Mission

Cultivating San Mateo County as a welcoming and safe environment where its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community members can thrive.

Vision

The LGBTQ Commission envisions San Mateo County leading in addressing its LGBTQ community’s diverse needs. The term LGBTQ refers to individuals, including, but not limited to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and two-spirited. The Commission’s use of the terms LGBTQ or in the alternative, sexual and gender minorities, recognizes individual differences in self-identification, attraction and expression.

  • Dignity and Respect
    • The LGBTQ community is treated fairly, with dignity and respect, in all settings – the public sector and the private sector (business, cultural, educational, faith-based, recreational, and all community settings.)
  • Culturally Competent Services
    • LGBTQ community members have access to, can fully avail themselves of, and are fully participating in the county’s wide-ranging and culturally competent services, such as career, educational, financial, gainful employment, healthcare, housing, and other wellness services.
  • Welcoming, Respectful and Responsive
    • Services and settings are welcoming, respectful, and responsive to the needs of the LGBTQ community.

Values

The San Mateo County LGBTQ Commission is motivated by:

  • promoting justice and equity,
  • ending oppression and current  and historical inequities, and
  • ensuring that all voices in the community are represented.

The Commission:

  • is committed to engendering mutual respect
  • intends to conduct ongoing outreach, engagement and education and,
  • advocates for a County coordinated response to community needs.

The Commission plans to recommend reforms that are informed by data, have measurable outcomes, and are lasting and sustainable.