Workshops

Workshop: This workshop is a conversation of acceptance, intentions, and self-empowerment. In addition to a performance by Pristine Christine, we'll discuss navigating identity through life.

Bio: Pristine Christine is an interdisciplinary performance artist whose infectious smile and radiating energy is bound to bring joy. When Pristine Christine gets on stage her mission is to entertain and you can catch her doing that throughout all the local Boston area. With the fiercest shimmy and prance, all Pristine Christine wants is to bring people together to not only make them feel safe and accepted but also spread communal joy and entertainment.

Workshop: Speak Out will be a writer's workshop with a share back performance following the writing period. If you choose this workshop, you will commit to it for BOTH workshop blocks, to have time to write and build trust together.

Bio: DiDi Delgado is a Radical Visionary and Philanthropist, Award-Winning Author and Poet, Experienced Anti-Racism Educator, Engaging Public Speaker, and a Passionate Advocate and Activist for Black women, non-men and MaGes (Marginalized Genders).

DiDi is on a mission to dismantle systems of oppression (including white supremacy) while uplifting the voices of Black MaGes (Marginalized Genders), Black women and Black non-men.

DiDi is consistently on the front lines blazing pathways, fostering connections, and redistributing resources by providing direct cash assistance in support of the most marginalized.

Workshop: Join artist and educator Matisse DuPont as they turn a fun makeup look while talking about all the ways to Play with Gender. Participants will be able to follow along and play with some fun glittery makeup of their own while they listen and ask questions.

Bio: Matisse DuPont is an educator, consultant, and artist with expertise and scholarship in the areas of gender, sexuality, and identity. A voraciously curious and creative person, Matisse hopes to engender playful artistry and shared knowledge into every person and project they encounter.

Workshop: When we create around our dreams, we live into our future. In our workshop today we are going to modernize the pride flag of your choice! Glitter, play dough, dare we say GLITTER PLAYDOUGH -- GASP! Come get messy and create!

Bio: ashley continues to be blessed with working alongside young people learning theater, exploring being beautiful, Black and queer, creating with puzzle pieces, and organizing against white supremacy. She believes that young people are the truth tellers.

Workshop: Sarah will introduce famous names and untold stories in LGBTQ+ history, including the Mexican nun who dared to write love poems to a queen and the transgender Civil War solider who transitioned while immigrating to America. These biographies cover every color of the rainbow and every corner of the globe. Bring your queer history questions!

Bio: Sarah Prager has published three books for young readers, including Queer There and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World and Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50+ LGBTQ People Who Made History. In 2013, Sarah created Quist, a free app for iOS, Android, and Windows that brings LGBTQ+ and HIV history to life with a following of over 35,000 from over 100 countries.

Workshop: Get up and move your body! I’m an elementary school teacher so get ready! We’ll be doing a lil teamwork games, a lil tag (because who doesn’t love tag?!), and a lil meditate-y.

Bio: Hey yall. I grew up in Woodbridge VA and went to Clark U for undergrad and grad school. I identify as American black, trans/nonbinary, a parent, a teacher, and a socialist.I currently work in BPS as an elementary PE teacher. I was a competitive swimmer my whole life and love the water. Shoutout to my guinea pigs Coffee and Reese.

Workshop: More often than not, we neglect our self-care and boundaries with ourselves out of fear or to please others. This happens more with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ identifying folks. The goal of this workshop is to provide participants with basic tools that will allow them to better honor their boundaries and self-care. We will explore these tools through open discussion with examples of what neglecting ourselves looks like and the damages that can cause, some reasons of why we abandon ourselves, some exercises to help us return to our bodies when we begin to neglect our needs, and writing a letter to ourselves that we will keep with us as a reminder to honor the self first. If you choose this workshop, you will commit to it for BOTH workshop blocks, to have time to build trust together.

Bio: Described as spiritual and moving, Genie Santiago is a Boston based musician, poet, visual artist, event producer, and bruja. Her art draws from her experience growing up in poverty, overcoming trauma, and as a Queer Indigenous Puerto Rican. Genie is unafraid to empower others to overcome trauma, decolonize the mind, and stray from the ideals of self-hatred that society places upon us. Her work as Co-Owner and Director of Performing Arts at Creatives of Color Boston allows her to create events and opportunities for MA based BIPOC artists. She can be found blessing many stages performing original poetry and songs from her newest album “Inner Space.”

Workshop: Spend some time with Brian Derrick, a local DJ, HIV/AIDS activist and harm reduction advocate to learn about his experience living with HIV and substance use disorder/recovery and rising above stigma. Participants are encouraged to ask whichever questions they like in hopes that they are able to leave with an understanding of some of the most pressing issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community today. TW: substance use, sex, trauma

Bio: Brian Derrick is a Boston-based DJ with experience in HIV/AIDS and Harm Reduction advocacy. Born in Malden, MA, he has spent more than half his life working with local nonprofits in the HIV/AIDS space as well as addiction and recovery organizations. Brian completed his BA in Fashion Design & Retailing from Framingham State University, but pivoted to the nonprofit space in 2017. In 2021, Brian completed a fellowship with the Getting to Zero MA Activist Academy, specializing in community education around harm reduction and advocating for safe injection sites in Massachusetts.