UConn hosts LGBTQ+ youth conference after four-year hiatus

The University of Connecticut hosted its annual LGBTQ+ youth conference this weekend after a four-year break. The event, called SOGIEcon, featured lively performances and discussions aimed at supporting the LGBTQ+ youth community. Attendees showed their pride with rainbow clothing and hair as they gathered in the campus Student Union. Robyn Ventura-Chavez, a 26-year-old transgender man, attended his first True Colors event when he was a freshman in high school. He is now a speaker at the conference, discussing the relationship between neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ identities. Ventura-Chavez expressed the importance of such gatherings, sharing that they help young people feel accepted and understood. Workshops at this year's conference covered various topics, including healthcare access, coping with bullying, and empowerment for LGBTQ+ youth of color. The event began in 1994 as an effort to connect and support LGBTQ+ individuals and has grown significantly over the years. Recent political developments have made events like this feel especially important. Organizers highlighted a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, causing fear among young people. Many attendees, including Ventura-Chavez, have noticed an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, adding to the distress of navigating their identities. Counseling sessions were also available at the conference. Participants were encouraged to share their experiences and learn that they are not alone in their struggles. Ledyard resident Jerad Ripley, a therapist, emphasized the importance of community support. UConn junior Lily Denver shared her experiences of growing up in a small town with a non-traditional gender identity. She stressed the need for supportive spaces like SOGIEcon, not just during Pride Month, but year-round.