Safe Schools Project

Resources for Queer Youth and Educators in Santa Cruz County

Queer, Trans & Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast — Fall 2021

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.

We’re Here, We’re Queer

Saturday, October 9, 2021
12:00 – 3:15 pm (11:45: DJ and Music)
Free / A Live Stream Event

Click the link to take you to this section of the page:

All High School & Middle School LGBTQIA/Ally Students Welcome!

The Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast is a free summit that is led by youth leaders from the tri-county area. This upcoming summit will provide students the opportunity to:

  • Experience workshops created 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 which provides useful support for LGBTQIA+ youth, allies, and families.
  • Empower and liberate lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, questioning, and allied youth.
  • Each student who registers will receive a personalized goodie bag and free t-shirt with a custom design!

Find us on Facebook

For questions, contact:

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

Summit Announcement on Virtual Decision

After much consideration, and after speaking with students and advisors, the Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Summit Planning Committee have decided to hold the summit virtually again this year to ensure the safety and inclusion of all of our participants.

We did not make this decision lightly, as we know how much folks would like to meet in person. However, there are several things we needed to take under consideration: The Delta variant is causing a surge in cases nationwide and folks under 18 cannot get vaccinated without their guardian’s permission, and the safety measures we would need to put in place would limit attendance and prevent youth from across the central coast from attending, including some local closeted youth who would not be able to have a guardian pick them up from the event if they tested positive during COVID-19 rapid-testing which would be required for entry.

For these reasons we have decided to hold the event virtually so we can have the largest impact on the most youth and stay true to our commitment to amplify queer and trans youth voices and uplift community love. We are still committed to hosting an amazing event that will include workshops, space to interact with your peers virtually, delivered goodie bags for all participants, and much more!

We can’t wait to see you on Saturday, October 9th! 

The Fall 2021 Summit theme is “We’re Here, We’re Queer”

About the Theme: Students have chosen the theme as “We’re Here, We’re Queer”

The chant “We’re here, we’re queer” has political roots in LGBTQIA+ based protests, riots, and marches, and now marks the long history of queer and trans activism, resistance, and celebration. As many of you know, the month of October is a particularly important time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community since October is Queer History Month and October 11th is National Coming Out Day. Thus, we want to create a brave and safe space for youth to celebrate, honor, and explore their identities as well as build community with other queer youth. It is beautiful to see an emergence of rich queer youth activities, support networks, and spaces to empower, create, laugh, and engage in self-expression, especially after an emotionally exhausting and demanding year of quarantine. We are committed to amplifying queer and trans youth voices, creating support forums for us to be unapologetically ourselves, and uplift community love. We are here, we are queer, and we are unapologetic about it!

Save your spot at the Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast – Fall 2021! Registration helps us stay prepared for on-time delivery of goodie bags, t-shirts, and more! To guarantee that a goodie bag will be delivered to you on time, please register by Monday, October 4th by 12:00 pm.

Register Now!

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

We welcome all workshop and caucus proposals with a priority on youth-led submissions. Please note that all workshops will take place for exactly forty-five minutes. The Fall 2021 theme is “We’re Here, We’re Queer” Workshop topics relevant to the theme are highly encouraged but not limited to it.

These are some suggestions for workshops:

—> Submit a Workshop Proposal HERE by Monday, September 27, 2021 at 5:00 pm.

Students and community members under 18 are encouraged to submit a design for the upcoming Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Virtual Summit of the Central Coast — Fall 2021.

The design contest is 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 “We’re Here, We’re Queer.”

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

  • Guidelines
  • Due Wednesday, September 22nd by 10:00 pm

To learn how to submit a t-shirt design, please visit Fall 2021 Summit T-shirt Design.

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 CoordinateSummit@gmail.com

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 us at CoordinateSummit@gmail.com

Specific accommodation requests should be made by October 1, 2021.

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

Student Planning Committee

Lucia Umeki-Martinez, Student Planning Committee, Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast — Fall 2021

Lucia Umeki-Martinez (they/them, she/her, he/him) is 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.

Raquel Jacinto, Student Planning Committee, Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast — Fall 2021

Raquel Jacinto (she/her, they/them) is president at Watsonville High School’s SAGA club where she has helped build community and engagement during the pandemic. In October 2020, Raquel helped organize a socially distanced meet-up of SAGA and ASB students to create a video for National Coming Out Day which was shared widely on social media, she has helped organize fundraisers for the SAGA club including advertising at local businesses. Raquel also helped with a sweatshirt distribution where club members designed sweatshirts. Raquel has lead virtual club meetings with patience and kindness for students having difficulty with the virtual format and has brought the club members together during this difficult time.

Coordinators

Trisha Herrera, Co-coordinator, Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast — Fall 2021

Trisha Herrera (she/her/hers) is an incoming senior at UCSC, majoring in Sociology and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. She has been working with the Safe Schools Project for three years and helped produce three summits thus far. She is committed to cultivating spaces that are affirming, healing, resourceful, and supportive for all LBGTQIA+ youth. She is thankful to help present the 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 — 2021-2022

Check out the 2021-2022 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 9, 2021
10:00 am – 3:00 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!

Questions? Contact the Parent/Guardian Summit organizers at Gendersummitsc@gmail.com or call (831) 427-4004.

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.

  • Infographic Summit Poster for Instagram — JPG & PDF

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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