The Annual Wyoming LGBTQ Youth Summits are a collaborative effort between the Wyoming Departments of Education and Health. Several years ago, the Departments invited teachers, counselors, practitioners and students to create a Sexual Minority Youth Coalition. This group asked the Department of Education to sponsor several trainings around the state specifically addressing the needs of sexual minority youth. One outgrowth of these trainings was increased support for existing and the creation of new GSAs in high schools in the state.
Seeing a need to create safe, learning experiences for sexual minority youth and their allies, the departments joined forces with the Shepard Symposium for Social Justice at the University of Wyoming to hold the Youth Summit concurrently with the Symposium. Bringing students from all over the state to the campus and their advisors gives them the opportunity to network with one another, as well as learn from nationally recognized social justice presenters. Staff members from the WDE, WDH and partner agencies also present information regarding bullying prevention, GSA development, and HIV/STD/pregnancy prevention.
Students participating in the Shepard Symposium, along with students who are not able to get away from school in the spring for the Summit, are encouraged to attend the summer GSA Kickoff Camp. Taking the students to a serene, mountain air retreat creates a whole new environment for the students and their ally friends. Leadership skills, sexual health information, as well as peer education techniques are presented.
Meaghan McClellan or Rob Johnston
Meaghan.mcclellan@wyo.gov or Robert.johnston1@wyo.gov
www.k12.wy.us or www.health.wyo.gov
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