Our Community
PFLAG
Founded in 1973 after the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the nation’s largest family and ally organization.
Uniting people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) with families, friends, and allies, PFLAG is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education, and advocacy.
Youth Empowerment Pride Project of Bakersfield
Youth Empowerment Pride Project (YEPP) is dedicated to LGBTQ Youth Empowerment; to ensure safe spaces in the community, to gather and thrive as healthy individuals, while advocating for equality and celebrating diversity.
The Center for Sexuality & Gender Diversity
The Center strives to provide a safe, comfortable and inviting place for the LGBT community to meet, socialize and network. In addition to providing an inviting place and positive environment, the Center seeks to improve the wellbeing of LGBT people in the Bakersfield area by providing social, cultural, and educational programs and activities, plus an extensive referral network. Furthermore, the Center seeks to strengthen the connection between the LGBT community and the entire Bakersfield area community by fostering diversity, tolerance, and greater understanding of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Bakersfield College Safe Space
The Bakersfield College Safe Space program was created by the BCSGA as a way for or campus to create a supportive environment for the LGBTQ community. Safe Spaces are places on our campuses where representatives have decided to publicly identify themselves as making an effort to understand and support the needs of the LGBTQ community. The Safe Space Project at BC promotes awareness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, and Allied (LGBTQA) individuals. Workshops can provide education concerning related issues and seeks to improve the environment for sexual and gender minorities.
BC Sexuality and Gender Acceptance Club
It is the mission of the Bakersfield College Sexuality and Gender Acceptance Club to act as an advocate for students of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community; to facilitate a safe environment for LGBTQ students and allies; to offer support to affiliate organizations of local high schools; and to promote a culture of acceptance on campus through education.
Stonewall Democrats of Kern County
We are a newly formed Democratic Club, advocating for all progressive causes, including LGBTQ issues. Open to Democrats of all genders, races, and identities.
Welcoming Congregations
- The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Rev. Denis Paul. The UU Church was fighting for marriage equality before there was a marriage equality movement in the U.S.! They meet at 98 Sterling Road, Bakersfield, CA 93307 on Sundays at 10:00am. More Info: 661-363-5421 or uufkc.org
- The Unity Church of Bakersfield, Pastor Chuck Cournyea, one of the first local ministers to speak out against bias at the KHSD school board meetings. Services: Sundays at 10:00am, Wednesdays at 6:30pm. 2001 Truxton Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301. More Info: 661-327-8614 or unityofbakersfield.org
- The First Congregational Church is part of the United Church of Christ. They meet at 5 Real Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309 at the corner of Stockdale and Real Roads every Sunday for several services. Pastor Dave Stabenfeldt officiated a wedding for a lesbian couple on the first day they became legal in 2013. More Info: 661-327-1609 or fccbakersfield-ucc.org
- Grace Episcopal Church – recently renamed St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, having emerged from litigation returning Episcopal property in Bakersfield to the people of the former Grace Episcopal congregation. Love wins! St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2216 17th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301. More Info: 661-436-6924 or stpaulsepiscopalbakersfield.org
- Center for Spiritual Living,meets at 222 Eureka Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305 between 17th & Truxtun off Union. Sundays: meditation 10am; Service 10:30am. More Info: 661-323-3109 or cslbakersfield@sbcglobal.net
- Kernville United Methodist/Episcopal Church. Pastor Frances Leibert. 251 Big Blue Rd, Kernville, CA 93238 Methodist Service Sunday 9:30am. Episcopal Service 11:00am. More Info: 760-376-2751 or kvumc.com
- Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Taft, Rev. Heather Mueller, Sunday 10:00am Service; 703 5th Street, Taft, CA 93268. More Info: 661-765-2378 or heathermaymueller@yahoo.com
- Temple Beth El, and Rabbi Cheryl Rosenstein are welcoming of Jewish Gays and Lesbians. Located at 2905 Loma Linda Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93305, behind Garces High School off Columbus Avenue. Services are Fridays at 7:30 PM; 10 AM on the third Saturday of each month, and 6pm on the Friday preceding each Saturday AM service (either the 2nd or 3rd Friday, depending on the calendar). More Info: 661-322-7607 or templebethelbakersfield.org
- Wesley Methodist Church of Bakersfield, 1314 Oswell Street, Bakersfield, CA 93306on the corner of Niles. Pastor Karen Stoffers-Pugh has been outspoken in support of LGBTQ rights within her denomination. More Info: 661-871-3030 Ext.201 or wesleybakersfield.org
- Emmanual Lutheran Church, of the ELCA Synod, includes pastor Valerie Carlson, who officiated one wedding on the first day they were legal in 2013. 1900 Baker Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305. Services 10am Sundays. More Info: 661-323-3355 or emmanualbakersfield.org
- Open Door Church: a progressive Christian community in Frazier Park; Pastor Christine Buma is of an ELCA background. More Info: 661-242-1267or DoorAPCC@gmail.com
- Tehachapi Community Congregational Church, part of the United Church of Christ, Pastor Nancy Bacon. Pastor Nancy is LGBTQ friendly and open to officiate same sex weddings. Services Sunday 10:30am. 100 East “E” Street, Tehachapi, CA 93561. More Info: 661-822-4443 or office@tehachapi-ucc.org or tcccucc.org
- Michael’s Episcopal Church of Ridgecrest, Paster Linda Huggard. The first legal marriage performed in an Episcopal Church in 2013 was done in Ridgecrest! Sunday Service 10am 200 W. Drummond Avenue, Ridgecrest, 93555. More Info: 760-446-5816or www.facebook.com/AllSoulsAreWelcome
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You can make a difference!