Building Relationships between Rural LGBTQIA High School Students and College Students

Abstract

In this session, attendees will learn about the obstacles facing rural LGBTQ students, and how they can be tackled. Created by high school GSA advisor Kristy Self and college LGBTQIA advisor Irissa Baxter, the Oklahoma State GSA Leadership Summit provides high schoolers a day of conversations with LGBTQIA leaders from across the state, presentations of key support structures and resources, and in-depth conversations with LGBTQIA college students. By creating meaningful connections between rural LGBTQIA high school students, college students, and their respective advisors – connections which are often inaccessible in a rural setting – students are given opportunities to improve their mental health, learn lifelong coping mechanisms, develop leadership skills, and increase interest in a college education.

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