We need to talk. We need each other. We need community.
Join the Stowe Center for Literary Activism for an open forum centered on current news and the issues shaping our lives right now. These gatherings invite neighbors into conversation, reflection, and community connection in a welcoming space where dialogue can spark understanding and action.
For this Salons at Stowe, we are celebrating Pride month by considering questions with a wide variety of subject experts, such as: What is the future of LGBTQIA+ Connecticut and what resources are available for LGBTQIA+ folks in Connecticut?
Come be in community, engage with others, and help turn conversation into action.
About the Facilitator
Derek Hall (he/him/his) is a dynamic anti-racist intergroup dialogue facilitator, public speaker, and activist committed to challenging beliefs and institutional culture rooted in systemic racism and other forms of oppression.
Derek has worked in the diversity, equity, and inclusion field for more than ten years, partnering with public and private school systems, for-profit and nonprofit organizations locally and nationally. His passion for decolonized education, human connection, and implementing racial equity strategies has led him to speak to audiences of more than 500 people and facilitate groups as small as 5 to 15. As a Racial Equity Consultant and Coach, Derek believes that “changed people change systems,” and he uses facilitation, storytelling, and community building to deepen the racial and social consciousness of individuals and organizations.
About the Subject Experts
We are delighted to feature leaders from the Connecticut-area who focus on LQBTQIA+ social justice issues as subject experts.
Jesse Nasta
Jesse Nasta, PhD, is a cultural, community, and public historian. Specializing in U.S. and African American history, he has taught LGBTQ and African American history at Wesleyan University since 2017 and has served as Executive Director of the Middlesex County Historical Society since 2020, in his home city of Middletown, Connecticut. In that role, and as a former member of the City of Middletown’s LGBTQIA+ Commission, he has proudly organized several Middletown Pride events focused on uncovering, celebrating, and sharing Connecticut LGBTQ history.
Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan
Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan is currently in his fourth term representing Connecticut’s 2nd Assembly District, encompassing Bethel and parts of Danbury. As Chief Majority Whip, he plays a pivotal role in advancing legislative priorities that reflect the values and needs of his constituents. Representative Allie-Brennan is a Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus.
Representative Dominique Johnson
Representative Dominique Johnson proudly represents each resident in every neighborhood of the 143rd District. As Deputy Majority Leader, Dominique works to improve the quality of life for all of our District’s residents, delivering results with compassion and respect. Representative Johnson is a Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Caucus.
Kamora Herrington
Kamora Herrington is an experiential educator working at the intersections of identity and community. She is the recipient of the New Haven Pride Center’s Dorothy Award, the CT Voice Award for Advocacy, and a 100 Women of Color Award. Her work supports individuals and organizations committed to personal and professional growth through cultural humility.
Dani Arranka
Dani Arranka is a Latino-American trans hairstylist with a background in fashion, music, and beauty, and is from Hartford, but now living in New Britain.
John Pica-Sneeden
John Pica-Sneeden is the Executive Director of the CT Gay and Lesbian Chamber for the past 11 years, he started in 2014 and have worked hard to create and safe and secure working environment through networking for all our Partners and Members.
Anthony Pierson-DiLizia
Anthony Pierson-DiLizia is a United States Army Veteran and Executive Director of The Health Collective, where he leads the organization’s mission to advance health equity and expand affirming care for LGBTQIA+ and underserved communities across Connecticut. He is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Yale School of Management and is passionate about building more accessible, equitable, and healthy communities.
Reverend Edwin Pérez Jr.
Reverend Edwin Pérez Jr. is the Senior Minister at Immanuel Congregational Church, United Church of Christ. Beginning in the Pentecostal tradition, he began licensed ministry in 2015 and has served in the United Church of Christ (UCC) since 2017, in various capacities. Additionally, Reverend Perez Jr. is a founding Board of Directors of the Southern New England Conference UCC and an Adjunct Professor at Berkeley School of Theology.
Kiki Lucia
Kiki Lucia (she/her) is a Connecticut-based drag performance artist with a vast artistic background that includes: classical ballet, aerial acrobatics, music theatre, acting, theatre production, directing, costume and production design, and producing. She started in Connecticut’s drag scene as backstage support starting in 2007 at the Polo Club in Hartford and took the stage for the first time in 2015. She hosts one of Connecticut’s longest running shows, Let’s Have a Kiki, and has produced some of the largest drag events in Connecticut in the last decade.
Tiana Maxim
Tiana Maxim is a Black trans showgirl from Rockland County, NY. She has been entertaining for 15 years in the New England area. Her longest running show is called “Skynn” on the fourth Friday at Trevi Lounge in Fairfield, Connecticut. She is the founding mother of the House of Maxim in Connecticut and Texas. She also has a political science degree from the University of New Haven.
Evelyn “Evy” Ruiz
Evelyn “Evy” Ruiz (she/her) is a Latina, lesbian Hartford native and founder and CEO of Hasta Luego Friend a mobile cafe rooted in community and culture. She is also the founder of Tia’s Roommate a Hartford-based QTPOC-owned organization creating safe and affirming space for queer and trans people, especially women of color.
