“So, in honor of Indigenous People’s Day on this here queer spot of the world wide web, let’s talk about some LGBTQ women, Two-Spirit and agender Native American, Aboriginal and First Nation people who are currently making their mark on our world.” Read the full article on Auto Straddle P.S. Santa Cruz is one of over a dozen cities that recognizes Indigenous People’s Day! (Santa Cruz Sentinel) … [Read more...]
Local LGBT News: “Unapologetically Declaring Love” – Students, teachers come together in support of LGBTQ classmates
Check out what Pajaro Valley High School’s Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) did for National Coming Out Day! “...A brightly painted rainbow door and a rainbow arch made of balloons hid participants from view, but their voices could be heard as they announced what they were coming out as and burst through the door to a shower on confetti, cheers, Skittles and a balloon.” Read the full article in The Register-Pajaronian … [Read more...]
[Reminder] Intersection: A Weekend of Performance, Prose and Visual Arts by Local and Regional Queer Artists Oct 23 & 24
Performance Schedule Friday October 23rd 6:30pm Visual Artists Ceder Kirwin and Tent Gillette reception 8:00pm Courtney Moreno reads from her book In Case of Emergency Saturday Oct 24th 8:00pm Chris Black’s one-woman show TOUGH - Buy Tickets Here Location: Motion Pacific, 131 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Sponsored by Motion Pacific, Bookshop Santa Cruz, and The Diversity Center. … [Read more...]
[Reminder] Queer & Ally Student Summit 2015: Ensuring Safer Schools, Building Student/Teacher Dialogues, October 24 – Registration Open!
Meet students throughout Santa Cruz County -- from Scotts Valley to Watsonville -- who are working to help create safer schools in their community! Lunch and Snacks Provided! There will be worshops, opportunity to meet LGBTIQ/Ally Community Leaders, fruit smoothie party, and more! For more information visit QYTF.org, email info@QYTF.org or call (831) 427-4004 When: Saturday, October 24th, 2015 @ 9am - 1:30pm Where: Santa Cruz High School, Santa Cruz, CA Ages: All middle school & high school students welcome! CLICK HERE to register … [Read more...]
Queer Foundation’s 11th Annual High School Senior English Essay Contest
To promote effective writing by, about, and/or for queer youth, Queer Foundation offers to the winners of the eleventh annual high school seniors English essay contest $1,000 scholarships to attend the U.S. college or university of their choice in the 2016–17 academic year to study queer theory or related fields. Examples of related fields are queer medical, legal, or social issues. Deadline to Apply: February 14th, 2016 Visit The Queer Foundation for this year’s writing prompt and to submit an application … [Read more...]
Queer Youth Updates: Oct 24 Queer & Ally Student Summit!
Ensuring Safer Schools, Building Student/Teacher Dialogues Saturday, October 24th, 2015 9:00 am – 1:30 pm Santa Cruz High School, Santa Cruz All Middle School & High School LGBTIQ/Ally Students welcome! Meet students throughout Santa Cruz County -- from Scotts Valley to Watsonville -- who are working to help create safer schools in their community! Lunch and Snacks Provided Experience workshops put on by fellow youth and community resources. Meet LGBTIQ/Ally Community Leaders Fruit Smoothie Party and … [Read more...]
Queer Youth Updates: “Coming Out Day” Community Free Dinner & Talk with Out In Our Faith — Sunday, October 11 — Youth Welcome!
Out In Our Faith invites you to invite your family and friends to the upcoming Reconciling Event on National Coming Out Day, Sunday, October 11, 2015 at 5:30 pm at the Watsonville First United Methodist Church. We will share a delicious Mexican meal, and welcome our special guests from the Silicon Valley GayMen’s Chorus, who will not only share their musical talent, but their inspirational testimonies as well. When: Sunday, October 11th, 2015 @ 5:30pm Where: Watsonville First United Methodist Church, 229 Stanford Street, Watsonville, … [Read more...]
Dear Queer & Ally Students
As we prepare to announce details for YES taking place in San Francisco on Nov 21, we wanted to offer another exciting opportunity for a few students. The Queer Youth Task Force is proud to announce the launch of the 2016 Creating Change Youth Delegate Project. The project aims to bring 2-4 Queer youth leaders to the Creating Change conference in Chicago, Illinois from January 20-24th (https://www.creatingchange.org/). The Creating Change conference is the largest annual gathering of LGBT activists, organizers, and leaders in the United … [Read more...]
LGBT News: Governor Signs Bill Mandating Sex Ed in Schools Across California
“The law ensures not only that school districts offer sex education, but that they teach a comprehensive curriculum that includes abstinence, a range of contraceptives, issues related to sexuality and gender identity as well as ‘an objective discussion of all legally available pregnancy outcomes, including, but not limited to, parenting, adoption and abortion.’” Read the full article in The SF Gate … [Read more...]
[Reminder] PFLAG Santa Cruz County Presents: “Stories from the Front Lines: GSA Advisors”, October 13
Join PFLAGSCC for an evening full of stories from GSA Advisors around the county as they discuss how these groups function in our schools. GSA’s (Gay Straight Alliances) have proven to be a lifeline for many of our children. They have also served as support for our LGBTQ youth as they first come out. Through their activities they are able to create a supportive environment where our children are able to advocate for themselves and to have a safe space within the school. When: Tuesday, October 13, 2015 @ 7:00pm – 9:00 pm Where: Peace United … [Read more...]