October 1, 2023
Coming out has been touted as an integral part of the LGBTQ+ experience. One of the old standards of existing, being seen and validated in the LGBTQ+ Community was whether or not you were “out”.
What does “out” even mean? Does it mean you take every chance to loudly proclaim “I’m (insert LGBTQIA+ identity here)!” ? Does it mean that you’re out in every aspect of your life? You’re out to your family, friends, at work, in your neighborhood? Does it mean that you go to Pride every year like it’s an obligation to your identity? Does it mean that you know the words to all the Beyonce songs? What is out? And why do we have to come out of a closet?
October 11 is National Coming out day. For the full history of National Coming Out Day (NCOD), please click this link.
Do we still need to celebrate National Coming Out day? We are privileged to live during a time when we’re having meaningful discussions about our identities, intersectionalities and our communities, we honor and celebrate all the letters of our LGBTQIA+ alphabet soup and we are having honest (& sometimes painful/ uncomfortable) discussions about how we can grow and support each other.
The short answer is: there is no uniform answer.
Coming out is a personal choice. Some people sprint, saunter and sashay out of the closet knowing exactly who they are. Some people take the scenic route. Some people come out only to realize they have more doors to open! Some people don’t come out publicly, but are out to their immediate circles. Some people are out to everyone except their families and inner circles. Some people don’t come out at all (& that’s ok!) Coming out is a spectrum much like our community: vast, evolving and beautiful.
National Coming Out Day isn’t the only observance we celebrate in October. In October we also celebrate, Filipinx/a/o American History month, LGBTQ+ History Month, Domestic Violence Action Month (DVAM), Hispanic Heritage Month, International Day of Older Adults (annually recognized on October 1), National LGBTQ+ Center Day (Oct 19), Asexual Awareness Week (Ace week) (celebrated the last week of October), Intersex Awareness Day (October 26), International Pronouns Day (third Wednesday of October) & National Coming Out Day. Other notable observations in October include Bullying Prevention Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
If you’re interested in COMING OUT (see what we did there) to visit the Pride Center, October is a GREAT month to do it! We’re kicking off the month with a screening of a cult classic, hosting the return of a Queeraoke with our special guest host, KJ CanSINGo & co-hosting a very special workshop, Scroll down to learn more about these programs.
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As we close out Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we would like to remind you about the resources that are available to you, your loved ones and your community.
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.
If you are not in crisis, but are looking for support, click this link for a list of local and national hotlines that provide support for a variety of different needs.
If you are looking for clinical support, we are still accepting self-pay clients. If you are interested in learning more, click this link.
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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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| If you are looking for information about receiving vaccines and boosters in in San Mateo County, please click this link.
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Crafternoon with Chris Tafoya
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Thank you to everyone who attended Crafternoon! It was great to create beautiful bracelets and meditate with our special guest, Chris Tafoya.
Thank you to our friends at Dragonfly Community Arts for hosting this event with us!
We hope to have more events like this in the future. If you are interested in creating art, come visit the Pride Center! We have a variety of different art supplies that are available to use.
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Not a Goodbye, a "See You Later!"
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Please join us in congratulating the amazing Azisa on their time at the San Mateo County Pride Center.
Azisa joined the Pride Center in 2020 during the peak of the pandemic and has since held virtual, in-person, and hybrid training/events programming. Azisa has supported expanding the training program, offering Trans 101, Pronouns 101, and other collaborative curricula to the community.
Azisa has also supported numerous county LGBTQ events like the San Mateo County Pride Celebration and TransAction Day of Change. Azisa will be transitioning out of the Pride Center and into a new chapter facilitating more trainings at a local clinic in their hometown of Oakland.
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| “Thank you to the LGBTQ+ community and family I’ve built in San Mateo over the last several years. Many of you have inspired me along the way, and I will be leaving with many life lessons, inspiring moments, and joyful memories embedded in my heart. I hope this is not goodbye, but until next time. Without community, there is no UNITY.”
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| | Azisa made everyone who met them feel welcomed, seen and appreciated. In trainings, they held space for people to expand their knowledge and challenge their perceptions in an understanding way & as an event organizer, provided a safe, accessible & fun space for people to come together and celebrate.
We are sad that you won't be at the Pride Center anymore, but are thrilled for your next chapter. We're excited to see you continue shining your brightness in the world!
Thank you, Azisa! We'll miss you, but this is not a goodbye, just a see you later 💖
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Everyone Say, "Hi, James!"
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Please join us in welcoming our newest Pride Center intern, James!
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| James (he/him) grew up in Los Angeles and is excited to be a case management intern at the Pride Center. He is currently working towards his bachelor degree in molecular and cell biology as a pre-medical student at the University of California, Berkeley. Growing up in a large LGBTQ+ community with few resources, he understands the importance of affirmation, acceptance, and dignity in the health of LGBTQ+ persons. He also does clinical research and patient intake at UCSF and is a nationally registered EMT. He is interested in reproductive health and would like to eventually become a surgeon.
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| James takes pride in his intersectionality as a multiracial, multiethnic queer person. He is heavily involved with the mixed student population at the UC Berkeley campus and is interested in their collaborations with other identity groups. Having experienced and witnessed being an LGBTQ+ person in multiple cultures across different countries, he understands the importance of empathy and understanding.
James can be found at our gender and name change workshops! When he is not studying, you can find him cooking, swimming at the beach, or taking pictures around the Bay Area with his film camera.
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Special Events from our Partners at Outlet and StarVista
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Mark your calendars for Changing Lives
2023, StarVista’s annual fundraising
event on October 12th, 2023! 🧡
This year’s Changing Lives event invites you
to be pioneers of hope, innovation, and
progress.
RSVP here:
https://star-vista.org/changing-lives/
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| Join Outlet and Adolescent Counseling Services at the Peninsula's favorite party celebrating LGBTQIA+ youth, Out to Eat 2023!
Reserve your seats here.
WHEN:
Thursday, October 26th, 2023
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE:
Oshman Family JCC
(Freidenrich Conference Room on the 4th floor)
3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA
About Out to Eat: https://www.outtoeat.org
About Outlet: acs-teens.org/what-we-do/outlet
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| QT Healthy Relationship Skills Class
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Staring October 18th, CORA (Community Overcoming Realtionship Abuse) & the Pride Center will be co-hosting QT Healthy Relationship Skills Class.
This is a free 6-week workshop series for LGBTQ+ community members 18+ to learn about healthy relationship skills and tools. While this is a space where sensitive discussions may take place, it is an educational class and not a therapy group. To promote community and discussion, this workshop will be held exclusively in person.
Topics that will be discussed include:
1. anti-oppression and values
2. expectations and negotiation
3. accountability
4. boundaries
5. conflict
6. community connections
Accessibility information: This group meets in english
Registration is required: tinyurl.com/qtskillsclass
Please note: registration will be closed once 10 participants have signed up.
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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We're excited to announce that we currently have three job openings:
- 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!
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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.
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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.
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To learn more about the positions, please click this link or the button below
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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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SPECIAL EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER!
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Friday, October 13 at 6:30 PM onsite at the Pride Center
Halloween is frighteningly around the corner and you’re in for a treat! Come OUT and join us for a safe and sober event to watch the cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Friday October 13th at the San Mateo County Pride Center. Hosted by our special guest, Kristin Vogel-Campbell, we invite you all to do the time warp again and dance the night away!
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| This event is free and open to the public. Light snacks will be provided.
Doors open at 6:30 and the movie will run from 7-9pm. Wearing costumes is strongly encouraged!
The Pride Center is located at 1021 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, 94402. Our building is located at 11th and El Camino. For accessibility and parking information, please click this link.
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About the Film:
In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O'Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named "Rocky."
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Content Warnings: This film is Rated R and not suitable for audience attendees under 14. Viewer discretion is advised.
Content warnings include:
- Sex & Nudity
- Violence and Fore
- Profanity
- Alcohol, Drugs, & Smoking
- Frightening & Intense Scenes
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COMING SOON! Queeraoke with Krystle CanSINGo!
Celebrate the Fall with the return of this all ages, community event! We will be hosting the return of Queeraoke in October, more information to come!
Questions? Contact info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133
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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:
- 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
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| 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.
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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:
October 18, 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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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.
We shop you can join us on Thursday, October 5 from 6:30-7:30 PM where we will be discussing Fertility Preservation for Transgender Patients after Starting Gender- Affirming Hormone Therapy.
Description:
While many Trans* patients are interested in being parents and starting families, not all are able or choose to undergo fertility preservation (e.g. egg freezing, sperm banking) before starting gender-affirming hormone therapy. This presentation will discuss new studies and options for fertility preservation after starting gender-affirming hormone therapy for transfeminine and transmasculine persons.
Content warning:
Discussion of sex hormones, reproductive anatomy, and transphobia
Registration is required: tinyurl.com/trans-talks-10-5
Accessibility information:
this workshop is free, takes place in english and closed captioning will be utilized.
Community members who are interested in attending are invited to submit questions through the registration form. If you are unable to attend the presentation, a recording will be made available afterwards.
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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
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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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Free Gender Affirming Voice Therapy
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San Francisco State Department of Speech, Language and Hearing are hosting free Voice Training Clinic Classes.
This is an 8-week online class series that takes place every Thursday from 4-6 PM from October 5- December 7. Participants are required to attend all 8 classes.
Do you want to improve the way your speaking voice sounds? Do you want your voice to reflect your gender identity and expression? This is a course for you! Come learn tips and strategies to identify &maintain a healthy speaking voice while minimizing strain and fatigue. Our Speech –Language graduate student clinicians will work with you online in both group and individual sessions. This is open to all community members, not just SFSU students.
Register using this link: https://forms.gle/yk3TPFMsmp132AKY6
More info? Contact Oneida Chi (they/ them) At oneidac@sfsu.edu or https://slhs.sfsu.edu/clinic
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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 October 25.
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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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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