LGBTQ+ Curriculum Resources

Santa Cruz Queer History Podcasts

In 2024 and 2025, young people in high school and college interviewed queer elders who shared their vibrant history of the past 50 years in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride. There are currently 15 different episodes about people and their experiences since 1975. Perfect for all ages starting in fifth grade. Fits the LGBTQ+ history requirements in the State History Social Science Framework and English Language Arts: Literacy in History-Social Science Reading. New episode released every Tuesday.

Purpose: For classroom teachers and GSA advisors to guide their students in learning about Santa Cruz County LGBTQ+ history in the context of the state and national LGBTQ+ rights movement in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride.

Suggestions for Use: Oral history, listening and writing; listen to 10 minutes as a class and have students listen to the last 10 minutes on their own; have students create a reflective journal to write about their learning; as part of a GSA meeting; use in a discussion board, Discord discussion or Padlet format; add as an ongoing Google classroom assignment; use as the last 10 minutes of a class; students could create Instagram posts as a response.

Topics/Discussion Opportunities and Corresponding Podcasts:

Being an “Out” Politician: Monica Martinez, John Laird, Adam Spickler
Transgender Topics: Adam Spickler, Sandy Stone, Jen Hastings
First GSA in Santa Cruz County: Gail Levine
Activism / First Pride: Jerry Solomon, Larry Friedman, Margaret Leonard and Claire Sheils, Sandy Stone, Adam Spickler, Stuart Rosenstein, John Laird

What if I only have time for two podcasts?

First, listen to the “Santa Cruz LGBTQ History” podcast 2 that provides the historical framework of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the U.S. and how it aligns with Santa Cruz County LGBTQ+ history.

Then, choose one of the above topics or people.

Listed below is each podcast with a link to the recording. Each podcast includes a student interviewing an older person about coming out, key experiences in their lives and advice for the future. A short bio of each person, reflective questions, and a link to each individual podcast are included in the list below. Click here to download the Curriculum Guide in PDF.

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