Youth Programs
Our Youth Programs provide safe, affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and allies to connect, express themselves, and build community through social events, leadership opportunities, and creative workshops. We empower young people by fostering resilience, self-discovery, and advocacy, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
Fellowship of the Queer: A Youth DnD Campaign
Date: Sundays, February 1 and 15
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 13-18
RSVP: tinyurl.com/tdcyouthdnd
Join the queerest campaign in town, featuring adventure, fun, snacks, and Spelljammer! This will be an episodic, continuous campaign. We will make characters together, or you can use a pre-built. RSVP is required. No experience is required - learn and make new friends on a magical space quest. Supplies provided.
Queer Prom Planning Committee
Date: Monday, February 9
Time: 4:15 - 5:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Ages: High School LGBTQ+ Youth
RSVP: tinyurl.com/TDCRSVP
We’re excited to begin planning for our annual Queer Prom, and we need your input. What you’ll do as a committee member:
Brainstorm themes, decorations, and entertainment.
Create Queer Prom decor
Help invite Queer students to dance with us
Share ideas to create a fun and inclusive environment for all attendees.
Rainbow Kids Circle
Date: Every first Saturday of the month
Ages: Youth 5-11 and their families
For details and to RSVP, contact rainbowkidscircle@gmail.com.
Rainbow Kids Circle is a monthly 90-minute playgroup for gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies elementary school age 5-11 and their families facilitated by Sara. Rainbow Kids Circle meets on the first Saturday of each month. Kids must be accompanied by an adult family member. Siblings ages 10 and under are welcome to attend. Families and kids will have a chance to do arts and crafts, read a story, enjoy a snack, and engage in free play with other gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies.
Narwhal Skate Night: Youth Meet Up
Date: Friday, February 27
Time: 5:00-7:00 pm
Location: Santa Cruz Roller Palladium, 1060 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz
Ages: Elementary and middle school-aged youth
RSVP: tinyurl.com/TDCRSVP
Skate the arctic seas and enjoy songs, snacks, and seaworthy fun with new friends from across Santa Cruz County schools! Dress to impress in your best sea creature attire. This event is NO COST. RSVP required for a ticket. This event was made possible with support from Branciforte Middle School’s Muskequeers and Gault Elementary’s QSA Club!
Hearts of All Kind: A Valentine’s Event
Date: Friday, February 6
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: Salinas Community School, 615 Leslie Drive, Salinas
Ages: LGBTQ+ Youth, Family, Friends + Allies
RSVP here!
Join us for a Valentine's card and cookie decorating community gathering! Meet our Rainbow Connections partners and learn about the support we’re offering in Monterey County. Come enjoy dinner, cookie decorating, music, a photo booth, and a special raffle!
DRAG: Divination, Rainbows, And Glitter
Date: Friday, February 20
Time: 4:30-6:30 pm
Location: London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz
Ages: 11-18
RSVP: tinyurl.com/SacredDRAGWorkshop
Come ready to move, learn, laugh, and maybe leave with a little more sparkle than you arrived with.
Together with drag superstar Magadelena More, youth will:
Practice performing and build dance skills
Create or deepen our own drag practices
Reflect on how our ancestors influence our art and Indigenous perspectives on drag and gender
Queer Student Union
Upcoming Online and In-Person Meetings!
Date: Saturday, February 21
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: RSVP for information
Ages: Santa Cruz County High School Students
RSVP: tinyurl.com/QSUYLLA
The Queer Student Union is part of the Youth Led Leadership Alliance, which is a network of 8 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.
Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council
Date: Thursday, February 5 + 19
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Ages: Monterey and San Benito County Middle and High School Youth
RSVP: tinyurl.com/montereyrcyec
🌈 Join the Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council! 🌈
✨ Be the visionaries behind Rainbow Connections youth events!
✨ Learn leadership and community-building skills.
✨ Meet other LGBTQ+ youth and co-create a safe space where we can share resources and receive peer-to-peer support.
Middle School Leadership Group: Queer Middle School Improvement Team (Q-MIT)
Upcoming Online and In-Person Meetings!
Ages: LGBTQ+ Middle School students + allies
RSVP: tinyurl.com/QMITRSVP
The Diversity Center and Friday Night Live have teamed up to start a brand-new Pride Youth Council for middle schoolers! If you want to make friends, dream big, learn new leadership skills, and make a difference, this is your chance. Q-MIT is a space to hang out, speak up, and take action for things you care about. Join us every second and fourth Wednesday of each month to help shape what the council will do!
School Support + Community Partnership
The Diversity Center offers support to Santa Cruz County schools by visiting Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) and providing educational presentations and training for students and staff.
We are open to working in partnership with local teens and organizations to plan fun, educational, and activist-oriented events. Please contact us!
