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http://www.metroline-online.com/pages/featured/startingout/true-colors-conference-beautiful-like-a-rainbow.shtmlTrue Colors Conference: Beautiful Like a Rainbow
Truly, it was an eclectic crowd of people from all over the country embarking on a weekend of diversity and education, united by a common thread of understanding and support.
Walking from the parking garage to the opening session of the True Colors Conference was like taking a trip down the yellow — and red, orange, green, blue, indigo and violet — brick road. Truly, it was an eclectic crowd of people from all over the country embarking on a weekend of diversity and education, united by a common thread of understanding and support.
Everywhere I looked there was an explosion of color and a celebration of life. A VW Bug, sporting a rainbow paint job and the name Fag Bug across the side (turning an act of vandalism and hate into a mobile vehicle for awareness), sat parked near the entrance to the Jorgensen theatre (the location of the opening session ceremony). As fantastic a sight this was, it was hardly out of place in the vast crowd of rainbow flags, multi-colored beads, mohawks of blue and green, knee highs and plaid skirts (and not just on those presenting as female), piercings and chains hanging off anything and everything that could be pierced, clipped or clasped. This was my first, fabulous introduction to the 16th annual True Colors Mental and Behavioral Health Conference — and what an introduction it was.
Arriving fashionably late as usual, I was able to catch the tail end of the commencement to the weekend, including a comedy act, a performance of the Rainbow Idol finalists, and a few parting words from Robin McHaelen, founder and executive director of True Colors. With the place packed to capacity, the audience cheered wildly and excitedly embarked on a day filled with informative workshops and lectures, of education and mentoring, of leadership and activism and of all things gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (with focus on ALL aspects of the queer community).
Over the next seven hours, I was able to participate in interactive, motivational experiences for youth and adults of all ages. The day focused on understanding and awareness of issues that hit hard at home for so many of us, yet so few of us actually have the opportunity to discuss in a safe and welcoming environment. I saw GLBT youth eager to participate in intellectual discussions without fear of ridicule, judgment, hate or violence — something we all deserve every single day, something that some, sadly, only experience one weekend a year, at the country’s biggest conference of its kind. It is a place where people can move beyond notions of tolerance (as to tolerate is no more than merely putting up with) and move into a world of acceptance and respect for who we all are, beautiful like a rainbow.
The conference went from Thursday and ended on Saturday, capping the weekend off with a drag show and finally, a youth dance. I was only able to attend the event on Friday; what follows are my accounts and thoughts on my insane attempt to try and attend as many workshops and events as possible in one day.
The first workshop I had the pleasure of sitting in on was a discussion led by Leif Mitchell of GLSEN, focusing on raising GLBT issues within a high school community. As many of today’s youth are coming out of the closet in high school or earlier, it is important to know what students, teachers, counselors and administrators can do to foster a safe, hate-free zone in their schools. This was one of my personal favorite workshops, as it is such a dire topic that needs serious attention and resources: to combat discrimination in one the most predominant environments of an adolescent’s life. Particular attention was given to recent public service announcements coordinated with the Ad Council and GLSEN — the first of their kind — tackling GLBT issues. These upcoming PSAs focus on the use of the term “That’s so gay” in schools, as referring to something being stupid, bad or negative. Hillary Duff and Wanda Sykes lend their star power to raise awareness that this statement can hurt, even if that is not the intention.
Speed walking on over to “Queer by the books,” I entered into a lively conversation on the variety of groups encompassed under the umbrella term “queer,” its different connotations over time, and how this one word simultaneously includes individual groups, as well as those who identify with more than one identification (allowing for the ability to not be pigeonholed into one defined category or the other). On a broad scope, we discussed how teachers can work a “queer” reading of a text into an established curriculum. With little time to spare, I made it to my last workshop before lunch. Representatives from the Trevor project (a non-profit based in California) presented valuable information on high school “safe spaces” and the importance, as an educator, of making yourself available to students who feel marginalized and outcasts because of their sexual orientation. The group also works in suicide prevention and promoting acceptance in schools of all people — noting that the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds is suicide; this is four times as likely among GLBT youth.
Lunch. Hurry, hurry, hurry and on to the second session of workshops for the day. Mama, all the way from LA, led the workshop “From the Nightmare of Ex-Gay to the Blessing of Drag.” With a ton of experience, her captivating presence and more than a dash of fabulousness, she presented in front of an awestruck group of youth and adults alike. With the spirit of a motivational speaker and the confidence of a Los Angeles stage and screen actress (and drag queen galore), she spoke of how far we have come and the great potential we have as the first generation in a particularly unique position to make huge strides in GLBT rights in this country. And, as she said, there’s a difference between being gay and being a homosexual; because “honey, there’s an art to being gay.”
The next two presentations I attended were “Facebook this: Bridging the Gap in LGBT online networking” and “A Glimpse into the History of the LGBT Movement,” respectively. In “Facebook This,” members of SCSU’s PRISM discussed the advantages and some dangers of online networks, providing perspectives from a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and ally point of view—stressing the need to bridge these gaps and become a more inclusive community. “A Glimpse into the History” covered important events and moments in time that have shaped the GLBT movement and where we are today.
My last workshop in of the day maintained the same balance of informative discussion and lightheartedness I had come to expect from the day’s preceding events. In “I’m Beautiful Dammit! Exploring Body Image” I squeezed into a packed room and was dazzled by a fabulous discussion on body image and how we, above all others, need to love and respect ourselves for who we are. What an important lesson to teach our youth, a message that many simply do not get from the media, society/culture and even our peers or parents. Barbara Curry led an absolutely amazing workshop, aimed at high school youth, encouraging them to own who they are and accept the fact that it truly is OK to be you. As she mentioned, the negative thoughts tend to stay with us more than the positive; with sage advice, she told the group to hold onto the positive, let go of the negative and take ownership of your life.
This was my first True Colors conference and it will not be my last. After all the workshops were finished, and the day near complete, we all headed back to the Jorgensen theatre for the closing ceremonies of the day. Most of all, I will remember the very end, when the speakers were finished, the events were over and the floor was opened up to the very people this conference was intended for: the GLBT youth. They were given the opportunity to voice their opinions of the day. Some were exuberant, shouting love and praise for the presenters and the overall experience; some were silly and lighthearted, bragging about their contest for who could give out the most free hugs all day; and some were emotional, overjoyed that they finally were able to experience an environment where they felt free, safe and comfortable to be open about who they are; to express their identity without fear of hate, ridicule or violence. It was a touching moment to see these youth have a space for them, a day, a weekend, where the heterosexual norm is turned on its head and they, for once, make up the majority. It was a liberating and empowering moment that I wish every single person could feel. If only for a weekend, it is a start. It was a moment where friendships were made and networks were formed. It was a something real and good that they could hold onto, and fall back upon when they are in need of a friend, a mentor or just somebody to tell them “you’re going to be OK.” And I hope they will as they head out into the world, armed with the knowledge and confidence that they are not alone, that they have support and, indeed, a family.
In light of the promotion of acceptance and understanding, I would like to very briefly mention a few important events coming up in the community. The Day of Silence, celebrated throughout the month of April by Yale University and UCONN, begins in April. SCSU is celebrating the day to break the silence on April 15th; be on the lookout for events all over the state this next month. Secondly, gender identity and expression lobby day will take place on Tuesday, April 7th, 10:00 a.m., at the Legislative office building in Hartford. Be sure to turn out and lobby for the passing of the bill extending Conn.’s non-discrimination law to include gender identity. Finally, check out Rufus Wainwright, performing 8 p.m. April 23rd at Yale’s Woolsey Hall. Proceeds go to AIDS Project New Haven and GLSEN-CT. Stay Righteous and stay proud.