History and Heritage

The Greater Cincinnati chapter of GLSEN, The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, in cooperation with Stonewall Cincinnati’s Dan Mess, initiated the concept of a GLBTQ Youth Summit and began the planning during the winter of 2001-2.  The community had never had such an event before and the first Greater Cincinnati GLBTQ Youth Summit was held at the University of Cincinnati on March 16, 2002.  

The Summit is an event run by a Coordinating Committee composed primarily of youth drawn from the community at large.  GLSEN is a primary sponsor each year of the Summit.  Financial support for the Summit is solicited from individuals, organizations and agencies who understand the importance of providing this opportunity for GLBTQ/allied youth and supportive adults. The event is free to all participants, thanks to this financial support

The first Summit was such a success that the Coordinating Committee immediately began planning the next event.  The committee felt strongly that the Summit would be more effective positioned at the beginning of the school year.  The next Summit was held on November 16, 2002 at Northern Kentucky University.  Over 200 participants enjoyed the day together. They came from 7 cities in Kentucky, 2 cities in Indiana, and 11 cities in Ohio.  The Summit raised money to bring in a nationally-known speaker for the first time (the slam poet, Alix Olson).

Over the next two years, the Youth Summit continued to flourish. Both years the event was held at Northern Kentucky University and reached out to an attendance of over 175 people each year.

Revitalization and  Outlook

In 2006, after a one-year absence of the Youth Summit, community leaders became determined not to let such a great event disappear for good. Pulling together all of their resources, various community members committed that there would be a Youth Summit in December of 2006.  While the ‘06 Summit preserved many of the traditions and ideals of the previous summits, there was also new ideas, people, and thoughts added. With a strong sense of acceptance and a willingness to reach to heights never thought possible, the 2007 Youth Summit reached to more people than ever. 

In order to maximize the Youth Summit’s purpose, leaders decided to take the event to the next level and organize into a 501 (C)3 organization after the 2007 Summit.

Through this reorganization, event organizers hope to make the Youth Summit a national event for GLBTQ youth and allies across the country in the next 3-5 years.