changing your name on your legal documents, join our monthly name and gender marker workshop. Please reach out to Alex (he/him) for information and support about receiving this resource outside of the scheduled workshop date/time. This workshop takes place in two sessions: AM & PM.

Please note the new workshop times: 

• 11am-12:30pm (morning)
• 6-7:30pm (afternoon)

The next workshop is scheduled to take place on September 27.
 

This is a free workshop, registration is required! Please click button below to RSVP.

Please reach out to Alex (he/him) at
Alex.Golding@sanmatepride.org or 650-465-6795 for support.

Peer Support Groups!

For more information about our monthly peer support groups for community members 18+, please click this link.

If you have any questions, please contact Elana.Ron@sanmateopride.org 
or 650-465-2407 (text ok)

LGBTQ Book Club (18+)

The book club is a partnership with the San Mateo County Public Library System, Peninsula Family Service 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!

We're excited to share that the book club will is a hybrid meeting. Participants have the option of gathering in person at the San Mateo County Pride Center (1021 S. El Camino) or continuing to use Zoom. If you would like to attend this meeting through Zoom, please register using this link: tinyurl.com/smcpc-bookclub

**Please note: because the Pride Center’s doors will be closed the week of 9/4, Septembers meeting will be virtual.

For information about upcoming titles including how to borrow them from the San Mateo County Library, please click this link.

As We Continue to Navigate Around COVID-19

Reminders

• Due to the upcoming Labor Day holiday many of our staff are extending their time off to properly recuperate and rejuvenate. And we're all for it! Because we will be short-staffed to allow our team members adequate time off, we are closing our physical doors the week of Monday 9/5 through Friday 9/8.
  
  Please note: the Pride Center will also be offline on Monday 9/5 for Labor Day; however, our virtual programs and services will still remain available the remainder of that week to continue to support you.
  
  We will return to our usual on-site hours (11:30am-6:30pm) on Tuesday 9/12.

• MPOX Vaccines are still available through the Edison Clinic. They are administered on Thursday nights during their weekly STI clinics. Appointments are required. For more information about MPOX & resources in San Mateo County, please click this link. For more information about the Edison Clinic, click this link.
   
• We've updated our local and national hotlineslist, if you need to access it or would like to share it, please click this link
  • ​​If you are experiencing a crisis, please contact 988 or the StarVista crisis hotline at 650-579-0350.  We are proud to say that the StarVista Crisis Center is an LGBTQ+ affirming organization.
     

• Our onsite operating hours are:

  • Tuesday - Thursday, 11:30 am - 6:30 pm, except Tuesdays between 1 pm - 3 pm when we will be closed for our team meetings. 
     

  • Our programs and services will remain virtual all 5 days/week 11 am - 7 pm or as scheduled with your clinician.
     

  • Our hope is to transition to 5 days/week in the months to come

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.