STAY SAFE.
In light of recent political events, we at Sunset Media Wave would like to say that we know many are scared by the implications of this election. We know that many will be directly affected in the coming days, weeks, months, and years and we urge you to do whatever you need to ensure that you are safe both physically and mentally.
With that in mind, we have put together a list of resources—places you can go and people you can talk to—that can help with all of our health and safety. We have compiled this list with a focus on the Bay Area as that is our immediate community. Still, no matter where you are from, we hope this helps in some small way.
SUICIDE/CRISIS LINES
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
California 24/7 Youth Crisis Line: 1-800-843-5200
GLBT National Youth Talkline (through age 25): 1-800-246-PRIDE (7743)
Online Crisis Chat: https://www.imalive.org/
California AIDS, STD & Hepatitis Hotline: 1-800-FOR-AIDS (367-2437) English & Spanish, TDD: 1-888-225-AIDS
SF DROP-IN CENTERS AND HOUSING
Trans:Thrive
415/409.4101; Transthrive.org
TRANS: THRIVE is a drop-in center by and for the trans community. Our mission is to foster a healthy trans community, empowered by the leadership of its peers. See Transmasculine Support Group and others.
Diamond Youth Shelter
536 Central (at Hayes), 800-669-6196 (toll-free; also a human trafficking hotline) or 415-567-1020
Youths aged 12-17 call or show up 24 hrs. Dinner, breakfast, showers, counseling, referrals provided. Length of stay varies; guardians contacted within 72 hours. Drop-in Engagement Center: 134 GOLDEN GATE (btw Jones/ Leavenworth). 415-673-0911 ext 200. Youths 18-24: M-F 9am- 1pm. Lunch 12-1pm. Showers, lockers, food, computer access, clothing, laundry, case management, education, counseling, harm reduction groups. English, Spanish.
Huckleberry House
1292 PAGE (at Lyon), 415-621-2929 (24 hrs)
Youths 11-17, not on probation, call or show up to be assessed for short-term housing. Guardians of guests will be contacted within 24 hrs. Open 24 hrs. Guests get 3 meals a day & access to medical services, case management, and individual & family therapy. English, Spanish.
Lark Inn
869 Ellis (at Van Ness), 415-749-2968 or (tollfree, 24 hrs) 800-447-8223
Youths 18-24. Come in or call (24 hrs) to get on waiting list for a bed. (40 beds nightly: 13 for female-identified clients, with restroom assigned by gender.) Length of stay varies, up to 4 months. Case management required; support groups available. Curfew 7pm. Leave by 8:30am. 3 meals daily for long-term shelter guests. Emergency beds: sign up by 7pm for lottery; you may use emergency beds no more than 21 nights per year
Your Holiday Mom
http://www.yourholidaymom.com/
Your Holiday Mom sets you up with a virtual family to spend the holidays with if you are LGBT and don’t have someone to spend it with.
QUICK & EASY SELF CARE:
The Nicest Place on the Internet: http://thenicestplaceontheinter.net/
Get a virtual hug from an endless stream of random people who want to help make your day just that tiny bit better.
Rainymood: http://www.rainymood.com/
Listen to the sound of rain to help calm yourself down. Comes in different modes that you can fix in the settings.
Calm: https://www.calm.com/
A simple meditation app.
The Thoughts Room: http://thequietplaceproject.com/thethoughtsroom/?page=thethoughtsroom&lang=
A place to get rid of thoughts while watching your words implode into stars; helps to get them off your chest without repercussion.
The Dawn Room: http://thequietplaceproject.com/thedawnroom/?page=thedawnroom&lang=
A place to reassure yourself that it will be okay.
WAYS TO HELP (IF YOU CAN)
Know that we are a community. Take care of yourself and one another. Watch out for acts of aggression, make sure that you are keeping an eye on your friends. We will stand together and survive this together. We can still make a change. If you are capable, here are some links to organizations you can help make a difference to by donating or volunteering.
Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV): http://www.ncadv.org/
Border Angels: http://www.borderangels.org/
Youth Shelters: http://www.youthshelters.org/
Showing Up For Racial Justice: http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP): http://www.naacp.org/
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): https://www.aclu.org/
Southern Poverty Law Center: https://www.splcenter.org
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR): https://www.cair.com/
Queer Detainee Empowerment Project: http://www.qdep.org
Union of Concerned Scientists: https//www.ucsusa.org/
Sierra Club: https://www.sierraclub.org
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe: http://www.standingrock.org
Color Of Change: https://colorofchange.org/
The Dream Corps: http://www.thedreamcorps.org/
Another comprehensive list of important organizations working to help people affected by this election can be found here.
Keep keeping on. Deep breaths. We will get through this as a community.
Header illustration by Moonassi
