Wondering if you should attend?
This is a workshop for all individuals interested in nurturing compassionate communities, supporting LGBTQ youth and families, and creating inclusive youth programs:
Youth Program Leaders, Board Members, Ministers, Advisors, Teachers, Counselors, Volunteers, Teen Counselors, Parents, & Allies.
All are Welcome!
Your presence helps to build stronger circles of support & compassion
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"Last year I attended the LGBTQ in Shin Buddhism Seminar held in Seattle and heard the inspiring story of Marsha and Aiden Aizumi, a mother and her transgender son who had lived as a female for 20 years. As a mom, I couldn’t help but imagine myself in her shoes. Like Marsha, I would have done anything to spare my child the struggles her son faced. The fear and uncertainty of coming out and living the life he needed to live to survive had to be overwhelming, not only for him but for his family. I know for a fact that were my husband and I to have been the cause of our children’s unhappiness due to ignorance, denial, or cluelessness on our part would be to have failed as parents. If every child could be assured that they are truly loved and accepted for being who they are, there would be no need to have services such as this or organizations or events to educate people. People would just be people!... "
Excerpt from a talk by Yoshi Yao, sharing her story as an ally and parent/grandparent. Presented at the annual Buddhist Church of San Francisco Sunday Service sponsored by its LGBTQ affiliate group, June 16, 2018.
Are our temples and churches and affiliated youth programs welcoming to LGBTQ youth? How can we be mindful of LGBTQ youth concerns in all our activities?
How do we help create compassionate, nurturing, inclusive communities for all?
The BCA Center for Education is excited about our upcoming educational event inviting youth program leaders (including parents. instructors, advisors, etc.) from BCA temples, affiliates and the broader community, to learn how we can be more mindful of the needs of LGBTQ youth and families
"CREATING INCLUSIVE YOUTH PROGRAMS:
Supporting LGBTQ Youth & Families, Nurturing Compassionate Communities," is a workshop for all youth program leaders & community taking place on Saturday, September 29, 2018, 10 am - 2 pm at the Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Ave. Berkeley, CA 94704. Registration: $20 (includes lunch) Deadline: 9/21. Presented by BCA Center for Buddhist Education. Find online registration and sponsor opportunities at buddhistchurchesofamerica.org.
The half-day, interactive workshop will feature keynote speaker, Aiden Aizumi who is a National PFLAG, API Educator and co-author with his mother, Marsha Aizumi, of TWO SPIRITS, ONE HEART: A Mother, Her Transgender Son, and their Journey to Love and Acceptance.
The workshop will also include: an LGBTQ youth panel, interfaith panel, and variety of resources.
To check into lodging at the JSC for attendees (additional cost), please email: gkameda@bcahq.org.
Please share this with your program leaders and networks and consider participating!
We hope that your youth program leaders (parents, advisiors, etc.) will consider attending this special educational gathering.
The flyer is attached and registration is open online now.
Ways to Support this Workshop
We invite you to help us as a Supporting Organization and/or Sponsor (Donor): In addition to attendance, there are two other ways to support this educational effort:
1) Become a Supporting Organization:
Add your name to the Buddhist Church of San Francisco's, our first Supporting Organization, to build broad community support for this event. We are hoping for an array of organization names to put on the workshop program, helping to demonstrate a caring community.
2) Become an Sponsor: CBE has kept the registration fee for this as low as possible to encourage participation. Additional donations will help to defray event costs. Amounts of $100, $50, or any amount are all welcome and appreciated.
Download Form to Donate and/or Become a Supporting Organization
