What we’re about
The San Mateo County Pride Center was born of the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community over the years and stands for equity, inclusion, dignity, self-determination, and justice. Over a decade in the making, the Pride Center is the first ever LGBTQ+ community center in San Mateo County. Whether seeking behavioral health services or gathering in solidarity with others to share stories, build relationships, learn, grow, create, and heal together, LGBTQ+ individuals and communities throughout the Peninsula finally have a space to call their own!
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to create a welcoming, safe, inclusive, and affirming community climate that fosters personal growth, health, and opportunities to thrive for individuals of all ages, sexual orientations, and gender identities through education, counseling, advocacy, and support.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to create an innovative, respectful, and equitable community of all ages, ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, and gender identities that supports complete inclusion, is free of discrimination, strives for knowledge, challenges barriers, and seeks to empower agents of social change.
ACCESSIBILITY INFO:
* The Center is one block north of the ECR & 12th Avenue stop for Samtrans 397 and ECR.
* The center has two gender neutral restrooms. Both are single stall and located near the front and rear entrances to the building. Both bathrooms are large and have railings.
* There is one disabled parking spot located in the parking lot behind the center off of 11th street.
* There is a wheel-chair accessible entrance to the rear of the building, located in the parking lot off of 11th street.
*This is currently not a scent-free/fragrance-free space.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Glitter and Goals: A Journaling Workshop SeriesLink visible for attendees
Glitter and Goals: A Journaling Workshop Series to Visualize, Create & Nurture Your Future Self
Ongoing Sundays 12/1, 12/8 & 12/15 from 2-4 PM on ZoomWant to learn artistic techniques that make planning and self-reflection feel like play? Transform your dreams from glimmer to reality in this unique 3-week art journaling workshop! Join us in creating a personalized dream-catching vision journal that combines creative expression with intentional goal-setting. In this affirming, supportive space, you'll turn a simple journal into a dazzling roadmap for 2025 while building community and celebrating your authentic self. No previous art experience needed!
BYOS (Bring Your Own creative Supplies) Supply accessibility support available contact to discuss options! This workshop takes place in English.
Suggested donation: $10-20/session (pay what you can) - https://sanmateopride.org/donations/, No one turned away for lack of funds.
RSVP using this link- tinyurl.com/glitterandgoals
Hosted by Jazz (they/them). Questions? Contact [email protected] or (650) 207-9628 (text is ok)
- Rainbow Kids - A Free Community TrainingLink visible for attendees
This free training is intended for community members who work with, or are the parent/guardian of under 10 year-olds. In this training participants will learn age-appropriate techniques for holding discussions about attraction and gender.
The goal of this training is to increase awareness about topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression (SOGIE) in early childhood and work toward a more expansive world for all children.
This training was developed in partnership with Community Equity Collaborative. For more information and resources, visit https://www.communityequitycollaborative.org/rainbow-kids
This training will be held in English. Closed Captioning will be available for those who need it. This training will not be recorded.
Please register using this link- tinyurl.com/rainbowkidsdec2024
Questions? Email [email protected] or 650-554-1234 (text ok)
- Queering the Season: Mental Health Tools for Holiday PeaceNeeds location
Queering the Season: Mental Health Tools for Holiday Peace
Tuesday, December 3 from 6-7:30 PM at CORA in the Carelle Room (2205 Palm Ave, San Mateo 94403)Are you concerned about preparing for and navigating the stress of the upcoming holidays? Are you hoping to generate a list of personalized coping tools for yourself to utilize during the holiday season and beyond?
Join us for our upcoming holiday coping tool workshop to learn more about taking care of our internal and external being! We will take the time to create a list of our own coping tools and comforts and make bracelets/keychains to take with us as a token to remember. This is a free event and all ages are welcome.
*We will provide all the materials needed but you are welcome to bring any special materials you would like to use for the event*
Register using this link -bit.ly/coraqts24
- December LGBTQ+ Book Club- The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaulLink visible for attendees
Please note: December and January's book clubs will be 100% virtual!
A free monthly book club with a focus on LGBTQ+ texts. Join us for great book discussions with community, and to cast your vote for future books! Books may be purchased or borrowed from your local library. This is an English-speaking group.
Join us on December 4 when we will be discussing The House of Hidden Meanings by RuPaul. To read a description of this book, please click this link.
Please contact Ishani Dugar (they/them or xe/xem) at [email protected] or 650-554-1234 (text ok) with any questions.
To see the books what that have been read & read descriptions for upcoming books, click this link.
Please consider utilizing SMCL to access this month's title! If you are looking to support a local LGBTQ+ owned business, please consider buying this book (& other titles) from our friends at Reach and Teach.
Registration is required: tinyurl.com/smcpc-bookclub
Please note, you only have to register for this group once. The meeting link and password will remain the same!
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER: Want to keep up to date with programming and events at the Pride Center? You can sign up for our monthly newsletter here: https://sanmateopride.org/newsletter/
Need services from the Pride Center? Please reach out to [email protected] or call 650-591-0133 if you have any questions about receiving services.