May 8th was Outright’s statewide GSA Conference, Funders’ Caucus, Queer Youth Pride March and Speakout, and Queer Prom. 151 participants from 11 counties in Vermont met for a day of workshops and presentations delivered by youth GSA members. Students participated in a Youth Priority Setting session, identifying Outright’s priorities for the 2010-2011 school year.

Priorities selected include:
* more trainings for school administrators and teachers
* connecting GSAs to each other
* more spaces to just hang out across the state
* creating queer youth interest groups (some suggestions were yoga, theater, dance, and sports).

Youth than lead a Pride March from the high school to the statehouse, and hosted a Speakout on the statehouse lawn. About 100 conference participants and 50 other youth packed into the Lamb Abbey for Queer Prom, and it was amazing!

The tremendous success of the entire day was made possible by the collective efforts of the Montpelier High School GSA, the Outright staff, a huge team of volunteers, and the Outright Board of Directors. Special thanks to Dean Evans for co-hosting the Funders’ Caucus, to Claire Giroux-Williams and Joanne Davidman for coordinating the prom decorations, to DJ John Martin, to Em for being the Speakout emcee, to interns Rachel Dempsey and Oz Skinner, and to volunteers Maureen Rees and Daisy & Jaime Chamberlain for volunteering from 7:30am-12:30am (yes, a 17 hour day!). Thanks also to all the GSA members that presented, the GSA advisers that participated, the youth panelists, and to all the youth that attended the conference.

Enormous thanks to our sponsors, the Montpelier High School GSA, Physicians Computer Company, and the Vermont Community Foundation. Thanks also to Positive Pie, Myer’s Bagels, Hannaford, Price Chopper, Healthy Living, Shaws, Skinny Pancake, Subway, First Student Transportation, and Julio’s Mexican Restaurant.

It truly was an awe inspiring day, and a great introduction to the amazing work that queer youth are doing in Vermont!

I’ll end with one of my favorite chants from the march:
1, 2, 3, 4 Open Up the Closet Door
5, 6, 7, 8 Don’t Assume Your Kid is Straight!