From polari to hanky code, from brick-and-mortar taverns to the apps, from the Stonewall uprising to small-town pride, Queer identity has faced many challenges in building strong communities. Through this adversity, the Queer community has forged strong, resilient communities… but how? This interactive, discussion-based course will explore what it means to build strong, resilient communities through the lens of sustainable community development. Participants will explore the three pillars of social sustainability: institutional responsibility, community viability, and individual belonging. Once we gain an understanding of these pillars, we will walk through Queer history, from the cruising park to the ballroom, to understand how these aspects of social communities interact with one another. Finally, participants will discuss their own communities to identify strengths and areas for growth. By the end of our time together, participants will understand how these three pillars interact and take what they learn back to their communities to ensure everyone feels included and seen.
Presented By: Dr. Aksel Hunden (He/Him)
Dr. Aksel Hunden is a nerdy, gym-loving rubber doggo. Serving as Wisconsin Pet 2025, he enjoys traveling and exploring the diverse kink and queer scenes across the Midwest and beyond. Because he is a dog-brained glutton for punishment, Aksel recently received his Doctorate in Education this spring. His research explored how rural and urban queer communities foster belonging, resilience, and socially sustainability in the face of minimization. When not traveling, working out, or in rubber and pet spaces, he can often be found diving into philosophy, queer identity, and the histories of kink and LGBTQ+ rigihts.