The San Mateo County Pride Center hosts a number of peer groups led by a combination of staff and community volunteers. These groups are social gatherings for community members to meet others who share their identities and experiences and are also a great way to make new connections with other LGBTQ+ folks in the Peninsula. Organized by age and specific identities, our peer groups reflect the diversity of our community.
**This page is current as of 4/11/26**
What is a Peer Group?
A Peer Group is a space for members of a specific identity and/or community to come together, build friendships, and find social and emotional support in a private and affirming environment. Groups are run by community members and consist of a check-in and topic-based discussion or activity brought forward by different participants.
These are not therapy groups, meaning facilitators are not licensed therapists; instead, they are community members providing supportive spaces for their peers to find connection. If you are in need of therapy or mental health support, please reach out to clinical@sanmateopride.org
Please note the following:
- All groups will remain virtual until further notice
- To learn more about the Peer Groups that we offer, please read the descriptions below and/or contact our Lead Trainer and Peer Group Coordinator, Ishani Dugar (they/xe) at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org.
- Please read our Community Agreements here.
- Accessibility – our groups are English-speaking and closed captioning is available if needed.
The Pride Center is currently offering the following groups for folks 18+:
LGBTQ+ Book Club:
1st Wednesday
from 430-6PM
The San Mateo County Pride Center co-host the LGBTQ+ Book Club in partnership with San Mateo County Libraries.
A free monthly book club with a focus on LGBTQ+ texts. Join us for great book discussions with community, and to cast your vote for future books!
Registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/smpcbookclub
Polyamory Peer Power:
1st Wednesday
from 7:00-8:30 PM
The Polyamory Peer Power group is drop-in, peer led social and discussion group for polyamorous / open / RA / poly-friendly / poly-curious / etc. folks (18+). Folks 50+ strongly encouraged to attend.
Registration is required– tinyurl.com/smpcpolypeerpower
Trans* Peer Support Group:
1st Thursday
from 6:00-7:30 PM
A free, peer-led social group for Trans* folks 18+! Join us monthly to find community, share stories & interests, give and receive support, and build new friendships! This group is welcoming of all people who identify as Trans* or are exploring their gender.
Registration is required – tinyurl.com/smpctransgroup
Crafting in Community:
3rd Wednesday
from 5:30-6:30
Been working on a craft? Want to start engaging your creativity more? Need motivation or input on your projects? Stop by to decompress after work, unwind after school, work on whatever craft you have going on, learn and share new skills, and get to know folks from our community!
This space is free, and there is no need to register! Can’t be there the whole time? Join late or leave early!
No registration required, this is a drop in space – https://tinyurl.com/smpccic
Queer Peers:
4th Wednesday
from 6:00-7:30PM
Looking for more social spaces? Want to spend time with community, regardless of identity? Join us for Queer Peers! This is a space to find community, share stories & interests, give and receive support, and build new friendships! This group is welcoming of ALL people who identify as LGBTQ+ and are 18+.
Register at:
https://tinyurl.com/smpcqueerpeers
LGBTQ+ Parents Group:
3rd Wednesday
from 7:30-8:30 PM
A free peer support group for folks who are LGBTQ+ identified and parents of kid(s) 0-17 years old. Parents are encouraged to join us to receive support, share parenting wisdom, build community and more.
All ways of being or becoming a parent are welcome!
If you know a parent who identifies as LGBTQ+ who might be interested in attending, please invite them to join!
Registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/smpcparentgroup
Queer Women’s Group:
4th Friday from
6:00pm until 7:30 PM
A free, drop-in, peer-led virtual social group for LGBTQ+ Women 18+. Come make friends and build connections with people in San Mateo County and beyond! This group is welcoming off all people who identify as Queer Women regardless of specific labels or other identities.
Register here –
tinyurl.com/smpcqueerwomengroup
Gay Men’s Group:
4th Tuesdays from 6-730PM
A free, peer-led, social support group for Gay Men 18+! Join us monthly to find community, share stories & interests, give and receive support, and build new friendships! This group is welcoming of all people who identify as men who love men, regardless of specific labels or other identities.
Be a part of the conversation!
Registration is required:
tinyurl.com/smpcgaymengroup
Youth Groups
QTBIPOC group (18+)–
Every 2nd Thursday
from 6:00-7:30 PM
A free peer support group for folks who are LGBTQ+ identified people of color. Join us monthly to find community, share stories & interests, give and receive support, and build new friendships!
Register with this link – tinyurl.com/smpcqtbipoc
Youth Trans Group(14-25)-
Weekly on Thursday from 5:00-6:30 PM
A peer support group for Trans* folks ages 14-25 who identify as part of the Trans* community or who want to explore their gender identity. This group is a safe and confidential space to share experiences and build positive relationships in a welcoming environment. *Trans = transmasc, transfemme, non-binary, agender, gender-queer/fluid, questioning, and more. This group is English speaking
This group is HYBRID. This group is held in person at Adolescent Counseling Services– 1779 Woodside Road, Suite 200 in Redwood City 94061
To attend any of these groups, please fill out Outlet’s Intake Form: tinyurl.com/OutletGroupForm
Questions? contact outletprogram@acs-teens.org or call 650-424-0852 x 107
Our groups will occasionally be rescheduled or cancelled due to facilitator schedule conflicts. Please check our calendar and/or Instagram for any notices of these changes.
For questions about the Peer Support that the Pride Center offers or if you are interested in starting a group, please reach out to Ishani Dugar (they/xe) at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org.
