The Pride Center hosts a number of different intergenerational social and educational community events, ranging from monthly technology workshops to monthly Trans Talks.
Upcoming Events
Take a look at our calendar for updates on community events, workshops and groups hosted by the Pride Center!
Instructions
Please select a Category from the drop down menu below. This will show you all events under that category on the calendar.
Events
FriGay Flicks
RENT
FILM: Rent (PG-13)
The Pride Center is proud to announce FriGay Flicks! Join us for a safe and sober event to watch the Queer musical classic, Rent on Friday, December 1 at the San Mateo County Pride Center. Community members are encouraged to dress in nineties attire and sing along!
This event is free and open to the public. Light snacks will be provided. Doors open at 6:30 and the movie runs from 7-9:15 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.
About the Film: This rock opera tells the story of one year in the life friends living the Bohemian life in modern day East Village, New York City, 1989-1990. Among the group are our narrator, nerdy love-struck filmmaker Mark Cohen (Anthony Rapp); the object of Mark’s affection, his former girlfriend, Maureen Johnson (Idina Menzel); Maureen’s Harvard-educated public interest lawyer and lesbian lover Joanne Jefferson (Tracie Thoms); Mark’s roommate, HIV-positive musician and former junkie, Roger Davis (Adam Pascal); Roger’s new girlfriend, the HIV-positive drug addicted S&M dancer, Mimi Marquez (Rosario Dawson); their former roommate, HIV-positive computer genius Tom Collins (Jesse L. Martin); Collins’ HIV-positive drag queen street musician/lover Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia); and Benjamin Coffin III (Taye Diggs), a former member of the group. While a former tragedy has made Roger numb to life, Mark tries to capture it through his attempts to make a film. In the year that follows, the group deals with love, loss, AIDS, and modern-day life in one truly powerful story.
Content warnings include:
- This film is Rated PG-13 and not suitable for audience attendees under 13.
- Sex & Nudity
- Violence
- Profanity
- Alcohol
- Drugs & Smoking
Viewer discretion is advised
Closed Captioning will be utilized for this film
Register using this link: https://tinyurl.com/FriGayFlicks2023
or by clicking the button below
FriGay Flicks:
Rocky Horror Picture Show
RESCHEDULED!
Thank you for your patience as we reschedule this event. Due to unforseen circumstances, we had to reschedule this screening. Stay tuned for information about the new date. Also, Halloween might be over by the time we hold this screening, but costumes are still strongly encouraged!
About the Film: In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker (Meat Loaf) and a creepy butler (Richard O’Brien). Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation: a muscular man named “Rocky.”
Content Warnings: This film is Rated R and not suitable for audience attendees under 14. Viewer discretion is advised. Content warnings include:
- Sex & Nudity
- Violence and Fore
- Profanity
- Alcohol, Drugs, & Smoking
- Frightening & Intense Scenes
Register using this link: https://tinyurl.com/FriGayFlicks2023
or by clicking the button below
A note about case management services:
At this moment, we are not hosting case management during a dedicated drop in time period. We previously held those drop in hours every Wednesday. We are offering case management services on a case to case basis.
If you would like to receive case management services, please complete the clinical services intake form located here. You may also choose to fill out this form on behalf of the person requesting clinical services. Feel free to reach out to us via email clinical@sanmateopride.org or phone at (650) 591-0133 ext. 146.
Past Events

Halloween Queer-aoke Night with Krystle CanSINGo!
Get ready for Halloween with Queer-aoke! Join us for this fun event that will have you singing & dancing at the Pride Center. Snacks, candy, beverages will be provided. COSTUMES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED!
The Pride Center is located at 1021 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, 94402. Our building is located at 11th and El Camino.
Questions? Please contact Info@sanmateopride.org. For accessibility information, please click this link.

Trans Talks: Fertility Preservation for Transgender Patients after Starting Gender- Affirming Hormone Therapy
Description:
While many Transgender patients are interested in being parents and starting families, not all are able or choose to undergo fertility preservation (e.g. egg freezing, sperm banking) before starting gender-affirming hormone therapy. This presentation will discuss new studies and options for fertility preservation after starting gender-affirming hormone therapy for transfeminine and transmasculine persons.
Content warning: Discussion of sex hormones, reproductive anatomy, and transphobia
Registration is required: tinyurl.com/trans-talks-10-5
Accessibility information: this workshop is free, takes place in english and closed captioning will be utilized.
Community members who are interested in attending are invited to submit questions through the registration form. If you are unable to attend the presentation, there may be a recording available afterwards.
To access recordings of previous Trans Talks, use this link: https://tinyurl.com/transtalks-recordings
If you have questions, need support or would like to suggest a topic please contact Nathalie at nsaraig@stanford.edu or call 650-591-0133
Crafternoons
Let’s get crafty with Crafternoons! Join the Pride Center and Dragonfly Community Arts on Thursday, September 28th from 4:30-6:30pm as we practice mindfulness meditation, bracelet making, and a wire-wrapping jewelry demo with our special guest artist Christine Tafoya! In honor of September Suicide Prevention Month, let’s connect, craft, and be in community! No previous art skills are required! The Pride Center is located at 1021 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, 94402. Our building is located at 11th and El Camino. RSVP to attend and receive art supplies at: https://tinyurl.com/Crafternoon2023. If you or someone you know is in need of mental health services or more, please visit: https://sanmateopride.org/resources/. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact info@sanmateopride.org.
About Christine Tafoya: Christine Tafoya has over 40 years of experience as a spiritual healer and energy worker. As the youngest in her family, Christine comes from a Native American background and generations of healers. She is a passionate visionary artist who infuses love and light into her work. Christine uses many different techniques including card readings, hands-on energy work, and her own spiritual intuition to help others find their own insights and awakenings.
Christine has an affinity for crystals and has extensive knowledge of their properties. Whether you are looking to open your heart, balance your chakras, or create positive energy, Christine can help you find the crystals that will help you on your journey. She will teach and guide you on how to incorporate these stones and crystals into dreamcatchers, bracelets, and wire-wrapped jewelry you can take home with you.
“I am very passionate about my work,” says Christine. “I feel I am here to help usher in a greater level of love which we as a human race are so in need of.”
Queer-aoke Night at the Pride Center
The summer may be ending, but the excitement never stops! We invite you to end your summer by singing your heart out at Queer-aoke Night with the San Mateo County Pride Center and ACS Outlet on Thursday, August 10th starting at 7pm. Hosted by Krystle CanSINGo, we welcome you to share your vocal talents with our community or cheer your friends on! This is your space and we’re so excited to welcome you back home. Queer-aoke Night is open to all ages, and youth are strongly encouraged to attend. Stay tuned for more information!
The Pride Center is located at 1021 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo, 94402. Our building is located at 11th and El Camino.
Questions? Please contact Info@sanmateopride.org. For accessibility information, please click this link: https://sanmateopride.org/events/
Accessibility information about the Pride Center:
- All community members are required to wear masks when onsite. If you forget yours, masks will be available at the entrance.
- We have a parking lot with a LIMITED amount of spaces. Please consider carpooling. The parking lot is located by our entrance on 11th between Palm St. and El Camino. In case the lot fills up, there is plenty of street parking.
- There is a wheel-chair accessible entrance located at the parking lot entrance.
- The center is one block north of the ECR & 12th Avenue stop for Samtrans 397 and ECR.
- The center has two gender neutral restrooms. Both are single stall, are large and have railings.
- This is currently not a scent-free/fragrance-free space. We strive to be scent/fragrance-aware.
- The Pride Center is a weapon and substance free Sober space.
SMC Pride Celebration 2023– Free to Be Me in 2023. is hosted by San Mateo County (SMC) Pride Initiative in collaboration with SMC LGBTQ Commission, SMC Pride Center, Office of Diversity and Equity, San Mateo County Pride Day at the Fair, Outlet- Adolescents Counseling Services and CoastPride LGBTQ Center. We are celebrating our 11th YEAR Pride celebration on the Peninsula!!
Rainbow Kids Webinar
Kids develop concepts of gender, families, and love before the age of five; important that adults have the information they need to support young children in feeling safe and confident in their bodies, families, classrooms and world. They might wonder:
What everyday influences shape my child sense of what it means to be a boy or a girl?
How do I support a child’s exploration through play of concepts like family and gender?
What strategies can I use to encourage children to feel safe and confident in their bodies?
This free webinar (in English) is returning for parents, caregivers, and anyone who wants a more expansive, welcoming world for young children. Using scenario practice and interactive games, this webinar will demonstrate how to support folks all across the rainbow. It will be facilitated by Azisa Todd (Lead Trainer for the San Mateo County Pride Center) and Nathanael Flynn (Early Childhood Educator and co-author of Supporting Gender Diversity in Early Childhood Classrooms). Closed captioning will be available.
Click below to register for one of the free webinars (each webinar contains the same content):
Rainbow Kids is a project of Community Equity Collaborative in partnership with the San Mateo County Pride Center and with funding from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. For more information, contact Jen Sheldon at jennifer@communityequitycollaborative.org.
Ever wondered what’s the difference between sex and gender? Want to learn about the difference between bisexual and pansexual? Continue your Pride Month ​with the San Mateo County Pride Center and ACS Outlet at our Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression (SOGIE) 101 training! This training will take place VIRTUALLY on Tuesday, June 13th from 5:30-7:30 pm PST FOR FREE! Our goal is to work with YOU to understand how to create affirming environments for LGBTQ youth and adults through engaging and interactive matching games, videos, and polls. All who attend will be automatically entered into a prize drawing for a chance to win a gift from a local town of Colma business!
All are welcome! Bring your dinners and an open mind as we break down the latest LGBTQ terminology and work to build your strengths and grow as LGBTQ+ advocates and leaders. Register at https://tinyurl.com/SMCPCSOGIE2023.
For registration and more information about this event and more San Mateo County Pride 2023 celebration events, click here: https://www.smcpridecelebration.com/. To check out the virtual Pride calendar, click here: https://www.smcpridecelebration.com/calendar.
Resource Roadmap SMC: A Providers’ Guide to Supporting Transgender & Gender Diverse Clients
As states across the nation are passing laws to restrict the rights of our transgender community would you like to learn how to support trans folks better? Do you know about the gender-affirming resources here in San Mateo County? Are you interested in improving your skills in working with transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary individuals? We invite you to attend our Resource Roadmap Service Provider’s training! Together, we will review best practices and strategies to help you and your clients navigate different resources across San Mateo County (including housing, physical/mental health, employment, legal, and more).
There will be plenty of time for discussion and questions. This training was designed with health and social service workers in mind to help build your capacity to better serve trans, gender diverse, and non-binary people in San Mateo County. This workshop is FREE and open to the public. We hope to see you there! Please contact alex.golding@sanmateopride.org or 650-465-6795 for more information.
This project is supported by Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefit Programs.
Accessibility: This training will be hosted in English via Zoom. Closed captioning is available.

Picnic in the Park Event at Quarry
Thank you to everyone who attended our Picnic in the Park event at Quarry Park. It was another successful gathering with familiar faces and new community members.
Thank you to our partners at @peninsulafamilyserviceofficial and @smcpfoundation for co-hosting this special Mental Health Month gathering with us.
Please stay tuned for information about our upcoming “History Tour” SMC Parks events.
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Who are our partners?
San Mateo County Parks Foundation–
Unlike neighboring counties, San Mateo County does not have a dedicated funding source to provide for county park improvements and outdoor recreational programming. Established in 1998, the San Mateo County Parks Foundation provides additional financial support for the recreational, environmental and educational programs and projects of the San Mateo County Department of Parks.
The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of directors and has a small staff. The Foundation seeks grants and contributions from individuals, foundations and businesses. Recognition of gifts is done in accordance with the county approved Donor Recognition Guidelines. The Foundation does not manage the projects directly. The San Mateo County Department of Parks is responsible for the design, permitting, contracting and maintenance of the projects.
Peninsula Family Service-
Peninsula Family Service provides comprehensive services that support individuals and families at various stages of life. Originally a small organization founded in 1950, Peninsula Family Service has grown to recognize the need for innovative, professionally-led, locally-targeted solutions to secure the wellness and stability of our neighbors. The community has rallied behind this mission, providing fundraising support and volunteers to establish and grow expert-led programs.

The Pride Center’s Grand Reopening Event
Thank you to everyone who attended our grand reopening party last week! There are not enough words to express the joy, gratitude and pride that we felt at the event and as we prepare to reopen the center.
Thank you to the members of our Community Advisory Board (CAB) for supporting with creating promotional materials, setting up the space and their ongoing hard work to make meaningful community spaces.
Thank you to our partners at Peninsula Family Service, Outlet & StarVista for their continued support. Your partnership and collaboration is a treasure and we’re so grateful to work with you.
Thank you to our own DJ Alex Golding for spinning tunes that provided a joyful soundtrack for us to dance and celebrate.
Thank you to Supervisor Dave Pine, Dr. Jei Africa and Mayor Amo Lee for sharing their passionate and moving words about visibility and building community in San Mateo County.
Our LGBTQ+ community is facing some scary stuff right now- overall anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, some of which is specifically targeting our Trans* siblings, bills that are targeting our reproductive rights and bodies & a slew of other thinly veiled laws that work to keep us silenced and erased.
In spite of all of this, we thank you, community, for showing up loudly, boldly and proudly to celebrate yourselves and each other in community. Thank you for showing up as yourselves everyday as your authentic selves. We are as prismatic and dynamic as the universe and we will continue to work with you to create the world where we can all thrive.
Welcome home!