August 1, 2024
Greetings, Community!
We hope that the sunny weather is beaming for your this month in August!
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In the state of California, August is recognized as Transgender History Month. During this month, we honor and learn about the rich history and contributions Trans*, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse people throughout time & continue to affirm the ongoing presence of Trans* people around the world.
To learn more about Trans* History Month, please follow this link.
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| | In addition to Trans* History Month, we also observe
Gay Uncle's Day and Southern HIV/ AIDS Awareness Day in August.
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Scroll down to see what we did in July and
learn about the amazing programming we have planned in August!
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Thank you to the City of Redwood City for inviting the San Mateo County Pride Center to the Disibility Pride Month Flag Raising on July 16.
In July, the Disability Flag was raised in Redwood City's Courtyard Square on Disability pride is about accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.
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| Each color stripe has a meaning:
- Red- physical disabilities
- Gold - neurodiversity
- White - invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven't yet been diagnosed
- Blue - emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental illness, anxiety, and depression
- Green - for sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, lack of smell, lack of taste, audio processing disorder, and all other sensory disabilities
The faded black background represents mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence. The diagonal band cuts through the barriers between disabled and normative society, symbolizing light and creativity breaking through the darkness
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| It was a beautiful day for outreach for Elana and Low at Redwood City's Commission on Disabilities Annual Inclusion Festival on 7/25! Thank you for inviting the Pride Center again to this awesome event!
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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What Programming do you want to see at the San Mateo County Pride Center?
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We’re working on building our event calendar for the rest of the year and want to hear from you! What events and programming do you want to see at the San Mateo County Pride Center?
Are you a nature fan that likes to be outside? Are you a plant nerd who wants to meet other foliage fans? Do you want to learn how to sing and dance? Are you looking to spend an evening supporting a local business while building community? Are you a foodie who wants to swap recipes or bring something to share? The possibilities are as wide and expansive as our community. Please let us know, your input and feedback helps us serve and celebrate you better!
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| | Please use the button below to access the survey!
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Please join us in welcoming our new trainee, Wadie Zakhary, MSW (He/Him/His)
Wadie grew up in Cairo, Egypt, where he worked in marketing. Wadie's previous work and relocation to the U.S. enforced his passion for supporting people in unleashing their human potential. This led him to pursue a master's in social work in New York City, where he worked with people of many backgrounds and concerns, including depression and gender challenges. Wadie is very passionate about supporting people in the ways he can.
On a personal note, Wadie is a vegan,
a fiction/gay fiction reader, a walker,
an occasional hiker, a tea drinker, a cat dad,
an ex-dog dad, and a nature lover.
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Queeraoke at the Pride Center!
Thursday, August 8th from 3-6PM
Can you think of a better way to spend a sunny Summer afternoon than getting together with your besties and singing along to your favorite songs? Whether you’re a karaoke regular, first timer, admirer or curious, this is your space!
Join the San Mateo County Pride Center and Outlet for this fun and fabulous space! This is a sober, all ages event. Snacks will be provided :)
Please contact info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133 with questions
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Community Cabaret
Saturday, August 24th at 7:00PM
Red Morton Center (1120 Roosevelt Ave. Redwood City)
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We are thrilled to announce the rescheduled date and time of our Pride Cabaret with our amazing partner, Fuse Theater! Enjoy an evening of entertainment and help us fundraise for the Pride Center! Tickets as low as $5 available at this link: fuse.na.ticketsearch.com.
Are you a performer? we have slots open! Performers are paid $50. E-mail nrojasdomke02@gmail.com for more information!
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Crafting Identity:
LGBTQIA+ Expressive Jewelry Making
Tuesday August 13th at 5:30 – 7:30pm
Join us for some creative crafty fun! We will be hosting an empowering jewelry making workshop celebrating LGBTQIA+ identities and self-expression, featuring bead making, affirmation bracelets, and a charm jewelry making demonstration with local designer Kelvin Clark of The Haus of Alt!
In this inclusive space, you'll craft unique pieces that reflect your authentic self while connecting with others in the community. Supplies (and snacks) will be provided, and feel free to bring your own jewelry and/or other accessories to spruce up!
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About the Artist
Kelvin Clark, founder and Creative Director of Haus of Alt, leads the brand in championing individuality and creative rebellion. Under his guidance, Haus of Alt creates unique, punk-inspired pieces that embody bold self-expression and inclusivity. Rooted in San Francisco's counterculture, Kelvin's vision transforms fashion into a statement of artistic audacity and personal freedom.
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| | | NEW START DATE!
September 10- October 29
🌈 Transcending Through Art: An Expressive Arts Therapy Group for Transgender/Nonbinary/Gender Expansive Teens (Ages 13-19)
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.
To register, please use this link -https://tinyurl.com/TranscendingThroughArt
Please reach out to Jazz.Slavin@sanmateopride.org or (650) 207 - 9628 (text is ok)
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| FILM: Nyad (Rated PG-13)
In honor of the summer Olympics, we're watching Nyad (2023)!
About the Film:
Annette Bening, Jodie Foster, and Rhys Ifans star in NYAD to tell a remarkable true story of athlete Diana Nyad who, at the age of 60 and with the help of her best friend and coach, commits to achieving her life-long dream: a 110-mile open ocean swim from Cuba to Florida.
To watch a trailer, follow this link.
This film is Rated PG-13 and not suitable for audience attendees under 12.
Content warnings include:
Sex and Nudity (mild)
Profanity (mild)
Alcohol & Smoking (mild)
Closed Captioning will be utilized for this film.
This event is free and open to the public. Light snacks will be provided.
Doors open at 5:30 and the movie will start at 6 pm.
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 use this link:
https://sanmateopride.org/accessibility/
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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 August 14.
For more info, connect with our Community Engagement & Volunteer Specialist, Low Sunga (she/they) at lowellyn.sunga@sanmateopride.org!
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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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Openings for Mental Health Services at the Pride Center
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There is currently a waitlist to receive services. Community members are still encouraged to complete the intake form, but may experience some delays in services.
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Self pay (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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Outlet’s weekly online social groups will be pausing for the months of July and August.
They will resume in September! Outlet's peer groups are
Monday Youth Group, Tuesday QTBIPOC group & Thursday Trans* Group. |
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Please note that this year’s location for Drop Ins has been changed to the Adolescent Counseling Services office (for accessibility reasons on the Outlet teams end)!
Outlet and the San Mateo County Pride Center will be hosting in-person drop-in hours for the summer!
This is a space for youth to connect with other community members, chat with Outlet staff and/or engage in activities such as games, button making, arts and crafts, etc.
Who? – All are welcome to join! No prior sign-up required; simply, drop in!
When? – Weekly on Wednesdays from 3pm-6pm; July 10th through August 28th
Where? – Adolescent Counseling Services (1779 Woodside Road Suite 200, Redwood City CA 94061)
If you have any questions, please email at outletprogram@acs-teens.org.
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| | The San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women is conducting a research project to determine the top two or three drivers of the financial wealth gap for women in San Mateo County. After completing our research, we will present recommendations to the Board of Supervisors of how they can address those drivers and decrease the wealth gap.
Our research over the past two years has informed us that while the wage gap still exists for California women of $.82 for every $1.00 earned by men, the wealth gap is an even greater concern. Single women own $.32 for every $1.00 owned by men, and the gap widens further for women of color, according to Asset Funders Network. Women need to fund a longer retirement on average than men and yet they lag behind in saving for retirement. More women have student loan debt compared to men.
Many women lost several years of income and savings due to the pandemic.
It is important to us to be inclusive and include the specific issues of trans women; in particular trans women business owners. We are reaching out to connect with some trans women or organizations that support and/or work with trans women, who would like to meet with us. We understand bandwidth issues; so to be respectful of time, we understand if email responses are easier.
As a start, here are some sample questions:
- What do you think is the primary driver for these gaps and do you have any data regarding women in SMC that sheds light on this?
- Are there some specific drivers that are different for trans women?
- There are more women-owned businesses in CA than any other state in the US. Do you have any data on SMC trans women business owners' challenges to build wealth?
- Do trans women-owned businesses have retirement plans? If not, why not? Are they aware of and signed up with CalSavers?
- Do trans women say they need more financial education or financial coaching?
- Are trans women more afraid or cautious about investing than men or non-trans women?
- Who else would you suggest that we talk to for this information?
If folks have any questions, please reach out to Susan Takalo (she/her) at swillstakalo@gmail.com who can provide support.
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Want to volunteer and Join the County of San Mateo LGBTQIA+ Commission?!
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Our friends at the San Mateo County LGBTQIA+ Commission has a vacancy to join their team! Please share widely via email or on your social. This is a fun group of community volunteers (I mean, queer volunteers! Need I say more?) but overall, we are starting an exciting new visibility project and it would be amazing to have this vacancy filled ASAP.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Tanya Beat (she/her) at tbeat@smcgov.org who can provide suppport!
Please note that a majority of the San Mateo County LGBTQIA+ Commission are members that reside in North County and some in Mid County. It would be great to have people from South County apply and that includes Coastside Area of Half Moon Bay. The only requirement of applying is that you must live in San Mateo County.
Deadline to Apply is August 9
For more information, please visit this link.
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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.
This month's Trans* Talks is scheduled to take place on August 22. Please stay tuned for information about the workshop.
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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.
Upcoming dates are: August 14 & 28 and September 11 & 25
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- August 7
Blackouts by Justin Torres
We hope you can join us for next month's book club where we will be discussing Blackouts by Justin Torres.
To learn more about this 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 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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What is compersion? Is it the “opposite” of jealousy, as it is usually believed? Is it an emotion or a behavior? What causes it to arise and bloom? Can we “learn” compersion or invite more of it into our lives?
Dr. Marie Thouin joins us to discuss her seminal research with consensually non-monogamous (CNM) individuals, and her new book, What Is Compersion? Understanding Positive Empathy in Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships where she unravels these questions and more in the first-ever book to offer a comprehensive model of compersion and a practical road map to cultivating it. Thouin addresses the broader social context, explaining how understanding compersion is a groundbreaking step toward a world that supports relational diversity and freedom. By disrupting the idea that jealousy is the only valid response to intimacy beyond monogamy, the existence and practice of compersion builds the foundation for a completely new paradigm of loving relationships.
Bring your questions and experiences with compersion and join the conversation.
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/
Accessibility information: this group meets in English on Zoom and closed captioning is available.
Questions? Contact Ishani Dugar (they/them or xe/xem at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org or 650-554-1234
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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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