a chapter of the LGBT Community Network
Our Vision
LGBTQ Merced is creating a Community Commons open to all residents of Merced County and the neighboring counties for meeting, planning, mutual aid and social opportunities.
The Community Commons will be a sober, secular and safe space, free from proselytization, harassment, and hate, in order to foster an environment where everyone feels free to share space and participate.
Programming prioritized will include:
- Free social events open to the public, including arts, crafts and cultural events
- Community mutual aid efforts, such as food and meal distribution in partnership with local community based organizations
- Opioid prevention education and naloxone (Narcan) distribution in partnership with the Robert Rojas Worldwide Foundation and the American Red Cross
- CPR and disaster preparedness education with the American Red Cross
- Victim rights education and support, such as assistance filing restraining orders in partnership with Freedom Oasis
- Community resource information and distribution
- Sober living support groups
- Meeting spaces for CBO working towards justice and inclusion, such as ACLU, NAACP, Democratic Socialists of America, and more
We are actively working with a group of partner organizations to secure an accessible space for these opportunities, and future partnerships and initiatives! Please use our contact page to reach out to us if you are interested in partnering on creating a truly inclusive Community Commons for Merced County.
Our Story
LGBTQ Merced was established in 2023 in order to create a central place for queer folks in Merced County and the surrounding areas to find community and resources. We hold numerous monthly events that are free and open to the public, including crafting, a silent book club, and pizza parties. We also help people change their name and gender legally, and provide customized health and mental health referrals for LGBTQ+ people seeking compassionate care in the valley.
Queer politics in Merced have been contentious and disconnected for too long. We believe that by creating and promoting ethical and transparent systems of democratic, queer leadership, our community can come together to create incredible events, initiatives, and a sense of belonging for all.
Our Values
- Elevating and empowering LGBTQ+ leaders
- Radical transparency, inclusion and diversity
- Democratic processes and values
- Collaboration, and partnership
- Community development through the ethical, equitable and sustainable use of natural, economic, social, and human resources
- Valuing the expertise and experience of the local community through promoting civic involvement and participation
- Scientific data and evidence-based practices
Meet our Leadership Team!
Alexander Thorsman is a nonbinary individual and a Merced County native. Their goals include being more actively involved in mental health and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Their interests include reading, writing, swimming, and nature, with a deep love and affection for animals. In 2024 and 2025, they facilitated our Boardgame meetup at Red Sky Comics in Merced.
Ale (They/Them She/Her) is a Genderqueer Artist and community member whose lived in the central valley for 25 years. Although primarily from the Merced area, Ale previously worked in Fresno as a member of Esmeralda Soria’s campaign staff engaging with the community to address local issues. Ale facilitates our Queer Crafting meetup at Coffee Bandits in Merced on the last Sunday of each month at noon.
Eli Sachse, BSN, RN is a transgender man who adopted Merced as his home in 2009. He created the first transgender and non-binary support group in Merced, Genderpeers, and ran it on a volunteer basis for three years (2019-2021). He is the founder of LGBTQ Merced, GLSEN Merced, and the Merced Pride Center in the MAC. He curated the first two large LGBTQ+ art exhibitions at the MAC. He sewed the 24-foot long rainbow pride flag for the Merced LGBTQ+ Alliance that was carried down main street during Merced’s first downtown pride celebration in 2019. He is a traveling registered nurse who also deploys to disasters with the American Red Cross.
Join us!
Please use our contact form to reach out to us if you have the time and capacity to add value to our leadership team! We are in great need of leaders and volunteers to help keep our programming sustainable! Please reach out to us if you can offer just a few hours per month on:
- Grant writing
- Social media
- Making Canva Flyers
- Tabling at events
- Chaperone at events
- Facilitate a meetup
- Outreach to community partners
Those who listen, change the world
– Nobel Peace Center
The Mission
The mission of the LGBT Community Network is to enhance the well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender communities by providing activities, programs and services that create and support community; empower community members; provide essential resources; and embrace, promote and support our cultural diversity.
LGBT Community Network is a 501(c)3 organization, based in Fresno, CA.
Tax ID 81-3066621
