Join Safer on Oct. 14, 2025, from 10 am to 3 pm in Chumash Auditorium.
Our symposium will consist of panels, presentations, or interactive sessions from faculty, staff, and/or student researchers related to gender and power-based violence (GPBV). As our third symposium, we are continuing this tradition to create a space where we can share our knowledge and perspectives, while also encouraging and engaging the campus community to learn more about topics related to GPBV. For questions, please reach out to Claire Lopez Tassinari, Campus Advocate, at clope105@calpoly.edu.
Keynote Speaker: Myriam Gurba
1:45-3 p.m. Chumash auditorium
Myriam Gurba is a writer and activist. Her first book, the short story collection Dahlia Season, won the Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction. O, the Oprah Magazine ranked her true-crime memoir Mean as one of the “Best LGBTQ Books of All Time.” Her recent essay collection Creep: Accusations and Confessions was a finalist for a National Book Critics Circle award for Criticism, and won the Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual Nonfiction. She has written for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Vox, and Paris Review. Her next book, Poppy State: A Labyrinth of Plants and a Story of Beginnings, will be published by Timber Press in October 2025. Photo by Geoff Cordner.
| Time + Location | Presenter | Title | Abstract |
| 10:10 am - 11:00 am Chumash Left | Annie Aguiniga Frew (she/her) is a Lecturer in the Political Science Department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Doctor of Public Policy candidate at Claremont Graduate University. Her research focuses on social capital, policy advocacy, state policy, and enviornmental and social justice. She has over a decade of experience working in the California Legislature and in political advocacy, and she is the author of The Power of Participation: The Interwoven Systems of American and California Government (Kendall Hunt, forthcoming), a textbook designed to make government and civic engagement accessible through a social justice lens. Her pedagogy emphasizes providing students with both foundational knowledge and practical skills to build the next generation of engaged citizens and advocates for positive social change. She also holds a certificate in Conflict Transformation from Emory University. | From Grassroots to Government: Policy Advocacy to End Gender-Based and Dating Violence | This panel or presentation explores how grassroots activism, community organizing, and state-level policymaking intersects to address gender-based and dating violence. I will highlight advocacy strategies and legislative efforts in California, illustrating how community voices shape policy outcomes and why civic engagement remains central to prevention and survivor support. |
| 10:10 am - 11:00 am Chumash Center | Gillian Cutshaw (she/her): Gillian is a Cal Poly alum with a degree in Sociology and a master's in Gender and Women's Studies from Trinity College. She has been involved in gender-based violence prevention and survivor support for 15 years. As a Campus Advocate, she is dedicated to providing survivors with a safe space where they feel heard, validated, valued, and seen. Courtney Moore (she/her): As the Student Services Coordinator for Students with Dependents, Courtney supports pregnant, parenting and caregiving students by providing resources, referrals to partners and advocating for their needs. She graduated with a master's degree from the Higher Education Counseling and Student Affairs program at Cal Poly. | Teaching Healthy Sexuality Education to Kids: A Guide for Caregivers | In Fall 2024, Courtney and Gillian co-facilitated a Safer book circle for staff and faculty on the book Raising Sexually Intelligent Kids by Anisa Varasteh. This inspired them to collaborate on the creation of a resource for caregivers on how to start the conversation and get past the stigma and shame associated with "the talk". According to Talk-More.org, "youth with open family communication about sexuality have healthier outcomes" but unfortunately, many people struggle with when and how to approach the topic. The goal of this workshop is for participants to walk away feeling more confident and knowledgeable about how and when to broach the topic of sexuality with kids. In this interactive session, the facilitators will share their curated list of books and websites and will discuss ways to provide age-appropriate information to children. Participants will engage with the facilitators and each other through self-reflection, discussion, and role plays. |
| 10:10 am - 11:00 am Chumash Right | Kyle Tanaka: Kyle is Student Success and Outcomes Librarian at Cal Poly. He holds a PhD in Philosophy from Emory University, an MA in Philosophy from Stony Brook University, and a BA in Philosophy from CSU Stanislaus. His work concerns how information is preserved and disseminated, especially in libraries and education. | Racism, Misogyny, and Homophobia (Oh My!): Why Addressing Dating Violence Requires an Intersectional Approach | In this presentation we will examine, unpack, and critique the mindset of "Asian Playboy" JT Tran. A self-proclaimed "pickup artist," Tran has given talks at institutions like Harvard and Yale, and is favorably referenced by Asian-American men to reclaim their masculinity, self-image, and confidence. Yet, as we will see, Tran's approach both relies upon and reiterates harmful patterns of objectification and heteronormativity. Placed in the context of long histories of anti-Asian hate, anti-Black racism, and homo- and transphobia, the issues and flaws of Tran's individualistic approach become apparent. The presentation will close with some reflections on the significance of this kind of phenomenon for dating violence and what it means to address such issues individually, culturally, and institutionally. |
| 11:10 am - 12:00 pm Chumash Left | Jeremiah Hernandez: Jeremiah is a dedicated student affairs professional and is pursuing his M.S. in Higher Education Counseling/Student Affairs. He brings a warm expertise in diversity education, restorative practices, and hip-hop pedagogy, engaging students while thoughtfully challenging harmful gender norms and fostering a sense of equity, accountability, and healing. | Mr. Morale: Unpacking Masculinity and Power-Based Violence Through Hip Hop | This interactive workshop uses Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers as a lens to examine the relationship between masculinity and gender/power-based violence (GPBV). Through guided listening and lyrical analysis, we will explore how Lamar narrates struggles with vulnerability, accountability, generational trauma, and cultural expectations of men. The album provides a critical entry point for discussing how harmful gender norms perpetuate silence, dominance, and cycles of harm, while also imagining pathways toward healing. Participants will engage in structured dialogue and reflective activities grounded in specific songs, connecting the album's themes to personal, campus, and community contexts. Together, we will challenge dominant arratives of masculinity and identify strategies for fostering accountability, empathy, and healthier models of manhood. By integrating hip-hop pedagogy with social justice practice, this session creates space for critical dialogue and equipes participants to reframe masculinity in ways that disrupt GPBV. |
| 11:10 am - 12:00 pm Chumash Center |
Ellie Kidd is a 4th year Interdisciplinary Studies major at Cal Poly. She is also pursuing minors in Women & Gender Studies as well as Child Development. This will be her third year working on the consent project and she is looking forward to another awesome year! Kristen Conliffe is a 4th year communication studies major! She is pursuing minors in Gender, Race, Culture, Science & Technology as well as Media, Arts, Society & Technology. She taught consent lessons with this program last year and is excited to now help lead it! Dr. Christina Kaviani has worked in the field of gender-based violence since 2007. For almost a decade, she worked at as the Director of Cal Poly Safer and the Men & Masculinities Program. Currently, Christina is a lecturer at Cal Poly in the Communication Studies and Women, Gender and Queer Studies Department. |
The Cal Poly Consent Project | The Cal Poly Consent Project consists of a group of Cal Poly students and one faculty that are dedicated to educating five to twelve year olds about consent during the elementary school years. The Cal Poly Consent Project works closely with Lumina Alliance, our counties sexual assault and dating/domestic violence county resource to provide complementary education in our San Luis Obispo community. Each lesson is focused on consent, boundaries, identity and communication and is age appropriate for Kindergarteners through sixth graders. Cal Poly students are trained on the curriculum in January and implement the trainings in February during Valentines Day month. Students get real life teaching experience and also find community with like minded student activists dedicated to lowering sexual and dating violence. |
| 11:10 am - 12:00 pm Chumash Right | Paloma Moran, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and Gender & Sexuality Inclusivity Coordinator at Cal Poly CAPS. They specialize in LGBTQIA2S+-affirming care, gender-affirming mental health support, and trauma-informed approaches. Paloma is passionate about minority stress research, inclusive campus initiatives, and making mental health services accessible for marginalized communities. | Breaking Silence, Building Connection: Understanding Dating Violence in LGBTQ+ Communities Through the Lens of the Minority Stress Model | This 45-minute presentation will explore the unique experiences of dating violence (DV) within LGBTQ+ communities, drawing on the Minority Stress Model to highlight how stigma, discrimination, and systemic barriers intersect to heighten risk and influence help-seeking behaviors. Using recent statistics (2020 onward), we will examine patterns of victimization, disclosure, and identity-based forms of abuse such as “outing” and coercive control. Designed to be digestible for undergraduates and community partners, the session will integrate data, real-world vignettes, and practical strategies for prevention and support. Attendees will learn how minority stress contributes to both vulnerability and resilience in LGBTQ+ relationships and leave with concrete, identity-affirming approaches to connect, empower, and transform campus and community responses to dating violence. The session will conclude with an interactive component inviting participants to reflect on ways to build safer, more inclusive environments for all students. |
| 12:50 pm - 1:40 pm Chumash Left | Emma Collins (They/She): Emma is a CAPSLO Health Educator. Emma is passionate about fostering safer communities, whether that be teaching teens about sexual and relationship health or leading Youth Disclosure Training for supportive adults. In their free time, they volunteer with GALA Pride & Diversity Center and create fiber art. Skylar Grisaffi (She/her): Skylar is a Health Educator who believes that even the smallest conversations can open the door to real connection and growth. She's passionate about creating inclusive spaces where young people on the Central Coast feel seen, supported, and empowered through honest, accessible health education. | 'Not Your Mother's Sex Ed' Trivia | 'Not Your Mother's Sex Ed' Trivia aims to reduce stigma, encourage open dialogue, and reinforce accurate sexual health knowledge in an inclusive and judgement-free envirornment. Trivia teams have the opportunity to show off exisiting knowledge and skills on topics like anatomy, STIs, consent, contraceptives, and more. Participants will also be able to ask Emma or Skyler, experieneced sexual health educators, questions alound or anonymously. Whether you're a seasoned sexpert or a curious learner, this session promises both insight and entertainment - because learning about sexual health should be as exciting as it is essential. |
| 12:50 pm - 1:40 pm Chumash Center | Andre Sillas: Andre earned their bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Genetics/Genomics from the University of California, Davis, and a Master’s in Psychology from Brandeis University. He has previously investigated sexual identity development and mental health in LGBTQIA+ emerging adults with a focused interest in intersectionality along with Autism neurocognitive development. | Exploring (Neuro)Divergence in Survivorship | By taking an intersectional approach to survivorship, this presentation will investigate neurodivergence experience with gender-based power violence, specific difficulties with navigating the neurotypical environment of dating, and proposed programming to better support neurodivergent survivors. This presentation will look specifically into the unique experience of emerging adults with Autism and or ADHD, the navigation of interpersonal romantic relationships, and assess roots of supremacy that contribute to neurodivergent survivorship. Addressing these areas all in order to propose pertinent and supportive programming for neurodivergent survivors. |
