COVID-19 Links

In compliance with a request from the Mayor’s Office, the LEATHER & LGBTQ Cultural District is actively involved in sharing up-to-date information about how the State of California, the City of San Francisco, local public and private institutions, and our own leather and kink community are responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

Local Kink Community Response

First, here are two documents regarding the Bay Area leather and kink community’s response to COVID-19.

The San Francisco Bay Area LGBTQ Leather, Kink and Sexuality Communities Resources Guide is a good basic guide to Relief Efforts, Online Events and relevant Information.
San Francisco Bay Area Kink Community COVID-19 Response is a deeper dive, and also a record of community leaders’ online discussions, as well as a larger list of resources.

Local Kink Community Fund-Raising

These are some of the many local folks raising money for those affected by COVID-19:

SF Queer Nightlife Fund – A collective of nightlife organizers, producers, entertainers, venue owners, and nonprofit community leaders providing direct gifts of aid to workers from LGBTQ nightlife groups in the SF Bay Area.
SF Catalyst – This community space needs our support, and our community will need this space even more after the COVID-19 crisis ends.
SF Citadel – Currently offering online classes and safety information on their Web site. Watch for info on how to support the venue directly.
The Edge – All donations will go directly to the staff of the bar and assure they can afford the forced seven weeks of unemployment.
SF Oasis – Donate (and receive a perk!) to keep OASIS afloat amidst COVID-19 closures.
SF Eagle Staff Fund – Fund to help the employees at the SF Eagle.
The Stud – “The Stud Collective wants to prioritize support for our staff — our bartenders, coat check, security team and amazing janitor — all donations will go directly to them.”
Raven’s List “Fundraising for Community” – A list of GoFundMe and Patreon type efforts which support fetish/kink businesses local to San Francisco.
Daddy’s Barbershop Barber Fund
Bay Area Reporter – Fundraising to preserve this vital journalistic resource for our community.

General COVID-19 Information

Governmental Orders

Resources for Small Businesses and Employers

Resources for Workers

OEWD: Paid Sick Leave- Workers and Families First Program – Funding to provide an additional five days of paid sick leave to workers beyond their existing policies. Employers apply here.
SF Office of Economic and Workforce Development: Rapid Response Services for impacted employees
CA Employment Development Department: COVID-19 FAQs about health care, disability insurance, unemployment insurance, etc.
CA Employment Development Department: Partial Claims – For employers that want to keep employees when there is a lack of work.
CA Employment Development Department: Work Share Program Unemployment insurance for employers to help minimize the need for layoffs when there is lack of work.
SF OEWD: Job Opportunities — A number of companies are hiring for full and part-time work.
One Fair Wage Emergency Fund – Cash assistance to restaurant workers, drivers, personal service workers, etc.

Resources for Utilities

Resources for Nonprofits

Resources for Families & Students

Grants for Artists

SF Mayor’s Office: Arts Relief Fund – $2.5M available in grants & loans for artists & art organizations
San Francisco Arts and Artists Relief Fund – Grands and loans to artists and arts & cultural organizations
UNTITLED, ART Emergency Fund – Financial assistance for freelance, hourly, and wage working artists
Performing Arts Worker Relief Fund – For performing arts workers facing loss of income due to the crisis
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts – Links to COVID-19 Resources for Artists and Nonprofits
SF Arts Commission– Other Resources for Arts Organizations & Artists During COVID-19 Emergency
Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative – Grants

Resources for Adults

Give2SF Fund for Housing Stabilization: financial assistance to households who cannot afford their housing costs due to COVID-19.
Homelessness and Supportive Housing
Support for People Who Use Drugs
Tenderloin Tessie Holiday Dinners is offering food to whoever needs it because they are out of work. Please call Michael J Gagne at (415) 584-3252 (no texting) or email him at TenderloinTessie@yahoo.com.

Resources for Seniors and People with Disabilities

Volunteer Services

SF.GOV: Be an emergency volunteer: Healthy adults are needed in several important programs
SF Food Friends: Matching volunteers with folks who need help buying groceries and other items
TurnOut: Multiple volunteer opportunities, including their own COVID-19 Rapid Response Team
TogetherSF: Neighbors helping neighbors
Lavender Seniors: Making Face Masks at Home
SF Chronicle: Ways to Help