Chasten Buttigieg, an education activist and husband of former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, is set to inaugurate a pivotal multi-day LGBTQ+ support conference at the University of Connecticut this coming weekend.
The True Colors SOGIEcon, a significant event uniting LGBTQ+ youth, allies, educators, and social workers, will make its return after several years, taking place on March 21 and 22, 2025. This conference aims to foster collaboration and support for the upcoming generation of LGBTQ+ leaders, as noted by the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization The Health Collective, which is hosting the highly anticipated event.
Having been initially held from 1994 until 2019, the True Colors conference has been one of the largest LGBTQ+ youth-focused events nationwide. This year, more than 2,000 participants are expected to gather at UConn for a comprehensive two-day agenda filled with workshops, panels, performances, and networking activities.
With registration closing on Wednesday, March 19, attendees are encouraged to select from nearly 200 available events designed to enhance knowledge and inclusivity.
Chasten Buttigieg is slated to address the gathering at Jorgenson Auditorium on Friday at 9 a.m. He will be drawing upon his experiences as a teacher while emphasizing the urgent need for educators to protect and support queer youth.
Other notable speakers include Emmy-nominated producer and TV host David Correa, renowned singer and human rights advocate Jade Esteban Estrada, and Celeste Lescesne, co-founder of The Trevor Project. Adding a creative touch to the event, Grammy-nominated singer Adam Lambert recorded a special video message for attendees, encouraging them with a heartfelt, "You are loved, you are strong, and you matter. The LGBTQIA+ community is here to stay. We are love, and we do matter," which was shared via The Health Collective's Instagram account.
The conference will feature various sessions specifically designed for educators, focusing on how to create safe and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ students. Topics will cover wellness programs, gender support plans, student-led initiatives, and name change policies among other essential methods.
In his public statement, David Grant, the executive director of The Health Collective, highlighted the pressing need for safe and accepting spaces for LGBTQ individuals. LGBTQ+ issues have gained heightened visibility in recent legislative agendas, particularly under former President Donald Trump's administration, which has seen executive orders affecting the community, such as a transgender military ban and reduced access to crucial gender-affirming health care.
Grant stated, “At a time when LGBTQIA+ youth, their families, and the professionals who support them face unprecedented challenges, this conference serves as a powerful reminder that they are valued, supported, and never alone. Our hope is that this event not only empowers and educates but also fosters lasting community—providing an affirming environment where people can celebrate who they are.”
The True Colors conference was initially founded in 1994 under the name “Children from the Shadows” by Robin McHaelen. Following a pause in events during 2020, which coincided with McHaelen's retirement and the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, The Health Collective has now taken on hosting responsibilities, with guidance from McHaelen herself.
Tony Ferraiolo, a trans man and mentor who first encountered True Colors during his young adulthood, expressed the critical importance of having a nurturing space where LGBTQ+ youth feel “seen, heard, and celebrated.” He reflected on his younger years, saying, “When I was younger, I didn’t always have that. Especially with the current threats to those who are something other than straight, cisgender, or gender-conforming, this conference is a lifeline.”
Health Care Advocates International has generously provided a $65,000 sponsorship for the conference, and additional sponsors include The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, The Leonard-Litz LGBTQ+ Foundation, and the LGBTQ+ Justice & Opportunity Network.
With the eagerness evident in preparatory discussions and a deep commitment shared among advocates, the upcoming True Colors SOGIEcon promises to be a memorable occasion for learning, healing, and celebrating LGBTQ+ identities.
