Brian Klosterboer, Michael Alvarez, Natalie Clifford

For educators, navigating laws and practical considerations surrounding queerness in schools can be complex. Non-discrimination protections are often unclear and inconsistently applied, and there are often many gray areas. This panel discussion hopes to shed some light and provide input to help queer educators thrive in the workplace and to help all educators integrate queer topics and advocacy into their classrooms without fear of legal repercussions.

Anna Nguyen, Deirdre Walsh, Robert Firme, Shiva Velingker

Technology is the fastest-growing industry in the world, and that will likely continue to be the case, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased reliance on virtual activities. If you have ever been interested in the tech industry, we hope you’ll join us for this panel discussion with queer folks who work in this field. This panel is a great opportunity to learn about the diverse range of tech careers (it’s not all STEM!) and to hear about how queer folks navigate the industry.

Ena Ganguly, Heran Kidane, Jaden Janak

The mainstream queer narrative in the West consistently centers whiteness and excludes the experiences of communities of color. From a failure to recognize and celebrate Indigenous and Native expressions of gender and sexuality to the all-too-common inclusion of the phrase “No Asians, No Blacks” in dating profiles, white supremacy has stifled the voices of folks of color in queer spaces and movements. This panel hopes to excavate how QTBIPOC navigate the predominant whiteness of the mainstream queer community, and they will discuss how QTBIPOC can assert their Blackness and Brownness within these white spaces.

Ames Zocchi

Agency over gender describes the belief of a child’s freedom to determine their own person. And, that an educator’s choice to guide, not control, that determination can help create spaces of such freedom. The idea of agency over gender through art came from my first teaching job out of college as a counselor of an elementary after school center. In college, I had finished my thesis in using an intersectional lens in public school pedagogy. This illustrated ways in which teachers should frame their curriculum using an intersectional feminist lens that centers those that are most marginalized and erased. I was excited to practice these thoughts and writings into my work with students. Within two weeks of my previous job I was promoted to Art Director and was able to put into practice my ideas, and challenge myself in new ways.

Alister Womack, Ashley Morrison, Brian Kunde

LGBTQIA+ youth deserve to see themselves in the stories they read and the lessons they learn. Multiple studies have shown the importance of LGBTQ-related resources and inclusive curricula for queer students’ sense of safety and belonging. Libraries – whether in schools, communities, or homes – are powerful tools for encouraging queer youth to explore their identities and histories. Three of Out Youth’s past and present librarians will join us to discuss strategies to make libraries a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ youth, queering the stacks, and responding to parent and community backlash.

Daniel Williams, Karen Thompson, Ramish Nadeem, Sheri Allen

Far too often, religious faith is used as a justification for homophobia. From the hatred espoused by members of the Westboro Baptist Church to individual families’ intolerance of their own LGBTQ+ children, homophobic approaches to faith and spirituality have brought violence against queer and trans people for centuries. It doesn’t have to be that way. This panel of faith leaders from various religious backgrounds will address and dispel common religious justifications for homophobia, uplift affirming approaches to theology, and discuss how to create a queer-inclusive community within your faith environment. 

AJ Majd

Researchers use the term “Minority Stress” to describe the strain required by members of a marginalized group to partake in society. This session is a conversation about Minority Stress and its effect on healthy lives and relationships. Understanding the term and the ways in which it affects our queer community will allow us to acknowledge the common trauma that we often share. Although our community has gained visibility and more equality, we still observe very high rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse for queer individuals. The continuous stress endured by queer people growing up in a cisgender heteronormative society greatly impacts our ability to nurture healthy relationships and affects our physical and mental health. Moreover, these stressors are multiplied for Queer People of Color. Acknowledging this trauma will cease the circle of abuse that is often recreated within our community and ensure more joy, happiness and growth. AJ will define the terms, present data, link it to healthy relationships, and offer helpful resources too.

Carson Keene, Greg Bravo-Bonetti, Sam Davis

If you’ve ever wanted to talk about queerness more in your classroom, but weren’t sure how to do so, this panel is for you! Join us for what is sure to be a dynamic and engaging discussion on how to queer your classroom. Learn about the diverse ways you can insert LGBTQ+-related topics into your regular content, how to support the queer and trans students in your classes, and ways to establish community support.

Aram Han Sifuentes, Dani Marrero Hi, Liam Garcia, Sheridan Aguirre

📣 "Undocumented, unafraid! Trans, queer, unashamed!" 🎶🏳️‍🌈 Just this summer, in the midst of Pride Month, trans and undocumented folks won major protections for their communities in the Supreme Court: their movements grounded in people power, love, and resilience. Speaking up and taking action have been a tradition even since Stonewall — so how can LGBTQ teens and their allies continue that spirit to protect their immigrant friends, classmates, and community members? Join Q+ EDU for a panel discussion about immigrant LGBTQ justice, the abolition of detention camps and prisons, and how you can get involved to create a better world that treats everyone with dignity!

Shanae Adams

In ethical non-monogamous and polyamorous relationships there are 3 conversations had repeatedly. The Vet conversation before you engage in a new situation. The Check-in conversation that you have continuously in the relationship. Finally the Split conversation, the conversation had when the relationship comes to a close. This workshop will break down the 3 conversations, provide scripts and skills to engaging in them, and enlighten participants on how to have better communication with their partners.

Naomi Wilson, Nicky Ishaak, Shannan Wilber, Tasnim Islam

Abolition. Prison. Stonewall. Queer. Riot. These powerful words are guaranteed to make for a powerful conversation. In an exciting panel of queer and trans folks who have either been directly affected by the prison industrial complex, actively fighting against the system, or both, we will be discussing how to address these matters in our own communities. Policing has always disproportionally affected the LGBTQIA+ community, and we hope that this conversation encourages you to better understand the current system and the revolutionary practices that will dismantle these structures.

Nima Rahman, Rosaleen Xiong, Shelby Hobohm, Shilpa Rajagopal

We are a team of four interdisciplinary undergraduate students at the University of Texas at Austin to develop an app-based curriculum for Indian healthcare providers to work more effectively with LGBTQ+ patients. We are collaborating with two Chennai-based NGOs, SAATHII and Nirangal. During this teach-in, we will share our current findings and discuss the importance of interdisciplinary, intersectional research about LGBTQ+ health. We will discuss the ways in which LGBTQ+ identities are lived and experienced in health settings. We will address the critical knowledge gaps in existing healthcare education about the needs of LGBTQ+ communities. You can read more about our project on our blog.

Briona Jenkins

Accepting LGBTQIA+ youth for who they say they are and supporting them and their needs are the responsibility of every adult in their lives. This is your chance to get your “How do I…?” and “What if she, wait no, he…?”  and “Why do they…?” questions answered by real life queer adults!