Orlando – For the third year in a row, community mentors will team up to empower Orlando’s LGBT youth at the Orlando Youth Empowerment Summit Feb. 6.
The City of Orlando, in partnership with the Orlando Youth Alliance, GLSEN, Darden Restaurants and other local organizations, will host O-YES from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orlando City Hall first floor rotunda.
Bailey Robb from the Holocaust Memorial Center will host a talk on empowering yourself after bullying and Kristen Warskow will host a workshop on creative expression. During lunch, a four-person panel of community members will answer questions posed to them by fellow attendees.
“This is a chance to grow local, young LGBT talent,” said the city’s Director of Multicultural Affairs Luis Martinez.
GLSEN Board Chair Ginger Malcom says the youth summit was created 3 years ago in response to roadblocks faced by local LGBT youth.
“We needed something to stop all the negativity and increase awareness, acceptance and inclusivity, especially of those with different gender expressions and sexual orientations,” Malcom says.
The summit is free, and people of all ages are encouraged to attend. Breakfast and lunch, as well as parking in the Boone Street Parking Garage, are complimentary. Register at CFYes.org or in person the day of the event.
