2004 was a year of tremendous challenges for the GLBTQ community. The recent elections and numerous anti-gay referendums across the nation made a feeling of intolerance and fear in this country even more palpable, particularly toward GLBTQ students and their families. Despite this rise in overt homophobic sentiment, we at GLSEN Boston believe there is reason to feel hopeful. In Massachusetts, our Supreme Court and many citizens, young and old, have stood up for what is right -- that two people of the same sex have an equal right to marry the one they love and have their families legally recognized and protected. Youth and adults have come together to demand a culture of respect for all individuals and families. At this year's conference we will come together to challenge intolerance and to nurture a sense of hope for safe and respectful school communities.

Why Attend?

Network with other students and educators from around the nation
Gain skills, curricula and tools to bring back to your school and community
Learn how to speak and work effectively with those who may be fearful of addressing our mission of creating safe and respectful learning environments
Learn how to intervene when you hear homophobic comments or see harassment taking place
Hear the moving stories from young people and educators who are making a difference by challenging intolerance and creating a culture of mutual respect for all members of the school community
Earn valuable recertification hours -- GLSEN Boston is an approved PDP and CEU Provider

Who Should Attend?

Educators (pre-k through high school), high school, middle school and college students, administrators, counselors and therapists, parents, coaches, youth leaders, religious leaders, allies, policy makers, child care and mental health workers, after school program and non-profit staff, school support staff and everyone who is committed to creating safety and teaching respect for all in our schools and communities.

Heather Matarazzo Keynote Speaker - Heather Matarazzo has been acting in film, television and on stage since she was seven years old. She starred last year in the GSA favorite, Saved, and has had roles in The Princess Diaries, Welcome to the Dollhouse, The Devil's Advocate and Scream 3. Heather has appeared on Broadway in The Women, and she has appeared on the television series Now and Again, Townies, Roseanne, ER, and Law and Order.

Last year, in an interview with the New York Daily News, Heather spoke about being in love. Unlike many young actresses, she did not avoid the pronouns, but said proudly of her girlfriend, "She's not famous yet. She will be". Her ability to live openly and honestly and to feel proud of herself and the good things in her life make her a beacon of hope and a role model for young people. Throughout her career, Heather has often chosen roles which explore characters who have faced challenges or social ostracism. With her talent, she adds a sense of humanity and an inner strength to those individuals struggling to find acceptance. In other roles she has been a friend, a support and someone who people are glad to have around. As an individual, Heather Matarazzo embodies all of those traits and has taken time to speak out about the need to face our challenges, combat intolerance, and as importantly, to identify things in which to find hope.

Agenda

8:15 am
   Registration & Coffee
9:15 am
   Welcome & Keynote Address
10:30 am - 11:45 am
   Workshop A
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
   Lunch, Networking
1:00 pm - 2:15pm
   Workshop B and
   Expanded Workshops (part 1)
2:20 pm - 3:35 pm
   Workshop C and
   Expanded Workshops (part 2)
3:35 pm - 3:50 pm
   Coffee and Networking -
   Photo Exhibit
3:50 pm - 4:45 pm
   Entertainment and
   Closing Remarks

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Workshops

More than 40 workshops on topics such as:

Effective Techniques for Responding to Homophobic Jokes and Comments
Creating Effective Adult - Youth Partnerships
Understanding Gender Identity
Finding Links Between Homophobia, Racism and Other Forms of Oppression
Effective Curricula for Addressing Intolerance, Respect and GLBT Families
Students, Educators and Parents Sharing Their Stories
Building a Strong and Successful Gay Straight Alliance
Empowering Youth and Building Youth Leaders
Expressing Yourself Through Art and Poetry - Presenting an Authentic Self
1⁄2 Day Training Institute - Presented by The Center for Peaceable Schools, Lesley University
1⁄2 Day Training on Using the GLSEN Lunchbox II, an Invaluable Training Tool, to Help You Become a Trainer/Resource for Your School

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Saturday, April 30, 2005
Brookline High School
115 Greenough Street
Brookline, MA 02445

Adults $70, Middle & HS Students $12, College & Grad Students $30
Download a registration form now. Register by April 21. On site registration will be available.