CHATmosphere!

Oregon Queer Youth Summit 2012

WHAT IS THE OREGON QUEER YOUTH SUMMIT?

The Oregon Queer Youth Summit is a conference held by and for queer & trans identified youth and their allies.  It will include educational and recreational workshops on topics ranging from “Drag 101” to “GSA Management: Starting, Supporting & Sustaining.” These workshops will all be facilitated by youth. Breakfast and lunch will be provided at the summit at no cost and conference attendees are invited to SMYRC’s annual Queer Prom happening later that evening.

OQYS is a chance for us LGBTQ youth and allies from all over Oregon to talk about what we are doing, what we want to do, and how we can get there. This is about making our schools safer and our communities more accepting. This is about youth supporting youth to make things better for everyone. OQYS is by youth, and for youth.

Thank you to this years sponsors (so far):

The Oregon Safe Schools and Communities Coalition
Equity Foundation – Cascade AIDS Project/CHATpdx
SMYRC – The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus – New Seasons Market
Basic Rights Oregon – Peet’s Coffee
PFLAG Portland/PFLAG Black Chapter

Space Sponsor- Portland State University, Queer Resource Center

Media Sponsor- PQ Monthly

WHO CAN COME TO THE SUMMIT?

All youth under 23 who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and allies who care about them. You do not need to be “out” in order to participate.

We will focus on youth under 18/middle & high school students, with some workshops relevant to older youth/college students. Youth from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, especially younger students, youth of color, trans teens, and students from small towns and rural areas.

Adult allies are welcome to attend and give their support through volunteering, co-leading youth-empowering workshops, and learning to work better with youth. Adults currently involved in supporting a specific group of youth (i.e. school staff acting as GSA co-facilitators coming with their students) are also welcome to attend to support those youth.

WHERE AND WHEN IS THE 2012 SUMMIT TAKING PLACE?

OQYS 2012 will take place Saturday, May 12 at Portland State University’s Smith Memorial Student Union in downtown Portland at 1825 Southwest Broadway. The conference runs from 8:45am-5:45pm (meals and snacks are provided) PSU is accessible by multiple bus lines and max trains.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE 2012 SUMMIT

The first 150 registrants will be given a gift card to Fredmeyer for participating in this  summit. If you are with a group that is coming from outside the Portland Metro Area, please let us know if you need help getting to the conference (assistance with gas/lodging). Send an email explaining this need to Ernesto Dominguez (edominguez@cascadeaids.org).

To register for the 2012 summit click here! 

I WANT TO SUBMIT A WORKSHOP PROPOSAL!

Unfortunately, workshops have already been chosen for this years summit. Please check back next year to submit a workshop for the 2013 conference!

Below are some of the workshops we have had at the Oregon Queer Youth Summit:

GSA Management
Drag 101
Leadership Development
STD/HIV/AIDS
Dance
Make Up 101
Gender 101
Queer People of Color Organizing
Bias Crime
Suicide Prevention
Allies 101
Sexuality and Faith
Sexual Spectrum
Adult Caucus
Online Dating Safety
Access to Higher Education
Social media
How to create Safe Spaces In Your Community
Safer Sex
Activism, How To Start A Movement
Coming Out
Dating Violence
Movie Screenings

I WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER!

Great, we would love to have you. Fill out this form to get started:

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A KEYNOTE SPEECH!

We’re sorry. Keynote applications are closed for this year. We have already chosen this years speakers, but invite you to come back next year to apply to be a speaker for the 2013 conference. Thank you!

I WANT TO TABLE AT THE CONFERENCE!

(Space provided on a first come, first served basis with priority given to sponsors.) If you are a community organization and would like to share what your organization or group does with the conference participants, please fill out this form:

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION!

Follow us on Facebook and Like our page to get updates about the conference!

Check out the photos from last years summit!

If you have any further questions or suggestions for the conference, please submit them via email to Ernesto Dominguez at edominguez@cascadeaids.org. You can also give us a call if you need more info: 503.278.3871