Youth Updates

1.  Goodtimes | “How the Queer Youth Task Force Helps Keep Kids Safe – The Santa Cruz Gives organization is helping to increase the visibility of local LGBTQIA+ youth”

“The heart and soul of Santa Cruz County is people who are wanting to make life better for other people,” Rosenstein says. “And that’s how the Queer Youth Task Force was founded and that’s what it’s done since.”

Read the full article at Goodtimes

Luka Chavez, 13, is one of many young queer people whose life journey has been aided by the Queer Youth Task Force. PHOTO: Tarmo Hannula

2.  Queer and Trans Youth Council of Santa Cruz County | Call for LGBTQ+ Youth Artists and Poets! Submit by February 3

The Queer and Trans Youth Council of Santa Cruz County is seeking submissions of art and poetry from LGBTQ+ youth for a zine to be distributed to LGBTQ+ youth across the county. We are particularly looking for art and poetry that carries a message or is about the LGBTQ+ community. Any art that can be submitted in a digital file is accepted (including high quality photographs of non-digital art).

Submit by: Midnight on Friday, February 3rd, 2023
Send submissions to: QTYCSCC@gmail.com.

To learn more about the zine and get updates on our progress, follow us on Instagram @QueerAndTransYouthCouncil

Check out the Facebook Event Page

3.  GSA Network Empowerment Training (In Person & Recorded Available)

We hear y’all are interested in learning more about strengthening your club and fighting for racial and gender justice. Well, we have in-person trainings available for you and your CA GSA/LGBTQ+ club! If you’re interested in setting up a training for your CA club or community hit us up!  Ask your regional organizer or email california@gsanetwork.org (please note some training curriculum and staff support is California specific, but we can still share training content with any GSA club)

All GSAs can also access virtual trainings through the GSA Network YouTube Playlist here

4.  ‘WORTHY’: Black Trans Women Are Worthy 

‘WORTHY’, a #TransBodiesTransChoices short film, visually depicts a personal poem written by artist Averi Rose, who shares the relationship she has with herself as a Black trans woman. The film breaks down the negative effects of social conditioning and internalized transphobia on her psyche, and celebrates the transformative power of redefining our individuality. It is a story that celebrates the beauty of expansive, ever-evolving, revolutionary womanhood through a transgender lens.

Learn more about TransLash Media’s #TransBodiesTransChoices campaign:  www.translash.org/transbodiestranschoices

5.  [Reminder] Queer Youth Leadership Awards Nominations Open February 1 – March 3!

QYLA was created in 1998 to shift the conversation about queer youth from risk to leadership. This county-wide, collaborative event serves to honor and celebrate queer youth leaders and the ally’s that support and empower them. With the help of individuals like you who take the time to write nominations, we can continue to celebrate our youth leaders and their ally’s as well as the thriving and inclusive community we are creating, together.

QYLA consists of three award categories:

• Queer Youth (for out LGBTQIA+ youth)
• Ally to Queer Youth (for youth and adult allies to the LGBTQIA+ community)
• Organizational Ally (for organizations that support LGBTQIA+ youth)