A pro-LGBT organization is slated to host a conference for kids ages 12 to 18 at the Naples United Church of Christ in Florida on Saturday.
“GLSEN Collier is hosting the inaugural Youth Pride Conference in Naples, FL for all local LGBTQ youth ages 12-18,” a post about the event states. “This one-day conference, created by and for LGBTQ youth, will provide students with the opportunity to engage in LGBTQ-related issues facing them today while empowering them to be confident in all their identities.”
The event will include a drag show.
“It’s no different than what you’d find at a local Naples Pride or Fort Myers Pride or Cape Coral Pride event that families are at all the time. I take my 3- and 4-year-old sons to these because they’re fun and entertaining,” Daniel Selvey Shaw said, according to the Naples Daily News. “They’re making it sound like a drag show that is this big taboo show.”
Shaw — who is the conference director and belongs to the GLSEN Collier board, according to the event description posted on Eventbrite — said that the conference was planned with students, the outlet noted.
One of the breakout sessions available for attendees will include, “Inclusive Sex Education,” featuring a presenter from Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, according to the conference description.
A registration form states that “this is an event hosted by GLSEN Collier and is not affiliated with Naples United Church of a Christ or Collier County Public Schools. GLSEN Collier is a nonprofit organization that works to provide a safe and inclusive environment for our marginalized students, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ.”
The form also notes that there will be transportation available. “Free Shuttle Transportation is available to/from Immokalee and Golden Gate areas,” the form says.
“We lease the space. We paid for the personnel. While the church absolutely supports the mission of our organization, they are simply facilitators by reason of the rental agreement we’ve entered into,” Shaw said, according to the Naples Daily News.