Friday, October 27

8:30am - 9:00am

Registration

9:00am - 10:00am

Keynote

Chris Cochrane, "Elle Noire"

Chris Cochrane is a Trans Black activist and public speaker. She speaks and educates about her lived experience through her intersectionality. Chris works toward creating spaces for QTBIPOC people, as well as working with 2SLGBTIQIA+ youth to ensure those spaces will be upheld for years to come.

10:00am - 10:15am

Break

10:15am - 11:15am

Capacity: 35

Sesson A

A1: Discussing Gender and Sexuality in the Elementary Classroom

Rachel Creasor (she/they), Marley (she/they), Kass Knapton (they/them), Allison McLay (she/her) & Danielle McQueen (she/her)

A panel discussion on strategies to embrace 2SLGBTQ identities among students, their adults, and the broader community, as well as on the benefits of GSAs at the elementary level, and how to start one at your school. 

Rachel, Kass, Allison, and Danielle are queer and trans elementary school teachers with experience in grades primary through 6, including in French immersion, and learning center teaching. Marley is a student in Kentville.

10:15am - 11:15am

Capacity: 35

Sesson A

A2: Discussing Gender and Sexuality in the Secondary Classroom

Shae Morse (they/them)

A workshop on teaching about and including 2SLGBTQ people in the secondary classroom, regardless of the subject. Topics will include integrating figures from the 2SLGBTQ community in lessons, creating a welcoming classroom environment, and addressing homophobic and transphobic comments in the classroom.

Shae Morse (they/them) is a longtime teacher and 2SLGBTQIA+ community advocate. They specialize in building inclusive spaces for queer and trans youth and adults inside and outside of the education system. Shae played a role in Nova Scotia's 2019 gender marker changes and is an active facilitator of Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia and Restorative Approach's Moving Beyond the Binary project. They enjoy making music, being in nature, and gaming.

10:15am - 11:15am

Capacity: 35

Sesson A

A3: Supporting LGBTQ+ students from conservative backgrounds

Drawing on personal experience, education, and one-on-one support to queer and trans youth, this workshop seeks to provide basic information about gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and allyship. The workshop is conducted in a conversation style where the presenter seeks to engage the audience in a back-and-forth discussion. Questions and comments are encouraged. This workshop is presented as a ‘safe space’ for learning and acceptance in a judgement-free arena.

Adam Dolliver (he/him), originally from Cape Island, NS, has been the Executive Director at SHYFT Youth Services in Yarmouth since 2014. Prior to his work with youth, Adam worked as a Program Coordinator with the Hepatitis Outreach Society of Nova Scotia, and with Shelter Nova Scotia as a Support Worker in a men’s halfway house. Adam is passionate about community work and grassroots initiatives, and utilizes his fierce advocacy skills to combat stigma and address gaps in services and supports for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, and for those at-risk of homelessness folks dealing with mental health and addictions challenges. Adam is also an incredible father to 2 amazing kids.

10:15am - 11:15am

Capacity: 35

Sesson A

A4: Welcoming Trans Students and Staff in your School: a Practical 101

A workshop followed by a question and answer period about how to support trans students and staff in your school building, including discussions of how to speak up against misgendering and transphobic comments, how to support students in the process of coming out and transitioning, and how to make your school more welcoming of gender diversity.

Quinn Kloppenburg (he/they) is a non-binary grade 9 French Immersion teacher in the Halifax area. Quinn has been openly queer since their own junior high years, and came out as trans after beginning their teaching career. Since then, he has advocated for more queer and trans representation in schools, as well as more robust supports for young people in transition. They enjoy tabletop gaming and bicycling.

10:15am - 11:15am

Capacity: 35

Sesson A

A5: Managing backlash against LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion

A workshop on strategies to address backlash against 2SLGBTQ, accompanied by a review of the legal and policy protections afforded to teachers via RCE and NSTU personnel, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

11:15am - 12:15pm

Capacity: 35

Sesson B

B1: Discussing Gender and Sexuality in the Elementary Classroom

Rachel Creasor (she/they), Marley (she/they), Kass Knapton (they/them), Allison McLay (she/her) & Danielle McQueen (she/her)

A panel discussion on strategies to embrace 2SLGBTQ identities among students, their adults, and the broader community, as well as on the benefits of GSAs at the elementary level, and how to start one at your school. 

Rachel, Kass, Allison, and Danielle are queer and trans elementary school teachers with experience in grades primary through 6, including in French immersion, and learning center teaching. Marley is a student in Kentville.

11:15am - 12:15pm

Capacity: 35

Sesson B

B2: Discussing Gender and Sexuality in the Secondary Classroom

Shae Morse (they/them)

A workshop on teaching about and including 2SLGBTQ people in the secondary classroom, regardless of the subject. Topics will include integrating figures from the 2SLGBTQ community in lessons, creating a welcoming classroom environment, and addressing homophobic and transphobic comments in the classroom.

Shae Morse (they/them) is a longtime teacher and 2SLGBTQIA+ community advocate. They specialize in building inclusive spaces for queer and trans youth and adults inside and outside of the education system. Shae played a role in Nova Scotia's 2019 gender marker changes and is an active facilitator of Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia and Restorative Approach's Moving Beyond the Binary project. They enjoy making music, being in nature, and gaming.

11:15am - 12:15pm

Capacity: 35

Sesson B

B3: Supporting LGBTQ+ students from conservative backgrounds

Drawing on personal experience, education, and one-on-one support to queer and trans youth, this workshop seeks to provide basic information about gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and allyship. The workshop is conducted in a conversation style where the presenter seeks to engage the audience in a back-and-forth discussion. Questions and comments are encouraged. This workshop is presented as a ‘safe space’ for learning and acceptance in a judgement-free arena.

Adam Dolliver (he/him), originally from Cape Island, NS, has been the Executive Director at SHYFT Youth Services in Yarmouth since 2014. Prior to his work with youth, Adam worked as a Program Coordinator with the Hepatitis Outreach Society of Nova Scotia, and with Shelter Nova Scotia as a Support Worker in a men’s halfway house. Adam is passionate about community work and grassroots initiatives, and utilizes his fierce advocacy skills to combat stigma and address gaps in services and supports for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, and for those at-risk of homelessness folks dealing with mental health and addictions challenges. Adam is also an incredible father to 2 amazing kids.

11:15am - 12:15pm

Capacity: 35

Sesson B

B4: Welcoming Trans Students and Staff in your School: a Practical 101

A workshop followed by a question and answer period about how to support trans students and staff in your school building, including discussions of how to speak up against misgendering and transphobic comments, how to support students in the process of coming out and transitioning, and how to make your school more welcoming of gender diversity.

Quinn Kloppenburg (he/they) is a non-binary grade 9 French Immersion teacher in the Halifax area. Quinn has been openly queer since their own junior high years, and came out as trans after beginning their teaching career. Since then, he has advocated for more queer and trans representation in schools, as well as more robust supports for young people in transition. They enjoy tabletop gaming and bicycling.

11:15am - 12:15pm

Capacity: 35

Sesson B

B5: Managing backlash against LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion

A workshop on strategies to address backlash against 2SLGBTQ, accompanied by a review of the legal and policy protections afforded to teachers via RCE and NSTU personnel, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

12:15pm - 1:30pm

Lunch

12:15pm - 1:15pm

AGM

1:30pm - 2:30pm

Capacity: 35

Sesson C

C1: Discussing Gender and Sexuality in the Elementary Classroom

Rachel Creasor (she/they), Marley (she/they), Kass Knapton (they/them), Allison McLay (she/her) & Danielle McQueen (she/her)

A panel discussion on strategies to embrace 2SLGBTQ identities among students, their adults, and the broader community, as well as on the benefits of GSAs at the elementary level, and how to start one at your school. 

Rachel, Kass, Allison, and Danielle are queer and trans elementary school teachers with experience in grades primary through 6, including in French immersion, and learning center teaching. Marley is a student in Kentville.

1:30pm - 2:30pm

Capacity: 35

Sesson C

C2: Discussing Gender and Sexuality in the Secondary Classroom

Shae Morse (they/them)

A workshop on teaching about and including 2SLGBTQ people in the secondary classroom, regardless of the subject. Topics will include integrating figures from the 2SLGBTQ community in lessons, creating a welcoming classroom environment, and addressing homophobic and transphobic comments in the classroom.

Shae Morse (they/them) is a longtime teacher and 2SLGBTQIA+ community advocate. They specialize in building inclusive spaces for queer and trans youth and adults inside and outside of the education system. Shae played a role in Nova Scotia's 2019 gender marker changes and is an active facilitator of Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia and Restorative Approach's Moving Beyond the Binary project. They enjoy making music, being in nature, and gaming.

1:30pm - 2:30pm

Capacity: 35

Sesson C

C3: Supporting LGBTQ+ students from conservative backgrounds

Drawing on personal experience, education, and one-on-one support to queer and trans youth, this workshop seeks to provide basic information about gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and allyship. The workshop is conducted in a conversation style where the presenter seeks to engage the audience in a back-and-forth discussion. Questions and comments are encouraged. This workshop is presented as a ‘safe space’ for learning and acceptance in a judgement-free arena.

Adam Dolliver (he/him), originally from Cape Island, NS, has been the Executive Director at SHYFT Youth Services in Yarmouth since 2014. Prior to his work with youth, Adam worked as a Program Coordinator with the Hepatitis Outreach Society of Nova Scotia, and with Shelter Nova Scotia as a Support Worker in a men’s halfway house. Adam is passionate about community work and grassroots initiatives, and utilizes his fierce advocacy skills to combat stigma and address gaps in services and supports for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, and for those at-risk of homelessness folks dealing with mental health and addictions challenges. Adam is also an incredible father to 2 amazing kids.

1:30pm - 2:30pm

Capacity: 35

Sesson C

C4: Welcoming Trans Students and Staff in your School: a Practical 101

A workshop followed by a question and answer period about how to support trans students and staff in your school building, including discussions of how to speak up against misgendering and transphobic comments, how to support students in the process of coming out and transitioning, and how to make your school more welcoming of gender diversity.

Quinn Kloppenburg (he/they) is a non-binary grade 9 French Immersion teacher in the Halifax area. Quinn has been openly queer since their own junior high years, and came out as trans after beginning their teaching career. Since then, he has advocated for more queer and trans representation in schools, as well as more robust supports for young people in transition. They enjoy tabletop gaming and bicycling.

1:30pm - 2:30pm

Capacity: 35

Sesson C

C5: Managing backlash against LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion

A workshop on strategies to address backlash against 2SLGBTQ, accompanied by a review of the legal and policy protections afforded to teachers via RCE and NSTU personnel, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Closing