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How It Works

The program runs for nine months with one mentor. Here is how it is structured, and every key date for the 2027 cohort.

A nine-month structure

  • Nine months, January through September.
  • At least two contacts a month between mentor and mentee. One in person, and one by phone or video.
  • Monthly group sessions for the whole program, on the second Sunday of each month, 12 to 3 PM. Required for mentees, and strongly encouraged for mentors. Expect socializing, presentations and demos, facilitated discussions, and the occasional Spotlight, a single special session, sometimes with a guest. Many folks head to The SF Eagle after. Dates, times, and venue are still being finalized, and some sessions may move online.
  • Classes, facilitated sessions on specific practices, offered as a Major (several months) or a Minor (a few sessions). The 2027 lineup and dates are still being planned. Have an idea for a session? Email the administrator at MentorProgram@sfldg.org.
  • Optional events and outings together, like bar nights, street fairs, and play parties hosted by a range of organizations. As much as anything, this is about introducing people to each other and helping folks build real connections.

It's free. The program costs nothing to take part in. No one is turned away for lack of funds, and folks who can pitch in help keep it going.

Every year looks a little different, because what we offer depends on what this cohort needs and what is available across the community and the pool of people ready to teach. And while we work hard to match everyone who applies, we cannot promise a match to everyone every year. Most pairings are one-to-one, though a mentor sometimes supports more than one mentee.

Three phases

The nine months move through two working stretches, with a deliberate pause and a formal check-in between them, followed by a closing ceremony.

  • Orientation and deepening (January–May). Mentor and mentee are matched and get to know each other. They set expectations, boundaries, and goals, then move into the core of the work together. A program-wide check-in near the midpoint gives everyone a chance to reflect on how things are going.
  • A deliberate pause (June). The community calendar is full this month, so the program eases off by design.
  • Closing (July–September). The relationship comes to an intentional close. Mentor and mentee reflect on growth and next steps, and where both want it, a lasting connection continues beyond the formal program.
  • Closing ceremony (October). A dedicated event to celebrate mentees and thank mentors.

Safety, the whole way through

Confidential, independent channels exist for reporting incidents and for mental-health support, kept separate from each other and from program leadership. Mentor and mentee relationships have clear boundaries, and mentors, mentees, and the Operating Committee all complete a background check. See Safety and Support for the full picture.

Key dates for the 2027 cohort

Applications and onboarding, 2026

  • Mentor applications. September 1 to September 30, 2026.
  • Mentor vetting and acceptances. Mid October.
  • Mentee applications. November 1 to November 30, 2026.
  • Mentor orientation. Early December.

Getting paired and starting, January 2027

  • Match meetings. Early January.
  • Matches finalized. Mid January.
  • Kickoff. Mid January.

Cohort meetups

Optional gatherings where the cohort shows up together at community events, along with chances to volunteer.

  • 15 Association play party. A March 2027 excursion to a "Try Before You Buy" play party.
  • Mr. SF Leather contest. A cohort meetup at the contest weekend, date TBD.
  • SF Pride. Sunday, June 27, 2027.
  • Up Your Alley (Dore). Sunday, July 25, 2027. The 15 Association runs a play booth there.
  • Folsom Street Fair. Sunday, September 26, 2027. The 15 Association runs a play booth there too.

LDG also runs its clothing-check fundraisers at Up Your Alley and Folsom. See Get Involved to lend a hand.

Closing

  • Closing meeting. Saturday, October 2, 2027 [still confirming]. In person after Folsom, with a gathering at the Eagle.