Welcome to MCSSP

Born from personal experiences with bigotry, MCSSP is committed to creating true allies for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. We recognized that simply displaying a rainbow flag doesn’t guarantee safety, so we developed a series of workshops focused on cultural humility. Our mission is to provide free training for businesses, individuals, and organizations throughout our rural county, building a network of safe spaces and supportive people.Our grassroots non-profit organization is driven by a passion for building bridges, engaging the community, and advocating for LGBTQIA+ visibility and inclusion in Mendocino County and beyond.

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Our Mission 

Using cultural humility practices, Mendocino County Safe Space Project (MCSSP), works with allies, educators, and advocates to create safe spaces where everyone can thrive and be their authentic selves. Join us in our mission to educate, advocate, and empower, as we make Mendocino County a place where love, acceptance, and equality are our finest qualities

Why MCSSP?

Because we know that safe spaces reduce harm and create a vibrant community. This information comes from the Trevor Project, where research is centered on youth, but we know these facts apply to all ages:

 

  • LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers[1].

  •  Research consistently finds that LGBTQ+ people report lower rates of attempting suicide when they have access to LGBTQ+ affirming spaces.

  •  LGBTQ+ people who live in a community that is accepting of LGBTQ+ people reported much lower rates of attempting suicide than those who donot.

  •  Transgender and nonbinary people who reported having pronouns respected by all or most people in their lives attempted suicide at half the rate of those who did not have their pronouns respected

  • ​[1] (Johns et al., 2019; Johns et al., 2020)

What We Offer:

  • Educational and Advocacy Resources for Mendocino County

  • LGBTQIA+ Inclusivity and Cultural Humility Workshops

  • Training, Seminars, and Coaching for Businesses, Agencies, Institutions, Health Care Providers, Places of Worship, and Community Events.

  • Safe Space and Inclusivity Signage.

  • Gender Neutral and Gender Identity Restroom Signage.

  • Cultural Humility and Inclusion Coaching for Families, Professionals, Educators, Law Enforcement, and Allies

  • A Wide Range of Resources to Empower and Uplift the LGBTQIA+ Community and Foster Allyship in Mendocino County