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LGBTQ+ Resources: Region 8 – Costa Del Sur

Organizations and guidance for the support of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ+) students, educators, and families in Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

Counseling Services
For local physical and mental health providers with experience in treating and supporting LGBTQ+ students.

KERN

Bakersfield City School District External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)
The Bakersfield City School District is committed to gender equity and equal opportunity for all students and staff.

Alliance Against Family Violence External link opens in new window or tab.
The mission of the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault is to stop domestic violence and sexual assault in Kern County and assist survivors in reclaiming their lives. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ) (24 Hour Hotline Number 661-327-1091); other LGBTQ questions 661-332-1506.

Bakersfield LGBTQ External link opens in new window or tab.
They strive to serve the community with educational, advocacy and social opportunities and have held over 400 successful events of all kinds. Bakersfield Pride Festival is organized by Bakersfield LGBTQ and held in mid-October.

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. External link opens in new window or tab.
Provides free or low-cost legal assistance for LGBTQ families including assistance for gender and name changes.

The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity External link opens in new window or tab.
The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity (The Center), formerly known as The Gay & Lesbian Center of Bakersfield, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the LGBTQ community in Kern County. The Center is an easy access hub providing safe, supportive spaces and services to the LGBTQ community, and serving as a bridge to the greater community in Kern County.

PFLAG External link opens in new window or tab.
PFLAG has over 400 chapters across the country and California. Provides support services and education especially for parents and families of LGBTQ+ youth. Find a chapter near you.

Planned Parenthood External link opens in new window or tab.
Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide. See the local office in your county.

Save a Life Today (SALT) External link opens in new window or tab.
SALT is a local nonprofit aimed at suicide prevention and to assist those bereaved by suicide.

Youth Empowerment Pride Project External link opens in new window or tab.
Youth Empowerment Pride Project is dedicated to LGBTQ Youth Empowerment; to ensure safe spaces in the community, to gather and thrive as healthy individuals, while advocating for equality and celebrating diversity.

SAN LUIS OBISPO

Coast Unified School District External link opens in new window or tab.
Vision and Mission statement is inclusive of LGBTQ+ students.

Bully Prevention and Education Resources External link opens in new window or tab.
The Pleasant Valley Joint Union Elementary School District recognizes that bullying in schools is a serious matter that impacts student health and safety. Given this, the following resources and information are available to school and community members to assist in addressing bullying behavior and building safer learning environments.

Central Coast Coalition for Inclusive Schools External link opens in new window or tab.
The Central Coast Coalition for Inclusive Schools actively supports the development of safe and affirming school communities.

San Luis Obispo Community Counseling Center External link opens in new window or tab.
Their volunteer counselors see children, adolescents, and adults of all ages with a variety of problems including: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, marital and family issues, parenting, gay/lesbian issues, anger, grief, phobias, stress, and transitional issues that can be helped by short-term counseling.

Gala Pride Center External link opens in new window or tab.
The Gala Pride and Diversity Center supports and empowers people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions to strengthen and unite our central coast community.

PFLAG External link opens in new window or tab.
PFLAG has over 400 chapters across the country and California. Provides support services and education especially for parents and families of LGBTQ+ youth. Find a chapter near you.

Planned Parenthood External link opens in new window or tab.
Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide. See the local office in your county.

Tranz Central Coast External link opens in new window or tab.
Tranz Central Coast (TCC) uses outreach and advocacy to help transgender and other gender-diverse people live authentic, productive and happy lives in a safe and affirming community.

SANTA BARBARA

Lompoc Pride Alliance External link opens in new window or tab.
The Lompoc Pride Alliance, made up of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, was formed with a stated goal of working together to help make Lompoc a safer and more welcoming city for the LGBTQ+ community through outreach, resources, support and advocacy.

Pacific Pride Foundation External link opens in new window or tab.
Pacific Pride Foundation’s advocacy and education efforts meet the ongoing and emerging needs of a diverse population in order to create a thriving and visible LGBTQ+ community and to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS.

PFLAG External link opens in new window or tab.
PFLAG has over 400 chapters across the country and California. Provides support services and education especially for parents and families of LGBTQ+ youth. Find a chapter near you.

Planned Parenthood External link opens in new window or tab.
Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide. See the local office in your county.

Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network External link opens in new window or tab.
The Santa Barbara Transgender Advocacy Network educates individuals and organizations on best practices for transgender and gender expansive clients, patients, students, congregants and families; creates and develops spaces, actions, and policies that advance the welfare of transgender and diverse gender non-conforming individuals, their families, and allies in California's Central Coast communities.

VENTURA

Ventura County Office of Education Resources:

  • The Mental Health Program External link opens in new window or tab. under the CHPP also offers trainings around mental health, which include suicide alertness, honoring LGBTQ+ identities, counselor’s collaboratives, and brief interventions.

Ojai Unified School District External link opens in new window or tab. (PDF)
Ojai Unified School District maintains a LGBTQ+ resource list for students and their families in English and Spanish for Ventura County.

Oxnard Union High School District External link opens in new window or tab.
Oxnard Union High School has developed a mission to empower their students to be agents of change, and to partner with administration to build a culture of care.

Simi Valley Unified School District External link opens in new window or tab.
Simi Valley Unified School District maintains a LGBTQ+ resources page under Mental Health and Student Wellness.

Coalition for Family Harmony External link opens in new window or tab.
The Coalition now offers free specialized counseling services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and general counseling to individuals who identify as LGBTQ in Ventura County.

Diversity Collective External link opens in new window or tab.
A community-based 501(c)3 nonprofit governed by a volunteer board of directors and volunteer advisory board with a mission to promote advocacy, education, mental and physical health for the LGBTQ community and those affected by HIV and AIDS in Ventura County via our community resource center, programs, and community-building events.

Family & Friends Living United In Diversity External link opens in new window or tab.
Dedicated to offering “streams'' of unconditional love, heartfelt support and quality resources to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual and/or allies (LGBTQQIA+) community, their families and friends.

PFLAG External link opens in new window or tab.
PFLAG has over 400 chapters across the country and California. Provides support services and education especially for parents and families of LGBTQ+ youth. Find a chapter near you.

Planned Parenthood External link opens in new window or tab.
Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of women, men, and young people worldwide. See the local office in your county.

The Pride Prom External link opens in new window or tab.
Pride Prom of Ventura is an LGBTIQQA+ oriented prom that aims to promote individuality and acceptance among all orientations and gender identities while celebrating diversity and the strive for equality.

The Rainbow Umbrella Program External link opens in new window or tab.
The Diversity Collective Youth Services Rainbow Umbrella Program, in conjunction with the Ventura County Behavioral Health, provides peer-based support for youth LGBTQ+ and allies aged thirteen though twenty-three.

Social Justice Fund for Ventura County External link opens in new window or tab.
Social Justice Fund for Ventura County invests in community organizing—the process of bringing people together and helping them develop their voices, realize their power and collectively act to create real change in their lives and communities.

Unity Conejo External link opens in new window or tab.
An all-volunteer group of parents, students, and community members committed to advocating for and informing the public of the needs of LGBTQ+ youth in our local schools.

Questions:   Teacher and Leader Policy Office | 916-445-7331
School Health and Safety Office | 916-319-0314
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, June 12, 2024