Summit Speakers - 2023

Taylor Brorby is the author of Boys and Oil: Growing up gay in a fractured land, Crude: Poems, Coming Alive: Action and Civil Disobedience, and co-editor of Fracture: Essays, Poems, and Stories on Fracking in America.

Cardinal Red Bird a Mandan/Sisseston Sioux grow up on the Fort Berthold Reservation in New Town, North Dakota. His talents include, Native American dancing at a young age. He has studied Contemporary and Ballet dancing along with theater and drama. Today has an enjoyment in singing.
Mr Red Bird is the founder and president of the, "North Dakota Two Spirit Society and Allies," established in 2019, a cultural diversity, non-profit organization.

Katie Christensen Mineer (she/her) is the North Dakota State Director for Planned Parenthood North Central States.

Ming Wong (he/him) is an attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR).

Geraldine is a dedicated and passionate individual who wears many hats within the Bismarck community.

Keygan Miller is the Interim Director of Public Training for The Trevor Project.

Tofi Fen (He/Him) is a neurodivergent, pagan trans man living in Fargo ND. He has experience with university-based DEI efforts, youth development, and community organizing, and has been working in the non-profit sector within Fargo-Moorhead since 2020. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in anthropology from North Dakota State University.  Tofi has a passion for educating others in his field about the rich history and culture of trans and gender non-conforming people, and strives to create welcoming spaces where LGBTQ+/Queer youth can learn about and celebrate their identities.

Zara is a 21 year old transgender activist currently living in Fargo North Dakota.

Kristin Nelson is the founder of Project RAI (Rainbows are Inclusive). She lives in Fargo with her husband Nick, daughter Alex, and 2 rescue dogs. Kristin just graduated from the University of Jamestown with a master's degree in non-profit leadership. 

Dr. Sturgill is a clinical psychologist at Sanford Health in Moorhead, MN. 

Christina Sambor is the North Dakota State Director at Gender Justice, where she is working to develop a strategic presence in North Dakota to promote gender equity and protect the rights of North Dakotans.

Ames Simmons is a queer white transgender man who holds a senior fellowship at Duke University School of Law and lectures at George Washington University’s graduate program in LGBT Health Policy & Practice.

Wayne Flute is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. Wayne is a two spirit spiritual leader in the Arikara community of White Shield, North Dakota.

Augustus Grosz (she/her) is a student at Bismarck High where she acts as president of their Gender and Sexuality Alliance. She has worked with queer and transgender people in many capacities. This is her first year working formally with the Dakota Human Rights Coalition and she is serving as a youth intern. She has also written several award winning poems centered around identity and feminism, drug addiction, sexual violence, and religion.

Sadie Sheppard, B.A., graduated from Chadron State College with a Bachelor of Arts in Family Consumer Science with a concentration in Public Health and Human Services.

Shawn Cotter has been part of the film festival experience for over two decades as both an experimental filmmaker and as part of a festival team.

Mayson Bedient is a transgender family medicine physician specializing in LGBTQ+ care in Fargo.

Micah (he/they) grew up on his family dairy farm in southwestern MN. He holds a Bachelor’s of Religion from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA. Micah is the pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Fargo, and is the only out transgender pastor in North Dakota. They enjoy making art, baking bread, cool rocks, and admiring how cute their cats are.

Asheley LeFors, Founder of Raven’s Mom
Asheley is a wife of 21 years, mother to three amazing people, a veteran Military Spouse, LGBTQ+ and Human Rights advocate since 1996.

Cathy grew up on a farm/ranch in Southwest ND where she learned the values of working hard, resilience, playing hard and survival.  She attended college at North Dakota State University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Therapeutic Recreation with minors in Health Education and Counseling.

Cody Schuler is Advocacy Manager of the ACLU ND.

Ryan Braunberger

Faye Seidler is an award-winning suicide prevention advocate that specializes in LGBTQ+ populations.

Allie (she/they) is an attorney on the Litigation team at the AARP Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Madison Ziegler (she/hers) currently works as Grassroots Organizer with Planned Parenthood North Central States out of Fargo, ND.

Bri Hall is Director of Education and Outreach at High Plains Fair Housing Center

Chad Pitts is a Program Manager for ND HOPES.

Caedmon Marx (They/Them) Outreach Committee Chair - Dakota OutRight

Elex is a 23 year old Autistic Transgender Demisexual who loves all things cartoon and Marvel.

The Sitting Bull College Two Spirit Club provides a cultural space for Two Spirit and LGBTQ+relatives...

Charles "CJ" Vondal is a University of North Dakota senior majoring in Social Work, and working towards a nonprofit administration minor.

Jamee Larson earned her B.A. in English (Writing Emphasis) and M.F.A in Creative Writing (Creative Nonfiction Emphasis) from Minnesota State University Moorhead.

Aaron Zimmerman, CFRE, M.A. (He/Him) is the Executive Director of PFund Foundation.