The Safe Schools Project is proud to announce Inclusive Progress Rainbow Flags for classrooms in its effort to make sure LGBTQIA2S+ students and staff feel safe at school.

The Inclusive Progress Rainbow Flag is 12” x 18” and includes grommets.

Inspired by Conor O’Brien, he/him, Santa Cruz High School Rainbow Alliance Advisor, who writes:

“LGBTQ+ children are understandably afraid for their future. They hear language daily from people of authority denying or decrying their existence. It is thus all the more important that LGBTQ+ students feel seen, safe, and celebrated in their classrooms. Last month, I arrived at work to find the flag of the United States flying in my classroom without warning, and I wondered to myself how LGBTQ+ students would react upon seeing this new addition to my classroom in our current political climate. I reached out to my coworkers to see if they like to obtain flags of various nationalities and identities so that all of our students would feel represented within our classrooms. After more than a dozen teachers asked for Rainbow flags, I asked the Safe Schools Project for help accommodating them. As a result of this collaboration, Safe Schools shall donate 250 BIPOC Rainbow flags to classrooms. I hope this symbol helps to alleviate, if any small way, the alienation and fear our students may be experiencing at this time.”

To request Rainbow Flags for your campus, let us know: 

• How many flags for your campus
• Name of school and district
• Pony delivery or pick-up
• Questions: info@safeschoolsproject.org
• Sign up HERE

Special thank you to Sara Homan, she/her, Registrar/Administrative Secretary, Santa Cruz COE, Alternative Education Programs, who will Pony the flags to you.

Funded by the Santa Cruz’s Health Services Agency and the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA).

Special thank you to the Health Services Agency (HSA) and the County of Santa Cruz for supporting LGBTQIA2S+ students, their families, and educators with a generous grant in 2025 — especially HSA Director Mónica Morales and HSD Director Randy Morris. Additionally, a special thank you to Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Felipe Hernandez, Fourth District, and Monica Martinez (Fifth District).

February 19, 2025

The Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County wants to remind parents, students, and educators that Executive Orders (EO) issued by the Trump Administration do not change California’s legal protections for, and Santa Cruz County’s support for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex youth to access medical care and attend safe and inclusive schools where they can be their authentic selves. Currently, these EOs do not override existing federal laws or policies, or invalidate California’s existing state-level protections, and a wealth of local, state, and national advocacy groups and legal supporters, including our State Attorney General, have vowed to defend and protect our rights in courts and through continued pro-LGBTQ+ public policy.

For more information on California state laws that protect LGBTQ+ students and educators, as well as relevant resources, such as gender and name change information, filing a discrimination complaint, or support for LGBTQ+ students and educators, please visit: safeschoolsproject.org/California-safe-schools 

Partial list of California laws protecting LGBTQ+ students:

Seth’s Law (AB 9) / CA Ed Code 234-234.5

• Protects LGBTQ+ students from bullying

CA Healthy Youth Act (CHYA) (AB 329) / CA Ed Code 51930-51939

• Ensures students in grades 7-12 to ​receive LGBTQ+ inclusive and comprehensive sexual health ​education 

School Success And Opportunity Act (AB 1266) / CA Ed Code 221.5

• Requires publicly ​funded schools allow students K-12 to participate in classes, ​activities, bathrooms/locker rooms, and sports teams that ​align with their gender identities without consideration to their ​biological sex at birth. 

Public School Facilities: All Gender Restrooms (SB 760) / CA Ed Code 35292.5 (b) (1)

• Mandates that all K-12 schools provide accessible and equitable access to all-gender restrooms during school hours, effective July 1, 2026.

FAIR Education Act (SB 48) / CA Ed Code 51204.5

• Public schools must include the fair, accurate, inclusive ​and respectful references to the political, economic, and ​social contributions of LGBTQ+ people in educational ​textbooks and history curricula. 

Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act (AB 537) / CA Ed Code 220

• Protects ​students from harassment and discrimination based on their ​actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Right Not to be Outed / SAFETY Act (AB 1955) / CA Ed Code 220.1

• LGBTQIA+ students’ right not to be outed to their parents, school staff, or peers is protected by state law, as well as the California Education Code.

Right to be Openly LGBTQ+ and Discuss LGBTQ+ issues at school / CA Ed Code 48907

• ​Protected by the US and California Constitutions, 1st ​amendment 

LGBTQ+ student’s right to GSA/QSA/SAGA clubs on campus / CA Ed Code 201 (A), 201 (b), 220

• ​1st Amendment to the US Constitution

Right to Confidential Medical Appointments / CA Ed Code 46010.1, 48205

• ​Youth ages 12 and up (or age 10 and up if in the foster system) have a right to confidential medical appointments, including the ability to leave school to seek medical care related to reproductive health, mental health, and drug and alcohol treatment. 

Right to use your chosen name and pronouns / CA Ed Code 221.5

• Students have the right to use their chosen name and pronouns at school and on many school-related documents. 

For questions, contact us! Ron Indra, JD (he, him), Director, Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County. Email: ron.indra@diversitycenter.org

Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County

(Proyecto de Escuelas Seguras del Condado de Santa Cruz)

P. O. Box 3143, Santa Cruz, CA  95063

(831) 427-4004

SafeSchoolsProjoct.org  / info@safeschoolsproject.org

Febrero 19, 2025

Información de Protección Educativa Para Padres, Estudiantes, y Educadores K-12 California LGBTQ+

El Proyecto de Escuelas Seguras del Condado de Santa Cruz quiere recordarles a los padres, estudiantes y educadores que las Órdenes Ejecutivas (EO, por sus siglas en inglés) emitidas por la Administración Trump no cambian las protecciones legales de California y el apoyo del Condado de Santa Cruz para que los jóvenes transgénero, no conformes con el género e intersexuales accedan a la atención médica y asistan a escuelas seguras e inclusivas donde puedan ser ellos mismos. Actualmente, estás OE no anulan las leyes o políticas federales existentes, ni invalidan las protecciones existentes a nivel estatal de California, y una gran cantidad de grupos de defensa y partidarios legales locales, estatales y nacionales, incluido nuestro Fiscal General del Estado, han prometido defender y proteger nuestros derechos en los tribunales y a través de una política pública pro-LGBTQ+ continúa.

Para obtener más información sobre las leyes del estado de California que protegen a los estudiantes y educadores LGBTQ+, así como recursos relevantes, como información sobre cambio de género y nombre, presentación de una queja por discriminación o apoyo para estudiantes y educadores LGBTQ+, visite: safeschoolsproject.org/California-safe-schools 

Lista Parcial de las leyes de California que protegen a los estudiantes LGBTQ+

Ley de Seth (AB 9) / CA Código de Ed. 234-234.5

• Protege a los estudiantes LGBTQ+ del acoso

Ley de Juventud Saludable de CA (CHYA) (AB 329) / CA Código de Ed. 51930-51939

• Garantiza que los estudiantes de los grados 7-12 reciban educación sobre salud sexual inclusiva e integral de LGBTQ+

Ley de Éxito y Oportunidad Escolar (AB 1266) / CA Código de Ed. 221.5

• Requiere que las escuelas financiadas con fondos publicos permitan que los estudiantes de K-12 participen en clases, actividades, baños/vestuarias y equipos deportivos que se alineen con sus identidates de género sin tener en cuenta su sexo biológico al nacer. 

Instalaciones de escuelas públicas: Baños para Todos los Géneros (SB 760) / CA Ed Code 35292.5 (b) (1)

• Exige que todas las escuelas K-12 brinden acceso accesible y equitativo a baños para todos los géneros durante el horario escolar, a partir del 1 de julio de 2026.

Ley de Educación JUSTA (SB 48) / CA Código de Ed. 51204.5

• Las escuelas públicas deben incluir referencias justas, precisas, inclusivas y respetuosas a las   contribuciones políticas, económicas y sociales de las personas LGBTQ+ en la documentación educativa Libros y currículos de historia.

Ley de Seguridad Estudiantil y Prevención de la Violencia (AB 537) / CA Código de Ed. 220

• Protege a los estudiantes del acoso y la discriminación basados en su orientación sexual o identidad de género real o percibida.

Derecho a No ser Expuesto(a/e)/ Ley de SAFETY (SEGURIDAD) (AB 1955) / CA Código de Ed. 220.1

• El derecho de los estudiantes LGBTQ+ a no ser revelados a sus padres, personal escolar o compañeros está protegido por la ley estatal, así como por el Código de Educación de California.

Derecho a ser abiertamente LGBTQ+ y Discutir problemas de LGBTQ+ en la Escuela/ CA Codigo de Ed. 48907

• Protegido por las Constituciones de EE. UU. y California, 1ª enmienda

Derecho de los estudiantes LGBTQ+ a Clubs GSA/QSA/SAGA (por sus siglas en Inglés) en el recinto Escolar/ CA Código de Ed. 201 (A), 201 (b), 220

• 1ª Enmienda a la Constitución de los Estados Unidos

Derecho a Citas Médicas Confidenciales / CA Código de Ed. 46010.1, 48205

• Los jóvenes de 12 años en adelante (o de 10 años en adelante si están en el sistema de acogida) tienen derecho a citas médicas confidenciales, incluida la capacidad de dejar la escuela para buscar atención médica relacionada con la salud reproductiva, la salud mental y el tratamiento de drogas y alcohol. 

Derecho a Usar el Nombre y los Pronombres Elegidos / CA Código de Ed. 221.5

• Los estudiantes tienen el derecho de usar el nombre y los pronombres que elijan en la escuela y en muchos documentos relacionados con la escuela.

Para cualquier pregunta, favor de contactarnos! Ron Indra, JD (El), Director, Proyecto de Escuelas Seguras del Condado de Santa Cruz County. Correo Electrónico: ron.indra@diversitycenter.org 

For additional resources, please visit: safeschoolsproject.org/California-safe-schools 

Despite what you may read or hear from the U.S. Government or President, the US Constitution determined that education is a “States Rights” issue. This means that the California Constitution and Education Code governs public schools and how teachers teach in California. Throughout the Education Code there are many protections for LGBTQ+ students and those are the laws that govern how educators should treat LGBTQ+ students. Here is a link to the state LGBTQ+ student related laws.

The superintendents across Santa Cruz County in a letter dated December 18, 2024 reminded all educators, students and families that

California has among the nation’s strongest legal protections for LGBTQ+ students and families, bolstered
here in Santa Cruz County by local policies, practices, and partnerships. These include:
■ Non-Discrimination: Under California Education Code Section 220, discrimination on the basis of
gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation is strictly prohibited in all public
schools.
■ Privacy Protections: Students have the right to control the disclosure of their gender identity
and sexual orientation under Education Code Section 234.1. Schools cannot disclose this
information without students’ affirmative consent.
■ Use of Chosen Names and Pronouns: Students have the right to be addressed by their chosen
name and pronouns, and to participate in programs and use facilities consistent with their
gender identity, as affirmed by Education Code Section 221.5.

The Safe Schools Project is proud to announce the Rainbow Conference — a day of celebration, community, and learning for young people and the adults who support them.

• For teens: Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast — Fall 2024
  • Student Summit Registration
• For adults: Parents/Guardians, Educators, and Adult Allies “Understanding Gender” Conference — Fall 2024
  • Understanding Gender Adult Conference Registration
• For elementary students and their families: Rainbow Glitter Kids — Fall 2024
  • Rainbow Glitter Kids Registration

For students, parents/guardians, and adult allies in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties.

Saturday, September 28, 2024
9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Watsonville High School, Watsonville

Find the Rainbow Conference on Facebook

See you on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Watsonville High School!

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Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast — Fall 2024

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Parent/Guardian, Educators & Adult Allies “Understanding Gender” Conference — Fall 2024

otoño 2024 taller para padres, educadoras y aliados adultos

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Rainbow Glitter Kids — Fall 2024

Questions? Contact us at CoordinateSummit@gmail.com or (831) 427-4004.

Queer & Trans Youth Spring 2023

May 6: Boardwalk Pride, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 12-7pm, Santa Cruz, Sponsored by Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk & Santa Cruz Pride

May 13: 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQIA+ High School, Junior High, and Middle School Graduates, New Brighton Middle School, 4-5:30pm, Capitola, Sponsored by Safe Schools Project

May 13: 26th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards (QYLA), New Brighton Middle School, 5:30-8:30 pm, Capitola, Sponsored by QYLA

May 19: Queer Prom “Out of this World”, First Christian Church, (Ages 14 – 18), 6-10 pm, Watsonville, Sponsored by The Diversity Center

June 4: 48th Annual Santa Cruz Pride Parade & Festival, Downtown Santa Cruz, 11-4, Santa Cruz, Sponsored by Santa Cruz Pride

June 4: Youth Pride, Downtown Boys and Girls Club, 2-4 pm, Santa Cruz, Sponsored by Boys and Girls Club & Santa Cruz Pride

And more for Summer 2023…

Aug 4-6: Camp Out!, The Diversity Center Youth Camp OUT!, Watsonville. Sponsored by The Diversity Center

Aug 20: Pajaro Valley Pride, Downtown Watsonville, Sponsored by Pajaro Valley Pride

Download & Print: Share with schools, students, and community organizations!

• Color
• Black/white

The Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County is proud to announce the 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQIA+ High School, Junior High, and Middle School Graduates taking place directly before the 2023 Queer Youth Leadership Awards.

Saturday, May 13, 2023

New Brighton Middle School, Capitola

Time: 4:00-5:30 pm

Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Graduates right before the 26th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards at Watsonville High School

Find us on Facebook

The Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County is proud to announce the 3rd Annual Graduation Ceremony to honor LGBTQIA+ High School, Junior High & Middle School Students. Through this LGBTQIA+ graduation, we wish to acknowledge the amazing achievements and contributions many students have made towards their campuses across Santa Cruz County. We are honored to continue this celebration and commencement of LGBTQIA+ and allied students who are graduating and acknowledge the unique struggles many have faced on their path to graduation. We encourage all graduating students to register and participate in this meaningful event.

Queer Youth Positivity

The 2023 LGBTQIA+ Graduation Planning Committee has designated “Queer Youth Positivity” as the theme for the 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Graduates.

Strength In Community

We all know the importance of joining hands and coming together as a community to lift each other up. Unity teaches us that community support and togetherness are vital to the lives, wellbeing, and health of LGBTQIA+ students and people. Throughout the pandemic, when many social issues have been exacerbated, we have discovered that together, we are stronger. Thus, we believe there is strength in unity.

Registration

Sign Up Now!

Students graduating can sign up today to be part of the 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQIA+ High School and Middle School Students and secure their Rainbow, Bi, or Trans Tassels, a Santa Cruz County tradition.

Visit 2023 Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Graduates

The Queer Youth Task Force of Santa Cruz County, Safe Schools Project, and Our Gente (a program of the Epicenter of Monterey County) are proud to present a supportive space for LGBTQIA+ and allied youth in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties.

The Umbrella is Open for Everyone

Saturday, October 8, 2022
9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Watsonville High School, Watsonville

Learn more about the student summit at Fall 2022 Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast

In 2022, the Safe Schools Project is proud launch…

Glitter Kids Corner — October 8, 2022

The Safe Schools Project, with the support of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (SCCOE) and the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County (CFSCC), is proud to launch Glitter Kids Corner — A day of learning, pride, and celebration especially for elementary school students and their families.

This track of the Queer Youth Summit is for 3rd- 5th graders and their families.

Saturday, October 8, 2022
9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Watsonville High School, Watsonville

Learn more at Glitter Kids Corner

Additionally, the Safe Schools Project is proud to present…

Parent/Guardian & Adult Allies Summit “Understanding Gender” — October 8, 2022

The Queer Youth Task Force of Santa Cruz County, the Safe Schools Project, TransFamilies of Santa Cruz County and Gender Spectrum is proud to present a free bilingual conference for parents, guardians, adult allies, and educators who want a deeper understanding of gender and youth in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties.

Saturday, October 8, 2022
9:30 am – 2:00 pm
Watsonville High School, Watsonville

Learn more about the adult allies summit at Fall 2022 Parent/Guardian & Adult Allies Summit “Understanding Gender” / otoño 2022 taller para padres y aliados adultos

Santa Cruz County LGBTQIA+ High School, Junior High, and Middle School Students

The Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Celebration of LGBTQIA+ High School, Junior High, and Middle School Graduates via streaming.

July 11, 2021

2:00 PM

Find us on Facebook

Watch the LGBTQIA+ Celebration >>

The event is planned as a celebration to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) and ally students, and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to their campuses across Santa Cruz County. We honor our LGBTQIA+ and ally students who are graduating, and acknowledge the unique struggles many have faced on their path to graduation.

Creating Safer Spaces in Our Local Universe

Our local communities have been strongly affected by the global pandemic we have been living through the past year. Many youth have been struggling due to unsafe or unaccepting homes. This year we chose the theme “Safer Spaces” to highlight how we as a community have persevered through these trying times. It has been important for everyone to find spaces that give them peace and allow them to express themselves freely and openly while stuck at home with their families. — 2021 Student Planning Committee

Host

• Lucia Umeki-Martinez, they/them, she/her, he/him, Student, Watsonville High School

LGBTQIA+ Keynote Speaker

• Jorge Pacheco Jr.
  • he/him/his
  • Indigenous Native Studies Teacher, President at California Latino School Boards Association, President at Oak Grove School District Board of Education, and Co-founder of the Digital Equity Coalition 
  • Read Jorge Pacheco Jr’s op-Ed in the May 2021 National Geographic Creating space to explore identity with students

LGBTQIA+ Guest Speakers

• Adrian Elizalde, he/him/his, Watsonville High School Class of 2021, Yale Class of 2025, Poet
• Dr. Brian Arao, he/him/his, Associate Dean of Students at UC Santa Cruz
• Gaby Preciado M.S., she/her/hers, Program Coordinator, Lionel Cantú Queer Resource Center at UC Santa Cruz
• Jen Salinas-Holz, she/her/ella, Site Technology Support Technician, Pájaro Valley Unified School District | GSA/QSA Advisor | PVUSD LGBTQ Task Force
• Marie Harrison, she/her, they/them, Soquel High School Class of 2021, SHS QSA Vice President, member, Queer and Trans Youth Council
• Melissa S. Bernstein, she/her/ella, Member of the Santa Cruz Dyke Trans March Collective
• Michael Vargas, he/him/his, Senior Associate Attorney, Rimon, P.C. and Lecturer, Santa Clara University School of Law
• Vnes, they/them/she/her, Concierge, Santa Cruz Downtown Association

Performers

• Blue Distefano, they, them, he/him, 10th grade Student, Kirby School
• Gaby Preciado M.S., she/her/hers, Program Coordinator, Lionel Cantú Queer Resource Center at UC Santa Cruz

Meet the 2021 Student Planning Committee

• Camila Snyder-Alaniz
  • Pronouns: she/her, they/them
  • Student, Santa Cruz High School, class of 2022
  • About Camila: Hi my name is Camila, I’m the current president of my schools GSA, and I’m a rising senior. I love making art and playing music!
  • Favorite dinosaur: Brontosaurus

• Lucia Umeki-Martinez
  • Pronouns: they/them, she/her, he/him
  • Student, Watsonville High School, Class of 2022
  • About Lucia: As an intern of the Safe Schools Project and ASB Co-President of Watsonville High School, Lucia is passionate about serving their community, they also enjoy playing on their school’s volleyball team as well as a defense attorney on their Mock Trial Team. In their free time they like to make art.
  • Favorite dinosaur: Brachiosaurus

• Marie Harrison
  • Pronouns: she/her, they/them
  • Student, Soquel High School Class of 2021
  • About Marie: Marie Harrison is a Soquel High School graduate who participated as the school’s QSA Vice President and a member of the Queer and Trans Youth Council.
  • Favorite dinosaur: Brontosaurus

• Reyes Morales Warne
  • Pronouns: he/him, they/them
  • Student, San Lorenzo Valley High School, Class of 2022
  • About Reyes: Two spirit student at San Lorenzo Valley High School, SLVHS Activist, The GSA Network, and Queer and Trans Youth Council of Santa Cruz County (QTYC).
  • Favorite dinosaur: Chicken

Video Designer/Editor

• Cho Rae Adolfo
  • they/them/theirs
  • Student, University of California, Berkeley, 2020 Soquel High School Graduate

The class of 2021 has started and ended their senior year in one of the most difficult circumstances they may ever face. Wildfires, political unrest, and a pandemic that took away proms, senior trips, and so much more.

Thankfully, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our 2021 graduates have persevered under extraordinary circumstances these past fourteen months.

We want to commend all the hard work of our LGBTQIA+ students who have been out, proud, and working for safer campuses in our community, and take time to honor them as graduates. While we are seeing the lifting of many restrictions and the reunion of our community, we must also protect our youth who may not have had the opportunity to be vaccinated yet.

With that in mind, we have planned a virtual celebration to honor our 2021 graduates together and allow for all of their family and friends to join us in watching the celebration.

LGBTQIA+ Graduation Ceremony History

• 2020

Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County

Find us on Facebook

Questions? Contact us at +1 (831) 427-4004 or email us.

Sponsored, in part, by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (SCCOE) — thank you!