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LGBTQ+ Resources: Region 5 – South Bay

Organizations and guidance for the support of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ+) students, educators, and families in Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties.

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

Monterey

Epicenter Monterey County External link opens in new window or tab.
Empowers at risk and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ+) youth ages sixteen through twenty-four to flourish by connecting them to community resources.

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 Clara

Santa Clara County Office of Education LGBTQ Services External link opens in new window or tab.
The Santa Clara County Office of Education provides many resources including policies, a statement of inclusion, and an LGBTQ resource guide.

Adolescent Counseling Services, Outlet Program External link opens in new window or tab.
Outlet empowers LGBTQ+ youth (serves ages ten through twenty-five) and builds safe and accepting communities through counseling services, social and support groups, education, training and advocacy.

Billy DeFrank Lesbian and Gay Community Center External link opens in new window or tab.
Provides community, leadership, advocacy, support and services to the Silicon Valley LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Programs include social activities, youth leadership development, nutritious lunches for seniors, support groups, individual counseling and HIV testing.

The LGBTQ Youth Space External link opens in new window or tab.
The LGBTQ Youth Space is a program of family and children services that includes a community drop-in center and mental health program for LGBTQ+ and ally youth and young adults ages thirteen through twenty-five who live in Santa Clara 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.

Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affair External link opens in new window or tab.
Committed to creating strong bridges throughout Santa Clara County that affirm and embrace the whole person, especially LGBTQ individuals and their families.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz County Office of Education LGBTQ Resources External link opens in new window or tab.
Resources and vision for LGBTQ+ Students in Santa Cruz County schools.

Diversity Center Santa Cruz External link opens in new window or tab.
Provides ongoing youth programs, weekly groups, as well as programs for LGBTQ+ people of all ages.

Encompass Mental Health External link opens in new window or tab.
Helps children, teens and families find constructive solutions to challenges that arise in school, home or with peers.

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.

Queer Youth Leadership Awards External link opens in new window or tab.
Yearly award program, currently in its 24th year, to celebrate LGBTQ+ youth, adult allies and programs that support LGBTQ+ youth.

Queer Youth Task Force External link opens in new window or tab.
Provides structures by which LGBTQ+ youth thrive and ongoing support for youth programs including Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSAs), rainbow graduation and yearly youth summits.

Salud Para La Gente Health Services External link opens in new window or tab.
Provides healthcare services and support for families and youth to live health lives throughout the Pajaro Valley community.

Safe Schools Program External link opens in new window or tab.
Partners with schools, school districts and the county office for professional development and programs for administrators, teachers and staff to develop safe and inclusive environments for all students, but especially for LGBTQ+ students.

Trans Family Support Services External link opens in new window or tab.
A community of parents and families coming together to make the world a safer and happier place for gender diverse youth through education, parent-to-parent support and advocacy.

San Benito

San Benito County Behavioral Health / LGBTQ Youth Resource Center—Esperanza Center External link opens in new window or tab. PDF
Ensuring a safer future for LGBTQ+ youth in the community and providing weekly youth hangouts.

Questions:   Teacher and Leader Policy Office | 916-445-7331
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
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