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.
All participants must adhere to TDC’s Code of Conduct.
Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council Meeting
Hosted by: Rainbow Connections, The Diversity Center, The Epicenter
Date: Thursdays, June 4 + 18
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Ages: Monterey and San Benito County Middle and High School students
RSVP: tinyurl.com/montereyrcyec
🌈 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.
This youth leadership group is co-faciliated by Rainbow Connections Partners The Diversity Center and The Epicenter
Please reach out to chris.garcia@diversitycenter.org if you have any questions or are interested in joining the council!
Middle School Leadership Group: Queer Middle School Improvement Team (Q-MIT)
Upcoming Online and In-Person Meetings!
Date: Wednesday, June 10 (Zoom Meeting)
Wednesday, June 24 (In-Person)
Ages: LGBTQ+ Middle School students + allies
RSVP: tinyurl.com/QMITRSVP
The Diversity Center and Friday Night Live have teamed up to start a Pride Youth Council (Q-MIT) 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.
Food will be provided at in-person meetings!
Join us every second and fourth Wednesday each month to help shape what the council will do!
Come join us for:
🎨 Fun activities
💪 A chance to help build something awesome together!
Rainbow Youth Beach Bonfire!
Date: Friday, July 17
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: Twin Lakes State Beach in Santa Cruz
Ages: 11-17
RSVP: tinyurl.com/rainbowyouthbonfire
Have fun, toast marshmallows and hot dogs, play beach games, and more! Please read our youth code of conduct before attending.
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!
Download our local LGBTQ+ Student Rights, Advocacy, and Community Resources Guide!
Rainbow Reader 2025
The Rainbow Reader was inspired by a local LGBTQ+ magazine from the 1980s called the Lavender Reader. The Lavender Reader was far ahead of its time in providing accurate HIV/AIDS prevention information, political observations, local and national news, nuanced gay, lesbian, and bisexual content, and visibility for trans community members.
In this magazine, you’ll engage with material made by and for queer, allied, and trans youth from throughout Santa Cruz County. Contributors range from elementary to high school age. We hope you have some fun, feel inspired, and learn something new.