As the first LGBTQ+ Center in the Bay Area Peninsula, the San Mateo County Pride Center is proud to host a variety of services to connect youth across the County and build a thriving LGBTQ+ youth space. This is done in partnership with Outlet, a program of Adolescent Counseling Services, who collaborate to create inclusive and welcoming programming to best serve LGBTQ+ youth in San Mateo County. Together we provide social events, support groups, counseling services and leadership opportunities to youth. In the community, we are available for education and consultation to continue to build an inclusive and informed environment to best serve our LGBTQ+ youth.

Please note: ACS/Outlet will be closed
starting 12/23 through 1/3. They will reopen on Monday, 1/6/25.

CONTACT
CONTACT: For more information about Outlet and their services, please contact [email protected] or call 650-424-0842 ext. 107.

Join the 2024-2025
Youth Advisory Board

Interested in developing programming and events for LGBTQ+ youth in San Mateo County? Want to build leadership and community-building skills?

2024-2025 Youth Advisory Board (YAB)!

As a member of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) with Outlet and the San Mateo County Pride Center you will help plan, organize and implement positive changes and support for LGBTQIA+ youth in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.

Youth Advisory Board members help the LGBTQIA+ community by addressing needs they see around them, getting their friends and peers involved, sharing information about upcoming events with friends, peers and teachers at school, as well as bringing input and suggestions from community members to help shape the direction of the Youth Program!

This group meets every other Wednesday from 6-7:30 PM beginning in September.

For more information and to apply, please fill out this application.

Please connect with Yossi Zavala Lopez (She/Her/Hers/Ella), Outlet Social Program Lead at [email protected] for any questions.

Queer Joy Zine

Outlet and the San Mateo County Pride Center’s Youth Advisory Board are excited to share the release of the Queer Joy Zine! Focusing on Queer Joy in all iterations and aspects, this digital zine conveys messages of hope and joy to the LGBTQIA+ community by celebrating the stories, creations, and lives of LGBTQIA+ people from across the Bay Area.

To view or download a copy of the Queer Joy Zine, please click the button below:

Queer Joy Zine

Peer Groups for Youth

The Pride Center and Outlet believe that building community is the most powerful tool for developing resilience, confidence, and empathy for others. Our youth program hosts facilitated Peer Groups for youth between the ages of 10-25. These groups are run by trained volunteers who facilitate different discussions around queer and trans identity and experience, self-care, struggles & strengths, and other topics that group members might bring to the table.

Our youth Peer Groups are facilitated through Outlet. Participants will need to complete the Initial Group Contact Form and arrive 10 minutes early for their first group for a brief check-in. Groups are open to all youth ages 10-25 at no cost!

Here is a current listing of our youth support groups and their times (updated 9/30/24):

Monday LGBTQIA+ Youth Group (ages 10-18), every Monday from 4:30pm to 6:00pm, In-Person (Redwood City, CA)

Tuesday QTBIPOC Group (ages 14-25), every Tuesday from 6:00pm to 7:30pm on Zoom

Thursday Trans Group (ages 14-25), every Thursday from 5:00pm to 6:30pm, alternating between meeting on Zoom and In-Person (Redwood City, CA)

Please contact [email protected] for information about joining either of these groups.

Youth & Families

For youth and families who are looking for support outside of the Peer Support Group or Leadership programs, the Pride Center partners with PFLAG (Parents and Family Members of LGBTQ+ and Allies United for Equality) in hosting a monthly group on the second Tuesday of the month from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

If you are interested in individual or family counseling, please see our Clinical Services webpage to get in touch with our Clinical team.

Youth Advisory Board

The San Mateo County Pride and Outlet’s Youth Advisory Board is a group of youth leaders aged 14-25 who are focused on developing LGBTQ+ youth programming in San Mateo County. We co-empower youth in the County to practice leadership and community-building skills, and provide events, activities, and community for youth, by youth. Learn more about our leadership group by clicking HERE.

School Resources & Support

Outlet & the Pride Center provide support and education for schools and students hosting or starting a Genders and Sexualities Alliance, formerly known as Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). We can provide information on resources and events, lead a guided discussion or workshop about Gender and Sexuality, or work with local GSAs to plan different events on their school campuses such as National Coming Out Day, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Transgender Day of Visibility, etc.

We also provide resources and training to educators and administrative school staff to create more inclusive and affirming environments for our LGBTQ+ youth. We can book a training, facilitate a panel discussion about LGBTQ+ identities and experiences, provide consultation around specific policies/procedures and more.

Please reach out [email protected] to schedule an initial consultation and discuss resources that Outlet and the Pride Center can provide your school and students.

Community Events

To best foster a network of support for our youth, we host an ongoing series of events to provide a space for connection and community. We provide a wide range of events so every youth can find the right space for them! Some of our regular events include: Queeraoke (quarterly), movie screenings, youth summer drop-ins (annual), book club, celebrations and commemorations such as National Coming Out Day and Trans Day of Remembrance, and more. Please visit our calendar to see upcoming events!

Youth

Join the 2024-2025 Youth Advisory Board

Queer Joy Zine

Peer Groups for Youth

Youth & Families

Youth Advisory Board

School Resources & Support

Community Events

Join the 2024-2025
Youth Advisory Board