This year’s conference theme is Sh(out): Celebrating Self, Creating Community. The conference is open to high school and college students throughout the Northeast region of the U.S. and Southern Ontario.

2010 will mark the first time that the conference will take place at a location other than SUNY Albany.

The conference’s mission is to unite gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and questioning (glbtq) students through education, activism, and networking. The State University of New York at Buffalo Wellness Education Services Office is coordinating the conference.

The conference, now in its 15th year, will feature programs, presentations, and speakers on a wide variety of topics related to the LGBTQ community including gender neutral housing, transgender inclusion, faith and sexuality, political activism, international perspectives, and multicultural issues. Featured speaker, author Alex Sanchez, will discuss his published LGBTQ works, including his most recent novel Rainbow Boys. Published in 2002, Rainbow Boys was named “Best Book for Young Adults” by the American Library Association.

As a special feature, the Campus Pride Voice and Action National Leadership Award will be presented to undergraduate students creating positive change for glbtq students. Students attending the conference will have the opportunity to network and share their diverse experiences.

Registration for the conference is on-line only at www.nelgbtc.com. Regular registration is open until March 31, 2010. Late registration will continue until April 13, 2010. The Conference Registration fee is $30.00 per individual registration and $25.00 per person for group registrations of 5 or more people (maximum of 10 people per group). Late registration will be $45.00 for individual registration and $35.00 per person for group registrations. —Staff