Mid-Atlantic LGBTQA Conference Schedule - 2024

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 committee for an overview of the day's events and available resources with special welcome remarks from Commonwealth University Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affiars, Dr. Michelle Kiec.

Gabby Rivera is a Bronx-born queer Puerto Rican babe on a mission to create the wildest, most fun stories ever. Gabby is the first Latina ever to write for Marvel comics, penning the solo series AMERICA about America Chavez, a portal-punching queer Latina powerhouse.

Gabby’s critically acclaimed debut novel Juliet Takes a Breath was called “f*cking outstanding” by Roxane Gay and was re-published by Penguin Random House in 2019. Mic named it one of the 25 essential books to read for Women’s History Month, and Latina magazine called it the “dopest LGBTQA YA book ever.”

Gabby presented before the United Nations in 2020 as an invited speaker to their Unstereotyping Alliance Conference, and she has collaborated with groups such as the Ford Motor Company, the Makers Women’s Conference and Somos Familia, to uplift joyful storytelling and the magic of queer diasporicans everywhere.

In 2022, Gabby became a Sundance Screenwriters Fellow and received an Advancing Justice Award from Catalyst California, alongside activist Dolores Huerta and politician Sheila Kuehl. She currently resides on the West Coast and hosts Joy Uprising, a podcast that brings together her favorite revolutionary humans to honor joy in a chaotic world.

Session 1A - Chilling Effect: Silencing Voices of Resistance in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire - Room 345A
The Ghostbusters films contain a core structure of ‘busting’ a malevolent supernatural force with a group of characters. The latest installment in the franchise progresses in its representation of these characters by focusing on a queer teenage girl as its main protagonist, but the film undermines her hero status by erasing her resistance at key moments in the film. This presentation explores the importance of voice in popular cinematic text and its role in developing queer hero narratives.
Rebecca Willoughby, Assistant Professor of Student Success; Executive Director of Student Success, Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg

Session 1B - From the Fringes to the Center: Empowering Trans & Non-Binary Students on Campus and Breaking the Binary: Living Authentically as A Trans Man in College Athletics - Room 345B
Trans and non-binary students often find themselves marginalized within binary-focused systems on college campuses. This session creates a safe and empowering space for trans and non-binary individuals to explore shared challenges, build community, and develop self-advocacy strategies. Whether you're looking for community, support, or tools for advocacy, this session is designed to uplift and center your voice and experience. Let's move from the margins to the heart of campus life—together.
In this presentation, Cam will share his personal journey of coming out as trans while navigating a career in collegiate athletics-- a field not always known for its inclusivity. The session will explore the challenges & triumphs of living authentically in a professional space, particularly within a traditionally masculine & competitive environment. Cam will use his story as the foundation & guide participants through the complexities of balancing professional expectations with personal truth.
Cam Wein, Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, Kutztown University
Megan Wein, Graduate Assistant of Women's and LGBTQA Resource Centers, Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg

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.

Session 2A - Hearing the inner-harmony - Room 345A
This session is a deeper look into how our self-appreciation is the first step to not only finding harmony within but then continuing that love and appreciation onto others around us. While also giving outside perspective on how we view others and support them going though their own personal discoveries
Miles Cressley, Peer Educator of the WCU CTQA, The WCU Center for Queer and Trans Advocacy

Session 2B - All About Medically Transitioning - Room 345B
In this session, slides and a Kahoot will be used to teach attendees all about different ways to medically transition. Whether you are FTM, MTF, non-binary, cis, or anyone else, this presentation is for you! This is an in-depth look at different types of gender-affirming care, and how to access it. Additionally we will dispel some common misconceptions. This is a safe place to learn about different parts of the body, and how they can be modified to better fit your gender identity and self-image.
Sebastian Sylvester, Student, Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg

Session 3A - Coming out By Inviting In - Room 345A
This is an interactive story circle session. You will be in small groups and led by discussions. You will learn how to share your stories and connect the meanings of belonging, exclusion, and joy. Let's change coming out to inviting in, where we all learn to listen to others and build relationships. This workshop allows you to feel empowered and use a tool to learn how to build a community. Created and facilitated by expert Jacob Kelley of Mx. Kelley Queer Education.
Mx. Jacob Kelley, CEO/Founder, Mx. Kelley Queer Education

Session 3B - How Feminism Alienates Transgender People Through Gender Essentialist Rhetoric - Room 345B
TERFs (trans-exclusionary radical feminists) are often assumed to be the sole cause of transphobia in feminist circles. However, gender essentialist rhetoric that results from commonly used ironic (and non-ironic) misandry reinforces implicit biases against all transgender people. During this session, you will practice identifying gender essentialism and its harms, as well as learn skills to make your feminist spaces more inclusive of the transgender people who so often feel excluded.
August Harlow, Research and Development Lead, West Chester University Center for Trans and Queer Advocacy

Session 4A - Coming Out Queer and Dis/Abled in Higher Education - Room 345A
This session aims to shed light on the complex interplay between queer identity and invisible dis/ability for higher education faculty. Higher education functions on the premise of nondisabled and the dominant assumption of heterosexuality. The experiences of queer disabled faculty are not singular. Our experiences are dictated by disability needs, queer identity and institutional support.
Lesley Nora Siegel, Associate Professor, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Session 4B - Life Is A Drag! - Room 345B
Life certainly has its ups and down, but in the life of a nonbinary graphic designer by day and drag performer by night... Nothing is Ordinary! I'm Oliver Twist and I will be talking about drag queens, kings, monsters and the vital role they play with the queer community, especially those who are gender nonconforming and trans. Let's Kiki down memorial lane with our Friends of Dorothy. Not all heroes or heroines wear capes, some of them wear lashes, nails and 6ft heels.
Olivia Butkiewicz, Artist Illustrator II, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Kehr Union Building, Room 230, Multicultural Center

Join us for this informal social hour to discuss the day’s events over light refreshments before the drag show. We will also hold a forum for group advisors and center directors during this time.

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

Kehr Union Building, Ballroom

The Bloomsburg Equality Alliance, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, and Mid-Atlantic Conference present our 12th Annual Drag Show, Unleash Your Inner Brat, hosted by Trixie Valentine with special dance performance by RARE!

Admission is included for Mid-Atlantic Conference attendees with name badge, $3 suggested donation for all others.

Stop by the information tables provided by these organizations:

• Caring Communities is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization that provides confidential HIV/STI assessment and case management services.
• Columbia County Democratic Committee
• PFLAG Danville / Central Susquehanna Valley is a chapter of PFLAG National, the first and largest LGBTQ and family organization, offering support, education, and advocacy.

Feeling overstimulated? Stop by the quiet room.

• Kehr Union Building, Room 409

Just need to get away but don't necessarily need silence? The chill room is for you!

• Kehr Union Building, Room 410

During the conference events, restrooms on the fourth floor of Kehr Union Building will be designated as gender neutral.

Please note: All other restrooms in the building will remain gender designated.