The Pride Center is proud to offer trainings, education, and consultations in support of our larger goal: to create institutional and cultural change for LGBTQ+ folks.

Our trainings help reduce stigma and discrimination throughout the county by engaging providers, organizations, and community on LGBTQ+ topics to further their understanding, support of, and engagement with the LGBTQ+ community. We strive to equip San Mateo County (and beyond!) services and residents with the tools to build cultural humility and create more equitable environments for all LGBTQ+ folks.

Our trainings and consultations are offered virtually, in-person, or in hybrid formats!

How to Request an LGBTQ+ Training

If you have any questions or are ready to request a training with the San Mateo County Pride Center, reach out to Ishani Dugar (xe/they) at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org or 650- 554-1234 (text ok). To learn more about our current offerings, please see the training descriptions below!

Please note that we charge an hourly rate for our trainings, please reach out to Ishani to learn more. Trainings are offered virtual or on-site at your organization.

Request a Training

Special Training Series –
Preparing for Pride: From Undoing Assumptions, to Embodying Allyship

We are thrilled to bring you a FREE 4 part training series, to better understand and support the LGBTQ+ community; through Pride and beyond!

Join us every other Wednesday (5/13& 5/27, 6/10& 6/24) for a new topic, great conversation, and fun learning!

5/13: Becoming Aware of Our Assumptions: Conversations to Create more Inclusive Spaces
We all approach the world with open minds, but still have inherent beliefs and assumptions that impact and shape our everyday actions and interactions without us knowing. This training works to help us recognize assumptions we may make about others, understand their roots, and explore how to reduce their impact.

5/27:
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) 101
These are identities we all hold and have relationships with, and in this training we work to better understand the LGBTQ+ community through that lens. We also touch on extended topics such as pronouns, best practices, and supporting people exploring and sharing their identities.

6/10: Trans 101
Seeking a space to learn about and discuss relevant and pressing issues Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse communities face? This training offers in-depth conversations on topics such as transphobia, euphoria and dysphoria, and mis/disinformation about transitioning. You will leave with tips and tricks on how to be an advocate for the Trans* community.

6/24: Putting Allyship Into Action
Ready to move from learning to action? In this training, we will work together to build an understanding of, and the confidence to embody, principles of allyship and advocacy. We will use breakouts and scenarios to help participants begin to utilize these principles to develop a personalized toolkit that will allow them to feel more able to advocate for others based on their unique skills.

When: Doors at 6:45, Program at 7, Q&A at 8:30

Where: Island United Church, 1130 Balclutha Drive Foster City
(https://iucfc.org/directions)

Who: contact ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org for training questions, pastor@iucfc.org for any questions about the location

The Pride Center is currently offering the following LGBTQ+ trainings:

Becoming Aware of our Assumptions:
Conversations to Create More Inclusive Spaces

It’s human nature to make assumptions about people, identities, and communities. We all move through the world with these ongoing assumptions and belief systems unknowingly impacting our interactions. In this training, we create a carefully guided environment, allowing us to identify and unpack our own internalized myths, examine the roots of their inheritance, and ask ourselves how to adjust them. Through interactive activities, discussion time, and space for reflection, we will all start the work to shift our assumptions and biases toward truth. This training requires at least 2 hours. There are no prerequisites for taking this training.

SOGIE / LGBTQ+ 101

In this SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression) training, we cover the differences and relationships between sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, and gender expression through engaging videos, group discussion, and community knowledge building. We also touch on extended topics like inclusive practices, pronouns, and cultural humility. After every training, we provide extensive resources and are available for follow-up questions and needs. It is preferred that this training takes 2 hours but can be delivered in 1.5 hours. There are no prerequisites for taking this training.

SOGIE/ LGBTQ+ 201

This SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression) 201 moves beyond our 101 to build a deeper understanding of these identity categories. In the this training we dive into expectations and social influences on identity, and intersectional issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community. Through breakout discussions, engaging videos, and matching games, we will work to gain a better understanding of our own identities as well as how to be allies to people with marginalized identities. This training requires at least 2 hours. Participants must have taken a SOGIE 101 within the last year.

Pronouns 101

Are you seeking more guidance on how to practice, use, and ask for pronouns? This Pronouns 101 workshop will help you feel more comfortable in any situation! In this training, you’ll learn how to safely ask someone their pronouns, break down neo pronouns, and experience a comfortable space to ask your questions about and practice pronouns. It is preferred that this training takes 1.5 hours but can be delivered in 1 hour. There are no prerequisites for taking this training.

Trans 101

Want to better understand the relevant and pressing needs of the transgender and non-binary communities? This training offers in-depth conversations on topics such as transphobia, transitioning, being an ally to people of all gender identities and expressions, and more. We conclude this training with tips and tricks on how to be an advocate for the trans community as well as resources for continued learning. It is preferred that this training takes 2 hours but can be delivered in 1.5 hours. Participants must have taken a SOGIE 101 within the last year.

Putting Allyship Into Action

In this collaborative workshop, attendees will gain understanding of and confidence to embody principles of allyship and advocacy. These principles are inclusive of, but not limited to, decentering oneself, actively listening, uplifting others’ voices, looking to better understand others’ needs, unlearning when needed, developing intervention skills, and more. Through small group discussions and scenarios, our goal is for participants to better understand how to utilize these principles to develop a personalized toolkit that will allow them to feel able to advocate for others based on their unique skills. It is preferred that this training takes 2 hours, however it can be delivered in 1.5. There are no pre-requisites to taking this training.

Capacity Building Education and Consultations

The Pride Center acknowledges that none of us do our work alone. Our staff can provide your organization with educational opportunities and consultations to help with skills-building and cultural humility. This work will be done in partnership with you and tailored to your agency or program needs. Our goal is to build the capacity of San Mateo County services to better support the needs of LGBTQ+ community members and residents.

If you or your team are interested in receiving consulting services from staff at the Pride Center, please contact Ishani Dugar (xe/they), our Lead Trainer and Peer Group Support Coordinator, at ishani.dugar@sanmateopride.org or our office generally at info@sanmateopride.org to be connected to the right person. Please note that some consultation services may require a small hourly fee, please reach out with any questions.

Examples of former consultations have included:

LGBTQ workplace sector specific check-ins and education

Human resources protocol recommendations

Mental health affirming/inclusive care and practices

Bathroom policy review and editing

How to ask SOGIE questions in client demographic forms

Trainings & Consultations