Learn how two districts, San Francisco and Fresno, have created and continue to evolve systems for collaborative and equitable Gender Action Plans (GAPs). GAPs are a great way to empower staff to take meaningful and policy aligned action when supporting LGBTQ+ students and their families. In this politically fraught moment, helping folks know what can be done and said is crucial in turning policy into praxis. We will share our journeys and the tips we’ve learned along the way!
Key Audience Takeaways:
1. Understand how a GAP process can be used to create collaboration between school staff and families in order to meet the needs and uphold the rights of LGBTQ+ students.
2. Develop insight that will allow participants to iterate in the creation of their own GAPs and engender district-wide adaptation and ownership of GAPs.
3. Review materials used in two districts to assist you in reflecting on your own district’s process.

The experiences of Queer Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) have been excluded in Queer Educator research, which often focuses on White Queer educators or omits race as a variable (Boren & McPherson, 2018; Conrad, 2018; Taylor, 2018; Thomas-Durrell, 2020; Toledo & Maher, 2019). Therefore, this study aimed to explore the experiences of Queer BIPOC teachers in the Southern California P-12 school system. Specifically, (a) what are out Queer BIPOC teachers' experiences (b) how did they make the decision to come out, and (c) what are their experiences with discrimination based on their Queer, BIPOC, or intersectional identities. The goal of this qualitative study was to give a voice to a historically marginalized group, Queer BIPOC teachers. A total of six participants, five Latino/a/e and one Pacific Islander participated in this study.

Participants represented three school levels, elementary, middle, and high school. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. A total of five domains emerged from the data: (a) Outness on Campus, (b) Coming Out, (c) Mental Health, (d) Supportive Networks, and (e) Unsupportive Networks. Key findings included participants coming out because they wanted to be their authentic selves at work, Queer BIPOC teachers experiencing discrimination at work, and how administrators’ decisions can affect Queer BIPOC teachers’ mental health during
experiences of discrimination.

This workshop will explore innovative ways to empower young people and strengthen organizational partnerships in the context of Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE). Designed for educators, community leaders, and youth-serving organizations, this session highlights the importance of amplifying youth voices in cannabis prevention and addressing the triangulum, especially among health disparity groups, while fostering systematic collaborations that drive long-term impact.

Participants will gain insights into how partnerships within and across organizations can enhance outreach, increase capacity, and effectively engage priority populations. Through an interactive session, we will explore strategies to build meaningful collaborations, address health disparities, and create inclusive, youth-centered programs.

Two youth-led initiatives will take center stage in this workshop: the Peer Advocate Advisory Council (PAAC) and the Unity Youth Conference (UYC) Planning Committee. These programs demonstrate how youth leadership can shape advocacy, awareness, and community-building projects to drive impactful change in cannabis prevention.
PAAC is a youth leadership group in Santa Clara County dedicated to advancing health equity through community advocacy, peer education, and media campaigns. Members lead initiatives grounded in research and innovation, addressing issues that matter most to their peers. Their efforts highlight the power of youth leadership in creating a healthier future for their peers in Santa Clara County.

The Unity Youth Conference, designed and led by the youth planning committee, is a vibrant platform for fostering allyship, pride, and inclusivity. Featuring engaging youth led workshops, wellness resources, and drag art, the conference provides a safe and celebratory space for ALL youth. The UYC demonstrates how events planned by youth can empower their communities while addressing critical health topics, such as cannabis prevention and mental wellness.

Attendees will also learn how to incorporate data-based decision-making into project facilitation, outreach efforts, and organizational partnerships. This approach ensures that interventions are targeted, effective, and impactful for priority populations, such as LGBTQ+ youth affected by cannabis use and health inequities.
By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with actionable strategies for enhancing partnerships and supporting youth-led initiatives. They will leave inspired to foster youth empowerment, build capacity, and create sustainable systems that amplify youth voices and serve their communities effectively.

Discussions on gender and sexuality typically focus on the United States perspective, with English dominating the language we use to discuss these topics. What happens when we switch languages? Cultures? Perspectives? How can these differences impact discussions about Queerness and Queer liberation between people of various cultures?

3 Key Audience Takeaways:
Participants will understand how language and culture influence perspectives of queerness.
Participants will have examples of how Queer people are treated in other countries.
Participants will understand how complex the decision to come out can be for a Queer Person of Color.

Leadership through Lyrics is an immersive multimedia experience of reflective practice. This session will provide the attendees with the opportunity to reflect on areas for improvement and take responsibility for change and growth. Through the lyrics and music of Alecia Moore (better known as P!NK) this experience will motivate you to bring your best self to your leadership position every day. Additionally, you will leave energized and committed to balancing your professional and personal responsibilities.

Key Audience Takeaways:    

1. You will increase your confidence to take on that next-level position
2. You will understand that we are all on the continuum of personal and professional improvement
3. You will learn skills to build on your leadership profile