Fall 2024 Rainbow Conference A day of celebration, community, and learning for LGBTQIA2S+ students, their allies, and the adults who support them in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties, September 28, Watsonville The Safe Schools Project is proud to announce the Rainbow Conference — a day of celebration, community, and learning for young people and the adults who support them in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties. When: Saturday, September 28, 2024 @ 9:30 AM - 2 PM Where: Watsonville High … [Read more...]
GLSEN National Student Council (NSC) – 24/25 Application Open Soon!
The NSC is a platform for LGBTQ+ youth to cultivate their leadership potential, amplify their voices, and actively contribute to creating more inclusive and equitable environments for all students.The NSC plays a pivotal role in providing feedback on GLSEN's processes, programs, resources, and overall strategy. As youth representatives, they offer their unique perspectives and insights, ensuring that GLSEN's initiatives remain relevant and impactful. NSC members are passionate about social justice and actively seek to deepen their knowledge and … [Read more...]
Upcoming EDI Educators Youth Programming
Queer Trans Youth Meetup, Saturday's @ 1 - 3 PM July activities include intersectional queer trivia 7/13, an all-levels music lesson field trip 7/20, and a puzzle creation craft 7/27. What: Join us weekly for community building, activities, peer support, leadership opportunities, snacks, skill building, fun, and hangout space. Where: 175B Walnut Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Felton SAGA | 2nd & 4th Wednesday's @ 3 - 5 PM There's a big storytelling theme this month, and that counts for SAGA too. Join us for the raising of our … [Read more...]
Upcoming Diversity Center Youth Programming
Tween Time: Paint and Dip, July 11th (Meets 2nd Thursday of Each Month) Get ready to dip your brush in creativity at The Diversity Center Paint and Dip. Join us at The Diversity Center from 3:00 to 5:00 pm for an afternoon of creativity and dippable snacks! We'll provide all the painting supplies you need, so all you have to bring is your artistic flair and a willingness to have a blast. Grab your friends and join us for an unforgettable Paint and Dip experience! When: Thursday, July 11, 2024 @ 3 - 5 PM Where: The Diversity … [Read more...]
Weekly/Monthly Queer & Trans Youth Programs
The Diversity Center Youth Program, Santa Cruz County The youth program at TDC provides supportive, educational and social activities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning (LGBTIQ) youth. Check out their weekly schedule events at diversitycenter.org/youth Questions? Email youth@diversitycenter.org Weekly and Monthly Happenings Let’s Connect LGBTQ+ Youth Group (4th Wednesday of Every Month @ 2:30 - 5 PM) The Diversity Center is hosting a LGBTQ+ youth group at Pajaro Valley Prevention and Students … [Read more...]
LGBTQIA2S+ News
QYLA in the news / "Honoring Youth Leaders" - The Pajaronian “The reason it’s important to do this work is so that other queer and trans youth like myself don’t have to feel isolated, threatened for just existing, and so they can live their lives freely,” Brown said. “So they can live in society without feeling that they are an outcast or like they have to second-guess whether or not a space is safe for them to truly express who they are.” "Pajaro Valley Unified School District sees large turnout for Pride flag raising" - Santa Cruz … [Read more...]
Reminders
CampOUT 2024 - Registration NOW OPEN!, August 2 - 4, Watsonville CampOUT is FREE and open to LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 14-18 who are looking for a safe, supportive, and seriously fun camping experience. We'll be pitching our tents and soaking up the beauty of nature at Mt. Madonna County Park in a private campsite. Get ready to relax, enjoy shared meals, share stores by the campfire, and maybe even spot a shooting star or two! When: Friday August 2 - Sunday August 4, 2024 Where: Mt. Madonna County Park Ages: 14 - … [Read more...]
AB 1955 Safety Act – Support Academic Futures and Educator for Today’s Youth Act
Proposed Bill (AB 1955 Factsheet) Assembly Bill (AB) 1955, the Support Academic Futures & Educators for Today’s Youth Act (SAFETY Act), would strengthen existing California protections against forced outings of LGBTQ+ students in schools; provide critical resources for parents and families of LGBTQ+ students to support them in working towards family acceptance on their own terms; and provide additional protections to educators who face retaliatory actions from administrators and school boards for seeking to create an inclusive and safe … [Read more...]
Epicenter’s Our Gente Program Presents – Adulting 101 Workshops for Transition-Age Youth, June 26 & July 24, Salinas
Take a peek at some upcoming workshops! There will be free refreshments and giveaways on each event for participants! Wednesday June 26th: Chosen Families & LGBTQ Resources / In collaboration with the Queer Trans Youth Collective Wednesday July 24th: Living on Your Own & Tenant Rights … [Read more...]
PVUSD Harvey Milk Day Pride Flag Raising Event
The Pajaro Valley Unified School District celebrated Harvey Milk Day on May 22nd with their fourth annual Progress Pride Flag raising event. A large crowd of adult allies joined 4th through 12th grade LGBTQ+ and ally students from six different PVUSD schools as they spoke about Harvey Milk, the history of the Progress Pride flag, and their personal experiences. Among the student speakers were 2024 QYLA awardee Eli Romero-Ortigosa, who shared movingly in Spanish about how meaningful it is for marginalized students to see visible shows of support … [Read more...]