Community Organizations
Merced has a growing number of community based LGBTQ organizations, in the greater community and also on campus!
Contact us at LGBTQ Merced if you have any questions, or are having trouble accessing any of these resources.
LGBTQ Merced
LGBTQ Merced was founded in 2023, and is a part of the LGBT Community Network. LGBTQ Merced receives private donations and grant funding to support free community social events. LGBTQ Merced can help change name and gender, provides health and mental health referrals, LGBTQ+ health and cultural sensitivity education, and hosts free monthly social events. See our Events Page for more, or contact us for help accessing LGBTQ+ health resources or changing name and gender. LGBTQ Merced has 100% LGBTQ+ identified leadership.
Merced LGBTQ+ Alliance
The Merced LGBTQ+ Alliance is Merced’s oldest LGBTQ+ non-profit. In 2019, they organized the first downtown Merced Pride Celebration, including a parade up and down Main Street. They have also organized annual halloween and holiday events. The Merced LGBTQ+ Alliance has LGBTQ+ identified leadership.
Cal Pride Valle Central (Formerly Somos Familias Valle Central)
CalPride Valle Central is a satellite office of CalPride, an organization based in Modesto. CalPride receives $50,000 in grant money annually from Merced County BHRS (state-provided MHSA funds) to provide help changing name and gender, and monthly STI testing. CalPride has LGBTQ+ identified leadership.
The PRIDE Center at the MAC
The PRIDE Center at the MAC was founded by Genderpeers founder Eli Sachse. The Genderpeers transgender support group founded in 2019 is still currently running at the MAC, now administrated by CVP.
Central Valley Pride (CVP)
CVP took over operations at the PRIDE Center in 2021, offers support groups at the MAC, and social events in the community. They took over Merced’s annual pride celebration in 2022. CVP’s self-appointed CEO is a straight ally.
GLSEN Merced
GLSEN Merced receives private grant funding to provide social events for K-12, school-aged youth in Merced, and supports local K-12 libraries and GSA programs with LGBTQ+ reading and educational materials. GLSEN Merced has LGBTQ+ identified leadership.
On Campus
Merced College
The HEARTS Club
The HEARTS Club meets every other Monday at the HUB (Merced College’s diversity center) on the Merced College campus.
UC Merced
Student Health Services
Student Health Services offers gender affirming care to UC students. They also offer comprehensive LGBTQ+ sensitive primary care, including PrEP and MPOX vaccinations.
Lambda Alliance
The Lambda Alliance is an LGBTQ+ Student Advocacy Organization at UC Merced. Follow their Instagram to stay up to date on campus events.
LGBTQ+ Pride Center
The LGBTQ+ Pride Center is dedicated to connecting and building community. To that end, not only is the center a space where LGBTQ+ folx and our allies can come to build community, folx can also connect with organizations created specifically to engage our community.
