Safe Schools Project

Resources for Queer Youth and Educators in Santa Cruz County

Queer, Trans & Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast — Fall 2020

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

Self-care and Sustainable Activism

Saturday, October 10, 2020
12:00 – 3:15 pm (11:45: DJ and Music)
Free / A Live Stream Event

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Day of Summit:
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All High School & Middle School LGBTQIA/Ally Students Welcome!

Although we know we cannot safely be together in person this fall, we also know the importance of community and keeping LGBTQIA+ and ally youth connected to resources and to each other. To support these endeavors, the Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Summit is going virtual this fall. The Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast is a free, online summit that is led by youth leaders from the tri-county area. Our first ever virtual summit will provide students the opportunity to:

  • Experience workshops put on by fellow youth and community organizers.
  • Virtually meet students throughout Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, and San Benito County — from Watsonville, Salinas, Soledad, Monterey, San Juan Bautista to Scotts Valley — who are working to help create safer schools in their communities!
  • Have access to a virtual resource fair
  • Empower and liberate lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, questioning, and allied youth
  • Obtain hand-made goodie bags delivered to each student registered in the Tri-County area
  • Free t-shirt delivered to each student registered in the Tri-County area
  • and more!

Find us on Facebook

For questions, contact:

  • Monterey County: Jacob Agamao / he/she/they / LGBTQ+ Services Coordinator, Our Gente, The Epicenter, Salinas / email or (831) 272-4295
  • Santa Cruz County: Trisha Herrera / she/her/hers / Co-coordinator, Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast / email or (831) 427-4004

The Fall 2020 Summit theme is “Self-care and Sustainable Activism”

About the Theme: Students have chosen the theme as “Self-care and Sustainable Activism”

With the pandemic and the wildfires, 2020 did not go as planned. Many students are staying home, and some of them are in unsafe households. With that, youth may not be able to practice self care, which is much needed during stressful times. Sustainable activism focuses on the healing of the community as well as the environment that surrounds them. Oftentimes when talking about sustainable activism, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are left out of the conversation. As we initiate these conversations on self care and sustainable activism, we are able to uplift and recognize the voices of BIPOC.

Save your spot at the Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast – Fall 2020! Registration helps us with preparing for on-time delivery of goodie bags, t-shirts, and more!

Registration now closed!

Schedule for Student Summit

  • 11:45-12:00pm : Pre-program Mixer with DJ
  • 12:00-12:30pm: Welcome + Keynote speakers
  • 12:30-1:00pm: Caucuses
  • 1:00-1:45pm: Session 1 Workshops
  • 1:45-2:00pm: Community Chat & Break
  • 2:00-2:45pm: Session 2 Workshops
  • 2:45-3:00pm: Community Chat & Break
  • 3:00-3:15pm: Closing ceremony and Q&A

Workshops & Caucuses Announced!

The Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast is proud to announce the workshops & caucuses for the Fall 2020 summit taking place on October 10th:

Caucuses

  • Non-Binary/Trans Caucus
  • Lesbian Caucus
  • ACE/Asexual Caucus
  • Music/Chill Space with DJ AyumiPlease

Workshop Session # 1

  • Simple Self-Care for Strange and Difficult Times
  • Virtual GSA 101 Support
  • Crash Course LGBTQ+ History: The Stonewall Riots
  • Become an LGBTQ Student Speaker
  • Community Cooking Show
  • Flashback! Theatre and LGBT Activism
  • FEARLESS: Portraits of LGBT Student Athletes, a book and artist talk

Workshop Session # 2

  • Queering Self-care
  • Tour the Queer Santa Cruz Exhibit
  • LGBTQ+ Immigrant Justice
  • LGBTQ History Game
  • The Purple Sticker Project: Making books and other media with positive LGBTQ+ representation more accessible to K-12 students
  • Sharing Circle Online
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons Meetup

Read about the Caucuses, Workshops & the facilitator Bios

Students and community members under 18 were encouraged to submit a design for the upcoming Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast — Fall 2020.

The design contest was open to all currently enrolled high school and middle school students located in Santa Cruz, San Benito, or Monterey county. All entries needed to incorporate the summit theme “Self-Care and Sustainable Activism.”

Congratulations!

We are pleased to announce the winner of the Fall 2020 t-shirt design contest and offer a warm congratulations to Estrella Contreras! Scroll down to meet the artist behind the wonderful winning t-shirt design for our upcoming Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast!

The winning designer will receive a hoodie with the design and a $25 gift card.

Estrella Contreras, Student winner of T-shirt Design Contest

About the Artist

My name is Estrella Contreras and I am 15 years old. I have always had a love for art, and ever since I was 2 the thing that would keep me entertained for hours was drawing. I currently live with my parents, dog and my two turtles. I have lived here in Santa Cruz all of my life and enjoy going to the beach.

Digital Divide

School districts are providing free technological resources for students.

Help bridge the divide — There are students in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties who do not have access to computers or cell phones — please forward to teachers, families and community members who might reach students. For more information, contact us at Coordinate Summit.

Confidentiality & Creating a Safe Space to Access Zoom

We recognize and understand that not everyone has a safe and affirming home life, and that it may be a challenge to attend this summit from where you live. Below are some tips to make your virtual summit experience safer and to help protect the confidentiality of attendees: 

  • Consider using earbuds or headphones
  • If possible, join us from a room or space in your house that is in a quiet place away from other people
  • Use a free virtual background on Zoom
  • Mute your microphone when you’re not speaking to limit background noise and the voices of other people who may be in your house.
  • Learn more at Confidentiality & Creating a Safe Space

Zoom Resources

Community Service Hours for Students

Accessibility Information

If you require anything accessibility-related (e.g.: sign language interpretation, captioning, or any other accommodations) please contact Coordinate Summit.

Specific accommodation requests should be made by October 1, 2020.

The Safe Schools Project, a program of the Queer Youth Task Force, is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please contact us to request accessibility accommodations. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Learn About the Summit Organizers

Trisha Herrera, Co-coordinator, Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast — Fall 2020

Trisha Herrera (she/her/hers) is an incoming junior at UCSC, majoring in Sociology and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. She has been working with the Safe Schools Project for two years and helped produce two summits thus far. She is committed to cultivating spaces that are affirming, healing, resourceful, and supportive for LBGTQIA+ youth. She is thankful to help present the first-ever virtual Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Summit this fall!

Jacob Agamao, LGBTQ+ Services Coordinator, The Epicenter, Salinas

Jacob Agamao (he/she/they) is the LGBTQ+ Services Coordinator at The Epicenter, a youth resource center in Salinas. Their background in empowerment for queer youth began in high school as President of one of the first GSA programs in Monterey County, and continued with work at the Monterey County AIDS Project and with Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations. They hope that as we navigate the unique challenges shelter-in-place has dealt us all, we continue to foster safe and inclusive spaces for our young queer people to develop into healthy and impactful adults.

LGBTQIA+ Youth Programs in Monterey, San Benito & Santa Cruz Counties

Diversity Center Youth Program — Watsonville & Santa Cruz

  • Website
  • Instagram — DM @diversity.youth

Our Gente, a program of the Epicenter — Salinas

Queer Trans Health 831+

Queer Youth Updates – Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties

LGBTIQA+ & Ally Youth Calendar — 2020-2021

Check out the 2020-2021 LGBTQIA Youth Calendar

Parent/Guardian & Adult Allies Virtual Workshops

Understanding Gender

A free bilingual online 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 10, 2020
12:00 – 3:15 pm
A Live Stream Event

Simultaneous Spanish Translation provided

Información en Español

About the Parent/Guardian & Adult Allies Virtual Summit

Understandings of gender are changing rapidly and it can be challenging to keep up! Parents might believe that they only have to pay attention to their child’s gender if it falls outside of traditional gender norms. While it is true that transgender, non-binary, and otherwise gender-expansive children are particularly at risk, every child is limited by traditional gender roles and stereotypes. Parents and ally adults 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.

Learn more about the Parent/Guardian Virtual Summit

Registration Open!

Presented by Gender Spectrum, TransFamilies of Santa Cruz County, and the Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County

Creating gender sensitive and inclusive environments for all children and teens

Summit Partners, Supporters, & Sponsors

Sponsored, in part, by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (SCCOE), Gender Spectrum, and additional community organizations in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties. Please check our complete list of partners, supporters, and sponsors — thank you!

Our Gente

Monterey County

San Benito County

Santa Clara County

Santa Cruz County

National LGBTQIA+ Organizations

Sponsorship Opportunities

For information on how to become a sponsor at the Fall 2020 Summit, please email us or call (831) 427-4004

Student Summit Flyer Download

Please help spread the word by sharing via social media to your followers and fellow community members — help us reach students in Monterey, San Benito, & Santa Cruz Counties! Thank you.

Summit Archives

Thank you to school and elected officials from Monterey, Santa Clara & Santa Cruz Counties for supporting LGBTQIA+ students!

Summit Press

  • Hear about the 2019 Spring Summit on KZSC’s Closet Free Radio: Learn more about the Summit from Trisha Herrera, Assistant Summit Coordinator, who was on the Feb 25 Closet Free Radio Show, one of the oldest LGBTQ radio shows in the United States. Stay tuned to Closet Free Radio every Monday night, 7:00-8:30 pm on KZSC at 88.1 FM.

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