WORKSHOP A (10:00-11:20)

1A. Breaking Silences: Push Back

Participants will be actively involved in learning more about the process of change, which includes awareness, acceptance, and action steps. Join us to develop strategies that create positive, safe school environments for all, including LGBTQ students.

2A. Building Community: Strategies for Creating Powerful Classrooms

This workshop helps teachers develop strategies for creating diverse learning spaces that focus on youth agency, leadership, and voice. Teachers will grow in their own understandings of race, identity, and privilege and will learn how to integrate their learning into the classroom. Participants will experience the TCS model firsthand and will walk away with an understanding of how to incorporate strategies into their curriculum. The major pieces highlighted will be storytelling, guided dialogues, and group readings.

3A. Countering Ex-Gay Programs Aimed at Youth

It takes more than a protest outside the doors of an ex-gay conference to reduce the effects of programs like Love Won Out in your community. Learn what you can do about the ex-gay movement. The Christian ex-gay movement is targeting queer youth and their parents. This workshop helps these audiences and their allies to understand the history and motivation behind this campaign without demonizing people of faith, and it helps empower youth to take effective steps in countering an ex-gay presence in their community.

4A. Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School: A Film Screening

The workshop will feature a screening of the 60-minute documentary film, Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A with the film’s director and producer.

Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School chronicles the story of one student’s courageous fight to establish a Gay-Straight Alliance at a Jewish high school in the Boston area and the transformative impact of her campaign on everyone involved. Beyond the struggle to create a supportive environment for gay and lesbian students and teachers at the school, this is the story of a community wrestling with the very definition of pluralism and diversity in a Jewish context. From sanctifying same-sex marriages to ordaining gay clergy, discussions of LGBT identity and inclusion are taking place across the spectrum of faith communities. Hineini: Coming Out in a Jewish High School offers a vital new framework to understand these issues and a powerful impetus to participate in the discussion.

5A. Is Displaying a Safe Zone Sticker Enough? Creating a Positive and Inclusive Middle School Community

I’ve put a Safe Zone sticker up in my classroom (or haven’t). Now, how do I respond to my principal, who says this is a high school issue? What do I say to my colleague who wants to know why I don’t have a safe zone sticker up for every other minority group? How do I respond to the parent who believes that any discussion on this topic is inappropriate for students this age? Come to this facilitated discussion to talk about these and other questions, share your experiences, and leave with language and responses that will work for you.

6A. It’s Over! Now What? Day of Silence De-Brief

In this workshop, participants will break into a group of students and a group of adults to discuss reactions and ways to build on the recent Day of Silence. Then, the groups will come back together to share their thoughts and points of view with each other.

7A. "Out" in the Community: LGBTQ Students and Community Service

This interactive discussion encourages participants to ask: What has my experience been as an LGBTQ person volunteering in the community? Have I felt welcomed and safe? How has my identity influenced my thoughts on service?

8A. Over the Rainbow: Building Stronger Gay-Straight Alliances

Is your GSA brand new, or has it been around forever? Either way, this workshop is for you. Participants will have the chance to learn about and share ways to expand a GSA's impact, attract more members, and improve school climate, so your GSA can be over the rainbow!

9A. Re-Constructing Masculinity: Teaching Youth to Reject the Negative Ideals Presented in Today’s Media

Sexual assault, dating violence, and sexual harassment are considered endemic problems in schools. Youth are bombarded daily by negative images of what men are “supposed” to be, and they reinforce these ideals through insults and bullying. These images praise strength and violence, and demean women. How can we encourage youth to hold positive ideals of masculinity and encourage healthy relationships?

10A. The Truth About Love: Parents of LGBT Youth Share Their Stories

How do I come out to my parents? How do I teach them to accept me just the way I am? As a parent, how would you respond to the news that your child is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender? A panel of PFLAG speakers will share personal stories related to their LGBT children. Mostly, get answers to the questions, support and guidance.

11A. What is the T in LGBT? Trans Youth Share Their Stories

A panel of young people share their experiences of what it is like to be transgender and their experiences with family, friends, and school.

12A. Wild Geese & Redeeming Loss: The Case of the Bee Winkler Weinstein Fund

LGBTQ people experience rejection all the time. We will look at the toll it takes on ourselves and paths to healing. Connection to something greater than those who have rejected us is truly empowering. We will look at Bee’s Fund as one example of redeeming loss.

13A. No, Maybe Yes! Working Effectively with Administrators

If you're tired of hearing "NO," this is your chance to figure out how to fix that. Here you will learn about how to effectively work with the powers that be to get permission so your GSA's dreams can come true.

14A. Young, Gay, and I Have Really Religious Parents

Hear stories from out young gay panelists as they tell about coming out to their really religious parents. Go along with them on their journey and get insight, knowledge, and awareness. You will leave this workshop with a feeling of hope and amazement and get insights to deal with your own family.

WORKSHOP B (1:40-2:40)

1B. The Bible: Word of Death or Voice of Hope for LGBT People?

The Bible is a principle tool/weapon used to oppress LGBT people. However, this same text is also a voice of hope and healing. Let's explore why and how this is so. Learn how to defuse the weapon, and enhance the hope.

2B. Building Support in a Community: NAGLY Peer Leaders Share Their
Experiences

Peer advisors from The North Shore Alliance of LGBT Youth (NAGLY) speak about their experiences as peer leaders of a community-based LGBT youth-run group that provides support and empowerment to LGBT youth on the North Shore.

3B. Empowering Schools though Community Support

When parents, elected officials, and community members support LGBT programs, students, and faculty, everybody wins. Learn how one town empowers students and faculty through a successful link between community members and the public schools.

4B. I Look Up to The Sky Now: Video Self-Portraits of LGBT Youth (DOUBLE BLOCK WORKSHOP)

See the Boston premiere of I LOOK UP TO THE SKY NOW, self-portraits of LGBT activists/artists from the Youth Enrichment Services program of New York City’s LGBT Community Center. It’s about self-definition; celebrating our identities; overcoming adversity; busting through the constraints of homophobia, racism, sexism, classism, ageism, gender; and it’s about growing hope. Following the film, we will explore uses of creativity to celebrate and represent LGBT youth and allies.

5B. Intersex 101: How Intersex Reflects Social Values

Group discussion led by Intersex educator/activist Esther Morris Leidolf explaining how intersex reflects the social values imposed on all of us. We will also explore myths of gender as a social phenomenon.

6A. It’s Over! Now What? Day of Silence De-Brief

6B. Lean on Me: Finding Your Role as an Ally

Calling all allies! Here participants will learn about being an ally to members of many disempowered groups, including queer people, people of color, and people of different ages.

7B. Life Stories Panel (Gay All the Way from 17 to 70)

A panel of LGBT individuals from different generations will share their experiences of being gay and lesbian at different points in history and at different stages of their lives.

8B. Lights….Camera…ACTION

If you've ever wanted to be a STAR, this workshop is for you. Come find out about GLSEN's Days of Action: what they are, how to plan for them, and what others have done. Network with other local youth and start thinking about how to work for change in your school.

9B. Making The Case: Communications Strategies on LGBT Issues (DOUBLE BLOCK WOKRSHOP)

More and more schools are taking crucial action to address anti-LGBT behavior in schools that negatively affect school climate and create barriers to education. Teachers, administrators, school staff – and often students and GSAs - that are leading these efforts sometimes encounter resistance from various stakeholders within their schools or districts, as well as from external actors such as community leaders or representatives of the media. This workshop is designed to enable you to make an effective case for the importance of dealing with LGBT issues in education, while being respectful of differing opinions and points of view.

10B. Project 10 East GSA Curriculum: 10 Ways to Spice Up Your GSA

Project 10 East, a leader in GSA development, has recently created a tangible tool for improving your GSA. Come learn about specific activities, resources, events, and other tools that can help make your GSA a thriving group!

11B. Re-Constructing Masculinity: Teaching Youth to Reject the Negative Ideals Presented in Today’s Media

12B. SELF: Image, Expression, and Awareness

We’re inundated with media messages designed to manipulate us. This workshop was developed to identify and define the factors that contribute to a healthy perception of self, helping us avoid becoming victims of fashion/social labels.

13B. True Colors Presents: Love, Gender, Family

The True Colors Out Youth Theater Troupe is a troupe of young queer and allied people who create and present performances about their lives. There will be a performance followed by a discussion of the issues that surface from the performance work. True colors is about empowering of voices and telling of stories that are undertold and must be heard.

14B. Welcoming Schools -- Resources and Ideas for Elementary Schools

Welcoming Schools: A Guide to LGBT-Inclusive Lessons and Resources on Family Diversity, Gender, and Name-calling for Elementary Schools, a resource guide under development.

Come learn about many resources for creating welcoming schools for all students and their families. Discuss ideas for handling those teachable moments with students, ways of connecting with colleagues to learn more, lesson plans, working with your school's parent community, and a review of some inclusive books available for students. Develop some next steps that you can take in your school.

WORKSHOP C (2:50-3:50)

1C. Beyond Queer

Ever wonder about the connection between who you are and what you're called? This workshop will deal with the interactions of your identity, the labels you use, and the labels that are used for you. We will also discuss concepts such as power, privilege, and oppression.

2C. Building Community: Strategies for Creating Powerful Classrooms

3C. Countering Ex-Gay Programs Aimed at Youth

4C. I Look Up to The Sky Now: Video Self-Portraits of LGBT Youth (DOUBLE BLOCK WORKSHOP)

5C. The Kid Question: What LGBT Youth Need to Know About the Options They Have as Future Parents

This is a panel with three different gay and lesbian couples and two single parents who have become parents through adoption, insemination, surrogacy, and foster parenting.

6C. LGBT Youth Share Their Stories

This panel of youth will share their stories of being an LGBT student and how it impacted their lives in school and in their relationships with family and their peers. Come listen to the challenges, hopes, and triumphs of these courageous young people.

7C. Making The Case: Communications Strategies on LGBT Issues (DOUBLE BLOCK WOKRSHOP 2)

Joshua Lamont, GLSEN National Communications Director

8C. "Out" in the Community: LGBTQ Students and Community Service

9C. SELF: Image, Expression, and Awareness

10C. Superhero Training: Fighting Oppression (Youth Only)

Use your power for the greater good! Queer and allied youth will learn about the ways in which they can and must fight oppression through their activism, their actions, and their daily lives. The workshop will deal with identifying, understanding, and combating oppressive behavior, as well as developing deliberately anti-oppressive practices.

11C. True Colors Presents: Love, Gender, Family

12C. Welcoming Schools -- Resources and Ideas for Elementary Schools

Welcoming Schools: A Guide to LGBT-Inclusive Lessons and Resources on Family Diversity, Gender, and Name-calling for Elementary Schools, a resource guide under development.

13C. What is the T in LGBT? Trans Youth Share Their Stories

A panel of young people share their experiences of what it is like to be transgender and their experiences with family, friends, and school.

End of the Day:

“GLBTQ Youth – Leaders of Tomorrow” or “The Best is Yet To Come”

An inspirational speech and slide show by Benjie Nycum

You are compassionate, fair, knowledgeable, energetic, resilient, motivated, and a good leader. Whatever obstacles are in your way, you know you will overcome. Now look to the future: 10, maybe 15 years from now. You will be in the early stages of your career. Now look 20-25 years out. You are a leader in business, politics, culture, or whatever. The world is in rough shape: poverty, racism, environmental destruction, human rights violations, the list goes on. So many people in the world cope with so little compared to us. How can we make the world a more just, compassionate, and healthy place? It is time to rise up, seize the power that is ours, and use it to do good unto the rest of the world. Join Benjie Nycum as he presents a vision for a better tomorrow and how he believes LGBT youth are better suited than any other group to lead us there.

Benjie Nycum is the president and publisher of YGA Magazine and co-founder of the website/movement Young Gay America, a resource and research-based website that has interviewed over 1500 LGBT youth, visited 48 states and 4 provinces, taken 15,000 photographs, and driven more than 65,000 miles. In 2003, YGA co-created a full-length award-winning documentary film on LGBT youth in America called JIM IN BOLD, which has been screened around the world.