Introduction
The 2026 LGBTQ+ Mental Health Affirming Care Symposium
Friday, October 2, 2026 | 9AM-5PM | 91影视 Locatelli Center
Exploring this year's theme: Queer Joy and Gender Euphoria, the 2026 LGBTQ+ Mental Health Affirming Care Symposium will bring together clinicians, advocates, and performers to discuss affirming, intersectional, and creative approaches to LGBTQ+ mental health and community wellness.
Alert icon Registration Info: The link to register will be posted soon. Add the event to your calendar and stay tuned!
About the Event
The 2026 LGBTQ+ Mental Health Affirming Care Symposium invites participants to explore the vibrant themes of Queer Joy and Gender Euphoria through a diverse program of clinical insight and creative expression.
The event features Alicia Stephen leading an experiential session on drama therapy, followed by a collaborative presentation from Drs. Marissa Floro, Jackie Wang, and Stephanie Wong focusing on the intersection of Asian American and Pacific Islander identities and mental health. Dr. Chase Anderson will provide essential perspectives on providing affirming care for Black queer and trans individuals as a child psychiatrist.
Additionally, there will be drag performances and a dynamic panel discussion about gender euphoria with drag artists Justin Ortiz, Zak Keith, Abbi Kiss, Naomi Castejon Wong, moderated by the LGBTQ+ emphasis coordinator Dr. Chongzheng Wei. This symposium offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading experts and performers dedicated to celebrating and sustaining the wellness of the LGBTQ+ community.
Event Coordinator (Dr. Wei) and Primary Logistics Contact (Julie Jennings)
Assistant Professor
Director of Employer and Alumni Relations
Speakers
UCSF Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor
Community Advocate and Activist
Interim Co-Director, Weiland Health Initiative; Liaison to Queer Student Resources (QSR) at Stanford University.
UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) Diversity Center Graduate Researcher; UCSC Doctor of Developmental Psychology Candidate
Co-Producer, Drag 4 Justice
Program Coordinator at Caminar and The LGBTQ Youth Space
Trauma centered dramatherapist, psychotherapist, group facilitator, educator, and consultant
Psychiatrist at Lyon-Martin and Stanford University
LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Agenda
Friday, October 2, 2026
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
9:15 AM -10:45 AM
Session A
Featured Speaker: Alicia Stephen
Content:
- Drama Therapy and plays in cultivating queer joy and gender euphoria
- Engage in multiple role plays and various parts in relation to joy and euphoria (barriers, self, and oppressor)
10:45 AM -11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM -12:30 AM
Session B - Cultivating Joy in Hostile Times: A Multi-level Approach in Working with Queer and Trans Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Featured Speakers: Dr. Marissa Floro , Dr. Jackie Wang , and Dr. Stephanie Wong
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn historical, systemic, cultural, and interpersonal contributing factors to current mental health challenges facing queer and trans Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
- Participants will learn interventions and clinical best practices to better serve queer and trans Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
12:30 PM -1:30 PM
Lunch Break
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Session C - Black, Queer Joy as a Psychiatrist: Being Yourself in Medicine
Featured Speakers: Dr. Chase Anderson
Learning Objectives:
- Specify at least three ways in which your personal facets of identity have informed who you are as a clinician.
- Assess how your facets of identity have been impacted by training and being minoritized in the mental health field.
- Identify at least three ways in which academic environments could change to be more supportive of minoritized mental health professionals.
3:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 PM - 4:45 PM
Session D - Conversation with Drag Performing Artists and Performances聽
Panelists/artists: Justin Ortiz , Zak Keith , Abbi Kiss , Naomi Castejon Wong
Moderator: Dr. Chongzheng Wei
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Describe how gender euphoria can positively impact mental health, self-confidence, and personal empowerment for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
- Identify ways that drag, ballroom, pageantry, and other forms of artistic expression can foster empowerment, self-discovery, and community connection for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
- Examine how LGBTQIA+ performers and artists use lived experience, storytelling, and performance as tools for advocacy, visibility, education, and positive community impact.
- Explore intersections of identity within LGBTQIA+ performance spaces, including gender identity, sexuality, race, culture, and expression.
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Closure and photos with the artists
Words of Gratitude
Thank you to all our speakers, partners, and participants for making this event such a beautiful space for learning and community each year! And a special thank you to Dr. Chongzheng Wei, Gregory Walswick, and Julie Jennings for your leadership and support in planning this year's LGBTQ+ Mental Health Affirming Care Symposium.