Module 1
“Spill the Disabili‐Tea” by Alex Locust (“Glamputee”)
Alex guided participants through essential concepts in disability justice, including microaggressions, the cultural experience of disability, and the distinction between access and inclusion. The workshop inspired attendees to integrate disability justice principles into their communities, elevating inclusive practices that empower disabled communities.
Spill the Disabili‐Tea VideoPresenter Information
Alex Locust (he/they/she) is a Black‐white biracial, queer disability justice educator, activist, and "Glamputee" who uses their lived experience as an above‐the‐knee amputee to challenge ableist narratives and promote a disability justice framework. With an M.S. in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, they offer workshops and lectures that foster empathy, cultural humility, and intersectional analysis, empowering disabled communities and encouraging allies to disrupt oppression. Known for their charm, humor, and wit, Alex creates engaging spaces for exploring complex topics like disability justice, microaggressions, and cross‐movement solidarity.
Connect with Alex Locust
Glamputee Website | SpeakOut Website
Instagram | LinkedIn
Module 2
“Empowering LGBTQ+ Autistic and Neurodiverse Communities: Affirmation and Support for VAST Individuals” by Finn Gratton, LMFT, LPCC
Finn guided participants in understanding ableism’s impact on LGBTQ+ autistic and neurodivergent people, exploring universal access strategies, and recognizing connection as essential to anti‐ableist care and support.
Empowering LGBTQ+ Autistic and Neurodiverse Communities VideoPresenter Information
Finn Gratton (they/them), LMFT, LPCC, is a somatic psychotherapist and consultant working in the San Francisco Bay Area. Finn’s work is focused on the intersections of somatics, trauma, neurodiversity, and sexual and gender minorities. They are the author of Supporting Transgender Autistic Youth and Adults: A Guide for Professionals and Families. In addition to their private practice work with adults and teens, Finn provides neurodiversity‐affirming consultation and training to groups and individuals in the U.S. and internationally. Finn identifies as white, autistic and non‐binary.
Connect with Finn Gratton:
Gratton Psychotherapy Website
Supporting Transgender Autistic Youth and Adults book
Module 3
In Our Own Words: Celebrating Diverse‐Abled Queer Journeys
This transformative session invited attendees to celebrate diversity, confront barriers, and amplify voices of resilience within the LGBTQ+ and disabled communities. Through engaging discussions, panelists shared personal experiences, challenges, and victories‐ offering impactful insights into the intersectionality of queerness, disability, and diversity.
In Our Own Words: Celebrating Diverse‐Abled Queer Journeys VideoFacilitator & Panelists Information
Le Toudjida Allara, M.S., M.P.A. (he/him), popularly called as Allara, is the Program Manager for the County of Santa Clara Office of Disability Affairs. In fact, he is polyglot, cosmopolitan and proudly deaf. He adores traveling around the world, involving in advocacy for people with disabilities, and engaging in global soccer community as manager, coaching educator, consultant and Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)‐licensed soccer agent
Connect with Le Toudjida Allara:
Office of Disability Affairs Website
Disability Inclusion Equity Pledge
Hail Cesar Ayala (he/him), the Gold City of San Francisco, California. Cesar was named as Mr. Gay San Francisco 2017‐ 2018. He was no small feat as he was the first Deaf winner in that pageant history since 1970’s and the first Latino Deaf winner in a major‐level Gay Pageant anywhere in America. Also, he finished eighth place out of 50 for Mr. Gay America pageant in Las Vegas 2021. Cesar was raised outside the bay in Riverside, California where he started his pageant career at the age six by performing moves in the first annual Mr. and Miss Pachappa Pageant. As a current he aims to showcase his talent combining dance and American Sign Language Songs. Cesar is a current tenth year cheerleader for CHEER San Francisco, Bare Chest Calendar as Mr. January 2025, activist for the LGBTQIA+ deaf community, people of color, disabilities, and he continues to inspire people all over in United States.
Connect with Cesar Ayala:
Cesar Ayala Article | Instagram
Rosemary McDonnell‐Horita (she/her) is a disabled JapaneseAmerican woman living in the East Bay of California. She’s been supporting, advocating, and fiercely fighting for disability inclusion for 10+ years. In 2018, Rosemary ran Colorado’s inaugural Youth Leadership Forum for students with disabilities in partnership with local independent living centers. With a focus in youth transition and event accessibility, Rosemary has experience working with the California Youth Leadership Forum, the Impact Campaign for the Oscar‐ nominated documentary Crip Camp, Google, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, and numerous others. Her most recent work includes the Impact Producer for the film “Fire Through Dry Grass and Patrice: The Movie.” She’s currently an independent contractor and working on writing a cookbook. In her free time, she enjoys working in her vegetable garden, making playlists and cooking for people she loves.
Connect with Rosemary McDonnell‐Horita
Website | Instagram | Linkedln
LOTUS BOY (ze/zir, he/him, or they/them) is a transgender, unapologetically disabled, neurodivergent, and chronically illUSTRIOUS, Chinese‐American drag king based in occupied Lisjan Ohlone Land (aka Oakland, CA). As an anti‐disciplinary artist, ze uses any medium which speaks to zir spirit to explore gender fluidity, accessibility, sustainability, joy, and healing from trauma. LOTUS BOY is on the Board of Directors for Oaklash, the Bay Area's drag festival, and the SPM Disability Justice Fund which supports projects led by disabled BIPOC. In 2023, LOTUS BOY won the 27th Annual San Francisco Drag King Contest. King LOTUS BOY's work has been featured at the SF Institute of Contemporary Art, SF MoMa, the Austin International Drag Festival, THEYFRIEND: Non‐Binary Performance Festival, Chinese Historical Society of America Museum, Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Palo Alto Art Center, Fresh Meat Festival of Transgender and Queer Performance, The Drag and Spirituality Summit, Queer Women of Color Film Festival, Disability After Dark podcast, UCLA, San Jose State University, UC Berkeley, and more. When not onstage, ze brings drag and gender exploration workshops to middle schools, high schools, and colleges in the Bay Area and beyond.
Land Acknowledgement and Cultural Ceremony presented by Kanyon Sayers‐Roods
Kanyon Sayers‐Roods opened the summit with a Land Acknowledgement and later presented a Cultural Ceremony, sharing ancestral knowledge and reminding participants that “once we stop dancing, singing, moving, that’s when change stops.” Their powerful presence grounded attendees in the importance of honoring Indigenous practices and the summit’s transformative work.
Land Acknowledgement and Cultural Ceremony VideoPresenter information
Kanyon Sayers‐Roods (She | They | Coyote) is a proud Mutsun‐Ohlone Two‐Spirit artist, activist, and cultural representative. As Tribal Chairwoman of Indian Canyon Nation, and the founder of the Two Spirit Society of Indian Canyon, she is a fierce advocate for Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ rights, leading efforts in cultural preservation, decolonization, and climate resilience while also educating through Cultural Competency Trainings and workshops, including in the accredited Queering Psychedelics curriculum. With a passion for blending traditional knowledge with modern challenges, Kanyon's work uplifts both the LGBTQIA+ and Indigenous communities, inspiring intersectional advocacy and allyship.
Connect with Kanyon Sayers‐Roods
Website | Linkedln | Instagram
Our Commitment to Accessibility and COVID‐19 Procedures
The Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs (OLGBTQA) and the Office of Disability Affairs (ODA) collaborated to enhance their efforts to ensure that all participants felt safe, comfortable, and supported throughout summit sessions and activities. To learn more about how we improved accessibility for the LGBTQ+ Summit, please read the Accessibility and COVID‐19 Procedure document below.
Santa Clara County Office of LGBTQ Affairs (OLGBTQA) and Office of Disability Affairs (ODA) are working together to enhance our efforts in ensuring that all participants feel safe, comfortable, and supported throughout summit sessions and activities. Please review the following details, which reflect our ongoing commitment to fostering access, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for all.
Where to Go for Assistance
The Information Table is located on the 1st floor in the Registration area. You can visit this table for assistance with:
Alternative large print formats of conference materials
Interpreters, live captioning, and other communication support
Location of accessible bathrooms
Orientation and mobility assistance
Reserved seating
Other conference accommodations and needs
Summit program and additional materials
Guest and Visitor Passes
Please feel free to ask for help with anything you need. We aim to create a welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy learning together.
In Case of Emergency
If you have specific access needs related to emergency situations, such as a fire, please visit the Information Table to discuss any access needs that can support your safety. For questions about the venue’s evacuation procedures or emergency plans for guests with disabilities, please ask the information table or the hotel front desk.
Disability Accommodations
Please submit requests for disability accommodations through the registration process by October 4th. Upon arrival at the summit, visit the Information Table to access your requested services.
CART Services / ASL Interpreting
Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) and / or American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting is provided at the summit.
Reserved Seating
If you require accessible seating near the front for keynote presentations, please look for a 'reserved' sign on one of the front chairs. For reserved seating during breakout sessions or mealtimes, please stop by the Information Table at least 30 minutes before the session to submit your request.
Location of Accessible Bathrooms
Please visit the Information Table for assistance with locating accessible bathrooms, including maps or verbal directions based on your preference.
Service Animals
The venue allows service animals to accompany their handlers in all areas where guests are allowed.
Summit Program
For assistance with the conference program, please visit the Information Table. Our volunteer staff will be happy to help with any questions or provide additional support.
Digital Summit Program
The Summit Program will be available on the OLGBTQA website on October 9th, two days before the event, offering attendees an interactive way to explore the schedule. You can easily search the full conference agenda, browse speaker profiles, and learn about resource table participants.
The Sensory Room
A quiet space will be available in Monterey Room for anyone who may need a calm, low-stimulation environment. The location is also listed in the program.
Photography and Fragrance Policy
Please refrain from using flash photography during the conference. We also kindly ask all attendees to help maintain a fragrance-free environment to ensure the comfort and well-being of everyone.
With the US covid public health emergency having expired on May 11, 2023, the change in the availability of federally funded COVID‑19 tests and vaccinations has led the Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and Office of Disability Affairs team to decide that it is no longer feasible to require vaccinations or testing to attend the LGBTQ+ Summit 2024.
We are still committed to prioritizing the health and safety of all attendees, resource fair participants, and staff at our event. We have implemented the following guidelines and measures to help ensure a safe environment for everyone.
Please note that our COVID‑19 policy is subject to change based on evolving circumstances and public health guidance. We will communicate any updates or revisions to the policy through our official channels.
By attending the event, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks associated with public gatherings during the COVID‑19 pandemic. We appreciate your understanding, cooperation, and commitment to keeping our community safe.
Here are some of the sources that helped us and can help you make a more informed decision:
Policy In Summary
Vaccinations are NOT required
If you are sick, please stay home.
Masks are required in:
Hotel Ballroom
Sensory room
Vaccination Encouragement
We strongly encourage all attendees, vendors, and staff to be up to date in their vaccinations against COVID‑19 prior to attending the event. Vaccination is a crucial step in preventing the spread of the virus and protecting yourself and others.
We request that individuals who are eligible for vaccination and have not yet received it to consider doing so before attending the event.
Masking Guidelines
To provide an added layer of protection, we strongly encourage all attendees, vendors, and staff to wear masks or face coverings while inside the event venue.
Masks will be available at designated stations throughout the event for those who may need them.
While masking is strongly encouraged in all areas of the event, it will be mandatory in high traffic areas such as the hotel ballroom and sensory room. Everyone must be properly masked at all times while in designated masking required areas of the summit unless eating or drinking.
Please ensure that masks or face coverings fully cover the nose and mouth.
COVID‑19 statistics for San Jose, CA see Santa Clara County Public Health Dashboard
Sanitation and Hygiene
Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the event venue, and we encourage frequent handwashing or use of hand sanitizer.
Enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols will be implemented for high-touch surfaces and common areas.
Social Distancing
Although social distancing guidelines may vary based on local regulations and health guidelines at the time of the event, we encourage participants to respect personal space and maintain a reasonable distance from others.
Event organizers will monitor and implement any necessary adjustments to manage crowd density and flow.
Health Screening
We kindly ask all attendees, vendors, and staff to self-assess their health prior to attending the event. If you are experiencing any COVID‑19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID‑19, we urge you to stay home and prioritize your well-being.
Compliance and Cooperation
All participants, including attendees, resource fair participants, and staff, are expected to comply with the event’s COVID‑19 policy and guidelines.
Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the individual being asked to leave the event premises.
Exemptions
In the interest of maximizing safety, we are not accepting exemption requests. We will monitor changes in any official directions and update this policy as needed.
If you have asthma or a related medical condition you can remove your mask if you have a medical episode. Once the episode is resolved we ask you to wear the mask again. Feel free to reach out to a staffer if you need assistance.