Ask Me Anything Teen Edition: A Wilton Community Forum

Join Wilton Pride & Wilton Library for the third annual Ask Me Anything: Teen Edition. From gaining a deeper understanding of affirming environments to discovering the essential needs of queer teens, this conversation is crucial for anyone seeking to support and uplift LGBTQ+ youth. 

Through honest conversations with the panelists you will walk away with:

• An understanding of the LGBTQ+ community 

• The importance of allyship in real life situations: Understanding how LGBTQ+ individuals  are impacted by bias, and an overview of best practices that protect safety and inclusion

• An understanding of what is meant by sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender identity, gender expression, and sex assigned at birth - the differences between them and how they impact one another.

• Language and definition of terms associated with the LGBTQ+ community, including lesser known terms.

• Understanding notions of hetero-normativity, the gender/sex binary, and cis-normativity. 

• Rethinking social norms and expectations surrounding sexuality and gender in our society.

If you would like to submit a question in advance, you may do so in the form linked here.

Moderator: Wilton High School Alumni, Lindsay Wheeler Lindsay is a writer, creative, and neurodivergent therapist specializing in sexuality and gender affirming care. She takes an unconventional approach to therapy, incorporating creative expression, humility, and humor in her sessions. Lindsay’s writing centers on identity, intersectionality, politics, expansiveness, and mental health. In 2022, Lindsay created Sad Friends Club, an inclusive virtual community with workshops on topics like therapeutic writing, antiracism, navigating LGBTQIA+ identity, and more. Lindsay also designs and facilitates workshops at music festivals for queer, Grammy award winning artist, Brandi Carlile. Lindsay feels honored and privileged by her unique opportunity to remind others, especially queer youth, of their inherent worth as they navigate the world. Lindsay’s proudest identity is a friend. She values chosen family and deep connection more than anything else in her life, and can say with total confidence that she is alive today because of the people she loves and who love her back. A few of Lindsay's all-time biggest creative influences include Audre Lorde, Alok Vaid-Menon, Andrea Gibson, Dr. Jennifer Mullan, and her 11-year-old French Bulldog, Tubs. If you’ve ever felt like there is no place for you in our culture, Lindsay loves you already.

Panelists: 

Eva  - a 19 year old girl. I transitioned at age 6. I love playing tennis and being active. I like hanging out with my friends by walking in town, going to the mall, and going to the beach. I am currently in college. I plan on studying psychiatric nursing.

Jona - I’m a 17-year-old trans girl. I came out as non-binary in 2022, and then again as transgender in the summer of 2024. I’m currently a senior at Staples High School, and will be starting at Bard College in the fall. I do a lot of work with various clubs and organizations such as Westport Pride and Staples Pride, through which I’ve spoken at the Board of Education, been a speaker at Pride events and ribbon-cuttings, and more. I’m also currently the President of the Staples Feminists Club, which is an intersectional feminism club at my school. I hope to continue my work in community advocacy and activism at college and beyond!

Sofie - I’m a junior at Wilton High School. I’m queer and use mainly she/her pronouns. I love music and games, and enjoy cooking and reading. I’m a cat person, I have three! I also have a dog, two bunnies and chickens. I love animals a lot and always have! I’m from Maryland and hope to pursue forensic science. 

Please note: there are no cell phones or any type of recording allowed. This will take place in a closed room at Wilton Library with a police presence (non-uniformed officer).