Statewide Conference on LGBTQ+ Youth

Safe Schools, Safe Communities 2023

UW-Green Bay

University Union

2430 Campus Ct

April 6th, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Registration is now closed. Please contact us at info@gsafewi.org if you are interested in registering.

GSAFE and host UW Green Bay Pride Center are pleased to present the return of Safe Schools, Safe Communities: State Conference on LGBTQ+ Youth.

Safe Schools, Safe Communities will feature a variety of speakers and workshops facilitated by local and regional experts. Conference participants will gain critical skills, tools, knowledge, and connections to help lead and support efforts to create safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth across Wisconsin, especially LGBTQ+ Youth of Color and Transgender and Nonbinary Youth. Our target audience includes adults who work with youth and their families.

Conference Schedule:

7:30-8:30 Registration

8:45-9:30 Opening

9:45-10:45 First workshop

11:00 Keynote and Q&A with George M. Johnson

Noon Lunch and book signing

1:00-2:15 Second workshop

2:30-3:45 Third workshop

4:00-4:30 Closing

Preview our Conference Booklet.

Keynote Speaker: George M. Johnson

Our event is being headlined by award-winning and New York Times Bestselling Author, George M. Johnson. Their books “All Boys Aren’t Blue” and “We Are Not Broken” are critically acclaimed, but have been under scrutiny and challenged for including frank discussions and content relating to race, sexual orientation, and gender identity. They will be providing our keynote address with a Q&A, along with a stand alone workshop and book signing.

Learn more about George M. Johnson.

Getting to the UW-Green Bay Campus and Parking

Due to an earlier-than-expected start on a campus construction project, the parking lot we had planned to use is no longer available. Please review directions provided by our friends at UWGB below. Look for yard signs that will direct you to the two parking lots we will be using: Laboratory Sciences Lot and Baird Foundation Lot

Download parking instructions.

Pre-Conference Early Screening of Wisconsin Pride Documentary

Registered conference attendees and special invited guests are invited to join us for a pre-conference early screening of the first hour of the new Wisconsin Pride documentary, a collaboration between PBS Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Historical Society. Conference attendees are invited to join us as special guests in the Phoenix Room of the University Union at UW-Green Bay on Wednesday, April 5. Doors open at 6:00pm, with the screening at 7:00pm with a panel of diverse voices responding to the film afterwards. For more information, visit the Wisconsin Pride website.

Recommended Hotels and Lodging

We have reserved a block of rooms at Aloft Green Bay that are available at $90 USD per night through March 22nd. Make your room reservation for April 5th.

Additional options include:

St. Brendan’s Inn

Country Inn and Suites (Closest to UW-Green Bay)

AmericInn by Wyndham Green Bay East

Call For Workshop Proposals!

GSAFE is currently seeking proposals for workshops at the 2023 Safe Schools Safe Communities: State Conference on LGBTQ+ Youth. We are especially interested in proposals that include youth voices and/or that address issues related to the safety, inclusion, and health needs of LGBTQ+ youth of color, transgender youth, and nonbinary youth.

Submit Your Workshop Proposal

Applications close January 31, 2023

Please note: As a small non-profit organization we are unfortunately limited in our capacity to provide compensation for our workshop presenters. We will waive registration fees for up to three presenters per workshop, and presenters are encouraged to attend the entire conference. While most presenters volunteer their time or have their time covered by their workplace or employer, if you are not in a position to do so but would still like to submit an application please do so and provide specifics on fees.

For any questions, please contact Maren Phalen at maren@gsafewi.org.