Defending Marriage
Alexander Kilkka, UNC student and activist, and Kate McFarland, UNC Graduate Student
We will explore the arguments for and against same-sex marriage in the
United States, as well as the underlying assumptions that tend to
accompany each side of the argument. The workshop aims at further
educating participants about the issue of same-sex marriage (from both
perspectives) and better equipping them to continue this discussion in
the community.
Drag 101
Catherine Adamson and Curtis Main
Curious? Amateur? Professional? Coordinator? Join Catherine and Curtis
as they take you on a DRAG adventure with demonstration, media,
gendered parts, and makeovers to embolden your drag and genderqueer
knowledge. As past performers and coordinators of Carolina's biannual
Transcendence Drag Show, they have much to reveal.
Talking Trans: An Introduction to the T for LGB
Stephen Wiseman
What does it mean to be transgender in North Carolina? How can LGB folks be effective advocates on
gender identity or expression issues? This workshop will discuss the experience of being transgender and
how all of us can work to be better trans allies. We will cover issues related to identity, policy, health, and
how transpeople fit into the wider LGBT community.
This workshop serves as an introduction to concepts related to transgender identity and policy that affects
trans-identified individuals.
Transforming the Workplace- Being 'Out' in your Career
Garrett Hall, Eric Bogmin, Devon Garcia, and Zachary Howell
In North Carolina, as in many states, one can still be legally fired
from any job for being LGBTIQ. How then can one transform a work place
into an affirming environment and build a career that leads to personal
happiness?
During an interactive panel and discussion we hope to address this
question along with questions of how activism can mix with a corporate
career, how one grapples with race & class in Corporate America,
and finally strategies for how to purse a career that can lead to your
personal definition of success whether that be societal change,
financial wealth, or karmic balance.
Gay in the Media
Matt Woodward and Hillary Waugh, NC State GLBT Center
Mainstream media: best friend or worst enemy?
By engaging and encouraging the audience "Gay in the Media" forces
participants to critically analyze the media's role on the GLBT
community. Particular attention will be paid to advertising and the
music industry. This session will allow participants to consider how
LGBTQ individuals, particularly gay men, are portrayed within
mainstream culture and discuss how accurate these representations may
(not) be.Sweet or Unsweet? Gay or Straight? Do you have to decide?
Danny Glassmann and Rebecca McQueen, Elon University
Sexuality is fluid – like sweet tea, so why are bisexuals often left
outta the mix? Join us as we explore the societal influences and
representations of the bisexual identity in and outside of the queer
community. Our multimedia presentation will educate participants about
bisexuality and how to support the community.
Mapping Our Rights
Julie Grubbs and Cameron Hartofelis, Ipas
The presentation would introduce, demonstrate, and discuss Mapping Our
Rights (www.mappingourrights.org), an interactive, web-based advocacy
tool. The project scores and ranks all 50 states and Washington, D.C.,
on key sexual and reproductive rights legislation. It uses a
penalty-points system to determine whether a state's laws and policies
support or undermine sexual and reproductive rights. The presentation
would take participants through the map and would be followed by a
question and answer session. The map is a useful tool for state and
national advocates and this demonstration and discussion will explain
how to use the map to its full abilities.
To a T: An interactive performance workshop on the Trans and Queer Communities in Chapel Hill
Elizabeth Nelson and Maria Facelli, Interactive Theater Carolina
This workshop will explore
issues around gender identity and expression at UNC and other college
campuses. Using the techniques of Interactive Theater, session
participants will learn performance based methods for staging scenes of
oppression and possibility, and engage in a facilitated conversation
about how to make campuses more welcoming places for gender diversity.
Gay in Gitmo: Bridging movements for immigration and LGBT rights
Win Chesson, Immigration Equality (2007 Unity Conference Director)
Why is it easier for queer couples to win a green card for their pet
Chihuahua than for their loving partner of over a decade? Can I be
detained simply for being LGBT or HIV-positive? Would I have the right
to an attorney or to life-saving HIV medication in detention? What is
asylum, and is it an option for LGBT people fleeing violence and
persecution from abroad? Why has the United States never hosted a
major international conference on HIV/AIDS? Why does the mainstream
LGBT movement almost never discuss immigration?
This workshop answers all these questions, and more, and will help
participants understand the legal landscape for LGBT and HIV-positive
immigrants and their American partners. Attendees will leave the
workshop with tangible strategies for how to infuse immigration issues
into their LGBT activism, and vise versa. ˇSi se puede!Queer Masculinities in Performance
Tim'm West
Much of the discourse of feminism has centered around the scrutinizing
lens of the female body, its politics and sexuality, and the related
revolutionary praxis to resist patriarchy and sexism. Feminist
discourse, however, enabled Queer Studies--
creating a space for gender to be looked at beyond the determination of
male or female bodies, by looking at the performance of femininity or
masculinity (by any gender). Led by Tim'm T. West, this workshop will examine what it
means to identify as a Queer Masculine subject
in performance while resisting the patriarchial norms associated with
masculinity. Is masculinity in and of itself patriarchal? How do queer
masculine men, women, and transgendered folk resist patriarchy and
sexism through performances that, on the surface, may appear to be
conplicity with patriarchal scripts.
Bridging the Gap: Making Health Services Inclusive of Diverse Gender Identities and Expressions
Sara Stahlman and Stephen Wiseman, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
This program will develop concrete advocacy strategies for inclusive
health care for non-gender conforming individuals. Presenters will
provide examples of inclusive policies, services, trainings, language,
and resources. Presenters will empower attendees to become advocates
within their own communities regarding health care for individuals with
diverse gender identities and expressions.
Bi One, Get One Free!: Sexual Labels in a Postmodern World
Robert Wells
What are specific challenges facing people who come out as neither gay
nor straight? Isn't everyone bisexual? Or is no one bisexual? Why do
some people hate the term "bisexual"? What the hell is a pomosexual?
Join a UNC alum for a workshop and discussion on the politics of
non-straight and non-gay identities. Bring questions and an open mind.
QueerPraxis: A Panel of Papers
Transgender Narratives, Internalized Homophobia & Self-Esteem, and Queer (in) Science
Transgender Narratives
Amy Sickels, Folklore MA Candidate at UNC
In this paper I explore issues of identity and gender by drawing on
ethnographic work and personal narratives about transitioning. I’m
interested in narratives that call into question popular essentialist
notions about transgender identities, and also complicate so-called
“self-evident truths” about masculinity and authenticity. I also
explore the tenuous yet powerful connection of home/place and identity,
and how transitioning may complicate this relationship.
Internalized Homophobia & Self-Esteem
Dr. Wayne Gillespie
The
extent to which gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered individuals
internalize homophobia is hypothesized to affect self-esteem and
well-being. This study explores the relationship between internalized
homophobia and self-esteem in a sample of GLBT adults from the Atlanta
Pride Festival. Implications for future research and social services
are suggested.
Queer (in) Science
Chet Saunders, UNCW
The reasons for the alienation of science students from queer discourse
include the stereotyping of gay sensibility, anti-science prejudice,
classism, and fundamentalist constructivism. An argument that
"queering" natural history will lead to the increased value of science,
thereby encouraging the visibility of queer science students making the
science class and laboratory safer, more-productive, spaces.
Difference, Unity, & Struggle: Building Queer Community & Power
Sendolo Diaminah, Southerners On New Ground (SONG)
Through presentation, dialogue, and art this workshop will
explore ways that Queer people can/have built identity and movements
across differences and for liberation. In particular, we will explore
issues of community and movement building across lines of class, race,
and gender from a perspective of Queer unity.
The Spirit of Transgender
Holly Boswell
If we are all actually "spiritual beings having a human experience",
what sort of spirit manifests as a transgender person? Is it lustful,
psychotic, dysphoric, dichotomous, divine -- or possibly all of the
above? And what about "God" and "Goddess", or the many other
"Hermaphrodeities"? The fact is, transgender people have existed
cross-culturally throughout all of human history, often recognized as
spiritual leaders, healers, teachers, negotiators, shamans, clergy etc.
Let's explore these ancient roots, primary values, our balance as human
beings, the notion of transcendence, and the tremendous potential that
is still embodied within the transgender community -- and indeed all of
us.
Laughing in the Mirror: A Performative Exploration of Race, Gender & Sexuality Through Humor
Micia Mosely, Ph.D. Comedian & Educator
Remember when gay meant happy? If Gay is the new Black, what do you do
if you're already Black? Or White? Or Brown? In this highly
interactive workshop we will take who we are, define it, honor it &
then laugh out loud at our socially constructed being. Be ready to
think, laugh & share the "stage" with your fellow participants. No
comedy or theater background necessary.Gender Fucking and Fucking
Owen Smith and Jacob Oates
This will be an interactive workshop on how we can connect our radical
gender identities to the sex that we have. I hope to provoke critical
thought on sexual communication that creates a safe space for everyone
involved, especially how it relates to respecting gender expression and
body differences.
Better Advocacy with the Advo.Kit
Evelina Borjesson, Ipas
The Advo.Kit is an advocacy toolkit geared toward students and young
activists in the U.S. Although it was originally designed for abortion
rights issues, the tools, tips and exercises can be tailored to a
multitude of human, sexual and reproductive rights issues. This
workshop will be an interactive session introducing the toolkit, as
well as allowing participants to familiarize themselves with the
exercises and practicing leading them. It will allow people unfamiliar
with advocacy to learn basic tools, whereas more experienced advocates
will get the opportunity to learn new exercises and tips.
Creating Change in your Community - A Toolkit for LGBTQ Campus Activism
Joy Messinger, David Peterson, Danny Depuy, UNC Chapel Hill
Are you a student who wants to see change but doesn't know where
to start? Have you been engaged in campus activism for a while but need
a few new ideas? Join us for a interactive step-by-step process to
creating change on your campus or in your community. We'll discuss the
spectrum of activism, how to build an inclusive movement, and the
dynamics of power, privilege, and intersectionality. All
skill/involvement levels welcome -- let's learn from and share with
each other!
Between the Sheets: Tips for a Healthy Sex Life
Lauren Dunnington, Patrice Wright, Mary Dickinson, UNC Counseling & Wellness Services
This interactive workshop leaves assumptions at the door, and offers
real-world advice for sexual health and safer sex. We bust common myths
about STDs, offer tips on making safer sex fun, and give you a chance
to ask anonymous questions. We’ll bring free lube, condoms, dams,
gloves, and information. You bring the questions!
That’s So Queer: The Disabled Body And Ways to Crip Up Your Queer Politics
Ryan Pinion
This session will explore identity politics and
queer theory as it relates to disability organizing and the inclusion
of anti-ableism work in intersectional anti-oppression analyses. We'll
start things out with an introduction to disability organizing by
looking at models of disability organizing, the disability language
debate, and an overview of the Disability Rights Movement. We will then
discuss ways that the disability community and queer community have
come together and why this work is so vital. We will end by discussing
ways that people can be strong disability allies and the need for
promoting self-determination and accessibility (including the
importance of accessible language.)
This session will be led by two radical disabled queers who are interested in media-making, performance, and community-building.
Trans Surgery Show and Tell
Elliott Buelter - Appalachian State Alum
This workshop gives the opportunity for trans-identified people to show
off their surgeries so that non-op trans people are given a chance to
view different surgeons' work and ask any related questions.
Homo No Mo?!? Orientation, Gender and the Ex-Gay Movement
Peterson Toscano
Ex-Gay programs dot the US with the deceptive promise that
“Change is Possible.” Having spent 17 years and over $30,000 on three
different continents attempting to alter his orientation and gender
differences, Peterson Toscano presents a lively workshop with excerpts
from Doin’ Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House.
Inviting College Campuses to join the North Carolina People Of Color LGBT & Allies Network
Mandy Carter
Long time North Carolina black lesbian activist Mandy Carter has
founded and is coordinating a first- ever North Carolina People Of
Color LGBT & Allies Network. It’s of, by, for, and about North
Carolina’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people of color
communities and allies (non-people of color and/or non-LGBT). She’s
doing specific outreach to college campuses across the state including
North Carolina’s 11 HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges &
University’s). Come hear about her 10-point program, how your campus
can get involved and share your ideas.
Strategies for Intersectional Organizing: Building a Queer Labor Movement
Cherie Seise and Salma Mirza, United Students Against Sweatshops
The discourse around working class and poor people in the US has
frequently made use of normative notions of the family and proper
sexuality to deny working class and poor people basic rights. This
workshop will look at the intersections in queer liberation movements
and labor movements and discuss the potentials of a queer labor
movement, organized around a critique of the white, heteropatriarchical
family as the model for who is deserving rights and respect. The
workshop will be run by the Southeast Regional Organizer and National
Staff of the student-led labor solidarity organization United Students
Against Sweatshops (USAS). Cherie Seise is a 21 year old queer white
girl and Salma Mirza is a 21 year old (pretty much) straight woman of
color.
Beyond the Clubs and .Coms: Creating Inclusive Communities for Gay/Bisexual Men
Justin Smith, Project STYLE, UNC School of Medicine and UNC Gillings
School of Global Public Health and Chris Purcell, Duke Center for LGBT
Life
“No fats. No fems.”
“White guys only.”
“All gay guys care about is ____.”
How harmful are these statements to the creation of a community? Who is
being left out? At this session, we will explore what it means to
create supportive, inclusive communities for gay/bi men. Utilizing a queer identity to escape the gender binary
Madeline Goss
In the south we are especially beholden to iconic ideals of the
Masculine Man and Feminine Woman, also known as the "gender binary".
This workshop will look a using Queer Social, Spiritual, Political,
Aesthetic, and Sexual identities to escape this false dichotomy and
regain your self esteem. :)
Page to Stage: Making Performance for Social Change
Scott Turner Schofield
For: Artists and Activists of any definition or skill level.
Participants are introduced to the many ways that performance is used
to make social change, and are then challenged to create their own.
Ideas are performed and/or discussed, with attention paid to clarity of
content and message, audience, and venue. Participants leave with a
performance kernel and tactics for completing and spreading their art.
LGBTQ Oppression and Socialism
Tyneisha Bowens, FIST (Fight Imperialism, Stand Together)
description forthcoming
Building a State of Equality in North Carolina
Ian Palmquist, Equality North Carolina
What does pro-equality policy change look like in a Southern state?
What does the path to full legal equality look like? How can we make
change through the political system? What about backlash? This session
will look at these questions and highlight the hot issues affecting
LGBT North Carolinians this legislative session.