March 2, 2025
Greetings community,
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March is here to bring new beginnings, longer days, and fresh opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate together. As we step into this month, we honor Women's History Month and Celebrating Trans* Day of Visibility!
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We highlight the following observances in March -
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We are incredibly proud of the work we’ve accomplished together. As we’ve seen in our first full year since returning on-site, the need for our center is clear. Through our combined programs and services, this year the Pride Center reached over 12,000 people, almost a 30% increase from last year!
Whether we’re providing clinical care to our clients, educating service providers, or increasing visibility through outreach, we continue to affirm, advocate for,
and empower LGBTQ+ individuals during times when vital support
is needed more than ever.
To read our year in review in its entirety, please click the button below
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The San Mateo County Pride Center is now on Bluesky
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| Meta’s new content moderation guidelines allowing hate speech have made their platforms harmful and unsafe for the LGBTQ+ Community and other marginalized groups.
We decided to open a Bluesky account to expand our ability to share information in a space where our community members are safe and respected.
While we will continue to use Instagram, Facebook and Threads to promote, we will begin to lean on Bluesky more.
Follow us!
https://bsky.app/profile/sanmateopride.bsky.social
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| Trans* Week of Visibility 2025
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This year, Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is on March 31st; however, we think one day is just not enough… so, Pride Center is proud to host our second Trans Week of Visibility! We have some exciting plans in store for you!
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Legal Name &
Gender Change Workshop:
Wednesday, 3/26 from 6-7:30 PM (Online)
Learn how to update your identity documents, get assistance with filling out the court paperwork, and find answers to any questions you have about the process.
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| Trans 101 Workshop:
Thursday, 3/27 from 6:00-8:00 PM (Online)
Want to better understand the relevant and pressing needs of the transgender and non-binary communities? This training offers in-depth conversations on topics such as transphobia, transitioning, being an ally to people of all gender identities and expressions, and more. We conclude this training with tips and tricks on how to be an advocate for the trans community as well as resources for continued learning.
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| Becoming More Visibly You: Gender Affirmation Workshop
Thursday, 3/27 from 5:30-7:30 PM
(Onsite at the SMCPC)
Explore your identity; Learn makeup/styling tricks; Browse our gender-affirming closet; Connect with your community; and know where to find local resources (HRT, voice coaching, and more).
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| A Mixer for Families of Trans Kids
Friday, 3/28, 6-7:30 PM (Onsite at the SMCPC)
Come join us for an evening with community. Meet other parents and caregivers of trans and gender nonconforming kids. The whole family is welcome. We will have icebreakers, a panel, and time to mix and mingle for the adults as well as activities for the kids.
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| Trans Day of Visibility Be-YOU-tiful Celebration
Monday, 3/31 from 5:00-7:00 PM (onsite at the SMCPC)
Join us in a celebration of YOU. Wear your best and help us party the evening away. We will have snacks and a DJ. Register in advance for a chance to win our giveaway prize.
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Resource Guide - Post Election FAQ
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| The San Mateo County Pride Center and CoastPride have received many questions about what is in store for the LGBTQ+ community since the 2024 election. In response, we’ve created this list of commonly asked questions and answers, along with a linktree of related resources.
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| These resources were first created in January of 2025 and will be updated as the political and social landscape develops. There is a lot of fear and uncertainty around LGBTQIA+ and immigrant rights. When you’re utilizing this document we recommend that you consider what risks are imminent (i.e. laws have been changed) and what risks are possibilities (i.e. a political leader said something verbally instead of issuing an official policy). Check your sources carefully and try to avoid doom scrolling.
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Different letters of the LGBTQIA+ community have different needs and are facing different threats. A good place to start to look for supportive organizations in the Bay Area is The Horizon Foundation’s organization directory. Many organizations (including CoastPride and the Pride Center) offer identity specific peer support groups as well as case management and mental health support, virtually and online. You can access types of services on our websites here for more information: https://sanmateopride.org/ and https://coastpride.org/.
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We encourage you to pass along this information to others in the community who may benefit from it. We're here to support you. Please help us spread the word!
If you have questions or suggested updates to this document or the linktree, please reach out to info@sanmateopride.org and/or contact@coastpride.org.
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PRIDE MONTH IS AROUND THE CORNER!!
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June will be here sooner than you know it! While that might seem like a lot of time, the Pride Center is already starting to prep for Pride Month.
If your organization, business, group, church, or school is interested in having the Pride Center collaborate or participate in your programming in any capacity during Pride Month, we ask that you submit your request via this form no later than APRIL 15*
*Organizations can still submit their requests after April 15th, but they 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 (to learn more about our trainings and consultations, please visit this link)
- Speaking at your event
Please note:
- Submitting a request is not a guarantee that we can participate
- Free services include – collaborating or co-hosting events, tabling, speaking engagements
- Services associated with a cost are trainings, consultations can vary
If you are interested in holding a fundraiser for us during Pride Month, please reach out to Marilyn.Fernando@sanmateopride.org.
If June is not the right time, please reach out to us anyway! We’re here and Queer all year and can work with you for your training or outreach needs outside of Pride Month!
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NeuroQueer Fruitfulness -
an online body doubling productivity coworking group!
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What does this group look like?
- Regular Fruitfulness Sessions: Monday - Thursday (drop-in)
- A check in and check out with accountability buddies/ co-working sessions
- Friday Expansion Sessions:
- a space where participants can learn about ADHD and strategies to navigate it (members have the option of attending a regular Fruitfulness Session or the Expansion Session).
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| Examples of what you can learn from trained clinicians -
- Understanding what leads one to motivate and when & tips to increase motivation
- Better awareness of prioritization challenges
- Sense of time and how it differs for folks with ADHD
- Increased self-acceptance
To learn more about when the group meets, associated costs and/or to register please click this link - tinyurl.com/NeuroQueerFruitfulness
Questions? Contact Drae@sanmateopride.org or 650-591-0133
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Conversation and Community
We want to be your safe space during these uneasy times. Join us to have a little escape or just be with community. Snacks, table games, cards, crafts, and activities will be available, but mostly we want to hold space for YOU!
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Throughout the month, we'll be featuring special activities and hosting special guests!
- Tuesday, March 4th
Hang out with a pup from the Peninsula Humane Society Pet Assisted Therapy program!
- Thursday March 6th
Learn to crochet or knit
- Tuesday March 11th
Make beaded bracelets
- Thursday, March 13th
Join us to play Nintendo Switch
- Tuesday, March 18th
Learn to crochet or knit
- Thursday, March 20th
Make woven bracelets
Weekly
- Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30pm
- Thursdays from 4-5pm
All are welcome for this free event! Snacks will be provided.
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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!
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CAB meets virtually on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:30pm. This month's next CAB meeting will meet on March 12. If you are interested and want more information about CAB, 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 learn more about our training program, please visit this link. If you have questions related to training program, reach out to Ishani Dugar (they/xe) at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org or call 650-554-1234 (text ok).
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| Rainbow Kids!
Thursday, March 6 at
4:00PM PST on Zoom!
This free training is intended for community members who work with, or are the parent/guardian of under 10 year-olds. In this training participants will learn age-appropriate techniques for holding discussions about gender, love and family.
What you’ll gain:
✅ Tools to foster kindness and belonging
✅ Strategies for celebrating and supporting all families
✅ Resources to help every child feel at home in the world
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| This training was developed in partnership with Community Equity Collaborative. For more information and resources, visit https://www.communityequitycollaborative.org/rainbow-kids
This training will be held in English. Closed Captioning will be available for those who need it. This training will not be recorded. Please reach out to ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133 with any questions
Register using this button below.
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Mental Health Services at the Pride Center
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There is currently NO WAITLIST to receive clinical services.
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Clinical services are available onsite at the San Mateo County Pride Center, hybrid or virtual. The Pride Center provides LGBTQ+-affirmative therapy within a strengths-based and person-centered framework. All our clinicians have LGBTQ+ lived and/or work experience.
Priority is given to LGBTQ+ community members based in San Mateo County, but services are available to all community members based in California.
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| | Clinical Services include:
- Therapy: Individual, Couples/Multiples, Family, & Group sessions available! We accept HPSM/BHRS Medi-Cal or self-pay (sliding scale with income verification). Community members based outside of San Mateo County have the option of self- pay.
- Case Management: Work 1 on 1 with our knowledgeable case manager for support with housing, employment, legal, healthcare, gender-affirming care resources and providers, and more. This is a FREE resource.
If you have questions, please contact
clinical@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133
If you are interested in receiving mental health services or learning more about our clinical offerings, please click 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.
Virtual and onsite volunteer roles with the Pride Center include, but are not limited to:
- Events such as movie and karaoke nights, other social/community events
- Assisting with development goals
- Youth or Older Adult specific programming
- Social media support
- Join or Community Advisory Board
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| If you’re interested in learning more about these or any other opportunities, reach out to Low (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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Outlet offers 2 FREE, Weekly Youth Social/Support Groups for LGBTQ+ Ages 14-25.
All Outlet youth groups are safe and confidential spaces to share experiences and build community. You can find more details about Outlet youth groups by visiting Outlet's website.
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| Monday LGBTQIA+ Youth Group (Ages 10 to 18)
When: Mondays from 4:30-6:00pm
Where: HYBRID online and In-Person in Redwood City, California
Tuesday QTBIPOC Group (Ages 14 to 25) - ON HIATUS
Thursday Trans Group (Ages 14 to 25)
When: Thursdays from 5:00-6:30pm
Where: Hybrid* (In-Person in Redwood City, CA & Online via Zoom)
*Trans group members have the option every week to join a group meeting virtually or in-person
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| If you or someone you know is interested in attending these groups, 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.
Please stay tuned for information about this month's 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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If you are looking for support in changing your name on your legal documents, join our FREE monthly name and gender marker workshops.
The format of the Name and Gender Change workshop has changed! Part 1 of the workshop will continue to take place monthly & part 2 of the workshop will take place every other month. Part 2 is scheduled to take place – April, June, August, October & December.
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| | 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.
*If the times above don't work for your schedule, please let us know. We can arrange for individual appointments or consultations if needed. If you would like to attend part 2 before the scheduled month, please reach out to us!
Upcoming workshops: Part 1 - March 12 & March 26 (as part of TWOV celebrations)
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/name-and-gender-change-rsvp
If you have questions or want to schedule an individual appointment, please reach out to info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133.
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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.
March's peer support group meeting schedule:
- Book Club: Heartstopper vol. 1 by Alice Oseman
- Polyamory Peer Power: Long Distance Success
- Trans* Peer Support Group
- LGBTQ+ Parent Group
- Gay Men's Group
- Queer Women's Group
If you have any questions, please contact
Ishani.Dugar@sanmateopride.org or 650-554-1234 (text ok)
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San Mateo County's 13th Annual Pride Celebration is a space to champion inclusion and wellness for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies in our county.
This year's Pride Celebration will be on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Downtown San Mateo. We will have live entertainment, live DJ, resource and vendor booths, family-friendly activities, a Pride parade through Downtown San Mateo and more. Registration for the Pride Parade is open! To learn more about the Pride Parade, click this link. If you are interested in performing at San Mateo County Pride, visit this link.
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To learn more about San Mateo County Pride, click the button to the right.
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| | Interested in joining an SMC Pride subcommittee?
Contact PRIDE Initiative co-chair Dana Johnson at theractivist@gmail.com for the meeting Zoom link. We are actively looking for community members to join a Pride Celebration subcommittee and support with planning an amazing Pride Celebration.
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| Planning committees includes:
- Volunteer/Outreach
- Child/Youth Space
- Website
- Older Adult
- Parade
- Booth Vendors
- Food Trucks
- Entertainment
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| The San Mateo Union High School District, San Mateo County Office of Education, College of San Mateo, Coast Pride, LGBTQ Commission of San Mateo County, and San Mateo Pride Center invite San Mateo County High School Students to attend Pride Prom 2025!
Celebrate the 3rd Annual Pride Prom, an inclusive, safe, welcoming, night to remember for 9th-12th grade students who attend high school in San Mateo County.
This FREE event celebrates and uplifts LGBTQ young people and advocate for the sustained and continued efforts in our County to build places where youth are seen and supported in environments free from hate and discrimination.
We recognize that while high school district proms are inclusive and welcoming, not all students have an opportunity to celebrate themselves at their prom. This event will provide a variety of activities, including dancing, DJ, lots of food, drinks and much more.
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| Celebra el tercer baile anual de graduación del Orgullo, una noche inclusiva, segura y acogedora para celebrar a los estudiantes de noveno a duodécimo grado que asisten a la escuelas preparatorias en el condado de San Mateo. En este evento GRATUITO, celebraremos y animaremos a los jóvenes LGBTQ y promoveremos los esfuerzos continuos de nuestro condado por construir lugares en los que los jóvenes se sientan tomados en cuenta y apoyados en entornos sin odio ni discriminación. Si bien la noche debe ser para divertirse con amistades, también es una celebración de esta comunidad entrañable. Las personas de cualquier identidad sexual y de género están invitadas a expresarse y divertirse. Sabemos que, aunque los bailes de graduación de las escuelas preparatorias del distrito son inclusivos y acogedores, no todos los estudiantes tienen la oportunidad de celebrarse en dicho evento. En este evento, se organizarán diversas actividades, incluido el baile y DJ, habrá mucha comida, bebida y mucho más
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| For more information/ para más información
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| Registration is still open for "Aging Gayfully - Exploring Empowering Aging Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Community".
This class introduces students to the optimal aging strategies developed by the Conscious Aging Movement and adapted for LGBTQ+ elders. It is offered through the Santa Rosa Junior College Lifelong Learning Program at no cost to participants and will take place via Zoom on Wednesdays, 11 am - 1 pm, from January 15 - May 23, 2025 (with one week off for Spring Break).
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- THE PRIDE CENTER WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, MARCH 31 IN OBSERVANCE OF CESAR CHAVEZ DAY!
- DON'T FOR GET TO "SPRING FORWARD" ON SUNDAY, MARCH 9!
- If you are hosting a resource fair or another event & would like to invite us to table or attend, please reach out to Elana.Ron@sanmateopride.org or 650-465-2407
- If there is programming at the Pride Center that you'd like to suggest, please use this link
- To access a list of local and national hotlines, please click this link
- 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.
- Our onsite operating hours are:
- Tuesday - Thursday, 11:30 am - 6:30 pm, except Tuesdays between 1 pm - 3 pm when we will be closed for our team meetings.
- Our programs and services will remain virtual all 5 days/week 11 am - 7 pm or as scheduled with your clinician
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Based on recent wastewater surveillance data, test positivity, ER visits and hospitalizations, levels of COVID-19 infection are now high in San Mateo County.
Following San Mateo County Health recommendations, we are temporarily re-instating our on-site mask policy. Effective immediately face masks will be required while on-site at Pride Center.
We will continue to monitor virus levels and remove this temporary requirement when rates decrease/return to normal and it becomes safer to do so. As a reminder, we have face masks and COVID tests available on-site if you need them. We also continue to take other precautions including using air purifiers, sanitizing surfaces regularly throughout the day, and keeping windows open for increased air flow and circulation.
If you need support or connections to resources, during this time please do not hesitate to contact us at info@sanmateopride.org.
Thank you for your care and understanding. Stay safe everyone!
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In community,
The San Mateo County Pride Center
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Did you know we rely on the generosity of donations to provide our services at lower costs or for free? Can you help support LGBTQ+ wellness? Becoming a one-time or monthly donor makes a tremendous difference in helping us better serve our clients and community. Donate today by clicking the button below.
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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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