Mid-Atlantic LGBTQA Conference Schedule - 2023

Under Pressure, Pushing Back

November 4, 2023

Kehr Union Building, Ballroom Lobby (Fourth Floor)

Kehr Union Building, Ballroom

Menu includes pastries, fruit, juice, and coffee.

Kehr Union Building, Ballroom

Join our conference chairs for an overview of the day's events and available resources.

Session 1A - Queer Poetry: "Oh The Earth was Made for Lovers"; But it Belongs to Those Who Fight Back! - Room 345A
This is a workshop on writing poetry. In this session there will be a segment on how poetry is an act of resistance as anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment rise. A few formats to help draft a poem will be provided. The session will mostly be time to write and share with other poets about the LGBTQ+ experience. This is for beginners to experienced poets as there will be varied formats to facilitate sharing your experience through poetry. Bringing an already written work is also an option.
Rhys Wright, Student, Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg

Session 1B - An Analysis of Malaysian LGBTQ+ Legal Rights - Room 345B
Malaysia is one of the most unique, developing countries in Southeast Asia. The rights of LGBTQ+ Malaysians are not as advanced as other countries in the region, despite the relative modernity of the country. This academic research project focuses on the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Malaysia while exploring recent changes in Malaysian law, both domestic and international, that have created more equality for LGBTQ+ Malaysians.
Morgan Steiner, Student, Wilkes University

Session 2A - The Queer Confidence Experience - Room 345A
This workshop engages students, staff, faculty, and leaders to learn technics and build on their confidence to face the world’s changes. Growing visual representation and creating LGBTQA+ events, Mx. Kelley Queer Education LLC founder Jacob Kelley will teach methods that can help build networking, be strategic, and gain connections by building ourselves up. This interactive workshop also provides mind-changing technics to gain confidence about who we are and become unapologetic beings.
Mx. Jacob Kelley, Queer Inclusive Sex Educator, Mx. Kelley Queer Education LLC

Session 2B - QTPOC, BPQ+, Gender??, And More: Identity-Specific groups to foster belonging - Room 345B
How do we build general LGBTQ+ pride and solidarity while still highlighting all the specific identities that make up our community? Students from Bucknell University’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) will answer this question and more while serving on a panel about the “breakout group” format used in their student organization. Breakout groups are closed identity specific groups that meet weekly in addition to the open general GSA meetings. (description continued below in abstract)
Iona Pitkin, Student, Bucknell University
Spencer Page, Student, Bucknell University
Hannah Jensen, Student, Bucknell University
Elie Bukowski, Student, Bucknell University

Scranton Commons Dining Hall

A meal ticket was included with your name badge and is required for admission to the buffet.

Menu listing is available at the link above but is subject to change.

X González (they/them) is a gun-violence prevention activist born and raised in Parkland, Florida. A survivor of the Marjory Stoneman-Douglas High School shooting, X became a leading voice in the gun-violence prevention movement with their powerful speech “We Call BS”. In 2018, they were instrumental in organizing the historic #MarchForOurLives protest in Washington D.C., the largest student-led demonstration in American history. While in high school, X also served as the President of the Gay-Straight Alliance. X continues to be at the forefront advocating for gun violence prevention including intersectional issues such as racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights. In the wake of the mass shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, and Tulsa, X spoke at March For Our Lives second rally in Washington D.C. Most recently, X graduated from New College of Florida with a major in activism.

Session 3A - EmpowerEDU: Cultivating Pride and Courage in Higher Education - Room 345A
Prepare for an enlightening workshop specifically designed for college students and higher education professionals. Dive into a transformative journey that empowers you to cultivate a culture of pride, empathy, and courage in the world of higher education. Join us as we unlock the potential within ourselves and our students to become change-makers, leaders, and champions of inclusivity.
Cam Wein, Athletic Academic Advisor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Session 3B - Supporting LGBTQ+ Identities as Student Leaders - Room 345B
This workshop, presented by students, aims to help undergraduate students be able to support LGBTQ+ and other intersecting identities on campus. This workshop is designed for students with varying degrees of knowledge about the LGBTQ+ community who may hold a variety of on-campus roles, including Resident Assistants, mentors, Admissions Ambassadors, various work-study positions, GSA officers, or students who are just looking to better support their friends and families.
Morgan Steiner, Student, Wilkes University
Brian Guzman, Student, Wilkes University
Taylor Mattei, Student, Wilkes University
Eza Chaudhry, Student, Wilkes University
Savannah Evanski, Student, Wilkes University

Session 4A - Community Organizing in Rural Pennsylvania - Room 345A
The executive board for the Association for Inclusion, Respect and Equity will present about the challenges, struggles and positive aspects about creating a community based organization with a focus in DEI in rural Pennsylvania. The group will talk about how AIRE became the organization it is today, as well as the different events that happen year round.
Kas Travis, Special Event Coordinator, Association for Inclusion, Respect and Equity
Jacob Kelley, Co-President, Association for Inclusion, Respect and Equity
Emily Poliniak, Secretary, Association for Inclusion, Respect and Equity
Jen Zarko, Treasurer, Association for Inclusion, Respect and Equity

Session 4B - Creating and Maintaining Student-Run Organization on Campus - Room 345B
This session is to help students and advisors seeking to create queer centered organizations on campus and how to help them thrive. The session will include resources, stories, and event ideas from the Sexuality and Gender Alliance, a queer organization at Mansfield University. This three-part session will include: a mini-lecture from the SAGA E-board, a Q&A, and a workshop.
Sarah Cassavaugh, Student, Commonwealth University - Mansfield
Sadie Beers, Student, Commonwealth University - Mansfield
Dylan Donne, Student, Commonwealth University - Mansfield

Kehr Union Building, Rooms 230, Multicultural Center

Ranch Dill Dip with Fresh Garden Crudité
Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Pita Points
Buffalo Chicken Dip with Crostini
Cookies & Brownies
Fruit Punch & Water

The Bloomsburg Equality Alliance, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, and Mid Atlantic Conference present our 11th Annual Drag Show. Hosted by Trixie Valentine featuring Cookie Doe, Nichole Steven Valentine, Oliver Twist, and Tequila Daniels.

Admission is included for Mid-Atlantic Conference Attendees with Name Badge, $3 suggested donation for all others.