GSA Summit Schedule
Desmond Napoles
Desmond Napoles (they/them/he/him) is a multi-awarded LGBTQ advocate, outspoken gay teen, genderfluid editorial and runway model, motivational public speaker, drag performer, designer, actor, singer, LGBT influencer, entertainer, and published author.
Desmond is Amazing is also the founder of their own online communities for LGBTQ youth and their allies, the Haus of Amazing and Haus of Amazing Junior as well as the Haus of Darlings, a supportive group for parents, guardians, educators, and supporters of LGBTQ, gender non-conforming and gender creative youth. The online communities will launch Spring 2022... stay tuned!
They have walked the runways at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) for several designers including Gypsy Sport, The Blonds x Disney Villains, Nicopanda's MAC Cosmetics collaboration with Macy's, Daniel Chimowitz, Dope Tavio, PimComedy, Adrian Alicea, Rebirth Garments, and MRHUA MRSHUA. Additional collaborations include Brussels Airlines, Canon USA, Chimera Lashes, Claire's Stores, Converse, Daftboy Fans, Drag Queen Merch, Fluide, GLAAD, GLSEN, Human Rights Campaign, Luar x The Love Ball, Lush Cosmetics, Manic Panic NYC, Marc Jacobs, Mattel, NYC Pride, The Phluid Project, Unicef Changing Childhood Project, and United Nations Anatomy of Action Campaign.
They live in New York City with their parents (Mom and Dad) and their family pets that include a cat and parrots. They attend NYC public school in Brooklyn. Hobbies including coding, scripting, and playing video games, 3D graphics modeling, experimenting with makeup, costuming, creating content to share with their fans, visiting amusement parks, hand drawing maps, studying trains, website design and hiking. Desmond's favorite subject in school is math. In the future, they would like to pursue a career as a roller coaster engineer, video game designer, or train conductor.
Their motto is "Be yourself, always."
Workshop Session #1 — 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.
Attendees choose one workshop for this time block. Links to the Zoom room for each session will be provided directly to attendees. Thanks to all the presenting organizations!
Open to Middle- and High-School Students
LGBTQIA+ Photographic Storytelling with the Alice Austen House by Alice Austen House
Creating Solidarity Through Story and Humor by NYC Department of Education
Friendship: How to Show Up When It Counts by ENDGBV YLC
LGBTQ History Time-Travel with Making Gay History's Eric Marcus by Making Gay History
From Marsha to Me: Being an LGBTQ+ Advocate by National Parks Conservation Association
Coming Out: Yes, No, Maybe So? by PFLAG NYC
Open to Middle-School Students Only
The Ins and Outs of Ball Culture by Live Out Loud
Open to High-School Students Only
Learning about One Another's Identities by Live Out Loud
HIV, PrEP, and PEP 101! by Center for Community Alternatives
Faculty Professional Development Workshops
Expand here for listing and get full descriptions of faculty PD workshops here.
Project ALY Workshop and Film Screening of My Daughter, Tyler by CAMBA - Project ALY
Gender & Neurodivergence by Dylan Kapit, Health Educator
New York City's Human Rights Law — What You Should Know About Your Rights by New York City Commission on Human Rights
Rights of LGBTQ+ Students in Schools by The Legal Aid Society, LGBTQ+ Law and Policy Unit
Make your Curriculum LGBTQ+ Inclusive by The WNET Group and NYC DOE
Workshop Session #2 — 11:00 to 11:50 a.m.
Attendees choose one workshop for this time block. Links to the Zoom room for each session will be provided directly to attendees. Thanks to all the presenting organizations!
Open to Middle- and High-School Students
Drag Story Hour: Dragtivity Time by Drag Story Hour
Look Out and Stand Up for Each Other by New York City Commission on Human Rights
Chill Space with PFLAG Parents by PFLAG NYC
Rights of LGBTQ+ Students in Schools by The Legal Aid Society, LGBTQ+ Law and Policy Unit
Open to Middle-School Students Only
Learning about One Another's Identities by Live Out Loud
Open to High-School Students Only
The Ins and Outs of Ball Culture by Live Out Loud
"You're Toxic, I'm Slipping Under..." - Exploring the Root Cause of Abuse in LGBTQIA+ Relationships by STEPs to End Family Violence / Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (Truman H.S)
What's the Tea? Do You Know Your Rights?: An Inclusive Guide on Sexual Health Rights for LGBTQ+ Youth by Teens Helping Each Other, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Faculty Professional Development Workshops
Expand here for listing and get full descriptions of faculty PD workshops here.
Consistency with LGBTQ+ Advocacy: It's Not A One-Time Thing! by Brooklyn Museum
LGBTQ History Time-Travel with Making Gay History's Eric Marcus by Making Gay HIstory
LGBTQ+ 101: Making School Safer for LGBTQ+ Students by MS245 The Computer School
LGBTQ + U: Guidance on NYCDOE Regulations and Guidelines to Build an Inclusive Culture by NYC Department of Education
Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces within Your School Community by PFLAG NYC
From Marsha to Me: Being an LGBTQ+ Advocate by National Parks Conservation Association
Fun Time! — 12:00 to 12:50 p.m.
Here's your time to hang out with other students from all over NYC. Pick the Fun Time option that sounds best for YOU! Links to the virtual space for each session will be provided directly to attendees.
The LGBTQ Short Film Showcase + Q&A with NewFest is open to all attendees — students and faculty. The other three sessions are open to students only.
LGBTQ Short Film Showcase + Q&A with NewFest
Join NewFest, New York's leading LGBTQ+ film and media organization, for a virtual screening of these two exciting queer short films and a conversation with filmmakers.
On the eve of her cotillion ball, a young Black girl explores her queerness. Directed by Natalie Jasmine Harris.
A short musical about a future where love and community reign supreme. Directed by Zhailon Levingston.
Drag Story Hour Makeup Tutorial
Learn makeup tips and tricks from a drag artist Miz Jade in this live makeup tutorial and demonstration. Makeup supplies are not provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own makeup supplies, follow along, and ask questions.
Chill Space with
Desmond is Amazing
Desmond is Amazing
Come hang out with Desmond is Amazing is a space where you can talk with them about what it's like to be a social media star while also being a NYC high school student.
Desmond is Amazing came to attention strutting their stuff in NYC Pride in 2015 and now has a huge social media audience of people of all ages who find joy, inspiration, and knowledge in the things Desmond shares.
In this session, come spend time is a room hosted by Desmond and talk about family, school, drag, queer community, and whatever else you want to know.
Can You Spell Queer?
Test your knowledge, test your spelling, practice your queer-thography! Yes, there might be jokes and puns too...
But seriously, this won't be a serious spelling bee. We expect loads of laughs and hilarity at this all-LGBTQ+ Spelling Bee. At the same time, you'll probably learn some new words, hear about some queer icons and historical figures, and take away a whole new appreciation of the LGBTQ+ community. And you'll be able to spell it all!
Send-Off Ceremony — 1:00 to 1:10 p.m.
Information Fair with Community Organizations — 1:15 to 2:00 p.m.
Check out the exhibitor pages of these community organizations that support, welcome, and celebrate LGBTQ+ folks in so many ways.
Most of the organizations will have representatives in a virtual meeting room from 1:15 to 2:00 p.m. for you to drop in, ask questions, get further information, or just to say Hi! Circulate between different organizations and make the most of this opportunity to meet and talk directly with them.
