Sunday, February 16th continued 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. Workshop Repeats During Workshops B
WORKSHOPS E CONTINUED When Someone Comes Out: Demonstrating Support and Acceptance PFLAG National Location: Meeting Room 8/9 The term “coming out” has become so mainstream that many people assume that it is simple. In this session, participants will learn about what it means to come out, some of the ways that living authentically positively affects the lives of people who are LGBTQ+, and the power and impact of supportive families, schools, workplaces, and communities. Finally PFLAG will share recommendations for individuals working with youth who are planning to come out, as well as for allies who want to do all that they can to celebrate and support youth that have recently come out as LGBTQ+. Jamie Curtis, Director of Chapter Engagement, PFLAG National
#MuslimAnd Young, Queer, & Taking Action
TIME TO THRIVE | 42
Advocates For Youth Location: Meeting Room 15 The Muslim Youth Leadership Council (MyLC) is a group of young queer, trans, and allied Muslim youth from across the country. MyLC focuses on four main areas of work: countering Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate, strengthening sexual health and reproductive rights for young Muslims, promoting LGBTQ rights and supporting queer Muslims, and working towards racial justice and countering anti-Blackness in our communities. Come learn about how youth are taking action to end queerphobia and Islamophobia, and get access to our groundbreaking resources: “I’m Muslim & I Might Not Be Straight” and “I’m Muslim & My Gender Doesn’t Fit Me”! Khadija Khan, Manager of International & Muslim Youth Advocacy, Advocates for Youth; Sinclair Blue, Advocates for Youth Muslim Youth Leadership Council Member; Ameera Khan, Advocates for Youth Muslim Youth Leadership Council Member; Imaan Mirza, Advocates for Youth Muslim Youth Leadership Council Member
H YOUT ONLY
Arts/Activism: Visual Change & Strategic Expression SMYAL Location: Congressional Ballroom C Organizing spaces — especially those that are youth centered and youth driven — often talk about the need to use art as activism. Art has the power to build bridges across difference, heal trauma, and strengthen communities in the fight for equity and justice; art has the power to become the symbols of a revolution. However, in order to create this kind of symbolic movement art, some strategic planning is in order for marginalized youth. Participants will learn how to identify their goals (artistically and movement wide), find their audience, and pick the most impactful medium. No prior artistic experience is necessary. Addison Moore, After-School Programs Manager, SMYAL; Rebecca York, Community Engagement & Youth Leadership Manager; SMYAL;