For decades American corporate entities helped to encourage understanding by providing space for discussions of personal identities - acknowledging that we are all unique and that others may not understand our uniqueness regarding our race, age, gender, abilities, sexual orientation or the many other identities that make each of us who we are.
This session will offer a comprehensive exploration of identities related to sexual orientation and gender identity, with an emphasis on building understanding across differences. While public discourse often frames these topics as purely political, many of the real challenges people face in navigating them are generational, cultural, and rooted in evolving language and lived experience.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and engage in open conversation in a supportive environment. We’ll discuss terminology, common misconceptions, and the ways identity development can vary across age groups and communities. The session is designed to strengthen your confidence in discussing these topics thoughtfully and respectfully, whether you’re supporting colleagues, connecting with friends and family, or simply expanding your own awareness.
By the end, you’ll walk away with practical insights that can enhance communication and inclusion in your workplace, as well as deepen understanding in your personal life. This is a space for curiosity, reflection, and meaningful dialogue.
Meet Our Speaker
Scott M. Fearing joined the University of Rochester in April of 2019 and works in the office of Training and Development. A native Minnesotan, Scott relocated to Rochester in 2005 with his husband, who came to pursue a degree at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at RIT. He worked for more than a decade at Out Alliance (aka: Gay Alliance) in Rochester, serving for eight years as the Director of Education and five years as Executive Director. Scott's commitment to community advocacy began in the early 1980’s, when he became actively involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness efforts, and in 1993, he was hired as the Coordinator of Education for a state-wide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization in Minnesota.
Through decades of advocacy, training, and community engagement, Scott has become a respected educator and leader dedicated to fostering inclusive and equitable environments.
5 PM: Doors open - Fisher Meeting Room
5:30 PM: Program starts
