SAIGE is proud to present our 2021 conference, Beyond the Basics. This month-long, interdisciplinary, virtual event will showcase intermediate and advanced sessions. To allow for this, access to conference material will include a live primer session that will serve as a foundation for more advanced sessions throughout the conference. Conference content will help to build and boost existing knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes toward contextualizing the health and wellness of LGBTGEQIAP+ children and adolescents across systems and settings, and the impact throughout the lifespan equipping counselors and related professionals to better serve these populations. SAIGE wants to highlight the unique and important relationships we share across disciplines, ultimately, in service of our queer and trans clients, and invite counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, educators, lawyers, and related professionals to attend!

Traditionally hosted in October, LGBT History Month, the SAIGE conference is positioned to boost awareness of LGBT history, as well as other critical days/weeks of awareness throughout the month of October. Conference content will include supplemental information in recognition of International Lesbian Day (10/8/2021), National Coming Out Day (10/11/2021), International Pronoun Day (10/20/2021), Spirit Day (Anti-Bullying) (10/21/2021), Intersex Awareness Day (10/26/2021), and Asexual Awareness Week (10/24/2021 – 10/30/2021).

About the Theme

Dr. Christie Jenkins, President of SAIGE (2021-2022) has dedicated this year's mission and organizational conference to protecting and affirming LGBTGEQIAP+ youth. It is imperative that our youth have a voice as they grow into their true selves. This past year was a record year for anti-trans legislation and 2021 has been the worst year in recent history for LGBTQ+ state legislative attacks. This includes a number of states enacting anti LGBTQ+ measures into law. Much of the recent legislation has immediate and direct effects on our youth. In order to ensure that we are bringing the most recent research, best practices, and trauma informed care to support our youth throughout their lifetimes, we are bringing in interdisciplinary experts on topics that our members have been requesting. Please join us this October for our annual SAIGE conference “Beyond the Basics”. This conference will showcase intermediate and advanced sessions. We will provide insight and tools necessary to go above and beyond in our dedication to LGBTGEQIAP+ youth services. It is essential that we are always increasing our knowledge base on health, advocacy, and social justice for our LGBTGEQIAP+ youth and adolescents; and our awareness of the relationship between LGBTGEQIAP+ health/wellness and its’ impact throughout the lifespan.

Method of Delivery

Beyond the Basics conference content will be released on a predetermined cadence throughout the month of October 2021 (Please visit saigecounseling.org/saige-conference as we continue to update our calendar with exciting conference events!). Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a combination of live and pre-recorded featured presentations, sessions, panels, and social events throughout the month. Live sessions will be hosted through Zoom.

Tentative Schedule

The conference will kick-off with a Presidential Welcome & Address, as well as an LGBTGEQIAP+ Primer Live Course on 10/1. Following that date, weekly events will include:

A Monday weekly release of multiple pre-recorded educational sessions

A live virtual social event

Recognition of important days of awareness for LGBTQ+ History Month

A pre-recorded featured presentation, released each week on Friday

On 10/26, a live panel discussion with featured presenters, allied professionals and SAIGE executive board members

Tickets & Session Access

Select conference content will be available to view on the SAIGE website from the date of their release until Sunday, November 14th, 2021. After November 14th, conference content will be available on the SAIGE website for purchase.

A Note regarding refunds: Tickets will be refunded prior to the start of the conference with no explanation. However, once the conference has started, refunds will be given on a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of the division.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Conference-specific CEU evaluations must be submitted to SAIGE no later than Tuesday, November 30th, 2021. CEU evaluations related to purchased conference content (i.e., accessed after November 14th) should be submitted based on relevant policies as posted on the SAIGE website (see saigecounseling.org/online-courses/)