How the Center Helps LGBTQ+ Families Achieve Their Dreams

Our home is so much more than a physical building. It’s a place where we can grow together as a family, create lasting memories, and build our future.

Calder (on left), Financial Services Program Participant, and his family.

I will never forget the moment we stepped through the front door of our new home in San Francisco. After a long and challenging journey, my husband Tristan and I finally achieved our dream of homeownership. Our home is more than just a house; it’s a sanctuary filled with joy, laughter, and love—a place where we truly belong. This dream wouldn’t have been possible without the affirming support of the SF LGBT Center’s Financial Services team.

Our path to homeownership was challenging, especially since we began this journey in early 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a gay, trans man with a trans immigrant spouse and two trans teenagers, we faced unique hurdles, including the need to provide ten years of rental and bank history. This was further complicated by new legal names that didn’t match our old documentation.

The Center’s Financial Services department is dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ families like ours secure financial stability and housing, supporting over 600 individuals and more than 30 first-time homebuyers in achieving their dreams. Can you make a gift today and help ensure these vital resources remain available to others in our community?

The SF LGBT Center’s Financial Services department proved to be an invaluable resource. Their First-Time Homebuyer and Smart Money Coaching programs, along with the support from Travis, Ashley, and Antonio, were crucial in navigating these barriers. It was incredibly valuable to work with a team that understood our unique situation without needing explanations, creating a sense of comfort and ease throughout the process. 

Calder (on right) and his family.

Our home is so much more than a physical building. It’s a place where we can grow together as a family, create lasting memories, and build our future. It’s where our kids, Leo and Rain, can be themselves and thrive as young adults. It’s a safe space where we’ve planted a garden, welcomed a new furry family member, and found the stability and freedom to make it our own. For our family, homeownership means securing a space in the city that has always felt like a sanctuary to us. 

Your support strengthens the Center’s mission. In these times of economic struggle and housing disparities, can we count on your gift today to ensure our financial services remain available to help families achieve stability?

I am deeply grateful for the stability homeownership has brought us and for the Center’s role in making it possible. Your generosity helps ensure that the Center can continue its vital work, creating lasting change for LGBTQ+ individuals in our city. Thank you for your support. 

​​​​​With heartfelt thanks,

Calder Storm 
(pronouns: he/him)
Financial Services, First Time Homebuyer Program Participant