ÂÌñÉç

United in Identity: Queer Youth Conference

8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
ÂÌñÉç Union
ÂÌñÉç, NY 

The ÂÌñÉç Q Center invites youth from Southern Tier and South Central New York schools, GSA (Gay Straight Alliance or Gender and Sexuality Alliance) advisors, and university students to attend this dynamic, day-long conference. United in Identity: Queer Youth Conference will address critical issues facing LGBTQ+ youth while also engaging all participants in discussions around coalition building, social empowerment, and expression of queer joy. 

University students and youth from local and regional schools will hear directly from Q Center staff, LGBTQ+ student leaders, and keynote speaker Mrs. Kasha Davis. GSA advisors will have additional breakout session options lead by Q Center and LGBTQ+ university staff focused on identifying sustainable advocacy strategies when working with queer youth. 

• Schedule at a Glance

  8 A.M. - Check-in & Welcome Breakfast
  9 - 9:30 A.M. - Opening Remarks
  9:30 - 10:10 A.M. - Breakout Session #1*
  10:20 - 11 A.M. - Breakout Session #2*
  11 - 12 P.M. - Keynote Speaker - Mrs. Kasha Davis
  12 - 1 P.M. - Resource Fair and Lunch
  1:10 - 1:50 P.M. - Breakout Session #3*
  2 - 2:15 P.M. - Closing Remarks
  2:30 -3:30 P.M. - Social Mixer at the Q Center**

  *Each breakout session time will have 2-3 session choices all located within the same area of the University Union. Sessions include interactive presentations from staff from our Center for Civic Engagement and College for Community and Public Affairs, as well as student leaders from our Rainbow Pride Union, oSTEM (Out in STEM), and SHADES student organizations.

  **Closing session will end by 2:15pm with the Q Center Social Mixer being an optional opportunity from 2:30-3:30pm for all attendees

• Registration

  Registration is now live!

  Conference registration is free for all attendees. If you are registering on behalf of multiple students, you will be guided within the registration form to provide all relevent information for each student attendee. Please contact Nick Martin at martinn@binghamton.edu if you have any questions related to the registration form.

  This conference will be most applicaple for:

  • Youth within the Southern Tier and South Central New York involved with a GSA or similarly themed club at their high school or middle school
  • LGBTQ+ identifying youth within the Southern Tier and South Central New York
  • High school or middle school GSA Advisors, faculty, or support staff who advocate for and directly support LGBTQ+ student populations at their school
  • ÂÌñÉç undergraduate and graduate students looking to go into work affiliated with K-12 students (teachers, social workers, education, human development, etc...) or are actively involved in LGBTQ+ affirming student organizations on campus
• Keynote Speaker

  

  We're excited to have television star and upstate New York drag queen extraordinaire Mrs. Kasha Davis provide our keynote address to attendees!!

  Mrs. Kasha Davis is a central figure in the Rochester, NY, drag scene with her husband Steve and Drag Sisters and their successful Drag Me To Brunch shows. MKD performs constantly either with her one-woman show, or as a featured performer across the country.

  In 2025 MKD has performed internationally in London, UK, Christchurch, New Zealand, and an upcoming event in Berlin, Germany.

  In October 2023, Kasha was named as one of Out magazine’s Out100 for 2023, recognizing her as an artist, trailblazer and storyteller who is making a difference for the LGBTQIA+ community. MKD was also honored in November 2024 by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) New England Chapter, with there Visibility award for her work with promoting Drag Story Hour.

  MKD has been an adjunct professor at SUNY Brockport for a full course on DRAG that encompasses history, theory, and performance since 2024.

• Event Location & Parking

  This event will take place at the ÂÌñÉç Union and the Q Center. ÂÌñÉç University is located at 4400 Vestal Pkwy E in ÂÌñÉç, New York. 

  Parking information will be sent to conference registrants prior to the conference. Parking will be provided on campus free of cost.

• Additional Information

  Any questions related to this conference can be emailed to Nick Martin at martinn@binghamton.edu. If you would like to attend the conference, but are unable to find transportation to the university, please email Nick to discuss your specific situation. We are committed to bringing as many interested youth to campus as possible for this conference.