Understanding Gender Conference 2025

gender-colors

A free bilingual conference for parents, guardians, adult allies, and educators from Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties who want a deeper understanding of gender and youth.

Saturday, September 27, 2025

9:30 am – 2:00 pm

Watsonville High School
250 E. Beach Street
Watsonville, CA 95076

Registration Open — Sign up today!

Find us on Facebook

For more information, contact us at gendersummitsc@gmail.com or call (831) 427-4004.

Have an elementary school student? Check out Rainbow Glitter Kids, happening during the parent conference!

Read about last year's Rainbow Conference and the Understanding Gender Conference in the September 2024 Growing Up in Santa Cruz Magazine “Rainbow Conference Offers Opportunities for Teens“

Haga clic aquí para información en español

View & share our PSA in English & Spanish

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Understanding gender 2025 UPDATED LOGO

About the Conference

Understandings of gender are changing rapidly and it can be challenging to keep up! All children are limited by traditional gender roles and stereotypes, whether they are transgender, gender expansive, or not. Parents, guardians, educators, and adult allies play a crucial role in creating a safe and supportive environment for all young people around their gender. We hope you’ll join us for a day of learning, conversation, and reflection about youth and gender!

Understanding Gender schedule

  • 9:30 am – 9:50 am 
    • Welcome and introductions, with coffee and pastries
  • 9:55 - 11:25 am (choose one) 
    • Gender 101 - for those new to the topic (in English)
    • Gender 101 - for those new to the topic (in Spanish)
    • Gender 201 - for those who already have a basic understanding of the concepts of gender identity (in English with Spanish interpretation)
  • 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (choose one) 
    • Gender Expansive Youth Mental Health - a panel of mental health experts (in English with Spanish interpretation)
    • Creating Spaces for Gender Expansive Youth in Schools - A workshop with Jen Salinas-Holz (in English with Spanish interpretation)
  • 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
    • Lunch break – lunch will be provided
  • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
    • Transgender & Non-binary Youth Speak - panel with local trans and nonbinary young adults

Entendiendo el género - horario del taller

  • 9:30 am – 9:50 am
    • Introducciones y desayuno ligero
  • 9:55 am – 11:25 am (elige uno)
    • Entendiendo el género
      • en español
    • Entendiendo el género 
      • en inglés
    • Comprensión avanzada del género 
      • en inglés con traducción simultánea al español
  • 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (elige uno)
    • Terapeutas discuten la salud mental de los jóvenes transgénero con panelistas
    • en inglés con traducción simultánea al español
    • Creando escuelas inclusivas del género con Jen Salinas-Holz
      • en inglés con traducción simultánea al español 
  • 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
    • Pausa para el almuerzo; se proporcionará almuerzo
  • 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
    • Los jóvenes transgénero y no binarios se expresan
      • en inglés con traducción simultánea al español

Registration is free and coffee, snacks, and lunch are provided.

Simultaneous Spanish interpretation provided

Volunteer

To volunteer for the Parent/Guardian Workshop, please visit Parent/Guardian, Educators, and Adult Allies "Understanding Gender" Workshop Volunteer Opportunities

If you have any questions, please contact us at CoordinateSummit@gmail.com or (831) 427-4004.

Thank you!

Workshop Resources

Handouts for the Summit in English and Spanish

Community Resources to Support Youth and Families

Community Sponsors

Download and share the Workshop Flyer on social media -- thank you for helping get the word out!

Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast -- Fall 2025

Thank you for helping get the word out to LGBTQIA2S+ and allied students about the Fall 2025 Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit taking place the same day, time, and location as the Parent/Guardian, Educator & Adult Allies Workshop on Saturday, September 27, 2025!

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Parent/Guardian, Educators & Adult Allies "Understanding Gender Workshops