May 5
First Sunday in May: International Family
Equity Day
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| May 17
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
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| May 19
National Asian & Pacific Island HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
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| | May 24
Pansexual and Panromantic Awareness and Visibility Day
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| Scroll down to see what we did in April &
learn about the amazing programming we have planned in May!
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On April 11, the Pride Center and Outlet Co-hosted another successful Queeraoke event! The sun brought in beautiful faces to the Pride Center as folks sang their favorite sings! Pictured is a group pic with community members and some of the Pride Center!
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| Becoming Aware of Our Assumptions: Conversations to Create More Inclusive Space
Thanks to those that had opportunity to attend our training on April 24 for our training titled Becoming Aware of Our Assumptions: Conversations oof attendees. this trainings intent was for anyone who was looking in increasing their knowledge of power and privilege, and how it impacts us individually and personally!
Thanks our our amazing Lead Training and Peer Group Coordinator, Ishani Dugar (xe/xem) for leading the training! If you missed this training, we will be offering it again this month on May 29th from 6:00-8:00 PM on Zoom. To read more about this training, scroll below.
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Sprinkling Outreach All over San Mateo County!
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On April 18, our friends at College of San Mateo had their 1st Drag-a-Palooza! We thank their Pride Center for inviting us to table this special event!
Drag is labor of love, and the performers spent hours putting together their hair, makeup, and outfits together! It was a space of queer expression for the audience and entertainers! Such a fun and welcoming space where folks can be their true selves and be one in community.
In the photos above were the very talented and beautiful Queens: Delilah Befierce, Amoura Teese, Boites Purr Moore, and Sinne Moan!
Pictured to the right is Low Sunga (she/they), Community Engagement and Volunteer Specialist representing for the Pride Center!
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On April 10, StarVista invited the Pride Center to table at Burlingame High School titled Spring into Transitions 2024: Empowering teens to navigate change and aiming to explore the intricate journey of teen struggles and transitions. There was a featured panel with several speakers, including professionals and youth, followed by a Q&A session.
Pictured to the left is the our Mental Health intern Katrina Maple (she/her), Mental Health Trainee, Jazz Salvin (they/them), Lead Trainer and Peer Group Coordinator, Ishani Dugar (xe/xem) and Marilyn Fernando (she/her), Marketing and Community Engagement Lead.
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Pictured to the right the amazing Elana Ron (she/they) our Lead Events and Outreach Coordinator and Outlets Social Program Lead representing for the Pride Center on Saturday, 4/20 at San Carlos Teen and Wellness Retreat!
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| | Are you interested in having us as your organization/school outreach event?
Please contact Elana Ron (she/her), Lead Events and Outreach Coordinator at elana.ron@sanmateopride.org.
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| The San Mateo County Pride Center is participating in Give OUT Day!
This Give OUT Day, The San Mateo County Pride Center is trying to raise $5,000 to fund LGBTQ+ Affirming community programming, peer groups, resources, mental health services, training, education and more!
As a Give OUT Day partner, we have the opportunity to win thousands in additional prize money if we have the most donors in our category! Giving starts May 1st and goes through May 30th. Any amount is helpful and contributes to safe and affirming resources and programming for LGBTQ+ Community members in San Mateo County and beyond!
Help us reach our goal! If you are unable to contribute financially, please help spread the word!
To contribute or learn more about how your contributions will support, please use this link -www.giveoutday.org/organization/San-Mateo-County-Pride-Center
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| Join the Pride Center's Community Advisory Board (CAB)!
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| Looking for a fabulous way to get involved in your community? Join the San Mateo County Pride Center’s Community Advisory Board (or CAB, for short)! CAB welcomes LGBTQ+ folks and allies to join. They are a diverse and representative group of volunteer members who have a passion for serving the LGBTQ+ community. They work closely with Pride Center staff to support programming, decisions, and design. Some of their awesome collaborations include San Mateo County’s first Adult Queer Prom, San Mateo County Pride Celebrations, Art Parties, and more.
CAB meets virtually on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm. The next meeting is scheduled for May 8.
For more info, connect with our Community Engagement & Volunteer Specialist, Low Sunga (she/they) at lowellyn.sunga@sanmateopride.org! |
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| Pride is Right Around the Corner!
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If you, your organization, business, group, school, etc. is interested in having the Pride Center collaborate or participate in your programming in any capacity during Pride Month, you can still submit a request. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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| | Examples of requests that you can submit include, but are not limited to:
- Tabling at your resource fair or event
- Co-hosting/ partnering an event
- Requesting a training or consultation
- For a list of the trainings that we offer, please contact Ishani (they/xe)
- To request a training from us please click this link
- Examples of consultations include (but are not limited to) – looking at your organizational policies and providing feedback on how to better support your LGBTQ+ staff members, working with your organization to make your forms be more inclusive
- Speaking at your event
Please note:
- Submitting a request is not a guarantee that we can participate
- There is no cost to have us table, co-host or speak at your event
- Services associated with a cost are trainings, consultations can vary
- Sliding scale is available, accommodations can be made by request
If you are interested in supporting the Pride Center in June, consider donating or volunteering with us. Your donations can go towards providing gender affirming mental health care, affirming garments, community gatherings and more for LGBTQ+ community members in San Mateo County. For more information, click here.
As a reminder, we are here and Queer all year & are a resource for you outside of Pride Month as well.
To submit a request, click the button below
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The Pride Center's Year in Review!
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In case you missed it, the Pride Center released our year in review a few months ago! This is an opportunity for our community members to see the impact that we've made this year, learn more about our services and programs and more! To read our year in review in its entirety, click the button below.
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| | | Can you think of a better way to soak in the beautiful sunshine?
Spring into a new season by joining the San Mateo County Parks Foundation, San Mateo County Pride Center, and San Mateo County Parks for a special hike in San Pedro Valley Park on Friday, May 10th from 6pm-8pm.
Flashlights are recommended but NOT required. Meals will not be provided and we encourage all attendees to wear extra clothing layers for the nighttime chill.
For more information about the trail we will take, visit:
www.smcgov.org/parks/trail/weiler-ranch-road
Spaces are LIMITED, RSVP ASAP at
tinyurl.com/HiketheNightAwaySunsetEdition
Please note that due to parking limitations, we
STRONGLY ENCOURAGE CARPOOLING with community members! Please let us know if transportation support is needed.
For any questions or concerns regarding the event, please contact Adriana Arriaga at adriana@supportparks.org and Elana Ron at elana.ron@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133. For more information about San Mateo County’s various parks, visit: supportparks.org
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| Accessibility Information:
There are all gender restrooms located inside the visitor center. The weiler ranch road is approximately 1 (one) mile in length and on paved and gravel roads. The trail offers two benched areas: one at the beginning of the trail and one at the midway point.
COVID Safety Information:
Because this will be an outdoor tour, masks are not required, but strongly recommended. Extra masks and hand sanitizer will be available for all.
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In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Month), we're watching the fantastical surrealist masterpiece Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) on Friday, May 17th at 5:30 PM.
About the Film:
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once captures this exceptionally, as Joy (Stephanie Hsu)'s villainous alter ego Jobu seeks to destroy the universe, fueled by anger that her mother, Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh), does not accept her. Evelyn searches universe after universe to find Joy and overcome the divide between them.
To watch a trailer, click this link.
This film is Rated R and not suitable for audience attendees under 12.
Content warnings include:
Sex & Nudity (moderate)
Violence & Gore (moderate)
Profanity (moderate)
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking (mild)
Frightening & Intense Scenes (mild)
Closed Captioning will be utilized for this film
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| | Expressive Arts Group for Trans*, Gender Diverse and Non-binary youth
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| NEW START DATE!
🌈 Transcending Through Art: An Expressive Arts Therapy Group for Transgender/Nonbinary/Gender Expansive Teens (Ages 13-17)
Embark on a journey of self-discovery and community building designed specifically for transgender, nonbinary, gender fluid, gender non-conforming, gender creative and questioning teens. Our Expressive Arts Therapy Process Group is a safe and welcoming space where creativity becomes a powerful tool for exploring identity, fostering self-expression, and building a supportive community.
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| What to Expect:
🎨 Creative Exploration of Identity: Dive into the world of art to explore and celebrate your unique identity. Through various creative modalities, discover new dimensions of self-expression and gain insights into your evolving sense of identity.
😌 Processing Emotions Outside the Body: Art provides a medium to externalize and process complex emotions. Engage in therapeutic activities that allow you to express and understand your feelings in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
🌿 Developing Strategies for Self-Regulation: Learn practical tools for self-regulation and co-regulation, empowering you to navigate the ups and downs of life with resilience and emotional well-being.
🤝 Creating Identity-Affirming Community: Connect with peers who share similar experiences and challenges. Build a community where acceptance, understanding, and celebration of diverse identities flourish.
Why Join:
🌈 Nurturing Joy & Euphoria: This group is not just about healing; it's about fostering joy and euphoria through the transformative power of creative expression. Embrace the freedom to be yourself in a space that celebrates authenticity.
Start Date:
This workshop takes place for 8 weeks on Mondays from 5:30-7:00PM onsite at the Pride Center starting on June 11
Register using this link - tinyurl.com/transcendingthroughart
Contact Info:
Jazz.Slavin@sanmateopride.org / jessica.gugg@sanmateopride.org or contact 650-207-9628 (text ok)
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The San Mateo Pride Center is excited to be able to offer a variety of
trainings and educational opportunities! To read more about the trainings that we currently offer or request a training, please visit the training page of our website. If you have any questions about the trainings we offer, reach out to Ishani Dugar (they/xe)
at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org or call 650-554-1234 (text ok).
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Please note that we do charge a fee for our trainings!
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Upcoming Community Trainings in May and June!
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| BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND- Resource Roadmap SMC- A Provider's Guide to Supporting Trans* & Gender Diverse Clients
Are you a service provider who wants to learn how to better support clients who are transgender, non-binary, or gender diverse? Join us for this free and comprehensive capacity-building workshop led by our Center Manager, Alex Lyman-Golding. Together, we will cover relevant tips and strategies to help you and your clients navigate different resources across San Mateo County (housing, health & wellness, employment, legal, social, and more). We will also hold space to discuss ways that we as providers can begin to identify, address, and overcome any judgments and biases we may have that can impact our work with the transgender and gender diverse community. There will be an interactive presentation followed by an in-depth Q&A.
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| Becoming Aware of Our Assumptions
Wednesday May 29th, 6-8pm
The Pride Center is excited to relaunch our popular training, Becoming Aware of our Assumptions: Conversations to Create More Inclusive Spaces. As we prepare for June Pride, this pre-SOGIE/LGBTQ+ 101 curriculum fosters a safe space to help bring awareness to our own implicit biases about the LGBTQ+ community. Supported by Kaiser Permanente, this training will run in a carefully held space, allowing work to begin to unpack our own internalized assumptions by asking ourselves where they come from, and examining their roots. By providing interactive activities, discussion time, and videos, the Pride Center will hold space for healing dialogue to help us all shift our assumptions and biases toward truth.
Register for training here.
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| | | SOGIE/LGBTQIA+ 101
Tuesday June 4th, 6-8pm
Join us for a SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression) training, co-hosted by the San Mateo County Pride Center and Outlet, A Program of Adolescent Counseling Services! In this training we cover the basic terminology for sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation through engaging videos, matching games, and polls. We also touch on extended topics like gender-neutral language, pronouns, and cultural humility. After every training, we provide extensive resources either highlighted in or similar to the content in our training.
Register for training here.
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Trans* 101
Tuesday June 11th, 6-8pm
Already taken a SOGIE 101? Want to learn about relevant and pressing issues the Trans*, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse communities face? This training offers in-depth conversations on topics such as the inherent gendering of our world, transphobia, and how trans folks are forced to navigate. We conclude this training with actionable tips and tricks on how to be an advocate for the Trans* community.
Register for the training here.
PLEASE NOTE: Trans* 101 training requires a pre-existing understanding of SOGIE identities and issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Attending this training without that knowledge will be confusing and ineffective for your learning. If you have questions, please reach out to ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org or 650-554-1234 (text ok).
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| | Rainbow Kids Training- May 16
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Los niños forman conceptos fundamentales sobre género, amor y familia antes de los cinco años. Crear entornos inclusivos es esencial a medida que los niños forman sentido de quiénes son, a quién pueden amar y qué constituye una familia. Al comprender las temas relacionadas con el género y la orientación sexual y apoyar a los niños de manera afirmativa, les damos la libertad de explorar sus identidades verdaderas y un mundo diverso desde un inicio.
Durante este seminario web gratuito de 90 minutos en Español, las facilitadoras Jennifer Ventura (Especialista y Consultora de la Primera Infancia) y Tania Cisneros-Ventura (Educadora Infantil y Terapeuta Familiar) ofrecen info, estrategias y recursos apropiados para la edad de los niños, con ejemplos y actividades relevantes para compartir ideas de cómo apoyar a los niños pequeños. Los temas incluyen aprender las identidades LGBTQ+ y términos, practicar pronombres y lenguaje inclusivo, gestionar los mensajes diarios sobre género, amor y familia, y el poder de la afirmación.
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| Children form foundational concepts about gender, love and family before the age of five. Creating inclusive environments is essential as young children form their senses of who they are, whom they can love & what makes a family. By understanding issues related to gender and sexual orientation & supporting children in affirming ways, we give them the freedom to explore their true identities & a diverse world from the beginning.
During this free 90 minute webinar in Spanish, facilitators Jennifer Ventura (Early Childhood Specialist and Consultant) & Tania Cisneros-Ventura (Childhood Educator and Family Therapist) offer age-appropriate info, strategies, & resources with relatable examples & activities to share ideas about how to support young children. Topics include understanding LGBTQ+ identities & terms, practicing pronouns and inclusive language, managing daily messages about gender, love & family, & the power of affirmation. |
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| Fechas de entrenamiento 2024/2024 training dates: May 16!
registrar aquí /register here:
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To learn more about the programming on the calendar above, click this link.
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San Mateo County Pride 2024: Love at Our Core, Pride in 2024
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Will we see you at San Mateo County Pride 2024?
The 12th annual celebration is scheduled to take place on
Saturday, June 8th from 11-5 PM in Central Park in San Mateo.
Get ready to to come together at the PARADE, meeting at 2nd Street and B Street in San Mateo at 10am! Please see the section below for more information.
If you are interested in volunteering at San Mateo Pride Celebration, please contact PRIDE Initiative Co-Chair, Dana Johnson (they/he) at theractivist2@gmail.com.
Information about performers, activities and additional information about the celebration can be found here- https://www.smcpridecelebration.com/
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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. 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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| | 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 Lowellyn (she/they) at Lowellyn.Sunga@sanmateopride.org (preferred) or 650-591-0133 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 our partner organization from Peninsula Family Service (PFS) at info@pfso.org.
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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
**Please note: Outlet's weekly Trans* Group will be on hold until further notice.
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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 upcoming Trans* Talks presentations.
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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 presenter's 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
Marilyn (she/her) at Marilyn.Fernando@sanmateopride.org 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 workshops.
The format of the Name and Gender Change workshop is changing. We are moving from offering this workshop once a month to a twice a month. The Name and Gender Change workshop will now occur on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 6-7:30 PM.
Part 1 will be on the 2nd Wednesday and Part 2 will be on the 4th Wednesday. Part 1 will cover court order forms, filing instructions, and fee waivers. Part 2 will cover updating social security documents, DMV documents, passports, birth certificates, and other documents.
Please reach out to info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133 if you have questions.
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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
Ishani.Dugar@sanmateopride.org or 650-554-1234 (text ok)
We are actively looking for volunteer co-facilitators for our Gay Men's Group, Queer Women's Group & Trans* Group! For more information about these roles, click this link.
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| LGBTQ+ Book Club- June 5
Less by Andew Sean Greer
We hope you can join us for next month's book club where we will be discussing Less by Andrew Sean Greer.
To read a short summary of the book, please click this link.
Registration is required: Tinyurl.com/smcpcbookclub
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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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Join us for next month's Polyamory Peer Power group where we will be hosting an author talk with Molly Roden Winter. This group is scheduled to take place on Wed, 6/5 from 7:00-8:30 pm on Zoom.
During this talk, Molly will talk about her book: More, A Memoir of Open Marriage.
Molly Roden Winter was a mother of small children with a husband, Stewart, who often worked late. One night when Stewart missed the kids’ bedtime—again—she stormed out of the house to clear her head. At a bar, she met Matt, a flirtatious younger man. When Molly told her husband that Matt had asked her out, she was surprised that Stewart encouraged her to accept.
So began Molly’s unexpected open marriage and, with it, a life-changing journey of self-discovery.
Molly shares her experiences in More, A Memoir of Open Marriage. It is an electric debut that offers both steamy fun and poignant reflections on motherhood, daughterhood, marriage, and self-fulfillment. With warmth, humor, and style, Molly Roden Winter delivers an unputdownable journey of a woman becoming her most authentic self.
Join us as she shares more about her book and her experiences.
REGISTER IN ADVANCE for this meeting: https://tinyurl.com/smcpc-polyampower
This group takes place every first Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 PM PST on Zoom.
For updates about this gathering and more general information about the Polyamory Peer Power Group, please click this link - https://www.meetup.com/polyamory-peer-power/
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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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| 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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