Gay in Napa? LGBTQ Survey Seeks Your Input

The Napa LGBTQ Project, a Napa-based nonprofit, estimates that there are 11,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and “questioning” people in Napa County.

However, their visibility and connection to each other is very limited and their needs are seldom known. 

To change that, the Napa LGBTQ Project is reaching out to LGBTQ people across Napa County and facilitating a county-wide LGBTQ Needs Assessment. 

Results from this survey—and from hundreds of follow-up interviews—will be used with community leaders and organizations to make Napa County safer, healthier, and more welcoming.

The survey is only 20 questions and takes about 5 minutes. Any LGBTQ people who live, work or attend school in Napa County are being asked to take the survey. Especially of interest to the Project are respondents who live in the more rural parts of the county.

All responses are private and individual answers will not be shared. 

The survey can be taken anonymously, as well. A presentation of the preliminary results will be given at the second Annual on October 11, 2012.

Final results will be presented throughout Napa County during LGBTQ Pride Month, June 2013.

It can be taken online at www.gaynapa.com and paper copies will be made available at local community organizations, businesses, or at the Napa LGBTQ Project office at 780 Lincoln Ave, Napa. Additionally, local businesses have donated prizes to encourage responses.

For questions or help, visit www.napaLGBTQproject.org or talk to Ian or Brodie: ian.voices@gmail.com & 707-251-9432.

Napa LGBTQ Needs Assessment: Frequently Asked Questions

• Why should I take this survey?  Who does this benefit?
  Many people don’t realize that there are gay people in Napa. There are an estimated 11,000 LGBTQ people in Napa County and most feel disconnected, invisible, and a lack of community. Most are closeted for fear of rejection or for their safety. We want to increase awareness about the LGBTQ people that live, work and go to school here and ultimately make Napa County safer, more welcoming, and inclusive for us all.

• Who came up with this survey?
  In October 2011, at Napa County’s first-ever LGBTQ Community Forum, 200+ people came together and decided upon three priorities in order to make Napa County safer, more welcoming, and inclusive for LGBTQ people—and one area was increasing awareness. Later, this particular survey was drafted, in English and in Spanish, with the participation of 25 community members and based on the categories developed at that same forum. The Napa LGBTQ Project, a nonprofit program based in Napa, is directing this process and will be sharing the results.

• Do I have to give my name and information?
  All responses to this survey are private and we will not share your individual answers.  The survey can be taken anonymously.
  
  
• Who will see my information?
  Only trained LGBTQ project staff who have signed confidentiality agreements will see individual responses. A summary of the data will be presented to various organizations and community leaders in October 2012 and June 2013.

• How will the results of this survey be used?
  Results will be used to inform community organizations and local leaders of our needs and how they can make Napa County more inclusive for LGBTQ people.
  
  
• When and where can I see the results of this survey?
  Contact info can be provided to see the results of the survey by leaving your contact info at the end of the survey. A preliminary presentation will be given at the second Annual LGBTQ Community Forum on October 11, 2012. Presentations will also be given throughout Napa County and a final report will be available in time for LGBTQ Pride Month, June 2013.
  
  
• Can straight people take this survey?
  Not really. The primary focus of this survey is to assess the needs of the LGBTQ people of Napa County. If you are straight and would like to help, please share with us contact info of anyone else we should include in this survey and spread the word about taking the survey to LGBTQ people you know that live, work, or go to school in Napa County.
  
  
• Where can I take the survey?
  The survey can be taken online at www.napaLGBTQproject.org/survey.html.  Additionally, paper copies will be made available at local community organizations, businesses, or at our Napa LGBTQ Project office at 780 Lincoln Ave, Napa.
  
  
• How long does the survey take?
  The survey is only about 20 questions and takes 5-10 minutes.
  
  
• Is the survey available in other languages?
  The survey is already available online or on paper fully in English or in Spanish.  The Spanish version can be found at www.napaLGBTQproject.org/encuesta.html. We considered offering the survey in Tagalog, but after research and consulting the community, we found there isn’t a great need, at least yet. If there is a need for the survey in any other language, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
  
  
• What if I need help taking the survey or don’t understand some questions?
  People can email or call for help. People can reach at  ian.voices@gmail.com or Project staff (including Spanish-speaking staff) at (707) 251-9432. The survey is available written fully in Spanish and English.  In either language, if it would make it more understandable, we will gladly walk someone through the survey or read it aloud.
  
  
• What’s the raffle and when does it occur?
  Generous local businesses have donated a variety of prizes to help us get the word out and to encourage more people to take the survey.  Current prizes include gift cards and gift baskets to shops, restaurants and other establishments.  If you would like to contribute additional prizes, please contact Ian Stanley at ian.voices@gmail.com or at (707) 251-9432. Our parent organization, , is a registered, tax-exempt nonprofit 501(c)(3) and as such, all donations to us are tax deductible.
  
  
• I have the paper version of the survey, where do I turn it in? Please make sure the survey gets to us at the Napa LGBTQ Project office, 780 Lincoln Avenue Napa. You may drop it off or mail it. You may also fax us your responses at 707-251-9509.

• I have another question, where can I ask it?
  Please email ian.voices@gmail.com or call 707-251-9432 and ask for Ian or Brodie.

Source: Napa LGBTQ Project

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