Queer Youth Conference

Queer Youth Conference

8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Binghamton University Union
Binghamton, NY 

The Binghamton University Q Center invites youth from Southern Tier and South Central New York schools, GSA (Gay Straight Alliance or Gender and Sexuality Alliance) advisors, and university students to attend this dynamic, day-long conference. United in Identity: Queer Youth Conference will address critical issues facing LGBTQ+ youth while also engaging all participants in discussions around coalition building, social empowerment, and expression of queer joy. 

University students and youth from local and regional schools will hear directly from Q Center staff, LGBTQ+ student leaders, and a keynote speaker. GSA advisors will have additional breakout session options lead by Q Center and LGBTQ+ university staff focused on identifying sustainable advocacy strategies when working with queer youth. 

Conference registration is now open! Please register for the conference by Thursday, October 15! Attendee Registration

• Schedule at a Glance

  8 A.M. - Check-in & Welcome Breakfast
  9 - 9:30 A.M. - Opening Remarks
  9:30 - 10:10 A.M. - Breakout Session #1*
  10:20 - 11 A.M. - Breakout Session #2*
  11 - 12 P.M. - Keynote Speaker
  12 - 1 P.M. - Resource Fair and Lunch
  1:10 - 1:50 P.M. - Breakout Session #3*
  2 - 2:15 P.M. - Closing Remarks
  2:30 -3:30 P.M. - Social Mixer at the Q Center**

  *Each breakout session time will have 2-3 session choices all located within the same area of the University Union. Sessions include interactive presentations from staff from our Center for Community Engagement and College for Community and Public Affairs, as well as student leaders from our Rainbow Pride Union, oSTEM (Out in STEM), and SHADES student organizations.

  **Closing session will end by 2:15pm with the Q Center Social Mixer being an optional opportunity from 2:30-3:30pm for all attendees

• Registration

  Registration is now live! Register Today!

  Conference registration is free for all attendees. If you are registering on behalf of multiple students, you will be guided within the registration form to provide all relevent information for each student attendee. Please contact Nick Martin at martinn@binghamton.edu if you have any questions related to the registration form.

  This conference will be most applicaple for:

  • Youth within the Southern Tier and South Central New York involved with a GSA or similarly themed club at their high school or middle school
  • LGBTQ+ identifying youth within the Southern Tier and South Central New York
  • High school or middle school GSA Advisors, faculty, or support staff who advocate for and directly support LGBTQ+ student populations at their school
  • Binghamton University undergraduate and graduate students looking to go into work affiliated with K-12 students (teachers, social workers, education, human development, etc...) or are actively involved in LGBTQ+ affirming student organizations on campus
• Keynote Speaker

  Kalynn Bayron

  Kalynn Bayron is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of the YA fantasy novels Cinderella Is Dead and This Poison Heart. Her latest works include the YA horror novel You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight and the middle grade paranormal adventure The Vanquishers. She is a CILIP Carnegie Medal Nominee, a Bram Stoker Award nominee, a
  LOCUS Award finalist, and the recipient of the 2022 Randall Kenan Award for Black LGBTQ fiction. She is a classically trained vocalist and musical theater enthusiast. When she's not writing, you can find her watching scary movies and spending time with her family.

  

• Additional Information

  Any questions related to this conference can be emailed to Erin Hansen at ehansen1@binghamton.edu. If you would like to attend the conference, but are unable to find transportation to the university, please email Erin to discuss your specific situation. We are committed to bringing as many interested youth to campus as possible for this conference.

• Vendor Information

  If you are interested in being a vendor during the lunch portion of the Queer Youth Conference, please email Erin Hansen at ehansen1@binghamton.edu for more information.