The USC Jewish Alliance for GLBTs and Straights, in conjunction with USC Hillel and the National Union of Jewish LGBTIQQ (NUJLS) Students, will be hosting the 14th annual NUJLS leadership conference Jan. 15-17.

Held at USC, the conference will include workshops, guest speakers, community building and socializing. Topics of discussion will include Judaism, homosexuality, activism, relationships, politics and more.

Vincent Vigil, director of the USC LGBT Resource Center, believes the conference will dispel the idea that being Jewish and gay are mutually exclusive.

“This conference encourages people to understand that they can be both, that they can be a practicing Jewish boy or girl and still be supportive of the LGBT community,” he said.

Students of all backgrounds and beliefs are welcome. Last year, more than 70 students from the United States and Canada participated, and this year’s conference is expected to draw even more attendees.

“We’re honored to have the conference here at USC,” Vigil said. “Within the LGBT community, there is so much rich diversity that often gets neglected. It’s important to remind our students that there are other aspects of their identity that we validate and that they should continue to explore.”

Participants can register at www.nujlsonline.org. The $80 fee covers kosher meals, accommodation and all conference events.