San Mateo County Pride Center

San Mateo County Pride Center Over a decade in the making, the Pride Center is the first LGBTQ+ center in San Mateo County.

LGBTQ+ folks throughout the peninsula finally have a space to call their own, whether to seek behavioral health services or gather in community. As the first and only LGBTQ+ center in San Mateo County, the Pride Center combines direct mental health services with community building and educational programming. Over a decade in the making, the Pride Center represents the realization of the collectiv

e efforts of many who believe in equity, justice, and inclusivity. LGBTQ+ individuals and communities in San Mateo County have been waiting for a space to call their own, whether to seek services or to just gather in community with others. Our services include:
-Individual, Family, and Partner counseling (MediCal and Sliding Scale)
-Peer Counseling and Mentorship
-Drop-in Therapy Groups
-Drop-in Peer Social Groups
-Case Management
-Regular drop-in hours
-Educational Workshops
-Training Program for local schools, providers, and organizations
-Onsite Library and Computer Lab
-Resource and Service Referrals

The San Mateo County Pride Center is a program of StarVista

For accessibility information about the SMC Pride Center, please see this link: https://sanmateopride.org/faq-2/

The San Mateo County Pride Center—the only LGBTQ+-focused provider serving the entire county—is in danger of closing. Wi...
06/05/2026

The San Mateo County Pride Center—the only LGBTQ+-focused provider serving the entire county—is in danger of closing. With the increase in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, hate crimes, and bullying against the LGBTQ+ community, the Pride Center is the only safe and affirming space to turn for so many.

Last year alone, we supported 15,544 individuals across our county.

Without the Pride Center, who we risk losing:
- LGBTQ+ affirming mental health counseling
- Gender-affirming services
- Training for service providers
- Emergency food and housing support
- Peer support groups
- Community connection
- A safe escape (safe space)

Please join our campaign to raise $180k and save the Pride Center by:
- Donating – Every dollar makes a difference. YOU can make a direct & collective impact.
- Connecting us to funders, sponsors, or others who have resources.
- Hosting a fundraiser for us! Please, contact us. We’d love to support you, supporting us!
- Sharing this message! Help us reach a wider audience. A simple forward can make a big impact!

Every gift matters.
Every share helps.
Every individual action makes a collective impact.

Together we can save LGBTQ+ affirming care and safe spaces.

To donate or learn other ways that you can support, please visit this link: sanmateopride.org/donations

**Next week (6/11)!**A free peer support group for folks who are LGBTQ+ identified people of color. Join us monthly to f...
06/05/2026

**Next week (6/11)!**

A free peer support group for folks who are LGBTQ+ identified people of color. Join us monthly to find community, share stories & interests, give and receive support, and build new friendships!

This group takes place on Zoom, is for community members 18+ and is held in english.

Upcoming dates:
July 9 & August 13

Register with this link - tinyurl.com/smpcqtbipoc

Questions? Reach out to [email protected] or text/call 650-554-1234

Today’s the day! The Elton John Impact Awards are officially live. Tune in now to hear powerful, personal stories from t...
06/02/2026

Today’s the day! The Elton John Impact Awards are officially live. Tune in now to hear powerful, personal stories from this year’s incredible honorees and learn more about the impact behind this program.

As a beneficiary organization, The San Mateo County Pride Center is honored to be part of this platform – one that not only celebrates trailblazers shaping culture, but also supports organizations like ours working every day to advance equality and uplift LGBTQ+ communities.

From candid conversations with honorees like Jonathan Bailey, Laverne Cox, Melissa Etheridge, Billie Jean King, Orville Peck and Chappell Roan to the stories behind their impact, this is a program you don’t want to miss!

Listen now on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

It's our birthday today! The past 9 years have been... a lot. Lots of good, weird and everything in-between. We're honor...
06/01/2026

It's our birthday today! The past 9 years have been... a lot. Lots of good, weird and everything in-between. We're honored, privileged and overjoyed to continue to be YOUR space! Thanks for growing and adapting with us, we wouldn't be where we are without you.

Also, Happy Pride Month! We're going to be all over San Mateo County this month and hope we get to see you! We'll be sharing our Pride schedule later this week.

If you want to support us all year long (yup, we celebrate Pride all year long), please consider a one-time or ongoing donation - https://sanmateopride.org/donations/

We’re proud to be a beneficiary of the Elton John Impact Awards – a powerful new platform celebrating the icons, legends...
05/30/2026

We’re proud to be a beneficiary of the Elton John Impact Awards – a powerful new platform celebrating the icons, legends and trailblazers shaping a more inclusive world in support of the LGBTQ+ community. 🌈

Because of this support and visibility from the Elton John Impact Awards, Procter & Gamble and The Looking Out Foundation, we are able to advance our critical work at The San Mateo County Pride Center – including community events, clinical and case management services and training and education.

This year’s honorees – including Jonathan Bailey, Laverne Cox, Melissa Etheridge, Billie Jean King, Orville Peck and Chappell Roan – have driven change, shaped culture and made a positive impact on society. Together, we celebrate their contributions while continuing the work to build a more equal future for LGBTQ+ communities everywhere.

You can tune in to the Elton John Impact Awards on June 1 across iHeartRadio (https://lnkd.in/gNqSTpjs) stations or via podcast to hear the candid, powerful conversations and stories of impact from this year’s honorees and the organizations that directly benefit from this incredible program.

We hope you can join us for Rooted in Resilience on Sunday, June 14 from 1030am-12pm at Huddart Park (Redwood City)Roote...
05/28/2026

We hope you can join us for Rooted in Resilience on Sunday, June 14 from 1030am-12pm at Huddart Park (Redwood City)

Rooted in Resilience is a benefit for the SMC Pride Center!
What can you expect? Meditation, qi gong, live acoustic music, and community connection! No experience necessary. All identities and experience levels are welcome. Huddart Part, Redwood City Redwood Picnic Area.

Free for all – donations encouraged! Register here - https://form.jotform.com/261374445412050

Questions? Email [email protected] or 650-591-0133

Hey community - please see this post for info about June's peer support groups !The San Mateo County Pride Center hosts ...
05/28/2026

Hey community - please see this post for info about June's peer support groups !

The San Mateo County Pride Center hosts a number of peer groups led by a combination of staff and community volunteers. These groups are social gatherings for community members to meet others who share their identities and experiences and are also a great way to make new connections with other LGBTQ+ folks in the Peninsula. Organized by age and specific identities, our peer groups reflect the diversity of our community.

For more information about the peer support groups, visit this link - https://sanmateopride.org/programs/peer-groups/

If you have questions about the peer support groups, please email [email protected] or text/call - 650-554-1234

Launch into Pride this Saturday, 5/30 at the Local Spot (Brisbane) at 4-8PMPRIDE MONTH is coming! Although it's pride 24...
05/27/2026

Launch into Pride this Saturday, 5/30 at the Local Spot (Brisbane) at 4-8PM

PRIDE MONTH is coming! Although it's pride 24/7 around here, we're starting out June with a Pride Launch Party! Our friends at Made of Dough are hosting a party and you're invited! Join us Saturday, May 30 from 4-8pm at The Local Spot in Brisbane.

What can you expect? Cookie decorating, a space to craft and make art, a dance party with DJ Danny, a market with local Q***r artisans, libations and MORE!

No registration required!

The Local Spot is located at 196 Old County Road in Belmont.

Questions? Contact [email protected] or call 650-591-0133

Thank you to everyone who attended this month's Conversation Cafe at the Redwood City Libaray. In case you missed it, we...
05/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended this month's Conversation Cafe at the Redwood City Libaray. In case you missed it, we held a discussion about burnout. While burnout is a significant problem faced by many service providers, it was great to get together to share tips, techniques and solidarity with each other.

Join us for our next conversation cafe, scheduled for Wed, 6/17 from 1-3pm at the Sports Basement in Redwood City. Topic and registration link to be shared!

Questions? contact [email protected] or 650-554-1234 (text or call).

Join us NEXT WEDNESDAY, 5/27 for a free training - Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) 101What c...
05/20/2026

Join us NEXT WEDNESDAY, 5/27 for a free training -
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) 101

What can I expect to learn in this training?
In this SOGIE (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression) training, we cover the differences and relationships between s*xual orientation, s*x, 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. There are no prerequisites for taking this training.

When: Doors at 6:45, Program at 7, Q&A at 8:30
Where: Island United Church, 1130 Balclutha Drive Foster City, 94404
Who: contact [email protected] for training questions, [email protected] for any questions about the location

Please note - these trainings are only onsite, no hybrid option is offered

This is the second of our four part, free trainings series called "Preparing for Pride: From Undoing Assumptions, to Embodying Allyship". Upcoming trainings in the series are: Trans 101 (6/10) & Putting Allyship into Action (6/24)

To register for SOGIE 101 and learn more about the other trainings please visit - https://tinyurl.com/prepforpride (linked in bio)

Address

San Mateo, CA

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm

Telephone

+16505910133

Website

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