I’m Kate Hyatt (she/they), Youth Queer Leadership Council Coordinator at The Center, and I’m excited to share more about the Youth Queer Leadership Council (YQLC), a paid leadership development program at The Center that is deeply meaningful to LGBTQ2S+ youth in San Diego County.
YQLC brings together LGBTQ2S+ youth and allies ages 12–24 to build community, strengthen leadership skills, and turn their passion into action, while uplifting and supporting the well-being of BIPOC youth. In today’s political climate, youth are not naïve to the challenges happening around them and across our country. Many are directly impacted by harmful policies and social injustice, including new barriers to accessing gender-affirming care for youth. In YQLC, we validate their emotions and anxieties while also equipping them with tools to channel those feelings into meaningful, strategic change.
The council meets once a month to explore a specific social issue or civic engagement strategy. We learn together, support one another, and hear from guest speakers from organizations doing powerful work in our community. Youth gain insight into advocacy, organizing, and community building, so they can begin to see themselves as leaders who can create the change they want to see. By the end of the program year, council members collaborate to plan a community outreach project inspired by what they’ve learned. This hands-on experience allows them to practice real-world leadership while making a tangible impact.
Participants are compensated for every session they attend, and we provide catered food, so that youth leadership is accessible, valued, and supported.
If you know a young person (ages 12–24) who wants to gain leadership skills and make an impact, please encourage them to apply on our website! Our next deadline is March 31.
If you have questions, please email yqlc@thecentersd.org.
Our youth deserve spaces where their voices are heard, their experiences are honored, and their leadership is nurtured. YQLC is one of those spaces and we can’t wait to empower the next generation of leaders in San Diego.
In community,
Kate Hyatt (she/they)
Youth Queer Leadership Council Coordinator
P.S. Sharing the scholarships below is another way to support youth in their education and leadership goals. Participation in YQLC can help youth when applying for scholarships like these in the future!
- PFLAG San Diego offers scholarships to LGBTQ+ students who reside in San Diego County. Application deadline: March 1, 2026.
- The Common Scholarship Application by San Diego Foundation provides students access to multiple scholarship opportunities. Application deadline: March 4, 2026.
- National Rainbow College Fund is the first program that offers scholarships to LGBTQ+ students. Powered by San Diego Foundation. Application deadline: March 4, 2026.
- The CA LGBTQ Foundation Scholarship helps LGBTQ+ students and allies achieve their dreams through higher education. Application deadline: March 31, 2026.
The Trans Day of Empowerment scholarship from the Tracie Jada O’Brien Transgender Student Scholarship Fund is open to students from or residing in San Diego County who identify as transgender, live outside of the gender binary, and/or are in the process of transitioning their gender. Application Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026. Scholarships will be awarded Friday, April 3, 2026 at the 20th Annual Transgender Day of Empowerment celebration at The Center.