The NEK Queer Youth Summit, held May 16, brought together students from Hazen Union, North Country Union, and Glover Community School for an overnight gathering focused on queer connection and belonging in our rural Northeast Kingdom communities. Organized by Hazen Union’s HUGS Club (Hazen Gender and Sexuality Club) with leadership from senior Cappy Santamore, the event was made possible through a $10,000 grant from the It Gets Better Project.

Hosted at the Highland Center for the Arts, the gathering featured a Renaissance Faire-inspired theme created by students. Activities included dramatically staged sword fighting, costumes, a drag workshop facilitated by Emoji Nightmare and Pete Zapparti, a workshop led by Outright Vermont, youth performances, open mic acts, live music from Hazen’s student rock band Lense, and screen-printing t-shirts featuring summit artwork designed by Hazen senior Quinn Moellur.

Reflecting on the design, Quinn said, “When creating the logo for this event, I had the Renaissance theme in the back of my mind and drew a creature that was a mix between a bird and a serpentine animal. While less intentional, this logo also represents being outside of what is considered the ‘norm,’ being a creature that doesn’t fit into one expected category.”

Students stayed overnight, creating additional opportunities to build friendships and connect with peers from neighboring schools.

The summit was created by students who recognized the limited opportunities for queer young people in geographically isolated rural communities to meet peers from neighboring schools and gather in shared spaces. Organizers said the event aimed to create opportunities for support, creativity, and community-building among queer youth in the Northeast Kingdom.

HUGS Club hopes to continue the summit as an annual gathering and expand participation to additional schools and GSAs across Vermont.