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Student conference encourages youths to stand up for their beliefs continued from p.20 together in a safe environment where there can be peer-to-peer learning happening is really, really important. "They can share success stories about what is happening in their GSAs and how to support each other in that sense," he continued. "We see the value just by the students walking by and the looks on their faces and how excited they are to be here because it really is an incredible coming together of some awesome folks working for social justice and working for change in their school community." The conference also featured workshops on topics such as: healthy and unhealthy relationships, sexual health, how LGBTQ+ experiences overlap with disability justice, how popular and rock music has challenged traditional gender norms. Another workshop featured a dialogue between representatives from different faiths and from different spiritual perspectives on the intersections of religion and LGBTQ+ identities. The workshop was intended to show the youths attending they did not have to choose between their sexuality and their religion, and there is room for both, according to organizers. The day ended with students dancing during a "Waack Revolt" and with parting words from HDSB Associate Director Stuart Miller. Miller spoke about a bullying situation he had been made aware of in which some boys had urinated on another youth's clothes. The matter was investigated and the boys punished. Miller said there were two heroes in that story -- one was the boy who witnessed the incident and spoke up about it and the other was the victim who refused to let what happened get the better of him. "There are two messages I want you to take from this story. The first is never ever suffer in silence. Go to somebody and if you see someone suffering in silence you help them," said Miller. "The second message is always help those that seem in distress or in need. You guys, by sitting here, are making a statement to this community, to Halton, to the world that you believe strongly in human rights.... There are countries in this world where gay people are still oppressed and face severe consequences just for who they are. "By being here today you are standing up to those oppressive regimes....," he added. The conference received positive reviews from students who attended. A 17-year-old M.M. Robinson High School student called the conference inspirational and said it has given her considerable insight on what others in the LGBTQ+ community have gone through. 21 | Thursday, April 30, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com 1510 Speers Rd. (at 3rd Line), Oakville Car and Truck Rentals/Sales 905.827.2243 Anniversary 24' 5 Ton $ incl. tax, ins., 100 KM's 20' Cube wiTh LifT-gaTe 200 $ incl. tax, ins., 100 KM's 170 Buy 1 pair of prescription eyewear or sunwear & get the 2nd at 16' Cube Van 12' Cargo Van 11-15 SeaTer Van 50%off *See in store for details. $ tax, ins., 100 KM's 138 incl. $ tax, ins., 100 KM's 108 incl. $ tax, ins., 150 KM's 188 incl. fenDi.cOm 92 Dunn Street, Downtown Oakville lebeauoptical@gmail.com www.lebeauoptical.com 905-845-3621 Rates above are for one day. Multi-day discounts and weekly rates available, long km packages available, 0.29 per km over standard