EQUAL�s Youth Empowerment Summit 2011
On March 26, Empowering Queer Activists and Leaders (EQUAL) will host another one of its youth empowerment summits for queer youth, straight allies and educators. Workshop, activity and discussion topics will include safer sex, gender expression, trans inclusion and the Bible.
The registration fee is $20 for individuals. For groups of five or more, the rate is $15 per person. Scholarships are available; EQUAL does not turn away anyone due to financial need.
Register yourself or your group using the links on this Facebook event page: on.fb.me/gNifOa. If you�d like to help sponsor a youth attendee, please contact one of the event creators. Adult attendees, check your ageism at the door and open your mind; you will learn something.
Founded and maintained by youth for youth, EQUAL (equalcenter.org) is the Kansas City area�s gay-straight alliance (GSA) network. In addition to connecting GSAs, EQUAL organizes several events throughout the year, including Day of Silence/Breaking the Silence, its youth empowerment summits and more. EQUAL has also led the area opposition to the exportation of hate to Uganda by local evangelist Lou Engle. One day, the leaders, members and supporters of EQUAL hope to establish a physical location for the center to serve area youth.
If You Go
8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, 2011
Haag Hall
University of Missouri - Kansas City
52nd Street at Rockhill Road Kansas City, Mo.
Lawrence�s LGBT Summit
If you are interested in the future of the Lawrence, Kan., community, you are invited to a March 29 summit hosted by that city�s chapter of the Kansas Equality Coalition (KEC). Sponsors have also requested the presence of all local elected officials, as well as those running for office. Most of the participants are expected to be drawn from the LGBTQA community. Organizers hope to make this an annual event.
�One of our goals is to allow people in positions of authority to hear the voice of the community,� said spokesperson Scott Criqui.
�Youth are encouraged to come; we have invited our local gay-straight alliances. One of the topics being discussed is school bullying, which isn�t only important to LGBTQ youth, but also parents. We also hope that a possible outcome is that queer youth will see role models. The event was created with Lawrence in mind; we have Lawrence speakers and Lawrence elected officials. Still, I think, the topics are universal for the LGBTQ community: bullying, community inclusion, gender identity understanding, and legal protections.�
Another topic is the mental health and economic effects of having an inclusive community.
�In my opinion, Kansas is in great need of LGBT voices � people who are willing to serve their communities while being openly gay � and not necessarily on [only> gay issues,ï
