FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE ANNUAL HITOPS TRANS YOUTH FORUM TO GO VIRTUAL AND FREE ON JUNE 6TH WITH AN INSPIRATIONAL LINE-UP OF TRANSGENDER, NONBINARY, AND GENDER EXPANSIVE GUEST SPEAKERS
PRINCETON, NJ (May 26, 2020) – The 6th Annual HiTOPS Trans Youth Forum, the only forum of its kind created by and for trans and nonbinary youth, is thrilled to announce an amazing line-up of inspirational transgender, nonbinary, and gender expansive guests that will be a part of this year’s June 6, 2020 event. For the first time in its history, the Forum will be held virtually and is free to all young people who want to participate!
SPEAKER LINE-UP AND AGENDA FOR THE DAY
The Forum’s theme, “100 Year Rewind”, celebrates progress in the trans community and comes to life throughout the day during each of the four nationally recognized guest appearances. The virtual event starts at 11:00 AM, includes a break from 1:45-2:30 and finishes at 4:45 PM with a closing celebration and raffle.
11:30 AM: SCHUYLER BAILAR (HE/HIM/HIS): THE FIRST NCAA D1 TEAM TRANS ATHLETE
The first trans athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA D1 men’s team, and the only to have competed for all four years. He is an internationally celebrated inspirational speaker and a respected advocate for inclusion, body-positivity, and mental health awareness. Schuyler graduated from Harvard College in May 2019 with a degree in Cognitive Neuroscience and Evolutionary Psychology. His studies focused on social–emotional learning, emotional intelligence, and education. He is a tireless advocate for inclusion through speaking engagements and social media. Schuyler also holds on-going advisory roles with Monte Nido & Affiliates (the leading eating disorder treatment provider), and American Eagle Outfitters (the AExME advisory council) and is a research assistant at Harvard University.
12:45 PM: ELI ERLICK ((SHE/HER/HERS): CO-FOUNDER OF TRANS STUDENT EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Eli is the co-founder of Trans Student Educational Resources, the only national organization led by trans youth. After she co-founded the organization at the age of 16 in 2011, it quickly grew to be one of the largest trans groups in the country. Based in New York, she has worked with dozens of different organizations to fight for transgender liberation. She was named one of Teen Vogue‘s New Faces of Feminism, Refinery29‘s “30 Under 30, and Glamour Magazine‘s College Women of the Year. Her work has been featured in hundreds of different outlets and she has published over 100 articles, essays, and book chapters. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
2:30 PM: ALOK (THEY/THEM/THEIRS): WRITER AND PERFORMANCE
They are a gender nonconforming writer and performance artist. Their eclectic style and poetic challenge to the gender binary have been internationally renowned. As a mixed-media artist ALOK uses poetry, comedy, performance, lecture, drag, sound-art, fashion design, self-portraiture, and social media to explore themes of gender, race, trauma, belonging, and the human condition. In 2019, they were selected as one of NBC’s Pride 50 and Out Magazine’s OUT 100. They have presented their work at 500 venues in more than 40 countries. Most recently, ALOK had a featured performance in Sam Smith’s latest music video, “I’m Ready”. Their newly released book, Beyond the Gender Binary, shows how a world beyond the gender binary of man and woman creates more freedom for everyone. They equip readers with the knowledge to counter the rise of anti-trans discrimination. This book invites the world to see gender not in black and white, but full color.
3:45 PM DIVINITY BANKS (SHE/HER/HERS), THE DANCING DIVA OF NEW JERSEY
Divinity has been performing for (11 years, gracing stages across the United States. She’s thrilled crowds in Chicago, Orlando, Ohio, and Atlanta (to name a few), as well as recently venturing out to perform on The Royal Caribbean cruise ship, where she raised awareness for equality for all genders, sexual orientations, religious beliefs, and disabilities, as well as safe sex education. She is known as “The Dancing Diva of New Jersey” with unforgettable high kicks, flips, splits, and all-around high energy!
FREE REGISTRATION:
All registrants receive a secure link to the event following registration. For more information and to register, visit NJTYF.org
ABOUT HiTOPS | The HiTOPS TRANS YOUTH FORUM
The HiTOPS Trans Youth Forum is an annual event produced by the HiTOPS Youth Advisory Board. HiTOPS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fosters strong and healthy young people of all identities by providing inclusive and youth-informed sex education and LGBTQ+ support for young people throughout New Jersey. It is the only organization in New Jersey to provide direct support, education, and information for LGBTQ+ youth, their families, and youth-serving professionals. The full range of programming includes; sex education for middle & high school-age youth; peer leadership and education; education, support, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ identified youth; and professional development and consultation for youth serving-professionals and organizations. HiTOPS’ programs and services reach thousands of people throughout the state of New Jersey every year. More information available at HiTOPS.org.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Dianne Zide
HiTOPS, Communications Consultant
dzide@hitops.org
215-962-0669
www.hitops.org