by Timothy D. Turner

Hosted by: University of Florida Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Student Union

Keynote Speakers:

• Mandy Carter - National Field Director for the National Black Lesbian & Gay Leadership Forum
• Winnie Stachelberg - Legislative Director of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
• Urvashi Vaid - Director of the Policy Institute at the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF)
• Tom Reily - Founder of PlanetOut and Digital Queers

Special Guest Lecturer

• Kevin Jennings - founder and Executive Director of Gay, Lesbian, Straight Teachers Network

Networking:

Briefly spoke with Winnie Stachelburg (HRC) about BiNet USA and the Youth Initiative. Her words:

• BiNet USA is instrumental for in the changes at HRC on Bisexuality.
• Appreciates our Cooperating and Negotiating Skills both Legislatively & Regionally.
• Looks forward to a Stronger Unity in our (GLBT) Community.

Urvashi Vaid (NGLTF) and I planned to develop an Email dialogue Tony Esoldo (HRC) and I have established a dialogue on youth initiatives between BiNet USA and HRC

Participation:

Reaching out to Bisexuals by Timothy D. Turner - BiNet USA Regional Youth Organizer

The workshop was presented in four sections: How you reach Bisexuals on your campus, The Benefits of recruiting Bisexual Students on your campus, How do we implement these programs: Q&A, and What is BiNet USA and How we have a Future Together.

Many students had a variety of questions throughout the conference and they seemed to be sent my way. I felt this was a great reflection on BiNet USA. As a BiNet USA representative, I was providing these students a variety of information from: membership issues, programming issues, leadership development, homophobia issues, community outreach, etc.

I feel certain we will have a new addition of Southeast Youth Members. Many plan to take a trip to Boston sometime soon......... YEAH!!!

Here are a few comments the workshop received:

Your workshop was Da Bomb. When will you be in our area? We need motivational speakers?
--Greg Watson & Thomas E. Doll, Jr. - GLBA of Ole Mississippi

How do I get to where you are? I want be an activist too
--Amy Schwarzer - LGBSU of University of Florida

I wish everyone at the conference had seen your workshop
-- Heather Hybarger - MTSU Lambda

Thanks for being transgender inclusive. You have a great future in the movement
--Erin Swenson, American Educational Gender Information Service - AEGIS

You had the best workshop
--Lara Anderson, GLCS of Central Florida, Inc.

Other Comments from Southeast Conference Organizers:

I have had so many great comments about your workshop. Ever time I turn around someone is talking about it
--Paul Lawson, SEC Co-Chair

Thanks for going out of your way to help us. You are unbelievable. Can we forward your name to the next school that hosts the conference?
--Chad Cronon, SEC Co-Chair

We couldn't have done it without you.
--Jen Pearl, SEC Programs Chair

Conclusion:

Enjoyed the SEC conference. It was great to compare the Conference this year with the Midwest Conference I spoke at last year. It is a great experience to know I (only a youth myself) am having an impact on creating future GLBT youth activists and leaders. The more I speak at conferences and schools, the more I realize how invisible we are to these young people. And these initial face to face connections are going to be the fuel for the future of BiNet USA. When these young people meet an individual from a National Organization, they then have a connection. Until this initial meeting, many youth are not seeing the importance of joining groups like: HRC, NGLTF, and BiNet USA. Each time I go to these conferences, I learn many things. I plan to spend the next two weeks making follow ups on questions I received at the conference, sending out membership applications to students who signed up & to all the groups that attended, and send my usual follow up to all students who attended my workshop. Follow up packet includes: BiNet USA information and membership application, Workshop summary, Information checklist, Speaker information, Area specific information and this year IBC5 information.