Give old books a new life! Express your creativity by using pages from discarded books to create blackout poetry. Work individually or together in a calm, welcoming space where you are invited to find inspiration and share your voice.

Delve deeper into the intersections of culture, language, and identity in order to positively impact our communities by advocating for proactive policy and cultural development. 

The battle for trans rights is a battle against ignorance. We don’t have an expensive PR machine the way our adversaries do to spread their lies. Our win will come one conversation at a time. In this interactive workshop, learn the major issues and how to talk about them persuasively.

This interactive presentation explores the intersection of LGBTQIA+ rights and environmental advocacy. Participants will engage in hands-on activities such as meditating on the idea of outdoor spaces, reflecting on their emotional and physical responses, and considering the impact of climate change on these spaces. We will discuss how marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQIA+ groups, can benefit from nature’s mental and physical healing qualities, while also emphasizing the importance of advocating for clean, safe outdoor spaces. Attendees will learn strategies for creating safe spaces for queer individuals in nature and how protecting the environment ultimately supports personal and community well-being. 

We will be leading a presentation in which we discuss the basics of America's book-banning epidemic. We will cover what it is, who it affects, and how we can stop it, all through an LGBTQ+ lens. Throughout the presentation, the audience will have the opportunity to consider and discuss numerous questions relating to the topic at hand. After the presentation, session participants will have the opportunity to write letters to local school boards who participate in book bans, imploring them to reconsider their stance. These letters will be sent to the board directly, hopefully inciting some change.

*the 7:00PM session is FULL

Henry Louis Gates once reflected that the Harlem Renaissance was “surely as gay as it was Black, not that it was exclusively either of these.” Gates’s comments point to the often-overlooked place of the Harlem Renaissance within queer history. This brief history lesson focuses on developing understanding of the intersections of the Harlem Renaissance and a resurgence of openly queer life. It will also allow participants a moment to reflect on how their own intersectionality impacts how they experience history and LGBTQ history and activism. 

At Collaborative Counseling Center, our outpatient practice is committed to serving the Howard County community by creating safe, inclusive spaces for all clients. We ensure that every provider fosters an LGBTQIA+ safe environment for individuals and their families.

One of my deepest passions is working with parents/guardians/loved ones/family members of LGBTQIA+ teens. I am particularly interested in leading a session on how to create a safe, supportive space for LGBTQIA+ children, as well as best practices for supporting their mental health. LGBTQIA+ youth face numerous risk factors, making it essential to recognize the critical impact that a lack of support can have on their well-being. Mental health challenges, including suicide, are among the leading causes of death in this age group. My goal is to equip parents with strategies to reduce these risks and enhance the mental health and wellness of their queer children. The session will offer practical advice, supported by research-based information, to help parents navigate these challenges effectively.

This presentation can be helpful to educators and community members as well.  All spaces should be safe for all people all of the time.

This fast paced and energized session will briefly introduce participants to LGBTQ history in the United States, while not providing depth of content, it will dive into key events, people, and achievement in LGBTQ history and open doors for personal inquiry. 

Join some of the students and one of our author mentors who took part in the Navigating the Margins writing program to learn about their experiences with embracing authenticity through creative writing, and how advocating for yourself can in turn help others. This presentation will provide first-hand perspectives and experiences of our young authors as well as brief reflective writing exercises.

Increasing awareness of unnecessarily gendered language, instructional practices, and curricular examples can help educators & students revise, replace, and update classroom materials to promote a more inclusive understanding of gender diversity.

This session focuses on culturally sensitive approaches to supporting LGBTQ+ Latinx students and community members. The presentation will address key challenges, including the complexities of pronouns in Spanish, a highly gendered language, and the influence of traditional gender roles within Spanish-speaking societies. Additionally, the session will explore how sociopolitical contexts shape the experiences and socialization of LGBTQ+ individuals. By understanding these nuances, we can better support and advocate for LGBTQ+ Latinx individuals in our communities.