True Colors Workshop Topic Wish List
Workshop Topics may encompass any aspect of lesbian, gay, bisexual, same gender loving, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning or ally issues specifically, or within a broader social justice context (i.e. multi issue organizing, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, etc.). Workshops may be proposed as single (1.25 hour) sessions or double (2.5 hour) sessions. In addition, proposals may be submitted for consideration for the Pre-Conference Institute (3.5 hour) sessions. True Colors reserves the right to change session length and target audience based on the needs of the overall program.
Workshop Proposal Deadline:
Professional Workshops: August 31, 2007
All Others: December 1, 2007
Middle School Youth Only
Sessions: (targeting youth approximately 12-14):
These workshops should be very
interacting, discussion based and age appropriate. Youth led workshops are
strongly encouraged. Examples include:
Body image
Healthy relationships (how do you know when you have one and when you don’t)
Basic Q+A – what does it mean to be ‘questioning’?
How to be an ally
Telling your friends or parents that you might be LGBT, etc.
Activity based workshops such as dance, drumming, art, theater games, performance art are also welcome.
High School Youth Only Sessions:
(targeting high school youth approximately 14-18):
These workshops should be very
interacting, discussion based and age appropriate. Youth led workshops are
strongly encouraged. Examples include:
Body image
Impact of media
Negotiating abstinence or safer sex
Starting or maintaining a GSA
Healthy and unhealthy relationships
Facilitated discussions on identity specific topics
Dealing with homophobic students, faculty or staff
Activity based workshops such as dance, drumming, art, theater games, performance art are also welcome.
College Workshops
(targeting college students):
These workshops should be very interactive and experiential. Workshops usually
start with ground rules and an icebreaker (10-15 minutes), followed by
activities or discussion specific to the particular topic (35-45 minutes,
including Q+A) and a closing activity (like brainstorming next steps or ways of
using the new skills, etc. for the last 10 –15 minutes).
Starting and maintaining a GSA on campus
Working with conservative school cultures
Coming out to your roommate
Being political on campus
Negotiating safer sex
Trans-national relationships
Queer issues in other countries
Fighting a culture of apathy with activism.
General workshops (youth and adult audience):
General workshops should include experiential or interactive elements. Some
examples might include:
Homosexuality and the Bible
Queer Spirituality
Transgender 101
Personal Coming Out Stories with Q & A
Body Image
Re-Constructing Masculinity
Step Up, Step Back: Creating Effective Youth Adult Partnerships
The Nuts and Bolts of Running and Maintaining a GSA
"Out, Safe and Respected” The Rights of LGBTQ Youth at School
"t" & "I" Aren't Just Tack-ons
Born Gay? A look at biological factors
Exploring and Developing Your Creative Self
Expressions: LGBT Leaders of Color Speak Out
Cross-national relationships;
Queer Theory
Professional Workshops (adult audience):
Workshops should include
specific guidelines, tactics, and procedures for accomplishing the objective
effectively and efficiently. Round table discussions targeting specific
audiences are also encouraged! Some topics might include:
Substance abuse reduction strategies that are effective with LGBTQIA youth
Policy or programming models of inclusion within a group home setting
Meeting the health care needs of transgender youth
Creating safe and affirming classrooms
Hands-on skills for interrupting intolerance
Developing support in middle schools
Working with gender variant children
Bully-free classrooms
Mental Health considerations with LGBTI youth
Working with families when a youth comes out
Culturally competent clinical work with LGBT youth of Color and their families
Balancing personal values with professional responsibilities
Gay – nature or nurture
International issues (immigration,
cross-national relationships, etc.)
Activist Institute:
These workshops will attract youth and adults who wish to learn or strengthen various activist skills. These workshops have included such topics as: Working with your local, state or federal legislators to create change; Grassroots organizing skills; Creating a successful direct action, etc.
Planning a successful direct action
Ideas for creating change in your school or community
Turning apathy to action
How to successfully lobby your legislator
Nuts and bolts of grassroots organizing
Developing activism on your campus
Dealing with backlash
Learning from our queer activist history
Turning protest into power
Creating a multi-issue social justice organization
Anti-racism for queers