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.
Register for CampOUT 2026 Today!
Date: Monday, June 15 - Wednesday, June 17
Location: The Camp at Carmel Valley
Ages: High School students in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/RCCampOut2026
Middle School Leadership Group: Queer Middle School Improvement Team (Q-MIT)
Upcoming Online and In-Person Meetings!
Date: Second and fourth Wednesday of the month
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!
Rainbow Reader Submissions Open!
Date: Due by April 30, 2026
Email: nic.laflin@diversitycenter.org with your submission, name, and school, or submit anonymously
Ages: 11-18
Calling all LGBTQIA2S+ and allied youth! The Diversity Center is creating a queer youth magazine for Pride season 2026. Inspired by the legacy of The Lavender Reader, youth are invited to submit pieces to our Rainbow Reader. All mediums welcome. Submit essays, poems, jokes, comics, games, quizzes, guides, advice, media recommendations, an ad for a band you want to start, photography, or anything else you think belongs in a magazine for LGBTQIA2S+ youth in Santa Cruz County! You and your school will get a copy of the magazine, as well as digital access.
Slay The Night Away Queer Prom
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 6:00-10:00 pm
Location: Sequoia High School
229 Green Valley Rd, Freedom
Ages: High School students in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties
RSVP: tinyurl.com/QueerProm2026
Slay the Night Away Queer Prom is a neon soaked time machine celebrating 80’s glam and classic horror movies where camp reigns supreme, and everyone survives. If Queer Prom were a creature, it would crawl straight out of a VHS tape and onto the dancefloor. Think Elvira, Frankenstein in platform boots, Ghostface in drag, and the final girl with big hair and bigger dreams who outsmarts evil. Tap into the Queer joy of getting dressed and feeling celebrated.
🏳️🌈 You don’t need a date to come to this dance. Queer Prom is open to ALL LGBTQIA2S+ high school students and allies!
Youth Substance Use Survey – Share Your Voice!
Youth and young adults, ages 13-20, in Santa Cruz County are invited to take part in a short, confidential survey about their experiences and opinions related to alcohol and other drugs. The survey explores how young people get information about substances, perceptions of harm, stigma and help-seeking, and access to support and services. Participation is voluntary and will help inform local prevention, education, and support efforts. Participants will receive a $20 Target e-gift card for their participation. The survey will be open until Friday, May 1st.
Queer Student Union
Upcoming Online and In-Person Meetings!
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 4:15 - 5:00 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.
In-person gathering on Saturday, May 16, from 11am - 2pm!
El Derecho a Escribir: Una charla y taller con un autor queer para jovenes LGBTQ+
Fecha: 8 de Mayo
Hora: 18:00 - 20:00
Lugar: Biblioteca Publica de Watsonville, 275 Main St STE 100, Watsonville
Ages: Para jóvenes 13 a 18 sus familias
Se Ruega Confirmación: tinyurl.com/tdcyouthauthor
¡Acompáñenos en una charla con el autor queer Jaime Cortez! La charla será guiada por un liderazgo juvenil. ¡Después vamos a iniciar un taller de expresión creativa!
Por favor, lee nuestros acuerdos para jóvenes antes de asistir.
The Right to Write: Queer Youth Author Event & Workshop
Date: May 8
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Watsonville Public Library, 275 Main St STE 100, Watsonville
Ages: LGBTQ+ and allied youth ages 13-18, and their families
RSVP: tinyurl.com/tdcyouthauthor
Join us for a conversation with author and graphic novelist Jaime Cortez, followed by a creative expression workshop! This event is a collaboration between The Diversity Center, PRISM, Raíces y Cariño, and the Watsonville Public Library.
Please read our youth agreements before attending.
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.
Fellowship of the Queer: A Youth DnD Campaign
Date: April 5 and April 19, the First and Third Sunday of Every Month
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.
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!
