As a Nation, we have come a long way since the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement, which was sparked by the1969 Stonewall Uprising, when gay and trans patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City, fought back against police trying to arrest them. Although that was over fifty-five years ago, still today, individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) are more likely to become hate crime victims than African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Muslims or Jews, according to the FBI’s annual report. These growing incidents are clearly cause for concern and merit special attention. In spite of this dark revelation, there are organizations that continue to fervently champion the LGBTQ+ community and serve as a guiding light with their illuminating programs and services.
The San Joaquin Pride Center (SJPC) embraces and serves the diverse LGBTQ+ community by creating a safe and welcoming space in San Joaquin County and the surrounding areas. Located in Yosemite Street Village within the heart of Stockton’s gayborhood, the center also provides resources that enrich the body, mind and spirit as well as educating the public in affirming, nurturing and accepting all people within the LGBTQ+ community.
Since its opening in 2011, the SJ Pride Center has been a welcome oasis to the LGBTQ+ community providing counseling and support services, transgender services, as well as programs to empower LGBTQ+ youth such as Speqtrum, a Monthly Youth Hangout for ages 12-20 and their Youth Empowerment Summit. Jonathan Lopez, Senior Youth Outreach Coordinator is passionate about making a difference the community and stated, “My role is to empower youth to find their own voices and to advocate for themselves and also to find coping mechanisms and better mental health.” “We listen to our community and they tell us what they need. As social media and technology changes, I make sure we keep up with those changes to continue to provide resources and make sure that kids who are in more marginalized or rural areas get access to those things.” He continued.
The SJ Pride Center Team delivers their messaging to campuses and organizations throughout San Joaquin County, as Jonathan explains, “Based on the school’s administration or culture, we meet with students through their LBGTQ+ or GSA Clubs (Gay-Straight or Gender-Straight Alliances). Sometimes the administration wants us to be part of their suicide prevention or anti-bullying programs or assembly.”
A gay-straight alliance or GSA, is a club for the LGBTQ+ youth and straight allies. These student-led clubs provide a space for students to discuss, learn about, and educate others on sexual orientation and gender identity. In 1990, there were two gay-straight alliance and now there are more than 4,000 GSA’s in schools nationwide. The SJ Pride Center services over 3,000 LGBTQ+ youth and provides services to over 10,000 residents annually through its various programs in San Joaquin County.
Cristopher Bunnell, Director of Administration and Development, diligently creates models and blueprints to ensure various financial resources, stating, “My focus is creating operational structures that make sure that the Pride Center will be here for years to come and determine what key partnerships are needed.”
He further relayed, “Growing our program means obtaining More Money which means More Mission for the community. We also get calls from people who need help with housing or integration as well as advocacy requests, especially during the legislative season to sign on to bills for support.”
Every day is a unique one filled with diverse phone calls, emails and requests. Some individuals are requesting LGBTQ+ Friendly Providers or Legal Assistance referrals as well as Counseling or Support Services.
But it’s this next chilling example, that is the type of call that Jonathan receives all the time that provides a glimpse into a day in the life of an SJ Pride Center staff person that many of us could not imagine. “I got a call from a school in Tracy and they had a kid who locked himself into the bathroom, telling people on the outside including the school campus monitor, that he was going to kill himself because he had come out and he was having a horrible day at school.”
“The school staff couldn’t gauge whether it was anxiety or if he was actually going to hurt himself.” He continued, “He wanted to talk to somebody and had been to the counselor’s office because he didn’t have a great experience at home, so the counselors asked me to come right away.” Jonathan’s entire mindset during the long forty-minute drive from Stockton to Tracy was “Oh my God. Am I going to get there on time? Am I going to be able to talk to this kid? Sometimes it’s those calls you get and you need to go ASAP. That’s our job the majority of the time.” Fortunately, he did make it there in time and because of his intervention, and that of two other counselors, the student finally came out of the bathroom and a potential deadly crisis was averted. The invaluable service provided by of the San Joaquin Pride Center and Staff is a testament to the unsung heroes in our community among us. Their unwavering resolve and dedication to go above and beyond is a blessing to our community.
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