Youth

Even with the passing of same-gender marriage and the increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ community members in mainstream media, LGBTQ+ youth still face higher rates of bullying, suicide, depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, and homelessness.

As the only LGBTQ+ Center in the Bay Area Peninsula, the San Mateo County Pride Center is proud to host a number of services to connect youth across the County and build a thriving LGBTQ+ youth space.

The Pride Center hosts a number of different programs for LGBTQ+ youth ages 10-25 that range from different social events and support groups to the Pride Center’s first youth leadership program!

CONTACT
Please contact our
Youth Program Coordinator,
Gilbert Gammad, at
gilbert.gammad@sanmateopride.org
or 650-591-0133 ext. 148
for more information.

Youth Advisory Board

At the San Mateo County Pride Center, we value and understand the importance of youth leadership and youth voices. We believe in empowering you to build your self-esteem and cultivate your leadership abilities to help you make positive decisions in your life and build your community. The Youth Advisory Board is a brand new opportunity for youth leaders to work with us to build and create community spaces for LGBTQ+ youth. Youth Advisory Board members will help plan, organize and perform outreach for various youth programming and events.

The Youth Advisory Board is a school year commitment and meets twice a month at the San Mateo County Pride Center on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 4:30PM to 5:30PM.

Apply now!

Peer Groups for Youth

The Pride Center believes 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 issues, self-care, identity, and other topics that group members might bring to the table.

The Peer Groups at the Pride Center are free and open to drop-ins; no sign-up required! Come by and check it out.

Here is a current listing of our youth support groups and their times

Youth Group (10-18), every Thursday from 6:00pm to 7:30pm @ Pride Center
Grown Folks (18-30), second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 6:00pm to 7:30pm @ Pride Center

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 interested in getting involved as a Peer Group Facilitator, please contact our Youth Program Coordinator, Gilbert Gammad, at gilbert.gammad@sanmateopride.org or 650-591-0133 ext. 148 for more information.

Community Support for Youth

Outside of direct services at the Pride Center, the youth program works to support schools, families, and youth who are seeking resources, consultation, and other services to create affirming spaces in the greater community.

Schools

The Pride Center is happy to visit your local Genders and Sexualities Alliance, formerly known as Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), to talk about the different services and events offered at the Pride Center, 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 are also happy to work with different schools to create GSAs on their campuses through consultation, provide a speaker’s bureau for discussions about LGBTQ+ experiences, and make presentations on Gender and Sexuality on campus.

In addition to the GSA, the Pride Center is happy to work with and provide resources 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, and more.

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.

Community Events

The youth program also hosts a monthly educational and informational event called Trans Talks, which brings in different community providers and educators on transgender issues to speak about topics that range from voice modification therapy to hormones and blockers. These talks are open to parents, providers, youth, and all other community members interested in learning more about the process of transition. Please see the individual events on our calendar for the topic, as well as whether the event is open or closed for cisgender community members.

Section

Please contact our Youth Program Coordinator, Gilbert Gammad, at gilbert.gammad@sanmateopride.org or 650-591-0133 ext. 148 for more information or to request a specific talk.