Post-2024 Election FAQs

The San Mateo County Pride Center and CoastPride have received many questions about what is in store for the LGBTQ+ community since the 2024 election. In response, we’ve created this list of commonly asked questions and answers, along with a linktree of related resources (use QR code at
top).

Please note that this is a living document and linktree | https://linktr.ee/smclgbtq

They were first created in January of 2025 and will be updated as the political and social landscape develops. There is a lot of fear and uncertainty around LGBTQIA+ and immigrant rights. When you’re utilizing this document we recommend that you consider what risks are imminent (i.e. laws
have been changed) and what risks are possibilities (i.e. a political leader said something verbally instead of issuing an official policy). Check your sources carefully and try to avoid doom scrolling.

To access the digital version of this document, please click button below:

Post-Election FAQs

Different letters of the LGBTQIA+ community have different needs and are facing different threats. A good place to start to look for supportive organizations in the Bay Area is The Horizon Foundation’s organization directory. Many organizations (including CoastPride and the Pride
Center) offer identity specific peer support groups as well as case management and mental health support, virtually and online.

If you have questions or suggested updates to this document or the linktree, please reach out to info@sanmateopride.org and/or contact@coastpride.org.

Resource Local and National Hotlines and Warmline Directory

These phone lines are for anyone who is looking for someone to discuss their daily struggles. The call lines are usually staffed with peers who have lived experience of mental health struggles and other challenges. Anyone can call these lines (for free) to talk about their day, learn more about resources in their area, and/or receive peer support if they are experiencing a crisis themselves, or if they are caring for a family member or loved one in need.

Access Resource Local and National Hotlines List

To access a pocket sized version of this list, please click this link.

THE ABC’S OF LGBTQ+!

These terms have been compiled from several other glossaries and guides, which we encourage you to check out as well:

GLAAD

We Are Family

The Fenway Institute (pdf)

To see list of terms, click button below.

Glossary

Community Resources and Services

Here at the Pride Center, we are pleased to offer a number of resources for the benefit of our community members:

Free monthly legal name and gender marker change workshops (see more below).
Resource and service referrals (e.g. housing, healthcare, employment, etc.).
Educational programs and workshops (e.g. Trans Talks).
Computer lab – browse the Internet, print documents, update your resume, and more!
“Free Store” consisting of clothing, hygiene products, condoms, chest binders and other donated items.
LGBTQ+ library with books suitable for all ages.
For a list of crisis intervention resources and hotlines, click here.

Did you know that there are a number of Pride Flags here that represent Pride? We are using this link inclusive and complete list that we can found of beautiful Pride Flags. Please note that this advertising is not supported by Pride Center and is though a comprehensive list that we can find. If folks have any questions, please reach out to us at info@sanmateopride.org.

For other community services and/or resources throughout San Mateo County, please visit www.smc-connect.org.

For an LGBTQ+ Comprehensive Health & Well-being Guide, please visit drugwatch.com/health/lgbtq/

For LGBTQ+ individuals who are experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, please visit startyourrecovery.org/who/lgbtq

For free and confidential support available 24/7 and in multiple languages, you may also dial 2-1-1 to get connected to a specialist for personalized assistance. Further information is also available at www.211bayarea.org.

For transgender and non-binary specific resources, please see our Resource List

For more resources compiled by the San Mateo County Pride Center,
please click the button below

More resources compiled by the San Mateo County Pride Center

Resource Roadmap for Transgender and Non-binary Community

Our Resource Roadmap collection is intended to support and empower Transgender, Gender-Diverse, and Non-binary individuals in navigating various resources in San Mateo County and beyond. This resource was created by the community, for the community. Available for download and printing, each brochure focuses on a central topic relating to: Housing, Physical/Mental Health, Employment, Legal Advocacy, and the Essentials (Food, Shelter & Wellness).

Access the Roadmap

Best Practices for LGBTQ+ Community-Oriented Surveys

The Pride Center, in collaboration with Albert Schweitzer Bay Area Fellowship recipient and second year Stanford Medical student, Ada Zhang (They/Them), has created a best practices document with suggestions & considerations for conducting informed, community-oriented surveys. Special thanks to Lauren Himenez (She/Her), StarVista Grant Coordinator for her support in the drafts and proofreading process.

To view, download, and / or share the document, please click the button below or visit this link: tinyurl.com/SMCPC-BestPractices

If you have any questions about the document, please email us at info@sanmateopride.org.

Best Practices Document

Legal Name and Gender Marker Change Workshop

We know that this is an exciting and potentially overwhelming process, and it is our goal to help ease any concerns you may have.

We will guide you through each step and help you prepare the necessary paperwork to legally change your name and gender markers. Please note that we are not attorneys; however, we do consult with legal experts as needed. This is a completely FREE workshop in English and all appointments are currently over Zoom. If you are unable to use Zoom or have other language and/or accessibility needs, let us know.

*As of July 2025 UPDATE: If you need legal name and gender change support please email info@sanmateopride.org. We can see about arranging for individual support and/or consultation while timings for our group workshops are still TBD.

Part 1 will cover court order forms, filing instructions, and fee waivers.

Part 2 will cover updating social security documents, DMV documents, passports, birth certificates, and other documents.

*If the times above don’t work for your schedule, please let us know. We can arrange for individual appointments or consultations if needed. If you would like to attend part 2 before the scheduled month, please reach out to us!

RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/name-and-gender-change-rsvp
Please reach out to info@sanmateopride.org or call 650-591-0133 if you have question.

Rainbow Kids training resources

In April, we hosted a series of workshops with our friends at the Community Equity Collaborative in partnership with the Silicon Valley Community foundation called the Rainbow Kids trainings. In these workshops, participants learned age-appropriate techniques for holding discussions about sexual orientation and gender. For resources shared during this workshop, please see this link

or this link:
www.communityequitycollaborative.org/copy-of-rainbow-kids-resources

SOGIE: The ABC’s of LGBT+

Our resource brochure was created for Latinx and Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ Allies and beyond to support inclusive conversations about gender identity/expression and sexual orientation for all. This resource was created through the collective partnership between the San Mateo County Pride Center and Adolescent Counseling Services: Outlet. Available for download and printing, this resource is available in both English and Spanish.

Nuestro folleto de recursos fue creado para Aliados LGBTQ+ Latinx y de Habla Hispana y más allá para apoyar conversaciones inclusivas sobre identidad/expresión de género y orientación sexual para todos.Este recurso se ha creado gracias a la asociación colectiva entre el San Mateo County Pride Center y Adolescent Counseling Services: Outlet. Este recurso, que puede descargarse e imprimirse, está disponible en Inglés y Español.

Access the Brochures