Events + Activities
We provide a variety of programs and activities to build resilience and community belonging.
Reception for Featured LGBTQ+ Artist Richelle Stello
Dates: Friday, November 7
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm, and later throughout the month of November
Location: The Diversity Center
The Diversity Center warmly invites you to meet our featured LGBTQ+ artist for November, Richelle Stello. Enjoy light refreshments and chat with fellow community members. You can stop by the Center the rest of November to enjoy Richelle’s photographs, a mix of landscapes, skyscapes and still lifes.
Queer Book Club
Date: November 4, First Tuesday of Every Month
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 18 +
Open to all! Come eat, drink, and chat about LGBTQ+ lit. :)
This month we're reading two poetry books: “Gay Poems for Red States” by Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr., and “You Better Be Lightning” by Andrea Gibson. This book club is an intergenerational opportunity to bond with people of different ages.
Text Jeffrey at 732-272-5896 for deets and to be added to the Whatsapp group.
Dancing for Every Body Series: An All Levels Accessible Dance Class
Date: October 30, November 6, and November 13
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Location: The London Nelson Community Center
Ages: All
Cost: $60-120 sliding scale suggested donation for each series, but no one turned away for lack of funds
RSVP: tinyurl.com/dfebseries2
Join Motion Pacific's Mo Katzman for a 3 class workshop series once a week at London Nelson Community Center in collaboration with the Diversity Center. Dancing for Every Body will promote the mind-body connection, with a focus on easeful and fun movement, finding the joy and resilience in our moving bodies, dance making, and story sharing. This class is for all accessibility levels, dancing can be done sitting or standing, and no dance experience is necessary to join.
Queer Movie Club
Date: Friday, November 14
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
We’ve got popcorn, snacks, and a big screen, and we’re ready for some fun and conversation. Join friends old and new!
For movie title and information, please call the front desk at 831-425-5422, or read our latest newsletter.
De-escalation Training by Housing Matters
Date: Friday, November 3
Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 18+
The community is invited to this de-escalation training provided by Housing Matters, a local non-profit partnering with individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The training will focus on certain types of interactions and will likely cross over into everyday human interactions and relationships.
Write Queer, a creative writing group
Date: Two 2nd Saturdays, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13
Time: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 18+
Join Jesse once again for two special sessions. Unleash your creativity at Write Queer, an 18+ group for writers of all levels. Respond to provided prompts, or bring your own projects. Meetings include writing time, optional sharing and positive feedback. Please bring a pen and paper or a laptop.
Queer Game Night: Board Games at The Diversity Center
Date: Tuesday, November 18
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 18+
Back by popular demand! Join us for board games and snacks at The Diversity Center. LGBTQ+ community members and friends are warmly invited. Bring your favorite game to share, or choose from our stock.
Nonbinary and Trans Focus Group & Meetup
Date: Wednesday, November 12
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 18+ Trans and Nonbinary Adults
RSVP: tinyurl.com/TDCFOCUS2025
Share your experiences, wisdom and insight as a trans and/or nonbinary person in Santa Cruz! Join a casual meet up to share your thoughts on events, programs, trans/nb lived experiences, and nb/trans identities. Your voice matters, and your experiences can help shape better support systems for LGBTQ+ folks. Enjoy food and time to connect with other trans and nonbinary folks, while offering valuable feedback in a relaxed atmosphere, for and by trans and nonbinary people. Light refreshments and a small compensation ($25 gift certificate) available. RSVP required to participate. Please await a confirmation email that your RSVP has been received, as the first 8 people to RSVP will be admitted. In-person attendance is required to receive compensation.
Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil: The Sound of Holding On
Date: Friday, November 21
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz
RSVP: tinyurl.com/tdor2025sound
Ages: All ages
A healing evening featuring trans/nonbinary artists, dancers, and musicians to honor the trans and nonbinary lives lost to violence in the last 12 months—short reception to follow. Allies welcome. Attendees encouraged to contribute to the altar dedicated to trans lives.
Queer and Trans Yoga Hosted by Sapphire Collective
Date: Every Monday
Time: 6:00 - 7:15 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 14+
This is a trauma-sensitive, all-levels, all-bodies/abilities class taught by a rotating queer-identifying yoga teacher each week. We highlight self nurturance through yoga asana and meditation, a somatic and mindfulness healing practice that resources us for our own resilience as well as community care. No prior yoga experience is necessary. Ultimately, this is a brave space for LGBTQIA++ identifying folks to gather and take deep care. Please bring your yoga mat and water bottle.
Guided Mindfulness Group
Date: Weekly on Thursdays
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 14+
Give your brain a break, and reconnect with the present moment, using guided breathing and mindfulness techniques. All LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome.