The Virtual LGBTQ
YOUTH CONVENING 2021
Intersect & Connect
The Virtual LGBTQ
YOUTH CONVENING 2020
INTERSECT AND CONNECT
About This Conference
The LGBTQ Center OC is excited to announce its upcoming 2021 Virtual LGBTQ Youth Convening: a free multi-day online conference that is organized and led by youth leaders from Youth Empowered to Act (YETA). YETA is a coalition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) student leaders and their allies who are devoted to gender, racial, reproductive, and restorative justice issues in Orange County.
We are proud to announce U.S. Bank, Cox Communications, the Tegan and Sara Foundation, and Pepsi as key sponsors for this year’s event!
This year’s theme is Intersect and Connect.
We invite the entire community—whether at the local, state-wide, or national level—to experience three webinars complete with influential speakers, workshop presenters, and organizations working to provide affirming practices to create inclusive and intersectional spaces for LGBTQ youth in Orange County and beyond.
The 2021 Virtual LGBTQ Youth Convening will take place over three consecutive Saturdays in May. Each conference session will have a dedicated theme of the day. The themes are mental health and support, education, and advocacy and empowerment, respectively.
This event is open to all ages and backgrounds! We welcome all youth, students, parents, guardians, families, school staff and administrators, counselors, professionals, community members and organizers, and anyone else who is interested.
We are excited to share that we will have special guest performances from local drag artists at the end of each webinar, as well as opportunity drawings for gift cards!
Conference Schedule
| Time | Action Item |
|---|---|
| 11:00 – 11:25 AM | Welcome and Opening Speaker |
| 11:00 – 11:05 AM | Participants Filter In |
| 11:05 – 11:15 AM | Welcoming from Youth Leaders |
| 11:15 – 11:25 AM | Opening Speakers |
| 11:25 – 11:30 AM | Transition to Workshops Click Here for More Detail About Workshops |
| 11:30 AM – 12:20 PM | Workshop |
| Return to the Main Room/Quick Intermission | |
| 12:20 – 12:30 PM | Transition to Closing and Intermission |
| 12:30 – 1:00 PM | Closing |
| 12:30 – 12:40 PM | Closing Speaker |
| 12:40 – 12:55 PM | Drag Performers |
| 12:50 – 12:55 PM | Opportunity Drawing – 3 Amazon $25 Gift Cards |
| 12:55 – 1:00 PM | Closing from Youth Leaders |
Virtual Resource Fair
Mental Health Resources:
The LGBTQ Center OC’s Mental Health and Emotional Wellness Program (714-953-5428)
This program improves mental health and well-being by providing accessible, culturally competent and high-quality mental health promotion, disease prevention and mental health programming. Mental health counseling is available on a slide scale depending on income and is offered to youth and individuals, couples, and families. In addition to English, we have several counselors who speak Spanish, Vietnamese and Farsi. We encourage LGBTQ youth who have been bullied or are victims of violence to enroll in our mental health services to rebuild confidence and well-being.
The Trevor Project (1-866-488-7386)
The Trevor Project is one of the first organizations to offer a lifeline specifically for LGBTQ youth and advocates are there to help. They specialize in young LGBTQ people’s mental health, and they’re available 24/7. They’re a great resource if you need help or just want to talk about your life.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255)
The Lifeline is a free, anonymous, 24/7 helpline and chat service for anyone struggling with issues related to suicide. The Lifeline has counselors specifically trained to be sensitive to LGBTQ issues. If you have suicidal thoughts, know someone at risk or just want to talk about the issue, reach out. This resource is for you.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline (800-950-NAMI)
NAMI offers a daily hotline that you can call to talk about mental health and to find resources in your area. The hotline is only open on weekdays, so if you have a more immediate need, it’s a good idea to reach out to a 24/7 resource like The Trevor Project.
Love is Respect (1-866-331-9474)
LGBTQ teens experience dating violence too, and it’s never alright. Many young LGBTQ people aren’t out to their families or communities and many anti-violence organizations lack expertise in helping LGBTQ people. Because of these circumstances, it can be hard to get help. Love is Respect has resources for LGBTQ youth to learn about healthy relationships and their counselors are available 24/7 to offer education, support or to talk through your options.
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (800-656-4673)
LGBTQ youth are at an especially high risk of sexual violence. Sexual violence is a difficult experience for any survivor, but it can be especially hard for LGBTQ youth who may not have support. Remember, your consent always matters and anyone who violates your consent — whatever their gender or sexual orientation — is in the wrong. If you’ve experienced sexual violence or you simply want to talk, you can call RAINN’s hotline anytime.
National Runaway Safeline (1-800-RUNAWAY)
The Safeline is available for all youth who feel unsafe at home, are considering running away from home or have run away. You can call or message 24/7 if you’re being bullied, abused, need help finding shelter support or just need to talk.
Event Contact: Stephanie Camacho-Van Dyke (She/Her/Hers) | (714) 953-LGBT (5428) ext. 205 | stephanie.vandyke@lgbtqcenteroc.org
