ETHS hosted its annual LGBTQIA+ Summit on Mar. 17. This day-long in-school field trip is one of many summits that celebrate students and their diversity. From 8:30 a.m.-3:35 p.m., students participated in activities related to awareness, celebration and education in the context of the queer community. 

“My favorite part about the LGBTQIA+ summit last year was the drag performance,” said sophomore Eva Narducy. “The queens were so unapologetically them, which I feel made a lot of people in the audience accept themselves even more for who they were.”

The summit encourages students to learn and connect and be more accepting in a safe space.

“As an ally, I knew it was important to learn about the LGBTQIA+ community because being educated is important,” said Narducy. “If you are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally, I highly recommend attending the summit as there is a lot to learn and experience.”

The summit included a range of events, like special guest speakers, such as Irregular Girl, a longtime local drag queen based in Chicago. There were also workshops and performances students signed up for, ranging from a queer crafting workshop to a session about anti-Blackness in the queer community. Students also discussed LGBTQIA+ student involvement and how the school can better support the community. 

According to Principal Dr. Quiana McNeal, the LGBTQIA+ Summit is crucial to student belonging.

“It’s really important for our students and the community to know that they have a place here and that we see them and their voices are important,” said McNeal.

The summit is a time-honored tradition for many, inspiring hope and positivity while showcasing the talents and diversity of the local LGBTQIA+ community.