Your Voice Matters: Shape the Future of LGBTQ+ Services in San Diego
By Gus Hernandez
Every voice in our LGBTQ+ community matters, especially those that are too often unheard. That is why The San Diego LGBT Community Center is partnering with the County of San Diego to launch the 2025 San Diego LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment Survey. This vital initiative is designed to gather insights directly from our community to help shape the future of services, resources, and support systems across the region.
Take the survey now: https://bit.ly/2025-lgbtq-survey
A Tool for Advocacy, Equity, and Change
This survey is more than just a questionnaire, it is a powerful tool for advocacy. It is your opportunity to tell decision makers what is working, what is missing, and what is urgently needed to support the freedom, equality, dignity, health, and well-being of LGBTQ+ people in San Diego County.
The survey includes questions about your gender identity, LGBTQ+ identity, and more. It is available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Chinese, to ensure accessibility for all.
What the Survey Covers
The survey is tailored to the LGBTQ+ experience. You will be asked about:
- Health insurance coverage, including whether it covers gender-affirming care.
- Access to services like job training, food resources, therapy, housing assistance, and legal or immigration support.
- Workplace experiences, including whether you’ve faced discrimination or felt the need to hide your identity at work.
- Support systems, including whether you have people you can rely on in times of need.
- Future planning, such as retirement, caregiving, and staying socially connected.
You will also have the chance to share your biggest fears as an LGBTQ+ person and your ideas for improving life in our community.
Why This Survey Matters
The 2025 Needs Assessment is a community-driven effort to identify service gaps and highlight the strengths and challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face. The data collected will directly inform how the County allocates resources, develops programs, and prioritizes funding for LGBTQ+ health, housing, employment, and social services.
This is especially critical at a time when our community continues to face systemic barriers. Whether it is access to affirming healthcare, safe housing, or inclusive education, we know that the needs of LGBTQ+ people—particularly those at the margins—are often overlooked.
We Need to Hear from Everyone, Especially the Most Vulnerable
To ensure this assessment reflects the full diversity of our community, we are calling on everyone to participate, especially those whose voices are often left out of the conversation.
We especially want to hear from:
- LGBTQ+ individuals in assisted living or nursing care
- Deaf or hard-of-hearing community members
- People who are not fluent in English
- Transgender and nonbinary community members
- People living with HIV
- Unemployed or underemployed folks
- Unhoused youth and young adults
These communities face unique challenges that are often invisible in mainstream data collection. By participating, you help ensure that your needs are seen, heard, and addressed.
What You Need to Know
- The survey is voluntary and takes about 15 minutes to complete.
- Your responses are anonymous; no names or identifying information will be collected.
- It is available in multiple languages to ensure accessibility.
- All data will be used to advocate for better services, policies, and funding for LGBTQ+ people in San Diego County.
Take the survey today: https://bit.ly/2025-lgbtq-survey
Your Story Can Drive Change
Every response to this survey is a building block in the foundation of a more inclusive and equitable San Diego. When you share your experiences—whether they’re about housing insecurity, healthcare access, discrimination, or community support—you are helping to paint a clearer picture of what our community truly needs.
This is your chance to speak directly to the County and say: “We are here. We matter. And we deserve to be supported.”
Help Us Spread the Word
We need your help to reach every corner of our community. Please share the survey link with your networks, friends, and family. If you work with LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare, education, housing, or social services, encourage them to participate.
The more voices we hear, the stronger our case for change becomes.
Together, We Can Build a Better Future
The San Diego LGBT Community Center is committed to building a San Diego where every LGBTQ+ person—regardless of age, race, gender identity, ability, or income—can thrive. Your voice, your story, and your truth can help guide these efforts.
Let’s make sure that no one is left behind.
Take the 2025 San Diego LGBTQ+ Community Needs Assessment Survey today: https://bit.ly/2025-lgbtq-survey