UPEI’s Diversity and Social Justice Studies program will host the fifth annual shOUT! P.E.I.’s Gender and Sexuality Awareness Conference on April 21.
The conference is a day-long event featuring hands-on workshops, presentations and discussion panels around LGBTQ2S+ issues faced by the Island community.
The event is free and open to the public. Donations will also be accepted throughout the day to support PEERS Alliance and their LGBTQ2S+ programming.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. in McMillan Hall in the W.P. Murphy Student Centre at UPEI. All venues for the conference are accessible, and there are all-gender washrooms on site. The conference begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.
The day will begin with a land acknowledgement and opening ceremony led by Eliza Star Child Knockwood, followed by a panel of queer Islanders sharing their stories. Throughout the day, there will be presentations covering topics such as LGBTQ2S+ mental health, how to start your own GSA and inclusive safer sex education, as well as workshops on drag makeup and zine-making.
Resources from local groups and businesses such as PEERS Alliance, Women’s Network, Pride P.E.I., Wild Impulse and more will be available throughout the day.
Organizers also announced the conception of QueerScape, an Island showcase of artists in the LGBTQ2S+ community open to any artistic medium.
The day will conclude with a keynote performance by Island-born artist Tanya Davis and a closing ceremony by Knockwood.
The event will have volunteers trained in peer mental health support on site if any of the participants require it. Coffee and tea will be available for purchase in the morning, and lunch will be provided free.
