The Diversity Center - Santa Cruz, California

Kiki K.

My 2 LGBTQ teens just spent an amazing camping weekend put on by the Diversity Center of Santa Cruz. My kids are glowing with Queer Pride! I am so grateful for this group. Looking forward to more adventures with them in Santa Cruz! Thanks for all you do! Wish we had something like this in the East Bay. Maybe we do, and I don’t know it. Help?

Dina I.

The Diversity Center service to Santa Cruz County is vital to the wellness of the LGBTQAI community. Their support programs address the multiple needs of a very diverse community, creating safe space for every person who enters. I am grateful for their dedicated, knowable kind staff that works tirelessly to make TDC a shining jewel in the community.

Randolph B.

An awesome positive presence in our community. The Diversity Center offers programs, advocacy and support to affirm and celebrate the needs and diversity of our LGBTQ+ community. The Diversity Center offers guidance and a strong voice for us. Thank you for being such a champion for us for 30 years. We'd be lost without you!!!

Angel J.

This place brings back terrible memories. I remember a leader named Alex and a leader named Jamie. They were both very judgemental and had no problem believing rumors of someone being a creep. I was SA'ed at the yes conference one year and when I told people, they called me a liar. I was ostracized by the entire county of Santa cruz for something I had no control over. Whenever I went to meetings with them at their youth groups (I was a minor when this all happened) I was noticeably ignored. One day I was called to The bean in watsonville, where Alex and Jamie told me I was no longer allowed at ANY of the meetings and wouldn't even listen to my side of the story. Moral is, if you're not part of the inter circle of queer folks in Santa cruz, don't go here. I just moved there after something traumatic in my life where I had to move to the US, and I was out casted by Jamie, Alex, the staff, and all of the youth there. My family and I honestly thought about a lawsuit, but knowing how these people are, we weren't about to get even more put out than we already were. By the way, apparently the reason I was "lying" to them was because I was intentionally kissing someone on the bus ride home. So according to ALEX SPECIFICALLY, "you can't have been SA'ed if you went and made out with someone right after. It doesn't seem like you were apprehensive. You also didnt say no, so how could they have known?" When i told them i have trauma, and a freeze reaction instead of fight or flight
Never go here. They're not as accepting and open minded as they proclaim to be.

Update: After talking to a few people I'm still friends with that did go to the diversity center also had similar experiences. Judged, ignored, and lowkey talked about. Like. I didn't know I was being gossiped about BY THE FACILITATORS until today. And it's mostly the brown people they're doing this too. Yall as a business serving QUEER PEOPLE need to do some research into INCLUSIVITY!!!

Sandy S.

The Diversity Center plays an important role in our county -- as a safe place for the LGBTQ community and allies to gather, learn, advocate and activate for understanding and acceptance. Now more than ever, we need the TDC.

Marc Z.

My husband and I started volunteering for TDC 60+ program five plus years.

We are still very active in a number of ways because it’s clear to us the TDC offers a valuable service to our community, especially the most marginalized. The day to day impact delivered by staff and volunteers is fundamental to a quality life in Santa Cruz County.

kiiweei

I went here for the first time back in August this year for their full moon ritual and despite not being extremely spiritually practiced I felt pretty comfortable and even met some nice people my age.
Now here in November I decided to invite my friends to their New Moon event in hopes for a similar experience. We were a little late only due to all the freeway entrances being closed from Watsonville aka something out of our control and not intentional. Last time in August a group of 5 were late and they didn't seem to mind at all!
So we were about 15 minutes late, and while I'm not actually upset about this too much, I do wish in the description for the event they would tell you more of what you will do. In the description of the event they don't tell you that you will be pushed to be close with others and touch them after walking around to music and doing protective poses. They don't actually describe most of what you will do, just what the things you will be talking about are.

These activities are definitely for more extroverted people who also don't mind touching others or being close, so for my friends and I who just aren't very comfortable doing that, it felt like we were a little scrutinized for not doing the same thing everyone else was doing even though we were trying, we were just a bit shy about it. So if you are more introverted or perhaps anxious around others like me, this place might be hard for you. They did make a comment about how some of us weren't doing the same as others, if they had said you would be doing something like that during the event we would not have gone as to respect the people who do want to do that.

We made the decision that the event wasn't for us after staying for about 40 min which anyone should be allowed to do in my opinion, for an event based on being true to yourself and respecting your community simultaneously along w other things, you'd think they'd respect if you decide it's just not your cup of tea, especially after how the energy in there wasn't as positive as you'd think it would be.

We decided on the right time to get up and leave and said thank you but that we were leaving, and my friend added on what she enjoyed about the event before we walked to leave. We were all respectful and tried to leave quietly. The event runner had passive aggressively told us that maybe next time we should show up on time and stay through the whole thing, and once we got out of there we decided we weren't comfortable with coming back. I think they talk a lot about their community being accommodating and also paying attention to yourself and what you enjoy and don't enjoy and listening to that, but they don't seem to actually want to put that into practice themselves. I also feel like if you're not advanced in spiritual practices and don't have a ton to say because you're not as knowledgeable you're also kindof looked down on as I felt that a little last time.

We had RSVPd, but simply decided it wasn't for us. In our opinions that should be allowed and unfortunately I won't be coming back just as I don't feel like I can actually be my own person in there in a space that is meant to be for that.

Once we left and went somewhere else the general attitude felt so much more positive. I don't feel like I can come here and be my true queer self like I should.

Update: I've now been told by a few people I know that they had similar experiences after coming here, where they felt judged and could not be themselves while in this space that seems to talk a lot about caring for others and being understanding and kind.

Teresa M.

I am so very impressed with all that the Santa Cruz Diversity Center does on a daily basis. Helping our youth, seniors, trans, and overall LGBTQ community. They have always gone above and beyond to help everyone possible. Thank you TDC!!