Josh Halverson
Youth Enrichment Coordinator - Middle and High School | 507-328-4053 | Email
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.
"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
Contact Us
Fall 2024
Game Nights
Grades 6-12
Mondays 6-8 PM
Northrop Community Education Center
201 8th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901 NEW ROOM: 319 Upstairs
Fall Schedule (Bolded dates have LGBTQ+ Community focus)
September 16
September 30
October 7
October 28
November 4
November 18
December 9
December 16
Sign Up
Community Partners
The 2024 LGBTQ+ Youth Summer Calendar was generously supported by funding from the Rochester Public School Foundation and Old Abe Co.
Thank you to the many organizations and volunteers who have hosted events for LGBTQ+ youth in our community.
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
Saturday, May 18th - Volunteer at Rochester Pride
Youth volunteers will engage event attendees in conversation and crafts. This is a great way to experience the Rochester Pride event with other people your age. You will have time to both work at the Rochester Public Schools booth and explore on your own.
Time: Noon - 4 PM (Sign up for one or more 1 hour shifts)
Location:
Soldiers Field
George Gibbs Drive SW, Rochester, MN 55902
Youth and Rochester Public Schools Staff Needed for Booth. Event is Open to the Public.
Saturday, June 1st - Mentorship Registration Deadline
We are excited to introduce a new LGBTQ+ Summer Mentorship program. Youth who request a mentor will be matched with an adult in the Rochester community who shares a common aspect of identity, such as sexual orientation, gender identity, hobbies, or future goals. Mentees and mentors will meet in person during the group events listed on this page. The mentorship will conclude in August.
LGBTQ+ Adults are Invited to Volunteer
Summer Mentors
Some volunteers may be interested in providing focused, summerlong support for one or two students. Youth who request a mentor will be matched with an adult in the Rochester community who shares a common aspect of identity, such as sexual orientation, gender identity, hobbies, or future goals. Meetings between mentors and mentees will take place in the context of group events, but with an additional focus on conversation about mentees' personal interests and goals.
Why Start a Mentorship Program: Since 2019, the Minnesota Student Survey has found that LGBTQ+ youth in Minnesota are substantially more likely to experience risks to their wellbeing than their peers, including increased risk of negative mental health symptoms, increased risk of suicide and self-harm, and decreased academic engagement. This research has also found that these risks are reduced for youth with certain protective factors such as supportive friends, parents, teachers, and community members. Volunteers in the new LGBTQ+ Summer Mentorship program have an opportunity to introduce a protective factor for local youth.
Time Commitment: A training session during the first week of June, and three or more events. Work with your mentee(s) to decide which events to attend. Events will take place June - August 2024.
Tuesday, June 4th - Gardening Service Project at the Village
We will work to support the Village Agricultural Cooperative through a series of gardening service projects. The organization connects people from many cultures who come together to grow food locally in our community.
Time: 9:30-11:30 AM
Multiple Dates: Tuesdays 6/4, 6/11, 6/25 (Skip 6/18)
Location:
The Village Community Garden (Covenant Church Location)
4950 31st Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901
LGBTQ+ Adults are Invited to Volunteer
Saturday, June 8th - Art Workshop at the Rochester Art Center
Create your own self-published magazine! Learn about the history of zines, create your own, and make copies to share! This class will be hosted by the Rochester Art Center and local artist and community organizer, Madison Kelly. Madison is a 2016 Mayo High School alumni dedicated to connecting and celebrating LGBTQ+ people through her organization Out Rochester.
Time: 1-3 PM
Location:
Rochester Art Center
30 Civic Center Dr SE STE 120, Rochester, MN 55904
No Volunteers Needed
Tuesday, June 11th - Gardening Service Project at the Village
We will work to support the Village Agricultural Cooperative through a series of gardening service projects. The organization connects people from many cultures who come together to grow food locally in our community.
Time: 9:30-11:30 AM
Multiple Dates: Tuesdays 6/4, 6/11, 6/25 (Skip 6/18)
Location:
The Village Community Garden (Covenant Church Location)
4950 31st Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901
LGBTQ+ Adults are Invited to Volunteer
Wednesday, June 12th - LGBTQ+ Youth Board Game Night
Time: 6-8 PM
Multiple Dates: Wednesdays 6/12, 7/10, 8/14
Location:
Northrop Community Education Center
201 8th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Room 201
LGBTQ+ Adults are Invited to Volunteer
Saturday, June 15th - Biology, College, and Pizza at UMR
The University of Minnesota, Rochester will host LGBTQ+ youth for a summer of discovery, learning and fun! Students will get a tour of the university's campus, participate in a cool Biology activity, and learn about college life. Students will also chat with UMR college students about everyday life on campus. We will end the afternoon with a pizza and games party!!
Time: 9 AM - 1 PM
Location:
University of Minnesota Rochester (Galleria at University Square, 3rd Floor)
111 Broadway Ave S, Rochester, MN 55904
No Volunteers Needed
Thursday, June 20th - Free Movie at Pop's Art Theater: WALL-E
Youth and families of all ages are invited to attend a free movie in celebration of Pride Month. Arrive early to purchase snacks and learn about mental health from Family Service Rochester. Reserving a spot is recommended.
All Ages
Time:
6:45 PM - Mental Health Activity
7 PM - Movie Begins
Location:
Pop's Art Theater
619 6th Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901
No Volunteers Needed
Tuesday, June 25th - Gardening Service Project at the Village
We will work to support the Village Agricultural Cooperative through a series of gardening service projects. The organization connects people from many cultures who come together to grow food locally in our community.
Time: 9:30-11:30 AM
Multiple Dates: Tuesdays 6/4, 6/11, 6/25 (Skip 6/18)
Location:
The Village Community Garden (Covenant Church Location)
4950 31st Ave NW, Rochester, MN 55901
LGBTQ+ Adults are Invited to Volunteer
Wednesday, June 26th - "One Day Choir" with the Rochester Rainbow Choir
The One-Day Choir is a fun way for singers of all ages and abilities to connect and make music together without an ongoing commitment. For our June event, we'll be singing Lady Gaga's "Born This Way."
Recommended Age: Adults and youth entering grades 9-12
Time: 5:30-8:00 PM
Location:
Peace United
1503 2nd Ave NE, Rochester, MN, 55906
Event is Open to the Public
Saturday, June 29th - Queerly Haunted Teen Pride Party
"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."
Please visit the Rochester Public Library website for more information.
Age: Youth entering grades 7-12
Time: 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Location:
Rochester Public Library
101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN 55904
No Volunteers Needed
Wednesday, July 10th - LGBTQ+ Youth Board Game Night
Time: 6-8 PM
Multiple Dates: Wednesdays 6/12, 7/10, 8/14
Location:
Northrop Community Education Center
201 8th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Room 201
LGBTQ+ Adults are Invited to Volunteer
Sunday, July 28th - Rock Climbing at Roca
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. This new activity was chosen by youth last year and is presented at a great discount with support from the Rochester Public Schools Foundation. Climbing shoes and harnesses will be provided.
Cost: $5 pre-registration and parent/guardian permission required. Space is limited, so register quickly!
Time: 3:15-5:30 PM
Location:
Roca Climbing & Fitness
6071 Rome Cir NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Online Registration Required
LGBTQ+ Adults are Invited to Volunteer
Tuesday, July 30th - Group Bike Ride
We Bike Rochester invites you to join an LGBTQ+ group ride starting at Silver Lake. We have chosen a beginner-friendly bike route that stays on trails and avoids streets. The ride will take about an hour with time before and after to socialize.
If you do not own a bike, we encourage you to use We Bike Rochester's Pedal it Forward program to request a free bicycle. Provide this information while completing the online application:
Organization/Sponsor Name: Rochester Community Education
Organization/ Sponsor Email: johalverson@rochesterschools.org
Organization/Sponsor Phone Number: 507-328-4053
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Location:
Silver Lake Station (Old Fire House)
702 W Silver Lake Dr NE, Rochester, MN 55906
LGBTQ+ Adults are Invited to Volunteer
Saturday, August 3rd - 50th Anniversary Celebration
Rochester Community Education is turning 50! Celebrate lifelong learning with us at our birthday party event. Enjoy live music, food trucks, free classes, and demonstrations. There is not an LGBTQ+ group activity planned, but we invite you to enjoy the event with your family or friends.
Recommended Age: All ages
Time: 10 AM - 2 PM
Location:
Cascade Lake Park
88 23rd Ave SW, Rochester, MN 55902
Event is Open to the Public
Tuesday, August 6th - Mixie Madness Art Workshop
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: 6-8 PM
UPDATED LOCATION:
Griot Arts
115 N Broadway Ave, Rochester, MN 55906
No Volunteers Needed
Thursday, August 8th - Mayo Clinic Stories: Dinner and Inspiration for LGBTQ+ Youth
"How has your fashion sense changed since you were in middle school?" At this event, you will meet LGBTQ+ adults in our community through simple and entertaining questions. You will find support and humor in the stories of how scientists, medical professionals, and other Mayo staff and students have navigated through life. You may even get a chance to tell a story if you are interested. We will have food, games, and a lot of fun.
Time: 6:00-8:30 PM
Location:
One Discovery Square
202 4th St SW, Rochester, MN 55902
Mayo Clinic Staff: Contact Caitlyn Gillen (Gillen.Caitlyn@mayo.edu) for more information on how to volunteer.
Wednesday, August 14th - LGBTQ+ Youth Board Game Night
Time: 6-8 PM
Multiple Dates: Wednesdays 6/12, 7/10, 8/14
Location:
Northrop Community Education Center
201 8th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Room 201
LGBTQ+ Adults are Invited to Volunteer
Saturday, August 17th - The Great Rainbow Bake Off
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 your help, especially if you are already a star baker!
Time: 12:00-4:30 PM
Location:
Dakota Middle School
5501 65th St NW, Rochester, MN 55901
SLICE! Learning Kitchen
Online Registration Required
LGBTQ+ Adults are Invited to Volunteer