December 1, 2023
The first day of December commemorates World AIDS Day, a significant moment in LGBTQ+ history. This year’s theme in the US is “Remember and Commit.” It’s meant to inspire moments of reflection on progress made and serve as a reminder that we must continue our commitment to advocacy and change. The history of the AIDS movement is peppered with significant achievements but also numerous challenges and unnecessary, devastating deaths. While many of us may be no stranger to systemic failures, the rallying of community care and the refusal to be silenced are lessons we inhibit today. I remember. And I commit to all change and advocacy in the name of equity and justice for the LGBTQ+ community and the beautiful ways we intersect. I remember. And I commit. And I am ever so grateful for these lessons my HIV+ community has taught me, living, and passed, but never forgotten.
As the Pride Center inches towards the close of this year, we commit to continued advocacy, support, and compassion. Our doors are open, and our team has expanded. We are excited for the new year to approach to share what we have in store. For now, our latest programs and service announcements are listed below. However you’re feeling this December, and with the holidays just around the corner, please know that advocacy, support, and compassion are just around the corner too.
In community and solidarity,
Frankie Sapp (he/him)
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| Thank you to everyone who observed TDOR with us last month. TDOR is an emotionally heavy event that never get easier to observe. Every year, our hearts are filled when we gather together as a community. We invite you to hold on to this energy and grow as an ally and advocate for our Trans* community members.
Thank you to our friends at CORA, the San Mateo County LGBTQ+ Commission, San Mateo County Pride Initiative, Congregational Church of the Peninsula, Island United Church of Foster City, Redwood City Public Library, San Mateo Public Library, StarVista, Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE), BHRS (Behavioral Health and Recovery Services) & CoastPride for partnering with us to hold this observance.
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| Randy's Gift Drive: A Holiday Tradition
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Help StarVista bring joy to the hearts of children, youth, and families they serve by participating in Randy’s GiftDrive! StarVista is excited to continue this annual tradition and to bring back in-kind gifts for our clients and families! This year, we will be accepting in-kind gifts through our Gift Drop Days – days dedicated to bringing your gifts to our drop location so we may get them to our clients sooner.
To learn more, please visit:
https://star-vista.org/gift-drive/
Thank you for your generosity!
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| Ayuda a StarVista a traer alegría a los corazones de niños, adolescentes, y familias que servimos participando en la CampañaDeRegalos de Randy! En StarVista estamos muy emocionados de continuar esta tradición annual de dar regalos a nuestros clientes y sus familias! Este año estaremos aceptando regalos durante nuestros Días de Entrega - días dedicados a traer sus regalos a nuestra ubicacíon de entrega para que se los entreguemos a nuestros clientes pronto.
Para aprender más, por favor visite:
https://star-vista.org/gift-drive/
Gracias a ustedes por su generosidad!
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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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| | 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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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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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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*Application (New) Deadline Extended to Wednesday January 17th, 2024!*
What does a Youth Advisory Board Member do?
As a member of the Youth Advisory Board with Outlet and the San Mateo County Pride Center you will help plan, organize and publicize youth programming in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. You will provide input on services and resources for youth between the ages of 14 to 25. Youth Advisory Board members help the LGBTQ+ community by getting their friends and peers involved, sharing information about upcoming events with friends, peers and teachers at school, as well as bringing input and suggestions from community members to help shape the direction of the Youth Program!
We highly encourage youth ages 14-25 to apply (tinyurl.com/OutletYABApp) by January 17th, 2024!
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Yossi (she/her/ella) at yoselin@acs-teens.org.
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| | | 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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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. In December, this group will be offered by appointment in one on one sessions. Please use the RSVP link below to schedule an appointment.
The workshop will resume in a group format in January on January 31st. If you are interested in joining a group session in January, please use the same RSVP button below.
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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In December, the Gay Men's Group and Queer Women's group will meet a week earlier to accommodate the Pride Center's holiday schedule.
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These groups will return to their regular meeting dates in January:
- Gay Men's Group: January 23rd
- Queer Women's Group: January 26th
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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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Gender Affirming Shopping Event and Queer Fashion Show!
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| Our friends at AllCove and Youth Community Service are hosting a free clothing shop and Queer Fashion show!
Community members are invited to take home free clothes from Tuesday, 12/12 - Friday, 12/15 at Allcove Palo Alto (2741 Middlefield Rd STE 102, Palo Alto, CA 94306). The kickoff event is scheduled to take place on Monday, 12/11 from 4-6 PM!
They are also hosting a Queer Fashion show on Friday, December 15th from 5-7 PM.
To register, please contact kmelo589@icloud.com
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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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