January 2022 Session Descriptions
Monday
Monday, Jan. 24, 12:00 Noon - 1:30 PM
Native and Indigenous Two-Spirit and LGBTQ
Speakers: Cheryl Ann Kary, Tracey L. Wilkie
Monday, Jan. 24, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Qspace
(discussion group for youth up to and including high school)
Facilitator: Zayden Bartosh, Alyssa Kloss
NOTE: This session is intended for youth participants only. We kindly ask our older adult allies to respect the space.
Qspace is a LGBTQ+ youth support group for kids up to high school age facilitated by 2-3 adults. We meet in Bismarck, ND every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at Rhythm Records. Qspace will run one of our meetings at the ND LGBTQ+ Summit on Monday, and is open to all youth in the state up to high school age. Join us in a safe space to be yourself, be seen, and be heard!
Monday, Jan. 24, 6:00 PM - 7:30PM
How to Grow your LGBTQ+ Center or Organization
Speakers: Julia Landis, Denise Spivak
Presenters will be discussing the building blocks and foundations of a strong 501 c 3 organization, what’s needed to take organizations to the next level, and how CenterLink helps LGBTQ+ centers and organizations of all sizes. Presenters can also answer questions that participants may have about running and growing their nonprofits.
Tuesday
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
LGBTQ+ Youth Panel
Facilitators: Zayden Bartosh, Alyssa Kloss
Join us for a panel of youth talking about the issues and interests of LGBTQ+ youth in middle and high school, how youth are empowering each other, and how allies can support LGBTQ+ youth.
Tuesday, Jan. 25, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Legislative Advocacy and Update
Speakers: Rep. Joshua Boschee, Tanya Tassi
Wednesday
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 12:00 Noon - 1:30 PM
LGBTQ+ Employee Rights
Speakers: Erica Thunder, Nanisa Pareles, Julie Wilensky
This panel will share information on the rights of employees to be free from discrimination and harassment in the workplace, how to respond to and report discrimination, and the roles of the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights (NDDOLHR) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in investigating complaints of discrimination and enforcing state and federal laws.
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
LGBTQ+ Student Rights
Speakers: Keygan Miller, Asaf Orr, Ann Cook-Graver
In this session, presenters will share information about legal protections for all students, including LGBTQ+ students, best practices for schools to protect students from bullying, discrimination, and harassment, and how students and their families can protect their rights in schools.
Wednesday, Jan. 26, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Queerness, Community, & Philanthropy
Speaker: Aaron Zimmerman
Navigating the landscape of philanthropy can be challenging at best and near impossible at worst. This presentation will share the context and history of philanthropy through the lens of white supremacy; begin to develop a framework of queerness as our approach to funding movements; and provide space to ideate and collaborate.
Thursday
Thursday, Jan. 27, 12:00 Noon - 1:30 PM
ND LGBTQ+ School Climate Report
Speakers: Faye Seidler, Euan Hwang
This presentation will be going over the North Dakota LGBTQ+ School Climate Report. This report, completed by Community Uplift Program, was a year long look into our local state data on queer youth outcomes, research into district policy data, and comparative analysis on national survey data related to policy. This presentation will be teaching participants what the current policies of North Dakota look like, how individuals can get involved to get better outcomes, and how we as a state can prevent suicide for queer youth.
Thursday, Jan. 27, 3:30 PM - 5:00PM
Protecting LGBTQ+ North Dakotans From "Conversion Therapy"
Speakers: Mathew Shurka, Troy Stevenson, Shannon Minter
In this session panelists will share a brief history about the movement to end conversion therapy and where US laws stand today. Additionally, panelists will share all of the actions available for North Dakotans to take around legislation, litigation, filling complaints to regulatory boards, and public education.
Thursday, Jan. 27, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Advocacy 101
Speakers: Karen Ehren, Cody Schuler, Christina Feldmann
Today’s political landscape seems daunting and bleak. But there is power in telling your story as a concerned constituent! Close out this summit inspired and forward looking for change!”