Three San Francisco nonprofits with large LGBTQ youth client bases shared with the Bay Area Reporter that they are facing budget cuts they characterize as devastating.
"I've never experienced, in the entire time I've been working with teens and transitional-aged youth, such significant budget cuts," Gael Lala-Chávez, who is nonbinary and executive director of the LGBTQ youth center LYRIC in the Castro. "As a leader in an LGBTQ organization and parent of a trans child, I'm really, really shocked and worried about these cuts and what they will do to a vulnerable population — transitional-aged youth that identify as LGBTQ."
LYRIC is facing a 56% cut to its program budget over the next five years from the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth and Their Families. It is also trying to raise money to stave off the effects. And LYRIC isn't alone — the San Francisco LGBT Community Center is also seeing a 56% cut to its youth services drop-in budget, or $312,012, and Larkin Street Youth Services is seeing cuts in the amount of $495,225.
The proposed reductions in city funding come as San Francisco faces a difficult budget year, as the Bay Area Reporter has previously reported.
Mayor London Breed last December asked city departments for 10% cuts across the board. A deficit of about $800 million is expected over the next two fiscal years, and Breed has said it could reach $1 billion by Fiscal Year 2028. It comes as the city's tax base has retracted during and after the COVID pandemic.
Breed has until June 1 to submit to the Board of Supervisors her budget proposal for this year and is likely to issue it in late May. The supervisors then review and can make changes to the budget. The spending document must be approved by late July. All three nonprofit leaders agreed that though the cuts are not set in stone, they are likely.
Lala-Chávez said the reduction would gut the agency's career development and youth leadership program for transitional-aged youth (that is, 18-24).
"We won't be able to provide jobs and internships for our youth," Lala-Chávez said, adding that the program helps keep LGBTQ youth off the streets and provides recent arrivals — fleeing more conservative areas — with a home in San Francisco.
"San Francisco has been a beacon, a sanctuary city, for people in our community for many, many years," Lala-Chávez continued. "I get Instagram messages, I get phone calls from youth, from parents, about just seeking refuge. Scary thing is we're seeing an influx [of youth] from conservative areas of California, just on the other side of the Bay Bridge, and many of them are transgender and nonbinary youth. They're coming."
Ewan Barker Plummer, a queer youth advocate who serves as the chair of the San Francisco Youth Commission, also expressed worry about the impact of the cuts.
"I am concerned that the current proposal from DCYF would see a major reduction in funding for LYRIC," Plummer, 19, stated to the B.A.R. "Many youth-serving nonprofits are facing similar funding reductions. This is especially harmful for LGBTQ+ youth, who disproportionately rely on nonprofits like LYRIC for housing, mental health care, and a community of support for queer youth."
Plummer, who just announced he won't seek reappointment this year as a youth commissioner, said he's meeting with stakeholders.
"I have met with the LYRIC team, and many other nonprofits, to better understand the impact of the current DCYF proposal," he said. "I have also met with DCYF leadership to express my concerns. I am working with colleagues on the Youth Commission to advocate for more funding for these essential services for youth."
Oliver Elias Tinoco, a 23-year-old queer and nonbinary person, is among those whose job at LYRIC is on the chopping block if the budget cuts go through. They said that the program helps young people get more invested in their futures and their education.
"It's organizations like this that cultivate not only community, but a safety net, and a reason to stay in the city," Tinoco said. "I know people who weren't motivated in high school until they came to LYRIC. They find if they want to continue this work, education is what supplements it, so it got them to be motivated at school."
Tinoco is graduating from San Francisco State University this month. After June, they don't know if they'll still have a job with LYRIC.
"Cutting the budget doesn't mean saving money," Tinoco said. "It means divesting from the people who make the city what it is."
Representatives and clients from the organizations facing cuts made their voices heard at a Board of Supervisors Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing May 8. (The committee is tasked with hashing out the city's budget.) Ruben Leon, a 21-year-old Latinx person who is still determining where they fall under the LGBTQ umbrella, discussed the looming 56% cut to the community center's youth services drop-in budget.
"A 56% cut from the center's youth services drop-in budget looks like: cutting off our access to food and clothing, cutting access to gender-affirming care and resources, taking opportunities away to build connection, love and joy," Leon told the supervisors. "Making it more difficult to access safe bathrooms and spaces for queer and trans folks who are fleeing to San Francisco, destroying one of the only safe spaces for queer and trans youth in the city, a place that is a haven for so many of us."
District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, the budget and appropriations committee's chair, told the B.A.R. that "while we have not seen the mayor's budget, we have heard from the community about the potential cuts and service reduction they are facing. I will use every legislative tool available to me to make sure San Francisco does not balance its budget on the backs of our most vulnerable, including our LGBTQ youth and community."
Gay District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, who represents the Castro on the Board of Supervisors, is vice chair this year of the budget and appropriations committee, as well as the budget and finance committee. He said he's going "to try to fix this" when asked by the B.A.R. about the expected financial hit to the youth service providers.
"It's very concerning," Mandelman said of the cuts to LYRIC, which is in his district, "especially in the context of other cuts to organizations serving queer youth," referring to the center and Larkin Street. "We're actively engaged with the mayor's budget office and impacted nonprofits to try to fix this."
District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar also sits on both budget committees. In her district newsletter she stated that "we need to focus on the basics to keep our city running as efficiently as possible."
"I also believe we need to be prudent in investing only in programs that will deliver long-term results for the vitality of San Francisco's future," she continued. "To me, this means supporting youth and family services with proven track records and expanding quality child care to grow back our workforce."
Board President Aaron Peskin, who represents District 3 and is running for mayor in November, is a member of the budget and appropriations committee. He was unavailable to comment as of press time.
District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton also serves on that budget committee. A spokesperson stated that his budget priorities are "maintaining critical services," "addressing affordability," "decreasing inequities," "community/neighborhood safety" and "services for the unhoused."
Supervisor Ahsha Safaí introduced a resolution at the supervisors' May 14 meeting calling on Breed to restore $25 million in planned cuts to DCYF.
"It's unconscionable that we're preparing to enhance facilities for pandas while our children's programs face devastating cuts," stated Safaí, who is also running for mayor but is not on the budget committee. "This is about prioritizing our future, our children. If we can rally to fund a home for pandas, then we can certainly unite to fund the essential programs our youth rely on. We need a budget that shows we care equally about all parts of our community, from our beloved pandas to our precious children."
The pandas he's referring to are to be sent by China to the San Francisco Zoo. ABC7 reported in February that zoo officials estimated $25 million is needed build a new facility for the pandas, and Breed is pushing legislation to make it easier to raise the funds.
Board President Aaron Peskin, who represents District 3 and is running for mayor in November, is a member of the budget and appropriations committee. He was unavailable to comment as of press time.
District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton also serves on that budget committee. A spokesperson stated that his budget priorities are "maintaining critical services," "addressing affordability," "decreasing inequities," "community/neighborhood safety" and "services for the unhoused."
Supervisor Ahsha Safaí introduced a resolution at the supervisors' May 14 meeting calling on Breed to restore $25 million in planned cuts to DCYF.
"It's unconscionable that we're preparing to enhance facilities for pandas while our children's programs face devastating cuts," stated Safaí, who is also running for mayor but is not on the budget committee. "This is about prioritizing our future, our children. If we can rally to fund a home for pandas, then we can certainly unite to fund the essential programs our youth rely on. We need a budget that shows we care equally about all parts of our community, from our beloved pandas to our precious children."
The pandas he's referring to are to be sent by China to the San Francisco Zoo. ABC7 reported in February that zoo officials estimated $25 million is needed build a new facility for the pandas, and Breed is pushing legislation to make it easier to raise the funds.
Rebecca Rolfe, a lesbian who is the executive director of the San Francisco LGBT center, said that the youth services drop-in is "really the cornerstone of our services" because it is where youth get connected to the services and agencies they need.
"We don't have any final answers," Rolfe, who's an SF Pride community grand marshal this year, told the B.A.R. "I know people [at City Hall] are concerned about it and working on it but that's something they'd have to answer. We don't have any assurances at this point."
And Rolfe said there may be more reductions to come, and soon.
"These are sadly just cuts from the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families so we have not learned about other cuts from other departments," Rolfe said. "We know the mayor is concerned about homelessness in general and trans homelessness and she's interested in how this can be addressed, and we're looking to her and our city leaders as to how do we not abandon these young people."
Sherilyn Adams, a lesbian who's CEO of Larkin Street Youth Services, told the B.A.R. that the cuts there would be impacting its youth workforce and youth leadership programs, which will not be funded.
"We are trying to help folks heal from their trauma and so supporting our young people and having leadership opportunities for them is critical for their wellness and their healing, so we are hoping the funding will be restored," Adams said to the B.A.R.
The total budget for LYRIC in 2022 was $4.5 million, according to publicly available information from its latest IRS Form 990. The SF LGBT center's total budget that year was $5.9 million. Larkin Street Youth Services' was $33.8 million.
Breed prioritizes youth, staff says
A spokesperson for Breed returned a request for comment with a lengthy statement detailing her promises of future funding.
"While it's still too early to confirm the proposed budget, Mayor Breed continues to prioritize the needs of children, youth, and their families," the spokesperson stated. "This year, again, the city is facing an extremely challenging budget, but Mayor Breed is maximizing every dollar to make a positive impact on San Franciscan families across the city even when tough decisions have to be made. City departments across San Francisco are dedicating resources to serve children, youth, and their families every day."
The spokesperson continued that "children, youth and families deserve high-quality programs and services. Through DCYF, Mayor Breed has committed $92 million to fund over 142 agencies and 231 programs citywide, or $460 million over the next five years."
That includes "over $31 million to provide out of school time programming, over $19 million in youth workforce development to support and prepare youth ages 14-17, justice involved youth 14-24, and disconnected transitional-aged youth (TAY) ages 18-24 for work, nearly $13 million in justice services to facilitate early intervention, youth violence prevention, and rehabilitation," the spokesperson stated.
Additionally, the spokesperson stated, the mayor has committed "over $12 million to provide children and youth enrichment and skill-building opportunities, almost $9M in youth and family empowerment programs, (and) almost $7 million in educational supports to set students up for success to achieve their academic goals."
LYRIC raising cash through events
In the meantime, LYRIC has taken to asking the public for help via fundraisers. As the B.A.R. previously reported, the organization will be the beneficiary of Brite Nite, which will be Saturday, May 25, at 8 p.m., anchored in Harvey Milk Plaza at Castro and Market streets. That night partygoers are invited to come dressed in clothing that glows in the dark along with neon accessories, such as that which can be bought at Knobs at 432 Castro Street.
According to Andrea Aiello, a lesbian who is executive director of the Castro Community Benefit District, "cash people will walk around with buckets" to collect donations. The event is being put on in consultation with Comfort and Joy — the queer Burning Man group that produces popular parties several times a year, including Club Six in the South of Market neighborhood. It's being funded by the Civic Joy Fund — which seeks to revitalize San Francisco post-COVID.
LYRIC will also be the beneficiary of the Pride Pour wine tasting fundraising event Saturday, June 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Terra Gallery and Event Venue at 511 Harrison Street. People can learn more at bit.ly/PridePour24.
Lala-Chávez hopes people show up to support the nonprofit. The event will be emceed by Honey Mahogany, director of the San Francisco Office of Transgender Initiatives.
"We're really hoping for people to donate if they can come to Pride Pour or donate to Pride Pour," Lala-Chávez said. "We're hoping to sell as many tickets as possible. Any amount will be significant. This money alone will go to support career development efforts. Last year alone we gave $500,000 to youth in salaries. We're hoping to put every revenue we get aside for career development efforts."
Mahogany told the B.A.R. that "especially now, due to all the hateful rhetoric and anti-LGBTQ+ laws targeting queer and trans children, our kids are experiencing disproportionately poor mental health outcomes. It's important to shore up organizations like LYRIC that are doing the work to provide these youth and their families with support. Our kids need to feel safe, seen and heard. With so many states infringing upon the rights of LGBTQ+ children and their parents, we are likely going to see an uptick in people seeking services. I want to make sure that both LYRIC and those kids are set up for success."
Drag artist Juanita MORE! also announced that LYRIC will be the beneficiary of her annual Pride party, now celebrating its 20th year, at 620 Jones Street on Sunday, June 30, at noon.
"This year, I have chosen the LYRIC Center of LGBTQQ Youth (Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center) in the San Francisco Bay Area as my annual Pride Party beneficiary," MORE! stated. "I have an immense amount of respect for our queer elders and a responsibility to empower our queer youth. Our community has thrived because of the brave generations before us; those legends planted the seeds of love, compassion, strength, and resilience. My duty as a community leader is to keep those planted seeds alive. I want to keep building our future by supporting our queer youth in their quest to carry on the legacy of our queer elders."
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