The San Mateo County Pride Center was born of the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community over the years and stands for equity, inclusion, dignity, self-determination, and justice. Over a decade in the making, the Pride Center is the first ever LGBTQ+ community center in San Mateo County. Whether seeking behavioral health services or gathering in solidarity with others to share stories, build relationships, learn, grow, create, and heal together, LGBTQ+ individuals and communities throughout the Peninsula finally have a space to call their own!
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to create a welcoming, safe, inclusive, and affirming community climate that fosters personal growth, health, and opportunities to thrive for individuals of all ages, sexual orientations, and gender identities through education, counseling, advocacy, and support.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to create an innovative, respectful, and equitable community of all ages, ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, and gender identities that supports complete inclusion, is free of discrimination, strives for knowledge, challenges barriers, and seeks to empower agents of social change.
- – Take exit 414B for State Hwy 92 E/State Hwy 92 W/Fashion Island Blvd toward Hayward/Half Moon Bay
- – Take exit 12B to merge onto CA-82 N/S El Camino Real
- – Follow CA-82 N/S El Camino Real to 11th Ave
- – Turn right at 11th Avenue
- – The Pride Center parking lot is the first lot on the left
- – Take exit 33 for State Route 92 E toward San Mateo/Hayward
- – Take exit 12B to merge onto CA-82 N/S El Camino Real
- – Follow CA-82 N/S El Camino Real to 11th Ave
- – Turn right at 11th Avenue
- – The Pride Center parking lot is the first lot on the left
SamTrans
• One block from the 397/ECR bus stops on 12th Avenue
• Three blocks from the 55 bus stop on 9th Avenue
CalTrain
• One mile from the San Mateo CalTrain station
OUR HISTORY
The vision for the San Mateo County Pride Center came about over a decade ago when a group of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) staff, concerned about the wellbeing of our LGBTQ+ communities, came together to form the PRIDE Initiative. Under the Office of Diversity and Equity of BHRS, the PRIDE Initiative began convening community meetings, events, and dialogues to foster a safer, more welcoming county environment. Recognizing the scarcity of resources and services specific to the LGBTQ+ population in San Mateo County, the long term plan of the PRIDE Initiative members included the creation of a physical space for LGBTQ+ community and services.
Over the years, the PRIDE Initiative took many avenues to make this center a reality – including collecting and analyzing data, engaging local leaders, listening to community needs, and exploring policy changes and funding sources.
After a community planning process involving stakeholders in advocacy, the Mental Health Services Act Oversight and Accountability Committee approved the use of innovation funds for the San Mateo County Pride Center in 2016. Later that year, the contract for the Center was awarded to a collaborative led by StarVista, in collaboration with Outlet of Adolescent Counseling Services, Peninsula Family Service, Daly City Partnership, and Pyramid Alternatives (now merged with StarVista).