Workshop Description: Participants will learn strategies to be a better ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. In our workshop we will review LGBTQIA+ vocabulary, gender concepts and pronouns before exploring how to address anti-gay and anti-trans comments so that LGBTQIA+ students and staff feel safe and a strong sense of belonging at West High School.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Small group work, Advocacy / Action, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Q&A
This workshop is offered: All day, session 1-4
John Peschl (he/him) is MMSD's LGBTQIA+ Teacher Leader. John is in his 27th year of education, driven by the urgent need to help create safe learning environments and opportunities of all students, especially LGBTQIA+ youth. Outside of work, he enjoy traveling with my husband, Elliott, taking walks with his dog, Manny, binging tv shows, and reading queer fiction and mystery books.
Workshop Description: Join our workshop to learn about Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), their purpose, and how they function within organizations. We'll spotlight Summit Credit Union's LGBTQ+ ERG and discuss the role of ERGs in fostering inclusive workplaces. Discover how community and support networks evolve from school to the workforce and how you can be part of this positive change.
Participants can expect: Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Q&A
This workshop is offered: All Day, Sessions 1-4
Speaker Bios:
Zach Karolek CUDE, CCUFC (They/Them) is a Learning and Development Specialist for Retail and Employee Financial Education and is the Chair for the LGBTQ+ ERG at Summit Credit Union. In their role, Zach is focused on providing professional development and coaching to all employees of the Credit Union. They are also passionate about being a strong advocate for both the Credit Union movement and the LGBTQ+ community. As Chair for the LGBTQ+ ERG, Zach works with the rest of the leadership of the ERG to provide a welcoming community for ALL Summit Credit Union employees to learn about, create awareness for and support the LGBTQ+ community.
Ixayana Nelson is the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager at Summit Credit Union. She is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where every employee feels valued and empowered. Her role involves developing and implementing strategies to attract, retain, and advance a diverse workforce. She collaborates with HR and business leaders to identify opportunities for promoting diversity and inclusion, and work closely with employee resource groups to support underrepresented employees.
Ixayana is a first-generation college graduate in Social Work and recently graduated with my MBA in Leadership and Change.
Shawn Padley (he/they) is a Senior Universal Banker at Summit Credit Union, working in the west side of Madison. He is dedicated to helping members achieve financial success through education, credit building, and budgeting, and encourages all his members to embrace the motto "Everything is figureoutable". Shawn has been the co-chair of Summit Credit Union's LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group since January 2024 and is passionate about queer inclusion and justice in the workplace and is working with HR to develop policy to guide transgender employees through their transition in the workplace. Outside of work, Shawn serves on the Board of Directors for StageQ Inc, Wisconsin's oldest LGBTQ+ community theatre. Shawn holds a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Edgewood College, where he served two terms as the college's first openly-transgender Student Body President.
Workshop Description: GSAFE and Fair Wisconsin will talk about LGBTQ+ advocacy, current issues for LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites, and how you can get involved in advocacy. Get a quick overview of the political landscape in schools and beyond, and learn what it looks like to share your story and make your voice heard on the issues that matter to you.
Participants can expect: Advocacy / Action, Verbal Presentation / Lecture
This workshop is offered: AM, Sessions 1 & 2
Speaker Bios:
Brian J. (He/Him) has been at the forefront of fostering inclusive schools in Wisconsin for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth since 1998 when he migrated to Madison from rural Iowa. Brian J. co-founded and grew GSAFE’s annual Leadership Training Institute into a 4-day summer camp for high school students across Wisconsin to develop their skills as activists, allies, and agents of change. In 2002 Brian J formally joined GSAFE’s staff and has served in various roles over the years, including Senior Director of Education and Policy. In 2005 Brian J. partnered with Madison students to successfully pass the state’s first district-level transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination policy and has since worked with districts across Wisconsin, guiding district leaders and staff through the steps of adopting and implementing policy grounded in best practices that support and affirm trans and queer youth. Brian J. is a life-long comic book nerd, takes his dog Willis to the park daily, and skates with the all gender Wisconsin United Roller Derby.
Cait Mallery (they/them) is a health equity advocate, facilitator, and community organizer, who comes to Fair Wisconsin with five years of experience in outreach, advocacy, and leadership development. They are passionate about issues of reproductive rights and justice, gender-based discrimination, and mass incarceration, and appreciate opportunities to support others in sharing their story.
Workshop Description: Advocates from Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) will be hosting a workshop focused on building awareness and support systems related to Teen Dating Violence. Students will have the opportunity to engage in small-group discussion, individual reflection, and large-group conversation. Students can expect to leave the workshop knowing how to identify abuse tactics in relationships, how to support someone experiencing Teen Dating Violence, and action items to empower a safer community.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Verbal Presentation / Lecture
This workshop is offered: All Day, Sessions 1-4 - AM
Speaker Bio: Morgan Reed (she/her) and Caide Jackson (she/they) are Prevention, Outreach, Education and Training advocates from Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS). Throughout Dane County, they deliver trainings to build awareness of Intimate Partner Violence and emphasize the importance of advocacy for survivors. They work with middle and high school aged youth to build allyship in the mission to end gender-based violence.
Workshop Description: We'll learn about bodies and how they work, debunk myths, and explore how culture and media can influence sexual health and autonomy. Bring your questions and curiosity to this safe, respectful space.
Participants can expect: Q&A, game(s), Discussion, verbal presentation/lecture
This workshop is offered: All Day, Sessions 1-4 - AM
Presenter bio: Emily Beaman, DNP, CNM, APNP, is the full-time nurse at West. Prior to coming to West last year, she practiced midwifery in clinic and hospital settings, providing sexual and reproductive health and primary care to a diverse patient population for 10 years.
Workshop Description: This workshop will explore tangible steps for youth to Create change in their communities. Young folks will leave with skills to create personal power and move it into collective/communal power! We'll talk about what power is, identify barriers to creating change, identify personal call to actions and more! With an emphasis on LGBT+ youth power.
Participants can expect: Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Small group work, Movement, Advocacy / Action, Verbal Presentation / Lecture, Q&A
This workshop is offered: PM, Sessions 3 & 4
Speaker Bio: Yante Turner is an openly Trans & Queer Black change agent of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With his background in community care and trans liberation work, Yante serves to uplift, support, and advocate for the diaspora of Black Trans people. His passions lead him to wear many hats and have a role in the world as fluid and open as he is. He is a facilitator of all the things Trans, Black, Healing, joyful and challenging. Creating affirming spaces that also foster continuous learning are important factors in Yante’s work, as the fight to decolonize, strip white supremacy from our communities, and love radically stand at the forefront of his work and life.