14th ANNUAL DIVERSITY CONFERENCE
"LGBTQ - Changing the Conversation."
This year's theme, "Changing the Conversation" is designed to explore ways to focus on areas of potential and actual change. Each session will be designed to offer an opportunity to engage in those sometimes difficult conversations about diversity with focused attention about sexual orientation and identity. At the end of the Conference, attendees will be able to recognize how personal biases may inhibit progress toward our shared goals as we work to develop strategies to reduce the impact of bias. This conference seeks to promote open-mindedness, the celebration of diversity and inclusiveness, and the acceptance of others within the University and our local communities.
Thursday October 4th - Davis Campus Opening Session at 6:00p.m.
Opening Speaker - Dr. David Parker
"SHINING A LIGHT: An Allies Perspective."
Friday October 5th - Ogden Campus Daylong Conference -
8:30a.m., starting with the keynote.
Keynote Speaker: Don Lemon
CNN correspondent and author of Transparent, a book discussing "colorism" in the black community, racism, and homophobia.
Breakout sessions to include:
Session 1:
9:30am - 10:20am
BEYOND THE DIVISION: SEXUALITY, BUSINESS AND RELIGION - PART I - A PANEL DISCUSSION with Doree Burt, Dr. Michael Stevens, Rev. Theresa Novak and Brandie Balken
Facilitated Discussion by Jayson Stokes
Shepherd Union Ballroom B
The Beyond the Division double session will provide an opportunity for attendees to engage in an educational discussion with content expert panelists in the areas of faith, law, business, and the LGBTQ equality movement as we consider the intersections of identity, religion and commerce. This session will model methods of finding common ground when values and/or beliefs come into conflict.
DECONSTRUCTING GENDER WITH Dr. Gloria Wurst
Facilitated by Maria Parrilla de Kokal
Shepherd Union Room 316 (Seats 60 people)
Participants will understand the biology behind becoming one of the sexes. They will have the opportunity to participate in a discussion about the social construction of gender and how that construction drives expectations about human behavior.
COMING OUT: A CONVERSATION with RC Callahan and Allison Black
Facilitated by Angela McLean
Shepherd Union Room 321 (Seats 60 People)
The discovery that a family member, classmate, or pupil is gay or lesbian can send shockwaves throughout a community as long-held views about sexuality and relationships are upended, resulting in anger, resentment, and concern for safety and acceptance. Panelists in this session will present personal research and insight into the coming out process for college students and discuss the impact the process has on academic experiences and family relationships. Participants will learn new ways to think about the effects of the coming out process and will be introduced to better ways to navigate understanding and family adjustment.
Session 2
10:30am - 11:20am
BEYOND THE DIVISION: SEXUALITY, BUSINESS AND RELIGION - PART II - A PANEL DISCUSSION with Doree Burt, Dr. Michael Stevens, Rev. Theresa Novak and Brandie Balken
Facilitated by Jayson Stokes
Shepherd Union Ballroom B
The Beyond the Division double session will provide an opportunity for attendees to engage in an educational discussion with content expert panelists in the areas of faith, law, business, and the LGBTQ equality movement as we consider the intersections of identity, religion and commerce. This session will model methods of finding common ground when values and/or beliefs come into conflict.
SEXUALITY, RACISM AND OPPRESSION:
A PANEL DISCUSSION with Dr. Anette Melvin, and Steven Vigil, L.C.S.W.
Facilitated by Dr. Forrest Crawford
Shepherd Union Room 316 (Seats 60 people)
This panel discussion is an awareness and solutions-oriented educational dialogue exploring the complex intersections between sexual identity, race and other related attributes one embraces resulting in oppression and marginalizing experiences in social, political and educational systems.
LGBTQ YOUTH IN CRISIS: HOMELESSNESS WITH OPERATION SHINE AMERICA, Cai Noble and Trin Oakason
Facilitated by Marian Edmonds
Shepherd Union Room 321 (Seats 60 people)
This solution-focused session provides a safe space where students, faculty, staff and community members can explore the in-depth culture homeless youth create to survive intense trauma and dehumanization. Awareness is raised regarding the epidemic and interactive exercises are utilized, offering students hands on resolution and prevention opportunities.
Session 3
11:30am - 12:20pm
LGBTQ LEGAL ISSUES DISCUSSION with Brandie Balken and Lauren Barros
Facilitated by Barry Gomberg
Shepherd Union Ballroom B
The session will provide an overview of rights LGBTQ members of our community currently enjoy, and those rights which are still being denied. Through consideration of a lively case study, two leading experts in LGBT law, Brandie Balken, of Equality Utah, and Lauren Barros, an attorney in private practice in Salt Lake City, will discuss issues that LGBT persons commonly face in the workplace, schools, the marketplace and the home, and they will suggest ways to address such issues when they occur.
QPR TRAINING with Dr. Diana Abel and Dr. Larry Helmbrecht-LaPointe
Facilitated by Dr. Larry Helmbrecht-LaPointe
Shepherd Union Room 316 (Seats 60 people)
More than 34,000 Americans die by suicide each year. Suicide is the 7th leading cause of death in Utah. LGBTQ individuals, particularly LGBTQ youth, are at especially high risk for suicide. Yet 90% of people in suicidal crisis will give some kind of warning…and you can help save a life. This presentation will teach you how to recognize the verbal, situational, and behavioral clues to suicide; how to ask a person if they are in suicidal crisis; how to persuade a suicidal person to seek help; and how to make referrals for treatments that can help.
LGBTQ: CHANGING THE CONVERSATION - TOWN HALL DISCUSSION with Dr. Susan Hafen, Dr. Michelle Paustenbaugh, and Dr. Tom Mathews
Facilitated by Omar Guevara
Shepherd Union Room 321 (Seats 60 people)
This session is presented as an opportunity for students and other participants to explore a variety of compelling questions that framed earlier educational sessions, to share unresolved issues, challenges and concerns that need more clarity as a way to better understand the LGBTQ community and offer solutions for better understanding and assurance of a more safe learning community. Facilitators will moderate this forum and offer some guiding perspectives to consider.
Closing Remarks - Shepherd Union Ballroom A
12:30 - 1:30pm
Closing Remarks - Dr. William Bradshaw
"OUR LGBTQ FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS: Replacing Misinformation with Love & Understanding."
Recognize the Matthew Shepherd Scholarship Recipients
Food in the back!
For more information on the Annual Diversity Conference, please contact:
Dr. Forrest Crawford at: Office phone #: (801) 626-6338 fcrawford@weber.edu
or Nick Berg at NicholasBerg@weber.edu