International, federal, state, and local officials are providing updates on coronavirus response daily. You can stay up to date on the latest science-based news and recommendations by using the following links.

• CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• CDPH: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• DHCS COVID‑19 Response​​​​
• National LGBTQ Cancer Network: Coronavirus 2019 Information
• WHO: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
• Follow the Office of the Governor of California on Twitter and Facebook for daily livestream coverage and updates on the state’s response to COVID-19.
• Contact your local public health offices to updates on any specific precautions or responses taking place in your community.

LGBTQ Californians are at increased vulnerability for COVID-19 due to higher rates of tobacco use and chronic health conditions such as HIV, cancer, and diabetes. LGBTQ people are also more likely to delay needed medical care due to past experiences of discrimination, unwelcoming environments, or other barriers to seeking care such as high costs or lack of affirming providers in their area.

• The American Lung Association: COVID-19 resource list. 
• Asian Smokers Quitline: COVID-19 resources in Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese.
• California Immigrant Policy Center: COVID-19 Resource Guide for Immigrants in California
• California Smokers’ Helpline: COVID-19 landing page. 
• California Smokers’ Helpline: COVID-19 lading page in Spanish.
• California Smokers’ Helpline: Quit Smoking & Vaping Services
• CDC: COVID-19: What people with HIV should know
• CDPH: QUITTING TIME – Tobacco and COVID-19
• Family Equality: A Virtual Hub for LGBTQ+ Families
• The Fenway Institute: Coronavirus, COVID-19, and Considerations for People Living with HIV and LGBTQIA+ People
• Gender Justice LA: Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Intersex (TGI)-centered Resource Guide
• HIV.GOV: Coronavirus Information for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Recipients and Partners
• National Center for Transgender Equality: The Coronavirus (COVID-19): What Trans People Need to Know
• National LGBTQ Cancer Network: Coronavirus 2019 Information
• Tobacco Free California: Protect yourself from COVID-19: Stop smoking and vaping now
• Tobacco Free California: Hookah and COVID-19: How Hookah puts you at risk
• Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund: A Know Your Rights Guide for Transgender People Navigating COVID-19

LGBTQ people can mitigate these risks by addressing underlying health conditions.

• People who use tobacco can reduce their risk of serious lung disease caused by coronavirus by quitting smoking and vaping.
• People who are living with HIV should ensure that they are following treatment protocols, including taking medications, to ensure viral suppression and reduce risk associated with COVID-19. According to the 2018 California HIV Surveillance Report, 64.2% of people living with HIV in California had achieved viral suppression – underscoring the importance of staying in care.
• People with chronic health conditions should talk to their doctors to see if there are any special precautions they should be taking, such as eliminating travel wearing an N-95 mask, or getting 90-day refills for any prescription medication.
• LGBTQ people can find an affirming primary care provider through the GLMA directory or other resources listed by the National LGBTQ Cancer Network.

* Is this pandemic affecting your health and coverage? Health Access, California’s health consumer advocacy coalition, is collecting COVID-19 stories to better inform advocacy efforts. Please click here to share your story.

*05/04: Strict rules, limited access as California Legislature resumes work on coronavirus needs.

*05/13: All individuals living in the State of California are currently ordered to stay home or at their place of residence, leaving only for permitted work, local shopping related to open sectors, healthcare, food, personal exercise and local outdoor recreation. Read more.

Many LGBTQ organizations have already taken steps to adhere to this guidance, including announcements of postponing or cancelling over 100 Pride events. Many are also moving support groups and other services online while in-person services are cancelled. We know these cancellations and postponements involve very difficult decisions for all involved, and it’s important to weigh public health guidance, and reassess and more information becomes available. Your organization is not alone in making these decisions, and many throughout the state are grappling with this as well.

Social distancing, constant news about the pandemic, and potential economic and effects can all cause greater levels of anxiety and depression in our communities. It is important to take care of our mental health during this time.

• CDC
• NAMI
• Volunteers have assembled a list of Online AA Meetings for those who are in recovery and would like to attend meetings or find support virtually.
• Mental Health America National has compiled an online resource list to support the mental health community in coping with COVID-19. The list includes online and phone mental health supports, tips for managing stress and anxiety, resources for parents and caregivers, resources for mental health and substance use providers, etc.
• Gender Spectrum has gathered a list of useful resources for challenging times. This webpage includes links to schedules and registration forms for their upcoming online groups for adults, youth, families, and more.
• The Transgender Law Center is hosting virtual community gatherings to address the Coronavirus pandemic.

The state of California is also instituting policies to help mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19, including policies to make it easier for Californians affected to receive health insurance, unemployment, and paid family leave benefits.

• California’s one-stop website for COVID-19 resources including unemployment and paid sick leave.
• California Responds to COVID-19 Emergency by Providing Path to Coverage for Millions of Californians
• Share of Cost Waviers
• Health Insurance Provider COVID-19 Websites
• Health Access: Advice on Care and Coverage During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Legal Aid at Work: A List of Relief Funds for Undocumented Workers in California
• OCR Announces Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth Remote Communications During the COVID-19 Nationwide Public Health Emergency
• Paid Family Leave
• Unemployment
• Workplace Safety

It is a good idea to talk to your funders about any changes that you may need to make to programming or scope of work, in accordance with good public health practices. Some funders have already released statements and guidance for grantees, such as the California Endowment and San Francisco Foundation.

• The California Community Foundation has launched an emergency response fund for Los Angeles.
• The California Endowment announced an initial $5 million in emergency funding in the Central Valley and Inland Empire (primarily community health centers and passing funding through regional foundations).
• The Central Valley Community Foundation is conducting a survey about community needs related to COVID-19.
• The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County announced $100,000 in initial emergency grants.
• The East Bay Community Foundation has launched its COVID-19: A Just East Bay Response Fund to make grants to CBOs in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
• The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund is using its Season of Sharing Fund to provide up to $1.9 million in assistance to low-income individuals and families in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma counties.
• Funders for LGBTQ Issues has created a webpage for LGBTQ funding resources in the COVID-19 response.
• The Humboldt Area Foundation has committed $150,000 for emergency funding in Trinity, Humboldt, Del Norte and Curry counties.
• The Inland Empire Community Foundation is seeking donations for its IE COVID-19 Resilience Fund, to make grants to local CBOs.
• The Liberty Hill Foundation has launched a COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund to support community organizers in Los Angeles.
• The Marin Community Foundation has made emergency grants and is seeking additional donors for emergency funding to CBOs.
• The Napa Valley Community Foundation is providing emergency financial assistance to individuals in Napa county.
• The Nonprofits Insurance Alliance Gilbert Fund provides grants of up to $500 available for non-profits for small “risk management” projects.
• Orange County funders have established an emergency response fund, with grants up to $50,000.
• Philanthropy.com has compiled tips for grantmakers about COVID-19 response.
• The Sacramento Region Community Foundation has activated its Sacramento Region Disaster Fund, which will make grants to local CBOs
• The San Diego Foundation has raised $5.7 million for its San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund.
• The San Francisco Foundation is making emergency grants to CBOs in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo.
• The Silicon Valley Community Foundation has provided funding and is seeking additional donors for emergency funding to CBOs in 10 Bay Area counties (Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties).
• The Walter and Elise Haas Fund has published the results of its survey of its grantees, and is making rapid response grants.
• The Weingart Foundation is making an initial $1 million in emergency response funding in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties.
• The Women’s Foundation of California has launched a Relief and Resilience Fund to provide rapid response funding to its grantees.
• Finally, here is a call to action by the Council of Foundations, signed by California funders including The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, East Bay Community Foundation, Inland Empire Community Foundation, San Diego Grantmakers, and Liberty Hill Foundation.

The Network is partnering with organizations and advocates across the state for a series of web conferences focused on how COVID-19 is impacting LGBTQ+ Californians. Topics include issues surrounding access to health care, housing, homelessness, funding and unemployment. Please subscribe to our Youtube channel to view the latest recordings and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for information about upcoming webinars. 

April 8, 2020

Collaborative Responses to COVID-19: Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

April 28, 2020

Collaborative Responses to COVID-19: Rural Communities

Many businesses and nonprofits are making the decision to allow, or require, staff to work from home in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. There are a number of resources available to help teams to communicate and function smoothly and keep work on track as much as possible, while you adapt to these changes.

• Cisco Webex
• Open for Business Hub
• Remote Work Tools
• Slack will give a free upgrade to the paid version to teams helping solve the coronavirus crisis

• Covered California re-opens enrollment amid expected surge in coronavirus cases.
• California isn’t asking about the sexual orientation of COVID-19 patients. Legislators and LGBTQ advocates want that to change.
• What People With HIV Need to Know About the New Coronavirus.
• How Do You Get People to Wear Face Masks? Ask a Sex Educator.

• California LGBTQ Health & Human Services Network
• National LGBT Cancer Network
• Tobacco Prevention Toolkit