Somos Familia was founded by two moms from the East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area) with Latino gay and bisexual sons in 2007 to reach out to other families. With an all-volunteer group of different generations we established the following mission and vision.
Mission
Our mission is to create support and acceptance for Latina(o) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning youth and their families.
Vision
We envision a world where youth of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities are accepted and celebrated by their families and communities.
Everyday, children and youth are teased, harassed and subjected to violence because someone thinks they are lesbian, gay or transgender.[1] Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth who are rejected by their families have a higher risk of depression, alcohol and drug abuse, and attempted suicide than youth who are accepted or celebrated by their families.[2] Somos Familia brings families together to transform this reality.
Services and Activities
- Educational flyers, brochures and videos
- Educational workshops and presentations
- Support groups and social activities in the East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
- Volunteer and leadership development opportunities
Meet our Team
Thank you to Our Family Coalition for serving as our fiscal sponsor.
Press & News
Testimonials
“When I came out to my mother, her friends turned their backs on us. She now has hope and knows that she can make friends with other parents who will not judge her for having a queer child.” —Somos Familia Member
“Through the group, I found many answers to the concerns I had. As I accepted my son as he is and shared with others, I had less fears, anxiety and worries about how other people see him and us. It created the space to be able to talk with my family. It proved to me that my family is my family and accepts my son as he is without prejudices.” —Parent Member
“It allows me, being a bi person to be a part of a support group that brings me into the community. It also allows me to meet other people like me and have friends that are like me.” —Youth Member
“In my family, it has improved my relationship with my parents, especially my mom. It has made me feel like I have someone who completely supports me and loves me. It has helped me face the world with more confidence. ” —Parent Member
“They allowed me a space to imagine a world (their vision) where being Queer wasn’t an issue. Those few minutes of my life I think are what driving me to actually stride to make that vision happen for me. It has changed my mindset and has helped shaped how I can reconnect once more with my familia, allowing me to have that support from my community that I had grown up in.” —Workshop participant
“I am grateful to these families who shared their stories. I believe that it is through sharing our experiences and connecting with others that we can tear down walls of ignorance and build bridges of love and understanding. These brave families are doing so by documenting their experiences of growth and allowing them to be shared, and we, La Familia de UC Riverside, are infinitely grateful to them.”
Would you like to learn more about Somos Familia? Please contact us.
Greetings!
I am reaching out as the coordinator of the Family Services Committee of the new Oakland LGBTQ Community Center. We will be holding our first Committee meeting on Sept. 29th from 3-5pm to explore and assess needs of our queer community, particularly with the vision to offer services not already available in Oakland. We are hoping to connect with many family support organizations to welcome a volunteer represeative to the brainstorming table. Might there be someone from Somos Familia who’d be interested in participating in our initial committee meeting on the 29th..?
Please feel free to reach me with any thoughts or questions you have:
Dr. Meghan Lewis
510.466.5930
Best!!
Hi there! Is this page still working? Do you have any coming meetings?
Yes, please check out our calendar for upcoming events
Wondering if you are providing money to LGBT Q Latino/Latina youths who have lost job income due to Covid-19? I would consider donating to that fund or can you recommend another organization giving that kind of direct aid?