Queer, Trans & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast Fall 2023
Event Details
All High School & Middle School LGBTQIA+, Questioning, & Ally Students Welcome!
A free summit that is led by youth leaders from the tri-county area. This upcoming summit will provide students the opportunity to:
- Experience workshops created by fellow youth and community organizers.
- Meet students from throughout Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, and San Benito County — from Watsonville, Salinas, Soledad, Monterey, San Juan Bautista to Scotts Valley — who are working to help create safer schools in their communities!
- Have access to a resource fair which provides useful support for LGBTQIA+ youth, allies, and families.
- Empower and liberate lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, questioning, and allied youth.
- Each student who registers will receive a personalized goodie bag and free t-shirt with a custom design!
When: Saturday, September 30, 2023 @ 9:30am – 2:00pm
Where: Watsonville High School
Cost: FREE!
- Visit safeschoolsproject.org/
summit-queer-trans-allied- summit-fall-2023 for updates and more information! - Check out our Facebook Event Page!
We are pleased to announce the winner of the Fall 2023 t-shirt design contest and offer a warm congratulations to Carmen Diaz-Cashatt!
Carmen Diaz-Cashatt, They/them, attends high school in Santa Cruz and is a traditional artist and aspiring graphic designer. Check out their work at @carmendiazcashatt on Instagram.
10:50 am – 11:20 am
- Asexual Caucus
- Bisexual Caucus
- Intersecting the Spectrum: Neurodivergent Queer Caucus
- Non-binary Caucus: A Look on Our Identities
- Trans Caucus
- and more…
11:30 am – 12:20 pm
- Becoming your Full Bloom Self: The Diversity Center’s Well-Being Model & flower guide for your Full Bloom thrive-ability!
- Behind The Zines
- Cat-titude and Confidence: Cat Ear Creations for Middle Schoolers
- Drag Tips
- Guinea Pig Care: The Queerest Pet
- Harm Reduction tools for youth: Understanding Opioids/ Fentanyl and lifesaving Naloxone
- Healthy Relationship/Consent
- Identity Adventure with Dungeons & Dragons
- Make It Yours! Decorating your clothing to reflect who you are.
- Queer Futures
- Pride Flags Pumpkin Painting
- Road to Liberation & Justice: How to Have a Kick Ass GSA/LGBTQ+ Club!
- The Power in Politics
- Trailblazing with Pride: Wilderness Outdoor Education
- Chill Space
- Quiet Zone
12:30 – 1:20 pm
- Banned Books
- Discovering Your Inner Compass: Embrace Your Core Values
- Drag 101: Crafting Your Drag Persona
- Guinea Pig Care: The Queerest Pet
- Healthy Relationship/Consent
- Pride Flags Pumpkin Painting
- Pride in Space: Queer Astronauts and the 2023 Solar Eclipse
- Queer Zines: History and Creation
- Queering Faith and Transgressive Religion
- Rainbow Warriors: A History of Queer Activism
- Roots of Resistance: Social Movement History for Trans and Queer People of Color
- Your Voice Matters: The Importance of LGBTQIA+ Students in Leadership Roles
- Zines, Buttons, Stickers and Craft Making!
- Chill Space
- Quiet Zone
Keynote Speaker Announced
Adam Spickler, they/he, Cabrillo College Trustee, 2023 Board Chair, Committees: Legislative Advocacy and Name Exploration, Elected Member, Santa Cruz County Democratic Party, Stand: Fairness | Equity | Cultural Humility
Adam Spickler was elected as a Cabrillo College Trustee in 2018 and was re-elected by a wide margin in 2022. Adam serves as the 2023 Cabrillo College Governing Board chair and is also the first openly transgender man elected to public office in California. Professionally, Adam is the Public Information and Governmental Relations Officer for the County of Santa Cruz’s Human Services Department where they have worked since 2013. Prior to this, Adam was a senior district staff for two state lawmakers.
Adam is also an elected member of Santa Cruz County’s Democratic Party, is on the governing board of Housing Santa Cruz County, is a former member of the California Democratic Party’s Affirmative Action Committee and served 3-terms as Board President of Santa Cruz County’s Diversity Center. Adam and they’re husband Scott live near the Harbor in Santa Cruz with their dogs, Penny and Juno.
QT Community Clothing Swap
You’re invited to the Summit’s Clothing Swap!
Through generous donations from our community partners, we can’t wait to welcome you into a luxury “shopping” experience — finding new-to-you clothes that fit your style and don’t cost you a cent. Feel free to bring a swap item or just bring yourself and your unique fashion sense!
Call for Summit Volunteers
Please help us make the Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast run smoothly. We are looking for volunteers to help with a few aspects of the event and if you have an hour or two to spare during the day of the event between 7:15 am – 3:00 pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Watsonville High School in Watsonville, please contact contact the Fall 2023 Summit Volunteer Coordinator at CoordinateSummit@gmail.com or (831) 427-4004.
The Summit is providing transportation or arranging carpools for volunteers who sign up for multiple volunteer shifts. Please let us know in the sign up form if you need a ride or can offer a ride. Thank you!