Santa Cruz Pride Parade

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Please arrive by 10:30 am. The parade starts at 11am at the intersection of Cathcart St. and Pacific Ave. We will then travel down Pacific Ave., into downtown to Church Street. Following the parade, join us at the Festival takes over downtown on Cooper Street, Pacific Ave., Front St., Abbott Square and in the MAH (free admission, art project for youth and the young at heart).

Monterey County Youth Group:

Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council Zoom Meeting

Hosted by: Rainbow Connections, The Diversity Center, Our Gente, and QYTC

Meeting Dates: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of Each Month

June 4

Time: 4:15-5:00 pm

Location: Zoom

Ages: Monterey and San Benito County Middle and High School LGBTQ+ youth and allies 

Description:  🌈 Join the Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council! 🌈

Are you an LGBTQ+ youth or ally in middle or high school who wants to make a difference in Monterey County? The Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council is a space where YOU can:

✨ Shape LGBTQ+ programs – Be the visionaries behind Rainbow Connections youth events! Help plan an event for LGBTQ+ youth in Monterey county. 

✨ Build leadership skills – Develop leadership skills, share your input and ideas to help improve programs and services for LGBTQ+ youth in your community.  

✨ Connect with a supportive community – Meet other LGBTQ+ youth, create a safe space where we can share resources and receive peer to peer support!

Program Name: Rainbow Kids Circle

Date: Saturday, June 7th

Time and Location:  For information about the time and location please contact rainbowkidscircle@gmail.com 

Cost: FREE

Ages: Gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies in kindergarten to 5th grade (ages 5-11 and their families)

RSVP:  Please contact rainbowkidscircle@gmail.com to RSVP

Program Description: 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. Together we will create an accepting, affirming playgroup for families. We ask all participants to complete our Community Connection Survey annually. For more information about meeting time and location please contact rainbowkidscircle@gmail.com 

Rainbow Kids Circle is a collaborative project of The Diversity Center and TransFamilies of Santa Cruz County.

Event Name: S’more Summer Bonfire with The Diversity Center @ Twin Lakes Beach

Date: Tuesday June 17

Time: 6:00-8:30

Location: Twin Lakes Beach

Age: LGBTQ+ youth and allies ages 11-18

Cost: FREE

Event Description:  We’ll be roasting weenies, making s’mores and soaking up the magic of summer together. 🌈✨Join us for a S’more Summer Love Bonfire at Twin Lakes Beach. 

📍 Look for the white easy-up with the pirate flag 🏴‍☠️

🍢 Food & snacks provided. Please RSVP so we can bring enough treats for everyone!
🪑 Bring a camping chair if you can or a towel to sit on. We will have some blankets to share. 
🧥 Dress in layers—it gets chilly after sunset!

Monterey County Youth Group:

Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council Zoom Meeting

Hosted by: Rainbow Connections, The Diversity Center, Our Gente, and QYTC

Meeting Dates: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of Each Month

June 18

Time: 4:15-5:00 pm

Location: Zoom

Ages: Monterey and San Benito County Middle and High School LGBTQ+ youth and allies 

Description:  🌈 Join the Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council! 🌈

Are you an LGBTQ+ youth or ally in middle or high school who wants to make a difference in Monterey County? The Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council is a space where YOU can:

✨ Shape LGBTQ+ programs – Be the visionaries behind Rainbow Connections youth events! Help plan an event for LGBTQ+ youth in Monterey county. 

✨ Build leadership skills – Develop leadership skills, share your input and ideas to help improve programs and services for LGBTQ+ youth in your community.  

✨ Connect with a supportive community – Meet other LGBTQ+ youth, create a safe space where we can share resources and receive peer to peer support!

Event Name: Youth Meet-Up + Threads of Love Art Exhibit Visit @ the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History 

Date: Sunday June 22, 2025

Time: lunch 11:45-1:00 at Abbott Square

1:00-2:00 Threads of Love Exhibit Visit with The Diversity Center @ MAH 

Location: The Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History Solari Gallery

Age: LGBTQ+ youth and allies 11-18

Exhibit Description: Join us for a special youth meet-up to experience the powerful Threads of Love: The AIDS Memorial Quilt exhibit together! We’ll meet up for pizza in abbot square before heading into the gallery to view the exhibit. Threads of Love: The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a love letter to our community's past, present, and future—featuring panels from the National AIDS Memorial Quilt, the Never the Last Love Letter documentary, our Queer Liberation Quilt, and art celebrating 50 years of Santa Cruz Pride. Learn more about the exhibit at santacruzmah.org/exhibitions/threads-of-love-2025

Rainbow Connections Youth Event in Monterey County

🌈 Here, Queer & Thriving: Space to Be Me! Youth Pride Night – Open Mic & Dance

Hosted by: Rainbow Connections, Monterey County Behavioral Health, The Epicenter, Our Gente, The Diversity Center, Harmony at Home, Dragonfly Forward, Partners for Peace and You will Rise.  

Date: Saturday June 21

Time: 5:30-7:30

Location: Palenke Arts Center @ Martin Luther King School of the Arts
1713 Broadway Ave, Seaside, CA 93955

Age: This is a space for LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and under

RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/YouthPrideNight2025 

Description:  🌈 Here, Queer & Thriving: Space to Be Me! Youth Pride Night – Open Mic & Dance

✨ What to expect:
🎤 Open Mic featuring the incredible Mozell Ward
🎶 DJ + Dance floor vibes
🍽️ Delicious food
🌈 Resource Fair with local organizations
💬 A supportive space to connect and be celebrated

Youth Workshop in Watsonville

Be an Upstander Workshop for Youth with The Diversity Center @ Pajaro Valley Arts 

Date: Wednesday, July 2 

Time: 2:00-3:30 PM

Location: Pajaro Valley Arts

37 Sudden St, Watsonville, CA 95076

Age: Youth ages 11-18

Cost: Free

Workshops Description:  Ever seen something messed up and didn’t know what to do? This workshop gives you the tools to speak up and be an upstander. We’ll break down what bullying really looks like, how it shows up at school, home and online, and how to go from bystander to upstander. You’ll hear real scenarios, talk it out with your peers, and walk away with ways to actually do something—safely and confidently.

This isn’t your typical "don't be a bully" talk. This is about owning your power, helping others, and creating a community where people have each other's backs.

Why You Should Join:

🔍 Spot It: Know the signs of bullying and why ignoring it only makes it worse.

❤️ Feel It: Tap into empathy and learn how to stand up for someone.

✊ Do Something: Practice ways to step in, whether that means speaking up, checking in, or finding help.

🌈 Change the Vibe: Learn how even small acts of kindness and courage can change our community. 

🛠 Build a Better Space: Help create a space where people feel respected, seen, and safe just being themselves.

❤️ Enjoy snacks and meet new people!