The Carolina Conference on Queer Youth (CCQY) returns to Charlotte on Friday, Oct. 17 offering a full day of training, networking, and collaboration for adults who work with LGBTQ+ young people.
The annual conference is dedicated to advancing the well-being and rights of LGBTQ+ youth in schools and community spaces across the region. It brings together educators, administrators, counselors, social workers, and other youth-serving professionals to share strategies, learn new tools, and build stronger networks of support.
This year’s CCQY is presented by Time Out Youth, Carolina’s CARE Partnership, Charlotte Trans Health, Gender Education Network, PFLAG Charlotte, and Welcoming Schools. Sponsors include Bank of America and Innovation Unbiased. The exact location and parking details will be provided to registered attendees. Tickets are available now, and each attendee must register individually.
The day’s schedule is designed to balance structured learning with time to connect. Registration opens at 8 a.m., followed by a welcome message. Attendees will take part in four workshop blocks across the day, with short breaks between sessions, lunch and networking at midday, and a youth panel with closing remarks from 3 to 4 p.m.
Organizers have released a preview of session titles, which cover a wide range of needs. Practical workshops include “The ABCs and 123s of LGBTQIA+,” “Strategies to Plan Coming Out/Disclosure… or Not,” and “Inclusion: The Impact of Policy Shifts on LGBTQ Students.” Educators can also look forward to “Creating a Welcoming School: Professional Development for School Educators.” Healing-centered and creative offerings include “The Power of a Story: Poetry as Medicine,” “Humor as Healing: How to Laugh Through the Chaos,” and “Collaging Change: Reconnecting to Our Transformative Selves to Better Serve LGBTQI Youth.” Other sessions highlight the experiences of queer youth of color, the role of families, and the impact of social media.
Breakfast and lunch are included with registration, with options for vegans, vegetarians, and other dietary needs. Attendees are encouraged to share restrictions when they register. Accessibility is also a priority with organizers noting that the venue is fully ADA accessible and has wheelchair access throughout. Interpreters will be provided as needed and participants may submit requests for accommodations in advance.
Each attendee will receive a Certificate of Attendance documenting their hours at the conference, which can be used to apply for continuing education credit through their district or institution. Scholarships are available to help offset costs for those with financial barriers. Interested attendees are asked to reach out directly to the planning committee for more details.
While proposals for this year’s conference have already closed, organizers say the schedule promises a rich slate of sessions designed to educate, inspire, and equip attendees. More information, including registration and parking details, can be found by visiting https://timeoutyouth.org/ccqy/.