Second annual GLSEN Youth Pride Conference in Naples

Reporter: Annalise Iraola Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:
GLSEN holds pride event at church in Naples. (CREDIT: WINK News)

Saturday is the second annual Youth Pride Conference, created by and for LGBTQ youth as a chance to explore LGBTQ-related issues they experience daily.

The conference was met with pushback in 2022 when it debuted. And in 2023, they saw the same resistance.

Despite this, those attending are excited to get together for the conference.

You can expect to feel accepted and empowered if attending. The Youth Pride Festival will be a place for kids from sixth to twelfth grade. It aims to help attendees explore LGBTQ-related issues facing them while in a safe space.

The conference will take place at the Naples United Church of Christ. 2022 was the first-ever Youth Pride Conference in Naples.

The conference had lots of support from the community but still received backlash from protestors.

Daniel Shaw is the 2023 Youth Pride Conference director. WINK News spoke with him about what kids will attend.

“And having the sessions and this information provided to me to provide me this support,” Shaw said.

For added security and safety measures in case of protestors, the Naples Police will be on-site Saturday.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.