LGBTQ+ Youth Activities

Rochester Community Education partners with local organizations to provide opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth to have fun, be healthy, and envision possibilities for their future. Events are open to all youth entering grades 6-12, including LGBTQ+ youth and allies.

2025 LGBTQ+ Youth Summer Calendar

Summer is here and our event series is back! Join us for a summer of art, games, nature, food, and more! Details for each event can be found below.

list of events on LGBTQ+ Youth Summer Calendar

Contact Us

Josh Halverson
Coordinator of Community Partnerships | Email

Mo Willaert
"Here We Are" Facilitator | Email

Adult Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for the 2025 LGBTQ+ Youth Summer Calendar. Volunteers participate in activities alongside youth and engage them in conversations.

Parents & Caregivers

"Here We Are" Parenting Group

Join us in a supportive group environment to discuss parenting gender-expansive kids.

Upcoming Events

the community education pop-up tent at Rochester Pride

Rochester Pride (Saturday, May 17)

Rochester Pride is a family-friendly event for all ages that celebrates local LGBTQ+ communities. You will find live music, food trucks, and no shortage of things to do. Stop by the Rochester Public Schools tent and say hello!

Time: Noon - 5 PM

Location:
Soldiers Field
George Gibbs Drive SW, Rochester, MN 55902

bottles of glittery nail polish

Nail Art (Tuesday, May 27)

Have you spent hours watching nail art tutorials but never given it a try? This is your chance to explore the art of fingernail painting with new friends. This event is open to everyone, from nail painting experts to those who have never painted their nails before. Bring your own nail polish or use the supplies provided.

Time: 5:15 - 6:30 PM

Location:
Rochester Alternative Learning Center (ALC)
37 Woodlake Dr, Rochester, MN 55904
Enter through Door 5

tent, squirrel wearing rainbow hat, QUEER CAMP sign

"Queer Camp" Teen Pride Party (Saturday, June 7)

"This is a safe and welcoming after-hours party for LGBTQIA+ teens and allies in grades 7-12. Doors will open from 6:30 to 7PM.  Re-entry is not allowed.  A school or state ID will be required at the door.  Contact Sarah in Youth Services at youth@rplmn.org to make arrangements if you don't have an ID."

Age: Youth in grades 7-12

Time: 6:30 - 9:00 PM

Location:
Rochester Public Library
101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN 55904

yellow flower surrounded by other wildflowers

Nature Walk & Seed Bombing (Tuesday, June 10)

This nature walk will take place in the scenic Lowertown Neighborhood, beginning at Goose Egg Park. You will learn about plants native to Minnesota and "seed bombing," a practice that can be used for environmental restoration. Please bring a water bottle and sunscreen.

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
Goose Egg Park
199 8th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901

LGBTQ+ Art Night, bordered by art supplies

Monthly LGBTQ+ Art Night (Thursday, June 12)

Come and get creative together in a safe and affirming space led by queer illustrator and comic book artist Micah Amundsen. You are invited to work on any art projects that you are passionate about. Bring your own art supplies or use those provided.

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
Goose Egg Park
199 8th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Trivia Mafia

LGBTQ+ Trivia Night (Saturday, June 17)

Join us for a rainbow-powered trivia night hosted by the iconic Trivia Mafia! We’re diving into movies, video games, music, memes, and all things LGBTQ+—with questions made just for teens. Bring your besties or roll solo and team up when you get here. Oh, and did we mention prizes? Yeah, you’ll want to win these.  

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
Rochester Public Library
101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN 55904

Monthly LGBTQ+ Board Game Night (Tuesday, June 24)

We’re celebrating two years of community gaming! What began as a one-time event has grown into more than 20 monthly sessions led by youth. We play all kinds of games and encourage participants to bring ones they love. Favorite games from past nights include Unstable Unicorns, Uno, Superfight, Machi Koro, and Coup. What makes this meetup special is its intentional focus on creating a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth and adult volunteers to connect and have fun together.

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
Rochester Public Library
101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN 55904

College Pride Day (Wednesday, June 25)

Visit the University of Minnesota Rochester and get a taste of the things that our students love: creativity, science, inclusivity, and free food. Attend bite-sized classes where professors will challenge you to be curious and creative. Our evening will end with pizza and students' stories about how college can be an inclusive place where you can make friends and thrive.

Time: 4 - 7 PM

Location:
University of Minnesota Rochester (Galleria at University Square, 3rd Floor)
111 Broadway Ave S, Rochester, MN 55904

tie dye kit

Tie Dye! Socks and Scrunchies (Tuesday, July 8)

By popular request, we are hosting a tie dye party! Socks and scrunchies will be available for you to decorate and take home. You are also welcome to bring other clothing that you want to tie dye.

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
Goose Egg Park
199 8th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901

LGBTQ+ Art Night, bordered by art supplies

Monthly LGBTQ+ Art Night (Thursday, July 10)

Come and get creative together in a safe and affirming space led by queer illustrator and comic book artist Micah Amundsen. You are invited to work on any art projects that you are passionate about. Bring your own art supplies or use those provided.

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
Goose Egg Park
199 8th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Family Service Rochester logo

Nature Walk & Mindfulness (Saturday, July 12)

Staff from Family Service Rochester will lead this nature walk at Quarry Hill park focused on positive mental health. Relax outdoors, and ask questions to health professionals who have years of experience. Please bring a water bottle and sunscreen.

Time: 1:00- 2:30 PM

Location:
Quarry Hill Park
701 Silver Creek Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906

Cooking Lesson (Tuesday, July 15)

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
Dakota Middle School
5501 65th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
SLICE! Learning Kitchen

Online Registration Required

Monthly LGBTQ+ Board Game Night (Tuesday, July 22)

We’re celebrating two years of community gaming! What began as a one-time event has grown into more than 20 monthly sessions led by youth. We play all kinds of games and encourage participants to bring ones they love. Favorite games from past nights include Unstable Unicorns, Uno, Superfight, Machi Koro, and Coup. What makes this meetup special is its intentional focus on creating a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth and adult volunteers to connect and have fun together.

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
Rochester Public Library
101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN 55904

a pile of tarot cards

Tarot Reading 101 (Saturday, July 26)

Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Location:
Goose Egg Park
199 8th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Roca Climbing & Fitness logo

Rock Climbing at Roca (Sunday, July 27)

Whether you are an experienced rock climber or have never climbed before, we invite you to join our LGBTQ+ group climb at Roca Climbing & Fitness. Climbing shoes and harnesses will be provided.

Cost: This event requires parent/guardian permission and a $5 registration fee. Space is limited. Please only register if you plan to attend.

Time: 3:30-5:30 PM

Location:
Roca Climbing & Fitness
6071 Rome Cir NW, Rochester, MN 55901

Online Registration Required

Mandala Painting Class (Tuesday, August 5)

Local artist Tierney Parker will guide you in an art project and share her experiences running her business Mixie Madness. If you've ever wanted to share your artwork online or start an Etsy shop, this workshop is for you!

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
To Be Determined

LGBTQ+ Art Night, bordered by art supplies

Monthly LGBTQ+ Art Night (Thursday, August 7)

Come and get creative together in a safe and affirming space led by queer illustrator and comic book artist Micah Amundsen. You are invited to work on any art projects that you are passionate about. Bring your own art supplies or use those provided.

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
Goose Egg Park
199 8th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901

The Great Rainbow Bake Off text

picture of a cake frosted with the trans flag

The Great Rainbow Bake Off (Saturday, August 16)

Participate in a light-hearted baking competition inspired by popular TV shows The Great British Bake Off and Nailed It! Your team will be judged on flavor and design with the chance to win prizes. No prior baking experience is required.

Many adult volunteers are needed to make this event possible. We welcome you to volunteer, especially if you are already a star baker.

If you prefer eating baked goods to producing them, attend as a judge! No registration is required to be a judge. Please join us from 3:15 - 4:30 PM.

Youth and Volunteers: 12:00-4:30 PM

Judges: 3:15-4:30 PM

Location:
Dakota Middle School
5501 65th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
SLICE! Learning Kitchen

Online Registration Required

Monthly LGBTQ+ Board Game Night (Tuesday, August 19)

We’re celebrating two years of community gaming! What began as a one-time event has grown into more than 20 monthly sessions led by youth. We play all kinds of games and encourage participants to bring ones they love. Favorite games from past nights include Unstable Unicorns, Uno, Superfight, Machi Koro, and Coup. What makes this meetup special is its intentional focus on creating a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ youth and adult volunteers to connect and have fun together.

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Location:
Rochester Public Library
101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN 55904

Community Partners

Thank you to the many organizations and volunteers who have hosted events for LGBTQ+ youth in our community.

Family Service Rochester logo

Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences logo

Mixie Madness logo

Peace United, United Church of Christ

logo for Pop's Art Theater. white text on orange background

Roca climbing and fitness logo

Rochester Art Center logo

Rochester Public Library Logo

University of Minnesota Rochester logo

logo for University of Minnesota Extension

The Village logo

Family Service Rochester

Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

Mayo Clinic LGBTI MERG

Mixie Madness / Tierney Parker

Peace United

Pop's Art Theater

Roca Climbing & Fitness

Rochester Art Center

Rochester Public Library

University of Minnesota Extension

University of Minnesota Rochester

The Village Agricultural Cooperative

We Bike Rochester

Past Events

"We believe that all staff and students deserve a space to be their authentic selves. We have a collective responsibility to ensure our schools provide a caring, supportive, and anti-oppressive environment. School communities should support the healthy, positive development of students and help them grow their unique gifts and talents." - Rochester Public Schools Equity Statement