Hannah Lee Kidder is a contemporary and fantasy author. She grew up in rural Louisiana, which inspired a dabble in escapism via make-believe worlds where gay kids have a good time.

Hannah is also a content creator, writing coach, and consultant. Her real-life escapism brought her somewhere in the Colorado mountains where she lives with her roommate, Saya, who is a dog.

She will be speaking on Influencer Day, for the Getting Published Panel Discussion of the Pride and Joy Summit.

Join us to learn more!

Jenna Slaughter is a breaker of rules, a trauma-informed Self-Love Coach, and host of The Unlearning Podcast.

They help their clients unlearn limiting beliefs, release the emotional baggage and go their own way-- in both life and business.

Jenna will be speaking in the Coming Out Early in Life Track of the Pride and Joy Summit. Their talk is about Conquering Loss and Uncertainty with Vulnerability and Imperfect Action.

Join us to learn more!

Jo-Marie Einish is a Cree-Naskapi of Northern Quebec, Canada.

 They are two-spirit and their pronouns are They/Them/Theirs. They study Political Science at Concordia University while also studying part-time at Harvard, remotely.

 Subject to intergenerational trauma and colonial tactics of western society, Jo-Marie is passionate about decolonization and creating a space for First Nations people in the economic/social/political stream. They are passionate about human rights, and the wellbeing of all youth.

Jo-Marie is speaking in the Gender Identity Track of the Pride and Joy Summit. Their talk is entitled How Non-Indigenous Persons can be Allies with Respects to Indigenous Gender Identity.

 Join us to learn more!

 At Fire Sphere Media, we believe that although the world has progressed further than most of us thought we would ever have a chance to see in our lifetimes, there is still a very long way to go. Racial and religious equality, LGBTQIA diversity, and a better understanding of disabilities and mental illness are all important aspects of life that we want to normalize in the work that we do.

Our hope is that everyone in the world who has ever felt like an outcast will feel like they are loved and accepted when they read our books or work with us. The primary focus of our work is to show the world that it is our character that defines us, not our gender, orientation, religion, or race. When you experience our work, you will realize that you are never truly alone.

Kara Ballenger is a graphic designer and illustrator who puts a special emphasis on depicting characters from marginalized groups. Kara has chosen to predominantly work as a freelance artist and at a lower...

LGBTQ+ inclusion starts from the top down. 

Whether your organization is just getting started or has been making strides for a while, we encourage you to stop and assess regularly, as a leader, as a coworker, and as a human being.

 If you and/or your organization is ready to begin the journey to formulating more inclusive policies and work environments, we invite you to take our short, five-question Ally Quiz. 

This quiz takes less than 10 minutes and is an excellent means of touching base with yourself and your organization’s standing.

A 90-Minute Workshop That Saves Young LGBTQ+ Lives

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on mental health in the United States. Although the last year has been a shared trauma, the data shows that these times have been especially detrimental for young adults. 

According to the CDC, young adults experienced an almost 15% increase in suicidal ideation during 2020. 

 

The data and events of the last year have made it clear that it’s more important than ever to equip our youth with suicide prevention tactics and skills to intervene when it’s needed most.  While suicide lifelines are helpful, people are more likely to reach out to their peers before they ask a stranger for help.

As part of our mission to reduce the rate of suicide in the LGBTQ+ community, the Pride and Joy Foundation regularly holds Ask. Listen. Plan. (ALP) workshops for college-aged individuals. These workshops are geared toward all young adults and provide tools, resources, and tactics...

What Do You Mean You Don’t Believe in Gender?

If you’ve visited my website you may have noticed that I am a transgender man who doesn’t believe in gender. How can I say that I am a transgender man and at the same time have the opinion that gender isn’t a real thing? Hmmm, that’s an excellent question and perhaps by the end of this post, I will have clarification not only for you but for myself.

You see the thing is, I have this knowing and it is strong and undeniable. I am a man. But what does that even mean? I think for me it means that I know without a shadow of a doubt that I should have been born with a penis. I wasn’t though, which is why I am transgender. Because I was born without a penis, the doctors took a look at me and said “it’s a girl”. Imagine making such a ridiculous mistake. Of course, it wasn’t ridiculous on the part of the doctor because our society says no penis=girl and penis=boy.

We all have a basic...

Alex is 14, and six months ago, they told their parents that they are bisexual and non-binary. Alex came out in the greatest way, setting up a scavenger hunt for their parents, which ended in their closet (of course) where the bisexual pride flag was hanging. Alex’s parents were so happy that they felt confident enough to come out, and especially that Alex was trusting them with this vulnerable information. Alex’s parents gave them a huge hug and said “we love you no matter what.”

But now it’s six months later. Alex and their parents haven’t spoken about it much since. Alex feels awkward bringing it up again, but they’re really not sure who else to talk with about what they’re experiencing. They’ve asked their teachers to use they/them pronouns and some were good about it. They got a lecture from their English teacher and that didn’t feel great. But Alex wasn’t sure their parents would want to hear about...

COVID has taken my 46-year-old nephew, the father of two boys, husband to his college sweetheart. Being there for my sister, who already lost one son to a motorcycle accident, would be my desire, but I have become infamous in my large family by being absent from family funerals. 

This is not because I do not care and have no love for them in a family way, but my family is part of an evangelical church in the Bible Belt. They made it clear 32 years ago when I “came out”, that since I was not going to be joining them in heaven there wasn’t much need to expend energy including me or my husband in family gatherings here on earth.  And it was clear we were not welcome.  Never openly rude but excluded when we were there by a wall of silence and judgmental indifference.

Today I have the grief of an Uncle who celebrated this nephew’s birth “before I was gay.”  In my 20’s and 30’s I was a hero to my...

None of us were prepared for 2020.  I don’t need to tell you that, I also don’t need to point out that a lot of us are feeling anxiety about what 2021 might bring.  There is a concrete way to feel like you’re in control though.  And for many of us, that’s the biggest thing we need right now.  

You CAN become an inclusive leader so that no matter what social upheaval comes our way in 2021, you’ll be the person to lead the team through the experience.  Any moments of sticky conversations and discomfort can be anticipated with excitement because they are opportunities for you to be the leader your organization needs.  

Remember when Alexander Hamilton wished for a war?  So he “could prove that he’s worth more than anyone bargained for”?  (you sang that in your head, admit it)  If you’re an organizational leader, excited to prove your worth and make an impact, social upheaval is...