Time has flown and weeks have passed since the first Korean Queer Trans conference took place, where over 150 people attended from different parts of the world. Let's not forget what had happened and refresh our memory bank.
Friday, April 6, 2018
Ally Convening @NYC Health + Hospitals: Active and supportive parents and family members from Korean American Rainbow Parents (KARP) organized a morning convening for parents and family members, and an afternoon session that was open to the public about LGBTQ allyship. Unprecedented in Korean organizing, they successfully created a safe space for participants to ask questions and dialogue on LGBTQI topics specific to the Korean American community.
Opening Night feat. Arts Showcase @Gibney Dance:
From 6-9 pm, a diverse showcase of performances, film screenings, readings and a memorial, along with a tribute performance, were held at Gibney Dance in Manhattan. From as far as Korea to Canada, the presenters and performers moved a sold-out audience.
Saturday, April 7, 2018
Executive Director of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) Glenn D. Magpantay opened the conference with special remarks. He reminded us of the importance of our gathering, and our centering of our LGBTQ* identities in our Korean identities.
I want us to fight with everything we have to invest in building the skills and commitment we need to be able to face ourselves and each other—and to do it lovingly. -Mia Mingus
Writer, educator and community organizer Mia Mingus started KQTcon with a power keynote message. You can listen to Mia's keynote message here.
Attendees broke out into 18 talking circles and workshops that were divided into themes— #FamilyAcceptance, #Faith, #MentalHealth, and #Miscellaneous. They encouraged participants to connect on specific topics, while creating safe spaces, thanks to the workshop leaders who organized their sessions.
Sunday, April 8, 2018
They conference ended on a strong note with the last session of #MentalHealth and #Faith workshops titled, "The Vulnerable Show," "Writing Our Own Love Letters," and "Healing Ancestral Trauma: Guided Reflection and Meditation." Throughout the conference weekend, new friendships were made.
