Transgender History Month (Celebrated in August) + Trans History Month Statement from The Cantu Queer Center
What is Transgender History Month? "Celebrated throughout the month of August in San Francisco, Transgender History Month is legally recognized by Mayoral Proclamation. It is a month in which Transgender San Franciscans honor the rich history and contributions of transgender historymakers, pioneers, trailblazers and affirms the ongoing presence of transgender people in San Francisco and around the world." Learn more and get a recap of this years month of celebration at transgenderhistorymonth.com See below for a Trans History Month … [Read more...]
Back to School Resources + 24/25 School Year Calendars for LGBTQ+ & Allied Students
Classes are starting back up again and we've compiled a list of resources to help you get started this year! Santa Cruz Office of Education | "Supporting LGBTQ+ Students and Families" Our vision is for Santa Cruz County to be a model of safe and inclusive schools for all students and families and especially for LGBTQ students. The research is clear: when students feel safe, supported and included in school, their learning increases, their engagement increases and more students graduate from high school who are college and career … [Read more...]
Upcoming “Rainbow Conference” Featured in Growing Up in Santa Cruz September 2024 Issue
Read about the Rainbow Conference featuring three articles about the 3 tracks at the conference for teens, parents/guardians/educators/adult Allie’s, and for elementary school/families: • Liberating Queer Youth with the Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit by Juniper Brown & Lynx Kelly • Understanding Gender and Supporting Our Youth by Andrea Damon & Michelle Brandt • Shine Bright: How to Be an Affirming Parent by Rainbow Glitter Kids Planning Committee Visit Growing Up in Santa Cruz to learn more … [Read more...]
The Fall 2024 Rainbow Conference is nearly here! Learn more about each track and ways to get involved!
Rainbow Conference A day of celebration, community, and learning for young people and the adults who support them Saturday, September 28, 2024 | 9:30 am - 2:00 pm | Watsonville High School The Safe Schools Project is proud to announce the Rainbow Conference — a day of celebration, community, and learning for young people and the adults who support them in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties. When: Saturday, September 28, 2024 @ 9:30 am - 2:00 pm Where: Watsonville High School Breakfast, Snacks, and Lunch Provided! For … [Read more...]
LGBTQIA2S+ News
"Aptos native Nikki Hiltz aims for Olympic gold while advocating for LGBTQ community" - KSBW "Being raised in Santa Cruz, California, you know, coming from a very liberal progressive family and town and city only helped me in taking up space. Realizing and having that support, I feel so privileged to know that I am loved and supported, and I know that not every queer person has that," Hiltz said. "First LGBTQ+ Visitor Center in the National Park System" - Comcast News Makers "The Stonewall Inn, site of the historic June 1969 … [Read more...]
Reminders
Fall 2024 Rainbow Conference — a day of celebration, community, and learning for LGBTQIA2S+ students, their allies, and the adults who support them in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties, September 28, Watsonville The Safe Schools Project is proud to announce the Rainbow Conference — a day of celebration, community, and learning for young people and the adults who support them in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties. When: Saturday, September 28, 2024 @ 9:30 AM - 2 PM Where: Watsonville High School Breakfast, … [Read more...]
University of Nebraska | Family Acceptance Project
The Family Acceptance Project (FAP) was founded more than 20 years ago to help diverse families learn to support and affirm their LGBTQ+ youth. FAP conducted the first research on LGBTQ+ youth and their families and developed the first family support model to help racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse parents and caregivers learn to support their LGBTQ+ youth to prevent health risks and promote well-being. FAP is grounded in the lived experiences of diverse families and uses a culture-based family support framework that enables parents … [Read more...]
Santa Cruz County Office of Education | Youth Led Leadership Alliance
The Youth Led Leadership Alliance is a network of 7 different leadership groups sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education working together to develop leadership skills and make an impact across their community. All groups meet once a week on Tuesdays in a hybrid format, and once a month on Saturdays in person at either the County Office of Education in Santa Cruz, or the Sequoia High Schools campus in Watsonville. These groups include: Youth for Environmental Action - Students passionate about environmental justice and … [Read more...]
Pajaro Valley Pride 2024 Youth Scholarship Recipients Announced!
Each year, Pajaro Valley Pride awards scholarships to students in our community based on their academic successes as well as their involvement in social justice activism, either on their school campus or in the community. This year recipients received a $1,000 scholarship for their contributions to the LGBTQIA2S+ community Natalya Hammond (she/her) | My name is Natalya Hammond, I’m 17 years old and will be attending SJSU in the fall as an incoming Freshman. I love learning and I am excited for college. I am from Watsonville, CA which is … [Read more...]