The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity

OUR MISSION & VISION FOR THE FUTURE

The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity has long served as a haven of safety, support, and service for Kern County's 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies. Through community surveys and focus groups, we're re-envisioning our mission to meet evolving needs and amplify our impact.

A NEW PATH FORWARD 

The Center is embarking on an ambitious new path: establishing a 2SLGBTQIA+ Health Center offering holistic care including therapy and gender-affirming services. Our mission will reflect dedication to health and wellness for Kern County's 2SLGBTQIA+ community, ensuring every resident has access to essential care where they feel understood and valued.

This vision cannot be accomplished alone. Whether through volunteering, advocacy, financial contributions, or spreading the word, every act of support brings us closer to making comprehensive, compassionate healthcare a reality. Together, we can create a beacon of hope and healing for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Kern County.

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OUR IMPACT MEASURED IN NUMBERS

From 2011 to 2015, we reached roughly 1,000 individuals annually. Our impact has grown consistently over a decade of service:

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OUR IMPACT MEASURED IN LIVES 

The Center provides personalized support including counseling, self-esteem activities, free therapy, and health programs. We serve an estimated 66,000 Kern County LGBTQ+ residents (7.1% of the population) who often face challenges with self-acceptance. Through cultural competency training and supportive services, we ensure every community member can thrive.

How have local LGBTQ people and their families been helped by The Center? 

Community feedback confirms our positive impact:

• "The Center lets me be open about myself in a way I can't be at home."
• "I used to feel like I had to apologize for being myself. But I don't anymore."
• "I felt safe and heard and felt like my well-being was really cared for."
• "It has helped me grow immensely over the last year."
• "Having a space where I am able to share my experiences with other people who understand and don't question them, is so refreshing."
• "This is honestly the best cultural competency training we have had in a long time. We think we are open, but there are still so many unrecognized biases."

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OUR BEGINNINGS

Founded in 2011 by David Trujillo in response to the tragic loss of Seth Walsh, a young teen from Tehachapi, The Center created a safe space where LGBTQ+ youth could feel valued. In November 2017, we became The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity, embracing the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community.

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JOIN OUR MOVEMENT, SUPPORT THE CENTER TODAY!

Foster a healthier, more supportive environment for 2SLGBTQIA+ residents in Kern County. Sign up as a peer-to-peer fundraiser and rally support from friends, family, or your workplace. Every contribution sustains our programs and brings our new vision to life. Let's make a lasting impact for future generations.