1. Santa Cruz Pride & Parade, June 7, Santa Cruz
The Santa Cruz Pride parade and festival celebrates the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning Plus) community in Santa Cruz County. The parade and festival is a safe and inclusive space for the queer community and their allies. You are welcome to be who you are and join the organizations, allies, supportive groups, churches, candidates, ensembles, performers, parents, children to show your pride, activism, enthusiasm and love.
When: Sunday, June 7, 2026 @ 11 AM
Where: Parade begins at Cathcart St. and Pacific Ave.
2. Interfaith Pride Service, June 7, Santa Cruz
Affirming congregations from across the county come together in prayer and song to celebrate our common faith. More information can be found at SantaCruzPride.org
When: Sunday, June 7, 2026 @ 9:30 AM
Where: Plaza Lane Alcove near the Peak Tea House, 1541 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz
3. Pride @ the MAH: Free Art Activity, June 7, Santa Cruz
Stop by the MAH for a free art activity for all ages. The museum will be open till 6 pm and we invite you to visit the Queer Santa Cruz exhibits on the second floor.
When: Sunday, June 7, 2026 @ 1 – 4PM
Where: The MAH, 705 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Ages: All
Cost: Free
4. Call for LGBTQIA2S+ Youth Planning Committee: Fall 2026 Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast
Students and community members under 18 are welcome to join our student planning committee! We’re looking for candidates that are committed to making a difference in the lives of queer and trans youth of the Central Coast. This committee will plan and put together the Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Summit: a daylong event of an opening ceremony, workshops, and caucuses meant to empower and celebrate queer, trans, and allied youth. Sign up here!
The Student Summit, part of the Fall 2026 Rainbow Conference, will be held on Saturday, September 26th at Watsonville High School.
5. Upcoming Diversity Center Youth Programming, Santa Cruz
Seeking Queer Youth Clothing Donations for CampOUT!, Drop Off by June 11
Seeking fun and festive clothing and accessories ranging from masculine to feminine to outrageous! Costumes, drag clothing, and formal wear are encouraged. Questions? Contact info@diversitycenter.org.
When: Drop off by June 11, Center open Monday-Friday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Where: The Diversity Center
Rainbow Youth Beach Bonfire!, July 17
Have fun, toast marshmallows and hot dogs, play beach games, and more! Please read our youth code of conduct before attending.
When: Friday, July 17 @ 6:00-8:00 pm
Where: Twin Lakes State Beach in Santa Cruz
Ages: 11-17
RSVP: tinyurl.com/
6. The Epicenter Has Moved!
7. QYLA Awardee Updates
- Nayela Soledad Reynoso, 2026 QYLA Awardee wrote a piece for the GSA Network’s “Fight to Play, Play to Win: Trans Joy in Sports Zine” (Found on page 17)
- “The Things We Did and Didn’t Do” by Joshua Moreno – MAH
- Joshua Moreno is a 2004 QYLA Awardee
- Nikira Hernandez, 2002 QYLA Awardee named pastor at La Selva Beach Community Church
8. Rainbow Art Camp for LGBTQ+ Teens, June 29 – July 3, Santa Cruz
Seven Directions has been hosting this camp for 6+ years, giving Queer teens a safe space to express themselves creatively, explore identity, make friends and build community. We offer tuition support and scholarships to those who need them as well! For more info and registration go to sevendirections.org
When: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri / Jun 29, 2026 – Jul 3, 2026 @ 10 AM – 3:30PM
Where: 303 Potrero St, Suite 7A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
9. Community Foundation Santa Cruz County Diversity Partnership Fund LGBTQIA+ Club Grants
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County’s “Diversity Partnership Fund” is proud to announce the 2026 LGBTQIA2S+ club grants!
Representatives from 21 clubs applied for and were approved for grants to support activities in the upcoming year. These grants are awarded to Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), Queer-Straight Alliances (QSAs), Sexuality and Gender Alliances (SAGAs), Rainbow Alliances, and other student pride clubs, are opportunities for LGBTQIA2S+ clubs
Now in its tenth year, the program has provided many Santa Cruz County LGBTQIA+ student clubs with funding for club activities and projects.
Check out the full list of activities and the 21 GSA clubs that received grants.
10. 2026 eQuality Scholarship Collaborative Awardees announced!
eQuality Scholarship Collaborative honors and encourages California students who promote understanding of and equality for the lesbian/gay/bisexual/
11. Rep. Panetta Honors Students Who Participated in the National Day of Silence
For this year’s National Day of Silence, I was honored to recognize the students in California’s 19th Congressional District who stayed silent to stand up for our LGBTQ community. A special thanks to Destyni Huggins from Santa Cruz for her hard work engaging Branciforte Middle School and promoting tolerance and allyship.
