Did y'all enjoy pride? If you are interested in helping plan summer events for queer youth and allies, please come to the STRANGE Project this Saturday from 1pm-3:30pm at the Diversity Center (1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz). Youth ages 11-18 welcome! … [Read more...]
LGBT Local News: Inside Out
“The arrest of gay men entrapped by undercover Capitola police officers in 1980, and the subsequent publishing of the names and home addresses of those arrested in local newspapers, led to over 200 people protesting the actions at a Capitola City Council meeting. Santa Cruz County was the first in the nation to adopt a gay non-discrimination policy for its own employees in 1975, and the City of Santa Cruz and Metropolitan Transit District’s domestic partners benefits programs were among the first in the nation in the mid-1980s. In 1983, I had … [Read more...]
LGBT Local News: Santa Cruz Pride Celebrates 40 Years of Advocacy
“As socially progressive as Santa Cruz may seem now, it wasn't always the case, the couple said. ‘In those early years, people were yelling at us on Pacific Avenue, 'Fags, go home,’’ Friedman said. ‘It was not very welcoming’ and ‘to come from that where we are today’ is a major leap.” Read more in The Santa Cruz Sentinel … [Read more...]
[Reminder] Santa Cruz Pride Youth March, Jun 1
Pride is coming up so soon. We NEED to show Santa Cruz County how many queer youth and allies there are here. Last year we had almost 100 youth marching in pride. This year we are going for over 200! Youth 21 and under and GSA advisors are welcome to join our contingent. If this does not apply to you, please share it with those that do! Are you part of a GSA, QSA, or Rainbow Alliance? Invite your ENTIRE club and dress alike! Bring your costumes, signs, and LOVE! Have parents, family, or other adults that want to march? Bring them so they … [Read more...]
[Reminder] 40th Annual Pride Parade and Festival: Sunday June 1st!
Welcome to the 40th annual Pride parade and festival! This is also the 25th anniversary of the Diversity Center, and we are celebrating BIG this year. Pride's theme is 'Pride Marches On: Celebrating 40 years of Trailblazers'. Both locally and nationally, we have seen great progress for our LGBTQ community. So much of where we are today can be attributed to the hard work of trailblazers like you. So, let's celebrate and enjoy how far we've come - with an eye to the future. Here is the lineup of Santa Cruz Pride events. Parade: Marching … [Read more...]
[Reminder] The 1st Annual “Time Is Now: Youth Empowerment” May 31, Oakland
The Time Is Now: Youth Empowerment Summit seeks to empower LGBTQ youth of color to become leaders in their communities. The youth empowerment summit will provide educational resources, tools, and workshops that are directly relevant to the lives of low-income LGBTQ youth of color. Youth ages 13 to 24 are welcome to this event! The summit will feature three workshop sessions, a keynote speaker, live performances, and a resource fair. We will have our opening session at 10:30am and will conclude at 5pm. A youth dance will take place between 6 pm … [Read more...]
[Reminder] UC Santa Cruz Presents Kresge Pride 2014! May 3
A annual celebration of the beauty within the Queer community and their many allies at UCSC. This campus wide march and festival includes entertainment, crafts, food and a keynote speaker. All are welcome! When: Saturday May 31st, 2014 Where: March - 12pm at Quarry Plaza Festival - 2pm - 5pm at Kresge College … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Syphilis Cases Rising Sharply Among Young Gay Men
“Why are young MSMs [Males who have sex with males] at highest risk? There are a number of possible reasons. Some are similar to reasons that this same population is at higher risk for HIV infection. One is lack of knowledge. Men in these age groups may not have gotten much information on STIs through sex education classes, information available in the community, from health departments, etc. They may be unaware of how they are at risk and how to protect themselves.” Read More in AmericaBlog … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Transgender Teens Are Fitting In With The Aid Of School Officials, But Concerns Remain
“California this year became the first state with a law spelling out the transgender student rights in public schools, including the ability to use restrooms and to play on sports teams that match their expressed genders. Another 13 states prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity in schools. Dozens of districts, from Salt Lake City and Kansas City to Knoxville, Tennessee, and Decatur, Georgia, have adopted similar protections.” Read More in The Huffington Post … [Read more...]
[Reminder] California’s Great America 15th Annual Pride Night, May 23, Santa Clara
PRIDE NIGHT will deliver top-name entertainment with a community focus. "Gay Day" at California's Great America is one of the Bay Area’s most anticipated LGBT-specific event for all ages - the only event of its kind in Northern California. Featuring special guests: Karmin, E! network star Ross Matthews, Neon Hitch, DWV and DJ Luis Perez! When: Friday May 23rd, 2014 Where: California’s Great America, 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054 Cost = Presale $45 and $55 Day of Event Click Here to buy tickets! … [Read more...]