As part of the Domestic Intercultural Immersion (DII) Grant which supports Q-Fest programming, the Q-Fest student cohort has chosen a handful of topics on which to share with Q-Fest attendees. Presentation topics were chosen by the student groups — addressing relationships between different social group perspectives, how their experiences have contributed to understandings of how institutions maintain dominant assumptions, recognizing the impact of systems of privilege and oppression, and how all of these things relate back to the Eau Claire community. Our three student groups will be presenting on the following topics for this year:

Non-Medical Gender Affirming Care and You | Jade P., Jade H., & Audra

Gender affirming care can be a terrifying world to navigate, especially the medical side. There are so many different types of HRT and surgeries, but that's not all there is to it! There are plenty of non-medical steps someone can take to align with their desired presentation. Showing some personal experiences from San Francisco and wishing to bring that back to Eau Claire, this presentation will go in-depth on topics such as queer fashion, legal processes, queer family and community. With many anti-trans laws being passed, we aim to inform people about the resources available to them beyond what’s being banned. 

Unpacking Corporate Pride | Makayla, Evey, Cory, & Adrian

During the years, we have seen the support of corporations both waver and strengthen alongside an ever-changing political climate. Some of these businesses have completely gone invisible, or have completely turned their back on the Queer community. This affects many of the Pride events that you see every year, as many local and nationwide organizations rely on this support to function. Not everything is surface-level; however, when looking deeper into the donations and involvement of big names, the more potential there is to influence the surrounding community. With so many hands on sponsorships and funding, how does this tamper with the fundamental message of pride as a protest? Join us in unpacking the good, the bad, and face the complicated conversation of corporate pride.

Reclaiming the Mic: Queer Voices of Color | Robin, Max, Godwin, & Stevie

In our current world, it is critical to center the voices of queer people of color. This presentation explores how storytelling becomes a powerful tool for visibility, resistance, and healing. What does it mean to tell your story when your identity is often erased or misrepresented? Through interviews, statistical analysis, and personal reflections, we examine how queer creators of color use film, literature, and other forms of media to challenge dominant narratives and create space for authentic representation. We consider how storytelling not only affirms identity but also builds community and reclaims cultural power. What happens when the mic is passed back to those who have been silenced—and what stories emerge when they speak?