Live Out Loud Community Conference

LOL 2019 Session descriptions

10:50 Am – 11:35 am sessions

 

Queering The Word: Writers, Spoken Word Artists, and Performers in our LGBTQIA+ Community

How can we use the written, spoken, and performed word to express our sense of ourselves as LGBTQIA+ individuals, and as members of a marginalized and oppressed community? Come meet local writers, performers, and spoken word artists as they share their stories and their work.

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Coming Out: NOT Once in a Lifetime

Coming out, unlike other milestones in our lives, doesn’t happen just once. When we gather with friends or family, when we meet someone new, when we enter college or a career, and when we are considering or undergoing gender confirmation surgery, we may be at a loss about what, and how much, to disclose about our sexual orientation, gender identity, or intimate relationships. In this session we will share our experiences in a safe, accepting and confidential conversation, and leave room for our audience to ask questions and gain a new understanding of the issues and challenges we face in this ongoing process.

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Drag In The Berkshires

What’s involved in drag performances? What goes into those amazing presentations – the music, the moves, the costumes, the make-up? Who’s doing drag in the Berkshires, and what insights would they like to share with the rest of us? Come find out.

11:40 – 12:25 pm sessions

 

Reconciling Our Religious Lives and our Sexuality / Gender Identity

Over the past 40 years, communities of faith and religions have been grappling with issues of sexuality and gender identity. This has come from the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and newer understandings of sexuality and gender identity. Come have a robust discussion with LGBTQIA+ spiritual leaders about how we reconcile our religious lives and our sexuality/gender identity.

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Trans In The Berkshires

 A conversation with members of our trans community. Panelists will discuss the challenges faced by the trans community, including access to competent healthcare, the support groups and networks they have created, and the continued threat of hate-crimes against the trans community.

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Moving Memories, Creative Communities

Join choreographer Matthew Cumbie (Jacob’s Pillow, Dance Exchange) in a workshop for people of all ages and abilities that explores our understandings of what it means to be LGBTQ+, and that centers and celebrates our communities. Through conversation and moving together, we will ground our work in the context that can only come from collaborating across age and generation, bringing our ideas into action as we connect to our past and move towards our future. All are welcome; no previous experience or special clothing necessary.