The Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition, a nonprofit working to make schools safer and
inclusive for LGBTQ youth, today announced the launch of its inaugural Gender and Sexuality Alliance
Conference (GSACon) that will provide students with an opportunity to connect with other LGBTQ teens
and learn about the expansive network of resources for LGBTQ Mississippians.
Mississippi is one of 30 states without laws prohibiting discrimination against students based on both
sexual orientation and gender identity and lacks policies on treatment of transgender, nonbinary, and
gender-nonconforming students. Given Mississippi’s history of LGBTQ discrimination, GSAs have emerged
as more than just safe spaces for LGBTQ students but also have become vehicles for deep social change
related to gender, public policy, and educational justice.
“At a time when LGBTQ teens are under tremendous attack by their own elected officials, community and resource sharing is more important than ever. We are excited and hopeful for the impact MSSC’s first-ever conference for teens will have on the future of this state,” said the conference organizer, Jack Hoda.
Throughout the conference students will hear from a variety of speakers. The GSACon will feature
speakers from the Human Rights Campaign, The Future Perfect Project, Teens P.A.C.T., and the National
GSA Network.
“As the only organization in our state working to support and protect the rights of LGBTQ students, our
organization’s work is timely and necessary. A paradigm shift is only possible when we build the capacity
of LGBTQ students to use their voices as weapons for change,” said Executive Director, Justin Lofton.
The conference will be held virtually on Saturday, April 24.
For more information about GSACon or to register, please visit them online.
About the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition
Founded in 2010, the Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition works to ensure that LGBTQ2+, nonbinary, and
gender non-conforming students from across Mississippi can attain a safe and inclusive, high-quality
education free of discrimination and bullying. They envision a Mississippi where students, regardless of real
or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, have equal protections and the
opportunity to grow and learn in a safe environment.