Get With It, Grown-Ups! Empowering LGBT Youth for
Success in 2010, not 1995…
Scott Rieker, Teacher, Meredith Middle School
Miriam Heuermann, Teacher, Hoover High School
Stephen Boatwright, Student & Co-President,
Hoover/Meredith GSA
Well-meaning
adults who interact with LGBT youth want to be supportive, but too often they
are constrained by outdated or stereotypical paradigms. The LGBT youth of
today have a completely different experience of sexual orientation & gender identity than people even
five years their senior. In order to be relevant and useful to today’s
young people, adult mentors, faculty members, community leaders, GSA sponsors,
and policy-makers must step into an (often shockingly) unfamiliar world, where
apathy is replacing outrage, mainstream acceptance sits next to coordinated
bigotry, overt hostility is supplemented by covert hatred, and where adults
with the best intentions set their children up for failure by preparing them
for the challenges of ten years ago. This session will discuss the experience
of LGBT youth in 2010, with reference to the media, the process of making and
interacting with friends, networking, covert bullying, young people who are
struggling with their identity, and the importance and discussion of
establishing a GSA at the middle school level.
Faith Communities
Connie Ryan
Terrell, Executive Director, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
A
panel of faith leaders will discuss the role of faith communities in creating
safe environments for LGBT youth. The focus of the panel will be
two-fold: a) what can faith communities do to create their own safe, inclusive
environments for LGBT youth, and, b) what is the faith community’s responsibility
for creating safe environments in our broader community (including Safe
Schools).
No Place to Call Home…
Kim Gunnes,
Health Educator, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland
In
2008, there were over 20,000 homeless LGBT youth in this nation according to
the National Center to End Homelessness.Homeless LGBT youth are some of the most vulnerable population in the
state of Iowa with no place to call home and no supports from school.This workshop will help create awareness of
the problem, offer potential programming ideas for your GSA, and give an
opportunity for those in attendance to experience the issues facing homeless
LGBT youth
Sexting and
Social Networking Headaches.
Carol Greta, Attorney, Iowa Department of Education
Social
media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and texting present additional opportunities
for students, but bring new responsibilities.Learn some pitfalls to avoid, including information about how one unwise
click of the mouse can lead to years of being labeled a sex offender!
. Workshop 2: 1:30 – 2:30
Being Authentically You
Lorie
Murphy-Freebolin, Director of the Counseling Center, Clarke College
Mikaela
Wulfekule, Counselor, Clarke College
A
world of misinformation and flawed perceptions can present unique challenges
for LGBT adolescents and college students. The journey toward
self-discovery and self-esteem can sometimes be difficult to navigate without
the necessary support and skills. This presentation will focus on the
essential elements of self-esteem and learning the tools needed to find the
“authentic you.”
Creating An Accepting Future: Strategies for
Addressing Bullying and Harassment of LGBT Youth in Our Schools
Kathy
Lockard, Professional Development Coordinator and Olweus Trainer, AEA 14
Penny
Bisignano, Olweus Coordinator for Iowa
This
session will focus on participants defining a safe and caring school by
identifying specific strategies that address homophobia and name calling in
schools. Specific emphasis is placed on how those components protect and
support LGBT Youth. Come join us as we create the picture needed for everyone
in the school environment to be participants in and recipients of a climate
that honors each person and assures their safety.
Out, Proud, & Elected
List the Officials
This
panel of former and current elected officials will share their experiences in
the policy process and the importance of helping LGBT youth break the barriers
of being elected and out.
Thinking Outside the Box
Joni Stacy
Society
is very fixated about placing people in boxes and categorizing
them. During this workshop, Joni will share her experiences as a mother
of a child who identifies as transgender and will guide participants on the
spectrum of sexuality and gender.We
accept endless variations in all of our humanness (ie hair color, skin color,
height, weight, body shape) but when it comes to sexuality and gender, if we're
"enlightened", we offer two, but only two. This
workshop will help people appreciate the wide spectrum of both sexuality and
gender.
Workshop 3: 2:45 – 3:45
The Principal’s Challenge: Learning from Gay and
Lesbian Students
Dr. Nick Pace, Associate Professor & Coordinator,
Principalship Program, University of Northern Iowa
This
workshop outlines a 2009 book written by Dr. Nick Pace titled The
Principal’s Challenge.The book
details the school experiences of 8 openly gay/lesbian high school students.
This workshop includes negatives and positives associated with students’ sexual
orientation and include 5 recommendations that will benefit teachers,
counselors, school leaders or others interested in student success.
.
The New (Old) Crisis (For
Youth Only)
Paul
Whannel, HIV Program Specialist, Aids Project of Central Iowa
HIV
infections are rising across Iowa. Youth aged 13-24 are becoming infected
the fastest. We want to know what you think. No lecturing, no
guilt. Just an open, honest discussion about today’s attitudes and
behaviors.
**This
workshop will contain a frank discussion about mature sexual topics.Please be mature and respectful. **
Our Families, Our Schools
Panel Member Names
This
panel will address the unique challenges and issues facing gay and lesbian
parents and their families.Panel
members will share their personal experiences as gay and lesbian parents,
raising children and issues facing their families in Iowa schools and
communities.
What the Health? A Look at Transgender Health
Ryan Sallans, Health Educator, Planned Parenthood of
the Heartland
Dr. Joe Freund, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland
Many
of us rarely have an opportunity to have a frank and open discussion on
transgender health needs.This workshop
will discuss definitions and terms, local and Midwest based resources for
transgender individuals, and information on the transitioning process.
