Celebrating Pride Month With LGBTQA Resources
“I know that you cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living.”
— Harvey Milk
By Maria Melo, Director of Community Supports and Resilience
I’m not gonna lie, Pride month is difficult this year. As a person who is part of the LGBTQ community as well as a professional who has dedicated more than a decade to nonprofit social services and policy advocacy, I am very much aware that support for the LGBTQ community is changing in California and beyond, and not in the best way.
Last April, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) — in partnership with the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research’s California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) — presented the outcomes of a survey on the frequency of hate activity across the state. According to the 2023 California Health Interview Survey, an estimated 2.6 million Californians directly experienced at least one act of hate in the previous year. (Source). In 2022, anti-transgender and anti-sexual orientation hate crimes reported to law enforcement in California reached their highest levels since 2013.
That is why even though the landscape is dire, I am also feeling prouder than ever of the work we do at Interface’s 211 Ventura County through our Ventura County vs. Hate program.
Additionally, at Interface, our team strives to maintain welcoming spaces to vulnerable populations such as survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking victims, and homeless youth, including those who are part of the LGBTQ community.
Guided by Interface’s vision to contribute to safe and equitable communities where individuals thrive through an inclusive network of care providers, we take pride in uplifting the dignity, well-being, and future of all clients.
LGBTQ+ Counseling and Support Groups & Helplines
Agency: Trevor Project
Program: Trevor Project
Trevor Project provides a 24/7 suicide prevention and confidential crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth via phone, text, and online chat. Trevor Project is available to young people nationwide who are dealing with issues such as coming out, LGBTQ+ identity, depression, and suicide.
Agency: Diversity Collective
A local nonprofit in Ventura County dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community through programs and services focused on advocacy, education, mental and physical health, including sexual health information.
Program: Queer Adulting
An all-inclusive LGBTQAI+ meeting designed for all identifying queer individuals to meet, socialize, and support each other. The group provides a space for participants to check in and be part of the community.
Program: Rainbow Umbrella
A peer support group for individuals aged 13-23 who identify as LGBTQQIAP2+ or are exploring their identities. The program offers a safe and affirming environment for youth to connect and receive support.
Program: Outspoken Men’s Group
A social and personal growth group for LGBTQ+ men and their allies. The group meets every Thursday to discuss topics and issues prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community, fostering connection and personal development.
Program: About Our Shine is a sexual health information and education support program that provides free sexual health and wellbeing services, including free and confidential HIV and STI screenings.
LGBTQ+ Focused Health Care and Counseling
Agency: VENTURA COUNTY HEALTH CARE AGENCY AMBULATORY CARE CLINICS (HCA)
Program: The Pride Clinic provides healthcare for the LGBTQ community. Services include:
Hormone replacement therapy for transgender clients
Primary care
Free Rapid HIV testing
Sexual orientation counseling services
Nutritional counseling
PEP/PrEP Services
Program: LGBTQ+ GENERAL COUNSELING AND YOUTH SUPPORT GROUPS
Provides 10 FREE Counseling Sessions for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community to support mental and physical wellness, specializing in:
Sexual assault
Domestic violence
General Counseling
Gender identity counseling
Also offers a safe space for youth who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Youth groups pair a clinician with a community volunteer. Facilitators have training in youth engagement, crisis intervention, trauma, and LGBTQ issues.
Resources available outside of Ventura County:
LGBTQ+ Resources from the LA LGBT Center
The Los Angeles LGBT Center offers a variety of essential services to support the LGBTQ+ community. Below are direct links to key programs and services provided by the Center:
