What does it
mean to be an "ally" to a friend, classmate, a family member, or a
community? This workshop will explore the designation of "ally" and
what it means to be an ally, whether one is gay or straight. Learn how allies
can partner with the queer community and also how to identify allies.
Workshop Title:
Ally-ning Your Middle
School: Creating Space to Talk about LGBTQ Issues
Description:
What's the best
way to start a GSA at the Middle School level and why is it important to push
through resistance to make it happen? We will share some of the conversations
that emerged while starting our Middle School GSA. We will discuss the
importance of helping students find their voices, the strategies we used to
help them find them, and the tools we used to engage different Middle School
constituencies in conversations about LGBTQ issues. Participants will engage
in hands-on exercises and activities that will encourage participants to
confront the issues they face in order to create safe learning environments
for all of our students.
Workshop Title:
Are Labels Just for Soup Cans?
Description:
GBLTQIALMNOP .
. . We use labels to define ourselves, separate from what we are not and
connect with those like us or who we like. Labels inform and obscure, include
and exclude, empower and restrict. This interactive workshop will encourage
participants to think about the significance of labels in their own lives as
well as the benefits and limits of labels for community and coalition
building.
Workshop Title:
Battling Oppression - Can Life EVER Be Fair?
Description:
Who is
oppressed? Who is doing the oppressing? How did this happen and what can we
do about it? There's something wrong with how power and privilege work today.
When we try to understand what's really going on, we're met with words and
phrases that we just can't seem to wrap our heads around. This workshop will
address these issues and more with a fun and interactive activity.
Workshop Title:
Be the Change: An Advocacy Workshop
Description:
Want to be
heard? Want to make a difference? Tired of the same old answer, 'You can't
make a difference?' Follow in the footsteps of Harvey Milk and Barack Obama
and create an action campaign of your own. Come join us as we identify the
issues facing the LGBTQ community and learn ways to be the change you wish to
see.
Workshop Title:
Being a Genderqueer
Ally
Description:
This workshop
will explore what it means to support people who identify as genderqueer, or not-a-boy-or-a-girl. We'll have
discussions on supporting non-binary identities and an activity to learn to
use gender-neutral pronouns. All are welcome (genderqueer,
trans*, cisgender, gay, bisexual, questioning,
pansexual, straight, queer, adult, youth, etc.), regardless of involvement in
or knowledge of the genderqueer community.
Workshop Title:
The
Bible and the LGBTQ Community
Description:
The language of
religion, especially the selective use of "proof" texts from both
Hebrew and Christian Scripture has long been used to support bigotry and
discrimination against LGBTQ people. What does the Judeo-Christian Bible
really say and how can speak to those who use Sacred Literature to exclude
rather than include people based on their sexual orientation?
Workshop Title:
Bisexuality
Explored
Description:
Bisexuality is
complicated and intersects with gender, gender expression, gender identity, culture,
and race. We will discuss what bisexuality is, and what it isn't, and we will
also look at some of the sub-types, such as pansexuality
and fluidity. Be prepared for a lively discussion!
Workshop Title:
Building Communities of Respect, Trust and
Safety: The Role of Leadership in Removing Fear from Schools
Description:
This workshop (for
adult attendees) will examine the ways that school leaders influence school
culture through words and deeds, policy and program, setting priorities and
embedding norms of behavior. Participants will reflect on opportunities to
build culture that exist in daily interactions in and out of the classroom
and how narratives develop that support the evolution of a safe environment.
The workshop will integrate objectives and performance indicators included in
the New York State Learning Standards to provide access to an inclusive
classroom environment.
Workshop Title:
Care and Feeding of LGB Teens: Knowledge,
Support, Advocacy -Adults Only
Description:
This workshop (for
adult attendees) will be both experiential and didactic. We will examine and
review a knowledge base for framing/providing support and advocacy, which are
especially challenged in times of social extremism.
Workshop Title:
College and Me
Description:
College-bound
LGBTQ students face many personal questions and issues when choosing a
college. You may have questions or concerns even before you start the
admissions process. What questions do you or should you have during the
application process? How can you find an LGBTQ-supportive environment for your
college experience? What information should you reveal and when? We will
explore all of these college issues.
Workshop Title:
Creative Writing Workshop - Express Yourself!
Description:
Do you write or
journal or doodle or express yourself creatively? We will take a look at some
inspiration from queer artists and allow you to create and share your own
writing. The only prerequisite participants need is their feelings, but folks
who consider themselves poets and writers are welcome.
Workshop Title:
"Fixing"
What's Not Broken: The Damage of Reparative Therapy and the Ex-Gay Movement
Description:
We hear it all
the time: "Jesus can cure you of your homosexuality." Yet, when the
research is done, we find that no one has really "prayed the gay away."
In fact, most people attending "change" groups end up harmed and
feeling much worse than when they went in. Dr. Rix,
an ex-gay survivor and author of Ex-Gay
No-Way: Survival and Recovery from Religious Abuse will lead a lively
and insightful workshop for anyone to attend.
Workshop Title:
GSA Advisors Roundtable: Advising in the Era of
DASA - For Advisors Only
Description:
GSA Advisors,
it's time to take your expertise and put it to work! Share your successes,
challenges and best practices with other GSA Advisors and discover ways to
lead your district in the implementation of the Dignity for All Students Act.
Workshop Title:
GSA Student Roundtable - For Student Members
Only
Description:
How can your
GSA become more visible in your school? How can you attract new members? Don't
sit around waiting for the Day of Silence! Start growing your GSA
today. Learn and share great ideas for effective and exciting meetings. Meet
members of GSAs from other schools to exchange great ideas for fun activities
and effective advocacy.
Workshop Title:
Healthy
Relationships for LGBTQ Youth
Description:
What makes a
healthy relationship? Knowing yourself and feeling secure are the first and
best steps on this path. Explore, learn, and share about dating, communication,
and "the closet" in youth relationships.
Workshop Title:
I'm
Beautiful Dammit! Body
Image in the LGBTQ Community
Description:
Beauty is only
skin deep? Say what? How can we be happy, creative, productive people without
feeling that we should mirror the "acceptable" images that are
forced upon us daily? Let's discuss the pleasures and pressures of our
obsession with body image.
Workshop Title:
The Impact of AIDS - How AIDS Has Changed Our
World
Description:
Ever since a
small article appeared in the New York Times in 1981 making mention of a 'gay
cancer,' the virus that has come to be known as HIV/AIDS has changed the face
of our planet. Called 'the most political of diseases,' HIV/AIDS has touched
not only politics, but society, religion, science, and emotions, not to
mention the lives of the individuals who have been infected and those who
love them.
Workshop Title:
LGBTQ for Beginners - Understanding the Basics
Description:
This
introductory session is designed to help people learn the vocabulary, enhance
their knowledge and correct any misconceptions that might exist by presenting
an overview of the LGBTQ community. Once you are prepared with the facts, you
can speak out with confidence!
Workshop Title:
Making Schools Safe for Trans Youth - Adults
Only
Description:
This workshop
is intended to provide teachers, administrators, counselors, advisors, and
others with a greater understanding of the issues faced by transgender youth so
that school communities have the necessary information and can work together to
create the most welcoming and inclusive school environment possible with
respect to transgender students.
Workshop Title:
Native Spirit
Description:
While religion
has been used to sustain and attack our LGBTQ Tribe, it is refreshing and
empowering to know that LGBTQ people in Native American and other indigenous
traditions have historically been revered as spiritually important. When any
of us are separated from our spirit or faith, we are placed at higher risk
and may be harmed. Come hear about Native Spirituality and our place in it,
in this workshop consisting of presentation, discussion and experience.
Workshop Title:
Out Online: The Online World of LGBTQ Youth -
Adults Only
Description:
Whether you are
someone who uses the internet daily or someone who's never sent an email, you
will leave this workshop with a better understanding of why and how today's
LGBTQ youth are using online social networks designed with them in mind. From
friends to dates to hookups, we'll discuss the highs and lows of this digital
world.
Workshop Title:
Pinklisted! Book Banning in
Public School Libraries
Description:
In this
workshop, members from Lambda Legal will discuss some of the issues
surrounding banning LGBTQ books in public school libraries, as well as steps
students, parents, and faculty members can take to stop the removal of these
materials and make their libraries more LGBTQ-inclusive.
Workshop Title:
Power in Relationships
Description:
Through
interactive role plays, visual aids, games and discussion we will address how
each person's sexual and gender identities can be celebrated and used to
empower each other (in a healthy relationship) or can be manipulated and
abused by a partner's use of power and control (in an unhealthy
relationship). Participants will help create an action plan to create
relationships where power is shared and there is a sense of respect, equality
and safety in the relationship.
Workshop Title:
Queer Cinema: LGBTQ Images at the Movies
Description:
This workshop
will begin with a brief survey of LGBTQ images in film. We will discuss why
queer people have been portrayed most commonly as villains, psychopaths or
sad losers, and determine how far we've come in terms of positive portrayals.
Are there any films that have happy endings for same sex couples? Come find
out!
Workshop Title:
Respect. Are You Bringin' It? Making Sports A Great Place for LGBTQ
Students
Description:
Students on
athletic teams and in physical education classes often hear anti-gay
name-calling or are subjected to bullying and harassment that are accepted as
"part of the game." Participants will talk about sports and
physical education in their schools and identify specific resources,
strategies and initiatives to make these parts of our lives safe, respectful
and inclusive for LGBTQ students.
Workshop Title:
Self-Injury and LGBTQ Youth: Why Are They
Hurting Themselves? - Adults Only
Description:
In this
workshop (for adult attendees), the presenter will invite participants to
speak with one another about risk factors that contribute to self-harm among
LGBTQ youth. Based on her own research and counseling work with adolescents
and young adults, the presenter will have the participants identify
strategies for creating a safe environment for youth seeking help in their
schools and among their peers.
Workshop Title:
Safer
Sex Across the Spectrum: Creating and Promoting Inclusive Sexuality Education
for Teens
Description:
How inclusive
is comprehensive sexuality education? How can we teach LGBTQ students and
allies without confining their experience to one portion of a lesson plan?
Through a discussion of sex education history, policymaking, and
skills-building, this interactive workshop will help give participants tools
to build inclusive and affirming sexuality dialogues.
Workshop Title:
Transgender 101 and Gender Dysphoria
Description:
This workshop
consists of Ryan Cassata's personal coming out story from lesbian to
transgender man. Ryan shares his story through words and original song. This
workshop will include a detailed explanation of the transgender umbrella and
key terms and also include an inspiring slideshow on gender dysphoria.
Workshop Title:
The Lifeguard Workshop - The Trevor Project -Adults
Only
Description:
The Trevor
Project has developed the Lifeguard Workshop program in response to an unmet
need for suicide prevention education with specific messaging about what it
means to be an LGBTQ young person in the United States. This workshop (for
adult attendees) will demonstrate the services The Trevor Project provides,
and show you how to get help for youth in need.
Workshop Title:
Verbal Judo for Deflecting Bullies
Description:
Bullies need an
emotional reaction the way fire needs oxygen. But it's hard to come up with
snappy comebacks at the moment you're being bullied. This workshop shows how
to use 'verbal judo' for throwing bullies off their game by using the
interactive format of role-playing exercises. Signed copies of the book 15 Ways to Zap a Bully!will be given as prizes for best performances.
