August 1, 2023
Greetings!
|
|
|
We’re finishing out the first half of the year & what a summer it’s been. August signals the end of the summer and the transition into the cozy Fall months. Did you know that San Francisco recognizes August as Transgender History Month? If you are wondering why August, it’s in observance of the Compton Cafeteria Riots that took place in August 1968, a year before Stonewall. Both Stonewall and the Compton Cafeteria Riots were started by Trans* Women of Color & brought the Gay Liberation/ Pride Movement to life. In short, we owe our modern Pride movement and all the moves towards equality that we currently have to Trans* people.
Historically, Trans* People have sparked change and uplifted the LGBQ’s of our community. As non-Trans* community members, it’s our responsibility to fight with, protect and uplift our Trans* siblings. In this time of uncertainty amidst ongoing legislation that specifically targets our Trans* Siblings and community, it’s important now more than ever to fight back.
The Pride we hold in ourselves now is knowing we deserve better. And we owe it to them for showing us the way.
It’s important to remember that Trans* History is more than riots, uprisings, and protest. Trans* History is abundance, celebration, community & love, the same elements that will carry us all through this next storm - together.
To our Trans* & Gender Diverse community members- Your resilience is Trans* History. Your joy is Trans* History. YOU are Trans* History.
The San Mateo County Pride Center exists to provide a virtual and onsite space of inclusion, safety, and belonging for all of us. This is our mission and our purpose. We do this with our full hearts. And we do it with Pride.
Keep scrolling for highlights of July and for community events to gather with us in community.
|
|
|
In case you missed it- The Pride Center's hours have changed! Our doors are now open Tuesday- Thursday from 11:30 AM- 6:30 PM. We will still continue to offer services 5 days a week!
|
|
|
East Palo Alto Pride & HealthNet Fair
|
|
|
Image description: Three smiling people sitting a resource table. The tablecloth is composed of a Trans* Flag, Pride Center banner and Progress flag. There are flyers, buttons, pens and magnets on the table.
|
|
| Last month, we had the privilege of tabling at East Palo Alto's FIRST EVER PRIDE CELEBRATION! It was great to be with community, meet and reconnect with other local organizations, see amazing drag and ballroom performances & celebrate this much anticipated event. Thank you to the Mariposa Outreach Center and CORA for organizing this event.
To see a report about East Palo Alto Pride, please click this link.
|
|
| | Image description: two people sitting at a resource table. They're both smiling. The person on the left is wearing a white Pride Center t shirt and the person on the right is wearing a tye dye tank top. The table is filled with buttons, magnets, flyers and other resources.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
Please join us in welcoming our new clinical interns, Jazz Slavin (they/them) & Katrina Maple (she/her).
|
|
|
| Jazz is thrilled to be in their final year of graduate studies in Marriage and Family Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy. Their previous work experience has always centered on supporting others in a variety of roles and settings, including customer service, early childhood education, in-home caregiving, and donating time towards organizations that advocate for sexual minorities. Jazz has devoted the past five years to volunteer work in creating welcoming and affirming spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals to feel encouraged to express their full selves through process-based art groups, community clothing swaps, and social meet ups at various museums and queer owned venues.
|
|
| Jazz takes pride in their intersectional identities as a multiracial, neurodivergent, non-binary, pansexual. Their personal strengths include compassion, flexibility, and openness to the varying walks of life as they have collected and witnessed multiple experiences that challenge societal norms of survival, love, family, success, and healing. Jazz understands the importance of meeting people where they are at in life and collaborating together on their therapeutic goals. They are a devoted lifelong learner in culturally responsive, trauma-informed, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming, sex-positive, harm reduction, expressive arts therapeutic practices.
During their free time, Jazz enjoys taking family dog walks along the coast, experimenting with different art mediums, and tending to their ever growing houseplant collection.
|
|
|
Katrina grew up in San Diego and was introduced to a variety of cultures and foods from an early age that has fueled her curiosity for how each person's cultural identities influence how they navigate the world. She tries to live her life by the three principles of curiosity, empathy, and authenticity. The mindset that she tries to navigate the world through is as a realistic optimist by balancing a strengths-based advocacy approach, while acknowledging structural and societal norms and barriers that impact our daily lives.
|
|
| | Katrina obtained her bachelor's degrees in psychology and sociology with a minor in leadership studies from Western Washington University. She likes to view situations from multiple perspectives and described her degrees as psychology is how people think, sociology is how people interact and leadership is how you influence others. Katrina has worked with a variety of ages from 5-year-olds to adults in a variety of settings including working with kids with autism, an emergency shelter for 13-17 year olds, and recently 16-24 year olds at San Jose Job Corps. Katrina specializes in working with transitional age youth from teenagers to early 20's and especially with the LGBTQ+ community.
Katrina is in her 4th year of a PhD Clinical Psychology doctoral program in the LBGTQ+ and diversity and community mental health concentrations. She looks forward to continuing her work with LGBTQ2IAP+ community. In her rare free time, Katrina loves to bake, travel, paint, be in nature, and spend time with friends.
|
|
|
The summer may be ending, but the excitement never stops! We invite you to end your summer by singing your heart out at Queer-aoke Night with the San Mateo County Pride Center & ACS Outlet on Thursday August 10th starting at 7pm.
Hosted by Krystle CanSINGo, we welcome you to share your vocal talents with our community or cheer your friends on! This is your space and we're so excited to welcome you back home. Queer-aoke Night is open to all ages, and youth are strongly encouraged to attend. Stay tuned for more information!
The Pride Center is located at 1021 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, 94402. Our building is located at 11th and El Camino.
Questions? Please contact Info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133
For accessibility information, please click this link.
|
|
|
New Resource- SOGIE: ABC's of LGBT+
|
|
|
Our 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
|
|
|
| June may be over, but the learning never stops! The Pride Center is proud to offer trainings, consultations, and educational opportunities to create institutional and cultural change.
Our trainings help reduce stigma and discrimination throughout the county by engaging providers, teachers, and community through LGBTQ+ focused trainings and workshops.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
Rainbow Kids
Thu, 9/7 at 7PM on Zoom
Kids receive constant messages about what it means to be “a girl” or “a boy.” How can we help them feel safe and confident in their bodies, families and classrooms? We hope you can join us for Rainbow Kids, a training co-hosted by the Community Equity Collaborative and the Pride Center, presented by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
Rainbow Kids is a webinar designed for parents, caregivers and educators to "unbox" the beautiful spectrum of gender and to work toward a more expansive and welcoming world for all children. This webinar offers practical strategies and tools to engage and support young children as they explore who they are and who is in their world.
|
|
| | Join us on Thursday, September 7 at 7 PM 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 Community 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
|
|
|
| We are currently seeking volunteer co-facilitators for our monthly Queer Women's group and Gay men's peer support groups!
If you have a passion for creating and holding space for other community members to come together, build friendships and find social and emotional support, we would love to work with you!
For more information about this role, please click the button below.
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
For the latest updates follow us on social media:
|
|
|
PENINSULA FAMILY SERVICE UPDATES
|
|
|
| Get App-y
We're excited to announce the return of Get App-y! Join us onsite every 3rd Wednesday of the month to learn new technology skills!
Upcoming dates:
August 16, September 20,
October 18, November 15 and December 20
Email:helpathand@peninsulafamilyservice.org or call (650) 403-4300 ext. 4366 to RSVP!
|
|
| 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
|
|
|
Peer support groups will be on pause in August. In lieu of peer support groups, Outlet will be offering drop in hours at the San Mateo County Pride Center.
Upcoming dates are:
- Thursday, August 10 from 4:30-6 PM &
- Wednesday, August 23 from 4:30-6 PM
Questions?
Contact outletprogram@acs-teens.org or 650.424.0852 x 107
|
|
| | 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 this month's workshop!
|
|
|
If you are interested in seeing recordings of previous Trans Talks, please use this link: tinyurl.com/transtalks-recordings.
Please note: 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 650-465-6789
|
|
|
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 August 30.
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.
|
|
|
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: bit.ly/ngc-aid-request
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|
SPECIAL MEETING DATE- August 9 from 7-8:30 PM PST on Zoom
We hope you can join us for Polyamory Peer Power, a monthly social and discussion group for polyamorous/RA/open/poly-friendly/poly-curious/ect. folks 18+. This group has an LGBTQ+ focus. This group typically meets on the first Wednesday of the month, but will have a special meeting date of August 9th next month.
August topic: An Interview with Jessica Fern about her new book Polywise: A Deeper Diver into Navigating Open Relationships
Beyond the initial transition to nonmonogamy, many struggle with the root issues beneath the symptoms of broken agreements, communication challenges, increased fighting and persistent jealousy. In Polywise, Jessica Fern and David Cooley explore the underlying challenges that nonmonogamous individuals and partners can experience after their first steps, offering practical strategies for transforming them into opportunities for new levels of clarity and intimacy.
Join us as we utilize an interview with Jessica Fern, author of Polysecure, where she discusses her new book Polywise to explore transitions in relationships — whether from monogamy to nonmonogamy, or from one form of nonmonogamy to another.
Register in advance for this meeting: https://tinyurl.com/smcpc-polyampower
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing a link and information about joining the meeting. Each computer/device will need their own registration. It's ok to have more than one person on a single screen/Zoom account. Keep your link! You can use it for future months.
Questions? Contact Elana (she/they) at Elana.Ron@sanmateopride.org or 650-465-2407
|
|
|
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.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!
Registration is required: tinyurl.com/smcpc-bookclub
|
|
|
For more information about upcoming titles, please click this link.
|
|
|
As We Continue to Navigate Around COVID-19
|
|
|
Hope to see you soon!
In community,
Marilyn Fernando (she/her)
Marketing and Community Engagement Lead
|
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.
|
|
|
The San Mateo County Pride Center is a program of StarVista in collaboration with Outlet of Adolescent Counseling Services, and Peninsula Family Service.
|
|
|
|
|
