11th Annual

ANTI-bullying / GSA Summit

The 11th Anti-Bullying Summit is a half-day gathering to connect and uplift members of Gender Sexuality Alliances, their advisors, and allies that support them as they fight for equity and justice. The event is to fight against bullying and discrimination to bring all students together. The 2023 Summit has come to a close, but you can learn more about next year’s summit by signing up for the 2024 Waitlist.

Unapologetically Queer

What is the Anti-Bullying & GSA Summit?

The 11th Anti-Bullying Summit is a half-day gathering to connect and uplift members of Gender Sexuality Alliances, their advisors, and allies that support them as they fight for equity and justice. The event is to fight against bullying and discrimination to bring all students together.

GSA advisors and parents are encouraged to attend. We will have special resource and learning sessions for the adults.

Image of Black student union members from Delaware high schools

Enter the

Anti-Bullying/GSA
Summit Challenge

The school with the MOST students at the Anti-Bullying/ GSA Summit will win a $500 cash prize!

Help your school win a cash prize for having the most students in attendance at the Summit! Show support by sharing Summit information and encouraging your friends to register and attend our November 4th event.

How Your School Can Win $500!

Register for the Summit

Complete the registration form on this page to register and reserve your seat at the summit.

Spread the Word

Create a video to encourage others to attend. Be creative and share why it’s important to unite all students against bullying and discrimination. Share it on TikTok, Instagram, and/or Facebook. Don’t forget to tag @unitedwayde, Delaware_gsasummit & use #GSA23.

Attend the Summit

Your school must have a minimum of 10 attendees at the event to qualify. The school with the MOST students in attendance will win a cash prize for their GSA.

Learn More About the Challenge

Prizes: 

  • First Place (Most attendees)    : $500
  • Second Place (2nd most)          : $300
  • Third Place (3rd most)              : $150

 

Contest Rules and Details: 

  1. All event attendees must register to attend. Only one registration per person.
  2. Registration closes November 3, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST. 
  3. To qualify for prize entry – each school must have a minimum of 10 students registered and in attendance the day of the event (November 4th, 2023). 
  4. A cash prize will be awarded to the school with the most students in attendance; prize amount $500.
  5. The prize will be distributed by the United Way of Delaware to each school’s GSA Administrator or staff member for appropriate tracking. Cash prizes will not be distributed directly to students.
  6. Participation is open to any student, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, nationality origin or membership in any other protected category. 

Event Details

Summit Schedule

 

There are targeted trainings for students, advisors & teachers, and school administrators.

Saturday | November 4, 2023

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9:00 am - 2:30 pm

Delaware Technical and Community College

400 Stanton-Christiana Road
Newark, DE 19713

Volunteer Opportunities

 

We are actively looking for trusted adults to help us out the day of the summit. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help out during the event, please click here to learn more and sign up.

9:00 am
N
9:00 am

Doors Open

10:00 am
N
10:00 am

Welcome & Introductions

10:25 am
N
10:25 am

Keynote Speaker

George M. Johnson

10:45 am
N
10:45 am

Q&A Session

11:05 am
N
11:05 am

Breakout Session #1

Chose 1 of the following sessions:

  • EMBRACING RAINBOW MINDS: A Mental  Health Workship
  • STRONGER TOGETHER: A Conversation on LGBTQIA+ Intersectionality (Religion, Race, Gender, Sexuality)
  • LEADING WITH PRIDE: Running a Successful GSA Workshop
  • VOICES OF PRIDE: Student Open Discussion
  • VOGUEING 101: Interactive Dance Session
11:50 am
N
11:50 am

Lunch

12:30 pm
N
12:30 pm

Group Activity

1:05 pm
N
1:05 pm

Breakout Session #2

Chose 1 of the following sessions:

  • STRONGER TOGETHER: A Conversation on LGBTQIA+ Intersectionality (Religion, Race, Gender, Sexuality)
  • LEADING WITH PRIDE: Running a Successful GSA Workshop
  • RAINBOW HEARTS: A Workshop on LGBTQ Intimacy and Communication
  • VOICES OF PRIDE: Student Open Discussion
  • BEYOND AWARENESS: Taking Steps in LGBTQIA+ Advocacy
2:00 pm
N
2:00 pm

Closing, Prizes & Wrap Up

Breakout Sessions & Panels

 

Breakout #1

EMBRACING RAINBOW MINDS: A Mental Health Workshop

PANEL DISCUSSION

This session is a panel discussion on how to be the best you, handle stress, suicide prevention, coping mechanisms, and more.

STRONGER TOGETHER: A Conversation on LGBTQIA+ Intersectionality (Religion, Race, Gender, Sexuality)

PANEL DISCUSSION

In this panel discussion, we’ll engage in an insightful conversation on intersectionality. This safe and inclusive space encourages open dialogue about how religion, race, gender, and sexuality intersect, shaping our unique experiences as LGBTQIA+ youth.

LEADING WITH PRIDE: Running a Successful GSA Workshop

In this session, students will learn tips and tricks for starting and sustaining a GSA in their high school.

VOICES OF PRIDE: Student Open Discussion

This is an open, student-led discussion about any and all LGBTQIA+ issues. Come prepared to talk and ask questions of your peers.

VOGUEING 101: Interactive Dance Session

Whether you’re a dancing machine or a wall flower, this session is perfect for you to learn how to Vogue. This session is interactive. Come prepared to dance.

Breakout #2

STRONGER TOGETHER: A Conversation on LGBTQIA+ Intersectionality (Religion, Race, Gender, Sexuality)

PANEL DISCUSSION

In this panel discussion, we’ll engage in an insightful conversation on intersectionality. This safe and inclusive space encourages open dialogue about how religion, race, gender, and sexuality intersect, shaping our unique experiences as LGBTQIA+ youth.

LEADING WITH PRIDE: Running a Successful GSA Workshop

In this session, students will learn tips and tricks for starting and sustaining a GSA in their high school.

RAINBOW HEARTS: A Workshop on LGBTQ Intimacy & Communication

This workshop is an interactive information session on how to have safe and authentic relationships and sexuality.

VOICES OF PRIDE: Student Open Discussion

This is an open, student-led discussion about any and all LGBTQIA+ issues. Come prepared to talk and ask questions of your peers.

BEYOND AWARENESS: Taking Steps in LGBTQ+ Advocacy

PANEL DISCUSSION

This is a panel discussion led by our state’s LGBTQIA+ delegation to authentically discuss how students can get involved to move beyond awareness and advocate for LGBTQIA+.

Keynote Speaker

George M. Johnson

 

(they / them / theirs)

George M. Johnson is an award-winning Black non-binary writer, author, and activist located in the NYC area. They are the New York Times bestselling author of All Boys Aren’t Blue and We Are Not Broken. They were named to the 2022 TIME100 Next, TIME’s annual list of rising stars across industries, and they were nominated for an Emmy award for their dramatic reading of All Boys Aren’t Blue.

They are the author of the New York Times Bestselling Young Adult Memoir, All Boys Aren’t Blue, which explores their adolescence growing up as a young Black Queer boy in New Jersey through a series of powerful essays. The book is a Teen Vogue Recommended Read, a Buzzfeed Recommended Read, a People Magazine Best Book of the Summer, a New York Library Best Book, and a Chicago Public Library Best Book. It was optioned for Television by Gabrielle Union’s “I’ll Have Another Productions” and Sony TV. George serves as the executive producer and co-writer for the upcoming series based on their real-life college experience at the HBCU Virginia Union University.

George’s second memoir We Are Not Broken tells the vibrant story of George, Garrett, Rall, and Rasul—four children raised by Nanny, their fiercely devoted grandmother. Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin, calls the book “ a deeply impactful account of intergenerational love that reveals the power of accepting young people exactly as they are while encouraging them to be ever more themselves.” They’re also an HIV activist, serving as Chair of the Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition for Black Gay Men for AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a National Advisor for ViiV pharmaceutical, and Gilead Speaker.

They’ve written for major outlets including Teen Vogue, Entertainment Tonight, NBC, The Root, Buzzfeed, Essence, Ebony, THEM, and The Grio. They have also served as Guest Editor for BET.com’s Pride month. They were awarded the 2019 Salute to Excellence Award by the National Association of Black Journalists for their article “When Racism Anchors your Health” in Vice Magazine and was named to The Root 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2020.

George is a proud HBCU alum twice over, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.

Image of DeShanna Neal Keynote Speaker for 10th Annual Anti-Bullying / GSA Summit

Need a Ride?

We Got You!

We don’t want transportation to keep you from attending the summit. That’s why we have organized buses to get you to Georgetown!

From

Wilmington

Buses will pick up students from:

Riverfront Penn Cinema

401 S. Madison Street, Wilmington, DE

Departure: 8:45 am
Return: 3:00 pm

From

Middletown

Buses will pick up students from:

Westown Middletown Theater

150 Commerce Dr., Middletown, DE

Departure: 9:00 am
Return: 3:15 pm

From

Milford

Buses will pick up students from:

Milford Movies

989 N. Dupont Blvd, Milford, DE 19963

Departure: 8:15 am
Return: 4:15 pm

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the dress code?

The dress code is casual. You can feel free to wear what you want to express yourself as long as it doesn’t have any offensive language or slogans.

Will this be fun?

Absolutely. We will have some learning and workshops, but there will be plenty of time to connect with one another and talk to your friends and make new connections. We will also have a DJ for some fun tunes.

Are parents able to attend?

Yes, parents are welcome to attend. We will have workshops specifically, for parents.

Are advisors able to attend?

Yes, we encourage GSA advisors to attend and support their students. We will have specified workshops for them to connect and grow together.

How much does it cost to attend?

This Summit is brought to you by United Way of Delaware PRIDE Council and other partners so that is FREE of cost to you.

Can I invite friends?

Yes, invite all of your friends. Remember the school that has the most participants in attendace will receive a $500 cash prize!!

Will there be food?

Yes, we will have lunch and snacks throughout the day.

I live in New Castle or Kent County? Who do I call about Transportation help?

We have buses coming from across the state. Contact Alex Southerst at asoutherst@uwde.org to find out more information.

I’m not a part of a GSA. Can I still come?

Yes, everyone is invited. If you’re interested in equity and against bullying. THIS IS FOR YOU! You don’t have to identify as LBGTQ+ either, you can come as an ally!

I'm interested in sponsoring the event. What do I do?

If you’d like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please click here to explore our sponsorship levels. 

Are there any volunteer opportunities?

We are actively looking for trusted adults (21 and over) to help us out the day of the summit. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help out during the event, please click here to learn more and sign up.

Get on the Waitlist

The 2023 summit has concluded, but if you want to get notified about next year’s summit, you can sign up for the 2024 waitlist below.

 

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