November 1, 2023
November can be a challenging month for our community. The weather is colder, the days get shorter & 2024 is right around the corner. In addition to the change in weather and sunlight, our community moves from honoring our history in the month of October to the somberness of November when we honor the lives of some of our Trans* siblings. In November, we observe Trans* Day of Remembrance (TDOR). Observed annually on November 20th, TDOR is a day where we mourn and honor the lives of the Trans* siblings that we’ve lost to violence. Every year we observe this day, but we wish that we didn’t have to.
Last year, we celebrated the lives of our Trans* siblings while pivoting the event to be a day of action and advocacy. In addition to TDOR, we celebrated Trans* Action Day of Change (TDAC). During last year’s TDAC, we had the privilege of working with a committee of community organizations, local committees, local churches, libraries branches & other amazing community members to host a program and resource fair where community members had the opportunity to commit to ending TDOR by learning how to shift from being allies to advocates.
This year’s program will take place on Monday, November 20th from 4:30-7:00 at the San Mateo Public Library (55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA 94402). In addition to the program, the county will be hosting a flag raising ceremony to commemorate the observance. For the most current updates, please be sure to follow check the LGBTQ+ Commission’s event page. We will also be posting the most current information on our social media platforms
With everything taking place across the nation and around the globe, TDOR/TDAC and the general shift in the weather, we want to remind you to take care of yourself, take care of your heart and show up when and how you can. We invite you to use this worksheet to remind you of the tools that you already have and know to use in times stress or struggle. It can take 10-15 min to fill out this guide, but its information is invaluable and can be referenced when you need to support yourself: Break in Case of Emergency.
We know this year has been especially hard for our Trans* community members. There has been an ongoing wave of anti Trans* legislation that has been affecting everything from access to affirming care, censorship of education and drag performance. In response, the roar of our communities coming together to say “that's enough” only grows louder and louder. In spite of all the heaviness that this month can hold, there is hope. We’re grateful for that strength and tenacity of our community. We’re also grateful for the continued work, advocacy and our own ability to hold each other accountable and to continue learning and growing.
“Never forget justice is what love looks like in public” - Dr. Cornell West
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| Please stay tuned for more information regarding this important, yearly observance.
Questions? Please contact info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-465-0133
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Changing Lives
Thank you to our partners at StarVista for hosting Changing Lives! We were moved and honored to participate in this amazing event. Thank you to all the organizers, speakers and attendees, your presence made this event one to remember.
If you were unable to attend, you can still support! Visit https://star-vista.org/changing-lives/ for more information about how you can become an ongoing donor. Unable to commit to being an ongoing donor? It’s ok! There is information about one time contributions as well.
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| | FRIGAY FLICKS: Rocky Horror Picture Show- RESCHEDULED!
Thank you for your patience as we reschedule this event. Due to unforseen circumstances, we had to reschedule this screening. Stay tuned for information about the new date. Also, Halloween might be over by the time we hold this screening, but costumes are still strongly encouraged!
Questions? Please contact info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-465-6789
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| Queeraoke
Thank you to everyone who came out to Halloween Queeraoke last month! While it was a small, but mighty turnout we had a blast singing and celebrating the spooky season in community.
Another special thank you to our KJ, Krystle CanSINGo!
We're hoping to host this event again in the new year. Stay tuned for that information!
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As of September 25, households are entitled to free covid tests! For more information, please click this link
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| The Bridge Access Program
CDC’s Bridge Access Program provides free COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. This program expires December 31, 2024. For more information, please click this link.
Thank you to our friends at The Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council (BACHAC) for sharing this
information with us.
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Please join us in welcoming our new Clinical Program Coordinator, Pearl Chen (she/her)!
Pearl is a native of San Francisco and grew up in all different parts of the Bay Area, which widened her lens of diverse experiences from a young age. After high school, she decided to pursue nursing, inspired by the members of her family who were in healthcare. While working as a nursing assistant in college, Pearl realized that she was more in tune and invested in the social, emotional, and mental health factors of her patients that led to rehospitalization and increased health risks. At the age of 21, she was asked to join a board of directors working to heal and empower parents who had lost a child to foster care and/or adoption.
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| These experiences led Pearl to switch majors and she received her bachelor’s degree in social work in 2017. After graduating, she went from board member to Program and Development Coordinator in a tiny but growing nonprofit organization. Pearl stayed in this role for eight years bringing awareness to unethical, systemic issues and power dynamics within the adoption industry as well as empowering clients to heal from grief, achieve goals, and speak their truths.
In 2023, Pearl received her master's degree in social work from San Jose State University with a focus on families and children and is now working toward becoming licensed. She is inspired by the determination and drive of those who are in marginalized communities and guides individuals by talking through grief and shame, as well as taking a strengths-based approach.
When not working, Pearl enjoys volunteering at LGBTQ+ community events, nerding out and hosting panels at comic conventions (Star Wars, horror, and anime are her favorites), and spending time outdoors with her dachshund Bituin.
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| Please give a round of applause to our teammate, Jess!
Jess started their journey at the Pride Center as a clinical trainee and is now our newest LGBTQ+ Mental Health Clinician.
Congratulations, Jess on all your hard work! We're so grateful to have you on our team!
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| QT Healthy Relationship Skills Class
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This group has been postponed and will take place in 2024. Stay tuned for information about the new date.
Questions or Concerns?
Contact group facilitators
Katrina Maple (she/her) at katrina.maple@sanmateopride.org and/or
Elliana Wolnisty (they/them/she) at ellianaw@corasupport.org or 650-935-1129
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| | Openings for Mental Health Services at the Pride Center
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We have therapy openings for self-pay clients. Sliding scale is available (with income verification). Services are available hybrid, onsite or exclusively virtual.
Services are available to clients located in California. Priority is given to LGBTQ+ community members based in San Mateo County. If you are interested in receiving mental health services, please fill out our online Clinical Services Request Form at https://sanmateopride.org/mental-health-services-2.
The Pride Center provides LGBTQ+-affirmative therapy within a strengths-based and person-centered framework. And all our clinicians have LGBTQ+ lived and/or work experience.
Our clinical team looks forward to meeting you and learning how we can support you on your mental health journey!
Currently, clinical services are only provided in english.
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| | 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
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Looking to host a meeting at the Pride Center?
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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 or call 650-591-0133. We will do our best to work with you to make your request a reality.
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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 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.
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For the latest updates follow us on social media:
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PENINSULA FAMILY SERVICE UPDATES
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Get App-y
Get App-y has shifted back to an online only format. If you are interested in attending,
Email: helpathand@peninsulafamilyservice.org or call (650) 403-4300 ext. 4366
Upcoming dates:
November 15 and December 20
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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
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| *Accepting new clients interested in therapy services*
Outlet is currently accepting new LGBTQIA+ youth clients ages 10 to 25 in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties!
A couple things to note:
- Youth who are interested can start services without a waiting period.
- Therapy services are available via telehealth or in person.
- While our therapy services do come at a cost, a sliding scale is available!
To start the screening process:
Complete Outlet’s Screening Form (tinyurl.com/OutletScreeningForm)
Email Brett (they/them), Outlet’s Clinical Coordinator (brett@acs-teens.org) to schedule an intake appointment
Questions? Contact Brett Trace (brett@acs-teens.org)
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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 this month's Trans* Talks presentation.
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Last month, there were two presentations:
- Fertility Preservation for Transgender Patients after Starting Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
- Considerations for Management of Acne in Transgender Patients
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 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
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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
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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 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:
- 11am-12:30pm (morning)
- 6-7:30pm (afternoon)
The next workshop is scheduled to take place on November 29.
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.
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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 Elana.Ron@sanmateopride.org
or 650-465-2407 (text ok)
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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
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For information about upcoming titles including how to borrow them from the San Mateo County Library, please click this link.
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San Mateo County LGBTQ+ Commission
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The LGBTQ Commission invites you to take this 1 minute survey and share what issue is most important to you when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community in San Mateo County. Deadline to take this survey is November 6.
Access the survey using this link.
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| The LGBTQ Commission is seeking to fill one vacancy. The only requirement is that you must be a resident to apply. To read the vacancy announcement and access the online application, please go to the County’s Board and Commissions website.
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| Gender Affirming Clothing Drive and Fashion Show
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Our friends at Youth Community Service (YCS) are hosting a gender affirming clothing drive and fashion show! Whether you're cleaning your closet out, making room for new stuff and/or want to support LGBTQ+ community members, this is an opportunity for you!
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Here are some of the items that they are requesting:
- Any clothes in good condition, such as dresses, shirts, pants, coats, jackets, sweaters, etc.
- Pride pins or items
- Nickel-free jewelry
- Shoes, such as heels, tennis shoes, boots, etc.
We are proud to be one of the drop off locations for this fun community event! Come by the Pride Center and drop off your used/ new clothes!
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| If you can't come to the Pride Center, other drop off locations include YCS at Gunn High School & Allcove.
Kickoff event on December 9th at Allcove! (Time TBA)
Please contact kmelo589@icloud.com for more information!
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Hope to see you soon!
In community,
Marilyn Fernando (she/her)
Marketing and Community Engagement Lead
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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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