Dear Friends and Family of Queer LifeSpace,

It is difficult to sit down and reflect on Queer LifeSpace’s journey as we reflect on the past decade without taking into consideration the context of the past two years and the difficult experiences it created for us. We were confronted with the visceral reality of hatred, racism, and transphobia while recognizing the time for discussion and action was painfully long overdue. We learned the true heft of isolation and separation from the community as the lights of our safe spaces went dark and their windows shuttered.  We grappled with hopelessness and anxiety as we stared down the long dark hallway of uncertainty attempting to connect with a glimmer of hope, any light at the end of the tunnel. We were presented with the option of sinking into darkness and potentially remaining there. Perhaps, we would have, if it weren’t for the moments of humanity, and the nurturing, sturdy lifelines this year also had to offer us.

We experienced anger, activism, and a renewed emphasis on equity. We learned resourcefulness and resilience as we developed new and innovative ways to connect and support each other. We recognized much that we took for granted as a simple hug took on such a tremendous amount of importance.  

The story of the past two years is vital to keep in mind when thinking about Queer LifeSpace’s history because it embodied, in many ways, a mental health crisis that is so familiar to those in our community. These trying times have highlighted, perhaps more than at any other time, the importance of Queer LifeSpace’s mission and the work that we have been doing over the past decade.

We have been steadfast and consistent in providing affordable, accessible, and effective mental health services since our founding in 2011.  We have impacted the lives of nearly 1,700 clients and pioneered programs such as our Rural Youth Outreach Program to deliver queer-affirming services to communities where such services are not available. We have built an internationally-recognized clinical training program to raise the next generation of queer and queer-affirming therapists. We continue to honor, respect, and hold space for the diversity inherent in the queer community while promoting safety, creativity, and understanding. I think it is apparent to many that Queer LifeSpace has created a different kind of safe space in San Francisco’s Castro District and that we are here to stay. 

Please join us on May 7th, 2022, not only for a celebration of Queer LifeSpace’s 10-year anniversary, but also for a celebration of the re-establishment of community, an honoring of diversity, and the recognition of the immense importance of how we take care of ourselves and how we extend ourselves to provide care for others. 

Sincerely,

Chris Holleran, MFT
Queer LifeSpace Co-Founder & Clinical Director

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