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 first 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.

Here at the Pride Center, we celebrate LGBTQ+ youth and host a number of different programs for LGBTQ+ youth ages 10-30 that range from different social events and support groups to the Pride Center’s first youth leadership program!

CONTACT
For more information on and of these programs, services, and/or workshops, please contact our Youth Program Coordinator, Ishani Dugar (they/them), at
ishani@acs-teens.org

Join the 2022-2023
Youth Advisory Board

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

Join the 2022-2023 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.

Deadline to apply is August 19th.

Questions? Contact ishani@acs-teens.org

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

Youth Advisory Board

The San Mateo County Pride and Outlet Youth Advisory Board is a group of youth leaders aged 12-20 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.

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 Monday from 4:30pm to 6:00pm on Zoom
QTBIPOC Group (14-25), every Tuesday from 6:00pm to 7:30pm on Zoom

Please contact outletprogram@acs-teens.org for information about joining either of these groups.

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 for youth groups, please contact Ishani Dugar (they/them) at Ishani@acs-teens.org 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 periodically hosts educational and informational events 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 check out our calendar and social media for more information on what dates these are being hosted.