"Petras, who collaborated with Smith on the pair's song "Unholy," became the first out trans artist to win the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance." Video Below: Kim Petras Grammy acceptance speech … [Read more...]
Black History Month
Ibram X. Kendi & Nic Stone, How to be a (Young) Antiracist (Every Thursday this February), Santa Cruz Bookshop Santa Cruz, NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, and the Santa Cruz Warriors welcome Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Nic Stone for a discussion about their new book, How to Be a (Young) Antiracist—a dynamic reframing of the concepts shared in Kendi's book, with young adulthood front and center. Aimed at readers 12 and up, and co-authored by award-winning children's book author Nic Stone, How to Be … [Read more...]
[Reminder] Queer Youth Leadership Awards Nominations Open February 3 – March 3!
QYLA was created in 1998 to shift the conversation about queer youth from risk to leadership. This county-wide, collaborative event serves to honor and celebrate queer youth leaders and the ally’s that support and empower them. With the help of individuals like you who take the time to write nominations, we can continue to celebrate our youth leaders and their ally’s as well as the thriving and inclusive community we are creating, together. QYLA consists of three award categories: Queer Youth (for out LGBTQIA+ youth) Ally to Queer … [Read more...]
Crisis Support
Weekly LGBTQ+ Youth Virtual & In-Person Events
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 The Epicenter Presents: "Sharing Circle" - In Person Developed from the concept of peer social support, our Sharing Circle is designed to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth to express themselves … [Read more...]
LGBTQ+ News
"California Supreme Court welcomes 1st queer woman" - The Bay Area Reporter "From humble beginnings growing up in a Denver public housing development reared by her grandmother with limited means, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Kelli Evans is now making history as the first queer woman of color to serve on the Golden State's highest court. " "New LGBTQ laws take effect January 1" - The Bay Area Reporter "Due to the adoption of Senate Bill 107, authored by gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), starting next … [Read more...]
Queer History
Making Gay History - The Podcast | Bayard Rustin "Bayard Rustin was a key behind-the-scenes leader of the Black civil rights movement—a proponent of nonviolent protest, a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the principal organizer of the landmark 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. And he was gay and open about it, which had everything to do with why he remained in the background and is little known today in comparison to other leaders of the civil rights movement." Listen at Making Gay History - The Podcast Bayard … [Read more...]
Youth Updates
1. Goodtimes | "How the Queer Youth Task Force Helps Keep Kids Safe - The Santa Cruz Gives organization is helping to increase the visibility of local LGBTQIA+ youth" “The heart and soul of Santa Cruz County is people who are wanting to make life better for other people,” Rosenstein says. “And that’s how the Queer Youth Task Force was founded and that’s what it’s done since.” Read the full article at Goodtimes Luka Chavez, 13, is one of many young queer people whose life journey has been aided by the Queer Youth Task Force. PHOTO: … [Read more...]
Scholarship Application Resources
"How to Apply for Scholarships" - Sallie Mae Get tips on college scholarship applications and choosing which scholarships to apply for. "Scholarship Applications Tips and Advice" - National Society of High School Scholars Former NSHSS Scholarship Director, Dr. Susan Thurman, offers up some helpful tips for students applying for scholarships. These tips are relevant to students applying for any scholarship. Top 10 Tips for Writing Effective Scholarship Essays - Clackamas Community College "When you are faced … [Read more...]
Internship Opportunities
Queer Youth Task Force of Santa Cruz County Available Spring 2023 Internships & School Credit for K-12 Students – If you are a middle school and high school student interested in attaining community service hours for a queer youth project, internships and school credit can be arranged. Please select one of the QYTF Projects that interests you and then secure a teacher or advisor who will sponsor your community hours. The Task Force can help identify a teacher on your campus if needed. Then, please contact us. One-time short … [Read more...]