I know some folks like to know where they might want to go ahead of time so this is for you. However, we are doing workshop scheduling so make sure to have your your second choices on deck!
3rd BlaqOUT Conference
April 8-9, 2016 @ UC Riverside
Black and Bi - A
Discussion on Bisexuality in the Black Community and other intersectional
identities
Aminata Touncara, CSUN
This lecture and discussion about bisexuality in the black
community and other intersections will look at how slavery and pre colonial
times have shaped the idea of black sexuality and lead up to current
misconceptions. This session includes an open discussion at the end and
activities to get to know each other and share similar intersections.
Historical handouts will be provided. All intersections orientations welcomed; it
will enrich the discussion.
Black/BlaQ Femininity
Tori-Ann Porter, UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center Community
Intern
Jerome Wren, UC Davis BlackOUT Coordinator
The purpose of this workshop is to conceptualize and bring
into focus the intersecting identities of being Black, Queer and Feminine. We
will separate the expression of femininity from being a characteristic of
certain kind of bodies. This workshop will take you from the start of slavery
and post-emancipation era while also looking at the expression of femininity in
Queer and Trans* bodies in contemporary U.S. This workshop will aim to center
femininity where femininity is not always centered. We will also be creating
our own expressions of BlaQ femininity with an art activity.
"Blaq-ish"
Marina Eskander, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and
Science, UCR Alumni
Feeling like you're just not black enough? There is a disparity between those of African
American, African and Black descent. While we are clumped together by western
ideology, it is important to celebrate our differences. We intend to break down
the differences and find what unites us all at BlaqOUT.
Blaq Love: Bae,
boundaries & balance
Kiara Lee, UC Berkeley
Evolve T. Benton, UCSF
Kiara is a BLACK, fierce, femme healer. Evolve is a BLACK
queer writer, lover, and a visionary. Evolve and Kiara will explore the
complexities of black, queer love and how they use open communication, black
excellence, and their diverse experiences to love one another.
Conversations Before
Sex
Stoyan Francis, LGBT Detroit, LGBT College, First Step,
Sasha Center
During this workshop, participants will engage in a thought
provoking conversation and a critical examination of how sexual trauma impacts
intimate partner relationships. This will then develop a deep opportunity for
learning and change related to the intersectionalities of misogyny, sexism, and
trauma impact. The intended outcome of the session will be to embed relationship
structures of effective communication, understanding and empathy in negotiating
healthy boundaries in relationships.
Dating in the Digital
Age: Treatment Issues for African American LGBTQ Clients
Gregory Canillas, Ph.D., Associate
Professor, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Los Angeles
campus)
The presentation will focus on the current trends in dating
in the digital age, specifically for the persons identifying as African
American LGBTQ. The presenter will explore the current trends in online “match
making” (e.g., dating vs. “hook up” sites) that are available to African
American LGBTQ individuals who are looking for companionship and/or love. The
presentation will also explore common issues that may arise in therapy for
individuals who are dating. For example, clients who are actively looking for
relationships often will explore family of origin issues in therapy (e.g., the
impact of their parents’ relationship on their beliefs about dating &
marriage, establishing a family, “hooking up”). The presenter will use case
vignette examples to stimulate audience discussion, and highlight possible
treatment strategies to explore with clients in treatment who are exploring
dating issues.
Faggot, Dyke, Tranny
& Queer: Coming Out in the African American Community
Gregory Canillas, Ph.D., Associate Professor, The Chicago
School of Professional Psychology (Los Angeles campus)
Eko Canillas, M.A.Ed., Ed.D., Education Consultant
Many African Americans who identify as LGBTQ often have
difficulty coming out in the Black community. Often they are negatively affected
by community and cultural standards, religious beliefs, as well as stereotypes
of LGBTQ individuals (e.g., the faggot, dyke, tranny and queer). For this
reason, many African Americans find it easier to remain in the closet. LGBTQ
individuals are often at greater risk for suicide attempts, depressive
disorders, substance abuse and HIV/STDs. They are more than eight times as
likely to attempt suicide; six times as likely to report high levels of
clinical depression; three times as likely to use illicit/illegal drugs; and
three as likely to be at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. The
presentation will explore identity models related to coming out, risk and
protective factors, and the impact of culture and community on the coming out process.
The presenter will use case vignette examples to stimulate audience discussion
about the challenges of “Coming Out” in the Black community, and highlight
possible treatment strategies that may possibly help African American LGBTQ
people to develop a more healthy, integrated LGBTQ identity.
Faith, Religion, and
Me?
Angeline Jackson, Quality of Citizenship Jamaica
Patrice Ford, UC Riverside, UFMCC
For LGBT people, religion can be a painful part of coming
out and the relationships we have with our families. In this discussion, we
will look at the roles religion has played in our lives and ways religion has
impacted us.
Gully Queens: Living
the Gay Life in Jamaica
Danone T., HEALING with HOPE (HwH)
According to 2011 Census, more than 60% of the Jamaican
population is Christian and 21% has no religious affiliation. In Jamaica, an
estimated of 2.75 churches exist every square mile, according to the Guinness
Book of World Records. The majority (91%) of Jamaicans polled in 2014 said they
would vote against the repeal of the sodomy laws. Though headlines in Jamaica
may proclaim the LGBT community’s advancements are vast, the social norm of
everyday life is that homosexuality is wrong and an abomination worthy of
corporal punishment, either by governmental or public means. With this
religious and cultural teaching being perpetuated from the radio to the pulpit,
many LGBT people are quiet about their sexuality because of the consequences
that speaking about it may bring.
Let's Go On A Date!:
The Black Queer Experience
Kayla Chambers, CSUN
Tyler Neroes, CSUN
Why is it so hard to date, especially for black queer
individuals? Does race play a role in dating? In this interactive session
attendees will deconstruct the ideals and expectations we all have when it comes
to finding potential partners. Following which, we will do some self-exploration
of ourselves and what we bring to the table when it comes to dating.
Man.....F!?K THE
POLICE!: A Discussion on Respectability Politics in Black Social and Political
Movements
Dr. Jonathan P. Higgins
In the wake of issues related to movements like "Black
Lives Matter" and "Say Her Name," multiple individuals have
stated that if Black people "just acted right," none of these
movements would be needed. True, or naw? This presentation will closely examine
the ugly truth of respectability politics and will provide space to ask the
question, "does policing our own community help our hurt the
movement?"
No Shade Under the
Umbrella: An Examination of Non-Monosexual Identities
Monique Merritt, UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center
Many, UC Davis BlackOUT
This workshop will examine nuances between different
identities within the non-monosexual umbrella and attempt to deconstruct gender
while simultaneously addressing cissexism, cisgenderism and other forms of
gendered oppression within the Black, Queer, and BlaQ communities. We as
presenters will provide some knowledge around these concepts, but will also
provide space for discussion and for participants to also share their knowledge
and truths.
Sexual Stigma and HIV
in the Black Community
Richard C. Clark, UC Santa Cruz, Student Health Outreach and
Promotion (SHOP)
This presentation aims to address sources of stigma
(structural, cultural, and interpersonal) about sex and sexual health in the
Black Queer Community. It seeks to connect these sources of stigma to the
alarming rates of HIV/AIDS in the Black Community at large. The presentation
will provide helpful information on fighting this stigma. It will also serve to
increase awareness and knowledge around HIV and sexual health resources.
Similarities and
Differences: LGBTQ Americans and Jamaicans
Angeline Jackson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of
Quality of Citizenship Jamaica
The discussion will look at our shared and different
experiences and how our communities can support each other despite our
geographic locations.
So You're Going to
Come Out to Your Black Family
Carolyn Wysinger, TheKnockturnalProject.com
Coming out to a black family can sometimes be a funny experience,
but it can also be a traumatizing experience. In this workshop we will tackle
it all. We will talk about the loving, humorous and often times hurtful
experience of coming out to a black family.
What's Love Got to Do
with It?
Piérre P., The Royalty Foundation, INC.
Join an interactive discussion of love vs lust, and how
dating can go wrong if you don't find the difference. A look into each other’s
mind as we dig deep into today's dating techniques i.e. Dating Apps,
"Sliding in DMs," Social Media, etc. This discussion will be lead by
a series of questions as we collectively break down the issues of dating in the
LGBT Community.
