• Trans & Queer Fall Mixer

    Porter/Kresge Dining Hall 411 Porter-Kresge Rd, Santa Cruz, CA

    The Trans & Queer Fall Mixer is UCSC’s annual welcome event for new and returning students. Join us to learn more about the Lionel Cantú Queer Resource Center and to connect with the rainbow community at UCSC and in Santa Cruz. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about resources, make new friends, and enjoy music […]

  • Pokémon Makers Market

    Porter College Quad

    Catch the Pokémon Makers’ Market at Porter Quad! Shop student vendors, enjoy performances, join a cosplay contest, trade Pokémon cards, and compete in tournaments. Celebrate creativity and community with food, activities, and prizes. Presented by: UCSC Women’s Center, Cantu Queer Center, and Jack Baskin Engineering You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are […]

  • Día de los Muertos Ceremonia

    When: Sunday, November 2, 2025 Where: Quarry Amphitheater, UC Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, CA 95064 Time: 5:30-7:30pm, doors open at 4:00pm El Centro and the Quarry Amphitheater present Día de los Muertos Ceremonia. A space to collectively honor and celebrate the lives of our loved ones. Join us for a night of danza, prayer, […]

    FREE
  • Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil: The Sound of Holding On

    Resource Center for Nonviolence 612 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA

    A healing evening featuring trans/nonbinary artists, dancers, and musicians to honor the trans and nonbinary lives lost to violence in the last 12 months—short reception to follow. Allies welcome. Attendees encouraged to contribute to the altar dedicated to trans lives. RSVP in advance. You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to […]

  • Rainbowsgiving

    Cantu Queer Center Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

    The Cantu Queer Center is excited to host our 4th annual Rainbowsgiving, a community meal for folks who would like an alternative and inclusive gathering for Thanksgiving / 4th Thursday in November.   Our hope is to provide a space for folks to connect with others in an affirming, celebratory gathering in which they can be who […]

  • Movie Night: “And the Band Played On,” honoring AIDS Awareness Month

    Cantu Queer Center Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

    Need a break from studying for finals? Want some free pizza? Interested in learning about the history of HIV/AIDS here in the USA? Look no further! UCSC’s Global and Community Health Program, Student Health Outreach & Promotion (SHOP) and the Cantu Queer Center are partnering to screen, “And The Band Played On” by Roger Spottiswoode at the Cantu Queer Center on December 4th from 7pm-10pm. […]

  • Canceled Two Spirit Luncheon

    College Nine and John R. Lewis Dining Hall

    The American Indian Resource Center and Lionel Cantú Queer Center present: Two Spirit Luncheon! Join us on February 4th, 2026  from 12:00PM to 2:00PM at the Alumni Room in College 9 / John R. Lewis for a presentation and interactive luncheon celebrating, affirming, and raising awareness about Two Spirit identities. Lunch will be served – […]

  • A Sacred Witnessing: A Trans Day of Euphoria Event

    Diversity Center 1117 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, United States

    Join the Cantu Queer Center and the Diversity Center for an intergenerational Trans Day of Visibility gathering rooted in euphoria, joy, and sacred witnessing. Trans, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and gender-expansive people of all ages are invited to share their stories, create art, and witness each other’s full humanity in a moment of dangerous hypervisibility and harm […]

  • Beyond Men & Masculinity: Film Screening & Conversation

    Namaste Lounge 615 College Nine Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    As part of Sexual Assault Awareness & Action Month (SAAM), join CARE & The Cantú for dinner and a screening of Beyond Men & Masculinity. After the film, we’ll have guided conversation and crafting! Dinner provided, and no RSVP required! For questions or accommodations, please email CARE or The Cantú Center. You Belong Here: The […]

  • Queer Connections: Latine and Queer

    Queer Connections
    Lionel Cantú Queer Center Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

    CAPS & Cantú Collaboration: Queer Connections. Join us at the Lionel Cantú Queer Center for conversations facilitated by CAPS Providers. Latine and Queer: Exploring the intersection of Queer and Latine/x identities and addressing emotional well-being in college. Join us for a reflective space to connect, share and celebrate navigating multiple identities! You Belong Here: The […]

  • Queer Connections: Healthy Relationships

    Queer Connections
    Lionel Cantú Queer Center Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

    CAPS & Cantú Collaboration: Queer Connections. Join us at the Lionel Cantú Queer Center for conversations facilitated by CAPS Providers. Healthy Relationships: Come talk about building healthy relationships of all kinds. Discuss boundaries, healthy communication, dispel heteronormative relationship myths, and craft with queers! You Belong Here: The programs and services described here are open to […]

  • Reflections of Us Evening Bazaar – 2nd annual AA/PI/SWANA Heritage Night Market

    Upper Quarry Amphitheater 15 McLaughlin Drive, Santa Cruz, CA

    It’s time for the 2nd annual AA/PI/SWANA Heritage Night Market on FRIDAY, MAY 8TH, from 5-9PM @ the QUARRY AMPHITHEATER! In celebration of AA/PI Heritage Month in May and SWANA Heritage Month in April, AA/PIRC invites you to join us for the Reflections of Us Evening Bazaar — an evening full of free food, games, […]

  • Queer Connections: Q/T Grad Students

    Queer Connections
    Lionel Cantú Queer Center Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

    CAPS & Cantú Collaboration: Queer Connections. Join us at the Lionel Cantú Queer Center for conversations facilitated by CAPS Providers. Q/T Grad Students: Graduate students are welcome to join us at the Cantú to craft while in community. We will provide a safe space on campus to connect, share and reflect together! Come be in community […]

  • Cantú Pool Party at East Field House

    East Field House East Field House, Santa Cruz, CA

    The 4th Annual Cantú & Athletics Pool Party! Come celebrate our 4th annual pool party hosted by the Cantú Queer Center and the Athletics and Recreation Department on May 16 from noon–4 p.m.! This event is all about building community and creating a welcoming, low-stress day for everyone. It’s a perfect chance to relax, meet […]

    Free
  • Queer Joy Crafting Time (Communi-tea)

    Cantu Queer Center Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

    Drop by the Cantú Cabin to be in community with SHOP and talk about queer joy. Crafting supplies provided. Come for the raffle prize, stay for the community! This event is supported by Student Health Services for Mental Health Awareness Month. You are invited to engage in a variety of campus-wide activities focused on mental […]

  • Queer Connections: ARO/ACE

    Queer Connections
    Lionel Cantú Queer Center Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

    CAPS & Cantú Collaboration: Queer Connections. Join us at the Lionel Cantú Queer Center for conversations facilitated by CAPS Providers. ARO/ACE: This is a workshop and art-based activity group focusing on asexual and aromantic identities. Information will be provided about the broad spectrum of asexuality and you will be given the change to express your […]

  • Lavender Graduation Celebration

    Colleges Nine and John R. Lewis College Multi-purpose Room 615 College Nine Road, Santa Cruz, CA

    For over 20 years, The Lionel Cantú Queer Resource Center has proudly honored the accomplishments of graduating students at UCSC.  At the annual Lavender Graduation Celebration, graduates of all academic levels and programs are celebrated in a uniquely queer way. Graduating students receive a lavender or rainbow stole in addition to enjoying refreshments, music, and […]

  • Queer Connections: Reflective Art

    Queer Connections
    Lionel Cantú Queer Center Crown Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

    CAPS & Cantú Collaboration: Queer Connections. Join us at the Lionel Cantú Queer Center for conversations facilitated by CAPS Providers. Reflective Art: Discover your strengths through art while reflecting on the people, resources, and community that uplift you. Through creative expression, you’re invited to share, listen, or simply reflect—connecting with others in whatever way feels […]