Queer Youth Task Force of Santa Cruz County Available Spring 2024 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 project … [Read more...]
LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Scholarships
Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County 15 Different Scholarships are Available for Santa Cruz County high school students! The descriptions on the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County website provide a summary of the eligibility qualifications established by the generous donors who have provided the award opportunities. Scholarships range in award amount and include both one-time awards and renewable awards. Award amounts are subject to change from year to year. Scholarship Amount = Varies Application Opens: Late … [Read more...]
Crisis Support
Weekly & Monthly LGBTQ+ 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 We’re here and Queer LGBTQ+ Youth Hangout (Weekly on Thursdays @ 4 - 6 PM) Welcome to the most awesome and inclusive hangout spot in town – We’re Here and Queer! Here, you're not just welcome – you're … [Read more...]
LGBTQ+ News
"I am the first male, openly trans person elected to public office in our state; this is my coming-out story" - Lookout Santa Cruz "Nov. 13-19 is national Transgender Awareness Week, and in a Community Voices opinion piece, Adam Spickler, a Cabrillo College trustee and one of only four openly transgender people to hold elected office in all of California, shares their coming-out story. Adam wishes when they were growing up in the 1980s and 1990s that they had transgender role models." "Superintendent’s Community Report | COE reaffirms … [Read more...]
The Babblery Podcast | What is a woman? In conversation with Sandy Stone (Ages 13+)
" 'I really became a person, a human being, however you want to say that, when I became a woman.' These days, Sandy Stone is a community elder. She’s a vital force behind the radio station that hosts The Babblery, KSQD in Santa Cruz, CA. She’s retired from academia, which she joined after retiring from her illustrious career as a recording engineer. There’s a lot to say about Sandy’s many life achievements." Listen to the full episode on The Babblery with Suki Wessling (she/her) … [Read more...]
Cabrillo College Hosts First Ever Transgender Day of Resilience/Remembrance Event
This event was produced by Cabrillo's Office of Student Equity and included a photo booth, pronoun pin making, activities, and speeches to honor the trans lives lost in 2023. We've shared a few photos from the event below! … [Read more...]
Queer Youth Updates is in the News! “The Importance of Supportive Spaces for Queer and Trans Youth” – Growing Up in Santa Cruz
"This newsletter serves as a platform to share local LGBTQIA2S+ youth friendly resources and events in one centralized location. In high school I remember feeling frustrated that there were opportunities to connect with my community and develop leadership skills, but neither I, nor my peers, had the tools to find them all. Queer Youth Updates, a labor of love, has now been a source of visibility to queer and trans youth in Santa Cruz County for over 10 years." … [Read more...]
Prismatic Youth Rainbow Holiday Party @ The Diversity Center, December 15, Santa Cruz
Happy Holi-gays! This month’s Prismatic Youth Gathering will be a holiday party at The Diversity Center. Join us for a rainbow elephant gift exchange, cookie decorating, and an ugly sweater contest! RSVP here! When: Friday, December 15 @ 6pm - 9pm Where: The Diversity Center Ages: 11 - 18 NOTE: TDC will provide small gifts for the rainbow elephant gift exchange and a light dinner. Youth do not need to bring a gift to attend. “Ugly” sweaters are encouraged though! … [Read more...]
Guitar Club @ Branciforte Library – Every Wednesday Starting December 13
Bring your guitar to the library to play music, practice, share what you know and learn something new! Some instruction provided. When: Every Wednesday Starting December 13 @ 3 - 4pm Where: 230 Gault St. Santa Cruz, CA … [Read more...]