Upcoming Gigs!

Looking for an interesting, intense, and dare I say inspiring lecture?
Look no further than my upcoming gig list for march! These are the events that I have been invited to speak at, where I'll be using my teacher toolbox to relay some good knowledge and hopefully participate in some awesome conversations. These events are open to the public, though a small fee is required to attend.

· March 4, sometime between 1pm and 4pm @ Boy Take It All Off! T-Style

Lecture Topic: Living and Loving with Nonconformity

Description: The intersections of gender, sex, and sexuality, how to use those pesky pronouns, and how to be a better friend and ally to those who identify as gender conforming and non-conforming

· March 16, 10:30-11:45am @ True Colors Conference

Lecture Topic: Seeing People As More Than the Junk in Their Trunk: Trans, Gender Variance and its Place in the Classroom

Description: FOR PROFESSIONALS: Gender is presentation we dress ourselves in every morning, including our voice, mannerisms, hairstyle, clothing, accessories, and so much more. We are told that this is a rigid structure- pink or blue, boy or girl, if you are not one then by definition you are the other, but this is a lie called enculturation. The truth is, there are many cultures in the world, and so many variations of gender, that we are only hurting ourselves to only see people in black and white dichotomies. Students bring this diversity to the classroom, and we owe it to them as educators to celebrate their place(s) in this world. This workshop will explore gender variations, how they manifest in the classroom, why we can’t ignore them, and simple steps you can do to provide a more comfortable, accepting environment.

· March 16, 2:45-4:00pm @ True Colors Conference

Lecture Topic: Busting OUT in Predictable Ways: LGBTQ Representations in TV, Movies, and Popular Culture

Description: FOR ACTIVISTS: Teenagers are hooked into media- we digest it through TV, music, the news, magazines, Facebook, and YouTube- but what are the messages we are being force-fed? This introduction to critical thinking about the media we consume will be used as a platform to dive into conversation about the realities of our daily lives. This will include (but is not limited to) such topics as GLEE, Chaz Bono on DWTS, RENT, The L Word, Abercrombie and Fitch Ads, Dove’s Girl Effect campaign, MISSRepresentation, TransAmerica, Buffy, Will and Grace, Andrea Gibson, Disney movies, and commercials from around the world. We will explore the middle ground where we can enjoy watching a piece of media, but still not agree with all the messages it sends. The workshop will close with a discussion on “where to go from here”- taking the tools we have learned and using them to change the world.

· March 17, 10:30-11:45am @ True Colors Conference

Lecture Topic: Team Kurt! Fox’s GLEE and Teen Bullying Accountability

Description: FOR PROFESSIONALS: The bullying of LGBTQ youth is both spotlighted by our current society and made invisible. We will open the dialogue with an analysis of the hit TV show GLEE, and the spotlighted position of Kurt. This show encourages students to love their individuality but dismisses bullying as an individual problem instead of an institutional epidemic. The publicity around suicides in the past year show that forcing individuals to conquer bullying alone is not a productive solution. In this workshop we will explore ways of thinking about bullying, specifically what schools, teachers, parents, and allies must do to make the world a safer place. Additional topics will include the Trevor Project, the It Gets Better campaign, ways to be an ally, starting GSA’s, and making your school a safer, more welcoming place for all students.

Here’s a little more about the venues:

· Boy Take It All Off! T-Style is being held at Spontaneous Celebrations 45 Danforth St Jamaica Plain Massachusetts. There’s free parking in the nearby lot. This is a benefit for my friend’s top surgery. There will be light snacks, a silent auction, and a few speakers to entertain you. The suggested fee at the door is $5, though any donation is acceptable. No registration is required.

· True Colors Conference is the largest youth conference for LGBTQ youth in the nation. Though parents, teachers, advocates and friends of LGBTQ you are strongly encouraged to attend as well. This takes place at UCONN in Storrs, CT annually and the registration is $45 for two days for students and youth and $95 for two days for adults and professionals. Professional development credits are available for attending this conference. You can register here:

http://www.ourtruecolors.org/Programs/Conference/register.html