"As a father of two Scotts Valley High students and the Supervisor for the District, I want to welcome the Queer Youth Leadership Awards to the Fifth District.

Since the first QYLA in 1998, over twenty LGBTIQ youth and youth and adult allies have been nominated from Scotts Valley, and we are proud that the QYLA, which travels around the county to recognize the community's support for the tenacity of young people, is coming to Scotts Valley.

Each year, parents, siblings, youth groups, religious organizations, and politicians come together to help break down the discrimination that is a barrier to all LGBTIQ people and their friends, families, and allies.  They are an inspiration to us and we look forward to hosting the 12th Annual Queer Leadership Awards in our community."

Please join Supervisor Mark Stone and the community in celebrating this year's nominees and awardees. The Queer Youth Leadership Awards is an inspirational and emotional event that honors the tenacity of queer youth by bringing families, schools, politicians, community members and religious groups. We recognize LGBTIQ leaders in all aspects of life, from athletics to acadacemics, the arts, activism, theatre and the sciences. We believe that by showing the diversity and success of the LGBTIQ youth community, we are helping make schools and communities safer for everyone.

The QYLA honors four queer youth with a financial gift and the chance to donate to a queer friendly non-profit of their choosing. We also honor one ally to queer youth and one organizational ally to queer youth.